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2,431 ingested bills from United States in 1994. Walk years back as far as this source still publishes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Commercial Aviation Fuel Tax Exemption Extension Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the fuel tax exemption for commercial aviation until September 30, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act - Prohibits the United States from entering into any international agreement with respect to fisheries, marine resources, the use of the high seas, or trade in fish or fish products that would prevent full implementation of the global moratorium on large-scale driftnet fishing on the high seas, as such moratorium is expressed in a certain United Nations (U.N.) resolution. Directs the Secretary of State to seek to enhance the implementation and effectiveness of U.N. resolutions and decisions regarding the moratorium on large-scale driftnet fishing on the high seas through appropriate international agreements and organizations. Requires the President to utilize appropriate assets of the Federal government to detect, monitor, and prevent violations of such U.N. moratoriums.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2026
Public Land Emancipation and Management Improvement Act - Vests all U.S. interests in real property in the State in which such property is located, subject only to specified limitations and any valid existing rights, effective January 1, 1998. Excludes from the definition of "real property" under this Act: (1) any lands or interests therein owned by the United States as of such date within the exterior boundaries of any unit of the National Park Service (NPS lands) which the United States holds title to in trust for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian tribe, a member thereof, or an individual allottee (Indian lands) and which the Governor of the State in which such lands are located does not wish to have transferred, as identified in writing to the President prior to such date as not subject to transfer (unwanted lands); and (2) such lands as the President identifies for continued Federal retention, except that the total of all lands identified, when combined with any other U.S. lands (excluding Indian lands and unwanted lands), may not exceed 20 percent of the total acreage within any given State. Directs the President, by January 1, 1997, to prepare a comprehensive inventory of all real property owned by the Federal Government within each of the States and transmit such list to each Governor, accompanied by an identification of NPS and Indian lands or which have been identified for continued Federal retention. Authorizes each Governor to bring an action in any Federal district court within the State to modify the list if the real property identified for continued Federal retention exceeds 20 percent of the total acreage within the State. Limits review to whether the acreage exceeds 20 percent (and if the court concludes that it does, the court shall exclude such acreage as necessary to reduce the total to no more than 20 percent). Specifies that the acreage to be excluded shall be based solely on a priority list furnished by the Governor and that the list shall be final and not subject to review or modification. Makes the Federal Government strictly liable for the costs of any cleanup associated with hazardous materials or contamination associated with any lands transferred pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2026
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit the authority of each State to allocate quantities of water within its jurisdiction from being superseded, abrogated, or otherwise impaired. (Currently, it is the policy of the Congress that such authority not be superseded, abrogated, or impaired.) Provides that nothing in such Act authorizes: (1) the regulation of quantities of water or impairs or affects any State authority with respect to the allocation of water; (2) an action that affects any water right established by a State law, an interstate water compact, or a Supreme Court decree; and (3) an action with respect to other matters, including aesthetics not directly related to water quality. Declares that discharges into navigable waters will comply with narrative and numeric water quality criteria based on designated uses adopted in water quality standards. Prohibits State certifications with respect to discharges from regulating water use or quantities. Revises existing State authorities to incorporate the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2026
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a sum to be specified in full satisfaction of all claims by certain individuals (or their heirs) who were the former owners of properties in Henderson, Union, and Webster Counties, Kentucky, which were condemned or otherwise procured by the Government to provide for a military training camp.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Court Reporter Fair Labor Standards Act of 1994 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow an exemption from certain Federal wage and hour requirements for State and local official court reporters while they are performing transcription duties for a private party outside of normal working hours, provided there is an understanding between the court reporters and their State or local court employer.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Provides that States will not be required to implement enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance programs under the Clean Air Act prior to March 1, 1996. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately rescind regulations relating to the operation of such programs on a centralized basis and issue new regulations to allow the operation of such programs on a centralized or decentralized basis at the option of each State. Prohibits, until the Administrator carries out such requirements, the imposition of sanctions for failures by States to implement such programs or specified adverse actions against States by the Administrator or the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. Requires the Administrator to: (1) deem that emissions reductions calculated by States for inspection and maintenance under State implementation plans would be achieved as if the planned program had been implemented; or (2) consider the operation of the program on a decentralized basis as equivalent to operation on a centralized basis if the State demonstrates that such equivalency is reasonable.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Subsidy Termination for Overdue Payments Act of 1994 - Prohibits any Federal agency or instrumentality from providing financial assistance to an applicant unless the applicant certifies that he or she is not more than 60 days delinquent in the payment of any child support obligation imposed by a court or an order of a State administrative process, or if so delinquent, is in compliance with a plan or agreement with the person to whom the payment is to be made, or with a State providing support collection services to that person. Requires each Federal agency or instrumentality providing financial assistance to prescribe regulations to comply with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Improved Access to Affordable Health Care Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Individuals and Their Families Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance Subtitle C: Preemption Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness Subtitle E: Improved Access to Community Health Services Subtitle F: Improved Access to Rural Health Services Subtitle G: Assistance in Enrolling Uninsured Children in Health Insurance Subtitle H: Medicaid Reform Subtitle I: Remedies and Enforcement with Respect to Group Health Plans Subtitle J: Delivery of Health Care Services to Illegal Immigrants Title II: Health Care Cost Containment and Quality Enhancement Subtitle A: Medical Malpractice Liability Reform Subtitle B: Administrative Cost Savings and Fair Health Information Practices Subtitle C: Deduction for Cost of Catastrophic Health Plan; Medical Savings Accounts Subtitle D: Anti-Fraud Subtitle E: Increased Medicare Beneficiary Choice; Additional Medicare Reforms Subtitle F: Health Care Antitrust Improvements Subtitle G: Encouraging Enforcement Activities of Medical Self-Regulatory Entities Subtitle H: Reform of Clinical Laboratory Requirements for Simple Tests Subtitle I: Miscellaneous Provisions Title II: Long-Term Care Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance Subtitle B: Establishment of Federal Standards for Long-Term Care Insurance Subtitle C: Protection of Assets Under Medicaid Through Use of Qualified Long-term Care Insurance Subtitle D: Studies Subtitle E: Volunteer Service Credit Demonstration Projects Affordable Health Care Now Act of 1994 - Title I: Improved Access to Affordable Health Care - Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Individuals and Their Families - Part 1: Required Coverage Options for Eligible Employees, Spouses, and Dependents - Requires each employer to make available to each eligible employee a group health plan under which: (1) coverage of each eligible individual with respect to such employee may be elected on an annual basis; (2) coverage is provided for at least the required coverage specified; and (3) employees may elect to have premiums collected through payroll deduction. Does not require employer contributions to the cost of coverage under such a plan. Provides for the exclusion of: (1) employers who have been employers for less than two years or who have no more than two eligible employees or no more than two eligible employees not covered under any group health plan; and (2) family members under specified circumstances. Specifies that a group health plan shall not be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this Act solely because a period of service by an eligible employee of not more than 60 days is required for coverage. Specifies that the required coverage is standard coverage, except that in the case of a small employer that has not contributed during the previous plan year to the cost of coverage for any eligible employee under any group health plan, the required coverage for the plan year is coverage under a MedAccess standard, MedAccess catastrophic, and MedAccess medisave plan. Requires standard coverage to include at least one option, either a fee-for-service option and if available, a point-of-service option and a managed care option. Provides for a five-year transition for existing group health plans. (Sec. 1002) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) compliance with applicable requirements through multiple employer health arrangements; and (2) coverage options under a State medical health allowance program. Part 2: Portability and Nondiscrimination - Prohibits a group health plan from imposing (and an insurer from requiring an employer from imposing through a waiting period for coverage under a plan or similar requirement) a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to treatment of a preexisting condition if: (1) the condition relates to a condition that was not diagnosed or treated within three months before the date of coverage under the plan; (2) the limitation or exclusion extends over more than six months after the date of coverage, applies to an individual who, as of the date of birth, was covered under the plan, or relates to pregnancy; or (3) an eligible individual has such coverage at the time the individual first became eligible. Specifies that, in the case of an individual who is eligible for coverage under a plan but for a waiting period imposed by the employer, the individual shall be treated as having been covered under the plan as of the earliest date of the beginning of the waiting period. Provides a one-time amnesty period for pre-existing condition exclusions. (Sec. 1012) Requires each group health plan to waive any