legislation
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215 rows where congress = 103 and policy_area = "Commerce" sorted by introduced_date descending
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| bill_id | congress | bill_type | bill_number | title | policy_area | introduced_date ▲ | latest_action_date | latest_action_text | origin_chamber | sponsor_name | sponsor_state | sponsor_party | sponsor_bioguide_id | cosponsor_count | summary_text | update_date | url |
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| 103-hr-5303 | 103 | hr | 5303 | To make technical corrections in the Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1994. | Commerce | 1994-11-29 | 1994-11-29 | Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. | House | Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2] | NJ | D | H000930 | 0 | Makes technical corrections to the Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1994. | 2021-06-02T20:14:20Z | |
| 103-hr-5266 | 103 | hr | 5266 | Small Business Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Incentive Act | Commerce | 1994-10-07 | 1994-10-26 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Labor Standards, Occupational Health and Safety. | House | Rep. Hayes, James A. [D-LA-7] | LA | D | H000390 | 4 | Small Business Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Incentive Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to revise provisions relating to small businesses' compliance with such Act. Increases the Federal share of a grant for administration and enforcement for States that demonstrate their meeting State plan requirements. Requires the State to use such additional amount to carry out a consultation program to: (1) enable employers to consult with the State or the Secretary of Labor respecting their responsibilities under OSHA; and (2) provide education and training to employers respecting such responsibilities, including methods of hazard identification and mitigation. Directs the Secretary to provide technical and other assistance to States to establish and operate such consultation programs. Exempts any employer with less than 100 employees from being subject under OSHA to: (1) any fee, if the employer solicits such consultation services and has not been found in violation of OSHA within the previous 12 months; (2) certain inspections, if the employer requests a consultation visit and the consultant entity later determines that its recommendations have been implemented; or (3) a civil penalty of more than $1,000, if the employer abates a non-willful hazard in what the consultant entity deems a reasonable period of time and if a subsequent inspection finds that any such hazard no longer exists. Bases the amount of such penalty on the employer's cooperation and due diligence in abating the hazard. | 2026-03-23T12:47:58Z | |
| 103-hr-5271 | 103 | hr | 5271 | Minority Enterprise Development Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-10-07 | 1994-10-07 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7] | MD | D | M000687 | 5 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program Title II: Amendments to Contracting Program Minority Enterprise Development Act of 1994 - Title I: Amendments to Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to rename the small business and capital ownership development program as the Minority Enterprise Development Program (Program). Extends certain Program time limitations with respect to small businesses participating in Program activities on the date of enactment of this Act. Provides for a nine-year Phase III period of small business participation in the Program, requiring Program participants to attempt to meet certain business plan goals during the first four years, and again during the last five years, of Phase III. Prohibits small business forecasts or contract support levels from being used by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare a firm ineligible for the award of a contract under the Act. (Sec. 106) Allows a protest to be brought by various interested parties regarding a self-certification by a business concern of its status as a small business owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Requires the SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals to hear and determine such protests. (Sec. 107) Allows a Program participant to remain eligible for Program participation after transfer of an ownership interest in the business if ownership and control is retained by the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals upon whom Program eligibility is based. Allows, after certain certification, the continued participation of a tribally owned corporation which does not have a Native American as the firm's chief executive officer. (Sec. 108) Empowers the Division for Program Certification and Eligibility to make recommendations on requests for reconsideration of denied applications for entry into Phase III of the Program, t… | 2025-08-26T13:50:22Z | |
| 103-s-2515 | 103 | s | 2515 | Fairness in Musical Licensing Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-10-06 | 1994-10-06 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Brown, Hank [R-CO] | CO | R | B000919 | 0 | Fairness in Musical Licensing Act of 1994 - Revises Federal copyright law to provide that a communication of a transmission embodying a performance or display of a work by electronic players or by the public reception of a broadcast, cable, or satellite transmission on a receiving apparatus in any commercial establishment, the performance of which is incidental to the main purpose of such establishment, is not an infringement of copyright unless: (1) an admission charge is made to see or hear the transmission; or (2) any other public performance or display of the works implicated in such transmission are not properly licensed. Specifies that, if a user of music and a performing rights society are unable to agree on the appropriate fee to be paid for the user's past or future performance of music in the performing rights society's repertory, either party shall be entitled to binding arbitration of such disagreement pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association (and the arbitrator in such arbitration shall determine a fair and reasonable fee for the user's past or future performance of the music in such society's repertory). Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) civil actions for infringements involving nondramatic musical work licensed by a performing rights society; (2) arbitrators' determinations of a fair and reasonable license fee; (3) online computer access to repertoires; and (4) actions that shall be referred to arbitration. Provides that, in any case in which a nondramatic musical work is licensed by a performing rights society, such society shall offer a per programming period license to any radio or television broadcaster on request. Directs that such license be offered on terms and conditions that provide an economically and administratively viable alternative to blanket licenses. Sets forth provisions regarding prices of such licenses. Directs that performing rights societies and other organizations authorized to license nondramatic musical works for public performances make availabl… | 2025-08-26T13:49:03Z | |
| 103-s-2517 | 103 | s | 2517 | A bill to amend the Fastener Quality Act. | Commerce | 1994-10-06 | 1994-10-06 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce. | Senate | Sen. Simon, Paul [D-IL] | IL | D | S000423 | 0 | Amends the Fastener Quality Act to set forth an alternative procedure to satisfy certain chemical standards and specifications with respect to fasteners sold in lots. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate Department of Commerce personnel to conduct investigations to enforce such Act. | 2025-01-14T18:51:33Z | |
| 103-hr-5178 | 103 | hr | 5178 | To amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and for other purposes. | Commerce | 1994-10-05 | 1994-10-08 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking. | House | Rep. Gonzalez, Henry B. [D-TX-20] | TX | D | G000272 | 4 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to Fair Credit Reporting Act Title II: Credit Repair Organizations Title III: Truth in Lending Act Title IV: Disaster Relief Title I: Amendments to Fair Credit Reporting Act - Consumer Reporting Reform Act of 1994 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the Act) to specify that the term "credit transaction which is not initiated by the consumer" does not include use of a consumer report (CR) by a person with which the consumer has an account for purposes of reviewing or collecting the account. (Sec. 102) Excludes certain communications by employment agencies from the definition of "consumer report." (Sec. 103) Allows the furnishing of a CR for: (1) a legitimate business need in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer; and (2) employment purposes only if certain disclosures are made, the consumer consents, and the information will not be used in violation of any Federal or State equal employment opportunity law or regulation. Permits the furnishing or use of a CR for employment purposes only if the employment is expected to require: (1) a Federal security clearance; (2) an employee to be covered by a fidelity bond; or (3) an employee to have access to substantial amounts of cash or other things of value or to engage in any activity with respect to which the employee has a fiduciary duty. (Sec. 104) Prohibits: (1) using or obtaining information from a CR unless it is obtained for an authorized purpose and the purpose is certified under certain provisions of the Act; (2) the furnishing of a CR for use in credit transactions not initiated by the consumer; and (3) a credit reporting agency (CRA), in connection with employment or credit transaction purposes, from furnishing, without the consumer's consent, a CR which contains medical information. Requires CRAs to maintain a notification system, including a toll- free telephone number, which permits any consumer to elect to be excluded from lists provided in connection w… | 2025-01-14T18:20:21Z | |
| 103-s-2503 | 103 | s | 2503 | Americans with Disabilities Business Development Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1994-10-05 | 1994-10-05 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business. | Senate | Sen. Durenberger, Dave [R-MN] | MN | R | D000566 | 6 | Americans with Disabilities Business Development Act of 1993 - Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) substitute the definition of "severe disability" (the meaning given such term, by regulation, by the Small Business Administration) for "handicapped individual"; and (2) include Americans with severe disabilities among those considered to be socially disadvantaged for purposes of such Act. | 2025-08-26T13:48:45Z | |
| 103-sconres-79 | 103 | sconres | 79 | A concurrent resolution recognizing Belleville, New Jersey, as the birthplace of the industrial revolution in the United States. | Commerce | 1994-10-05 | 1994-10-05 | Referred to the Committee on Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] | NJ | D | L000123 | 1 | Recognizes Belleville, New Jersey, as the birthplace of the industrial revolution in the United States. | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 103-s-2483 | 103 | s | 2483 | Minority Small Business Preservation Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-09-30 | 1994-09-30 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business. | Senate | Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX] | TX | R | H001016 | 1 | Minority Small Business Preservation Act of 1994 - Amends the Small Business Act to suspend the termination of participation by certain small and minority businesses in the small business and capital ownership development program until the later of: (1) the current date of termination (nine years after commencement of participation); or (2) one year after the date on which final regulations are issued establishing appropriate terms for participation in the program by industry sector. | 2025-08-26T13:51:56Z | |
| 103-s-2488 | 103 | s | 2488 | Patent Application Publication Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-09-30 | 1994-09-30 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 0 | Patent Application Publication Act of 1994 - Revises Federal patent law to provide that a person shall not be entitled to a patent if the invention was described in a published patent application by another filed in the United States before the invention thereof by the applicant. Entitles a patent application to claim the benefit of an earlier filing date in a foreign country if a claim therefor and a certified copy of the original foreign application, specification, and drawings upon which it is based are filed in the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) at any such time during the pendency of the application as is required by the Commissioner of Patents. Allows the Commissioner to consider the failure of the applicant to file a timely claim for priority as a waiver of any such claim. Authorizes the Commissioner to determine the time period within which an amendment containing the specific reference to an earlier filed application shall be submitted. Requires each patent application to be published as soon as possible after 18 months from the earliest filing date for which a benefit is sought, except for an application that is no longer pending or one subject to a secrecy order. Permits earlier publication at the applicant's request. Prohibits disclosure of information concerning published applications except as determined by the Commissioner. Directs the Commissioner to recover the cost of early publication by adjusting the filing, issue, and maintenance fees by charging a separate publication fee, or by any combination of such fees. Specifies that a patent shall include the right to obtain a reasonable royalty from any person who, during the period from publication of the application until issue of the patent: (1) makes, uses, or sells in the United States the invention as claimed in the published application or imports such an invention into the United States, or if the invention as claimed in the published application is a process, uses or sells in or imports into the United States products made by that pr… | 2025-08-26T13:52:07Z | |
