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651 records in 1995
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 2 February 1995
1 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment his policy in relation to the payment of water charges.[2337/95]
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Comprehensive Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 - Amends Federal law to define "major rule" as a rule or a group of closely related rules that the proposing agency or the President determines is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $50 million or more in reasonably quantifiable increased costs, or has a significant impact on a sector of the economy. (Sec. 2) Authorizes an agency proposing the rule or the President to designate as a major rule any rule or group of closely related rules which is likely to result in: (1) a substantial increase in costs or prices for wage earners, consumers, individual industries, nonprofit organizations, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or (2) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, the environment, public health or safety, or the ability of enterprises whose principal places of business are in the United States to compete in domestic or export markets. Requires each Federal agency, before publishing notice of proposed rulemaking for any rule, to determine whether the rule is or should be designated major. Requires the agency to issue at the time of the notice of proposed rulemaking a draft cost-benefit analysis which shall be summarized in such notice. Prohibits an agency from promulgating a rule unless it finds that: (1) the rule's potential benefits to society outweigh its costs; and (2) such rule will provide greater net benefits to society than reasonable alternatives, including certain market-based mechanisms. Subjects agency and presidential rule determinations or designations to judicial review. Authorizes any person subject to a major rule to petition the agency or the President to perform a cost-benefit analysis. Requires an agency, before a major rule can become final, to submit to the Congress a copy of the rule and a report containing a concise statement on the rule, a complete copy of the cost-benefit analysis, and the proposed effective date of the rule. Prohibits a rule from becoming final if the Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval. Prohibits the promulgation of any rule that expands Federal jurisdiction beyond the level of regulatory action needed to satisfy statutory requirements. Requires a court reviewing a final agency action to affirm an agency's interpretation of the statute granting authority to promulgate the rule if, in applying traditional principles of statutory construction, it finds that the interpretation is clearly the interpretation of the statute intended by the Congress. Requires the President to: (1) establish procedures for agency compliance with this Act; and (2) monitor, review, and ensure such compliance. Authorizes an affected small entity to petition for the judicial review of a final rule with respect to which an agency: (1) has certified that it would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; or (2) prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Department of Energy Risk Management Act of 1995 - Sets forth the general applicability guidelines for this Act. Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) apply certain principles related to human health risks and significant assumptions when preparing risk assessments and risk characterizations; (2) issue a final regulation implementing such risk assessment and characterization principles; and (3) promulgate a plan to review and revise previous risk assessments if certain new information or methodologies become available. Specifies requirements for environmental restoration activity. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prioritize the use of resources available to conduct restoration activities to address the risks to human health, safety, and the environment; (2) incorporate such priorities into the Department's budget, strategic planning, and research activities; and (3) recommend annually to the Congress modifications to legislation to promote such priorities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Regulatory Oversight Act of 1995 - Provides for a review by the Congress of rules promulgated by Federal agencies, before such rules take effect as final rules. Requires Federal agencies to submit rules and reports on them, including any cost-benefit analyses, to the Congress. Allows the Congress to stop final implementation of significant rules through a joint resolution of disapproval (and override of any Presidential veto of such resolution). Defines a significant rule as any rule that may have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Coastal Barrier Technical Corrections Act of 1995 - Amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to declare that areas depicted in maps dealt with by this Act are part of the Coastal Barrier Resources System. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make corrections to specified maps of the System as necessary to ensure that: (1) those maps are consistent with other maps on file with the Secretary; and (2) the System does not include any area that, before enactment of this Act, was part of unit Q01 of the System.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Extends through December 31, 2003, the eligibility of veterans for: (1) inpatient care for exposure to toxic substances and ionizing radiation during military service; (2) inpatient and outpatient care for exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard during the Persian Gulf War. Extends eligibility for such outpatient care for any disability to veterans who, during the period before December 31, 2003, either: (1) served on active duty in Vietnam and may have been exposed to dioxins or other toxic substances during such duty; or (2) were exposed during active duty to ionizing radiation during atomic testing or during the American occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to deem any municipal treatment facility employing chemically enhanced primary treatment that discharges via an ocean outfall into an open marine environment over four miles offshore into a depth exceeding 300 feet and that is in compliance with all local and State receiving body water quality standards to be the equivalent of secondary treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Physical Capital Investment Subtitle A: Highways and Mass Transit Subtitle B: Airports Subtitle C: Railroads Subtitle D: Water and Sewage Treatment Facilities Subtitle E: Environmental Restoration Subtitle F: Community Development Assistance Subtitle G: Education Infrastructure Subtitle H: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Title II: Human Capital Investment Subtitle A: Job Training Subtitle B: Education Subtitle C: Head Start Subtitle D: Programs Under Public Health Service Act Title III: Amendments of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Subtitle A: Reduction in Employee Payroll Taxes; Credit for First-Time Homebuyers Subtitle B: Revenue Increases Title IV: Appropriations Job Creation and Invest in America Act of 1995 - Title I: Physical Capital Investment - Subtitle A: Highways and Mass Transit - Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to authorize additional appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for interstate maintenance, surface transportation, and bridges. (Sec. 1002) Amends the Federal Transit Act to authorize additional appropriations and make available additional funding from the Mass Transit Account for certain formula grants and discretionary grants transit programs. Subtitle B: Airports - Amends the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 to make available additional amounts for airport improvement program grants (including grants for airport noise compatibility planning). Subtitle C: Railroads - Amends the Department of Transportation Act to increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for local rail freight assistance. Subtitle D: Water and Sewage Treatment Facilities - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds. Subtitle E: Environmental Restoration - Provides funds for environmental restoration at facilities of the Departments of Defense and of Energy. Sets forth various authorizations of appropriations and makes appropriations for such purposes. Subtitle F: Community Development Assistance - Chapter 1: Community Development Block Grants - Authorizes additional appropriations for community development block grants under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Chapter 2: Community Banking and Economic Empowerment Act - Community Banking and Economic Empowerment Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide capital, operating, and technical assistance to community development lenders and certain eligible entities in order to: (1) make credit-related services available to low-income persons inadequately served by traditional lending institutions; and (2) promote development and revitalization of low-income neighborhoods. Delineates