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Bill· HRH.R. 1200 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Establishment of a State-Based American Health Security Program; Universal Entitlement; Enrollment Title II: Comprehensive Benefits, Including Preventive Benefits and Benefits for Long Term Care Title III: Provider Participation Title IV: Administration Subtitle A: General Administrative Provisions Subtitle B: Control Over Fraud and Abuse Title V: Quality Assessment Title VI: National Health Security Budget; Payments; Cost Containment Measures Subtitle A: Budgeting and Payments to States Subtitle B: Payments by States to Providers Subtitle C: Mandatory Assignment and Administrative Provisions Title VII: Promotion of Primary Health Care; Development of Health Service Capacity; Programs to Assist the Medically Underserved Subtitle A: Promotion and Expansion of Primary Care Professional Training Subtitle B: Direct Health Care Delivery Subtitle C: Primary Care and Outcomes Research Subtitle D: School-Related Health Services Title VIII: Financing Provisions; American Health Security Trust Fund Subtitle A: American Health Security Trust Fund Subtitle B: Taxes Based on Income and Wages Subtitle C: Increase in Excise Taxes on Tobacco Products Title IX: Conforming Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 American Health Security Act of 1995 - Title I: Establishment of a State-Based American Health Security Program; Universal Entitlement; Enrollment - Establishes in the United States an American Health Security Program (AHSP) to be administered by the States (including the District of Columbia and, if they so choose, U.S. territories) in accordance with Federal standards established under this Act. Requires a State to establish a State health security program (program) in accordance with this Act to receive Federal health care funding. (Sec. 102) Entitles every individual who is a resident of the United States and is a U.S. citizen or national or a lawful resident alien to benefits for health care services under this Act under the appropriate State program. Sets forth provisions regarding the treatment of nonimmigrants and other individuals. (Sec. 103) Requires each State program to: (1) provide a mechanism for the enrollment of individuals entitled or eligible for benefits (which includes a process for the automatic enrollment of individuals at the time of birth, immigration, or other acquisition of lawful resident status in the United States and provides for the enrollment of all individuals who are eligible to be enrolled as of January 1, 1995); and (2) issue a health security card to enrolled individuals. (Sec. 104) Makes benefits portable when enrollees move or travel between States. Prohibits imposition of a minimum residence or waiting period in excess of three months for program benefit eligibility. Allows reciprocal arrangements between programs in adjacent States for coverage for enrollees residing in the border region. (Sec. 105) Makes benefits available under this Act for items and services furnished on or after January 1, 1996. (Sec. 106) Supersedes Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, and CHAMPUS, which must pay for completion of services they covered before January 1, 1996. Specifies that nothing in this Act affects the eligibility of veterans for Veterans Administration health benefits and services, or of Indians for benefits and services of the Indian Health Service. Title II: Comprehensive Benefits, Including Preventive Benefits and Benefits for Long Term Care - Entitles all eligible individuals to have payment made (if medically necessary and appropriate for the maintenance of health or for the diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation of a health condition) for inpatient and outpatient hospital services, professional services of State-authorized practitioners, community-based primary health services, preventive services, long-term, acute, and chronic care services, prescription drugs, biologicals, insulin, and medical foods, dental services, mental health services and substance abuse treatment services, diagnostic tests, and other specified items and services, including outpatient therapy, durable medical equipment, home dialysis, ambulance, prosthetic devices, and other items and services specified by the American Health Security Standards Board (Board) (established by title IV of this Act). Specifies that: (1) no deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments may be charged for acute care benefits, except for specified cost-sharing for long-term care services; (2) no provider may charge a patient for covered services; (3) no private insurance may duplicate program benefits; and (4) States and employers may provide additional benefits at their own expense. (Sec. 203) Covers home and community-based long-term care services for persons unable to perform at least two of five listed activities of daily living without assistance. Limits the cost of such services to 65 percent (or an alternative percentage determined by the Board) of the cost of nursing home care for an individual in the same area in which the services were provided. (Sec. 204) Sets forth special delivery requirements for mental health and substance abuse treatment services provided to at-risk children. Directs the Board to make national determinations on coverage of experimental services, with professional and public input. Specifies that where the Board has recognized practice guidelines, coverage is limited to services provided according to the guidelines or any established exception process. Allows the Board to limit quantities of eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment that will be covered. Excludes from coverage cosmetic procedures, personal comfort items, and services furnished in non-participating facilities. (Sec. 205) Specifies that: (1) States may require providers to certify that covered services were provided according to program requirements; (2) quality review programs must meet Federal standards; and (3) States may require plans of care for coverage of certain services. Title III: Provider Participation - Requires providers, to receive payment, to agree: (1) not to discriminate based on race, national origin, income, religion, age, sex or sexual orientation, disability, handicapping condition, or (subject to the professional qualifications of the provider) illness; (2) not to charge patients for covered services; (3) to furnish necessary information to the Board or program; (4) not to employ other providers whose participation has been terminated for cause; and (5) to submit bills within a specified time frame. (Sec. 302) Considers a health care provider to be qualified if it is licensed or certified and meets State law requirements, applicable Federal requirements, and additional standards that the Board may specify. Requires: (1) the Board to establish, evaluate, and update national minimum standards to assure the quality of services provided and to monitor efforts by programs to assure such quality; (2) a reasonable transition period for any new standards; and (3) the Board to provide for an exchange of information among programs with respect to quality assurance and cost containment. (Sec. 303) Defines a "comprehensive health service organization" (CHSO) as a public or private organization which, in return for a capitated payment amount, furnishes or arranges a full range of health services and out-of-area coverage in the case of urgently needed services to an identified population in a specified service area which enrolls voluntarily in the organization. Sets forth various CHSO requirements regarding enrollment, withdrawal for cause, accessibility of services, continuity of care, consumer and provider representation on the board of directors, a patient grievance program, medical standards committees, premiums, utilization and bonus information, provision of services to enrollees at institutions operating under global budgets, marketing of services, and provision of emergency services to nonenrollees. (Sec. 304) Extends current Medicare prohibitions on physician self-referrals to other services and applies such prohibitions to AHSP. Title IV: Administration - Subtitle A: General Administrative Provisions - Establishes the American Health Security Standards Board to develop policies and procedures for enrollment, benefits, provider participation, national and State funding levels, assisting programs with planning for capital expenditures and service delivery, and other functions and to establish uniform reporting standards for health services and programs. Authorizes the Board to make statistical and other studies, test alternative payment methods, and develop and test information and budget systems. Provides for the appointment of an Executive Director of the Board and an Inspector General. (Sec. 402) Directs the Board to provide for an American Health Security Advisory Council to advise the Board on matters of general policy, in the formulation of regulations, and in the performance of the Board's duties and to study the operation of, and utilization of health services under, this Act. (Sec. 403) Directs the Board and the Secretary to consult with private entities. (Sec. 404) Requires: (1) each State to submit to the Board a plan for a program for providing health care services to residents of the State (but allows neighboring States to join in regional plans); (2) the Board to provide incentives for States to develop regional planning mechanisms to promote the rational distribution of, adequate access to, and efficient use of, tertiary care facilities, equipment, and services; (3) State programs to meet Federal standards, including single-agency administration, a State health security budget, provider payment and quality review methodologies consistent with Federal standards, freedom to choose providers, a consumer ombudsman, an annual report, and a fraud and abuse prevention and control unit; and (4) the Governor of each State to provide for appointment of a State Health Security Advisory Council to advise and make recommendations to the Governor and State regarding program implementation. Allows: (1) programs not meeting Federal requirements, after notice, to be placed in receivership under the Board's jurisdiction; and (2) States to use fiscal agents, after competitive bidding, to process claims. (Sec. 405) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to direct all activities of the Department of Health and Human Services toward contributions to health of the people in a manner complementary to this Act. Subtitle B: Control Over Fraud and Abuse - Authorizes the Board to exclude providers from participation, impose civil monetary penalties, and seek criminal prosecution for fraud or abuse, based on current Medicaid standards. Requires providers to disclose relevant information about their ownership interest in health facilities and services, based on current Medicaid standards. (Sec. 412) Requires the Board: (1) through the Inspector General, to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data base, including the identity of any provider who has been convicted, had a license revoked, has been excluded or suspended from participation, or has been subjected