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Bill· SS. 3096 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1992
Authorizes the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make grants to States and political subdivisions for programs that require or encourage individuals under age 16 to wear approved bicycle helmets. Specifies that the Administrator shall allow grantees to use wide discretion in designing programs that effectively promote increased bicycle helmet use. Permits such grants to be used to: (1) enforce a law that requires individuals under age 16 to wear approved bicycle helmets while riding bicycles; (2) assist individuals under age 16 to acquire such helmets; and (3) develop and administer a program to educate individuals under age 16 and their families on the importance of wearing helmets. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 5711 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1992
Undercharge Claim Reconciliation Act of 1992 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize persons against whom a claim is made by a motor carrier of property (other than household goods carrier) or by a nonhousehold goods freight forwarder for the collection of rates or charges in addition to the rates originally collected by such carrier or freight forwarder to elect to satisfy such claim pursuant to a specified formula upon showing that: (1) the carrier or forwarder is no longer transporting property or is transporting property for the purpose of avoiding application of this Act; and (2) with respect to such claim, the person was offered a rate other than the one legally on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), the person tendered freight to the carrier or forwarder in reasonable reliance upon the offered transportation rate, the carrier or forwarder did not properly or timely file with the ICC a tariff providing for such rate or failed to execute a valid contract for transportation services, such rate was collected by the carrier or forwarder, and the carrier or forwarder demands additional payment of a higher rate filed in a tariff. Requires disputes regarding the aforementioned to be resolved by the court in which such claim is filed or by the ICC. Requires the additional rate or charge for shipments to be adjusted by reducing it by specified percentages in calendar years 1985 through 1991. Shortens the statute of limitations for the filing of claims: (1) by a motor common carrier for recovery of transportation or service charges; and (2) by a person to recover overcharges by a motor carrier. Permits motor carriers and shippers to resolve by mutual consent, subject to ICC review and approval, any overcharge and undercharge claims resulting from billing errors or incorrect tariff provisions arising from the inadvertent failure to properly and timely file and maintain agreed upon rates, rules, or classifications.
Bill· SS. 3081 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1992
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to classify certain passenger and multipurpose vans, sport utility vehicles, and other Jeep-type vehicles as motor vehicles for the transport of goods for purposes of tariff treatment under the Schedule.
Bill· SS. 3079 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1992
Act for an Annual Report for the American Citizens - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to distribute to all taxpayers (who so request) an annual report containing, at a minimum: (1) the most recent five-year actual trends in Federal receipts, expenditures, fund balances, assets and liabilities, and debts by major category or source; (2) a comparison of the actual budget totals for the most recent fiscal year to the budget projections; (3) statements from the President and congressional leadership regarding significant aspects of the Government's financial performance; and (4) any other relevant information on the Government's performance and contributions to economic growth, productivity, and investment in infrastructure. Requires the report to be supervised and directed by the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget. Establishes an advisory committee to provide the Deputy Director with comments and suggestions on the design and content of the annual report. Requires the Deputy Director and the Comptroller General to attest to the accuracy of information in such report. Allows the costs of preparing and distributing the report to be paid by contributions from corporations, foundations, and other private entities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1997.
Bill· SS. 3031 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1992
National Affordable Housing Act Amendments of 1992 - Title I: General Provisions and Policies - Directs the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and of Agriculture to establish respective performance goals for the major programs of HUD and the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). Directs the Secretary of HUD (Secretary) to establish guidelines for State housing credit agency review of project subsidies. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to: (1) authorize appropriations for HUD salaries and expenses; and (2) obligate specified funds for training and capacity building of HUD personnel. Exempts State or local government and housing authority employees engaged in official business from certain consultant registration requirements. Title II: Investment in Affordable Housing - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for the HOME program, with specified set-asides for certain community housing partnership activities and for State and local housing strategies. Authorizes new housing construction in any rural area upon a certification of priority need and inadequate supply of affordable housing. Revises HOME provisions regarding: (1) administrative costs; (2) tenant-based rental assistance; (3) maximum subsidy limitations; (4) rent calculations; and (5) resale restrictions. Repeals the rental housing production set-aside. Replaces existing tiered matching fund provisions with a single matching fund requirement. Revises matching requirements for fiscally distressed communities. Extends the community housing production set-aside period. Directs the Secretary to make available a model program for the redevelopment of blighted urban areas. Title III: Homeownership - Subtitle A: Homeownership Initiatives - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for the National Homeownership Trust. Authorizes the Trust to provide second mortgage assistance. Extends demonstration program authority, and includes funds for a program in Salt Lake City, Utah. Establishes enterprise zone homeownership opportunity grants. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: FHA and Secondary Mortgage Market - Establishes a National Interagency Task Force which shall study multifamily housing finance in order to develop a multifamily housing loan data base. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary to establish a multifamily finance demonstration program, including a housing finance agency pilot program. Title IV: HOPE - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for the HOPE programs. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants for Youthbuild projects which shall employ economically and educationally disadvantaged youth to help construct or rehabilitate rental and transitional housing for homeless persons and low-income families. Title V: Housing Assistance- Subtitle A: Public and Indian Housing - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize appropriations for: (1) low-income public housing; and (2) public housing family centers. Extends set-asides for: (1) vacancy reduction; and (2) resident management training. Amends the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 to authorize appropriations for public housing early childhood development grants. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for Indian public housing early childhood development grants. Revises public housing management provisions. Requires an independent management assessment for a troubled public housing agency. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937, with regard to severely distressed public housing, to authorize: (1) planning and implementation grants; (2) ownership transfer of vacant or substantially vacant projects to private nonprofit organizations or State or local entities; (3) redevelopment grants in connection with such transfers; (4) operating subsidies to priority applicants that acquire eligible housing; and (5) capital improvement subsidies. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to add a new section entitled the Choice in Management Act of 1992. Authorizes a program for the transfer of public housing management from troubled public housing agencies to alternative managers. Authorizes related: (1) obligations for housing rehabilitation; (2) technical assistance to help resident councils and public housing residents choose alternative management; (3) operating subsidies; and (4) capital improvement funding. Directs the Secretary to review and revise as necessary public and Indian housing regulations and procedures. Revises provisions regarding: (1) ceiling rents; (2) replacement housing; and (3) preference rules. Subtitle B: Low-Income Rental Assistance - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to permit eligible public housing residents who are first-time homebuyers to use vouchers or certificates for homeownership purposes. Directs the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program to help minority families with children move out of areas with high minority and poverty concentrations. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase budget authority for family unification assistance. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 with respect to housing assistance in Jefferson County, Texas. Subtitle C: General Provisions and Other Assistance Programs - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase low-income housing budget authority. Obligates specified funds for various housing programs, including emergency homeownership counseling and prepurchase and foreclosure prevention counseling. Amends the Public and Assisted Housing Drug Elimination Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for the drug elimination program. Title VI: Preservation - Subtitle A: Prepayment of Mortgages Insured Under National Housing Act - Amends the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for housing preservation. Amends the National Housing Act with regard to prepayment of insured multifamily project mortgages. Obligates funds for technical and tenant capacity building assistance. Subtitle B: Other Preservation Provisions - Amends the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 to establish new criteria for the program of Federal assistance to troubled multifamily housing projects. Authorizes program appropriations. Title VII: Rural Housing - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 with regard to rural housing to: (1) extend loan and loan guarantee authority; (2) authorize appropriations for rural housing programs; (3) extend set-asides for the deferred mortgage demonstration program; (4) extend set-asides for underserved areas and colonias; (5) extend set-asides for nonprofit entities; (6) permit housing preservation grants to be used for housing replacement; (7) permit FmHA inventory to be used for transitional housing for the homeless and for turnkey housing; (8) establish within FmHA an Office of Rental Housing Preservation; (9) prohibit the transfer of any program to the Rural Development Administration; (10) establish a rural rental housing voucher program; and (11) authorize the establishment of revolving loan funds for site acquisition and development. Title VIII: Housing for Persons With Special Needs - Subtitle A: Supportive Housing for the Elderly - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize appropriations for supportive housing for the elderly (capital advances and project rental assistance). Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for: (1) the revised congregate housing services program; and (2) HOPE for elderly independence program. Subtitle B: Supportive Housing for Persons With Disabilities - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize program appropriations for supportive housing for persons with disabilities. Subtitle C: Supportive Housing for the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to authorize appropriations for: (1) the emergency shelter grants program; (2) the supportive housing demonstration program; (3) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless; and (4) shelter plus care. Increases budget authority for section 8 assistance for single room occupancy dwellings. Authorizes a demonstration grant program to provide very low-cost housing, to be known as Safe Havens, for eligible homeless persons who are currently unwilling or unable to participate in mental health treatment programs or to receive other supportive services. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for the program of housing opportunities for persons with AIDS. Title IX: Community Development and Miscellaneous Programs - Subtitle A: Community and Neighborhood Development and Preservation - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 with regard to the community development block grant program (CDBG) to: (1) authorize program appropriations; (2) extend real property acquisition and rehabilitation loan guarantee authority; (3) provide a technical assistance set-aside; (4) repeal the nonhousing community development plan requirement; (5) extend set-asides for colonias; and (6) authorize the use of CDBG funds for loans and for economic capacity building. Amends the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 to authorize appropriations for the neighborhood development program. Amends the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act to authorize appropriations for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Subtitle B: Regulatory Programs - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to specify that appropriations for the Manufactured Housing Commission shall remain available until expended. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 to extend the term of and authorize appropriations for: (1) the National Commission on American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Housing; and (2) the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Programs - Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 to authorize appropriations for HUD research and development activities. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 concerning the fair housing initiatives program to: (1) authorize program appropriations; (2) provide for private enforcement initiatives, regional and local programs, and education and outreach activities; and (3) obligate funds for private enforcement initiatives, fair housing enforcement organizations, and education and outreach. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to revise provisions regarding employment opportunities for assisted public and Indian housing residents. Directs the Secretary to conduct a related enforcement and implementation study. Directs the Secretary to assess the housing impact of military base expansion. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to provide homeowner incentives under the Nehemiah housing opportunity grant program. Expresses the sense of the Senate that States and localities need explicit resource guidelines or additional funds to comply with Federal program mandates. Community Outreach Partnership Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a demonstration grant program to facilitate linkages between institutions of higher education and local communities in solving urban problems; and (2) establish a related national advisory council and a national clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to submit reports on community development lending and banking. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to establish a new flood insurance program zone for communities in which an existing flood control system that previously provided 100-year protection no longer does so. Directs the Secretary to establish an energy efficient mortgages pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to prohibit lump sum relocation payments to displaced residents of HUD housing, except for purposes of moving expenses or purchase downpayments. Requires publication of final HUD regulations for smoke detector installation. Directs the Secretary to make grants to strengthen the National Cities in Schools Program and the National Center for Partnership Development. Authorizes appropriations. Title X: Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 - Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 - Subtitle A: Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction - Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to States and local entities for lead-based paint hazard reduction activities in private target housing. Authorizes appropriations, including a technical assistance set-aside. Amends specified Federal housing Acts to require assessments of lead-based paint hazards. Amends the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act to require the inspection and abatement of lead-based paint hazards in all pre-1978 federally owned residential properties prior to disposition. Directs the Secretary to establish a private sector task force on lead-based paint hazard reduction and financing. Subtitle B: Evaluation and Reduction Infrastructure - Requires Federal assessment and reduction of lead-based paint hazards to be conducted by federally certified contractors and laboratories. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue lead-based paint hazard assessment and reduction guidelines; and (2) establish a National Clearinghouse on Residential Lead-Based Paint Poisoning. Subtitle C: Public Information and Technical Assistance - Provides for the disclosure of information concerning lead-based paint hazards in contracts for purchase, sale, or leasing of target housing. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish a related lead hazard information pamphlet; and (2) develop a public awareness campaign regarding the dangers of childhood lead poisoning. Subtitle D: Research and Development - Part 1: HUD Research - Directs the Secretary to conduct research on: (1) lead exposure from non-paint sources such as exterior soil and lead dust; and (2) lead testing technologies. Sets aside funds for such activities. Part 2: GAO Report - Directs the General Accounting Office to: (1) assess the availability of liability insurance for owners of residential housing that contains lead-based paint and persons engaged in assessment and reduction activities; and (2) assess Federal enforcement activities. Subtitle E: Reports - Sets forth reporting requirements.
