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Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 170 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1996
Declares that, in addition to other estimates, the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Congressional Budget Office should: (1) prepare a fiscal estimate of each proposed change in Federal law (having an impact over $1 million in any year) on the basis of assumptions that estimate the probable behavioral responses of personal and business taxpayers and other entities and the dynamic macro-economic feedback effects of the change; and (2) identify those assumptions.
Bill· HRH.R. 3376 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Construction Authorization Title II: Strategic Planning for Health Care Resources Title III: Other Matters Title I: Construction Authorization - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) carry out eight specified ambulatory care addition major medical facility projects; (2) carry out ten specified environmental improvement major medical facility projects; (3) carry out three specified seismic correction major medical facility projects; and (4) enter into six leases for specified medical facilities. (Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1997 for the Construction, Major Projects, account and for the Medical Care account. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees on the health care needs of veterans in east central Florida. Prohibits the obligation of funds (other than for design work) for the conversion of the former Orlando Naval Training Center Hospital in Orlando, Florida, to a nursing home care unit until 15 days after such report is submitted. Title II: Strategic Planning for Health Care Resources - Replaces an annual reporting requirement regarding operational and construction plans for VA medical facilities with a requirement that the Secretary report annually to the veterans' committees: (1) regarding long-range health planning of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including a five-year strategic plan for the provision of medical care to eligible veterans through coordinated networks of medical facilities; and (2) showing the current VA priorities (listing the top 20) for proposed major medical construction projects. (Sec. 202) Specifies additional information required to be included in a prospectus submitted by the Secretary to the veterans' committees in connection with proposed medical facilities, including data on demographics, projected workload and utilization, operating costs, funding priority, and alternatives to facility construction. (Sec. 203) Revises the definition of "major medical facility project" for purposes of provisions governing medical facility acquisition to mean a project involving a total expenditure of more than $5 million (currently, $3 million). Repeals a provision of the Veterans' Medical Programs Amendments of 1992 which makes inapplicable to projects for which funds were appropriated prior to the enactment of such Act a prohibition on the appropriation, obligation, or expenditure of funds for any major medical facility project unless funds for such project have been specifically authorized by law. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating funds in excess of $500,000 from the VA's Advance Planning Fund toward design or development of a major medical facility project until the Secretary reports to the veterans' committees. (Sec. 205) Repeals provisions setting forth required clinical services of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Requires the VHA to include the Office of the Under Secretary for Health and necessary professional and auxiliary services. Requires the Under Secretary to ensure that the Office is staffed to provide expertise in the treatment and rehabilitation of disabled veterans and in appropriate clinical care disciplines. Repeals the requirements that: (1) the Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Health be a qualified doctor of medicine; (2) such Office include Directors of Nursing Service, Pharmacy Service, Dietetic Service, Podiatric Service, and Optometric Service; and (3) one Assistant Under Secretary for Health be a qualified doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine and another be a qualified physician trained in geriatrics. Title III: Other Matters - Designates: (1) the VA medical center in Jackson, Mississippi, as the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; (2) the Mountain Home Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Johnson City, Tennessee, as the James H. Quillen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and (3) the VA nursing care center at the VA medical center in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, as the H. John Heinz, III Department of Veterans Affairs Nursing Care Center. (Sec. 304) Restores and extends through December 31, 2000, the Secretary's authority to establish at any VA medical center a nonprofit corporation to provide for conducting approved research.
Bill· HRH.R. 3375 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administrations Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Agency Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Repeal of the 1993 Gas Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to decrease the tax rate on gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, and fuel used in commercial waterway transportation. Department of Energy Abolishment Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy - Redesignates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the Energy Programs Resolution Agency (the Agency), headed by an Administrator, to perform the previous functions of the Department of Energy. Provides for the continuation of service of the Secretary of Energy as the interim Administrator. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Administrator to establish, consolidate, alter, or discontinue in the Energy Programs Resolution Agency any organizational entities that were entities of DOE. Abolishes the Agency three years after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the most efficient way to accomplish the complete abolishment of DOE and the transfer or termination of its functions. Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities - Establishes the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to privatize and reduce energy laboratories and programs. Prescribes procedural guidelines. (Sec. 205) Establishes the Energy Laboratory Facility Closure Account to fund implementation of such guidelines. Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administrations - Federal Power Asset Privatization Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell, at the highest possible price, all Federal electric power generation and transmission facilities supervised by, or coordinated with, the Federal Power Marketing Administrations (except the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)). Restricts such sales to domestic entities or U.S. citizens. Requires the Secretary to terminate Federal Power Marketing Administration operations (except those of the BPA) upon completion of the sales. Directs the Secretary to retain a private sector firm through a competitive bidding process to serve as financial advisor with respect to such sales. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the purchaser of any such facilities should offer to employ former Federal Power Marketing Administration personnel. Mandates that sale proceeds be deposited into the Treasury. Sets forth a sales completion deadline for each Power Marketing Administration concerned. (Sec. 305) Mandates that the pertinent sales agreements require each purchaser providing electric power to customers within any region to insure that the price of electric power does not increase above the baseline price at a rate greater than ten percent annually. (Sec. 306) Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue to the purchaser of a hydroelectric generation facility a ten-year original license under the Federal Power Act to insure that the project will continue operations under the same conditions as were applicable prior to the sale. Grants FERC Federal Power Act jurisdiction over any such facility sold. (Sec. 307) Amends the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1993 to repeal the proscription against the use of appropriated funds for studies regarding a changeover from an "at cost" to a "market rate" or other noncost-based methodology for pricing hydroelectric power. (Sec. 308) Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all DOE functions affecting the BPA. Instructs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the most cost-effective option of disposing of the BPA. Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves - Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all former DOE functions affecting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) sell the reserves held at Weeks Island, Louisiana; (2) appoint an advisory board to monitor the sale of such reserves and report to the Congress on whether the United States should maintain or dispose of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) transfer jurisdiction and control over naval petroleum reserves to the Department of the Interior; and (2) sell all Federal right, title, and interest in the Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 (Elk Hills). (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to the Congress on the most cost-effective options for other Federal interests in naval petroleum reserves. Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs - Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Agency - Establishes the Defense Nuclear Programs Agency (the Agency) in the Department of Defense (DOD), headed by an Under Secretary for Defense Nuclear Programs (the Under Secretary) with primary responsibility for defense nuclear programs. (Sec. 504) Transfers to the Under Secretary all supervisory functions previously performed by: (1) DOE over Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories; (2) Defense Nuclear Agency of DOD relating to nuclear weapons systems; and (3) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer other nuclear weapons-related functions to the Under Secretary. (Sec. 505) Places restrictions upon the transfer of funds by the Agency. Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require the Under Secretary to review ongoing and planned remediation activities consistent with this Act. (Sec. 521) Sets forth guidelines for site-specific risk assessment before the selection of a remedial action at a defense nuclear facility which include an analysis of risk reduction benefits and costs. (Sec. 523) Instructs the Under Secretary to renegotiate the terms of any compliance agreement entered into with the Secretary of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the relevant State in order to have it reflect this Act. Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department - Limits authorizations for enumerated energy research and development programs through FY 2000. (Sec. 601) Directs the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to identify for the Congress all DOE research and development activities carried out at energy laboratories or institutions of higher education that perform a critical research function important to the long-term economic well-being of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy to terminate all DOE clean coal technology research and development activities. Authorizes appropriations for DOE fossil energy and energy conservation research and development activities. Terminates such activities at the end of FY 1998. Transfers from DOE to DOD specified: (1) weapons activities; and (2) materials support and other defense programs. (Sec. 602) Transfers to the Department of the Treasury all functions performed by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Authorizes appropriations for the EIA. Transfers to the Attorney General all functions performed by the Energy Regulatory Administration. Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to terminate the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management and transfer its authority and assets to the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps). Provides that the Corps shall assume all obligations of the Office affecting the Yucca Mountain site, and that Nevada State permits shall be reissued for the Corps. Prescribes procedural guidelines for Corps preparation and implementation of a Yucca Mountain site characterization plan. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth miscellaneous implementing provisions, conferring upon the Office of Management and Budget the authority to make any determination regarding functions transferred under this Act and incidental transfers.
Bill· HRH.R. 3383 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1996
Minimum Wage Increase and Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act of 1996 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the minimum wage rate from the current $4.25 per hour to: (1) $4.75 per hour for one year beginning 90 days after enactment of this Act; and (2) $5.25 per hour after that year. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a new work opportunity tax credit. Redesignates the current targeted jobs credit as the work opportunity credit. Revises the amount of such credit, members of targeted groups, minimum employment period for eligibility, and termination of the period of new wage payments to which the credit applies.
Bill· HRH.R. 3381 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax-Related Provisions Title II: Federal Standards for Private Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts Long-Term Care Insurance Incentives and Consumer Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Tax-Related Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to, as a general rule, treat: (1) a qualified long-term care insurance contract as an accident and health insurance contract; (2) amounts received under a qualified long-term care insurance contract as amounts received for personal injuries and sickness; (3) any plan of an employer providing coverage under a qualified long-term care insurance contract as an accident and health plan; (4) amounts paid for a qualified long-term care insurance contract providing specified benefits as payments made for insurance for purposes of the medical expense deduction; and (5) a qualified long-term care insurance contract as a guaranteed renewable contract. Defines a qualified long-term care insurance contract. Title II: Federal Standards for Private Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new Title XXI, Federal Standards for Private Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, under such title, to review, approve, and periodically reapprove State programs that certify long-term care insurance as meeting standards established under the new title.
Bill· HRH.R. 3384 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the taxes excluded from a requirement to transfer taxes to the Highway Trust Fund. Increases the rate of transfer to the Mass Transit Account. Requires transfer to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund of aviation fuel taxes (currently, aviation fuel taxes to the extent attributable to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund financing rate).
Bill· HRH.R. 3372 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1996
Gasoline Tax Restitution Act of 1996 - Appropriates to the Highway Trust Fund, notwithstanding any provision of law, the taxes (not exceeding 4.3 cents per gallon) received under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (relating to gasoline and diesel fuel taxes) and other applicable provisions that, before enactment of this Act, are not being appropriated or credited.
Bill· SS. 1718 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Intelligence Activities Title II: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Title III: General Provisions Title IV: Federal Bureau of Investigation Title V: Economic Espionage Title VI: Combatting Proliferation Subtitle A: Assessment of Organization and Structure of Government for Combatting Proliferation Subtitle B: Other Matters Title VII: Renewal and Reform of Intelligence Activities Title VIII: National Imagery and Mapping Agency Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title I: Intelligence Activities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the conduct of the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (2) Department of Defense (DOD); (3) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); (4) National Security Agency (NSA); (5) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (6) Departments of State, the Treasury, and Energy; (7) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (8) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (9) National Reconnaissance Office (NRO); and (10) Central Imagery Office. (Sec. 102) Specifies that the amounts authorized to be appropriated and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 1997, for such activities are those specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations which shall be made available to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the President. (Sec. 103) Allows the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY 1997 when necessary to the performance of important intelligence functions. Requires notification to the Senate and House Intelligence Committees (intelligence committees). (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for the Community Management Account of the DCI for FY 1997. Title II: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System - Authorizes appropriations for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund for FY 1997. Title III: General Provisions - Permits appropriations authorized by this Act for salary, pay, retirement, and other benefits for Federal employees to be increased by such additional amounts as may be necessary for increases in such compensation or benefits authorized by law. (Sec. 302) Specifies that the authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or laws of the United States. (Sec. 303) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 (the Act) to extend for an additional two years the authority of the President to stay the imposition of an economic, cultural, diplomatic, or other sanction or related action when the President determines and reports to the Congress that to proceed without delay would seriously risk the compromise of an intelligence source or method or an ongoing criminal investigation. (Sec. 304) Requires the DCI to prescribe regulations requiring each new and current CIA employee to sign a written agreement restricting the activities of that employee upon ceasing employment with the CIA. (Sec. 305) Directs the President to report to the congressional intelligence committees on actions that have been taken to ensure adequate oversight by the executive branch of the budgets of NRO and other elements of the intelligence community within DOD. Title IV: Federal Bureau of Investigation - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the FBI Director to request local and long distance toll billing records for counterintelligence purposes, subject to specified requirements. Revises provisions regarding civil actions for violations regarding stored wire and electronic communications and transactional records access to authorize any individual aggrieved by such a violation to bring suit. Authorizes the court to assess: (1) punitive damages if the violation is willful or intentional; and (2) costs of the action, together with reasonable attorney's fees, in the case of a successful action. Provides for disciplinary actions for violations. Title V: Economic Espionage - Economic Espionage Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit theft of proprietary economic information undertaken on behalf of, or with intent to benefit, a foreign government or its agent, with exceptions. Specifies a separate maximum punishment for an organization found guilty of such offense. Provides for criminal forfeiture of property constituting or derived from any proceeds of such violation and any property used to commit or facilitate such violation. Authorizes the President, consistent with international obligations, to prohibit for up to five years the importation or exportation of any merchandise produced, made, assembled, or manufactured by a person or organization convicted of an offense under this title. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to impose civil penalties of up to $100,000. Sets forth provisions regarding seizure and forfeiture and applicability of customs laws. Sets forth provisions regarding the scope of extraterritorial jurisdiction, the preservation of the confidentiality of proprietary economic information, and the non-impairment of lawful intelligence and law enforcement activities. Title VI: Combatting Proliferation - Combatting Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Assessment of Organization and Structure of Government for Combatting Proliferation - Establishes the Commission to Assess the Organization of the Federal Government to Combat the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Directs the Commission to study the organization of the Government, including the elements of the intelligence community, and to report to the Congress on recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the organization of Federal departments and agencies in meeting U.S. national security interests with respect to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Requires the DCI to report on: (1) the acquisition by foreign countries of dual-use and other technology useful for the development or production of weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional munitions; and (2) trends in the acquisition of such technology by such countries. Title VII: Renewal and Reform of Intelligence Activities - Intelligence Activities Renewal and Reform Act of 1996 - Establishes within the National Security Council the Committee on Foreign Intelligence. Directs the Committee to: (1) conduct an annual review of U.S. national security interests; (2) identify on an annual basis the intelligence required to meet such interests and establish an order of priority for the collection and analysis of such intelligence; (3) conduct an annual review of the intelligence community to determine its success in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating such intelligence; and (4) submit each year to the Council and the DCI a comprehensive report on its activities. (Sec. 703) Amends the Act to: (1) direct the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on U.S. intelligence requirements and the activities of the intelligence community; and (2) provide for the establishment within the National Security Council of a Committee on Transnational Threats. (Sec. 705) Revises provisions of the Act regarding the duties, composition, and staffing of the Office of the DCI. (Sec. 706) Revises provisions regarding the National Intelligence Council. Requires the DCI to prescribe appropriate security requirements for persons appointed from the private sector as contractors of the Council or employees of such contractors. Authorizes the Center (sic) to carry out its responsibilities by contract, including contracts for substantive experts necessary to assist with particular assessments. Directs that the Center be readily accessible to policy making officials and other appropriate individuals not otherwise associated with the intelligence community. (Sec. 707) Revises the Act to require the DCI to facilitate the development of an annual budget for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States by: (1) developing and presenting to the President an annual budget for the National Foreign Intelligence Program (NFIP); (2) concurring in the development by the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) of the annual budget for the Joint Military Intelligence Program; and (3) consulting with the Secretary in the development of the annual budget for the Tactical Intelligence and Related Activities Program. Requires the DCI to manage the national collection activities of the intelligence community to ensure that such activities, and the intelligence collected thereby, meet national security requirements. Modifies Act provisions to require: (1) the DCI's prior approval of any reprogramming of funds made available under the NFIP or Joint Military Intelligence Program; and (2) consultation of the Secretary or head of the department which contains the affected elements of the intelligence community by the DCI before any transfer of funds or personnel. Requires the DCI, with the approval of the OMB Director, to direct and oversee the allocation, allotment, obligation, and expenditure of funds for the national intelligence programs, projects, and activities that are managed by the Directors of the CIA, NSA, NRO, and National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). Requires the DCI to rotate personnel among intelligence community elements and to consolidate personnel, administrative, training, and security programs and management activities after consultation (currently, coordination) with affected department and agency heads. (Sec. 708) Revises Act provisions to require the Secretary to consult, and share responsibility, with the DCI regarding general responsibilities and the performance of certain NFIP functions. (Sec. 709) Amends the Act to establish Assistant Directors of Central Intelligence for: (1) Collection; (2) Analysis and Production; and (3) Administration. Provides for the transfer from the Secretary to the DCI of responsibilities and authorities for the collection of clandestine intelligence from human sources currently conducted by DOD's Defense Human Intelligence Service. (Sec. 712) Sets the pay level of the three new Assistant Directors of Central Intelligence. (Sec. 713) Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to establish a General Counsel of the CIA. (Sec. 714) Amends the Act to: (1) establish the Office of Congressional Affairs of the Intelligence Community; and (2) authorize intelligence agencies to collect information outside the United States about non-U.S. persons at the request of a law enforcement agency. (Sec. 716) Revises Act provisions to require the Secretary to obtain the concurrence of the DCI before appointing an individual to fill a vacancy for Director of NSA or Director of NRO. Directs the department head having jurisdiction over the position to consult with the DCI before appointing or recommending to the President an individual to fill a vacancy for: Director of DIA, Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, Director of the Office of Non-proliferation and National Security of the Department of Energy, and Assistant Director, National Security Division of the FBI. Requires the DCI to provide annually to the Secretary an evaluation of the performance of the Directors of the NSA, NRO, and NIMA. (Sec. 717) Amends the Act to require the DCI to establish a personnel system to be known as the Intelligence Community Senior Executive Service. (Sec. 718) Requires the President to include in his annual budget submission in unclassified form the aggregate amounts appropriated during the current fiscal year and requested for the next fiscal year for all intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the U.S. Government. (Sec. 719) Repeals a provision that prohibits members of the Senate Intelligence Committee from serving continuously for more than eight years. Bars any Member from serving continuously as chairman or vice chairman of the select committee for more than six years. (Sec. 720) Requires the DCI to report to the Congress on the results of a review of the threats to the United States on protecting the national information infrastructure against information warfare and other non-traditional attacks and on the counterintelligence response of the DCI. Title VIII: National Imagery and Mapping Agency - Establishes the NIMA to: (1) provide timely, relevant, and accurate imagery, imagery intelligence, and imagery-related products and geospatial information in support of U.S. national security objectives; (2) support the imagery requirements of the Department of State and other non-DOD agencies; and (3) support the combat and other operational requirements of DOD. Provides for: (1) CIA support for NIMA; and (2) funds for foreign imagery intelligence and geospatial information support and for civil applications.