| 103-s-2478 | 103 | s | 2478 | Business Development Opportunity Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-09-29 | 1994-10-07 | Message on Senate action sent to the House. | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 16 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Title II: Contracting Program for Certain Small Business Concerns Title III: Expanding Subcontracting Opportunities Title IV: Repeals and Technical Amendments Title V: Definitions Title VI: Regulatory Implementation and Effective Dates Business Development Opportunity Act of 1994 - Title I: Amendments to the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program - Part A: Program Organization and Participation Standards - Amends the Small Business Act to replace certain provisions regarding the minority small business and capital ownership development program with those establishing a Minority Enterprise Development Program. (Sec. 101) Requires the Program to consist of a Business Creation Phase, a Business Development Phase, and a Business Development (Preferential Contracting) Phase. Provides that only firms participating in the last phase shall be eligible for awards of Federal contracts and refers to such firms as Program participants. Permits firms to participate in the preferential contracting phase for up to nine years. (Sec. 103) Expands the definition of "socially and economically disadvantaged business concern" to include all Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations for purposes of such Program. (Currently, such definition only includes economically disadvantaged Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.) (Sec. 104) Prohibits an applicant from being denied admission into the Program based solely on a determination that the participant has not been in operation for a period of time specified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) if the firm meets specified requirements, including demonstrations of business management and technical expertise, adequate capital, and ability to meet contract requirements. (Sec. 106) Directs the SBA Administrator to develop an action plan for improving participation in the Program by fi… | 2025-08-26T13:51:17Z | |
| 103-hr-5103 | 103 | hr | 5103 | To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for an Executive Director of the General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board, and for other purposes. | Commerce | 1994-09-26 | 1994-10-08 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. | House | Rep. McCloskey, Frank [D-IN-8] | IN | D | M000342 | 0 | Instructs the Comptroller General to appoint as the Executive Director of the General Accounting Office (GAO) Personnel Appeals Board (the Board) an individual that the Chairman of that Board selects. Modifies the pay rate guidelines for the Board's General Counsel. Authorizes the Comptroller General to enter into interagency agreements with the Department of State and other executive agencies to permit GAO to participate in health care programs for Federal employees stationed or performing temporary duty abroad. | 2025-01-14T19:03:55Z | |
| 103-hjres-414 | 103 | hjres | 414 | To authorize and encourage States to adopt interstate compacts for the regulation of interstate insurance. | Commerce | 1994-09-23 | 1994-10-03 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness. | House | Rep. McMillan, J. Alex [R-NC-9] | NC | R | M000566 | 0 | Encourages and authorizes the States to study and adopt interstate insurance regulatory compacts to address regulatory issues, including the regulation of alien insurers and reinsurers, insurer solvency, rehabilitation and liquidation, guaranty fund protection, and insurance agent licensing. Declares that the States which have a majority of property and liability insurance premiums paid in the United States should adopt an interstate compact relating to the certification of alien insurers and reinsurers within two years of this Act's enactment. Requires such compact to establish minimum standards for alien insurers and reinsurers to be certified to do business within such States within three years. Sets forth reporting requirements. | 2024-02-05T14:30:09Z | |
| 103-hr-5092 | 103 | hr | 5092 | Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-09-23 | 1994-10-04 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness. | House | Rep. Pastor, Ed [D-AZ-2] | AZ | D | P000099 | 10 | Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1994 - Declares that this Act applies to any civil action brought in either State or Federal court against a manufacturer, seller, or biomaterials supplier, or against a licensor of such suppliers for harm caused by an implant. Prescribes procedural guidelines and the burden of proof for actions against biomaterials suppliers for harm caused by an implant. Precludes such actions, except as provided under this Act, against a person who has neither registered with the Secretary of Health and Human Services nor included the implant on a list of devices filed pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. | 2025-08-26T13:49:03Z | |
| 103-hr-5075 | 103 | hr | 5075 | Insurance Sales and Underwriting Consumer Protection Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-09-22 | 1994-10-03 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness. | House | Rep. Dingell, John D. [D-MI-16] | MI | D | D000355 | 2 | Insurance Sales and Underwriting Consumer Protection Act of 1994 - Prohibits selling or soliciting the purchase of insurance without qualifying under and complying with all insurance regulatory requirements applicable in the State in which the sale or solicitation of insurance takes place (including qualifying for and maintaining a license to sell or solicit the purchase of insurance if such license is required by the State insurance regulatory authority and complying with all State consumer protection requirements that apply to the marketing of insurance). Prohibits underwriting insurance without complying with all insurance regulatory requirements applicable in the State in which the insurance is underwritten (including qualifying for and maintaining a license to underwrite insurance if such license is required by the State insurance regulatory authority and complying with all State consumer protection requirements that apply to underwriting insurance and, if a license is not required by such authority, otherwise meeting any applicable financial or other requirements imposed by such State). Specifies that the sales, solicitations, and underwriting covered includes any insurance sold, solicited, underwritten, or reinsured by an entity that operates in interstate commerce or is part of an entity any part of which operates in interstate commerce. Specifies that this Act does not alter or affect the provisions of the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986. Authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file a civil action if the appropriate State does not take action against a violation of this Act. Specifies that: (1) the determination of whether an act constitutes a violation shall be made pursuant to the insurance laws and regulations of the applicable State; and (2) in such an action, DOJ may ask for either an order prohibiting that person from engaging in the prohibited conduct, a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each violation, or both. | 2025-08-26T13:51:57Z | |
| 103-s-2423 | 103 | s | 2423 | Arts Endowing the Arts Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-08-25 | 1994-08-25 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT] | CT | D | D000388 | 2 | Arts Endowing the Arts Act of 1994 - Amends copyright law to provide for the auction of certain copyrights to financially support the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Applies such provisions to copyrights in literary works, sound recordings, visual arts works, pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, and motion pictures. Establishes the Arts and Humanities Copyright Board within the Library of Congress. Sets forth auction procedures, including selection of copyrights for auction, copyright for auction selected upon bidder's initiative, copyrights excluded from auction, notification, and auction copyright bids. Provides for registration and issuance of a certificate for auction copyright in a work for 20 years after the expiration of the term of copyright in the work last held under copyright law other than auction copyright provisions. Prohibits renewal or extension of such auction copyright. Limits U.S. liability. Provides that such auction shall have no effect on the original copyright. Establishes the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities Copyright Trust Fund in the Treasury. | 2025-08-26T13:52:06Z | |
| 103-s-2419 | 103 | s | 2419 | Library of Congress Financial Reform Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-08-24 | 1994-08-24 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules. | Senate | Sen. Pell, Claiborne [D-RI] | RI | D | P000193 | 3 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Library of Congress Revolving Fund Title II: Cataloging Products and Services Title III: Retention of Proceeds of Certain Sales and Restitution Payments Title IV: Amendments Relating to the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board Title V: Support and Reimbursement of Arbitration Panels Library of Congress Financial Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Library of Congress Revolving Fund - Establishes in the Treasury the Library of Congress Revolving Fund. Makes such Fund available to the Librarian of Congress for: (1) preparation of research reports, translations, and analytical studies for Federal agencies; (2) centralized acquisition of publications, information services, and Library materials, and training in library and information services, for federal agencies; (3) decimal classification development; (4) gift shop activities; (5) document location, copying and delivery services, and international interlibrary lending; (6) centralized acquisition activities for libraries participating in the Library's overseas programs; and (7) special events and programs. Authorizes the Librarian to: (1) establish Fund service units to carry out such activities; and (2) make such library products and services available for purchase through the units at prices that do not exceed levels necessary to recover the production and distribution costs. Credits to the Fund appropriations for such activities and all amounts received by such units with respect to such activities. Title II: Cataloging Products and Services - Authorizes the Librarian to make cataloging products and services, created by the Library, available for purchase at prices that do not exceed the distribution costs. Requires receipts to be deposited in the Treasury and credited to the Library's salaries and expenses appropriation. Title III: Retention of Proceeds of Certain Sales and Restitution Payments - Authorizes the Librarian to sell personal property that is excess to the collections o… | 2025-08-26T13:51:30Z | |
| 103-sres-252 | 103 | sres | 252 | A resolution to designate the week of March 12-18, 1995 as "National Manufacturing Week". | Commerce | 1994-08-23 | 1994-08-23 | Referred to the Committee on Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY] | NY | R | D000018 | 1 | Designates the week of March 12, 1995, as National Manufacturing Week. | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 103-hr-4995 | 103 | hr | 4995 | Ticket Fee Disclosure Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-08-19 | 1994-09-29 | Subcommittee Hearings Held. | House | Rep. Dingell, John D. [D-MI-16] | MI | D | D000355 | 6 | Ticket Fee Disclosure Act of 1994 - Prohibits any seller or reseller (including any ticket broker) of entertainment or sporting event tickets from failing to: (1) disclose to a purchaser of such a ticket, prior to purchase, any fee, charge, or assessment (other than a tax or other levy imposed pursuant to Federal, State, or local law) to be imposed in excess of the face amount of the ticket; and (2) have the amount of any such cost imprinted on the ticket or on a receipt evidencing any such ticket sale. Directs that such provision be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA). Treats any violation of such provision as a violation of a rule under the FTCA regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Authorizes State attorneys general to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents whenever they believe that the interests of such residents have been or are being threatened or adversely affected because of an act or practice in violation of such provision. | 2025-08-26T13:48:52Z | |
| 103-s-2402 | 103 | s | 2402 | Homeowners Insurance Disclosure Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-08-18 | 1994-08-18 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking. | Senate | Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI] | MI | D | R000249 | 5 | Homeowners Insurance Disclosure Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish annual disclosure requirements for non-commercial insurers (providers of homeowners, dwelling fire, allied lines, and other personal lines of insurance), including: (1) the availability, affordability and type of insurance coverage by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), and the region, race, and gender of policyholders; (2) the racial characteristics and location by MSA of the principal place of business of current and terminated insurance agents; and (3) for designated insurers, the total number of policies, exposures, nonrenewals, and racial characteristics of licensed agents, and the aggregate loss experience. Provides for disclosure requirements for certain non-designated insurers. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the availability, affordability, and quality of types of commercial insurance for residential properties and small businesses in urban areas. Instructs the Secretary to establish requirements for insurers to report annually on the availability, affordability, and quality or type of insurance in designated rural areas. Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain disclosure requirements if the States collect equivalent information. Directs the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council to determine the extent to which private mortgage insurers disclose to the public and regulatory agencies information that is equivalent to that required under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975. Requires noncompliant insurers to submit the requisite information to the Secretary. Prescribes guidelines for information compilation and maintenance and for a public availability and access system. Prescribes guidelines for disclosures by insurers to applicants and policyholders, stating the reasons that an insurance application was declined. Authorizes the Secretary to provide immunity to insurers, agents, and brokers regarding their communication of a cancellation, de… | 2025-08-26T13:49:17Z | |