period applicable to a preexisting condition for similar benefits with respect to an individual to the extent that the individual, prior to enrollment in such plan, was covered for the condition under any other health plan. (Sec. 1013) Prohibits: (1) a multiemployer plan and an exempted multiple employer health plan from canceling or denying renewal of coverage under such a plan for an employer other than for nonpayment of contributions, fraud or other misrepresentation, noncompliance with plan provisions, or because the plan is ceasing to provide any coverage in a geographic area; (2) an insurer from canceling a health insurance plan or denying renewal of coverage other than as prescribed above; and (3) an insurer who terminates the offering of health insurance plans in an area from offering such a plan to any employer in the area until five years after the date of the termination. Part 3: Standards for Managed Care Arrangements and Essential Community Providers - Sets forth requirements for group health plans and insurers that provide health care coverage through managed care arrangements. Requires such arrangements to assure that covered individuals have reasonably prompt access through the entity's provider network to the benefits package and to centers of excellence. (Sec. 1022) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to establish standards for utilization review programs and periodically review and update such standards to reflect changes in the delivery of health care services. Part 4: Enforcement; Effective Dates; Definitions - Makes provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 applicable with respect to enforcement of this Act (by the Department of Labor). Amends the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to impose a tax ($100 per day for each individual involved, subject to specified limitations) on the failure of an insurer to comply with the requirements under part 2, unless the Secretary determines that the State has in effect a regulatory enforcement mechanism that provides adequate sanctions. Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance - Part I: Marketplace for Small Business - Requires each insurer that makes available a health insurance plan to a small employer in a State to make available to each small employer in the State a MedAccess standard, MedAccess catastrophic, and MedAccess medisave plan, with exceptions for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and if a State provides for guaranteed availability (rather than guaranteed issue). Requires each insurer that offers a MedAccess plan to a small employer in a State to accept: (1) every small employer in the State that applies for coverage; and (2) every eligible individual who applies for enrollment on a timely basis. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) special rules for HMOs; (2) timely enrollment requirements; and (3) enrollment of spouses and dependents. Makes such requirements inapplicable in a State that has provided (in accordance with specified standards) a mechanism under which each insurer offering a health insurance plan to a small employer in the State must participate in a program for assigning high-risk small employer groups (or individuals within such a group) among some or all such insurers, if the insurers comply. (Sec. 1102) Defines "MedAccess coverage" as a health insurance plan that: (1) is designed to provide standard coverage with substantial cost-sharing, only catastrophic coverage, or medisave coverage; (2) includes only essential and medically necessary services; (3) meets applicable requirements relating to guaranteed issue; and (4) meets specifies consumer protection standards. Defines "MedAccess standard coverage," "MedAccess catastrophic coverage," and "MedAccess medisave coverage" to mean a MedAccess plan that provides for at least standard coverage, for only catastrophic coverage, or medisave coverage, respectively. Requests the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to submit to the Secretary a set of rules which is sufficient for determining the actuarial value of coverage offered by a plan. Directs the Secretary to certify such set of rules for use under this subtitle if they meet such requirements or establish such a set of rules. Specifies that a health insurance plan is considered to provide: (1) standard coverage if the benefits are determined, in accordance with certified rules of actuarial equivalence, to have a value that is within five percentage points of an established target actuarial value for standard coverage; (2) catastrophic coverage if benefits are available under the plan for a year only to the extent that expenses for covered services in a year exceed a deductible amount that is consistent with a specified requirement for a catastrophic health plan under the Code, and are determined, in accordance with certified actuarial equivalence rules, to have a value that is within five percentage points of an established target actuarial value for catastrophic coverage; and (3) medisave coverage if such plan consists of a catastrophic health plan within the meaning of the Code and a medical savings account. Requests NAIC to submit to the Secretary target actuarial values for standard and catastrophic coverage. Permits NAIC to submit periodic revisions of, and permits the Secretary to revise, the set of rules of actuarial equivalence and target actuarial values where necessary to take into account changes in the relevant types of health benefits provisions, in deductible levels for catastrophic coverage, or in relevant demographic conditions. (Sec. 1103) Directs the Secretary to request NAIC to develop model regulations that specify standards with respect to requirements: (1) that insurers make available MedAccess plans; (2) of guaranteed availability of MedAccess plans to small employers; (3) relating to limits on premiums and certain consumer protections; and (4) relating to limitation of annual premium increases. Requires the Secretary to review such standards and, if NAIC fails to specify standards meeting such requirements, to promulgate standards. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the application of MedAccess standards and consumer protection standards by the States; and (2) the Federal role. (Sec. 1104) Sets forth provisions: (1) regarding limits on premium rate variations, including discounts for employer wellness programs; and (2) requiring an insurer, at the time of offering a health insurance plan to a small employer, to fully disclose rating practices for health insurance plans, including rating practices for different populations and benefit designs. (Sec. 1105) Requires the Secretary of Labor to monitor the prevalence and impact of adverse risk selection in the full insured plans made available to small employers resulting from the decision of small employers to self-insure. (Sec. 1106) Directs the Secretary to: (1) request NAIC to develop models for reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms for health insurance plans made available to small employers for whom an insurer is at risk of incurring high costs under the plan; and (2) review such models or specify models. Sets forth provisions regarding implementation of reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms by the States and the Federal role. Part : Marketplace for Individuals - Makes the provisions of Part 1 applicable to insurers offering health insurance coverage to individuals and their dependents. Part 3: Voluntary Health Purchasing Arrangements - Provides for the establishment of voluntary health purchasing arrangements. (Sec. 1124) Requires such arrangements to offer enrollment in health insurance coverage only to: (1) all eligible employees employed by small employers in a service area; and (2) all eligible individuals residing in such area. Part 4: Definitions and Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides definitions for purposes of this subtitle. (Sec. 1134) Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to the Congress on the implementation of this subtitle and the need for additional reforms to assure and expand coverage. (Sec. 1135) Authorizes the Director to conduct: (1) research on the impact of this subtitle on the availability of affordable health coverage for employees and dependents in the small employers group health care coverage market and other specified topics; and (2) demonstration projects relating to such topics. Requires the Director to develop: (1) methods for measuring the relative health risks of eligible individuals in terms of the expected costs of providing benefits under health insurance plans and, in particular, MedAccess plans; and (2) a model for equitably distributing health risks among insurers in the small employer health care coverage market. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Preemption - Part 1: Scope of State Regulation - Makes inapplicable to a group health plan any State or local law requiring coverage of specific benefits, services, or categories of health care, or services of any class or type of provider of health care. (Sec. 1202) Makes inapplicable any State or local law prohibiting two or more employers from obtaining coverage under a multiple employer welfare arrangement under which all coverage: (1) consists of medical care described under specified provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA); and (2) is fully insured. (Sec. 1203) Preempts, for a five-year period, State law provisions which restrict: (1) reimbursement rates or selective contracting; (2) differential financing incentives; and (3) utilization review methods. Directs the Comptroller General to study benefits and cost effectiveness of use of managed care in health services delivery and to report to the Congress, including recommendations as to whether such preemption should be extended. Part 2: Multiple Employer Health Benefits Protections - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide a limited exemption from certain restrictions on ERISA preemption of State law for health plans maintained by multiple employers subject to certain Federal standards. Relieves such exempted multiple employer health plans of certain restrictions on preemption of State law, and treats them as employee welfare benefit plans. Sets forth exemption procedures, application and eligibility requirements, and additional notice, reporting, and actuarial requirements applicable to exempted multiple employer health plans. Requires multiple employer welfare arrangements providing certain medical care benefits to issue specified disclosures to participating employers. Requires each multiple employer welfare arrangement which is or has been an exempted multiple employer health plan, and under which coverage is not fully insured, to establish certain minimum reserves. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to permit alternative means of compliance. Sets forth corrective actions, including actions to avoid depletion of reserves and actions in connection with termination of arrangements. Provides for expirations, renewals, suspensions, and revocations of exemptions. Provides for review of actions of the Secretary, including denials of applications and suspensions or revocations of exemptions. Provides for alternative means of distribution of summary plan descriptions. (Sec. 1212) Revises provisions relating to scope of preemption rules, treatment of single employer arrangements, and treatment of certain collectively bargained arrangements. (Sec. 1215) Sets forth special rules for employee leasing health care arrangements, providing that they be treated as multiple employer welfare arrangements. (Sec. 1216) Sets forth enforcement provisions relating to multiple employer welfare arrangements and employee leasing health care arrangements, including enforcement of filing requirements, actions by States in Federal court, criminal penalties for certain willful misrepresentations, cease activities orders, and responsibility for claims procedures. (Sec. 1217) Sets forth solvency requirements for certain self- insured group health plans. (Sec. 1218) Sets forth filing requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements providing health benefits. (Sec. 1219) Provides for cooperation between Federal and State authorities, including: (1) agreements for State enforcement of ERISA provisions applicable to multiple employer welfare arrangements which are or have been exempted multiple employer health plans; and (2) enforcement and technical assistance to States with respect to issues involving multiple employer welfare arrangements. (Sec. 1220) Sets forth transitional rules. Part 3: Encouragement of Multiple Employer Arrangements Providing Basic Health Benefits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the commonality of interest or geographic location requirement for tax-exempt trust status in the case of determining whether any multiple employer health plan or insured multiple employer health plan is a voluntary employees' beneficiary association meeting certain requirements, if: (1) such plan provides at least standard coverage consistent with specified provisions of this Act (the Affordable Health Care Now Act of 1994); and (2) in the case of such an insured plan, it meets specified ERISA requirements not preempted by this Act. (Sec. 1222) Amends ERISA to direct the Secretary of Labor to prescribe an alternative method for the filing of a single annual report with respect to all employers participating under a multiple employer welfare arrangement under which all coverage consists of medical care and is fully insured. (Sec. 1223) Sets forth provisions for determining compliance with coverage requirements through multiple employer health arrangements. Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for: (1) a permanent extension and an increase in the health insurance tax deduction for self-employed individuals; and (2) a deduction of health insurance premiums for certain previously uninsured individuals. Subtitle E: Improved Access to Community Health Services - Part 1: Increased Authorization for Community and Migrant Health Centers - Directs the Secretary to provide for grants to migrant and community health centers to promote primary health care services for underserved individuals. Allows grants to be used to promote the provision of off-site services, to improve birth outcomes in areas with high infant mortality and morbidity, to establish primary care clinics in areas in need, and for recruitment and training costs of necessary providers and operating costs for unreimbursed services. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the impact of such grants on access to health care, birth outcomes, and the use of emergency room services. Part 2: Grants for Projects for Coordinating Delivery of Services - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities: (1) to carry out demonstration projects to increase access to outpatient primary health services in specified geographic areas (i.e., areas that are rational areas for the delivery of health services, have a population of not more than 500,000 individuals, and have been designated by the Secretary as areas with a shortage of personal health services or that have a significant number of individuals with low incomes or insufficient health care insurance) through coordinating the delivery of services under Federal, State, local, and private programs; and (2) for developing plans to carry out such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Part 3: Community Health Networks - Sets forth qualifications for community health network arrangements. Subtitle F: Improved Access to Rural Health Services - Part 1: Establishment of Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals Under Medicare - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) establishment of rural emergency access care hospitals under Medicare; and (2) coverage of and payment for rural emergency access care hospital services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Part 2: Rural Medical Emergencies Air Transport - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to States to assist in the creation or enhancement of air medical transport systems that provide victims of medical emergencies in rural areas with access to treatments. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) application and State plan requirements; (2) considerations in awarding grants; (3) State administration and use of grants; (4) the number of grants; and (5) reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Part 3: Emergency Medical Services Amendments - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) establish an Office of Emergency Medical Services, headed by a Director; (2) engage in specified emergency medical services activities, including disseminating information obtained in carrying out specified activities to public and private entities, providing technical assistance to State and local agencies, coordinating Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) activities with those of other Federal agencies; and (3) ensure that such activities are carried out consistent with certain requirements regarding maintaining an adequate number of health professionals with expertise in the provision of services, developing, periodically reviewing, and revising as appropriate guidelines for the provision of such services, appropriately using available technologies, and serving the unique needs of underserved inner-city and rural areas. (Sec. 1522) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for the purpose of improving the availability and quality of emergency medical services through the operation of State offices of emergency medical services, subject to specified matching fund, budgetary, and other requirements. (Sec. 1523) Provides for demonstration projects to establish telecommunications between rural medical facilities and medical facilities with expertise or equipment. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the telecommunications technologies demonstrated include interactive video telecommunications, static video imaging transmitted through the telephone system, and facsimiles transmitted through such system. (Sec. 1524) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) emergency medical services (including for State offices of Emergency Medical Services and for telecommunications demonstrations); and (2) trauma care and certain other activities. Part : Additional Rural Health Care Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities to develop health plans to provide services exclusively in rural and frontier areas. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1532) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private hospitals in medically underserved rural communities, and to public and nonprofit outpatient facilities in such communities, to develop or increase capacity to provide primary health services. (Sec. 1533) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to such entities to conduct research and carry out demonstration projects to develop innovative approaches to the delivery of health care in rural areas, such as the use of telemedicine and mobile delivery units. (Sec. 1534) Authorizes appropriations for the training of rural health professionals other than physicians. Subtitle G: Assistance in Enrolling Uninsured Children in Health Insurance - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for the establishment of State premium subsidy programs to assist eligible needy children with premiums for standard health coverage. Subtitle H: Medicaid Reform - Amends SSA title XIX to: (1) provide for the establishment of State health allowance programs under which the State makes payments to an approved group health plan which provides coverage to eligible individuals as an allowance towards the costs of providing the individual with benefits under the plan; (2) modify Federal requirements to allow States more flexibility in contracting for coordinated care services under Medicaid; (3) make changes regarding the period of certain waivers under Medicaid; and (4) reduce the amount of Federal payment adjustments under Medicaid for disproportionate share hospitals. (Sec. 1713) Eliminates the duplicative pediatric immunization program under Medicare. Subtitle I: Remedies and Enforcement with Respect to Group Health Plans - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to set forth claims procedure special rules for group health plans. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a mediation program for disputes involving group health plan claims. Requires the Secretary to maintain a list of individuals with expertise to serve as facilitators under such program, and to propose a facilitator for each mediation subject to one objection by each party. Sets forth provisions for participation of attorneys, initiation of mediation, mediation procedures, time limits, costs, legal effect of participation, and confidentiality and admissibility. Sets forth court remedies for participants and beneficiaries with respect to group health plans. Subtitle J: Delivery of Health Care Services to Illegal Immigrants - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of health care to illegal immigrants, including the effect of illegal immigration on health costs and the shifting of health costs. Requires a report to the Congress, with recommendations on appropriate means of: (1) alleviating health problems peculiar to illegal immigrants; (2) financing health care provided to illegal immigrants; and(3) increasing intergovernmental cooperation and coordination of efforts of the United States and other countries to alleviate such health problems and finance such efforts. Title II: Health Care Cost Containment and Quality Enhancement - Subtitle A: Medical Malpractice Liability Reform - Part 1: General Provisions - Makes this subtitle applicable with respect to any medical malpractice liability claim and to any medical malpractice liability action brought in State or Federal court, except a claim or action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death to the extent that title XXI of the Public Health Service Act applies. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) preemption of State law; (2) effect on sovereign immunity and choice of law or venue; (3) jurisdiction; and (4) effective dates. Part 2: Medical Malpractice and Product Liability Reform - Prohibits a medical malpractice liability action from being brought in any State court during a calendar year unless the relevant claim has been initially resolved (i.e., a decision has been reached on whether the defendant is liable to the plaintiff for damages and on the amount of damages) under a certified alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system or an alternative Federal system. Prohibits a medical malpractice liability action from being brought in Federal court based on diversity of citizenship during a calendar year unless the relevant claim has been initially resolved under such a system in the State whose law applies. Directs the Attorney General to establish an ADR process for tort claims consisting of medical malpractice liability claims brought against the United States under chapter 171 of the Federal judicial code (U.S. Court of Federal Claims). Prohibits a medical malpractice liability action based on such a claim from being brought in any Federal court unless the claim has been initially resolved under such process. Sets forth procedures for filing actions. (Sec. 2012) Limits to $250,000 the amount of noneconomic damages that may be awarded to a claimant and family members in a medical malpractice liability action. Sets limits on punitive damages and on periodic payments for future losses. Reduces damages by any other payments made to compensate an individual for injuries. (Sec. 2013) Set forth provisions regarding: (1) limits on attorney fees and other costs; (2) joint and several liability (generally, liability may be found only for those damages