133 cosponsors
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Division A: Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Division B: Private Property Protection Act of 1995
Division C: Regulatory Reform and Relief Act
Title I: Strengthening Regulatory Flexibility
Title II: Regulatory Impact Analyses
Title III: Protections
Division D: Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Act of 1995
Title I: Risk Assessment and Communication
Title II: Analysis of Risk Reduction Benefits and Costs
Title III: Peer Review
Title IV: Judicial Review
Title V: Plan
Title VI: Priorities
Job Creation and Wage Enhancement Act of 1995 - Division A - Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 to: (1) extend its purview to educational and nonprofit institutions, Federal contractors, and tribal governments; (2) revise the authority and functions of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), specifying information dissemination and related agency oversight responsibilities; and (3) require OMB to conduct pilot projects to test alternative policies and procedures, and to develop a government-wide strategic information resources management plan.
(Sec. 102) Requires the OIRA Director to establish an Interagency Council on Statistical Policy.
Requires each Federal agency to: (1) establish a process, independent of program responsibility, to evaluate proposed collections of information; and (2) ensure that the public has timely, equal, and equitable access to information products and services.
Prohibits agencies, except where specifically authorized by statute, from: (1) establishing exclusive, restricted, or other distribution arrangements that interfere with timely and equitable public availability; (2) restricting or regulating the use, resale, or redissemination of public information by the public; (3) charging fees or royalties for resale or redissemination of public information; or (4) establishing user fees that exceed the cost of dissemination.
Specifies actions agencies must take with respect to information technology.
Replaces the Federal Information Locator System with an agency-based electronic Government Information Locator Service to identify the major information systems, holdings, and dissemination products of each agency.
Reauthorizes appropriations for OIRA.
Division B - Private Property Protection Act of 1995 - Requires the Federal Government to compensate a property owner whose use of that property has been limited by an agency action, pursuant to a specified regulatory law, that diminishes the fair market value of that property by 20 percent or more, for that diminution in value. Requires the Government to buy at fair market value any portion of a property whose value has been diminished by more than 50 percent.
(Sec. 203) Declares that property with respect to which compensation has been paid under this Act shall not thereafter be used contrary to the limitation imposed by the agency action, unless: (1) the action is later rescinded or vitiated; and (2) the property owner refunds the amount of the compensation to the Treasury.
(Sec. 204) Provides that if a use is a nuisance as defined by State law or local zoning ordinance, no compensation shall be made under this Act with respect to a limitation on that use.
(Sec. 205) Prohibits compensation from being made under this Act with respect to: (1) an agency action the primary purpose of which is to prevent an identifiable hazard to public health and safety or damage to specific property other than the property whose use is limited; or (2) an agency action pursuant to the Federal navigational servitude, except as such servitude is applied by U.S. courts to wetlands.
(Sec. 206) Sets forth the procedures by which a property owner may seek compensation under this Act.
(Sec. 207) Subjects any payment under this Act to the availability of appropriations.
(Sec. 208) Requires any agency taking an action limiting private property use to give appropriate notice of rights and compensation procedures to the property owners.
(Sec. 209) Declares that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit any right to compensation under the Constitution or other Federal law; and (2) payment of compensation shall not confer on the Federal Government any rights other than the use limitation resulting from the agency action.
Division C - Regulatory Reform and Relief Act - Title I: Strengthening Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal civil service law to revise Federal provisions regarding judicial review of regulatory flexibility analyses.
(Sec. 311) Authorizes an affected small entity to petition for judicial review within one year after the effective date of a final rule which an agency certified would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities or for which an agency prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis.
Requires that, where an agency delays the issuance of a final regulatory flexibility analysis, a petition for judicial review shall be filed not later than one year after the analysis is made available to the public.
Authorizes the court, where the agency: (1) certified that such rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, to order the agency to prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis if the court determines that the certification was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law; and (2) prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis, to order the agency to take corrective action if the court determines that the analysis was prepared without observance of proper procedure.
Authorizes the court to stay the rule or grant such other relief as appropriate, if by 90 days after the court order (or such longer period as the court may provide) the agency fails to prepare the required analysis or to take corrective action.
(Sec. 312) Sets forth guidelines governing agency transmittal of proposed rules and initial regulatory flexibility analysis to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Authorizes such official to transmit to the agency a statement of the effect of the proposed rule on small entities. Requires publication of such statement and the agency's response in the Federal Register. Exempts from such requirements proposed rules issued by an appropriate Federal banking agency, the National Credit Union Administration, or the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight relating to the implementation of monetary policy or the safety and soundness of certain federally insured banking institutions or government sponsored housing enterprises.
(Sec. 313) Expresses the sense of the Congress that such official should be permitted to appear as amicus curiae in any action or case brought in a U.S. court for the purpose of reviewing a rule.
Title II: Regulatory Impact Analyses - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to define a major rule as one likely to result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $50 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets.
(Sec. 322) Requires: (1) publication in the Federal Register of notices of intent to engage in major rulemaking at least 90 days before publication of the general notice; (2) a hearing for any major proposed rule, and an extension of the comment period, if more than 100 interested persons acting individually request such things; and (3) each agency to prepare a regulatory impact analysis for each major rule promulgated by the agency.
(Sec. 324) Prohibits an agency from adopting a major rule unless the final regulatory impact analysis for the rule is approved or commented upon by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
(Sec. 325) Requires the head of an agency, to the extent practicable, to seek to ensure that any proposed major rule or regulatory impact analysis of such a rule is written in a reasonably simple and understandable manner and provides adequate notice of the content of the rule to affected persons.
(Sec. 326) Exempts from certain rulemaking requirements of such Act certain regulations: (1) pertaining to emergency situations; (2) for which consideration under such Act would conflict with deadlines imposed by statute or by judicial order; (3) connected with implementation of monetary policy or the safety and soundness of certain federally insured banking institutions or government sponsored housing enterprises; and (4) connected with imposition of trade sanctions against any country engaging in illegal trade activities injurious to U.S. technology, jobs, pensions, or general economic well-being. Exempts also from such rulemaking requirements any agency action limited to interpreting, implementing, or administering U.S. internal revenue laws.
(Sec. 327) Requires the OMB Director to report to the Congress an analysis of rulemaking procedures of Federal agencies and an analysis of the impact of those procedures on the regulated public and regulatory process.
Title III: Protections - Directs the President to prescribe regulations for employees of the executive branch to ensure that Federal laws and regulations shall be administered consistent with the principle that any person shall, in connection with the enforcement of such laws and regulations, be protected from abuse, reprisal, or retaliation, and be treated fairly, equitably, and with due regard for such person's rights under the Constitution.
Division D - Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Act of 1995 - Declares that this Act shall not apply to: (1) an emergency situation, in which case the agency head shall comply with this Act within as reasonable a time as is practical; (2) activities necessary to maintain military readiness; (3) any individual food, drug, or other product label, or any risk characterization appearing on any such label, if the individual product label is required by law to be approved by a Federal department or agency prior to use; and (4) Federal agency approval of State programs or plans.
(Sec. 404) Provides that nothing in this Act shall, without Federal funding and further Federal agency action, create any new obligation or burden on any State or local government or otherwise impose any financial burden on any State or local government in the absence of Federal funding, except with respect to routine information requests.
(Sec. 406) Requires covered Federal agencies to make existing databases and information developed under this Act available to other Federal agencies, subject to applicable confidentiality requirements, for the purpose of meeting the requirements of this Act.
Title I: Risk Assessment and Communication - Risk Assessment and Communication Act of 1995 - Applies this title generally to all significant risk assessment and risk characterization documents, except: (1) screening analyses; (2) health, safety, or environmental inspections; (3) facility siting or operation restrictions on permits to discharge dredged or fill material into navigable waters under the Clean Water Act; or (4) the sale or lease of Federal resources or regulatory activities that directly result in collection of Federal receipts.
(Sec. 414) Requires each covered Federal agency head to apply specified principles in order to assure that significant risk assessment documents and all of their components distinguish scientific findings from other considerations and are, to the extent feasible, scientifically objective, unbiased, and inclusive of all relevant data and rely, to the extent available and practicable, on scientific findings.
(Sec. 415) Specifies the requirements that each significant risk characterization document is required to meet.
(Sec. 416) Prohibits any covered Federal agency from automatically incorporating or adopting any recommendation or classification made by a non-United States-based entity concerning the health effects value of a substance without an opportunity for notice and comment.
Specifies as a non-United States-based entity: (1) any foreign government and its agencies; (2) the United Nations or any of its subsidiary organizations; (3) any other international governmental body or international standards-making organization; or (4) any other organization or private entity without a place of business in the United States or its territories.
Requires compliance with this title by any risk assessment document or risk characterization document adopted by a covered Federal agency on the basis of such a recommendation or classification.
(Sec. 417) Directs the President to: (1) issue guidelines for Federal agencies consistent with specified risk assessment and characterization principles; and (2) provide a format for summarizing risk assessment results. Requires such guidelines to include guidance on such subjects such as the evaluation of benign tumors and the use of different types of dose-response models. Requires the President to periodically review and revise such guidelines as appropriate.
(Sec. 418) Directs each covered Federal agency head to do the following for periodic reports to the Congress: (1) regularly and systematically evaluate risk assessment research and training needs of the agency; and (2) develop a strategy and schedule for carrying out research and training to meet certain such needs.
(Sec. 419) Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide for a study using comparative risk analysis to rank health, safety, and environmental risks and to provide a common basis for evaluating strategies for reducing or preventing those risks. Requires the Director to submit to the Congress a report of the National Research Council with recommendations regarding the use of comparative risk analysis and ways to improve the use of comparative risk analysis for decision-making in appropriate Federal agencies.
(Sec. 420) Limits covered Federal agencies to: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency; (2) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (3) the Food and Drug Administration; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Department of Transportation; (6) the Department of Energy; (7) the Department of Agriculture; (8) the Department of the Interior; (9) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (10) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; (11) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; (12) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; and (13) other Federal agencies determined by the President, acting through the OMB Director.
Title II: Analysis of Risk Reduction Benefits and Costs - Requires the President to require each Federal agency to prepare specified analyses for each new major rule within a program designed to protect human health, safety, or the environment.
(Sec. 422) Requires that certain certifications be made in order for a final rule subject to this title to be promulgated.
(Sec. 423) Directs OMB to issue guidance consistent with this title: (1) to assist the agencies, the public, and the regulated community in the implementation of this title, including any new requirements or procedures needed to supplement prior agency practice; and (2) to govern the development and preparation of analyses of risk reduction benefits and costs.
(Sec. 424) Provides that for purposes of this title, any determination by a Federal agency to approve or reject any proposed or final environmental clean-up plan for a facility the costs of which are likely to exceed $5 million shall be treated as a major rule generally subject to this title.
Title III: Peer Review - Requires each Federal agency head to develop a systematic program for independent and external peer review for regulatory programs designed to protect human health, safety, or the environment in connection with any risk assessment or cost analysis forming the basis of any rule likely to result in an annual increase in costs of $100 million or more. Exempts from such requirement: (1) any rule or other action taken by an agency to authorize or approve any individual substance or product; and (2) any data or method which has been previously subjected to peer review or any component of any analysis or assessment previously subjected to peer review.
Authorizes the OMB Director to order that peer review be provided for any major risk assessment or cost assessment likely to have a significant impact on public policy decisions.
Directs the President to appoint National Peer Review Panels to review annually for a report to the Congress the risk and cost assessment practices of each Federal agency for programs designed to protect human health, safety, or the environment.
Title IV: Judicial Review - Provides for judicial review under this Act.
Title V: Plan - Requires each covered Federal agency to publish a plan to review and, where appropriate, revise significant risk assessment or characterization documents if the agency head determines that application of the appropriate specified principles for risk assessment and risk characterization and communication would be likely to alter significantly the results of the prior risk assessment or characterization. Provides for public participation and consultation in plan development.
Title VI: Priorities - Directs the President, in order to assist in the public policy and regulation of risks to public health, to identify specified opportunities to reflect priorities within existing Federal regulatory programs designed to protect human health in a cost-effective and cost-reasonable manner.
(Sec. 461) Requires the President to issue biennial reports to the Congress recommending priorities for modifications to, elimination of, or strategies for existing Federal regulatory programs designed to protect public health. Requires an agency to consider the priorities set forth in the report, and priorities developed and submitted by State, local, and tribal governments, when preparing a budget or strategic plan for any such regulatory program.
[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9 Introduced in House (IH)]
1st Session
H. R. 9
To create jobs, enhance wages, strengthen property rights, maintain
certain economic liberties, decentralize and reduce the power of the
Federal Government with respect to the States, localities, and citizens
of the United States, and to increase the accountability of Federal
officials.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 4, 1995
Mr. Archer, Mr. DeLay, Mr. Saxton, Mrs. Smith of Washington, and Mr.
Tauzin (for themselves, Mr. Hastert, Mr. Dornan, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr.
Blute, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Linder, Mr. Kim, Mr. Mica, Mr. Bachus,
Ms. Danner, Mr. Hoke, Mr. Clinger, Mr. Ballenger, Mr. Callahan, Mr.
Shaw, Mr. Nussle, Mr. Largent, Mr. Cox, Mr. Stockman, Mr. Smith of
Michigan, Mr. Baker of California, Mr. Herger, Mr. Heineman, Mrs.
Fowler, Mr. Sensenbrenner, Mr. Stearns, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Hancock,
Mr. Talent, Mr. Emerson, Mr. English of Pennsylvania, Mr. Ensign, Mr.
Hostettler, Mr. Jones, Mr. Tiahrt, Mrs. Myrick, Mr. Ewing, Mr.
Houghton, Mrs. Cubin, Mr. Kingston, Mr. Hastings of Washington, Mr.
Ganske, Mr. Schaefer, Mr. Baker of Louisiana, Mr. Hall of Texas, Mr.
Weldon of Florida, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Weller, Mr. Lewis of Kentucky, Mr.
Bunning of Kentucky, Mr. Foley, Mr. Inglis of South Carolina, Mr.
Lightfoot, Mr. Istook, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Hobson, Mr. Knollenberg, Mr.
Bilirakis, Mr. Hayworth, Mr. Fox, Mr. Radanovich, Mr. Roth, Mr. Wamp,
Mr. Solomon, Mr. Bliley, Mr. Doolittle, Mr. Packard, Mr. Gilman, Mr.
Miller of Florida, Mr. Royce, Mr. Flanagan, Mr. Latham, Ms. Molinari,
Mr. Gunderson, Mr. Thornberry, Mr. Riggs, Mr. Allard, Mr. Christensen,
Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Hilleary, Mr. Cooley, Mr. Wicker, Mr.
Bono, Mr. Frisa, Mr. McIntosh, Mr. Everett, Mr. Smith of New Jersey,
Mr. Shadegg, Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut, Mr. Chrysler, Mr. Cunningham,
Mr. Canady, Mr. McCollum, Mr. Goodling, Mr. Barton of Texas, Mr. Barr,
Mr. Armey, Mr. Forbes, Mrs. Waldholtz, Mr. Tate, Ms. Dunn, Mr. McHugh,
Mr. Crapo, Mr. Kolbe, Mr. Paxon, Mr. Young of Florida, Mr. Combest, Mr.
Coble, Mr. Ehrlich, and Mrs. Meyers of Kansas) introduced the following
bill; which was referred as follows:
Titles I-II, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
Title III, referred to the Committee on Science and, in addition, to
the Committees on Commerce and Government Reform and Oversight, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
Title IV, referred to the Committee on the Budget and, in addition, to
the Committees on Rules, Government Reform and Oversight, and the
Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
Title V, referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight
Title VI-IX, referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
Title X, referred to the Committee on the Budget and, in addition, to
the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight, Rules, and the
Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
Title XI, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and, in addition,
to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
Title XII, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
January 19, 1995
Additional sponsors: Mr. Stump, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr.
Norwood, Mrs. Vucanovich, Mr. Walker, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Cremeans, Mr.
Livingston, Mr. LaTourette, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, and Mr. Collins
of Georgia
February 9, 1995
Titles V, VI and section 4003 are rereferred to the Committee on Small
Business
February 9, 1995
Additional sponsors: Mrs. Seastrand, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Pombo, Mr. Crane,
and Mr. Fields of Texas
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To create jobs, enhance wages, strengthen property rights, maintain
certain economic liberties, decentralize and reduce the power of the
Federal Government with respect to the States, localities, and citizens
of the United States, and to increase the accountability of Federal
officials.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Job Creation and Wage Enhancement
Act of 1995''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--CAPITAL GAINS REFORM
Sec. 1001. 50 percent capital gains deduction.
Sec. 1002. Indexing of certain assets for purposes of determining gain
or loss.
Sec. 1003. Capital loss deduction allowed with respect to sale or
exchange of principal residence.
TITLE II--NEUTRAL COST RECOVERY
Sec. 2001. Depreciation adjustment for certain property placed in
service after December 31, 1994.
TITLE III--RISK ASSESSMENT AND COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR NEW
REGULATIONS
Sec. 3001. Findings
Subtitle A--Risk Assessment and Communication
Sec. 3101. Short title.