to a civil penalty with respect to a State program, Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federally funded health program; and (2) to establish rules to protect the confidentiality of information in the data base. Requires States to provide relevant information for this purpose and to periodically inquire of the data base to determine provider qualifications to participate in programs. Sets penalties for submitting false information. (Sec. 413) Requires each program to establish and maintain a health care fraud and abuse unit. (Sec. 414) Directs the Board to provide for the assignment of a unique identifier to each participating provider and to each individual eligible for services, which shall be used for claims and payment. Title V: Quality Assessment - Establishes the American Health Security Quality Council in order to: (1) review and evaluate each practice guideline developed under specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act; (2) review and evaluate each standard of quality, performance measure, and medical review criterion developed under specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act; (3) develop criteria for entities conducting quality reviews; (4) report to the Board annually; and (5) perform the functions of the Council described in sections 502 and 505. (Sec. 502) Directs the Council to: (1) adopt methods for profiling the patterns of practice of health care professionals and for identifying outliers; (2) develop guidelines for certain medical procedures to be performed only at tertiary centers; (3) develop standards for education and sanctions with respect to outliers; and (4) disseminate such methods, guidelines, and standards to the States. (Sec. 503) Requires each participating State to establish an entity to conduct quality reviews of persons providing covered services under its program which meet Federal standards for the adoption of practice guidelines, identification of outliers, development of remedial programs and monitoring for outliers, and the application of sanctions. Allows the State to adopt alternative methodologies to those adopted by the Quality Council provided that the State can demonstrate that the efficacy of such review and education programs meets Federal standards. Requires the quality review entity to meet the criteria for competence for such entities developed by the Council. (Sec. 504) Expresses the intent to replace random utilization controls with a systematic review of patterns of practice that compromise the quality of care by January 1, 1998. Supersedes all existing Federal utilization review programs, including random case-by-case reviews and programs requiring pre-certification of medical procedures on a case-by-case basis, with exceptions. Specifies that nothing in this section shall preclude case management of catastrophic, mental health, or substance abuse cases where necessary to achieve appropriate, cost-effective, and beneficial comprehensive medical care. (Sec. 505) Requires: (1) each State program to develop and use a uniform electronic data base in order to perform systematic quality review and support comparative outcomes research and analysis; (2) the Council to establish a set of clinical data derived from patient medical records to be transmitted to State electronic data bases to be used by State health security programs; (3) the Board to designate standards for software in order to assure compatibility; and (4) the Council to establish standards, as specified, for the use and disclosure by a State health security program of such data. Title VI: Health Security Budget; Payments; Cost Containment Measures - Subtitle A: Budgeting and Payments to States - Directs the Board to establish a national health security budget which specifies the total expenditures to be made by the Federal Government and the States for covered health care services, and allocates those expenditures among the States. Prohibits such budget from exceeding the budget for the preceding year increased by the percentage increase in gross domestic product. Divides the budget into quality assessment, professional education, administrative, and operating components. (Sec. 602) Provides for the allocation of funds in the budget by the Board to the States, based on the national average per capita costs of covered services adjusted for differences among the States in costs and the health status of populations. Permits the use of statistical models to estimate State capitation amounts. Sets forth State adjustment factors to reflect differences in relative needs for funds and directs that such factors be applied in a budget-neutral manner resulting in no change in total Federal expenditures from the national per capita average. (Sec. 603) Requires each program to submit to the Board a proposed and final annual budget broken into quality assessment, professional training, administrative, and operating components, with the operating component broken into facility-based services, individual practitioner payments, payments to CHSOs, and payments for other items and services. Sets forth provisions regarding proposed and final budget deadlines, adjustments in allocations, and expenditure limits. Permits programs to provide for a process for the approval of capital expenditures based on information derived from regional planning agencies. (Sec. 604) Provides for programs to receive Federal funds equal to a weighted average of 86 percent of their population-based share of the budget, which the Board may adjust between 81 and 91 percent based on State economic conditions. (Sec. 605) Requires each program to establish a separate budget account for health professional education expenditures and to distribute funds consistent with the achievement of specified national and program goals, including the receipt by the Board of reports to monitor compliance, and taking into account the potentially higher costs of placing health professional students in clinical education programs in health professional shortage areas. Subtitle B: Payments by States to Providers - Directs that: (1) payment for operating expenses for institutional and facility- based care under State programs be made directly to each institution or facility under an annual prospective global budget approved under the program; (2) such budgets take into account discharges by diagnosis-related group, prior expenditures, the extent to which debt service for capital expenditures has been included in the proposed operating budget, the extent to which capital expenditures are financed directly or indirectly through reductions in direct care to patients, change in the consumer price index and other price indices, compensation, occupancy levels, past financial and clinical performance, training, technological changes, and incentives to maintain costs without reducing care; and (3) facility budgets be adjusted to reflect payments made by CHSOs. Allows programs to permit institutions and facilities to raise funds from private sources to pay for newly constructed facilities, major renovations, and equipment. (Sec. 612) Requires: (1) State programs to pay individual practitioners on a fee-for-service basis, as negotiated between States and practitioner representatives; (2) the Board to establish models for such payment and for global fee payment methodologies to encourage payment for combinations of services; and (3) practitioners to bill State programs within 30 days of providing services. Permits States to require electronic billing. (Sec. 613) Authorizes programs to pay CHSOs based on annual budgets or risk-adjusted capitation payments, reduced by the costs of covered services not provided by the CHSO. (Sec. 614) Directs that programs pay for community-based primary health services based on global budgets, basic primary care capitation amounts for enrollees, or fee-for-service, taking into account costs of serving non-covered patients, providing case management, transportation, and translation, and providing health professional education programs. (Sec. 615) Requires: (1) the Board to establish a list of approved prescription drugs and to determine maximum prices; and (2) each program to pay for such drugs based on such maximum prices and to pay separate dispensing fees to pharmacies. (Sec. 616) Directs the Board to establish a list of approved durable medical equipment and therapeutic devices and equipment and programs to pay for such items based on maximum prices determined by the Board. (Sec. 617) Requires State programs to pay for other items and services based on methodologies to be adopted by the Board, consistent with the State health security budget. (Sec. 618) Directs the Board to establish model payment methodologies and other incentives to promote the provision of services in medically underserved areas. Permits programs to adjust payments amounts within their budgets to encourage provision of appropriate services in underserved areas. (Sec. 619) Authorizes programs to utilize alternative payment methodologies, provided that such methodologies do not affect the entitlement of individuals to coverage, the weighting of fee schedules to encourage an increase in the number of primary care providers, the ability of individuals to choose among qualified providers, the benefits covered under the Program, or compliance with the State health security budget. Requires States to report on the operation and effectiveness of alternative methodologies to enable the Board to evaluate the appropriateness of applying such methodologies to other States. Subtitle C: Mandatory Assignment and Administrative Provisions - Specifies that participating providers: (1) must accept payment from a program as full payment for covered services; and (2) may not impose additional charges on patients. Permits the Board to exclude from participation and subject to civil penalties violators of such provision. (Sec. 632) Requires programs to establish: (1) procedures for reimbursing providers within 60 days of bill submission; and (2) an appeals process to handle grievances pertaining to provider payments. Title VII: Promotion of Primary Health Care; Development of Health Service Capacity; Programs to Assist the Medically Underserved - Subtitle A: Promotion and Expansion of Primary Care Professional Training - Makes the Board responsible for: (1) coordinating health professional education policies and goals to achieve national goals; (2) overseeing program health professional education expenditures; (3) developing and maintaining a system to monitor the number and specialties of individuals through their health professional education, any postgraduate training, and professional practice; and (4) developing, coordinating, and promoting other policies that expand the number of primary care practitioners. Sets as national goals that: (1) at least 50 percent of graduate medical residencies be in primary care within five years of this Act's enactment; and (2) there be a certain number, specified by the Board, of midlevel primary care practitioners employed in the health care system as of January 1, 2001. Directs the Board to: (1) establish a method of applying such goals to program goals for each medical residency program or consortium of programs and reducing payments for residency programs failing