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Bill· SS. 34 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that in the case of oil and gas wells, the tax treatment which applies to intangible drilling and development costs shall also apply to surface casing costs and to geological and geophysical costs for the purpose of ascertaining the existence, location, extent, or quality of any deposit of oil or gas within the United States or a possession of the United States.
Bill· SS. 30 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Social Security Earnings Test Title II: Repeal of Increase in Tax on Social Security Benefits Title III: Treatment of Long-Term Care Title IV: Senior Citizen Communities Senior Citizens' Equity Act - Title I: Social Security Earnings Test - Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase the monthly exempt amount, under the earnings test, for individuals who have attained retirement age. Sets forth a schedule of monthly adjustments increasing from $1,250 for taxable year 1996 to $2,500 for taxable year 2000 (amounting, by the year 2000, to an annual exempt amount of $30,000 such individuals may earn before being subject to benefit reductions). Title II: Repeal of Increase in Tax on Social Security Benefits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to schedule from 1996 through 2000 a reduction from 85 percent to 50 percent the amount of Social Security benefits on which beneficiaries earning more than $34,000 annually ($44,000 for couples) are liable for income tax. Title III: Treatment of Long-Term Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat a long-term care insurance contract as an accident or health insurance contract. (Sec. 301) Restricts the meaning of long-term care insurance contract to a guaranteed renewable contract without cash surrender value: (1) covering only qualified long-term care services and benefits incidental to such coverage; (2) excluding expenses for services or items reimbursable under Medicare (except where Medicare is a secondary payor); (3) applying all premium refunds and all policyholder dividends or similar amounts to reduce future premiums or increase future benefits; and (4) offering a maximum benefit of no more than $200 for expenses incurred for any day. Provides for an inflation adjustment of the $200 benefit limit. Limits qualified long-term care services to necessary diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, as well as maintenance or personal care services prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner for a chronically ill individual in a qualified facility who is unable to perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least two activities of daily living (including walking or wheeling, dressing, toileting and bathing, transferring in and out of a bed or chair, and eating). Makes an individual's home a qualified facility if a licensed health care practitioner certifies that without home care the individual would have to be cared for in a State-licensed or Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing, rehabilitative, hospice, or adult day care facility. Declares that this title shall not apply in any determination whether a health care plan shall be subjected to an excise tax for failure to satisfy continuation coverage requirements. (Sec. 302) Excludes from gross income any benefits (not in excess of $200 per day) received under a long-term care insurance contract, including employer-provided coverage under such a contract. (Sec. 303) Allows an income tax deduction for qualified long-term care services, subject to specified limits. (Sec. 304) Treats as a nontaxable exchange the exchange of a contract of life insurance or an endowment or annuity contract for a long-term care insurance contract. (Sec. 305) Reduces any amounts includible in gross income by reason of distributions from individual retirement plans or 401(k) plans by the aggregate premiums paid by an individual for any long-term care insurance contract for the benefit of such individual or his or her spouse, if the individual or spouse, as appropriate, has attained age 59 and one-half on or before the date of the distribution. (Sec. 306) Excludes from gross income accelerated death benefits paid from life insurance policies for individuals who are terminally ill or permanently confined to a nursing home. Title IV: Senior Citizen Communities - Amends the Fair Housing Act with respect to the exemption for housing for older persons from the prohibition against discrimination based on familial status. Revises the definition of housing for older persons to repeal the requirement that such housing possess significant facilities and services specifically designed to meet the physical or social needs of older persons. (Sec. 402) Declares that an individual who engages in conduct with a reasonable good faith reliance on the existence of such exemption is not personally liable for money damages for a violation of such Act that the exemption would have vitiated. Presumes such good faith reliance of a person engaged in the business of residential real estate transactions if: (1) he or she has no actual knowledge that the facility or community is or will be ineligible for such exemption; and (2) the facility or community gives him or her a written certification stating its compliance with the requirements for such exemption.
Bill· SS. 32 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for producing crude oil and natural gas from new wells and marginal wells. Provides: (1) a formula for reducing such credit in years in which oil and gas prices increase; and (2) an inflation adjustment for such formula. Allows such credit against the regular and minimum tax.
Bill· SS. 18 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Insurance Coverage Subtitle A: Definitions Subtitle B: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage Subtitle C: Required Coverage Options for Eligible Employees and Dependents of Small Employers Subtitle D: Required Coverage Options for Individuals Insured Through Association Plans Subtitle E: 1-Year Extension of Medicare Select Subtitle F: Tax Provisions Title II: Primary and Preventive Care Services Title III: Patient's Right to Decline Medical Treatment Title IV: Primary and Preventive Care Providers Title V: Cost Containment Title VI: Long-Term Care Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Policies and Services Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Purchase of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Health Care Assurance Act of 1995 - Title I: Health Care Insurance Coverage - Subtitle A: Definitions - Sets forth definitions. Subtitle B: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage - Part 1: Reform of Health Insurance Marketplace for Small Employers - Subpart A: Insurance Market Reform - Requires each insurer that makes available a health insurance plan to a small employer in a State to make a qualified health insurance plan available to each such small employer. (Sec. 112) Requests the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)to submit for certification to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a set of rules for determining the actuarial value of the coverage offered by a health insurance plan. Sets forth requirements for determining standard coverage under health insurance plans. (Sec. 113) Requests the NAIC to submit to the Secretary model regulations that specify standards with respect to the requirement that insurers provide qualified health insurance plans. Authorizes States to implement standards for health insurance plans to small employers that are more stringent than the requirements under this Act; except that such standards shall not prevent the offering by an insurer of at least one health insurance plan that provides standard coverage. Requires each State to submit to the Secretary by a specified time a report on the steps it is taking to implement and enforce the standards with respect to insurers and their qualified health insurance plans. Subpart B: Additional Standards for Health Insurance Plans Offered to Small Employers - Requires any insurer offering a health insurance plan to a small employer to meet specified issuance requirements. (Sec. 122) Requires each health insurance plan offered to a small employer to establish within each community rating area in which such plan is offered a standard premium for enrollment of eligible employees and individuals for the standard coverage. (Sec. 123) Requires an insurer to fully disclose rating practices for their health insurance plan to the appropriate certifying authority. Authorizes such plans to require advanced payment from a new enrollee equal to the monthly premium. Subpart C: Small Employer Purchasing Groups - Sets forth qualified small employer purchasing group requirements. (Sec. 136) Authorizes appropriations for grants to States and small employer purchasing groups to assist them in planning, developing, and operating such groups. Part 2: Standards Applicable to All Health Insurance Plans - Requires an insurer offering a health insurance plan to meet specified coverage requirements, including: (1) guaranteed eligibility for individuals (including any dependents); (2) certain limitations on coverage of preexisting conditions of an individual; and (3) guaranteed renewability of plans. Part 3: Enforcement of Standards for Health Insurance Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on insurers who fail to comply with certain standards for health insurance plans. Part 4: Effective Dates - Declares that this subtitle is effective upon enactment. Subtitle C: Required Coverage Options for Eligible Employees and Dependents of Small Employers - Requires small employers to offer eligible employees a group health plan. Declares that such employer is not required to make a contribution to the cost of coverage under such plan. (Sec. 172) Sets forth certain employer requirements with respect to multiemployer health plans. (Sec. 173) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on small employers who fail to comply with certain requirements for health insurance plans. Subtitle D: Required Coverage Options for Individuals Insured Through Association Plans - Part 1: Qualified Association Plans - Sets forth qualified association plan requirements. (Sec. 182) Defines such plan as a multiple employer welfare arrangement which: (1) is maintained by a qualified association; (2) has at least 500 participants in the United States; (3) provides benefits consisting solely of medical care; and (4) meets other specified criteria. Part 2: Special Rule for Church, Multiemployer, and Cooperative Plans - Sets forth requirements for church, multiemployer, and cooperative health plans. Part 3: Enforcement - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on qualified associations, church plans, multiemployer plans, or rural electric cooperative or rural telephone cooperative association plans for failure to comply with certain standards for associations and health insurance plans. Subtitle E: 1-Year Extension of Medicare Select - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend for one year the period for issuance of Medicare select policies. Subtitle F: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals for medical care for themselves, their spouses, and dependents. Increases the deduction from the current 25 percent of premiums paid during taxable years beginning in 1994 or 1995 by 25 percent increments up to 100 percent for years beginning in 2000 or after. (Sec. 1022) Revises continuation coverage requirements of group health plans (under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, or COBRA '85) to: (1) allow such coverage to offer annual deductibles of $1,000 and $3,000; (2) increase from 18 months to 24 months the maximum required period of continuation coverage; and (3) provide for termination of continuation coverage only after 90 days of eligibility for employer-based coverage under a new plan. Title II: Primary and Preventive Care Services - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States in order to: (1) reduce infant mortality and low birth weight births; and (2) to improve the health of pregnant women, mothers, infants, and their families for a five-year period. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize appropriations for specified: (1) immunization programs; (2) tuberculosis and sexually transmitted disease prevention programs; (3) migrant and community health centers; (4) health services for the homeless; (5) family planning services; (6) breast and cervical cancer prevention; (7) preventive health and health services block grants; and (8) early intervention services regarding immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize appropriations to improve the health of all mothers and children. (Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary of Education to award grants to States for local programs of comprehensive health education and prevention, early health intervention, and health education in elementary and secondary schools. Establishes the Office of Comprehensive School Health Education. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Mandates grants to Head Start training agencies for training and technical assistance regarding health education to Head Start teachers and other child care providers. Reserves funds for the development of innovative model health education programs or curricula. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Patient's Right to Decline Medical Treatment - Prohibits State restrictions, except to protect a third party, on the right: (1) of a competent person to consent to or decline medical treatment; or (2) of an incapacitated person to consent to or decline medical treatment through a power of attorney. Requires all health care providers to honor such forms. Shields providers who act in good faith from criminal or civil liability or professional discipline. Denies Medicare and Medicaid payment for services contrary to advance directives and powers of attorney. (Sec. 301) Requires the Secretary to develop a national advance directive form and a national durable power of attorney form. Declares that nothing in this title shall be construed to permit, condone, authorize, or approve suicide or mercy killing, or any affirmative act to end a human life. Title IV: Primary and Preventive Care Providers - Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to modify or establish payment requirements regarding certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants. Makes payment to the employer of a physician assistant or nurse practitioner for the services provided discretionary, instead of, as currently, mandatory. (Sec. 402) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists in the Medicaid definition of "medical assistance" for which payment will be made. (Sec. 403) Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish grant programs to: (1) provide medical (including osteopathic medical) students for programs to interest high school or college students in careers in general medical practice (medical student tutorial program grants); and (2) develop strategies for recruiting and placing medical students interested in practicing general medicine (general medical practice grants). Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Cost Containment - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize a program of clinical trials regarding promising new drugs and disease treatments. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 502) Authorizes appropriations for the Agency for Health Care Policy Research. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on health insurance premiums, payable by any person who makes, signs, issues, or sells any of the documents and instruments subject to the tax or for whose use or benefit the same are made, signed, issued, or sold. Establishes, and deposits the resulting tax receipts in, the Trust Fund for Medical Treatment Outcomes Research. Mandates annual distributions from the Trust Fund for outcomes research. (Sec. 503) Requires the Secretary to establish a national health insurance data and claims system. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Requires the Secretary to make grants to States that establish health care cost containment and quality information systems. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Long-Term Care - Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Policies and Services - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for expenses paid during the year for qualified long-term care services. (Sec. 603) Prohibits a deduction for charges against a life insurance contract's cash surrender value, unless such charges are includible as income and the coverage provided by the rider is a qualified long-term care insurance policy. (Sec. 604) Requires treatment of qualified long-term care insurance as accident and health insurance for purposes of taxation of insurance companies. (Sec. 605) Excludes from gross income amounts (accelerated death benefits) paid under a life insurance contract to an individual who is terminally ill, has a dread disease, or is permanently confined to a nursing home. Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Purchase of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance - Allows a tax credit for a portion of long-term care insurance premiums. (Sec. 612) Excludes from gross income benefits received under long-term care insurance. (Sec. 613) Allows employers to deduct from gross income any contributions made for an employee's long-term care insurance. (Sec. 614) Allows employees to select long-term care insurance as part of a cafeteria plan. (Sec. 615) Excludes from gross income amounts received: (1) on the surrender, cancellation, or exchange of a life insurance contract if the individual is at least a specified age and the amount is used to pay for long-term care insurance; and (2) on a home equity conversion sale-leaseback, if the gain is used to purchase long-term care insurance.
