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Bill· HRH.R. 2658 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1991
Exempts from gross weight limitations generally applicable to vehicles using the Interstate System any vehicle used by a unit of local government for the purpose of extinguishing fires.
Bill· SS. 1297 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1991
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for FY 1992 and 1993 for: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) research, development, test, and evaluation; (4) retired pay and benefits; (5) alteration or removal of bridges; and (6) environmental compliance and restoration. Requires certain expenditures under these authorizations for oil recovery systems to be: (1) for systems manufactured in the United States; and (2) pursuant to competitive bidding based on performance specification and cost. Authorizes Coast Guard end strengths for active-duty personnel and average military training student loads. Amends Federal law to: (1) delay the retirement date of Coast Guard rear admirals and rear admirals (lower half) who are considered but not continued on active duty; and (2) allow the Coast Guard Commandant, with the approval of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to annually retain on active duty a rear admiral or rear admiral (lower half) who would otherwise be retired. Establishes below-standard performance or moral or professional dereliction as criteria for involuntary retirement of enlisted personnel with at least 20 years of service. (Current law allows involuntary retirement at the discretion of an Enlisted Personnel Board, with approval by the Commandant.) Authorizes the Commandant to use services of individuals performing court-ordered community service. Authorizes the Coast Guard, to the extent provided for in appropriations Acts, to enter into: (1) a lease for a site at the Massachusetts Military Reservation on Cape Cod for construction and/or renovation of housing units; and (2) a lease to acquire a site at Charleston, South Carolina, for construction of a permanent air facility. Authorizes the Coast Guard to spend appropriated amounts for such housing and such air facility. Mandates a report to specified congressional committees on Coast Guard housing. Extends to September 30, 1994, the termination date of the Coast Guard Academy Advisory Committee. Provides for the sale of recyclable materials held by the Coast Guard and for the operation of recycling programs at Coast Guard installations. Deems the John F. Limehouse Memorial Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Charleston County, South Carolina, an unreasonable obstruction to navigation. Extends to September 30, 1996, the termination date of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council. Allows, in emergencies, Coast Guard Ready Reserve forces to be called to active duty: (1) with no stated requirement for Presidential approval (current law requires Presidential approval); and (2) for up to 30 days in a four-month period and up to 60 days in a two-year period (currently, for up to 14 days in a four-month period and up to 30 days in a one-year period). Increases the limitation on the percentage of retired officers who may be on active duty. Amends the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 to require a vessel or class of vessels of special construction or purpose to comply with alternative rules when the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating determines that the vessel or class cannot comply fully. (Current law requires such alternative compliance when the vessel or class cannot comply without interfering with the special function.) Modifies collision avoidance rules regarding vessels whose passage or safe passage is not to be impeded. Amends provisions of Federal law relating to the use of fire-retardant materials in certain passenger vessels to change from 1993 to 1998 the date on which certain requirements apply to vessels in operation before 1968. Requires the owner or operator of a vessel exempted from such provisions to notify the Coast Guard of structural alterations to the vessel and to comply with any noncombustible material requirements the Coast Guard prescribes consistent with preservation of the historic integrity of the vessel. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to specified congressional committees regarding methods by which Coast Guard enforcement efforts under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 may be enhanced and coordinated with those of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to convey to the State of New Jersey of all right, title, and interest of the United States in the Cape May Point Lighthouse to be used as a nonprofit center for the interpretation and preservation of the material culture of the Coast Guard and the maritime history of Cape May.
Bill· SS. 1295 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1991
Cape May Point Lighthouse Preservation Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to convey to the State of New Jersey the Cape May Point Lighthouse, for operation as a nonprofit center for the preservation and interpretation of the material culture of the Coast Guard and the maritime history of Cape May, New Jersey. Requires equipment on the property which serves as aid to navigation to continue to be operated and maintained by the United States, which shall have an easement for such purposes.
Bill· HRH.R. 2647 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1991
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a four-lane expressway linking Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Rapid City, South Dakota.
Law· HRH.R. 2607 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1991
Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to require the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to issue regulations for the safety of maintenance-of-way employees on railroad bridges (currently, maintenance-of-way employees generally). Requires the Secretary to provide, at a minimum, among other requirements for the use of boats when work is performed on bridges located over bodies of water. Directs any railroad required to undertake remedial action under specified Acts to report to the Secretary on the execution of such remedial action. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on procedures established to ensure the execution of such actions. Amends specified Federal laws to increase the minimum and maximum civil penalties against any railroad, including its employees, that violates a railroad safety regulation. Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program designed to reduce backlogs and streamline work procedures with respect to the enforcement responsibilities of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Requires a report to the Congress on the results of such pilot program. Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 and other Federal railroad law to require the Secretary to consider the subsequent safety record of violators assessed a civil penalty as of a certain date whenever the Secretary considers compromising such assessed penalty. Requires actions to enjoin or to suspend a rule, regulation, or order of the Secretary with respect to railroad safety to be brought in a United States court of appeals. Amends Federal law to provide criminal penalties for the murder or attempted murder or manslaughter of any FRA employee assigned to perform investigative, inspection, or law enforcement functions. Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary to review Department of Transportation rules on railroad power brakes and standards on track safety and to revise them on the basis of safety data presented during the reviews. Declares that such rules, regulations, orders, and standards shall, to the same extent as they do to railroads, apply to: (1) any owner, manufacturer, lessor, or lessee of railroad equipment or facilities (including employees); or (2) any contractor (including employees) providing goods or services to a railroad. Applies certain civil penalties to such persons for violations of such rules and regulations. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the status of efforts to improve the safety of employees in locomotive cabs. Authorizes appropriations for railroad safety activities. Amends the Department of Transportation Act to increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for local rail freight assistance programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 2619 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1991
High Speed Rail and Highway Traffic Safety Program of 1991 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to improve highway and rail traffic safety through the making of grants to States for projects for the construction, improvement, and elimination of rail-highway crossings. Directs the Secretary to select not less than eight nor more than ten rail corridors for assistance under such program. Sets forth criteria to be used in making such selections. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2605 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1991
Safe Pipeline Act of 1991 - Amends the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to require: (1) the installation of remote control valves (RCVs) and supervisory control and data acquisition systems (SCADAs) with leak detection subsystems on pipelines in major urban and suburban areas and on either side of a pipeline water crossing facility over 100 feet wide or a pipeline which crosses a public reservoir or a body of water with an average annual flow rate of five or more cubic feet per second; and (2) pipeline operators to report the environmental impacts of pipeline leaks which are required to be reported under Federal law. Directs the Secretary to assess mandating RCVs and SCADAs installation on other pipelines in substantial risk locations.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 164 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) a system of at least 200,000 miles of highways of national significance should be established; (2) in authorizing the construction of highway projects due consideration should be given to the fact that the topography of a rural area causes the costs of construction to exceed such costs in an urban area; and (3) formulas established to apportion funds under the national highway program should be responsive to rural transportation needs and should emphasize the number of miles of highways in a State.
Bill· SS. 1241 (102nd)passed
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1991
Violent Crime Control Act of 1991 - Title I: Safer Streets and Neighborhoods - Safer Streets and Neighborhood Act of 1991 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Omnibus Act) to: (1) authorize appropriations ($1,000,000,000 for FY 1992 and such sums as necessary in FY 1993 and 1994) for grants to State and local law enforcement agencies; and (2) continue the Federal-State funding formula for such agencies for FY 1992. Title II: Death Penalty - Federal Death Penalty Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criteria for the imposition of the death penalty for Federal crimes. Requires the Government, for any offense punishable by death, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea, of its intention to seek the death penalty and of the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the information and aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Includes as threshold aggravating factors for homicide that the defendant: (1) intentionally killed the victim; (2) intentionally inflicted serious bodily injury which resulted in the death of the victim; (3) intentionally participated in an act, contemplating that the life of a person would be taken, and the victim died as a direct result of the act; (4) attempted to kill the President of the United States; or (5) intentionally engaged in an act constituting reckless disregard for human life, knowing that the act created a grave risk of death to someone other than the participants, and the victim died as a direct result of the act. Sets forth special aggravating factors with respect to the crimes of treason, espionage, homicide, and attempted murder of the President. States that no person who was less than 18 years of age at the time of the offense may be sentenced to death. Prohibits the execution of mentally retarded persons or pregnant women. Directs the court, or the jury by unanimous vote, to impose the death penalty upon a finding that such sentence is justified based on consideration of both the aggravating and mitigating factors. Requires the court to instruct the jury: (1) not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant or any victim in its consideration of the sentence; and (2) that it is not required to return a death sentence. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the Court of Appeals to review the record, address all substantive and procedural issues raised on appeal, and consider whether such sentence was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor and whether the evidence supports the special finding of the existence of the required aggravating factor. Specifies that whenever such court finds that the sentence was imposed under such influence, the admissible evidence adduced does not support such special finding, or other legal error requires reversal of the sentence, the court shall remand the case for reconsideration or impose a sentence other than death (and, in any other case, remand for reconsideration.) Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination. Prohibits requiring any employee of any State department of corrections, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, or any provider of services under contract to participate in any execution if participation is contrary to his or her moral or religious convictions. Bars the imposition of a death sentence for a death-eligible offense committed in Indian country unless the Indian tribe having criminal jurisdiction over land and persons subject to such jurisdiction has elected to have this title apply in such cases. Limits the circumstances under which the offense of delivering defense information to aid foreign governments is punishable by death. Provides for the imposition of the death penalty for: (1) murders committed by prisoners in Federal correctional institutions; (2) kidnappings which result in the death of any person; (3) attempting to kill the President of the United States (if such attempt results in bodily injury or comes dangerously close to causing the President's death); (4) murder for hire; (5) murder in the aid of a racketeering activity; (6) engaging in a criminal enterprise activity which results in death; and (7) other specified offenses, including civil rights murders and certain murders involving damage to religious property or obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs. Racial Justice Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit the imposition or execution of sentences of death under color of State or Federal law in a racially discriminatory pattern. Specifies that to establish such a pattern: (1) ordinary methods of statistical proof shall suffice; and (2) it shall not be necessary to show discriminatory intent on the part of any individual or institution. Specifies that: (1) to establish a prima facie showing of a racially discriminatory pattern it shall suffice that death sentences are being imposed or executed upon persons of one race with a frequency disproportionate to their representation among the number of persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of death-eligible crimes, or as punishment for crimes against persons of one race with a frequency that is disproportionate to their representation among persons against whom death-eligible crimes have been committed; and (2) to rebut such a showing, a State or Federal entity must establish by clear and convincing evidence that identifiable and pertinent nonracial factors persuasively explain the observable racial disparities comprising the pattern. Requires any State or Federal entity that provides for the death penalty to designate a central agency to collect and maintain pertinent data on the charging, disposition, and sentencing patterns for all cases of death-eligible crimes. Directs each such entity to: (1) monitor compliance by local officials and agencies; (2) devise and distribute to every local official or agency responsible for the investigation or prosecution of death-eligible crimes a standard form to collect pertinent data; (3) maintain, compile, and index such forms and data and make them available to the public; (4) maintain a centralized, alphabetically indexed file of all police and investigative reports transmitted to it by local officials or agencies in every case of death-eligible crime; and (5) allow access to its file of police and investigative reports to the counsel of record for persons charged with death-eligible crimes. Requires each local official responsible for the investigation or prosecution of death-eligible crimes to: (1) complete such form on every case of death-eligible crime; (2) transmit such form to the central agency within three months after disposition of each such case; and (3) transmit to such agency a copy of all police and investigative reports made in connection with each case of death-eligible crime. Requires such data to include, at a minimum: (1) pertinent demographic information on all persons charged with the crime and all victims (including race, sex, age, and national origin); (2) information on the principal features of the crime; (3) information on the aggravating and mitigating factors of the crime, including the background and character of every person charged with the crime; and (4) a narrative summary of the crime. Requires the court to appoint counsel for those financially unable to retain counsel and to furnish investigative, expert, or other services as necessary for the development of the claim of any such person, subject to certain limitations. Specifies that no determination on the merits of a factual issue made by a State court pertinent to any claim under this Act shall be presumed to be correct unless: (1) the State is in compliance with the provisions of this Act; (2) the determination was made in a proceeding in a State court in which the person asserting the claim was afforded rights to counsel and to the furnishing of investigative, expert, and other such services which were substantially equivalent to those provided in this Act; and (3) the determination is one which is otherwise entitled to be presumed correct under the criteria specified under Federal habeas corpus provisions. Title III: Death Penalty for Murder of Law Enforcement Officer Act - Authorizes the death penalty for the murder of: (1) Federal law enforcement officials; and (2) State law enforcement officers working with Federal agents. Title IV: Death Penalty for Drug Criminals Act - Death Penalty for Drug Criminals Act of 1991 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to authorize the death penalty for first degree murders committed in the course of: (1) drug distribution conspiracies; (2) drug import and export conspiracies; (3) drug distribution to minors, near schools, or while employing minors; and (4) export, import, or distribution of major quantities of drugs. Title V: Prevention and Punishment of Terrorist Acts - Subtitle A: Aviation Terrorism - Amends the Federal criminal code to set forth penalties for performing or attempting an act of violence against a person at an airport serving international civil aviation which causes or is likely to cause serious injury or death; destroying or seriously damaging the facilities of, or a civil aircraft not in service at, such airport; or disrupting the services of such airport, if such an act endangers or is likely to endanger safety. Amends the Federal Aviation Act to delete a limitation on the applicability of aircraft piracy provisions to situations where the place of takeoff or of actual landing of the aircraft on board which the offense is committed is situated outside the territory of the State of registration of such aircraft. Makes the willful violation of certain Federal Aviation Administration regulations relating to airport and airline security punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Subtitle B: Maritime Terrorism - Act for the Prevention and Punishment of Violence Against Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for acts of violence against maritime navigation, such as seizing control of a ship by force, threat, or intimidation, performing acts of violence against persons on board a ship that are likely to endanger safe navigation, and destroying or seriously damaging maritime navigational facilities that are likely to endanger safe navigation. Sets forth analogous provisions with respect to maritime fixed platforms. Declares that all the territorial sea of the United States, as defined by Presidential Proclamation 5928 of December 27, 1988: (1) is part of the United States, subject to its sovereignty; and (2) for purposes of Federal criminal jurisdiction, is within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to U.S. jurisdiction over the territorial sea and over crimes against U.S. nationals on foreign vessels. Subtitle C: Terrorism Offenses and Sanctions - Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) committing, or attempting to commit, torture outside the United States (with jurisdiction over the prohibited activity if the alleged offender is a U.S. national or is present in the United States, irrespective of the nationality of the victim or the alleged offender); (2) using weapons of mass destruction against a U.S. national outside of the United States, any person within the United States, or any property that is owned, leased, or used by the United States or any U.S. department or agency; and (3) committing certain homicides and attempted homicides involving firearms in Federal facilities. Increases penalties for international terrorist acts. Provides for the imposition of the death penalty for terrorist murders. Subtitle D: Preventing Domestic and International Terrorist Acts - Part I: Attacking the Infrastructure of Terrorist Organizations - Makes it a Federal criminal offense for an individual, within the United States and acting as an agent of a foreign power, to provide material support or resources (including currency, securities, communications equipment, facilities, weapons, personnel, and other physical assets), or to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, or ownership of such support or resources, knowing that such resources or support are intended to be used to commit a terrorist act. Provides for the civil and criminal seizure and forfeiture of any real or personal property used or intended for use for, or constituting or derived from the gross profits or other proceeds obtained from, specified violations related to terrorist acts, or to facilitate the concealment or an escape from the commission of such violations. Part II: Cooperation of Witnesses in Terrorist Investigations - Alien Witness Cooperation Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Attorney General to waive immigration admission, and other legal, requirements and grant permanent resident status for alien witnesses who cooperate with the Government in Federal or State prosecutions. Bars the granting of such status to an alien who would be excluded because of felony convictions unless the Attorney General determines that the granting of such status to such alien is necessary in the interests of justice and comports with the safety of the community. Limits the number of aliens and members of their immediate families entering the United States under such authority to 200 persons in any single fiscal year. Makes the decision to grant or deny permanent resident status under this Act at the discretion of the Attorney General and not subject to judicial review. Subtitle E: Preventing Economic Terrorism - Makes it a Federal criminal offense to counterfeit, or to make, deal, or possess any plate or other item used in the counterfeiting of, U.S. securities abroad. Establishes an Economic Terrorism Task Force to: (1) assess the threat of terrorist actions directed against the U.S. economy and the adequacy of existing policies and procedures designed to prevent such actions; and (2) recommend administrative and legislative responses to prevent such actions. Sets forth provisions: (1) regarding the makeup of such Task Force; (2) making provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act inapplicable to such Task Force; and (3) establishing reporting requirements. Specifies that if the report of the Task Force is classified, an unclassified version shall be prepared for public distribution. Subtitle F: Authorizations to Expand Counter-Terrorist Operations by Federal Agencies - Authorizes appropriations for counter-terrorist operations and programs. Title VI: Drive-By-Shooting Act - Drive-By-Shooting Prevention Act of 1991 - Sets penalties for any individual who, in furtherance or to escape detection of a major drug offense, with intent to intimidate, harass, injure, or maim, fires a weapon into a group of two or more people causing: (1) grave risk to human life (a fine and up to 25 years' imprisonment); or (2) death (a fine, life imprisonment, or, in a case of first degree murder, a sentence of death). Title VII: Assault Weapons - Antidrug, Assault Weapons Limitation Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the transfer, importation, receipt, or possession of any assault weapon, except: (1) by the Federal, State, or local government; and (2) with respect to weapons lawfully possessed before enactment of this Act. Specifies firearms to be included as assault weapons. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to recommend to the Congress the addition or deletion of firearms to be designated as assault weapons. Increases the length of imprisonment for an individual who uses or carries an assault weapon during and in relation to the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. Prohibits the sale, shipment, or delivery (or purchase, possession, or acceptance of delivery) of an assault weapon to (or by) any person who does not fill out a specified form. Establishes recordkeeping requirements. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the request and delivery of such form. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) investigate and study the effect of this title on violent and drug trafficking crime; and (2) submit to the Senate a report on its findings. Establishes penalties for knowingly failing to acquire the proper form with respect to the lawful transfer, transport, shipping, receipt, or possession of an assault weapon. Specifies the effective period of this title. Title VIII: Police Corps and Law Enforcement Training and Education Act - Police Corps and Law Enforcement Training and Education Act - Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) an Office of the Police Corps and Law Enforcement Education to be headed by a Director. Requires a State that desires to participate in the Police Corps program or the Law Enforcement Scholarship program to designate a lead agency and submit a State plan containing assurances with respect to: (1) lead agency cooperation with other State and local agencies; (2) the State advertising of the assistance available; (3) State screening and selection of law enforcement personnel for participation in the program; and (4) compliance with other specified requirements. Subtitle A: Police Corps Program - Authorizes the Director to award scholarships (including direct payments to institutions and reimbursement of educational costs) to participants who agree to work for four years in a State or local police force after completion of a baccalaureate program and police corps training, subject to specified conditions. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) scholarship assistance for dependent children of law enforcement officers; (2) the selection of participants; (3) minority recruitment; and (4) leaves of absence. Requires the Director to establish up to three training centers to provide basic law enforcement training to State Police Corps program participants. Requires participants to attend two eight-week training sessions at such training centers and to meet certain performance standards in order to remain in the Police Corps program. Requires the Director to pay participants a weekly stipend during training. Requires a State, in order to participate in the Police Corps program, to submit a plan for implementing such program to the Director for approval. Requires such plan to: (1) include assurances that participants will receive additional State or local training after completing Federal training which shall count toward the four-year service obligation; and (2) provide that program participants shall be assigned to community and preventive patrol in geographic areas with the greatest need for additional law enforcement personnel. Provides for the swearing in of participants as members of the police force to which they are assigned after completing Federal training and meeting the requirements of that police force. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Law Enforcement Scholarship Program - Directs each State to pay from funds under this Act the Federal share (not more than 60 percent) of the cost of awarding scholarships to in-service law enforcement personnel for further education. Sets forth State plan requirements, including identifying model curricula and existing programs and providing assurances that the State will promote cooperative agreements to enhance law enforcement personnel recruitment efforts in high schools and community colleges. Sets forth application requirements. Grants priority in awarding scholarships to members of underrepresented groups and to those pursuing an undergraduate degree. Requires each individual awarded a scholarship to work in a law enforcement position in the State which made the award for a period of one month for each credit hour of financial assistance (with a six-month minimum and two-year maximum). Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Reports - Sets forth provisions requiring: (1) annual reports by the Director to the Attorney General, the President, and specified Members of Congress; and (2) a special report by the Attorney General to the Congress on a plan to expand scholarship assistance to eligible Federal law enforcement officers. Title IX: Police Officers' Bill of Rights Act of 1991 - Police Officers' Bill of Rights Act of 1991 - Amends the Omnibus Act to provide that, except when on duty or acting in an official capacity, no law enforcement officer (officer) shall be prohibited from engaging in political activity or be denied the right to refrain from engaging in such activity. Sets forth minimum standards that shall apply when an officer is under investigation or is subjected to questioning under circumstances that could lead to disciplinary action, including that: (1) questioning be conducted at a reasonable hour, and take place at the offices of those conducting the investigation, with exceptions; (2) the officer under investigation be informed in writing of the nature of the investigation prior to questioning; (3) any questioning be for a reasonable period of time, allowing for reasonable periods for rest and personal necessities; (4) such questioning be recorded in full in writing or by electronic device, and a copy of the transcript made available to the officer under investigation; and (5) the officer be entitled to the presence of counsel or other individual at the questioning. Requires the law enforcement agency to notify the officer that such officer is entitled to a hearing by a hearing officer or board, with exceptions for summary punishment or emergency suspension for misconduct. Specifies that an emergency suspension shall not affect the officer's health benefits. Sets forth provisions: (1) with respect to the composition of a disciplinary hearing board and procedures for a disciplinary hearing; and (2) limiting the penalty to that which was recommended by the trial board. Provides for notice of disciplinary action. Bars any penalty or threat of penalty against the officer for the exercise of rights under this Act. Prohibits: (1) a law enforcement agency from inserting any adverse material into the file of an officer unless such officer has had an opportunity to review and comment in writing on the adverse material; (2) requiring or requesting an officer to disclose personal property, income, assets, sources of income, debts, or expenditures (including those of any household member) unless the information is necessary in investigating a violation of law, rules, or regulation with respect to the performance of official duties, or where such disclosure is required by Federal, State, or local law; and (3) a State from having more than two legislative sessions to enact a Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights that provides rights substantially similar to those afforded under this Act. Authorizes a cause of action in State court by the officer for recovery of damages and full reinstatement against a law enforcement agency that materially violates rights afforded under this Act, subject to specified limitations. Specifies that the sovereign immunity of a State shall not apply in the case of such a violation. Specifies that this Act does not preempt State law or collective bargaining agreements or discussions that provide rights for officers that are substantially similar to those afforded by this Act. Title X: Federal Law Enforcement Agencies - Federal Law Enforcement Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), U.S. attorneys, U.S. marshals, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, U.S. courts, and defender services. Title XI: Habeas Corpus Reform Act - Habeas Corpus Reform Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal judicial code to set forth special habeas corpus procedures in capital cases. Applies such procedures to Federal habeas corpus cases brought by prisoners in State custody who are subject to a capital sentence. Makes the applicability to such procedures contingent upon a State establishing a mechanism for the appointment, compensation, and payment of reasonable fees and litigation expenses of competent counsel consistent with this Act. Sets forth procedures for the appointment of counsel or for allowing a prisoner to proceed pro se. Provides for a mandatory stay of execution during the post-conviction review initiated pursuant to this Act. Details conditions which will cause such stay to expire. Prohibits a Federal court, if one of such conditions has occurred, from entering a stay of execution or granting relief in a capital case unless: (1) the basis for the stay and request for relief is a claim not previously presented by the prisoner in the State or Federal courts, and the failure to raise the claim is the result of State action in violation of the Constitution or laws of United States, is the result of Supreme Court recognition of a new Federal right that is retroactively applicable, or is based on a factual predicate that could not have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence; (2) the facts underlying the claim would be sufficient, if proven, to undermine the court's confidence in the jury's determination of guilt on the offense for which the death penalty was imposed; or (3) a stay and consideration of the requested relief are necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice. Imposes time limits on filing for habeas corpus relief. Requires such time limits to be tolled under specified conditions. Requires the district court, upon the development of a complete evidentiary record, to rule on the merits of the claims properly before it. Authorizes a district court to refuse to consider a claim under this Act if: (1) the prisoner previously failed to raise the claim in State court at the time and in the manner prescribed by State law; (2) the State courts, for that reason, refused or would refuse to entertain the claim; and (3) such refusal would constitute an adequate and independent State law ground that would foreclose direct review of the State court judgment in the U.S. Supreme Court. Provides an exception to such authorization. Makes the requirement for a certificate of probable cause inapplicable, with an exception. States that a mechanism for the provision of counsel services to indigents sufficient to invoke the provisions of this Act shall provide for counsel to indigents: (1) charged with offenses for which capital punishment is sought; (2) who have been sentenced to death and who seek appellate or collateral review in State court; and (3) who have been sentenced to death and who seek certiorari review in the U.S. Supreme Court. Prescribes minimum qualifications for appointed counsel. Authorizes payment of fees and expenses for investigative, expert, or other services reasonably necessary for the representation of the defendant. Allows the court to fix the compensation to be paid to an attorney appointed under this Act. Specifies which law is applicable in Federal habeas corpus proceedings. Title XII: Punishment of Gun Criminals - Gun Criminals Punishment Act of 1991 - Subtitle A: Increased Penalties for Gun Offenses - Requires that any individual who, during and in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, discharges a firearm that kills another person: (1) if the killing is a first degree murder, be sentenced to death, life imprisonment, or any term of years, fined, or both; and (2) if the killing is other than a first degree murder, be fined, imprisoned for life or any term of years, or both. Increases penalties to be imposed in addition to penalties provided for a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime for discharging, using, carrying, or otherwise possessing a firearm during and in relation to such crime to five to ten years for firearm, ten to 15 years for an assault weapon, short-barreled rifle, or short-barreled shotgun, and 30 years for a machine gun, destructive device, or firearm equipped with a silencer or muffler. Requires an individual to be sentenced to life imprisonment for a second conviction of such an offense if the firearm is an assault weapon. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate, or amend existing, guidelines to provide for a sentencing enhancement in accord with such provisions. Subtitle B: Firearms and Related Amendments - Establishes penalties for possessing (current law covers only using and carrying) an explosive during the commission of a felony. Provides for 20 years imprisonment for using, carrying, or possessing an explosive, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the transfer of firearms to non-residents of the State in which the transferor resides. Specifies that if a conviction was for a violent felony involving the threatened or actual use of a firearm or explosives, or was for a serious drug offense, such person shall be considered convicted for purposes of this Act irrespective of any pardon, setting aside, expunction, or restoration of civil rights. Permits the judicial officer to consider pretrial detention with respect to certain firearms and explosives offenses. Sets forth penalties for smuggling firearms in aid of drug trafficking and for theft of firearms and explosives. Provides for the mandatory revocation of the supervised release of an individual for possession of a firearm. Increases penalties for making knowingly false, material statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm from a licensed dealer. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to: (1) change from six to five years the statute of limitations for certain firearms offenses; and (2) provide for the summary forfeiture of unregistered National Firearms Act weapons, with provision for reimbursement for innocent owners. Makes it unlawful for felons and others to possess explosives. Authorizes the summary destruction of explosives subject to forfeiture under specified circumstances. Sets forth requirements for reimbursement of the value of destroyed property. Makes it unlawful to knowingly possess stolen firearms, ammunition, or explosives. Adds using a firearm in the commission of counterfeiting or forgery (current law specifies only "whoever, during and in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime") among offenses which, if the offender uses or carries a firearm, will subject such person to an enhanced sentence. Provides for a mandatory five year penalty for firearms possession by violent felons and serious drug offenders. Modifies provisions regarding the reporting of multiple firearms sales to: (1) cover sales during any 30 consecutive days (currently, during any five consecutive business days); and (2) require each licensee to forward a copy of the report to the chief law enforcement officer of the place of residence of the unlicensed person not later than the close of business on the date that the multiple sale or disposition occurs. Subjects individuals who conspire to commit a firearms or explosives offense to the same penalties as those prescribed for the underlying offense. Provides for a fine or up to ten years imprisonment, or both, for stealing a firearm or explosive from specified individuals, such as a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer. Makes it unlawful for any person (current law specifies licensee) to distribute explosive materials to specified classes of individuals. Defines "burglary" to mean any crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year and consisting of entering or remaining surreptitiously within a building that is the property of another with intent to engage in conduct constituting a Federal or State offense. Prohibits the court from placing on probation or suspending the sentence of any person sentenced pursuant to (currently, convicted of) a provision enhancing penalties for the use of a firearm during and in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. Bars the sale of firearms and explosives to, or possession of firearms and explosives by, persons convicted of a violent or serious drug misdemeanor. Subtitle C: Prohibited Gun Clips and Magazines - Includes ammunition feeding devices (AFDs) within the definition of firearms for purposes of Federal firearms laws. Defines an AFD to include any detachable magazine, feed strip, or similar device which has a capacity of, or which can be readily converted to accept, more than 15 rounds of ammunition, with exceptions. Prohibits the importation, manufacture, transfer, receipt, or possession of AFDs, with exceptions. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to maintain a central registry of all such devices transferred after the effective date of this Act which, after such transfer, are not under the control of the United States or any State or political subdivision. Specifies that such registry shall include: (1) identification of the device; (2) date of registration; (3) identification and address of the person entitled to possess the device; and (4) such other information as may be required by regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Establishes additional registration procedures. Requires all AFDs to be identified by a serial number and such other identification as the Secretary may prescribe. Provides for criminal penalties for violation of provisions of this Act relative to AFDs. Authorizes specified individuals engaged in the manufacture or importation of AFDs requiring a license to continue to engage in such business pending final action on the application. Title XIII: Prison for Violent Drug Offenders - Authorizes appropriations for the construction, and operation for one year, of ten regional prisons. Sets forth provisions with respect to the location and population of such prisons, prisoner eligibility (State and Federal prisoners with release dates of not more than two years from the date of assignment to the prison who have long-term drug abuse problems and serious criminal histories, and who agree to the assignment), State responsibilities, and the powers of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (e.g., to return any prisoner not complying with program requirements and conditions.) Requires any State seeking to refer a State prisoner to a regional prison to submit to such Director an aftercare plan setting forth the provisions that the State will make for the continued treatment of the prisoner in a therapeutic community following release and providing for vocational job training where appropriate. Title XIV: Boot Camps - Directs the Attorney General, within one year, to establish within the Bureau of Prisons ten military-style boot camp prisons. Sets forth provisions with respect to prison capacity, proportion of State to Federal prisoners, and eligibility requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Title XV: Youth Violence Act - Subtitle A: Increasing Penalties for Employing Children to Distribute Drugs Near Schools and Playgrounds - Amends the CSA to increase the penalty for employing, using, inducing, or coercing individuals under age 18 to violate provisions of such Act, or to assist in avoiding detection or apprehension for certain offenses under such Act by Federal, State, or local law enforcement officials. Subtitle B: Antigang Grants - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to authorize the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to States and units of general local government to assist them in planning, coordinating, and evaluating projects to reduce the formation or continuation of juvenile gangs and the use and sale of illegal drugs by juveniles. Specifies the allocation (50-50) of funds available to each State for juvenile drug supply and drug demand reduction programs. Directs the Administrator to give priority to programs aimed at juvenile involvement in organized gang- and drug-related activities. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth provisions with respect to application, and review and approval, procedures. Subtitle C: Juvenile Penalties - Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) add certain firearms offenses to the offenses over which the United States has juvenile delinquency jurisdiction; and (2) provide for the treatment of violent juveniles who commit firearms offenses as adults under certain circumstances. Specifies factors to be considered in transferring a juvenile to adult status. Classifies as serious drug offenses for purposes of the Armed Career Criminal Act of 1984 serious drug offenses committed by juveniles. Title XVI: Rural Crime and Drug Control Act - Subtitle A: Fighting Drug Trafficking in Rural Areas - Amends the Omnibus Act to authorize appropriations, and increase the base allocation, for rural drug enforcement assistance. Directs the Attorney General to establish a Rural Drug Enforcement Task Force in each of the Federal judicial districts which encompass significant rural lands. Specifies the membership of such task forces. Directs the Attorney General to cross-designate up to 100 Federal officers with jurisdiction to enforce CSA provisions on non-Federal lands to the extent necessary to effect the purposes of this title. Requires the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to develop a specialized course of instruction devoted to training law enforcement officers from rural agencies in the investigation of drug trafficking and related crimes. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Increasing Penalties for Certain Drug Trafficking Offenses - Ice Enforcement Act of 1991 - Amends the CSA to increase penalties for specified offense involving crystalline methamphetamine. Subtitle C: Rural Drug Prevention and Treatment - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Office for Treatment Improvement to establish a program to provide grants to hospitals, community health centers, and other appropriate entities that serve nonmetropolitan areas to assist in developing and implementing projects that provide, or expand the availability of, substance abuse treatment services. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the alcohol and drug abuse information clearinghouse required to be established under the Public Health Service Act to: (1) gather information pertaining to Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration 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. Subtitle D: Rural Land Recovery Act - Specifies that each of the Rural Drug Enforcement Task Forces shall include one Director of Rural Land Recovery. Directs State and Federal prosecutors, when bringing charges against the operators of such laboratories, to include, in addition to drug-related charges, counts involving infringements of applicable environmental protection laws, including illegal disposal of hazardous waste and knowing endangerment of the environment. Authorizes such prosecutors and private citizens to bring suit against the operators of such laboratories for environmental and health-related damages caused by the operators in their manufacture of illicit substances. Title XVII: Drug Emergency Areas Act of 1991 - Drug Emergency Areas Act of 1991 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to replace language with respect to the designation of high intensity drug trafficking areas with provisions authorizing the President to declare a State or part of a State to be a drug emergency area. Requires requests for such a declaration to be made, in writing, by the Governor or chief executive officer of any affected State or local government and forwarded to the President through the Director of National Drug Control Policy. Allows cities, counties, or States to submit a joint request. Requires requests to be based on a written finding that the emergency is of such severity and magnitude that Federal assistance is necessary to ensure an effective response. Prohibits the President from limiting declarations made under this Act to highly-populated centers of drug trafficking, drug use, or drug-related violence. Requires the President to consider applications from governments of less populated areas where the magnitude and severity of such activities are beyond the capability of the State or local government to respond. Requires Governors or chief executive officers, as part of such requests and as a prerequisite to such assistance, to: (1) take appropriate action under State or local law to respond to the crisis and furnish information on the nature and amount of State and local resources which have been or will be committed to alleviating the emergency; (2) certify that State and local government obligations and expenditures will comply with all applicable cost-sharing requirements; and (3) submit a detailed plan outlining the State or local government's short- and long-term plans to respond to the emergency. Requires the Director to review requests submitted and forward the application to the President, along with a recommendation. Authorizes the President to make grants to State or local governments of up to $50,000,000 for any single emergency. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of the costs necessary to implement the short- and long-term plan. Limits the duration of assistance to a drug disaster area to one year, after which the Governors or chief executive officers may apply for an extension of up to 180 days. Requires any State or local government receiving Federal assistance to balance the allocation of such assistance evenly between drug supply and demand reduction efforts, unless State or local conditions dictate otherwise. Authorizes the President to: (1) direct any Federal agency to utilize its authorities and resources to support State and local efforts; and (2) provide technical and advisory assistance. Title XVIII: Drunk Driving Child Protection Act - Drunk Driving Child Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Assimilative Crimes Statute to require the imposition of a Federal penalty (if not already imposed by a State) of one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine, or both, in addition to any term of imprisonment under State law for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol if a minor (other than the offender) was present in the vehicle at the time of the offense. Amends the common carrier provisions of the Federal criminal code to increase the penalty for operating a common carrier under the influence of drugs or alcohol if a minor (other than the offender) is present in the vehicle by up to one year's imprisonment (or if serious bodily injury of a minor is caused, five years; or if death of a minor is caused, ten years) and an additional $1,000 fine, or both. Defines "minor" as a person less than 18 years of age. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in determining child custody and visitation rights, the courts should take into consideration the history of drunk driving of any person involved in the determination. Title XIX: Commission on Crime and Violence - Establishes the National Commission on Crime and Violence in America to: (1) develop a comprehensive crime control plan to serve as a blueprint for action in the 1990s; (2) bring attention to successful models and programs; (3) reach beyond the traditional criminal justice community for ideas; and (4) recommend improvements in local, State, and Federal coordination. Sets forth the composition of the Commission, its responsibilities, administrative provisions, reporting requirements, and termination date. Title XX: Protection of Crime Victims - Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1991 - Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, as amended, to eliminate the cap on the crime victims fund. Requires (current law authorizes) the court to order restitution payments for specified violations of the Federal criminal code and the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Authorizes the court, in addition to ordering restitution of the victim of the offense of which a defendant is convicted, to order restitution of persons harmed physically, emotionally, or pecuniarily by defendant's unlawful conduct during which the offense occurred or during the course of a scheme, conspiracy, or pattern of unlawful activity related to the offense. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to determination of amounts owed to the victim, set-offs, enforcement of restitution orders, and procedures for issuing such orders. Title XXI: Crack House Eviction Act - Amends the CSA to authorize: (1) the Attorney General to bring a civil action against violators of prohibitions against maintaining places for the manufacture, distribution, or use of controlled substances; and (2) the court to assess a civil penalty of up to $100,000 and grant such other relief, including injunctions and evictions, as appropriate. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) aggressively pursue the use of criminal penalties, civil injunctions, forfeiture sanctions, and other remedies against drug offenders; and (2) report annually to the Congress on the manner and extent to which such remedies are being used and their effect in curtailing drug trafficking. Title XXII: Organized Crime and Dangerous Drugs Division - Subtitle A: Establishment of an Organized Crime and Dangerous Drugs Division in the Department of Justice - Justice Department Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Enhancement Act of 1991 - Establishes within DOJ the Organized Crime and Dangerous Drugs Division, consisting initially of specified offices within the Criminal Division of DOJ and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program. Transfers to such Division all functions, personnel, and available funds of such offices and program. Requires such Division to be headed by an Assistant Attorney General for the Organized Crime and Dangerous Drug Division and a Deputy Assistant. Establishes within such Division such sections and offices as the Attorney General deems appropriate to maintain or increase the level of enforcement activities with respect to criminal racketeering, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, asset forfeiture, international crime, and civil enforcement. Directs the Attorney General to establish at least 20 field offices of the Division to be known as Organized Crime and Dangerous Drug Strike Forces. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to coordination of field activities and the transfer of staff assigned to the Task Forces to the Division (designated the Criminal Narcotics Section). Specifies that the agents assigned to the Strike Forces shall be dedicated exclusively to, and located with, the Strike Forces and shall be given credit for the work of the Strike Forces. Requires the Assistant Attorney General for Organized Crime and Dangerous Drugs to report to the Congress on the areas of the United States that may require increased assistance from DOJ through the establishment of additional strike forces. Authorizes appropriations for salaries and expenses of the Division for FY 1992, subject to certain limitations. Subtitle B: International Prosecution Teams - Requires the Division to include at least ten International Drug Enforcement Teams: (1) devoted exclusively to investigating, prosecuting, and supporting the investigation and prosecution of international drug cases; and (2) responsible for developing expertise in handling civil and criminal cases involving extradition, money laundering, drug-related corruption, and other complex cases relating to international drug trafficking. Specifies relationships of team members and goals, including improved coordination and cooperation between the United States and foreign countries in the suppression of international money laundering and narcotics trafficking. Title XXIII: Exclusionary Rule - Amends the Federal criminal code to bar the exclusion of evidence obtained as a result of a search or seizure that was in violation of the fourth amendment to the Constitution if the search or seizure was carried out in reasonable reliance on a warrant that was issued by a detached and neutral magistrate and that was ultimately found to be invalid, unless: (1) the judicial officer in issuing the warrant was materially misled by information in an affidavit that the affiant knew was false or would have known was false except for his reckless disregard of the truth; (2) the judicial officer provided approval of the warrant without exercising a neutral and detached review of the application for the warrant; (3) the warrant was based on an affidavit so lacking in indicia of probable cause as to render official belief in its existence entirely unreasonable; or (4) the warrant is so facially deficient that the executing officers could not reasonably presume it to be valid. Title XXIV: Drug Testing - Federal Prisoner Drug Testing Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal criminal code to require, as a condition of probation, supervised release, or parole, that the defendant pass a drug test prior to the imposition of sentence, refrain from any unlawful use of a controlled substance, and submit to at least two periodic drug tests (as determined by the court, with respect to probation or supervised release, and by the U.S. Parole Commission, with respect to parole) for use of a controlled substance. Specifies that no action may be taken against a defendant pursuant to such a drug test unless the test confirmation is a urine drug test confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques or one determined to be of equivalent accuracy. Title XXV: Maximum Penalty Increases for Violent Crimes - Increases the maximum penalty for: (1) assaults against specified classes of individuals; (2) manslaughter; (3) certain civil rights violations (including damage to religious property); (4) interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises; and (5) conspiracy to commit murder for hire. Specifies that, in determining the equitable share of proceeds for a State or local law enforcement agency from a drug-related asset seizure under CSA provisions, the Attorney General shall not retain more than ten percent of the total proceeds to cover the costs of administrative expenses. Title XXVI: Obstruction of Justice - Increases penalties for obstruction of justice offenses against court officers and jurors and for retaliatory killings of witnesses, victims, and informants. Title XXVII: Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act - Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act - Makes it unlawful for any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless: (1) after the most recent proposal of such transfer by the individual, the transferor has received a statement of eligibility from the individual, has notified the chief law enforcement officer for such individual's place of residence about the proposed transfer, and either has received a response indicating that such transfer is not prohibited by law or has not received a response indicating otherwise within seven days; (2) the individual has presented to the transferor a statement from the officer, issued in the past ten days, that the individual requires a handgun because of a threat to him or his family; (3) the individual has presented to the transferor a permit to possess a handgun that has been issued in the past five years by the State in which the transfer is to take place under a State law which requires law enforcement verification of the individual's legal qualification to possess a handgun; (4) State law either requires a waiting period of at least seven days or requires that an authorized government official verifies that the information available to such official does not indicate that possession of a handgun by the purchaser would be unlawful; or (5) the transferor has received a report from any system of felon identification established by the Attorney General under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 that the individual's possession or receipt of the handgun would not violate Federal, State, or local law. Requires the statement of eligibility to include a statement that the individual: (1) is not under indictment for and has not been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; (2) is not a fugitive; (3) is not an unlawful user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance; (4) has not been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution; (5) is not an alien who is illegally in the United States; (6) has not been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces; and (7) is not a person who has renounced U.S. citizenship. Requires any transferor who, after a transfer, receives a report from such officer that receipt or possession of the handgun by the individual violates the law, to: (1) furnish information about the transfer and the individual to the chief law enforcement officer of the transferor's place of business and the individual's place of residence; and (2) keep confidential any information received which is not otherwise available to the public, with exceptions. Requires a transferor to retain a copy of the individual's statement and retain evidence of compliance with the requirement under this Act with respect to the furnishing of a copy of the statement to the chief law enforcement officer of the place of residence of the individual within one day after furnishing such statement. Requires the law enforcement officer to destroy any copy of the individual's sworn statement and any record containing information derived from such statement within 30 days, unless such officer determines that the transaction would violate Federal, State, or local law. Specifies that a chief law enforcement officer shall not be liable to any person for action taken by the officer to ascertain whether a transferee of a handgun has a criminal record or whether there is any other legal impediment to the transferee receiving a handgun under any Federal, State, or local law, except a law that specifically provides for such liability. Directs the Attorney General, subject to appropriations, to make a grant to an eligible State for the direction of a computerized criminal history record system or improvement of an existing system and to defray the cost to State and local law enforcement agencies in conducting background checks on prospective handgun purchasers. Specifies the allocation of grant funds. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1233 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1991
Rural Tourism Development Foundation Act of 1991 - Establishes the Rural Tourism Development Foundation to promote travel and tourism by foreign visitors to rural America. Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to assist the Foundation in the development and promotion of rural tourism. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2566 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1991
Federal Aid Surface Transportation Act of 1991 - Title I: Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1991 - Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for: (1) the National Highway and Bridge System; (2) the Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program; (3) emergency relief; (4) the Federal Lands Highway Program; (5) the University Transportation Centers Program; (6) the Right-of-Way Revolving Fund; and (7) the Territorial Highway Program. Specifies that unobligated balances of funds apportioned or allocated to a State under Federal highway provisions before October 1, 1991, shall be available for obligation in such State under the law, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to the obligation and expenditure of those funds in effect on September 30, 1991. Repeals the FY 1993 authorization under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. Authorizes appropriations for Interstate construction to complete the Interstate System out of the Highway Account of the HTF for each of FY 1992 through 1995. Provides for certain allocations for Massachusetts for such fiscal years. Sets forth a formula for the apportionment of authorized funds for such fiscal years among the States. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Account of the HTF for highway projects for the Interstate Substitution Program. Sets forth provisions with respect to obligation ceilings for Federal-aid highway programs, distribution of and limitations on obligation authority, and redistribution of unused obligation authority. Declares that national resources should be focused upon preserving the nation's investment in its Interstate systems, that broad national defense, economic, safety, and international policy goals are advanced by efficient transportation systems, that national transportation investments should increasingly encourage domestic and international commerce and trade, and that, based on congressionally established national transportation policy and objectives, a new Federal high priority highway network should be designated. Establishes the National Highway and Bridge System, to consist of all currently designated Interstate highways, an appropriate portion of the rural and urban principal arterial routes, including toll facilities, and national defense highways, and routes which meet specified criteria (including nationally significant truck routes, routes that provide nationally significant commodities with access to markets, access points to significant national parks, facilities that will provide logical connection between major population centers and the National Highway and Bridge System, and major urban corridors). Specifies that the National Highway System shall be based on a functional reclassification of roads and streets in each State which shall be designated not later than September 30, 1993, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Secretary of Transportation, and that the Secretary may add segments to the National Highway System as necessary to meet National Highway Program objectives. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria for reviewing projects to be funded as part of the National Highway and Bridge System which: (1) define eligible projects to include rehabilitation, resurfacing, restoration, capacity expansion, operational improvement, safety, and new highway construction; (2) ensure as a first priority for the use of available funds the protection of investments made in the Interstate highways in each State and the provision of suitable traveling quality by such highways; (3) permit funding in urbanized areas to be used to improve highway and transit systems, where it can be shown that the improvement will increase the level of service within the corridor of the National Highway and Bridge System; and (4) permit the use of such funds for intercity rail projects and projects for access to ports, airports, and related facilities. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to the discharge of responsibilities by the Secretary for National Highway and Bridge System projects. Directs the Secretary to establish an Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program to provide a category of funds that minimizes Federal requirements and provides flexibility in the use of available funds for either highway or transit projects. Specifies: (1) that the Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program shall consist of all public highways (including bridges) functionally classified as arterials, urban collectors, and rural collectors other than those designated as part of the National Highway and Bridge System; (2) that each State shall establish guidelines for implementing this program; and (3) eligible highways and projects. Sets forth provisions with respect to the obligation of funds, and the Federal share of projects, for the construction of toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and ferries. Requires the Secretary, in each fiscal year, to allocate among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that: (1) the total of apportionments and minimum allocation for each State in each such fiscal year shall not be less than 90 percent (currently, 85 percent) of the percentage of estimated tax payments into the Highway Account of the HTF attributable to highway users in the State of total apportionments in each such fiscal year and allocations for the prior year; and (2) each State's total apportionment from the Highway Account of the HTF for the year is not less than that made during FY 1991 (excluding any Interstate construction funds in excess of FY 1992 one-half percent minimum, Interstate substitution, and amounts for demonstration or discretionary funding programs or projects). Directs the Secretary to cooperate with State and local officials in urbanized areas in the development of transportation plans and programs which are formulated with due consideration to comprehensive long-range land use plans, development objectives, innovative financing mechanisms, overall social, economic, environmental, and system performance, energy conservation goals and objectives and with due consideration to their probable effect on the future development of the area. Specifies that the transportation planning process, at a minimum, shall cover the existing urbanized area and the area expected to become urbanized within the forecast period, and that it may encompass the entire Metropolitan Statistical Area/Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area at the discretion of the Governor and the affected units of local government. Requires that transportation plans and programs in urbanized areas of more than 200,000 population be based on a continuing transportation planning process which: (1) is carried out by a metropolitan planning organization and is comprehensive to the degree appropriate based on the complexity of transportation problems in the area, including transportation-related air quality problems; and (2) considers all modes of transportation, including intermodal connectivity, the balance between future development and transportation needs, and an areawide multimodal congestion management system. Specifies that in nonattainment areas for transportation-related pollutants the multimodal congestion management system shall address air quality considerations and be coordinated with the process for development of the transportation element of the State Implementation Plan required by the Clean Air Act. Requires that the costs and impacts of proposed action on both mobility and air quality be evaluated. Bars the Secretary from approving any highway project in urbanized areas of more than 200,000 population that by reconstruction or new construction significantly increases the vehicle carrying capacity of a transportation corridor unless the project is consistent with the congestion management system. Directs the metropolitan planning organization to cooperate with the State in the development of a congestion management, bridge management, pavement management, safety management, and traffic monitoring system. Requires that: (1) a metropolitan planning organization be designated in each urbanized area by agreement among the units of general purpose local government and the Governor to carry out such transportation planning process; (2) such organization develop a transportation improvement program that includes all projects proposed for funding within the study area under the National Highway and Bridge Program, the Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program, and the Bridge Program; and (3) in urbanized areas of 200,000 population or less, such organization, the State, and transit operators, at a minimum, meet the requirements of this Act by the development of such a transportation improvement program (including consideration of transportation-related air quality problems.) Requires the Federal highway research program to include coordinated long-term programs of research: (1) on Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems; and (2) for the development, use, and dissemination of performance indicators to measure the performance of the surface transportation system. Requires such program to continue those portions of the Strategic Highway Research Program that the Secretary deems important. Directs the Secretary to create and administer the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program, a program to attract qualified students to the field of transportation engineering and research. Provides for the funding of such program. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with the States in carrying out: (1) statewide transportation planning; and (2) State highway research. Sets forth provisions regarding State matching fund requirements and waiver of such requirements. Directs the Secretary: (1) in the Secretary's reports regarding future highway needs of the nation, to report as well on the condition and performance of the existing system and on the bridge needs of the nation; and (2) beginning with the report due in January 1995, to include the results of studies of the air quality impacts of transportation programs including the air quality benefits realized from transportation control measures required under the Clear Air Act. Establishes within the Department of Transportation a Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which shall pursue a comprehensive, long-term program for the collection and analysis of data relating to the performance of the national transportation system. Requires the Director of such Bureau to: (1) produce annually unbiased and comparable estimates of factors including productivity in the various portions of the transportation sector, traffic flow, travel times, travel costs of intracity commuting and intercity trips, frequency of vehicle and transportation facility repairs, accidents, and collateral damage to the human and natural environment; and (2) submit reports beginning on October 1, 1992, and every 12 months thereafter, to specified congressional committees describing the status of the U.S. transportation system. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) undertake, on a cost-shared basis, collaborative research and development with non-Federal entities, including State, local, and foreign governments; and (2) enter into cooperative research and development agreements, except that the average Federal share in such agreements shall not exceed 50 percent (but allows the Secretary to approve a higher Federal level of participation where there is substantial public interest or benefit). Authorizes the Secretary to withhold project approvals on National Highway and Bridge Program projects for failure of a State to have a bridge management, pavement management, safety management, and congestion management system. Requires each State to have a traffic monitoring system to provide statistically-based traffic data. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) acquisition of rights-of-way; (2) private, State, and local donations; (3) access to rights-of-way to accommodate needed passenger or commuter rail, high speed ground transportation systems (including magnetic levitation systems), and highway and nonhighway public mass transit facilities; and (4) the definition and scope of the Interstate System. Declares that: (1) the nation must redirect its efforts toward moving people, information, and goods rather than moving vehicles; (2) the new Federal program shall refocus national policies to respond to increasing inter-regional travel, relieving urban congestion, improving rural access, fostering intermodalism, enhancing air quality, conserving energy, and giving priority to projects that offer the best solutions to the transportation problems and environmental considerations of each region; and (3) the essential element for an effective future program is a new Federal, State, and local partnership that provides more funding, greater program flexibility, and greater program management and resource contribution responsibilities at the State and local levels. Sets forth provisions with respect to the apportionment of funds, including apportionment formulas under the: (1) National Highway and Bridge Program, based on the State's rural and urban lane miles, rural vehicle miles traveled, and diesel fuel consumption; and (2) Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program, in the ratio of tax payments of the Highway Account of the HTF attributable to the highway users of each State. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) project agreements and obligations of funds; (2) availability of funds; (3) the Federal share payable with respect to certain projects; (4) project litigation expenses; and (5) the allocation and administration of Federal lands highways funds, and the establishment of a coordinated Federal Lands Highways Program. Authorizes (subject to specified limitations): (1) States to use Federal highway funds to construct improved lanes, paths, or shoulders, traffic control devices, shelters, and parking facilities for bicycles and pedestrians, and carry out nonconstruction projects related to safe bicycle and pedestrian use; (2) the Secretary, where a highway bridge deck being replaced or rehabilitated with Federal financial participation is located on a highway on which bicycles or pedestrians are permitted to operate at each end of the bridge and the Secretary determines that the safe accommodation of bicycles or pedestrians can be provided at reasonable cost, to replace or rehabilitate such bridge, making such accommodations; (3) Federal lands highways funds to be used for the construction of pedestrian walkways and bicycle routes; and (4) a State to expend Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program funds for such construction. Provides for: (1) a functional reclassification of all public roads; (2) the transfer of funds for transit projects to, for administration by, the Urban Mass Transportation Administration; and (3) a recodification of Federal highway-related provisions. Requires that construction standards adopted for the National Highway and Bridge System be those approved by the Secretary in cooperation with the State highway departments and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (currently, with respect to construction standards for the Interstate System, cooperation with such Association is not required). Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines for minimizing soil erosion from highway construction. Bars the Secretary from approving projects that will result in the severance or destruction of an existing major route for nonmotorized transportation traffic and light motorcycles, unless the project provides a reasonable alternative route or an alternative route exists. Requires: (1) projects for resurfacing, restoring, or rehabilitating specified highways to be constructed in accordance with standards to preserve and extend highway service life and enhance highway safety; and (2) States to charge, at a minimum, fair market value for the sale, use, lease, or lease renewals of right-of-way airspace acquired as a result of a project funded in whole or in part with Federal assistance made available from the Highway Account of the HTF, with exceptions. Provides that: (1) Indian contractors certified by State transportation or highway departments shall receive preference in the award of contracts on Indian reservations to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) contracts for Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program projects may be entered into with the prior concurrence of the Secretary in the award. Authorizes: (1) the State transportation or highway department to include warranty or guarantee provisions in construction contracts which, if used, shall be for a specified construction product or feature and may not include routine maintenance; and (2) projects (currently, requires projects) approved to include the amount of any interest earned and payable on bonds issued by the State to the extent that the proceeds of the bonds have actually been expended in the construction of the project. Authorizes the Secretary, except for projects administered under the Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program, to make payments to a State for costs incurred on a project. (Current law authorizes payment to States for construction.) Specifies that total payments shall not exceed total costs incurred by the State for the project. Requires any State transportation or highway (currently, highway) department which submits plans for a National Highway and Bridge Program or Interstate System project (currently, Interstate System project) to make its certification and report, indicating that consideration was given to the economic, social, environmental, and other effects of the plan, highway location or design, and various alternatives which were raised during the hearing or which were otherwise considered (current law does not mention the latter requirement). Authorizes the Secretary to approve for Federal financial assistance from National Highway and Bridge Program funds: (1) projects designed to encourage the use of carpools, subject to specified limitations; and (2) the construction of exclusive or preferential high occupacy vehicle (HOV) lanes, highway traffic control devices, intercity and urban bus passenger loading areas and facilities, and fringe and transportation corridor parking to serve HOV, intercity bus, and public transportation passengers. Specifies that if fees are charged for the use of any carpool or other publicly owned parking facility constructed pursuant to Federal highway provisions, the revenue in excess of that required for maintenance and operation of the facility and the cost of providing shuttle service to and from the facility including compensation to any person for operating the facility and for providing shuttle service shall be used for purposes authorized under Federal highway provisions. Requires that National Highway and Bridge System funds be made available to finance the Federal share of projects for exclusive or preferential HOV, truck, and emergency vehicle routes or lanes. Permits such routes on the Interstate System to have less than four lanes of traffic. Prohibits the approval of HOV projects unless the Secretary has received assurances from the owner or operator of the facility that HOV vehicles will fully utilize the proposed project and that essential operations and enforcement support of the facility will be provided. Specifies that, in any case where sufficient land exists within the publicly acquired rights-of-way of the National Highway System to accommodate needed nonhighway public mass transit facilities and where the accommodation can be accomplished without impairing automotive safety or future highway improvements, the Secretary may authorize a State to make those lands and rights-of-way available without charge to a publicly owned mass transit authority for such purposes wherever the public interest will be served. Directs the Secretary to require assurance from any State desiring to avail itself of benefits under Federal highway provisions that employment in connection with proposed projects be provided without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex (currently, specifies "without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, or sex"). Requires that not to exceed one fourth of one percent of the funds apportioned to a State be available for highway construction training. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex under programs or activities receiving Federal assistance. Repeals a requirement that each State certify that it is enforcing all speed limits on public highways and that the Secretary not approve projects in States failing to make such certification. Requires each State to establish a procedure to certify that highway bridge inspectors meet national qualifications. (Current law requires that standards established by the Secretary include a procedure for national certification of such inspectors.) Directs the Secretary to withhold ten percent of the amount to be appropriated to any State on the first day of each fiscal year in which the purchase or public possession in that State of any alcoholic beverage by a person who is less than 21 years of age is lawful (current law specifies five percent on the first day of the fiscal year succeeding the first fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1985, and ten percent after the second fiscal year beginning after such date). Specifies that funds withheld from apportionment shall be apportioned to the other States in compliance and remain available for the period of time applicable to the category of funds withheld (currently, treatment of such funds varies based on whether funds were withheld on or before September 30, 1988). Directs that construction estimated to cost $50,000 (currently, $15,000) or more per mile or per project for projects with a length of less than one mile on forest development roads and trails be advertised and let to contract, and allows projects with less than such cost, if no acceptable bid is received, to be done by the Secretary of Agriculture. Repeals provisions under the Territorial Highway Program: (1) that Federal financial assistance be granted on the basis of a Federal contribution of 100 percent of the cost of any project; and (2) under which the Governor must agree not to impose any toll, or permit any such toll to be charged, for use by vehicles or persons of any portion of the facilities constructed or operated to qualify for funding. Provides that, in addition to a specified percentage, sums provided (currently, two percent) for each fiscal year may be expended upon request of the Governor with the Secretary's approval under such Program. Requires (currently, authorizes the Secretary to make) expenditures with respect to the reconstruction of the Alaska-Canada international highway. Authorizes the Secretary to give priority of approval to, and expedite the construction of, projects that are recommended as important to the national defense. Modifies provisions regarding the National Highway Institute to: (1) require that private agencies and individuals pay the full cost of any education and training received by them; and (2) authorize the Institute to engage in all phases of contract authority for training purposes authorized under Federal highway provisions and to carry out its authority independently or in cooperation with any other branch of Government, authority, association, or person. Authorizes the Institute to establish and collect fees from any entity and place them in a special account.