to meet their goals; (2) advise the Public Health Service on allocations of funding under specified programs to increase the supply of midlevel primary care practitioners; and (3) commission a study of the potential benefits and disadvantages of expanding the scope of practice authorized under State laws for any class of midlevel primary care practitioners. (Sec. 702) Requires the Board to establish an Advisory Committee on Health Professional Education to advise the Board concerning graduate medical education policies under this title. (Sec. 703) Directs the Board to transfer specified revenues from the American Health Security Trust Fund (Trust Fund) for specified existing programs supporting health professional education and nursing education and for the National Health Service Corps. Subtitle B: Direct Health Care Delivery - Requires the Board to transfer specified Trust Fund revenues to the Public Health Service for: (1) maternal and child health block grants, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, preventive health block grants, grants to States for community mental health services and prevention and treatment of substance abuse, grants for HIV health care services, and public health formula grants; and (2) primary care service expansion grants. (Sec. 713) Directs the Board to make primary service expansion grants to primary care centers (i.e., nonprofit community health centers, migrant health centers, and other federally qualified health centers) to serve medically underserved populations in urban and rural areas. Specifies that grant funds may be used to plan, develop, and deliver primary care in such areas. Subtitle C: Primary Care and Outcomes Research - Requires the Board to transfer specified Trust Fund revenues to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research for health outcomes research. (Sec. 722) Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) an Office of Primary Care and Prevention Research to be headed by a Director who shall identify and coordinate research activities relating to primary care and prevention, including care provided by multidisciplinary teams. Requires the Director of NIH to establish a national data system and clearinghouse on primary care and prevention research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: School-Related Health Services - Authorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for this subtitle. (Sec. 734) Directs the Secretary to make grants to State health agencies or to local community partnerships to develop and operate school health service sites. Requires preference in making grants to be given to those communities showing the most substantial level of need. Title VIII: Financing Provisions; American Health Security Trust Fund - Subtitle A: American Health Security Trust Fund - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create the American Health Security Trust Fund. Appropriates to the trust fund the increase in tax liabilities attributable to the application of amendments made by this title and receipts from the following programs: Medicare, Medicaid, Federal employees' health benefits program, and the CHAMPUS program, Maternal and Child Health program (under title V of the Social Security Act), vocational rehabilitation programs, drug abuse and mental health services programs under the Public Health Service Act, programs providing general hospital or medical assistance, and certain other Federal programs. Transfers to such trust fund amounts in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Subtitle B: Taxes Based on Income and Wages - Creates a health care excise tax on every employer with respect to each employee equal to 8.7 percent of wages paid. Imposes the tax on the self-employed, railroad employers, and railroad employee representatives. Imposes an individual health care income tax equal to 2.2 percent of taxable income. Prohibits credits against the tax and any effect on the minimum tax in relation to the individual health care income tax. Subtitle C: Increase in Excise Taxes on Tobacco Products - Increases the excise taxes on tobacco products. Title IX: Conforming Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Makes ERISA inapplicable to health coverage arrangements under State health security programs. Exempts State health security programs from ERISA preemption. Prohibits employee benefits duplicating State health security program benefits and requires that a liable workers' compensation carrier reimburse the State health security plan. Repeals continuation coverage requirements under ERISA.
Bill· HRH.R. 1184 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1995
Truth in Lending Act Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act pertaining to consumer credit cost disclosure to exclude from the determination of finance charges: (1) charges imposed by third parties not affiliated with the creditor (including settlement agents, attorneys, and escrow and title companies) if the creditor does not expressly require the imposition of such charges and does not retain them; (2) taxes levied on security instruments or evidences of indebtedness if payment is a precondition for recording such an instrument; (3) fees, for preparation of loan-related documents and attending or conducting settlement in extensions of credit secured by interest in real property; and (4) fees related to pest infestation on premises, structural inspections, and flood hazards. (Sec. 3) Excludes from a consumer's statutory right of rescission certain refinancings or consolidations of debt secured by a first lien. (Sec. 4) Increases the allowable tolerances for accuracy pertaining to the annual percentage rate disclosure requirements on consumer credit transactions. Provides that the disclosure for per diem interest shall be deemed to be accurate if it is based on information actually known to the creditor at the time that the disclosure documents are being prepared for the consummation of the transaction. (Sec. 5) Sets forth liability limitations for: (1) a creditor's treatment, for disclosure purposes, of specified taxes, fees, and charges other than finance charges; and (2) a creditor's finance charge disclosures within specified tolerance limits. (Sec. 7) Provides that the statute of limitations on a consumer's right of rescission is absolute and acts as a bar to any subsequent assertion of such rescission in State or Federal court. (Sec. 8) Narrows the civil liability guidelines for consumer credit disclosures to: (1) declare a creditor liable for actual damages sustained by a person to the extent such person demonstrates reliance on the inaccurate disclosure which prevented the person from accepting better credit terms actually available from another creditor; (2) revise the general rules for liability of a creditor's voluntary assignee for a violation apparent on the face of the disclosure statement; and (3) declare that a servicer of a consumer obligation shall not be treated as an assignee unless the servicer is the owner of the obligation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1181 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1995
Family Investment and Self-Sufficiency Act of 1995 - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to permit a State agency to disregard: (1) the earned income of AFDC recipients; and (2) the child support payments received by them. Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to refunding credits to allow as a credit against tax a specified percentage of any cash paid by or on behalf of a low-income individual to a qualified asset account for the individual's benefit. Exempts such accounts from taxation. Increases the amount of income that a State agency shall disregard with respect to the stepparent of an AFDC child recipient. Repeals the mandate that State AFDC plans provide aid to dependent children of unemployed parents in accordance with specified requirements. Denies AFDC benefits for applicants who have abandoned a child. Grants a State AFDC plan the option to: (1) deny benefits for additional children and for children who have not received required immunizations; (2) disregard certain income and resources designated for education, training, employability, or self-employment; and (3) increase to $3,000 the disregard limitation on the value of an AFDC family's automobile. Modifies the treatment of student earnings under the AFDC program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1190 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1995
Housing Co-op Tax Correction Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude cooperative housing corporations from the limitations on deductions incurred by certain membership organizations in transactions with their members. Prohibits patronage losses of an organization from being used to offset earnings which are not patronage earnings. Specifies earnings to be treated as patronage earnings in the case of cooperative housing corporations.
Bill· SS. 517 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Amendments Act of 1995 - Amends the Metropolitan Washington Airports Act of 1986 to abolish the Board of Review of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. (Sec. 3) Increases from one to seven the number of persons on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority whom the President must appoint with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires ten votes (currently, seven) to approve bond issues and the annual budget. Staggers the terms of presidential appointees to the board of directors. (Sec. 4) Ratifies and deems valid any action taken by the Board of Review prior to the amendments made by this Act. (Sec. 5) Requires the board of directors, including any members appointed under this Act, to continue to meet and act until necessary conforming changes in State law are made in order that the reconstituted board functions without interruption. (Sec. 6) Declares that nothing in this Act shall affect the treatment of the Airports Authority under Federal, State, or local tax law. (Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to appoint an advisory group of three non-Federal individuals to review: (1) the lease arrangements of Metropolitan Washington Airports with the Airports Authority; and (2) any renegotiation of such lease, including subleases, any change in the lease terms or conditions, and the amount of any payments made or received under it. Requires such lease to provide for the Airports Authority to pay to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (currently, to the general fund of the Treasury) a specified annual amount.
Bill· HRH.R. 1171 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a ten-year recovery period for depreciation of qualified leasehold improvement property.
Bill· HRH.R. 1174 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Nuclear Waste Disposal Funding Act - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize the Department of Energy (DOE), upon a certain condition being met, to use proceeds from the sale of the United States Enrichment Corporation for radioactive waste disposal activities under such Act. Makes certain portions of such proceeds available for such activities from the Nuclear Waste Fund in specified fiscal years.