Bill· SS. 12 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions Title III: Aid to Families with Dependent Children Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1995 - Title I: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore the deduction for individual retirement plans (IRAs). Provides a phase-up of income limits (from 1995 through 1998) with respect to the limitation on the deductibility of contributions to IRAs by active participants in employer-maintained plans. Removes the spousal rule from such limitation. Terminates income limits after December 31, 1998. Provides an inflation adjustment for deductible amounts after 1995. Allows certain spouses a full deduction for contributions to an IRA. Makes certain coins and bullion ineligible as collectible investments for purposes of distributions from an IRA. Coordinates the limit on such deduction with the elective deferral limit under other pension provisions. Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus (IRA plus) accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Excludes distributions from such accounts from the gross income of the distributee, if the assets remain in such accounts for at least five years. Allows qualified transfers to be made to such accounts. Establishes penalties for early withdrawals and excess contributions. Title II: Penalty-Free Distributions - Allows distributions from certain retirement plans without penalty to purchase first homes, pay higher education expenses and financially devastating medical expenses, and assist certain unemployed individuals. Title III: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to exclude from AFDC eligibility determinations certain income and resources that are to be used for education, training, and employability purposes. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to specified congressional committees on the use of qualified asset accounts. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on a revision of the AFDC limit on automobiles in order to increase the employability of AFDC recipients.
Bill· SS. 10 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Division A: Extension of Rights and Protections, and Associated Procedures Title I: Extension of Rights and Protections, and Associated Procedures Title II: Office of Congressional Fair Employment Practices--Establishment and Operations Title III: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions Division B: Lobbying and Gift Reform Title I: Lobbying Reform Title II: Congressional Gift Reform Division C: Campaign Finance Reform Title I: Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Subtitle A: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending Subtitle B: Independent Expenditures Subtitle C: Expenditures Subtitle D: Contributions Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Subtitle F: Effective Dates, Authorizations Comprehensive Congressional Reform Act of 1995 - Division A: Extension of Rights and Protections, and Associated Procedures - Title I: Extension of Rights and Protections, and Associated Procedures - Requires all personnel actions affecting covered employees to be made free from any discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap or disability. Defines a "covered employee" as an employee of the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Architect of the Capitol, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), or the Office of Congressional Fair Employment Practices (the Office). Provides that any intimidation of, or reprisal against, any covered employee because of the exercise of a right under this Act constitutes an unlawful employment practice. Makes available the relief awarded under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or a specified section of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as appropriate, for discrimination violations affecting covered employees. Prohibits punitive damages for such violations. Bars a covered employee from commencing an administrative or judicial proceeding to seek a remedy for prohibited practices, except as provided under this Act. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the ADEA to apply their protection and remedies to the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the General Accounting Office (GAO). Extends coverage under the ADA to GPO and GAO as well. (Sec. 102) Applies the rights, protections, and relief of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), and veterans' employment and reemployment rights to covered employees, GAO, and the Library of Congress. Applies the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to covered employees and GPO. (Sec. 107) Establishes the following exclusive procedures for remedy of violations of the laws described above: (1) employee counseling; (2) mediation; (3) filing of a formal complaint with the Office or filing of a civil action in the U.S. district court; and (4) appealing to the Board of Directors of the Office if aggrieved by a decision or to the U.S. Court of Appeals for review, subject to certain conditions. (Sec. 108) Applies the rights and protections against discrimination in the provision of public services under the ADA to the Senate, the House, congressional joint committees, the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, CBO, OTA, and the Office. Applies such rights and protections to any qualified individual with a disability, except that, with respect to claims of employment discrimination asserted by a covered employee, the exclusive remedies described above shall apply. Makes relief under such Act available for such violations and describes procedures to remedy such violations, including filing a charge with the General Counsel of the Office, mediation, and judicial review. Makes specified remedies and procedures under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 available to disabled visitors, guests, or patrons of instrumentalities of the Congress (GAO, GPO, and the Library) who allege violations under ADA provisions described by this section. (Sec. 109) Directs each employing office (including GAO and the Library) and covered employee to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) and applies such Act's duties, rights, protections, and remedies (except penalties) to such offices and employees. Establishes procedures for such remedies, including granting the General Counsel and the Board certain authorities exercised by the Secretary of Labor under such Act. (Sec. 110) Applies the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute to employing offices and covered employees. Grants the Board and the General Counsel specified authorities under the Statute. (Sec. 111) Requires the Board of the Office to: (1) review provisions of Federal laws and regulations relating to the terms and conditions of employment (including protection from discrimination in personnel actions, health and safety, and family and medical leave) of employees and access to public services and accommodations; and (2) report on December 31, 1996, and biennially thereafter, on whether or to what degree such provisions are applicable or inapplicable to the legislative branch and, if inapplicable, whether they should be made applicable. Requires each report of a congressional committee accompanying any bill or joint resolution to: (1) describe the manner in which the provisions of the bill or joint resolution apply to the Congress and congressional instrumentalities; or (2) if the provisions do not apply, include a statement of the reasons why. (Sec. 112) Directs the Board to study the application of the following laws to GAO, GPO, the Library , and other entities in the legislative branch not covered by all the sections of this title: (1) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (2) the ADEA; (3) the ADA; (4) the FMLA; (5) the FLSA; (6) the OSHA; (7) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (8) the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute; (9) the General Accounting Office Personnel Act of 1980; (10) the EPPA; (11) the WARN; and (12) provisions relating to veterans' employment and reemployment rights. Title II: Office of Congressional Fair Employment Practices-Establishment and Operations - Establishes the Office of Congressional Fair Employment Practices within the legislative branch. (Sec. 207) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Administrative and Judicial Dispute-Resolution Procedures - Sets forth procedures for counseling, mediation, hearings, appeals to the Board, judicial review of Board decisions, and civil actions relating to violations described under title I. (Sec. 307) Sets deadlines for: (1) making counseling requests; and (2) charging discrimination in public services or discrimination in exercising rights relating to occupational safety and health. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Establishes Settlements and Awards Reserve appropriation accounts in the Contingent Funds of the House and the Senate. Makes amounts in such accounts available for the payment of awards for settlements made under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Prohibits judicial review of actions taken pursuant to this Act, except in proceedings authorized under title III. (Sec. 406) Provides that it shall not be a violation of any provision to consider the party affiliation, domicile, or political compatibility, with respect to employment decisions, of employees who are: (1) on the staff of the House or Senate leadership; (2) on the staff of congressional committees, joint committees, or subcommittees; (3) on the staff of Members of the House or Senators; (4) officers of the House or the Senate or elected or appointed congressional staff; or (5) applicants for any such positions. (Sec. 407) Directs the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to retain full power with respect to the discipline of Members, officers, and employees for violating rules of the Senate and the House on nondiscrimination in employment. (Sec. 410) Sets forth transitional provisions with respect to certain existing claims. Division B: Lobbying and Gift Reform - Title I: Lobbying Reform - Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 - Requires registration with the Office of Lobbying Registration and Public Disclosure (Office) established by this Act by any individual lobbyist (or the individual's employer, if it employs one or more lobbyists) within 30 days after the individual first makes, or is employed or retained to make, a lobbying contact with either the President, the Vice President, a Member of Congress, or any other specified Federal officer or employee. Defines a lobbyist as any individual employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include one or more lobbying contacts (but not an individual whose lobbying activities constitute less than ten percent of the time engaged in the services provided to that client). Provides for: (1) special registration filing rules in cases involving multiple clients and contacts; and (2) registration termination in cases where a registrant is no longer employed or retained by a client to conduct lobbying activities, and does not anticipate any additional lobbying activities for such client. (Sec. 1104) Specifies the contents of such registration and reports. (Sec. 1105) Requires registrants to file semiannual lobbying activity reports with the Office. Provides for: (1) exemptions from such registration and reporting requirements in cases involving lobbying income of $2,500 or less (for a particular client) or total expenses of $5,000 or less (for all lobbying activities of a registrant whose employees lobby on its own behalf) for the semiannual period. Requires periodic adjustment of such dollar amounts for inflation. (Sec. 1106) Provides for special rules generally prohibiting registrants under this Act and the Foreign Agents Registration Act from providing gifts (including meals, lodging, transportation, entertainment, reimbursements, loans, or forbearance) to any covered legislative branch official, or to the spouse, dependent, friend, or relative of such an official if it is given with the knowledge and acquiescence of such official and is given because of his or her position. Permits certain such items under prescribed circumstances, such as lawful political contributions and informational materials sent to the official's office, and gifts given for a nonbusiness purpose and motivated by family relationship or close personal friendship. (Sec. 1107) Establishes the Office as an executive agency, and specifies its duties, including making public the semiannual lobbyist activity reports. (Sec. 1108) Establishes procedures for: (1) determining and resolving alleged violations of this Act; and (2) judicial review of Office decisions. (Sec. 1113) Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to: (1) eliminate references to political propaganda and, in certain cases, replace them with references to informational materials; and (2) modify registration exemption provisions. (Sec. 1114) Revises (Byrd Amendment) requirements for a declaration by persons requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement with respect to any payments made in connection with it which would be prohibited if made with appropriated funds. Requires, in lieu of information currently required, the: (1) name of any registrant under this Act who has made lobbying contacts on behalf of the person with respect to that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement; and (2) certification that the declarant has not made, and will not make, any prohibited payment. (Sec. 1115) Repeals: (1) the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act; and (2) provisions on lobbyist activities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act and the Housing Act of 1949. (Sec. 1118) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1119) Sets forth special rules for the identification of: (1) foreign and other clients on whose behalf lobbying contacts are made with a covered legislative or executive branch official; and (2) such covered officials. (Sec. 1121) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on differences in meaning between this Act and the Internal Revenue Code of "lobbying activities," "lobbying expenditures," "influencing legislation," and related terms. (Sec. 1122) Requires the President to appoint an interim Director of the Office within 30 days after enactment of this Act. Title II: Congressional Gift Reform - Amends rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit any Member, officer, or employee of the Senate from knowingly accepting a gift from: (1) a registered lobbyist, lobbying firm, or agent of a foreign principal in violation of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1994; or (2) any person, subject to exceptions listed in this Act. (Currently, such individuals and their spouses are allowed to accept gifts totalling up to $250 from any one person.) Considers a gift to a spouse or dependent of a Member, officer, or employee to be a gift to the Member, officer, or employee if given with their knowledge and acquiescence and if there is reason to believe that the gift was given because of their official positions. Lists items exempt from the restriction on gifts from persons other than lobbyists, lobbying firms, or agents of foreign principals, including: (1) anything provided on the basis of a personal or family relationship unless the Member, officer, or employee has reason to believe that the gift was provided because of his or her official position; (2) unused items that are promptly returned to the donor; (3) food or refreshments believed to have a value of less than $20; (4) food, lodging, and other benefits resulting from the outside business or employment activities of a Member, officer, or employee or their spouses if such benefits have not been offered or enhanced because of the recipient's official position; (5) such benefits customarily provided by a prospective employer in connection with bona fide employment discussions or by a political organization in connection with a fund raising or campaign event; (6) certain awards or prizes given in contests open to the public; (7) certain honorary degrees and other awards; (8) donations of products from the Member's State that are intended for promotional purposes and are of minimal value as well as food, refreshments, and entertainment provided in the home State, subject to reasonable limitations; (9) certain training; (10) bequests and inheritances; (11) anything paid for by the Government or by a State or local government or secured under a Government contract; (12) a gift of personal hospitality; (13) free attendance at an event, as permitted by this Act; and (14) certain other opportunities and benefits. Establishes conditions under which a Member, officer, or employee may accept an offer of free attendance at a convention, dinner, or similar event. Prohibits the acceptance of a gift exceeding $250 on the basis of the personal relationship or friendship exception unless the Select Committee on Ethics determines that such exception applies. Provides that certain reimbursements to a Member, officer, or employee for travel expenses to an event in connection with official duties shall not be considered as gifts if advance authorization to accept reimbursement is received and the reimbursement and authorization are disclosed within a specified time period. (Sec. 1202) Makes parallel amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives to reflect conforming gift restrictions. (Sec. 1203) Amends the Ethics in Government Act to provide that reimbursements deemed accepted by the Senate or the House and reported as required under such rules need not be reported under such Act. Authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to accept gifts provided they do not involve any duty, burden, or condition, or are not made dependent upon some future performance by the United States. Division C: Campaign Finance Reform - Title I: Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform - Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending Part 1: Senate Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to make Senate candidates who meet certain filing requirements and contribution and expenditure limits eligible for FECA benefits. Limits Senate primary expenditures for a candidate (or his or her authorized committees) to the lesser of: (1) 67 percent of the general election expenditure limit; or (2) $2.75 million. Limits runoff expenditures. Sets a threshold contribution amount which triggers application of such primary and runoff limits. Limits the use by a Senate candidate (or authorized committees), during an entire election cycle, of the candidate's personal (or family) funds (including debt). Limits aggregate general election expenditures by an eligible Senate candidate (or authorized committees) to the lesser of: (1) $5.5 million; or (2) the greater of $1.2 million, or $4,000,000 plus 30 cents times the voting age population up to 4 million and 25 cents times the voting age population over 4 million. Exempts from the general election expenditure limit qualified accounting and legal expenditures. Entitles eligible Senate candidates to certain broadcast media rates, and in certain circumstances, payments compensating for independent expenditures and excess expenditures on behalf of the candidate's opponent. Requires the Federal Election Commission (Commission) to certify an eligible Senate candidate within 48 hours after his or her application to the Secretary of the Senate. Requires the Commission to examine and audit, for FECA compliance, the campaign accounts of five percent of all Senate and House of Representatives candidates, and the campaign accounts of all opponents of such candidates as well. Requires candidates to refund to the Commission any excess payments or expenditures. Sets civil penalties for excess expenditures and contributions. Provides for judicial review of Commission actions and requires Commission reports to the Senate. Requires closed captioning for eligible Senate candidates' television commercials. Authorizes reduced candidate payments under circumstances of insufficient funds. (Sec. 10002) Prohibits Senate election activities by political action committees (PACs). Reduces from $5,000 to $1,000 the maximum aggregate contributions of any PAC to a Senate candidate (or authorized committees). Makes it unlawful for aggregate PACs to contribute to any Senate candidate (or authorized committees) more than the lesser of: (1) $825,000; or (2) 20 percent of the aggregate Federal election spending limit. Requires annual adjustments of such dollar amounts according to a specified price index. (Sec. 10003) Sets forth reporting requirements for Senate candidates not eligible for FECA benefits. Requires reports to the Secretary within two days of any contributions raised and expenditures made in excess of FECA limits. Requires any candidate for the Senate who, during the election cycle, exceeds limits on the use of personal and immediate family funds, and on personal loans incurred by the candidate and the candidate's immediate family, to report to the Secretary of the Senate within two days after such expenditures have been made or loans incurred. Requires certain expenditure reports from any Senate candidate who held Federal, State, or local office during the same election cycle, and made any expenditures, before becoming a Senate candidate, which would have been treated as Senate candidate expenditures. (Sec. 10004) Requires Senate candidates ineligible for FECA benefits to place on every paid or authorized political commercial or communication the declaration: "This candidate has not agreed to voluntary campaign spending limits." Part II: General Provisions - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast station to make broadcast time available to all House and Senate candidates in the last 30 (currently 45) days before a primary at the lowest unit charge of the station for the same amount of time (currently, the same class and amount of time) for the same period on the same date. Allows Senate candidates to purchase broadcast time at 50 percent of the lowest unit rate for the 60 days before a general election. Prohibits broadcasters from preempting advertisements sold to political candidates at the lowest unit rate, unless the preemption is beyond the broadcaster's control. (Sec. 10012) Amends FECA to set forth reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures. (Sec. 10015) Amends Federal law to prohibit a Senator who is a candidate for election to any public office from making a mass mailing under the frank during the calendar year of any primary or general election for such office. Subtitle B: Independent Expenditures - Amends FECA to define "independent expenditure" as an expenditure for an advertisement or other communication that: (1) contains express advocacy; and (2) is made without the participation or cooperation of a candidate or a candidate's representative. Excludes from the meaning of "independent expenditure" any expenditure by: (1) a political committee of a political party; (2) persons who communicate or receive information about activities that have a purpose of influencing a candidate's election; and (3) persons with other specified relationships with a candidate or candidate's agents in the same election cycle. Defines "express advocacy" as any communication that when taken as a whole: (1) expresses support for or opposition to a specific candidate, a specific group of candidates, or candidates of a particular political party; or (2) suggests taking action with respect to an election, such as voting for or against, contributing to, or participating in campaign activity. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for equal broadcast time, including notification and opportunity to purchase equal time on an independent expenditure basis. Subtitle C: Expenditures - Part I: Personal Loans; Credit - Amends FECA to prohibit the use of contributions after the date of a general election to repay loans to a candidate (or authorized committee) by the candidate himself or herself or by members of the candidate's family. Treats as a contribution any extension of credit of more than $1,000 for more than 60 days to candidates for Federal office (or authorized committees) by political advisers. Part II: Provisions Relating to Soft Money of Political Parties - Amends FECA to define: (1) "generic campaign activity" as a campaign activity on behalf of a party rather than a candidate; and (2) "State Party Grass Roots Fund" as a segregated State fund on behalf of a Federal candidate. (Sec. 10034) Permits maximum contributions to a State Party Grassroots Fund of: (1) $20,000 by an individual; and (2) $15,000 from a multicandidate committee. Establishes an overall $60,000 annual limit on individual contributions, including specified limits for: (1) candidates and their political committees; and (2) State committees. (Sec. 10035) Subjects to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements any amount solicited, received, or expended directly or indirectly by a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party (including any subordinate committee) with respect to an activity (such as voter registration and get-out-the vote activities among others) which, in whole or in part, is in connection with an election to Federal office. Limits the expenditures for which a State committee may use its State Party Grassroots Fund. (Sec. 10036) Prohibits Federal candidates and officeholders from soliciting contributions not subject to FECA. Restricts on solicitations from tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 10037) Requires: (1) a national committee and a congressional campaign committee to report all receipts and disbursements whether or not in connection with a Federal election; and (2) other specified political committees to report all receipts and disbursements in connection with a Federal election. Subtitle D: Contributions - Specifies circumstances in which contributions made or arranged to be made directly or indirectly by a person to or on behalf of a particular candidate through an intermediary or conduit shall be treated as contributions from such intermediary or conduit to the candidate (thus subjecting them to the FECA limitations otherwise applicable to that intermediary or conduit). Requires an intermediary or conduit to report the original source, contributor, and intended recipient of each forwarded contribution. Prohibits certain lobbyist contributions. (Sec. 10042) Treats contributions by a dependent not of voting age as having been made by the individual on whom that dependent is a dependent. (Sec. 10043) Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from accepting, with respect to any election, any contribution from a State or local political party committee (or subordinate committee) if such contribution, when added to the total of contributions previously accepted from all such committees of that political party, exceeds the relevant contribution limitation. (Sec. 10044) Makes it unlawful to coerce contributions or expenditures by physical threat or other intimidation. (Sec. 10045) Prohibit acceptance by a candidate of cash contributions from any one person aggregating more than $100. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous - Prohibits Federal candidates and officeholders from establishing, maintaining, or controlling any political committee (such as a "leadership committee") other than a principal campaign committee of the candidate, authorized committee, party committee, or other political committee designated as an authorized committee. (Sec. 10052) Directs the Commission to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of developing telephonic voting for persons with disabilities. (Sec. 10053) Exempts certain tax-exempt organizations from specified corporate expenditure limits. (Sec. 10055) Requires exact copies of campaign advertising that refers to a candidate's opponent to be filed with the Commission and the Secretary of State of the candidate's State. (Sec. 10056) Amends Federal law to prohibit a Member of Congress, during an election year, from using the franking privilege for a mass mailing from January 1 until the general election date. Subtitle F: Effective Dates; Authorizations - Sets forth the general effective date of this Act. Provides for direct, expedited appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court from any court rulings on the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or amendment made by it.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 8 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits any Federal tax from being imposed for the period before the date of enactment of the tax.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 11 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits, except in time of war, Federal fiscal year expenditures from exceeding: (1) Federal revenues for that fiscal year, except revenue received from the issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations of the United States; and (2) 20 percent of the gross national product for the preceding calendar year. Authorizes the Congress to suspend these prohibitions by concurrent resolution.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 3 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits, in any fiscal year, total Federal outlays from exceeding total receipts and Federal outlays from exceeding 19 percent of the Nation's gross national product. Allows such prohibitions to be suspended by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House of Congress.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 12 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement in which total Federal outlays do not exceed total receipts, unless a three-fifths vote of both Houses authorizes a specific excess. Prohibits a bill to increase receipts from becoming law unless approved by a three-fifths majority in each House. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget. Sets a permanent limit on the amount of Federal public debt, prohibiting any increase unless legislation enacted by a three-fifths majority of both Houses becomes law. Requires roll call votes in the House and Senate under this amendment.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 4 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a balanced Federal budget, unless a three-fifths roll call vote of both Houses of Congress provides for a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Prohibits any bill raising taxes from becoming law unless approved by a majority roll call vote of both Houses.