the purposes for which the Secretary of HUD may provide assistance to community development lenders and to the eligible entities establishing those lenders. Prescribes guidelines for assisted community development lenders, including assistance agreements and auditing procedures. (Sec. 1520) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act to preclude a regulated financial institution from receiving either an "outstanding" or a "satisfactory" rating for meeting community credit needs solely on the basis of its loans or investments in community development lenders. (Sec. 1521) Requires annual reports to the Congress. (Sec. 1524) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) capital and operating assistance for community development lenders; and (2) technical assistance for organizing and operating community development lenders. Subtitle G: Education Infrastructure - Education Infrastructure Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible local educational agencies to meet the National Education Goals through repair, renovation, alteration, and construction of public elementary or secondary school libraries, media centers, or facilities, used for academic or vocational instruction, including certain authorized activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1606) Sets forth requirements for: (1) priorities in selection of applications; (2) maintenance of effort, supplementation of non-Federal funds, and general limitations; (3) minority small business participation as project contractors or subcontractors, and payment of wages in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act; and (4) Federal evaluation. (Sec. 1610) Authorizes the comprehensive regional centers to provide technical assistance to such projects. Subtitle H: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency - Authorizes additional appropriations to the Secretary of Energy for renewable energy research, development, and demonstration programs described in specified provisions of the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989. (Sec. 1702) Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for the Federal Energy Efficiency Fund and the new technology demonstration program. Title II: Human Capital Investment - Subtitle A: Job Training - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to establish an allied health professional job training program. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to institutions of higher education to establish job training assistance programs for at-risk youths and long-term welfare recipients to become allied health professionals. Authorizes appropriations. Increases the authorization of appropriations for the following youth job training programs: (1) Youth Fair Chance under JTPA; and (2) Youthbuild under the Homeownership and Opportunity Through HOPE Act. Subtitle B: Education - Extends and increases the authorization of appropriations for certain programs for educational personnel under the Adult Education Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Subtitle C: Head Start - Amends the Head Start Act to extend and increase the authorization of appropriations for Head Start programs. Subtitle D: Programs Under Public Health Service Act - Chapter 1: Funding Initiative for Programs Providing Health Services - Authorizes additional appropriations for the following programs under the Public Health Service Act: (1) community health centers; (2) migrant health centers; (3) health care for the homeless; (4) preventive services regarding tuberculosis, breast and cervical cancer, lead exposure, HIV disease, and prostate cancer; (5) immunization; (6) cancer registries; (7) comprehensive school health education; (8) prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, and injuries; (9) child day care health and safety; (10) asthma; (11) environmental health, including response to urgent environmental threats to public health and environmental services regarding the health of individuals in the United States in the vicinity of the Mexican border; (12) block grants for community mental health services, prevention and treatment of substance abuse, and preventive health services; and (13) scholarship and loan repayment programs of the National Health Service Corps. Authorizes additional appropriations for the maternal and child health block grant program under the Social Security Act. Chapter 2: Community Health Advisor Program - National Community Health Advisor Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for each State or State-designated entity that submits an appropriate application, to award formula grants for the development and operation of community health advisor (CHA) programs. Requires such States to: (1) operate a clearinghouse to maintain and disseminate information on CHA programs; (2) provide technical assistance for training CHAs; and (3) coordinate all CHA activities carried out by the State under the award. Limits administrative costs to 15 percent of the total award. (Sec. 2314) Provides CHA program objectives and goals. Requires funding agreements for such awards to give priority to developing and operating CHA programs for medically underserved communities (poor rural and inner city areas). (Sec. 2315) Requires a State to provide matching funds of 25 percent of award amounts toward such programs. Requires a CHA program in a State to be carried out in at least one urban area and one rural area. Requires ongoing supervision of CHAs involved in the program. Allows for expenditures under the award for training and continuing education programs. Requires reports from State applicants to the Secretary assessing the effectiveness of CHA programs. (Sec. 2317) Provides for the determination of the amount allotted to each chosen applicant, taking into account the population and poverty level of the area involved. (Sec. 2318) Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for quality assurance and cost-effectiveness of the CHA programs. (Sec. 2319) Requires evaluations of each such program. (Sec. 2320) Prohibits this chapter from being construed to require the Secretary to modify or terminate the Community Health Representative Program of the Indian Health Service. (Sec. 2322) Authorizes appropriations for the CHA program. Title III: Amendments of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Subtitle A: Reduction in Employee Payroll Taxes; Credit for First-Time Homebuyers - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide a refundable credit for a portion of social security taxes for taxable years 1995 and 1996, equal to 20 percent of the taxpayer's social security taxes for that year, up to a maximum credit of $200, or $400 for a joint return. (Sec. 3002) Allows a nonrefundable personal credit for purchase of a principal residence by a first-time homebuyer. Sets such maximum overall credit at no more than $6,000. Subtitle B: Revenue Increases - Amends the IRC to establish a stock transfer excise tax. (Sec. 3102) Repeals a preferential rate of tax on capital gains. (Sec. 3103) Repeals a credit for foreign taxes. (Sec. 3104) Repeals provisions for a deferral of income of controlled foreign corporations. (Sec. 3105) Requires the use of a formulaic approach to clearly reflect income of multinational corporations. (Sec. 3106) Repeals an increase in the basis of property acquired from a decedent. Provides that such basis is to be determined under rules applicable to gifts. (Sec. 3107) Phases in a capital gains tax on inherited property. (Sec. 3108) Provides for an additional exclusion of gain on the sale of a principal residence acquired from a decedent. Title IV: Appropriations - Appropriates amounts authorized under this Act. (Sec. 4002) Designates the entire amount appropriated under this Act as an emergency requirement under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from continuing or beginning to conduct administrative or judicial enforcement actions against the following persons under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 if such persons did not directly cause the release or threat of release of the hazardous substance concerned and did not have knowledge of such release: (1) persons who arranged for the disposal, treatment, or transport of hazardous substances by another party at a facility owned by another party; and (2) persons who accepted hazardous substances for transport to disposal or treatment facilities or sites from which a release occurs which causes the incurrence of response costs. Places a moratorium on the authority of persons to seek contribution from another person who is: (1) potentially liable for hazardous substance releases during or following any civil action; and (2) not a party to a settlement, in cases where such persons have resolved liability to the United States or a State for an environmental response action for some or all of the costs in an approved settlement. Applies such moratorium to judicial actions initiated before this Act's enactment date that are pending as well as those initiated after such date. Provides that limitation periods with regard to the commencement of actions for the recovery of specified costs and damages shall be tolled for the period that a moratorium under this Act is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1995