Bill· HRH.R. 3368 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1996
Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under which current or former military personnel who are or become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act are offered enrollment in a Federal employees health benefits plan in lieu of receiving care in military treatment facilities or through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Allows such enrollment for any dependent of such individual if the dependent is entitled to health care under CHAMPUS and is or becomes entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) contributions for such coverage; (2) management of member participation; and (3) cancellation of coverage. Directs the Secretary and the OPM Director to report jointly to the Congress each year on the provision of such services to eligible persons during the preceding fiscal year. Requires the Secretary to offer such health benefits option no later than January 1, 1997.
Bill· SS. 1715 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1996
Adoption Promotion Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a tax credit of up to $5,000 for qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year. Provides a limitation based on modified adjusted gross income. Permits unused credit to be carried forward to the succeeding taxable year on a first-in first-out basis, but prohibits carrying forward credit to any taxable year following the fifth taxable year after the taxable year in which the credit arose. Allows distributions from an individual retirement plan to be used without penalty to pay for adoption expenses. Excludes from gross income aggregate amounts of up to $5,000 ($7,500 in the case of a child with special needs) paid or expenses incurred by the employee for qualified adoption expenses in connection with the adoption of a child if such amounts are received under an employer's adoption assistance program. Provides a limitation based on modified adjusted gross income.
Bill· SS. 1708 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Judicial Taxation Prohibition Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny to inferior Federal courts jurisdiction to issue any remedy, order, writ, or other judicial decree requiring the Federal Government or any State or local government to impose any new tax or to increase any existing tax or tax rate.
Bill· SS. 1704 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Reduction In Medicare Overpayment Costs Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide for the imposition of administrative fees for the failure of a Medicare provider to refund to the Secretary of Health and Human Services any amount by which prospective payment to the provider has exceeded actual costs by 30 percent or more (overpayment collection); and (2) require automated prepayment screening by fiscal intermediaries and the carriers of a select portion of Medicare diagnoses that Health Care Financing Administration has determined frequently result in overpayment under the program.
Bill· HRH.R. 3322 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Science Foundation Subtitle A: National Science Foundation Authorization Subtitle B: General Provisions Title II: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle C: International Space Station Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions Title III: United States Fire Administration Title IV: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Subtitle A: Atmospheric, Weather, and Satellite Programs Subtitle B: Marine Research Subtitle C: Program Support Subtitle D: Streamlining of Operations Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Title V: Environmental Protectional Agency Title VI: National Institute of Standards and Technology Title VII: Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, and Development Title VIII: National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Title IX: Miscellaneous Omnibus Civilian Science Authorization Act of 1996 - Title I: National Science Foundation - National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: National Science Foundation Authorization - Authorizes appropriations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for FY 1997. (Sec. 114) Provides for reprogramming of appropriations. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to direct NSF to include in its annual report to the President a strategic plan defining its goals, criteria, and procedures. (Sec. 122) Requires NSF to submit to the Congress an annual upgrade and maintenance plan for national research facilities. (Sec. 123) Amends the Academic Research Facilities Modernization Act of 1988 to give research facility grant priority to institutions or consortia that have not received such funds in the preceding five years. (Sec. 124) Makes administrative amendments to the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1976, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988, and the Education for Economic Security Act. (Sec. 126) Subjects NSF temporary employees to the same financial disclosure requirements as apply to permanent employees. (Sec. 127) Requires an institution of higher education receiving NSF funds to grant a military-educational leave of absence to a student on active military duty (other than training). (Sec. 128) Renames the Critical Technologies Institute as the Science Studies Institute. (Sec. 129) Requires NSF to consider the impact of a grant on undergraduate and graduate education before its award. (Sec. 130) Authorizes the Director of NSF to appoint up to six Assistant Directors. (Sec. 131) Renames: (1) the National Science Foundation as the National Science and Engineering Foundation; and (2) the National Science Board as the National Science and Engineering Board. Title II: National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Subtitle A: General Provisions - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1997 - Makes various findings regarding the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Sets forth definitions for purposes of this title. Subtitle B: Authorization of Appropriations - Chapter 1: Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for (NASA) for: (1) human space flight; (2) science, aeronautics, and technology, including facilities construction and research and early detection systems for breast and ovarian cancer and other women's health issues; (3) mission support; and (4) the Inspector General. (Sec. 215) Limits the total NASA FY 1997 authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 216) Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Commercial and Space Transportation for FY 1997. (Sec. 217) Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Space Commerce for FY 1997. Chapter 2: Restructuring the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Requires that the: (1) Administrator of NASA transmit to the Congress by July 31, 1996, a report on restructuring activities; and (2) President propose, no later than September 30, 1996, all enabling legislation required to carry out the actions described by the Administrator's report. Chapter 3: Limitations and Special Authority - Sets forth funds uses, limitations, and special authorities. Subtitle C: International Space Station - Requires the Administrator to deliver to the Congress a market study that examines the role of commercial ventures which could supply, use, service, or augment the International Space Station. (Sec. 244) Authorizes the Administrator: (1) to submit annually to the Congress a Space Station Accounting Report containing a complete accounting of all costs of the space station, including cash and other payments to Russia; and (2) to obtain quarterly reports from the Russian Space Agency which fully account for the disposition of funds paid or transferred by NASA to Russia. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends Federal law to include reentry vehicles and related launch operations within the scope of commercial space launch activities. Mandates an annual report. (Sec. 252) Requires an independent cost analysis of a specified NASA project that is projected exceed a cost of $75 million before any funds may be obligated for Phase C of such project. (Sec. 253) Establishes the Office of Space Commerce within the Department of Commerce. (Sec. 254) Requires the Administrator to delay, on the request of a private sector entity for a period from one day up to five years, unrestricted public disclosure of technical data developed by research funded jointly by NASA and that entity under specified conditions. Requires the Administrator to annually report to the Congress on all determinations made respecting such public disclosure of technical data. (Sec. 255) Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish within the Office of Space Access and Technology a procurement demonstration program; and (2) coordinate a technology procurement initiative. (Sec. 256) Requires the Administrator to determine, prior to new facility construction or lease, that no existing NASA or other Federal facility is appropriate for the intended use. (Sec. 257) Directs NASA to maximum extent possible, to purchase space science data from the private sector. (Sec. 258) Directs the Administrator to: (1) transmit to the Congress a report on Mission to Planet Earth; (2) acquire space-based and airborne Earth remote sensing data provided by the private sector; (3) conduct a study to determine the extent to which baseline scientific requirements of Mission to Planet Earth can be met by the private sector; (4) prepare for transition from the Federal operation, or Federal management of contracted operation, of space transportation systems to the Federal purchase of commercial space transportation services for all nonemergency launch requirements; and (5) conduct a study of the feasibility of implementing the recommendation of the Independent Shuttle Management Review Team that NASA transition toward privatization of the Space Shuttle and submit a report on the study to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 261) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1993 to make the launch voucher demonstration program permanent. (Sec. 262) Directs the Administrator to provide for the privatization of NASA microgravity parabolic flight operations. (Sec. 263) Amends the Unitary Wind Tunnel Plan Act of 1949 to include hypersonic activities. (Sec. 264) Requires the Administrator, whenever feasible, to meet NASA facilities needs by selecting abandoned and underused buildings, grounds, and facilities in depressed communities. (Sec. 266) Requires the Administrator to establish the position of Procurement Ombudsman for NASA to be responsible for: (1) reviewing proposed new missions to determine if such missions can be fulfilled by U.S. commercial providers; and (2) serve as a point of contact for procurement contractors and U.S. commercial providers. Title III: United States Fire Administration - Fire Administration Authorization Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for FY 1997. (Sec. 303) Prohibits Federal funds for Department of the Army housing unless it is protected by hard-wired smoke detectors by the earlier of the date of occupancy by the first Federal employees who were not occupants as of October 25, 1992, or October 25, 1998. (Sec. 304) Permits successor fire safety standards to be used as guidelines in addition to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 74, NFPA Standard 13 or 13-R, or NFPA Standard 101 (Life Safety Code) for installation of hard-wired, single-station smoke detectors or automatic sprinkler systems in: (1) places of public accommodation affecting commerce; and (2) federally-assisted buildings. (Sec. 305) Requires the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration to report to the Congress: (1) at least 60 days in advance of the termination or transfer to a private sector entity of any significant function of the Administration; and (2) on the manner in which the Administration intends to implement the budgetary reduction represented by the difference between the amount appropriated to it for FY 1997 and the amount requested in the President's FY 1997 budget request. Title IV: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Atmospheric, Weather, and Satellite Programs - Authorizes FY 1997 appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for: (1) National Weather Service (NWS) operations and research and public warning and forecast; (2) construction, repair, and modification regarding new and existing weather forecast offices; (3) climate and air quality research; (4) atmospheric research; (5) satellite observing systems; and (6) environmental data and information services. Authorizes appropriations to complete the acquisition and deployment of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System and NOAA Port (AWIPS) for all fiscal years beginning with FY 1997. Prohibits funding for any fiscal year, unless certain certifications are made to the Congress. Amends the Weather Service Modernization Act to repeal provisions providing for: (1) restructuring field offices of the National Weather Service; and (2) the Modernization Transition Committee. Subtitle B: Marine Research - Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) mapping and charting; (2) geodesy; (3) observation and prediction; (4) ocean and earth science; (5) estuarine and coastal assessment; (6) the National Status and Trends Program, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Program, and the Hazardous Materials Response Program; (7) the Damage Assessment Program; and (8) the Coastal Ocean Program. (Sec. 422) Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for marine prediction research. Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to: (1) program or project grants and contracts; (2) fellowships; and (3) administration of the National Sea Grant College Program. Revises the definition of "field related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources." Subtitle C: Program Support - Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) executive direction and administrative activities; (2) central administrative support; and (3) retired pay. Mandates contracts (including multiyear contracts) for the use of vessels to conduct oceanographic and fisheries research, monitoring, enforcement, and management, and to acquire other data necessary to carry out NOAA missions. Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) marine services; (2) aircraft services; and (3) facilities repairs and renovations. Subtitle D: Streamlining of Operations - Prohibits appropriating funds for specified programs, centers, and activities. Repeals provisions of: (1) the National Sea Grant College Program Act relating to marine policy fellowships; and (2) the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976 relating to the sea grant international program. Repeals the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act. (Sec. 442) Limits the total dollar amounts: (1) authorized to be appropriated for FY 1997 by this or any other Act for NOAA for all activities associated with operations, research, and facilities; and (2) authorized to be used for NOAA travel and related expenses. (Sec. 443) Terminates the NOAA Corps of commissioned officers after FY 1996. Authorizes related separations, making separated officers eligible only for severance (not separation) pay. Authorizes: (1) with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, the transfer of separated officers to the armed services; (2) with the approval of the Secretary of Transportation, transfer of separated officers to the U.S. Coast Guard; and (3) with the approval of NOAA's Administrator, NOAA employment of separated officers as civil service members. Repeals related specified provisions of Federal law. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous - Makes it unlawful for any unauthorized person to remove, move, damage, or interfere with any National Data Buoy Center weather data buoy. Provides for civil monetary penalties and rewards. (Sec. 452) Makes the Secretary of Commerce, through the NWS, responsible for: (1) forecasts, serving as the sole official source of weather warnings; (2) issuance of storm warnings; (3) collection, exchange, and distribution of meteorological, hydrological, climatic, and oceanographic data and information; and (4) preparation of hydrometeorological guidance and core forecast information. Prohibits the NWS from competing (or assisting other entities in competing) with the private sector when a service is or can be provided by commercial enterprise unless the private sector is unwilling or unable to provide the service and the service provides vital weather warnings and forecasts for the protection of lives and property of the general public. Removes existing provisions relating to the duties of the Secretary regarding weather forecasting. Modifies provisions relating to NWS appropriations and estimates. Mandates a report to specified congressional committees detailing all NWS activities not conforming to this paragraph and outlining a timetable for their termination. (Sec. 453) Establishes the National Oceanographic Partnership Program and sets forth the purposes of the program. Establishes the: (1) National Ocean Research Leadership Council; (2) Ocean Research Partnership Coordinating Group; and (3) Ocean Research Advisory Panel under the program. Sets forth the composition of membership and specified duties of each. Mandates certain annual reports. Prohibits the authorization of appropriations for the National Oceanographic Partnership Program for FY 1997. Title V: Environmental Protection Agency - Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1996 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY 1997 for : (1) science and technology activities, including program management and support, for specified environmental research, development, and demonstration activities; (2) oil pollution research; and (3) research related to leaking underground storage tanks. Specifies that no funds are authorized to be appropriated for: (1) the Environmental Technology Initiative; (2) the Climate Change Action Plan; (3) indoor air pollution research; (4) the North Dakota Center for Air Toxic Metals research; (5) drinking water research conducted by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation; (6) the Water Environmental Research Foundation; (7) the National Urban Air Toxics Research Center; (8) the Gulf Coast Hazardous Substances Research Center; (9) urban waste management research at the University of New Orleans; (10) the Resources and Agricultural Policy Systems Program; or (11) the Oil Spill Remediation Research Center. (Sec. 504) Directs the Administrator to assign to the Assistant Administrator for Research and Development the duties of: (1) developing a strategic plan for scientific and technical research activities throughout EPA; (2) integrating that strategic plan into ongoing EPA planning activities; and (3) reviewing all EPA research to ensure the research is of high quality and does not duplicate any other research being conducted by EPA. Directs the Assistant Administrator to report annually to the Administrator and specified congressional committees on EPA research that is duplicative or not of sufficiently high quality. (Sec. 505) Requires the Administrator to ensure that any graduate fellowship award to a student selected after the enactment of this Act is used only to support research that would further missions of the Office of Research and Development in fields in which there exists or is projected to exist a shortage in the number of scientists. (Sec. 506) Mandates that the Science Advisory Board submit to the Congress and the Administrator an annual report that contains the views of the Board on proposed research programs as described in the President's budget for research, development, and demonstration activities at the EPA and conditions that such report be submitted to the Congress after the submission of the President's budget to the Congress. Requires the Science Advisory Board to conduct evaluations of the current and planned research, development, and demonstration activities of the EPA. Authorizes the Board to annually review research activities of the EPA and include the results of such review in the annual report. Requires the Administrator to submit to the Congress, no later than 60 days after its receipt, any report required by law to be submitted to the Administrator by the Science Advisory Board. Title VI: National Institute of Standards and Technology - Authorizes FY 1997 appropriations for the National Institute of Standards and Technology for: (1) Scientific and Technical Research and Services; and (2) Construction of Research Facilities. Title VII: Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, and Development - FAA Research, Engineering, and Development Management Reform Act of 1996 - Mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) develop, implement, and maintain a disciplined acquisition management system that is based on and incorporates specified management principles. (Sec. 705) Allows the FAA to implement a proposed acquisition management system as a suitable compliance. (Sec. 706) Authorizes FY 1997 appropriations for: (1) specified research, engineering, and development activities and (2) such sums as may be necessary for other research, engineering, and development activities described in the President's FY 1997 budget request to the Congress. (Sec. 708) Creates a budget designation for all research and development activities carried out by the Federal Aviation Administration. Requires that the President's annual budget request for the FAA include all research and development activities within a single budget category. (Sec. 710) Revises certain requirements of the National Aviation Research Plan. Title VIII: National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to authorize FY 1997 appropriations for the activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program for: (1) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); (2) the U.S. Geological Survey; (3) the National Science Foundation for engineering research and geosciences research; and (4) the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Prohibits the use of any funds authorized under this title from being used for any lobbying activity. (Sec. 902) Sets forth limitations on appropriations for FY 1997 and for subsequent fiscal years. (Sec. 903) Authorizes the head of each Federal agency for which funds are authorized under this Act to exclude, for a period of five years, any individual who received funds from any Federal funding source for a project that was not subjected to a competitive, merit-based award process after FY 1996, from consideration for financial assistance awards made by that agency after FY 1996.