Bill· HRH.R. 361 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Export Administration Title II: Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act Part A: Reporting on Nuclear Exports Part B: Sanctions for Nuclear Proliferation Part C: International Atomic Energy Agency Part D: Repeal of Duplicative Provisions Omnibus Export Administration Act of 1995 - Title I: Export Administration - Export Act of 1995 - Specifies the export policy of the United States, especially that: (1) export controls should be imposed to stem the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and (2) restrictions on the export of agricultural commodities should be minimized. (Sec. 104) Specifies the kinds of export licenses the Secretary of Commerce may require. Prohibits any person from exporting an item that such person knows will materially contribute to a program for the development of a weapon of mass destruction or missile in a country that is not a member of, or a cooperating country with respect to, an export control regime controlling such items. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a United States Commodity Control Index identifying all commodities and technology on which controls are imposed under this Act; (2) specify license requirements for such items; and (3) designate countries and end users to which exports of commodities and technology are controlled. Requires the Secretary to appoint export advisory committees with respect to export controls imposed on such items. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the President to prohibit or curtail the export of commodities or technology that would: (1) directly and significantly enable a country or end user to acquire weapons of mass destruction; or (2) directly and significantly contribute to the military capability of a country so as to pose a threat to the national security of the United States or its allies. Requires the Secretary to establish a security control list of commodities, technology, countries, and end uses or end users with respect to which export controls are imposed by this Act. Provides that the Secretary shall require authority or permission to export commodities and technology on the security control list to a controlled country, a controlled end use, or a controlled end user. Sets forth provisions regarding the creation of multilateral export control regimes. Provides favorable licensing treatment for the export of commodities and technology among such regimes or cooperating countries. Requires the Secretary periodically to review export controls and, if warranted, increase specified export control thresholds for, and propose to the regime removal of, export controls on computer equipment, computer communications and networking equipment, computer software, and related technology that has become obsolete. Requires the Secretary of State to propose the elimination of controls on mass-market computer equipment to export control regimes that control such equipment. Declares that, in specified circumstances, approval shall be presumed for a license for export to a country of any controlled goods, without regard to their technical specifications, for trade show purposes. Directs the Secretary to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering to study and report to the President and the Congress on the extent to which exports of computers can be controlled, and the policy reasons for maintaining controls. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the President, after consultation with the Congress, to prohibit or curtail unilaterally for up to six months the export of commodities or technology whenever it is essential to U.S. national security or foreign policy, or necessary to prevent foreign countries from supporting acts of international terrorism. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of State to seek support from other countries and multilateral export control regimes for such controls. Sets forth procedures for extension of such controls and for congressional disapproval of such an extension. Prohibits export or reexport of controlled commodities or technology to countries that have repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism. Declares that crime control and detection instruments and equipment shall be approved for export by the Secretary only pursuant to an export license, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the President to prohibit or impose quantitative restrictions on the export of commodities that are domestically in short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor exports, and contracts for exports, of commodities in cases where their volume in relation to domestic supply contributes, or may contribute, to an increase in domestic prices or a domestic shortage, and such increase or shortage has, or may have, a serious adverse impact on the economy. Authorizes an entity, including a trade association, firm, or certified union or group of workers, that is representative of an industry that processes metallic materials capable of being recycled, to petition the Secretary requesting both the monitoring of or the imposition of export controls on such exports that are in short supply. Prohibits the export of Alaskan North Slope crude oil, with specified exceptions. Provides for licensing of refined petroleum product exports. Prohibits the President from imposing quantitative restrictions based on short supply controls on agricultural commodities (including fats and oils or animal hides or skins) without the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. Prohibits the exportation of unprocessed western red cedar (Thuja plicata) logs harvested from State or Federal lands. Declares that shipments of crude oil and refined and partially refined petroleum products for use by the Department of Defense or U.S.-supported installations shall not, for purposes of export controls on Alaskan North Slope oil, be considered to be exports. (Sec. 108) Directs the President to issue regulations that prohibit, with specified exceptions, U.S. persons from supporting any boycott imposed by a foreign country against a country friendly to the United States that is not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. (Sec. 109) Specifies procedures for the processing of export license applications, including the screening, referral, approval or denial, and review of such applications. (Sec. 110) Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary to establish a list of commodities and technology that would directly and substantially assist a foreign government or group in acquiring the capability to develop, produce, stockpile, or deliver chemical or biological weapons, the licensing of which would be effective in barring acquisition or enhancement of such capability. Requires a validated license for the export of listed items to any country of concern. Requires the Secretary to establish a list of all dual use commodities and technology on the Missile Technology Control Regime Annex (MTCR), including such items that would provide a direct and significant impact on the development of missile delivery systems. Requires a validated license for the export of such items on the MTCR list to any country, including items the exporter knows are destined for a missile project or facility in a country that is not an MTCR adherent. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require the Secretary of State to establish, as part of the United States Munitions List (Munitions List), a list of items including those controlled pursuant to multilateral export control regimes (such as the Australia Group), but not subject to specified control under this Act, that would directly and substantially assist a foreign government, group, or project in acquiring the capability to develop, produce, stockpile, or deliver chemical or biological weapons, the licensing of which would be effective in barring the acquisition or enhancement of such capability. Requires a license for the export of such items on such list. Requires the Secretary of State to establish a list of items, including those on the MTCR Annex, that would provide a direct and significant impact on the development of missile delivery systems, and the export of which is not subject to control under this Act. Requires a validated license for the export of such items on such list to any country, including items the exporter knows are destined for a missile project or facility in a country that is not an MTCR adherent. Provides that such licenses shall be denied if the ultimate consignee of such items is a facility: (1) in a country that is not an MTCR adherent and it is designed to develop or build missiles; or (2) in a country that has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism. Requires the President to impose sanctions, for a two year period, against any U.S. or foreign person or entity that knowingly exports or transfers, or facilitates the export or transfer of, chemical or biological weapons or missiles. Includes among such sanctions: (1) denial of an export license; (2) barring of Government procurement contracts; and (3) appropriate import restrictions on the products of an offending entity. Requires the President to determine what countries have made substantial preparation to use or have used chemical or biological weapons in violation of international law or against their own nationals. Requires the President to impose, for a minimum two year period, specified sanctions against such countries. (Sec. 112) Sets forth provisions regarding administrative and judicial review of determinations made under this Act. (Sec. 113) Makes the Secretary responsible for providing policy guidance on the enforcement of this Act. Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the forfeiture of goods and tangible items lawfully seized by the United States for violations of this Act; (2) undercover investigative operations of the Office of Export Enforcement of the Department of Commerce; and (3) a financial audit and report to the Congress on each undercover investigative operation. (Sec. 114) Requires issuance of an annual policy guidance for export licensing officials in all Federal departments and agencies. Declares that all power, authority, and discretion conferred by this title with respect to export control functions shall be exercised by the Secretary. Establishes an Export Control Policy Committee to provide policy guidance and advice to the President on export control issues. Directs the President to appoint an Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration who shall perform all functions of the Secretary under this Act and other Federal laws relating to national security. Sets forth requirements for: (1) non-disclosure of confidential information; (2) disclosure of information to the Congress and the General Accounting Office (GAO); (3) penalties for disclosure of confidential information; and (4) public opportunity for comment on regulations imposing export controls. Authorizes the Secretary to participate in the education and training of officials from other countries on the principles and procedures for implementation of effective export controls. Declares that a license may not be required for the export of a commodity solely because it contains parts or components subject to export control if they: (1) are essential to the functioning of the commodity; (2) are customarily included in the sales of the item in non-controlled countries; and (3) compose 25 percent or less of the total value of the commodity, unless the commodity itself would make a significant contribution to the military or proliferation potential of a controlled country or end user which would prove detrimental to U.S. national security. Declares that no authority may be required for certain reexports of foreign-made items incorporating U.S. items. Declares that this Act does not authorize export controls on: (1) medicine or medical supplies; or (2) donations of items intended to meet basic human needs, including food, educational materials, seeds, hand tools, water resources equipment, clothing and shelter materials, and basic household supplies. Declares that no validated license shall be required for replacement parts exported to replace on a one-to-one basis parts that were in a commodity lawfully exported from the United States, unless the President determines that a license should be required for such parts. (Sec. 115) Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the administration of this Act. (Sec. 117) Declares that the Secretary shall not require a license for the export or reexport of telecommunications equipment to civil end users in any of the former republics of the Soviet Union, China, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, or