Bill· SS. 1220 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1991
National Energy Security Act of 1991 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Subtitle A: Findings and Purposes - Sets forth the energy efficiency and development purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Goals, Least-Cost Energy Strategy, and Director of Climate Protection - Enumerates the goals of this Act, including establishment in 1992 of an international framework convention on global climate change and international commitment to such convention. Requires the first National Energy Policy Plan submitted by the President to the Congress to include a least-cost energy strategy prepared by the Secretary of Energy according to specified guidelines. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director of Climate Protection, who shall participate annually in the formulation of such strategy. Title II: Definitions - Sets forth definitions used in this Act. Title III: Corporate Average Fuel Economy - Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Act of 1991 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and light trucks manufactured in model years 1996 through 2001, and for those manufactured in model years 2002 and thereafter. Requires such Secretary to determine the maximum feasible average fuel economy achievable according to prescribed formulas for passenger automobiles, light trucks, or classes of light trucks manufactured during such model years. Provides that credits for exceeding average fuel economy standards may be transferred among manufacturers and among vehicle classes of a manufacturer. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue rules implementing such a credit trading system. Grants average fuel economy credits for small passenger automobiles manufactured with airbags for either driver seating position only, or for both the driver and front seat outboard seating positions. Directs the Secretary of Energy to distribute at least 100 explanatory booklets each year to every dealer and an additional number if requested. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to assess an excessive fuel consumption fee upon a manufacturer whose average fuel economy does not meet certain statutory standards. Replaces civil penalties for such non-compliance with the excessive fuel consumption fee according to prescribed guidelines. Establishes the Excessive Fuel Consumption Fund. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make payments from the Fund for purposes of: (1) providing financial assistance to State programs encouraging voluntary removal from the marketplace of pre-1980 model-year automobiles; and (2) funding other energy conservation programs. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress regarding the Fund's financial condition and operations. Requires the Secretary of Energy to adopt rules necessary to review and approve State programs that qualify for financial assistance for the older vehicle scrappage program. Mandates that as a prerequisite to Federal assistance at least 50 percent of scrappage program costs be paid from non-Federal funds. Title IV: Fleets and Alternative Fuels - Subtitle A: Alternative Fuel Fleets - Sets forth a schedule according to which Federal agencies, when buying, leasing, or otherwise acquiring vehicles for a Federal fleet, must increase the percentage of alternative fuel vehicles in such fleet from ten percent in 1995 up to 90 percent in 2000 and each year following. Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to work with the Administrator of General Services and each Federal agency head to plan effective coordination of such acquisitions. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates State acquisition of alternative fuel vehicles according to the same schedule if specified circumstances prevail. Sets forth a different schedule for private and municipal fleets, rising from 30 percent in 1998 to 70 percent in 2000 and after. Provides for exemptions from such requirements in specified circumstances. Requires the Secretary to allocate credits to States or private persons for any vehicles acquired in excess of requirements. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this subtitle. Authorizes the Secretary to request the Attorney General to bring civil actions to enforce it. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate administration and enforcement of this subtitle within any State to its Governor if a State program exists. Authorizes appropriations to provide financial assistance to States to which the Secretary delegates such authority. Subtitle B: Electric and Electric-Hybrid Vehicle Demonstration, Infrastructure, Development, and Conforming Amendments - Part A: Electric and Electric-Hybrid Vehicle Demonstration - Electric and Electric-Hybrid Vehicle Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary to conduct a program to demonstrate electric vehicles, electric-hybrid vehicles, and their assorted equipment. Provides for solicitation and selection of proposals to negotiate up to ten cooperative agreements to receive financial assistance to conduct such demonstrations. Provides for discount payments to reimburse proposers for giving discounts to vehicle purchasers or lessees. Requires 50 percent of the costs of a cooperative agreement to be provided from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Electric and Electric-Hybrid Vehicle Infrastructure Development - Electric Vehicle and Electric-Hybrid Infrastructure Development Act - Directs the Secretary to establish a program for the collection and dissemination of information and data which would be useful to persons seeking to manufacture, sell, lease, own or operate electric and electric-hybrid vehicles. Requires the Secretary to issue guidelines for States and local governmental entities to use in developing comprehensive infrastructure plans to support the deployment of such vehicles. Requires the Secretary to offer State Governors the opportunity to request and receive technical and financial assistance in formulating comprehensive State infrastructure plans. Directs the Secretary to undertake cooperative agreements with non-Federal persons, including fleet operators, to provide the infrastructure necessary to support the use of such vehicles. Requires at least 50 percent of costs to be provided from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations. Part C: Amendment to the Alternative Motor Fuels Act - Makes conforming amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act. Subtitle C: Alternative Fuels - Replacement and Alternative Fuels Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to establish a program to promote the development and use of domestically produced replacement and alternative fuels (including liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, "neat" alcohol, hydrogen, coal-derived liquid fuels, and electricity) to replace conventional petroleum motor fuels. Requires the Secretary to study and determine the feasibility of domestically producing enough such fuels by the year 2010 to replace at least 30 percent of the projected consumption of motor fuel in the United States for that year. Requires annual demand estimates of the number and geographic distribution and the amount of each type of alternative fuel vehicle. Requires the Secretary to obtain voluntary commitments from providers of domestic replacement and alternative fuels to produce and offer for public sale sufficient amounts of such fuels to meet demand. Requires the Secretary to: (1) notify the Congress if the amount of such fuels in any area of the United States is insufficient to meet demand; and (2) submit a plan of action to require such providers to make adequate supplies available. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Mass Transit and Training - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to enter into cooperative agreements and joint ventures with local or regional transit authorities in urban areas of over 100,000 population to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of using natural gas or other alterative fuels for mass transit. Mandates that as a prerequisite to such a cooperative agreement or joint venture at least 25 percent of the demonstration costs be borne by the local or regional transit authority. Authorizes the Secretary to grant priority to any entity that demonstrates that the use of alternative fuels for mass transit would have a significant effect on the ability of an air quality region to comply with regulations governing ambient air quality. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Department of Labor to implement a technician training and certification program for the vehicle installation of equipment that converts gasoline or diesel-fueled vehicles to run solely on alternative fuels. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Renewable Energy - Subtitle A: CORECT and COEECT - Amends the EPCA to name certain interagency working groups the Committee on Renewable Energy Commerce and Trade (CORECT) and the Committee on Energy Efficiency Commerce and Trade (COEECT). Requires: (1) CORECT to promote the development and application in lesser-developed countries of renewable energy resource products and technologies that promote the use of hybrid fossil-renewable energy systems; (2) COEECT to promote the development and application in such countries of energy efficiency resource products and technologies; and (3) both to provide in-country technical training and financial assistance. Authorizes CORECT and COEECT to establish renewable energy and energy efficiency industry outreach offices in the Pacific Rim and in the Caribbean Basin. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the Congress on the range of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies available to meet the energy needs of developing countries. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Renewable Energy Initiatives - Amends the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (REEETCA) to direct the Secretary to solicit proposals and provide financial assistance for joint ventures with respect to: (1) oil and diesel fuel displacement using specified renewable energy sources; and (2) training individuals from developing countries in the United States in the operation and maintenance of renewable energy equipment and of energy efficiency equipment. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals and provide financial assistance for at least one joint venture for a utility-scale photovoltaic project of at least ten megawatts. Amends REEETCA to direct the Secretary to enter into buy-down agreements with private lenders to pay the Federal share of the interest on loans to certain qualified borrowers to finance the manufacture, construction, or acquisition of equipment that principally utilizes a renewable energy technology. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees an evaluation of opportunities to minimize waste from processes in the U.S. industries. Establishes certain facilities and equipment located at Keahole Point, Hawaii as the Spark M. Matsunaga Renewable Energy and Ocean Technology Center to carry out research, development, and technology transfer activities on solar and renewable energy, energy storage, and related matters. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a program to reward outstanding achievements in specified renewable energy technologies with awards of up to $5,000,000; and (2) a milestone for technical achievement for the year 2010 for each such technology. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Hydropower - Amends the Federal Power Act to eliminate certain mandatory conditioning powers of Federal land mangers with respect to Government dams. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to give hydroelectric license applicants earliest practicable notice of studies that will be required to accompany a license application. Provides for a single consolidated review of project licensing under the National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 (NEPA). Makes FERC the lead agency for NEPA compliance activities associated with hydroelectric licensing. Grants States exclusive authority to license hydropower projects of five megawatts or less, under certain conditions. Requires the Secretary to study and report to certain congressional committees on cost-effective opportunities to increase hydropower production at existing federally-owned or -operated water regulations, storage, and conveyance facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and implement water use efficiency measures at Federal reclamation projects in order to increase hydropower production, make more efficient use of project power, and provide more water for fish and wildlife. Removes Federal licensing jurisdiction over: (1) hydroelectric projects on fresh waters in Hawaii; and (2) two specified hydroelectric projects in Alaska. Extends the time for project development for two specified hydropower projects in Arkansas. Title VI: Energy Efficiency - Subtitle A: Industrial, Commercial and Residential - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA) to require the Secretary of Energy to issue a Federal building code to assure that all new Federal buildings and buildings receiving Federal mortgages include energy efficiency measures that are technologically feasible and economically justified. Requires the Secretary to support the upgrading of an industry voluntary building energy code for new residential and commercial buildings. Directs the Secretary to provide incentive funding to States which adopt building energy codes at least as stringent as those of the industry voluntary building codes. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to direct the Secretary to issue voluntary guidelines for use by States, local organizations and others to develop energy rating systems for residential buildings. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance to State and local organizations to encourage adoption of residential energy efficiency rating systems based on such guidelines. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to provide for notifying homebuyers of the availability of energy efficient mortgages providing financial incentives for the purchase of energy efficient homes at the time of mortgage application. Requires the Secretary to assess the energy performance of manufactured housing and make recommendations to the National Commission on Manufactured Housing about thermal insulation and technically feasible and economically justified energy efficiency improvements applicable to such housing. Requires the Commission to make its own recommendations to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Requires the Secretary of Energy to test the performance and cost-effectiveness of manufactured housing built to established energy efficiency standards. Directs the Secretary to pursue a research and development program and a joint venture program to improve efficiency in energy-intensive industries and industrial processes. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to make triennial reports to the Congress evaluating energy efficiency policy options and their potential to decrease overall U.S. energy use and oil consumption per unit of GNP. Directs the Secretary to establish voluntary guidelines for the conduct of energy audits and the installation of insulation to achieve cost-effective increases in energy efficiency in industrial facilities. Authorizes appropriations for a program of education and technical assistance to promote the use of such guidelines. Requires the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to support the voluntary development of a national window rating program to establish energy efficiency ratings for windows and window systems. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to expand the scope and frequency of data collection under the National Energy Information System in order to improve the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of energy efficiency policies and programs. Directs the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to support voluntary development of a national energy efficiency rating program for lamps and luminaires. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling rules for them. Authorizes appropriations. Adds lamps, commercial air conditioning and heating equipment, and utility distribution transformers to the appliance efficiency program. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the practicability and cost-effectiveness of upgrading utility distribution transformers at the time of their routine maintenance. Directs: (1) the Secretary to support the development of a voluntary labeling system for commercial office equipment; or (2) the Federal Trade Commission to develop such a program if one is not developed voluntarily within two years. Authorizes appropriations. Amends EPCA to establish a specified standard for showerheads manufactured after July 1, 1992, unless the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes a different standard before March 1, 1992, in which case the ANSI standard shall apply. Preempts State and local showerhead flow rate standards and labeling requirements. Subtitle B: Federal Energy Management - Amends NECPA to prescribe energy management requirements for energy conservation and efficiency in Federal buildings. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration: (1) to conduct an analysis of significant energy consuming products in the Federal Supply Schedule; and (2) to develop a method to identify products which offer cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs. Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration to consider fuel efficiency and cost savings when evaluating bids for the purchase of passenger vehicles and light trucks. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on: (1) the funding of Federal energy efficiency projects; and (2) a biennially updated demonstration plan for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in federally-owned facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a financial bonus program, not to exceed $5,000 per award, to reward facility energy managers for outstanding energy savings in Federal agencies. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a plan for demonstrating in Federal facilities, or by Federal agencies, energy efficiency technologies that have received Federal assistance for research and development and are now ready for commercialization. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the potential of using Federal purchasing power to encourage the development and commercialization of new energy efficiency products. Subtitle C: Utilities - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to permit State-regulated electric utilities to charge rates that will make their investments in energy efficiency and conservation measures as profitable as their investments in new facilities construction. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) the extent to which State-regulated electric utility rates reflect least-cost planning; (2) specified effects of least-cost planning; and (3) the extent to which ratemaking methodologies implementing least-cost planning take into account the impact of such measures upon electric utilities' rate of return on investment. Prescribes guidelines for conservation grants to State regulatory authorities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Southwestern Power Administration and the Southeastern Power Administration (known collectively as PMAs) to consider, as a condition of any future power contract with a nonregulated utility customer, requiring such a customer to implement integrated resource planning. Requires the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to employ integrated resource planning in exercising its functions. Subtitle D: Used Oil Energy Production - Amends EPCA to prescribe market incentive guidelines for the reuse of used oil. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the implementation of the recycled oil program. Subtitle E: State, Local Insular, and Tribal Energy Assistance - Sets forth guidelines for Federal financial assistance to Insular Area governments for renewable energy and energy and energy efficiency measures to reduce their dependence on imported fuels. Amends EPCA to authorize the Secretary to provide up to $1,000,000 to States to capitalize a State revolving fund to undertake energy efficiency projects in State and local government buildings in those States which have demonstrated a commitment to improve building energy codes. Authorizes the Secretary to provide supplemental grants to Weatherization Program grant recipients to cover: (1) the costs of arranging private sector contributions to the program; and (2) the costs of training and education activities between program grant recipients (technical transfer grants). Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes existing State Energy Conservation Programs to use Federal funds to assist in training building designers and contractors in energy system, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive supplemental grants under the existing State Energy Conservation Programs to increase public understanding of energy issues or to provide teacher training in energy education. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to grant financial assistance to tribal governments to plan and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Requires State Energy Conservation Plans to provide for vehicles to turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street at a red light as a condition for receipt of Federal funding. Subtitle F: LIHEAP Options Pilot Program - Energy Options Study Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study and report to the Congress on the advantages and disadvantages of using futures and options contracts for fuel as a means of protecting funds under the Low-Income Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (LIHEAP funds) from large price increases in fuels. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct: (1) a pilot program in cooperation with one or more governmental or tribal fund recipients in which the recipient uses futures and futures options in its fuel assistance program; and (2) a pilot program to educate governmental entities and consumer cooperatives on the prudent and effective use of such futures and futures options to increase their protection against unexpected fuel price surges. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Oil and Gas Leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Subtitle A: Statement of Purpose and Policy and Definitions - Declares that it is the congressional purpose to: (1) authorize competitive oil and gas leasing development on the Arctic Coastal Plain in a manner consistent with environmental and wildlife protection; and (2) provide a new funding source of energy-related projects to enhance energy security and reduce dependence on imported oil. Subtitle B: Congressional Determination of Compatibility - Declares that it is congressional policy that oil and gas activities on the Coastal Plain which are conducted with no significant adverse impact upon fish, wildlife, and the environment shall be deemed compatible with the purpose of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and that no further compatibility findings by the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) are required under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act. Subtitle C: Coastal Plain Competitive Leasing Program - Directs the Secretary to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for Coastal Plain resources exploration, development, and production. Declares that this title is the sole authority for leasing on the Coastal Plain. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations to implement this title. Declares that the Congress finds that the "Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement" (April 1987) on the Coastal Plain satisfies the legal requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Sets forth the administrative parameters for: (1) lease sales and lease terms; (2) antitrust review by the Attorney General; (3) exploration and development and production plans; (4) plan approval; (5) bonding, surety, or other financial arrangement requirements; and (6) lease suspension and cancellation. Allows the Secretary to cancel leases in any areas of particular environmental sensitivity. Requires the Secretary's consent for lease assignments or subletting. Mandates that lessees unite to the greatest extent practicable in collectively adopting and operating under a cooperative or unit plan for oil pools and gas fields. Provides for the confidentiality of privileged or proprietary information regarding development activities which must be furnished to the Secretary. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this title. Provides for adjudication of lease controversies. Sets forth joint, several, and strict liability for environmental damages and removal costs resulting from oil pollution or the discharge of hazardous substances. Provides for judicial review of complaints regarding regulations issued by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding the leasing program under this Act. Repeals certain limitations applicable to subsurface interests owned by the Inupiat Eskimo people. Provides for expedited judicial consideration of any claims for relief by certain Alaskan corporations. Subtitle D: Coastal Plain Environmental Protection - Directs the Secretary to promulgate environmental protection regulations which ensure that Coastal Plain activities will result in no significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, their habitat, and the environment. Requires site-specific assessment and mitigation. Designates the Sadlerochit Spring area as a special area for wildlife conservation and environmental protection. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude such area from leasing and to designate other Coastal Plain areas as special areas requiring protection. Directs the Secretary to prepare and periodically update a facilities construction and siting plan for oil and gas development and transportation. Authorizes the Secretary to grant rights-of-way and easements across the Coastal Plain in a manner that does not adversely affect fish, wildlife, and the environment. Requires the Secretary to conduct additional studies to monitor the human, marine, and coastal environments. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations providing for bi-annual facility inspections for compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Provides funding for a ten-year period for environmental monitoring and enforcement on the Coastal Plain. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) consult with the Department of Transportation and the State of Alaska about the State's role in monitoring and enforcing the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act; and (2) report annually to the Congress regarding the environmental monitoring activities. Subtitle E: Land Reclamation and Reclamation Liability Fund - Makes leaseholders fully responsible and liable for land reclamation within the Coastal Plain and other Federal lands adversely affected by lease activities. Requires establishment of the Coastal Plain Liability and Reclamation Fund within six months of a commercial discovery within the Coastal Plain. Directs the Secretary to collect fees based upon the crude oil volume entering the trans-Alaska pipeline. Prescribes revenue collection and expenditure procedures. Subtitle F: Disposition of Oil and Gas Revenues - Sets forth an allocation schedule for revenue distribution related to oil and gas leasing within the Arctic National Refuge, Alaska. Mandates that revenues distributed to the United States from such oil and gas leases be deposited into the Energy Security Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make such funds directly available to the Secretary of Energy for specified energy projects transmitted to the Congress following the initial deposit of funds in the Energy Security Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations from the Energy Security Fund, for a period of five fiscal years, of up to a certain amount annually to fund high priority Arctic research projects and programs related to understanding the long- and short-term effects of energy development and production activities on the Arctic environment. Directs the Chairman of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee to prepare a list of eligible projects and programs for inclusion in the President's budget. Subtitle G: Export Restrictions - Prohibits the export of crude oil produced from Coastal Plain lands except in specified circumstances. Subtitle H: Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Moratorium - Prohibits the Secretary from preparing or conducting any preleasing or leasing activity under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act with respect to the areas seaward from California and from New Jersey until after January 1, 2000. Title VIII: Advanced Nuclear Reactor Commercialization - Civilian Advanced Nuclear Reactor Commercialization Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement a comprehensive advanced nuclear reactor research, development, and demonstration program that will lead to commercialization of advanced reactor technologies after 1996. Requires the Secretary of Energy to submit to the Congress a detailed five-year plan to carry out such program. Directs the Secretary to conduct a program of technical and financial assistance to encourage the development and submission for certification of advanced light water reactor designs which can be certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) by the end of 1995. Provides for cooperative and cost-sharing agreements with private parties seeking such certification. Requires annual progress reports to the Congress from the Secretary and the NRC. Requires the Secretary to solicit proposals to carry out the preliminary engineering design of one or more prototype advanced nuclear reactor technologies (other than an advanced light water reactor) necessary to support a decision on whether to recommend construction of a full-scale prototype demonstration using such a technology. Requires the Secretary to make a recommendation by January 31, 1996, on whether to build such a prototype demonstration reactor. Authorizes the Secretary to solicit proposals to implement such recommendation after 180 days following it submission to the Congress. Title IX: Nuclear Reactor Licensing - Nuclear Reactor Licensing Act of 1991 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require the NRC to hold a hearing before granting a combined license to construct and operate a nuclear reactor. Requires a combined license to set forth all the inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria necessary to establish that the plant, once built, is safe to operate. Requires the NRC to ensure that all such requirements are satisfied. Provides for post-construction hearings on combined licenses to determine whether requirements have been met. Authorizes the NRC to allow a plant to operate under a combined license pending a post-construction hearing unless it appears unsafe to do so. Requires post-construction hearings to be informal unless the NRC determines formal proceedings are necessary to resolve factual disputes. Authorizes the NRC to amend a combined license and permit a plant to operate pending a hearing on the amended license if the amendment does not raise significant safety issues. Title X: Uranium - Subtitle A: Uranium Enrichment - Uranium Enrichment Act of 1991 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to repeal the existing statutory contracting requirements applicable to uranium enrichment enterprises. Establishes the United States Enrichment Corporation as a wholly-owned Government corporation to conduct uranium marketing and enrichment activities as a commercial, profitable, self-financing enterprise. Sets forth the Corporation's corporate office and powers and vests its management in an Administrator (appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate). Grants the Secretary of Energy general supervision over such Administrator only with respect to national security and health and environmental concerns. Establishes a Corporate Board whose members shall be appointed by the President, and who shall advise the Administrator and the Secretary regarding Corporation matters. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) Corporation personnel; (2) certain property transfers from the Department of Energy; (3) the Corporation's capital structure; and (4) Corporation pricing policies, including user charges for decommissioning, decontamination, and remedial activities. Requires the Corporation to make annual status reports to certain congressional committees, the President, and the Secretary. Prescribes licensing and taxation guidelines for the Corporation. Sets guidelines for payments in lieu of taxes by the Corporation to States and local governments. Requires the Administrator to make recommendations to the President and the Congress by specified dates regarding the transfer of the Corporation's functions and assets to private ownership. Establishes the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund to cover the Corporation's decommission and decontamination expenses. Applies Federal environmental and occupational safety and health law to the Corporation as though it were privately owned. Exempts the Corporation from sequestration because the maximum deficit amount has been exceeded under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Prohibits the Corporation's total FY 1991 expenditures from exceeding its total FY 1991 receipts. Subtitle B: Uranium - Part 1: Short Title, Findings and Purpose, Definitions - Uranium Security and Tailings Reclamation Act of 1991 - Sets forth findings, purposes, and definitions of this title. Part 2: Uranium Revitalization - Directs the Corporation to establish for a minimum five-year period a voluntary overfeeding program to be made available to its enrichment services customers. ("Overfeeding" means the use of uranium in the enrichment process in excess of the amount required at the transactional tails assay, thus reducing customers' power costs). Provides that the resultant savings shall be credited to such customers. Establishes the National Strategic Uranium Reserve, consisting of 50,000,000 pounds of natural uranium, to be restricted to military purposes and Government research under the control of the Secretary. Confers continuing responsibility upon the Secretary for promotion of the domestic uranium industry, but without using any supervisory authority over the Corporation. Directs the Secretary to develop recommendations and implement Government programs promoting domestic uranium exports. Restricts all uranium purchases by Federal entities to uranium purchased from domestic producers. Exempts the TVA from such restriction. Part 3: Remedial Action for Active Processing Sites - Provides that remedial action costs such as decontamination, decommissioning, and reclamation at an active uranium or thorium processing site shall be borne by specified licensees for any activity resulting in byproduct material. Sets forth a reimbursement schedule for: (1) individual active site uranium licenses; (2) all active site uranium licensees; and (3) thorium licensees. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations governing such reimbursement. Authorizes appropriations. Part 4: Import of Uranium, Enriched Uranium, and Uranium Enrichment Services - Directs the United States International Trade Commission to investigate and report to the President and the Congress on whether non-market economy countries are exporting uranium, enriched uranium, or offering uranium enrichment services at prices below the cost of production or provision. Requires the President, if the investigation results are positive, to report to the Congress on what actions the Federal Government is taking to discourage or end such pricing practices. Requires the owner or operator of any civilian nuclear power reactor to report annually to the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, on the country of origin and the seller of any uranium, enriched uranium, or enrichment services the owner or operator has imported or purchased during the previous fiscal year. Requires such information to be made available to specified congressional committees. Directs the Secretary to encourage States and utility regulatory authorities to consider the objectives of this part, including the national need to avoid dependence on imports, when considering whether to allow electric power plant owners or operators to recover in customer rates and charges any cost of domestic uranium, enriched uranium, or enrichment services from a non-affiliated seller greater than the cost of such items from non-domestic sources. Authorizes the Secretary or the United States Enrichment Corporation to buy enriched uranium from other sources of enriched uranium at prices below, respectively, Department of Energy or Corporation production costs if such purchases are necessary to reduce production costs and maintain competitive prices. Title XI: Natural Gas - Amends the Natural Gas Act to authorize an optional certificate (OC) of public convenience and necessity procedure for the construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines. Directs FERC to issue OCs without a hearing if applicants are willing to accept terms and conditions attached to the certificate, including a prohibition on the recovery of OC facility costs in the rates for other facilities or services. Replaces the ordinary rate review procedure with a special complaint procedure in such instances. Requires FERC to conduct a hearing on the record about a proposed OC construction if such construction would result in the displacement of sales or transportation services being provided by a local distribution company (LDC). Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to authorize FERC to permit: (1) any interstate pipeline to transport natural gas; and (2) the construction of natural gas transportation facilities for interstate commerce. Outlines administrative procedures for FERC compliance with the requirements of the NEPA with respect to natural gas transportation. Requires FERC to conduct a hearing on the record about a proposed OC construction if such construction would result in the displacement of sales or transportation services being provided by an LDC. Declares that FERC issuance of a construction certificate is the only Federal action that may be considered a major Federal action requiring a detailed environmental impact statement (EIS). Requires FERC to permit contractors or consultants selected from a FERC-approved list and paid by the certificate applicant to prepare such required EISs and related documents. Sets forth administrative procedures for rates and charges, utilization of rulemaking procedures, and review of FERC orders. Declares that the formation or operation of an independent producer cooperative shall only be an illegal antitrust law violation if anticompetitive effects substantially outweigh the procompetitive effects. Declares that certain activities related to the sale and distribution of vehicular natural gas (VNG) shall not subject currently exempt entities to the jurisdiction of the Natural Gas Act. Provides that persons not otherwise public utilities may sell or transport VNG without becoming subject to the jurisdiction of State laws in effect before January 1, 1989. States that the VNG activities alone shall not subject a company to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) or change the status of companies already registered as gas utility companies. Provides for streamlining of the certificate issuance procedure, especially with respect to repair and replacement facilities, unopposed applications, evidence of need, and phased consideration of need and certificate applications. Authorizes FERC to order an interstate pipeline to interconnect with a production or gathering facility, or an intrastate or OC pipeline in the production area. Authorizes FERC, after a hearing, to exempt the natural gas cost component of a pipeline's rates from regulation after finding that the pipeline provided comparable transportation service and served a competitive market. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to provide that general policy discussions by all members of FERC do not constitute a meeting for Sunshine Act purposes. Title XII: Outer Continental Shelf - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to add a new title: the "Coastal State and Community Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Act". Establishes the Coastal State and Community Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Fund, to be funded by a specified percentage of all new revenue attributable to an Outer Continental Shelf lease any part of which is within 200 geographical miles of the coast line. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to annually transmit impact assistance from such Fund to coastal States according to prescribed guidelines. Requires a recipient coastal State to prioritize allocation of such revenues among its subdivisions which are socially or economically impacted by Outer Continental Shelf mineral development. Directs the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees on the availability of Outer Continental Shelf areas for oil and gas leasing, development and production. Title XIII: Research, Development, Demonstration and Commercialization Activities - Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish priorities according to prescribed criteria for energy research and development and commercialization; and (2) submit to the Congress an accompanying management plan which shall be revised biennially. Requires the Secretary to implement a program: (1) promoting the development and commercialization of new and advanced natural gas utilization technologies; (2) of research and development to increase the recoverable natural gas resource base; (3) of research, development, and commercialization of specified high efficiency heat engines; (4) of research and development of oil shale; (5) of research on extracting oil from western oil shales (including, if appropriate, establishment of at least one field testing center); and (6) of research, development, and demonstration of a high-temperature superconducting electric power system. Authorizes appropriations. Amends REEETCA to repeal the authorization limitations for: (1) renewable energy research and development programs; and (2) energy efficiency research and development programs. Directs the Secretary to expand or institute programs of research, development, and demonstration for: (1) natural gas and electric heating and cooling technologies for residential and commercial buildings; (2) fusion energy that leads to electricity production after the year 2010; (3) techniques related to improving electric vehicles, electric-hybrid vehicles, and battery technology; and (4) increased economic recoverability of domestic oil resources including both advanced secondary oil recovery and tertiary oil recovery. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the development potential of domestic tar sands sources; (2) the potential costs and benefits of telecommuting; (3) the potential for minimizing the volume and toxic lifetime of nuclear waste; and (4) the adequacy of current programs and plans of nuclear waste management. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with qualified entities to provide post-secondary science and mathematics education programs for low-income and first generation college students. Authorizes appropriations. Title XIV: Coal, Coal Technology, and Electricity - Subtitle A: Coal and Coal Technology - Requires the Secretary to conduct: (1) an advanced coal-based technology research and development program aimed at controlling sulfur and nitrogen oxides at greater proficiency levels (and report periodically to the Congress on the program's status); (2) a research and development program on technologies for non-fuel use of coal (after first submitting a plan to the Congress); (3) a research, development, demonstration, and commercialization program for coal refining technologies; (4) a research, development, and demonstration program for underground coal gasification technology for in-situ conversion of coal to a cleaner burning, easily transportable gaseous fuel; (5) a low-rank coal research and development program; (6) a proof-of-concept program in magnetohydrodynamics; and (7) a research, development, and demonstration program for using ultra-clean coal-water slurry in diesel locomotive engines. Requires the Secretary to submit to certain congressional committees a plan for the export of U.S. coal. Establishes the Clean Coal Technology Export Coordinating Council (Council) to: (1) expand the export and use of clean coal technologies (especially in lesser developed countries); and (2) develop a comprehensive data base and information dissemination system regarding their potential need and availability. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees regarding the status of technologies for combining coal with other materials. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a national clearinghouse for the exchange and dissemination of technical information on technology relating to coal and coal-derived fuels; and (2) study and report to the Congress on the institutional, legal, and regulatory barriers to increased use of coal combustion byproducts by potential governmental and commercial users. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a data base containing all transportation rates for specified modes of transporting domestic coal for a certain period; (2) study the rates and distribution patterns of domestic coal to determine the impact of Federal policies upon such patterns; and (3) report the data base and study results to the Congress. Subtitle B: Electricity - Declares that for purposes of the Clean Air Act certain physical or operational changes to an electric utility steam generating unit undertaken for purposes of pollution control shall not be treated as a modification if the change does not increase the maximum hourly emissions of any pollutant regulated under such Act above the maximum hourly emissions achievable at that unit during the last five years of operation before the change. Sets conditions for finding such a unit in compliance with technology requirements with respect to nitrogen oxide emissions. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on physical impediments to the transfer of excess electrical energy from regions with surplus electrical energy to regions experiencing shortages. Declares that State regulatory authorities are not required to base calculations of avoided cost, under the Public Utility Policies Act (PURPA), on the rates for or the costs of demonstration projects under the Federal clean coal technology program. Directs FERC to complete a rulemaking to establish a demonstration program for regulatory incentives to promote the development of clean coal technologies and other innovative control technologies that limit power plant emissions. Requires FERC to establish a process for negotiating with potential developers of such technology projects to agree upon cost caps for future projects and preapproval of project expenses if they fall within the agreed-upon cap. Encourages States to provide additional incentives for the implementation of clean coal technologies, and requires FERC to give priority in incentive rate treatment to units located in States with incentive programs. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on progress in encouraging State regulatory authorities to provide such incentives. Title XV: Public Utility Holding Company Act Reform - Defines an "exempt wholesale generator" (EWG) as a corporate entity: (1) engaged exclusively in the business of owning or operating all or part of one or more eligible facilities and selling electric energy at wholesale; and (2) exempt from corporate organizational restrictions under PUHCA. Permits registered utility holding companies, exempt utility holding companies, non-utilities, and other companies not currently subject to PUHCA to own EWGs without limitation. Declares that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shall continue to have jurisdiction over: (1) the issuance of securities by a registered utility holding company in order to finance the acquisition of an EWG; (2) the guarantee of securities of an EWG by such a holding company; and (3) service, sales and construction contracts between an EWG and such a holding company, including the creation or maintenance of any other relationship (except ownership). Prohibits FERC from approving a rate or charge for the sale of electricity by EWGs: (1) where a State commission would use the purchase of such electricity as the basis for not permitting recovery of existing capital investment by the purchasing utility (stranded investment); or (2) where the wholesale purchaser is merely a broker interposed for purposes of making an indirect sale to an industrial or other retail customer (sham wholesale transaction, also known as "cherry picking"). Declares that any rate or charge for the wholesale sale of electricity in interstate commerce by an EWG shall not be considered just and reasonable if it allows the EWG to receive undue advantage resulting from the fact that the purchaser is an affiliate or associate company of the EWG. Amends the Federal Power Act to grant State commissions in accordance with State law the authority to review the prudence of wholesale electricity purchases by utilities under their jurisdiction, except in certain instances involving allocation of power costs within registered utility holding company systems. Extends such authority even within such systems in instances involving purchase of power from EWGs. Amends PURPA to require State commissions to analyze the effects on reliability and utility purchasers of the use of leveraged capital structures by wholesale sellers of power (including EWGs) and the adequacy of fuel supplies employed by such sellers. Requires State commissions to consider reflecting the results of such analysis in approving or disapproving wholesale electricity purchases. Requires EWGs to make their books and records available to State commissions. Title XVI: Strategic Petroleum Reserve - Amends EPCA to add the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Enhancement Act of 1991. Directs the President to enlarge the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to 1,000,000,000 barrels as rapidly as possible. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to create a 10,000,000 barrel Defense Petroleum Inventory (DPI). Authorizes the President, acting through the Secretary, to: (1) acquire petroleum products for storage in the SPR or the DPI from foreign governments without competitive procurement; and (2) contract, without regard to certain provisions of EPCA and other Federal law, for storage in the SPR or the DPI of petroleum products owned by foreign governments.
Bill· SS. 1224 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1991
Accessible Transportation Action Act of 1991 - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996 to assist transit providers, through the provision of technical assistance and research and development and technological innovations programs, in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to enter into contracts with national nonprofit organizations which serve persons with disabilities and have demonstrated a capacity to conduct such activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 2544 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a construction project to replace a bridge providing motor vehicle access across the White River at DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, to demonstrate motor vehicle and bridge safety and traffic flow benefits of a bridge replacement highway project. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1992. Specifies that the Federal share of the cost of the project shall be 100 percent.
Bill· HRH.R. 2546 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1991
Communications Competitiveness and Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1991 - Title I: Communications Infrastructure Modernization Policy - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to establish a new national goal that by 2015 the United States will have established an advanced, interactive, interoperable broadband communications system nationwide. Requires local telephone companies to submit a plan to achieve such goal for approval by the appropriate agency in each State in which they operate. Requires disapproval only when the plan is not in the public interest. Requires such plan to give priority consideration to accelerated deployment of such a system for educational institutions, health care facilities, and small businesses. Requires such plan to provide for deployment to less densely populated and economically disadvantaged areas at a rate reasonably related to the rate of deployment in more populous and affluent areas. Requires the FCC, after final State action, to review the plan to certify compliance with the goals and objectives of this Act. Requires FCC procedures for local telephone companies to ensure coordinated communications network planning in the development of a nationwide communications infrastructure and to assure broad availability of information services. Title II: Regulatory Changes to Promote Efficient Multiple Uses of Communications Technologies - Amends the Act to establish a policy to permit multiple uses of communications technologies and to eliminate restrictions on communications technologies to single lines of services in order to promote communications technology deployment in a manner which secures communication services for the public at reasonable costs. Title III: Modification of Impediments to Convergence of Telephone and Video Technologies - Amends the Act to modify ownership restrictions to permit local telephone companies to provide video programming subject to specified regulatory safeguards to prevent anti-competitive activities only after the FCC makes the certification described under title I and certifies that the company has filed a plan pledging it to comply with such safeguards. Outlines safeguards against telephone company monopolization of the cable service industry, including those: (1) requiring separate video programming subsidiaries for telephone companies; (2) allowing competitors attachment rights to telephone poles and conduits and rights-of-way within telephone company service areas; (3) prohibiting cross-subsidization between local telephone companies and affiliated video programming subsidiaries and marketing by a local telephone company of its subsidiary's video programming; and (4) subjecting local telephone companies to local cable franchise requirements. Requires local telephone companies which distribute affiliated video programming over a broadband communications system to provide video gateway services to facilitate user access to video programming. Exempts from the safeguards outlined above a carrier which provides video programming in rural areas with a population of 10,000 or below in which it also provides local exchange service. Requires periodic FCC evaluation of the effect of the provision of video programming by telephone companies on the video marketplace and recommendations to the Congress concerning any modifications needed as a result of such evaluation. Requires FCC and State rules and regulations to prevent consumers from paying more for telephone services as a result of their local telephone company's provision of video programming. Revises multiple cable franchise provisions. Requires an FCC report to the Congress regarding competition and consumer choice in the delivery of video programming and telephone services. Requires an FCC review of the rural exemption described above to determine how to expedite access to broadband multichannel video programming for all parts of the United States. Sets forth penalties for violations of the safeguards outlined above to prevent telephone company monopolization of the cable service industry.