Bill· SS. 3047 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1992
Title I: Amendments To The Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - Maritime Reform Act of 1992 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to encourage the establishment of a fleet of active, militarily useful, vessels to meet Department of Defense and other security requirements, while also maintaining an American presence in international commercial shipping, to be known as the Contingency Retainer Fleet, to consist of up to 74 privately owned, U.S.-flag vessels for which there are in effect operating agreements under this Act. Prohibits excluding a vessel from the Fleet solely because it was not constructed in the United States. Deems a vessel to have been U.S.-built for purposes of provisions of the Act relating to: (1) transportation in American vessels of Government personnel and certain cargoes; and (2) shipment requirements for certain exports sponsored by the Department of Agriculture. Sets forth requirements for the operating agreement, including that: (1) the vessel be operated in the foreign trade; (2) the agreement require payments to the vessel owner or operator of specified amounts each year, starting at $2.5 million per vessel in fiscal year 1994 and decreasing gradually to $1.6 million in fiscal year 2000 (authorizes appropriations); (3) no payment may be for a vessel that is subject to an operating-differential subsidy; and (4) when deemed necessary by the Secretary of Defense, either the vessel will be made available or vessel space will be provided on a guaranteed basis. Allows vessels included in an operating-differential subsidy (ODS) contract to be offered for inclusion in the Fleet. Prohibits, subject to exception, vessels over 24 years old from being included in the Fleet. Prohibits new or renewed ODS contracts after enactment of this Act, but allows current contracts to continue. Excludes liquid or dry bulk cargo carrying vessels receiving ODSs from the application of provisions limiting construction-differential subsidy (CDS) vessels to operating in foreign trade. Declares that any vessel constructed with a CDS and not included in the Fleet is not required to remain U.S.-documented so long as there remains no debt to the United States under ODS provisions. Excludes deposits to a construction reserve fund after enactment of this Act from provisions relating to the recognition of gain for taxation where the proceeds of a sale or indeminity for loss are deposited in such a fund. Prohibits, after a specified date, orders allowing new ODS contracts for vessels over 25 years old. Modifies capital construction fund requirements. Prohibits a vessel constructed, reconstructed, or repaired in a foreign shipyard with subsidies adversely affecting shipyards in the United States from certain benefits under provisions relating to: (1) the Contingency Retainer Program; (2) the tax treatment of qualified withdrawals from capital construction fund mandated subaccounts; (3) immediate eligibility for the carriage of cargo preference goods; and (4) reduction in ad valorem duty on certain repairs. Deems fulfilled certain provisions of Federal law requiring the use of U.S.-flag vessels if the actual ocean transportation (meeting specified requirements) consists of transportation by a combination of U.S.- and foreign-flag vessels. Requires that the use of foreign-flag vessels be as authorized by the Secretary of Transportation. Deems, after enactment of this Act, bulk cargo vessels constructed after enactment and liners vessels to have been U.S.-build for purposes of provisions relating to cargo preference. Specifies the effective date of this paragraph. Entitles merchant mariners employed in connection with a vessel used by the United States for a national emergency or maritime mobilization to the same reemployment rights and other benefits as provided (by Federal law relating to veterans' reemployment rights) for an armed forces reserve member called to active duty. Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to modify the dollar limits above which amounts in the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund are available only as provided in appropriations Acts. Title II: Internal Revenue Code and Tariff Act Amendments - Capital Construction Fund Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the tax treatment of capital construction funds, including concerning: (1) the ceiling on deposits to such funds; (2) limits on deposits by lessees; (3) nontaxability of fund deposits; (4) the treatment of fund earnings as fund deposits; (5) establishment of fund accounts; (6) qualified and nonqualified withdrawals; (7) adjustments to basis; and (8) alternate minimum taxable income. Taxes earnings from the investment and reinvestment of amounts in a fund at the highest individual, corporate, or capital gains tax rate. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to reduce the ad valorem duty on equipment or repairs made in a foreign country on U.S.-documented vessels. Repeals, on a specified date, provisions imposing the duty.
Bill· HRH.R. 5684 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1992
Increased Railroad Locomotive Visibility Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring passenger, commuter, and other trains to have ditchlights (designed to illuminate the sides of a railroad locomotive as well as the railroad tracks and the contiguous areas) affixed to the front of their locomotives.
Bill· HRH.R. 5663 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1992
Merchant Marine Memorial Enhancement Act of 1992 - Authorizes conveyance without consideration of all U.S. right, title, and interest in two vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet and meeting other requirements to any nonprofit organization which operates a Liberty Ship or Victory Ship as a memorial to merchant mariners. Requires the organization to sell the vessel for scrap, use the proceeds to refurbish a Liberty Ship or Victory Ship to enable the ship to participate in activities concerning the 50th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, and return any unused proceeds to the United States for deposit in the Vessel Operations Revolving Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 5662 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1992
Victory Ship Revitalization Act of 1992 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to sell up to 20 victory ships in the National Defense Reserve Fleet for use in the domestic trade. Sets forth specified limitations on the sale of such vessels, including restriction of such sales to U.S. citizens. Requires the deposit of proceeds from such sales in the Vessel Operations Revolving Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 5621 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1992
Convict Service Labor Prohibition Act of 1992 - Amends Federal law to establish penalties and fines for persons who knowingly transport in interstate commerce or import from a foreign country goods on which services are performed wholly or in part by convicts or prisoners. Requires all packages containing such goods to be clearly marked with certain content information. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit the importation of such goods. Sets forth civil penalties for violation of such prohibition.
Bill· HRH.R. 5634 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1992
Stop Rearming Felons Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any State conviction which has been expunged or set aside, or for which a person has been pardoned or has had civil rights restored, shall not be considered a conviction for purposes of Federal provisions prohibiting convicted felons from possessing or dealing in firearms only if: (1) the expungement, set aside, pardon, or restoration of civil rights (expungement) applies to a named person and expressly authorizes the person to ship, transport, receive, and possess firearms and the State authority granting the expungement has expressly determined that the circumstances regarding the conviction, and the person's record and reputation, are such that the applicant will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and the granting of the relief would not be contrary to the public interest; and (2) the conviction was for a crime other than a violent felony or serious drug offense.
Bill· HRH.R. 5627 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1992
Title I: Amendments To The Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - Maritime Reform Act of 1992 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to encourage the establishment of a fleet of active, militarily useful, vessels to meet Department of Defense and other security requirements, while also maintaining an American presence in international commercial shipping, to be known as the Contingency Retainer Fleet, to consist of up to 74 privately owned, U.S.-flag vessels for which there are in effect operating agreements under this Act. Prohibits excluding a vessel from the Fleet solely because it was not constructed in the United States. Deems a vessel to have been U.S.-built for purposes of provisions of the Act relating to: (1) transportation in American vessels of Government personnel and certain cargoes; and (2) shipment requirements for certain exports sponsored by the Department of Agriculture. Sets forth requirements for the operating agreement, including that: (1) the vessel be operated in the foreign trade; (2) the agreement require payments to the vessel owner or operator of specified amounts each year, starting at $2.5 million per vessel in fiscal year 1994 and decreasing gradually to $1.6 million in fiscal year 2000 (authorizes appropriations); (3) no payment may be for a vessel that is subject to an operating-differential subsidy; and (4) when deemed necessary by the Secretary of Defense, either the vessel will be made available or vessel space will be provided on a guaranteed basis. Allows vessels included in an operating-differential subsidy (ODS) contract to be offered for inclusion in the Fleet. Prohibits, subject to exception, vessels over 24 years old from being included in the Fleet. Prohibits new or renewed ODS contracts after enactment of this Act, but allows current contracts to continue. Excludes liquid or dry bulk cargo carrying vessels receiving ODSs from the application of provisions limiting construction-differential subsidy (CDS) vessels to operating in foreign trade. Declares that any vessel constructed with a CDS and not included in the Fleet is not required to remain U.S.-documented so long as there remains no debt to the United States under ODS provisions. Excludes deposits to a construction reserve fund after enactment of this Act from provisions relating to the recognition of gain for taxation where the proceeds of a sale or indeminity for loss are deposited in such a fund. Prohibits, after a specified date, orders allowing new ODS contracts for vessels over 25 years old. Modifies capital construction fund requirements. Prohibits a vessel constructed, reconstructed, or repaired in a foreign shipyard with subsidies adversely affecting shipyards in the United States from certain benefits under provisions relating to: (1) the Contingency Retainer Program; (2) the tax treatment of qualified withdrawals from capital construction fund mandated subaccounts; (3) immediate eligibility for the carriage of cargo preference goods; and (4) reduction in ad valorem duty on certain repairs. Deems fulfilled certain provisions of Federal law requiring the use of U.S.-flag vessels if the actual ocean transportation (meeting specified requirements) consists of transportation by a combination of U.S.- and foreign-flag vessels. Requires that the use of foreign-flag vessels be as authorized by the Secretary of Transportation. Deems, after enactment of this Act, bulk cargo vessels constructed after enactment and liners vessels to have been U.S.-build for purposes of provisions relating to cargo preference. Specifies the effective date of this paragraph. Entitles merchant mariners employed in connection with a vessel used by the United States for a national emergency or maritime mobilization to the same reemployment rights and other benefits as provided (by Federal law relating to veterans' reemployment rights) for an armed forces reserve member called to active duty. Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to modify the dollar limits above which amounts in the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund are available only as provided in appropriations Acts. Title II: Internal Revenue Code and Tariff Act Amendments - Capital Construction Fund Amendments of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the tax treatment of capital construction funds, including concerning: (1) the ceiling on deposits to such funds; (2) limits on deposits by lessees; (3) nontaxability of fund deposits; (4) the treatment of fund earnings as fund deposits; (5) establishment of fund accounts; (6) qualified and nonqualified withdrawals; (7) adjustments to basis; and (8) alternate minimum taxable income. Taxes earnings from the investment and reinvestment of amounts in a fund at the highest individual, corporate, or capital gains tax rate. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to reduce the ad valorem duty on equipment or repairs made in a foreign country on U.S.-documented vessels. Repeals, on a specified date, provisions imposing the duty.
Bill· HRH.R. 5606 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1992
Repeals provisions of Federal transportation law and the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 requiring a national maximum speed limit of 55 mph.
Bill· HRH.R. 5585 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1992
Declares that it is U.S. policy to encourage the enhancement and creation of wetlands whenever possible. Directs the Secretary of the Army, in carrying out navigation projects involving the disposal of dredged materials, to include the option of wetlands enhancement or creation whenever possible. Requires the Secretary, in cases in which he plans to use dredged materials from such projects in wetlands enhancement or creation, to include as a benefit in determining a project's cost-benefit ratio the value of enhancement and creation. Directs the Secretary to consider the costs of wetlands enhancement and creation in Federal projects and the costs of federally permitted wetlands mitigation activities in the vicinity of Federal projects using approved habitat evaluation procedures.
Bill· HRH.R. 5580 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1992
Infrastructure Reinvestment and Economic Revitalization Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose gasoline and diesel taxes at a rate that is equal to certain fund financing rates, including the Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund financing rate. Decreases, for purposes of imposition of such taxes, the Highway Trust Fund and Airport and Airway Trust Fund financing rates. Sets the Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund financing rate at five cents. Establishes the Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund, composed of revenues derived from infrastructure reinvestment taxes. Makes the Fund off-budget. Authorizes appropriations from such Fund for surface transportation programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 5564 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1992
Amends the Shipping Act of 1984 to prohibit controlled carriers from entering into service contracts that require a shipper or shippers' association to resolve legal disputes in the country of the controlled carrier.
Bill· SS. 2952 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Children's Bicycle Helmet Safety Act of 1992 - Directs the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make grants to States, political subdivisions, and nonprofit organizations to assist in establishing or maintaining programs that require or encourage individuals under age 16 to wear approved bicycle helmets. Specifies that such grants may be used to: (1) enforce any law that requires or encourages such individuals to wear approved bicycle helmets; (2) assist such individuals to acquire such helmets; and (3) develop and adminster a program to educate such individuals and their families on the importance of wearing helmets. Sets interim standards for bicycle helmets and provides that a helmet that does not conform shall be considered in violation of a consumer product safety standard promulgated under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to begin a proceeding to review the requirements of the interim standards and establish a final standard that includes provisions to protect against the risk of helmets coming off the heads of bicycle riders and to address the risk of injury to children. Specifies that the final standard shall be considered a consumer product safety standard under the CPSA. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2959 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Insular Areas Policy Act - Declares that it is Federal Government policy to promote the political, social, and economic development of the insular areas and to recognize the unique character of such areas in the extension of Federal laws and regulations. Establishes the Interagency Insular Policy Council to: (1) review the activities of the Department of the Interior with respect to the insular areas; (2) determine the appropriate role of such areas in U.S. domestic and foreign policy and the effects of such policy on such areas; and (3) develop or update specific policy objectives for each area annually. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to transmit an annual "State of the Islands" report to the Speaker of the House and the president of the Senate to include matters concerning: (1) improvements in the insular areas' Federal relationship; (2) Federal statutory and administrative actions and their impacts; (3) the effectiveness of Federal programs and discrimination in the treatment of insular areas under Federal programs relative to the treatment of States; (4) the adequacy of infrastructure and general economic conditions; (5) investment potential and job opportunities; (6) uses of Federal assistance and the capability of local governments to administer programs; (7) international obligations; and (8) compliance with legislative mandates. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2945 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Supplemental Compensation Plan Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to establish a U.S. Supplemental Compensation Plan to supplement the compensation payable to claimants under the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air (Warsaw Convention) with respect to death, or personal injury, of airline passengers. Prohibits air carriers required to participate in the Plan from engaging in any air transportation unless they comply with specified requirements. Requires each air carrier to submit to the Secretary of Transportation for approval an agreement to designate an agent as its attorney in fact in order to: (1) negotiate the Compensation Plan Contribution; (2) select and negotiate with the Plan Administrator; and (3) monitor the Plan Administrator's performance. Provides for: (1) liability of the Plan Administrator for covered damages to claimants; (2) collection and payment of the Compensation Plan Contribution; (3) notice to claimants and evaluation of their claims; (4) claimants' proof of claim for offer of settlement; and (5) negotiation with and selection of the Plan Administrator.
Bill· SS. 2944 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Aircraft Noise Reduction Research Act of 1992 - Directs the Administrators of the Federal Aviation Administration and of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish and jointly conduct a research program to develop by the year 2000 new technologies, operational procedures, or other means for quieter subsonic jet aircraft engines and airframes. Authorizes appropriations. Requires an annual progress report to the Congress.
Bill· SS. 2937 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
Information Infrastructure and Technology Act of 1992 - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to require the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to establish an Information Infrastructure Program and five-year implementation plan that shall provide a coordinated interagency effort to develop technologies needed to apply high-performance computing and high-speed networking in education, libraries, health care, manufacturing, and other appropriate fields. Requires the plan to take into consideration the activities of the Library of Congress. Directs the establishment of an advisory committee, consisting of qualified industry and academia representatives, on high-performance computing and high-speed networking communications to independently assess plan progress. Requires Federal agency plan participants to report annually on high-performance computing activities. Directs the National Science Foundation and other appropriate agencies to provide for the development of advanced technologies for use in education, including pilot projects connecting primary and secondary schools to the Internet and the National Research and Education Network. Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish an Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Networking Project to create a collaborative multiyear technology development program. Directs the National Institutes of Health to develop technologies for applications in the health care sector, including application of testbed networks linking medical facilities and schools for the sharing of medical data and imagery. Calls for the development of technologies for digital libraries of electronic information, including the development of advanced data storage systems. Directs the National Science Foundation, working with the supercomputer centers it supports, to develop prototype digital libraries of scientific data, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop databases of software and remote-sensing images. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 5521 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1992
National Aeronautical Research and Competitiveness Act - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Secretary of Defense to: (1) establish a joint military and civilian aeronautical research and development program; (2) prepare and transmit to the Congress a five-year aeronautical research plan; and (3) establish an Aeronautical Research Advisory Committee.