Vietnam. Subjects to export controls exclusively under this Act any civil aircraft product, or any technology used in it, that is an integral part of such aircraft and is standard equipment certified or scheduled to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a report assessing: (1) the international market for computer software with encryption; and (2) the impact of U.S. encryption export controls on the international competitiveness of the U.S. computer software industry. Requires the export of commercial communications satellites (including any integral components necessary to achieve the orbit location of such satellites) to be regulated solely under this Act. (Sec. 118) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Arab League countries should end the secondary Arab boycott. Title II: Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act - Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1995 - Part A: Reporting on Nuclear Exports - Amends the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 to include in a certain presidential report to the Congress on governmental efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons: (1) a description of the implementation of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use export controls; and (2) the progress of the non-nuclear-weapon independent states of the former Soviet Union and of the Baltic states towards achieving the objective of applying full scope safeguards to all their peaceful nuclear activities. Part B: Sanctions for Nuclear Proliferation - Requires the President to impose certain sanctions against any foreign or U.S. person that has materially and with requisite knowledge contributed to the efforts of any individual, group, or non-weapon state to acquire unsafeguarded special nuclear material, or to use, develop, produce, stockpile, or otherwise acquire any nuclear explosive device. (Sec. 222) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the sale or lease of defense articles or services to any country that the President has determined to be in material breach of treaties or agreements concerning the nonproliferation of nuclear explosive devices and unsafeguarded special nuclear material. (Sec. 223) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors to certain international financial institutions to oppose any use of their funds to promote the acquisition of unsafeguarded special nuclear material or the development, stockpiling, or use of a nuclear explosive device by a non-nuclear-weapon state. Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to make it a duty of the U.S. executive directors of such institutions to consider whether a country receiving financial assistance: (1) is seeking to acquire unsafeguarded special nuclear material or a nuclear explosive device; (2) is not a State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; or (3) has detonated a nuclear explosive device. (Sec. 224) Prohibits any U.S. or foreign person from knowingly, materially, and directly contributing or attempting to contribute, through the provision of financing, to the acquisition of unsafeguarded special nuclear material, or the use, development, production, or stockpiling of any nuclear explosive device by an individual, group, or non-nuclear-weapon state. Requires the President to impose certain sanctions against any U.S. or foreign person violating such prohibition. (Sec. 225) Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require the Secretary of State to report to appropriate congressional committees and to the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank if a country has willfully aided or abetted a non-nuclear-weapon state in acquiring any nuclear explosive device or unsafeguarded special nuclear material. (Sec. 226) Requires the President to report to the Congress, and impose certain sanctions against, any country that: (1) transfers to a non-nuclear-weapon state a nuclear explosive device; (2) is a non-nuclear-weapon state and either receives a nuclear explosive device or detonates one; (3) transfers to a non-nuclear-weapon state any design information or component that is important to the development of a nuclear device; or (4) is a non-nuclear-weapon state and receives such information or component. (Sec. 227) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the use of any funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or this Act to provide economic assistance, military assistance or grant military education and training, foreign assistance, or extend military credits or make guarantees, to any country which delivers to or receives from another country nuclear enrichment equipment, materials, or technology, unless certain conditions are met. Authorizes the President to furnish such assistance if he certifies to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate that: (1) termination of such assistance would have a serious adverse effect on vital U.S. interests; and (2) assurances have been received that such country will not acquire or develop nuclear weapons or assist other nations in doing so. Sets forth similar provisions prohibiting such assistance to countries that deliver to, or receive from, a country nuclear reprocessing equipment, materials, or technology which contribute significantly to that country's ability to manufacture a nuclear explosive device. (Sec. 229) Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to include in a specified annual report to the Congress a discussion of any material noncompliance by foreign governments with their commitments to the United States with respect to the prevention of the spread of nuclear explosive devices by non-nuclear weapon states or the acquisition by such states of unsafeguarded special nuclear material. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Department of State should, in its reporting responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978, include a summary of demarches that the United States has issued or received from foreign governments with respect to activities which are of significance from the proliferation standpoint. Part C: International Atomic Energy Agency - Expresses the sense of the Congress that in order to enhance international confidence in the effectiveness of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and other multilateral undertakings to halt the global proliferation of nuclear weapons, the United States should seek to negotiate specified initiatives with other nations, including the IAEA Board of Governors and the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Part D: Repeal of Duplicative Provisions - Repeals certain duplicative provisions of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995.
Law· HRH.R. 394 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends Federal law to prohibit any State from imposing an income tax on the retirement income of any individual who is not a resident or domiciliary of that State.
Bill· HRH.R. 329 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to change the income tax rate table for estates and trusts to the tax rate table of married individuals filing separate returns.
Bill· HRH.R. 283 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow an income tax deduction for business air travel expenses on regularly scheduled flights to the extent the cost exceeds normal tourist class air fare.
Bill· HRH.R. 282 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by volunteer fire departments to acquire ambulances or other emergency response vehicles. Treats a volunteer emergency medical service organization as if it were a volunteer fire department and such services were firefighting services for purposes of the tax-exempt bond rules.
Bill· HRH.R. 281 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Repeals Internal Revenue Code provisions that permit an income tax exemption for interest earned on certain portfolio debt investments and received from U.S. sources by nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations. Requires tax withholding in connection with such income.
Bill· HRH.R. 371 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends Federal law to prohibit any State from imposing an income tax on the pension income of any individual who is not a resident or domiciliary of that State.
Bill· HRH.R. 390 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the burden of proof with respect to all issues, in the case of any court proceeding, is on the Secretary of the Treasury. Requires the Secretary to identify in writing the specific kind or type of tax, and its specific implementing regulations, within 14 days upon the written request from any person made liable for such tax. Increases the limitation on the amount of recovery for civil damages for unauthorized collection actions by the Internal Revenue Service. Excludes such damages from gross income.
Bill· HRH.R. 387 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, during each fiscal year, to make up to 10,000 Department of Defense personnel available to assist: (1) the Immigration and Naturalization Service in preventing the entry into the United States of terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal aliens; and (2) the U.S. Customs Service in the inspection of cargo, vehicles, and aircraft at points of entry into the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 392 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Investment for America Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reinstate a ten percent investment tax credit for domestic property placed in service after December 31, 1992. Defines domestic property as property completed in the United States and at least 60 percent of the basis of the property is attributable to value added within the United States. Allows a tax credit for seven percent of the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of domestic durable goods. Limits such credit to $1,000. Permits a tax credit equal to qualified payments made for the purchase of an American automobile. Defines "qualified payments" as State or local sales tax imposed on the purchase of the automobile and interest on the automobile loan. Prohibits a product from bearing a label which suggests that it was made in America unless: (1) the product has been registered with the Department of Commerce; and (2) the Secretary of Commerce has determined that 60 percent of the product was manufactured in, and final assembly took place in, the United States. Requires the registry of American-made products with the Department of Commerce. Prescribes penalties for the fraudulent use of labels.
Bill· HRH.R. 354 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Medical Savings Accounts Title II: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information Health Care Savings Plan Act of 1995 - Title I: Medical Savings Account - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax deduction for contributions made to a medical care savings account established for the benefit of an eligible individual. Defines an eligible individual as one who is: (1) not covered by an employer-provided group health plan; or (2) covered by such a plan which is a qualified catastrophic coverage health plan and is not covered by any other health plan. Allows penalty-free withdrawals from such accounts to the extent that amounts in such accounts exceed $15,000. Allows such deduction in arriving at adjusted gross income. Excludes employer contributions to such accounts from employment taxes. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts and makes such accounts subject to the tax on prohibited transactions. Allows the transfer of unused amounts in flexible spending accounts of cafeteria plans to medical savings accounts. Allows the full deduction for medical and dental expenses for amounts paid for qualified catastrophic coverage health plans. Title II: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information - Requires each State to develop and implement information programs regarding comparative health values for purchasers of health care. Makes grants available for the development of such programs. Requires Federal implementation of a program for any State that does not develop or continue to implement such a program. Requires the dissemination of comparative value information relative to Federal programs of health insurance and health care services. Requires the development of model systems to facilitate the gathering and analyzing of data on health care cost, quality, and outcome with respect to health insurance plans and hospitals. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 335 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) increase the allowable deduction from 25 percent to 100 percent; and (2) make the deduction permanent.