Bill· HRH.R. 1161 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that unrelated trade or business does not include the activity of soliciting and receiving qualified sponsorship payments for purposes of the tax on unrelated business income of charitable and other tax-exempt organizations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1169 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) prohibit a card issuer from limiting or prohibiting the ability of a Federal, State, or local governmental agency to impose upon a credit card user a fee for honoring such card; (2) limit the amount of any fee a governmental agency may impose for the use of a credit card to make a payment to such agency; and (3) specify the taxes, fines, penalties, and fees such an agency may impose.
Bill· HRH.R. 1167 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an itemized deduction for qualified adoption expenses, including necessary and reasonable legal costs. Limits such deduction to $2,500. Allows such deduction whether or not a taxpayer itemizes deductions.
Bill· HRH.R. 1159 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Supplemental Appropriations Title II: Rescissions Title III: General Provisions Title I: Supplemental Appropriations - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 1995 available to the Department of Agriculture for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund (through a fund transfer). Makes supplemental appropriations available to the United States Information Agency for international broadcasting operations. Makes additional funds available to the President for debt relief for Jordan. Makes an appropriation to the family trust of Dean A. Gallo, late a Representative from New Jersey. Makes additional funds available through a transfer of funds for: (1) the Botanic Garden; (2) the Federal Railroad Administration of the Department of Transportation; (3) the Department of the Treasury for department offices, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Mint; and (4) the General Services Administration. Makes additional funds available to the Office of Personnel Management for employee life insurance benefits. Title II: Rescissions - Rescinds appropriations made to: (1) the Department of Agriculture for Public Law 480 Programs Accounts; (2) the Department of Commerce for the National Institute of Standards and Technology; (3) the Department of State for the administration of foreign affairs and international organizations and conferences; (4) the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; and (5) the United States Information Agency. Rescinds funds made available to the President for the Agency for International Development and to the Congressional Budget Office for salaries and expenses. Title III: General Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds to issue, implement, administer, or enforce any executive order, or other rule or order, that prohibits Federal contracts with companies that hire permanent replacements for striking employees. (Sec. 302) Makes inapplicable in FY 1995 the requirement to replace each public housing dwelling unit that is disposed of or demolished. (Sec. 303) Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing or enforcing any requirement that a State implement trip reduction measures to reduce vehicular emissions. (Sec. 304) Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing or enforcing any requirement that a State implement an inspection and maintenance program for vehicular emissions. (Sec. 305) Rescinds any Federal implementation plan under the Clean Air Act for the South Coast, Ventura, or Sacramento areas of California. (Sec. 306) Prohibits the funding of an abortion except when necessary to save the life of the mother or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. Declares that each State is and remains free to fund abortions to the extent that the State deems appropriate, except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term. (Sec. 307) Establishes an emergency two-year salvage timber sale program beginning on the date of enactment of this section. Establishes expedited procedures for the Secretary concerned to prepare, advertise, offer, and award contracts during the emergency period for salvage timber sales from Federal lands to satisfy salvage timber sale volume requirements. Requires the Secretary concerned to plan and implement reforestation of each parcel of land harvested under a salvage timber sale as expeditiously as possible. Subjects such sales to judicial review only in the United States district court for the district in which the affected Federal lands are located. Excludes the following Federal lands from such sale: (1) any area included in the National Wilderness Preservation System; (2) any roadless area designated by Congress for wilderness study in Colorado or Montana; (3) any roadless area recommended by the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management for wilderness designation in its most recent land management plan; and (4) any area on which timber harvesting for any purpose is prohibited by statute. Releases certain timber sale contracts that have been previously awarded.
Bill· HRH.R. 1168 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to employers of members of reserve components of the armed forces and to self-employed individuals who are members of such reserve components.
Bill· HRH.R. 1160 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1995
Balanced Budget Dividend Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the allowance of new income tax benefits for a fiscal year if there is a deficit reduction shortfall. Declares that there is a deficit reduction shortfall for any fiscal year if the projected deficit exceeds the target deficit. Requires such deficits to be specified in the first concurrent resolution on the budget.
Bill· SS. 508 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1995
Reforestation Tax Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide taxpayers a partial inflation adjustment for the deduction from gross income for qualified timber gain. Allows such deduction in computing adjusted gross income. Excludes from conditions of the material participation rules, for purposes of the passive loss limitations, closely held timber activity if the aggregate hours devoted to management of the activity for any year is generally fewer than 100 hours. Increases the amount allowable as a deduction for amortization of reforestation expenditures and provides an inflation adjustment after calendar year 1995. Applies such inflation adjustment to the reforestation credit. Shortens the amortization period from 84 to 60 months.
Bill· HRH.R. 1148 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the additional tax on early distribution from retirement plans distributions to individuals during periods of unemployment.
Bill· HRH.R. 1151 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorizations Title II: Personnel Management Amendments Title III: Navigation Safety and Waterway Services Management Title IV: Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Title V: Establishment of Alternate Convention Tonnage (ITC) Thresholds Title VI: Miscellaneous Amendments Title VII: State Recreational Boating Safety Funding Title VIII: Personnel Management Improvement Title IX: Navigation Safety and Waterway Services Management Title X: Marine Safety Management Improvements Title XI: Coast Guard Regulatory Reform Title XII: Law Enforcement Enhancement Title XIII: Coast Guard Auxiliary Amendments Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1996 and 1997 - Title I: Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for FY 1996 and 1997 for: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition, construction, renovation, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) research, development, testing, and evaluation; (4) retired pay, payments under the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection and Survivor Benefit Plans, and payments for medical care of retired personnel and their dependents; (5) alteration or removal of bridges; and (6) environmental compliance and restoration at Coast Guard facilities. Amends Federal law to authorize the funding of highway bridges that are determined to be unreasonable obstructions to navigation under the Truman-Hobbs Act from amounts set aside from the discretionary bridge program. Limits the amounts available in specified fiscal years. (Sec. 102) Authorizes Coast Guard end-of-year strength and military training student loads. Title II: Personnel Management Amendments - Amends Federal law to authorize the Coast Guard Commandant to require that Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve personnel (including cadets and applicants) request that all information on the individual in the National Driver Register be made available to the Commandant. (Sec. 202) Amends Federal law relating to the Coast Guard to clarify that provisions mandating confidentiality of medical quality assurance records applies to activities before, on, and after the date the confidentiality requirements were enacted. Shields from civil liability an individual who in good faith provides information to a person (currently, to an individual) that reviews or creates quality assurance records. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Commandant to enter into personal services and other contracts to provide health care to Coast Guard personnel and covered beneficiaries. (Sec. 204) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to prohibit providing, by grant or contract, any Department of Transportation funds to any higher education institution that prevents campus military recruiting. Title III: Navigation Safety and Waterway Services Management - Amends the Inland Navigational Rules to modify specified rules. (Sec. 302) Amends Federal law to declare that: (1) provisions relating to recreational boating safety do not apply to an undocumented barge numbering system established under specified provisions; and (2) the system and the issuing authority for the system shall be determined by regulations promulgated by the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. (Sec. 303) Amends the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 to extend the termination date of the Navigation Safety Advisory Council. (Sec. 304) Amends Federal law to extend the termination date of the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Advisory Committee. Title IV: Marine Safety and Environmental Protection - Amends Federal law to declare that provisions relating to court sales of documented vessels do not apply to a documented vessel that has been operated only as a fishing vessel, a fish processing vessel, a fish tender vessel, or a documented vessel operated only for pleasure. (Sec. 402) Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to prohibit general or public disclosure or inspection of information regarding security for passenger vessels or passenger terminals authorized under the Act. (Sec. 403) Amends Federal law to impose a civil penalty for failing to implement or conduct drug or alcohol testing prescribed by provisions relating to vessels and seamen or prescribed by the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. (Sec. 404) Amends Federal law relating to transportation of hazardous material, the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, the Inland Navigational Rules Act, and Federal law relating to carriage of liquid bulk