Sec. 3102. Purposes.
Sec. 3103. Effective date; applicability; savings provisions.
Sec. 3104. Principles for risk assessment.
Sec. 3105. Principles for risk characterization and communication.
Sec. 3106. Guidelines, plan for assessing new information, and report.
Sec. 3107. Definitions.
Subtitle B--Analysis of Risk Reduction Benefits and Costs
Sec. 3201. Analysis of risk reduction benefits and costs.
Subtitle C--Peer Review
Sec. 3301. Peer review program.
TITLE IV--ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL REGULATORY BUDGET COST CONTROL
Sec. 4001. Amendments to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Sec. 4002. President's annual budget submissions.
Sec. 4003. Estimation and disclosure of costs of Federal regulation.
TITLE V--STRENGTHENING OF PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT
Sec. 5001. Short title.
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Sec. 5101. Authorization of appropriations.
Subtitle B--Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork on the Public
Sec. 5201. Coverage of all federally sponsored paperwork burdens.
Sec. 5202. Paperwork reduction goals.
Subtitle C--Enhancing Government Responsibility and Accountability for
Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork
Sec. 5301. Reemphasizing the responsibility of the Director to control
the burden of Federal paperwork.
Sec. 5302. Enhancing agency responsibility to obtain public review of
proposed paperwork burdens.
Sec. 5303. Expediting review at the Office of Management and Budget.
Sec. 5304. Improving public and agency scrutiny of paperwork burdens
proposed for renewal.
Sec. 5305. Protection for whistleblowers of unauthorized paperwork
burden.
Sec. 5306. Enhancing public participation.
Sec. 5307. Expediting review of an agency information collection
request with a reduced burden.
Subtitle D--Enhancing Agency Responsibility for Sharing and
Disseminating Public Information
Sec. 5401. Prescribing governmentwide standards for sharing and
disseminating public information.
Sec. 5402. Agency responsibilities for sharing and disseminating public
information.
Sec. 5403. Agency information inventory/locator system.
Subtitle E--Additional Government Information Management Responsibility
Sec. 5501. Strengthening the statistical policy and coordination
functions of the Director.
Sec. 5502. Use of electronic information collection and dissemination
techniques to reduce burden.
Sec. 5503. Agency implementation.
Sec. 5504. Automatic data processing equipment plan.
Sec. 5505. Technical and conforming amendments.
Subtitle F--Effective Dates
Sec. 5601. Effective dates.
TITLE VI--STRENGTHENING REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY
Sec. 6001. Judicial review.
Sec. 6002. Consideration of direct and indirect effects of rules.
Sec. 6003. Rules opposed by SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy.
Sec. 6004. Sense of Congress regarding SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy.
TITLE VII--REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSES
Sec. 7001. Short title.
Sec. 7002. Rule making notices for major rules.
Sec. 7003. Hearing requirement for proposed rules; extension of comment
period.
Sec. 7004. Regulatory impact analysis.
Sec. 7005. Additional responsibilities of Director of the Office of
Management and Budget.
Sec. 7006. Standard of clarity.
Sec. 7007. Report by OIRA.
Sec. 7008. Definitions.
TITLE VIII--PROTECTION AGAINST FEDERAL REGULATORY ABUSE
Subtitle A--Citizens' Regulatory Bill of Rights
Sec. 8101. Citizens' regulatory bill of rights.
Subtitle B--Private Sector Whistleblowers' Protection
Sec. 8201. Short title.
Sec. 8202. Purpose.
Sec. 8203. Coverage.
Sec. 8204. Prohibited regulatory practices.
Sec. 8205. Prohibited regulatory practice as a defense to agency
action.
Sec. 8206. Enforcement.
Sec. 8207. Citizen suits.
Sec. 8208. Office of the Special Counsel.
Sec. 8209. Relation to criminal investigations.
TITLE IX--PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTIONS AND COMPENSATION
Sec. 9001. Statement of purpose.
Sec. 9002. Compensation for Federal agency infringement or deprivation
of rights to private property.
Sec. 9003. Severability.
Sec. 9004. Definitions.
TITLE X--ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL MANDATE BUDGET COST CONTROL
Sec. 10001. Amendments to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Sec. 10002. President's annual budget submissions.
Sec. 10003. Estimation and disclosure of costs of Federal mandates.
TITLE XI--TAXPAYER DEBT BUY-DOWN
Sec. 11001. Designation of amounts for reduction of public debt.
Sec. 11002. Public Debt Reduction Trust Fund.
Sec. 11003. Taxpayer-generated sequestration of Federal spending to
reduce the public debt.
TITLE XII--SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES
Sec. 12001. Increase in unified estate and gift tax credits.
Sec. 12002. Increase in expense treatment for small businesses.
Sec. 12003. Clarification of definition of principal place of business.
Sec. 12004. Treatment of storage of product samples.
TITLE I--CAPITAL GAINS REFORM
SEC. 1001. 50 PERCENT CAPITAL GAINS DEDUCTION.
(a) General Rule.--Part I of subchapter P of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to treatment of capital gains)
is amended to read as follows:
``PART I--TREATMENT OF CAPITAL GAINS
``Sec. 1201. Capital gains deduction.
``SEC. 1201. CAPITAL GAINS DEDUCTION.
``(a) General Rule.--If for any taxable year a taxpayer has a net
capital gain, 50 percent of such gain shall be a deduction from gross
income.
``(b) Estates and Trusts.--In the case of an estate or trust, the
deduction shall be computed by excluding the portion (if any) of the
gains for the taxable year from sales or exchanges of capital assets
which, under sections 652 and 662 (relating to inclusions of amounts in
gross income of beneficiaries of trusts), is includible by the income
beneficiaries as gain derived from the sale or exchange of capital
assets.
``(c) Coordination With Treatment of Capital Gain Under Limitation
on Investment Interest.--For purposes of this section, the net capital
gain for any taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the
amount which the taxpayer takes into account as investment income under
section 163(d)(4)(B)(iii).
``(d) Transitional Rule.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of a taxable year which
includes January 1, 1995--
``(A) the amount taken into account as the net
capital gain under subsection (a) shall not exceed the
net capital gain determined by only taking into account
gains and losses properly taken into account for the
portion of the taxable year on or after January 1,
1995, and
``(B) if the net capital gain for such year exceeds
the amount taken into account under subsection (a), the
rate of tax imposed by section 1 on such excess shall
not exceed 28 percent.
``(2) Special rules for pass-thru entities.--
``(A) In general.--In applying paragraph (1) with
respect to any pass-thru entity, the determination of
when gains and losses are properly taken into account
shall be made at the entity level.
``(B) Pass-thru entity defined.--For purposes of
subparagraph (A), the term `pass-thru entity' means--
``(i) a regulated investment company,
``(ii) a real estate investment trust,
``(iii) an S corporation,
``(iv) a partnership,
``(v) an estate or trust, and
``(vi) a common trust fund.''
(b) Deduction Allowable in Computing Adjusted Gross Income.--
Subsection (a) of section 62 of such Code is amended by inserting after
paragraph (15) the following new paragraph:
``(16) Long-term capital gains.--The deduction allowed by
section 1201.''
(c) Technical and Conforming Changes.--
(1) Section 13113 of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993
(relating to 50-percent exclusion for gain from certain small
business stock), and the amendments made by such section, are
hereby repealed; and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be
applied as if such section (and amendments) had never been
enacted.
(2) Section 1 of such Code is amended by striking
subsection (h).
(3) Paragraph (1) of section 170(e) of such Code is amended
by striking ``the amount of gain'' in the material following
subparagraph (B)(ii) and inserting ``50 percent of the amount
of gain''.
(4)(A) Paragraph (2) of section 172(d) of such Code is
amended to read as follows:
``(2) Capital gains and losses.--
``(A) Losses of taxpayers other than
corporations.--In the case of a taxpayer other than a
corporation, the amount deductible on account of losses
from sales or exchanges of capital assets shall not
exceed the amount includible on account of gains from
sales or exchanges of capital assets.
``(B) Deduction under section 1201.--The deduction
under section 1201 shall not be allowed.''
(B) Subparagraph (B) of section 172(d)(4) of such Code is
amended by striking ``paragraphs (1) and (3)'' and inserting
``paragraphs (1), (2)(B), and (3)''.
(5) Paragraph (4) of section 642(c) of such Code is amended
to read as follows:
``(4) Adjustments.--To the extent that the amount otherwise
allowable as a deduction under this subsection consists of gain
from the sale or exchange of capital assets held for more than
1 year, proper adjustment shall be made for any deduction
allowable to the estate or trust under section 1201 (relating
to deduction for excess of capital gains over capital losses).
In the case of a trust, the deduction allowed by this
subsection shall be subject to section 681 (relating to
unrelated business income).''
(6) Paragraph (3) of section 643(a) of such Code is amended
by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: ``The
deduction under section 1201 (relating to deduction of excess
of capital gains over capital losses) shall not be taken into
account.''
(7) Paragraph (4) of section 691(c) of such Code is amended
by striking ``sections 1(h), 1201, and 1211'' and inserting
``sections 1201 and 1211''.
(8) The second sentence of section 871(a)(2) of such Code
is amended by inserting ``such gains and losses shall be
determined without regard to section 1201 (relating to
deduction for capital gains) and'' after ``except that''.
(9) Subsection (d) of section 1044 of such Code is amended
by striking the last sentence.
(10)(A) Paragraph (2) of section 1211(b) of such Code is
amended to read as follows:
``(2) the sum of--
``(A) the excess of the net short-term capital loss
over the net long-term capital gain, and
``(B) one-half of the excess of the net long-term
capital loss over the net short-term capital gain.''
(B) So much of paragraph (2) of section 1212(b) of such
Code as precedes subparagraph (B) thereof is amended to read as
follows:
``(2) Special rules.--
``(A) Adjustments.--
``(i) For purposes of determining the
excess referred to in paragraph (1)(A), there
shall be treated as short-term capital gain in
the taxable year an amount equal to the lesser
of--
``(I) the amount allowed for the
taxable year under paragraph (1) or (2)
of section 1211(b), or
``(II) the adjusted taxable income
for such taxable year.
``(ii) For purposes of determining the
excess referred to in paragraph (1)(B), there
shall be treated as short-term capital gain in
the taxable year an amount equal to the sum
of--
``(I) the amount allowed for the
taxable year under paragraph (1) or (2)
of section 1211(b) or the adjusted
taxable income for such taxable year,
whichever is the least, plus
``(II) the excess of the amount
described in subclause (I) over the net
short-term capital loss (determined
without regard to this subsection) for
such year.''
(11) Paragraph (1) of section 1402(i) of such Code is
amended by inserting ``, and the deduction provided by section
1201 shall not apply'' before the period at the end thereof.
(12) Section 12 of such Code is amended by striking
paragraph (4) and redesignating the following paragraphs
accordingly.
(13) Paragraph (2) of section 527(b) of such Code is hereby
repealed.
(14) Subparagraph (D) of section 593(b)(2) of such Code is
amended by adding ``and'' at the end of clause (iii), by
striking ``, and'' at the end of clause (iv) and inserting a
period, and by striking clause (v).
(15) Paragraph (2) of section 801(a) of such Code is hereby
repealed.
(16) Subsection (c) of section 831 of such Code is amended
by striking paragraph (1) and redesignating the following
paragraphs accordingly.
(17)(A) Subparagraph (A) of section 852(b)(3) of such Code
is amended by striking ``, determined as provided in section
1201(a), on'' and inserting ``of 17.5 percent of''.
(B) Clause (iii) of section 852(b)(3)(D) of such Code is
amended--
(i) by striking ``65 percent'' and inserting ``82.5
percent'', and
(ii) by striking ``section 1201(a)'' and inserting
``subparagraph (A)''.
(18) Clause (ii) of section 857(b)(3)(A) of such Code is
amended by striking ``determined at the rate provided in
section 1201(a) on'' and inserting ``of 17.5 percent of''.
(19) Paragraph (1) of section 882(a) of such Code is
amended by striking ``section 11, 55, 59A, or 1201(a)'' and
inserting ``section 11, 55, or 59A''.
(20) Subsection (b) of section 904 of such Code is amended
by striking paragraphs (2)(B), (3)(B), (3)(D), and (3)(E).
(21) Subsection (b) of section 1374 of such Code is amended
by striking paragraph (4).
(22) Subsection (b) of section 1381 is amended by striking
``or 1201''.
(23) Subsection (e) of section 1445 of such Code is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``35 percent (or,
to the extent provided in regulations, 28 percent)''
and inserting ``17.5 percent (or, to the extent
provided in regulations, 19.8 percent)'', and
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``35 percent'' and
inserting ``17.5 percent''.
(24) Clause (i) of section 6425(c)(1)(A) of such Code is
amended by striking ``or 1201(a)''.
(25) Clause (i) of section 6655(g)(1)(A) of such Code is
amended by striking ``or 1201(a)''.
(26)(A) The second sentence of section 7518(g)(6)(A) of
such Code is amended--
(i) by striking ``during a taxable year to which
section 1(h) or 1201(a) applies'', and
(ii) by striking ``28 percent (34 percent'' and
inserting ``19.8 percent (17.5 percent''.
(B) The second sentence of section 607(h)(6)(A) of the
Merchant Marine Act, 1936 is amended--
(i) by striking ``during a taxable year to which
section 1(h) or 1201(a) of such Code applies'', and
(ii) by striking ``28 percent (34 percent'' and
inserting ``19.8 percent (17.5 percent''.
(d) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, the amendments made by this section shall apply to
taxable years ending after December 31, 1994.
(2) Contributions.--The amendment made by subsection (c)(3)
shall apply only to contributions on or after January 1, 1995.
(3) Withholding.--The amendment made by subsection (c)(23)
shall apply only to amounts paid after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 1002. INDEXING OF CERTAIN ASSETS FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING GAIN
OR LOSS.
(a) In General.--Part II of subchapter O of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to basis rules of general
application) is amended by inserting after section 1021 the following
new section:
``SEC. 1022. INDEXING OF CERTAIN ASSETS FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING
GAIN OR LOSS.
``(a) General Rule.--
``(1) Indexed basis substituted for adjusted basis.--Except
as otherwise provided in this subsection, if an indexed asset
which has been held for more than 1 year is sold or otherwise
disposed of, for purposes of this title the indexed basis of
the asset shall be substituted for its adjusted basis.
``(2) Exception for depreciation, etc.--The deduction for
depreciation, depletion, and amortization shall be determined
without regard to the application of paragraph (1) to the
taxpayer or any other person.
``(b) Indexed Asset.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term
`indexed asset' means--
``(A) stock in a corporation, and
``(B) tangible property (or any interest therein),
which is a capital asset or property used in the trade or
business (as defined in section 1231(b)).
``(2) Certain property excluded.--For purposes of this
section, the term `indexed asset' does not include--
``(A) Creditor's interest.--Any interest in
property which is in the nature of a creditor's
interest.
``(B) Options.--Any option or other right to
acquire an interest in property.
``(C) Net lease property.--In the case of a lessor,
net lease property (within the meaning of subsection
(i)(3)).
``(D) Certain preferred stock.--Stock which is
fixed and preferred as to dividends and does not
participate in corporate growth to any significant
extent.
``(E) Stock in foreign corporations.--Stock in a
foreign corporation.
``(F) Stock in s corporations.--Stock in an S
corporation.
``(3) Exception for stock in foreign corporation which is
regularly traded on national or regional exchange.--Paragraph
(2)(E) shall not apply to stock in a foreign corporation the
stock of which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the
American Stock Exchange, the national market system operated by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, or any domestic
regional exchange for which quotations are published on a
regular basis other than--
``(A) stock of a foreign investment company (within
the meaning of section 1246(b)),
``(B) stock in a passive foreign investment company
(as defined in section 1296), and
``(C) stock in a foreign corporation held by a
United States person who meets the requirements of
section 1248(a)(2).
``(4) Treatment of american depository receipts.--For
purposes of this section, an American depository receipt for
stock in a foreign corporation shall be treated as stock in
such corporation.
``(c) Indexed Basis.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) General rule.--The indexed basis for any asset is--
``(A) the adjusted basis of the asset, multiplied
by
``(B) the applicable inflation ratio.
``(2) Applicable inflation ratio.--The applicable inflation
ratio for any asset is the percentage arrived at by dividing--
``(A) the gross domestic product deflator for the
calendar quarter in which the disposition takes place,
by
``(B) the gross domestic product deflator for the
calendar quarter in which the asset was acquired by the
taxpayer (or, if later, the calendar quarter ending on
December 31, 1994).
The applicable inflation ratio shall never be less than 1. The
applicable inflation ratio for any asset shall be rounded to
the nearest \1/1000\.
``(3) Gross domestic product deflator.--The gross domestic
product deflator for any calendar quarter is the implicit price
deflator for the gross domestic product for such quarter (as
shown in the first revision thereof).