| 103-s-2406 | 103 | s | 2406 | Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-08-18 | 1994-10-18 | Became Public Law No: 103-369. | Senate | Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX] | TX | R | H001016 | 1 | Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1994 - Amends copyright law with respect to satellite carrier compulsory licenses to require the subscriber information list submitted by a satellite carrier that makes secondary transmissions of a primary transmission by a network station to include the names of the subscribers. Provides that in any action relating to the violation of territorial restrictions on statutory license for network stations the satellite carrier shall have the burden of proving that its secondary transmission is for private home viewing to an unserved household. Revises: (1) the formula used by the satellite carrier to compute the royalty fee to be deposited semiannually with the Register of Copyrights to increase the fees for secondary transmissions subject to statutory licensing; and (2) dates and procedures regarding the adjustment of such royalty fee. Requires a copyright royalty arbitration panel, in determining such fees, to establish fees for the retransmission of network stations and superstations that most clearly represent the fair market value of secondary transmissions. Directs the panel to base its decision upon economic, competitive, and programming information presented by the parties, including: (1) the competitive environment in which such programming is distributed, the cost for similar signals in similar private and compulsory license marketplaces, and any special features and conditions of the retransmission marketplace; (2) the economic impact of such fees on copyright owners and satellite carriers; and (3) the impact on the continued availability of secondary transmissions to the public Provides that, upon a challenge by a network station regarding whether a subscriber is an unserved household, a satellite carrier shall terminate service to the household and notify the network station of such termination or conduct a measurement of the signal intensity of the subscribers's household, after notifying the network station, to determine whether the household is unserved and, if so, term… | 2021-09-25T05:35:45Z | |
| 103-hjres-402 | 103 | hjres | 402 | To designate the week beginning March 12, 1995, as "National Manufacturing Week". | Commerce | 1994-08-12 | 1994-08-12 | Referred to the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. | House | Rep. Franks, Bob [R-NJ-7] | NJ | R | F000349 | 45 | Designates the week of March 12, 1995, as National Manufacturing Week. | 2024-02-06T20:04:02Z | |
| 103-hr-4945 | 103 | hr | 4945 | Library of Congress Financial Reform Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-08-12 | 1994-08-12 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Libraries and Memorials. | House | Rep. Rose, Charlie [D-NC-7] | NC | D | R000436 | 0 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Library of Congress Revolving Fund Title II: Cataloging Products and Services Title III: Retention of Proceeds of Certain Sales and Restitution Payments Title IV: Amendments Relating to the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board Title V: Support and Reimbursement of Arbitration Panels Library of Congress Financial Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Library of Congress Revolving Fund - Establishes in the Treasury the Library of Congress Revolving Fund. Makes such Fund available to the Librarian of Congress for: (1) preparation of research report, translations, and analytical studies for Federal agencies; (2) centralized acquisition of publications, information services, and Library materials, and training in library and information services, for Federal agencies; (3) decimal classification development; (4) gift shop activities; (5) document location, copying and delivery services, and international interlibrary lending; (6) centralized acquisition activities for libraries participating in the Library's overseas program; and (7) special events and programs. Authorizes the Librarian to: (1) establish Fund service units to carry out such activities; and (2) make such library products and services available for purchase through the units at prices that do not exceed levels necessary to recover the production and distribution costs. Credits to the Fund appropriations for such activities and all amounts received by such units with respect to such activities. Title II: Cataloging Products and Services - Authorizes the Librarian to make cataloging products and services, created by the Library, available for purchase at prices that do not exceed the distribution costs. Requires receipts to be deposited in the Treasury and credited to the Library's salaries and expenses appropriation. Title III: Retention of Proceeds of Certain Sales and Restitution Payments - Authorizes the Librarian to sell personal property that is excess to the collection or … | 2025-08-26T13:49:47Z | |
| 103-sjres-216 | 103 | sjres | 216 | A joint resolution designating the week beginning September 12, 1994, as "National Hispanic Business Week". | Commerce | 1994-08-12 | 1994-08-23 | Referred to the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. | Senate | Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] | UT | R | H000338 | 31 | Designates the week beginning September 12, 1994, as National Hispanic Business Week. | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 103-hr-4936 | 103 | hr | 4936 | Fairness in Musical Licensing Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-08-10 | 1994-08-15 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration. | House | Rep. Reed, Jack [D-RI-2] | RI | D | R000122 | 33 | Fairness in Musical Licensing Act of 1994 - Exempts from copyright infringement the communication of a performance or work by television or radio sets located in a business establishment, or the performance of a nondramatic musical work by a choral group of a nonprofit educational institution choral group, unless persons are charged to see or hear the performance. Provides that in any civil action for copyright infringement involving a nondramatic musical work that is licensed by a performing rights society or other organization authorized to license public performances of such works, if the defendant admits liability but contests the amount of the license fee charged by such society or organization, the dispute may, if requested by either party, be submitted to arbitration under the Federal judicial code. Requires such societies or organizations to make available, free of charge, to licensees or those negotiating licenses, on-line computer access to their entire repertoire, including information regarding the title of the work, the name, address, and telephone number of the author and the copyright owner (if different), and the names of any artists known to have performed the work. | 2025-08-26T13:50:14Z | |
| 103-hr-4894 | 103 | hr | 4894 | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Copyright Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-08-03 | 1994-08-12 | Joint Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration and by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks. | House | Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2] | NJ | D | H000930 | 0 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Federal Anti-Bootleg Provisions Title II: Copyright in Restored Works General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Copyright Act of 1994 - Amends the Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990 to repeal the termination date of a prohibition on unauthorized commercial rental or leasing of computer programs. Title I: Federal Anti-Bootleg Provisions - Federal Anti-Bootleg Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose monetary and imprisonment penalties on persons who, without the consent of a featured performer, knowingly and for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain: (1) fix the sound or images of a live musical performance in a copy or phonorecord or reproduce phonorecords or copies of such a performance from an unauthorized fixation; (2) communicate to the public the sounds or images of such a performance; or (3) distribute, sell, rent, or traffic (or offer to engage in such activities) any copy or phonorecord fixed without such consent. (Sec. 102) Applies this Act to the following acts that occur one year after the entry into force of the World Trade Organization Agreement: (1) live musical performances fixed without the consent of a featured performer; (2) distributions, sales, rentals, or trafficking (or offers thereof) in any copy or phonorecord fixed without such consent; and (3) communications to the public of sounds or images of a live musical performance without such consent. Title II: Copyright in Restored Works - Berne and GATT Retroactivity Act of 1994 - Amends Federal copyright law to replace provisions regarding copyright in certain motion pictures with those concerning copyright in restored works. (Sec. 202) Declares that copyright subsists in restored works and vests automatically on the date of restoration. Requires copyright in: (1) restored works published or registered with the Copyright Office before 1978 to endure for a term of 75 years from the date of first publication or registration; and (2) works created on or … | 2025-08-26T13:50:59Z | |
| 103-hjres-397 | 103 | hjres | 397 | Designating the week beginning September 12, 1994, as "National Hispanic Business Week". | Commerce | 1994-08-02 | 1994-08-02 | Referred to the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. | House | Rep. Torres, Esteban Edward [D-CA-34] | CA | D | T000316 | 81 | Designates the week beginning September 12, 1994, as National Hispanic Business Week. | 2024-02-06T20:04:02Z | |
| 103-hr-4874 | 103 | hr | 4874 | To amend the White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act to require the final report of the National Conference to be published in the Federal Register and distributed through the regional offices of the Small Business Administration. | Commerce | 1994-08-01 | 1994-08-03 | Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA Legislation and the General Economy. | House | Rep. McHale, Paul [D-PA-15] | PA | D | M000466 | 3 | Amends the White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act to require the final report of the National White House Conference on Small Business to be published in the Federal Register and distributed through the regional offices of the Small Business Administration. | 2024-02-07T15:46:26Z | |
| 103-hr-4875 | 103 | hr | 4875 | Minority Business Development Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-08-01 | 1994-08-03 | Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA Legislation and the General Economy. | House | Rep. McHale, Paul [D-PA-15] | PA | D | M000466 | 4 | Minority Business Development Act of 1994 - Amends the Small Business Act to provide that the Small Business Administration shall not prohibit the owner of a small business concern from qualifying as an economically disadvantaged individual for purposes of receiving contract awards solely on the basis of personal net worth unless such net worth exceeds $350,000. | 2025-08-26T13:50:17Z | |
| 103-hr-4857 | 103 | hr | 4857 | To make small business concerns eligible to participate in the health benefits program under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code. | Commerce | 1994-07-29 | 1994-09-16 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Labor-Management Relations. | House | Rep. Istook, Ernest J., Jr. [R-OK-5] | OK | R | I000047 | 7 | Makes employees of small business concerns eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) as provided in this Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to transmit to the Congress a plan providing for the transition of FEHBP to carry out this Act as well as recommendations for legislation to carry out the plan. Requires the plan to include provisions under which: (1) small business concerns with 50 or fewer employees are required to form groups of at least 50 employees as a condition of eligibility; and (2) additional administrative expenses resulting from implementation of the plan are borne by such businesses and their employees. | 2026-03-23T12:41:21Z | |