Requires the United States to withdraw from the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation and the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (North American Free Trade Agreement supplemental agreements). Requires the President to provide notice of such withdrawal to Canada and Mexico. Repeals provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act relating to implementation of such agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize a State in which all or part of a Severe ozone nonattainment area is located to submit a plan revision requiring employers in such area to implement programs to reduce work-related vehicle trips and miles by employees. (Current law requires such States to submit such revision within two years of the enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.) Authorizes such revision to require employers in such areas to increase average passenger occupancy per vehicle in commuting trips between home and workplace during peak travel periods. (Current law requires specified increases in average passenger occupancy.) Authorizes (current law requires) the revision to require employers subject to a vehicle occupancy requirement to submit a compliance plan.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
Directs the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint an Assistant Administrator for Indian Lands within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Requires the Assistant Administrator to: (1) coordinate EPA activities with respect to Indian lands and federally recognized Indian tribes; and (2) implement the stated EPA policy commonly referred to as the 1984 Indian Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Insurance Reform Title II: State Innovation Subtitle A: State Waiver Authority Subtitle B: State Laws Title III: Public Health and Rural and Underserved Access Improvement Title IV: Medical and Health Research Title V: Fraud and Abuse Subtitle A: All-Payer Fraud and Abuse Control Program Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Subtitle C: Civil Monetary Penalties Subtitle D: Payments for State Health Care Fraud Control Units Title VI: Revenue Provisions Subtitle A: Financing Provisions Subtitle B: Health Care Reform Trust Fund Health Partnership Act of 1995 - Title I: Health Insurance Reform - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to develop standards for health insurance plans with respect to: (1) the renewability and portability of coverage; (2) guaranteed issue with respect to all health insurance coverage products; (3) the establishment of an adjusted community rating system with adjustment factors limited to age; (4) solvency; (5) stop-loss standards for self-funded health insurance plans and multi-employer welfare arrangements and association plans; (6) the identification of minimum employer size for self-funding and the interrelationship between self-funding and the community-rated pool of enrollees; and (7) other appropriate areas. Requires the Secretary to develop such standards if the NAIC fails to do so. (Sec. 1002) Revises provisions regarding Medicare supplemental policies. Title II: State Innovation - Subtitle A: State Waiver Authority - Includes within the objectives of the waiver programs approved under this title: (1) achieving the goals of increased health coverage and access; (2) containing the annual rate of growth in health care expenditures; (3) ensuring patients receive high-quality, appropriate health care; and (4) testing alternative reforms. Authorizes States to apply to the Secretary for alternative State health program waivers or limited State health care waivers. Directs the Secretary to establish a State Health Reform Advisory Commission to monitor the status and progress achieved under waivers and to promote information exchange between States and the Federal Government. Requires the Board to make recommendations to the Secretary and the Congress with respect to minimizing the negative effect of State waivers on national employer groups, provider organizations, and insurers because of differing State requirements under waivers. Permits the Secretary to revoke any waiver of Federal law granted under this subtitle and to terminate any alternative State health program for good cause. Authorizes grants to States for carrying out alternative State health programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) grant priority to State projects that have the greatest opportunity to succeed in providing expanded health insurance coverage and access and in providing children, youth, and vulnerable populations with access to health care items and services; and (2) attempt to link allocations to States to the meeting of goals and performance measures relating to health care coverage, access, costs, and outcomes and vulnerable populations through the State project application process. Permits local governments to submit such applications if a State fails to do so or if a local government can demonstrate unique demographic needs or a significant population size that warrants a substate waiver. Earmarks funds for such grants from the Health Care Reform Trust Fund. Subtitle B: State Laws - Part A: Existing Waivers and Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act - Continues certain existing waivers for States from requirements of titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Part B: Erisa Review - Amends ERISA to make certain ERISA preemptions of State laws regarding retirement income security inapplicable, upon application of a State, to State programs that: (1) require participation in an uncompensated care pool; (2) provide for the imposition of a specified tax on health care providers; or (3) implement an exemption as provided by this Act. (Sec. 2112) Directs the ERISA Review Commission to make recommendations to the Secretary of Labor with respect to: (1) uniform data collection concerning use, cost, and quality information and requiring common claims processing; (2) the authority of States to establish interim minimum benefits packages until implementation of a national uniform benefits plan; (3) the application of preemption rules only to self-insured employers which have more than a minimum number of employees; (4) the authority of States to regulate the quality of managed care plans which contract with self-insured plans; (5) State health care financing programs, including taxes on health services and employers to provide for coverage; (6) rate setting by hospital reimbursement systems; (7) the authority of States to require employers to pay for or offer health benefits; (8) the authority of the Federal Government to provide remedies and consumer protections to beneficiaries of self-insured plans; (9) the authority of States to require self-insured plans to participate in purchasing cooperatives and risk adjustment systems; (10) a national uniform benefits plan applicable to all health plans; and (11) unresolved issues. Sets forth requirements with respect to the implementation of such recommendations. (Sec. 2113) Establishes the Commission. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Public Health and Rural and Underserved Access Improvement - Public Health and Rural and Underserved Access Improvement Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for grants to States for core functions of public health programs. Includes within such core functions: (1) data collection and analytical activities related to population-based status and outcomes monitoring; (2) activities to reduce environmental risk and to assure the safety of housing, schools, workplaces, day-care centers, and food and water; (3) investigation, control, and public-awareness activities regarding adverse health conditions; (4) public information and education programs to reduce health risks; (5) public health laboratory services that screen for diseases and conditions; (6) training and education in the field of public health; and (7) leadership, policy development, and administration activities. (Sec. 3002) Authorizes appropriations for grants to States for evaluating the extent to which clinical preventive services, health promotion and unintentional injury prevention activities, and interpersonal and community violence prevention activities achieve health care cost reductions and health status improvement. Directs the Secretary to issue practice guidelines that are based on the results of such evaluations. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) scholarships and loan repayment programs for individuals attending schools of public health; (2) grants to expand the capacity of certain educational institutions with public health programs; (3) grants to expand public health training programs in States lacking adequate programs; (4) area health education centers and health education training centers; (5) activities regarding centers for the prevention and treatment of poisoning and control of poisons; (6) certain school-related health services; (7) grants to migrant and community health centers; (8) the National Health Service Corps; (9) satellite clinics to provide primary health care; and (10) community health advisor programs. Title IV: Medical and Health Research - Medical and Health Research Act of 1995 - Establishes a National Fund for Health Research in the Treasury. (Sec. 4003) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to designate overpayments of tax or cash contributions to be paid over to the National Fund for Health Research. Title V: Fraud and Abuse - Health Fraud and Abuse Reduction Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: All-Payer Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General to establish: (1) an all-payer fraud and abuse control program; and (2) by regulation, standards to carry out the program. Authorizes appropriations as necessary to conduct investigations and audits of such fraud and abuse and to carry out such program. Establishes the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account from which funds shall be available to carry out the program. Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Revises sanctions under the Social Security Act with respect to health care fraud and abuse. Subtitle C: Civil Monetary Penalties - Revises provisions of the Social Security Act regarding civil penalties for health care fraud violations. Subtitle D: Payments for State Health Care Fraud Control Units - Requires each State to establish and maintain a State agency to act as a Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Unit. Sets forth: (1) requirements for such units; and (2) provisions providing for payments to the States for such units. Title VI: Revenue Provisions - Subtitle A: Financing Provisions - Increases the excise tax on the following tobacco and tobacco-related products: (1) cigarettes; (2) cigars; (3) cigarette papers and tubes; and (4) smokeless and pipe tobacco. (Sec. 6001) Imposes a tax on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes manufactured or imported into Puerto Rico. Provides a floor stocks tax on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes manufactured in or imported into the United States or Puerto Rico which are removed before any tax-increase date and held on such date for sale. Bars a tax on cigarettes held for retail sale on any tax-increase date by any vending machine. Provides a tax credit against floor stocks taxes. Establishes conditions under which articles in foreign trade zones shall be subject to such taxes. (Sec. 6003) Imposes a tax on roll-your-own tobacco manufactured in or imported into the United States. Subtitle B: Health Care Reform Trust Fund - Establishes the Health Care Reform Trust Fund in the Treasury and provides for the deposit into such Fund of amounts received from taxes on tobacco products.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Regulatory Analysis and Review Title II: Risk-Based Priorities Title III: Regulatory Accounting Title IV: Market Incentives and Economically Efficient Regulation Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Regulatory Analysis and Review - Amends Federal law to define "major rule" as a rule or a group of closely related rules that the proposing agency, the President, or an officer with presidentially delegated authority determines is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more in reasonably quantifiable direct and indirect costs, or has a significant impact on a subsector of the economy. (Sec. 101) Authorizes an agency, the President, or an officer with presidentially delegated authority to designate as a major rule also any rule or group of closely related rules which is likely to result in: (1) a substantial increase in costs or prices for wage earners, consumers, individual industries, nonprofit organizations, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or (2) significant adverse effects on wages, economic growth, investment, productivity, innovation, the environment, public health or safety, or the ability of enterprises whose principal places of business are in the United States to compete in domestic or export markets. Excludes from the meaning of major rule under this Act any rule: (1) involving Federal taxes; (2) authorizing the introduction into commerce or recognizing the marketable status of a product under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; (3) exempting from notice and public procedure; or (4) relating to specified aspects of depository institutions with federally insured deposits or accounts. Requires each Federal agency, before publishing notice of proposed rulemaking for any rule, to determine whether the rule is or should be designated major. Provides for such determination by the President or by an officer with presidentially delegated authority. Requires the agency to issue at the time of the notice of proposed rulemaking a preliminary regulatory cost-benefit analysis, summarized in such notice, with specified contents. Requires issuance of a final regulatory analysis with the publication of a final major rule. Allows judicial review of an agency determination of major rule status, but not of such a determination by the President or by an officer with presidentially delegated authority. Prescribes executive oversight requirements and authority. Requires the President to require the heads of certain covered agencies to prepare: (1) a risk assessment for each proposed major rule relating to human health, safety, or the environment; and (2) for each such proposed or final rule, an assessment of incremental risk reduction or other benefits associated with each significant regulatory alternative considered by the agency in connection with the rule. Exempts from such requirements emergency situations and certain screening analyses. Limits covered agencies to: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency; (2) the Department of Labor; (3) the Food and Drug Administration; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Department of Transportation; (6) the Department of Energy; (7) the Department of Agriculture; (8) the Department of the Interior; and (9) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Specifies principles for risk assessment, risk characterization, and risk communication, requiring generally that scientific findings and best estimates of risk be distinguished from other considerations. Requires each covered agency to: (1) issue guidelines to implement risk assessment and risk characterization principles; and (2) publish, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, a plan to review and revise any risk assessment published before the end of such 18-month period if the agency determines that significant new information or methodologies are available that could significantly alter the results of the prior risk assessment. Requires an agency head or the President to determine for each major rule that: (1) the risk assessment and incremental benefit analysis are based on a scientific evaluation supported by the best available scientific data; and (2) there is no regulatory alternative allowed by statute under which the regulation is promulgated that would achieve an equivalent reduction in risk in a more cost-effective and flexible manner. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to: (1) survey periodically how each covered agency is conducting risk assessment; (2) make recommendations to the President and the Congress based on such surveys; (3) establish interagency mechanisms to promote coordination among agencies conducting risk assessment and promote use of state-of-the-art assessment practices; and (4) establish mechanisms between Federal and State agencies, including periodic meetings, to communicate state-of-the-art risk assessment practices and assess Federal-State cooperation. Requires each agency: (1) to identify in the Federal Register existing rules it determines to be major; and (2) to review each such rule, according to certain procedures, and amend, repeal, or renew the rule, with public participation. (Sec. 102) Authorizes each Federal agency head, in the administration of a Federal statute with respect to any State or locality, to adopt as a Federal rule, recordkeeping or reporting requirement, or implementation procedure a State or local rule, requirement, or procedure that is substantively equivalent to or more stringent than its Federal counterpart. Title II: Risk-Based Priorities - Risk Reduction Priorities Act of 1995 - Urges each covered agency to strive to set priorities and use the resources available under applicable laws to address human health, safety, and environmental risks: (1) which the agency considers most serious; and (2) which can be addressed in a cost- effective manner. (Sec. 204) Sets forth general criteria for determining the most serious risks, with review of agency determinations by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Requires each agency head to incorporate such risk-based priorities into budget and planning activities. (Sec. 205) Requires the OMB Director to enter into arrangements with an accredited scientific body to conduct: (1) a study of the methodologies for using comparative risk to rank dissimilar human health, safety, and environmental risks; and (2) a comparative risk analysis according to specified criteria. Requires reports to the President and the Congress. Exempts agency compliance or