``(d) Short Sales.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of a short sale of an
indexed asset with a short sale period in excess of 1 year, for
purposes of this title, the amount realized shall be an amount
equal to the amount realized (determined without regard to this
paragraph) multiplied by the applicable inflation ratio. In
applying subsection (c)(2) for purposes of the preceding
sentence, the date on which the property is sold short shall be
treated as the date of acquisition and the closing date for the
sale shall be treated as the date of disposition.
``(2) Short sale of substantially identical property.--If
the taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse sells short property
substantially identical to an asset held by the taxpayer, the
asset held by the taxpayer and the substantially identical
property shall not be treated as indexed assets for the short
sale period.
``(3) Short sale period.--For purposes of this subsection,
the short sale period begins on the day after property is sold
and ends on the closing date for the sale.
``(e) Treatment of Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate
Investment Trusts.--
``(1) Adjustments at entity level.--
``(A) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in
this paragraph, the adjustment under subsection (a)
shall be allowed to any qualified investment entity
(including for purposes of determining the earnings and
profits of such entity).
``(B) Exception for qualification purposes.--This
section shall not apply for purposes of sections 851(b)
and 856(c).
``(2) Adjustments to interests held in entity.--
``(A) In general.--Stock in a qualified investment
entity shall be an indexed asset for any calendar month
in the same ratio as the fair market value of the
assets held by such entity at the close of such month
which are indexed assets bears to the fair market value
of all assets of such entity at the close of such
month.
``(B) Ratio of 90 percent or more.--If the ratio
for any calendar month determined under subparagraph
(A) would (but for this subparagraph) be 90 percent or
more, such ratio for such month shall be 100 percent.
``(C) Ratio of 10 percent or less.--If the ratio
for any calendar month determined under subparagraph
(A) would (but for this subparagraph) be 10 percent or
less, such ratio for such month shall be zero.
``(D) Valuation of assets in case of real estate
investment trusts.--Nothing in this paragraph shall
require a real estate investment trust to value its
assets more frequently than once each 36 months (except
where such trust ceases to exist). The ratio under
subparagraph (A) for any calendar month for which there
is no valuation shall be the trustee's good faith
judgment as to such valuation.
``(3) Qualified investment entity.--For purposes of this
subsection, the term `qualified investment entity' means--
``(A) a regulated investment company (within the
meaning of section 851), and
``(B) a real estate investment trust (within the
meaning of section 856).
``(f) Other Pass-Thru Entities.--
``(1) Partnerships.--In the case of a partnership, the
adjustment made under subsection (a) at the partnership level
shall be passed through to the partners.
``(2) S corporations.--In the case of an S corporation, the
adjustment made under subsection (a) at the corporate level
shall be passed through to the shareholders.
``(3) Common trust funds.--In the case of a common trust
fund, the adjustment made under subsection (a) at the trust
level shall be passed through to the participants.
``(g) Dispositions Between Related Persons.--
``(1) In general.--This section shall not apply to any sale
or other disposition of property between related persons except
to the extent that the basis of such property in the hands of
the transferee is a substituted basis.
``(2) Related persons defined.--For purposes of this
section, the term `related persons' means--
``(A) persons bearing a relationship set forth in
section 267(b), and
``(B) persons treated as single employer under
subsection (b) or (c) of section 414.
``(h) Transfers To Increase Indexing Adjustment.--If any person
transfers cash, debt, or any other property to another person and the
principal purpose of such transfer is to secure or increase an
adjustment under subsection (a), the Secretary may disallow part or all
of such adjustment or increase.
``(i) Special Rules.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) Treatment as separate asset.--In the case of any
asset, the following shall be treated as a separate asset:
``(A) A substantial improvement to property.
``(B) In the case of stock of a corporation, a
substantial contribution to capital.
``(C) Any other portion of an asset to the extent
that separate treatment of such portion is appropriate
to carry out the purposes of this section.
``(2) Assets which are not indexed assets throughout
holding period.--The applicable inflation ratio shall be
appropriately reduced for periods during which the asset was
not an indexed asset.
``(3) Net lease property defined.--The term `net lease
property' means leased property where--
``(A) the term of the lease (taking into account
options to renew) was 50 percent or more of the useful
life of the property, and
``(B) for the period of the lease, the sum of the
deductions with respect to such property which are
allowable to the lessor solely by reason of section 162
(other than rents and reimbursed amounts with respect
to such property) is 15 percent or less of the rental
income produced by such property.
``(4) Treatment of certain distributions.--A distribution
with respect to stock in a corporation which is not a dividend
shall be treated as a disposition.
``(5) Section cannot increase ordinary loss.--To the extent
that (but for this paragraph) this section would create or
increase a net ordinary loss to which section 1231(a)(2)
applies or an ordinary loss to which any other provision of
this title applies, such provision shall not apply. The
taxpayer shall be treated as having a long-term capital loss in
an amount equal to the amount of the ordinary loss to which the
preceding sentence applies.
``(6) Acquisition date where there has been prior
application of subsection (a)(1) with respect to the
taxpayer.--If there has been a prior application of subsection
(a)(1) to an asset while such asset was held by the taxpayer,
the date of acquisition of such asset by the taxpayer shall be
treated as not earlier than the date of the most recent such
prior application.
``(7) Collapsible corporations.--The application of section
341(a) (relating to collapsible corporations) shall be
determined without regard to this section.
``(j) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations
as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this
section.''
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part II of
subchapter O of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 1021 the following new item:
``Sec. 1022. Indexing of certain assets
for purposes of determining
gain or loss.''
(c) Adjustment To Apply for Purposes of Determining Earnings and
Profits.--Subsection (f) of section 312 of such Code (relating to
effect on earnings and profits of gain or loss and of receipt of tax-
free distributions) is amended by adding at the end thereof the
following new paragraph:
``(3) Effect on earnings and profits of indexed basis.--
For substitution of indexed basis for
adjusted basis in the case of the disposition of certain assets, see
section 1022(a)(1).''
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to dispositions after December 31, 1994, in taxable years ending
after such date.
SEC. 1003. CAPITAL LOSS DEDUCTION ALLOWED WITH RESPECT TO SALE OR
EXCHANGE OF PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.
(a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 165 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to limitation on losses of individuals)
is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2), by striking
the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting ``; and'', and by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) losses arising from the sale or exchange of the
principal residence (within the meaning of section 1034) of the
taxpayer.''
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to sales and exchanges after December 31, 1994, in taxable years
ending after such date.
TITLE II--NEUTRAL COST RECOVERY
SEC. 2001. DEPRECIATION ADJUSTMENT FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY PLACED IN
SERVICE AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1994.
(a) In General.--Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to accelerated cost recovery system) is amended by adding at
the end thereof the following new subsection:
``(k) Deduction Adjustment To Allow Equivalent of Expensing For
Certain Property Placed in Service After December 31, 1994.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of tangible property placed
in service after December 31, 1994, the deduction under this
section with respect to such property--
``(A) shall be determined by substituting `150
percent' for `200 percent' in subsection (b)(1) in the
case of property to which the 200 percent declining
balance method would otherwise apply, and
``(B) for any taxable year after the taxable year
during which the property is placed in service shall
be--
``(i) the amount determined under this
section for such taxable year without regard to
this subparagraph, multiplied by
``(ii) the applicable neutral cost recovery
ratio for such taxable year.
``(2) Applicable neutral cost recovery ratio.--For purposes
of paragraph (1)--
``(A) In general.--The applicable neutral cost
recovery ratio for the property for any taxable year is
the number determined by--
``(i) dividing--
``(I) the gross domestic product
deflator for the calendar quarter
ending in such taxable year which
corresponds to the calendar quarter
during which the property was placed in
service by the taxpayer, by
``(II) the gross domestic product
deflator for the calendar quarter
during which the property was placed in
service by the taxpayer, and
``(ii) then multiplying the number
determined under clause (i) by the number equal
to 1.035 to the nth power where `n' is the
number of full years in the period beginning on
the 1st day of the calendar quarter during
which the property was placed in service by the
taxpayer and ending on the day before the
beginning of the corresponding calendar quarter
ending during such taxable year.
The applicable neutral cost recovery ratio shall never
be less than 1. The applicable neutral cost recovery
ratio shall be rounded to the nearest \1/1000\.
``(B) Special rule for certain property.--In the
case of property described in paragraph (2) or (3) of
subsection (b) or in subsection (g), the applicable
neutral cost recovery ratio shall be determined without
regard to subparagraph (A)(ii).
``(3) Gross domestic product deflator.--For purposes of
paragraph (2), the gross domestic product deflator for any
calendar quarter is the implicit price deflator for the gross
domestic product for such quarter (as shown in the first
revision thereof).
``(4) Coordination with indexing of basis for purposes of
determining gain or loss.--Section 1022 shall not apply to any
property to which this subsection applies.
``(5) Election not to have subsection apply.--This
subsection shall not apply to any property if the taxpayer
elects not to have this subsection apply to such property. Such
an election, once made, shall be irrevocable.
``(6) Churning transactions.--This subsection shall not
apply to any property if this section would not apply to such
property were subsection (f)(5)(A)(ii) applied by substituting
`1995' for `1981' and `1994' for `1980'.
``(7) Additional deduction not to affect basis or
recapture.--The additional amount determined under this section
by reason of this subsection shall not be taken into account in
determining the adjusted basis of any property or of any
interest in a pass-thru entity (as defined in section
1201(d)(2)) which holds such property and shall not be treated
as a deduction for depreciation for purposes of sections 1245
and 1250.''
(b) Minimum Tax Treatment.--
(1) Paragraph (1) of section 56(a) of such Code is amended
by adding at the end thereof the following new subparagraph:
``(E) Use of neutral cost recovery ratio.--In the
case of property to which section 168(k) applies and
which is placed in service after December 31, 1994, the
deduction allowable under this paragraph with respect
to such property for any taxable year (after the
taxable year during which the property is placed in
service) shall be--
``(i) the amount so allowable for such
taxable year without regard to this
subparagraph, multiplied by
``(ii) the applicable neutral cost recovery
ratio for such taxable year (as determined
under section 168(k)).
This subparagraph shall not apply to any property with
respect to which there is an election in effect not to
have section 168(k)) apply.''
(2) Subparagraph (C) of section 56(g)(4) of such Code is
amended by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(v) Neutral cost recovery deduction.--
Clause (i) shall not apply to the additional
deduction allowable by reason of section
168(k).''
(c) Coordination With Depreciation Limitation on Certain
Automobiles.--Clause (i) of section 280F(a)(1)(B) of such Code is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``For purposes
of this clause, the unrecovered basis of any passenger automobile shall
be treated as including the additional amount determined under section
168 by reason of subsection (k) thereof to the extent not allowed as a
deduction by reason of this paragraph for any taxable year in the
recovery period.''
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years ending after December 31, 1994.
TITLE III--RISK ASSESSMENT AND COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR NEW
REGULATIONS
SEC. 3001. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that:
(1) Environmental, health, and safety regulations have led
to dramatic improvements in the environment and have
significantly reduced human health risk; however, the Federal
regulations that have led to these improvements have been more
costly and less effective than they could have been; too often,
regulatory priorities have not been based upon a realistic
consideration of risk, risk reduction opportunities, and costs.
(2) The public and private resources available to address
health, safety, and environmental concerns are not unlimited;
those resources need to be allocated to address the greatest
needs in the most cost-effective manner and so that the
incremental costs of regulatory options are reasonably related
to the incremental benefits.
(3) To provide more cost-effective and costreasonable
protection to human health and the environment, regulatory
priorities should be based upon realistic consideration of
risk; the priority setting process must include scientifically
sound, objective, and unbiased risk assessments, comparative
risk analysis, and risk management choices that are grounded in
cost-benefit principles.
(4) Risk assessment has proven to be a useful decision
making tool; however, improvements are needed in both the
quality of assessments and the characterization and
communication of findings; scientific and other data must be
better collected, organized, and evaluated; most importantly,
the critical information resulting from a risk assessment must
be effectively communicated in an objective and unbiased manner
to decision makers, and from decision makers to the public.
(5) The public stake holders must be fully involved in the
risk-decision making process. They have the right-to-know about
the risks addressed by regulation, the amount of risk to be
reduced, the quality of the science used to support decisions,
and the cost of implementing and complying with regulations.
This knowledge will allow for public scrutiny and promote
quality, integrity, and responsiveness of agency decisions.
Subtitle A--Risk Assessment and Communication
SEC. 3101. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Risk Assessment and
Communication Act of 1995''.
SEC. 3102. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this subtitle are--
(1) to present the public and executive branch with the
most scientifically objective and unbiased information
concerning the nature and magnitude of health, safety, and
environmental risks in order to provide for sound regulatory
decisions and public education;
(2) to provide for full consideration and discussion of
relevant data and potential methodologies;
(3) to require explanation of significant choices in the
risk assessment process which will allow for better peer review
and public understanding; and
(4) to improve consistency within the executive branch in
preparing risk assessments and risk characterizations.
SEC. 3103. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICABILITY; SAVINGS PROVISIONS.
(a) Effective Date.--Except as otherwise specifically provided in
this subtitle, the provisions of this subtitle shall take effect 18
months after the date of enactment of this subtitle.
(b) Applicability.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), this
title applies to all risk assessments and risk
characterizations prepared by, or on behalf of, any Federal
agency in connection with Federal regulatory programs designed
to protect human health, safety, or the environment.
(2) Exceptions.--(A) This title does not apply to risk
assessments or risk characterizations performed with respect to
either of the following:
(i) A situation that the head of the agency
considers to be an emergency.
(ii) A screening analysis, including a screening
analysis for purposes of product regulation, product
reregistration, or premanufacturing notices.
(B) No analysis shall be treated as a screening analysis
for purposes of subparagraph (A) if the results of such
analyses are used either--
(i) as the basis for imposing restrictions on
substances or activities, or
(ii) to characterize a positive finding of risks
from substances or activities in any final agency
document made available to the general public.
(3) Labels.--This title shall not apply to any food, drug,
or other product label or to any risk characterization
appearing on any such label.
(c) Savings Provisions.--Nothing in this subtitle shall be
construed to modify any statutory standard or requirement designed to
protect health, safety, or the environment. Nothing in this subtitle
shall be interpreted to preclude the consideration of any data or the
calculation of any estimate to more fully describe risk or provide
examples of scientific uncertainty or variability. Nothing in this
title shall be construed to require the disclosure of any trade secret
or other confidential information.
SEC. 3104. PRINCIPLES FOR RISK ASSESSMENT.
(a) In General.--The head of each Federal agency shall apply the
principles set forth in subsection (b) when preparing risk assessments
in order to assure that such risk assessments and all of their
components distinguish scientific findings from other considerations
and are, to the maximum extent feasible, scientifically objective,
unbiased, and inclusive of all relevant data. Discussions or
explanations required under this section need not be repeated in each
risk assessment document as long as there is a reference to the
relevant discussion or explanation in another agency document.
(b) Principles.--The principles to be applied when preparing risk
assessments are as follows:
(1) When assessing human health risks, a risk assessment
shall consider and discuss both laboratory and epidemiological
data of sufficient quality which finds, or fails to find, a
correlation between health risks and a potential toxin or
activity. Where conflicts among such data appear to exist, or
where animal data is used as a basis to assess human health,
the assessment shall include discussion of possible
reconciliation of conflicting information, and as appropriate,
differences in study designs, comparative physiology, routes of
exposure, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and any other
relevant factor.
(2) Where a risk assessment involves selection of any
significant assumption, inference, or model, the Federal agency
preparing the assessment shall--
(A) present a representative list and explanation
of plausible and alternative assumptions, inferences,
or models;
(B) explain the basis for any choices;
(C) identify any policy or value judgments;
(D) fully describe any model used in the risk
assessment and make explicit the assumptions
incorporated in the model; and
(E) indicate the extent to which any significant
model has been validated by, or conflicts with,
empirical data.
SEC. 3105. PRINCIPLES FOR RISK CHARACTERIZATION AND COMMUNICATION.
In characterizing risk in any risk assessment document, regulatory
proposal or decision, report to Congress, or other document which is
made available to the public, each Federal agency characterizing the
risk shall comply with each of the following:
(1) Estimates of risk.--The head of such agency shall
describe the populations or natural resources which are the
subject of the risk characterization. If a numerical estimate
of risk is provided, the agency shall, to the extent feasible
and scientifically appropriate, provide--
(A) the best estimate or estimates for the specific
populations or natural resources which are the subject
of the characterization (based on the information
available to the department, agency, or
instrumentality); and
(B) a statement of the reasonable range of
scientific uncertainties.
In addition to such best estimate or estimates, the Federal
agency may present plausible upper-bound or conservative
estimates in conjunction with plausible lower bounds estimates.
Where appropriate, the Federal agency may present, in lieu of a
single best estimate, multiple estimates based on assumptions,
inferences, or models which are equally plausible, given
current scientific understanding. To the extent practical and
appropriate, the Federal agency shall provide descriptions of
the distribution and probability of risk estimates to reflect
differences in exposure variability in populations and
uncertainties.