| 103-s-2341 | 103 | s | 2341 | Patent Reexamination Reform Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-07-29 | 1994-10-11 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 0 | Patent Reexamination Reform Act of 1994 - Amends Federal patent law to expand reexamination request authority to authorize the filing of such requests by any person on the basis of patent specification requirements except for the best mode requirement. (Current law permits reexamination requests only on the basis of prior art.) Establishes procedures for reexamination proceedings based upon third-party (persons who are not the patent owner) requests. Requires documents filed in such proceedings, other than the request, to be served on all parties. Authorizes third-party requesters to file written comments within a reasonable period if the patent owner files a response to any Patent and Trademark Office action on the merits of reexamination. Grants third-party requesters the right to appeal final reexamination decisions on the same basis such right is available to patent owners. Estops a third-party requester who files a notice of appeal or who participates as a party to an appeal from later asserting the invalidity of any claim determined to be patentable on appeal on any ground which was or could have been raised during reexamination. Bars patent owners and third-party requesters, once an order for reexamination has been issued, from filing a subsequent reexamination request until a reexamination certificate is published. Prohibits a party, once a final decision has been entered in a civil action that the party has not sustained the burden of proving the invalidity of a patent claim, from requesting reexamination on issues that were or could have been raised in the civil action. Requires the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences to review adverse decisions of examiners in reexamination proceedings and authorizes appeals to the Board by patent owners and third-party requesters with respect to reexamination decisions. Permits appeals of Board decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 103-hr-4801 | 103 | hr | 4801 | Small Business Reauthorization and Amendment Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-07-20 | 1994-09-21 | Laid on the table. See S. 2060 for further action. | House | Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29] | NY | D | L000556 | 10 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorizations Title II: Financial Assistance Programs Title III: Size Standards and Bond Guarantees Title IV: Management Assistance Title V: Relief from FFB Debenture Prepayment Penalties Title VI: Development of Women-Owned Businesses Title VII: Miscellaneous Amendments Small Business Reauthorization and Amendment Act of 1994 - Title I: Authorizations - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for specified programs under such Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Title II: Financial Assistance Programs - Revises provisions regarding the microloan program to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA), during FY 1995 through 1997 and in lieu of making direct loans to intermediaries, to participate on a deferred basis of up to 100 percent on loans made to intermediaries by for-profit or non-profit entities. Limits financing on a deferred basis to ten intermediaries in urban and rural areas, respectively, per year. Limits loans to ten-year terms. (Sec. 202) Repeals specified State limitations with respect to the microloan demonstration program. (Sec. 203) Increases to 240 the number of microloan demonstration programs authorized to be funded by the SBA. (Sec. 206) Removes a limitation on the term of financing provided to enable small businesses to develop foreign markets. (Sec. 209) Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize SBA to establish an Accredited Lenders Program for qualified State and local development companies that: (1) have been active participants in the development company program for at least the last 12 months; (2) have qualified personnel who are knowledgeable in SBA's lending policies and procedures for such program; (3) have the ability to process, close, and service financing for plant and equipment; (4) have a loss rate on their debentures that is acceptable to the SBA; (5) have a history of submitting complete and accurate debenture guarantee application packages; and … | 2024-02-07T15:46:26Z | |
| 103-sres-243 | 103 | sres | 243 | A resolution recognizing the REALTORS Land Institute on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. | Commerce | 1994-07-14 | 1994-10-08 | Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S15028) | Senate | Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS] | MS | R | L000447 | 8 | Recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Realtors Land Institute. | 2025-01-14T18:20:21Z | |
| 103-hr-4723 | 103 | hr | 4723 | To authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish an Accredited Lenders Program for qualified State and local development companies. | Commerce | 1994-07-12 | 1994-07-12 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Poshard, Glenn [D-IL-19] | IL | D | P000452 | 0 | Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish an Accredited Lenders Program for qualified State and local development companies that: (1) have been active participants in the development company program for the 12-month period preceding the designation; (2) have qualified personnel who are knowledgeable in the SBA's lending policies and procedures for such program; (3) have the ability to process, close, and service financing for plant and equipment; (4) have a loss rate on their debentures that is acceptable to the SBA; (5) have consistently submitted complete and accurate debenture guarantee application packages; and (6) have demonstrated the ability to serve small business credit needs for financing plant and equipment. Requires the SBA to expedite the processing of all loan applications and servicing actions submitted by a qualified State or local development company that has been designated as an accredited lender. Suspends or revokes such designations for failures to meet the requirements of this Act or for violations of SBA regulations. | 2024-02-07T15:46:26Z | |
| 103-s-2272 | 103 | s | 2272 | Patent Prior User Rights Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-07-01 | 1994-11-29 | Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 2 | Patent Prior User Rights Act of 1994 - Provides that a person may not be liable as a patent infringer with respect to any subject matter claimed in the patent that such person had commercially used in the United States or made effective and serious preparation therefor in the United States before the effective filing date of the patent application. Declares that a person who purchases in good faith a product that results directly from such a use or preparation shall not be liable as an infringer for continuing the use of the product purchased or for selling such product to another person. Provides that rights based on prior use are not a general license under all claims of the patent but extend only to the claimed subject matter that the person asserting the prior use defense had commercially used or made effective and serious preparation therefor before the effective filing date of the patent application. Includes within rights based on prior use the right to vary quantities or volumes or to make improvements that do not infringe claims other than those claims that would have been infringed as of the effective filing of the patent application. Provides that rights based on prior use are personal and may not be licensed, assigned, or transferred to another except in connection with the assignment or transfer of the entire business or enterprise to which the rights relate. Bars claims of rights based on prior use if the activity under which the person claims the rights was: (1) based on information derived from the patentee; or (2) abandoned on or after the effective filing date. (Permits such claims only for the period of activity that occurred before abandonment.) Provides that the burden of proof for establishing the defense shall be on the person claiming rights based on prior use. Establishes conditions under which this Act applies to actions for infringement in cases where the effective filing date of the patent application is before this Act's enactment date. Authorizes the court to grant equitable com… | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 103-hr-4685 | 103 | hr | 4685 | Premier Lenders Program Authorization Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-06-30 | 1994-06-30 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29] | NY | D | L000556 | 0 | Premier Lenders Program Authorization Act of 1994 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a Premier Lenders Program for certified development companies which meet requirements under this Act. Authorizes the SBA to designate a participant in an accelerated lenders program as a premier lender if such company: (1) has been an active participant in the accelerated lenders program for at least the last 12 months (waives such requirement if, prior to January 1, 1996, the applicant is qualified to participate in the program); (2) has a history of submitting adequately analyzed debenture guaranty application packages to the SBA; and (3) agrees to assume and reimburse the SBA for five percent of any loss sustained on account of default by the company in the payment on a debenture issued by the company and guaranteed by the SBA. Requires certified development companies, upon approval of an applicant as a premier lender, to establish a loss reserve in an amount equal to the anticipated losses to the company based on the historic loss rate on debentures or three percent of the aggregate principal amount of debentures issued by the company, whichever is greater. Authorizes the SBA, upon designation of a company as a premier lender, to permit a lender to approve loans to be funded with the proceeds of and to authorize the guaranty of a debenture issued by such company. Suspends or revokes designations of State or local development companies as premier lenders for failures to meet this Act's requirements or SBA regulations. | 2025-08-26T13:50:45Z | |
| 103-hr-4686 | 103 | hr | 4686 | Small Business Prepayment Penalty Relief Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-06-30 | 1994-06-30 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29] | NY | D | L000556 | 0 | Small Business Prepayment Penalty Relief Act of 1994 - Authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA), upon the request of the issuer and the concurrence of the borrower, to transfer to the Federal Financing Bank such sums as necessary to reduce the interest rate on a debenture issued by a certified development company. Requires the Bank, upon receipt of such payment, to modify the interest rate for such debentures. Permits debentures authorized under provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (the Act) regarding private debenture sales and pooling to be used to refinance debentures issued by State or local development companies if the amount of the new financing is limited to amounts necessary to repay the existing debentures, including any prepayment penalty imposed by the Bank. Authorizes the SBA, upon the request of the issuer, to transfer to the Bank such sums as necessary to reduce the interest rate on a debenture issued by a small business investment company under title III of the Act. Requires the Bank, upon receipt of such payment, to modify the interest rate for such debentures. Authorizes the SBA, upon the request of the issuer, to modify the interest rate on a debenture issued by a small business investment company financing disadvantaged small business concerns. Requires the SBA, upon enactment of an appropriations Act providing funds to carry out this Act, to evaluate the outstanding portfolio of debentures which are eligible for interest rate relief under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. | 2025-08-26T13:49:29Z | |
| 103-hr-4673 | 103 | hr | 4673 | To establish a United States Design Council as an advisory committee within the Department of Commerce to promote understanding of the importance of design in the development of products and systems, and for other purposes. | Commerce | 1994-06-29 | 1994-07-22 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness. | House | Rep. Brown, George E., Jr. [D-CA-42] | CA | D | B000918 | 5 | Establishes a United States Design Council as an advisory committee within the Department of Commerce to promote excellence and innovation in the design of U.S. products and systems in order to enhance U.S. competitiveness, trade, and economic opportunities. | 2024-02-07T15:21:41Z | |
| 103-hr-4658 | 103 | hr | 4658 | Truth in Tobacco Labeling Act | Commerce | 1994-06-27 | 1994-07-26 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment. | House | Rep. Shepherd, Karen [D-UT-2] | UT | D | S000332 | 14 | Truth in Tobacco Labeling Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require tobacco product manufacturers to provide to consumers, through labeling, advertising, and promotion: (1) information on additives and constituents in tobacco products and smoke; (2) information on adverse effects; (3) warnings and directions for use; (4) contraindications; (5) warnings against use in pathological conditions; and (6) any other information deemed necessary by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to remove trade secret and confidentiality requirements from provisions regarding a report to the Congress on tobacco additives. | 2025-08-26T13:51:56Z | |
| 103-s-2235 | 103 | s | 2235 | A bill to authorize the establishment of an Accredited Lenders Program for qualified State or local development companies under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 and an Accredited Loan Packagers Pilot Program for loan packagers under the Small Business Act. | Commerce | 1994-06-23 | 1994-06-23 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business. | Senate | Sen. Wellstone, Paul D. [D-MN] | MN | D | W000288 | 0 | Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish an Accredited Lenders Program which designates a State or local development company as an accredited lender if it demonstrates: (1) adequate knowledge of the SBA guaranteed loan program; and (2) proficiency in meeting the requirements of such program and any other applicable requirements. Authorizes the Administrator to expedite the processing of any loan application or servicing action submitted by a development company so designated. Suspends or revokes such designation upon certain determinations by the Administrator. Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator to establish an Accredited Loan Packagers Pilot Program under which loan packagers shall be designated as accredited loan packagers upon meeting certain requirements with respect to loan packaging under the SBA guaranteed loan program. Requires at least ten but no more than 15 loan packagers to be so designated. Authorizes the Administrator, during a three-year period, to expedite the processing of any loan application or servicing action prepared by a loan packager so designated. Suspends or revokes such designation upon certain determinations by the Administrator. | 2025-01-14T17:16:56Z | |
| 103-hr-4629 | 103 | hr | 4629 | To amend the Truth in Lending Act to impose a civil penalty on a creditor under an open end consumer credit plan that engages in a pattern of unlawfully billing any obligor under the plan. | Commerce | 1994-06-22 | 1994-07-01 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Credit and Insurance. | House | Rep. Kildee, Dale E. [D-MI-9] | MI | D | K000172 | 0 | Amends the Truth in Lending Act to subject to a civil penalty a creditor under an open end consumer credit plan that engages in a pattern of unlawfully billing an obligor. | 2024-02-06T19:38:08Z | |