Bill· HRH.R. 3333 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Corporate Welfare Reduction and Job Preservation Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that if any profitable large corporation reduces by 15 percent or more the number of employees who perform any task or function at any facility in the United States, the amount of each facility-related tax benefit shall be reduced by 50 percent. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require, if a facility-related tax benefit of an entity is reduced, the acceleration of the repayment of any loan and the termination of any insurance policy provided by certain Government entities.
Bill· HRH.R. 3345 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Drive Away from Ethanol Welfare Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the credit for alcohol used to produce any ether. Limits other tax incentives to produce alcohol for use as fuel. Reduces the credit for any alcohol which is ethanol.
Bill· HRH.R. 3329 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Small Business Enhancement Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the dollar limitation on the cost of property which may be expensed by businesses as depreciable assets.
Bill· HRH.R. 3343 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal income tax withholding and to require individuals to pay estimated income tax on a monthly basis.
Bill· HRH.R. 3332 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Middle Class Child Care Affordability Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of employment-related expenses incurred which may be taken into account applicable to the child care credit. Eliminates certain offset provisions regarding foreign sales corporations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3330 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to increase the allowable deduction from 30 percent to the applicable percentage (30 percent beginning in 1996, 1997, or 1998 and 50 percent in 1999 and 100 percent in 2000 or thereafter).
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 415 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1996
Waives points of order against the consideration of the conference report on H.R. 3019 (omnibus appropriations).
Bill· SS. 1698 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability Subtitle A: Group Market Rules Subtitle B: Individual Market Rules Subtitle C: COBRA Clarifications Subtitle D: Private Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives Title II: Application and Enforcement of Standards Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Title IV: Tax-Related Health Provisions Subtitle A: Increase in Deduction for Health Insurance Costs of Self-Employed Individuals Subtitle B: Long-Term Care Provisions Subtitle C: High-Risk Pools Subtitle D: Penalty-Free IRA Distributions Subtitle E: Revenue Offsets Title V: Health Care Fraud and Abuse Prevention Subtitle A: Fraud and Abuse Control Program Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Subtitle C: Data Collection and Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle D: Civil Monetary Penalties Subtitle E: Amendments to Criminal Law Title VI: Internal Revenue Code and Other Provisions Subtitle A: Foreign Trust Tax Compliance Subtitle B: Repeal of Bad Debt Reserve Method for Thrift Savings Associations Subtitle C: Other Provisions Health Insurance Reform Act of 1996 - Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability - Subtitle A: Group Market Rules - Prohibits insurers from declining to offer whole group coverage to a group purchaser. Allows plans to establish eligibility, continuation, enrollment, or premium requirements, provided the requirements are not based on health status, medical condition, genetic information, or other factors. (Sec. 102) Mandates plan renewability, except for premium nonpayment, material misrepresentation, plan termination, or other specified reasons. (Sec. 103) Regulates the circumstances in which a plan may impose a benefit limitation or exclusion because of a preexisting condition. Mandates crediting of previous qualifying coverage. Allows State laws (unless preempted by specified provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)) that: (1) limit preexisting conditions to shorter periods than the provisions of this paragraph; (2) recognize previous qualifying coverage with a lapse period longer than provided for by the provisions of this paragraph; or (3) require issuers to have a lookback period shorter than under this Act. (Sec. 104) Mandates special enrollment periods for individuals who have certain types of changes in family composition or employment status. (Sec. 105) Regulates disclosures an insurer must make to a small employer (as defined in State law or, if not defined in State law, employers with not more than 50 employees). Amends ERISA to modify requirements regarding disclosures to plan participants and beneficiaries. Subtitle B: Individual Market Rules - Prohibits an insurer from declining to offer individual coverage or denying individual enrollment based on health status, medical condition, or other factors if the individual meets specified requirements, including having had previous group coverage and not being currently eligible for group coverage. (Sec. 111) Mandates renewability of coverage for individuals, except for nonpayment of premiums, material misrepresentation, or plan termination. (Sec. 112) Allows a State to adopt alternative public or private mechanisms designed to provide access to affordable health benefits for individuals unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that the State's alternative mechanism fails to meet specified requirements of this Act. Deems a State to have met those requirements if it adopts a National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model found by the Secretary to meet the requirements. Sets forth the circumstances in which a State high risk pool will be deemed in compliance. Subtitle C: COBRA Clarifications - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to modify continuation coverage requirements. Subtitle D: Private Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives - Requires a State to certify health plan purchasing cooperatives (HPPCs) meeting the requirements of this section. Provides for Federal certification if a State fails to do so, but prohibits Federal certification in a State where the Secretary finds that, under State law, all small employers have a means readily available that ensures that: (1) individuals and employees have a choice of multiple, unaffiliated health plan issuers; and (2) other requirements of this Act are met. Regulates HPPC organization, duties, and activities. Preempts, for a HPPC meeting these requirements, State fictitious group laws. Specifies the circumstances in which HPPCs are required to comply with State premium rating and mandated benefit laws. Applies to HPPCs, for enforcement purposes only, the requirements of ERISA provisions relating to fiduciary responsibility and administration and enforcement. Title II: Application and Enforcement of Standards - Deems a requirement or standard under this Act imposed on a plan to be imposed on the issuer. (Sec. 202) Requires each State to enforce the standards under this Act pursuant to an enforcement plan filed by the State with the Secretary of Labor. Mandates enforcement of employee health benefit plans by the Secretary in the same manner as under specified ERISA provisions. Provides for Federal enforcement if a State fails to do so. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a health maintenance organization, if notified by a member that a medical savings account has been established for the member and if the member requests, to reduce the basic health services payment by requiring the payment of a deductible for basic health services. Declares that it is the sense of the: (1) Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee that the establishment of medical savings accounts should be encouraged as part of any health insurance reform legislation passed; and (2) Senate that the Congress should take steps to further the purposes of this Act. (Sec. 302) Mandates studies and reports to appropriate congressional committees on: (1) mechanisms to ensure the availability of reasonably priced health coverage to employers purchasing group and individuals purchasing non-group coverage; (2) whether standards limiting premium variation will further the purposes of this Act; (3) the effectiveness of this Act; and (4) patient access to and choice of providers inside and outside of networks, the cost to insurers and the feasibility of out-of-network access, and the percent of premium dollar used for medical care and administration of the types of coverage offered. (Sec. 303) Requires the Health Care Financing Administration to complete their ongoing study of reimbursement of all telemedicine services and report to the Congress with a proposal for reimbursement for fee-for-service medicine. (Sec. 304) Declares that the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee finds that the Public Trustees of Medicare concluded in a specified report that: (1) the current Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) is unsustainable; (2) the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will be able to pay benefits for only about seven years and is severely out of long-range balance; and (3) the Fund's problems should be comprehensively addressed. (Sec. 305) Prohibits an employee health benefit plan and a health plan issuer offering a group plan or an individual health plan from imposing treatment limits or financial requirements on the coverage of mental health services if similar limits or requirements are not imposed regarding other conditions. (Sec. 306) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to extend the termination date of and modify requirements regarding provisions relating to waivers of a requirement that aliens who came to the United States to receive graduate medical education or training return to their country of nationality for two years before applying for an immigrant visa, permanent residence, or a nonimmigrant visa. (Sec. 307) Mandates inclusion with any income tax refund of a document encouraging organ and tissue donation. (Sec. 308) Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that: (1) the issue of adequate health care for mothers and children is important to the future of the United States and the Senate should pass legislation ensuring coverage for all U.S. pregnant women and children; and (2) patients deserve to know the full range of available treatments and the Congress should examine these issues to ensure that all patients get the care they deserve. (Sec. 310) Medical Volunteer Act - Requires that a health care professional who provides a health care service to a medically underserved person without receiving compensation be regarded, for purposes of any medical malpractice claim arising in connection with the service, as a Federal employee for purposes of the Federal tort claims provisions of Federal law relating to the judiciary and judicial procedure. Deems the professional to have provided the service without compensation only if, prior to furnishing the care, the professional: (1) agrees to furnish the service without charge to any person, including any insurance or program covering the recipient; and (2) provides the recipient with notice of the limited liability. Preempts inconsistent State laws, but not State laws providing greater incentives or protections to the professional. Title IV: Tax-Related Provisions - Health Insurance and Long-term Care Affordability Act of 1996 - Subtitle A: Increase in Deduction for Health Insurance Costs of Self-Employed Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to annually incrementally increase the deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals so that by the year 2006, 80 percent, rather than the current 30 percent, of such costs will be deductible. Subtitle B: Long-Term Care Provisions - Chapter 1: Long-Term Care Services and Contracts - Subchapter A: General Provisions - Sets forth general rules with respect to a qualified long-term care insurance contract, including that: (1) it shall be treated as an accident and health policy; (2) amounts received under such a contract shall be treated as amounts received for personal injuries and sickness; (3) amounts paid for such a contract shall be treated as amounts paid for medical care; and (4) it shall be treated as a guaranteed renewable contract. Defines such a contract and the services it must include. Subchapter B: Consumer Protection Provisions - Requires long-term care insurance policies to meet model regulation and model Act requirements. Chapter 2: Treatment of Accelerated Death Benefits - Provides, as a general rule, that accelerated death benefits shall be treated as amounts paid because of the death of the insured. Subtitle C: High-Risk Pools - Treats as tax exempt State-sponsored organizations which provide health coverage for high-risk individuals. Subtitle D: Penalty-Free IRA Distributions - Permits penalty-free IRA distributions to pay: (1) financially devastating medical expenses; and (2) health insurance premiums for certain unemployed individuals. Subtitle E: Revenue Offsets - Chapter 1: Treatment of Individuals Who Expatriate - Sets forth the tax responsibilities of an expatriate: (1) who has had an average annual net income tax of more than $100,000 for the five year period ending before expatriation; (2) or whose net worth is $500,000 or more. Provides as a general rule that all property of a covered expatriate shall be treated as sold on the expatriation date for its fair market value. Allows an exclusion from gain of up to $600,000. Permits an expatriate to elect to continue to be taxed as a United States citizen, in which case the provisions applicable to other expatriates will not apply. Sets forth specified reporting requirements for all expatriates. Chapter 2: Company-Owned Insurance - Revises provisions prohibiting a deduction for interest on loans with respect to company-owned life insurance, including a revision which prohibits as well a deduction for interest on loans with respect to company-owned endowment or annuity contracts. Title V: Health Care Fraud and Abuse Prevention - Subtitle A: Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the HHS Office of Inspector General (IG), and the Attorney General, to establish a program to: (1) coordinate Federal, State, and local law enforcement programs to control health care fraud and abuse; (2) conduct investigations, audits, and inspections relating to the delivery of and payment for health care; (3) facilitate enforcement of certain laws applicable to health care fraud and abuse; (4) provide for the modification and establishment of safe harbors; (5) issue interpretative rulings and special fraud alerts; and (6) provide for the reporting and disclosure of certain final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners pursuant to the data collection system established by this Act. (Sec. 501) Establishes the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account in Medicare's Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to hold the criminal fines and civil monetary penalties and assessments obtained from Federal health care cases, as well as property forfeiture proceeds from such cases, and other specified amounts for financing the fraud and abuse control program and the Medicare Integrity Program established by this Act. Makes certain appropriations to the Trust Fund and Account, earmarking specified amounts for activities of the HHS IG with respect to the SSA title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) programs. (Sec. 502) Establishes the Medicare Integrity Program to promote the integrity of the Medicare program through contracts with certain eligible private entities to: (1) review Medicare service provider activities and audit cost reports to determine whether payment should not have been made; (2) educate service providers, beneficiaries, and other persons on payment and benefit issues; and (3) develop and periodically update a list of items of durable medical equipment subject to prior authorization. Eliminates the responsibilities of fiscal intermediaries under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and carriers under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for certain activities to the extent they are carried out pursuant to a contract under the Medicare Integrity Program. (Sec. 503) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide an explanation of Medicare benefits with respect to each furnished item or service for which payment may be made, whether or not a deductible or coinsurance payment may be imposed on the beneficiary. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish a program to encourage individuals to: (1) report information on fraud and abuse; and (2) submit suggestions on methods to improve the efficiency of the Medicare program. Provides for the payment to such individuals of a portion of: (1) any amounts collected due to any reports of fraud or abuse; or (2) any savings resulting from any suggestions that are adopted. (Sec. 504) Amends SSA title XI to extend the application of criminal penalties for acts involving the Medicare program to similar violations of any health benefits plan or program funded directly by the Federal Government, except the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program (Federal health care programs). (Sec. 505) Directs the HHS Secretary to publish a notice periodically in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for: (1) modifications to existing safe harbors issued under the Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1987; (2) additional safe harbors specifying payment practices that shall not be treated as a criminal offense or exclusion; (3) interpretive rulings by the HHS IG, upon request, with regard to civil monetary and criminal penalties; and (4) special fraud alerts by the HHS IG, upon request, with regard to suspect practices under the Medicare program or a State health care program. Requires subsequent issuance of implementing regulations. Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Excludes from participation in Medicare and State health care programs any individual or entity convicted after the enactment of this Act of a felony related to: (1) fraud in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service; or (2) a controlled substance. (Sec. 512) Revises specified current sanctions involving exclusion for fraud and abuse under Medicare and State health care programs. Repeals the prerequisite that a health care practitioner or person be "unwilling or unable" to comply substantially with a corrective action plan before sanctions may be imposed (thus permitting the HHS Secretary to exclude such practitioner or person from eligibility to provide services for failure to comply with a corrective action plan, regardless of circumstances). (Sec. 515) Permits imposition of intermediate sanctions on Medicare health maintenance organizations (HMOs), in addition to the current option of termination. (Sec. 516) Excepts from anti-kickback penalties for risk-sharing arrangements any remuneration between an organization and an item or service provider under a written agreement where certain circumstances pertain. Subtitle C: Data Collection and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the HHS Secretary to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting of final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners. Requires each Government agency and health care plan to report to the Secretary any final adverse action taken against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner. (Sec. 521) Allows the HHS Secretary, with respect to the issuance of unique identifiers for Medicare physicians, to impose appropriate fees on such physicians to cover the costs of investigation and recertification activities. Subtitle D: Civil Monetary Penalties - Revises civil monetary penalty and other related SSA title XI provisions, among other things: (1) subjecting to civil penalties certain program-excluded individuals who retain an ownership or control interest in a participating entity if they know or should know of the action constituting the basis for the exclusion at the time they violated such provisions; (2) increasing the amounts of various specified penalties and assessments, including those against health care practitioners who fail to comply with their statutory obligations; and (3) prohibiting the offering of inducements to individuals enrolled under Medicare or a State health care program, including waiver of coinsurance and deductible amounts and transfers of items or services for free or for other than fair market value. Subtitle E: Amendments to Criminal Law - Amends the Federal criminal code to cover health care fraud, obstruction of criminal investigations of Federal health care offenses, theft or embezzlement in connection with health care, and other specified matters related to health care fraud, such as the laundering of monetary instruments. (Sec. 543) Provides for injunctive relief relating to Federal health care offenses, as well as for property forfeitures. Title VI: Internal Revenue Code and Other Provisions - Subtitle A: Foreign Trust Tax Compliance - Revises the requirements regarding information that must be reported regarding certain foreign trusts. Modifies the circumstances (with regard to foreign trusts having one or more U.S. beneficiaries) in which a transferor is treated as the owner. Replaces provisions setting forth a special rule applicable to foreign grantors with provisions declaring that provisions relating to treating grantors and other as substantial owners shall apply only when that application results in an amount being currently taken into account in computing the income of a U.S. citizen or resident or a domestic corporation. Requires a United States person to report information regarding foreign gifts or bequests when the gifts' aggregate value during a taxable year exceeds $10,000. Modifies requirements regarding the interest charge on accumulation distributions from foreign trusts. Changes the circumstances in which an estate or trust is included in the definition of "United States person." Modifies the definition of "foreign estate or trust." Requires (for provisions relating to the imposition of a tax on transfers to avoid income tax) treating a trust which is not a foreign trust and which becomes a foreign trust as having transferred, immediately before becoming a foreign trust, all of its assets to a foreign trust. Subtitle B: Repeal of Bad Debt Reserve Method for Thrift Savings Associations - Repeals the bad debt reserve method, concerning reserves for losses on loans, for thrift savings associations. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend the secondary payor provisions. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in specified circumstances, to modify rent adjustments using an operating costs factor that increases the rent to reflect increases in operating costs in the market area. Amends the National Housing Act to remove the provision which limits foreclosure avoidance and borrower assistance to those mortgages insured under such Act which originated before October 1, 1995.