directly attributable to the person's proportionate share of fault or responsibility for the injury); (3) a statute of limitations of seven years; and (4) a uniform standard for determining negligence (the defendant's conduct at the time of providing the health care services was not reasonable). (Sec. 2017) Specifies that in the case of a medical malpractice liability claim relating to services provided during labor or the delivery of a baby, if the health care professional did not previously treat the injured individual for the pregnancy, the trier of fact may not find that the defendant committed malpractice nor assess damages unless the malpractice is proven by clear and convincing evidence. Part 3: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems - Lists requirements for State ADR systems, including that such a system: (1) applies to all medical malpractice liability claims under the jurisdiction of the courts of that State; (2) requires that a written opinion resolving the dispute be issued within six months after each party against whom the claim is filed has received notice of the claim; (3) is approved by the State or local governments; (4) provides for the transmittal to the State agency responsible for monitoring or disciplining health care professionals and providers of any findings of malpractice; and (5) provides for the regular transmittal of information on disputes resolved under the system to the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research in a manner that protects the identity of the parties involved. (Sec. 2032) Directs the Secretary, by October 1 of each year, to certify State ADR systems that meet such requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish an alternative Federal ADR system for the resolution of medical malpractice liability claims in States that do not have in effect a certified ADR system. (Sec. 2033) Directs the Secretary, within five years, to submit to the Congress a report describing and evaluating State ADR systems and the alternative Federal system, including: (1) information on the effect of the ADR systems on health care costs, access to health care, and quality of care provided within the State; and (2) to the extent that such report does not provide information on no-fault systems operated by States as ADR systems, an analysis of the feasibility and desirability of establishing a system for resolving medical malpractice liability claims on a no-fault basis. Part 4: Other Provisions Relating to Medical Malpractice Liability - Authorizes a State agency responsible for disciplinary actions for a type of health care practitioner to enter into agreements with State or county professional societies to permit their participation in the licensing of such practitioner and to review any health care malpractice action, claims, or allegation, or other information concerning the practice patterns of any such practitioner. Sets forth agreement requirements. (Sec. 2042) Directs the Secretary to study incentives adopted by State and local governments, insurers, medical societies, and other entities to encourage physicians to volunteer to provide health care services in medically underserved areas. (Sec. 2043) Directs each State to require: (1) each health care professional and health care provider to participate in a risk management program to prevent, and provide early warning of, practices which may result in injuries to patients or endanger patient safety; and (2) each provider of health care professional and provider liability insurance in the State to establish risk management programs or sanction programs of risk management for health care professionals and providers provided by other entities, and require each such professional or provider, as a condition of maintaining insurance, to participate in one such program at least once in each three-year period. (Sec. 2044) Directs the Secretary to make grants: (1) for basic research in the prevention of, and compensation for, injuries resulting from health care professional or provider malpractice and for research of the outcomes of health care procedures; (2) to States to assist in improving their ability to license and discipline health care professionals; and (3) to States and local governments, private nonprofit organizations, and health professional schools for educating the general public about the appropriate use of health care, realistic expectations of medical intervention, and the resources and role of health care professional licensing and disciplinary boards in investigating claims of incompetence or health care malpractice, and for developing programs of faculty training and curricula for educating health care professionals in quality assurance, risk management, and medical injury prevention. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Administrative Cost Savings and Fair Health Information Practices - Part 1: Administrative Cost Savings - Subpart A: Standards for Data Elements and Transactions - Directs the Secretary to adopt standards and modifications to standards that a: (1) consistent with the objective of reducing the costs of providing and paying for health care; and (2) in use and generally accepted, developed, or modified by the standard-setting organizations accredited by the American National Standard Institute. (Sec. 2104) Directs the Secretary to adopt standards: (1) for data elements of health information; and (2) for transmitting information electronically. Subpart B: Requirements With Respect to Certain Transactions and Information - Specifies standard transactions. Subpart C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the Secretary to establish standards with respect to the operation of health information network services. (Sec. 2124) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for demonstration projects to promote the development and use of electronically integrated community-based clinical information systems and computerized patient medical records. Subpart D: Assistance to the Secretary - Establishes the Health Care Information Advisory Committee to: (1) assist the Secretary in complying with requirements under this Act; (2) be generally responsible for advising the Secretary and the Congress on the status of the health information network; and (3) make recommendations to correct problems in the network and to refine and improve the network. Part 2: Fair Health Information Practices - Subpart A: Duties of Health Information Trustees - Specifies the duties of health information trustees with respect to inspection of protected health information. (Sec. 2142) Provides a procedure to amend protected health information. Subpart B: Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information - Sets forth general limitations on the use and disclosure of protected health information by health information trustees. (Sec. 2152) Authorizes a health information trustee to disclose protected health information pursuant to a written authorization by the protected individual. (Sec. 2153) Describes the circumstances under which health information trustees may disclose protected health information to: (1) health plans, health care providers, and oversight agencies; (2) next of kin; (3) public health authorities; (4) health research entities; (5) authorities under emergencies; (6) courts or administrative agencies; (6) law enforcement agencies; (7) entities under subpoenas, warrants, and search warrants; and (8) health information service organizations. Subpart C: Access Procedures and Challenge Rights - Prohibits a government authority from obtaining protected health information about a protected individual from a health information trustee through subpoenas, warrants, and search warrants unless there is probable cause that the information is relevant to the law enforcement inquiry. (Sec. 2172) Establishes challenge procedures to such subpoenas. Subpart D: Miscellaneous Provisions - Restricts the information a health information trustee may disclose when a protected individual pays for health care through a payment card or electronic means. (Sec. 2183) Directs the Secretary to develop standards for electronic documents and communications. (Sec. 2184) Provides for the disclosure of protected health information to affiliated persons and agents and attorneys. (Sec. 2187) Requires States to establish a process for the maintenance of certain protected health information. Subpart : Enforcement - Provides for civil actions against health information trustees. (Sec. 2192) Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil money penalty against such trustees for a demonstrated pattern of failure to comply with this subpart. (Sec. 2193) Requires the Secretary to develop an alternative dispute resolution method for resolving claims for civil actions. (Sec. 2194) Amends the Federal criminal code to impose penalties for violations in disclosing and obtaining protected health information. Subpart F: Amendments to Title 5, United States Code - Requires certain Federal agency heads to promulgate rules protecting health information. Subpart G: Regulations, Research, and Education; Effective Dates; Applicability; and Relationship to Other Laws - Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this part not later than July 1, 1996. (Sec. 2197) Makes this part effective on January 1, 1997, except for certain provisions that take effect upon enactment. Subtitle C: Deduction for Cost of Catastrophic Health Plan; Medical Savings Accounts - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include under the medical expense deduction the portion of such expense attributable to coverage under a catastrophic health plan. (Sec. 2202) Allows individuals a tax deduction for a percentage of contributions made to a medical care savings account established for the benefit of an eligible individual. Allows such deduction whether or not an individual itemizes deductions. Disallows distributions from such accounts as medical expense deductions. Excludes employer contributions to such accounts from employment taxes. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts. Subtitle D: Anti-Fraud - Directs the Attorney General to establish an all-payer health care fraud and abuse control program. (Sec. 2302) Authorizes additional appropriations for such program and AG investigations of possible health care fraud. (Sec. 2303) Establishes in the Treasury the Anti-Fraud and Abuse Trust Fund for use in preventing anti-fraud and abuse law violations and repaying Medicaid and other beneficiaries for cost-sharing. (Sec. 2311) Amends SSA title XI and the Federal criminal code to: (1) revise current sanctions to provide for, among other things, mandatory exclusion from Medicare and State health care program participation of individuals or entities convicted of a fraud-related felony in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service, and criminal penalties of fines and imprisonment for health care fraud; and (2) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to issue advisory opinions with regard to specified matters, including matters concerning prohibited remuneration and service inducements. (Sec. 2315) Modifies: (1) current limitations under Medicare (SSA title XVIII) on physician self-referral; and (2) effective date exceptions under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 for such referrals made for clinical laboratory services. (Sec. 2316) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the costs of peer review contracts for Medicare HMOs. (Sec. 2332) Amends SSA title XVIII to require the Secretary to issue advisory opinions relating to prohibited referrals under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations establishing systems under SSA titles XI and XVIII for the issuance of advisory opinions. Subtitle E: Increased Medicare Beneficiary Choice; Additional Medicare Reforms - Amends SSA title XVIII and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to make specified changes in HMO and Medicare supplemental policy provisions. Imposes