| 103-hr-4608 | 103 | hr | 4608 | Patent and Trademark Office Authorization Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-06-21 | 1994-10-03 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House | Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2] | NJ | D | H000930 | 1 | Patent and Trademark Office Authorization Act of 1994 - Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for FY 1995. Prohibits a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent employees in the Office during the five-year period beginning on October 1, 1994, unless: (1) a law is enacted that specifically requires reductions in personnel or positions in such Office; or (2) the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks determines that such reduction is in the best interests of the Office and the public. Exempts the Office, during such five-year period, from any law imposing a restriction on hiring by the executive agencies or reductions in force by executive agencies to achieve reductions in the Federal work force. Changes the status of the Commissioner from an Assistant Secretary of Commerce to an Under Secretary of Commerce (thereby allowing the Commissioner to be compensated at the same rate as Under Secretaries of Commerce). | 2025-01-16T12:12:20Z | |
| 103-s-2215 | 103 | s | 2215 | Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-06-20 | 1994-06-20 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce. | Senate | Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT] | CT | D | L000304 | 6 | Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1994 - Declares that this Act applies to any civil action brought in either State or Federal court against a manufacturer, seller, or biomaterials supplier, or against a licensor of such suppliers for harm caused by an implant. Prescribes procedural guidelines and the burden of proof for actions against biomaterials suppliers for harm caused by an implant. Precludes such actions, except as provided under this Act, against a person who has neither registered with the Secretary of Health and Human Services nor included the implant on a list of devices filed pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. | 2025-08-26T13:52:32Z | |
| 103-hr-4505 | 103 | hr | 4505 | Patent Term Amendment Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-05-26 | 1994-06-01 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration. | House | Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2] | NJ | D | H000930 | 0 | Patent Term Amendment Act of 1994 - Revises Federal patent law to establish a 20-year patent term from the date of filing. Provides that, where the issuance of an original patent is delayed because of a proceeding regarding situations where a patent application would interfere with a pending application or with an unexpired patent, the term of the patent shall be extended for the period of delay up to five years. Sets forth provisions with respect to the filing of a provisional application for a patent. Specifies that a provisional application shall not be entitled to the right of priority of any other application or the benefit of an earlier filing date in the United States. Directs the Commissioner of the Patent and Trademark Office to charge a $150 filing fee on each provisional application for an original patent. | 2025-08-26T13:49:02Z | |
| 103-hr-4518 | 103 | hr | 4518 | FTC Order Review Procedure Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-05-26 | 1994-06-27 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials. | House | Rep. Kopetski, Mike [D-OR-5] | OR | D | K000312 | 3 | FTC Order Review Procedure Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), each January, to publish in the Federal Register a list of all final FTC antitrust and consumer protection orders issued that are in effect and that have been final orders of the FTC for a period of ten years or more. Requires that any FTC order which has been final for more than ten years be set aside in response to an FTC petition for a proceeding for its termination unless the FTC determines, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the continuation of the relevant market conditions or conduct following entry of the order require it to remain in effect. Makes exceptions where such order enjoins conduct subject to per se condemnation under the Sherman Act or is issued to protect the public from fraudulent conduct, or is based on an FTC finding based on a preponderance of the evidence that there is a high probability that the kind of conduct which resulted in the FTC issuing the order is likely to recur. Requires any FTC order issued after the date of enactment of this Act to include a provision which terminates the order ten years after it becomes final, unless it is an order which enjoins such conduct or is based on such a finding. Requires that, after the date of enactment, any court ruling that enforces, amends, or supplements an FTC order that has been terminated pursuant to this Act be vacated upon the filing of a petition in the relevant court which truthfully asserts that the related FTC order has been terminated and which requests that the court ruling be vacated. | 2025-08-26T13:51:15Z | |
| 103-hr-4353 | 103 | hr | 4353 | Consumer Information Privacy Act | Commerce | 1994-05-05 | 1994-08-03 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1524) | House | Rep. Gallo, Dean A. [R-NJ-11] | NJ | R | G000025 | 4 | Consumer Information Privacy Act - Requires businesses that compile consumer lists for sale to other businesses to notify such consumers of the sale of such lists. Declares that violations of this Act constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice subject to enforcement under the Federal Trade Commission Act. | 2025-08-26T13:50:39Z | |
| 103-hr-4366 | 103 | hr | 4366 | To amend the Small Business Act to establish a minority graduate mentor program. | Commerce | 1994-05-05 | 1994-07-20 | Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA Legislation and the General Economy. | House | Rep. Wynn, Albert Russell [D-MD-4] | MD | D | W000784 | 13 | Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a minority graduate mentor program under which a small business concern that is a graduate of the small business and capital ownership development program (graduate concern) may serve as a mentor to small business concerns that are in the developmental stage of such program (developmental stage concern). Makes a participating graduate concern eligible to receive certain contracts upon agreeing to subcontract between 20 and 49 percent of the value of the contract to one or more developmental stage concerns. Requires program regulations to contain, at a minimum: (1) application requirements; (2) selection criteria; (3) procedures for establishing partnerships between graduate concerns and developmental stage concerns; (4) a description of the types of assistance that a graduate concern will provide to a developmental stage concern; (5) monitoring methods to be used by the Administrator to prevent abuse, including a requirement that all participants submit a financial capability statement at least every two years; and (6) procedures to permit a graduate concern and a developmental stage concern to terminate their partnership upon the completion of a contract. | 2024-02-07T15:46:26Z | |
| 103-s-2060 | 103 | s | 2060 | Small Business Administration Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-05-03 | 1994-10-22 | Became Public Law No: 103-403. | Senate | Sen. Bumpers, Dale [D-AR] | AR | D | B001057 | 10 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorizations Title II: Financial Assistance Programs Title III: Size Standards and Bond Guarantees Title IV: Business Development Assistance Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Development of Woman-Owned Businesses Title V: Relief from Debenture Prepayment Penalties Title VI: Miscellaneous Amendments Small Business Administration Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 1994 - Title I: Authorizations - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to extend through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for small business program loans and for programs of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Provides program level funding within each such fiscal year. Title II: Financial Assistance Programs - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in lieu of making loans to intermediaries under the Microloan Demonstration Program (Program), to participate on a pilot program basis during FY 1995 through 1997 on a deferred basis of at least 90 and up to 100 percent on loans made to intermediaries by a profit or nonprofit entity or by an alliance of such entities, subject to specified loan conditions. Authorizes agencies or nonprofit entities established by a Native American tribal government to be Microloan intermediaries. Extends the Program through FY 1996. (Sec. 204) Increases the authorized number of microloan programs (to 200) and per State funding limits under the Program. Directs the SBA, in approving Program applicants, to select such intermediaries that will further microloan availability for small businesses in all industries throughout each State, but especially those located in urban and rural areas. (Sec. 206) Increases from $1.25 million to $2.5 million the loan limit after the first year for participating intermediaries under the Program. Allows each intermediary to expend up to 15 percent of grant funds to provide information and technical assistance to small businesses that are … | 2025-01-14T17:16:56Z | |
| 103-s-2061 | 103 | s | 2061 | A bill to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to permit prepayment of debentures issued by State and local development companies. | Commerce | 1994-05-03 | 1994-05-17 | Committee on Small Business. Hearings held. | Senate | Sen. Bumpers, Dale [D-AR] | AR | D | B001057 | 4 | Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to permit a qualified State or local development company that issues a debenture purchased by the Federal Financing Bank and guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, at the election of the small business borrower whose loan secures such debenture and with the Administrators approval, to prepay the debenture by payment to the Bank of the unpaid principal balance, accrued interest, and repurchase premium amount (as determined under this Act). Prohibits any fees or penalties from being imposed against the issuer, borrower, or the Administration as a condition of prepayment under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. | 2025-01-14T17:16:56Z | |
| 103-hr-4322 | 103 | hr | 4322 | To amend the Small Business Act to increase the authorization for the development company program, and for other purposes. | Commerce | 1994-05-02 | 1994-07-22 | Became Public Law No: 103-282. | House | Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29] | NY | D | L000556 | 1 | Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) increase from $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion the authorization of appropriations for the development company program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA); (2) increase by a corresponding amount the total amount authorized generally for SBA loans; and (3) authorize the SBA Administrator to extend for an additional six months the authorized period for payment of travel expenses of SBA personnel performing disaster loan-making activities. | 2024-02-07T15:46:26Z | |
| 103-hr-4307 | 103 | hr | 4307 | To amend title 35, United States Code, with respect to applications for process patents. | Commerce | 1994-04-28 | 1994-10-07 | Message on Senate action sent to the House. | House | Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2] | NJ | D | H000930 | 7 | Provides that, upon timely election by the applicant for patent to proceed, a "biotechnological process" using or resulting in a composition of matter that is novel and nonobvious shall be considered nonobvious if: (1) claims to the process and the composition of matter are contained in either the same application for patent or in separate applications having the same effective date; and (2) the composition of matter and the process at the time it was invented were owned by the same person or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person. Specifies that a patent issued on such a process shall: (1) contain the claims to the composition of matter used in or made by that process; or (2) if such composition of matter is claimed in another patent, be set to expire on the same date as such other patent. Provides that, if a claim to a composition of matter is held invalid and that claim was the basis of a determination of nonobviousness under this title, the process shall no longer be considered nonobvious solely on the basis of provisions of this title. Confers jurisdiction upon the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to hear, determine, and render conclusions sufficient to inform the Congress of the amount, if any, legally or equitably due upon the claims of Inslaw, Inc., and William and Nancy Hamilton against the United States, arising out of the furnishing of computer software and services to the U.S. Department of Justice. Sets guidelines for the submission of a report to the Congress on that subject. Waives sovereign immunity for purposes of such report. | 2025-01-16T12:12:20Z | |