dangerous cargoes to mandate refusal or revocation of customs clearance to leave a port or a permit (under the Tariff Act of 1930) to depart if there is reasonable cause to believe that the owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel may be subject to various penalties or fines under those Acts. (Sec. 405) Allows evaluation (notwithstanding specified provisions) of the service of an applicant for a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document by using the tonnage on which service was acquired. (Sec. 406) Amends Federal law to increase the penalties for failing to report a marine casualty or violating small vessel manning provisions. Title V: Establishment of Alternate Convention Tonnage (ITC) Thresholds - Amends Federal law relating to measurement of vessels to authorize the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to prescribe, where a statute allows, an alternate tonnage. (Sec. 502) Allows alternate tonnage measurement by amending the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act, the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act, the Port and Tanker Safety Act, the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, the Maritime Education and Training Act of 1980, and numerous provisions of Federal law relating to vessels and seamen. Title VI: Miscellaneous Amendments - Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to define "vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States" as the term is defined in the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. Makes it: (1) unlawful for any person on a vessel of the United States or subject to U.S. jurisdiction to engage in large-scale driftnet fishing beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of any nation or within the U.S. EEZ; (2) a rebuttable presumption that any vessel in such areas with gear capable of use for that type of fishing is engaged in such fishing. (Sec. 602) Amends Federal law to allow the sale, by a modified negotiated sale, of recyclable Coast Guard materials when the estimated proceeds will not exceed a specified amount. (Sec. 603) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require ships of a certain tonnage to have a radio station complying with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. Ends certain exemptions from that requirement. Modifies the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exempt ships. Removes provisions allowing exemptions related to unforeseeable equipment failures and radio direction finding apparatus requirements. Specifies the FCC's authorities regarding ship radio installations for passenger and cargo vessels. Removes provisions relating to: (1) technical requirements of equipment on radiotelephone equipped ships; (2) survival craft; (3) approval of installations by the FCC; (4) safety information; and (5) master's control over operations. Title VII: State Recreational Boating Safety Funding - Amends Federal law (popularly known as the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act, the Fish Restoration and Management Projects Act, and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act) to mandate the distribution from the Sport Fish Restoration Account of certain amounts in specified fiscal years for grants under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 and State recreational boating safety programs. Authorizes the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to spend, under contracts with States, certain amounts for State recreational boating safety programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Personnel Management Improvement - Amends Federal law to allow the Coast Guard to expend operating funds for recruiting. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to make child development services available for members of the armed forces and Federal civilian employees. Authorizes expenditures. (Sec. 803) Declares that provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 relating to homeowners' assistance for individuals affected by hurricane Andrew apply to Coast Guard military personnel in the vicinity of Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. Requires that Coast Guard funds, limited in amount, be used. (Sec. 804) Amends Federal law relating to continuation of Coast Guard captains on active duty to remove provisions requiring dissemination to the service at large of the names of those selected for continuation. (Sec. 805) Prohibits counting, in computing authorized strength, Coast Guard Ready Reserve members ordered to active duty in an emergency. (Sec. 806) Requires lieutenants, selected for separation for failure of promotion and then selected (for the needs of the service) for continuation for two to four years, to further continue until they have completed 20 years of service if they have completed at least 18 years of service on the date specified for discharge. (Sec. 807) Authorizes the Coast Guard Commandant to: (1) obtain research on personnel resource and training needs; and (2) employ special programs for recruiting women and minorities, including using grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. Terminates this authority on a specified date. Title IX: Navigation Safety and Waterway Services Management - Amends Federal law to remove provisions relating to fees for certain foreign vessel inspection. (Sec. 902) Amends Federal law relating to documentation of vessels to increase civil penalties for violations. Allows seizure and forfeiture of a documented vessel placed under the command of a non-U.S. citizen. (Sec. 903) Requires documented uninspected fishing vessels, fish processing vessels, and fish tender vessels to be operated by an individual licensed to operate that type of vessel. (Sec. 904) Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to mandate a civil penalty for failure to comply with or violation of a regulation issued under the Act. (Sec. 905) Amends Federal law to authorize the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to conduct informal investigations of marine casualties. Makes opinions, recommendations, deliberations, and conclusions in a report of a marine casualty investigation inadmissible as evidence and not subject to discovery in any civil, administrative, or State criminal proceeding arising from a marine casualty without the consent of the Secretary of Transportation. Title X: Marine Safety Management Improvements - Amends Federal law relating to uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels to add a requirement that vessels that operate beyond three miles from the coastline of the Great Lakes be equipped with alerting and locating equipment, including emergency position indicating radio beacons. (Sec. 1002) Declares that a person commits a class D felony if the person services or alters lifesaving, fire safety, or any other equipment subject to provisions relating to inspection and regulation of vessels so that the equipment is so defective as to be insufficient for its purpose. (Sec. 1003) Adds a requirement that, in order to be eligible for documentation, a vessel must be over a specified length. Title XI: Coast Guard Regulatory Reform - Coast Guard Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 - Authorizes the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (the Secretary), in order to implement the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention adopted by the International Maritime Organization and to establish voluntary alternative compliance programs, to prescribe regulations governing the U.S. merchant marine, merchant marine personnel, and shore-based management of vessels. (Sec. 1103) Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out provisions relating to inspection and regulation of vessels, to use reports, documents, and certificates issued by persons the Secretary determines may be relied on regarding marine safety, security, and environmental protection. (Sec. 1104) Authorizes the Secretary to accept certain approvals of fire and life safety equipment and materials by foreign governments. (Sec. 1105) Modifies the required inspection frequency of specified types of vessels. (Sec. 1106) Eliminates the maximum time limit before an inspection certificate expires that the Secretary must be notified that inspection will be required or the vessel will not be operated so as to require inspection. (Sec. 1107) Allows the use of the American Bureau of Shipping or other classification society (currently, or a similar U.S. classification society) in connection with conducting and certifying vessel inspections. Title XII: Law Enforcement Enhancement - Amends Federal criminal law to make it unlawful to: (1) fail to land an aircraft or bring to a vessel of the United States or a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction on order of a Federal law enforcement officer; or (2) resist vessel boarding, arrest, or other law enforcement action authorized by Federal law. Allows a foreign nation to consent or waive objection to enforcement of U.S. law by radio, telephone, or similar oral or electronic means. Mandates imprisonment and fines for violation and authorizes aircraft and vessel seizure and forfeiture and liability in rem. (Sec. 1202) Amends Federal transportation law to require revocation of an aircraft's registration and the airman certificate of any person on failure to land. (Sec. 1203) Amends Federal law to authorize the Coast Guard to issue orders and make inquiries, searches, seizures, and arrests regarding U.S. law violations aboard any aircraft subject to U.S. jurisdiction. (Sec. 1204) Imposes a civil penalty upon a person, and in rem liability of a vessel or aircraft, for violations. (Sec. 1205) Amends provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 relating to boarding vessels to define "authorized place" with respect to vehicles and aircraft. (Sec. 1206) Mandates a civil penalty for a person, makes an aircraft liable in rem, and provides for seizure, forfeiture, and sale of an aircraft for failure to comply with an order of a Federal law enforcement officer to land. Title XIII: Coast Guard Auxiliary Amendments - Amends Federal law to specify the Coast Guard Commandant's authorities regarding the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Deems the Auxiliary a U.S. instrumentality except when it acts outside its legislated purpose or forms a corporation under State law. (Sec. 1302) Declares that the Auxiliary's purpose is to assist the Coast Guard. (Sec. 1403 (sic)) Declares that Auxiliary members are not Federal employees except for certain situations. (Sec. 1304) Removes the word "specific" from provisions: (1) authorizing the use of Coast Guard appropriations for certain expenses of Auxiliary members assigned to authorized specific duties; and (2) relating to assignment of Auxiliary members to specific duties and related vesting in the Auxiliary members of the same power and authority as members of the regular Coast Guard assigned to similar duty. (Sec. 1305) Authorizes the Coast Guard to use Auxiliary members and facilities in assisting Federal agencies, States, Territories, possessions, or political subdivisions. (Sec. 1306) Deems motorboats, yachts, or aircraft, while assigned to Coast Guard duty, to be public vessels of the United States and vessels of the Coast Guard or Coast Guard aircraft. Deems (subject to specified provisions) Auxiliary pilots to be Coast Guard pilots. (Sec. 1308) Authorizes disposal of obsolete or unneeded Coast Guard material to the Auxiliary.