(2) Exposure scenarios.--The Federal agency shall explain
the exposure scenarios used in any risk assessment, and, to the
extent feasible, provide a statement of the size of the
corresponding population at risk and the likelihood of such
exposure scenarios.
(3) Comparisons.--To the extent feasible, the Federal
agency shall provide a statement that places the nature and
magnitude of risks to human health in context. Such statement
shall include appropriate comparisons with estimates of risks
that are familiar to and routinely encountered by the general
public as well as other risks. The statement shall identify
relevant distinctions among categories of risk and limitations
to comparisons.
(4) Substitution risks.--When a Federal agency provides a
risk assessment or risk characterization for a proposed or
final regulatory action, such assessment or characterization
shall include a statement of any significant substitution risks
to human health, where information on such risks has been
provided to the agency.
(5) Summaries of other risk estimates.--If--
(A) a Federal agency provides a public comment
period with respect to a risk assessment or regulation,
(B) a commenter provides a risk assessment, and a
summary of results of such risk assessment, and
(C) such risk assessment is consistent with the
principles and the guidance provided under this
subtitle,
the agency shall present such summary in connection with the
presentation of the agency's risk assessment or the regulation.
SEC. 3106. GUIDELINES, PLAN FOR ASSESSING NEW INFORMATION, AND REPORT.
(a) Guidelines.--Within 15 months after the date of enactment of
this subtitle, the President shall issue guidelines for Federal
agencies consistent with the risk assessment and characterization
principles set forth in sections 3104 and 3105 and shall provide a
format for summarizing risk assessment results. In addition, such
guidelines shall include guidance on at least the following subjects:
criteria for scaling animal studies to assess risks to human health;
use of different types of dose-response models; thresholds;
definitions, use, and interpretations of the maximum tolerated dose;
weighting of evidence with respect to extrapolating human health risks
from sensitive species; evaluation of benign tumors, and evaluation of
different human health endpoints.
(b) Plan.--Within 18 months after the date of enactment of this
subtitle, each Federal agency shall publish a plan to review and revise
any risk assessment published prior to the expiration of such 18-month
period if the agency determines that significant new information or
methodologies are available that could significantly alter the results
of the prior risk assessment. The plan shall provide procedures for
receiving and considering new information and risk assessments from the
public. The plan may set priorities for review and revision of risk
assessments based on factors such Federal agency considers appropriate.
(c) Report.--Within 3 years after the enactment of this subtitle,
each Federal agency shall provide a report to the Congress evaluating
the categories of policy and value judgments identified under
subparagraph (C) of section 3104(b)(2).
(d) Public Comment and Consultation.--The guidelines, plan and
report under this section, shall be developed after notice and
opportunity for public comment, and after consultation with
representatives of appropriate State agencies and local governments,
and such other departments and agencies, offices, organizations, or
persons as may be advisable.
(e) Review.--The President shall review the guidelines published
under this section at least every 4 years.
SEC. 3107. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this subtitle:
(1) Risk assessment.--The term ``risk assessment'' means
the process of identifying hazards and quantifying or
describing the degree of toxicity, exposure, or other risk they
pose for exposed individuals, populations, or resources. Such
term also refers to the document containing the explanation of
how the assessment process has been applied to an individual
substance, activity, or condition.
(2) Risk characterization.--The term ``risk
characterization'' means that element of a risk assessment that
involves presentation of the degree of risk in any regulatory
proposal or decision, report to Congress, or other document
which is made available to the public. The term includes
discussions of uncertainties, conflicting data, estimates,
extrapolations, inferences, and opinions.
(3) Best estimate.--The term ``best estimate'' means an
estimate which, to the extent feasible and scientifically
appropriate, is based on one of the following:
(A) Central estimates of risk using the most
plausible assumptions.
(B) An approach which combines multiple estimates
based on different scenarios and weighs the probability
of each scenario.
(C) Any other methodology designed to provide the
most unbiased representation of the most plausible
level of risk, given the current scientific information
available to the Federal agency concerned.
(4) Substitution risk.--The term ``substitution risk''
means a potential increased risk to human health, safety, or
the environment from a regulatory option designed to decrease
other risks.
(5) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' means an
executive department, military department, or independent
establishment as defined in part I of title 5 of the United
States Code, except that such term also includes the Office of
Technology Assessment.
Subtitle B--Analysis of Risk Reduction Benefits and Costs
SEC. 3201. ANALYSIS OF RISK REDUCTION BENEFITS AND COSTS.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
President shall require each executive branch agency to prepare the
following for each major rule designed to protect human health, safety,
or the environment that is proposed or promulgated by the agency after
the date of enactment of this Act:
(1) For each such proposed or promulgated rule, an
assessment of incremental costs and incremental risk reduction
or other benefits associated with each significant regulatory
alternative considered by the agency in connection with the
rule or proposed rule.
(2) For each such proposed or promulgated rule, to the
extent feasible, a comparison of any human health, safety, or
environmental risks addressed by the regulatory alternatives to
other risks chosen by the head of the agency, including at
least 3 other risks regulated by the agency and to at least 3
other risks with which the public is familiar.
(3) For each such proposed or promulgated rule, a statement
of other human health risks potentially posed by implementing
or complying with the regulatory alternatives, including
substitution risks.
(4) For each final rule, an assessment of the costs and
risk reduction or other benefits associated with implementation
of, and compliance with, the rule.
(5) For each final rule, a certification by the head of the
agency of each of the following:
(A) A certification that the assessment under
paragraph (4) is based on an objective and unbiased
scientific and economic evaluation of all significant and relevant
information provided to the agency by interested parties relating to
the costs, risks, and risk reduction or other benefits addressed by the
rule. Such information shall have been subjected to peer review to the
extent required by section 3301.
(B) A certification that the rule will
substantially advance the purpose of protecting human
health or the environment, as applicable, against the
risk addressed by the rule.
(C) A certification that the rule will produce
benefits to human health or the environment that will
justify the costs incurred by local and State
governments, the Federal Government, and other public
and private entities as a result of implementation of
and compliance with the rule, as determined under
paragraph (1).
(D) A certification that there is no regulatory
alternative that is allowed by the statute under which
the regulation is promulgated that would achieve an
equivalent reduction in risk in a more cost-effective
manner, along with a brief explanation of why other
regulatory alternatives that were considered by the
head of the agency were found to be less cost-
effective.
(b) Publication.--For each major rule referred to in subsection (a)
the head of each agency shall publish in a clear and concise manner in
the Federal Register along with the proposed or final regulation, or
otherwise make publicly available, the information required to be
prepared under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
(1) Costs.--The term ``costs'' includes the direct and
indirect costs to the United States government, costs to State
and local governments, and costs to the private sector, of
implementing and complying with a regulatory action.
(2) Major rule.-- The term ``major rule'' means any
regulation that is likely to result in one or more of the
following:
(A) An annual effect on the economy of $25,000,000
or more.
(B) A major increase in costs or prices for
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or
local government agencies, or geographic regions.
(C) Significant adverse effects on competition,
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on
the ability of United States-based enterprises to
compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic or
export markets.
Subtitle C--Peer Review
SEC. 3301. PEER REVIEW PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--For regulatory programs addressing human
health, safety, or the environment, the head of each Federal agency
shall develop a systematic program for peer review of risk assessments
and economic assessments used by the agency. Such program shall be
applicable across the agency and--
(1) shall provide for the creation of peer review panels
consisting of independent and external experts who are broadly
representative and balanced to the extent feasible;
(2) may provide for differing levels of peer review
depending on the significance or the complexity of the problems
or the need for expeditiousness;
(3) shall not exclude peer reviewers merely because they
represent entities that may have a potential interest in the
outcome, provided that interest is fully disclosed to the
agency; and
(4) shall provide open opportunity to become part of a peer
review panel at a minimum by soliciting nominations through a
Federal Register announcement.
(b) Requirement for Peer Review.--Each Federal agency shall provide
for peer review of scientific and economic information used for
purposes of any evaluation under section 3201(a)(5)(A) or for purposes
of any significant risk or cost assessment prepared in connection with
a major rule. In addition, the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget shall order that peer review be provided for any major risk
assessment or cost assessment that may have a significant impact on
public policy decisions.
(c) Contents.--
(1) In general.--Each peer review under this section shall
include a report to the Federal agency concerned with respect
to each of the following:
(A) An evaluation of the technical, scientific, and
economic merit of the data and methods used for the
assessment and analysis.
(B) A list of any considerations that were not
taken into account in the assessment and analysis, but
were considered appropriated by a majority of the
members of the peer review panel.
(C) A discussion of the methodology used for the
assessment and analysis.
(2) Comments and appendix.--Each peer review report under
this subsection shall include--
(A) all comments supported by a majority of the
members of the peer review panel submitting the report;
and
(B) an appendix which sets forth the dissenting
opinions that any peer review panel member wants to
express.
(3) Separation of assessments.--Peer review of human
health, safety, environmental, and economic assessments may be
separated for purpose of this subtitle.
(d) Response to Peer Review.--The head of the Federal agency shall
provide a written response to all significant peer review comments.
(e) Availability to Public.--All peer review comments or
conclusions and the agency's responses shall be made available to the
public and shall be made part of the administrative record for purposes
of judicial review of any final agency action.
(f) Previously Reviewed Data and Analysis.--No peer review shall be
required under this section for any data or analysis which has been
previously subjected to peer review or for any component of any
evaluation or assessment previously subjected to peer review.
(g) National Panels.--The President shall appoint National Peer
Review Panels to annually review the risk assessment and cost
assessment practices of each Federal agency for programs designed to
protect human health, safety, or the environment. The Panel shall
submit a report to the Congress no less frequently than annually
containing the results of such review.
(h) Major Rule Defined.--For purposes of this section, the term
``major rule'' has the same meaning as provided by section 3201(c)
except that ``$100,000,000'' shall be substituted for ``$25,000,000''.
TITLE IV--ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL REGULATORY BUDGET COST CONTROL
SEC. 4001. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974.
(a) Federal Regulatory Budget Cost Control System.--Title III of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by inserting before
section 300 the following new center heading ``PART A--GENERAL
PROVISIONS'' and by adding at the end the following new part:
``PART B--FEDERAL REGULATORY BUDGET COST CONTROL
``SEC. 321. OMB-CBO REPORTS.
``(a) OMB-CBO Initial Report.--Within 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, OMB and CBO shall jointly issue a report to
the President and each House of Congress that contains the following:
``(1) For the first budget year beginning after the
issuance of this report, a projection of the aggregate direct
cost to the private sector of complying with all Federal
regulations and rules in effect immediately before issuance of
the report containing the projection for that budget year of
the effect of current-year Federal regulations and rules into
the budget year and the outyears based on those regulations and
rules.
``(2) A calculation of the estimated aggregate direct cost
to the private sector of compliance with all Federal
regulations and rules as a percentage of the gross domestic
product (GDP).
``(3) The estimated marginal cost (measured as a reduction
in estimated gross domestic product) to the private sector of
compliance with all Federal regulations and rules in excess of
5 percent of the gross domestic product.
``(4) The effect on the domestic economy of different types
of Federal regulations and rules.
``(5) The appropriate level of personnel, administrative
overhead, and programmatic savings that should be achieved on a
fiscal year by fiscal year basis by Federal agencies that issue
regulations or rules with direct costs to the private sector
through the reduction of such aggregate costs to the private
sector by equal percentage increments in the 6 years following
the budget year until the aggregate level of such costs does
not exceed 5 percent of the estimated gross domestic product
for the same fiscal year as the estimated costs that will be
incurred.
``(6) Recommendations for budgeting, technical, and
estimating changes to improve the Federal regulatory budgeting
process.
``(b) Update Reports.--OMB and CBO shall issue update reports on
September 15th of the fifth year beginning after issuance of the
initial report and at 5-year intervals thereafter containing all the
information required in the initial report, but based upon all Federal
regulations and rules in effect immediately before issuance of the most
recent update report.
``(c) Initial Baseline Report.--Within 30 days after the date of
enactment of this section, OMB and CBO shall jointly issue a report to
the President and each House of Congress that contains an initial
aggregate regulatory baseline for the first budget year that begins at
least 120 days after that date of enactment. That baseline will be a
projection of the aggregate direct cost to the private sector of
complying with all Federal regulations and rules in effect immediately
before issuance of the report containing the projection for that budget
year of the effect of current-year Federal regulations and rules into
the budget year and the outyears based on those regulations and rules.
``SEC. 322. AGGREGATE REGULATORY BASELINE.
``(a) In General.--For the first budget year beginning after the
date of enactment of this section and for every other fiscal year
thereafter, the aggregate regulatory baseline refers to a projection of
the aggregate direct cost to the private sector of complying with all
Federal regulations and rules in effect immediately before issuance of
the report containing the projection for that budget year of the effect
of current-year Federal regulations and rules into the budget year and
the outyears based on those regulations and rules. However, in the case
of each of the succeeding fiscal years, the baseline shall be adjusted
for the estimated growth during that year in the gross domestic product
(GDP).
``(b) OMB-CBO Aggregate Regulatory Baseline Reports.--(1) The first
budget year for which there shall be an aggregate regulatory baseline
shall be the budget year to which the initial OMB-CBO baseline report
issued under section 321(c) pertains.
``(2) In the case of each budget year after the budget year
referred to in paragraph (1), not later than September 15 of the
current year, OMB and CBO shall jointly issue a report containing the
baseline referred to in subsection (a) for that budget year.
``SEC. 323. RECONCILIATION AND ALLOCATIONS.
``(a) Reconciliation Directives.--In addition to the requirements
of section 310, a concurrent resolution on the budget for any fiscal
year shall specify--
``(1) changes in laws and regulations and rules necessary
to reduce the aggregate direct cost to the private sector of
complying with all Federal regulations by 6.5 percent for the
budget year (as measured against the aggregate regulatory
baseline for the first budget year to which this part applies)
and by equal percentage increments for each of the outyears
(until the aggregate level of such costs does not exceed 5
percent of the estimated gross domestic product for the same
fiscal year as the estimated costs that will be incurred) for
Federal agencies that issue regulations or rules producing
direct costs to the private sector; and
``(2) changes in laws necessary to achieve reductions in
the level of personnel and administrative overhead and to
achieve programmatic savings for the budget year and the
outyears for those agencies of the following:
``(A) In the first outyear, one-fourth of the
percent of reduction in regulatory authority from the
aggregate regulatory base.
``(B) In the second outyear, one-third of the
percent of reduction in regulatory authority from the
aggregate regulatory base.
``(C) In the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth years
following the budget year, one-half of the percent of
reduction in regulatory authority from the aggregate
regulatory base.
Section 310(c) shall not apply with respect to directions made under
this section.
``(b) Allocation of Totals.--(1) The Committees on the Budget of
the House of Representatives and the Senate shall each allocate
aggregate 2-year regulatory authority among each committee of its House
and by major functional category for the first budget year beginning
after the date of enactment of this section and for the second, fourth,
and sixth years following the budget year and then every other year
thereafter.
``(2) As soon as practicable after receiving an allocation under
paragraph (1), each committee shall subdivide its allocation among its
subcommittees or among programs over which it has jurisdiction.
``(c) Point of Order.--(1) It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill or resolution, or
amendment thereto, which would cause the appropriate allocation made
under subsection (b) for a fiscal year of regulatory authority to be
exceeded.
``(2) Waiver.--The point of order set forth in paragraph (1) may
only be waived by the affirmative vote of at least three-fifths of the
Members voting, a quorum being present.
``(d) Determinations by Budget Committees.--For purposes of this
section, the level of regulatory authority for a fiscal year shall be
determined by the Committee on the Budget of the House of
Representatives or the Senate, as the case may be.
``(e) Exceeding Allocation Totals.--Whenever any Committee of the
House of Representatives exceeds its allocation of aggregate 2-year
regulatory authority under subsection (b)(1), any Member of the House
of Representatives may offer a bill in the House (which shall be highly
privileged, unamendable, and debateable for 30 minutes) which shall
only prohibit the issuance of regulations and rules by any agency under
the jurisdiction of that committee for the fiscal years covered by that
allocation until that committee eliminates its breach.
``SEC. 324. ANALYSIS OF REGULATORY COSTS BY CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET
OFFICE.
``CBO shall prepare for each bill or resolution of a public
character reported by any committee of the House of Representatives or
the Senate (except the Committee on Appropriations of each House), and
submit to such committee--
``(1) an estimate of the costs which would be incurred by
the private sector in carrying out or complying with such bill
or resolution in the fiscal year in which it is to become
effective and in each of the 4 fiscal years following such
fiscal year, together with the basis of each such estimate; and
``(2) a comparison of the estimate of costs described in
paragraph (1) with any available estimates of costs made by
such committee or by any Federal agency.
``SEC. 325. DEFINITIONS.
``As used in this part:
``(1) The term `CBO' refers to the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office.
``(2) The term `OMB' refers to the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget.
``(3) The term `regulatory authority' or `regulatory cost'
means the direct cost to the private sector of complying with
Federal regulations and rules.