mandates on the Secretary in order to afford Medicare beneficiaries additional avenues for choosing health care coverage, including enrollment in private health insurance plans. (Sec. 2411) Extends current rules for computing Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) premiums. (Sec. 2412) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the imposition of a Medicare part B premium tax for high-income Medicare part B beneficiaries. (Sec. 2413) Directs the Secretary to take such steps as necessary to consolidate administration of Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B. (Sec. 2414) Makes specified extensions with regard to Medicare as secondary payer, including those concerning data matches. Subtitle F: Health Care Antitrust Improvements - Exempts from all antitrust claims an activity relating to the provision of health care services that is: (1) within a "safe harbor" designated by the Attorney General, except for claims for injunctive relief asserted by the Attorney General or the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission in extraordinary circumstances; and (2) specified in and in compliance with the terms of a certificate of review issued by the Attorney General, where the activity occurs while the certificate is in effect, except for claims for injunctive relief. Sets forth provisions regarding the award of attorney fees and costs of suit to the prevailing party in an action based on a claim involving activity found to be exempt. (Sec. 2502) Directs the Attorney General to develop and designate specified safe harbors relating to the following, as well as to such other categories of activities as the Attorney General may designate (subject to specified requirements): (1) joint purchasing of health care services; (2) small hospital mergers; (3) startup and operation of collaborations between State-licensed providers through partial or full integration; (4) standard setting and enforcement activities by medical self-regulatory entities; (5) health care providers collectively supplying non-price medical information to buyers and consumers; (6) health care provider participation in surveys; (7) health care joint ventures' purchase or use of equipment or provision of advanced tertiary care services; (8) provision of market power screens at appropriate levels below which combinations of providers are too small to pose a realistic antitrust threat; (9) joint purchasing arrangements; and (10) good faith negotiations relating to legitimate collaborative activities. Directs the Attorney General to publish notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for additional safe harbors. Authorizes the Attorney General to modify or remove a safe harbor following notice and comment upon a determination that the safe harbor does not meet specified criteria. Sets forth criteria in establishing safe harbors, including: (1) the extent to which a competitive or collaborative activity will accomplish an increase in health care access and quality, the establishment of cost efficiencies, and increased ability of health care facilities to provide services in medically underserved areas or to underserved populations; and (2) whether designation as a safe harbor will result in specified desirable outcomes. (Sec. 2503) Directs the Attorney General to issue certificates of review for providers of health care services and to assist persons in applying for such certificates. Sets forth procedures regarding applications for, renovation of, and review of determinations regarding, such certificates. Limits the disclosure of information. (Sec. 2504) Sets forth provisions regarding notifications providing for a reduction in certain penalties under the antitrust laws for health care cooperative ventures. (Sec. 2505) Directs the Attorney General to periodically review the safe harbors, certificates of review, and notifications. (Sec. 2507) Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of Health Care Competition Policy. Subtitle G: Encouraging Enforcement Activities of Medical Self- Regulatory Entities - Part 1: Application of the Clayton Act to Medical Self-Regulatory Entities - Provides that no damages, cost of suit, or attorney fee may be recovered under section 4, 4A, or 4C of the Clayton Act, or under any similar State law, except by a State or the United States, from any medical self-regulatory entity as a result of engaging in standard setting or enforcement activities that are: (1) designed to promote the quality of health care provided to patients; and (2) not conducted for purposes of financial gain. Directs the court to award the cost of such a suit, including a reasonable attorney fee, to a substantially prevailing defendant. Part 2: Consultation by Federal Agencies - Requires any Federal agency engaged in the establishment of medical professional standards to consult with appropriate medical societies or associations, specialty boards, or recognized accrediting agencies, if available, in carrying out medical professional standard setting and guidelines or standards relating to the practice of medicine. Subtitle H: Reform of Clinical Laboratory Requirements for Simple Tests - Amends the Public Health Service Act to exempt clinical laboratories performing only simple examinations and procedures from certificate requirements. (Sec. 2703) Directs the Secretary to use existing appropriations to conduct the study relating to the reliability and quality control procedures of clinical laboratory testing programs and the effect of errors in the testing procedures and results on the diagnosis and treatment of patients. (Sec. 2704) Directs the Secretary to revise the membership of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee to contain a number of practicing physicians proportionate to the number of physician regulated clinical laboratories. Subtitle I: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires certain Government agencies to prefund health benefit contributions for their annuitants. (Sec. 2802) Makes aliens ineligible for social security and Medicaid benefits. (Sec. 2803) Limits the eligibility for social security benefits of certain drug and alcohol addicts. Title III: Long-Term Care - Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of qualified long-term care insurance as accident and health insurance for purposes of insurance company taxation. (Sec. 3002) Excludes from gross income benefits provided under a long-term care insurance contract. Includes in gross income employer-provided coverage for long-term care services. (Sec. 3003) Includes amounts paid for qualified long-term care services as medical expenses for individual itemized deductions. Includes any parent or grandparent as a dependent for purposes of such expenses. Subtitle B: Establishment of Federal Standards for Long-Term Care Insurance - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate the establishment of model Federal standards for long-term care insurance. Prohibits the offering of a long-term care insurance policy in a State unless the State has a regulatory program meeting the requirements of this Act or the policy has been certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Authorizes grants to States for demonstration programs to improve enforcement of the standards. Authorizes appropriations. Imposes on agents selling long-term policies a duty of good faith and fair dealing. Prohibits twisting, high pressure tactics, and cold lead advertising. Mandates minimum financial standards, including income and asset criteria, for advising individuals considering the purchase of a long-term policy. Prohibits sales: (1) to an individual eligible for assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; (2) of duplicate service policies; and (3) of policies that reduce, limit, or coordinate benefits on the basis of eligibility for other coverage or benefits. Provides for: (1) criminal and civil penalties; and (2) agent training and certification. Sets forth additional carrier responsibilities relating to refunding of premiums, mailing of policies, providing information on denials of claims, reporting of information, and limiting compensation to agents for the sale or renewal of policies. Prohibits cancellation or nonrenewal of a long-term care policy except for nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation. Sets forth continuation and conversion rights for group policies, regulating premiums for converted policies. Requires guaranteed issuance to an individual if the individual meets the minimum medical requirements of the policy. Mandates standards regarding upgraded benefits. Limits cancellation for nonpayment by an incapacitated individual. Requires: (1) subject to exceptions, uniform language and definitions, a uniform format, and at least one standard benefit package; and (2) disclosure of certain matters, including an outline of coverage. Mandates recommendations by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) regarding informing consumers on the long-term economic viability of long-term care insurance carriers. Limits certain conditions on benefits. Requires, if benefits are provided for home health care or community-based services, that certain minimum benefits be provided. Prohibits treating cognitive or mental impairments (including Alzheimer's disease and mental illness) differently from other medical conditions. Limits preexisting condition requirements. Requires: (1) each claimant to have a functional assessment by an individual or entity meeting NAIC qualifications and unconnected to the policy issuer; (2) inflation protection, unless rejected in writing by a policyholder; (3) disclosure of certain premium increases; and (4) nonforfeiture benefits. Prohibits a carrier from contesting a policy or claim based on fraud or misrepresentation unless notice is provided within a time period set by NAIC. Establishes the right of a purchaser to return a policy within a specified period. Defines "long-term care insurance policy," excluding: (1) any basic Medicare supplemental policies; (2) other insurance offered primarily to provide specified types of coverage; and (3) certain life insurance policies. Authorizes grants for programs to provide information, counseling, and assistance regarding the procurement of long-term insurance. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle : Protection of Assets Under Medicaid Through Use of Qualified Long-term Care Insurance - Amends the title XIX of the Social Security Act to require State Medicaid plans to disregard some or all of the individual's assets attributable to coverage under a qualified long-term care insurance contract in determining the individual's eligibility for long-term care services. Subtitle D: Studies - Requires the Comptroller General to study the feasibility of: (1) encouraging health care providers to donate their services to homebound patients; and (2) providing heads of households who care for elderly family members in their home with an income tax credit. (Sec. 3303) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of encouraging or requiring the use of a single designated public or nonprofit agency to coordinate, through case management, the provision of long-term care benefits under current Federal, State, and local programs in a geographic area. Subtitle E: Volunteer Service Credit Demonstration Projects - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to establish and operate a volunteer service credit demonstration project in each State.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2026
Health Insurance Equity Act of 1994 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXI (Standards for Health Coverage) prohibiting discrimination in health insurance coverage, benefits, and premiums based on health status or claims experience, except with regard to certain preexisting conditions. Limits the conditions under which an insurer may refuse to renew the coverage of individuals or small employers. Authorizes appropriations for State enforcement programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2024