Bill· SS. 2913 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1992
Public Health and Safety Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture, import, export, sale, purchase, transfer, receipt, ownership, possession, transport, or use (manufacture) of a handgun or handgun ammunition. Makes exceptions with respect to: (1) the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard; (2) Federal, State, or local government agencies charged with law enforcement duties that require officers to possess handguns; (3) registered security guard services; and (4) licensed handgun clubs and members of such clubs. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to approve such manufacture by licensed manufacturers, importers, and dealers as necessary to meet the lawful requirements of such persons and entities covered by the exceptions. Specifies handgun club licensing requirements. Requires: (1) the Secretary to revoke the license of any such club that does not continue to meet such requirements; and (2) such club to pay to the Secretary an annual license fee of $25. Specifies security guard service registration requirements. Requires: (1) the Secretary to revoke such registration if the service does not continue to meet such requirements; and (2) such service to pay to the Secretary an annual registration fee of $50. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) recordkeeping (by licensed manufacturers, importers, dealers, handgun clubs or their members and by registered security guard services that transfer handguns or handgun ammunition); (2) reports of loss or theft; and (3) transfers to handgun clubs. Authorizes the voluntary delivery to any designated Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency of a handgun owned or possessed by a person. Directs the Secretary to: (1) arrange with each such agency to receive handguns for the transfer, destruction, or other disposition of such handguns; and (2) pay to such person $25 or the fair market value of the gun on May 31, 1992. Authorizes appropriations. Sets penalties for violations of this Act. Specifies that a person who voluntarily delivers a handgun under this Act after 180 days after enactment shall not be subject to criminal posecution for possession of the handgun under any Federal, State, or local law, but shall pay to the Secretary a civil penalty in an amount determined by the Secretary, not to exceed $500. Establishes penalties for: (1) failure to report the loss or theft of a handgun; (2) negligent and intentional deliveries to an unauthorized place; (3) false statements or representations; and (4) failure to keep, or permit inspection of, records. Provides for the forfeiture of any handgun or handgun ammunition involved or used in a violation of this Act or of any other criminal law of the United States.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 341 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal Government should: (1) reduce by 60 percent, within two years, expenditures for foreign assistance; (2) enforce U.S. trade laws to restore employment and open foreign markets; (3) intitiate incentives to restore U.S. international competitiveness; (4) reduce Department of Defense spending and redirect the defense industrial structure to domestic needs; (5) rebuild U.S. infrastructure and develop new forms of transportation; (6) require host nations to assume the total costs of U.S. military presence; (7) recover uncollected taxes; (8) implement tax parity between domestic and foreign enterprises operating within the United States; (9) require full elimination of waste, fraud, abuse, and unnecessary spending in all branches of government within two years; (10) implement a program to protect U.S. natural resources from foreign exploitation by restricting ownership and limiting exportation; (11) establish a goal, by 2000, of providing comprehensive health care for all U.S. citizens; and (12) implement incentives for States to initiate training and work-fare programs for the unemployed and welfare recipients.
Law· HRH.R. 5481 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1992
FAA Civil Penalty Administrative Assessment Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assess a civil penalty for violations pertaining to: (1) prohibition of civil aircraft flights over security zones; (2) the organization of the FAA; (3) aviation safety regulations; (4) regulations requiring airline passengers to be notified of the lack of security measures at certain airports; and (5) regulations requiring public notice of existing or proposed construction or repairs which will promote safety in air commerce. Requires the Administrator of the FAA, before assessing a civil penalty against a pilot or flight engineer, to: (1) to advise the individual of the charges or reasons relied upon for the Administrator's proposed action; and (2) provide him or her with an opportunity to answer such charges and be heard as to why the civil penalty should not be assessed. Authorizes such individuals to appeal such a penalty to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Declares that the NTSB shall not be bound by any findings of fact of the Administrator of the FAA but shall, however, be bound by all validly adopted interpretations of laws and regulations administered by the FAA (including written agency policy guidance available to the public relating to sanctions to be imposed from assessment of a civil penalty to suspension or revocation of a certificate) unless it finds that such interpretation is arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise not in accordance with law. Authorizes the NTSB to modify such sanctions. Provides for judicial review of NTSB orders. Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to assess a civil penalty against persons other than a pilot or flight engineer only after notice and an opportunity for a hearing. Makes the civil penalty assessment program permanent (by repealing restrictions that make it a demonstration program only).
Bill· HRH.R. 5465 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1992
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (the Act) to authorize Federal departments and agencies to procure from the Secretary of Transportation insurance to cover risks (especially war risks) from: (1) the operation of an aircraft in domestic (interstate) or overseas air commerce; and (2) the provision of goods or services related to the operation of such aircraft (ground support) if it is in the performance of a contract for such a department or agency or is for the purpose of transporting U.S. military forces pursuant to an agreement between the United States and a foreign government. Extends the aviation insurance (war risk insurance) program under title XIII of the Act through September 30, 1997. Directs the Comptroller General to review and report to the Congress on the administration of such program during the Persian Gulf conflict in order to determine methods of improving its administration by reducing the paperwork and time period required for provision of insurance under such program.
Bill· HRH.R. 5466 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1992
Airline Competition Enhancement Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (the Act) to prohibit a vendor, in the operation of its air carrier computer reservations system, from discriminating against participants in such system in specified ways, including: (1) making available to subscribers an integrated display which orders information on air carrier identity; (2) supplying information to a person creating or attempting to create such an integrated display; (3) making available, after September 30, 1994, to a subscriber or participant any subscriber or participant transaction capability which is more functional, timely, complete, accurate, reliable, secure, or efficient with respect to one subscriber, or participant, than to another; (4) charging a participant fee for, or require terms or conditions with, the provision of any computer reservation system feature, function, or service unless they are reasonable; or (5) prohibiting a subscriber from obtaining or using another computer reservation system. Prohibits a vendor or air carrier from requiring, or providing incentives to induce, a subscriber to use information from a computer reservation system to create an integrated display which orders information on air carrier identity. Prohibits a vendor, except on grounds of demonstrated technological incompatibility, from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting the: (1) interconnection to its computer reservation system equipment of computer hardware or software supplied by a person other than such vendor; or (2) use by a subscriber, to access any other computer reservation system or data base, or hardware and communications lines supplied by another vendor. Sets forth other specified prohibitions. Prohibits a vendor from: (1) requiring, as a condition for providing a subscriber additional computer reservation system components (including software and enhancements), that the term of the subscriber's contract be extended; (2) requiring use of its computer reservation system by such subscriber in any sale by the subscriber of the vendor's air transportation services; (3) requiring use of its computer reservation system as a condition of compensation for the sale of air transportation services by the subscriber; and (4) charging prices to subscribers conditioned on the identity of air carriers whose air transportation services are sold by such subscribers. Prohibits the enforcement of subscriber contract provisions for a contract term of more than three years. Sets forth other specified contract provisions which are not enforceable. Prohibits a subscriber from using computer software or hardware to modify information in a computer reservation system so as to produce: (1) integrated displays of such information based on air carrier identity, unless specified conditions are met; or (2) displays of such information based on subscriber or participant transaction capability. Requires vendors to submit quarterly reports to the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) describing the manner in which they propose to comply with this Act. Requires the Secretary to transmit to specified congressional committees a compliance progress report based on the vendors' reports. Requires the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on the participant fees charged by vendors during the preceding calendar year, including whether such fees represent an increase or decrease over the fees charged previously, and whether they are reasonable. Sets forth specified administrative provisions with respect to violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary not to give consideration to the availability of landing slots at high density airports in: (1) determining the provision of basic essential air service to small communities; and (2) selecting an air carrier to provide such service. Requires the Secretary to ensure that a sufficient number of such slots are available to the air carrier providing such service at such airports. Provides for the transfer of slots at such airports. Declares that nothing in such Act shall require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue regulations requiring that air carrier and airport security personnel employment investigations include criminal history record checks if the Administrator determines that such record checks are not necessary to ensure air transportation security. Requires the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider whether there should be a reduction in the annualized rate of random testing for prohibited drugs for personnel engaged in aviation activities. Declares that nothing under the Act authorizes the Secretary to grant a public agency authority to impose a fee for a passenger enplaning at an airport if the passenger did not pay for the air transportation, including in cases in which the passenger obtained the airline ticket with a frequent flier award coupon without monetary payment. Requires the Secretary to amend a specified section of the Code of Federal Regulations to require commuter air carriers to comply with the provisions governing on-time performance in such regulations. Directs the Secretary to publish a monthly report containing the percentage of flights of each commuter air carrier which were canceled during such calendar month. Requires the Secretary, in selecting an air carrier to provide foreign air transportation, to consider, among other specified factors, the strengthening of competition among air carriers operating in the United States in order to prevent undue concentration in the air carrier industry.
Bill· HRH.R. 5468 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1992
Indian Employment and Investment Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an Indian reservation credit as an investment tax credit for investment in qualified Indian reservation property. Limits such credit to 25 percent for reservation personal property, 33 1/3 percent for new reservation construction property, and 33 1/3 percent for reservation infrastructure investment. Treats real estate rentals on an Indian reservation as the active conduct of a trade or business on such reservation. Declares that such credit applies only in the event that the Indian unemployment rate on the applicable reservation exceeds 300 percent of the national average unemployment rate at any time during the calendar year in which property is placed in service or during the immediately preceding two calendar years, with exceptions. Provides for the recapture of such credit in the event such reservation property ceases to be investment property. Sets forth rules with respect to adjusting the basis of such property to reflect the investment credit. Allows businesses an employment credit of ten percent (30 percent in the case of an employer with at least 85 percent Indian employees) of the sum of the qualified wages and qualified employee health insurance costs paid or incurred during a taxable year. Requires employees to perform substantially all services within an Indian reservation and to reside on or near such reservation. Limits such credit to the first seven years of employment and excludes employees earning more than $30,000 per year. Establishes penalties to be imposed if an employee is terminated before the day one year after the day on which the employee began work for the employer. Applies certain rules for computing the targeted jobs credit to such employment credit.
Bill· HRH.R. 5457 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1992
Maritime Navigation Technology and Research Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations which require vessels operating in a U.S. harbor to use state-of-the-art navigation, communication, and collision avoidance equipment that is compatible with Coast Guard vessel traffic systems. Requires the Secretary to conduct research and development of vessel navigation technologies. Establishes the Maritime Navigation Research Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on maritime research programs.
Law· HRH.R. 5428 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1992
Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1993 - Appropriates funds for FY 1993 for military construction functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD) in specified amounts for: (1) military construction, Army; (2) military construction, Navy; (3) military construction, Air Force; (4) military construction, defense agencies (including a transfer of funds); (5) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) infrastructure; (6) military construction, Army National Guard; (7) military construction, Air National Guard; (8) military construction, Army Reserve; (9) military construction, Naval Reserve; (10) military construction, Air Force Reserve; (11) family housing, Army; (12) family housing, Navy and Marine Corps; (13) family housing, Air Force; (14) family housing, defense agencies; (15) homeowners assistance fund, defense; and (16) the Department of Defense Base Closure Accounts (including a transfer of funds). Prohibits funds appropriated in military construction appropriation Acts from being expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for work in excess of $25,000 to be performed within the United States, except Alaska, without the specific approval of the Secretary of Defense. Allows DOD construction funds to be available for: (1) the hire of passenger motor vehicles; and (2) advances to the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration for the construction of defense access roads when certified by the Secretary as important to the national defense. Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being used to begin construction of new bases inside the continental United States for which specific appropriations have not been made. Prohibits military construction appropriation Act funds from being used: (1) to purchase land or easements for an amount in excess of 100 percent of their appraised value, with exceptions; (2) to acquire land, prepare sites, or install utilities for military family housing, except housing for which funds have been made available in military construction appropriation Acts; (3) to transfer or relocate any activity from one base or installation to another, without prior notification to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees; and (4) for the procurement of steel for any construction project or activity for which American steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to compete. Prohibits funds available to DOD for military construction or family housing during the current fiscal year from being used to pay real property taxes in any foreign country. Prohibits funds appropriated in military construction Acts: (1) from being used to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification to the Appropriations Committees; (2) from being obligated for architect and engineer contracts estimated to exceed $500,000 for projects to be accomplished in Japan or any NATO-member country, unless such contracts are awarded to U.S. firms or U.S. firms in joint venture with host nation firms; and (3) for U.S. military construction projects in U.S. territories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll from being used to award any contract estimated to exceed $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor, with an exception. Directs the Secretary to inform the Appropriations Committees and the Senate and House Armed Services Committees of the plans and scope of any military exercise involving U.S. personnel 30 days prior to its occurrence if amounts expended for construction for such exercise are anticipated to exceed $100,000. Transfers certain funds of the Military Family Housing Management Account to the appropriations for family housing. Prohibits more than 20 percent of the funds appropriated in military construction appropriation Acts which are limited for obligation during the current fiscal year from being obligated during the last two months of the fiscal year. Makes certain prior year funds available for military construction authorized during the second session of the 102d Congress. Directs the Secretary to report by February 15 annually to the Appropriations Committees detailing specific actions proposed to be taken by DOD during that fiscal year to encourage other member-nations of NATO, Japan, and Korea to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. Permits certain expired or lapsed funds to be used to pay certain overhead and other costs associated with military construction or family housing projects. Allows funds appropriated for military construction projects to be obligated until the end of the fourth fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the funds were appropriated, with certain conditions. Limits the amount of funds that may be obligated for the contract cleaning of military family housing units. Authorizes the transfer of unobligated DOD military construction and family housing operation and maintenance and construction funds to the foreign currency fluctuations, construction, defense appropriation. Prohibits any funds appropriated in this Act from being available for study, planning, design, or architect and engineer services related to the relocation of the Yongsan Garrison, Korea. Requires funds necessary for annual pay raises for programs funded by military construction appropriations Acts to be absorbed within the levels appropriated in each such Act. Considers defense access roads for Camp McCain, Mississippi, as fully meeting the requirement of certification by the Secretary as important to the military or civilian defense. Reconvenes the environmental response task force established under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 and requires such task force, until all military base closure and realignment activities are completed, to: (1) monitor the progress of relevant Federal and State agencies in implementing the recommendations of the task force with respect to ways to improve, consolidate, and streamline environmental response actions taken at such installations; and (2) report to the Congress on ways to expedite and improve such actions.