Bill· HRH.R. 2560 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1991
Provides that for purposes of determining the minimum allocation paid to a State under Federal-aid highway provisions and the amount of any other allocation or appointment of Federal-aid highway funds, the amount of taxes treated as paid into the Highway Trust Fund with respect to alternative sources of energy shall be determined as if such energy sources were taxed as gasoline.
Bill· SS. 1218 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to provide financial assistance for projects for research, conservation, management, or protection of exotic birds. Entitles any foreign government agency responsible for bird conservation, the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and any organization or individual with bird conservation experience to submit project proposals. Sets forth criteria for project approval. Establishes in the Treasury an Exotic Bird Conservation Fund to provide for project assistance. Prescribes a procedure for petitioning the Secretary to make findings or determinations or take other actions under this Act. Requires the Secretary to set up a system for registering persons who wish to acquire or transfer birds imported five years after enactment of this Act (other than ranched, captive-bred, or pet birds). Prohibits the transfer of any bird imported five years after enactment without registration. Establishes general requirements for registration. Prohibits the transfer of any bird imported five years after enactment unless it has been marked according to regulations. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register a list of those species of birds that need not be marked. Sets forth recordkeeping and reporting requirements for registrants. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a computerized information system for recording and analyzing information on imported birds; and (2) a voluntary National Avicultural Program to provide incentives for improved management and care of birds held for captive breeding. Requires the Secretary to: (1) promulgate regulations addressing the special health and welfare needs of exotic birds in quarantine; and (2) cooperate fully in implementation of specified avian transport guidelines. Authorizes the Secretary to develop research programs on the injury, morbidity, and mortality of birds. Requires the Secretary to encourage development of safe and efficacious vaccines for major avian diseases. Prohibits the import into or export of birds out of the United States without a permit. Directs the Secretary to establish a joint permit system to expedite the application and approval process for such imports and exports. Requires importers and exporters to obtain licenses as well. Conditions such a license on compliance with certain facilities standards. Authorizes the Secretary, at any time during the five years following enactment of this Act, to prescribe annual limits to imports of any species of birds, on a gradually declining scale in order to reduce and ultimately end the import of such species by the fifth anniversary of the enactment of this Act. Sets forth statutory limits which shall become effective if the Secretary has not prescribed such annual limits within 180 days after enactment. Sets forth purposes for which import permits must be issued, including scientific research, zoological exhibition, and captive breeding. Prohibits domestic bird ranching operations or approval of foreign captive-breeding facilities unless they meet specified standards. Sets forth criteria for the importation of pet birds. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for imports and transfers in violation of this Act. Provides for compliance inspections, seizures or forfeitures of birds and equipment, and suspension of licenses or registration. Provides for citizen suits to enforce this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1200 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Communications Competitiveness and Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1991 - Title I: Communications Infrastructure Modernization Policy Findings - Sets forth congressional findings. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to establish a new national goal that by 2015 the United States has established an advanced, interactive, interoperable, broadband communications system nationwide. Requires local telephone companies to submit for approval or disapproval a plan prepared in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations issued under this Act to achieve such goal to the appropriate State agency in each State in which they operate. Requires disapproval only when the plan is not in the public interest. Requires such plan to give priority consideration to accelerated deployment of such a system for educational institutions, health care facilities, and small businesses. Requires such plan to provide for deployment to less densely populated and economically disadvantaged areas at a rate reasonably related to the rate of deployment in more populous and affluent areas. Requires the FCC, after final State action, to review the plan to certify compliance with the goals and objectives of this Act. Requires FCC procedures for local telephone companies to ensure coordinated communications network planning in the development of a nationwide communications infrastructure and to assure broad availability of information services. Title II: Regulatory Changes to Promote Efficient Multiple Uses of Communications Technologies - Sets forth congressional findings. Amends the Act to establish a policy to permit multiple uses of communications technologies and to eliminate restrictions on communications technologies to single lines of services in order to promote communications technology deployment in such a way as to secure communication services for the public at reasonable costs. Title III: Modification of Impediments to Convergence of Telephone and Video Technologies - Sets forth congressional findings. Amends the Act to modify ownership restrictions to permit local telephone companies to provide video programming subject to specified regulatory safeguards to prevent anti-competitive activities only after the FCC makes the certification described under title I and certifies that the company has filed a plan pledging it to comply with such safeguards. Outlines safeguards against telephone company monopolization of the cable service industry, including those: (1) requiring separate video programming subsidiaries for telephone companies; (2) allowing competitors attachment rights to telephone poles and conduits and rights-of-way within telephone company service areas; (3) prohibiting cross-subsidization between local telephone companies and affiliated video programming subsidiaries and marketing by a local telephone company of its subsidiary's video programming; and (4) subjecting local telephone companies to local cable franchise requirements. Requires local telephone companies which distribute affiliated video programming over a broadband communications system to provide video gateway services to facilitate user access to video programming. Exempts from the safeguards outlined above a carrier which provides video programming in rural areas with a population of 10,000 or below in which it also provides local exchange service. Requires periodic FCC evaluation of the effect of the provision of video programming by telephone companies on the video market place and recommendations to the Congress concerning any modifications needed as a result of such evaluation. Requires FCC and State rules and regulations to prevent consumers from paying more for telephone services as a result of their local telephone company's provision of video programming. Revises multiple cable franchise provisions. Requires an FCC report to the Congress regarding competition and consumer choice in the delivery of video programming and telephone services. Requires an FCC review of the rural exemption described above to determine how to expedite access to broadband multichannel video programming for all parts of the United States. Sets forth penalties for violations of the safeguards outlined above.
Bill· SS. 1204 (102nd)passed
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 - Title I - Part A: General Provisions - Declares that: (1) the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways is completed; (2) the principal purpose of Federal highway assistance shall henceforth be to improve the efficiency of the existing surface transportation system; and (3) it is U.S. policy to facilitate innovation and competition in transportation modes through Federal and State initiative, and to increase productivity in the transportation sector of the economy through systematic attention to costs and benefits. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the following programs: (1) surface transportation; (2) congestion mitigation and air quality improvement; (3) bridge; (4) interstate maintenance; (5) interstate construction (but repeals the existing FY 1993 authorization and a provision regarding minimum apportionments); (6) interstate substitution; (7) Federal lands highway; (8) territorial highway; (9) national magnetic levitation design; (10) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research; (11) university transportation center; (12) highway use tax evasion; and (13) safety belt and motorcycle helmet use. Sets forth provisions with respect to obligation ceilings for Federal-aid highway programs, redistribution of unused obligation authority, and specified limitations. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Surface Transportation Program (STP) to fund projects including: (1) construction, restoration, and operational improvement for highways and bridges, including the seismic retrofit and painting of bridges and other elevated structures; (2) capital costs for mass transit, passenger rail, publicly owned intra- or inter-city bus terminals and facilities, and magnetic levitation systems; (3) carpool projects, and parking and bicycle facilities and programs; (4) safety improvements and programs; (5) research and development; (6) transportation control measures under the Clean Air Act (CAA); and (7) other purposes approved by the Secretary. Authorizes the use of STP funds to mitigate wetland loss related to highway construction. Requires that 75 percent of STP funds be divided, based on their relative share of the State's population, between: (1) regions consisting of areas of the State with a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) population of 250,000 or greater and areas with an urbanized population of 50,000 or greater that are in nonattainment for ozone and carbon monoxide; and (2) all other areas of the State. Authorizes the distribution of the remaining 25 percent to any area of the State. Specifies that at least eight percent of the funds apportioned to a State must be reprogrammed for transportation enhancement activities. Specifies that: (1) the Federal share for projects under the STP is 80 percent, unless funds apportioned are used to construct new facilities or expand existing facilities available primarily to single-occupant vehicles (SOVs), in which case the Federal share is 75 percent; and (2) if the State constructs a facility not available to SOVs and subsequently makes the facility available to such vehicles, the State must repay with interest the increase in the Federal share of the project. Sets forth additional administrative requirements, including the requirement that the State submit an annual certification that it will meet all the requirements of this Act. Requires the State to notify the Secretary of the amount of obligation it plans to incur for STP projects during the fiscal year. Provides for an energy conservation, congestion mitigation, and clean air bonus program. Specifies that, beginning in FY 1993, for States with one or more MSAs with a population of 250,000 or more: (1) the amount of each State's STP funds shall be reduced by a factor of .9 if the State's vehicle miles of travel (VMT) per capita is more than 110 percent of its VMT in the base year (defined as 1990 for FY 1993 through 1995, and 1995 for subsequent fiscal years) and (2) such reductions in apportionments shall be placed in a Surface Transportation Bonus Fund, to be used to increase the amount of STP funds by a factor of 1.1 for each affected State if such State's VMT per capita is less than 90 percent of its VMT per capita in the base year. Specifies that the Federal share of capital projects that add capacity available to SOVs shall be 75 percent and for all other projects including projects for high occupancy vehicles (HOVs) that permit SOV use during the off-peak periods shall be 80 percent of construction costs. Directs the Secretary to develop and make available to the States guidance on how to determine what portion of a project qualifies for an 80 percent Federal share. Repeals a provision authorizing the Secretary to approve as a project on any Federal-aid system the construction of exclusive or preferential truck lanes. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to establish a congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program; and (2) funds under such program to be spent on projects that will contribute to attainment of air quality standards as determined by the guidance to be issued under the CAA by the Environmental Protection Agency (with exceptions), a State implementation plan under such Act, or the Secretary. Provides for the apportionment of funds to States based on their non-attainment area population, adjusted for the severity of the non-attainment problem. Specifies that the Federal/State match shall be 80/20. Makes apportionments under this Act available in nonattainment areas, with urbanized populations over 50,000 in proportion to their relative share of weighted nonattainment area population. Specifies minimum apportionments for States subject to specified air pollution control measures. Specifies that the Federal/State match to repair or replace existing bridges without increasing capacity shall be 80/20, but the match for construction of new capacity on existing bridges or construction of new bridges shall be 75/25 (currently, the match is 80/20 in such case). Makes bridge painting, seismic retrofit, and maintenance eligible uses of Federal funds. Repeals the discretionary bridge program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and make available to the States criteria for determining what share of a project is attributable to the expansion of bridge capacity where the new capacity is available to SOVs; and (2) establish "level of service" criteria for the bridge program. Bars the use of interstate maintenance funds to expand the capacity of any interstate highway or bridge where such new capacity consists of one or more new travel lanes that are not HOV or auxiliary lanes. Authorizes States to transfer up to 20 percent of interstate maintenance money to the STP and larger amounts if the State can demonstrate to the Secretary that they are adequately maintaining their interstate highways. Changes the Federal/State match for interstate maintenance from 90/10 to 80/20. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and make available to the States criteria for determining the share of an interstate maintenance project that is attributable to the expansion of the capacity of an interstate highway and what constitutes adequate maintenance. Specifies that segments added to the Interstate System (IS) before January 1, 1984 shall be counted towards a State apportionment of interstate maintenance funds. Directs the Secretary to make apportionments to the States to finish outstanding projects, except that specific amounts are specified for Massachusetts. Combines the public lands highways and forest highways accounts of the current Federal Lands Program. Provides for the apportionment of funds based on the existing formula for the Forest Highway Program. Repeals the current national policy against tolls on roads built or maintained with Federal funds. Authorizes the use of Federal funds to: (1) build new toll roads at a 35/65 Federal/non-Federal cost share; and (2) convert existing non-tolled facilities to toll facilities at an 80/20 cost share. Prohibits the imposition of new tolls on the IS. Authorizes the Secretary to permit Federal participation in the construction of ferryboats and ferry approaches, subject to specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to solicit participation of State and local governments and public authorities for one or more congestion pricing pilot projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with up to five such State or local governments or public authorities to establish, maintain, and monitor congestion pricing projects. Specifies the Federal share (100 percent for not more than three years). Directs the Secretary to fund all development and startup costs of such projects for at least one year and thereafter until sufficient revenues are generated by the program to fund its operating costs without Federal participation. Sets forth monitoring and reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to renegotiate specified agreements to permit the continuance of existing toll facilities without repayment of Federal funds. Requires (currently, authorizes) the designation of a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for each urbanized area of a State of over 50,000 population within any State by agreement among the Governor and the units of general purpose local government. Requires that MPOs: (1) in existence on or before October 1, 1991 be considered so designated; and (2) that represent portions of multi-State metropolitan areas, where feasible, provide for coordinated transportation planning for the entire metropolitan area by adopting a single transportation improvement program for such area. Authorizes the Governor of any other State to enter into such agreements as necessary with the Governor of any other State to provide for comprehensive multi-State transportation planning for metropolitan areas that encompass portions of more than one State. Specifies that: (1) plans developed by an MPO shall take into account the requirements of the CAA, local land use or energy plans, and other factors, such as the need for connectivity of roads within the metropolitan area with those outside such area; and (2) the MPO shall develop a transportation improvement program that is consistent with the long range transportation plan developed by the MPO, conforms with the applicable State implementation plan developed pursuant to the CAA, and includes a priority list of projects to be carried out within three years after initial adoption of the program. Sets forth provisions with respect to the selection of projects. Increases the current Federal set-aside for metropolitan planning from .5 to one percent of Federal highway funds. Requires each State to have management systems for bridges, pavement, safety, and congestion with exceptions, and a traffic monitoring system, as well as a planning process that takes into account land use, energy requirements, transportation needs, and other factors. Requires States that contain non-attainment areas under the CAA to produce an annual State transportation plan, incorporating without amendment the provisions of any metropolitan area plan developed pursuant to this Act. Directs FHWA to conduct research on Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHSs) and other new technologies, and develop indicators to measure the performance of the surface transportation system with respect to productivity, efficiency, energy use, air quality, and other factors. Directs the Secretary to create a Dwight D. Eisenhower transportation research fellowship program. Changes the Federal/State match for State research activities from 85/15 to 80/20. Allows States to program research funds without approval of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Establishes within DOT a Bureau of Transportation Statistics to collect, analyze, and disseminate information about the condition and performance of the entire transportation system. Specifies that such Bureau shall: (1) be headed by a Director who is appointed by the President; and (2) produce annual reports. Directs the Administrator of the FHWA to: (1) conduct fundamental chemical and physical property studies of petroleum and modified asphalts used in highway construction in the United States with the primary emphasis of prediction of pavement performance; (2) contract with a non-profit organization with demonstrated expertise in research associated in such areas to undertake the necessary technical and analytical research in coordination with existing programs; and (3) implement a test strip to demonstrate and evaluate unique energy and environmental advantages of the use of shale oil modified asphalts under extreme climate conditions. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth reporting requirements. Establishes a National Magnetic Levitation Design Program to be managed jointly by the Secretary of DOT and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Requires such officials to establish a National Maglev Joint Project Office to carry out such program and to solicit bids from the private sector to design and construct a prototype magnetic levitation system. Requires the Secretary and Assistant Secretary to develop a national strategic plan for the design and construction of a national magnetic levitation surface transportation system, which shall include consideration of other modes of high speed surface transportation, such as high speed rail. Requires the plan to be completed and transmitted to specified congressional committees within 18 months. Specifies that: (1) phase one grants shall be given to up to six applicants to develop a conceptual design for the system at a 90/10 cost share; (2) phase two grants shall be given to up to three participants to develop detailed plans at an 80/20 cost share (and a contract for construction awarded at a 75/25 cost share); and (3) the prototype shall be constructed and ready for operational testing within three years after the award of the grant, and shall be converted to commercial operation after testing is complete. Directs the Secretary, in any case where sufficient land exists within the publicly acquired rights-of-way of any highway constructed in whole or in part with Federal-aid highway funds to accommodate needed passenger or commuter high speed ground transportation (including magnetic levitation) systems and highway and non-highway public mass transit facilities, to authorize a State to make such lands and rights-of-way available without charge to a publicly or privately owned authority or company for such purposes. (Under current law, the Administrator may make such authorization to a publicly owned mass transit authority when in the public interest with respect to rights-of-way of any Federal-aid highway to accommodate needed rail or nonhighway public mass transit facilities where this can be accomplished without impairing automotive safety or future highway improvements). Grants the States a right to income from airspace rights-of-way contingent upon such States' permitting governmental use, use by public or private entities for high speed ground transportation systems, or other transit, utility use, and occupancy where such use or occupancy is necessary for an authorized transportation project, or use for transportation projects eligible for assistance, without charge. Directs the Secretary, by October 1, 1993, to update the findings of the report required by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to determine the amount the United States could pay the States to reimburse them for segments incorporated into the IS that were constructed at non-Federal expense. Continues current law with respect to disadvantaged business enterprises. Modifies the dollar amount used to define a small business to adjust for inflation. Makes funds under Federal highway provisions available in the year in which they are apportioned or allocated and in the next three years. Requires that: (1) all STP projects be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with applicable State requirements; and (2) the design and construction standards adopted by States for projects on principal arterials be those approved by the Secretary in cooperation with State highway departments and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Authorizes any State to request that the Secretary no longer review and approve design and construction standards for any project other than a project on an interstate highway or other multi-land access control highways. Directs the Secretary, after receiving any such request, to undertake project review only as requested by the State, provided that such State complies with the requirements of all other applicable Federal laws and regulations. Authorizes a State highway or transportation department to establish maintenance standards for projects constructed pursuant to Federal highway provisions, subject to annual approval by the Secretary (which may not be withheld if a State is meeting its own standards for routine maintenance). Requires such department to establish the occupancy requirements of vehicles operating in HOV lanes, but requires no fewer than two occupants for such lanes. Specifies that, for purposes of this Act, motorcycles and bicycles shall not be considered SOVs and that nothing in this Act alters the requirement that each State allow the operation of motorcycles in HOV lanes unless the State certifies that such operation would create a safety hazard. Requires a State to repay all Federal funds for preliminary engineering for any project that has not advanced to construction or acquisition of right-of-way within ten years (currently, after a period of time) of receipt of such funds. Specifies that projects that affect historic and scenic values may be designed to protect such values. Requires States that do not adopt laws mandating the use of safety belts and motorcycle helmets to set aside a portion of funds received under the STP for highway safety programs (1.5 percent for noncompliance in FY 1994 and three percent thereafter). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for safety education, training, monitoring, and enforcement to States that adopt safety belt and helmet laws. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of differences in injuries, medical costs, payor mix, and unreimbursed costs of restrained and unrestrained, helmeted and nonhelmeted victims of motor vehicle and motorcycle crashes. Makes public education and information activities in support of State and community motorcycle safety and safety belt programs eligible for funds authorized to be appropriated for such study. Allows a State to use as a credit toward meeting non-Federal matching requirements non-Federal capital expenditures on facilities that serve interstate commerce, provided such State maintains its aggregate non-Federal transportation capital spending at a level at or above the average of such spending for the preceding three fiscal years. Specifies that use of such credit shall not expose public, quasi-public, or private agencies from which the credit is calculated to any additional Federal oversight, regulation, or liability. Increases the period within which construction must be commenced on a right-of-way funded from the right-of-way revolving fund from ten to 20 years. Authorizes Federal reimbursement of a State for costs to acquire rights-of-way in advance of Federal approval or authorization and land necessary to preserve environmental and scenic values if specified conditions are met. Eliminates the requirement that right-of-way revolving fund advances be for projects on the Federal-aid System. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a study of alternative transportation modes for use in the National Park System, considering economic and technical feasibility, environmental effects, projected costs and benefits, general suitability of transportation modes, and methods to obtain private capital for construction. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to revise the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity that must be maintained for pavement markings and signs and locate a standard to define the functional classification of roads that must have a center line, edge lines, or both. Bars the Secretary from making grants under Federal highway provisions to States that fail to provide certification that not less than ten percent of the asphalt pavement laid in the State in a given year, which was financed in whole or in part by such grants, involved the use of rubber-modified asphalt, starting four years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish a phase-in period; and (2) set aside such provisions, establish a rubber-modified asphalt pavement utilization percentage of less than ten percent in a particular State, or grant a State credit toward the ten percent requirement, under specified circumstances. Expands projects eligible for right-of-way revolving fund advances to include passenger rail facilities. Creates a National Scenic and Historic Byways Program and an Office of Scenic and Historic Byways within the FHWA. Directs: (1) such Office to provide technical assistance to the States and provide grants for the planning, design, and development of State scenic byway programs; and (2) the Secretary to establish criteria for roads to be designated as part of an All American Roads Program, designate such roads, and establish criteria for the allocation of funds to the States. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, within two years, to submit to the Congress a proposal for a National Highway System (NHS) to provide an intercontinental system of principal arterial routes, meet national defense requirements, and serve interstate and interregional travel. Specifies that such NHS shall consist of highways on the IS and other specified urban and rural principal arterials, including toll facilities. Directs the States and U.S. territories to complete a functional reclassification, to be updated periodically, of all public roads by September 30, 1993. Continues the authorization for the DOT's public information program, Operation Lifesaver. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Timber Bridge Construction Discretionary Grant Program. Makes $5,000,000 available for obligation at the Secretary's discretion for such program. Specifies that the Federal share payable on any timber bridge construction project shall be 80 percent. Establishes criteria for selecting and approving grants. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Program of Research on Wood Use in Transportation Structures. Makes $1,000,000 available for obligation at the Secretary's discretion for such program. Specifies that the Federal share payable on any research grant shall be 100 percent. Delineates areas of research authorized. Directs the Secretary to assure that information and technology resulting from research is transferred to State and local transportation departments and other interested parties. Authorizes (currently, requires) the Secretary to penalize a State for not making provisions for "effective control" of outdoor advertising along the IS by reducing the State allotment by up to five percent (currently, by ten percent) of its apportionment. Provides, as part of effective control, that: (1) each State shall maintain an annual inventory of all outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices (signs) required to be controlled, identifying all such signs as either illegal, nonconforming, or conforming under State law; (2) each State shall assure that signs required to be removed under this title are removed within 90 days of the date upon which they become unlawful (or if not unlawful, the date upon which they must be removed pursuant to State or local law) or, if eligible to receive compensation pursuant to this title or to be authorized, the date upon which cash compensation is paid or the State or local authorization period ends; (3) no State may allow or undertake any vegetation removal or other alteration of the highway right-of-way with the purpose of improving the visibility of any outdoor advertising sign located outside the right-of-way; and (4) no State may permit any person to modify any outdoor advertising sign which does not conform to provisions of this title to improve its visibility or prolong its useful life. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to the removal of signs and costs incurred for such removal. Limits the use of longer combination vehicles (LCVs) on the IS to those places, and under the conditions now imposed, where they are allowed on or before June 1, 1991. (Defines an LCV as a truck tractor with two or more trailers or semi-trailers, with a gross vehicle weight of more than 80,000 pounds.) Repeals provisions: (1) requiring each State to certify annually that it is enforcing all speed limits on public highways posted at the national maximum speed limit; (2) requiring the Secretary to withhold project approval in any State that fails to certify accordingly; (3) requiring States to submit to the Secretary compliance data for a 12-month period on the percentage of motor vehicles exceeding 55 miles per hour (mph) on their public highways posted at 55; and (4) establishing a process under which a State could lose up to ten percent of its non-interstate highway construction funds for the following fiscal year if the State's 12-month compliance data show that more than 50 percent of its motorists exceeded the posted 55 mph limit. Requires each State to: (1) submit to the Secretary speed-related data as the Secretary determines necessary for each 12-month period ending on September 30, in accordance with criteria to be established by the Secretary, including data on citations and travel speeds on public highways with speed limits posted at or above 55 mph; and (2) certify to the Secretary before January 1 of each year that it is enforcing all speed limits on public highways in accordance with Federal highway provisions. Prohibits the Secretary from approving projects in States which fail to make such certification. Requires States, in preparing such certification, to consider the speed-related data that it submits to the Secretary. Part B: National Recreational Trails Trust Fund Act - National Recreational Trails Trust Fund Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the National Recreational Trails Trust Fund (Fund). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to pay into the Fund an amount equivalent to .3 percent of total HTF receipts, to be adjusted by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to use such amounts in the Fund to make grants to the States for constructing and maintaining recreational trails. Establishes the National Recreational Trails Act Advisory Committee. Part C: Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems Act - Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to conduct a program to promote and facilitate the implementation of IVHS as a component of the nation's surface transportation systems to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and safety of the Federal-aid highway system, reduce societal, economic, and environmental costs associated with traffic congestion, and enhance U.S. industrial and economic competitiveness and productivity. Requires the Secretary to: (1) coordinate an IVHS program and foster its use; (2) develop and implement standards to promote the widespread use and evaluation of IVHS technology (to the extent practicable, promoting compatibility among IVHS technologies implemented throughout the States); (3) establish guidelines and requirements for the evaluation of field and related operational tests; and (4) establish a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects pursuant to this title. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize advisory committees in carrying out responsibilities under this title. Directs the Secretary: (1) within 12 months, to formulate (and submit to the Congress) a strategic plan for the IVHS program; (2) within 24 months and annually thereafter, to submit reports to the Congress on implementation of such plan; and (3) within 24 months, to submit a report to the Congress (and within five years, to update such report) addressing the non-technical constraints to all aspects of the innovation of such program, including antitrust, privacy, staffing, patent, and liability concerns, recommending legislation and administrative action, and addressing ways to further promote industry and State and local government involvement in such program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide planning and technical assistance to State and local governments seeking to use and evaluate IVHS technologies; and (2) make grants for feasibility and planning studies to be conducted by State and local governments. Sets forth provisions with respect to funding and eligibility requirements, and priorities for funding projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate transportation corridors in which application of IVHS will have particular benefit and, through financial and technical assistance, assist in the implementation of such systems; and (2) allocate not less than 50 percent of funds for such purpose to eligible States or local entities having several of specified characteristics, such as traffic density at least 1.5 times the national average, severe or extreme nonattainment for ozone, and complexity of traffic patterns. Specifies that the Federal share for activities authorized pursuant to this title shall be 80 percent of the cost.
Bill· HRH.R. 2542 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Amends Federal law to require the Secretary of Transportation to withhold a specified percentage of apportioned Federal highway funds to States that do not: (1) have a uniform system for handicapped parking; and (2) recognize the parking stickers for certain handicapped individuals from other States.
Bill· HRH.R. 2531 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise and retitle title XI as Urban Community Service. Establishes an Urban Community Service program to provide incentives to urban institutions (including academic, private, and civic bodies) to work together to devise and implement solutions to the most pressing and severe problems in their communities. Requires applications for such urban community service program grants to contain a plan agreed to by the members of a consortium that includes a public or private four-year institution of higher education (and, where possible and appropriate, a community college) in partnership with an urban school system, a local government, a private business, or a nonprofit institution. Allows the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to waive this consortium requirement for applicants with an appropriate integrated and coordinated plan. Gives priority to applications that: (1) include plans agreed to by a consortium of several members of the specified categories; and (2) propose to conduct joint projects supported by other local, State, and Federal programs. Requires grant funds to be used for planning, applied research, training, resource exchanges, technology transfers, delivery of services, or other activities to design and implement programs to assist urban communities to meet and address their most pressing problems. Includes the following problem areas among those for which such activities are authorized: (1) urban poverty and its alleviation; (2) health care including delivery and access; (3) under-performing school systems and students; (4) problems faced by the elderly in urban settings; (5) crime prevention and alternative interventions; (6) urban housing; (7) urban infrastructure; (8) economic development; and (9) other problem areas which the participants agree are of high priority for that urban area. Establishes an Urban College, University, and School Partnerships program to encourage partnerships of urban institutions of higher education (or consortia of such institutions) and secondary schools and school systems serving low-income and disadvantaged urban students to support programs to improve school retention and graduation rates, student academic skills, opportunities to continue education beyond high school, and prospects for productive employment. Requires an urban institution of higher education (or consortium), to be eligible for such a university-school partnership grant, to enter a written partnership agreement with a local education agency (LEA). Allows such partnership to include businesses, labor organizations, professional associations, community-based organizations, or other public or private agencies or organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to university-school partnerships to support the authorized program activities. Requires that grant preference be given to: (1) programs to serve predominantly low-income neighborhoods; (2) partnerships to run programs during the regular school year and during the summer; and (3) programs to serve educationally disadvantaged students, potential dropouts, pregnant adolescents, and teen-aged parents. Requires maintenance of fiscal effort by LEAs participating in such partnership agreements. Requires such grant applications to assure: (1) establishment of a partnership governing body including one representative from each participant; (2) a gradually declining specified Federal share of project costs; and (3) use of such Federal grant funds to supplement and not supplant non-Federal funds. Provides for: (1) peer review panels for title XI grant applications; and (2) multiyear disbursement of Urban Community Service program grant funds, under specified conditions. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2541 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Exotic Bird Conservation Act of 1991 - Prohibits the import into or export of birds out of the United States without permit. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a joint permit system to expedite the application and approval process for such imports and exports. Requires importers and exporters to obtain licenses as well. Conditions such a license on compliance with certain facilities standards. Authorizes the Secretary, at any time during the five years following enactment of this Act, to prescribe annual limits to imports of any species of birds, on a gradually declining scale in order to reduce and ultimately end the import of such species by the fifth anniversary of the enactment of this Act. Sets forth statutory limits which shall become effective if the Secretary has not prescribed such annual limits within 180 days after enactment. Sets forth purposes for which import permits must be issued, including scientific research, zoological exhibition, and captive breeding. Prohibits domestic bird ranching operations or approval of foreign captive-breeding facilities unless they meet specified standards. Sets forth criteria for the importation of pet birds. Requires the Secretary to set up a system for registering persons who wish to acquire or transfer birds imported five years after enactment of this Act (other than ranched, captive-bred, or pet birds). Prohibits the transfer of any bird imported five years after enactment without registration. Establishes general requirements for registration. Prohibits the transfer of any bird imported five years after enactment unless it has been marked according to regulations. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register a list of those species of birds that need not be marked. Sets forth recordkeeping and reporting requirements for registrants. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a computerized information system for recording and analyzing information on imported birds; and (2) a voluntary National Avicultural Program to provide incentives for improved management and care of birds held for captive breeding. Prescribes a procedure for petitioning the Secretary to make findings or determinations or take other actions under this Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) promulgate regulations addressing the special health and welfare needs of exotic birds in quarantine; and (2) cooperate fully in implementation of specified avian transport guidelines. Authorizes the Secretary to develop research programs on the injury, morbidity, and mortality of birds. Requires the Secretary to encourage development of safe and efficacious vaccines for major avian diseases. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for imports and transfers in violation of this Act. Provides for compliance inspections, seizures or forfeitures of birds and equipment, and suspension of licenses or registration. Provides for citizen suits to enforce this Act. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to provide financial assistance for projects for research, conservation, management, or protection of exotic birds. Entitles any foreign government agency responsible for bird conservation, the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and any organization or individual with bird conservation experience to submit project proposals. Sets forth criteria for project approval. Establishes in the Treasury an Exotic Bird Conservation Fund to provide for project assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2529 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1991
Provides for a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour on all highways located outside of urbanized areas.