Bill· HRH.R. 296 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
House of Representatives Election Campaign Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 with respect to House of Representatives campaign financing. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide a full tax credit for small individual contributions to a House candidate; and (2) establish in the Treasury the House of Representatives Campaign Trust Fund. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require broadcast stations to offer their lowest rates for certain campaign commercials to House candidates who agree to limit personal spending. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 315 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: State Welfare Reform Option Title II: Incentives for State Participation in Welfare Reform Title III: Policy Changes to Reward Work Title IV: Child Support Enforcement Work-First Welfare Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: State Welfare Reform Option - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give States the option of developing a welfare reform plan containing a welfare-job development integration plan meeting specified requirements (including those requiring welfare recipient participation along with the State in one of two specified types of Empowerment Compacts with specific goals and timetables for each individual participant's attainment of self-sufficiency) for reorienting their welfare programs towards such overall goal for all welfare recipients who are capable of working. (Sec. 101) Provides for approval, implementation, and evaluation of welfare reform plans. Title II: Incentives for State Participation in Welfare Reform - Amends SSA title IV part A to provide for: (1) increased Federal payments to welfare reform States meeting specified requirements for the costs of operating programs under part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) (JOBS); and (2) modification of the amount payable to individual welfare reform plan participants expecting a decrease in income over a certain period in States which have elected to adjust individual AFDC benefits quarterly. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for purposes of developing welfare reform plans. Sets limits on the amount the Secretary may expend on such grants in any fiscal year through FY 2000. Title III: Policy Changes to Reward Work - Amends SSA title IV part A and the Internal Revenue Code to make various specified changes designed to reward work, including: (1) giving States the authority to establish enhanced earnings disregards for AFDC recipients and define unemployment for purposes of the AFDC-UP program; and (2) making the tax credit for dependent care expenses refundable, and requiring employers to make advance payments of such credit to their employees. (Sec. 304) Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture, of Health and Human Services, and of Labor to submit to the Congress an annual report on any State or Federal laws which may inhibit implementation of welfare reform plans. (Sec. 305) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the requirements to be followed by each State in developing and applying outcome measures and targets for assessing the effectiveness of the State's JOBS program. Amends SSA title IV part A to provide for a reduction in State JOBS funding for States which have not submitted for approval a plan for meeting such requirements. (Sec. 306) Directs the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress a methodology for determining the use of transitional child care and extended medical assistance under Medicaid. Makes various specified amendments to SSA title IV part A, including with regard to matters concerning transitional child care and certain student earnings and income. Title IV: Child Support Enforcement - Directs the Secretary to establish a Federal registry of child support orders issued or modified in a State for comparing information reported on an employee's W-4 form with information in the registry, and for notifying the appropriate State child support order registry established by this Act of the accuracy of the amount specified on the form as the employee's monthly child support obligation. (Sec. 402) Makes various specified amendments to SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity), including with regard to matters concerning: (1) expansion of the Federal Parent Locator Service; (2) development of a uniform child support withholding order; (3) State agency access to various data bases containing information with respect to absent parents; and (4) private access to State locate resources and enforcement services for purposes of establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support and parentage orders. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) establish a national system for reporting copies of every employee's W-4 form to the appropriate State and Federal child support order registries; and (2) modify the W-4 form to enable the employee to indicate on it certain information related to child support and health care insurance for any dependent children. (Sec. 404) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for the reconciliation of child support obligations and payments on income tax returns, with the full amount due by the end of the applicable tax year and subject to the same collection process and penalties applicable to back taxes; (2) provide for a tax credit for withholdings and payments in excess of applicable obligations; (3) require the Secretary to pay amounts collected to the appropriate State registry; and (4) require employers to include withheld obligations on the employee's W-2 form. (Sec. 407) Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to: (1) give debts relating to child support higher priority in a garnishment than other Federal debts when an individual's disposable earnings are not sufficient to pay both debts; and (2) prohibit employers from discharging employees with more than one indebtedness, if all but one of the debts arise from one or more orders for the support of a child. (Sec. 408) Amends SSA title IV part D to require States to enact the version of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in August 1992.
Bill· HRH.R. 358 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Repeals provisions of the District of Columbia Revenue Act of 1939 directing the Secretary of the Treasury to advance, on the requisition of the Mayor of the District of Columbia, funds out of the Treasury from time to time to meet the general expenses of the District. Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to reduce the amount authorized to be appropriated as the annual Federal payment to the District for a fiscal year by the amount of any funds advanced to the District by the Secretary on or after January 4, 1995, that have not been reimbursed by the District to the Treasury as of the last day of the previous fiscal year.
Bill· HRH.R. 312 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Prohibits any funds from being appropriated to carry out the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 for any fiscal year after 1995.
Bill· HRH.R. 286 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Prohibits States and localities from receiving certain Federal economic development assistance if the State or locality offers, permits, or grants any tax abatement, money payment, or payment of property for the location of businesses or other organizations within the State or locality. Creates an exception to such prohibition for enterprise zones.
Bill· HRH.R. 347 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Ships' Stores Funding Act of 1995 - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to repeal: (1) a requirement that all naval ships' stores be operated as nonappropriated fund instrumentalities by October 1, 1994; and (2) a specified transfer of funds to meet such requirement.
Bill· HRH.R. 295 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends Federal law with respect to the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to enter into agreements with certain cities and counties for the withholding of city and county income and employment taxes from the pay of Federal employees who are residents of, or regularly employed in, such cities and counties. Repeals the limitation of such authority to cities and counties with 500 or more persons regularly employed by all agencies of the Federal Government (thus authorizing the Secretary to enter into such agreements with cities and counties with fewer than 500 Federal employees).
Bill· HRH.R. 409 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 to repeal provisions which increased taxes on transportation fuels.
Bill· HRH.R. 408 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 to repeal the reduction in the tax deductible portion of business meal and entertainment expenses.
Bill· HRH.R. 389 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Foreign Subsidiary Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include as taxable income of U.S. shareholders in controlled foreign corporations the foreign base company manufacturing related income attributable to manufacturing operations in a tax holiday (tax haven) plant or in a runaway plant.
Bill· HRH.R. 391 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the foreign tax credit and the deduction for taxes in lieu of income, war profits, or excess profits taxes imposed by a foreign country or U.S. possession.
Bill· HRH.R. 379 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply the credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source to qualified fuels produced from certain tar sands. Makes such credit applicable to wells drilled, and mines and quarries first opened, after January 4, 1995, and before January 1, 2000, and which are sold before January 1, 2006. Repeals the tax preferences for intangible drilling costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 360 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Requires the annual congressional presentation materials for foreign economic assistance to include: (1) an identification of any foreign economic assistance funds that, as of September 30 of the preceding fiscal year, had been obligated for a period of two years or more but had not been expended; (2) a certification that the purposes for which such funds were obligated remain valid; and (3) with respect to each project for which such funds remain unexpended, the justification for such funds not having been expended. Directs the Inspector General of the Agency for International Development (AID), as soon as possible after the submission regarding unexpended balances is made, to submit to the appropriate congressional committees: (1) recommendations for reducing the amount of such balances; and (2) comments with regard to justifications for unexpended balances. Requires the President, at the beginning of each fiscal year, to deobligate and return to the Treasury any foreign economic assistance funds that, as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, have been obligated for a period of more than three years but have not been expended. Exempts funds described by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 that may be used for winding up programs. Authorizes the President to waive such requirement, on a case-by-case basis, if he reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the funds: (1) are being used for a construction project that requires more than three years to complete; or (2) have not been expended because of unforeseen circumstances. Provides for comments by the AID Inspector General on such report.
Bill· HRH.R. 333 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Middle Income Tax Relief Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a capital gains deduction for individuals of 50 percent of the qualified gain for the taxable year. Limits such gain to $400,000 reduced by the aggregate amount of such gain taken into account for prior years. Makes such deduction unavailable to taxpayers with gross incomes in excess of $250,000. Requires property sold or exchanged for such gain to have been held in excess of three years.
Bill· HRH.R. 334 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Individual Retirement Improvement Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction for active participants in certain individual retirement plans to the amount allowable plus 50 percent of the excess amount. Provides a formula for reducing such percentage in cases of adjusted gross incomes that exceed $200,000. Allows certain spouses a full deduction for contributions to individual retirement accounts.
Bill· HRH.R. 330 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Requires funds made available in any appropriation Act for FY 1995 or any succeeding fiscal year for the official expenses allowance, the clerk hire allowance, or the official mail allowance of a Member of the House of Representatives that remain unobligated at the end of such fiscal year to be transferred to the Deficit Reduction Fund established by Executive Order 12858. Provides that such funds shall be in addition to the amounts specified in such order and shall be subject to its requirements and limitations.
Bill· HRH.R. 323 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Health Care Savings Plan Act of 1995 - Title I: Medical Savings Account - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax deduction for a medical savings account established for the benefit of an eligible individual. Defines an eligible individual as: (1) one who is not covered by an employer-provided group health plan; or (2) one who is covered by such a plan which is a qualified catastrophic coverage health plan and is not covered by any other health plan. Allows penalty-free withdrawals from such accounts to the extent that amounts in such accounts exceed $15,000. Allows such deduction in arriving at adjusted gross income. Excludes employer contributions to such accounts from employment taxes. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts and makes such accounts subject to the tax on prohibited transactions. Allows the transfer of unused amounts in flexible spending accounts of cafeteria plans to medical savings accounts. Allows the full deduction for medical and dental expenses for amounts paid for qualified catastrophic coverage health plans.
Bill· HRH.R. 328 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Individual Investment Account Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for amounts contributed to individual investment accounts. Allows tax-free distributions, limited to $15,000 for all taxable years, from such accounts for use in the purchase of a principal residence by a first-time homebuyer. Makes such accounts tax-exempt unless the individual engages in prohibited transactions. Adjusts dollar limitations under this Act for inflation. Allows such deduction in determining adjusted gross income. Exempts such accounts from estate tax. Excludes from gross income gain from the sale or exchange of property if, during the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange, such property has been owned and used by the taxpayer as a principal residence for periods aggregating three years or more. Limits such exclusion to the amount paid to an individual investment account during the one-year period beginning on the date of the sale or exchange. Provides for adjusting the basis of a residence acquired through the use of an individual investment account.
Bill· HRH.R. 302 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Limits assessments of underpayments with respect to taxable periods beginning before July 1, 1985, in connection with the annual occupational tax on retail liquor and beer dealers. Abates assessments and refunds overpayments of any post-1987 tax.
Bill· HRH.R. 285 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit tax-exempt private foundations and community foundations to establish tax-exempt cooperative service organizations to operate exclusively for charitable purposes. Applies the excise taxes on private foundations, except the taxes on investment income and on failure to distribute income, to such organizations.
Bill· HRH.R. 284 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special rules for gifts of qualified appreciated stock to certain tax-exempt private foundations for purposes of the itemized deduction of charitable contributions. Includes grants to certain foreign organizations as qualified distributions by private foundations for purposes of the tax on failure to distribute income. Changes the due date for first quarter estimated tax payments by private foundations.