Bill· HRH.R. 3316 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Public Employee Retirement Security Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make inapplicable to defined benefit governmental plans a rule limiting benefits to 100 percent of a participant's average compensation for the participant's high three years. Provides for the treatment of and defines qualified governmental excess benefit arrangements. Exempts survivor and disability benefits under governmental plans from certain otherwise required benefit reductions. Revises provisions concerning the treatment of deferred benefits plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3315 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the rate of tax on liquefied natural gas shall be equivalent to the rate of tax on compressed natural gas.
Bill· HRH.R. 3306 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts paid for service performed by election officials or election workers and eliminates required State unemployment compensation with respect to such officials or workers. Exempts such amounts from reporting requirements.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 176 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that three years after ratification of this amendment: (1) the 16th amendment to the U.S. Constitution is repealed; and (2) the Congress shall have no power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, except in time of war declared by the Congress.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 412 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1996
Waives provisions of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives that require a two-thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House with respect to resolutions reported by such Committee before April 27, 1996, to provide for the consideration or disposition of any of the following measures, including any amendment, conference report, or any amendment reported from conference in disagreement thereon: (1) a bill making general appropriations for FY 1996; and (2) a bill or joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for such fiscal year.
Bill· HRH.R. 3303 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
National Oceanographic Partnership Act - Establishes the National Oceanographic Partnership Program. Sets forth the purposes of the program. Establishes the: (1) National Ocean Research Leadership Council; (2) Ocean Research Partnership Coordinating Group; and (3) Ocean Research Advisory Panel under the program. Sets forth the composition of membership and specified duties of each. Mandates certain annual reports. Authorizes appropriations for the National Oceanographic Partnership Program for FY 1997 and requires that a certain amount be available for the operations of the partnership program office for such fiscal year.
Bill· HRH.R. 3290 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to authorize appropriations for the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior through FY 2002.
Bill· HRH.R. 3288 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
Requires the Secretary of Defense to direct that the peer review guidelines to be used in determining the manner in which to obligate funds specified for a treatment protocol and related studies for Desert Storm-syndrome affected veterans shall be those applicable to the Food and Drug Administration rather than the peer review procedures otherwise applicable to the Army.
Bill· HRH.R. 3286 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Credit for Adoption Expenses Title II: Interethnic Adoption Title III: Child Custody Proceedings Affected by the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 Title IV: Revenue Offsets Subtitle A: Exclusion for Energy Conservation Subsidies Limited to Subsidies With Respect to Dwelling Units Subtitle B: Foreign Trust Tax Compliance Adoption Promotion and Stability Act of 1996 - Title I: Credit for Adoption Expenses - Amends the Internal Revenue to allow for a limited adoption credit of up to $5,000. Excludes from an employee's gross income up to $5,000 of amounts paid by the employer for adoption expenses. Prohibits a double benefit. Title II: Interethnic Adoption - Amends title IV (Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families with Children and for Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to prohibit any State or entity receiving Federal adoption or foster care assistance from limiting an adoption because of race, color, or national origin. Title III: Child Custody Proceedings Affected by the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 - Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to make title I of such Act inapplicable to any child custody proceeding involving a child who does not reside or is not domiciled within a reservation unless: (1) at least one of the child's biological parents is of Indian descent; and (2) at least one of the child's parents maintains a significant social, cultural, or political affiliation with the tribe of which either parent is a member. Title IV: Revenue Offsets - Subtitle A: Exclusion for Energy Conservation Subsidies Limited to Subsidies with Respect to Dwelling Units - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit to dwelling units the exclusion from gross income of any energy conservation subsidy provided by a public utility. Subtitle B: Foreign Trust Tax Compliance - Revises the requirements regarding information that must be reported regarding certain foreign trusts. Modifies the circumstances (with regard to foreign trusts having one or more U.S. beneficiaries) in which a transferor is treated as the owner. Replaces provisions setting forth a special rule applicable to foreign grantors with provisions declaring that provisions relating to treating grantors and others as substantial owners shall apply only when that application results in an amount being currently taken into account in computing the income of a U.S. citizen or resident or a domestic corporation. Requires a United States person to report information regarding foreign gifts or bequests when the gifts' aggregate value during a taxable year exceeds $10,000. Modifies requirements regarding the interest charge on accumulation distributions from foreign trusts. Changes the circumstances in which an estate or trust is included in the definition of "United States person." Modifies the definition of "foreign estate or trust." Requires (for provisions relating to the imposition of a tax on transfers to avoid income tax) treating a trust which is not a foreign trust and which becomes a foreign trust as having transferred, immediately before becoming a foreign trust, all of its assets to a foreign trust.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 411 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1996
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.J. Res. 175 (continuing appropriations).
Bill· HRH.R. 3281 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1996
Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Transportation for FY 1997 for: (1) operations and training activities; and (2) the costs of guaranteed loans authorized by the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as well as for administrative expenses related to loan guarantee commitments.
Bill· HRH.R. 3282 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1996
Panama Canal Commission Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1997 - Authorizes the Panama Canal Commission to make expenditures as necessary for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and administration of the Panama Canal for FY 1997. Makes funds available for the purchase, and transportation to Panama, of passenger motor vehicles. Amends the Panama Canal Act of 1979 (the Act) to: (1) remove certain definitions and recommendations for legislation; (2) abolish the Office of the Ombudsman within the Commission; (3) revise provisions concerning the appointment, compensation, and duties of Commission employees; (4) make inapplicable to non-U.S.-citizen Commission employees certain Federal compensation, health, and retirement benefits; and (5) revise the travel and transportation expenses authorized for Commission employees. Directs the Commission (currently, the President and Federal agency heads, respectively) to establish a Panama Canal Employment System and Commission employment standards. Repeals provisions: (1) concerning the interim application of the Canal Zone Merit System and the authority for additional pay to employees recruited and retained for employment in the Canal Zone; (2) authorizing the purchase of artificial limbs and other appliances for Commission employees injured before September 7, 1916; (3) authorizing employee leave for jury or witness duty or services; (4) providing for the deposit of remaining Canal Zone Government funds; (5) requiring the Comptroller General to take into consideration, during Commission audits, certain conversion problems of the accounting system of the Panama Canal Company; (6) authorizing the Commission to adjust Canal Zone toll charges; (7) authorizing the President and the Commission to prescribe regulations concerning the operation and protection of the Panama Canal Zone; (8) applicable during a prior transition period; (9) authorizing appropriations for the disinterment, transportation, and reinterment in the United States of the remains of former Commission employees; and (10) providing for the compensation level of U.S. military personnel serving in a Commission position. Establishes a Central Examining Office to implement provisions relating to Commission employee recruitment, examination, and qualification standards. Provides for the applicability to the Commission of specified Federal laws. Revises provisions concerning: (1) the administration of disability benefits to former Commission employees; and (2) the establishment of, and deposit of funds into, the Panama Canal Revolving Fund. Authorizes the Commission to make direct purchase of printing and related services and to provide air transportation for Commission officials and employees. Requires: (1) the Commission to take possession and administer the funds of the Canal Zone postal service; and (2) Commission investigation of accident claims to include a hearing by the Commission's Board of Local Inspectors. Authorizes the Commission (currently, the President) to prescribe regulations governing the operation of the Canal and the navigation of adjacent waters.
Bill· SS. 1685 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: American Family Economic Security Subtitle A: Wage Security Subtitle B: Retirement Security Subtitle C: Health Security Subtitle D: Employee Security Title II: Incentives for Lifelong Learning Title III: High-Wage Jobs for American Families Subtitle A: Business Incentives Subtitle B: Preservation of American Jobs Subtitle C: Promotion of Long-Term Investments in American Businesses Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions American Family Income and Economic Security Act of 1996 - Title I: American Family Economic Security - Subtitle A: Wage Security - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to raise the minimum wage. Subtitle B: Retirement Security - Part I: IRA Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to increase individual retirement account (IRA) income limitations. Provides inflation adjustments for deductible amounts and income limitations. Part II: Nondeductible Tax-Free IRAs - Establishes special nondeductible tax-free IRAs. Part III: Penalty-Free Distributions - Permits distributions from certain qualified retirement plans without penalty for: (1) first home purchases; (2) higher education expenses; (3) financially devastating medical expenses; or (4) certain unemployed persons. Part IV: Plan Loans - Establishes defined contribution plan loan requirements. Subtitle C: Health Security - Part I: Definitions - Defines specified terms. Part II: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability - Subpart A: Group Market Rules - Provides for: (1) guaranteed availability and renewability of health plan coverage; and (2) coverage portability and limitations on preexisting condition exclusions; (3) special enrollment periods; and (4) health plan disclosures. Subpart B: Individual Market Rules - Provides for: (1) individual health plan marketability; (2) guaranteed renewability; and (3) State flexibility in individual market reforms. Subpart C: COBRA Clarifications - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the Code with respect to plan coverage periods. Subpart D: Private Health Plan Purchasing Cooperatives - Defines "health plan purchasing cooperative." Sets forth requirements and certification provisions. Part II (sic): Application and Enforcement of Standards - Subjects a health plan issuer to standards that may be imposed by a State upon its group or individual health plans. Part III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to offer plans with deductibles to individuals with medical savings accounts. (Sec. 182) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct an health coverage availability study. (Sec. 183) Expresses the sense of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources regarding the need to reform and maintain Medicare, and to provide increased choice for seniors. Subtitle D: Employee Security - Amends the Code to permit a credit for employer expenses for certain on-site day-care facilities. (Sec. 192) Makes permanent the (employee) income exclusion for employer-provided group legal services. (Sec. 193) Expands the one-time exclusion of gain on the sale of a principal residence to include a sale when the individual or spouse is terminally ill. Title II: Incentives for Lifelong Learning - Amends the Code to establish an employee training credit. (Sec. 202) Makes the educational assistance exclusion permanent. (Sec. 203) Provides deductions for higher education tuition and fees and student loan interest. Title III: High-Wage Jobs for American Families - Subtitle A: Business Incentives - Amends the Code to exclude specified amounts (depending on holding period)of gain from the sale of stock of qualifying critical technology small businesses that create domestic jobs. (Sec. 302) Makes the research and development credit permanent. Subtitle B: Preservation of American Jobs - Amends the Code to include imported property income within a foreign base company's taxable income. (Sec. 312) Authorizes Federal contractor debarment for noncompliance with immigration-related employment provisions. (Sec. 313) Expresses the sense of the Congress that laid off workers should be given stock options upon termination. Subtitle C: Promotion of Long-Term Investments in American Businesses - Part I: Long-Term Investment, Competitiveness, Pension Protection, and Corporate Takeover Reform - Makes specified congressional findings with respect to existing securities laws. (Sec. 322) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 with respect to: (1) long-term investments and pension protection; and (2) worker protection. (Sec. 324) Amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to: (1) tender offers; (2) takeover financing and financing disclosures; and (3) leveraged buyout and going private transactions. (Sec. 326) Directs appropriate Federal banking agencies to review and report on U.S. depository institutions' risk exposure and additional reserve requirements. Part II: Restrictions on Harmful Takeovers - Amends the Code to disallow deductions for merger and acquisition expenses. Part III: Other Provisions - Amends the Code to extend a specified compensation deduction limit to all employees of all corporations (other than public service corporations). Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Code to provide a deduction for local sewer and water fees.