| 103-hr-4297 | 103 | hr | 4297 | Small Business Administration Amendments of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-04-25 | 1994-05-25 | Committee Hearings Held. | House | Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29] | NY | D | L000556 | 0 | Small Business Administration Amendments of 1994 - Title I: Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to: (1) allow the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), under the microloan demonstration program, to make up to 100 percent deferred participation loans to ten small business intermediaries located in urban areas and ten intermediaries located in rural areas; (2) revise the authorized number of microloan programs for fiscal years after 1992; (3) increase from $1.5 to $5 million the annual microloan limits to a State; (4) increase from $1.25 to $1.75 million the total outstanding loan limit authorized for each intermediary; and (5) revise microloan repayment requirements. Title II: Revises provisions concerning the participatory amount of the SBA in small business loans provided on a deferred basis. Increases from $250,000 to $750,000 the authorized outstanding loan amounts for small businesses engaged in or adversely affected by international trade. Title III: Allows the SBA Administrator to inventory the productive facilities and capacities of business (currently, only small businesses) as part of a business loan process. Title IV: Establishes within the SBA an Office of Women's Business Ownership to administer the women's demonstration projects (projects providing financial assistance to businesses owned and controlled by women) created under the Act. Title V: Amends the Act and the Small Business Investment Act to provide that the authority of the SBA to make loans under such Acts shall remain available until expressly repealed. (Sec. 503) Removes a six-month limitation on the payment of transportation expenses of SBA employees in connection with any disaster loan assistance. (Sec. 505) Establishes in the Treasury one Loan Liquidation Fund, replacing various revolving funds, a disaster loan fund, and a business and investment loan fund under the Act. Provides for repayment of all such loans to the Fund. Requires a report from the SBA Administrator to specified congressional committees… | 2025-08-26T13:48:53Z | |
| 103-hr-4298 | 103 | hr | 4298 | To amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to permit prepayment of debentures issued by State and local development companies. | Commerce | 1994-04-25 | 1994-05-25 | Committee Hearings Held. | House | Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29] | NY | D | L000556 | 1 | Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to permit a qualified State or local development company that issues a debenture purchased by the Federal Financing Bank and guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, at the election of the small business borrower whose loan secures such debenture and with the Administration's approval, to repay the debenture by payment to the Bank of the unpaid principal balance, accrued interest, and repurchase premium amount (as determined under this Act). Prohibits any fees or penalties from being imposed against the issuer, borrower, or the Administration as a condition of prepayment under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. | 2024-02-07T15:46:26Z | |
| 103-hr-4279 | 103 | hr | 4279 | Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Studies Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-04-21 | 1994-04-26 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials. | House | Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-33] | CA | D | R000486 | 37 | Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Studies Act of 1994 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study and report to the Congress on specified aspects of tobacco advertising and promotion targeted at women and certain ethnic groups. | 2025-08-26T13:50:14Z | |
| 103-hr-4263 | 103 | hr | 4263 | Small Business and Minority Small Business Procurement Opportunities Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-04-20 | 1994-08-12 | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 383. | House | Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29] | NY | D | L000556 | 1 | Small Business and Minority Small Business Procurement Opportunities Act of 1994 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) develop plans to coordinate and promote the use of the Federal Acquisition Computer Network by small businesses that incorporate outreach efforts by various agencies and organizations; (2) inform and provide consistent and comprehensive training on the Network for small businesses; and (3) provide Minority Business Development Centers and other Department of Commerce minority assistance programs information on procurement opportunities and access to the Network. (Sec. 2) Requires each Federal contract for the procurement of goods and services not in excess of $100,000 or the simplified acquisition threshold, whichever is higher, to be reserved exclusively for small businesses unless the contracting officer is unable to obtain competitive offers from two or more small businesses. (Sec. 5) Revises provisions regarding contract goals for small businesses and small businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals. Expands such program to include small businesses owned by women. Increases the percentage goal for small business participation to at least 25 (currently, 20) percent of the total value of all prime contract awards in a fiscal year. Sets a minimum goal of five percent of the total value of all prime contract and subcontract awards in a fiscal year for participation by small businesses owned by women. Requires all executive agencies to establish a goal of at least five percent of contract and subcontract dollars per year to be expended through small businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals for fiscal years 1994 through 2000. Outlines administrative procedures with respect to the attainment of such goals, including the provision of appropriate technical assistance. Authorizes the use of advance payments and less than full and open competitive procedures when determined appropriate and in… | 2025-02-04T16:54:13Z | |
| 103-hr-4248 | 103 | hr | 4248 | Library of Congress Book Protection Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-04-19 | 1994-04-21 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Libraries and Memorials. | House | Rep. Fields, Jack [R-TX-8] | TX | R | F000111 | 1 | Library of Congress Book Protection Act of 1994 - Requires the Librarian of Congress to promulgate regulations to: (1) establish a schedule of late fines for any borrower who has a book on loan for more than 70 days; (2) assess a late fine on such borrower; (3) suspend his or her loan privileges and that of all borrowers on his or her office loan account if the borrower has not returned a book after such period; (4) reinstate the loan privileges of any borrower after the return of the book and the payment of all late fines; and (5) provide for waivers, at the discretion of the Librarian, with regard to all or any part of an assessed late fine and the suspension of all or any part of the borrower's loan privileges. Requires the Librarian to establish a Late Book Fine Fund to be available to the Librarian without fiscal year limitation for general operating expenses of the Library of Congress and the replacement of lost or stolen books. Prohibits Federal funds from being used to pay the assessed late fine. Imposes a fine for such violation. Requires the Librarian to include in the annual report submitted to the Congress: (1) the estimated number of books that are missing from the Library due to borrowers who have had loan privileges suspended; (2) the name of any office with an office loan account that includes any borrower who has had loan privileges suspended and has been assessed late fines that have not been paid for more than one month; (3) the total amount of such fines assessed to each named office; (4) all monies deposited in the Fund; and (5) the amounts and uses of expenditures from the Fund. | 2025-08-26T13:52:07Z | |
| 103-hr-4227 | 103 | hr | 4227 | To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the mandatory retirement age for members of the Capitol Police be made the same as the age applicable to law enforcement officers. | Commerce | 1994-04-14 | 1994-04-21 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Personnel and Police. | House | Rep. Manton, Thomas J. [D-NY-7] | NY | D | M000117 | 2 | Amends Federal law to raise the mandatory retirement age for members of the Capitol Police from 55 to 57. | 2024-02-07T11:39:48Z | |
| 103-hr-4172 | 103 | hr | 4172 | To amend the Small Business Act to increase authorization levels for the small business development center program. | Commerce | 1994-04-12 | 1994-04-26 | Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA Legislation and the General Economy. | House | Rep. Machtley, Ronald K. [R-RI-1] | RI | R | M000015 | 7 | Amends the Small Business Act to increase, for each of FY 1994 through 1999, the authorization levels for the small business development center program. | 2024-02-07T15:46:26Z | |
| 103-hr-4173 | 103 | hr | 4173 | To amend the Small Business Act to provide for expanded participation in the microloan demonstration program. | Commerce | 1994-04-12 | 1994-04-26 | Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA Legislation and the General Economy. | House | Rep. Machtley, Ronald K. [R-RI-1] | RI | R | M000015 | 2 | Amends the Small Business Act with respect to the microloan demonstration program (the provision of business loans to certain small businesses and women, low-income, and minority entrepreneurs) to: (1) authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make guaranteed loans under such program on an immediate or deferred basis; and (2) allow agencies or instrumentalities of a municipal government to be considered quasi-governmental economic development entities under the Act and therefore able to act as microloan intermediaries. | 2024-02-07T15:46:26Z | |
| 103-hr-4174 | 103 | hr | 4174 | Small Business Defense Conversion Guaranteed Loan Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-04-12 | 1994-04-12 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Machtley, Ronald K. [R-RI-1] | RI | R | M000015 | 0 | Small Business Defense Conversion Guaranteed Loan Act of 1994 - Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans on a guaranteed basis (currently, authorized but not guaranteed) to small businesses adversely affected by the closure of military bases or reductions or terminations of defense contracts; (2) allow such loans to small businesses that experience a substantial reduction in revenues due to such factors; and (3) authorize the SBA to make no more than $2 billion in deferred participation loans to such small businesses for each of FY 1995 and 1996. | 2025-08-26T13:50:48Z | |
| 103-hr-4175 | 103 | hr | 4175 | To amend the Small Business Act to provide financial assistance to small businesses operating in urban empowerment zones and enterprise communities and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals an exclusion for capital gain from new investments in those small businesses. | Commerce | 1994-04-12 | 1994-04-26 | Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA Legislation and the General Economy. | House | Rep. Machtley, Ronald K. [R-RI-1] | RI | R | M000015 | 0 | Amends the Small Business Act to earmark specified funds to be expended after FY 1994 for small businesses operating in urban empowerment zones or enterprise communities (urban tax enterprise zones). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income qualified capital gain recognized on the sale or exchange of an urban tax enterprise zone asset held for more than five years. Describes such assets as enterprise zone stock, business property, and partnership interests. | 2024-02-07T16:32:33Z | |
| 103-s-1989 | 103 | s | 1989 | Insurance Policy Transfer Act | Commerce | 1994-03-25 | 1994-05-26 | Committee on Commerce. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 103-660. | Senate | Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH] | OH | D | M000678 | 1 | Insurance Policy Transfer Act - Requires an insurer to notify a policyholder before the insurer enters into a transfer agreement or transfers the policyholder's insurance contract to another insurer, provided that such requirement shall not apply to: (1) a transfer agreement or transaction in which the transferring insurer continues to remain directly liable for its insurance obligations, risks, or both, under the insurance contracts subject to the transfer agreement; (2) the substitution of one insurer for another upon the expiration of insurance coverage pursuant to statutory or contractual requirements and the issuance of a new insurance contract by another insurer; (3) the transfer of insurance contracts pursuant to mergers or consolidations of two or more insurers to the extent that those transactions are regulated by the laws of the affected State or States; and (4) an insurer subject to a judicial order of liquidation or rehabilitation. Sets forth provisions regarding the form and content of such notice. Requires the written consent of the policyholder or a beneficiary before an insurer can enter into a transfer agreement or transfer an insurance contract pursuant to a transfer agreement unless: (1) the transferring insurer and the assuming insurer are rated by the same three insurance company rating organizations for each of the three years immediately preceding the transfer; (2) such rating is the highest possible rating or is a higher rating than the transferring insurer; and (3) the policyholder or beneficiary has been provided with the required notice between February 28 and May 1 of each of the three years immediately preceding the transfer and has not responded to the notice with an objection to the transfer or transaction within 90 days after the third notice is sent. Allows the policyholder or the Attorney General to bring an action for relief in the appropriate United States district court if an insurer violates this Act. Empowers the district court to grant such relief as is necessary or appr… | 2025-08-26T13:49:49Z | |
| 103-hr-4132 | 103 | hr | 4132 | Credit Card Interest Rate Cap Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-03-24 | 1994-04-07 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Credit and Insurance. | House | Rep. Gejdenson, Sam [D-CT-2] | CT | D | G000120 | 7 | Credit Card Interest Rate Cap Act of 1994 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) low interest rates have reduced interest rates for consumer loans; (2) such low rates have not led to corresponding steep reductions in credit card interest rates; and (3) consumers are therefore paying credit card interest rates far in excess of what is warranted by economic conditions. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prescribe a formula for a maximum credit card interest rate. | 2025-08-26T13:51:40Z | |