``(4) The term `direct costs' means (recognizing that
direct costs are not the only costs associated with Federal
regulation) all expenditures occurring as a direct result of
complying with Federal regulation, rule, statement, or
legislation, except those applying to the military or agency
organization, management, and personnel.
``(5) The term `regulation' or the term `rule' means any
agency statement of general applicability and future effect
designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy or
describing the procedure or practice requirements of any
agency, but does not include--
``(A) administrative actions governed by the
provisions of sections 556 and 557 of title 5, United
States Code; or
``(B) rules or regulations issued with respect to a
military or foreign affairs function of the United
States.
``(6) The term `agency' means any authority of the United
States that is an agency under title section 3502(1) of title
44, United States Code, including independent agencies.''.
SEC. 4002. PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL BUDGET SUBMISSIONS.
Section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(32) a regulatory authority budget analysis of the
aggregate direct cost to the private sector of complying with
all current and proposed Federal regulations and rules and
proposals for complying with section 323 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 for the budget year and the outyears.''
SEC. 4003. ESTIMATION AND DISCLOSURE OF COSTS OF FEDERAL REGULATION.
Chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code, popularly known as the
``Regulatory Flexibility Act'', is amended--
(1) in section 603(a) in the second sentence by inserting
before the period the following: ``and the monetary costs to
small entities, other businesses, and individuals of complying
with the proposed rule'';
(2) by adding at the end of section 603 the following:
``(d) Each initial regulatory flexibility analysis shall also
contain a description of the nature and amount of monetary costs that
will be incurred by small entities, other businesses, and individuals
in complying with the proposed rule.'';
(3) in section 604(a)--
(A) in paragraph (2) by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (3) by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) a statement of the nature and amount of monetary
costs that will be incurred by small entities, other
businesses, and individuals in complying with the rule.''; and
(4) in section 607 by inserting before the period the
following: ``, except that estimates of monetary costs under
sections 603(d) and 604(a)(4) shall only be in the form of a
numerical description''.
TITLE V--STRENGTHENING OF PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT
SEC. 5001. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995''.
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
SEC. 5101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 3520(a) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by
striking out ``$5,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 1987, 1988, and
1989.'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``$7,000,000 for fiscal year
1994, $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1995, $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1996,
$8,500,000 for fiscal year 1997, and $9,000,000 for fiscal year
1998.''.
Subtitle B--Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork on the Public
SEC. 5201. COVERAGE OF ALL FEDERALLY SPONSORED PAPERWORK BURDENS.
Section 3502 of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) the term `burden' means the time, effort, financial
resources, and opportunity costs imposed on persons to
generate, capture, assemble, process, maintain, and report
information to or for a Federal agency, including--
``(A) the resources expended for obtaining,
reviewing and understanding applicable instructions and
requirements;
``(B) developing a way to comply with the
applicable instructions and requirements;
``(C) adjusting the existing ways to comply with
any previously applicable instructions and
requirements;
``(D) searching existing data sources;
``(E) obtaining, compiling and maintaining the
necessary data;
``(F) implementing recordkeeping requirements;
``(G) completing and reviewing the collection of
information;
``(H) retaining, sharing, notifying, reporting,
transmitting, labeling, or otherwise disclosing to
third parties or the public the information involved;
and
``(I) carrying out any other information
transaction which occurs as a result of the collection
of information;'';
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking out ``of facts or opinions
by'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``(through maintenance,
retention, notifying, reporting, labeling or disclosure to
third parties or the public) of facts or opinions by or for'';
and
(3) in paragraph (17) by inserting ``, including the
retention, reporting, notifying, or disclosure to third parties
or the public of such records'' before the period.
SEC. 5202. PAPERWORK REDUCTION GOALS.
Section 3505 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 3505. Assignment of tasks and deadlines
``In carrying out the functions under this chapter, the Director
shall--
``(1) set a governmentwide goal, consistent with improving
agency management of the process for the review of each
collection of information established under section 3506(e), to
reduce by September 30, 1995, the burden of Federal collections
of information existing on September 30, 1994, by at least 5
percent;
``(2) for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 1995, and
the following 3 fiscal years, set a governmentwide goal,
consistent with improving agency management of the process for
the review of each collection of information established under
section 3506(e), to reduce the burden of Federal collections of
information existing at the end of the immediately preceding
fiscal year by at least 5 percent;
``(3) in establishing the governmentwide goal pursuant to
paragraph (2), establish a goal for each agency that--
``(A) represents the maximum practicable
opportunity to reduce the paperwork burden imposed upon
the public by such agency's collections of information,
after considering the recommendations of the senior
agency official designated under section 3506(b)(1);
and
``(B) permits the attainment of the governmentwide
goal when such agency's goal is aggregated with the
individual goals of all other agencies included in the
governmentwide goal; and
``(4) in each report issued under section 3514, beginning
with the report relating to fiscal year 1995, identify any
agency initiatives to reduce the burden of the Federal
collections of information associated with--
``(A) businesses, especially small businesses and
those engaged in international competition;
``(B) State and local governments; and
``(C) educational institutions.''.
Subtitle C--Enhancing Government Responsibility and Accountability for
Reducing the Burden of Federal Paperwork
SEC. 5301. REEMPHASIZING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DIRECTOR TO CONTROL
THE BURDEN OF FEDERAL PAPERWORK.
Section 3504(c) of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and
(C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively, and inserting
after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph:
``(B) display, to the extent practicable, an
estimate of the burden for each response;'';
(2) by amending paragraphs (5) and (6) to read as follows:
``(5) establishing procedures under which an agency is to
estimate the burden under this chapter to comply with the
proposed collection of information;
``(6) coordinating with the Office of Federal Procurement
Policy to eliminate paperwork burdens associated with
procurement and acquisition;'';
(3) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (7)
and inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end thereof the following new
paragraphs:
``(8) minimizing the Federal paperwork burden imposed
through Federal collection of information, with particular
emphasis on those individuals or entities most adversely
affected, including--
``(A) businesses, especially small businesses and
those engaged in international competition;
``(B) State and local governments; and
``(C) educational institutions; and
``(9) initiating and conducting, with selected agencies and
non-Federal entities on a voluntary basis, pilot projects to
test or demonstrate the feasibility and benefit of changes or
innovations in Federal policies, rules, regulations, and agency
procedures to improve information management practices and
related management activities (including authority for the
Director to waive the application of designated agency
regulations or administrative directives after giving timely
notice to the public and Congress regarding the need for such
waiver).''.
SEC. 5302. ENHANCING AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN PUBLIC REVIEW OF
PROPOSED PAPERWORK BURDENS.
Section 3507(a) of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(B) by inserting ``a summary of the
request,'' after ``title for the information collection
request,'';
(2) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4) and
inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) the agency provides at least 30 days for public
comment to the agency and the Office of Management and Budget
after publication of the notice in the Federal Register, except
as provided under section 3507 (g) and (k), and the agency head
and the Director consider comments received regarding the
proposed collection of information; and''.
SEC. 5303. EXPEDITING REVIEW AT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.
Section 3507(b) of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking out the first sentence and inserting in
lieu thereof ``The Director shall within 30 days after
publication of the notice under subsection (a)(3) that is
applicable to a proposed information collection request not
contained in a proposed rule, notify the agency involved of the
decision to approve or disapprove the proposed information
collection request and shall make such decisions publicly
available. Any decision to disapprove an information collection
request shall include an explanation of the reasons for such
decision.'';
(2) by striking out ``sixty'' each place it appears and
inserting ``30'' in each such place;
(3) by striking out ``thirty'' and inserting in lieu
thereof ``30''; and
(4) by striking out ``one'' and inserting in lieu thereof
``1''.
SEC. 5304. IMPROVING PUBLIC AND AGENCY SCRUTINY OF PAPERWORK BURDENS
PROPOSED FOR RENEWAL.
(a) Approval of Information Collection Request.--Section 3507(d) of
title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(d)''; and
(2) by adding at the end thereof the following:
``(2)(A) If the head of the agency, or the senior official
designated under section 3506(b)(1), decides to seek extension of the
Director's approval granted for a currently approved information
collection request, the agency shall, through the notice prescribed in
subsection (a)(2)(B) and such other practicable steps as may be
reasonable, seek comment from the agencies, and the public on the
continued need for, and burden imposed by, the collection of
information.
``(B) The agency, after having made a reasonable effort to seek
comment under subparagraph (A), but no later than 60 days before the
expiration date of the control number assigned by the Director for the
currently approved information collection request, shall--
``(i) evaluate the public comments received;
``(ii) conduct the review established under section
3506(e); and
``(iii) provide to the Director the certification required
by section 3506(f), including the text of the certification and
any additional relevant information regarding how the
information collection request comports with the principles and
requirements of this chapter.
``(C) Upon receipt of such certification, and prior to the
expiration of the control number for that information collection
request, the Director shall--
``(i) ensure that the agency has taken the actions
specified under section 3506(f)(2);
``(ii) evaluate the public comments received by the agency
or by the Director;
``(iii) determine whether the agency certification complies
with the standards under section 3506(f)(1); and
``(iv) approve or disapprove the information collection
request under this chapter.
``(3) If a certification is not provided to the Director prior to
the beginning of the 60-day period before the expiration of the control
number as provided under paragraph (2)(B), the agency shall submit the
information collection request for review and approval or disapproval
under this chapter.
``(4) An agency may not make a substantive or material modification
to an information collection request after it has been approved by the
Director, unless the modification has been submitted to the Director
for review and approval or disapproval under this chapter.''.
(b) Approval of Information Collection Requirements.--Section 3507
of title 44, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the
end thereof the following new subsections:
``(i)(1) As soon as practicable, but no later than publication of a
notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register, each agency
shall forward to the Director a copy of any proposed rule which
contains a collection of information requirement and upon request,
information necessary to make the determination required under this
chapter.
``(2) Within 60 days after the notice of proposed rulemaking is
published in the Federal Register, the Director may file public
comments under the standards set forth in section 3508 on the
collection of information requirement contained in the proposed rule.
``(3) When a final rule is published in the Federal Register, the
agency shall explain how any collection of information requirement
contained in the final rule responds to the comments, if any, filed by
the Director or the public, or explain the reasons such comments were
rejected.
``(4) The Director has no authority to disapprove any collection of
information requirement specifically contained in an agency rule, if
the Director has received notice and failed to comment on the rule
within 60 days after the notice of proposed rulemaking.
``(5) No provision in this section shall be construed to prevent
the Director, at the discretion of such officer, from--
``(A) disapproving any information collection request which
was not specifically required by an agency rule;
``(B) disapproving any collection of information
requirement contained in an agency rule, if the agency failed
to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this
subsection;
``(C) disapproving any collection of information
requirement contained in a final agency rule, if the Director
finds within 60 days after the publication of the final rule
that such a collection of information requirement cannot be
approved under the standards set forth in section 3508, after
reviewing the agency's response to the comments of the Director
filed under paragraph (2) of this subsection; or
``(D) disapproving any collection of information
requirement, if the Director determines that the agency has
substantially modified, in the final rule, the collection of
information requirement contained in the proposed rule and the
agency has not given the Director the information required
under paragraph (1) with respect to the modified collection of
information requirement, at least 60 days before the issuance
of the final rule.
``(6) The Director shall make publicly available any decision to
disapprove a collection of information requirement contained in an
agency rule, together with the reasons for such decision.
``(7) The authority of the Director under this subsection is
subject to subsection (c).
``(8) This subsection shall apply only when an agency publishes a
notice of proposed rulemaking and requests public comments.
``(9) The decision of the Director to approve or not to act upon a
collection of information requirement contained in an agency rule shall
not be subject to judicial review.
``(j)(1) If the head of the agency, or the senior official
designated under section 3506(b)(1), decides to seek extension of the
Director's approval granted for a currently approved collection of
information requirement, the agency shall, through the notice
prescribed in subsection (a)(2)(B) and such other practicable steps as
may be reasonable, seek comment from the agencies, and the public on
the continued need for, and burden imposed by, the collection of
information requirement.
``(2) The agency, after having made a reasonable effort to seek
comment under paragraph (1), but no later than 60 days before the
expiration date of the control number assigned by the Director for the
currently approved collection of information requirement, shall--
``(A) evaluate the public comments received;
``(B) conduct the review established under section 3506(e);
and
``(C) provide to the Director the certification required by
section 3506(f), including the text of the certification and
any additional relevant information regarding how the
collection of information requirement comports with the
principles and requirements of this chapter.
``(3) Upon receipt of such certification, and prior to the
expiration date of the control number for that collection of
information requirement, the Director shall--
``(A) ensure that the agency has taken the actions
specified in section 3506(f)(2);
``(B) evaluate the public comments received by the agency
or by the Director;
``(C) determine whether the agency certification complies
with the standards under section 3506(f)(1); and
``(D) approve or disapprove the collection of information
requirement under this chapter.
``(4) If under the provisions of paragraph (3), the Director
disapproves a collection of information requirement, or recommends or
instructs the agency to make a substantive or material change to a
collection of information requirement, the Director shall--
``(A) publish an explanation thereof in the Federal
Register; and
``(B) instruct the agency to undertake a rulemaking within
a reasonable time limited to consideration of changes to the
collection of information requirement and thereafter to submit
the collection of information requirement for approval or
disapproval under this chapter.
``(5) Nothing in this subsection affects the review process for a
collection of information requirement contained in a proposed rule,
including a proposed change to an existing collection of information
requirement, under subsection (i) with respect to such collection of
information requirement.
``(6) The Director may not approve a collection of information
requirement for a period in excess of 3 years.''.
SEC. 5305. PROTECTION FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS OF UNAUTHORIZED PAPERWORK
BURDEN.
Section 3507(h) of title 44, United States Code, is amended in the
second sentence by inserting before the period ``, and any
communication relating to a collection of information, the disclosure
of which could lead to retaliation or discrimination against the
communicator''.
SEC. 5306. ENHANCING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
Section 3517 of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``In development''; and
(2) by adding at the end thereof:
``(b)(1) Under procedures established by the Director, a person may
request the Director to review any collection of information conducted
by or for an agency to determine, if--
``(A) the collection of information is subject to the
requirements of this chapter;
``(B) the collection of information has been approved in
conformity with this chapter; and
``(C) the person that is to respond to the collection of
information is entitled to the public protections afforded by
this chapter.
``(2) Any review requested under paragraph (1), unless the request
is determined frivolous or does not on its face state a valid basis for
such review, shall--
``(A) be completed by the Director within 60 days after
receiving the request, unless such period is extended by the
Director to a specified date and the person making the request
is given notice of such extension;
``(B)(i) be coordinated with the agency responsible for the
collection of information to which the request relates; and
``(ii) be coordinated with the Administrator for Federal
Procurement Policy, if the request relates to a collection of
information applicable to an actual or prospective Federal
contractor or subcontractor at any tier; and
``(C) result in a written determination by the Director,
that shall be--
``(i) furnished to the person making the request;
and
``(ii) made available to the public upon request
(and listed and summarized in the annual report
required under section 3514), unless confidentiality is
requested by the person making the request.''.
SEC. 5307. EXPEDITING REVIEW OF AN AGENCY INFORMATION COLLECTION
REQUEST WITH A REDUCED BURDEN.
Section 3507 of title 44, United States Code (as amended by section
5304(b) of this title) is further amended by adding at the end thereof
the following new subsection:
``(k) Upon request by the head of an agency, the Director shall
approve a proposed change to an existing information collection request
(unless such proposed change is subject to subsection (i)) within 30
days after the Director receives the proposed change. The information
collection request shall thereafter remain in effect at least for the
remainder of the period for which it was previously approved by the
Director, if--
``(1) the information collection request has a current
control number; and
``(2) the Director determines that the revision--
``(A) reduces the burden resulting from the
information collection request; and
``(B) does not substantially change the information
collection request.''.
Subtitle D--Enhancing Agency Responsibility for Sharing and
Disseminating Public Information
SEC. 5401. PRESCRIBING GOVERNMENTWIDE STANDARDS FOR SHARING AND
DISSEMINATING PUBLIC INFORMATION.
Section 3504(h) of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``(h) The functions of the Director related to agency dissemination
and sharing of public information shall include--
``(1) developing policies and practices for agency
dissemination and sharing of public information consistent with
the agency responsibilities under section 3506(g); and
``(2) developing policy guidelines that instruct Federal
agencies on ways to fulfill agency responsibilities to
disseminate and share information that, to the extent
appropriate and practicable--
``(A) make information dissemination products
available on timely, equitable and cost effective
terms;
``(B) encourage a diversity of public and private
information dissemination products;
``(C) avoid establishing, or permitting others to
establish, exclusive, restricted, or other distribution
arrangements that interfere with the availability of
information dissemination products on a timely and
equitable basis; and
``(D) avoid establishing restrictions or
regulations, including the charging of fees or
royalties, on the reuse, resale, or redissemination of
Federal information dissemination products by the
public; and
``(E) set user charges for information
dissemination products at a level sufficient to recover
the cost of dissemination, except--
``(i) where otherwise required by statute;
``(ii) where the information is collected,
processed, and disseminated for the benefit of
a specific identifiable group beyond the
benefit to the general public; or
``(iii) where user charges are established
at less than cost of dissemination because of a
determination that higher charges would
interfere with the proper performance of the
agency's functions.''.