Bill· HRH.R. 1146 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1995
State Flexibility, Individual Empowerment, and Dependency Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to each State for each of FY 1996 through 2015 to provide aid to low-income individuals in need of assistance in order to gain economic independence. Provides that such grant amount shall represent a specified percentage (beginning with 100 percent in FY 1996 and reduced by five percent per fiscal year thereafter) of the total amount of Federal funds received by such State under various Federal programs eliminated by amendments and repeals made under this Act. Precludes any State application or performance report requirements in order to receive such assistance. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress if it is determined that a State has materially failed to comply with the terms of a grant or has expended funds in a manner inconsistent with Federal law. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3) Repeals Federal law and specified Acts to eliminate public welfare programs in the areas of: (1) cash aid (including Aid to Families with Dependent Children and the Supplemental Security Income program); (2) medical aid; (3) food aid (including the food stamp and school lunch programs); (4) housing aid (including the rental assistance and public housing program); (5) energy aid; (6) jobs, training, and vocational education aid; (7) social services; and (8) aid to low-income communities. (Sec. 4) Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (the Act) to continue eligibility under the Medicaid program for individuals who were eligible for such assistance on the day before the enactment of this Act. Repeals a provision of the Act providing a six-month extension of Medicaid benefits for individuals no longer eligible for assistance under a State-approved plan. (Sec. 5) Transfers within the Act provisions concerning: (1) penalties for substantial noncompliance with a State plan for child and spousal support; and (2) certain administrative responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for Family Support.
Bill· HRH.R. 1149 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make certain individuals eligible for the one-time exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence during a period of unemployment. Reduces the amount of the maximum exclusion for such individuals.
Bill· HRH.R. 1142 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1995
Alternative Minimum Tax Repeal Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the alternative minimum tax.
Bill· SS. 501 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income qualified separation payments transferred to individual retirement accounts. Describes such payments as qualified if: (1) such payments were voluntarily paid by the employer on account of separation before attainment of normal retirement age; and (2) such separation was in connection with a substantial reduction in the employer's work force.
Bill· SS. 499 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1995
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exempt from the payment of social security taxes State and local part-time, seasonal, or temporary employees. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt such individuals from the payment of employment taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
Bill· SS. 500 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction of certain expenses of school bus drivers in computing their adjusted gross income.
Bill· SS. 502 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1995
Treats heart disease and hypertension as personal injuries or sickness for purposes of excluding from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code the disability benefits received by former police officers or fire fighters.
Bill· HRH.R. 1138 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the harbor maintenance rate of tax for 1996 through 1998. Provides further reductions after 1998, but only if the balance in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund exceeds $100 million.
Bill· SS. 495 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
Student Loan Evaluation and Stabilization Act of 1995 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to student loan programs. (Sec. 3) Revises the Federal Direct Student Loan program to limit the proportion of loans made under such program: (1) for academic year 1994-1995, to five percent of the new student loan volume for such year; and (2) for academic year 1995-1996 and any succeeding fiscal year, to 40 percent of new student loan volume for such year, except that the Secretary of Education may not enter into agreements with any additional eligible institutions that have not applied and been accepted for participation in such program on or before December 31, 1994. Eliminates provisions for selecting additional institutions to participate in such pilot program. Makes available, for each fiscal year to the Secretary from funds not otherwise appropriated, funds for all direct and indirect expenses associated with such Federal Direct Student Loan program. Revises provisions for congressional oversight of program administration, by providing for funding triggers which allow administrative funds to be obligated only in such amounts and according to such schedule as specified in the appropriations Act for the Department of Education after submission by the Department of a detailed proposal for such expenditures. Directs the Secretary of Education to provide a detailed quarterly report of all such expenditures to specified congressional committee chairs. Requires such report to specifically identify all contracts entered into by the Department for services supporting the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program, as well as the current and projected costs of such contracts. Requires a guaranty agency to elect an administrative cost allowance payment rate on the basis of one of two specified formulas. Eliminates the transition to the Federal Direct Loan Program. (Sec. 4) Provides that direct loans have the same terms and conditions as FFEL (guaranteed) loans. (Sec. 5) Sets forth conditions under which: (1) Federal Perkins Loan borrowers can obtain FFEL consolidation loans; and (2) FFEL borrowers can obtain Federal direct consolidation loans. (Sec. 6) Allows income contingent repayment in the FFEL (guaranteed) loan program. (Sec. 7) Revises provisions relating to reserve fund programs. (Sec. 8) Sets institutional default rate limitations on direct lending. Conditions the Secretary's authority to make new direct loans on the issuance of certain final standards and procedures for calculation of institutional default rates and for termination proceedings. (Sec. 9) Permits development, production, distribution, or use of the common application form in an electronic format through software produced or distributed by guaranty agencies or eligible lenders, or consortia. Allows the applicant to certify the outcome of the application in a subsequent document. Prohibits charging a fee in connection with the use of such electronic form. Directs the Secretary to approve the use of such a form which is not inconsistent with certain HEA provisions, or to specifically identify the changes necessary to secure approval. (Sec. 10) Provides for applications for FFEL loans using the free Federal application form, which is already in use for other types of student aid. Allows such form to be in an electronic or any other format, subject to certain conditions, in order to facilitate use by borrowers and institutions. Provides for authorized guaranty agencies to receive such form. (Sec. 11) Amends the Congressional Budget Act to prescribe a formula for determining the cost of a direct loan on the basis of the net present value, at the time the direct loan is disbursed, of specified types of cash flows for the estimated life of the loan.
Bill· SS. 494 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Joint Budget Resolution Title II: Balanced Budget and Spending Restraints Balanced Budget-Spending Limitation Act of 1995 - Title I: Joint Budget Resolution - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to reform the budget process by requiring a joint resolution on the budget instead of the concurrent resolution on the budget. Title II: Balanced Budget and Spending Restraints - Establishes a Federal spending limit of 21.5 percent of the gross domestic product for FY 1996 declining to 19 percent by FY 2002. Requires reduction of the maximum deficit amount to zero by FY 2002. Allows a waiver or suspension on the prohibition on exceeding the maximum deficit amount or the Federal spending limit by a three-fifths vote of both Houses. Prohibits the House or Senate from considering legislation that increases the public debt established by law for a fiscal year in excess of the Federal spending limit. Allows a waiver or suspension on such prohibition by a three-fifths vote of both Houses. Establishes a point of order against any legislation that does not allocate savings derived from changes in social security benefits or revenues from social security tax increases to the social security trust fund. Allows a waiver or suspension on such prohibition by a three-fifths vote of both Houses. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide for a mid-year and end of the year sequester if any laws effective during the current year will cause the deficit to exceed the maximum deficit or the Federal spending limit. Cancels budget authority sequestered at the end of the year permanently. Requires the President to submit a revised budget for FY 1996 that conforms to the spending limitations established in this Act. Makes the amendments and limits established by this title, and the procedures provided in Acts amended by this title, applicable to fiscal years beginning with FY 1996 and requires them to continue notwithstanding the termination of any Act setting forth such procedures.