Law· HRH.R. 3269 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1996
Impact Aid Technical Amendments of 1996 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 with respect to impact aid programs. Adds a hold harmless provision relating to Federal acquisition of real property, whereby no eligible local educational agency (LEA) shall receive less than 85 percent of the preceding year's amount in payment for any fiscal year. Provides that children who would have resided in military installation housing on Federal property, if such property were not undergoing renovation on the date of eligibilty determination, be considered eligible federally connected children for purposes of impact aid payments to LEAs. Sets forth requirements for the method of computation of impact aid payments with respect to eligible federally connected children in States with only one LEA.
Bill· HRH.R. 3272 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1996
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require the issuer of a registered security to disclose to its shareholders the identity and amount of charitable contributions the issuer made during the preceding fiscal year and the identity of the recipients.
Bill· HRH.R. 3270 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Transfer of Auburn Dam and Reservoir Project Title II: Sacramento and American Rivers Flood Control Project Title III: Auburn Dam Water Conservation Project Disaster Prevention and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1996 - Title I: Transfer of Auburn Dam and Reservoir Project - Transfers from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of the Army (Secretary) jurisdiction over the Auburn Dam and Reservoir Project. Provides a Project description and specifies the applicability of Federal reclamation and water resource project laws. Reduces by 50 percent the amount authorized to be appropriated for the Project. Title II: Sacramento and American Rivers Flood Control Project - Directs the Secretary to construct expeditiously the project for flood control and recreation on the Sacramento and American Rivers, California, substantially in accordance with a prior report of the Army Chief of Engineers and at a specified total estimated cost. Requires such Project to include the construction of a pumping plant, access roads, and appurtenant facilities with which to fulfill U.S. obligations to the Placer County Water Agency. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for possible future expansion and increased power generation at such plant. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with California to establish an independent consulting board to review plans for, and provide technical confirmation of, such Project. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for Project: (1) cost-sharing responsibilities; (2) feasibility and environmental studies; (3) soil and fish and wildlife mitigation measures; and (4) authority for certain levee and other flood control improvements. Requires the Secretaries to complete a comprehensive risk assessment of Folsom Dam and its ancillary facilities and to take appropriate actions with respect to its performance when operated in conjunction with the project authorized under this title. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake additional actions to extend flood protection in specified areas along the Sacramento and American Rivers. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to construct specified features of the North Area Local Project of the American River Watershed Investigation, subject to entering into appropriate local cost-sharing agreements with non-Federal sponsors. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to carry out a flood control project in Cirby, Linda, and Dry Creeks in Placer and Sacramento Counties, California. Title III: Auburn Dam Water Conservation Project - Authorizes the Secretaries to enter into agreements with California for the transfer to the United States of specified rights-of-way, water rights, and facilities constituting and adjacent to the Auburn Dam portion of the Central Valley Project and the project authorized under title II of this Act. Recognizes the existence of substantial national interest in the earliest development of a multipurpose Auburn Dam to provide flood protection, water conservation, recreation, and instream requirements for American River flows and other beneficial uses.
Law· HRH.R. 3259 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Intelligence Activities Title II: Central Intelligence Retirement and Disability System Title III: General Provisions Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title I: Intelligence Activities - Authorizes appropriations for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Central Intelligence Agency; (2) Department of Defense; (3) Defense Intelligence Agency; (4) National Security Agency; (5) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (6) Departments of State, the Treasury, and Energy; (7) Federal Bureau of Investigation; (8) Drug Enforcement Administration; (9) National Reconnaissance Office; and (10) Central Imagery Office. Specifies that the amounts authorized to be appropriated and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 1997, for such activities are those specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations, which shall be made available to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the President. Allows the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY 1997 when the DCI determines that such action is necessary to the performance of important intelligence functions, subject to specified limitations. Requires notification of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees whenever such authority is exercised. Authorizes appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account of the DCI for FY 1997. Authorizes 207 full-time personnel for the Community Management Staff of the DCI as of September 30, 1997. Provides for the reimbursement of any U.S. officer or employee, or member of the armed forces, who is detailed to such Staff. Title II: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund. Title III: General Provisions - Permits appropriations authorized by this Act for salary, pay, retirement, and other benefits for Federal employees to be increased by such additional amounts as may be necessary for increases in such compensation or benefits authorized by law. Specifies that the authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or laws of the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 3266 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Title II: Supplemental Security Income Subtitle A: Eligibility Restrictions Subtitle B: Benefits for Disabled Children Subtitle C: State Supplementation Programs Subtitle D: Studies Regarding Supplemental Security Income Program Subtitle E: National Commission on the Future of Disability Title III: Child Support Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders Subtitle H: Medical Support Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents Subtitle J: Effect of Enactment Title IV: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens Subtitle A: Eligibility for Federal Benefits Subtitle B: Eligibility for State and Local Public Benefits Programs Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support Subtitle D: General Provisions Subtitle E: Conforming Amendments Title V: Reductions in Federal Government Positions Title VI: Reform of Public Housing Title VII: Child Care Title VIII: Child Nutrition Programs Subtitle A: National School Lunch Act Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Act of 1966 Title IX: Food Stamp and Related Programs Title X: Miscellaneous Bipartisan Welfare Reform Act of 1996 - Title I: Block Grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Expresses the sense of the Congress that prevention of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and reduction in out-of-wedlock births are very important Government interests. (Sec. 103) Replaces the current Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program and Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS) under, respectively, parts A and F of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) with a program of block grants to the States for temporary assistance for needy families already with or expecting children (TEA program). Gives such program the stated purpose of increasing the flexibility of States in operating approved statewide programs, with: (1) certain mandatory work and education requirements (as well as penalties against adult family members on TEA who refuse to engage in various specified work activities); and (2) adult-supervised living arrangements for unmarried teenage parents to enable such families to leave the program and become self-sufficient. Includes participation in community service programs and subsidized public sector employment as TEA program work activities. Requires TEA programs to provide certain time-limited cash assistance (and thereafter vouchers) to eligible families entering into an individual responsibility plan with the State (with certain exceptions involving minor children and hardship situations), outlining their obligations in receiving TEA assistance (such as immunizing their children or finishing high school), as well as the specific services the State will provide (such as job preparation and family planning services and, at the State's option, substance abuse treatment services) to enable them to move into private sector employment. Requires State TEA programs also to: (1) establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies, with special emphasis on teenage pregnancies, over a specified ten-year period; and (2) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. Denies TEA for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators and minor children absent from the home for a significant period. Suspends it for ten years for persons who have fraudulently misrepresented residence to obtain assistance in two or more States. Denies additional cash assistance, as a general rule, for additional children born to families already on TEA (except in cases of rape and incest), unless State law specifically exempts the State TEA program from such denial. Reduces or denies TEA for noncooperation in child support. Outlines State TEA plan contents. Provides for the State's choice of treatment of aliens and families moving interstate, and for the exchange of certain plan information about TEA applicants or recipients with law enforcement officers under prescribed conditions. Sets forth requirements for State plan approval by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), which include certifications that the State will operate a child protection and child support enforcement program under SSA title IV parts B and D (Child-Welfare Services Program and Child Support and Establishment of Paternity Program), respectively. Details TEA program grant administrative provisions: (1) determining the amounts of State grants for family assistance for FY 1996 through 2001; (2) outlining grant uses, including assistance to families in meeting home heating and cooling costs, and a State program under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; (3) rewarding States with additional grant amounts for reductions in illegitimate births, as well as for population increases and TEA program work activities; and (4) establishing in the Treasury (and providing deposits for) a Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs for payments to certain eligible participating States. Makes necessary appropriations. Sets up a Federal loan program for certain State TEA programs for anti-fraud and other specified activities. Makes necessary appropriations. Establishes penalties for States and individual families for specified grant and program violations, respectively, through reduced grants and assistance payments. Allows States to terminate assistance payments, but prohibits assistance reduction or termination based on a refusal of an adult to work if the adult is a single custodial parent caring for a child under age six and unable to obtain needed child care for one or more specified reasons. Provides for State appeal of Federal adverse decisions with respect to State plans or imposition of penalties. Outlines specific program data collection and reporting requirements, as well as certain research, evaluation, and study requirements. Makes necessary appropriations. Provides for TEA grants to Indian tribes (with a special rule for Alaska Native tribes). Makes necessary appropriations. Directs the Bureau of the Census to expand the Survey of Income and Program Participation to obtain information enabling interested persons to evaluate the impact of this title on a random national sample of State TEA recipients and other appropriate low-income families. Makes necessary appropriations. Provides for the treatment of current and previously granted State AFDC (welfare reform) waiver projects. Retains the HHS Assistant Secretary for Family Support as the official responsible for administering SSA title IV part A and D programs. Expresses the sense of the Congress encouraging each State operating a TEA program to: (1) assign the highest priority to requiring adults in two-parent families and in single-parent families with older preschool or school-age children to engage in work activities; and (2) require non-custodial, nonsupporting parents under age 18 to fulfill community work obligations and attend appropriate parenting or money management classes after school. (Sec. 104) Allows States to contract with charitable, religious, or private organizations to provide services and administer programs established or modified by this Act, or to provide program beneficiaries with certificates, vouchers, or other forms of disbursement redeemable with such organizations. Prohibits the expenditure of financial assistance under such programs for sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytization. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to expand the data collection efforts of the Bureau of the Census to enable it to collect certain data on grandparent caregivers. (Sec. 106) Directs the HHS Secretary to report to the Congress on the status of State automated data processing systems used in administering State programs under SSA title IV part A. (Sec. 107) Requires the HHS Secretary to report to the Congress on outcomes measures for evaluating the success of the States in moving individuals out of the welfare system through employment as an alternative to the minimum participation rates under mandatory TEA work requirements. (Sec. 108) Makes conforming amendments to SSA, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and related provisions of other specified Federal laws. (Sec. 111) Directs the Commissioner of Social Security (Commissioner) to develop a prototype of a counterfeit-resistant social security card and study and report to the Congress on different methods of improving the social security card application process. (Sec. 112) Requires any organization accepting Federal funds under this Act to disclose that fact in any communication it makes that intends to promote public support or opposition to any Federal, State, or local government policy through any broadcasting station, periodical, or other specified type of general public advertising. Makes any organization failing to make such a disclosure ineligible to receive Federal funds under this Act. (Sec. 113) Amends the Family Support Act of 1988 to remove the "demonstration" status of the Job Opportunities for Certain Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program and give it an increased annual authorization for any fiscal year. Title II: Supplemental Security Income - Subtitle A: Eligibility Restrictions - Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to: (1) deny SSI by reason of disability to drug addicts and alcoholics for whom addiction or alcoholism would be a contributing factor material to the disability determination; (2) revise representative payee and treatment requirements; (3) deny SSI benefits for ten years to individuals found to have fraudulently misrepresented residence in order to obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States; (4) deny SSI benefits for fugitive felons and probation and parole violators; and (5) outline the process for periodic review with respect to the continuing eligibility of an individual 18 years of age or older to receive certain SSI disability benefits. Provides certain supplemental funding for alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs. Subtitle B: Benefits for Disabled Children - Revises the rules with respect to childhood eligibility, with corresponding changes to childhood SSI regulations modifying the medical criteria for evaluation of mental and emotional disorders, and discontinuing the use of individualized functional assessments for children. Requires the Commissioner to redetermine the eligibility of any individual under age 18 receiving SSI benefits based on a disability as of the enactment of this Act, and whose eligibility for such benefits may terminate by reason of this Act. (Sec. 212) Provides that at least once every three years the Commissioner shall review the continued SSI eligibility of each individual who has not attained age 18 and is eligible for such benefits by reason of an impairment (or combination of impairments) which may improve (or, which is unlikely to improve, at the option of the Commissioner). Requires a parent or guardian of a recipient whose case is so reviewed to present evidence that the recipient is and has been receiving treatment of the condition which was the basis for the SSI benefits. Provides that if an individual is eligible for SSI disability benefits for the month preceding the month in which the individual attains age 18, the Commissioner shall redetermine such eligibility: (1) during the one year period beginning on the individual's 18th birthday; and (2) by applying the criteria used in determining the initial eligibility for applicants who have attained age 18. Outlines specific requirements governing: (1) continuing disability reviews for low birth weight babies; and (2) benefit payments through representative payees to eligible individuals and their spouses. (Sec. 214) Provides for a reduction in cash SSI benefits payable to institutionalized individuals whose medical costs are covered by private insurance. (Sec. 215) Reduces by specified basic needs and earned income disregard allocations the amount of parental income attributed to disabled children. Subtitle C: State Supplementation Programs - Repeals maintenance of effort requirements applicable to optional State programs for supplementation of SSI benefits. Subtitle D: Studies Regarding Supplemental Security Income Program - Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to report annually to the President and the Congress regarding the SSI program and to make arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences, or other independent entity, to study the disability determination process under SSA titles II and XVI for similar reports. (Sec. 233) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report on the: (1) impact of this title on the SSI program; and (2) extra expenses incurred by families of children receiving SSI benefits that are not covered by other Federal, State, or local programs. Subtitle E: National Commission on the Future of Disability - Establishes the National Commission on the Future of Disability to develop and report to the President and the Congress: (1) a comprehensive study of all matters related to the nature, purpose, and adequacy of all Federal programs serving individuals with disabilities, including the programs under SSA titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI; and (2) recommendations for appropriate action. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Child Support - Subtitle A: Eligibility for Services; Distribution of Payments - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to require State plans for child and spousal support to provide: (1) certain services relating to paternity establishment or enforcement of child support obligations; and (2) continuation of services for families ceasing to receive assistance under Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Sec. 302) Revises payment distribution guidelines for support obligations collected by the State on behalf of a family. (Sec. 303) Requires State plans to establish procedural guidelines for: (1) privacy safeguards regarding paternity and child support actions; and (2) notification of State plan services applicants or recipients about all proceedings and orders affecting child support obligations. Subtitle B: Locate and Case Tracking - Mandates that single statewide automated data systems include a State case registry containing records of: (1) each case in which services are provided by the State agency; and (2) each support order established on or after a specified date. Permits the linking of local registries. (Sec. 312) Requires State plans to include a centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of support payments. Permits the unit to be established by linking local disbursement units through an automated information network if the Secretary agrees that it will not cost more or take more time to establish or operate than a centralized system. (Sec. 313) Requires State plans to: (1) provide for a State-operated and automated State Directory of New Hires containing prescribed information furnished by employers on new personnel; and (2) transmit such information to the National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 314) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures: (1) for mandatory income withholding for support payments subject to enforcement; and (2) under which wages of a person with a support obligation imposed by a child support order issued before October 1, 1996, shall become subject to withholding if arrearages occur, without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. Revises the procedural guidelines for income withholding for child support enforcement. (Sec. 315) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures to ensure that Federal and State agencies conducting income-withholding activities have access to State locator systems for motor vehicle or law enforcement purposes. (Sec. 316) Revises the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for additional information which may be transmitted to locate individuals and assets for purposes of: (1) establishing parentage; (2) establishing, setting the amount of, modifying, or enforcing child support obligations; and (3) enforcing child custody or visitation orders. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish in the Federal Parent Locator Service an automated Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders and an automated National Directory of New Hires. (Sec. 317) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring recordation on such documents of the Social Security number of: (1) specified driver's, marriage, and occupational, and professional license applicants; (2) individuals subject to certain domestic relations orders; and (3) deceased individuals (on death records). Subtitle C: Streamlining and Uniformity of Procedures - Requires each State to have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in effect as of January 1, 1998. Amends the Federal judicial code to revise the procedures for the court to apply when determining which State order to recognize for purposes of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement for child support orders. (Sec. 323) Requires the States to have statutorily prescribed procedures requiring: (1) expedited administrative enforcement in interstate cases and support orders; and (2) expedited administrative and judicial procedures for establishing paternity and enforcing support obligations. Subtitle D: Paternity Establishment - Revises the guidelines for State laws governing paternity establishment. Requires State procedures under which the name of the father shall be included on the birth certificate only: (1) if the mother and father have signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity; or (2) pursuant to a judicial or administrative order. (Sec. 333) Requires State plans for child and spousal support to provide that the State agency administering the plan will make a determination as to whether a program recipient is cooperating in good faith with State efforts to establish paternity and secure support. Subtitle E: Program Administration and Funding - Directs the Secretary to develop a new incentive system to replace the current one. Revises the guidelines for Federal performance-based incentive payments to the States for effective child support enforcement programs. (Sec. 342) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include prescribed procedures for State reviews and audits. Revises the guidelines for Federal evaluation and audit of State programs governing paternity, child and spousal support, and parent location. (Sec. 344) Revises the automated data processing requirements for State plans to mandate a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system which can perform specified tasks. (Sec. 345) Makes funds available to the Secretary for: (1) training of Federal and State staff, research and demonstration programs, and special projects of regional and national significance; and (2) operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service. Subtitle F: Establishment and Modification of Support Orders - Revises the requirements for State plan procedures for the review and adjustment of support orders. (Sec. 352) Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to authorize a consumer agency to furnish a consumer report: (1) in response to a request by a governmental child support enforcement agency; or (2) to the State administrative agency which sets child support awards. (Sec. 353) Shields a depository institution from Federal or State liability for disclosing any financial record of an individual to a State child support enforcement agency. Prohibits such agency from disclosing such a financial record except for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support obligation. Sets forth civil penalties for any person knowingly or negligently violating such prohibition. Subtitle G: Enforcement of Support Orders - Amends Internal Revenue Code procedural guidelines for the collection of arrearages to provide that no additional fee may be assessed for adjustments to a previously certified amount. (Sec. 362) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to revise procedural guidelines for: (1) consent by the United States to income withholding, garnishment, and similar proceedings for enforcement of child support and alimony obligations of current and retired Federal employees; and (2) enforcement of child support obligations of members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 364) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act of 1984, or a similar law, as well as certain procedures governing the voiding of fraudulent transfers by a child support debtor. (Sec. 365) Requires a State plan for child and spousal support to include specified procedures: (1) to ensure that persons owing past-due support work or participate in work activities the court deems appropriate; (2) to report to credit bureaus the name of the parent in arrears for child support; (3) to provide for liens against real and personal property for the support arrearages of an absent parent; and (4) to implement the restriction of driver's, professional, occupational, and recreational licenses of individuals owing support arrearages. (Sec. 370) Instructs the Secretary of State to deny a passport to any individual certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be in arrears of more than $5,000 for child support payments. Authorizes revocation, restriction or limitation of a previously issued passport in connection with such individuals. (Sec. 371) Authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the HHS Secretary, to declare any foreign country a reciprocating country if it has established, or undertakes to establish, procedures for the establishment and enforcement of child support obligations whose obligees are U.S. citizens. Provides for revocation of such declaration in certain circumstances. Designates the HHS Secretary as the central authority for such enforcement. (Sec. 372) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which a State agency shall enter agreements with financial institutions doing business within the State to develop and operate a data match system to provide identifying information for each noncustodial parent targeted by the State who maintains an account at the institution, and to encumber or surrender such parent's assets at the institution pursuant to a lien or levy. (Sec. 373) Requires States to have statutorily prescribed procedures under which child support orders relating to the child of minor parents, where the custodial parents are receiving assistance, are enforceable against the child's paternal or maternal grandparents. (Sec. 374) Amends Federal bankruptcy law to make nondischargeable in bankruptcy any debts owed to a State or municipality for child support. Subtitle H: Medical Support - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include within the definition of medical child support order an order issued through a State administrative process. (Sec. 377) Amends part D of SSA title IV to mandate statutorily prescribed procedures under which all enforced child support orders shall include a provision for the health care coverage of the child. Subtitle I: Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents - Amends part D of SSA title IV to prescribe guidelines under which the Administration for Children and Families shall make grants to enable States to establish and administer access and visitation programs to facilitate noncustodial parents' access to their children. Subtitle J: Effect of Enactment - Sets forth effective dates for this title. Title IV: Restricting Welfare and Public Benefits for Aliens - Subtitle A: Eligibility for Federal Benefits - Denies Federal public benefits (except certain emergency disaster relief, public health, housing, and child nutrition benefits) to non-qualified aliens. (Sec. 402) Denies SSI and food stamp eligibility to all but certain qualified aliens, who may receive only limited benefits. (Sec. 403) Makes qualified aliens ineligible (with limited exceptions) for Federal means-tested public benefits for the first five years after U.S. entry. Amends SSA and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide for reporting of certain illegal alien information to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Subtitle B: Eligibility for State and Local Public Benefits Programs - Makes an alien who is not a qualified alien, a nonimmigrant, or a parolee for less than one year ineligible for State or local benefits (except certain emergency disaster relief, public health, housing, and child nutrition benefits). (Sec. 412) Authorizes States, with certain exceptions, to determine eligibility for State means-tested public benefits for qualified aliens, nonimmigrants, or certain parolees. Subtitle C: Attribution of Income and Affidavits of Support - Deems the income and resources of any alien over age 18 (who is not pregnant) applying for Medicaid and SSA title XXI benefits to include: (1) the income and resources of any person who executed an affidavit of support on the alien's behalf; and (2) the income and resources of the person's spouse (if any). (Sec. 422) Authorizes States to make similar attributions with respect to State programs (except certain emergency disaster relief, public health, housing, and child nutrition benefits). Subtitle D: General Provisions - Sets forth definitions and requires appropriate regulations by the Attorney General for State use. Subtitle E: Conforming Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 and the Housing Act of 1949. Title V: Reductions in Federal Government Positions - Outlines the mechanism for various specified Federal executive agency workforce reductions, requiring submission to specified congressional committees of determinations about the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions of their respective departments by the Secretaries of Agriculture, of Education, of Labor, of Housing and Urban Development, and of HHS. Requires the Secretaries to make FTE reductions, including reductions-in-force, over the ensuing 14 months. Requires the Comptroller General to analyze and report to such committees on such determinations, with recommendations for further FTE reductions, if appropriate. (Sec. 502) Requires the HHS Secretary to reduce the Federal workforce within HHS: (1) by 75 percent of the FTE positions relating to any direct or indirect discretionary spending program converted into a block grant program by this Act (including 245 FTE positions related to the program converted into TEA block grants); and (2) by 75 percent of a proportionate number of the total FTE departmental management positions (including 60 FTE managerial positions related to the program converted into TEA block grants). (Sec. 503) Encourages the HHS Secretary to reduce personnel in the Washington, D.C., area office (agency headquarters) before reducing field personnel. Title VI: Reform of Public Housing - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to prohibit increased housing assistance (except instances of limited-time frame benefits) to a family whose benefits under other public assistance programs have been reduced because of noncompliance. (Sec. 602) States that a person whose benefits under a means-tested welfare or public assistance program have been reduced because of fraud shall not, during such reduction period, receive an income-based increase in any other means-tested assistance program. Title VII: Child Care - Child Care and Development Block Grant Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for FY 1996 through 2002. (Sec. 703) Amends part A (TEA) of Title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a general child care assistance entitlement program funded by Federal grants to the States. Authorizes appropriations. Prescribes program parameters. (Sec. 708) Repeals the program requirement for early childhood development and before- and after-school services. Revises enforcement guidelines to require a State to reimburse the Secretary for funds improperly expended on prohibited or non-authorized purposes. (Sec. 712) Revises the Secretary's congressional reporting requirements to mandate biannual reports to the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities. (Sec. 713) Authorizes an Indian tribe or tribal organization to use Federal funds for the construction or renovation of child care facilities. (Sec. 715) Repeals the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1985 and the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act. Repeals funding authority for certain programs of national significance, involving: (1) child care for children of at-risk students; (2) alternative programs for bilingual and special education students; and (3) rural child care centers for student parents and their children. Repeals funding authority for Native Hawaiian Family- based Education Centers. Title VIII: Child Nutrition Programs - Subtitle A: National School Lunch Act - Amends the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to repeal specified authorities and requirements for the school lunch and related programs, including: (1) State educational authority to use resources from the nutrition and education (NET) program; (2) prohibition of State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; (3) certain demonstration grants to private nonprofit organizations or educational institutions for elementary school curriculum food and nutrition projects; (4) aspects of summer food service programs, reducing payment rates and daily meals at camps, reducing the National Youth Sports Program, and revising nutritional standards compliance requirements; (5) certain commodity distribution program requirements, including State Advisory Councils; (6) expansion of the child care food program; (7) adult care food aid to adult day care centers and services for persons over 60; (8) certain pilot projects, including one for paperwork reduction; and (9) an information clearinghouse. (Sec. 807) Prohibits, in general, any waiver that will increase Federal costs. (Sec. 810) Provides for grants for State assistance to family or group day care homes. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services to study and report to specified congressional committees on the impact of this title on adult food care program participation and family day care licensing. Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Act of 1966 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to revise the school breakfast program: (1) eliminating Federal assistance for food preparation training and program expansion and start-up costs; (2) repealing certain authorities and requirements relating to State administrative expenses; (3) repealing the prohibition against State imposition of teaching personnel and curriculum requirements at any school; (4) repealing the program of cash grants for nutrition education. (Sec. 830) Revises the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC), among other things repealing specified requirements and changing from mandatory to optional: (1) drug abuse education; and (2) provision of WIC information in languages other than English. Makes the Nutrition and Education program discretionary rather than mandatory. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Food Stamp Program and Related Programs - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to: (1) increase the standard deduction from income resources for eligibility purposes; (2) treat electronic benefit transfer cards and personal identification (PIN) numbers as coupons; (3) count vendor payments for transitional housing as income; (4) increase penalties for specified program violations; (5) revise disqualification penalties and periods, and their applications to entire households, for persons refusing to comply with work requirements; (6) revise general exemptions from employment and training requirements and funding for related programs; and (7) mandate disqualification of individuals for multiple receipt of food stamp benefits, of fleeing felons, and of individuals delinquent in child support payments. (Sec. 915) Authorizes State food stamp disqualification of a household member also disqualified from another means-tested public assistance program for failure to perform an action required for such program under Federal, State, or local law. (Sec. 918) Makes it an eligibility requirement for custodial parents to cooperate with child support agencies. (Sec. 920) Prescribes additional work requirements for able-bodied food stamp recipients. Requires State agencies to implement electronic benefit transfer systems. (Sec. 924) Provides for: (1) optional combined value allotments for expedited households; and (2) allotments to individuals residing in drug or alcohol abuse treatment centers. (Sec. 925) Authorizes reduction in State food stamp benefits of a household for whom benefits are also reduced in another means-tested public assistance program for a similar failure. (Sec. 927) Authorizes regulations to establish specific authorization periods, and specific periods for prohibiting participation of stores based on lack of business integrity. (Sec. 931) Revises requirements for State agency procedures for food stamp office operation. Augments the kinds of information (including retailer information) that may be exchanged among Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Authorizes the suspension of stores violating program requirements pending administrative and judicial review. (Sec. 939) Mandates regulations for: (1) food stamp program disqualification of retailers disqualified from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and (2) the permanent debarment of retailers who intentionally submit falsified applications. Subjects food stamp benefits to civil and criminal forfeiture for benefit violations. (Sec. 948) Authorizes States to operate simplified food stamp programs according to specified requirements. Repeals the authority to conduct specified pilot projects and the Food Bank Demonstration Project. (Sec. 949) Revises State plan requirements for the emergency food assistance program. Title X: Miscellaneous - Provides, among other things, for: (1) the expenditure of Federal funds received by a State under TEA and certain other Federal programs only in accordance with laws and procedures applicable to expenditure of the State's own revenues; (2) elimination of housing assistance with respect to fugitive felons and probation and parole violators; (3) certain options for State consideration of the resources of an ineligible household member when determining the food stamp eligibility and allotment of such individual's household; and (4) an increase in funding for abstinence education under SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services). (Sec. 1003) Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should adopt enterprise zone legislation in the 104th Congress providing for various specified incentives, regulatory reforms, and pilot projects. (Sec. 1004) Expresses the sense of the Senate that States: (1) should diligently continue their efforts to enforce child support payments by the non-custodial parent; and (2) should pursue pilot programs in which the parents of a non-adult, non-custodial parent who refuses to or is unable to pay child support must pay or contribute to the child support owed by the non-custodial parent or otherwise fulfill all financial obligations and meet all conditions imposed on the non-custodial parent, such as participation in a work program or other related activity. (Sec. 1006) Directs the HHS Secretary to: (1) implement a certain strategy for preventing out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies and assuring that at least 25 percent of U.S. communities have teenage pregnancy prevention programs; and (2) report to the Congress on the State programs so implemented to determine their progress. (Sec. 1007) Expresses the sense of the Senate that States and local jurisdictions should aggressively enforce statutory rape laws. (Sec. 1008) Declares that States shall not be prohibited by the Federal Government from sanctioning welfare recipients who test positive for use of controlled substances. (Sec. 1010) Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to generally exempt from the required disclosures, protections, responsibilities, and authorized remedies of such Act, and any implementing regulation prescribed by the Federal Reserve Board, any electronic benefit transfer program established under State or local law or administered by a State or local government that distributes needs-tested benefits. (Sec. 1011) Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to reduce the authorization of appropriations for social services block grants. (Sec. 1012) Encourages the HHS Secretary to work in coordination with State agencies to ensure the efficient use of Federal transportation funds by recipients of public assistance under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3262 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1996
Common Sense Medicare Antibiotic Coverage Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand coverage under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of certain antibiotics (covered as items of durable medical equipment) parenterally administered in a home setting. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) recommend to the Congress appropriate adjustments to the payment amounts provided for Medicare items and services to take into account the reduced costs to individuals and providers resulting from Medicare part B coverage of such antibiotics; (2) adjust such payment amounts in order to ensure that aggregate Medicare payments in any fiscal year are not greater or less than those that would have been made had not such coverage been enacted; and (3) report to the Congress on any other antibiotics appropriate for coverage.