SEC. 5402. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SHARING AND DISSEMINATING PUBLIC
INFORMATION.
Section 3506 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end thereof the following new subsection:
``(g) The head of each agency shall, to the extent appropriate and
practicable, and in conformance with the policy guidelines established
under section 3504(h), establish and maintain a management system for
the dissemination and sharing of information that--
``(1) ensures that the public has timely, equitable and
cost-effective access to the agency's information dissemination
products;
``(2) disseminates and shares information in a manner that
achieves the best balance between maximizing the usefulness of
the information and minimizing the cost to the Government and
the public;
``(3) takes advantage of all appropriate channels, Federal
and non-Federal, including State and local governments,
libraries and private sector entities, in discharging agency
responsibilities for the dissemination and sharing of
information;
``(4) considers whether an information dissemination
product available from other Federal or non-Federal sources is
equivalent to an agency information dissemination product and
reasonably achieves the objectives of the agency;
``(5) establishes and maintains inventories of all agency
information dissemination products in conformance with the
requirements of section 3511;
``(6) establishes and maintains communications with members
of the public and with State and local governments so that the
agency shares information and otherwise creates information
dissemination products that meet their respective needs; and
``(7) provides adequate notice when initiating,
substantially modifying, or terminating significant information
dissemination products.''.
SEC. 5403. AGENCY INFORMATION INVENTORY/LOCATOR SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--Section 3511 of title 44, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 3511. Inventory systems of information dissemination products
``(a) Each agency having significant information dissemination
products shall establish and maintain a comprehensive inventory of such
products, which shall include, at a minimum, the title of each such
product, an abstract of the contents of each product, the media in
which each product is available, and the cost, if any, of each product,
subject to any requirements promulgated pursuant to subsection (c).
``(b) The inventory created pursuant to subsection (a) shall be
made available for public access by electronic means, and in such other
media as are appropriate and practicable, at no charge to the public.
``(c) The Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce,
the Archivist of the United States, the Public Printer, and the
Librarian of Congress, may establish a mechanism for developing
technical standards and other minimum requirements for the agency
inventory systems created under subsection (a).''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for
chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by amending the
item relating to section 3511 to read as follows:
``3511. Inventory systems of information dissemination products.''.
Subtitle E--Additional Government Information Management Responsibility
SEC. 5501. STRENGTHENING THE STATISTICAL POLICY AND COORDINATION
FUNCTIONS OF THE DIRECTOR.
Section 3504(d) of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``(d)(1) The statistical policy and coordination functions of the
Director shall include--
``(A) coordinating and providing leadership for development
of the Federal statistical system;
``(B) developing and periodically reviewing and, as
necessary, revising long-range plans for the improved
coordination and performance of the statistical activities and
programs of the Federal Government;
``(C) ensuring the integrity, objectivity, impartiality and
confidentiality of the Federal statistical system;
``(D) reviewing budget proposals of agencies to ensure that
the proposals are consistent with such long-range plans and
developing a summary and analysis of the budget submitted by
the President to the Congress for each fiscal year of the
allocation for all statistical activities;
``(E) coordinating, through the review of budget proposals
and as otherwise provided under this chapter, the functions of
the Federal Government with respect to gathering, interpreting
and sharing statistics and statistical information;
``(F) developing and implementing governmentwide policies,
principles, standards and guidelines concerning statistical
collection procedures and methods, statistical data
classification, statistical information presentation and
sharing, and such statistical data sources as may be required
for the administration of Federal programs;
``(G) evaluating statistical program performance and agency
compliance with governmentwide policies, principles, standards
and guidelines;
``(H) promoting the timely release by agencies of
statistical data to the public;
``(I) coordinating the participation of the United States
in international statistical activities;
``(J) preparing an annual report to submit to the Congress
on the statistical policy and coordination function;
``(K) integrating the functions described under this
paragraph with the other information resources management
functions specified under this chapter; and
``(L) appointing a chief statistician who is a trained and
experienced professional to carry out the functions described
under this paragraph.
``(2) The Director shall establish an interagency working group on
statistical policy, consisting of the heads of the agencies with major
statistical programs, headed by the chief statistician to coordinate
agency activities in carrying out the functions under paragraph (1).
``(3) The Director shall provide opportunities for long-term
training in the statistical policy functions of the chief statistician
to employees of the Federal Government. Each trainee shall be selected
at the discretion of the Director based on agency requests and shall
serve for at least 6 months and no more than 1 year. All costs of the
training are to be paid by the agency requesting training.''.
SEC. 5502. USE OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION
TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE BURDEN.
Section 3504(g)(1) of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``development and'' after ``overseeing
the''; and
(2) by inserting ``(including standards that improve the
ability of agencies to use technology to reduce burden)'' after
``establishment of standards''.
SEC. 5503. AGENCY IMPLEMENTATION.
Section 3514(a) of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (9)(C) by striking out ``and'' at the end
thereof;
(2) in paragraph (10)(C) by striking out the period and
inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end thereof the following new
paragraphs:
``(11) a listing of any increase in the burden imposed on
the public during the year covered by the report resulting from
a collection of information conducted or sponsored by or for an
agency, which was imposed by such agency--
``(A) as specifically mandated by the provision of
a statute; or
``(B) as necessary to implement a statutory
requirement, which requirement shall be identified with
particularity;
``(12) a description of each such agency's efforts in
implementing, and plans to implement, the applicable policies,
standards and guidelines with respect to the functions under
this chapter; and
``(13) a strategic information resources management plan
for the Federal Government, developed in consultation with the
Administrator of General Services, the Secretary of Commerce,
and the Archivist of the United States, that includes an
analysis of cross-cutting issues of governmentwide
importance.''.
SEC. 5504. AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT PLAN.
Section 3504(g) of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as
paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraph:
``(3) developing and annually revising, in consultation
with the Administrator of General Services, a 5-year plan for
meeting the automatic data processing equipment (including
telecommunications) and other information technology needs of
the Federal Government in accordance with the requirements of
sections 110 and 111 of the Federal Property and Administrative
Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 757 and 759) and the purposes
of this chapter;''.
SEC. 5505. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 3502(10) of title 44, United States Code,
is amended by striking out ``the Federal Housing Finance Board'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``Federal Housing Finance Board''.
(b) Review Periods.--Section 3507(g)(1) of title 44, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(1) is needed prior to the
expiration of the time periods for public notice and review by the
Director pursuant to the requirements of this chapter,''.
(c) Director Review.--Section 3513(a) of title 44, United States
Code, is amended in the first sentence by inserting ``resources'' after
``information''.
(d) Responsiveness.--Section 3514(a) of title 44, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (9)(A) by inserting ``and'' at the end
thereof;
(2) in paragraph (9)(B) by striking out the semicolon and
inserting a period; and
(3) by striking out paragraph (9)(C).
Subtitle F--Effective Dates
SEC. 5601. EFFECTIVE DATES.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
provisions of this title shall become effective 120 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
(b) In Particular.--section 5101 and this section shall become
effective upon the date of the enactment of this Act.
TITLE VI--STRENGTHENING REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY
SEC. 6001. JUDICIAL REVIEW.
(a) In General.--Section 611 of title 5, United States Code, is
repealed.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning
of chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking the
item relating to section 611.
SEC. 6002. CONSIDERATION OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF RULES.
(a) In General.--Title 5, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 610 the following new section:
``Sec. 611. Consideration of direct and indirect effects of rules
``In determining under this chapter whether or not a rule is likely
to have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities,
an agency shall consider both the direct and indirect effects of the
rule.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning
of chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 610 the following:
``611. Consideration of direct and indirect effects of rules.''.
SEC. 6003. RULES OPPOSED BY SBA CHIEF COUNSEL FOR ADVOCACY.
(a) In General.--Section 612 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Statement of Opposition.--
``(1) Transmittal of proposed rules and initial regulatory
flexibility analysis to sba chief counsel for advocacy.--On or
before the 30th day preceding the date of publication by an
agency of general notice of proposed rulemaking for a rule, the
agency shall transmit to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Small Business Administration--
``(A) a copy of the proposed rule; and
``(B)(i) a copy of the initial regulatory
flexibility analysis for the rule if required under
section 603; or
``(ii) a determination by the agency that an
initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not required
for the proposed rule under section 603 and an
explanation for the determination.
``(2) Statement of opposition.--On or before the 15th day
following receipt of a proposed rule and initial regulatory
flexibility analysis from an agency under paragraph (1), the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy may transmit to the agency a written
statement of opposition of the proposed rule.
``(3) Response.--If the Chief Counsel for Advocacy
transmits to an agency a statement of opposition to a proposed
rule in accordance with paragraph (2), the agency shall publish
the statement, together with the response of the agency to the
statement, in the Federal Register at the time of publication
of general notice of proposed rulemaking for the rule.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 603(a) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by inserting ``in accordance with section 612(d)''
before the period at the end of the last sentence.
SEC. 6004. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SBA CHIEF COUNSEL FOR ADVOCACY.
It is the sense of Congress that the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of
the Small Business Administration should be permitted to appear as
amicus curiae in any action or case brought in a court of the United
States for the purpose of reviewing a rule.
TITLE VII--REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSES
SEC. 7001. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Administrative Procedure Reform
Act of 1995''.
SEC. 7002. RULE MAKING NOTICES FOR MAJOR RULES.
Section 553 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(f)(1)(A) The head of an agency shall publish in the Federal
Register, at least 90 days before the date of publication of general
notice under subsection (b) for a proposed major rule, a notice of
intent to engage in rule making.
``(B) A notice under subparagraph (A) for a proposed major rule
shall include, to the extent possible, the information required to be
included in a Regulatory Impact Analysis for the rule under section
7004(c) (1), (2), and (8) of the Administrative Procedure Reform Act of
1995.
``(2) The head of an agency shall include in a general notice under
subsection (b) for a major rule proposed by the agency--
``(A) a final Regulatory Impact Analysis for the rule
prepared in accordance with section 7004 of the Administrative
Procedure Reform Act of 1995; and
``(B) clear delineation of all changes in the information
included in the final Regulatory Impact Analysis under section
7004(c)(1) and (2) of the Administrative Procedure Reform Act
of 1995 from any such information that was included in the
notice for the rule under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection.
``(3) In this subsection, the term `major rule' has the meaning
given that term in section 7004(b) of the Administrative Procedure
Reform Act of 1995.''.
SEC. 7003. HEARING REQUIREMENT FOR PROPOSED RULES; EXTENSION OF COMMENT
PERIOD.
(a) Hearing Requirement.--Section 553 of title 5, United States
Code, is further amended--
(1) in subsection (b), in the matter following paragraph
(3), by inserting ``(except subsection (g))'' after ``this
subsection''; and
(2) by adding after subsection (f) (as added by section
7002 of this title) the following:
``(g) If more than 100 interested persons acting individually
submit comments to an agency regarding any rule proposed by the agency,
the agency shall hold a public hearing on the proposed rule.''.
(b) Extension of Comment Period.--Section 553 of title 5, United
States Code, is further amended by adding after subsection (g) (as
added by subsection (a)(2) of this section) the following:
``(h) If during the 30-day period beginning on the date of
publication of notice under subsection (f)(1)(A) for a proposed major
rule, or if during the 30-day period beginning on the date of
publication or service of notice required by subsection (b) for a
proposed rule, more than 100 persons individually contact the agency to
request an extension of the period for making submissions under
subsection (c) pursuant to the notice, the agency--
``(1) shall provide an additional 30-day period for making
those submissions; and
``(2) may not adopt the rule until after that additional
period.''.
(c) Response to Comments.--Section 553(c) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(c)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) The head of an agency shall publish in the Federal Register
with each rule published under section 552(a)(1)(D) of this title,
responses to the substance of the comments received by the agency
regarding the rule.''.
SEC. 7004. REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS.
(a) Application of Executive Order as Statutory Requirement.--
Except as otherwise provided in this section, Executive Order 12291
(relating to Federal regulation requirements and regulatory impact
analysis), as in effect on September 29, 1993, shall apply to each
agency in accordance with the provisions of the Order.
(b) Definition of Major Rule in Order.--Notwithstanding section
1(b) of the Order, for purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the
term ``major rule'' means any proposed rulemaking--
(1) which affects more than 100 persons; or
(2) compliance with which will require the expenditure of
more than $1,000,000 by any single person which is not a
Federal agency.
(c) Contents of Regulatory Impact Analyses.--In lieu of the
information specified in section 3(d) of the Order, each preliminary
and final Regulatory Impact Analysis required under section 3 of the
Order for a rule shall contain the following:
(1) An explanation of the necessity, appropriateness and
reasonableness of the rule.
(2) A description of the current condition that the rule
will address and how that condition will be affected by the
rule.
(3) A statement that the rule does not conflict with nor
duplicate any other rule, or an explanation of why the conflict
or duplication exists.
(4) A statement of whether the rule is in accord with or in
conflict with any legal precedent.
(5) A statement of the factual, scientific, or technical
basis for the agency's determination that the rule will
accomplish its intended purpose.
(6) A statement that describes and, to the extent
practicable, quantifies the risks to human health or the
environment to be addressed by the rule.
(7) A demonstration that the rule provides the least costly
or least intrusive approach for meeting its intended purpose.
(8) A description of any alternative approaches considered
by the agency or suggested by interested persons and the
reasons for their rejection.
(9) An estimate of the nature and number of persons to be
regulated or affected by the rule.
(10) An estimate of the economic costs of the rule,
including those incurred by persons in complying with the rule.
(11) An evaluation of the costs versus the benefits derived
from the rule, including evaluation of how those benefits
outweigh the cost.
(12) Whether the rule will require onsite inspections.
(13) An estimate of the paperwork burden on persons
regulated or affected by the rule, such as the number of forms,
impact statements, surveys, and other documents required to be
completed by the person under the rule.
(14) Whether persons will be required by the rule to
maintain any records which will be subject to inspection.
(15) Whether persons will be required by the rule to obtain
licenses, permits, or other certifications, and the fees and
fines associated therewith.
(16) Whether persons will be required by the rule to appear
before the agency.
(17) Whether persons will be required by the rule to
disclose information on materials or processes, including trade
secrets.
(18) Whether persons will be required by the rule to report
any particular type of incidents.
(19) Whether persons will be required by the rule to adhere
to design or performance standards.
(20) Whether persons may need to retain or utilize any
lawyer, accountant, engineer, or other professional consultant
in order to comply with the regulations.
(21) An estimate of the costs to the agency for
implementation and enforcement of the regulations.
(22) Whether the agency can be reasonably expected to
implement the rule with the current level of appropriations.
(23) A statement that any person may submit comments on the
Regulatory Impact Analysis to the Administrator of the Office
of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
The requirements of this section shall be consistent with, and not
duplicative of, the requirements of section 3201.
(d) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``Order'' means Executive Order 12291, as in
effect on September 29, 1993; and
(2) each of the terms ``agency'', ``regulation'', and
``rule'' has the meaning given that term in section 1 of the
Order, except that the term ``agency'' includes an independent
agency.
SEC. 7005. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.
An agency may not adopt a major rule unless the final Regulatory
Impact Analysis for the rule is approved in writing by the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget or by an individual designated by
the Director for that purpose.
SEC. 7006. STANDARD OF CLARITY.
To the extent practicable, the head of an agency may not publish in
the Federal Register any proposed major rule, summary of a proposed
major rule, or Regulatory Impact Analysis unless the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget certifies that the proposed major rule,
summary, or Analysis--
(1) is written in a reasonably simple and understandable
manner and is easily readable;
(2) is written to provide adequate notice of the content of
the rule, summary, or Analysis to affected persons and
interested persons that have some subject matter expertise;
(3) conforms to commonly accepted principles of grammar;
(4) contains only sentences that are as short as practical
and organized in a sensible manner; and
(5) to the extent practicable, does not contain any double
negatives, confusing cross references, convoluted phrasing,
unreasonably complex language, or term of art or word with
multiple meanings that may be misinterpreted and is not defined
in the rule, summary, or analysis, respectively.
SEC. 7007. REPORT BY OIRA.
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit a
report to the Congress no later than 24 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act containing an analysis of rule making procedures
of Federal agencies and an analysis of the impact of those rule making
procedures on the regulated public and regulatory process.
SEC. 7008. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title--
(1) except as provided in section 7004(d)(2), each of the
terms ``agency'', ``rule'', and ``rule making'' has the meaning
given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code;
and
(2) the term ``major rule'' has the meaning given that term
in section 7004(b).