Bill· HRH.R. 5436 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1992
Small Community Environmental Infrastructure Grants Act of 1992 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to States for the establishment of small community environmental infrastructure funds. Makes such funds available to small communities for the construction of wastewater treatment works, public water systems, and solid waste management facilities and for assuring that underground storage tanks are in compliance with the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Sets forth provisions concerning grant payment schedules and allotment and reallotment requirements. Requires States to establish funds to receive such grants. Sets forth specific requirements for the use of such funds and for the grants to be provided to small communities. Permits States to provide assistance only to community wastewater treatment and solid waste management facilities and public water systems that are in compliance with plans under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as appropriate. Requires States to submit plans to the Administrator that identify the intended use of the funds. Directs States to reserve the greater of one percent of fund sums or $100,000 to carry out planning. Provides for the withholding of grant payments if a State is not in compliance with this Act's requirements. Requires the Administrator to establish an Office of Small Community Environmental Infrastructure Assistance to: (1) oversee and manage the grants and funds made under this Act; and (2) provide specified environmental and financial information to small communities. Authorizes the Office to provide grants to States, Indian tribes, and not-for-profit organizations to assist small communities in assessing issues related to the financing of environmental facilities, compliance with environmental laws, and the construction, operation, and rehabilitation of environmental infrastructure facilities. Requires such grants to be matched by non-Federal funds. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a program and plan to provide financial assistance to Indian tribes for carrying out the same environmental infrastructure projects on Federal Indian reservations; and (2) administer an environmental infrastructure fund for providing such assistance. Sets forth a matching requirement for such assistance. Authorizes and allocates appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 5397 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1992
Abandoned Barge Act of 1992 - Amends Federal law to prohibit an owner or operator of a barge from abandoning it on U.S. navigable waters. Deems a barge not to to be abandoned if: (1) it is located at a federally- or State-approved mooring area; (2) it is on private property with the property owner's permission; or (3) the owner or operator notifies the Secretary of Transportation of the barge's location. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) assess a civil penalty for violations of this Act; and (2) remove a barge that has been abandoned. Declares that the United States shall not be liable for damages resulting from such removal. Makes the owner or operator of an abandoned barge liable for expenses incurred by the United States in removing it. Declares that barge removal contractors and subcontractors are not liable for damages resulting from such removal, except in certain circumstances. Requires undocumented barges weighing 100 gross tons operating on U.S. navigable waters to be numbered.
Bill· HRH.R. 5384 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1992
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, before assessing a civil penalty against any certificate-holding airmen and air carriers, to: (1) advise them of the charges or reasons relied upon for the Administrator's proposed action; and (2) provide them with an opportunity to answer such charges and be heard as to why the civil penalty should not be assessed. Authorizes such individuals to appeal such a penalty to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Provides for the judicial review of a NTSB order. Authorizes the NTSB to change an Administrator's order amending, modifying, or reversing a certificate to an order assessing a civil penalty.
Law· HRH.R. 5368 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1992
Title I: Multilateral Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1993 for the U.S. contribution to the: (1) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) International Development Association; (3) International Finance Corporation; (4) Inter-American Development Bank; (5) Asian Development Bank; (6) Asian Development Fund; (7) African Development Fund; (8) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); and (9) the Enterprise for the Americas Investment Fund. Makes appropriations for FY 1993 for international programs and organizations. Limits the callable capital portion of the U.S. share of increases in the stock of the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the EBRD. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1993 for: (1) development assistance (including development assistance for Subsaharan Africa); (2) capital and infrastructure assistance activities; (3) the cost of direct loans and loan guarantees of funds derived from the Negative Subsidy Special Fund; (4) American schools and hospitals abroad; (5) international disaster assistance; (6) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (7) operating expenses of the Agency for International Development (AID) and the AID Office of Inspector General; (8) worldwide housing guarantees and for administrative expenses of such program; (9) the cost of modifying specified concessional loans and assets acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation; (10) economic support fund assistance; (11) economic assistance to the Philippines; (12)economic assistance for Eastern Europe; (13) humanitarian and technical assistance to the former republics of the Soviet Union; (14) the African Development Foundation; (15) the Inter-American Foundation; (16) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) direct and guaranteed loans, equity investment, and OPIC administrative expenses; (17) the Peace Corps (prohibits the use of such funds for abortions); (18) international narcotics control; (19) migration and refugee assistance, salaries and expenses authorized by the Foreign Service Act of 1980, and specified allowances and the hire of passenger motor vehicles; (20) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; and (21) antiterrorism assistance. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 1993 for: (1) international military education and training; (2) foreign military financing and direct loans; and (3) international peacekeeping operations. Permits the procurement of defense articles and services or design and construction services not sold by the U.S. Government only by countries for which assistance was justified for the foreign military financing program in the FY 1989 congressional presentation for security assistance programs. Directs the Department of Defense, as requested by the Defense Security Assistance Agency, to conduct audits of private firms whose contracts are made directly with foreign governments and are financed with funds made available for foreign military financing grants or loans. Limits the amount of funds obligated for: (1) necessary expenses of the foreign military financing grant program; and (2) the Special Defense Acquisition Fund. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to redesignate the Guaranty Reserve Fund as the Foreign Military Loan Liquidating Account. Title IV: Export Assistance - Prohibits the use of Export-Import Bank funds for nuclear exports to a non-nuclear weapon state. Makes appropriations for FY 1993 for: (1) subsidizing gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans, tied-aid grants, and total loan principal under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) administrative expenses to carry out the Bank's direct and guaranteed loan and insurance programs; and (3) the Trade and Development Program. Title V: General Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds appropriated in this Act (other than funds appropriated for international organizations and programs) for any water or related land resource project which has not met specified standards or criteria for such projects proposed for construction in the United States. Prohibits using funds made available pursuant to this Act for: (1) retirement pay for any person serving in the armed forces of any recipient country; (2) procurement contracts which do not authorize the termination of such contract for the convenience of the United States; or (3) paying any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any member of the United Nations. Prohibits using any of the funds appropriated in title II of this Act to carry out the transfer of funds to international or multilateral lending institutions. Limits the amount of funds made available under this Act to be used for: (1) official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances of AID; (2) entertainment expenses and representation allowances for foreign military financing programs, the Inter-American Foundation, and the Trade and Development Program; and (3) entertainment expenses for international military education and training programs and the Peace Corps. Prohibits the use of funds made available under this Act (other than funds for international organizations and programs) to finance the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology. Prohibits the use of funds made available under this Act to: assist any foreign government in repressing the legitimate rights of its population; (2) finance assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Vietnam, Iran, or Syria; or (3) finance assistance to any country whose elected head of government is deposed by military coup. Prohibits the transfer of funds made available under this Act to other accounts unless the President provides a policy justification to the Appropriations Committees. Continues the availability of certain AID funds and funds for foreign military financing under the Arms Export Control Act, provided the Appropriations Committees are notified. Prohibits appropriations under this Act from remaining available after expiration of the current fiscal year, except as provided in this Act. Prohibits the use of funds made available under this Act to: (1) assist a country in default for more than a year on a loan under a program for which funds are appropriated under this Act (exempts from such prohibition funds for Nicaragua and for narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru); (2) be made available to any international financial institution whose U.S. representative cannot obtain the amounts and names of borrowers of all loans of such institution; or (3) be made available to any international financial institution whose U.S. representative cannot obtain any document developed by or in the possession of the management, unless such representative certifies that the confidentiality of information is essential to the institution's operation. Sets forth congressional notification requirements for the obligation of funds. Limits expenditures for consulting services through procurement contracts. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to lobby for abortion. Prohibits the use of development assistance funds to pay for: (1) abortions or involuntary sterilizations as a method of family planning or to motivate or coerce any persons to practice abortions or undergo sterilization; or (2) any biomedical research concerning abortions or involuntary sterilization as a method of family planning. Reaffirms the congressional commitment to population, development assistance and the need for informed voluntary family planning. Authorizes funds for development and economic support assistance to be made available for humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. Prohibits funds made available by this Act for a private voluntary organization which fails to provide records necessary for an AID audit. Allows earmarked funds to be reprogrammed for other programs within the same account if: (1) compliance with the earmark is made impossible by any Act; or (2) with respect to countries with which the United States has base agreements, the President determines that the recipient of funds has reduced its military or economic cooperation with the United States. Sets forth notification requirements for the reprogramming of such funds. Authorizes development and economic support assistance to be made available for humanitarian assistance for Cambodians. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to set forth the value of additions to stockpiles for FY 1992 and 1993. Extends the period during which the President may waive prohibitions on assistance to Pakistan to April 1, 1994. Authorizes development and economic support assistance funds to be made available for Lebanon. Permits funds appropriated by title II of this Act for activities relating to research on, and treatment and control of, acquired immune deficiency syndrome or for supporting specified programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to be obligated notwithstanding restrictions on assistance to foreign countries.
Bill· HRH.R. 5362 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1992
General Aviation Standards Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (with respect to aviation accident investigations) to apply such Act, with specified exceptions, to any action for damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident brought against a manufacturer, owner, or operator of a general aviation aircraft, or a person who supports, repairs, or maintains such aircraft or any other person or governmental entity. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for such accidents. States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 12 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of such an accident. Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Provides procedures for removal from State to Federal district courts of such actions. Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding recovery of damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to the Congress, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the results of a study determining whether persons awarded damages for general aviation accidents under this Act are unable to collect such damages, and the amount of any uncollectible damages.
Bill· HRH.R. 5346 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1992
Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act - Amends the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act of 1988 to set forth the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act. Sets forth specified health objectives for Native Hawaiians to be met by the year 2000. Authorizes appropriations for implementing and updating the Native Hawaiian health care master plan. Makes Papa Ola Lokahi responsible for the: (1) implementation and updating of such plan; (2) training for specified health care practitioners, community outreach workers, counselors, and cultural educators; (3) identification of and research into the diseases that are most prevalent among Native Hawaiians; and (4) development of an action plan outlining the contributions that each member organization of Papa Ola Lokahi will make in carrying out this Act. Permits Papa Ola Lokahi to receive special project funds that may be appropriated for the purpose of research on the health status of Native Hawaiians or for addressing the health care needs of Native Hawaiians. Requires Papa Ola Lokahi to serve as a clearinghouse for: (1) the collection and maintenance of data associated with the health status of Native Hawaiians; (2) the identification and research into diseases affecting Native Hawaiians; (3) the availability of Native Hawaiian project funds, research projects, and publications; (4) the collaboration of research in the area of Native Hawaiian health; and (5) the dissemination of information pertinent to the Native Hawaiian health care system. Directs Papa Ola Lokahi to: (1) coordinate and assist the health care programs and services provided to Native Hawaiians; and (2) act as a statewide infrastructure to provide technical support and coordination of training and technical assistance to Native Hawaiian health care systems. Makes eligible for grants or contracts for providing health services to Native Hawaiian health care systems (currently, Native Hawaiian health centers or organizations or public or nonprofit private health providers). Limits to five (currently, nine) the number of grant or contract recipients. Revises matching fund requirements for such grants or contracts. Prohibits the awarding of grant or contract funds unless the recipient agrees that the funds will not be expended: (1) for purposes not listed under this Act; (2) to provide inpatient services; (3) to make cash payments to intended recipients of health services; or (4) to purchase or improve real property or to purchase major medical equipment. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such grants and contracts and for an administrative grant for Papa Ola Lokahi through 2001. Authorizes appropriations for the planning of Native Hawaiian health care systems. Directs the Secretary to provide funds through a direct grant or cooperative agreement to Kamehameha School/Bishop Estate for providing scholarship assistance for health profession training to Native Hawaiian students who meet certain requirements under the Public Health Service Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2810 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Local Exchange Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1992 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exercise its authority to: (1) preserve and enhance universal telephone service at reasonable rates; (2) achieve universal availability of advanced network capabilities and information services; (3) assure a seamless nationwide distribution network through joint network planning, coordination, and service arrangements between and among local exchange carriers (LECs); (4) maintain high standards of quality for advanced network services; and (5) assure adequate communication for the public health, safety, defense, education, national security, and emergency preparedness. Defines "local exchange carrier" for purposes of such Act as a carrier that: (1) is required to provide upon request, under tariff or subject to other government oversight (by the FCC or a State commission), interstate and intrastate access services and telephone exchange service; (2) is, or was, a participant in one or more interstate pools established by the FCC, or would have been required to participate in one or more such pools had the carrier been engaged in interstate and intrastate access and telephone exchange service while such participation was mandatory; (3) is subject to the requirements imposed by the FCC or a State commission related to the provision of equal access; and (4) conforms with the provisions of the North American Numbering Plan applicable to the assignment of numbering resources for telephone exchange service, as defined by the Plan's Administrator. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations that require: (1) joint coordinated network planning, design, and cooperative implementation among all LECs in the provision of public switched network infrastructure and services; (2) development of standards for interconnection between the LEC public switched network and others by appropriate standard-setting bodies; and (3) a LEC to share public switched network infrastructure and functionality with requesting LECs which serve a geographic area for which they lack economies of scale or scope for the particular required network functionality. Specifies that: (1) no LEC shall be prohibited from transporting or processing signalling and information for another LEC in adjoining or reasonably proximate serving areas upon request of that LEC to the same extent that the providing LEC is permitted to engage in such activities for itself; (2) nothing in such Act shall be construed to alter, limit, or supersede the authority of any State with respect to the regulation of intrastate communication service; and (3) nothing contained in Federal or State antitrust law shall render unlawful any action taken by a LEC or any individual or concerted action taken such as lobbying before the Congress, the FCC, or communicating by any means with other LECs, by any LEC, or its directors, officers, agents, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, joint ventures, counsel, or other persons purporting to act on behalf of such carrier.