Bill· HRH.R. 195 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Locate and Case Tracking Title II: Establishment Title III: Parentage Title IV: Enforcement Title V: Collection and Distribution Title VI: Federal Role Title VII: State Role Title VIII: Effective Date Interstate Child Support Enforcement Act - Title I: Locate and Case Tracking - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow the Federal Parent Locator System (FPLS) to be used for parentage establishment and child support and visitation enforcement if there are appropriate safeguards. (Sec. 102) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) (Secretary) with access to quarterly estimated Federal income tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Requires that State agencies charged with child support enforcement maintain child support order registries and be allowed access to medical, financial, employment, and other specified data base information on absent parents. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should investigate accessing certain Federal data banks not already linked with FPLS. (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary to expand FPLS to provide State agencies and courts with a national locate and case tracking network. (Sec. 104) Requires that private attorneys and pro se obligees be allowed limited access to State locate information and enforcement techniques for purposes of establishing and enforcing child support and other orders if there are appropriate safeguards. (Sec. 105) Requires the heads of national and regional individual tracking systems to allow child support enforcement agencies access to their information. (Sec. 106) Requires that States: (1) broadcast failure-to-appear warrants, capiases, and bench warrants issued in parentage and child support proceedings over their crime information systems; and (2) remit any subsequent forfeiture to the child support obligee to the extent of any child support arrearage if a defendant posts security after being arrested. Title II: Establishment - Amends SSA title IV part D to set forth requirements for State laws on service of process and jurisdiction in child support and parentage actions. (Sec. 202) Provides for service of process on Federal employees and members of the armed forces relating to child support, alimony, and parentage obligations. (Sec. 203) Requires that parents' identification and locate information be filed with the State court adjudicating parentage and child support actions. Requires safeguards on such information where there is a court order for the physical protection of the child or one parent entered against the other parent. (Sec. 204) Requires State child support agencies to timely notify any individual owed child support of all hearings in which such support might be established, modified, or enforced, and promptly provide copies of any such orders. (Sec. 205) Requires States to allow parties seeking both parentage and child support establishment in a judicial proceeding to bring a joint action in a single cause of action. Sets forth guidelines for uniform State procedures regarding jurisdiction and venue. (Sec. 206) Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) to allow appropriate State agencies to obtain from credit reporting agencies information relevant to the setting of a child support award without having to obtain a court order. (Sec. 207) Creates a National Child Support Guidelines Commission to study and report to the President and the Congress on national child support guidelines, and to develop such guidelines for congressional consideration if advisable. (Sec. 208) Amends SSA title IV part D to specify principles to be included in State child support guidelines. (Sec. 209) Requires States to provide for continuation of a parental child support obligation until a child's marriage, emancipation by a court, or the later of a child's 18th birthday or graduation from high school, except in cases of disabilities arising during childhood or where a court has ordered support payable to an adult child in college. (Sec. 210) Requires the new Assistant Secretary directing the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) (designated under title VI of this Act) to: (1) draft and distribute a national subpoena duces tecum for use by child support agencies and others to obtain employee income information; and (2) develop a uniform abstract of a child support order for State court use. (Sec. 212) Requires States to: (1) list on marriage licenses the applicants' social security numbers; and (2) use procedures that require individuals who have been issued subpoenas to produce and deliver documents to or to appear at a court or administrative agency on a certain date. Title III: Parentage - Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) require States to provide for hospital-based paternity outreach programs and adopt specified procedures related to paternity establishment; and (2) provide for 90 percent Federal matching for such programs. Title IV: Enforcement - Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) revise anti-assignment provisions to allow child support to be withheld from certain Federal benefit payments; and (2) require procedures for State verification of W-4 form information on outstanding child support obligations and imposition of monetary penalties for failures involving W-4 form reporting and subsequent employer withholding of child support obligations. (Sec. 402) Requires: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the W-4 form completed by new employees to include information on outstanding child support obligations; and (2) employers to provide a copy of such form to the appropriate State child support enforcement agency. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to require employers to withhold from employee wages amounts owed for child support. (Sec. 403) Requires States to mandate that any individual or entity engaged in commerce, in that State, to honor income withholding notices or orders issued by a court or State agency, and to maintain records of payroll deductions for child support obligations. (Sec. 404) Specifies the priority for applying proceeds withheld from income for current and past due child support obligations and health insurance for dependent children. (Sec. 405) Allows workers' compensation income to be subject to income withholding. (Sec. 406) Amends CCPA to preempt State laws that prohibit or restrict garnishments to secure support for any person. Accords Federal debts a lower priority than child support debts when the obligor's disposable income cannot satisfy both debts through withholding. Prohibits employers from discharging any employee whose earnings are subject to garnishment for additional indebtedness arising from a child support order. (Sec. 407) Requires States to: (1) provide that the election of remedies prohibition does not apply in child support cases; (2) refuse to issue or renew professional and business licenses of noncustodial parents subject to outstanding failure-to-appear warrants; (3) prohibit motor vehicle departments from issuing or renewing the driver's licenses of any such parent; (4) authorize post-judgment bank account seizure, without a separate court order, to collect overdue child support payments; (5) impose liens against lottery or gambler's winnings, insurance settlements or policy payouts, court awards, judgments, or settlements, and property seized in forfeiture cases to collect such payments; (6) void fraudulent conveyances of property made to avoid paying child support; (7) allow the posting of a cash bond, security deposit, or personal undertaking to provide for timely child support payments in cases not involving absent parents; (8) authorize attachment of a child support obligor's retirement investment funds, without a separate court order, to collect overdue child support payments; (9) enact laws that provide for criminal penalties for non-support; (10) permit enforcement of any child support order until at least the child's 30th birthday; (11) assess and collect interest on all child support judgments; (12) provide for health care insurance for the child; and (13) adopt without material change the officially approved version of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. (Sec. 408) Prohibits States and the Federal Government from issuing or renewing professional and business licenses of individuals delinquent in making child support payments until the license hold is released. (Sec. 413) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the IRS Commissioner should instruct IRS field officers and agents to give a high priority to requests for the use of full collection in delinquent child support cases. Requires the Secretary of Treasury to simplify the full collection process and reduce the amount of child support arrearage needed before an individual may apply for full collection. (Sec. 415) Permits Federal and State tax refund procedures to be used by non-AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (SSA title IV part A) recipients to collect past-due child support regardless of the child's age. (Sec. 422) Amends the Federal bankruptcy code to provide that a petition in bankruptcy does not operate as an automatic stay with respect to an action or proceeding against the debtor to: (1) establish parentage; or (2) establish, modify or enforce a judicial order for child support. Mandates that a debt for child support be included within the contents of specified bankruptcy reorganization plans. Permits child support creditors to appear in any court, without charge, and without meeting special local court requirements for attorney appearances. Declares that nondischargeable debts to a child for maintenance or support include State public debts and assigned child support. (Sec. 422) Sets forth requirements pertaining to parentage establishment and child support payments in the armed forces. Title V: Collection and Distribution - (Sec. 501) Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) set priorities for State distribution of child support collections; (2) require States to limit claims against noncustodial parents for reimbursement of a child's portion of AFDC to the amount specified under a child support order; (3) allow States to assess charges above the application fee for non-AFDC child support services against persons other than custodial parents; and (4) require States to provide either one central statewide child support collection and disbursement point or several local or regional points throughout the State. (Sec. 501) Authorizes the Comptroller General to analyze the existing child support distribution system and authorize, under certain circumstances, pilot projects for the distribution of arrearages in a specified manner. Amends the IRC to revise the Federal income tax refund offset mechanism. Title VI: Federal Role - Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) designate the separate organizational unit charged under current law with various child support and parentage responsibilities as the OCSE; and (2) change OCSE's organizational structure. (Sec. 602) Requires the new OCSE Assistant Secretary to provide training assistance to the States and study staffing at State child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 602) Requires States to provide for training for child support personnel. (Sec. 604) Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the incentive formula operating with respect to State child support agencies. (Sec. 605) Defines "child support" to include periodic and lump sum payments for current and past-due economic support, payments of premiums for health insurance for children, payments for or provision of child care, and payments for educational services. (Sec. 606) Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract for a study of, and report to the Congress on, the OCSE audit process to improve the criteria and methodology for auditing State child support enforcement agencies; and (2) make grants to provide for demonstration projects for the purpose of establishing or improving a system of assured minimum child support payments. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: State Role - Amends SSA title IV part D to prohibit States from denying establishment, enforcement, or modification services to applicants because of nonresidency. (Sec. 702) Requires States to: (1) promote the greatest economic security possible for children, within the obligor's ability to pay; (2) provide custodial parents with certain information; and (3) allow administrative changes in child support payees without a court hearing or order. (Sec. 704) Expresses the sense of the Congress that State and local child support enforcement agencies should provide: (1) offices in easily accessible locations near public transportation; (2) office hours that allow parents to meet with attorneys and caseworkers without taking time off work; and (3) office environments suitable for discussion of matters in privacy. Title VIII: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 260 (104th)failed
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Park System Plan Title II: New Area Establishment National Park System Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: National Park System Plan - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a National Park System Plan to guide the direction of the System into the next century. Directs the Secretary to review the existing System to determine whether there are more appropriate alternatives for managing specific units within the System and to develop a report containing a list of areas where National Park Service management should be modified or terminated. Establishes a National Park System Review Commission to make and report such determinations if the Secretary fails to transmit the report within a specified time period. Makes inapplicable to reports required under title I provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Title II: New Area Establishment - Removes certain reporting requirements concerning additional areas for the National Park System. Directs the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees an annual list of areas recommended for study for potential inclusion in the System. Bars the initiation of any study of the potential of an area for inclusion in the System after this Act's enactment, except by specific authorization by an Act of the Congress. Requires studies to be completed within three fiscal years of the enactment date of legislation providing for a study. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual list of areas which have been studied previously which contain primarily cultural or historical resources and areas which contain primarily natural resources in numerical order of priority for addition to the System.