Prohibits the importation into the customs territory of the United States of any sugars, syrups, and molasses that are the product of a country that has imported Cuban sugar, syrups, or molasses. Declares that such prohibition shall cease to apply to such a country if it certifies to the President that it will not import Cuban sugar, syrups, or molasses until free and fair elections are held in Cuba, conducted under the supervision of internationally recognized observers. Authorizes the President to reallocate to other countries the quota of sugars, syrups, and molasses allocated to such a country during the period in which a prohibition is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Social Security Payment Equity Act of 1994 - Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) to set limits on payment of OASDI benefits during any year, based on the work record of an individual with higher levels of income for such year, if total payments of such benefits have exceeded prior contributions plus interest. Specifies schedules of benefit reductions from ten percent to 100 percent for single and for married individuals. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to provide annual social security account statements to eligible individuals with respect to such benefit limitations. Adjusts the gradual increase in retirement age from 65 to 68 so as to commence with calendar year 1996 and reach age 68 for those who would attain age 65 in or after calendar year 2031.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2024
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from making releases for the restoration of flows between Gravelly Ford and the Mendota Pool on the San Joaquin River as a measure to implement the Central Valley Project Improvement Act without a specific Act of Congress authorizing such releases. Repeals provisions of such Act directing the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan to address fish, wildlife, and habitat concerns on the San Joaquin River.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
National Policies Toward Gambling Review Act of 1994 - Establishes a Commission on the Review of National Policies Toward Gambling to conduct a comprehensive legal and factual study of: (1) gambling activities in the United States; (2) their social and economic impact; and (3) existing Federal, State, and local policy and practices with respect to legal prohibition and taxation of such activities, particularly the relationship between the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and State and local laws.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2025
Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to extend the deadline for the submission of nominations for the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2024
Eliminates racially segregationist language in the Second Morrill Act, which relates to land-grant colleges and institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2024
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to phase out the tax subsidies for alcohol fuels produced from feedstocks which are eligible to receive Federal agricultural subsidies. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the Dredging Material Account in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Transfers 50 percent of the amounts received from increased tax liabilities under this Act to such Account.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2024
Amends Federal law to apply certain minimum safety standards uniformly to all air carrier operations, regardless of the seating or payload capacity of the aircraft involved. Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to prescribe alternative safety standards for the operation of aircraft of a type: (1) approved for transportation of no more than nine passengers (exclusive of flight crew); (2) approved for transportation of no more than 30 passengers (exclusive of flight crew), if such aircraft is not used for scheduled air transportation; and (3) designed for transportation of no more than 19 passengers (exclusive of flight crew) for which application for design approval was made before February 17, 1987. States that alternative standards of the third kind may be prescribed only for specific areas found necessary because the aircraft's approved design makes compliance with one or more of the uniform standards impossible.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Tax Rate Reduction Act of 1994 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the highest income tax rate for individuals, lower the highest taxable income threshold, and reduce individual income tax rates from 1995 until 1998. Repeals the overall limitation on itemized deductions and the phaseout of personal exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2024
Amends the Clean Air Act to provide that if a State Governor submits a redesignation of an area from nonattainment to attainment and such designation is based upon attainment of the relevant national ambient air quality standard for three consecutive years, such redesignation shall become effective immediately upon receipt by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Office of Technology Assessment to study methods for implementing enhanced inspection and maintenance programs. Includes within such study an evaluation of the cost effectiveness of such methods. Directs the Administrator to republish the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance guidance document and incorporate the study's findings. Grants States one year from the study's publication date to submit or revise implementation plans with respect to the enhanced motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2024
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors to international financial institutions to oppose the admission of Cuba as a member of such institutions until Cuba holds free and fair internationally-supervised elections and commits to compensate U.S. persons for property expropriated in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2021
Amends the Federal judicial code to: (1) direct the Judicial Conference to authorize an experimental program in which the presiding judge of a court of the United States may, in his or her discretion, permit photographic or electronic media coverage of criminal court proceedings, including trials (requires that at least 15 Federal judicial districts participate in the experimental program); and (2) authorize any presiding judge to permit such coverage of civil court proceedings, including trials. Authorizes the court in any case to refuse, limit, or terminate such coverage in the interests of justice to protect the rights of the parties and the dignity of the court, or to assure the fair administration of justice. Prohibits any changes in the scheduling, form, or procedure of any court proceeding by virtue of this Act for the benefit of the media in providing such coverage. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) requests for permission to use media coverage; (2) prohibited coverage; (3) equipment and personnel; (4) pooled coverage; and (5) other photographing, recording, or broadcasting. Provides for the creation of a committee to evaluate whether photographic or electronic media coverage of criminal court proceedings should be permitted after June 30, 1998, or whether such coverage so disrupts or interferes with the fairness of criminal court proceedings as to justify its prohibition. Directs: (1) the committee to evaluate, analyze, and monitor the effect of media coverage of criminal court proceedings on the administration of justice and make recommendations to the Congress and the Judicial Conference; (2) the Federal Judicial Center to cooperate with the committee in connection with the review of the impact of such coverage; and (3) the Judicial Conference to promulgate appropriate rules to carry out this Act after affording all interested persons, agencies, and institutions an opportunity to review and comment thereon. Terminates the experimental program on June 30, 1998, unless the Judicial Conference extends the program and notifies the Congress in writing before that date. Makes rule 53 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (prohibiting taking photographs in the court room during judicial proceedings or radio broadcasting such proceedings) inapplicable during the period that the program is in effect. Allows the Judicial Conference to authorize such coverage of criminal proceedings before the program terminates.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2021
Makes technical corrections to the Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2024
Requires the President to withhold assessed and voluntary contributions of the United States to any international financial institution that furnishes assistance to Iraq, Iran, Libya, or Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Illegal Alien Credit Denial Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make illegal aliens ineligible for the earned income credit. Requires the verification of taxpayer identification numbers of the taxpayer and qualifying children on returns claiming such credit. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish expedited procedures on the verification and issuance of such identification numbers.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2021
Denies a visa to an alien who has been involved in the foreign expropriation of property of any U.S. person.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Congressional Travel Reform Act - Requires that travel awards that accrue by reason of official travel of a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives be used only with respect to official travel.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2024
Designates May 26 through 29, 1995, as Peruvian Institutions in the United States of America Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2024
Amends Federal law with respect to nonprofit group donations to the National Forest System to permit the Forest Service to fund a project with appropriated moneys provided the nonprofit has a written Forest Service reimbursement agreement. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish written rules for contribution acceptance.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2024
Requires Federal agencies, in implementing the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, to differentiate between animal fats or oils of vegetable origin and other oils, including petroleum oils, on the basis of their physical, chemical, biological, and other properties and their environmental effects.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Presidential Succession Clarification Act - Declares that for purposes of the 20th Amendment of the Constitution (with respect to presidential and vice presidential succession) a candidate for whom a majority of electors have cast their votes for President or Vice President shall be deemed to be "President- elect" or "Vice President-elect" from the time that the votes are cast, whether or not the candidate is living at the time the votes are counted in the Congress. Provides that if: (1) a major party candidate for the office of the President dies 14 or fewer days prior to the date specified for the appointment of electors of the President and Vice President, the electors shall be appointed in each State 14 days after the candidate's death; or (2) a leading candidate for the office of President dies 14 or fewer days prior to the date specified for the meeting of electors, the electors shall meet and give their votes 14 days after such candidate's death. Authorizes the House of Representatives, in the case of the death of any candidate from whom the House may choose a President after the right of choice has devolved upon them, to consider the designated running mate of the deceased candidate as the candidate's replacement for purposes of choosing a President. Permits the Senate, in the case of the death of any candidate from whom the Senate may choose the Vice President, to consider a candidate designated by the deceased candidate's political party as the candidate's replacement for purposes of choosing a Vice President.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