Bill· HRH.R. 5325 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Action Now Health Care Reform Act of 1992 - Title I: Improved Access to Affordable Health Care Coverage - Subtitle A: Increased Affordability and Availability for Employees - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the NAIC) to develop model regulations requiring each carrier that makes available in a State any small employer health benefit plan to make available to each small employer in the State a MedAccess basic plan and a MedAccess standard. Directs the Secretary to develop such regulations, if the NAIC does not. Defines MedAccess plan as a health benefits plan that: (1) provides benefits typical of the benefits offered in the small employer health coverage market or provides only benefits for essential preventive and medical services and has an average actuarial value not exceeding 60 percent of the average actuarial value of the typical benefits offered in the small employer health coverage market; (2) accepts every small employer in the State applying for coverage and accepts for enrollment every eligible individual (defined as an individual who is a full-time employee and, if family coverage is offered, covers the employee's spouse and dependents under age 19 or under age 25 for students); and (3) meets consumer protection standards established by this Act relating to limitation of pre-existing condition clauses, continuity of coverage, renewability, and premium limitations. Prohibits the imposition, by a carrier, of a limitation of benefits based on the fact a condition pre-existed the effectiveness of the policy if: (1) the condition relates to a condition not diagnosed within three months before coverage under the plan; (2) the limitation extends beyond six months after coverage under the plan; (3) the limitation applies to an individual who, as of date of birth, was covered under the plan; and (4) the limitation relates to pregnancy. Requires continuous coverage. Prohibits cancellation of a plan or denial of coverage unless there is: (1) nonpayment of premiums; (2) fraud; (3) noncompliance with plan provisions; (4) failure to maintain the required number of enrollees; (5) misuse of a provider network provision; or (6) a cessation by the carrier of the provision of any plan in a State. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax which shall be paid by the carrier on the failure of a carrier or an employer health benefit plan to comply with the provisions of the Act. Directs the Secretary to request the NAIC to develop models for reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms for individuals and small employers who are enrolled under a small employer health benefit plan that meets the consumer protection standards and for whom a carrier is at risk of incurring high costs under the plan. Requires each State to establish and fund one or more reinsurance or allocation or allocation of risk mechanisms that are consistent with a model. Directs the Secretary to develop models, if the NAIC does not. Permits a State, in order to insure the financial solvency of the mechanism, to impose charges on any entity providing employee-related health benefits, so long as such charges do not discriminate with respect to entities that would not be subject to such charges. Directs the Secretary to establish a reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanism, if a State does not. Imposes an excise tax which shall be paid by the carrier on the providing of any health benefit plan which covers any employee in a Federal reinsurance State. Permits either a State or the Secretary (in a Federal reinsurance State) to require each employer health benefit plan to: (1) be registered; and (2) provide such information as is necessary for the reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an Office of Private Health Coverage to be headed by a Director appointed by the Secretary; and (2) provide for the appointment of an advisory committee to advise the Director. Permits the Director to research the impact of this subtitle and conduct related demonstration projects. Requires the Director to develop: (1) methods of measuring, in terms of the expected costs of providing benefits under small employer health benefit plans and, in particular, MedAccess plans, the relative health risks of eligible individuals; and (2) a model for equitably distributing health risks among carriers in the small employer health care coverage market. Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of this paragraph. Subtitle B: Improved Small Employer Purchasing Power of Affordable Health Insurance - Preempts from insurance mandates a qualified small employer purchasing group, if the group consists of employers with not more than 100 employees, the group consists of not fewer than 100 employers, and the health benefit plans with respect to the employer members are in compliance with applicable State laws relating to health benefit plans. Subtitle C: Health Deduction Fairness - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent and increase from 25 to 100 percent the health insurance tax deduction for the self-employed. Subtitle D: Improved Access to Community Health Services - Directs the Secretary to provide for a program of grants to migrant and community health centers receiving grants or contracts under provisions of the Public Health Service Act in order to promote the provision of primary health care services for underserved individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to deem as an employee of the Public Health Service, for purposes of civil actions against commissioned officers or employees, any officer, employee, or contractor who is a physician or other licensed health care practitioner while performing functions for an entity receiving Federal funds under provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Requires an entity, in order to receive a grant under such provisions, to implement certain policies to assure against malpractice. Requires: (1) the Attorney General to estimate the amount of all claims expected, during each year, to arise against such an entity from acts of officers or employees; (2) the Secretary to withhold from grants to such entities the amount estimated; and (3) the withheld amount to be transferred to the Treasury to pay judgments against the United States arising from such claims. Directs the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities to carry out demonstration projects for the purpose of increasing access to outpatient primary health services in geographic areas with a: (1) population of not more than 500,000 individuals; (2) shortage of personal health services; and (3) significant number of low-income or underinsured individuals. Sets forth requirements for receiving such grants. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Improved Access to Rural Health Services - Retitles title XII of the Public Health Service Act "Emergency Medical Services" (formerly, "Trauma Care") and directs the Secretary to establish the Office of Emergency Medical Services which shall, with respect to emergency medical services (including trauma care): (1) conduct research; (2) sponsor workshops; (3) assist States; and (4) coordinate activities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for the purposes of improving the availability and quality of emergency medical services through the operation of State offices of emergency medical services. Sets forth matching fund requirements. Provides for demonstration projects to establish telecommunications between rural medical facilities and other medical facilities that have equipment that can be utilized through telecommunications. Authorizes appropriations for purposes of the programs of this paragraph. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to assist in the creation or enhancement of air medical transport systems that provide victims of medical emergencies in rural areas access to treatments for the injuries or other conditions arising from such emergencies. Sets forth requirements for grant applications. Authorizes appropriations. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend for one year special treatment rules for Medicare-dependent small rural hospitals. Title II: Health Care Cost Containment and Quality Enhancement - Subtitle A: Medical Malpractice Liability Reform - Prohibits bringing a medical malpractice claim: (1) more than two years after the alleged injury should reasonably have been discovered and in no event more than four years after the alleged injury occurred; and (2) in any State court unless there has been an initial resolution through a certified alternative dispute resolution system (ADR). Requires the use of ADR in a Federal medical malpractice liability claim. Requires a pre-trial settlement conference in any medical malpractice liability action. Sets limits on: (1) noneconomic damages; (2) punitive damages; and (3) attorney's fees. Requires offsets for damages paid by a collateral source. Requires liability in a medical malpractice action to be several and not joint. Provides a complete defense to any allegation of negligence in a medical malpractice liability action to any defendant who followed the appropriate practice guideline. Prohibits finding a defendant guilty in a medical malpractice liability action relating to services provided during labor or delivery of a baby if the defendant did not previously treat the plaintiff during the pregnancy, unless the malpractice is proven by clear and convincing evidence. Directs the Secretary to determine whether a States' ADR meets ADR system requirements established by this Act. Establishes such requirements. Amends title XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review) of the Social Security Act to earmark funds for sanctioning practice guidelines for purposes of an affirmative defense in medical malpractice liability actions. Permits a State agency responsible for the conduct of disciplinary actions for a type of health care practitioner to enter into agreements with State or county professional societies for such type of health care practitioner to permit such societies to participate in the licensing of such health care practitioner and to review health care malpractice allegations. Requires each State to require each health care professional and provider to participate in a risk management program to prevent and provide early warning of practices which may result in injuries to patients or which otherwise endanger patient safety. Directs the Secretary to make grants for the conduct of basic research in the prevention of and compensation for injuries resulting from health care professional or health care provider malpractice, and research of the outcomes of health care procedures. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to study the factors discouraging physicians from volunteering to provide health care services in medically underserved areas. Subtitle B: Administrative Cost Savings - Directs the Secretary to adopt standards relating to each of the following: (1) data elements for use in claims processing under health benefits plans; (2) uniform claim forms; and (3) uniform electronic transmission of the data elements. Authorizes the Secretary to require providers to submit claims to health benefit plans in accordance with such standards. Provides for periodic review of the standards. States that the term "health benefit plan," in this subtitle, includes the Medicare and Medicaid programs (titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act). Requires the Secretary to promulgate standards for hospitals concerning electronic medical data. Permits the Secretary to promulgate standards concerning electronic medical data for providers that are not hospitals. Requires hospitals, in order to participate in Medicare, to: (1) maintain clinical data in a set of comprehensive data elements in electronic form on all patients; and (2) upon the Secretary's request, transmit electronically the data set and any data from such set. Provides for electronic transmission to Federal agencies. Prohibits a health benefit plan, if standards with respect to data elements are promulgated with respect to a class of provider, from requiring for the purpose of utilization review or as a condition of providing benefits under the plan that a provider in the class: (1) provide any data element not in the set of comprehensive data elements; or (2) transmit or present any such data element in a manner inconsistent with applicable standards. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory commission of hospital executive and data base managers, physicians, health services researchers, and technical experts in the collection and use of data and operation of data systems. Authorizes appropriations for such commission. Requires the Secretary, in order to assure the availability of comparative value information to purchasers of health care in each State, to determine whether each State is developing and implementing a health care value information program that meets stated criteria. Permits grants to a State for the development of its health care value information program. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Requires the head of each Federal agency with responsibility for the provision of health insurance or health care services to individuals to promptly develop health care value information relating to each program that such head administers. Directs the Secretary to develop model systems to facilitate: (1) the gathering of data on health care cost, quality, and outcome; and (2) analyzing such data to permit the valid comparison of such data. Authorizes appropriations for the development of such model systems. Directs the Secretary to adopt standards relating to the design and use of magnetized Medicare identification cards for the purpose of assisting health care providers in determining eligibility and billing. Authorizes appropriations. Nullifies any State law requiring that medical or health insurance records be maintained in written rather than electronic form. Requires each health benefit plan: (1) for each of its beneficiaries that has a social security number, to use that number as an identification number for claims processing; and (2) for each provider that has a unique identifier for Medicare purposes, to use that identifier for claims processing. Requires the Secretary to determine whether problems relating to the rules for determining liability when benefits are payable under two or more plans or the availability of information among such plans causes significant administrative problems, and if so, directs the Secretary to promulgate standards concerning liability and the transfer of information among plans. Directs the Secretary to provide grants to qualified entities to demonstrate the application of comprehensive information systems in continuously monitoring patient care and in improving patient care. Authorizes appropriations from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Subtitle C: Medical Savings Accounts (Medisave) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an employee any amount contributed by the employer to a medical savings account pursuant to a qualified medical savings account plan. Sets contribution limits. Defines a "medical savings account" as a trust created exclusively for purpose of paying an individual's medical expenses. Permits expenses from such account only to the extent such amounts are not compensated for by insurance. Subjects the employee to taxation as owner of the account. Subtitle D: Medicaid Program Flexibility - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to modify Medicaid contracting requirements for coordinated care services. Authorizes the Secretary to waive specified Medicaid requirements with respect to nursing facilities located in a State if the State provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the waiver of such requirements will not adversely affect the quality of life of the residents in such facilities. Subtitle E: Limitations on Physician Self-Referrals - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend physician self-referral limitations to all payors as well as to certain additional services. Revises exceptions. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study in order to estimate the changes in aggregate costs for designated health services, under the Medicare program and other health plans, which will result from the implementation of the amendments made by this subtitle. Subtitle F: Removing Restrictions on Managed Care - Preempts managed care restrictions under State law. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the benefits and cost effectiveness of the use of managed care in the delivery of health services. Subtitle G: Medicare Payment Changes - Amends the Medicare program to make revisions in the methodology for determining updates to Medicare hospital payments. Provides for a reduction in Medicare payment for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. Subtitle H: Modification of the Operation of the Antitrust Laws to Hospitals - Permits two or more hospitals, without violating the antitrust laws, to share expensive medical services or high technology equipment. Directs the Secretary to grant waivers to exempt hospitals from the antitrust laws in order to carry out agreements permitting such sharing. Sets forth reporting requirements. Subtitle I: Encouraging Enforcement Activities of Medical Self-Regulatory Entities - Prohibits damages, interest on damages, costs, or attorney's fees from being recovered under the Clayton Act or any similar State law from any medical self-regulatory entity as a result of engaging in standard setting or enforcement activities designed to promote the quality of health care provided to patients.