| 103-hr-4151 | 103 | hr | 4151 | Essential Pharmaceuticals Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-03-24 | 1994-03-31 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration. | House | Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-8] | NY | D | N000002 | 0 | Essential Pharmaceuticals Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to notify the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks if the Secretary determines that the owner of a patent which claims a product or a method of using or manufacturing a product and which may be extended has not taken all reasonable steps toward the commercial marketing or use of that product whose availability to the public is of vital importance to the public health or welfare. Requires the Commissioner to provide for the compulsory licensing of all patents relating to that product. Allows an individual aggrieved by a decision of: (1) the Commissioner under this Act to appeal that decision to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, after paying the fee for such appeal; and (2) the Board to appeal that decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. | 2025-08-26T13:50:51Z | |
| 103-s-1956 | 103 | s | 1956 | Rental-Purchase Reform Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-03-22 | 1994-03-22 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking. | Senate | Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [D-AL] | AL | D | S000320 | 5 | Rental-Purchase Reform Act of 1994 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to set forth information required to be disclosed by merchants to consumers under rental-purchase agreements. Regulates the collection and advertising practices of such merchants. Authorizes consumers to bring civil charges in any U.S. district court for violations of this Act. | 2025-08-26T13:49:50Z | |
| 103-hr-4026 | 103 | hr | 4026 | Small Business Defense Conversion Loan Guarantee Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-03-11 | 1994-03-11 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Dixon, Julian C. [D-CA-32] | CA | D | D000373 | 15 | Small Business Defense Conversion Loan Guarantee Act of 1994 - Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans on a guaranteed basis (currently, authorized but not guaranteed) to small businesses adversely affected by the closure of military bases or reductions or terminations of defense contracts; (2) allow such loans to small businesses that experience a substantial reduction in revenues due to such factors; and (3) authorize the SBA to make no more than $4 billion in deferred participation loans to such small businesses for each of FY 1995 and 1996. | 2025-08-26T13:48:47Z | |
| 103-s-1917 | 103 | s | 1917 | Anti-Redlining in Insurance Disclosure Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-03-10 | 1994-03-11 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2867-2868) | Senate | Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI] | WI | D | F000061 | 2 | Anti-Redlining in Insurance Disclosure Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish annual disclosure requirements for non-commercial insurers (providers of homeowners, dwelling fire, allied lines, and other personal lines of insurance), including: (1) the availability, affordability and type of insurance coverage by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), and the region, race, and gender of policyholders; (2) the racial characteristics and location by MSA of the principal place of business of current and terminated insurance agents; and (3) for designated insurers, the total number of policies, exposures, nonrenewals, and racial characteristics of licensed agents, and the aggregate loss experience. Provides for disclosure requirements for certain commercial insurers. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the availability, affordability, and quality of types of commercial insurance for residential properties and small businesses in urban areas. Instructs the Secretary to establish requirements for insurers to report annually on the availability, affordability, and quality or type of insurance in designated rural areas. Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain disclosure requirements if the States collect equivalent information. Directs the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council to determine the extent to which private mortgage insurers disclose to the public and regulatory agencies information that is equivalent to that required under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975. Requires noncompliant insurers to submit the requisite information to the Secretary. Prescribes guidelines for information compilation and maintenance and for a public availability and access system. Prescribes guidelines for disclosures by insurers to applicants and policyholders, stating the reasons that an insurance application was declined. Authorizes the Secretary to provide immunity to insurers, agents, and brokers regarding their communication of a cancellation,… | 2025-08-26T13:50:21Z | |
| 103-s-1900 | 103 | s | 1900 | Library of Congress Book Protection Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-03-08 | 1994-07-14 | Committee on Rules. Hearings held. | Senate | Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] | AZ | R | M000303 | 0 | Library of Congress Book Protection Act of 1994 - Requires the Librarian of Congress to promulgate regulations to: (1) establish a schedule of late fines for any borrower who has a book on loan for more than 70 days; (2) assess a late fine on such borrower; (3) suspend his or her loan privileges and that of all borrowers on his or her office loan account if the borrower has not returned a book after such period; (4) reinstate the loan privileges of any borrower after the return of the book and the payment of all late fines; and (5) provide for waivers, at the discretion of the Librarian, with regard to all or any part of an assessed late fine and the suspension of all or any part of the borrower's loan privileges. Requires the Librarian to establish a Late Book Fine Fund to be available to the Librarian without fiscal year limitation for general operating expenses of the Library of Congress and the replacement of lost or stolen books. Prohibits Federal funds from being used to pay the assessed late fine. Imposes a fine for such violation. Requires the Librarian to include in the annual report submitted to the Congress: (1) the estimated number of books that are missing from the Library due to borrowers who have had loan privileges suspended; (2) the name of any office with an office loan account that includes any borrower who has had loan privileges suspended and has been assessed late fines that have not been paid for more than one month; (3) the total amount of such fines assessed to each named office; (4) all monies deposited in the Fund; and (5) the amounts and uses of expenditures from the Fund. | 2025-08-26T13:52:00Z | |
| 103-hr-3881 | 103 | hr | 3881 | To amend the Small Business Act to eliminate restrictions on providing financial assistance to small business concerns engaged in media-related industries. | Commerce | 1994-02-23 | 1994-04-26 | Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA Legislation and the General Economy. | House | Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2] | TN | R | D000533 | 0 | Amends the Small Business Act to state that a small business shall not be considered ineligible for financial assistance under such Act solely on the basis of being engaged in media-related industries. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to: (1) issue regulations repealing a provision of the Code of Federal Regulations which prohibits assistance to such small businesses; and (2) take any other appropriate action in such regard. | 2024-02-07T15:46:26Z | |
| 103-hr-3885 | 103 | hr | 3885 | Fire Safe Cigarette Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-02-23 | 1994-04-20 | Subcommittee Hearings Held. | House | Rep. Moakley, John Joseph [D-MA-9] | MA | D | M000834 | 40 | Fire Safe Cigarette Act of 1994 - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue by rule a fire safety standard for cigarettes. Prohibits stockpiling of cigarettes between the issuing and effective dates of the standard. Provides for judicial review of the standard. Prohibits manufacture or importing of cigarettes unless in compliance with such standard. States that this Act and the standard issued under it does not preempt any law of a State which prescribes a more stringent fire safety standard for cigarettes. | 2025-08-26T13:52:41Z | |
| 103-s-1854 | 103 | s | 1854 | Patent Term and Publication Reform Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-02-11 | 1994-03-25 | Referred to Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 0 | Patent Term and Publication Reform Act of 1994 - Provides for a 20-year patent term, beginning from the date that the application is filed. (Under current law, a patent term runs for 17 years from the date the patent is granted.) Provides for the publication of a patent application 18 months after its filing. Specifies that patents for designs may be granted for terms of three years and six months, seven years, or 17 (currently, 14) years, as the applicant elects in the application. | 2025-08-26T13:52:40Z | |
| 103-s-1830 | 103 | s | 1830 | Small Business Defense Conversion Assistance Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1994-02-04 | 1994-06-14 | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 462. | Senate | Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] | CA | D | F000062 | 13 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Small Business Defense Conversion Loan Guarantee Program Title II: Miscellaneous Small Business Administration Authorities Small Business Defense Conversion Assistance Act of 1994 -Title I: Small Business Defense Conversion Loan Guarantee Program - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make up to $4 billion in guaranteed loans for the small business defense conversion program (a program aiding small businesses adversely affected by military base closures or defense program terminations). Adds to small businesses eligible for such loans those experiencing substantial revenue reduction because of an overall reduction in economic activity in a community due to such closures or terminations. Requires such defense conversion loans to be funded through appropriations that are separate and distinct from funds appropriated for general business loans under the Act. Title II: Miscellaneous Small Business Administration Authorities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1995 through 1997 under the Small Business Development Center Program for the defense conversion assistance program. Requires 50 percent of such grant amounts to be provided by non-Federal sources. Prohibits any such amounts from being included in the calculation of the amount of SBA assistance to the Development Center Program. Directs the SBA to develop procedures to ensure that assistance is provided for projects that have the greatest potential for creating new jobs in areas experiencing terminations or reductions due to reductions in defense spending or for preventing job loss by small business employees, and that have substantial potential for stimulating new economic activity in communities most impacted by reductions in defense spending. Increases the amount authorized for the Small Business Development Company loan program. Authorizes the SBA Administrator to pay transportation expenses and per diem for up to 12 months (currently six… | 2025-01-14T17:16:56Z | |
| 103-hr-3777 | 103 | hr | 3777 | Office of Technology Assessment Termination Act | Commerce | 1994-02-02 | 1994-02-02 | Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. | House | Rep. Inglis, Bob [R-SC-4] | SC | R | I000023 | 3 | Office of Technology Assessment Termination Act - Terminates funding for the Office of Technology Assessment beginning in FY 1995. | 2025-08-26T13:49:23Z | |
| 103-hr-3741 | 103 | hr | 3741 | Collision Damage Waiver Act | Commerce | 1994-01-26 | 1994-02-09 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness. | House | Rep. Collins, Cardiss [D-IL-7] | IL | D | C000634 | 0 | Collision Damage Waiver Act - Prohibits rental car companies, in rental agreements of 30 continuous days or less, from holding any authorized driver liable for any damage, except in any case in which: (1) the damage is caused intentionally by an authorized driver or as a result of such driver's willful and wanton misconduct, operation of the vehicle while legally intoxicated or under the influence of an illegal drug, while engaged in a criminal act, or in the course of any speed contest; (2) the rental transaction is based on information the renter supplied with intent to defraud the rental car company; (3) damage arises out of the use of the vehicle to carry individuals or property for hire; or (4) the damage arises out of the use of the vehicle outside the United States or Canada (unless specifically authorized by the rental agreement). Prohibits waiver of these exceptions. Prohibits a rental car company, during the rental period or pending resolution of any dispute, from requiring or requesting a damage security deposit in any form. Sets forth civil penalties for violation of this Act. | 2025-08-26T13:49:23Z | |
| 103-hr-3614 | 103 | hr | 3614 | Tobacco Education and Child Protection Act | Commerce | 1993-11-22 | 1994-02-10 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment. | House | Rep. Waxman, Henry A. [D-CA-29] | CA | D | W000215 | 26 | Tobacco Education and Child Protection Act - Declares it to be unlawful to manufacture, package, distribute for sale, or advertise tobacco products without specified health warning labels. Repeals the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 one year after the effective date of this Act. | 2025-08-26T13:50:18Z | |