noncompliance with this title from judicial review. Prohibits judicial consideration of any analysis prepared under this title apart from the requirement, rule, program, or law to which it relates. Title III: Regulatory Accounting - Regulatory Accounting Act of 1995 - Requires the President to submit to Congress biennial accounting statements estimating the costs of Federal regulatory programs and corresponding benefits over the next five fiscal years. Prescribes the general contents of such statements. (Sec. 303) Requires the President, acting through the OMB Director, to submit to Congress along with the accounting statement an associated report containing impact analyses and recommendations for reform. (Sec. 304) Requires the OMB Director to provide guidance to agencies to standardize cost and benefit measures and the format of the accounting statements. (Sec. 305) Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after each accounting statement and associated report submitted to Congress, to make recommendations to the President for improving such statements and reports. Title IV: Market Incentives and Economically Efficient Regulation - Market Incentives Act of 1995 - Requires agencies to ensure that major rules, especially those that limit the emission of environmental pollutants or otherwise govern the use of natural resources, operate through the application of market-based mechanisms (or comparable alternatives). (Sec. 403) Requires each agency to include in each proposed rule an assessment of market-based mechanisms, which shall be reviewed by OMB.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) treat Indian tribes as States under such Act; (2) delegate primary enforcement authority for programs under such Act to Indian tribes; and (3) provide grant and contract assistance to tribes to carry out such Act. Sets forth conditions under which Indian tribes may be treated as States. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on: (1) recommendations for addressing hazardous and solid wastes and underground storage tanks (USTs) within Indian country; (2) methods to maximize Indian participation in, and administration of, programs under such Act; and (3) an estimate of the amount of assistance required and a discussion of proposals by the Administrator concerning the provision of assistance to Indian tribes for the administration of such programs. Requires the Administrator to establish an inventory of sites within Indian country at which hazardous waste has been stored or disposed. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reserve at least three percent of the amounts made available to States from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for Indian tribes to carry out response actions for petroleum USTs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Conversion of Joliet Army Ammunition Plant to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Title II: Other Real Property Disposals Involving Joliet Army Ammunition Plant Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Illinois Land Conservation Act of 1995 - Title I: Conversion of Joliet Army Ammunition Plant to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - Ratifies the proposals identified by the land use plan which was developed by the Joliet Arsenal Citizen Planning Commission, approved April 8, 1994. Transfers to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary), without reimbursement, portions of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant in Illinois (Arsenal) to constitute the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (MNP) established by this Act. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Army to provide and maintain security measures on such portions of the Arsenal as are under their jurisdictions. Authorizes the Secretary, prior to such transfer and subject to such reasonable terms and conditions as the Secretary of the Army may prescribe, to enter upon Arsenal property for purposes related to planning, resource inventory, fish and wildlife habitat manipulation (including burning), and specified other activities. (Sec. 102) Transfers jurisdiction to the Secretary over those portions of the Arsenal property identified for transfer within six months of this Act's enactment. Specifies that, in the case of Arsenal property to be transferred to the Secretary, the Secretary of the Army shall transfer to the Secretary only those portions for which no further action is required under any environmental law. Provides for additional transfers and the identification of portions for transfer for the MNP. Directs the Secretary of the Army to retain jurisdiction, authority, and control over real property at the Arsenal to be used for environmental cleanup purposes. Requires all costs of necessary surveys for the transfer of jurisdiction of Arsenal property from the Secretary of the Army to the Secretary to be shared equally by the two Secretaries. (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary of the Army, with respect to the real property at the Arsenal, to remain liable for and continue to carry out all: (1) response actions required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and all remediation actions required under other environmental laws at or related to the property; and (2) actions required under other environmental laws to remediate petroleum products or their derivatives. Specifies that the Secretary of the Army shall retain any obligation or other liability at the Arsenal that he or she may have under CERCLA and other environmental laws. Relieves the Secretary from liability for certain costs, penalties, or fines regarding response actions required under CERCLA or the presence, release, or threat of release of any hazardous material at or related to the Arsenal or actions necessary to remedy noncompliance or other specified problems. Requires any Federal department or agency that had or has operations at the Arsenal resulting in the release or threatened release of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants to pay the cost of related response actions or related actions under other statutes to remediate petroleum products or their derivatives. (Sec. 104) Establishes the MNP in Illinois to be managed for National Forest purposes. Permits acquisition of private lands for inclusion in the MNP on a willing seller basis only. (Sec. 105) Permits the construction and maintenance of roads for use within the MNP, the granting of authorizations for utility rights-of-way under applicable Federal law, or such access as is necessary. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) agricultural leases and special use authorizations; (2) user fees; (3) salvage of improvements; (4) treatment of user fees and salvage receipts; and (5) cooperation with States, local governments, and other entities. Requires the Secretary to develop a plan to provide Will County, Illinois, and local jurisdictions with access to, and use of, groundwater through the existing system of wells located on portions of the Arsenal property to be included in the MNP. (Sec. 106) Designates specified areas of property at the Arsenal for disposal. Title II: Other Real Property Disposals Involving Joliet Army Ammunition Plant - Transfers specified real property at the Arsenal, without reimbursement, to: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for use as a national cemetery; (2) Will County, Illinois, for use as a landfill; and (3) the State of Illinois for economic redevelopment to replace the economic activity lost at the Arsenal. Requires the reversion to the United States of: (1) the landfill property if the property is not being operated as a landfill or if the Federal Government is denied reasonable access to the property; and (2) the economic redevelopment property if such property is not being used for such purposes. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or lessen the degree of cleanup at the Arsenal required to be carried out under any environmental law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1995
Rural Community Wastewater Treatment Affordability Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make activities involving the acquisition of lands, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for construction of publicly owned treatment works eligible for assistance from State revolving loan funds (SRFs). Makes certain nonprofit associations and other entities eligible for wastewater treatment and supply services under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act eligible for SRF assistance as well. Adds to the list of conditions that a State must meet to receive a capitalization grant that the State will encourage the use of innovative and cost-effective technologies in the construction of treatment works financed with SRF assistance. Requires loans made from SRFs to be made to rural and disadvantaged communities at or below market interest rates for terms of up to 40 years or the useful life of the project being financed, whichever is earlier. Permits up to 15 percent of all loans made from an SRF to be used for negative-interest loans to rural and disadvantaged communities. Allows SRFs to be used to make grants to such communities for up to 75 percent of planning and predevelopment costs incurred with respect to construction or improvement of treatment works without regard to whether actual construction is carried out. Limits amounts available for grants per fiscal year. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to the National Rural Water Association, the Rural Community Assistance Program, the Small Flows Clearinghouse, and other qualified organizations to provide training and technical assistance to rural and disadvantaged communities with respect to the planning, construction, and operation of treatment works. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1995