Bill· SS. 2803 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
Defense Workers Economic Reinvestment Act - Title I: Economic Reinvestment Council - Establishes the Economic Reinvestment Council to: (1) administer the National Technology Infrastructure Goals Improvement and Consortia Creation program and the Fast Response State Technological Competitiveness Grants program, both established under this Act; and (2) be empowered to examine and approve or disapprove all other project and program selections made under this Act and funding decisions under this Act exceeding $500,000. Requires reviews of funding requests to be completed within 60 days. Directs the Council to advise the Secretary of Defense and the heads of other Federal agencies on the progress and success of the economic reinvestment programs established under this Act and under the Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization Act of 1990 in alleviating the adverse economic and social effects of reductions in defense spending. Requires the Council to consult on a regular basis with Governors of States involved in reinvestment activities. Directs the Council: (1) upon receiving notification of the annual defense budget proposal of the Secretary, to commence a preliminary study of the potential adverse economic effects the proposal may have on qualified defense contractors and communities; and (2) to prepare and distribute an economic reinvestment progress report on an annual basis. Requires the latter report to be distributed to State Governors, the heads of Federal departments and agencies, and any other interested persons. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Technology Infrastructure Goals Improvement and Consortia Creation - Directs the President, in order to exploit the potential of critical technologies that would benefit national infrastructure and create export opportunities, to develop and carry out a program to assist advanced technology projects. Includes the following areas within appropriate investments in advanced technology projects which are in the national interest: space exploration, transportation, environmental restoration, telecommunications, energy efficiency, health care, education, and ocean technology. Directs the Council to solicit, review, prioritize, and select advanced technology projects to benefit the national technology infrastructure. Requires the Council to prepare and disseminate guidelines for qualifying project proposals. Requires specified Federal department and agency heads to submit to the Council proposals for such projects. Allows other Federal departments and agencies to submit proposals. Provides that, once a project is selected, the Council shall review project plans and schedules, provide funds to the project through the Department of Defense (DOD), and oversee implementation of the project. Encourages joint ventures in such projects with combinations of industry, academic, and State and Federal Government partners. Authorizes appropriations to fund such project for FY 1993 through 1996. Directs the Council to coordinate and oversee the creation of one consortium matched to each project, focusing on the basic and applied research for such project. Requires at least 50 percent of the funding for a consortium to derive from non-Federal sources. Limits Federal funding for a consortium to $5,000,000 annually for a period of four years. Requires small business to receive a minimum of 20 percent of the consortium research funding. Requires the Council to solicit and evaluate other proposals for critical technology consortia and to select at least three proposals annually. Places identical limits on the length and amounts of Federal funding for such consortia. Requires activities conducted by such a consortium to include a significant defense component. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1996. Directs the Secretary to reexamine existing procurement contracts to determine whether overly restrictive specifications on systems, supplies, and services that are also available commercially have been made. Directs the Secretary, for contracts exceeding $100,000 where DOD specifications preclude the purchase of commercial sector products, to justify the necessity for developing a different specification and the unsuitability of commercial specifications. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress detailing such justifications for each contract. Requires each defense contract solicitation to include provisions which encourage the use of commercially available systems, supplies, and services. Title III: Relieving Labor Shortages in Selected Civilian Applications - Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Training Oversight and Administration to coordinate and oversee retraining, placement, and other transition assistance activities for full-time employees of at least three years of a qualified defense contractor (a contractor deriving 30 percent of its annual income from, or using 30 percent of its work force on, defense contracts) who: (1) are directly involved with a DOD funded project which is canceled or which receives at least a 25 percent reduction in Federal funds; and (2) are terminated or likely to be terminated within one year as the result of such cancellation or reduction. Directs the Office to disseminate information concerning such retraining and placement assistance to all qualified contractors and eligible DOD employees. Directs the Office to maintain statistics on the effectiveness of the transition assistance program in order to aid the Council in required activities. Authorizes the Office, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, to enter into agreements for the provision to eligible DOD employees of such transition assistance in skills identified to be in short supply in the area in which the retraining program operates. Authorizes the Office to award one- and two-year scholarships to educational institutions, giving a priority in such scholarships to eligible employees who seek vocational training and for scholarships in certain critical occupations as determined by the Office. Limits the Federal contribution to a training program to 50 percent of its costs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1995. Requires a qualified defense contractor to make a good faith effort to identify as early as possible employees who meet the eligibility requirements of the program, to advise them on options, and to allow them to participate in retraining and other transition assistance programs. Allows certain employees previously terminated under similar conditions within one year before the enactment of this Act to be eligible for such program. Title IV: Commercialization Opportunities - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary, for purposes of this title) to establish a program to assist U.S. businesses in creating and applying the generic technology and research results necessary to commercialize significant new discoveries and technologies. Requires the program selection board to be modeled after the Advanced Technology Program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Directs the Secretary to inform the Council of the status of funded projects and on new selections for the Council's approval as required under title I. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with U.S. businesses for commercialization projects to demonstrate the feasibility of a particular technology or process up to the prototype stage, limiting the Federal funds to 33 percent of the project's costs, and limiting a single project to $1,000,000. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1993 through 1996. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to U.S. businesses of up to $3,000,000 for any one commercialization project. Prohibits more than three loans from being made to any single company or joint venture. Provides loan conditions and criteria. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993. Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) encourage the creation of industrial parks or technology incubator centers to transfer and spin off technology from qualified defense contractors to small businesses; (2) use royalties earned from the licensing of certain patents to assist local technology transfer activities; and (3) create and administer an awards program (modeled after an awards program under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980) to foster and encourage innovation and redirection efforts by qualified defense contractors in the area of commercialization. Title V: Fast Response State Technological Competitiveness Grants - States as the purpose of this title to provide Federal assistance directly to States for defense reinvestment programs. Directs the Secretary to allocate amounts authorized for appropriation under this title under a specified funding formula as technological competitiveness grants to States whose defense reinvestment programs meet certain requirements. Directs the Council to develop and disseminate guidelines on State eligibility for such grants. Requires a State, prior to receiving such a grant, to provide the Council information about its defense reinvestment program. Directs each State to report annually to the Council on progress under its reinvestment program, as well as any other data analysis required by the Council for its duties. Directs the Secretary to withhold grant funds from a State if the Council concludes that such State's reinvestment program or its progress is unsatisfactory relative to the published guidelines. Allows a 90-day appeal period during which the State shall be permitted to submit a revised program for Council review. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1995 for such grants.
Bill· HRH.R. 5319 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
Historic Fleet Restoration Act of 1992 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to convey to the National Maritime Museum Association (San Francisco, California) certain National Defense Reserve Fleet vessels that are scheduled to be scrapped.
Bill· HRH.R. 5313 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1992 - Title I: International Efforts to Reduce Illegal Drug Production and Drug Trafficking - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should direct the Secretary of State to negotiate with the Governments of Canada and Mexico for the establishment of a North American Narcotics Council which would explore ways and means of facilitating the exchange of information (both in antinarcotics efforts and in substance abuse reduction and education programs), increasing cooperation in antinarcotics efforts, and improving efforts to supply assistance to source and trafficking countries, and reducing through other areas and programs the demand for and supply of illicit narcotics and psychotropic substances. Requires the President to submit to the Congress, for each fiscal year in which the United States participates in the Council, a budget request to cover the expenses of such participation. Sets forth provisions for the appointment of a permanent U.S. representative and congressional advisors to the Council, provisions for termination of such Council, and reporting requirements. Requires the President, with respect to each year after 1992, to determine whether: (1) there was a reduction in the quantity of illicit coca produced or in illicit coca activities in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru; and (2) any reduction is attributable to the implementation of social or economic alternatives in such countries. Authorizes the President, if an affirmative determination with respect to such a country is made and the Congress enacts a law approving it, to apply special trade treatment to articles that: (1) are products of such country; and (2) are entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption in U.S. customs territory in the year following the year such determination was made. Specifies that if the granting of such special trade treatment would violate the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, provisions of this Act shall be inapplicable until the President obtains a waiver of the provision which is the basis for such violation. Prohibits such special treatment if specified actions under the Narcotics Control Trade Act are in effect with respect to such country or if such treatment is restricted under countervailing duties or trade dumping regulations. Authorizes appropriations for additional economic assistance grants for the Governments of Bolivia and Peru, to be made available only after consummation of a written agreement between such governments and the United States outlining specific, verifiable illicit coca eradication plans resulting in a 50 percent eradication of the illicit coca crop by the end of FY 1994, and a 100 percent eradication by the end of FY 1997. Requires the Secretary of State to negotiate such bilateral agreements on behalf of the United States and to have primary responsibility for verifying the actual eradication of illicit coca in Bolivia and Peru. Authorizes the use of funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA) and the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) for training and equipment for law enforcement agencies or other units in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru that are organized for the specific purpose of enforcing narcotics laws. Waives, during FY 1992 through 1994, specified provisions limiting assistance to countries in default on obligations owed to the United States with respect to narcotics-related assistance under the FAA or AECA for a country that is a "major illicit drug producing country" because of its coca production. Amends the FAA to: (1) authorize funding for the procurement of weapons or ammunition to arm, for defensive purposes, aircraft that are leased or loaned by the United States and used in narcotics control eradication or interdiction efforts and persons participating in such efforts; (2) make an exception to the withholding of assistance for major illicit drug producing or drug-transit countries where such action would be contrary to the national interest of the United States; (3) authorize the President to provide aircraft on a sale or grant basis for anti-narcotics activities if he determines that it would be in the national interest to do so and reports the determination and the terms of the proposed sale or grant to the Congress; (4) authorize Bolivia and Peru to have U.S. military personnel strengths larger than six to carry out international security assistance programs; and (5) make certain certification procedures under such Act inapplicable to certain major drug-transit countries if the President certifies that such countries meet specified requirements in making progress towards narcotics control. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to: (1) make certain restrictions under such Act and under the AECA inapplicable to sales of defense articles or services made on or before September 30, 1994 (currently, 1990); and (2) revise the definition of the term "defense articles and services" to conform to that under the AECA. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, and the Inter-American Development Bank to use the vote and influence of the United States to promote development projects in the Andean region consistent with U.S. anti-narcotics objectives. Establishes an Interagency Task Force on Combatting Illicit Narcotics and an Interagency Task Force on Money Laundering. Authorizes the Attorney General to assist major illicit drug producing and drug-transit countries in adopting national legislation to accommodate treaties on mutual assistance in criminal matters and on extradition and to provide technical assistance and advice aimed at strengthening the judicial, legal, and law enforcement systems of such countries. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should support the actions of Latin American jurists in prosecuting drug criminals; and (2) the President should take steps to convene an international judicial conference for the purposes of emphasizing worldwide support for prosecuting drug traffickers and enabling senior judicial officials to exchange information on antinarcotic laws and statutes. Authorizes appropriations for military and law enforcement assistance and training to eligible countries for controlling illicit narcotics production and trafficking. Urges the executive branch to: (1) coordinate closely with all allies in the Western Hemisphere dedicated to countering the threat of drug trafficking; and (2) explore the possibility of undertaking joint military and intelligence operations with other countries of the Western Hemisphere. Directs the Attorney General to enter into negotiations with law enforcement officials of each foreign country with jurisdiction over companies that manufacture, market, sell, or purchase precursor or essential chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of controlled substances, with priority given to countries knowingly or unknowingly supplying such chemicals, to: (1) establish a list of such chemicals; (2) achieve international agreement on a method for maintaining records of transactions of such chemicals; (3) establish a procedure by which such records may be made available to U.S. law enforcement authorities; and (4) encourage source countries to enact national chemical control legislation. Requires the President to impose sanctions (such as barring transactions within the interstate or foreign commerce of the United States) on any company or other entity that refuses to maintain records to monitor and regulate transactions of listed precursor chemicals or that refuses to make such records available to U.S. law enforcement authorities for investigative purposes. Authorizes and directs the Attorney General to conduct research into additives and other means which would render precursor and essential chemicals useless in the production and manufacture of illegal drugs but that would not affect the legitimate commercial uses of such chemicals. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) transfer four AH-1J helicopters to the Government of Colombia for anti-drug interdiction operations; and (2) make available sums for the training of Colombian personnel by Department of Defense (DOD) personnel in the operation, maintenance, logistics support, and deployment of such helicopters. Urges the Secretary of State to fully consider and implement proposals from U.S. allies for combatting illicit narcotics, including cooperation in law enforcement, interdiction, prevention, treatment, and research. Title II: Interdiction - Subtitle A: Department of State - Authorizes appropriations for the procurement of UH-1 helicopter upgrade improvement kits to enhance the performance of such helicopters used in drug interdiction operations in major drug transit countries. Subtitle B: Customs Service - Amends the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations for additional canine enforcement teams and research and development and to increase the number of full-time Customs Service inspectors deployed at ports of entry under the contraband inspection program. Subtitle C: Defense - Authorizes appropriations for the Army National Guard to upgrade surveillance helicopters. Provides for: (1) the deployment of such helicopters by Guard units of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas to support interdiction operations carried out by civilian law enforcement agencies; and (2) coordination with specified agencies. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for airborne early warning surveillance (AEW) aircraft. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make the P-3 AEW aircraft available to the Customs Service. Subtitle D: Making Drug-Related Intelligence a Level-One Intelligence Priority - Calls for the U.S. intelligence community to devote greater resources to intelligence activities relating to international drug production and trafficking. Urges the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to: (1) make support of anti-drug efforts a Level One Priority in his National Foreign Intelligence Strategy; (2) reflect such priority in the National Foreign Intelligence Program; and (3) include in his next National Foreign Intelligence Budget a separate and detailed request for funds necessary to make such activities a Level One Priority. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the DCI should expand resources devoted to human intelligence directed against international drug trafficking, particularly with respect to law enforcement operations along the U.S. border. Subtitle E: Preventing Drug Traffickers From Entering the United States Using Fraudulent Immigration Documents - Directs the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to: (1) establish a program under which applicants for entry into the United States shall be required to submit fingerprints at the time of application and to be checked against records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Immigration and Nationalization Services (INS), and other U.S. agencies to ensure that the applicant has not submitted fraudulent documentation or is not otherwise excludable under U.S. immigration laws; (2) implement such program in two phases, including a two-year pilot program for applicants from major drug-producing or transit countries (phase I) and implementation over the next three years and expansion to all alien applicants requesting entry into the United States (phase II); and (3) conduct a comprehensive review and evaluation of such program and submit specified reports to the Congress. Subtitle F: Situational Awareness Technology - Makes certain funds authorized to be appropriated for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Air Force, available for continued development of situational awareness technology for military and civilian drug interdiction applications. Title III: Law Enforcement - Subtitle A: State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Omnibus Act) to authorize appropriations for the Drug Control and System Improvement Grant Program. Subtitle B: Interstate Transportation for Purposes of Drug Activity - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to prohibit the transport in interstate or foreign commerce of a person for the purpose of engaging in the growing, harvesting, manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled or counterfeit substance. Subtitle C: Drug-Free School Zones - Directs the Attorney General to develop a model program of strategies and tactics for establishing and maintaining drug-free school zones which provide State and local law enforcement agencies with materials, training, and other assistance to establish, enforce, and evaluate the effectiveness of drug-free school zone enforcement efforts. Delineates criteria for such model program, including defining the criminal justice community's role in creating and maintaining such zones, developing a framework for law enforcement collaboration with the school system and community resource network, providing materials and technical assistance for demarcating and establishing such zones, and creating a uniform framework for monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Drug Testing of Defendants on Probation or Supervised Release - Amends the Federal criminal code to require: (1) the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to establish a program of drug testing of criminal defendants on supervised release; and (2) the chief probation officer in each district to arrange for the drug testing of such defendants. Requires, as an explicit condition of probation, parole, or supervised release of a defendant involving a felony or a specified violent or drug offense, that the defendant refrain from any unlawful use of a controlled substance and submit to periodic drug tests. Sets limitations on the authority to require such tests and to take action against a defendant based on test results. Subtitle E: Civil Forfeiture - Eliminates a restriction on the disposal of judicially forfeited property by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Postal Service. Subtitle F: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations, to carry out the activities of the Department of Justice (DOJ), for: (1) the hiring of additional personnel for the U.S. Attorney's office, and for additional agents of the FBI; (2) the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); (3) the States, under the formula grant program administered by the Office of Justice Programs, for rural drug enforcement; (4) State and local multi-agency tactical narcotics teams in high intensity drug areas; (5) the establishment by DEA of a foreign precursor chemical program; (6) the establishment and operation of a national drug and related crime tip hotline; and (7) the INS. Authorizes appropriations, to carry out the activities of the Department of the Treasury, for: (1) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; (2) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; and (3) the U.S. Customs Service. Subtitle G: Regional Prisons - Authorizes appropriations for the construction and operation of ten regional prisons for State and Federal prisoners found to have substance abuse problems requiring long-term treatment to be located in places chosen by the Director of National Drug Control Policy. Sets forth requirements regarding prisoner eligibility, State responsibilities with respect to such prisons, and the powers of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons. Subtitle H: Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1992 - Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1992 - Chapter 1: Drug-Related Child Abuse; Habitual Child Abuse Offense - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a felony to commit a crime of violence against a person under age 18 if the offense was committed as part of a violation of the CSA or the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. Requires the Attorney General to amend the United States Attorneys' Manual to reflect the intent of the Congress that Federal prosecution occur only in egregious cases of drug-related abuse and neglect. Requires the United States Sentencing Commission to promulgate guidelines to provide that a defendant convicted of such an offense, who has previously been convicted on two separate occasions of a sexual offense or crime of violence in which the victim was under age 18, shall receive the maximum punishment authorized by law. Chapter 2: Improving Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse Cases - Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to develop multidisciplinary child abuse investigation and prosecution programs. Enumerates program criteria, including requirements identifying a neutral site for counseling child victims of sexual and serious physical abuse and neglect, referring cases to such counseling center within 24 hours, minimizing the number of interviews the child victim must attend, requiring that all interviews and meetings with a child victim occur at the counseling center, designating a director for the multidisciplinary program, and assigning volunteers or staff advocates to each child's family. Requires the Administrator to make grants to provide technical assistance and training to attorneys and others instrumental to the criminal prosecution of child abuse cases in State or Federal courts. Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 3: Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program - Requires the Administrator to: (1) make grants to expand the court-appointed special advocate program; (2) establish criteria to be used in evaluating grant applications, which shall include a program providing screening, training, and supervision of court-appointed special advocates. Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 4: Child Abuse Training Programs for Judicial Personnel and Practitioners - Requires the Administrator to provide technical assistance and training to judicial personnel and attorneys to improve the judicial system's handling of child abuse and neglect cases and provide administrative reform in juvenile and family courts. Subtitle I: Rural Drug Enforcement - Rural Drug Enforcement Act - Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to designate a Rural Drug Policy Coordinator to examine the special needs of rural areas in drug interdiction and coordinate the drug interdiction efforts of Federal agencies in such areas. Amends the Omnibus Act to set aside specified sums for rural areas. Directs the Attorney General to assign for any rural State that is currently assigned less than ten drug enforcement agents not less than four additional special agents. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a drug interdiction training program for law enforcement officers in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Prevention, Treatment, and Education - Subtitle A: Drug Testing - Quality Assurance in the Private Sector Drug Testing Act of 1992 - Prohibits any employer engaged in commerce from refusing to hire an applicant, taking adverse action against an employee, or discharging an employee on the basis of the results of a drug test administered to the applicant or employee unless such test was conducted by a laboratory which: (1) meets guidelines prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (2) requires a confirmatory test when an initial screening test is positive; and (3) provides guidelines to the employers on procedures for the collection of specimens to be tested and the chain of custody. Subjects an employer who takes any such action on the basis of a drug test result conducted by a laboratory which does not meet such requirements to a civil penalty of $10,000. Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require the Administrator of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) to make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to provide clinical training in alcohol and drug abuse and to develop curricula and materials for such training. Authorizes appropriations. Increases the ADAMHA block grant authorization. Authorizes the use of ADAMHA block grant funds for alcohol abuse and drug addiction treatment services in State or local correctional facilities. Requires the State, as a condition on the receipt of Federal funds, to maintain State expenditures for drug abuse-related services at a level equal to not less than the average amount of such expenditures for the preceding two years. Requires States to develop and submit to the Secretary annually for review and approval a Statewide Drug Treatment Plan. Requires the Director of the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention, in making grants for model projects for pregnant and post-partum women and their infants, to give priority to projects that will provide treatment services and that include specified programs including outreach services, child care, transportation, and other support services, case management services, and any other services that will tend to improve pregnancy outcomes, reduce substance abuse among women of childbearing age, and increase the stability of the family home environment. Bars the Director from making such grants unless specified conditions are met, such as the applicant's agreeing to provide the health service directly, that any charge imposed be according to a schedule of charges made available to the public and be adjusted to reflect the recipient's income and resources, and that no charge be imposed upon any women with an income less than 100 percent of the official poverty line. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes in ADAMHA the Office for Treatment Improvement (Treatment Office) to: (1) collaborate with the Director of the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention and the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); (2) evaluate State plans and carry out programs under existing provisions; (3) train providers of prehospital emergency medical services; (4) conduct or support described programs; and (5) take other actions with regard to treatment. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes within the General Accounting Office a Special Panel on Evaluation of Drug Prevention, Education, and Treatment Programs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the Treatment Office to establish programs to provide grants to: (1) eligible institutions to provide training services to increase the supply of drug treatment professionals; and (2) hospitals, community health centers, and other appropriate entities that serve nonmetropolitan areas to assist in developing and implementing projects (at least one in each State) that provide, or expand the availability of, substance abuse treatment services. Requires the alcohol and drug abuse information clearinghouse required to be established under the PHSA to: (1) gather information pertaining to ADAMHA and other rural drug abuse treatment and education projects operating throughout the United States; and (2) disseminate information to rural hospitals, community health centers, community mental health centers, treatment facilities, community organizations, and other interested individuals. Transfers authority from the Administrator of ADAMHA to the Director of the Treatment Office for an existing grant program for reduction of the waiting period for drug abuse treatment. Removes provisions prohibiting more than one grant for any treatment program. Allows a grantee to spend not more than 50 percent of the grant for follow-up services. Increases the authorization of appropriations. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Prison System for substance abuse treatment services. Directs the Bureau of Prisons to separate drug-dependent offenders undergoing treatment from the general prison population and avoid returning such offenders to the general prison population after the completion of the treatment program. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) make sums available from appropriations authorized for DOJ to establish a Federal training center to train Federal, State, and local prison officials to develop treatment and rehabilitation programs for drug-dependent prisoners; and (2) require the Director of the prison system to see that no less than 25 percent of all new prison beds at any new prison facility, beginning in FY 1992, include treatment and rehabilitation programs and accommodations for drug-dependent offenders. Requires the Director of the Treatment Office to establish programs to provide grants to public and nonprofit private entities that provide drug treatment services to individuals under criminal justice supervision. Subtitle C: Education and Prevention - - Reauthorizes appropriations under the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986. Amends such Act to require the Secretary of Education to establish and administer a model program to provide grants to schools and institutions to implement comprehensive drug education programs providing for the establishment of an anti-drug policy, implementation of peer to peer programs that allow children to talk about handling pressures to use and sell drugs, and family and community involvement in drug prevention. Sets forth criteria for grant awards. Authorizes appropriations. Requires such Secretary to expand existing programs at the Department of Education to provide schools with greater access to programs that teach skills in resisting drug abuse and assertiveness training for children in grades kindergarten through 12. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the PHSA to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish: (1) a program to make grants to eligible institutions that establish or expand drug prevention programs to be comprehensive in nature and to include an anti-drug policy, peer to peer drug abuse programs, and family and community involvement; and (2) a National Substance Abuse Prevention Training Program to make grants to States, local agencies, and community organizations to provide substance abuse prevention training and to coordinate with other community resources and programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs such Secretary to establish a National Drug Prevention Corps. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to provide resources to assist members of the motion picture and television industries in the production of programs that carry anti-drug messages. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all places of work should be drug-free; (2) corporate America should take an active role in assisting employees with drug-related problems; and (3) employers should take specified steps towards creating a drug-free workplace, such as establishing a clear drug-free policy and establishing an employee assistance plan for substance abusing employees. Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) identify 100 major business regions in the United States and contact local chief executive officers in such regions to encourage them to develop in each region a Corporation Against Drug Abuse program; and (2) provide each region with $10,000 to assist such officers in coordinating such program in each region. Amends the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 to include within the drug-free awareness programs for Federal contractors and Federal grant recipients discussions of the dangers and early signs of drug abuse by children. Title V: Department of Defense - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to plan and execute training missions for the primary purpose of assisting civilian law enforcement agencies in connection with counter-drug activities. Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to authorize the Secretary to transfer excess communications equipment to civilian law enforcement agencies of foreign countries to assist in counter-drug activities. Authorizes the President to lease excess engineering equipment in the inventory of DOD to foreign governments to assist in anti-drug activities or in the development of their infrastructure at nominal or no cost to such governments. Authorizes the Secretary to make available logistic support to any major illicit drug producing country which has been transferred excess defense articles. Allocates funds appropriated for such support. Title VI: Sanctions for Failure to Land or to Bring To - Makes it unlawful for the pilot, operator, or other person in charge of an aircraft subject to U.S. jurisdiction to refuse to obey the order of an authorized Federal law enforcement officer to land in cases involving enforcement of controlled substances or money laundering laws. Sets forth analogous provisions with respect to vessels. Establishes penalties for violation of such provisions. Specifies that any vessel or aircraft used in such a violation may be seized and forfeited. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require: (1) revocation of the registration certificate of an aircraft that refuses to land when ordered to do so by a law enforcement officer; and (2) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish procedures for the owner of the aircraft to show cause why the registration should not be revoked or why it would be in the public interest to issue a new certificate of registration to be effective concurrently with the revocation which occurred by operation of law. Authorizes the Coast Guard to issue orders and make inquiries, searches, seizures, and arrests with respect to violations of U.S. laws occurring aboard any aircraft over the high seas and waters over which the United States has jurisdiction. Specifies the method by which orders to land an aircraft must be communicated. Establishes a civil penalty for failure to comply with a lawful boarding or order to land. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to: (1) authorize U.S. Customs officers to exercise their enforcement authority outside of the United States, including any location in which Customs officers are permitted to conduct inspections, examinations, or searches; and (2) provide civil penalties for failure of an aircraft to comply with Customs officer orders to land or bring to and Tariff Act provisions regarding the boarding of vessels. Title VII: Protection of Witnesses, Jurors, and Court Officers - Increases penalties for obstruction of justice offenses against court officers and jurors and for retaliatory killings of witnesses, victims, and informants. Title VIII: Narcotics-Related Public Corruption - Specifies that any: (1) public official who corruptly demands, seeks, or accepts anything of value in return for being influenced in the performance or non-performance of an official act or influenced to commit or aid in committing any Federal or State offense shall be guilty of a class B felony; and (2) person who corruptly gives, offers, or promises anything of value to a public official (or offers to give anything of value to any other person) with intent to influence any official act or to influence such public official to commit a Federal or State offense or to do or omit any act in violation of such official's lawful duty shall be guilty of a class B felony. Authorizes funding for undercover operations by the Department of the Treasury. Title IX: Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the CSA, Federal criminal code, and Tariff Act. Title X: Miscellaneous - Adds certain cocaine and drug conspiracy and attempt offenses committed by juveniles to the list of crimes authorizing prosecution as an adult if the Attorney General certifies that there is a substantial Federal interest in the case that justifies adult prosecution. Authorizes the disclosure of cable television subscriber information to a Federal grand jury. Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to permit an arrest warrant to be issued for a foreign fugitive about to enter the United States. Title XI: High Priority Research Areas - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Medications Development Division of NIDA shall devote special attention and resources to achieving the development of a methadone alternative, a long-acting narcotic antagonist, a cocaine blocking treatment, a cocaine blocker/narcotic antagonist treatment, medications to treat addictions to methamphetamine, and medications to treat pregnant addicts and their fetuses. Requires: (1) the Director of the Division to establish a panel of independent experts in the field of pharmacotherapeutic treatment of drug addiction to assess the national strategy for developing such treatments and make appropriate recommendations; and (2) the Surgeon General of the United States to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report setting forth recommendations of such panel and assessing the progress of the Nation toward development of safe, efficacious pharmacological treatments for drug addiction. Subtitle B: Counter-Narcotics Technology Assessment Center - Counter-Narcotics Technology Act of 1992 - Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to establish within the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) the Counter-Narcotics Technology Assessment Center, to operate under the general authority of the Deputy Director for Supply, ONDCP, to serve as the central counter-narcotics enforcement research and development organization of the U.S. Government. Requires that there be at the head of the Center the Chief Scientist of Counter-Narcotics Technology. Requires, beginning with the FY 1992 budget, that the Director of National Drug Control Policy submit a separate appropriations request for expenses relating to all Federal agencies for counter-narcotics enforcement research and development programs. Establishes a national counter-narcotics technology account. Requires such appropriations to be made to the account for the Director to make reimbursements to the involved agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: National Drug Abuse Epidemiology - Amends the PHSA to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Drug Intelligence Epidemiology System to: (1) conduct research and provide documentation on the leading drug abuse indicators, such as drug-related emergency room visits, deaths, and drug treatment admissions; (2) publish data concerning such indicators on a quarterly basis; and (3) distribute publications concerning such information to medical professionals, police agencies, and others involved in anti-drug efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to establish a National Drug Abuse Report Card to: (1) collect research on such indicators; (2) characterize the statistics compiled by age, ethnic, and gender groups, by regional variations, and by at-risk groups; (3) include estimates of drug use among previously under-surveyed groups; and (4) publish and distribute reports on a quarterly basis. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Land-Based Drug Interdiction Technology - Requires: (1) the Director of the U.S. Border Patrol to make certain sums available to accelerate the development of new technologies for land-based drug interdiction systems to be deployed along the U.S.-Mexican border to monitor narcotics trafficking activity, and to have such technology available for deployment by June 1, 1993; and (2) the Attorney General to ensure that the development of such technology is included in any comprehensive plan for utilizing existing research and development facilities of specified Federal agencies to carry out their anti-drug missions. Title XII: Appropriations - Provides for a reduction in amounts available for Government travel to cover the cost of any additional outlays resulting from this Act, with exceptions.