Bill· HRH.R. 2515 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1991
Amends Federal highway provisions to allow longer combination vehicles (LCVs) to continue to operate only if the Secretary of Transportation determines that such vehicles were authorized by State statute or regulation conforming to Federal law and were in actual, continuing lawful operation on June 1, 1991. Specifies that: (1) all such operations shall continue to be subject to, at the minimum, all State statutes, regulations, limitations, and conditions, including routing-specific and configuration-specific designations and all other restrictions (statutes and restrictions), in force on June 1, 1991; and (2) nothing in this Act shall prevent any State from further restricting or prohibiting the operation of LCVs whose continued operation is authorized under such provisions, with exceptions. Directs the Secretary, within 60 days, to publish in the Federal Register a complete list of such State statutes and restrictions, which shall become final 60 days after publication. Bars LCVs from operating except as provided in such list. Sets forth analogous restrictions with respect to cargo carrying unit limitations under Federal transportation provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 2508 (102nd)failed
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1991
International Cooperation Act of 1991 - Title I: Economic Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise policy provisions concerning economic assistance. Sets forth the objectives of U.S. development cooperation policy and economic assistance programs as the: (1) promotion of broad based economic growth; (2) improvement of resource management to bring about environmentally and economically sustainable patterns of development; (3) alleviation of poverty through the development of human resources; and (4) promotion of democracy, respect for human rights, and social and economic pluralism. Requires the President to use the authorities of this Act to provide assistance to meet long-term development needs in developing countries. Authorizes the President to provide such assistance to promote specified activities contributing to broad based, sustainable, and participatory development and economic growth. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for development assistance. Earmarks specified amounts for health improvement, child survival activities, prevention and control of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and reducing vitamin A deficiency. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for population planning assistance. Earmarks a specified amount for the United Nations Population Fund if: (1) the Fund maintains such funds in a separate account, without commingling; (2) none of the funds are made available for China; and (3) any agreement to obligate such funds expressly states that funds will be refunded to the United States if used for family planning in China or abortions in any country. Prohibits the denial of funds for population activities to nongovernmental or multilateral organizations on the basis of any criterion that is not applicable to foreign governments. Authorizes the President to use development and economic support assistance and assistance from the Development Fund for Africa to support human rights and activities to improve the performance of democratic institutions and to promote democracy. Requires a substantial portion of such assistance to be provided to nongovernmental organizations. Prohibits such assistance from being used to influence the outcome of an election in any country. Permits Development Fund for Africa assistance to be used only for countries in Subsaharan Africa. Authorizes the use of such assistance for: (1) development education programs to educate U.S. citizens about developing countries; and (2) nongovernmental organizations to carry out programs concerned with the economic and social development of such countries. Authorizes the President, acting through the administrator of the agency responsible for administering this title (administering agency), to provide assistance for microenterprises in developing countries. Directs the agency to establish specified criteria for determining the financial intermediaries that will receive such assistance. Requires a significant portion of such assistance to be used to support direct credit assistance by, and the institutional development of, financial intermediaries with a primary emphasis on assisting people living in absolute poverty, especially women. Outlines funding sources for such assistance. Permits the President, in order to generate local currencies for providing such assistance, to use development and economic support assistance or assistance from the Development Fund for Africa to provide assistance to developing countries on a loan basis repayable in local currencies. Sets forth minimum levels of assistance to be provided under this Act. Requires the administrator to develop a monitoring system to evaluate the administering agency's microenterprise development activities. Earmarks amounts out of funds for development assistance and assistance for the Development Fund for Africa for private voluntary organizations for FY 1992 and 1993. Requires agencies responsible for environmental programs in developing countries to prepare initial examinations to ensure that such programs are environmentally sustainable. Declares that beneficiary countries should bear a share of the costs of development assistance programs under this Act. Prohibits funds made available under this title from being used for military or paramilitary purposes. Authorizes the President to furnish economic support assistance to countries and organizations to promote economic or political stability. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for such assistance. Declares that economic support assistance should be provided through commodity import programs, project assistance, sector programs, or the provision of U.S. goods and services. Permits such assistance to be provided as a cash transfer only pursuant to an agreement requiring that the country spend an amount equal to such transfer to purchase U.S. goods and services. Requires such agreements to include provisions to ensure that representatives of the U.S. Comptroller General have access to necessary records and personnel for monitoring and auditing purposes. Exempts from such requirements countries which: (1) receive less than $25,000,000 cash transfer assistance annually; or (2) have certain agreements with the United States. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this section when it is in the national interest. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for contributions to international organizations. Earmarks specified amounts of such funds for: (1) the United Nations Development Program; (2) the United Nations Children's Fund; (3) the United Nations Environmental Program; (4) the International Fund for Agricultural Development; (5) the Special Program for Africa of the International Fund for Agricultural Development; (6) the United Nations University; and (7) the Organization of American States (OAS) for purposes of establishing an electronic network for the exchange of science and technology information among universities in OAS member countries. Authorizes funds to be earmarked for the International Atomic Energy Agency only if the Secretary of State reports to the appropriate congressional committees that Israel is not being denied the right to participate in the Agency. Applies evaluation and auditing procedures for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank to the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Inter-American Investment Corporation, the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Asian Development Fund. Revises provisions concerning the housing and urban development guarantee program. Raises the limit on: (1) the face value of guarantees with respect to any country; (2) the average face value of guarantees; and (3) the total principal amount of guarantees issued. Authorizes appropriations for the program for FY 1992 and 1993. Terminates authorities with respect to housing guarantees after FY 1993. Authorizes assistance to be provided to developing countries to support private sector activities meeting specified criteria. Permits the President to issue guarantees assuring against losses incurred in connection with loans made for such activities. Sets forth terms and conditions for such guarantees. Authorizes the President to make direct loans for such activities, subject to certain conditions. Establishes ceilings for direct loans and for contingent liability for guarantees. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for: (1) international disaster assistance; and (2) American schools, libraries, and hospital centers abroad. Permits the President to use development or economic support assistance or assistance from the Development Fund for Africa for grants to, or contracts with, nongovernmental organizations to enable such organizations to: (1) purchase debt obligations owned by developing countries to commercial lending institutions or other private parties; and (2) cancel such obligations subject to the President's approval, to the extent that such countries make available assets or policy commitments to promote the objectives of this title. Authorizes grantees or contractees to retain interest earned on the proceeds of debt-for-development or debt-for-environment purchases or exchanges pending the disbursement of such proceeds and interest for the purposes for which assistance was provided. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for operating expenses of the administering agency and of the Office of the Inspector General of such agency. Permits development or economic support assistance or assistance from the Development Fund for Africa to be used for such expenses, subject to a specified limitation. Requires the President to establish a program performance evaluation capacity to: (1) develop a program performance information system to afford the administering agency's managers a means for monitoring achievement of impact and interim performance of the agency's major programs; (2) prepare and disseminate reports on the agency's progress in meeting development objectives for major assistance categories and recipient countries; (3) strengthen the implementation of foreign assistance projects; and (4) coordinate with the Inspector General of such agency to ensure complementarity of efforts. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress on: (1) progress toward achieving the four basic objectives set forth under this title; and (2) a country-by-country analysis of the impact on economic development in each country during the preceding three to five years of U.S. economic assistance programs, with a discussion of U.S. interests that were served by such assistance. Requires the President to maintain within the administering agency a Center for University Cooperation in Development and a Center for Voluntary Cooperation in Development. Provides that the respective purposes of such centers shall be to strengthen the partnership for development between the U.S. Government and: (1) U.S. and developing country institutions of higher education engaged in education, research, and public service programs relevant to developing countries; and (2) U.S. private voluntary organizations, cooperatives, and credit unions engaged in activities relevant to such countries. Authorizes funds from development assistance and assistance from the Development Fund for Africa to be made available for the Centers. Requires the agency administrator to establish a permanent Advisory Committee on Voluntary Cooperation in Development. Title II: Military Assistance, Related Assistance, and Military Sales Programs - Chapter 1: Consolidation and Revision of Assistance Authorities - Revises policy provisions concerning military assistance. Revises the President's authority to furnish military assistance to friendly countries to permit the President to: (1) finance the sale of defense articles or services; or (2) finance the procurement of such articles (under certain circumstances) by any member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or any major non-NATO ally through leases from U.S. commercial suppliers. Requires sales under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act (formerly, the Arms Export Control Act) which are wholly paid from funds made available on a grant basis under this Act or were transferred or made available under former authorities prior to this Act's enactment to be priced to exclude the costs of salaries of members of the U.S. armed forces (other than members of the Coast Guard) and unfunded estimated costs of civilian retirement and other benefits. Prohibits assistance from being furnished under this chapter in any case involving coproduction or licensed production outside the United States of any defense article of U.S. origin unless the President furnishes full information on the proposed transaction to the appropriate congressional committees. Prohibits the obligation of certain assistance for the procurement of: (1) any vessel of war built pursuant to a prime contract awarded to a foreign shipyard; or (2) any weapons system or other major system for a vessel of war built pursuant to such a contract awarded to a foreign rather than a U.S. shipyard because of unfair foreign competition. Exempts from such prohibition vessels of war built in the foreign country which is the recipient of such assistance or built pursuant to a prime contract signed before the effective date of this Act. Permits military assistance to be provided for civic action in Africa. Authorizes assistance provided under this chapter to be on a grant, credit, or guarantee basis. Outlines criteria to be considered by the President in determining the terms of assistance. Requires repayment in U.S. dollars within 12 years of the signature of a loan agreement for credit assistance. Provides that the interest rate on such loans shall be at least five percent annually. Outlines disbursement procedures for funds used to finance the procurement of defense articles and services. Makes such assistance available to a foreign country to make payments to the United States for credits or loans for defense articles or services granted under predecessor military sales or assistance legislation. Revises provisions concerning eligibility for the receipt of defense articles or services and makes them applicable to the financing of such articles or services. Makes defense articles sold or leased under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act or furnished under predecessor foreign assistance or military sales legislation subject to the eligibility provisions of this title. Directs the President to establish controls to make financed commercial arms sales subject to monitoring and auditing requirements no less stringent in accountability than requirements of Federal Acquisition Regulation applicable to sales under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act relating to improper business practices and personal conflict of interest. Incorporates provisions of the Arms Export Control Act concerning the opinion of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency with respect to furnishing assistance. Authorizes appropriations for military assistance and sales for FY 1992 and 1993. Sets aside two percent of appropriations for military financing for assistance to eligible countries for which the Congress has not specified an amount of assistance. Revises provisions concerning transfers of excess defense articles for the modernization of defense capabilities. Requires excess defense articles to be made available to maintain the military balance in the Eastern Mediterranean. Requires the President to ensure, over a three-year period beginning in FY 1992, that the ratio of the value of such articles made available for Turkey to those made available for Greece closely approximates the ratio of the amount of foreign military financing provided for Turkey to the amount provided for Greece. Revises provisions concerning the transfer of excess defense articles to: (1) eligible major drug producing or transit countries (currently, major drug producing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean); and (2) eligible countries, international organizations, or private voluntary organizations for natural resources and wildlife management. Makes provisions concerning transportation and related costs of such articles under provisions governing transfers for the modernization of military capabilities applicable to transfers for counternarcotics or natural resource and wildlife management purposes. Adds to the list of conditions for such transfers that the transfer of articles is preferable to selling them. Sets forth congressional notification requirements. Permits transfers for natural resource and wildlife management purposes to be made available without cost to the recipient. Excludes certain excess defense articles from the annual ceiling on transfers. Revises provisions concerning military personnel detailed overseas for management of military assistance programs. Requires at least one person assigned to each country to be responsible for monitoring international security assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for: (1) international military education and training; and (2) peacekeeping operations. Revises provisions concerning the location of stockpiles. Places a ceiling on the value of additions to stockpiles during FY 1992 and 1993. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for antiterrorism assistance. Revises provisions concerning special drawdown authorities. Authorizes the President to direct the drawdown of Department of Defense commodities or services for: (1) international narcotics control assistance; (2) international disaster assistance; or (3) assistance under the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962. Places a ceiling on articles and services provided for such assistance. Raises the ceiling on the value of defense articles and services authorized to be provided under existing emergency authorities. Makes the Secretary of Defense responsible for establishing priorities in the procurement, delivery, and allocation of defense articles and services. Requires the President to appoint one officer to coordinate security assistance programs. Prohibits personnel overseeing the management of assistance programs or providing defense services or military education and training overseas from performing combatant duties. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Arms Export Control Act. Revises a provision regarding the Guaranty Reserve Fund and redesignates the Fund as the Foreign Military Loan Liquidating Account. Repeals a provision concerning the availability of funds for procurement of defense articles and services outside the United States. Permits the President to waive requirements under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 concerning the disposition of defense articles and services furnished before the effective date of this title. Chapter 2: Foreign Military Sales Program - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to rename such Act as the Defense Trade and Export Control Act. Repeals a provision concerning purposes for military sales or leases. Deems references to the Arms Export Control Act to be references to the Defense Trade and Export Control Act. Requires the President to take the following steps to address financial management problems with respect to payments on account of foreign military sales: (1) establish a new account for the deposit of funds for sales entered into after September 30, 1992, to isolate such financial transactions from previous sales; (2) establish a centralized accounting system; (3) improve coordination and conformity among the accounting and billing systems of each of the military services; and (4) reconcile the discrepancies between reported disbursements and reported performance with respect to such sales. Directs the President to notify the Congress before: (1) designating a country as a major non-NATO ally; or (2) terminating such a designation. Deems Australia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to have been so designated by the President. Raises the threshold on the dollar amount of defense equipment or services on which the President is required to submit specified certifications. Revises provisions concerning presidential certifications and congressional procedures for certain arms transfers. Sets forth conditions under which New Zealand is eligible for shorter congressional review procedures. Adds to the list of information required in the President's quarterly report on military exports information on all concluded defense coproduction agreements. Imposes sanctions on foreign parties to coproduction agreements that violate restrictions concerning unauthorized third party transfers or unauthorized dispositions of defense articles or services or technical data if the President so notifies the Congress or the Congress so determines by joint resolution. Lists such sanctions as: (1) the suspension of authority to produce defense articles abroad pursuant to such agreements; and (2) a prohibition on the issuance and approval of licenses with respect to the foreign party. Disqualifies for financing under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for 12 months any contracts of a person convicted or debarred for a violation of international traffic in arms regulations under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act. Exempts international organizations from a prohibition on the issuance of export licenses for items on the U.S. Munitions List to foreign persons. Requires the President to review biennially and revise, as necessary, international traffic in arms regulations. Provides that charges for defense articles that are not major defense equipment sold or licensed for export under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act shall exclude nonrecurring costs of research on or development or production of such articles. Repeals provisions concerning: (1) discrimination; (2) restraint in arms sales to Subsaharan Africa; (3) foreign military sales credit standards; (4) foreign military sales to less developed countries; and (5) the crediting of registration fees. Chapter 3: Other Provisions - Prohibits funds authorized by any Act from being made available to facilitate the sale of M-833 antitank shells or comparable shells containing a depleted uranium penetrating component to any country other than a NATO member or major non-NATO ally. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to arms transfers to the Middle East and Persian Gulf region. Requires the President to seek negotiations among, and undertake efforts to convene a conference of, the five members of the United Nations Security Council and other nations, as appropriate, to establish a multilateral arms transfer and control regime with respect to the Middle East and Persian Gulf region. Declares that the purpose of such regime should be to: (1) limit the proliferation of conventional weapons and ballistic missile technologies and systems and halt the proliferation of unconventional weapons; (2) maintain the military balance in the region through the reduction of conventional weapons and the elimination of unconventional weapons; and (3) promote regional arms control in such region. Directs the President to submit to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs: (1) a U.S. plan for establishing a multilateral regime to restrict transfers of arms to the Middle East; and (2) an analysis of the feasibility and potential elements of such regime. Prohibits the United States from agreeing to any transfers of major military equipment to the Middle East and Persian Gulf region unless the President submits such plan and analysis and reports that there has been agreement by another major arms supplier on or after May 21, 1991, to transfer such equipment to any nation in the region. Exempts from such prohibition emergency or replacement transfers or transfers pursuant to agreements entered into before May 21, 1991. Requires the President to report to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee on: (1) all transfers of conventional and unconventional arms to the Middle East; (2) the current military balance in the region; (3) the operation of any agreements comprising the arms transfer and control regime; and (4) supplier nations that have refused to participate in such a regime or that have engaged in conduct that violates or undermines the regime. Title III: Trade and Development Agency and Overseas Private Investment Corporation - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise the authorities of the Director of the Trade and Development Agency (replaces the Trade and Development Program). Requires the Agency to disseminate information about its activities to the private sector. Sets forth the duties of the Inspector General of the Agency for International Development (AID) with respect to the Agency. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993. Revises provisions concerning the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Requires OPIC, in determining whether to provide insurance, reinsurance, guarantees, or financing for a project, to ensure that the project is consistent with objectives concerning resource sustainable development. Prohibits OPIC payments from being issued in connection with losses resulting from violations of foreign trade practices under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Raises the ceiling on the maximum contingent liability for outstanding OPIC guarantees. Authorizes OPIC to draw specified amounts from a noncredit account revolving fund to pay estimated subsidy costs of program levels for the loan guarantee and direct loan programs. Permits OPIC to: (1) establish a revolving fund to be available solely for the equity finance program; and (2) make a one-time transfer to such fund from the noncredit account revolving fund. Revises provisions concerning OPIC's insurance reserves. Authorizes OPIC to draw a specified amount from the noncredit account revolving fund for administrative expenses of the direct loan and loan guarantee programs. Makes provisions concerning income and revenues applicable to income and revenues from OPIC's noncredit activities (currently, revenues and income from any source). Authorizes (currently, requires) OPIC to charge fees for its services. Provides for annual (currently, triennial) audits of OPIC. Removes OPIC's exemption from Federal taxation. Title IV: International Narcotics Control - Revises provisions concerning international narcotics control. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for international narcotics control. Makes a prohibition on the use of narcotics control funds for the procurement of weapons or ammunition inapplicable (subject to congressional notification requirements) to: (1) weapons or ammunition for the defensive arming of aircraft used for narcotics control purposes; or (2) firearms and related ammunition provided to Department of State employees for narcotics control activities. Requires the President (currently, the Secretary of State) to maintain records on aircraft use under this title. Authorizes foreign military financing assistance under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act to be made available to finance the leasing of aircraft. Removes a prohibition on the use of narcotics control funds by foreign countries to acquire real property for military or law enforcement forces if the President notifies the appropriate congressional committees. Permits funds for economic support assistance, foreign military financing, or international military education and training to be transferred and consolidated with funds for international narcotics control if: (1) such assistance is withheld from the country for which it was allocated because of laws that require the withholding of assistance from countries that have not cooperated with the United States or taken steps to halt illicit drug production and trafficking; and (2) such funds are used for assistance to countries that have taken significant steps to halt illicit drug production or trafficking. Makes provisions of law that restrict assistance to countries inapplicable with respect to narcotics-related assistance, provided that the President notifies the appropriate congressional committees. Revises congressional reporting and certification requirements with respect to international narcotics control. Requires the President to notify the appropriate congressional committees annually of countries determined to be major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries. Makes prohibitions on the provision of assistance to foreign law enforcement agencies inapplicable, during FY 1992 and 1993, to: (1) transfers of defense articles and services for counternarcotics purposes; and (2) foreign military financing and international military education and training for narcotics-related purposes. Title V: Special Assistance Initiatives and Other Region or Country Specific Provisions - Authorizes the President to provide project and program assistance for long-term development in Subsaharan Africa. Designates such assistance as the Development Fund for Africa. Requires the purpose of such assistance to be to help the poor majority of men and women in Subsaharan Africa to participate in a process of long-term development through economic growth that is equitable, participatory, environmentally sustainable, and self-reliant. Provides that such assistance should also promote sustained economic growth, encourage private sector development, promote individual initiatives, and help to reduce the role of central governments in areas more appropriate for the private sector. Requires the local-level perspective of the rural and urban poor in Subsaharan Africa to be taken into account during the planning process for project assistance. Declares that consultations should be undertaken with private and voluntary organizations which have demonstrated effectiveness in or commitment to the promotion of local grassroots activities on behalf of development in Subsaharan Africa. Requires: (1) local people to be consulted and involved in projects that have a local focus; and (2) development activities to expand the participation and integration of African women in certain critical sectors. Requires assistance provided by this Act to emphasize projects to address critical sectoral priorities for development. Authorizes assistance to promote economic policy reforms. Requires such reforms to include provisions to protect vulnerable groups from possible negative consequences of such reforms. Designates as the critical sectoral priorities for long-term development: (1) increased agricultural production and the maintenance and restoration of renewable natural resources; (2) improved health conditions and the prevention and control of AIDS; (3) voluntary family planning services; (4) improved relevance, equity, and efficiency of education; and (5) development of income generating opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed. Imposes minimum levels of assistance for certain critical sectors. Requires assistance provided under this Act to be concentrated in countries that will make the most effective use of such assistance. Allows assistance to be made available to: (1) assist Subsaharan African countries to increase their capacity to participate in donor coordination mechanisms at the country, regional, and sector levels; and (2) assist sector projects supported by the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC). Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) there should be periodic evaluations of the progress of the administering agency in achieving assistance goals in Subsaharan Africa; and (2) the period of availability of funds appropriated for such assistance should be extended whenever appropriate. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should participate with multilateral financial institutions and other bilateral donors in an economic reform and development program in the Philippines; and (2) a commitment of resources by the United States, donors, and such institutions and a reform effort and leadership role by the Government of the Philippines will be necessary to ensure economic growth in the Philippines and enhanced participation of the Filipino people in the democratic process. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to promote the goals of this Act. Links such assistance to progress by the Government of the Philippines in implementing its economic, structural, judicial, and administrative reform program. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the amount of appropriations for FY 1992. Expresses the sense of the Congress that prior to requesting additional amounts to carry out this Act, the President should take into account: (1) the progress being made by the Philippines toward achieving reform objectives; (2) the extent of participation by the bilateral donors and multilateral financial institutions; and (3) the efforts to coordinate the assistance program. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the coordination of objectives and programs by donors, institutions, and the Government of the Philippines is critical to the success of the multilateral assistance program; (2) all donors should simplify procurement and disbursement procedures to ensure that conditions on the provision or use of assistance are complementary; and (3) the Philippines should establish internal procedures that will ensure the most effective use of such assistance. Sets forth the Caribbean Regional Development Act of 1991. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to development and economic assistance for the Caribbean. Provides that priority in providing development assistance should be given to supporting indigenous democratic Caribbean institutions that represent and benefit the poor. Requires priority in the allocation of assistance to the Caribbean to be given to: (1) increased food production; (2) rural development; (3) community-based agro-industries; (4) small- and medium-sized farm and manufacturing enterprises; (5) the expansion of tourism; (6) regional integration; (7) the upgrading of technical and managerial skills; (8) support for renewable natural resources; (9) private sector development; (10) democratic development and the administration of justice; and (11) human services and human resources development. Directs the President, in providing assistance to a Caribbean country, to take into account whether the government of such country has failed to protect worker rights and is taking steps to implement laws that demonstrate advancement in providing such rights. Prohibits the administering agency from providing assistance for the use of any substance in a Caribbean country if such use is prohibited under the country's or U.S. public health laws. Declares that the agency should: (1) ensure the active participation of women in the development process; and (2) take into account the perspectives of the poor in the development process. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Enterprise for the Americas Facility to support improvement in the lives of the people of Latin America and the Caribbean through market-oriented reforms and economic growth with actions to promote debt reduction, investment reforms, and community based conservation and sustainable use of the environment. Makes eligible for Facility benefits Latin American or Caribbean countries that: (1) have in effect, received approval for, or are making progress toward, specified International Monetary Fund arrangements and structural or sectoral adjustment loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development or the International Development Association; (2) have put in place major investment reforms in conjunction with an Inter-American Development Bank loan or are implementing or making progress toward an open investment regime; and (3) have agreed with commercial bank lenders on a financing program for debt or debt service reduction. Authorizes the President to reduce the amount owed to the United States (as a result of concessional loans made pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or predecessor foreign economic assistance legislation) by any country eligible for Facility benefits. Sets forth requirements with respect to the exchange of obligations, repayment of principal, and interest on new obligations issued by beneficiary countries. Requires beneficiary countries that enter into Environmental Framework Agreements to establish Enterprise for the Americas Environmental Funds. Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into Environmental Framework Agreements concerning the operation and use of Environmental Funds with countries eligible for Facility benefits. Directs administering bodies in each beneficiary country to administer the Environmental Funds and to make grants for environmental activities. Requires grants from the Funds to be used for activities that link the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources with local community development. Subjects grants of more than $100,000 to veto by the U.S. Government or the government of the beneficiary country. Establishes an Environment for the Americas Board to: (1) advise the Secretary on the negotiations of Environmental Framework Agreements; (2) ensure that a suitable administering body is identified for each Environmental Fund; and (3) review the programs, operations, and fiscal audits of administering bodies. Declares that the President should encourage other official creditors of beneficiary countries whose debt is reduced under this Act to provide debt reduction to such countries. Requires the President to ensure that Environmental Funds are able to receive donations from private and public entities and private creditors of beneficiary countries. Permits military assistance and sales to be delivered to the armed forces of any Latin American or Caribbean country only with the prior approval of such a country's civilian government. Earmarks a specified amount of funds from economic support and development assistance and assistance from the Development Fund for Africa for assistance for disadvantaged South Africans. Prohibits support to organizations financed or controlled by the Government of South Africa. Requires priority in providing such assistance to be given to South African nongovernmental organizations whose staff are selected on a nonracial basis and which have the support of the disadvantaged communities being served. Extends a certain waiver of a prohibition on assistance to Pakistan if the President certifies that Pakistan does not possess a nuclear explosive device and that the proposed U.S. assistance program will reduce the risk that Pakistan will possess such device. Prohibits the allocation of assistance or the sale or transfer of defense articles or services for Pakistan for FY 1992 and 1993 unless such certification is made. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to increase the number of representatives on the Environment for the Americas Board. Title VI: Special Authorities, Restrictions, Reports, General Provisions, and Technical and Conforming Amendments - Chapter 1: Special Authorities, Restrictions, and Reports - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise provisions concerning the transfer of funds between accounts. Prohibits: (1) transfers to increase amounts for foreign military financing; and (2) the transfer of funds for the housing and urban development guarantee program and funds for development assistance or assistance under the Development Fund for Africa. Raises the ceilings on the amounts of assistance provided under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 that may be provided to any one country. Exempts from such limitation assistance for countries that are the victims of active (currently, Communist or Communist-supported) aggression. Revises provisions concerning assistance for unanticipated contingencies. Prohibits such assistance from being provided for foreign military financing or international military education and training. Raises the annual ceiling on such assistance. Authorizes the President to transfer unobligated funds (without regard to the 20 percent increase limitation) to provide assistance to a country that has recently emerged or is in the process of emerging: (1) as a democracy; or (2) from civil strife and has a democratically elected government or is making progress toward a democratic form of government. Authorizes the President to adopt as a U.S. contract or obligation any contract with a U.S. or third-country contractor that had been funded with assistance prior to the termination of such assistance. Applies assistance termination provisions to any provision of law concerning such terminations. Exempts from restrictions on foreign assistance (except for countries that support terrorism) assistance for: (1) child survival activities; (2) the prevention and control of AIDS; (3) the needs of displaced children; (4) environmentally sound, sustainable resource management; and (5) efficient energy systems. Revises prohibitions concerning restrictions on assistance. Adds to the list of restrictions prohibitions on assistance for: (1) a country whose government engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations; (2) a country whose elected head of government is deposed by a military coup; (3) projects designed to increase exports of agricultural, textile, or apparel commodities from developing countries if such exports would be in competition with U.S. exports or be expected to cause injury to U.S. exporters of the same or a similar commodity; and (4) a country that provides lethal military equipment to a terrorist government. Exempts from such prohibition assistance: (1) that is important to U.S. national interests, provided that such assistance will further U.S. nonproliferation objectives; (2) for the alleviation of suffering resulting from a natural or manmade disaster; (3) that benefits poor people; and (4) that will be furnished through nongovernmental organizations to promote respect for human rights and democracy. Prohibits the provision of such assistance until the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees. Requires the President to maintain a list of Communist countries for purposes of restricting assistance. Authorizes the President to remove or exempt a country from the list or prohibitions on assistance, provided that such removal or exemption is reported to the appropriate congressional committees. Prohibits assistance to any country which is more than one year in arrears to the U.S. Government on loan payments under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or former authorities of the Arms Export Control Act. Applies prohibitions on the use of development assistance for abortions or involuntary sterilizations to the use of assistance for Subsaharan Africa or the Philippines for such purposes. Requires funds for voluntary family planning services to be available only for projects which offer a broad range of family planning methods and services. Consolidates and revises provisions concerning prohibitions on assistance to countries engaged in transfers of nuclear materials. Outlines required elements of annual congressional presentation documents on foreign assistance. Revises provisions regarding: (1) U.S. assistance policies and human rights; and (2) congressional notification for program changes. Requires the President to submit quarterly reports to the appropriate congressional committees on the funds obligated for development and economic support assistance. Directs the President to report triennially to the Speaker of the House and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on: (1) the percentage of the budget of each country receiving development or economic assistance that is devoted to military purposes; and (2) the degree to which such country is using its foreign exchange or other resources to acquire military equipment. Chapter 2: Administrative and General Provisions - Revises provisions regarding presidential authorities under this Act. Authorizes the President to designate an agency to administer foreign assistance programs. Revises provisions concerning the allocation of funds and reimbursement among agencies. Permits funds to be used for programs under the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Food for Progress Act of 1985. Removes funding limitations on assistance for the construction of living quarters, offices, schools, and hospitals abroad and for assistance to schools educating dependents of personnel abroad. Permits economic and development assistance funds to be used to reimburse Federal or State agencies or institutions of higher education that detail employees for economic or development assistance programs that require special technical skills. Excludes such employees from applicable personnel ceilings during the detail period. Provides that if an amount appropriated for any fiscal year pursuant to this Act is less than the authorization amount and the provision calls for earmarked funds, such funds shall be deemed to be reduced to an amount bearing the same ratio to such funds as the amount appropriated bears to the authorization amount. Exempts funds for Israel and Egypt from such reduction. Sets forth provisions concerning the generation and use of local currencies. Revises provisions concerning the use of local currencies owned by the United States. Authorizes nongovernmental organizations to invest local currencies accrued as a result of economic assistance provided by this Act and other specified Acts and to use interest earned on investments for assistance purposes. Revises provisions concerning the use of private enterprise for the procurement of commodities and defense articles. Authorizes the use of Federal facilities for technical assistance purposes when such facilities are not competitive with private enterprise. Revises provisions concerning procurement standards and procedures. Allows (currently, requires) the use of excess personal property or property already owned by a Federal agency (if a substantial savings would occur) in lieu of, or supplementary to, the procurement of new items for U.S.