Bill· SS. 1673 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Procurement Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Other Matters Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Title III: Operation and Maintenance Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Other Matters Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Matters Relating to Reserve Components Subtitle B: Officer Education Programs Subtitle C: Other Matters Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances Subtitle B: Extension of Bonus and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters Subtitle E: Other Matters Title VII: Health Care Provisions Title VIII: Acquisition and Related Matters Title IX: Organization and Management Subtitle A: General Matters Subtitle B: Financial Management Title X: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Civilian Personnel Subtitle C: Reporting Requirements Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Other Nations Subtitle E: Other Matters Title XXI(sic): Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes Subtitle B: Base Closure and Realignment and Environment Subtitle C: Land Conveyance Subtitle D: Other Matters National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for procurement to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. Subtitle B: Other Matters - States that a current prohibition under a prior defense authorization Act against the new production of F-15E aircraft shall not apply to the obligation of funds authorized and appropriated for FY 1996 or to any appropriation or authorization for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY 1997. (Sec. 111) Increases the research and development and total procurement thresholds for a system to be considered a "major system" for DOD procurement purposes. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to adjust such amounts on the basis of DOD escalation rates, after notifying the Senate Armed Services and House National Security Committees. (Sec. 112) Amends the Defense Conversion, Reinvestment, and Transition Assistance Act of 1992 to require the Secretary, within 60 days after the enactment of an Act appropriating funds for DOD military functions, to: (1) identify which defense contracts under major defense programs will be terminated or substantially reduced as a result of reduced funding levels; and (2) ensure that notice of such termination or reduction is provided to each prime contractor under the contract, as well as to the Secretary of Labor. Requires subcontractors to be notified within 60 days after notification of the Secretary of Labor. Requires a contractor to notify affected employees within two weeks after receiving such notice. (Sec. 113) Strikes certain information concerning the completion status of major defense acquisition programs from information required to be contained in Selected Acquisition Reports for such programs. Requires such Reports to include procurement unit cost (currently, program acquisition unit cost). Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the live-fire survivability testing requirements with respect to V-22 aircraft. Provides for an alternative live-fire test program. Provides funding. (Sec. 203) Authorizes such live-fire test waiver with respect to the F-22 aircraft, requiring an alternative live-fire test program if the Secretary certifies that normal testing would be unreasonably expensive and impractical. Provides funding. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to conduct basic and applied research and advanced technology development on chemical and biological warfare defense technologies and systems, independent of any other DOD component. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for operation and maintenance for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of DOD. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 to DOD for working capital and revolving funds. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Provides additional remedies for employees of defense contractors who disclose information regarding a substantial violation of law (whistle blowers). (Sec. 311) Repeals the requirement of a physical examination for members of the National Guard called into Federal service. (Sec. 312) Authorizes DOD to utilize military personnel under current agreements for the training of Federal employees in non-Government facilities and to pay in advance for such training. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the sale of emission reduction credits or other incentives authorized under the Clean Air Act. (Sec. 314) Defines "capital assets" for purposes of assets in the Defense Business Operations Fund as those having a development or acquisition cost of not less than $100,000 (currently, $50,000). Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 1997. (Sec. 402) Excludes from active-duty end strength limits those members of the reserve serving on active duty for 181 days or more to perform special work in support of peacetime requirements of the active components and combatant commands. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 1997 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Matters Relating to Reserve Components - Provides that reserve officers in an inactive status who are required to be removed from such status: (1) shall be transferred to the Retired Reserve; or (2) may be discharged from their appointment. (Sec. 502) Provides an exception from the requirement of a baccalaureate degree for appointment to a grade above O-2 in the Naval Reserve in the case of persons appointed for service under either the Naval Aviation Cadet (current law) or Seaman to Admiral Program. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out in the United States a test program under which those reserve members eligible for commissary use will be permitted to use such stores on the same basis as members on active duty. Requires the Secretary to report test program results to the Congress. (Sec. 504) Provides an exception from the prohibition against the involuntary release or discharge of reserve personnel within two years of eligibility for retirement in the case of members who serve on active duty (other than for training) for a period of less than 180 days, as long as such member is informed of and consents to such exception prior to commencing such active duty. (Sec. 505) Requires an individual to have received his or her baccalaureate degree within eight (currently, three) years of appointment to a reserve officer position in order to meet the Selected Reserve officer education requirement. (Sec. 507) Increases the authorized activities of members of the reserve called to active duty for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the reserve components. Subtitle B: Officer Education Programs - Extends from under 25 to under 27 years old the age limit for initial appointment as a cadet or midshipman in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and the military service academies. (Sec. 511) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide financial assistance to a student enrolled in an advanced educational program beyond the baccalaureate degree level, as long as such student is also a cadet or midshipman in an advanced training program. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Reduces from three to two years the minimum time in grade required before a chief warrant officer may be considered for promotion. Authorizes warrant officers below the promotion zone to be selected for promotion to the grade of chief warrant officer, W-3. (Sec. 517) Repeals Federal provisions allowing for judicial review of a determination of death of a person previously in a missing status during service in the armed forces, as well as special interest cases eligible for review. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned (currently, the theater component commander) to transmit within ten days (currently, 48 hours) after a preliminary status assessment a recommendation that a person be placed in a missing status. Requires the Secretary concerned to perform all duties currently required of the theater component commander with respect to such persons and their status. Repeals: (1) the requirement of appointment of counsel to represent a missing person during an inquiry into the status of such person; (2) the requirement that subsequent reviews of a person's status as missing occur at least every three years (instead requiring such review upon receipt of information that may result in a change of status); (3) a provision providing civil and criminal penalties for the wrongful withholding of information concerning a person's status; (4) the requirement that certain information be submitted by a board of inquiry making a recommendation that a missing person be declared dead; and (5) the inclusion of DOD civilian and defense contractor employees as covered persons under such provisions. (Sec. 518) Makes permanent (currently ends September 30, 1996) the authority for the temporary promotion of certain Navy lieutenants. Authorizes the Secretary, when considered expeditious, to extend for up to 180 days beyond the current limit of 365 days after enlistment in a reserve component the active-duty entry date under the delayed entry program. (Sec. 520) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to accept reenlistments of active-duty personnel in the armed forces or Coast Guard: (1) for at least two but no more than six years in the case of members with less than ten years of service; and (2) for an indefinite additional period in the case of members with ten or more years of service. (Sec. 521) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with the governments of allied and other friendly nations for the exchange of military and civilian defense personnel. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 1997 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases by 3.0 percent, effective on January 1, 1997, the rates of basic pay, basic allowance for subsistence, and basic allowance for quarters (BAQ). (Sec. 602) Prohibits the payment of a BAQ to a member of the Ready Reserve who is serving on active duty for 15 days or less and provided government quarters, unless such member is accompanied by his or her dependents. (Sec. 603) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay a BAQ for a member who is without dependents, serving in pay grade E-5, and assigned to sea duty. Authorizes the payment of a BAQ to two members in pay grades below E-6 who are married to each other without dependents and simultaneously assigned to sea duty on ships. (Sec. 604) Repeals a provision which requires the rate of monthly cadet or midshipman pay to be adjusted in the same manner and time as the adjustment of pay to military personnel in connection with General Schedule increases. Subtitle B: Extension of Bonus and Incentive Pays - Extends through FY 1999 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of FY 1997 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Allows, as part of the transportation allowance for the transport of a motor vehicle in connection with a permanent change of duty station, a monetary allowance to be paid for: (1) return travel to the old duty station; or (2) travel from the new duty station to the port of debarkation to pick up the vehicle. (Sec. 611) Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse board members of the DOD domestic dependent school system for travel and transportation expenses which include program and activity fees, when the Secretary determines that such programs and activities are reasonable and necessary for the performance of school board duties. (Sec. 612) Provides that, when a member of the armed forces is ordered to a foreign country and the laws of such country prohibit or restrict the entry of a motor vehicle, such member may elect to receive paid storage of such vehicle in lieu of the normal transportation allowance for such vehicle. (Sec. 613) Repeals a Federal provision prohibiting the payment of lodging expenses of a DOD civilian employee on official business away from home when adequate Government quarters are available. Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters - Makes March 1996 the effective date of an increase in military retired pay which became effective on December 1, 1995. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal a provision which provides a contingent alternative effective date for the military pay increase for FY 1998. (Sec. 616) States that the dependents of members of the Selected Reserve, like the members themselves, shall be permitted the use of certain morale, welfare, and recreation facilities of DOD on the same basis as members on active duty. Makes an identical allowance for dependents of members of the armed forces who would otherwise be eligible for military retired pay but for the fact that they are under 60 years of age. (Sec. 617) Repeals a Federal provision authorizing survivors of military personnel who die as a result of injury or illness incurred while serving on active duty in support of a contingency operation to receive a payment of all leave accrued. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes the payment of retirement benefits, eligibility for placement on the temporary disability retirement list, or eligibility for separation with severance pay for active-duty personnel who are: (1) not entitled to basic pay due to participation in an educational program; and (2) unfit to perform their duties because of a disability incurred while participating in such program. (Sec. 621) Amends Federal provisions concerning the payment of military retired or retainer pay to survivors and dependents of military personnel to: (1) include facsimile or other electronic transmission as a valid service of process; (2) require a finding of proper jurisdiction before a court of one state can modify or alter an original court order from another state; and (3) provide that the effective date of the termination of retirement benefits for a person who has been sentenced by a court-martial shall be the date of discharge from the uniformed services. (Sec. 622) Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard, to establish a program which assists eligible former military and Coast Guard personnel to obtain certification and licensure as elementary and secondary school teachers (known as the troops-to-teachers program). Reduces from five to two school years the period a former member must be employed as such a teacher after receiving such assistance. Reduces the amount required to be paid to the educational agency involved by the Secretary concerned representing a portion of the teacher salary. Makes similar changes with respect to current teacher placement programs for eligible separated civilian DOD employees and displaced DOD contractor employees. (Sec. 623) Allows a member whose travel to a new duty station is delayed by participation in a critical operational mission to defer such travel (for which a travel or transportation allowance is authorized) for up to one year after assignment to such mission. (Sec. 624) Authorizes the Secretary to pay to civilian DOD personnel performing overseas duty the same allowances and benefits authorized for members of the Foreign Service under the Foreign Service Act of 1980. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to authorize the Secretary to pay amounts for covered services which are higher than prescribed limits when enrollees in managed care programs obtain covered services (currently, covered emergency services) from nonparticipating providers. (Sec. 702) Amends Federal provisions establishing the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program to provide alternative service obligations (currently, the only authorized alternative is assignment to health professional shortage areas) for Program participants relieved of their active duty service obligation under the Program. Provides some of the alternative obligations for students participating in a similar program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. (Sec. 703) Excludes officers assigned to duty in DOD from the limitation on the maximum number of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service authorized to serve on active duty. (Sec. 704) Repeals statutory restrictions on the use of DOD funds or facilities to perform abortions. (Sec. 705) Provides CHAMPUS medical and dental care benefits for reserve personnel who incur or aggravate an injury, illness, or disease: (1) in the line of duty while performing active duty, active or inactive duty training, or full-time National Guard duty; (2) while traveling to or from such duty or training; or (3) in the line of duty while remaining overnight, between successive periods of inactive duty training, in a site beyond reasonable commuting distance from the member's residence. Authorizes the following for members described under (3), above: (1) the recovery, care, and disposition of remains; (2) eligibility for retirement pay upon separation due to disability after 30 days or less of active-duty service; (3) entitlement to basic pay; and (4) compensation for inactive-duty training. Title VIII: Acquisition and Related Matters - Repeals the defense procurement technical assistance cooperative agreement program. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the requisitioning and use of Government vehicles for the training and administration of the National Guard by the States, Territories, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. (Sec. 803) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act: (1) for Fiscal Year 1991 to extend through FY 1998 the pilot Mentor-Protege Program; and (2) for Fiscal Year 1994 to extend through FY 1999 the authority of the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to carry out prototype activities directly relevant to weapons or weapon systems proposed to be acquired or developed by DOD. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a follow-on acquisition of any prototype or technology demonstrator developed in connection with such activities. (Sec. 805) Amends Federal provisions concerning the authority of the Secretary and the military department Secretaries to enter into transactions in order to carry out basic, applied, and advanced research projects to: (1) repeal a reporting requirement; and (2) state that certain proposals, business plans, or technical information submitted in anticipation of such projects will not be considered "agency records" for five years (and therefore will be considered confidential as proprietary data). (Sec. 806) Provides that any subdivision of appropriations made in this Act and hereafter under the heading "Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy" shall be considered to be for the same purpose as any subdivision under such heading in any prior year. (Sec. 807) Directs the Secretary to rely on the private sector for commercial or industrial type supplies and services for or beneficial to the accomplishment of authorized DOD functions, except when the Secretary determines that the function should be performed by government personnel. Empowers the Secretary to contract with private or non-government entities for the provision of such functions. Title IX: Organization and Management - Subtitle A: General Matters - Redesignates the North American Air Defense Command as the United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command. (Sec. 902) Authorizes civilian DOD employees to be included on ammunition storage boards. (Sec. 903) Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to remove the Secretary of the Army from membership on the Foreign Trade Zone Board. Subtitle B: Financial Management - Establishes in DOD and each of the military departments an Environmental Restoration Account. (Currently, there is established in DOD only the Defense Environmental Restoration Account.) (Sec. 911) Authorizes up to $2 million of DOD funds annually to be used for small meals and snacks during specified military recruiting functions. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Repeals the requirement that amounts requested for the procurement of reserve equipment be set forth in a separate budget request. (Sec. 1002) Authorizes the Secretary to accept services as contributions for defense programs, projects, and activities. Directs the Secretary to establish written rules to be used as criteria for the acceptance of money, real or personal property, or services for such programs, projects, and activities. (Sec. 1003) Amends the Sikes Act to authorize the transfer to another military reservation (installation) of the wildlife conservation fees of a closed military reservation. (Sec. 1004) Authorizes a disbursing official to cash checks and other negotiable instruments and exchange U.S. currency on behalf of the United States at a U.S.-chartered Federal credit institution operating at DOD invitation in a foreign country where contractor-operated military banking facilities are not available. (Sec. 1005) Amends the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act and the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (base closure laws) to provide for the disposition of funds arising from the disposal of real property or facilities acquired, constructed, or improved with commissary store or nonappropriated funds in connection with the closure or realignment of a military installation under a base closure law. Subtitle B: Civilian Personnel - Authorizes the Secretary to employ necessary civilian faculty personnel at the: (1) English Language Center of the Defense Language Institute; and (2) Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. (Sec. 1012) Excepts from the competitive service non-attorney positions established in a judge's chambers of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. (Sec. 1013) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal a provision which requires the Secretary to convert at least 10,000 military positions to civilian positions by the end of FY 1997. Subtitle C: Reporting Requirements - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to strike certain information currently required in an annual report concerning the ballistic missile defense program. (Sec. 1022) Repeals a requirement for an annual report from the Secretary to the Congress on defense contractor reimbursement costs. (Sec. 1023) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to repeal provisions requiring certain notification to parties substantially or seriously affected by military budget reductions, the closure or realignment of military installations, or the cancellation or curtailment of major defense contracts. Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Other Nations - Includes within the provision of international demining activities the payment of travel and subsistence expenses of persons participating in such program and the costs of equipment, supplies, and services acquired to carry out such program. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Repeals the requirement that the National Defense Technology and Industrial Base Council (Council) prepare specified periodic assessments and plans. Directs the Secretary to establish a program for analysis of national technology and industrial base (NTIB) issues, policies, and programs. Repeals specified provisions concerning administration, contracting, coordination and supervision with regard to such program. Directs the Secretary (currently, the Council) to prepare annually through FY 1998 (currently, 1997) selected assessments of the NTIB in attaining national security requirements. Outlines assessment requirements, requiring its integration with DOD's overall budget, acquisition, and logistics decision-making processes. Directs the Secretary to prescribe departmental guidance appropriate to implement the national security objectives of the President. Requires a report from the Secretary to the Congress concerning such guidance. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress in 1997 and 1998 on such guidance and the addressing of technological and industrial concerns. Repeals a provision requiring the Secretary to coordinate the encouragement of technology transfer program with the Council. Empowers the Secretary (currently, the Council) to appoint members for the Military-Civilian Integration and Technology Transfer Advisory Board, as well as related authority. Repeals the requirement that the National Defense Manufacturing Technology Program be coordinated with the NTIB. (Sec. 1031) Amends the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1988 to authorize the Secretary to transfer real property located at military installations to be closed to a military department or other entity within DOD or the Coast Guard. (Sec. 1032) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to dispose of all U.S. rights and interest to the primate research complex at Holloman Air Force Base, as well as the colony of chimpanzees housed at or managed from the complex. (Sec. 1033) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act: (1) for Fiscal Year 1993 to require the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development, and Acquisition (currently, for Installations, Logistics and Environment) to participate in functions and meetings of State chemical demilitarization citizens advisory commissions; and (2) for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to repeal a provision which terminates at the end of FY 1997 the authority of the Secretary to transfer excess personal property to Federal and State agencies. (Sec. 1035) Authorizes Reserve and Coast Guard judge advocates and law specialists (currently, only active-duty members of such professions) to act as notaries public. (Sec. 1036) Transfers to the Secretary (currently, the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force) the authority to control U.S. transportation systems in time of war. (Sec. 1037) States that statute-of-limitations provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act shall not toll the period prescribed for the filing of a request for the correction of military records. Directs the corrections board involved to consider the claimant's military service and the effect of such service on the claimant's ability to file within the authorized time period (two years after discovery of the error). (Sec. 1038) Redesignates the: (1) Naval Records and History Gift Fund as the Naval Historical Center Fund; and (2) Office of Naval Records and History as the Naval Historical Center. (Sec. 1039) Authorizes the Secretary to accept pecuniary or service contributions from foreign nations on behalf of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) authorize participation in Center programs of European or Eurasian nations, when in the national interest; and (2) waive financial disclosure requirements for dignitaries invited to serve without compensation on the Marshall Center Board of Visitors. (Sec. 1040) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the Secretary of the Army the Arlington National Cemetery Interment Zone as well as specified lands within the Robert E. Lee Memorial Preservation Zone. (Sec. 1041) Repeals a Federal provision directing the Secretary to authorize commissary and exchange officials to negotiate directly with private carriers for the most cost-effective transportation of commissary and exchange supplies by sea without relying on the Military Sealift Command or the Military Traffic Management Command. (Sec. 1042) Authorizes the Secretary or the Secretary of a military department to enter into cooperative agreements for the preservation, management, maintenance, research, and improvement of cultural resources on military installations. (Sec. 1043) Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to certain named individuals for extraordinary service in the Army during World War II. (Sec. 1044) Revises generally provisions authorizing the Secretary to lend material, supplies, and personnel services to the Inaugural Committee. (Sec. 1045) Withdraws specified Federal lands in Imperial County, California, utilized in the mission of the Naval Air Facility, El Centro, California, from all forms of appropriation under the public land and mining laws, but not the mineral, geothermal leasing, or mineral materials sales laws. Reserves such withdrawn lands for use by the Secretary of the Navy for defense-related purposes in accordance with the Cooperative Agreement of June 29, 1987, among the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of the Navy. Provides for management of the withdrawn lands by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) permitted management activities; (2) management by the Secretary of the Navy for military operations, public safety, or national security purposes; (3) a land withdrawal and reserve duration limit of 25 years (with authorized extensions after certain notice and filing requirements); (4) early relinquishment of the land withdrawal and reservation; and (5) land decontamination and environmental remediation (including authorized alternatives). Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title XXI(sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1996 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out architectural planning and design activities and to improve existing military family housing units, in specified amounts. (Sec. 2404) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund for appropriate uses. (Sec. 2405) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2406) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years after 1996 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1996 for such contributions. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1996 for the Guard and Reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. (Sec. 2602) Authorizes specified Army National Guard military construction projects and architectural and engineering services and construction design, using prior year appropriations. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in the titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 1999, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2000, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - Increases: (1) from $300,000 to $350,000 the active and reserve component minor construction threshold for a project the Secretary may carry out using operation and maintenance funds without prior approval from the appropriate congressional committees; and (2) from $400,000 to $1.5 million the reserve component minor construction project threshold beyond which congressional notification and a 21-day waiting period are required. (Sec. 2802) Includes major maintenance and the repair of drives within the definition of an "improvement" for purposes of authorized improvements to military family housing. Subtitle B: Base Closure and Realignment and Environment - Amends the base closure laws to authorize the Secretary to contract with local governments for the provision of certain community services at facilities on installations closed pursuant to such laws. (Sec. 2806) Authorizes the Secretary to pay from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account (Part II) up to $50,000 for stipulated environmental damages assessed against Loring Air Force Base, Maine. Subtitle C: Land Conveyance - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey to: (1) Richmond or Madison County, Kentucky, a specified sewage collection, treatment, and disposal system at Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky; (2) the Dublin San Ramon Services District, California, a specified water treatment and distribution system at Camp Parks, California; (3) Leavenworth, Kansas, a specified water treatment and distribution system at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; (4) Pierce County, Washington, a specified sewage collection, treatment, and disposal system at Fort Lewis, Washington; (5) Odenton, Maryland, a specified water treatment and distribution system at Fort Meade, Maryland; (6) Monmouth County, New Jersey, a specified water treatment and distribution system at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; and (7) Hinesville, Georgia, a specified sewage collection, treatment, and disposal system at the Hunter Army Air Field, Fort Stewart, Georgia. (Sec. 2814) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to grant an easement for rights-of-way for electric power or communication poles and lines. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into an agreement with a local electric utility or private company to install, operate, and maintain a new electrical distribution system at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. Provides agreement conditions. Provides funds for such system from funds authorized and appropriated for FY 1996.
Bill· SS. 1676 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
Amends the Revenue Act of 1987, with respect to tax-exempt bonds issued by Indian tribal governments, to declare that certain Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning such obligations shall not apply if: (1) such obligation is issued to refund an obligation issued on or before such date; (2) the average maturity date of issue is not later than the average maturity date of the obligation to be refunded by such issue; (3) the amount of the refunding obligation does not exceed the outstanding amount of the refunded obligation; and (4) the net proceeds of the refunding obligation are used to redeem the refunded obligation not later than 90 days after the date of the issuance of the refunding obligation.
Bill· SS. 1672 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
Allows funds appropriated pursuant to the authorizations for the Warsaw Initiative and the Partnership for Peace to be used to assist in the implementation of the Regional Airspace Initiative and the Partnership for Peace Information Management System. (Sec. 2) Revises, effective on September 1, 1997, the authorized end strengths for commissioned officers in the armed forces. (Sec. 3) Authorizes Department of Defense (DOD) procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with any State or local government agency to assist in demonstrating and validating environmental technologies. (Sec. 4) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase defense articles and services from the United States under the Arms Export Control Act. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to participate in the Foundation Geneva Center for Security Policy. (Sec. 6) Repeals Federal provisions limiting the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and financial transactions. (Sec. 7) Expands the authority of the Secretary to collect from third parties reimbursement for medical care and services provided under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to include: (1) a workers' compensation program or plan as an authorized third party; and (2) as reimbursable services personal injury protection or medical payments benefits in cases involving injuries resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle. (Sec. 8) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude as a contribution to the capital of a corporation the transfer of a DOD-owned utility system and any associated funds or utility connection fees. (Sec. 9) Applies specified Federal criminal fines and penalties to certain traffic offenses on Federal property. (Sec. 10) Amends the Social Security Act to revise the methods for service of process in connection with child support and alimony garnishment proceedings. (Sec. 11) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to eliminate the requirement for certain environmental remedial investigations and feasibility studies at military installations closed under base closure laws. (Sec. 12) Authorizes the Secretary to pay specified amounts to the Hazardous Substance Superfund as stipulated penalties assessed against DOD under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). (Sec. 13) Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Secretary to transfer necessary DOD funds to reimburse the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), through the Aviation Insurance Fund, for loss or damage of civilian aircraft or death or injury to personnel used during DOD contingencies. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to authorize the Secretary to reimburse the Secretary of Transportation, through the Marine Insurance Fund, for losses, damages, injuries, or deaths resulting from the use of civilian vessels during a DOD contingency. Requires the Secretaries and the FAA Administrator to notify the Congress regarding any such loss, damage, injury, or death in amounts in excess of $1 million. (Sec. 14) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to order certain members of the Individual Ready Reserve to up to 24 months of active duty other than during war or national emergency, as long as such members volunteer. (Sec. 15) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to extend through FY 1998 the authorized period of assistance by DOD for certain international nonproliferation activities.
Bill· SS. 1674 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat the acquisition by a first-time farmer of land or personal property from a related person as not being an acquisition from a related person. Modifies the definition of "substantial farmland."
Bill· HRH.R. 3250 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
National Discovery Trails Act of 1996 - Amends the National Trails System Act (the Act) to provide that national discovery trails established under the Act shall be components of the National Trails System. Provides that such trails shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located so as to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. Designates the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail (established by this Act) as a national discovery trail. Provides that the Trail shall extend from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, traveling northern and southern routes from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Denver, Colorado. Exempts the Trail from comprehensive national scenic trail plan requirements under the Act, but requires the Secretary of the Interior to enter into arrangements with a nonprofit organization to submit to specified congressional committees, within three fiscal years after this Act's enactment, a comprehensive plan for the protection, management, development, and use of the Trail.
Bill· HRH.R. 3252 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
American Jobs Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include imported property income of a controlled foreign corporation within the sums added together to compute foreign base company income. Defines imported income property to include, among other things, income from manufacturing, growing, selling, renting, or leasing imported property, but exempts any foreign oil and gas income or any foreign oil-related income. Provides for a separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income. Allows an employer a credit against tax, during the two-year period beginning with the day an employee starts work, equal to 20 percent of the qualified social security taxes paid or incurred by the employer for such new employee. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Finance recommendations on the elimination of, or changes in, business tax preferences.
Bill· HRH.R. 3251 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1996
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat the acquisition by a first-time farmer of land or personal property from a related person as not being an acquisition from a related person. Modifies the definition of "substantial farmland."
Bill· SS. 1667 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Tax Filing on Tax Freedom Day Act of 1996 - Changes the date on which individual income taxes are due from April 15 to Tax Freedom Day (the day of the year to which the average citizen will have to work to pay income taxes).
Bill· SS. 1668 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Job and Income Security Subtitle A: Most Favored Companies Subtitle B: Investment in New Technologies Subtitle C: Minimizing the Adverse Impacts of Mergers and Acquisitions Subtitle D: Corporate Restructurings Subtitle E: Expansion of Educational Opportunities for Workers Subtitle F: Elimination of Tax Incentives for Moving Jobs Overseas Subtitle G: Distressed Community Economic Development Bonds Title II: Retirement Security Title III: Severability American Workers Economic Security Act - Title I: Job and Income Security - Subtitle A: Most Favored Companies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide for a 25 percent reduction in corporate tax on taxable income equaling dividends paid by Secretary of Labor-certified most favored companies which provide employees with training and education benefits (through any approved training program), health care benefits (through insurance or otherwise), pension benefits, child care, among other benefits required by the Secretary. (Sec. 102) Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to give a price evaluation preference to contract offers by most favored companies. (Sec. 103) Expresses the sense of the Senate that most favored companies should receive preference in the provision of various forms of Federal direct financial assistance. Subtitle B: Investment in New Technologies - Amends the Small Business Act to reserve specified funds for the small business technology transfer program. (Sec. 112) Amends IRC to provide for permanent extension of the tax credit for research activities. (Sec. 113) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the total level of non-defense research and development spending in the Federal budget should be increased in equal increments over a five fiscal year period to 2.77 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Subtitle C: Minimizing the Adverse Impacts of Mergers and Acquisitions - Amends IRC to disallow a tax deduction for certain merger and acquisition expenses. (Sec. 122) Amends the Clayton Act (antitrust law) to require submission of a plant closure and employee assistance plan to the Secretary of Labor by any person acquiring any voting securities or assets of any other person with respect to specified transactions which would result in a reduction in the overall number of employees or the shutdown of a plant or other facility. (Sec. 123) Requires a court to consider the interests of workers and local communities in determining an appropriate remedy for a specified violation of the Clayton Act, including the timing and nature of any required divestiture. Subtitle D: Corporate Restructurings - Requires each issuer of securities to submit a detailed employee impact and benefit plan to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Secretary of Labor before undertaking any restructuring that includes the involuntary termination of a significant number of the employees of the issuer. Subtitle E: Expansion of Educational Opportunities for Workers - Amends IRC to establish an employee training credit half the qualified training expenses (limited to $2,500 per employee) of the taxpayer for such taxable year for specified employee education and training programs. (Sec. 142) Allows an individual tax deduction for higher education expenses (up to $10,000) and interest on student loans for taxpayers, their spouses, or dependents. Subtitle F: Elimination of Tax Incentives for Moving Jobs Overseas - Revises the IRC with respect to an exception for inventory property and the determination of whether the source of income from certain sales of inventory property is inside or outside the United States. (Sec. 152) Provides that the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to allocation of income and deductions among taxpayers, shall not be limited by any restriction (by any law or agreement) on the ability of such interests, organizations, trades, or businesses to transfer or receive money or other property. (Sec. 153) Treats as taxable any foreign base company manufacturing related income from runaway plants or from manufacturing operations located in a country which provides a tax holiday. (Sec. 154) Repeals the exclusion from gross income of foreign earned income. (Sec. 155) Revises specified tax rules on expatriation. Subtitle G: Distressed Community Economic Development Bonds - Makes distressed community economic development bonds qualified tax-exempt bonds. Title II: Retirement Security - Workers Pension Act of 1996 - Allows an individual tax deduction for contributions to individual pension plans. (Sec. 204) Allows penalty-free distributions from individual pension plans to pay educational expenses or for the unemployed. Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide for supplementary social security accounts, funded through payroll deductions by the individual and optional contributions by the individual's employer. (Sec. 205) Sets forth employer responsibilities with respect to individual pension plans. Declares that this title does not require employers, with respect to individual pension plans, to maintain a written pension plan, accept fiduciary responsibility for their employees' investments, or meet non-discrimination tests for employer pension benefits. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to designate and enter into an agreement with an organization to serve as a regional pension service center for each area of the United States, which shall receive payroll deductions for individual pension plans from employers, them to the proper qualified pension agency for deposit to the pertinent individual pension plan, and assist employees, employers, and qualified pension agencies through information and other activities. (Sec. 207) Vests in the Secretary of the Treasury to have primary responsibility for the administration of this title. Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and of Labor to jointly insure certain employee and employer notifications are made. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, upon determining that a private market is not working well in specified respects or that available qualified pension agencies are not performing well, to contract on a competitive basis with one or more qualified pension agencies to improve service in such markets. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to set standards for individual pension plans and qualified pension agencies. Authorizes establishment of a formal advisory committee to assist in this process. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to set national standards to insure an efficient, well-functioning system for individual pension plans. Authorizes establishment of one or more advisory committees to assist in these efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish annual licensing fees for qualified pension agencies designed to cover the Federal appropriation for the on-going administration of the system. (Sec. 208) Declares that this title shall preempt conflicting State laws, except when preemption is waived by the Secretary of the Treasury. Title III: Severability - Sets forth a severability provision.
Bill· SS. 1670 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1996
Common Sense Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a deduction for the amount of qualified higher education expenses paid by the individual. Limits the amount allowed to $10,000. Provides for a limitation based on modified adjusted gross income and other limitations. Makes permanent the exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance programs.