Bill· HRH.R. 1131 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Joint Budget Resolution Title II: Balanced Budget and Spending Restraints Balanced Budget-Spending Limitation Act of 1995 - Title I: Joint Budget Resolution - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to reform the budget process by requiring a joint resolution on the budget instead of the concurrent resolution on the budget. Title II: Balanced Budget and Spending Restraints - Establishes a Federal spending limit of 21.5 percent of the gross domestic product for FY 1996 declining to 19 percent by FY 2002. Requires reduction of the maximum deficit amount to zero by FY 2002. Allows a waiver or suspension on the prohibition on exceeding the maximum deficit amount or the Federal spending limit by a three-fifths vote of both Houses. Prohibits the House or Senate from considering legislation that increases the public debt established by law for a fiscal year in excess of the Federal spending limit. Allows a waiver or suspension on such prohibition by a three-fifths vote of both Houses. Establishes a point of order against any legislation that does not allocate savings derived from changes in social security benefits or revenues from social security tax increases to the social security trust fund. Allows a waiver or suspension on such prohibition by a three-fifths vote of both Houses. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide for a mid-year and end of the year sequester if any laws effective during the current year will cause the deficit to exceed the maximum deficit or the Federal spending limit. Cancels budget authority sequestered at the end of the year permanently. Requires the President to submit a revised budget for FY 1996 that conforms to the spending limitations established in this Act. Makes the amendments and limits established by this title, and the procedures provided in Acts amended by this title, applicable to fiscal years beginning with FY 1996 and requires them to continue notwithstanding the termination of any Act setting forth such procedures.
Bill· HRH.R. 1133 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
Deficit Accountability Act of 1995 - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to bar annual pay increases for Members of Congress for a calendar year if the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines that the U.S. Government budget was in deficit for the last fiscal year ending before the start of such calendar year.
Bill· HRH.R. 1130 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
Integrity in Government Act - Prohibits a recipient of an award, grant, or contract from engaging in, or having others engage in, lobbying for the: (1) continuation of the award, grant, or contract; (2) program under which it was made; or (3) continued funding of any program within, or the department or agency administering, such program. Requires any payment of a fine, penalty, or settlement required of a corporation resulting from a judicial action, threatened judicial action, or consent decree based on a violation of a Federal regulation to be paid only to the Treasury. Makes a tax-exempt organization ineligible for the receipt of Federal funds in the form of an award, grant, contract, or loan or in any other form. Repeals specified provisions of Federal law that: (1) grant a Federal charter to the National Education Association (a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia); (2) authorize the payment of expenses of a person who intervenes in proceeding involving the United States; and (3) authorize the payment of attorney's fees to prevailing parties.
Bill· HRH.R. 1121 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
Tax Technical Corrections Act of 1995 - Makes technical amendments to the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 and the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. Provides for the application of amendments made by title XII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. Includes among such amendments clarification of U.S. shareholder interests in controlled foreign corporations with respect to dividends, modification of the election to include a child's unearned income on a parent's return, and certain investments in annuity contracts.
Bill· HRH.R. 1123 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
Repeals specified provisions of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1995 and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 which: (1) prohibit appropriated funds from being used to transport chemical munitions (munitions) to the Johnston Atoll for the purpose of storage or demilitarization; (2) prohibit the transportation of munitions across State lines; and (3) allow the transportation to the nearest storage facility of munitions which are not part of the chemical weapons stockpile only if considered necessary and able to be accomplished while protecting the public health and safety.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 74 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits total outlays in any fiscal year from increasing by a percentage greater than the percentage increase in nominal gross domestic product in the last calendar year ending prior to the beginning of such fiscal year. Prohibits total outlays in any fiscal year from exceeding the ratio of the outlays in the fiscal year at the time of submission of this proposed amendment to the States to gross domestic product in the last calendar year ending prior to the fiscal year at the time of submission to the States, times gross domestic product in the last calendar year ending prior to the fiscal year for which this limitation is being calculated. Declares that total receipts includes all receipts of the United States except those derived from borrowing, and total outlays includes all outlays of the United States, both on-budget and off-budget, except those for the repayment of debt principal. Requires inflation to be measured by the gross domestic product deflator. Declares that total outlays include the cost to any State or local government of engaging in any activity or service mandated by any law of the United States beyond that required by existing law or the Constitution at the time of the submission of this proposed amendment to the States, unless an appropriation is made and disbursed to pay that State or local government for such cost. Requires that for any fiscal year in which total receipts exceed total outlays, the surplus shall be used to reduce the public debt until such debt is eliminated. Requires the President, prior to each fiscal year, to transmit to the Congress a proposed statement of receipts and outlays for such fiscal year consistent with this Act. Authorizes the Congress, following a declaration of an emergency by the President and with a two-thirds vote of both Houses, to authorize a specified amount of emergency outlays in excess of the limit. Prohibits, for each of the first four fiscal years after ratification of this amendment, total grants to States and local governments from being a smaller fraction of total outlays than the average of the three fiscal years prior to ratification. Provides for the enforcement of this amendment by a Member of Congress or the President, in an action brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Bill· SS. 487 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Amendments Act of 1995 - Amends the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to establish (in lieu of the National Indian Gaming Commission) the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Commission as an independent U.S. agency. Directs the Commission to establish minimum Federal standards for background investigations, licensing, and security. Grants the Commission investigatory authority. Sets forth the regulatory framework for class II and III gaming. Directs the President to establish the Advisory Committee on Minimum Regulatory Requirements and Licensing Standards. Sets forth requirements for: (1) licensing; (2) conduct of class I, II, and III gaming on Indian lands; and (3) contract review. Sets forth civil penalty and judicial review provisions. Funds the Commission from authorized appropriations and class II and III gaming fees. Proscribes, with specified exceptions, gaming on trust lands. Applies specified tax withholding and bank reporting requirements to Indian gaming operations. Requires the Commission to make certain law enforcement information available to State and tribal authorities.
Bill· SS. 488 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 20 percent tax on the taxable earned income of every individual. Bases such amount on the standard deduction. (Replaces current income tax procedures for individuals.) Increases the basic standard deduction and includes an additional standard deduction (limited to dependents only), with inflation adjustments. Limits charitable contributions to $2,500 ($1,250 in the case of married individuals filing separately). Limits the deduction for interest paid on a home mortgage to the amount of acquisition indebtedness, with limitations. Replaces the current tax on corporations with a tax on every person engaged in a business activity equal to 20 percent of the business taxable income of such person. Makes the person engaged in the business activity liable for the tax.
Bill· SS. 481 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Fish and Wildlife Expenditure Recovery Act of 1995 - Prohibits the amount of fish and wildlife costs (costs) that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) may incur during a fiscal year from exceeding 20 percent of the gross annual power revenues, exclusive of gross residential exchange revenues, that the BPA Administrator accrues in that fiscal year. Makes nonreimbursable from BPA power revenues any costs incurred in a fiscal year in excess of such amount. Prohibits such costs from being allocated to or otherwise recovered through BPA power transmission rates.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 83 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Expresses the sense of the Senate that reducing the Federal deficit should be one of the Nation's highest priorities, and that enacting an across-the-board or so-called middle class tax cut during the 104th Congress would hinder efforts to significantly reduce the Federal deficit.
Bill· HRH.R. 1110 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish maximum spending amounts for FY 1996 through 2002. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to revise sequestration procedures for enforcement. Requires look-back sequestration in the last quarter of each fiscal year. Revises preview sequestration reports to include total spending (instead of deficit spending). Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider legislation that would result in total spending exceeding maximum permissible total spending, unless waived or suspended by a three-fifths vote of Members of each House.