-assisted programs. Revises provisions concerning the use of excess property. Removes a ceiling on the amount of domestic excess property that may be held. Prohibits excess property from being used for economic assistance purposes unless approval is given and the President makes specified determinations regarding such property. Authorizes the use of economic assistance funds to pay transportation charges on shipments by the American National Red Cross and by registered U.S. private voluntary organizations. Revises provisions concerning personnel. Permits personnel detailed to foreign governments or international organizations to be assigned on a leave without pay status. Authorizes the detailing of Department of Defense personnel to any civil office to carry out this Act. Revises provisions concerning discrimination against U.S. personnel. Chapter 3: Technical and Conforming Provisions - Incorporates provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 concerning the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs into another Act. Prohibits U.S. courts from declining on the ground of the Federal Act of State Doctrine to make a determination on the merits of international law in any case in which claim of title or right to property is asserted by any party, based upon a confiscation after January 1, 1959, by a state in violation of international law. Exempts from such prohibition cases in which: (1) an act of a foreign state is not contrary to international law or cases with respect to a right to property acquired pursuant to an irrevocable letter of credit issued in good faith prior to the time of taking; or (2) the President determines that application of such doctrine is required by U.S. foreign policy interests. Amends Federal provisions governing coins and currency to grant the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) responsibility with respect to foreign credits owed to or by the United States; and (2) sole authority to establish for all foreign currencies or credits the exchange rates at which such currencies are to be reported by Federal agencies. Authorizes the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, at the request of the President, to report on the value of any property of any U.S. person expropriated by a foreign government. Redesignates the Trade and Development Program as the Trade and Development Agency. Makes technical and conforming amendments to specified Acts. Repeals specified Acts. Title VII: Latin America and the Caribbean - Chapter 1: El Salvador - Reserves this portion of the bill for provisions relating to El Salvador. Chapter 2: Other Provisions Pertaining to Central America - Declares that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) support Central American countries in efforts to build democracy, restore peace, establish respect for human rights, expand economic opportunities, and improve living conditions; (2) support dialogue as the proper means of resolving armed conflicts in Central America; (3) assist in the implementation of, and secure international cooperation and support for, recommendations of the International Commission on Central American Recovery and Development; (4) support the United Nations Development Program for its Special Plan of Economic Cooperation for Central America; (5) organize a partnership among donor countries and Central American countries to mobilize resources and promote a forum for dialogue on issues of development, democracy, social justice, and human rights; and (6) support and promote the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative to assist Central American countries in opening their economies and managing their foreign debt. Prohibits the provision of military aircraft to Central American countries during FY 1992 and 1993 unless the appropriate congressional committees are notified in advance. Requires the Secretary of State to notify such committees whenever any helicopters or other military aircraft are provided to such countries by any foreign country. Prohibits the provision of foreign military financing to Guatemala during FY 1992 and 1993 except as provided by this Act. Establishes the Demobilization and Transition Fund for Guatemala. Authorizes the President to transfer amounts made available for foreign military financing to the Fund. Makes funds available only upon notification to the appropriate congressional committees that the Guatemalan Government and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unit have agreed to a ceasefire. Permits such funds to be available only for: (1) costs of demobilization, retraining, relocation, and reemployment in civilian pursuits of former combatants; and (2) costs of monitoring the ceasefire and permanent settlement. Prohibits the authorities of the Defense Trade and Export Control Act from being used to sell to the Guatemalan Government, or issue licenses for the export to Guatemala of: (1) weapons or ammunition; or (2) aircraft, unless the aircraft are unarmed and the Guatemalan Government has agreed that they will not be armed. Permits FY 1992 and 1993 development and economic support assistance and assistance under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 for Guatemala to be used only by civilian agencies and nongovernmental organizations. Requires such assistance to be targeted for: (1) programs that address poverty, basic human needs, and environmental concerns; (2) the improvement of democratic institutions and the promotion of political pluralism; (3) the National Reconciliation Commission; (4) fiscal reform and administration; or (5) programs that promote trade and investment. Prohibits such assistance from being used for partisan political purposes or as an instrument of counterinsurgency. Waives assistance target requirements if the President notifies the appropriate congressional committees that Guatemala has made progress in eliminating human rights violations and in bringing to trial those responsible for major human rights cases. Declares that the President should: (1) take into account the extent to which the Nicaraguan Government has brought the armed forces under civilian control and undertaken investigations into, and prosecution of those responsible for, human rights violations prior to providing assistance for FY 1992 and 1993; and (2) consider the extent to which foreign military financing for Nicaragua will further the goals of strengthening civilian control over the military, ending human rights abuses, and stemming the export of lethal military equipment prior to providing such financing for such fiscal years. Prohibits foreign assistance for any member of the Nicaraguan resistance who has not disarmed or is not abiding by the terms of the cease-fire agreement and the addenda to the Toncontin Agreement. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Nicaraguan Government should expedite the processing of claims by private citizens based on expropriation of property by the Sandinista government. Earmarks a specified amount of FY 1992 and 1993 economic support assistance for Central America for the Concerted Plan of Action in Favor of Central American Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons. Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to strengthening democratic legislatures in Central America. Chapter 3: The Caribbean - Congratulates Haiti on its transition to democracy. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) provide significant and sustained assistance to the Haitian Government so long as it abides by the Haitian Constitution and respects freedom of expression and human rights; (2) continue to provide substantial assistance to Haitian private voluntary organizations to institutionalize democracy and promote economic development; and (3) provide a specified amount of economic assistance to Haiti during FY 1992 and 1993. Encourages the Government of the Dominican Republic to improve respect for the human rights of Haitian laborers engaged in the sugar cane harvesting industry in the Dominican Republic. Withholds a specified amount of economic support assistance from the Dominican Republic until the President notifies the appropriate congressional committees of the steps taken by the Government of the Dominican Republic to improve such human rights. Permits assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to be provided to the Government of Guyana only if the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees that such government is in power as a result of free and fair elections. Exempts from such restriction international narcotics control assistance or assistance for the holding of free and fair elections. Expresses the sense of the Congress that following the submission of the report regarding Guyana, the United States should provide significant and sustained assistance for Guyana under such Acts. Earmarks a specified amount of such assistance for basic human needs. Condemns the armed forces of Suriname for the December 1990 coup and for disregard for civilian authority. Urges the armed forces to permit a peaceful transfer of power to the elected civilian government. Calls upon the President to withhold assistance from Suriname until a peaceful transfer of power has taken place and to use assistance to bolster civilian rule. Chapter 4: Andean Initiative - Authorizes appropriations for development and economic support assistance for FY 1992 and 1993 for Andean countries. Requires priority in the use of funds for Bolivia and Peru to be given to support programs that focus on providing coca farmers with alternative sources of income. Declares that specified amounts of such assistance should be used for law enforcement assistance, protection against narco-terrorist attacks, and assistance for human rights offices in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for foreign military financing assistance for Andean countries. Requires such assistance to be designed to: (1) enhance the ability of the recipient government to control illicit narcotics production and trafficking; (2) strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of law to control narcotics production and trafficking; and (3) assist the armed forces of the Andean countries in their support roles for such countries' law enforcement agencies. Permits the provision of such assistance only if: (1) such country has a democratic government; and (2) the government of such country does not engage in a consistent pattern of human rights violations. Permits such assistance to be used for certain law enforcement training and equipment for purposes of narcotics control efforts. Limits the amount of military and law enforcement assistance for Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Prohibits Peru's Sinchi Police from being considered as a law enforcement unit. Permits assistance or the transfer of excess defense articles under this Act to an Andean country only if the President determines that: (1) such country is implementing programs to reduce the flow of cocaine to the United States; and (2) the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of such country are not engaged in a consistent pattern of human rights violations and the government of such country has made progress in protecting human rights. Exempts from the human rights condition assistance for programs providing coca farmers with alternative sources of income. Waives provisions of law that prohibit assistance to countries in arrears on loan payments to the United States with respect to narcotics-related assistance to Andean countries. Chapter 5: Other Provisions Pertaining to the Region - Makes assistance available for countries with democratically-elected governments in Latin America and the Caribbean. Prohibits the use of such funds for: (1) lethal equipment; and (2) the participation of Department of Defense personnel and members of the U.S. armed forces in law enforcement training. Permits law enforcement training in the Caribbean to be provided only by the Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program. Makes specified amounts available for such assistance. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to authorize appropriations for the Inter-American Foundation for FY 1992 and 1993. Revises provisions concerning the composition of the Foundation's Board of Directors and the principal office. Prohibits foreign military financing or sales to Chile under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act during FY 1992 and 1993 unless the appropriate congressional committees are notified in advance. Earmarks development and economic support assistance for the Central American Journalism Program and Regional Administration of Justice Program's Center for the Administration of Justice to support democracy building activities in the region. Title VIII: Europe and the Middle East - Chapter 1: Middle East - Earmarks funds for economic support assistance, foreign military financing grants, and assistance for stockpiles for Israel for FY 1992 and 1993. Makes certain amounts of military financing available for advanced weapon systems research and development and the procurement of defense articles and services. Permits the drawdown of a specified amount of defense articles and services from the Department of Defense and military education and training for Israel. Reduces such amount by the value of articles, services, and education and training provided to Israel under the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1991. Requires such drawdowns, to the maximum extent feasible, to be made from units withdrawn from Europe. Earmarks funds for economic support assistance and foreign military financing for Egypt for FY 1992 and 1993. Permits such assistance to include support for law enforcement training. Requires specified amounts of amounts allocated by the Agency for International Development (AID) during FY 1992 and 1993 for democratic initiatives and human rights to be made available for the growth of indigenous nongovernmental organizations that contribute to pluralism, democracy, and respect for human rights and the rule of law in the Middle East. Earmarks specified amounts of FY 1992 and 1993 economic support assistance for the West Bank and Gaza Program and for regional cooperative projects in the Middle East. Earmarks specified amounts of FY 1992 and 1993 development assistance to finance projects under the Cooperative Development Program and cooperative development research among the United States, Israel, and developing countries. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should support educational, cultural, and humanitarian activities that bring Israelis together with Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to Lebanon. Earmarks funds for economic support and development assistance for Lebanon for FY 1992 and 1993. Prohibits the sale of defense articles and services under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act and suspends the delivery of such articles and services to Lebanon unless the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report that: (1) sets forth the purpose and value of the articles and services to be provided; (2) identifies the intended end-user within the Lebanese Government of such articles and services; and (3) states that such articles and services will assist the Lebanese Government in establishing effective control of Lebanese territory and that sufficient safeguards exist to ensure that such articles and services will not benefit the Government of Syria. Prohibits assistance to Syria until the President reports to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Goverment of Syria: (1) has demonstrated willingness to enter into negotiations with Israel; (2) does not deny its citizens the right to emigrate and does not impose taxes with respect to emigration; (3) is assisting the U.S. Government in obtaining the release of American hostages in Lebanon; (4) no longer supports international terrorist groups; (5) is withdrawing its armed forces from Lebanon; (6) is no longer acquiring chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons and will not use weapons currently in its arsenal to threaten its neighbors; (7) is cooperating with U.S. antinarcotics efforts and taking steps to remove members of the government who are involved in the drug trade; (8) has made progress in improving human rights; and (9) has extradited the Nazi war criminal Alois Brunner. Requires the President to report to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on third country transfers of weapons and military equipment to Syria. Permits the transfer of equipment, supplies, or material captured from Iraq by U.S forces in Operation Desert Storm to the government of any Middle Eastern country only if specified congressional committees are notified in advance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that under international law and the terms of specified United Nations resolutions: (1) Iraq is liable for loss, damage, or injury to foreign governments, nationals, and corporations as a result of its invasion and occupation of Kuwait; and (2) Israel suffered damage as a result of Iraq's aggression and should be able to receive compensation from Iraq commensurate with damage suffered. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should work with its Arab coalition partners to: (1) encourage their support for efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East and to settle the Arab-Israeli conflict; and (2) take specific steps with respect to Israel and terrorism. Requires the President to submit to the appropriate congressional committees an analysis of: (1) the Middle East arms balance based upon the cumulative impact of transfers of defense articles and services to the region by all countries; (2) how U.S. policy goals are advanced by U.S. transfers; (3) what type of military or economic compensation is required to countries whose qualitative edge the United States is committed to maintaining, how such compensation is to be funded, and the steps taken to preserve such qualitative edge and areas requiring attention due to a decline in comparative advantage; and (4) defense articles and services obtained by Middle East countries from sources other than the United States. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should obtain rescission by the United Nations General Assembly of Resolution 3379 (maintains that Zionism is a form of racism) and calls upon the General Assembly to rescind such resolution. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the 1981 Israeli preemptive strike against the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak was a legitimate and justifiable exercise of self-defense which also reduced the threat of Iraqi nuclear aggression against countries bordering Iraq; and (2) the United States should seek the repeal of United Nations Security Council Resolution 487 which condemned the strike. Prohibits sales from being made to Kuwait under the Defense Trade and Export Control Act and licenses from being issued for the export to Kuwait of any item on the U.S. Munitions List unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Kuwaiti Government has: (1) put an end to arbitrary arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killing by Kuwaiti armed forces and is making an effort to stop such acts by nongovernmental resistance groups; (2) clarified the legal basis for arrest and detention; (3) ensured that those detained have access to legal counsel and to human rights groups; (4) ensured the rights to a speedy trial, due process, and an appeal of any sentence to detainees; (5) the intention to extend the right to vote to all citizens irrespective of sex or literacy; and (6) established a date for parliamentary elections. Chapter 2: Eastern Mediterranean - Earmarks funds for economic support assistance for Cyprus for FY 1992 and 1993. Permits such assistance to be used only for scholarships or bicommunal projects. Earmarks funds for foreign military financing assistance for Greece and Turkey for FY 1992 and 1993. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should support Turkey's inclusion in the full range of political, economic, and military institutions in Europe. Supports the United Nations Secretary General's peace initiatives regarding Cyprus and encourages both parties on Cyprus to cooperate with the Secretary General. Chapter 3: Support for East Europe Democracy - Amends the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 to make eligible for SEED benefits any Eastern European country taking steps toward: (1) political pluralism and economic reform; (2) respect for human rights; and (3) a willingness to build a friendly relationship with the United States. (Currently, most SEED programs target Hungary and Poland.) Extends specified structural adjustment, debt reduction, and stabilization assistance to such countries. Authorizes AID to provide assistance to support private sector development in Eastern Europe and U.S. participation in capital projects. Permits the President, acting through the AID Administrator, to use funds for labor market transition assistance to eligible Eastern European countries. Extends technical assistance and training for labor market transition assistance to eligible Eastern European countries. Removes a provision authorizing appropriations for Peace Corps programs in Poland and Hungary. Extends assistance for the development of Peace Corps and credit unions to eligible Eastern European countries. Applies provisions governing the use of Polish currency generated by agricultural assistance to local Eastern European currencies generated by such assistance. Repeals provisions concerning: (1) OPIC support for Poland and Hungary; (2) Trade and Development Program activities in Poland and Hungary; (3) tax treatment of loans with below market interest rates for Poland and Israel; and (4) the trade credit insurance program for Poland. Extends Export-Import Bank programs to Czechoslovakia. Urges the President to seek bilateral investment treaties with eligible Eastern European countries to establish a legal framework for U.S. investment in such countries. Extends educational and cultural exchange programs and the scholarship partnership program to eligible Eastern European countries. Removes funding provisions concerning the scholarship partnership program. Authorizes the AID Administrator to use funds available for the scholarship partnership program for scholarships to enable Eastern European students to study at American institutions of higher education in Europe. Extends assistance for the support of democratic institutions and environmental protection and energy efficiency activities to eligible Eastern European countries. Authorizes the President, acting through the AID Administrator and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to provide assistance for environmental and energy activities in eligible Eastern European countries, with emphasis on assistance for policies encouraging and providing incentives for end-use energy efficiency and conservation and reliance on renewable energy resources. Requires the President to work with officials of the Government of Czechoslovakia to establish a regional program to facilitate cooperative activities to address the public health aspects of environmental degradation. Earmarks funds for such program. Revises provisions concerning medical assistance to Poland. Authorizes the President, acting through the AID Administrator, to: (1) provide medical training, health care planning assistance, and other assistance to improve health care to eligible Eastern European countries; and (2) provide assistance to support the infrastructure for a housing sector in such countries. Redesignates the SEED Information Center System as the Eastern European Business Information Center System. States that the System should develop special information on business opportunities in the communications, broadcasting, and information field for use by U.S. industry and the SEED Program coordinator. Repeals a provision concerning economic and commercial officers at U.S. embassies and missions in Hungary and Poland. Authorizes and allocates appropriations for SEED programs for FY 1992 and 1993. Sets forth provisions concerning the reallocation or reduction of such funds. Chapter 4: Other Provisions Relating to Europe - Amends the Anglo-Irish Agreement Support Act of 1986 to make economic support funds available for U.S. contributions to the International Fund. Removes a certification requirement under such Act and revises reporting requirements. Earmarks economic support assistance for FY 1992 and 1993 for assistance to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and to eligible recipients in the Soviet Union that request U.S. technical assistance in support of democratic or market-oriented reforms. Permits such assistance to be provided only through the government of such state or republic or through nongovernmental organizations. Defines an "eligible recipient in the Soviet Union" as the government of any republic or local government that was elected through free and fair elections or any indigenous nongovernmental organization that promotes democratic and market-oriented reforms. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for disaster assistance to Armenia and to carry out the Soviet-East European Research and Training Act of 1983. Revises reporting requirements under such Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to U.S. policy toward Yugoslavia and the situation in Kosovo province. Expresses the sense of the Congress that regulations issued pursuant to the Defense Trade and Export Control Act should be amended to allow the importation into the United States of sporting and hunting rifles and shotguns manufactured in Poland, Hungary, or Czechoslovakia. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) President Bush should place Soviet cessation of aid to Cuba high on the list of objectives of the upcoming U.S.-Soviet summit; (2) a Soviet cutoff of aid to Cuba should remain a high priority in U.S.-Soviet relations until the Soviet Union ends its economic and military support for the Castro regime; and (3) a democratically-elected government in Cuba should remain a goal of American foreign policy. Title IX: Asia and the Pacific - Chapter 1: East Asia and the Pacific - Requires the President, in determining whether to furnish assistance or make sales of defense articles or services to Burma (Myanmar) during FY 1992 and 1993, to make a specified certification with respect to international narcotics control in Burma and to take into account whether the Burmese Government has: (1) ceded legal authority to a civilian government as mandated by the 1990 elections; (2) released persons arrested for the peaceful expression of their political views; and (3) ceased harassment of persons and political parties attempting to exercise freedoms of expression, association, and assembly. Sets forth notification requirements with respect to certain assistance for Burma. Declares that the Congress would welcome decisions by the President to: (1) impose economic sanctions on Burma under the Customs and Trade Act of 1990; and (2) call upon industrialized countries to impose similar sanctions upon Burma. Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the settlement of the Cambodian conflict and genocide. Makes available FY 1992 and 1993 economic support assistance for humanitarian and development assistance for Cambodians along the Thai-Cambodia border and throughout Cambodia. Sets forth conditions on the disbursement of such assistance. Prohibits any funds from being used to promote or augment the capacity of the Khmer Rouge to conduct military or paramilitary operations in Cambodia or Indochina. Earmarks funds for FY 1992 and 1993 for humanitarian assistance to children and war victims in Cambodia. Authorizes the President to use funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for: (1) nonmilitary training of noncommunist Cambodians in the United States; and (2) an international relief and reconstruction program in Cambodia. Prohibits the provision of FY 1992 and 1993 foreign military financing assistance and assistance for international military education and training to Fiji unless the President certifies to the Congress that Fiji has held elections in which there has been broad participation by all communities. Sets forth provisions concerning Malaysia's policy of denying first asylum to Indochinese asylum-seekers. Requires the President to allocate the amount of funds requested in the congressional presentation materials for the South Pacific regional program for FY 1992 unless he notifies the appropriate congressional committees in accordance with reprogramming procedures. Makes available specified amounts of economic support, development, and international disaster assistance for such program. Earmarks development assistance funds for scholarships for study at postsecondary institutions in the United States. Commends Taiwan for sharing in the responsibilities associated with Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Calls on the President to accept future contributions from Taiwan for multinational operations regardless of the positions of China. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should give the highest priority to accounting for Americans missing in Southeast Asia and to negotiating the return of any Americans still held captive in Southeast Asia; (2) the United States should heighten public awareness of the missing Americans through dissemination of factual data; (3) progress on accounting for missing Americans and other humanitarian issues will affect the process of normalizing relations between the United States and Vietnam; and (4) the President should provide specified amounts to support humanitarian projects in Laos for efforts to resolve questions concerning Vietnam prisoners of war or those missing in action. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should encourage the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to consider for OECD membership the Governments of South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Makes available specified amounts of economic support, development, and international disaster assistance for humanitarian assistance for displaced Burmese nationals in Thailand and Burma. Prohibits the sale, and the issuance of licenses for export, to China of any item on the U.S. Munitions List for military end-users if the President determines that: (1) any U.S. defense article or technology was used in certain missiles or aircraft transferred to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, or Syria by China in contravention of the Defense Trade and Export Control Act; and (2) any chemical weapon or nuclear equipment or materials were transferred to such countries by China. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to the sale or export of systems or components designed for inclusion in civil products and controlled as defense articles only for purposes of export to a controlled country, unless the President determines that the intended recipient is the Chinese military or security forces. Chapter 2: South Asia - Authorizes the President to make available development and economic support assistance for humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and the establishment of a broad-based freely-elected Afghan Government. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) land mines in Afghanistan; and (2) the termination of military assistance to, and a political settlement in, Afghanistan. Congratulates Bangladesh on the transition to a democratically-elected government and welcomes the economic adjustment program being implemented in coordination with the International Monetary Fund. Urges the President to provide debt relief under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to Bangladesh. Requires the President to allocate the amount of funds requested in the congressional presentation materials for Nepal for FY 1992 unless he notifies the appropriate congressional committees in accordance with reprogramming procedures. Makes available specified amounts of economic support, development, and international disaster assistance for Nepal if a democratically-elected government assumes office pursuant to free and fair elections. Sets forth provisions concerning human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. Requires the President, in determining whether to provide assistance or make sales of defense articles or services to Sri Lanka during FY 1992 and 1993, to take into account whether the Government of Sri Lanka has: (1) established a public register of detainees and ensured that detainees have access to lawyers and family members; (2) taken steps to deter disappearances and killings of civilians by persons under control of government forces; (3) taken measures to minimize civilian casualties in combat operations in the north and the east; and (4) made serious efforts to investigate and prosecute those involved in the murder of journalist Richard DeZoysa. Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to provide human rights education and training. Chapter 3: Industrial Cooperation Projects in China and Tibet - Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. nationals conducting industrial cooperation projects in China or Tibet should adhere to specified principles, including to: (1) suspend the use of merchandise manufactured by convict or forced labor; (2) seek to ensure political and religious freedom without fear of one's employment status; (3) ensure that methods of production do not pose a danger to project employees and the surrounding environment; (4) strive to use business enterprises that are not controlled by China; (5) promote human rights in China; and (6) prohibit compulsory population control activities on the premises of such projects. Requires the Secretary of State to forward a copy of such principles to member nations of the OECD and encourage them to promote such principles. Requires each U.S. national to register with the Secretary and indicate whether they agree to implement such principles. Sets forth specified reporting requirements. Title X: Africa - Chapter 1: Authorizations of Assistance for Africa - Amends the African Development Foundation Act to authorize appropriations for the African Development Foundation for FY 1992 and 1993. Requires funds from the Development Fund for Africa to be used to assist sector projects supported by the SADCC. Urges the President to use diplomatic means to protect the security of SADCC projects and urges the Government of South Africa to respect the territorial integrity of SADCC states and to refrain from military aggression across its borders. Earmarks funds for FY 1992 and 1993 for economic support assistance for Subsaharan Africa. Welcomes the commitment of several governments in Subsaharan Africa to move toward democratic and multiparty systems of government. Urges the President to increase assistance to promote the development of democratic institutions in Africa. Directs the admninistrator of the administering agency to provide for the establishment of an African Center for Conflict Resolution to analyze, research, and resolve conflicts in Africa. Requires funds from the Development Fund for Africa to be made available for the Center. Chapter 2: Provisions Relating to Specific Countries - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Government of Angola and the Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) should be commended for their willingness to enter into negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Angolan conflict and to reach agreement on a date for national elections; and (2) the United States should continue to support negotiations between the leaders of the Angolan Government and UNITA to achieve an agreement for a process of reconciliation among Angolans. Requires the President, in determining whether to provide assistance to Burundi during FY 1992 and 1993, to take into account that the Government of Burundi has: (1) made progress in reforming its military by engaging in a massive Hutu recruitment program; (2) taken steps to reverse discrimination against the Hutu; and (3) embarked on a major repatriation to accommodate the return of Hutu. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to Ethiopia. Urges the President to impose diplomatic and economic pressures upon the Ethiopian Government if such Government fails to act in good faith to resolve its internal wars peacefully and to improve respect for human rights. Requires the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees every 90 days on Ethiopia's actions with respect to internal wars, human rights, and economic reform. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to Kenya. Suspends economic and military assistance and sales to Kenya. Waives such suspension if the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Kenya is taking steps to: (1) charge and try or release all prisoners; (2) cease physical abuse or mistreatment of prisoners; (3) respect the independence of the judiciary; and (4) respect freedom of expression. Declares that it is U.S. policy to commit heightened diplomatic resources to resolving the fundamental political conflicts in Liberia. Makes available international disaster assistance funds for civil strife, rehabilitation, and general recovery in Liberia. Permits the President to transfer funds obligated for economic support assistance for Liberia to fund peacekeeping efforts in Liberia by the Economic Community of West Africa Monitoring Group. Authorizes assistance to Liberia under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 only if the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Liberia has achieved progress toward reconciliation among parties to the conflict in Liberia. Commends the Malawi Government's response to the influx of refugees from Mozambique. Condemns the abuse of human rights of Malawian citizens. Urges President Banda to release prisoners of conscience, end incommunicado detention and torture of prisoners, and permit freedom of speech and association in Malawi. Prohibits foreign military financing for the Malawi Young Pioneers and permits such assistance only for the Malawian military's effort to secure the Nacala Railroad and for activities to assist in the Mozambique peace process. Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to Mozambique. Conditions the provision of economic support assistance and foreign military financing for FY 1992 and 1993 for Mozambique on steps by the Government of Mozambique to increase respect for human rights and promote a political settlement to the conflict in such country. Encourages a peaceful and democratic solution to the problems in Somalia. Declares that it is U.S. policy to commit heightened diplomatic resources to resolving the fundamental political conflicts in Somalia. Permits foreign military financing, international military education and training, and economic support assistance for FY 1992 and 1993 to be provided to Somalia only if the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Somalia has made progress toward democratization and respect for human rights. Declares that the President, in providing assistance for refugees in Somalia under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, should ensure that: (1) an impartial counting of eligible beneficiaries of food assistance by donors has been completed; (2) none of the beneficiaries belong to military or paramilitary units; and (3) the amount of such assistance does not significantly exceed the number of beneficiaries of such assistance. Permits international disaster assistance for Somalia to be used for civil strife relief, rehabilitation, and general recovery in Somalia. Sets forth U.S. policy toward South Africa. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should support the elimination of apartheid and the establishment of democratic majority rule in South Africa through a policy to bring about a nonracial democracy; (2) U.S. firms and the Government should provide specified assistance to disadvantaged South Africans; and (3) the President should seek the cooperation of U.S. allies in Western Europe and Japan to join in multilateral initiatives to aid disadvantaged South Africans. Requires funds to be made available from the Development Fund for Africa for assistance for the development and financing of low-cost housing in South Africa. Declares that it is U.S. policy to encourage negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army to end the conflict between these factions. Prohibits economic support assistance (except for basic human needs) and foreign military financing and for Sudan during FY 1992 and 1993. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Sudan is making progress toward respect for human rights and democratization. Prohibits the provision of foreign military financing, international military education and training, and economic support and development assistance to Zaire during FY 1992 and 1993 unless the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees that free and fair elections have been held in Zaire. Chapter 3: United States Commission on Southern Africa - United States Commission on Southern Africa Act - Establishes the United States Commission on Southern Africa to solicit private sector funds to develop skilled personnel in South Africa and Namibia, particularly in middle management business and government positions, by providing for the training of disadvantaged South Africans and Namibians in the fields of education, health care, law, and housing. Authorizes the Commission to establish and provide funds for human resource development programs and to provide scholarships and internships for appropriate study and training. Prohibits the use of such funds for programs conducted by or through South African organizations which are financed or controlled by the Government of South Africa. Authorizes the use of such funds only for programs which clearly reflect the objective of an end to apartheid. Provides for the annual audit of the Commission by certified public accountants. Authorizes the U.S. Comptroller General to carry out an annual audit of the Commission. Directs the Commission to ensure that: (1) recipients of Commission assistance keep separate accounts of such assistance and records to facilitate effective audits; and (2) the Commission has access to such records. Makes Development Fund for Africa assistance available for a grant to the Commission. Chapter 4: Other Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) special efforts should be undertaken to reduce trade barriers and to promote economic interchange between the United States and developing countries in Subsaharan Africa; and (2) the countries of Subsaharan Africa are to be applauded for their stance during the Persian Gulf conflict and commended for their support of the United States. Permits international military education and training to be provided to a Subsaharan African country only if the President considers whether: (1) that country has a government that was democratically-elected as the result of free and fair elections or is committed to respecting human rights and permitting freedom of expression and has achieved progress in a process of democratization; (2) the armed forces of such country are involved in human rights violations or the government of the country fails to respect human rights; and (3) the armed forces of such country or other elements of the government of that country are engaged in destabilization efforts aimed at any other country. Requires the President, when obligating funds for countries that do not meet such conditions, to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the reasons for providing such assistance. Provides for the transfer of a specified amount of funds from the Development Fund for Africa for contributions to the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the United Nations Educational and Training Program for Southern Africa. Exempts international narcotics control assistance or assistance provided through nongovernmental organizations for the holding of free and fair elections from the restrictions on assistance under this title. Provides that any sanction imposed by any State or governmental subdivision that is directed at South Africa or persons engaging in commercial or financial transactions in or with South Africa and that also applies to Namibia shall be null and void with respect to Namibia unless such sanction is consistent with Federal law. Title XI: Other Provisions - Amends the Peace Corps Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Peace Corps through FY 1993. United States Environmental Security and Foreign Policy Act of 1991 - Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to global environmental security. Gives the Secretary of State primary responsibility for overseeing environmental agreements and activities between the United States and foreign countries and international organizations and commissions. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the Congress on: (1) multilateral environmental initiatives and negotiations concluded or in process; (2) bilateral agreements on the environment; (3) U.S. participation in, and support of, environment programs in international organizations and multilateral development banks; (4) international cooperation activities with respect to research and monitoring of environmental and natural resource conditions; and (5) environmental policies and activities of the United States in providing foreign assistance. Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Expresses the sense of the Congress that a major effort should be made to strengthen the right to food in international law to assure the access of all persons to adequate food supplies. Declares that the Secretary, through the U.S. representative to the United Nations, should propose to the United Nations General Assembly that a Declaration and a Convention concerning the right to food be adopted and submitted to countries for ratification. Expresses the sense of the Congress that a major effort should be made to reform and restructure the United Nations mechanism for responding to international disasters and other humanitarian emergencies. Requires the Secretary, through the U.S. representative to the United Nations, to develop a proposal for strengthening the United Nations response to such emergencies. Directs the AID Administrator to release the Institute Centroamericano de Administration de Empresas from its obligation to make payments to the U.S. Government on a loan made pursuant to a specified Alliance for Progress Loan Agreement.
Bill· HRH.R. 2486 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1991
Ground Transportation Consumer Protection Act of 1991 - Declares the rights of air passengers: (1) to information about ground transportation services at airports; and (2) to access to courtesy vehicles if they are customers of off-airport operators (including rental vehicle, parking lot, hotel, amusement park, or other business). Authorizes an airport operator to charge a fee to off-airport operators provided it is reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and related to the use of the roadways and facilities built primarily to meet the operator's special needs. Amends the Clayton Act to make it unlawful for any city or governmental unit operating an airport that receives Federal assistance or issues tax-exempt airport improvement bonds to impose an unreasonable discriminatory fee on non-tenant, non-aeronautical commercial users of such airport where the effect of the fee substantially lessens competition or tends to create a monopoly in any line of commerce.