Establishes a moratorium on the Interagency Memorandum of Agreement Concerning Wetlands Determinations until enactment of a successor law to the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1995
Omnibus Committee Funding Resolution for 1995 and 1996 - Authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees from March 1, 1995, through September 30, 1996, and for the period March 1, 1996, through February 28, 1997: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (5) Budget; (6) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (7) Energy and Natural Resources; (8) Environment and Public Works; (9) Finance; (10) Foreign Relations; (11) Governmental Affairs; (12) Judiciary; (13) Labor and Human Resources; (14) Rules and Administration; (15) Small Business; (16) Veterans' Affairs; (17) Aging; (18) Intelligence; and (19) Indian Affairs. Authorizes the transfer of any unexpended balance of any committee for the period ending February 28, 1995, to a special reserve to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses. Expresses the sense of the Senate that space assigned to committees covered by this resolution shall be reduced commensurate with the reductions in authorized staff funded herein. States that the Committee on Rules and Administration is expected to recover such space for purposes of equalizing Senators' offices and to consolidate the space for committees to reduce the cost of support equipment and office furniture and accessories.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1995
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to give priority consideration to the inclusion of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, in the National Estuary Program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1995
Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis Act of 1995 - Directs the head of each covered Federal agency, in exercising authority under any Federal law to protect human health and the environment, to: (1) conduct risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis for all major rules protecting human health and the environment; (2) demonstrate that for all major rules the benefits to human health or the environment justify the costs; (3) publish with each final rule an identification of the most flexible and cost effective regulatory option and, if those options are not employed, an explanation justifying why; (4) prioritize threats to human health, safety, and the environment according to the seriousness of the risk they pose and the opportunities available to achieve the greatest overall net reduction in those risks with the public and private resources available; (5) prioritize the use of resources available to the agency under those laws to reduce those risks in accordance with such threat priorities (including applying the priorities to the budget, strategic planning, and research activities of the agency); and (6) apply peer review to each risk assessment and each cost-benefit analysis that may have a significant impact on that exercise of authority. (Sec. 5) Establishes in each covered agency an Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis. Sets forth provisions for the Office: (1) Director, who shall be a Deputy Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Administrator of the agency; (2) scientific peer review; (3) use of services and consultation; (4) issuance and use of risk assessment guidelines; (5) use of cost-benefit analysis before issuance any major rule; and (6) research and training in risk assessment, with evaluations and reports. (Sec. 6) Directs the head of each covered agency, acting through the agency's Office Director, to ensure that all risk characterizations make apparent the distinction between data and policy assumptions to facilitate interpretation and appropriate use of the characterization by decisionmakers. Sets forth required minimum contents for risk characterizations. (Sec. 7) Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to carry out specified interagency coordination activities with respect to risk assessment. (Sec. 8) Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Office of Science and Technology, rather than the President, to transmit an annual Environmental Quality Report. (Sec. 9) Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to modify any requirement or standard provided for in another provision of law that provides for risk assessment or is designed to protect health, safety, or the environment. (Sec. 10) Defines a major rule as any rule that is likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $25 million or more. Makes the following covered agencies under this Act: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency; (2) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (3) the Occupational Health and Safety Administration; (4) the Department of Labor; (5) the Department of Transportation; (6) the Department of Energy; (7) the Department of Agriculture; (8) the Department of the Interior; and (9) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1995
Bisti-De-Na-Zin Wilderness Expansion and Fossil Forest Protection Act - Amends the San Juan Wilderness Protection Act of 1984 to incorporate additional lands in New Mexico into the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. Withdraws such lands from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws and from disposition under laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing and mineral material sales. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue coal leases in New Mexico in exchange for any preference right coal lease application on such lands after a determination has been made by the Secretary that the applicant is entitled to a preference right lease and that the exchange is in the public interest. Provides for the exchange of State and Navajo Indian lands located in the wilderness for other lands. Establishes the Fossil Forest Research Natural Area within New Mexico. Makes such area subject to the same withdrawal requirements and coal preference rights as the wilderness area designated under this Act. Prohibits livestock grazing in the Area. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, to develop a baseline inventory of all categories of fossil resources within the Area and to conduct monitoring surveys. Requires the Secretary to submit a management plan for the Area to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to include: (1) a plan for the implementation of a cooperative program with other agencies for laboratory and field interpretation and public education; (2) provisions for vehicle management; (3) procedures for the excavation and collection of fossil remains; and (4) mitigation and reclamation standards for activities that disturb the surface to the detriment of scenic and environmental values.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1995
Publicly Owned Treatment Works Biological Monitoring Use Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require permits for discharges from publicly owned treatment works to contain terms for biological monitoring or whole effluent toxicity testing and for establishing a process to reduce the cause of such toxicity if the permitting authority determines that such discharges cause, have the potential to cause, or contribute to an in-stream excursion above a narrative or numeric criterion for whole effluent toxicity. Provides that if the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that it is necessary to include biological monitoring, whole effluent toxicity testing, or assessment methods as a permit condition for publicly owned treatment works, the failure of such tests shall not result in a finding of violation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1995
Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to revise general financial responsibility requirements for offshore facilities. Requires responsible parties (except as provided in provisions regarding deepwater ports) to maintain financial responsibility as described by this Act with respect to offshore facilities seaward of the U.S. coastline that are used for drilling for, producing, or processing oil or that have the capacity to transport, store, transfer, or handle more than 1,000 barrels of oil at any one time. Sets the general amount of financial responsibility at $35 million. Provides that if the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating determines that an amount of financial responsibility greater than such amount is appropriate based on an assessment of the facility's risk, the amount of financial responsibility required is equal to the lesser of: (1) the amount of liability for oil pollution to which the responsible party could be subjected with respect to the facility in a case in which the party would be entitled to limit liability; or (2) $75 million. Provides that in cases where a person is the responsible party for more than one facility, evidence of responsibility need be established only to meet the maximum liability applicable to the facility having the greatest maximum liability.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1995