Bill· HRH.R. 5310 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
Defense Workers Economic Reinvestment Act - Title I: Economic Reinvestment Council - Establishes the Economic Reinvestment Council to: (1) administer the National Technology Infrastructure Goals Improvement and Consortia Creation program and the Fast Response State Technological Competitiveness Grant program, both established under this Act; and (2) be empowered to examine and approve or disapprove all other project and program selections made under this Act and funding decisions under this Act exceeding $500,000. Requires reviews of funding requests to be completed within 60 days. Directs the Council to advise the Secretary of Defense and the heads of other Federal agencies on the progress and success of the economic reinvestment programs established under this Act and under the Defense Economic Adjustment, Diversification, Conversion, and Stabilization Act of 1990 in alleviating the adverse economic and social effects of reductions in defense spending. Requires the Council to consult on a regular basis with Governors of States involved in reinvestment activities. Directs the Council: (1) upon receiving notification of the annual defense budget proposal of the Secretary, to commence a preliminary study of the potential adverse economic effects the proposal may have on qualified defense contractors and communities; and (2) to prepare and distribute an economic reinvestment progress report on an annual basis. Requires the latter report to be distributed to State governors, the heads of Federal departments and agencies, and any other interested persons. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Technology Infrastructure Goals Improvement and Consortia Creation - Directs the President, in order to exploit the potential of critical technologies that would benefit national infrastructure and create export opportunities, to develop and carry out a program to assist advanced technology projects. Includes the following areas within appropriate investments in advanced technology projects which are in the national interest: space exploration, transportation, environmental restoration, telecommunications, energy efficiency, health care, education, and ocean technology. Directs the Council to solicit, review, prioritize, and select advanced technology projects to benefit the national technology infrastructure. Requires the Council to prepare and disseminate guidelines for qualifying project proposals. Requires specified Federal department and agency heads to submit to the Council proposals for such projects. Allows other Federal departments and agencies to submit proposals. Provides that, once a project is selected, the Council shall review project plans and schedules, provide funds to the project through the Department of Defense (DOD), and oversee implementation of the project. Encourages joint ventures in such projects with combinations of industry, academic, and State and Federal Government partners. Authorizes appropriations to fund such project for FY 1993 through 1996. Directs the Council to coordinate and oversee the creation of one consortium matched to each project, focusing on the basic and applied research for such project. Requires at least 50 percent of the funding for a consortium to derive from non-Federal sources. Limits Federal funding for a consortium to $5,000,000 annually for a period of four years. Requires small business to receive a minimum of 20 percent of the consortium research funding. Requires the Council to solicit and evaluate other proposals for critical technology consortia and to select at least three proposals annually. Places identical limits on the length and amounts of Federal funding for such consortia. Requires activities conducted by such a consortium to include a significant defense component. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1996. Directs the Secretary to reexamine existing procurement contracts to determine whether overly restrictive specifications on systems, supplies, and services that are also available commercially have been made. Directs the Secretary, for contracts exceeding $100,000 where DOD specifications preclude the purchase of commercial sector products, to justify the necessity for developing a different specification and the unsuitability of commercial specifications. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress detailing such justifications for each contract. Requires each defense contract solicitation to include provisions which encourage the use of commercially available systems, supplies, and services. Title III: Relieving Labor Shortages in Selected Civilian Applications - Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Training Oversight and Administration to coordinate and oversee retraining, placement, and other transition assistance activities for full-time employees of at least three years of a qualified defense contractor (a contractor deriving 30 percent of its annual income from, or using 30 percent of its work force on, defense contracts) who: (1) are directly involved with a DOD funded project which is canceled or which receives at least a 25 percent reduction in Federal funds; and (2) are terminated or likely to be terminated within one year as the result of such cancellation or reduction. Directs the Office to disseminate information concerning such retraining and placement assistance to all qualified contractors and eligible DOD employees. Directs the Office to maintain statistics on the effectiveness of the transition assistance program in order to aid the Council in required activities. Authorizes the Office, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, to enter into agreements for the provision to eligible DOD employees of such transition assistance in skills identified to be in short supply in the area in which the retraining program operates. Authorizes the Office to award one- and two-year scholarships to educational institutions, giving a priority in such scholarships to eligible employees who seek vocational training and for scholarships in certain critical occupations as determined by the Office. Limits the Federal contribution to a training program to 50 percent of its costs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1995. Requires a qualified defense contractor to make a good faith effort to identify as early as possible employees who meet the eligibility requirements of the program, to advise them on options, and to allow them to participate in retraining and other transition assistance programs. Allows certain employees previously terminated under similar conditions within one year before the enactment of this Act to be eligible for such program. Title IV: Commercialization Opportunities - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary, for purposes of this title) to establish a program to assist U.S. businesses in creating and applying the generic technology and research results necessary to commercialize significant new discoveries and technologies. Requires the program selection board to be modeled after the Advanced Technology Program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Directs the Secretary to inform the Council of the status of funded projects and on new selections for the Council's approval as required under title I. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with U.S. businesses for commercialization projects to demonstrate the feasibility of a particular technology or process up to the prototype stage, limiting the Federal funds to 33 percent of the project's costs, and limiting a single project to $1,000,000. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 993 through 1996. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to U.S. businesses of up to $3,000,000 for any one commercialization project. Prohibits more than three loans from being made to any single company or joint venture. Provides loan conditions and criteria. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993. Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) encourage the creation of industrial parks or technology incubator centers to transfer and spin off technology from qualified defense contractors to small businesses; (2) use royalties earned from the licensing of certain patents to assist local technology transfer activities; and (3) create and administer an awards program (modeled after an awards program under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980) to foster and encourage innovation and redirection efforts by qualified defense contractors in the area of commercialization. Title V: Fast Response State Technological Competitiveness Grants - States as the purpose of this title to provide Federal assistance directly to States for defense reinvestment programs. Directs the Secretary to allocate amounts authorized for appropriation under this title under a specified funding formula as technological competitiveness grants to States whose defense reinvestment programs meet certain requirements. Directs the Council to develop and disseminate guidelines on State eligibility for such grants. Requires a State, prior to receiving such a grant, to provide the Council information about its defense reinvestment program. Directs each State to report annually to the Council on progress under its reinvestment program, as well as any other data analysis required by the Council for its duties. Directs the Secretary to withhold grant funds from a State if the Council concludes that such State's reinvestment program or its progress is unsatisfactory relative to the published guidelines. Allows a 90-day appeal period during which the State shall be permitted to submit a revised program for Council review. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1995 for such grants.
Bill· HRH.R. 5320 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1992
Rural Community Environmental Assistance Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds through FY 2000. Requires each State to establish a rural community environmental assistance account in such fund and to deposit at least 25 percent of the amount of the grant received for the establishment of the fund into such account. Permits monies in such accounts to be used only for the construction of wastewater treatment works and public water systems in economically distressed rural communities, subject to certain loan and grant conditions. Requires States to determine the amount of interest to be charged on loans and to establish grant eligibility criteria. Permits assistance to be provided only if: (1) the wastewater treatment works is consistent with planning requirements under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and (2) the public water system is approved by the State agency with primary enforcement authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Requires States, in providing such assistance, to give priority to an economically distressed rural community in which: (1) there is a need for collector sewers and interceptors to improve access to wastewater treatment facilities; (2) residents rely on inadequate wastewater treatment facilities or drinking water systems that are determined by public health officials to be a hazard; or (3) residents rely on public water systems which do not meet requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Authorizes States to provide such assistance for eligible innovative projects only after conducting a cost-benefit analysis. Requires States to submit plans for the intended uses of amounts in rural community environmental assistance accounts to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Administrator to approve or disapprove such plans. Reserves one percent of funds in such accounts per fiscal year for planning activities. Permits the submission of a plan only if it has been approved by a State Rural Environmental Infrastructure Advisory Panel. Requires such panels to assist in plan preparation, review, and approval. Sets forth accounting and auditing requirements. Withholds payments from States that fail to comply with requirements for rural community environmental assistance accounts. Directs the Administrator to: (1) make grants to regional, State, and local agencies and not-for-profit organizations to assist economically distressed rural communities by providing technical assistance for the financing, operation, and maintenance of wastewater treatment works and public water systems; and (2) set aside a specified percentage of appropriations for such grants.
Bill· HRH.R. 5293 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Airline Competition Enhancement Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit a vendor, in the operation of its air carrier computer reservations system, from discriminating against participants in such system in specified ways, including: (1) making available to subscribers an integrated display which orders information on air carrier identity; (2) supplying information to a person creating or attempting to create such an integrated display; (3) making available, after September 30, 1994, to a subscriber or participant any subscriber or participant transaction capability which is more functional, timely, complete, accurate, reliable, secure, or efficient with respect to one subscriber, or participant, than to another; (4) charging a participant fee for, or requiring terms or conditions with, the provision of any computer reservation system feature, function, or service unless they are reasonable; (5) charging a participation fee more than the maximum fee found reasonable; or (6) prohibiting a subscriber from obtaining or using another computer reservation system. Prohibits a vendor or air carrier from requiring, or providing incentives to induce, a subscriber to use information from a computer reservation system to create an integrated display which orders information on air carrier identity. Prohibits a vendor, except on grounds of demonstrated technological incompatibility, from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting the: (1) interconnection to its computer reservation system equipment of computer hardware or software supplied by a person other than such vendor; or (2) use by a subscriber, to access any other computer reservation system or data base, or hardware and communications lines supplied by another vendor. Sets forth other specified prohibitions. Prohibits a vendor from: (1) requiring, as a condition for providing a subscriber additional computer reservation system components (including software and enhancements), that the term of the subscriber's contract be extended; (2) requiring use of its computer reservation system by such subscriber in any sale by the subscriber of the vendor's air transportation services; (3) requiring use of its computer reservation system as a condition of compensation for the sale of air transportation services by the subscriber; and (4) charging prices to subscribers conditioned on the identity of air carriers whose air transportation services are sold by such subscribers. Prohibits the enforcement of subscriber contract provisions for a contract term of more than three years. Sets forth other specified contract provisions which are not enforceable. Prohibits a subscriber from using computer software or hardware to modify information in a computer reservation system so as to produce: (1) integrated displays of such information based on air carrier identity, unless specified conditions are met; or (2) displays of such information based on subscriber or participant transaction capability. Requires vendors to submit quarterly reports to the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) describing the manner in which they propose to comply with this Act. Requires the Secretary to transmit to specified congressional committees a compliance progress report based on the vendors' reports. Authorizes participants who object to a new or increased participant fee to demand that such action be reviewed by an arbitrator. Sets forth specified administrative provisions with respect to violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary not to give consideration to the availability of slots (reservations for an instrument flight rule takeoff or landing) at high density airports (airports at which the Administrator limits the number of instrument flight rule takeoffs and landings) in: (1) determining the provision of basic essential air service to small communities; and (2) selecting an air carrier to provide such service. Requires the Secretary to ensure that a sufficient number of such slots are available to the air carrier providing such service at such airports. Provides for the transfer of slots at such airports.
Bill· HRH.R. 5294 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Environmental Infrastructure Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army to establish an Office of Community Environmental Infrastructure Assistance within the Directorate of Civil Works of the Office of the Chief of Engineers. Requires the Office to: (1) manage projects pursuant to this Act; and (2) provide information and guidance to communities in economically distressed areas with respect to eligible projects, economic and organizational issues, and construction, operation, and rehabilitation of environmental infrastructure facilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an environmental infrastructure assistance program to be administered through the Office; and (2) use funds under this Act for the construction of wastewater treatment works, public water systems, and solid waste management facilities. Provides that funds shall be available only for publicly-owned environmental infrastructure projects serving fewer than 25,000 persons that are located in economically distressed areas. Authorizes State Governors to submit State priority project plans to the Secretary. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to submit priority project plans for eligible projects on Indian reservations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit annual economically distressed areas environmental infrastructure assistance plans to the Congress; (2) enter into local cooperation agreements to provide for the planning, design, and construction of environmental infrastructure projects; and (3) assure that such agreements are executed for a project from each State submitting a priority project plan. Requires the Administrator to publish guidelines for the design of wastewater treatment, public water supply, and solid waste disposal facilities pursuant to this Act. Provides for the review and revision of such guidelines at least every five years. Authorizes appropriations. Reserves at least 15 and five percent of such funds, respectively, for colonias and Indian reservations.
Bill· HRH.R. 5300 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Amends the Federal Transit Act to increase from 50 percent to 100 percent for FY 1993 and 1994 the Federal share of the costs of establishing and operating a university transportation center.
Bill· HRH.R. 5295 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Aircraft Noise Research and Abatement Act of 1992 - Directs the Administrators of the Federal Aviation Administration and of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct a joint research program to develop by the year 2000 new technologies for quieter subsonic jet aircraft engines and airframes. Authorizes appropriations. Requires an annual progress report to the Congress.
Bill· HRH.R. 5292 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Authorizes the President to appoint General Thomas C. Richards to the Office of Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 498 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Designates the week beginning October 4, 1992, as National Aviation Education Week.
Bill· HRH.R. 5268 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1992
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to establish deadlines for: (1) notice to petitioners for a rulemaking informing them of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) intent with respect to the issuance of a proposed rule; (2) issuance of the proposed rule; and (3) issuance of the final rule. Sets forth congressional reporting requirements. Requires the Administrator to make available to the public any comments received with respect to any review of a proposed regulatory project or rule of the FAA conducted by an employee of the Department of Transportation, Office of Management and Budget, or any other executive agency.