Bill· SS. 1194 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1991
Federal Mass Transportation Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law to rename the Urban Mass Transportation Administration of the Department of Transportation the Federal Transit Administration. Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 (the Act) to declare as one of the findings of the Congress that significant improvements in public transportation are necessary to achieve national goals for improved air quality, energy conservation, and mobility for elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged persons in urban and rural areas. Declares that one of the purposes of the Act is to provide financial assistance to State and local governments and their instrumentalities to help implement such national goals as they relate to the mobility of such persons. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to enter into: (1) full funding contracts with applicants for capital grants for mass transportation projects; and (2) early systems work agreements (which promote completion of such projects more rapidly and at less cost) with such applicants if specified conditions are met. Limits the total estimated amount of Federal contingent commitments to incur obligations covered by early systems work agreements and full funding contracts to no more than the amount authorized under this section or the unobligated balance remaining in the transit account of the Highway Trust Fund, whichever is greater, less an amount to cover capital grants which are not covered by a letter of interest. Prohibits the total amount obligated by such agreements and contracts from exceeding any limitation contained in law. Allocates funds from the amounts available for capital grants and loans for mass transportation projects for: (1) rail modernization; (2) construction of new fixed guideway systems and extensions to such systems; (3) the replacement, rehabilitation, and purchase of buses and related equipment and the construction of bus-related facilities; and (4) capital projects necessary to satisfy requirements of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Requires the Secretary to make certain funds available for rail modernization of: (1) historic rail systems first; and (2) then new systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make discretionary capital grants and loans to States and local public bodies for: (1) projects for the deployment of innovative techniques and methods in the management and operation of public transportation services; and (2) mass transportation services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Revises certain criteria used for the making of discretionary capital grants or loans for construction of new fixed guideway systems or extensions. Requires: (1) the Secretary to provide appropriate adjustments for inflation over time and for regional differences in the costs of land and construction when determining such systems' cost-effectiveness; and (2) the alternatives analyses to take account of the direct and indirect costs of relevant alternatives that would provide comparable capacity expansion, including costs related to air pollution, noise pollution, congestion, energy conservation, and economic development. Changes to mandatory the Secretary's current discretionary authority to also consider other appropriate factors, including the current state of land use in the community and the degree to which the project increases the mobility of the transit dependent population, when making such grants or loans. Waives certain requirements with respect to such projects if such grants or loans account for less than $25,000,000 or less than 30 percent of the total project's costs. Prohibits the amount of interest on bonds issued by a State or local public body for a mass transportation project that is considered part of the Federal share of such project's costs from being greater than the most favorable interest terms reasonably available for the project at the time of borrowing. Declares it is in the national interest to promote the development of transportation systems that integrate various modes of transportation, maximize mobility of people and goods within urbanized areas, and minimize transportation-related fuel consumption and air pollution. Requires the designation by agreement among the Governor and units of general purpose local government representing at least 90 percent of the affected population metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) for each urbanized area with a population of more than 50,000. Authorizes the designation of more than one MPO within a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) if specified conditions are met. Includes within the boundaries of a metropolitan area any area that: (1) is a nonattainment area for any transportation-related pollutant under the Clean Air Act; or (2) is likely to be significantly affected by air pollution within a subsequent 20-year period. Directs the Secretary to establish requirements to encourage Governors and MPOs with responsibility for a portion of a multi-State MSA or Consolidated MSA (CMSA) to provide coordinated transportation planning for the entire MSA or CMSA. Requires the Secretary to designate as transportation management areas any metropolitan areas that: (1) have populations of more than 250,000; or (2) are noncompliance areas under the Clean Air Act. Requires the Secretary to publish a list of such areas annually. Requires each MPO to prepare for its metropolitan area a metropolitan strategy that at a minimum: (1) identifies transportation facilities (including major roadways, mass transit, and multimodal and intermodal facilities) that should function as an integrated metropolitan transportation system, emphasizing those facilities that serve specified national and regional transportation functions; (2) assesses major demands on the metropolitan transportation system (projected over the subsequent 20-year period); (3) sets forth a long-range strategy for meeting metropolitan area personal mobility and goods transportation needs, including State and local actions to improve transportation efficiency and capacity; (4) explains how proposed transportation decisions will achieve compliance with specified environmental and resource conservation laws, further energy conservation programs, and affect other concerns of the metropolitan area such as housing, community development, and historic preservation; (5) includes a financial plan that demonstrates how such strategy can be implemented; (6) projects capital investment and other measures to ensure the preservation and most efficient use of existing transportation facilities; and (7) indicates proposed transportation enhancement activities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the development of abbreviated strategies for metropolitan areas not designated as a transportation management area. Requires States to develop a statewide transportation strategy that takes into account the transportation needs of areas that have no MPO. Directs each MPO to develop a transportation improvement program for a period of at least three years. Requires States to develop a similar program for areas with no MPO. Requires each MPO to submit to the Governor and the Secretary a list of highway and transit projects for its transportation management area. Prohibits any such projects that are funded under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1991 and the Federal Public Transportation Act, with specified exceptions, from being approved unless they are included in the list of projects approved by an MPO. Authorizes the Secretary to contract for and make grants to States and local public bodies and agencies, or enter into agreements with other Federal departments and agencies, for the planning, engineering, design, and evaluation of public transportation projects, and for other specified technical studies. Encourages to the maximum extent feasible the participation of private enterprise with respect to such plans and programs. Requires the Secretary to ensure that capital and block transportation grants be used to support balanced and comprehensive transportation planning that takes account of the relationships among land use and all transportation modes, without regard to the programmatic source of such planning funds. Sets forth a formula for the allocation of planning funds to metropolitan areas and transportation management areas. Declares that the Federal share of costs for such transportation planning activities shall be 75 percent, except where the Secretary determines that it is in the Federal interest not to require a State or local matching share. Authorizes grants for construction projects in designated transportation management areas to be made available for highway projects if specified requirements are met. Revises the formula for apportioning public transportation block grants for urbanized areas according to fixed guideway revenue vehicle or route miles, and bus revenue vehicle miles and bus passenger miles. (Repeals the "incentive tier".) Applies specified safety provisions of the Act to public transportation block grants. Requires certain certifications that must be submitted annually by a public transportation block grantee to be consolidated into a single document as part of such grantee's application. Requires the Secretary to publish a list of all required certifications annually. Requires the Secretary to establish streamlined administrative procedures to govern compliance with certification requirements with respect to block grantee control over track and signal equipment used in ongoing operations. Revises certain requirements of block grantees with respect to the preparation of a proposed program of projects to require them to assure that such program provides for the maximum feasible coordination of public transportation services assisted under the Act with transportation services assisted by other Federal sources. Authorizes the Secretary, in lieu of the Federal environmental review procedures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, to approve projects by recipients of assistance under the Act who assume responsibilities for environmental review, decisionmaking, and other action that would apply to the Secretary if such projects were undertaken as Federal projects. Requires each recipient to submit a certain annual certification with respect to the approval of such projects. Amends the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 to repeal specified conditions relating to the construction of a certain segment of Interstate Route I-95 in Florida in order to permit continued Federal operating assistance for commuter rail service in southern Florida. Includes research on transportation safety as a responsibility of each university transportation center established under the Act. Requires the Secretary to coordinate the research, education, training and technology transfer in such centers, the dissemination of the results of the research, and provide for a clearinghouse between the centers and the transportation industry. Authorizes the Secretary to make funds that are appropriated to the Department of Transportation for transportation research available to one or more of the centers for research that is compatible with research conducted in them pursuant to authorizations under the Act or the Highway Trust Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer facilities and equipment acquired by a recipient of Federal transportation funds but no longer needed to any public body for any public use for at least five years after such transfer. Sets forth specified determinations to be made by the Secretary with respect to the transfer of such assets for purposes other than for mass transportation. Authorizes the Secretary to allow the solicitation for a turnkey system project (a vendor-specific project under which a recipient contracts with a vendor to build and operate a transit system that meets specific performance criteria) to be awarded before Federal requirements are met so long as such award is made without prejudice to their implementation as a means to advance new technologies and lower the cost of constructing new mass transportation systems. Authorizes the Secretary to approve no more than four projects for an initial demonstration phase. Authorizes a recipient that procures rolling stock with Federal transportation assistance to enter into multiyear agreements for the purchase of such stock and replacement parts in which the recipient may exercise an option to purchase additional stock or replacement parts for no more than a five year period from the date of the original contract. Directs the Secretary to permit two or more recipients to form a consortium to purchase such stock. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans to the Governor of each State for allocation to State approved private nonprofit organizations and public bodies (currently, such assistance goes directly to private nonprofit corporations and associations) to assist them in providing transportation services to elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Declares that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prohibit the leasing of vehicles purchased with such assistance to local public bodies or agencies as a means of improving transportation services to such individuals. Authorizes States to transfer facilities and equipment acquired with Federal transportation assistance for nonurbanized areas or elderly persons and persons with disabilities to any recipient eligible to receive such assistance if such equipment or facilities continue to be used in accordance with its requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to retain and continue to use any funds returned in connection with grants or contracts for programs that address human resource needs with respect to public transportation activities. Authorizes appropriations from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund and from the general fund of the Treasury for formula and discretionary grant programs for mass transportation projects. Earmarks a specified amount of such funds and funds appropriated under the National Capital Transportation Act of 1969 for: (1) metropolitan planning activities; (2) rural transit assistance programs; (3) State and national transportation planning and research programs; (4) administrative expenses of the Secretary; (5) transportation services to elderly persons and persons with disabilities; and (6) university transportation centers. Makes specified amounts of such funds available for: (1) completion of interstate transfer transit projects; and (2) block grants for transportation projects in urbanized areas. Prohibits the Secretary from using more than three-quarters of one percent (currently, one-half of one percent) of funds for mass transportation projects to contract with persons overseeing the construction of such projects. Makes funds available for: (1) State transit cooperative research programs; and (2) State transportation planning and research in urbanized areas. Requires the Secretary, as part of such program, to establish an independent governing board to recommend mass transportation research, development, and technology transfer activities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the National Academy of Sciences to implement such activities. Makes funds available to the Secretary for grants or contracts for national mass transportation programs. Earmarks a specified amount of such funds for special urban transportation demonstration initiatives. Authorizes the Secretary to charge and retain fees, tuition, or other related amounts resulting from conferences, seminars, and training sessions for the development of transit technology. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake a program of transit technology development. Requires the Secretary to establish an Industry Technical Panel to assist in identifying priority technology development areas and in setting guidelines for project development, project cost sharing, and project execution. Authorizes funds for mass transportation projects appropriated before October 1, 1983 and remaining available for expenditure after October 1, 1991, to be transferred to the most recent appropriation for such projects.
Bill· SS. 1168 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a highway bridge planning and feasibility study for a bridge in the Vermillion, South Dakota-Newcastle, Nebraska area. Authorizes the Secretary, if such study determines such a bridge to be feasible and desirable, to carry out a highway project plan, engineer, and construct a bridge across the Missouri River to improve: (1) the interstate flow of traffic; (2) access to rural health care and higher education; (3) grain and livestock movement; and (4) economic growth and development of the area. Authorizes appropriations. Specifies the Federal and States' shares of the project costs.
Bill· SS. 1160 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Federal Mass Transportation Act of 1991 - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 (the Act) to declare that one of the purposes of the Act is to provide assistance to State and local governments in their efforts to implement programs that support national goals, improve air quality, energy conservation and independence, international competitiveness, and mobility for elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged persons. Redesignates the Urban Mass Transportation Administration as the Federal Transit Administration. Declares that the Congress strongly supports a Federal policy that promotes increased use of commute-to-work benefits and that is consistent with national objectives of energy conservation, reduced reliance on energy imports, lessened congestion, and clean air. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to make discretionary grants or loans to States and local agencies to finance mass transportation services to meet the special needs of elderly and handicapped persons. Authorizes the Secretary to pay any costs (inclusive of debt service) to retire any long-term debt incurred by an applicant to finance mass transportation projects, including debt to complete such a project for which a letter of intent or full funding contract has been issued by the Secretary when the debt is incurred, in spite of an approved project budget, because of lack of funds made available in an appropriations Act. Revises criteria for the award of grants or loans for the construction of any new fixed guideway system or extension of such a system to require a project to be based upon a thorough assessment of a variety of innovative financing mechanisms in connection with its construction and operation, as well as for its long-range finance plan for meeting overall system capital and operating costs. Sets forth specified factors to be considered by the Secretary in making such grants or loans. Requires the Secretary to make specified determinations with respect to such projects. Requires the Secretary to consider specified factors in assessing the availability of local funding for such projects. Requires such projects to be implemented by means of a full funding contract. Allocates such grants and loans based on a percentage formula for: (1) rail modernization; (2) new fixed guideway systems and extensions; and (3) purchase of buses and the construction of bus-related facilities. Requires apportionment of funds based on a percentage formula for urbanized areas with fixed guideway facilities. Revises provisions relating to the development and planning of transportation systems in urbanized areas. Authorizes the Secretary, as an alternative to grants and contracts with State and local agencies to enter into working agreements with other Federal departments for the planning of public transportation projects and for other technical studies. Revises the formula for apportioning public transportation block grantees for urbanized areas according to fixed guideway revenue vehicle or route miles. Includes in such formula, in the case of routes where multiple tracks or lanes are in use in the same direction, all such tracks or lanes in the computation of total fixed guideway route miles. Provides for a special apportionment of block grants based on the fixed guideway revenue vehicle miles whenever grantees can certify to the Secretary certain energy or operating efficiencies without a reduction in service. Requires block grantees to submit to the Secretary an annual certification that such grantee has continuing control, through operation or lease, including domestic and offshore safe harbor lease transactions, over the use of facilities and equipment (excluding track, signal and communications, and other wayside equipment). Allows grant recipients, when developing a program to propose the sum of proposed program projects concerning activities for local planning purposes, to propose projects whose sum exceeds annual mass transportation apportionments made to urbanized areas. Includes certain supplies (excluding fuel and lubricants) as associated capital maintenance items. Requires a recipient of a mass transportion project grant to retain net income received from the use, lease, or sale of certain acquired airspace or adjacent property acquired or derived from the disposal of certain fungible items. Prohibits the Secretary from awarding grants or making loans on the condition that such net income must be used to finance part of any mass transportation project, or to reimburse the United States for grants or loans made with respect to such projects, or use such net income in any calculation of net project costs. Authorizes the use of a specified percentage of mass transportation funds to finance capacity expansion construction projects, improve the movement or use of mass transit and shared ride programs, or facilitate the development of intermodal facilities. Prohibits the award of a grant unless the recipient certifies that basic transit maintenance needs have been addressed in the metropolitan planning process, and projects have been programmed in the transportation improvement program to meet such needs. Authorizes designated recipients of mass transportation funds prior to enactment of this Act for urbanized areas with populations under 200,000 to continue to receive and dispense such funds. Authorizes the Governor of a State to transfer an amount of the State's apportionment of grants and loans for mass transportation services to meet the needs of the elderly and handicapped to supplement funds apportioned to such State for public transportation projects and technical assistance to non-urbanized areas. Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations providing for the delegation of environmental review, decisionmaking, and other action pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to certified recipients of mass transportation assistance. Authorizes a grant for the research and investigation by nonprofit institutions of higher learning of urban transportation problems to cover the safety aspects related to such problems. Requires the Secretary to make grants to the National Cooperative Transit Research Center to research short-term operating problems experienced by assisted public transportation service providers. Authorizes the Secretary to permit recipients of mass transportation assistance to transfer, under specified conditions, facilities and equipment that are no longer needed for a mass transportation project to a public body for a public use, with no further obligation to the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to allow the leasing to public transit operators of vehicles purchased by States, local agencies, private nonprofit corporations, and associations for elderly and handicapped persons. Prohibits a State from imposing further terms or conditions with respect to the administration of public transportation grants awarded to it for non-urbanized areas. Authorizes appropriations for mass transportation projects. Makes specified amounts available: (1) from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund; (2) for substitute mass transportation projects; (3) for rural transportation programs; (4) for planning and design of mass transportation facilities for elderly and handicapped persons; (5) for research, planning, and training programs; and (6) for administrative expenses. Requires the Secretary to make a report to the Congress that includes: (1) actions taken to identify conditions in any facility, equipment, or manner of operation as part of findings and determinations required in providing mass transportation grants and loans; (2) actions to correct or eliminate conditions that create a serious hazard of death or injury as a condition for making such grants and loans; (3) a summary of passenger-and employee-related deaths and injuries resulting from unsafe conditions in such facilities, equipment, or manner of operation, including actions taken to correct or eliminate such conditions; (4) a summary of actions taken to alert transit operators to such conditions; and (5) recommendations to the Congress of any legislative or administrative actions necessary to ensure that recipients of transportation assistance will institute the best means available to correct or eliminate hazards of death or injury. Makes a specified amount of Mass Transit Account funds available: (1) to the Secretary for grants or contracts for specifed mass transportation planning and research projects, including special demonstration initiatives and transit technology development; and (2) for State and local transit cooperative research and planning and research programs. Sets forth a formula for the apportionment and allocation of such funds among the States. Authorizes the Secretary to charge fees for planning and research conferences, seminars, and training sessions. Requires the Secretary to establish an Industry Technical Panel consisting of representatives of transportation suppliers and operators and others involved in technology development to assist in the identification of priority technology development areas and in establishment of guidelines for project development, sharing, and execution. Requires a 80 percent matching Federal share for State and local planning and research programs, with specified exceptions. Requires the Secretary to negotiate and execute a letter of intent and a full funding agreement that provides the Federal share of the cost of construction of the Queens Local/Express Connection in New York City. Directs the Secretary to provide mass transportation funds to the State of New York to meet the transportation needs associated with the staging of the 1993 World University Games. Requires the Secretary to determine, in cooperation with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the environmental impact as required by NEPA of the Cross-County Metro project from Morrisville to Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Requires the Secretary, upon a finding that NEPA requirements have been met, to enter into a Full Funding Grant Agreement with SEPTA for the construction of such project. Directs the Secretary to prepare a multiyear funding contract for the rehabilitation of the Drake/Library and Overbrook trolley lines in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the status of completion of such agreement.
Bill· SS. 1144 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a highway project to construct a tunnel on the Federal-aid urban system to replace the 17th Street Causeway Bridge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to demonstrate the safety and economic benefits of providing all-weather highway access. Authorizes appropriations. Specifies that the Federal share of the cost of the project shall be 50 percent, that such funds shall remain available until expended, and that funds authorized under this Act shall not be subject to any obligation limitation.
Bill· HRH.R. 2465 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a highway bridge planning and feasibility study for a bridge in the Vermillion, South Dakota-Newcastle, Nebraska area. Authorizes the Secretary, if such study determines such a bridge to be feasible and desirable, to carry out a highway project plan, engineer, and construct a bridge across the Missouri River to improve: (1) the interstate flow of traffic; (2) access to rural health care and higher education; (3) grain and livestock movement; and (4) economic growth and development of the area. Authorizes appropriations. Specifies the Federal and States' shares of the project costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 2461 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to conduct a study of the feasibility of modifying the project for navigation located at Lake Montauk Harbor, New York, for the purpose of making navigation improvements. Establishes reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
Law· HRH.R. 2426 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1992 - Appropriates funds for FY 1991 for military construction functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD) in specified amounts for: (1) military construction, Army (including such funds under prior law); (2) military construction, Navy (including a rescission); (3) military construction, Air Force (including rescissions); (4) military construction, defense agencies (including a specified 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. Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being used for payments under certain cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contracts without specific approval by the Secretary of Defense. Authorizes funds appropriated in this Act to be used for: (1) the hire of passenger motor vehicles; and (2) advances to the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, for the construction of defense access roads. Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being used for: (1) construction of new bases inside the continental United States for which specific appropriations have not been made; (2) the purchase of certain lands or easements for amounts in excess of 100 percent of their value as determined by the Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, except under specified conditions; (3) acquisition, site preparation, or the installation of any utilities for family housing, except for housing for which funds have been made available under annual military construction appropriation Acts; (4) transferring or relocating any activity from one base or installation to another without prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations; and (5) the procurement of steel for any construction project or activity for which American steel producers have been denied the opportunity to compete. Prohibits the use of funds available for military construction and housing during FY 1991 to pay real property taxes in any foreign nation. Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being used for: (1) the initiation of a new installation overseas without prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations; (2) certain architect and engineer contracts for projects in Japan or in any NATO-member country, unless awarded to U.S. firms solely or in joint ventures; or (3) the award of any contract for military construction in the U.S. territories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Island in excess of $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor, with specified exceptions. Directs the Secretary to notify the Senate and House Armed Services and Appropriations 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 are expected to exceed $100,000. Transfers certain funds of the Military Family Housing Management Account to the appropriations for family housing provided in this Act. Prohibits more than 20 percent of the funds appropriated in this Act 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 first session of the 102nd Congress. Directs the Secretary, by February 15, 1992, to provide the Appropriations Committees with a report detailing the specific actions proposed to be taken by DOD during FY 1992 to encourage other members of NATO and Japan 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 year after such funds were appropriated, with certain conditions. Limits the amount of funds that may be obligated for the contract cleaning of military family housing units. Prohibits any funds appropriated in this Act from being used for new military family housing units in the Republic of Korea in connection with any increase in accompanied tours after June 6, 1988. 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 to be merged with and available for its purposes. Prohibits any funds appropriated in this Act for planning and design activities from being used to initiate design of the Pentagon Annex. 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 FY 1992 pay raises for programs funded by this Act to be absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act. Amends the Dire Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Consequences of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Food Stamps, Unemployment Compensation Administration, Veterans Compensation and Pensions, and Other Urgent Needs Act of 1991 to extend until November 5, 1990, the effective date of the repeal of specified provisions of the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1991 which: (1) authorize the President to seize and liquidate certain property to pay U.S. creditors holding claims against Iraq; and (2) provide criminal penalties against the perpetrators of, and remedies, jurisdiction, and venue for the victims of, international terrorism.
Bill· SS. 1118 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
HOV Facility Improvement Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to approve Federal highway projects designed to: (1) demonstrate the capability of achieving a reduction in single occupant vehicle miles and a reduction in mobile source emissions, including projects for the construction of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities; and (2) encourage the use of shared rides (currently, carpools and vanpools). Makes apportionments for metropolitan planning organization (MPOs) projects to MPOs responsible for a population in urban areas of more than one million inhabitants which are in nonattainment for either ozone or carbon monoxide according to a specified formula, based on population, severity of air quality nonattainment, and the number of freeway lanes and miles dedicated to the usage of HOV lanes during peak rush hours. Limits the Federal share payable for costs of such projects to 80 percent. Authorizes to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1992 through 1996. Requires the Federal Highway Administration, within six months, to issue minimum design criteria for HOV facilities which: (1) specify a standard lane width to accommodate automobiles and transit vehicles, including intercity buses; and (2) require that new HOV facilities contain ramps and interchanges, or the capability for such, for connection with existing or planned transit commuter parking and loading areas. Specifies that ramps, interchanges, and parking and loading areas which are part of an HOV facility project shall also qualify for any preferential match accorded to HOV facilties.
Bill· SS. 1121 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Federal Aid Surface Transportation Act of 1991 - Title I: Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1991 - Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for: (1) the National Highway and Bridge System; (2) the Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program; (3) emergency relief; (4) the Federal Lands Highway Program; (5) the University Transportation Centers Program; (6) the Right-of-Way Revolving Fund; and (7) the Territorial Highway Program. Specifies that unobligated balances of funds apportioned or allocated to a State under Federal highway provisions before October 1, 1991, shall be available for obligation in such State under the law, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to the obligation and expenditure of those funds in effect on September 30, 1991. Repeals the FY 1993 authorization under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. Authorizes appropriations for Interstate construction to complete the Interstate System out of the Highway Account of the HTF for each of FY 1992 through 1995. Provides for certain allocations for Massachusetts for such fiscal years. Sets forth a formula for the apportionment of authorized funds for such fiscal years among the States. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Account of the HTF for highway projects for the Interstate Substitution Program. Sets forth provisions with respect to obligation ceilings for Federal-aid highway programs, distribution of and limitations on obligation authority, and redistribution of unused obligation authority. Declares that national resources should be focused upon preserving the nation's investment in its Interstate systems, that broad national defense, economic, safety, and international policy goals are advanced by efficient transportation systems, that national transportation investments should increasingly encourage domestic and international commerce and trade, and that, based on congressionally established national transportation policy and objectives, a new Federal high priority highway network should be designated. Establishes the National Highway and Bridge System, to consist of all currently designated Interstate highways, an appropriate portion of the rural and urban principal arterial routes, including toll facilities, and national defense highways, and routes which meet specified criteria (including nationally significant truck routes, routes that provide nationally significant commodities with access to markets, access points to significant national parks, facilities that will provide logical connection between major population centers and the National Highway and Bridge System, and major urban corridors). Specifies that the National Highway System shall be based on a functional reclassification of roads and streets in each State which shall be designated not later than September 30, 1993, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Secretary of Transportation, and that the Secretary may add segments to the National Highway System as necessary to meet National Highway Program objectives. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria for reviewing projects to be funded as part of the National Highway and Bridge System which: (1) define eligible projects to include rehabilitation, resurfacing, restoration, capacity expansion, operational improvement, safety, and new highway construction; (2) ensure as a first priority for the use of available funds the protection of investments made in the Interstate highways in each State and the provision of suitable traveling quality by such highways; (3) permit funding in urbanized areas to be used to improve highway and transit systems, where it can be shown that the improvement will increase the level of service within the corridor of the National Highway and Bridge System; and (4) permit the use of such funds for intercity rail projects and projects for access to ports, airports, and related facilities. Sets forth additional provisions with respect to the discharge of responsibilities by the Secretary for National Highway and Bridge System projects. Directs the Secretary to establish an Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program to provide a category of funds that minimizes Federal requirements and provides flexibility in the use of available funds for either highway or transit projects. Specifies: (1) that the Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program shall consist of all public highways (including bridges) functionally classified as arterials, urban collectors, and rural collectors other than those designated as part of the National Highway and Bridge System; (2) that each State shall establish guidelines for implementing this program; and (3) eligible highways and projects. Authorizes the Secretary to approve innovative highway- and transit-related immediate action, non-capital intensive projects to help relieve congestion and transportation-related air quality problems in urbanized areas of more than 200,000 population, or projects in rural areas that respond to rural transportation problems through innovative approaches and strategies. Sets forth provisions with respect to project compliance with State and Federal requirements. Requires States to have an ongoing bridge inspection and inventory system. Directs the Secretary to set aside specified funds for Metropolitan and Rural Innovative Bonus Projects. Sets forth provisions with respect to the obligation of funds, and the Federal share of projects, for the construction of toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and ferries. Repeals provisions: (1) requiring each State to certify annually that it is enforcing all speed limits on public highways posted at the national maximum speed limit; (2) requiring the Secretary to withhold project approval in any State that fails to certify accordingly; (3) requiring States to submit to the Secretary compliance data for a 12-month period on the percentage of motor vehicles exceeding 55 miles per hour (mph) on their public highways posted at 55 mph; and (4) establishing a process under which a State could lose up to ten percent of its non-Interstate highway construction funds for the following fiscal year if the State's 12-month compliance data show that more than 50 percent of its motorists exceeded the posted 55 mph limit. Requires the Secretary, in each fiscal year, to allocate among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that: (1) the total of apportionments and minimum allocation for each State in each such fiscal year shall not be less than 90 percent (currently, 85 percent) of the percentage of estimated tax payments into the Highway Account of the HTF attributable to highway users in the State of total apportionments in each such fiscal year and allocations for the prior year; and (2) each State's total apportionment from the Highway Account of the HTF for the year is not less than that made during FY 1991 (excluding any Interstate construction funds in excess of FY 1992 one-half percent minimum, Interstate substitution, and amounts for demonstration or discretionary funding programs or projects). Directs the Secretary to cooperate with State and local officials in urbanized areas in the development of transportation plans and programs which are formulated with due consideration to comprehensive long-range land use plans, development objectives, innovative financing mechanisms, overall social, economic, environmental, and system performance, energy conservation goals and objectives and with due consideration to their probable effect on the future development of the area. Specifies that the transportation planning process, at a minimum, shall cover the existing urbanized area and the area expected to become urbanized within the forecast period, and that it may encompass the entire Metropolitan Statistical Area/Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area at the discretion of the Governor and the affected units of local government. Requires that transportation plans and programs in urbanized areas of more than 200,000 population be based on a continuing transportation planning process which: (1) is carried out by a metropolitan planning organization and is comprehensive to the degree appropriate based on the complexity of transportation problems in the area, including transportation-related air quality problems; and (2) considers all modes of transportation, including intermodal connectivity, the balance between future development and transportation needs, and an areawide multimodal congestion management system. Specifies that in nonattainment areas for transportation-related pollutants, the multimodal congestion management system shall address air quality considerations and be coordinated with the process for development of the transportation element of the State Implementation Plan required by the Clean Air Act. Requires that the costs and impacts of proposed action on both mobility and air quality be evaluated. Bars the Secretary from approving any highway project in urbanized areas of more than 200,000 population that by reconstruction or new construction significantly increases the vehicle carrying capacity of a transportation corridor unless the project is consistent with the congestion management system. Directs the metropolitan planning organization to cooperate with the State in the development of a congestion management, bridge management, pavement management, safety management, and traffic monitoring system. Requires that: (1) a metropolitan planning organization be designated in each urbanized area by agreement among the units of general purpose local government and the Governor to carry out such transportation planning process; (2) such organization develop a transportation improvement program that includes all projects proposed for funding within the study area under the National Highway and Bridge Program, the Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program, and the Bridge Program; and (3) in urbanized areas of 200,000 population or less, such organization, the State, and transit operators, at a minimum, meet the requirements of this Act by the development of such a transportation improvement program (including consideration of transportation-related air quality problems). Requires the Federal highway research program to include a coordinated long-term program of research: (1) on Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems; and (2) for the development, use, and dissemination of performance indicators to measure the performance of the surface transportation system. Requires such program to continue those portions of the Strategic Highway Research Program that the Secretary deems important. Directs the Secretary to create and administer the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program, a program to attract qualified students to the field of transportation engineering and research. Provides for the funding of such program. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with the States in carrying out: (1) statewide transportation planning to support transportation programs and projects funded under this Act; and (2) State highway research. Sets forth provisions regarding State matching fund requirements and waiver of such requirements. Directs the Secretary: (1) in the Secretary's reports regarding future highway needs of the nation, to report as well on the condition and performance of the existing system and on the bridge needs of the nation; and (2) beginning with the report due in January 1995, to include the results of studies of the air quality impacts of transportation programs, including the air quality benefits realized from transportation control measures required under the Clean Air Act. Establishes within the Department of Transportation a Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which shall pursue a comprehensive, long-term program for the collection and analysis of data relating to the performance of the national transportation system. Requires the Director of such Bureau to: (1) produce annually unbiased and comparable estimates of factors, including productivity in the various portions of the transportation sector, traffic flow, travel times, travel costs of intracity commuting and intercity trips, frequency of vehicle and transportation facility repairs, accidents, and collateral damage to the human and natural environment; and (2) submit reports beginning on October 1, 1992, and every 12 months thereafter, to specified congressional committees describing the status of the U.S. transportation system. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) undertake, on a cost-shared basis, collaborative research and development with non-Federal entities, including State, local, and foreign governments; and (2) enter into cooperative research and development agreements, except that the average Federal share in such agreements shall not exceed 50 percent (but allows the Secretary to approve a higher Federal level of participation where there is substantial public interest or benefit.) Authorizes the Secretary to withhold project approvals on National Highway and Bridge Program projects for failure of a State to have a bridge management, pavement management, safety management, and congestion management system. Requires each State to have a traffic monitoring system to provide statistically-based traffic data. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) acquisition of rights-of-way; (2) private, State, and local donations; (3) wetland mitigation, conservation, and enhancement; (4) access to rights-of-way to accommodate needed passenger or commuter rail, high speed ground transportation systems (including magnetic levitation systems), and highway and nonhighway public mass transit facilities; and (5) the definition and scope of the Interstate System. Declares that: (1) the nation must redirect its efforts toward moving people, information, and goods rather than moving vehicles; (2) the new Federal program shall refocus national policies to respond to increasing inter-regional travel, relieving urban congestion, improving rural access, fostering intermodalism, enhancing air quality, conserving energy, and giving priority to projects that offer the best solutions to the transportation problems and environmental considerations of each region; and (3) the essential element for an effective future program is a new Federal, State, and local partnership that provides more funding, greater program flexibility, and greater program management and resource contribution responsibilities at the State and local levels. Sets forth provisions with respect to the apportionment of funds, including apportionment formulas under the: (1) National Highway and Bridge Program, based on the State's rural and urban lane miles, rural vehicle miles traveled, and diesel fuel consumption; and (2) Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program, in the ratio of tax payments of the Highway Account of the HTF attributable to the highway users of each State. Requires the Secretary to reduce up to ten percent of a State's apportionment of National Highway and Bridge Program funds in any fiscal year during which heavy vehicles, subject to a heavy vehicle use tax, may be lawfully registered in the State without having presented proof of payment of such tax. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) project agreements and obligations of funds; (2) availability of funds; (3) the Federal share payable with respect to certain projects; (4) project litigation expenses; and (5) the allocation and administration of Federal lands highways funds and the establishment of a coordinated Federal Lands Highways Program. Authorizes (subject to specified limitations): (1) States to use Federal highway funds to construct improved lanes, paths, or shoulders, traffic control devices, shelters, and parking facilities for bicycles and pedestrians, and carry out nonconstruction projects related to safe bicycle and pedestrian use; (2) the Secretary, where a highway bridge deck being replaced or rehabilitated with Federal financial participation is located on a highway on which bicycles or pedestrians are permitted to operate at each end of the bridge and where the Secretary determines that the safe accommodation of bicycles or pedestrians can be provided at reasonable cost, to replace or rehabilitate such bridge, making such accommodations; (3) Federal lands highways funds to be used for the construction of pedestrian walkways and bicycle routes; and (4) a State to expend Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program funds for such construction. Repeals a provision requiring that specified highways be free from tolls. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) carry out a transportation assistance program that will provide highway and transportation agencies in urbanized areas of 50,000 to 1,000,000 population and rural areas access to modern highway technology; and (2) make grants to enter into contracts for education and training, technical assistance, and related support services to effectuate such program. Repeals a provision authorizing the Secretary to use photogrammetric methods in mapping and the utilization of commercial enterprise for such services. Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities to inform the domestic highway community of technological innovations abroad that could significantly improve highway transportation in the United States, promote U.S. highway transportation expertise internationally, and increase transfers of U.S. highway transportation technology to foreign countries. Provides for a temporary waiver of the matching fund requirement for qualifying projects, with increases in the Federal share for any State to be repaid by March 30, 1994. Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out experimental programs which allow the Federal Highway Administration and the States to demonstrate innovative or nontraditional design, construction, and management practices, or both, for highway projects while utilizing a competitive process for selection of contractors; and (2) evaluate and report on the results of such programs. Provides for: (1) a functional reclassification of all public roads; (2) the transfer of funds for transit projects to, for administration by, the Urban Mass Transportation Administration; and (3) a recodification of Federal highway-related provisions. Requires that construction standards adopted for the National Highway and Bridge System be those approved by the Secretary in cooperation with the State highway departments and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (currently, with respect to construction standards for the Interstate System, cooperation with such Association is not required). Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines for minimizing soil erosion from highway construction. Bars the Secretary from approving projects that will result in the severance or destruction of an existing major route for nonmotorized transportation traffic and light motorcycles, unless the project provides a reasonable alternative route or an alternative route exists. Requires: (1) projects for resurfacing, restoring, or rehabilitating specified highways to be constructed in accordance with standards to preserve and extend highway service life and enhance highway safety; and (2) States to charge, at a minimum, fair market value for the sale, use, lease, or lease renewals of right-of-way airspace acquired as a result of a project funded in whole or in part with Federal assistance made available from the Highway Account of the HTF, with exceptions. Provides that: (1) Indian contractors certified by State transportation or highway departments shall receive preference in the award of contracts on Indian reservations to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) contracts for Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program projects may be entered into with the prior concurrence of the Secretary in the award. Authorizes: (1) the State transportation or highway department to include warranty or guarantee provisions in construction contracts which, if used, shall be for a specified construction product or feature and may not include routine maintenance; and (2) projects (currently, requires projects) approved to include the amount of any interest earned and payable on bonds issued by the State to the extent that the proceeds of the bonds have actually been expended in the construction of the project. Authorizes the Secretary, except for projects administered under the Urban and Rural Highway and Bridge Program, to make payments to a State for costs incurred on a project. (Current law authorizes payment to States for construction.) Specifies that total payments shall not exceed total costs incurred by the State for the project. Requires any State transportation or highway (currently, highway) department which submits plans for a National Highway and Bridge Program or Interstate System project (currently, Interstate System project) to make its certification and report, indicating that consideration was given to the economic, social, environmental, and other effects of the plan, highway location or design, and various alternatives which were raised during the hearing or which were otherwise considered. (Current law does not mention the latter requirement.) Authorizes the Secretary to approve for Federal financial assistance from National Highway and Bridge Program funds: (1) projects designed to encourage the use of carpools, subject to specified limitations; and (2) the construction of exclusive or preferential high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, highway traffic control devices, intercity and urban bus passenger loading areas and facilities, and fringe and transportation corridor parking to serve HOVs, intercity bus, and public transportation passengers. Specifies that if fees are charged for the use of any carpool or other publicly owned parking facility constructed pursuant to Federal highway provisions, the revenue in excess of that required for maintenance and operation of the facility and the cost of providing shuttle service to and from the facility, including compensation to any person for operating the facility and for providing shuttle service, shall be used for purposes authorized under Federal highway provisions. Requires that National Highway and Bridge System funds be made available to finance the Federal share of projects for exclusive or preferential HOV, truck, and emergency vehicle routes or lanes. Permits such routes on the Interstate System to have less than four lanes of traffic. Prohibits the approval of HOV projects unless the Secretary has received assurances from the owner or operator of the facility that HOV vehicles will fully utilize the proposed project and that essential operations and enforcement support of the facility will be provided. Specifies that, in any case where sufficient land exists within the publicly acquired rights-of-way of the National Highway System to accommodate needed nonhighway public mass transit facilities and where the accommodation can be accomplished without impairing automotive safety or future highway improvements, the Secretary may authorize a State to make those lands and rights-of-way available without charge to a publicly owned mass transit authority for such purposes wherever the public interest will be served. Directs the Secretary to require assurance from any State desiring to avail itself of benefits under Federal highway provisions that employment in connection with proposed projects be provided without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex (currently, specifies "without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, or sex"). Requires that not to exceed one fourth of one percent of the funds apportioned to a State be available for highway construction training. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex under programs or activities receiving Federal assistance. Repeals a requirement that each State certify that it is enforcing all speed limits on public highways and that the Secretary not approve projects in States failing to make such certification. Requires each State to establish a procedure to certify that highway bridge inspectors meet national qualifications. (Current law requires that standards established by the Secretary include a procedure for national certification of such inspectors.) Directs the Secretary to withhold ten percent of the amount to be appropriated to any State on the first day of each fiscal year in which the purchase or public possession in that State of any alcoholic beverage by a person who is less than 21 years of age is lawful (current law specifies five percent on the first day of the fiscal year succeeding the first fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1985, and ten percent after the second fiscal year beginning after such date). Specifies that funds withheld from apportionment shall be apportioned to the other States in compliance and remain available for the period of time applicable to the category of funds withheld. (Currently, treatment of such funds varies based on whether funds were withheld on or before September 30, 1988.) Directs that construction estimated to cost $50,000 (currently, $15,000) or more per mile or per project for projects with a length of less than one mile on forest development roads and trails be advertised and let to contract, and allows projects with less than such cost, if no acceptable bid is received, to be done by the Secretary of Agriculture. Repeals provisions under the Territorial Highway Program providing that: (1) Federal financial assistance be granted on the basis of a Federal contribution of 100 percent of the cost of any project; and (2) the Governor must agree not to impose any toll, or permit any such toll to be charged, for use by vehicles or persons of any portion of the facilities constructed or operated to qualify for funding. Provides that, in addition to a specified percentage, sums provided (currently, two percent) for each fiscal year may be expended upon request of the Governor with the Secretary's approval under such Program. Requires (currently, authorizes the Secretary to make) expenditures with respect to the reconstruction of the Alaska-Canada international highway. Authorizes the Secretary to give priority of approval to, and expedite the construction of, projects that are recommended as important to the national defense. Modifies provisions regarding the National Highway Institute to: (1) require that private agencies and individuals pay the full cost of any education and training received by them; and (2) authorize the Institute to engage in all phases of contract authority for training purposes authorized under Federal highway provisions and to carry out its authority independently or in cooperation with any other branch of Government, authority, association, or person. Authorizes the Institute to establish and collect fees from any entity and place them in a special account.