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize a State to enforce laws regulating, and collecting fees for, the treatment and disposal within such State of solid waste generated in another State. Exempts specified types of waste from regulation under this Act. Grants congressional approval to agreements or compacts entered into by two or more States for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance for solid waste management. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations exempting waste types or recycling practices from the authority granted to States under this Act if such action promotes the development of an interstate market for recyclable materials or is necessary to promote environmentally sound waste disposal practices.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Auto Inspection Reform (AIR) Act of 1995 - Provides that States will not be required to implement enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance programs (required for Serious, Severe, and Extreme ozone nonattainment areas) under the Clean Air Act prior to March 1, 1996. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately rescind regulations relating to the operation of such programs on a centralized basis and issue new regulations to allow the operation of such programs on a centralized or decentralized basis at the option of each State. Prohibits, until the Administrator carries out such requirements, the imposition of sanctions for failures by States to implement such programs or specified adverse actions against States by the Administrator or the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. Requires the Administrator to: (1) deem that emissions reductions calculated by States for inspection and maintenance under State implementation plans would be achieved as if the planned program had been implemented; or (2) consider the operation of the program on a decentralized basis as equivalent to operation on a centralized basis if the State demonstrates that such equivalency is reasonable.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Amends provisions of the Clean Air Act relating to rural transport areas to treat rural or nonrural areas as satisfying requirements for ozone nonattainment areas if the State makes implementation plan submissions applicable to Marginal nonattainment areas and if sources of volatile organic compound (and, where relevant, nitrogen oxides) emissions within such areas do not contribute to more than 35 percent of the ozone concentrations in such areas or in other areas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1995
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from determining a species to be an endangered or threatened species, or from designating a critical habitat of a species, until such Act has been reauthorized.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to provide that revisions of State implementation plans that provide for transportation control measures for Serious ozone nonattainment areas shall not be required to include trip reduction ordinances.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize (but not require) States to include provisions for vehicle inspection and maintenance programs in implementation plans for Marginal ozone nonattainment areas. Repeals provisions that require States to submit plan revisions that provide for: (1) vehicle inspection and maintenance programs in Moderate ozone nonattainment areas; and (2) enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance programs to reduce hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions in Serious ozone nonattainment areas.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
Colonia Waste Water Treatment Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California for waste water treatment for a political subdivision acting on behalf of a colonia that meets this Act's requirements or a colonia that: (1) is determined to be a colonia on the basis of objective criteria; (2) is located in the United States within 100 kilometers of the international boundary between Mexico and the United States; and (3) was in existence as a colonia before November 27, 1992. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1995
Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1990 to authorize a special revolving fund used by Texas to make loans to specified colonias for construction of treatment works to be used to make grants for such purposes as well.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1995
Asbestos Management Incentive Act - Absolves lending institutions that make loans or credit secured by liens on commercial buildings from liability resulting from asbestos material in any case in which the building was constructed during the five-year period ending on the date that the loan was made and the building's construction manager certifies that the building contains no asbestos-containing material, or in the case of any building: (1) for which an asbestos inspection was conducted after January 1, 1989, and during such five-year period; (2) that has not been significantly rebuilt in the area that contains such material since that inspection was completed; (3) for which that portion of material recommended for removal has been removed; and (4) for which an operations and maintenance program is currently being conducted. Bars immunity from liability if the lending institution requires: (1) removal of material that the management planner has recommended be handled in place; or (2) an asbestos inspection of the building despite the fact that the loan applicant demonstrates that certain conditions have been satisfied or that all such material has been removed. Makes immunity inapplicable to a subsidiary of a lending institution if the subsidiary is the person to whom the loan is made. Continues liability for institutions that acquire title to a building through foreclosure as long as the institution maintains an operation and maintenance program. Sets forth requirements for asbestos inspections and management planner qualifications. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit persons from preparing asbestos management plans for public or commercial buildings unless they are accredited. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate regulations governing the inspection and management of asbestos in public and commercial buildings; and (2) update and revise asbestos guidance documents periodically. Requires, after an asbestos inspection: (1) the remaining asbestos-containing material to be visually inspected every six months; (2) all remaining material in public and maintenance areas of the building to be prominently labeled; and (3) a report to be completed and made available to maintenance workers.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1995
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in promulgating any proposed or final major regulation relating to human health or the environment, to publish in the Federal Register, along with the regulation, a statement that: (1) describes and quantifies the risks to human health and the environment to be addressed by the regulation; (2) compares such risks to other risks chosen by the Administrator; (3) estimates the costs to the U.S. Government, State and local governments, and the private sector of implementing and complying with the regulation and the benefits of the regulation; and (4) contains a certification that analyses performed are based on the best obtainable scientific information, the regulation is likely to reduce the risks to be addressed, there is no regulatory alternative that would achieve an equivalent reduction in risk in a more cost-effective manner, and the regulation is likely to produce benefits to human health or the environment that will justify the costs of compliance. Defines a "major regulation" as one that may have an effect on the economy of $100 million or more in any one year. Authorizes the Administrator, if a final regulation is substantially similar to the proposed version, to publish a reference to the statement of the proposed regulation in lieu of publishing a new statement for the final regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 1995
Amends Federal bankruptcy law to provide that a discharge in bankruptcy does not discharge a debt for a Federal, State, or local governmental claim against the debtor for remedial action under: (1) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980; or (2) the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 1995