Bill· HRH.R. 95 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Locate and Case Tracking Title II: Establishment Title III: Parentage Title IV: Enforcement Title V: Collection and Distribution Title VI: Federal Role Title VII: State Role Title VIII: Jobs for Unemployed Noncustodial Parents Title IX: Effective Date Interstate Child Support Act of 1995 - Title I: Locate and Case Tracking - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) to be used along with appropriate disclosure safeguards for parentage establishment and child support and visitation enforcement. (Sec. 101) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) denial of visitation rights under a child support order should be treated as irrelevant in any action to enforce its support provisions; and (2) failure to pay child support pursuant to such an order should be treated likewise in any action to enforce visitation rights. (Sec. 102) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) (Secretary) with access to quarterly estimated Federal income tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Requires that: (1) State agencies charged with child support enforcement maintain child support order registries and be allowed access to medical, financial, employment, and other specified data base information on absent parents; (2) registry information from each State be sent to the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) (designated under title VI of this Act) within HHS for a national registry of all State child support orders. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should investigate accessing certain Federal data banks not linked with FPLS. (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary to expand FPLS to provide State agencies and courts with a national locate and case tracking network. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the network should be used to access State records only through the agency administering the State's part D plan. (Sec. 104) Requires that private attorneys and pro se obligees be given access, in accordance with appropriate safeguards, to State locate resources and through enforcement techniques with respect to child support, visitation, and parentage orders. (Sec. 105) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to require employers to withhold from employee wages amounts owed for child support. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the W-4 form completed by new employees in order to enable employers to obtain employee child support and other information for the appropriate State employment security agency. (Sec. 106) Requires the heads of national and regional individual tracking systems to allow child support enforcement agencies access to their information for paternity or child support purposes. (Sec. 107) Requires that States: (1) broadcast warrants issued in child support proceedings over their crime information systems; (2) remit, in a criminal case, to any individual owed child support any security posted by or on behalf of the individual owing the support and then forfeited, to the extent of any arrearage in support owed; and (3) have procedures to obtain access to financial records for purposes of child support establishment and enforcement. Title II: Establishment - Amends SSA title IV part D to provide for service of process on Federal employees and members of the armed forces in connection with parentage and child support proceedings. (Sec. 202) Requires that: (1) parents' identification and locate information be filed with the appropriate adjudicating entity in parentage and child support actions; (2) there be appropriate safeguards on such information where a court has ordered that the custodial parent or child receive physical protection from the noncustodial parent; (3) appropriate administrative agencies make reasonable attempts to timely notify any individual owed child support of any proceeding to establish, modify, or enforce the support obligation; (4) States allow parties seeking both parentage and child support establishment in a judicial proceeding to bring a joint action in a single cause of action; (5) States provide for uniform procedures regarding jurisdiction and venue in parentage and child support cases; (6) States provide for continuation of parental child support obligations until they terminate as described; (7) States allow parties to participate in interstate parentage and child support proceedings by telephonic means; (8) marriage licenses, birth certificates, and divorce and parentage decrees contain social security numbers; and (9) appropriate State agencies be allowed subpoena power in connection with child support hearings. (Sec. 205) Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) to allow appropriate State agencies to obtain from credit reporting agencies information for establishing and modifying child support awards. (Sec. 206) Creates a National Child Support Guidelines Commission to study and report to the President and the Congress on national child support guidelines, and to develop such guidelines for congressional consideration should it be advisable. (Sec. 207) Specifies certain principles to be used in accordance with the application of State child support guidelines. (Sec. 208) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, if children receive child support while obtaining postsecondary education, they will attain higher levels of education affording them a greater chance to break the welfare cycle. (Sec. 209) Requires the new OCSE Assistant Secretary to develop a: (1) national subpoena duces tecum for distribution to child support agencies and others to use to reach income information; and (2) uniform abstract of a child support order for State court use. (Sec. 214) Requires the Legal Services Corporation to ensure the use of a specified amount of funding for child support cases. (Sec. 215) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) children on Indian reservations be accorded the same right of support currently afforded to off-reservation children; (2) State and tribal governments should, to the greatest extent possible, ensure that jurisdictional issues do not prevent any Indian child from receiving the support to which the child is entitled; and (3) States should work with community-based organizations with ties to underserved populations to develop better methods to reach and work with such populations to encourage the filing of more support orders. Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to require Indian tribes to give full faith and credit to child support orders of other Indian tribes, to the extent such entities already give full faith and credit to the acts, records, and proceedings of the other entity. (Sec. 216) Amends SSA title IV part D to provide grants for certain demonstration projects designed to secure child support services in underserved areas and combat domestic violence. Title III: Parentage - Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) require States to adopt various specified procedures for voluntary paternity acknowledgment; and (2) provide for 90 percent Federal matching for such programs. (Sec. 301) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in a proceeding to establish paternity, once paternity is alleged, the burden of proof should shift to the alleged father. Title IV: Enforcement - Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) require States to mandate that an employer comply with wage withholding orders issued by any State court or administrative agency; (2) specify the priority for applying amounts withheld from income for child support and child health insurance; (3) subject to withholding for child support income from workers' compensation and other specified Federal sources; (4) prohibit State court application of the election of remedies doctrine to prevent collection of child support; (5) deny State occupational, professional, and business licenses, and driver's licenses and vehicle registrations to delinquent noncustodial parents; (6) authorize liens on vehicle titles, seizure of bank accounts, and holds on lottery winnings, settlements, payouts, bequests, and proceeds from the sale of forfeited property to satisfy child support arrearages; (7) require States to make a rebuttable presumption that any transfer of property by an individual who owes a child support arrearage is made with the intent to avoid payment of the arrearage; (8) revise the mechanism for collection of past-due child support from Federal tax refunds to cover post-minor children who do not receive Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC); (9) authorize attachment of retirement plan interests without a separate court order to satisfy child support arrearages; (10) permit enforcement of any child support order until the child is at least 30; (11) require interest on all child support judgments; (12) require States to adopt the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform Laws in August 1992; (13) allow State courts to order the assignment of life insurance benefits and interests in jointly held property to satisfy child support arrearages; and (14) require States to treat international child support cases in the same manner as interstate child support cases. (Sec. 404) Amends CCPA with respect to State laws and garnishments for securing child support. Gives Federal debts a lower priority than child support debts when the obligor's disposable income cannot satisfy both debts through withholding. Prohibits employers from discharging any employee whose earnings are subject to garnishment for additional indebtedness arising from a child support order. (Sec. 406) Denies Federal occupational, professional, and business licenses for delinquent individuals until the license hold is released. (Sec. 412) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the IRS Commissioner should instruct IRS field officers and agents to give a high priority to requests for the use of full collection in delinquent child support cases. Requires the Secretary of Treasury to simplify the full collection process and reduce the amount of child support arrearage needed before an individual may apply for full collection. (Sec. 417) Sets forth requirements pertaining to parentage establishment and child support payments in the armed forces. (Sec. 419) Directs the Comptroller General and Secretary of the Treasury to study the feasibility of an annual reconciliation process for paying child support arrearages as part of the Federal income tax process. (Sec. 420) Authorizes the Secretary of State to refuse, revoke, or restrict passports in cases where the applicant or holder is a noncustodial parent subject to a State arrest warrant for nonpayment of a substantial child support arrearage. (Sec. 421) Prohibits Federal benefits, loans, guarantees, and employment for individuals owing certain child support arrearages. (Sec. 424) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should ratify the United Nations Convention of 1956. Title V: Collection and Distribution - Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) set priorities for State distribution of child support collections; (2) require States to limit claims against noncustodial parents for reimbursement of a child's portion of AFDC to the amount in the child support order; (3) revise part D plan provisions concerning fees; and (4) require States to provide for collection and disbursement points for child support cases. (Sec. 501) Requires Comptroller General to conduct studies and pilot projects with respect to requiring State systems to pay the child support collected under a State plan to the individuals to whom the support is owed before making any payment to reimburse any State for AFDC provided with respect to the child in question. Amends IRC to revise the Federal income tax refund offset mechanism. (Sec. 505) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should encourage parents to use the State child support agency to process and distribute child support payments. Title VI: Federal Role - Amends SSA title IV part D to: (1) designate the separate organizational unit currently charged with various parentage and child support responsibilities as the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE); and (2) change OCSE's organizational structure. (Sec. 602) Requires: (1) the new OCSE Assistant Secretary to provide training assistance to the States; (2) States to provide for training of child support personnel; and (3) the Secretary to study staffing at State child support enforcement programs and reduce payments to States that have not implemented recommended staffing levels. (Sec. 604) Requires the Secretary to: (1) authorize demonstration projects to test alternative approaches to incentive funding for State child support programs; and (2) reduce payments to States which have not reinvested incentive payments in their child support programs. Provides that "support" under SSA title IV part D with respect to incentive payments to States includes premiums paid for health insurance coverage pursuant to a support order. Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should not use amounts paid to them pursuant to SSA title IV part D, which are reinvested in child support activities, to supplant State funding of such activities. (Sec. 606) Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract for a study of OCSE's audit process to develop criteria and methodology for auditing activities of State child support enforcement agencies; and (2) provide for State demonstration projects for the purpose of ensuring that custodial parents owed child support have a consistent source of income for the support of their children. (Sec. 607) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) children should have a consistent source of income to meet their education and medical needs; (2) the provision of public assistance to a custodial parent for the support of a child with respect to whom the noncustodial parent owes child support does not absolve the latter of the obligation to provide such support; (3) the States must continue to vigorously pursue efforts to establish parentage, and establish and enforce child support obligations; and (4) OCSE should develop a mechanism to publicize the best State practices in child support. (Sec. 608) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury a Children's Trust Fund to hold the contributions designated by individuals on their tax returns for funding child support programs. (Sec. 609) Requires: (1) the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on delinquent child support payments and the effectiveness of administrative vs. judicial adjudication of parentage and child support cases; and (2) OCSE to produce and update a certain compendium of State child support laws published by the National Conference of State Legislatures, and establish a permanent child support advisory committee. Title VII: State Role - Amends SSA title IV part D to require States to: (1) promote the greatest economic security possible for children, within the obligor's ability to pay; (2) provide custodial parents with certain information on child support cases and the services available under their part D plans; and (3) require any changes in child support payees to be made only through administrative procedures. (Sec. 703) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should: (1) work closely with parents to improve the quality of child support services; (2) have offices in areas accessible to public transportation with convenient hours that allow parents to meet privately with attorneys and caseworkers; and (3) establish administrative procedures to process child support cases and a child support council to recommend improvements in State paternity and child support programs. Title VIII: Jobs for Unemployed Noncustodial Parents - Expresses the sense of the Congress that any Federal program to provide jobs for noncustodial parents should be administered so as not to adversely affect any Federal program for custodial parents. (Sec. 801) Requires the Secretary to transmit evaluations of certain projects under the JOBS program under SSA title IV part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) to the Secretary of Labor for study and possible action, including authorizing States to provide services of greater scope and duration to unemployed noncustodial parents under such program. Title IX: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 57 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of foreign earned income which a U.S. resident living abroad may exclude from gross income and provides an inflation adjustment for such amount.
Bill· HRH.R. 32 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish requirements for notifying charitable beneficiaries of charitable remainder trusts of their interests in such trusts. Establishes penalties if such notices are not filed.
Bill· HRH.R. 152 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1995
Anti-Retroactive Taxation Act - Prohibits a law which imposes new income tax or increases the rate of existing income tax from being applicable to a taxable year beginning before the date of the enactment of such law.
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