Bill· HRH.R. 2411 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Contaminated Dredge Material Study Act of 1991 - Requires the Secretary of the Army to conduct studies of Baltimore Harbor, Maryland, for purposes of: (1) establishing analytical procedures and developing criteria to distinguish contaminated dredged material from dredged material which could be used in beneficial projects and placed in open waters without being chemically altered; and (2) determining the feasibility and necessity of decontaminating dredged materials and the feasibility of dewatering and recycling dredged material for use as marketable products. Directs the Secretary to conduct a demonstration project to: (1) assess the contamination of, and inventory, sediments in the Harbor; and (2) assess the need for remedial action and prioritize contaminated areas of the Harbor in terms of need for remediation.
Bill· HRH.R. 2398 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1991
Hazardous and Additional Waste Export and Import Act of 1991 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to implement the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to make it unlawful to export from, or import into, the United States any hazardous or additional waste, except as provided by this Act. Excludes from the definition of "export" and "import" any: (1) transport for the purpose of disposal of hazardous or additional waste in compliance with a permit issued under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; (2) discharge of hazardous or additional waste subject to regulations under the Act to Prevent Pollution From Ships; and (3) any transboundary movement of hazardous or additional waste generated or managed exclusively by U.S. Government activities or facilities abroad or on board U.S. aircraft into an area under U.S. jurisdiction, provided that such waste is not unloaded before reaching an area under U.S. jurisdiction. Excludes from the provisions of this Act (except for prohibitions concerning the Antarctic Treaty Area): (1) specified waste exported or imported for recycling; (2) source, special nuclear, or byproduct material defined by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 that is excluded from the definition of solid waste; (3) spent nuclear fuel; and (4) hazardous or additional waste that when mixed with such materials or fuel is subject, as a result of being radioactive, to other international control systems. Makes the prohibition inapplicable to exports or imports of hazardous or additional waste made pursuant to and in compliance with: (1) an existing bilateral or regional waste export or import agreement between the United States and the government of an exporting or importing country; (2) specified provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act governing the export of hazardous waste; and (3) a bilateral or regional waste export or import agreement entered into after the enactment of this Act if such agreement requires environmentally sound waste management and compliance with applicable Federal laws. Makes it unlawful to export or import hazardous or additional waste if the waste will not be managed in an environmentally sound manner and in accordance with laws of importing and transit countries and the United States, applicable State programs, and contract provisions. Requires exporters to provide notice of proposed exports to the President for forwarding to importing and transit countries. Provides that: (1) consent of such countries must be obtained prior to exporting; (2) waste generators must make efforts to, and document efforts to, minimize generation of such waste; and (3) a contract between the exporter and importer must exist prior to commencing the export. Requires exporters and generators, within 60 days of receiving information that a shipment of waste has not been delivered to the facility designated in the notification or managed as specified in the contract, to: (1) accept legal and financial responsibility for arranging for the acceptance of waste by an alternative facility and deliver the waste to such facility; (2) return the waste to the United States; or (3) notify the President that they decline to accept responsibility because such information is unreliable or invalid. Sets forth steps that the President may take upon receipt of such notice. Directs exporters to comply with financial responsibility requirements of the United States and of importing and transit countries. Authorizes general notification and consent procedures for multiple shipments of the same waste to the same disposer via the same customs offices. Requires importers, prior to importing hazardous or additional waste into the United States, to notify and obtain the consent of the President. Sets forth requirements for importers with respect to contracts, legal and financial responsibility, and general notification and consent procedures that are parallel to those for exporters. Authorizes the President to: (1) determine the procedures by which waste may be managed abroad or imported into the United States; and (2) exempt an individual shipment of waste by an executive branch agency from compliance if in the interest of the United States. Prohibits the importation of hazardous or additional waste into the United States for transit without the notification and consent of the President. Sets forth notification requirements. Authorizes the President to issue orders prohibiting the export or import of waste by a particular source, shipment, or class where there is reason to believe that: (1) the exported waste would not be managed in an environmentally sound manner; (2) the management of imported waste would be in violation of Federal laws or State programs; or (3) exports or imports may not be in accordance with contracts, bilateral agreements, or international obligations of the United States. Permits the issuance of emergency orders to prohibit the export or import of waste by a particular source, shipment, or class from or to a specific country for up to 45 days where: (1) the waste may present an imminent endangerment to health or the environment; or (2) the importing or exporting country requests emergency actions in support of enforcement efforts related to such waste. Authorizes the President to: (1) arrange for the disposition of wastes that are not delivered and to recover costs from liable exporters and generators; and (2) restrict waste exports or imports to designated U.S. ports. Makes it unlawful to export hazardous or additional waste for treatment, incineration, storage, disposal, or recycling to locations south of 60 degrees south latitude (the Antarctic Treaty Area). Sets forth annual reporting requirements for waste importers and exporters. Provides for the imposition of fees on such individuals. Prescribes civil penalties and authorizes civil actions in connection with specified violations of this Act. Provides for criminal penalties for certain knowing violations. Subjects property used in violation of this Act to forfeiture. Sets forth financial responsibility requirements with respect to the illegal exportation or importation of waste. Applies provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act governing the export of hazardous waste to additional waste. Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act to prohibit dumping of material transported from outside the United States (except in compliance with a permit) into the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States (currently, a zone contiguous to the U.S. territorial sea). Prohibits the issuance of permits for dumping in the Antarctic Treaty Area.
Bill· SS. 1082 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Hazardous and Additional Waste Export and Import Act of 1991 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to implement the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to make it unlawful to export from, or import into, the United States any hazardous or additional waste, except as provided by this Act. Excludes from the definition of "export" and "import" any: (1) transport for the purpose of disposal of hazardous or additional waste in compliance with a permit issued under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; (2) discharge of hazardous or additional waste subject to regulations under the Act to Prevent Pollution From Ships; and (3) any transboundary movement of hazardous or additional waste generated or managed exclusively by U.S. Government activities or facilities abroad or on board U.S. aircraft into an area under U.S. jurisdiction, provided that such waste is not unloaded before reaching an area under U.S. jurisdiction. Excludes from the provisions of this Act (except for prohibitions concerning the Antarctic Treaty Area): (1) specified waste exported or imported for recycling; (2) source, special nuclear, or byproduct material defined by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 that is excluded from the definition of solid waste; (3) spent nuclear fuel; and (4) hazardous or additional waste that when mixed with such materials or fuel is subject, as a result of being radioactive, to other international control systems. Makes the prohibition inapplicable to exports or imports of hazardous or additional waste made pursuant to and in compliance with: (1) an existing bilateral or regional waste export or import agreement between the United States and the government of an exporting or importing country; (2) specified provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act governing the export of hazardous waste; and (3) a bilateral or regional waste export or import agreement entered into after the enactment of this Act if such agreement requires environmentally sound waste management and compliance with applicable Federal laws. Makes it unlawful to export or import hazardous or additional waste if the waste will not be managed in an environmentally sound manner and in accordance with laws of importing and transit countries and the United States, applicable State programs, and contract provisions. Requires exporters to provide notice of proposed exports to the President for forwarding to importing and transit countries. Provides that: (1) consent of such countries must be obtained prior to exporting; (2) waste generators must make efforts to, and document efforts to, minimize generation of such waste; and (3) a contract between the exporter and importer must exist prior to commencing the export. Requires exporters and generators, within 60 days of receiving information that a shipment of waste has not been delivered to the facility designated in the notification or managed as specified in the contract, to: (1) accept legal and financial responsibility for arranging for the acceptance of waste by an alternative facility and deliver the waste to such facility; (2) return the waste to the United States; or (3) notify the President that they decline to accept responsibility because such information is unreliable or invalid. Sets forth steps that the President may take upon receipt of such notice. Directs exporters to comply with financial responsibility requirements of the United States and of importing and transit countries. Authorizes general notification and consent procedures for multiple shipments of the same waste to the same disposer via the same customs offices. Requires importers, prior to importing hazardous or additional waste into the United States, to notify and obtain the consent of the President. Sets forth requirements for importers with respect to contracts, legal and financial responsibility, and general notification and consent procedures that are parallel to those for exporters. Authorizes the President to: (1) determine the procedures by which waste may be managed abroad or imported into the United States; and (2) exempt an individual shipment of waste by an executive branch agency from compliance if in the interest of the United States. Prohibits the importation of hazardous or additional waste into the United States for transit without the notification and consent of the President. Sets forth notification requirements. Authorizes the President to issue orders prohibiting the export or import of waste by a particular source, shipment, or class where there is reason to believe that: (1) the exported waste would not be managed in an environmentally sound manner; (2) the management of imported waste would be in violation of Federal laws or State programs; or (3) exports or imports may not be in accordance with contracts, bilateral agreements, or international obligations of the United States. Permits the issuance of emergency orders to prohibit the export or import of waste by a particular source, shipment, or class from or to a specific country for up to 45 days where: (1) the waste may present an imminent endangerment to health or the environment; or (2) the importing or exporting country requests emergency actions in support of enforcement efforts related to such waste. Authorizes the President to: (1) arrange for the disposition of wastes that are not delivered and to recover costs from liable exporters and generators; and (2) restrict waste exports or imports to designated U.S. ports. Makes it unlawful to export hazardous or additional waste for treatment, incineration, storage, disposal, or recycling to locations south of 60 degrees south latitude (the Antarctic Treaty Area). Sets forth annual reporting requirements for waste importers and exporters. Provides for the imposition of fees on such individuals. Prescribes civil penalties and authorizes civil actions in connection with specified violations of this Act. Provides for criminal penalties for certain knowing violations. Subjects property used in violation of this Act to forfeiture. Sets forth financial responsibility requirements with respect to the illegal exportation or importation of waste. Applies provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act governing the export of hazardous waste to additional waste. Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act to prohibit dumping of material transported from outside the United States (except in compliance with a permit) into the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States (currently, a zone contiguous to the U.S. territorial sea). Prohibits the issuance of permits for dumping in the Antarctic Treaty Area.
Bill· HRH.R. 2358 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Waste Export Control Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to incorporate requirements for the export of solid waste. Exempts from this Act's requirements waste paper, glass cullet, metal, or plastic that: (1) has been separated from solid waste before export; (2) is exported for incorporation into new products with recycled content; and (3) is not a hazardous waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Authorizes persons to apply to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for the exemption of other recovered materials. Requires persons exporting exempted materials to notify the Administrator prior to such exporting. Prohibits the export of solid waste from the United States unless there is an agreement between the United States and the receiving country which provides for: (1) the exchange of information regarding such export and its management; (2) cooperation on compliance with, and enforcement of, such agreement; (3) biennial review and revision or suspension of such agreement under certain circumstances; and (4) a prohibition on further transport of such waste from the country of destination without the written consent of parties to the agreement. Deems any agreement concerning shipments of hazardous waste entered into by the United States and in force on this Act's enactment date to meet this Act's requirements for two years following such enactment date. Prohibits the export of solid waste from the United States unless the exporter has obtained a permit from the Administrator. Outlines information to be included in the permit application. Requires the Director of the National Enforcement Investigations Center to submit an investigative report on each applicant to the Administrator. Provides that permittees shall have the continuing duty to provide assistance or information requested by the Administrator or the Center and to cooperate in any inquiry conducted by the Center. Directs the Administrator, before issuing a permit under this Act, to determine that the solid waste will be managed in a manner protective of human health and the environment and which is no less strict than that which would be required if the waste were managed in the United States. Provides that such determination shall assure that certain facility operation and transportation requirements are met. Limits permit terms to a period of five years. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on all solid waste exports. Prohibits the issuance of any permit unless the Administrator determines that: (1) the waste generator has used reasonable efforts to eliminate or minimize waste generation prior to export; (2) the receiving facility is capable of treating, storing, and disposing of such waste in a manner protective of human health and the environment and no less strict than that which would be required if the waste were managed in the United States; and (3) the application meets the requirements of this Act. Directs the Administrator to make inspections of any permittee and of any facility handling waste subject to a permit, as necessary. Authorizes the Administrator to revoke a permit under specified circumstances. Directs the Administrator to establish a user fee to defray the cost of administering this Act. Requires such fee system to consist of a one-time permit application fee and a waste export permit fee to be paid over the life of the permit. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2356 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act of 1991 - States as the purpose of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) (a Department of Energy (DOE) research and development facility authorized to demonstrate the safe disposal of radioactive waste) to receive, handle, and permanently dispose of defense transuranic waste and to conduct activities related to the management, storage, and disposal of such waste, subject to specified restrictions. Applies this Act with respect to any items in conflict with the Agreement for Consultation and Cooperation entered into in accordance with this Act. Withdraws from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws and from location and patent under the mining laws the public lands in Eddy County, New Mexico, which surround WIPP and transfers jurisdiction and control of the withdrawn lands to DOE. Describes the lands to be withdrawn. Revokes specified public land orders made inconsistent by this Act. Makes the Secretary of Energy responsible for management of the withdrawn lands. Requires the Secretary to develop a management plan for the withdrawn lands requiring any use of such lands for activities not associated with WIPP to be subject to conditions and restrictions that may be necessary to permit the conduct of WIPP activities. Requires the management plan to permit domestic livestock grazing, hunting and trapping, maintenance of wildlife habitat, the disposal of salt tailings remaining on the surface, and mining, subject to prescribed guidelines. Authorizes the Secretary to close to the public any part of such withdrawn lands if required for public health and safety. Directs the Secretary to submit the management plan to appropriate congressional committees and the State of New Mexico. Provides for ongoing review by the WIPP Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) and New Mexico of the data, reports, and other material concerning the implementation of the WIPP experimental program plan issued on April 1, 1990. Requires New Mexico and EEG to submit their comments on such materials to appropriate congressional committees and specified agencies and officials. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on such program not later than two years after the program is implemented. Requires the Secretary, with respect to the WIPP, to be in compliance with appropriate Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards of waste management and storage, as well as with transuranic radioactive waste disposal standards. Directs the Secretary and the EPA Administrator to submit to the Congress a statement of compliance prior to the permanent disposal of such waste at WIPP. Requires the Secretary to conduct an annual demonstration at WIPP that all transuranic radioactive waste stored there can be readily retrieved. Outlines administrative procedures with respect to such annual demonstrations. Outlines procedures to be followed if it is found that such waste is not readily retrievable. Limits the amount of such waste to be received by WIPP before it has demonstrated compliance with disposal standards. Provides that, if the EPA Administrator finds that such standards have not been complied with, the Secretary shall notify the Congress and shall remove such waste, WIPP shall be decommissioned, the land withdrawal shall be terminated, and the lands transferred back to the Secretary of the Interior. Authorizes additional time for compliance (not to exceed 12 months) as agreed to by the Governor of New Mexico and the Secretary of Energy. Requires the Secretary to use both engineered and natural barriers at WIPP to isolate transuranic radioactive waste after disposal to the extent required. Directs the EPA Administrator to issue final standards for disposal of radioactive wastes within two years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits the transport of transuranic radioactive waste to WIPP until the Secretary has approved a Final Safety Analysis Report and an addendum to such report relating to dry bin tests for WIPP. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to provide in-kind and cash assistance for emergency response-related activities to New Mexico and any other State or Indian tribe through whose jurisdiction the Secretary plans to transport transuranic radioactive waste to or from WIPP. Requires such waste transported to be in packages that have been certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Directs the Secretary, prior to any such transportation, to properly notify State and local governments and Indian tribes. Provides certain priorities in shipping for such waste currently stored at specified sites. Requires the Secretary to continue to encourage WIPP-related business and employment opportunities within the State of New Mexico. Provides for payments to New Mexico to mitigate the impacts on the State and local governments resulting from WIPP. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to submit to New Mexico, the Secretary of the Interior, the EPA Administrator, and appropriate congressional committees within five years after enactment of this Act a plan for decommissioning WIPP. Directs the Secretary to develop within such period a plan for the management and use of the withdrawn lands following the WIPP decommissioning. Authorizes the Secretary to permanently dispose of transuranic radioactive waste at WIPP when certain requirements of this Act have been fulfilled and the EPA Administrator concurs that the Secretary has complied with disposal standards.
Bill· HRH.R. 2353 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to assist in the construction of an Appalachian highway system and local access roads serving the Appalachian region. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for such assistance out of the Highway Trust Fund. Exempts such assistance from any Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction program ceilings. Limits to 80 percent the Federal share of the cost of any construction project under this Act. Provides an apportionment formula to be followed by the Secretary in making funds available to States for such assistance. Requires the Appalachian Regional Commission to submit to the Secretary a list of estimated project costs. States that, beginning with FY 1994, projects eligible for assistance under this Act shall be eligible for funds available under law applicable to the construction and maintenance of Federal-aid primary highways.
Bill· HRH.R. 2352 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program Reauthorization Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to make grants to States for the development of programs for the enforcement of Federal and State commercial motor vehicle safety laws and standards. Requires the Secretary to formulate procedures for the submission of State plans enforcing such laws and standards. Sets forth specified plan requirements. Provides that the Federal share of costs for such programs shall not exceed 80 percent of such costs. Makes funds available for such grants out of the Highway Trust Fund. Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to authorize the reimbursement of costs in enforcing State commercial motor vehicle safety laws and standards to States with approved plans. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to develop an improved formula for the allocation among States of Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program funds. Amends the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to require the Secretary to issue regulations establishing penalties for violations of out-of-service orders by commercial motor vehicle operators. Sets forth specified requirements. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a report on the effectiveness of: (1) Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; and (2) the uniform financial penalty recommendations of the Alliance. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations specifying tolerance standards for ensuring compatibility of intrastate commercial motor vehicle safety laws under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. Requires the Secretary to consult with law enforcement organizations and affected industries to develop a model program for Program officers to enforce the .04 per centum blood alcohol concentration limit pursuant to the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986. Directs the Secretary to add two additional positions at the headquarters of the Federal Highway Administration. Drug Free Truck Stop Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to impose mandatory minimum criminal penalties for the unlawful distribution or possession of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a truck stop or safety rest area. Prohibits the suspension of a sentence, granting of probation, or eligibility for parole until the individual has served the minimum required sentence under the Federal criminal code for any person who violates this Act after a prior conviction under this Act has become final. Requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate specified sentencing guidelines for violations of this Act. Bars multiple enhancements. Amends the Truck and Bus Safety and Regulatory Reform Act of 1988 to require the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to adopt methods for improving braking performance standards for commercial motor vehicles. Requires the Secretary to give a high priority for safety, compliance, and other inspection or audit reviews to any motor carrier whose drivers demonstrate a serious pattern of violating State, local, or commercial motor vehicle safety laws, regulations, or standards.
Bill· SS. 1065 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
High Speed Rail and Highway Traffic Safety Program of 1991 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to improve highway and rail traffic safety through the making of grants to States for projects for the construction, improvement, and elimination of rail-highway crossings. Directs the Secretary to select not less than eight nor more than ten rail corridors for assistance under such program. Sets forth criteria to be used in making such selections. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1072 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Amends Federal highway provisions to allow longer combination vehicles (LCVs) to continue to operate only if the Secretary of Transportation determines that such vehicles were authorized by State statute or regulation conforming to Federal law and were in actual, continuing lawful operation on January 1, 1991, or pursuant to provisions of the Department of Transportation Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1991. Specifies that: (1) all such operations shall continue to be subject to, at the minimum, all State statutes, regulations, limitations, and conditions, including routing specific designations and other operating restrictions (statutes and restrictions), in force on January 1, 1991; and (2) nothing in this Act shall prevent any State from further restricting or prohibiting the operation of LCVs otherwise authorized. Directs the Secretary, within 60 days, to publish in the Federal Register a complete list of such State statutes and restrictions, which shall become final 60 days after publication. Bars LCVs from operating except as provided in such list.
Bill· SS. 1068 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Declares a portion of the Appomattox River, Virginia, not to be: (1) navigable water within the meaning of the Constitution and laws of the United States; and (2) water affecting navigable waters of the United States or interstate or foreign commerce.
Bill· SS. 1060 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Amends the Department of Transportation Act with respect to local rail service assistance to authorize appropriations for FY 1992-1994.
Bill· SS. 1067 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Elderly and Handicapped Transportation Improvement Act - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to make grants and loans to private nonprofit corporations and associations to be used to pay operating expenses related to new and existing mass transportation services for elderly and handicapped persons. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992-1996.
Bill· HRH.R. 2335 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Transportation for Livable Communities Act of 1991 - Title I: Planning - Bars the Secretary of Transportation from approving a program in whole or in part, or any project, unless the Secretary finds that the program conforms to and carries out plans and programs pursuant to this Act. Declares it to be in the national interest to encourage and promote the conservation and development of transportation systems embracing various modes of transportation in a manner that will serve the States and local communities efficiently and effectively. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with State and local officials in developing transportation plans and programs which, at a minimum: (1) utilize transportation system management and investment strategies designed to make the most efficient use of existing transportation facilities; (2) promote or reinforce land use patterns for residence and employment that enhance the attractiveness and feasibility of mass transportation; (3) demonstrate why alternative transportation modes or management strategies are not feasible substitutes to any proposed expansions of highway capacity; (4) incorporate actions to reduce energy consumption; (5) minimize physical or visual disruption of scenic landscapes, vistas, and historic areas; (6) conform to and complement local and State plans and programs concerning housing, community development, rural conservation, air and water quality, recreation, and historic preservation; (7) effectuate reductions in the demand in congested areas for motor vehicle travel and, particularly, for single passenger automobile travel; and (8) specify proposed transportation enhancement activities. Requires that the planning process consider all modes of transportation, account for reasonably anticipated funds, and be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive. Bars the construction of any highway project in a metropolitan area unless the responsible public officials of the area in which the project is located have been consulted and their views considered with respect to the corridor, mode of transportation, and location and design of the project. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with each State in the development of transportation plans and programs which will serve the State and its local communities and rural areas effectively, accomplish social and economic development goals, conserve energy, preserve open space and scenic and historic resources, promote improvement of air and water quality, and encourage efficient land use patterns. Requires that: (1) such plans and programs be based on long-range needs and goals and meet specified requirements to achieve such goals; and (2) the State provide an opportunity for public comment and respond in reasonable detail to the comments received. Title II: Transportation Enhancement Activities - Defines "transportation enhancement activities" to include, with respect to a project and the area to be served by the project: scenic and historic landscape enhancement; demonstration projects to encourage excellence in the design, construction, rehabilitation, and use of transportation facilities; archeological planning and research; acquisition of scenic, recreational, and historic sites or areas; and control and removal of outdoor advertising. Includes transportation enhancement activities within the definition of highway. Authorizes the Secretary to approve related transportation enhancement activities under the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. Requires States to expend not less than eight percent of the amounts apportioned in any fiscal year to a State in any fiscal year under this Act on transportation enhancement activities. Specifies the Federal share of Federal-aid highway project costs that are attributable to transportation enhancement activities, with exceptions. Title III: National Scenic and Historic Highway System - Establishes the National Scenic and Historic Highway System. Directs the Secretary, within one year, to establish criteria for designating National Scenic and Historic Highways, including: (1) consideration of the scenic beauty and historic significance of the highways or the highways' surroundings; (2) operation and management standards for the highways; (3) standards for highway signage; and (4) design review procedures for siting the highways and location of structures, landscaping, and travelers' facilities on or adjacent to the highways. Sets forth procedures by which States may nominate an existing or planned highway for inclusion in the National Scenic and Historic Highway System. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct an inventory of Federal lands highways and designate appropriate highways for inclusion in such System; and (2) withdraw the designation of a highway, other than a Federal lands highway, upon the request of a State or upon determining that the highway does not meet criteria established pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to approve projects for the purpose of identifying, designating, and operating National Scenic and Historic Highways, but bars projects for the grading, construction, repair, or rehabilitation of a highway roadbed. Limits the Federal share to 95 percent of the cost of such projects. Directs the Secretary to set aside $25,000,000 to carry out such purpose for FY 1992 through 1996.
Bill· HRH.R. 2322 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Deauthorizes the navigation project (authorized by the River and Harbor Act of August 30, 1935) for Sag Harbor, New York.
Bill· HRH.R. 2288 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Amends Federal law to prohibit the Coast Guard from procuring buoy chain which is not manufactured in (or the components of which are not all substantially produced or manufactured in) the United States.