Authorizes expenditures by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for the 104th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Federal Forage Fee Act of 1993 - Subjects grazing operations on Federal land to applicable Federal, State, and local environmental and land use requirements. Sets forth a forage fee formula for lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Farm, Ranch, and Homestead Protection Act of 1995 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior, until the Act's reauthorization, from: (1) determining that a species is an endangered or threatened species; or (2) designating a species habitat as a critical habitat. Exempts Federal agencies, until the Act's reauthorization, from complying with specified requirements, including: (1) carrying out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species; and (2) insuring that Federal actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction of habitat.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Federal Buildings Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to require the Administrator of General Services to submit to the Congress a biennial public buildings plan, including: (1) a five-year plan for accommodating the public building needs of the Government; (2) lists (in order of priority) of construction, alteration, purchase, and acquisition projects and of leases for which authorizations of appropriations are requested for specified fiscal years; (3) the estimated annual and total cost of each project and lease; and (4) any final environmental impact statement prepared for a project. Requires the Administrator to provide for a public hearing in the locality of each major project included in the biennial plan to consider the project's economic and social effects, environmental impact, and consistency with urban planning goals and objectives of the community. Repeals a provision of the Act prohibiting the employment of architectural or engineering services on a permanent basis. Directs the Administrator to use the results of the continuing investigation and survey of public buildings to establish a central repository for the asset management information of the Government. Directs each Federal agency to: (1) identify unneeded, obsolete, and underutilized public buildings; and (2) annually report specified information to the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct research and post-occupancy evaluations to determine and improve the effectiveness of existing and planned public buildings. Requires the Administrator to ensure that: (1) the headquarters of each executive department and establishment is located within the National Capital region unless otherwise specified by Act of Congress; (2) the regional, district, area, or local offices of Federal agencies are centrally located with respect to residential populations served or other governmental and private offices with which the agencies must maintain communication; and (3) the Federal agency offices are located throughout the United States generally in proportion to the geographic distribution of the U.S. population, with exceptions. Establishes a Building Design Advisory Board for conducting design competitions and reviewing the architectural design of Federal buildings. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (such Act) to require the Administrator to: (1) submit to the Board and to the Congress a list of projects for which architectural and engineering services for building design or site planning shall first be procured during the fiscal year; (2) designate a substantial number as projects for which such services shall be acquired through design competitions conducted under such Act; (3) issue model rules for conducting such projects; and (4) conduct each competition provided for under such Act. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) criteria for selection of designs; (2) recommendations concerning negotiations; (3) final selections; and (4) jury and adviser personnel matters. Requires the Administrator to require, as a condition of entering into any lease or other contract that would obligate funds in excess of $10,000 authorized pursuant to such Act, a certification consisting of declarations that the owner of the space to be leased or the contractor and any officer or principal employee of the contractor has: (1) no conflict of interest with the capacity of the person as a lessor or contractor with the Government; (2) not offered or promised anything of value to a public official for performing an official act; (3) not had a public contract terminated for default; and (4) not been convicted, indicted, or charged with specified offenses within ten years prior to the date of the solicitation for the lease or contract award. Requires the head of each Federal agency defined in the Act to review and report to the Congress on the long-term housing needs of the agency. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to the Congress on the feasibility and desirability of ending the monopoly of the General Services Administration with respect to providing office and storage space for Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
United States-Mexico Border Environmental Protection Act - Establishes in the Treasury the United States-Mexico Border Environmental Protection Fund to be used to investigate and respond to conditions that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines present a substantial threat to the land, air, or water resources of the Border Environment Zone (as defined by the La Paz Agreement between the United States and Mexico). Requires the Secretary of State to transfer a specified amount to the Fund. Authorizes the Administrator to declare an environmental emergency in the Zone if conditions present a substantial threat to the land, air, or water resources in the area. Prohibits such a declaration if the condition is specifically within the sole jurisdiction of the International Boundary and Water Commission. Authorizes the Administrator to establish a system for information sharing and for early warning to the United States, the several States, political subdivisions, and Indian tribes of environmental problems affecting the Zone. Permits the Secretary, acting through the U.S. Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, to enter into agreements with the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Mexico for the correction of and response to border sanitation emergencies. Prohibits the expenditure of U.S. funds for emergency investigation or remediation in Mexico without a cost-sharing agreement unless the expenditure would be cost-effective and in the U.S. interest. Establishes the United States International Boundary and Water Commission Fund to carry out international agreements under this Act. Requires the Secretary to transfer a specified amount to the Commission Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Designates the chairpersons on the following Senate Committees: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Judiciary; (12) Labor and Human Resources; and (13) Rules and Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make corrections to specified maps of the Coastal Barrier Resources System as necessary to ensure that: (1) those maps are consistent with other maps on file with the Secretary; and (2) the System does not include any area that, before enactment of this Act, was part of unit Q01 of the System.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Provides that States shall not be required to implement enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance programs under provisions of the Clean Air Act pertaining to Serious, Extreme, and Severe ozone nonattainment areas and ozone transport regions before two years after this Act's enactment date.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to allow emission reductions attributable to fleet turnover to be creditable against required reductions in Moderate ozone nonattainment areas.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to provide that revisions of State implementation plans that provide for transportation control measures for Serious ozone nonattainment areas shall not be required to include trip reduction ordinances.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal provisions relating to the listing of, and emission standards for, hazardous air pollutants.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Repeals the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal provisions relating to acid deposition control.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal provisions relating to stratospheric ozone protection.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1995
Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize (but not require) States to include provisions for vehicle inspection and maintenance programs in implementation plans for Marginal ozone nonattainment areas. Repeals provisions that require States to submit plan revisions that provide for: (1) vehicle inspection and maintenance programs in Moderate ozone nonattainment areas; and (2) enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance programs to reduce hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions in Serious ozone nonattainment areas.