TITLE VIII--PROTECTION AGAINST FEDERAL REGULATORY ABUSE
Subtitle A--Citizens' Regulatory Bill of Rights
SEC. 8101. CITIZENS' REGULATORY BILL OF RIGHTS.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (c), each person
that is the target of a Federal investigative or enforcement action
shall, upon the initiation of an inspection, investigation, or other
official proceeding directed against that person, have the right--
(1) to remain silent;
(2) to be advised as to whether the person has a right to a
warrant;
(3) to be warned that statements can be used against them;
(4) to have an attorney or accountant present;
(5) to be informed as the the scope and purpose of the
agency action;
(6) to be present at the inspection, investigation, or
proceeding;
(7) to be reimbursed for unreasonable damages;
(8) to be free of unreasonable seizures of property or
assets; and
(9) to receive attorneys fees and other expenses from the
Government when the Government commences a frivolous civil
action against such person, except that nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to affect the Equal Access to
Justice Act.
(b) Agency Rules.--Each agency or other authority of the Federal
Government with respect to which this section applies shall make
appropriate rules within 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act to implement this section in the context of that agency's
functions.
(c) Limitation on Application of Requirements.--A requirement of
this section shall not apply if compliance with the requirement would--
(1) substantially delay responding to an imminent danger to
person or property; or
(2) substantially or unreasonably impede a criminal
investigation.
Subtitle B--Private Sector Whistleblowers' Protection
SEC. 8201. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Private Sector Whistleblowers'
Protection Act of 1995''.
SEC. 8202. PURPOSE.
The Federal regulatory system should be implemented consistent with
the principle that any person subject to Government regulation should
be protected against reprisal for disclosing information that the
person believes is indicative of--
(1) violation or inconsistent application of any law, rule,
regulation, policy, or internal standard;
(2) arbitrary action or other abuse of authority;
(3) mismanagement;
(4) waste or misallocation of resources;
(5) inconsistent, discriminatory or disproportionate
enforcement proceedings;
(6) endangerment of public health or safety;
(7) personal favoritism; and
(8) coercion for partisan political purposes;
by any agency or its employees.
SEC. 8203. COVERAGE.
This subtitle shall apply to:
(1) Any agency of the Federal Government as defined in
section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Any agency of a State government that exercises
authority under Federal law, or that exercises authority under
State law establishing a program approved by a Federal agency
as a substitute for or supplement to a program established by
Federal law.
SEC. 8204. PROHIBITED REGULATORY PRACTICES.
(a) Defined.--For purposes of this subtitle, ``prohibited
regulatory practice'' means any action described in subsection (b)(i),
(ii), or (iii) of this section.
(b) Prohibition.--(1) No employee of an Agency who has authority--
(A) to take or direct other employees to take,
(B) to recommend, or
(C) to approve,
any regulatory action shall--
(i) take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to
take,
(ii) recommend or direct that others take or fail to take,
or threaten to so recommend or direct, or
(iii) approve the taking or failing to take, or threaten to
so approve,
such regulatory action because of any disclosure by a person subject to
the action, or by any other person, of information that the person
believed indicative of--
(I) violation or inconsistent application of any law, rule,
regulation, policy, or internal standard;
(II) arbitrary action or other abuse of authority;
(III) mismanagement;
(IV) waste or misallocation of resources;
(V) inconsistent, discriminatory or disproportionate
enforcement;
(VI) endangerment of public health or safety;
(VII personal favoritism; or
(VIII) coercion for partisan political purposes;
by any agency or its employees.
(2) An action shall be deemed to have been taken, not taken,
approved, or recommended because of the disclosure of information
within the meaning of paragraph (1) if the disclosure of information
was a contributing factor to the decision to take, not to take, to
approve, or to recommend.
SEC. 8205. PROHIBITED REGULATORY PRACTICE AS A DEFENSE TO AGENCY
ACTION.
(a) In General.--In any administrative or judicial action or
proceeding, formal or informal, by an agency to create, apply or
enforce any obligation, duty or liability under any law, rule or
regulation against any person, the person may assert as a defense that
the agency or one or more employees of the agency have engaged in a
prohibited regulatory practice with respect to the person or to a
related entity in connection with the action or proceeding.
(b) Compliance.--If the existence of a prohibited regulatory
practice is established, the person may be required to comply with the
obligation, duty or liability to the extent compliance is required of
and enforced against other persons similarly situated, but no penalty,
fine, damages, costs or other obligation except compliance shall be
imposed on the person.
SEC. 8206. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Civil Penalty.--Any agency, and any employee of an agency,
engaging in a prohibited regulatory practice may be assessed a civil
penalty of not more than $25,000 for each such practice. In the case of
a continuing prohibited regulatory practice, each day that the practice
continues shall be deemed a separate practice.
(b) Procedures.--The President shall, by regulation, establish
procedures providing for the administrative enforcement of the
requirements of subsection (a) of this section.
SEC. 8207. CITIZEN SUITS.
(a) Commencement.--Any person injured or threatened by a prohibited
regulatory practice may commence a civil action on his own behalf
against any person or agency alleged to have engaged in or threatened
to engage in such practice.
(b) Jurisdiction and Venue.--Any action under subsection (a) of
this section shall be brought in the district court for any district in
which the alleged prohibited regulatory practice occurred or in which
the alleged injury occurred. The district court shall have
jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in controversy or the
citizenship of the parties, to--
(1) restrain any agency or person who has engaged or is
engaging in any prohibited regulatory practice;
(2) order the cancellation or remission of any penalty,
fine, damages, or other monetary assessment that resulted from
a prohibited regulatory practice;
(3) order the rescission of any settlement that resulted
from a prohibited regulatory practice;
(4) order the issuance of any permit or license that has
been denied or delayed as a result of a prohibited regulatory
practice;
(5) order the agency and/or the employee engaging in a
prohibited regulatory practice to pay to the injured person
such damages as may be necessary to compensate the person for
any harm resulting from the practice, including damages for--
(A) injury to, deterioration of, or destruction of
real or personal property;
(B) loss of profits from idle or underutilized
resources, and from business forgone;
(C) costs incurred, including costs of compliance
where appropriate;
(D) loss in value of a business;
(E) reasonable legal, consulting and expert witness
fees; or
(F) payments to third parties;
(6) order the payment of punitive damages, in an amount not
to exceed $25,000 for each such prohibited regulatory practice,
provided that, in the case of a continuing prohibited
regulatory practice, each day that the practice continues shall
be deemed a separate practice.
SEC. 8208. OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL COUNSEL.
(a) Request for Investigation.--Any person who has reason to
believe that any employee of any agency has engaged in a prohibited
regulatory practice may request the Special Counsel established by
section 1211 of title 5, United States Code, to investigate.
(b) Powers.--The Special Counsel shall have the same power to
investigate prohibited regulatory practices that it has to investigate
prohibited personnel practices pursuant to section 1212 of title 5,
United States Code.
SEC. 8209. RELATION TO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.
Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed so as substantially or
unreasonably to impede a criminal investigation.
TITLE IX--PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTIONS AND COMPENSATION
SEC. 9001. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this title to compensate private property
owners with respect to certain actions that are taken by the Federal
Government for public purposes and that limit the use of private
property by property owners.
SEC. 9002. COMPENSATION FOR FEDERAL AGENCY INFRINGEMENT OR DEPRIVATION
OF RIGHTS TO PRIVATE PROPERTY.
(a) Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--A private property owner is entitled to
receive compensation from the United States in accordance with
this section for any agency infringement or deprivation of
rights to property that is owned by the private property owner.
(2) Agency infringement or deprivation of rights to
property defined.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the term
``agency infringement or deprivation of rights to property''
means a limitation or condition that--
(A) is imposed by a final agency action on a use of
property that would be lawful but for the agency
action, and
(B) results in a reduction in the value of the
property equal to ten percent or more.
(3) Circumstances in which compensation not required.--A
private property owner shall not be entitled to receive
compensation under this subsection for any of the following:
(A) A limitation on any action that would
constitute a violation of applicable State or local law
(including an action that would violate a local zoning
ordinance or would constitute a nuisance under any
applicable State or local law).
(B) A limitation on any use of private property,
imposed pursuant to a determination by the President
that the use poses or would pose a serious and imminent
threat to public health and safety or to the health and
safety of workers, or other individuals, lawfully on
the property.
(C) A limitation imposed pursuant to the Federal
navigational servitude.
(4) Limitation on cumulative amount of compensation.--No
payment may be made pursuant to this subsection with respect to
property if the sum of such payment and all other payments made
pursuant to this subsection with respect to the property would
exceed the fair market value of the property (as determined at
the time of the payment).
(5) State or local limitations imposed pursuant to federal
mandates.--A limitation or condition shall be considered to be
a Federal agency infringement or deprivation of rights to
property for purposes of paragraph (1) if it is a consequence
of a limitation or condition on the use of the property by the
private property owner that is imposed by a State or local
government pursuant to an agency action that is intended to, or
does, bind the State or local government.
(b) Request for Compensation.--Within 90 days after receipt of
notice of an agency action with respect to which compensation is
required under subsection (a), a private property owner may submit to
the head of the agency a request in writing for compensation under this
section.
(c) Agency Determination and Offer.--
(1) In general.--Upon receipt of a request for
compensation, submitted in accordance with subsection (b), with
respect to an agency action affecting private property as
described in subsection (a), the head of the agency that took
the action shall determine whether the private property owner
submitting the request has demonstrated entitlement to
compensation under subsection (a). If the head of the agency
finds that the private property owner has so demonstrated, the
head of the agency shall offer to compensate the private
property owner for the reduction in the value of the property,
as demonstrated by the private property owner.
(2) Timing of determination and offer.--The head of an
agency shall make the determination and offer, if any, required
by paragraph (1) with respect to a request for compensation not
later than 180 days after receiving the request.
(d) Private Property Owners' Response.--A private property owner
shall have 60 days after the date of receipt of an offer under
subsection (c) to accept or to reject the offer.
(e) Arbitration.--If the head of an agency determines, under
subsection (c), that a private property owner is not entitled to
compensation under subsection (a), or a private property owner rejects
an offer made under subsection (c), the private property owner may
submit the matter for arbitration to an arbitrator appointed by the
head of the agency from a list of arbitrators submitted by the American
Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall determine whether the
request meets the requirements of subsection (a) (if such determination
is called for by the submission of the property owner) and shall
determine the amount of compensation to which the property owner is
entitled under this section, in accordance with subsection (c). The
arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the real estate
valuation arbitration rules of that association. For purposes of this
section, an arbitration is binding on the head of an agency and the
private property owner as to whether the property owner is entitled to
compensation under subsection (a) and as to the amount, if any, of
compensation owed to the private property owner under this section.
(f) Payment.--The head of an agency shall pay a private property
owner any compensation required under the terms of an offer of the
agency head that is accepted by the private property owner in
accordance with subsection (d), or under a decision of an arbiter under
subsection (e), by not later than 60 days after the date of the
acceptance or the date of the issuance of the decision, respectively.
(g) Nature of Remedy.--
(1) Prohibition of limitation on other claims.--No
provision of this title shall be construed to limit the rights
of any person to pursue any claim or cause of action under the
Constitution or any other law (including a claim or cause of
action concerning personal property).
(2) Prohibition of use as condition precedent.--Submission
of a request for compensation, or receipt of compensation,
under this title shall not be a condition precedent for any
claim or cause of action under any law.
(h) Limitation on Double Recovery.--
(1) Court awards of damages.--Notwithstanding subsection
(g), a court may credit a payment made pursuant to subsection
(a) for any reduction in the value of property against the
amount of damages awarded pursuant to any claim or cause of
action, under the Constitution or any other law, that arises
from the same reduction in the value of the same property.
(2) Payments under this title.--The amount awarded pursuant
to any claim or cause of action, under the Constitution or any
other law, for any reduction in the value of a property shall
be credited against the amount of any payment made pursuant to
subsection (a) with respect to the same reduction in the value
of the same property.
(i) Source of Payment Funds.--
(1) Use of agency funds.--Except as provided in paragraphs
(2) and (3), and notwithstanding any other provision of law,
any payment made pursuant to subsection (a) shall be paid from
the annual appropriation of the agency or agencies taking the
action for which the payment is required. For the purpose of
making such a payment, the head of the agency may transfer or
reprogram any funds available to the agency.
(2) Alternative source of funds.--If the agency taking the
action referred to in paragraph (2) or (5) of subsection (a)
does not have sufficient funds available to complete the
payment required by this section with respect to the action,
the Comptroller General of the United States shall identify the
most appropriate Federal source of funds to complete the
payment and the President shall complete the payment using
funds from such source, notwithstanding any other provision of
law.
(3) Land exchange.--In lieu of payment under paragraph (1)
or (2), the President may enter into an agreement with the
private property owner who is entitled to the compensation for
which the payment is required to provide all or part of the
compensation by exchanging all or part of the affected private
property for property owned by the United States and identified
by the President as suitable for such an exchange. The
properties transferred as part of such an exchange shall be of
equal value, as determined under section 206(d) of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(d)).
SEC. 9003. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this title, or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this title
and the application of such provision to other persons and
circumstances shall not be affected.
SEC. 9004. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given that
term in section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Agency action.--The term ``agency action'' has the
meaning given that term in section 551(13) of title 5, United
States Code.
(3) Fair market value.--Unless stated otherwise, the term
``fair market value of the property'' means the fair market
value of property determined as of the date on which the
private property owner makes a claim under this title with
respect to the property.
(4) Final agency action.--The term ``final agency action''
means an agency action that is intended to or does bind a
private property owner with respect to the use of the property.
Such term includes but is not limited to the following:
(A) Denial of a permit.
(B) Issuance of a cease and desist order.
(C) Issuance of a statement under section 7(b)(3)
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1536(b)(3)).
(D) Issuance of a permit with conditions.
(E) Commencement of a civil or criminal proceeding
arising out of failure to secure a permit.
(5) Private property owner.--The term ``private property
owner'' means a person (other than the United States, a
department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, or an officer,
employee, or agent thereof when acting on behalf of his or her
employing authority) that--
(A) owns property referred to in paragraph (6)(A);
or
(B) holds property referred to in paragraph (6)(B).
(6) Property.--The term ``property'' means--
(A) land; and
(B) the right to use or receive water.
(7) Reduction in the value of property.--The term
``reduction in the value of property'' means the difference, if
greater than zero, between--
(A) the fair market value of property, as
determined based on the value of the property if an
agency action referred to in paragraph (2) or (5) of
section 9002(a), as the case may be, were not
implemented; minus
(B) the fair market value of property, as
determined based on the value of the property if an
agency action referred to in paragraph (2) or (5) of
section 9002(a), as the case may be, were implemented.
(8) Use--The term ``use'' means a prior, existing, or
potential utilization of property, by the private property
owner, which is--
(A) predictable; and
(B) consistent with the utilization of property of
the same general type or with property usage in the
geographic area in which the property is located.
TITLE X--ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL MANDATE BUDGET COST CONTROL
SEC. 10001. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974.
(a) Federal Regulatory Budget Cost Control System.--Title III of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended by section 4001(a) of
this Act, is further amended by adding after part B the following new
part:
``PART C--FEDERAL MANDATE BUDGET COST CONTROL
``SEC. 331. OMB-CBO REPORTS.
``(a) OMB-CBO Initial Report.--Within 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, OMB and CBO shall jointly issue a report to
the President and each House of Congress that contains the following:
``(1) For the first budget year beginning after the
issuance of this report, a projection of the aggregate direct
cost to States and local governments of complying with all
Federal mandates in effect immediately before issuance of the
report containing the projection for that budget year of the
effect of current-year Federal mandates into the budget year
and the outyears based on those mandates.
``(2) A calculation of the estimated aggregate direct cost
to States and local governments of compliance with all Federal
mandates as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP).
``(3) The estimated marginal cost (measured as a reduction
in estimated gross domestic product) to States and local
governments of compliance with all Federal mandates in excess
of the cap (to be determined under paragraph (5)) allowable for
the sixth year following the budget year and subsequent fiscal
years.
``(4) The effect on the domestic economy of different types
of Federal mandates.
``(5) The appropriate level of personnel, administrative
overhead, and programmatic savings that should be achieved on a
fiscal year by fiscal year basis by Federal agencies that issue
mandates with direct costs to States and local governments
through the reduction of such aggregate costs to States and
local governments by 6.5 percent for the budget year (as
measured against the aggregate mandate baseline for the first
budget year to which this part applies) and by 6.5 percent
increments for each of the outyears (until the aggregate level
of such costs does not exceed 3 percent of the estimated gross
domestic product for the same fiscal year as the estimated
costs that will be incurred).
``(6) Recommendations for budgeting, technical, and
estimating changes to improve the Federal mandate budgeting
process.
``(b) Update Reports.--OMB and CBO shall issue update reports on
September 15th of the fifth year beginning after issuance of the
initial report and at 5-year intervals thereafter containing all the
information required in the initial report, but based upon all Federal
mandates in effect immediately before issuance of the most recent
update report.
``(c) Initial Baseline Report.--Within 30 days after the date of
enactment of this section, OMB and CBO shall jointly issue a report to
the President and each House of Congress that contains an initial
aggregate mandate baseline for the first budget year that begins at
least 120 days after that date of enactment. That baseline will be a
projection of the aggregate direct cost to States and local governments
of complying with all Federal mandates in effect immediately before
issuance of the report containing the projection for that budget year
of the effect of current-year Federal mandates into the budget year and
the outyears based on those mandates.