World War II Home Front Commemorative Act - Authorizes the World War II Home Front Council to reissue the World War II "E" Award for Excellence in Industrial Production to individuals, firms, and businesses to which they were originally awarded in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II. Directs the Council to: (1) establish the "Excellence in Production Award Account" to receive all proceeds derived from its activities to commemorate Home Front efforts; (2) implement Home Front education and commemoration programs; (3) establish a volunteer advisory committee; and (4) submit semi-annual status reports to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Housing Programs Extension Act of 1994 - Authorizes section 8 housing contract extensions and related displaced tenant assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to extend funding for the low-income housing preservation and ownership program. Amends the National Housing Act to extend authority to use rental assistance amounts for flexible subsidies. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to extend authority for housing counseling programs. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend set-asides for reconstruction of public housing for disabled families. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend rural housing set asides for: (1) underserved areas; and (2) rental housing funds for nonprofit entities. Makes rural multifamily rental housing loan authority permanent. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend authority for the multifamily mortgage risk-sharing pilot program. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to extend community development block grant set-asides for colonias.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the deductibility of meal and entertainment expenses and items to allow a deduction of 80 percent of the amount of such expenses, or 50 percent of the amount of such items.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Provides for the portability among States of validly executed advance directives under Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require written policies and procedures of service providers to provide for effective communication with individuals regarding relevant aspects of health care decisions affecting such individual, including obtaining informed consent, individual prognosis and treatment decisions, and the formulation of advance directives. Requires a report to the Congress on a study of issues relating to care at the end of life, including how to determine the application of medically necessary or appropriate care for gravely or terminally ill or injured persons. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2024
Authorizes the University of Arkansas to sell certain lands (commonly known as the Walker Tract) in Washington County, Arkansas, if all of the proceeds of such sale are used for the purposes of the University's agricultural research facilities and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2024
Amends the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act, 1995 to limit certain disaster payments available to peanut producers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Special Envoy for Tibet Act of 1994 - Establishes a U.S. Special Envoy for Tibet within the Department of State, to be appointed by the President. Grants such envoy ambassadorial rank. Authorizes and encourages the Special Envoy to: (1) promote substantive negotiations between the Dalai Lama and senior members of the Chinese Government; (2) promote good relations between the Dalai Lama and the U.S. Government; and (3) travel regularly throughout Tibet and Tibetan refugee settlements. Requires the Special Envoy to: (1) consult with the Congress on policies relevant to Tibet; (2) coordinate U.S. Government policies, programs, and projects concerning Tibet; and (3) report to the Secretary of State on the state of relations between the United States and Tibet and on conditions in Tibet.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Federal Aviation Administration Independent Establishment Act of 1994 - Establishes as an independent Federal agency the Federal Aviation Administration (Administration). Declares that the Administration shall be administered by an Administrator, who shall be appointed by the President to a five-year term, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Transfers to the new Administration all functions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the Department of Transportation and of the Secretary of Transportation which are administered through the FAA. Directs the Administrator to prepare, and submit to specified congressional committees, a three-year development plan outlining goals and objectives for personnel, technology, and regulation in such areas as air traffic control, aviation standards, airport security, airport and airway development, and research and development. Establishes the Aviation Trust Fund Account (Account). Terminates the Airport and Airway Trust Fund on October 1, 1996, with all amounts to be transferred to the Account. Establishes the Federal Aviation Advisory Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2026
Denali Mining Claims Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into expedited good-faith negotiations with all willing owners of mining claims within Denali National Park, Alaska, for the purpose of entering into voluntary land acquisition agreements to purchase such claims. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) termination of negotiations; (2) negotiations concerning claims that are the subject of pending litigation; (3) information to be considered with respect to negotiations; (4) reports and appraisals; (5) dispute resolution; and (6) duties of the Secretary after the termination of negotiations. Directs the Secretary, upon determining with respect to a mining claim that it is not in the public interest to enter into the negotiations, to commence a declaration of takings procedure for a compensable taking under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Grants the court the power to determine the date of the taking and the amount of compensation due to the parties in interest. Sets a deadline for applications for compensation of December 1, 1999. Specifies that if the owner of the mining claim objects to the application of procedures for a declaration of taking, the Secretary shall make an offer to the owner, subject to specified requirements. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general circulation in the five cities of Alaska with the greatest population the names of the owners of mining claims and the claims owned; and (2) provide to each owner, by certified mail, a notice of the provisions of this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) disputed ownership; and (2) the validity of unpatented mining claims.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Conservation and Management Title II: Fishery Monitoring and Research Title III: Fisheries Stock Recovery Financing Title IV: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act Sustainable Fisheries Act - Title I: Conservation and Management - Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to include among its purposes the advocacy of fishery habitat protection. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1999 to carry out such Act. (Sec. 107) Revises the guidelines governing permits for foreign fishing vessels. (Sec. 108) Repeals the large-scale driftnet fishing reporting requirements. (Sec. 109) Modifies the national standards for fishery conservation and management to include the mandate that conservation and management measures minimize the incidental catch of non-target living marine resources. (Sec. 110) Expands the number of voting members on the Pacific Fishery Management Council to include one appointed from an Indian tribe with federally recognized fishing rights from a member State. Prescribes selection guidelines for such Indian representative. Authorizes each Regional Fishery Management Council to establish a negotiation panel to assist in the development of specific conservation and management measures for a fishery. (Sec. 111) Modifies the guidelines governing the contents of fishery management plans to include: (1) protection of essential fish habitat; (2) prevention of overfishing; (3) assessment of the level of bycatch; and (4) minimization of mortality caused by discards. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish guidelines for individual transferable quotas systems. (Sec. 112) Revises actions by the Secretary after receipt of a fishery management plan. Requires the Secretary to establish the level of fees for fishing vessel permits. (Sec. 113) Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress an the Councils on the status of fisheries within each Council's geographical area and identify those fisheries that approaching a condition of being overfished or are overfished. Requires the appropriate Council to prepare a fishery management plan to prevent or stop overfishing. (Sec. 114) Modifies provisions concerning: (1) State jurisdiction; (2) prohibited acts; (3) civil penalties and permit sanctions; and (4) enforcement. (Sec. 118) Requires the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to include in each fishery management plan conservation and management measures, including fees or other incentives, to reduce bycatch. (Sec. 119) Grants the Secretary discretionary authority to work with interested parties to develop a sustainable development strategy for any fishery classified as overfished or determined to be a commercial fishery failure. Establishes an Ocean Conservation Trust Fund to carry out this section. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 through 1999 for fishery resource disasters, if such funds are designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings). Title II: Fishery Monitoring and Research - Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the States, the Councils, and Marine Fisheries Commissions, to develop recommendations for implementation of a standardized fishing vessel registration and data management system on a national or regional basis. Requires a report to the Congress by March 1, 1996 on the need to include private recreational fishing vessels used exclusively for pleasure into such system. (Sec. 203) Provides for a Council to implement a data collection program specific to the needs of a fishery management plan. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines for the carrying of observers on fishing vessels. (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary to publish, every three years after enactment of this Act, a strategic plan for fisheries research for the five years immediately following such publication. (Sec. 206) Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on programs that assess the impact on fishery resources of incidental harvest by shrimp trawl fisheries. Title III: Fisheries Stock Recovery Financing - Fisheries Stock Recovery Financing Act - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to authorize guarantees for refinancing fishery stock recovery efforts. (Sec. 303) Requires the financing of fishing vessels and fishery facilities through the Federal Financing Bank, unless placement through such bank is not reasonably available or placement elsewhere is available at lower financing. (Sec. 304) Modifies provisions for fees for guaranteeing obligations with respect to fishing vessels and fishing facilities. Title IV: Atlantic Tunas Convention Act - Atlantic Tunas Convention Authorization Act of 1994 - Amends the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 to require a report to specified congressional committees on the current research and monitoring activities on Atlantic bluefin tuna and other highly migratory species. (Sec. 402) Mandates a comprehensive research program to support the conservation and management of Atlantic bluefin tuna and other highly migratory species, including identifying and defining the range of stocks. Amends Federal law to remove a provision authorizing appropriations for a currently-mandated biennial report on bluefin tuna. (Sec. 403) Regulates operational matters for the advisory committee established by the Act, including regarding quorums, a chairman, meetings, and administrative and technical support. (Sec. 404) Prohibits the promulgation of regulations to increase or decrease fishery mortality levels. (Sec. 405) Makes the civil penalty and permit sanctions of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act applicable to violations of this Act. (Sec. 406) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 407) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit a report annually to specified congressional committees that: (1) details for the previous ten-year period the catches and exports to the United States of highly migratory species from nations fishing on Atlantic stocks that are subject to management by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas; (2) identifies those fishing nations whose harvests are inconsistent with existing international conservation and management programs; and (3) describes reporting requirements to ensure that imported fish are in compliance with international management measures.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Cooperative Units of Research in Infectious Disease (CURID) Act of 1994 - Requires Infectious Disease Research and Clinical Units of Excellence to be established jointly by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Infectious Diseases of the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provides that the Units will be dedicated to finding the cause, prevention, and cure of chronic inflammatory diseases of suspected infectious etiology and committed to giving priority to diseases like arthritis and chronic lung disease which hold the most promise for beneficial research results. Requires the establishment of the Units to be based upon past research performance of researchers working on specific microorganisms. Makes the Units responsible for: (1) evaluation of patient specimens for the presence of infectious agents; (2) characterization of the immune response to these infectious agents; and (3) characterization of the genetic background of patients. Sets forth provisions regarding personnel, laboratory support, networking, and the initial period of grant funding. Makes NIAID the lead agency. Apportions responsibility for various aspects of the research program and development of a strategic research plan. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Cooperative Planning Assistance Act of 1994 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a cooperative agreement with a State, political subdivision, or group of States or State political subdivisions to provide assistance for habitat acquisition required to carry out an approved conservation plan, including assisting the entity in ensuring that adequate funding for the plan will be provided. Authorizes the Secretary to pay to an entity that is a party to such cooperative agreement the full amount of interest on a loan, bond, or other debt instrument of the entity that is approved by the Secretary before entering into the agreement and that is used solely for habitat acquisition costs identified in an approved conservation plan. Requires the entity, before entering into such cooperative agreement, to demonstrate its ability to repay the principal amount of the debt incurred in a timely manner and from a source, other than its general tax revenue, that is dedicated to repaying the principal. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Secretary before entering into such cooperative agreements. Provides that: (1) the sole obligation to be paid by the Secretary pursuant to the cooperative agreement shall be the interest on the debt; and (2) the entity that is a party to such agreement shall pay the principal. Terminates the obligation of the Secretary to pay interest and requires the defaulting entity to repay the Secretary all interest payments made pursuant to the terms of the cooperative agreement if the entity that is a party to the agreement defaults on the payment of the principal amount of the debt and the default continues for two years or more. Provides that on full payment of the debt and at the request of the Secretary the habitat purchased by the entity with funds obtained through the debt instrument shall be conveyed to the United States. Provides that if the Secretary exercises such authority, the use of the property shall be dedicated to the protection of species and the preservation of any wilderness areas of the property.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
ERISA Audit Improvement Act of 1994 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to auditing of employee benefit plans. Eliminates provisions which allow certain limited scope audits by banks, similar institutions, or insurance carriers to fulfill the requirement for an audit by an independent public accountant as part of an employee benefit plan's annual report. Requires external quality control review of qualified public accountants for such ERISA audits. Requires notifications of certain events by plan administrators and accountants. Authorizes assessment of a civil penalty against any plan administrator or accountant who fails to provide the Secretary of Labor with any such required notification.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2026
National Trails System Act Amendments of 1994 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that in order to address problems resulting from the multijurisdictional nature of governmental authority concerning the protection of national scenic and historic trails, the head of each Federal agency with jurisdiction over such trails should: (1) cooperate with States, political subdivisions, and private persons with an interest in the trails to pursue trail development; and (2) be granted authority to protect lands critical to the completion of such trails. Amends the National Trails System Act to prohibit the Federal Government from acquiring, without the consent of the owner, any land or interest in land outside of the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area for the Potomac Heritage Trail. Places the same condition on the acquisition of lands or interests for the Nez Perce National Historic Trail (from Oregon to Montana). Prohibits funds from being expended for the acquisition of land or interests outside existing Federal lands for the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, the North Country National Scenic Trail, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the Oregon National Historic Trail, the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, or the Iditarod National Historic Trail except with the consent of the owner of the lands or interests. (Current law prohibits funds from being expended for such purposes without such exception.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Forest Biodiversity and Clearcutting Prohibition Act of 1993 - Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act, and other Federal law to provide for the conservation of native biodiversity in each national forest community. Revises land management guidelines for such forests to prohibit any even-age logging or even-age management. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, on each site already under such management, to: (1) prescribe a shift to selection management; or (2) cease managing for timber purposes and actively restore the native biodiversity or permit each site to regain its native biodiversity. Prohibits extractive logging in specified National Forest areas.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Home and Community-Based Services for Individuals With Disabilities Title II: Provisions Relating to Medicare Long-Term Care Reform and Deficit Reduction Act of 1995 - Title I: Home and Community Based Services for Individuals with Disabilities - Entitles each State with an approved plan for home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities to specified payments. Prohibits such plans from requiring cost sharing for low-income individuals. Requires such plans to: (1) ensure the quality of services; (2) adhere to Federal quality standards; (3) provide for a client advocacy office; (4) provide safeguards on confidentiality and against abuse; and (5) protect individual rights. (Sec. 108) Establishes an advisory group to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the States on all aspects of such State programs. (Sec. 110) Authorizes appropriations and provides for allotments to States. (Sec. 111) Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on evaluations of services to individuals with low-incomes and disabilities. (Sec. 112) Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to disseminate information and materials to assist specified entities in replicating successful programs aimed at offering care management to hospitalized individuals in need of long-term care so that services to meet individual needs and preferences can be arranged in home- and community-based settings as an alternative to long-term nursing home placement. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to such entities. Directs the Secretary to establish a program under which incentive grants may be awarded to assist agencies and organizations in developing and expanding programs and projects that facilitate the discharge of individuals in hospitals or other acute care facilities who are in need of long-term care services and placement of such individuals into home- and community-based settings. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) eligibility to receive grants; (2) application requirements; (3) criteria for the award of grants; (4) use of, and limitations on, grants; and (5) evaluation and reports. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Provisions Relating to Medicare - Provides for the recapture of certain health care subsidies received by high-income individuals. Transfers such amounts to the Supplemental Medical Insurance Trust Fund. (Sec. 202) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to impose a ten percent copayment on home health services. (Sec. 203) Reduces payments for capital-related costs for inpatient hospital services. (Sec. 204) Revises the payment formulae for ambulatory surgical center procedures and radiology services and diagnostic procedures. (Sec. 205) Reduces routine cost limits for home health services.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2026
Landless Native Land Allocation Act of 1994 - Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to settle certain claims for five Alaska Native communities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2025
Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to provide that the exemption from provisions of such Act applicable to elected State and local officials shall not apply to all persons holding a judicial office (thus including judges under the definition of employee and affording them protection under such Act).
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2025
Illegal Alien Credit Denial Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make illegal aliens ineligible for the earned income credit. Requires the verification of taxpayer identification numbers of the taxpayer and qualifying children on returns claiming such credit. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish expedited procedures on the verification and issuance of such identification numbers.