Bill· HRH.R. 1120 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Consolidation of Federal Employment Assistance Programs Subtitle A: Block Grants to States Subtitle B: Consolidation and Repeal of Certain Federal Employment Assistance Programs Subtitle C: Effective Dates Title II: Notice of Availability of Earned Income Credit Title III: Repeal of Temporary Futa Surtax Employment Enhancement Reform Act - Title I: Consolidation of Federal Employment Assistance Programs - Subtitle A: Block Grants to States - Establishes a block grant program to prepare individuals for employment by increasing their occupational and educational skills. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make such grants, for up to five-year periods subject to annual approval and availability of appropriations, to States to provide employment assistance to eligible individuals. Reserves funds for grants to Indian tribes and migrant and seasonal farmworker organizations. (Sec. 103) Allocates such grants to States on the basis of relative numbers of: (1) unemployed in areas of substantial unemployment; (2) excess unemployed; and (3) economically disadvantaged adults. (Sec. 104) Sets forth requirements for applications, use of grants, and conduct of State programs. Requires State programs to provide employment assistance to the following types of eligible individuals: (1) economically disadvantaged and 14 years or older; (2) certain types of dislocated workers; (3) individuals with disabilities; (4) Armed Forces members being separated under other than adverse conditions; (5) unemployed veterans; and (6) displaced homemakers. Requires States to: (1) profile and evaluate individuals to determine the employment assistance services to be provided; (2) notify individuals of other sources of supportive services; (3) provide appropriate employment assistance, within specified limits; (4) monitor rates of individuals successfully obtaining employment after separation from the program, according to specified criteria; and (5) establish one-stop-shop centers throughout the State for program information and profiling and evaluation. Authorizes certain discretionary activities under State programs. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to make biennial determinations of State success in placing individuals in employment. Authorizes reduction or termination of payments when a State has not been successful, and reinstatement or increase of payments when a State implements appropriate modifications of its program. (Sec. 110) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Consolidation and Repeal of Certain Federal Employment Assistance Programs - Chapter 1: Consolidation of Programs - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to eliminate community mental health services demonstration projects for homeless individuals who are chronically mentally ill. (Sec. 112) Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to add requirements for State collaborative programs of supported employment services for individuals with the most severe disabilities, special recreation activities and services, and projects with industry. Repeals other provisions for special project grants for supported employment programs, special recreational programs, projects with industry, and supported employment services for individuals with severe disabilities. Chapter 2: Repeal of Programs - Repeals Higher Education Act of 1965 provisions for special programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farm work. (Sec. 122) Repeals: (1) the disabled veterans outreach program and the local veterans employment representative program under Federal law relating to veterans; and (2) the homeless veterans reintegration project under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. (Sec. 123) Repeals: (1) the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act; (2) employment and training program provisions under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (but allowing college students who are parents responsible for care of a dependent child under age six to be eligible for the food stamp program); and (3) the older American community service employment program under the Older Americans Act of 1965. (Sec. 124) Repeals the Job Training Partnership Act, except those provisions relating to the Job Corps. Authorizes appropriations for the Job Corps. (Sec. 125) Repeals the Appalachian vocational and other educational facilities and operations program under the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. (Sec. 126) Repeals certain provisions relating to rules for computing the targeted jobs credit under the Internal Revenue Code. (Sec. 127) Repeals the JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills training) program provisions for recipients of AFDC (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) under the Social Security Act. (Sec. 128) Repeals: (1) the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992; (2) the Adult Education Act; (3) the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act; (4) the National Literacy Act of 1991; and (5) the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992. (Sec. 133) Repeals special programs relating to adult education for Indians, under the Indian Education Act of 1988. (Sec. 134) Repeals special Social Security Act provisions relating to Indian tribes and JOBS training programs. (Sec. 135) Repeals provisions for the VISTA Literacy Corps under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. (Sec. 136) Repeals: (1) the Wagner-Peyser Act (employment agencies); (2) the adult education for the homeless grants program and the job training for the homeless demonstration grants program under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; (3) the trade adjustment assistance for workers program under the Trade Act of 1974; (4) FY 1993 and 1994 authorizations of appropriations for certain grants, as well as certain technical assistance conditions, under the Homeownership and Opportunity through HOPE Act; and (5) the State legalization impact-assistance grants program under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Subtitle C: Effective Dates - Sets forth effective dates. Title II: Notice of Availability of Earned Income Credit - Amends the Social Security Act and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require that notice of availability of the earned income tax credit be provided to applicants for and former recipients of AFDC, Medicaid, or food stamps. (Sec. 202) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to require printing of a notice of the availability of the earned income tax credit and the dependent care tax credit on W-4 forms for employee withholding exemptions. Title III: Repeal of Temporary FUTA Surtax - Repeals the temporary FUTA (Federal Unemployment Tax Act) surtax under the Internal Revenue Code.
Bill· HRH.R. 1119 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an election to defer the commencement of distributions under deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Provides a cost-of-living adjustment for the maximum deferral amount.
Bill· HRH.R. 1099 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a special rule for persons with a deceased parent for purposes of the generation-skipping transfer tax. Makes such rule inapplicable to an individual who is not a lineal descendant if there is a living lineal descendant.
Bill· HRH.R. 1092 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the depreciation rules which apply for regular tax purposes shall also apply for alternative minimum tax purposes.
Bill· HRH.R. 1093 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Retailer Integrity Title II: Recipient Integrity Title III: Implementation and Effective Dates Title I: Retailer Integrity - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish specific time periods for: (1) retail food stores and wholesale food concerns (stores) to apply for food stamp program (program) participation; and (2) prohibition of program participation based on lack of business integrity. (Sec. 103) Includes income and sales tax information among the types of eligibility verification information which may be requested. (Sec. 104) Establishes a six-month reapplication waiting period for a store that does not meet participation requirements. (Sec. 106) Authorizes suspension of a store pending administrative and judicial review. (States that the Secretary shall not be liable for lost sales during such period.) (Sec. 107) Provides for disqualification of a store that is disqualified from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). (Sec. 108) Provides for permanent disqualification of a store that knowingly submits a falsified application. (Sec. 109) Expands civil and criminal forfeiture for specified violations of the Act. (Sec. 110) Amends the Social Security Act as amended by the Social Security Administrative Reform Act of 1994, and the Internal Revenue Code as added to by the Social Security Administrative Reform Act of 1994, to authorize information sharing with State WIC enforcement instrumentalities. (Sec. 111) Amends the Act to expand the definition of "coupon." Title II: Recipient Integrity - Amends the Act to increase ineligibility penalties for program violations. (Sec. 202) Makes the collection of overissuance of coupons from Federal pay or Federal tax refunds (as authorized by this section) mandatory. Title III: Implementation and Effective Dates - Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment unless otherwise provided for.
Bill· HRH.R. 1089 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1995
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, when acquiring non-Federal land for the National Forest System, to make an annual property tax equivalent payment to the affected county.
Bill· HRH.R. 1088 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1995
Provides that employment taxes under the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act are not applicable to amounts paid by a State wage security fund for unpaid wages.
Bill· HRH.R. 1081 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1995
Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Shipping Act of 1984 to include as one of its purposes the promotion of growth and development of U.S. exports through competitive, nondiscriminatory, and efficient ocean transportation. Prohibits any conference or group of two or more common carriers from limiting the ability of one another from entering into or performing under a service contract. Shortens from ten calendar days to two calendar days the notice that a conference member must give the conference when taking independent action on any rate or service that is required to be filed in a tariff. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit to the Congress a negotiating strategy to persuade foreign governments to divest themselves of ownership and control of ocean common carriers. Requires the Federal Maritime Commission to reduce the number of its employees by a specified percentage each fiscal year. Requires it to submit to the Congress a plan for increasing the amount of its resources, including the number of Commission personnel, engaged in protecting U.S. shippers and ocean common carriers against restrictive and unfair practices of foreign governments and foreign-flag ocean common carriers.
Bill· HRH.R. 1076 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1995
First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth the conditions under which builders will be allowed to compute on the installment sales method income from the sale of newly constructed one-family residential real property.
Bill· HRH.R. 1083 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1995
Travel and Tourism Relief Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that qualified travel agents shall not be treated as employees for purposes of employment taxes. Increases the deduction for business meals and entertainment from 50 percent to 80 percent of allowable expenses. Repeals the scheduled increase in the rate of tax on fuel used in commercial aviation. Allows an itemized deduction for expenses incurred in promoting tourism to the United States by non-U.S. residents. Allows a tax deduction for the attendance at conventions on foreign-flagged cruise ships.
Bill· HRH.R. 1082 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that cash rental of farmland to a member of the decedent's family for a qualified use will not cause recapture of the special estate tax valuation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1072 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1995
Urban Entrepreneurial Opportunities Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for equity contributions made by a corporation to an urban entrepreneurial opportunity financing subsidiary of such corporation. Requires the subsidiary to use such contribution in making qualified enterprise zone business loans to qualified small business concerns. Establishes an overall program limitation among the contributing corporations to be allocated by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Bill· SS. 478 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the penalty-free taxable sale or use of dyed diesel fuel by recreational boaters.
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