``SEC. 332. AGGREGATE MANDATE BASELINE.
``(a) In General.--For the first budget year beginning after the
date of enactment of this section and for every other fiscal year
thereafter, the aggregate mandate baseline refers to a projection of
the aggregate direct cost to States and local governments of complying
with all Federal mandates in effect immediately before issuance of the
report containing the projection for that budget year of the effect of
current-year Federal mandates into the budget year and the outyears
based on those mandates. However, in the case of each of the succeeding
fiscal years, the baseline shall be adjusted for the estimated growth
during that year in the gross domestic product (GDP).
``(b) OMB-CBO Aggregate Mandate Baseline Reports.--(1) The first
budget year for which there shall be an aggregate mandate baseline
shall be the budget year to which the initial OMB-CBO baseline report
issued under section 331(c) pertains.
``(2) In the case of each budget year after the budget year
referred to in paragraph (1), not later than September 15 of the
current year, OMB and CBO shall jointly issue a report containing the
baseline referred to in subsection (a) for that budget year.
``SEC. 333. RECONCILIATION AND ALLOCATIONS.
``(a) Reconciliation Directives.--In addition to the requirements
of section 310, a concurrent resolution on the budget for any fiscal
year shall specify--
``(1) changes in laws, regulations, and rules necessary to
reduce the aggregate direct cost to States and local
governments of complying with all Federal mandates by 6.5
percent for the budget year (as measured against the aggregate
mandate baseline for the first budget year to which this part
applies) and by 6.5 percent increments for each of the outyears
(until the aggregate level of such costs does not exceed 3
percent of the estimated gross domestic product for the same
fiscal year as the estimated costs that will be incurred) for
Federal agencies that issue mandates producing direct costs to
States and local governments; and
``(2) changes in laws necessary to achieve reductions in
the level of personnel and administrative overhead and to
achieve programmatic savings for the budget year and the
outyears for those agencies of the following:
``(A) In the first outyear, one-fourth of the
percent of reduction in mandate authority from the
aggregate mandate base.
``(B) In the second outyear, one-third of the
percent of reduction in mandate authority from the
aggregate mandate base.
``(C) In the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth years
following the budget year, one-half of the percent of
reduction in mandate authority from the aggregate
mandate base.
Section 310(c) shall not apply with respect to directions made under
this section.
``(b) Allocation of Totals.--(1) The Committees on the Budget of
the House of Representatives and the Senate shall each allocate
aggregate 2-year mandate authority among each committee of its House
and by major functional category for the first budget year beginning
after the date of enactment of this section and for the second, fourth,
and sixth years following the budget year and then every other year
thereafter.
``(2) As soon as practicable after receiving an allocation under
paragraph (1), each committee shall subdivide its allocation among its
subcommittees or among programs over which it has jurisdiction.
``(c) Point of Order.--(1) It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill or resolution, or
amendment thereto, which would cause the appropriate allocation made
under subsection (b) for a fiscal year of mandate authority to be
exceeded.
``(2) Waiver.--The point of order set forth in paragraph (1) may
only be waived by the affirmative vote of at least three-fifths of the
Members voting, a quorum being present.
``(d) Determinations by Budget Committees.--For purposes of this
section, the level of mandate authority for a fiscal year shall be
determined by the Committee on the Budget of the House of
Representatives or the Senate, as the case may be.
``(e) Exceeding Allocation Totals.--Whenever any Committee of the
House of Representatives exceeds its allocation of aggregate 2-year
mandate authority under subsection (b)(1), any Member of the House of
Representatives may offer a bill in the House (which shall be highly
privileged, unamendable, and debateable for 30 minutes) which shall
only prohibit the issuance of mandates by any agency under the
jurisdiction of that committee for the fiscal years covered by that
allocation until that committee eliminates its breach.
``SEC. 334. ANALYSIS OF MANDATES COSTS BY CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE.
``CBO shall prepare for each bill or resolution of a public
character reported by any committee of the House of Representatives or
the Senate (except the Committee on Appropriations of each House), and
submit to such committee--
``(1) an estimate of the costs which would be incurred by
States and local governments in carrying out or complying with
such bill or resolution in the fiscal year in which it is to
become effective and in each of the 4 fiscal years following
such fiscal year, together with the basis of each such
estimate; and
``(2) a comparison of the estimate of costs described in
paragraph (1) with any available estimates of costs made by
such committee or by any Federal agency.
``SEC. 335. DEFINITIONS.
``As used in this part:
``(1) The term `CBO' refers to the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office.
``(2) The term `OMB' refers to the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget.
``(3) The term `costs' when referring to `mandates' means
the direct cost to States and local governments of complying
with Federal mandates.
``(4) The term `direct costs' means (recognizing that
direct costs are not the only costs associated with Federal
mandates) all expenditures occurring as a direct result of
complying with Federal mandates, except those applying to the
military or agency organization, management, and personnel.''.
SEC. 10002. PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL BUDGET SUBMISSIONS.
Section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, as amended by
section 4002 of this Act, is further amended by adding after paragraph
(32) the following new paragraph:
``(33) a mandate authority budget analysis of the aggregate
direct cost to States and local governments of complying with
all current and proposed Federal mandates and proposals for
complying with section 333 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 for the budget year and the outyears.''
SEC. 10003. ESTIMATION AND DISCLOSURE OF COSTS OF FEDERAL MANDATES.
(a) Costs to State and Local Governments.--Chapter 6 of title 5,
United States Code, popularly known as the ``Regulatory Flexibility
Act'', is amended--
(1) in section 603, as amended by section 4003(2) of this
Act, by adding after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Each initial regulatory flexibility analysis for a proposed
rule that establishes or implements a new Federal mandate shall also
contain a description of the nature and amount of monetary costs that
will be incurred by State and local governments in complying with the
Federal mandate.''; and
(2) in section 604(a), as amended by section 4003(3) of
this Act--
(A) in paragraph (3) by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (4) by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) in the case of an analysis for a rule that
establishes or implements a new Federal mandate, a statement of
the nature and amount of monetary costs that will be incurred
by State and local governments in complying with the Federal
mandate.''.
(b) Agency Reports.--Each agency that under chapter 6 of title 5,
United States Code, prepares an initial regulatory flexibility analysis
for a proposed rule that establishes or implements a new Federal
mandate shall at the same time submit to each House of Congress and to
CBO and OMB a cost estimate and cost/benefit analysis of any new
Federal mandate that would have an aggregate direct cost to State and
local governments of at least $10,000,000 for any fiscal year.
TITLE XI--TAXPAYER DEBT BUY-DOWN
SEC. 11001. DESIGNATION OF AMOUNTS FOR REDUCTION OF PUBLIC DEBT.
(a) In General.--Subchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (relating to returns and records) is amended by adding at
the end the following new part:
``PART IX--DESIGNATION FOR REDUCTION OF PUBLIC DEBT
``Sec. 6097. Designation.
``SEC. 6097. DESIGNATION.
``(a) In General.--Every individual with adjusted income tax
liability for any taxable year may designate that a portion of such
liability (not to exceed 10 percent thereof) shall be used to reduce
the public debt.
``(b) Manner and Time of Designation.--A designation under
subsection (a) may be made with respect to any taxable year only at the
time of filing the return of tax imposed by chapter 1 for the taxable
year. The designation shall be made on the first page of the return or
on the page bearing the taxpayer's signature.
``(c) Adjusted Income Tax Liability.--For purposes of this section,
the term `adjusted income tax liability' means income tax liability (as
defined in section 6096(b)) reduced by any amount designated under
section 6096 (relating to designation of income tax payments to
Presidential Election Campaign Fund).''
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of parts for such subchapter A
is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``Part IX. Designation for reduction of
public debt.''
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 11002. PUBLIC DEBT REDUCTION TRUST FUND.
(a) In General.--Subchapter A of chapter 98 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (relating to trust fund code) is amended by adding at the
end the following section:
``SEC. 9512. PUBLIC DEBT REDUCTION TRUST FUND.
``(a) Creation of Trust Fund.--There is established in the Treasury
of the United States a trust fund to be known as the `Public Debt
Reduction Trust Fund', consisting of any amount appropriated or
credited to the Trust Fund as provided in this section or section
9602(b).
``(b) Transfers to Trust Fund.--There are hereby appropriated to
the Public Debt Reduction Trust Fund amounts equivalent to the amounts
designated under section 6097 (relating to designation for public debt
reduction).
``(c) Expenditures.--Amounts in the Public Debt Reduction Trust
Fund shall be used by the Secretary of the Treasury for purposes of
paying at maturity, or to redeem or buy before maturity, any obligation
of the Federal Government included in the public debt (other than an
obligation held by the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust
Fund, the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, or the
Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund). Any obligation which
is paid, redeemed, or bought with amounts from the Public Debt
Reduction Trust Fund shall be canceled and retired and may not be
reissued.''
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such subchapter
is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``Sec. 9512. Public Debt Reduction Trust
Fund.''
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to amounts received after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 11003. TAXPAYER-GENERATED SEQUESTRATION OF FEDERAL SPENDING TO
REDUCE THE PUBLIC DEBT.
(a) Sequestration To Reduce the Public Debt.--Part C of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by
adding after section 253 the following new section:
``SEC. 253A. SEQUESTRATION TO REDUCE THE PUBLIC DEBT.
``(a) Sequestration.--Notwithstanding sections 255 and 256, within
15 days after Congress adjourns to end a session, and on the same day
as sequestration (if any) under sections 251, 252, and 253, but after
any sequestration required by those sections, there shall be a
sequestration equivalent to the estimated aggregate amount designated
under section 6097 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the last
taxable year ending one year before the beginning of that session of
Congress, as estimated by the Department of the Treasury on October 1
and as modified by the total of (1) any amounts by which net
discretionary spending is reduced by legislation below the
discretionary spending limits enacted after the enactment of this
section related to the fiscal year subject to the sequestration (or, in
the absence of such limits, any net deficit change from the baseline
amount calculated under section 257 (except that such baseline for
fiscal year 1996 and thereafter shall be based upon fiscal year 1995
enacted appropriations less any 1995 sequesters)) and (2) the net
deficit change that has resulted from all direct spending legislation
enacted after the enactment of this section related to the fiscal year
subject to the sequestration, as estimated by OMB. If the reduction in
spending under paragraphs (1) and (2) for a fiscal year is greater than
the estimated aggregate amount designated under section 6097 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 respecting that fiscal year, then there
shall be no sequestration under this section.
``(b) Applicability.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided by paragraph (2),
each account of the United States shall be reduced by a dollar
amount calculated by multiplying the level of budgetary
resources in that account at that time by the uniform
percentage necessary to carry out subsection (a). All
obligational authority reduced under this section shall be done
in a manner that makes such reductions permanent.
``(2) Exempt accounts.--No order issued under this part
may--
``(A) reduce benefits payable the old-age and
survivors insurance program established under title II
of the Social Security Act;
``(B) reduce payments for net interest (all of
major functional category 900); or
``(C) make any reduction in the following accounts:
``Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
Bank Insurance Fund;
``Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
FSLIC Resolution Fund;
``Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
Savings Association Insurance Fund;
``National Credit Union Administration,
credit union share insurance fund; or
``Resolution Trust Corporation.''
(b) Reports.--Section 254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting after the item relating
to the GAO compliance report the following:
``October 1 . . . Department of Treasury report to Congress
estimating amount of income tax designated pursuant to section 6097 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.'';
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by inserting ``, and
sequestration to reduce the public debt,'';
(3) in subsection (d), by redesignating paragraph (5) as
paragraph (6) and by inserting after paragraph (4) the
following new paragraph:
``(5) Sequestration to reduce the public debt reports.--The
preview reports shall set forth for the budget year estimates
for each of the following:
``(A) The aggregate amount designated under section
6097 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the last
taxable year ending before the budget year.
``(B) The amount of reductions required under
section 253A and the deficit remaining after those
reductions have been made.
``(C) The sequestration percentage necessary to
achieve the required reduction in accounts under
section 253A(b).''; and
(4) in subsection (g), by redesignating paragraphs (4) and
(5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively, and by inserting
after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph:
``(4) Sequestration to reduce the public debt reports.--The
final reports shall contain all of the information contained in
the public debt taxation designation report required on October
1.''.
(c) Effective Date.--Notwithstanding section 275(b) of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the expiration date
set forth in that section shall not apply to the amendments made by
this section. The amendments made by this section shall cease to have
any effect after the first fiscal year during which there is no public
debt.
TITLE XII--SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES
SEC. 12001. INCREASE IN UNIFIED ESTATE AND GIFT TAX CREDITS.
(a) Estate Tax Credit.--
(1) Subsection (a) of section 2010 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (relating to unified credit against estate tax) is
amended by striking ``$192,800'' and inserting ``the applicable
credit amount''.
(2) Section 2010 of such Code is amended by redesignating
subsection (c) as subsection (d) and by inserting after
subsection (b) the following new subsection:
``(c) Applicable Credit Amount.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The applicable credit amount is the
amount of the tentative tax which would be determined under the
rate schedule set forth in section 2001(c) if the amount with
respect to which such tentative tax is to be computed were the
applicable exclusion amount determined in accordance with the
following table:
``In the case of estates of decedents
The applicable
dying, and gifts made, during:
exclusion amount is:
1996................................. $700,000
1997................................. $725,000
1998 or thereafter................... $750,000.
``(2) Cost-of-living adjustments.--In the case of any
decedent dying, and gift made, in a calendar year after 1998,
the $750,000 amount set forth in paragraph (1) shall be
increased by an amount equal to--
``(A) $750,000, multiplied by
``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined
under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year by
substituting `calendar year 1997' for `calendar year
1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
Any increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be
rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.''
(3) Paragraph (1) of section 6018(a) of such Code is
amended by striking ``$600,000'' and inserting ``the applicable
exclusion amount in effect under section 2010(c) (as adjusted
under paragraph (2) thereof) for the calendar year which
includes the date of death''.
(4) Paragraph (2) of section 2001(c) of such Code is
amended by striking ``$21,040,000'' and inserting ``the amount
at which the effective tax rate under this section is 55
percent''.
(5) Subparagraph (A) of section 2102(c)(3) of such Code is
amended by striking ``$192,800'' and inserting ``the applicable
credit amount in effect under section 2010(c) for the calendar
year which includes the date of death''.
(b) Unified Gift Tax Credit.--Paragraph (1) of section 2505(a) of
such Code is amended by striking ``$192,800'' and inserting ``the
applicable credit amount in effect under section 2010(c) for such
calendar year''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to the estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after December
31, 1995.
SEC. 12002. INCREASE IN EXPENSE TREATMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.
(a) General Rule.--Paragraph (1) of section 179(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to dollar limitation) is amended by
striking ``$17,500'' and inserting ``$25,000''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995.
SEC. 12003. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS.
(a) In General.--Subsection (f) of section 280A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3),
and (4) as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively, and by inserting
after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:
``(2) Principal place of business.--For purposes of
subsection (c), a home office shall in any case qualify as the
principal place of business if--
``(A) the office is the location where the
taxpayer's essential administrative or management
activities are conducted on a regular and systematic
(and not incidental) basis by the taxpayer, and
``(B) the office is necessary because the taxpayer
has no other location for the performance of the
administrative or management activities of the
business.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995.
SEC. 12004. TREATMENT OF STORAGE OF PRODUCT SAMPLES.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 280A(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``inventory'' and inserting
``inventory or product samples''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995.
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RE-REFERRAL OF H.R. 9 - Mr. Kolbe asked unanimous consent that titles V, VI and section 4003 of H.R. 9 be re-referred to the Committee on Small Business as an additional committee of jurisdiction. Agreed to without objection.
Rereferred to the House Committee on Small Business for Titles V, VI and Section 4003.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 104-33, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 104-33, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 104-33, Part II.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 104-33, Part II.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2494)
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 101. (consideration: CR H2607-2639)
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 925 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. After passage of H.R. 925, it shall be in order to consider in the House H.R. 9. All points of order against the bill and against its consideration are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to amend and on the bill to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
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The House struck all after Section 1 and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a text composed of 4 divisions: 1) H.R. 830; 2) H.R. 925; 3) H.R. 926; and 4) H.R. 1022, as each bill was as passed by the House.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mr. Spratt moved to recommit with instructions to Science, Space and Technology.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Spratt motion to recommit the bill H.R. 9 to the Committee on Science, with instructions to report the bill back to the House forthwith with an amendment deleting that portion of the bill (Section 204 of H.R. 1022) which requires treating as a "major rule," and subject to the provisions of the bill, any determination by a Federal agency to approve or reject any proposed or final environmental clean-up plan for a facility, the costs of which are likely to exceed $5 million.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 180 - 239 (Roll no. 198). (consideration: CR H2638)
Roll Call #198 (House)Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 277 - 141 (Roll no. 199).
Roll Call #199 (House)On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 277 - 141 (Roll no. 199).
Roll Call #199 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
See Also H.R.1215.