| 103-hr-3655 | 103 | hr | 3655 | Small Business Prepayment Penalty Relief Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-11-22 | 1993-11-22 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29] | NY | D | L000556 | 0 | Small Business Prepayment Penalty Relief Act of 1993 - Title II (sic) - Authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA), upon the request of the issuer, to annually buy-down the interest rate on any debenture purchased by the Federal Financing Bank which has been issued by a development company or a small business investment company (SBIC) pursuant to appropriate provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Allows such buy-down to reduce such interest rate to 7.5 percent annually. Title III - Directs the SBA, after the appropriations Act for each year has been enacted, to calculate the amount needed to carry out the buy-downs authorized in title II. Allows the SBA, after such determination, to notify the debenture issuers that it will receive offers from any interested issuer to prepay the debenture in full. Requires a prioritization of such offers based on the amount of prepayment penalty an issuer offers to pay. Prohibits the imposition against the issuer, the borrower, or the SBA of fees or penalties (with exceptions) as a condition of such prepayment. Allows regular and specialized SBICs which are the issuer of a debenture purchased by the SBA under such Act to offer to prepay the debenture under prior provisions of this Act, subject to specified conditions, and with the same prohibition against the imposition of fees or penalties for such prepayment. Title IV - Authorizes appropriations. | 2025-08-26T13:51:19Z | |
| 103-hr-3682 | 103 | hr | 3682 | Bucket Drowning Prevention Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-11-22 | 1993-12-20 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness. | House | Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] | NJ | D | P000034 | 0 | Bucket Drowning Prevention Act of 1993 - Establishes a consumer product safety standard requiring four- to six-gallon buckets to bear a warning label that includes a picture of a child falling into a bucket and the words, in English and Spanish: "WARNING. Children Can Fall into Bucket and Drown. Keep Children Away From Buckets With Even a Small Amount of Liquid." Exempts buckets manufactured or imported before the effective date of this labeling standard. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to prohibit a manufacturer, filler, distributor, and retailer from stockpiling such buckets. Requires the Commission to conduct a study to determine: (1) consumer use patterns of new and used four- to six-gallon steel and metal buckets; and (2) the prevalence of incidents of death or injury to children associated with their use. Exempts metal containers from the labeling requirements of this Act during the pendency of the study and in the absence of any regulation of four- to six-gallon containers by the Commission thereafter. Requires the Commission, upon the review of the results of the study, to decide whether to continue this exemption, to require compliance by metal containers, or to consider a further study. | 2025-08-26T13:51:37Z | |
| 103-s-1737 | 103 | s | 1737 | General Accounting Office Oversight and Improvement Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-11-20 | 1993-11-20 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. | Senate | Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] | AZ | R | M000303 | 1 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Inspector General of the General Accounting Office Title II: General Accounting Office Final Reports and Congressional Requests for Reports Title III: General Accounting Office Peer Review Committee General Accounting Office Oversight and Improvement Act of 1993 - Title I: Inspector General of the General Accounting Office - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to: (1) establish an Office of Inspector General in the General Accounting Office (GAO); (2) require the GAO Inspector General (IG) to be appointed jointly by the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House and the leadership of the Senate; (3) allow removal only for cause; and (4) set the IG's annual salary. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Comptroller General (CG) to make changes with regard to GAO's Office of Special Investigations that are consistent with this title. Title II: General Accounting Office Final Reports and Congressional Requests for Reports - Amends Federal law to require the CG to: (1) provide an agency of the Federal Government or the District of Columbia government relevant to a report an opportunity to review any finding of GAO in such report before it is final and released; (2) include a summary of the post-review agency response in the final report; and (3) include, to the greatest extent practicable, a list of all organizational contacts and informational sources used in each final report. (Sec. 201) Authorizes the CG to release a final report no earlier than seven days after receiving a Member of Congress' request to withhold such release. Prohibits release of a final report unless the CG includes in it a written determination that GAO has complied with all internal quality control procedures. Sets forth procedures for releasing or preparing a report upon request by committee chairmen, ranking minority members, or individual Members. Requires CG to treat all requests from committee chairmen and ranking members on an equal basis. Title III: General Acco… | 2025-08-26T13:52:41Z | |
| 103-hr-3550 | 103 | hr | 3550 | Federal Technology Commercialization and Credit Enhancement Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-11-19 | 1993-12-16 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration. | House | Rep. Kanjorski, Paul E. [D-PA-11] | PA | D | K000008 | 52 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Consolidation of Information on Technologies Title II: Technology Transfer and Commercialization Financing Corporation Title III: Commercialization Financing Title IV: Alternative Minimum Tax on Corporations Importing Products Into the United States Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Federal Technology Commercialization and Credit Enhancement Act of 1993 - Title I: Consolidation of Information on Technologies - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a standardized, accessible data base describing all patents, licenses, technologies, and processes owned in whole or in part by the Federal Government. Provides for data base access by: (1) the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Financing Corporation (established by this Act); and (2) the public. Directs the Secretary to review current Federal technology transfer efforts. Title II: Technology Transfer and Commercialization Financing Corporation - Establishes a public/private Technology Transfer and Commercialization Financing Corporation (Corporation) to foster U.S. economic growth by providing credit for businesses and facilitating the transfer and commercialization of federally owned or developed patents, licenses, processes, and technologies. Title III: Commercialization Financing - Establishes in the Treasury the Technology Transfer Investment Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Corporation to provide outreach activities to areas that: (1) have a depressed economy or chronically high unemployment; (2) have been adversely affected by the North American Free Trade Agreement; or (3) are designated as Federal empowerment zones or enterprise communities. Title IV: Alternative Minimum Tax on Corporation's Importing Products into the United States - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an alternative minimum tax on certain corporations importing products into the United States. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth effective date and separability pr… | 2025-08-26T13:52:08Z | |
| 103-hr-3579 | 103 | hr | 3579 | To renew and extend patents relating to certain devices that aid in the acceleration of bodily tissue healing and the reduction of pain. | Commerce | 1993-11-19 | 1993-11-19 | Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. | House | Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5] | NY | D | A000022 | 0 | Directs the Secretary of Commerce to extend for ten years a specified patent relating to an apparatus for maintaining the negative potential of human, animal, and plant cells. Directs the Secretary to renew and extend for ten years specified patents relating to: (1) an ultra-short wave athermapeutic apparatus; (2) an electrothermapeutic apparatus and treatment head and the method for tuning the treatment head; (3) a power meter for an athermapeutic apparatus; (4) an athermapeutic apparatus; and (5) a treatment head for an athermapeutic apparatus. | 2021-06-02T19:51:22Z | |
| 103-sjres-155 | 103 | sjres | 155 | A joint resolution to designate the week beginning March 13, 1994 as "National Manufacturing Week". | Commerce | 1993-11-19 | 1993-11-19 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY] | NY | R | D000018 | 1 | Designates the week beginning March 13, 1994, as National Manufacturing Week. | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 103-s-1671 | 103 | s | 1671 | Cigarette Promotional Product Labeling Act | Commerce | 1993-11-18 | 1993-11-18 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce. | Senate | Sen. Cohen, William S. [R-ME] | ME | R | C000598 | 0 | Cigarette Promotional Product Labeling Act - Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to require that promotional products for cigarettes carry one of four specified warnings of health dangers of smoking. | 2025-08-26T13:52:35Z | |
| 103-s-1665 | 103 | s | 1665 | Library of Congress Retention of Proceeds Act | Commerce | 1993-11-17 | 1993-11-17 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules. | Senate | Sen. Pell, Claiborne [D-RI] | RI | D | P000193 | 0 | Library of Congress Retention of Proceeds Act - Authorizes the Librarian of Congress to sell personal property, including books, periodicals, and other materials, determined to be excess to the collections or the exchange and donation programs of the Library, except for: (1) copies of unpublished works that became the property of the United States pursuant to copyright registration; (2) copies of materials received by the Library under written deeds of gift or other contractual agreements which expressly preclude the transfer of ownership or possession by the Library; (3) materials distributed by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; or (4) products of the Congressional Research Service. Authorizes the Librarian to accept payment or restitution for lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed books, periodicals, newspapers, or other materials from the Library's collection if such sums are: (1) ordered by any judicial or administrative authority to be paid to the Library; or (2) received from a borrower. Establishes in the Treasury an account consisting of the proceeds of any sale of excess materials or any payment or restitution described under this Act. Provides that account funds shall be available to the Librarian, to the extent provided in appropriations Acts, until expended, for the acquisition of books, periodicals, and other materials, including the costs of administering the national and international acquisition programs of the Library. | 2025-08-26T13:50:40Z | |
| 103-sconres-51 | 103 | sconres | 51 | A concurrent resolution to express the sense of Congress in support of consumer labeling utilizing an American and foreign flag program, labeling all goods and services. | Commerce | 1993-11-05 | 1993-11-05 | Referred to the Committee on Commerce. | Senate | Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD] | SD | R | P000513 | 0 | Declares that the Congress supports consumer labeling using an American and foreign flag program for labeling all goods and services. | 2025-01-14T18:51:33Z | |
| 103-s-1619 | 103 | s | 1619 | Insurance Protection Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-11-04 | 1993-11-04 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce. | Senate | Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH] | OH | D | M000678 | 0 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Insurance Regulatory Commission Title II: Federal Minimum Standards Title III: Reinsurance Title IV: National Insurance Guaranty Corporation Title V: Liquidation of Member Insurers Title VI: Criminal and Civil Penalties Insurance Protection Act of 1993 - Title I: Insurance Regulatory Commission - Establishes the Insurance Regulatory Commission (the Commission) to: (1) prescribe State insurance accreditation standards; and (2) grant certification to those States which meet and implement them. Permits a State so certified to issue an interstate insurance license to an insurer domiciled in that State. Prohibits an insurer domiciled in a non-certified State from conducting the business of insurance in interstate commerce. (Sec. 113) Requires the Commission to: (1) maintain a central depository for insurance data; and (2) make certain depository data available to the public. (Sec. 115) Requires the Commission to establish a Securities Valuation Office (SVO) to: (1) value and establish quality ratings for assets owned by insurers; and (2) publish a Valuations of Securities Manual containing the market prices and SVO quality ratings for all securities owned by insurers. Directs the Commission to promulgate rules and regulations to: (1) provide a source for uniform prices and quality ratings of assets held by insurers; (2) require life insurers and fraternal benefits societies to maintain a mandatory reserve for all assets based on SVO values and quality ratings; and (3) establish minimum standards for banks that issue letters of credit for reinsurance purposes. Title II: Federal Minimum Standards - Directs the Commission to: (1) establish standards for implementation by accredited State Insurance Departments; (2) require all insurers to maintain minimum capital and surplus amounts; (3) prescribe accounting procedures and practices for insurers; (4) establish standards for State Insurance Departments to use in identifying insurers deemed to be in haz… | 2025-08-26T13:50:02Z | |
| 103-hjres-285 | 103 | hjres | 285 | To designate the week beginning March 13, 1994, as "National Manufacturing Week". | Commerce | 1993-10-28 | 1993-10-28 | Referred to the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. | House | Rep. Valentine, Tim [D-NC-2] | NC | D | V000006 | 18 | Designates the week beginning March 13, 1994, as National Manufacturing Week. | 2024-02-06T20:04:02Z | |
| 103-hr-3379 | 103 | hr | 3379 | To amend section 156 of title 35, United States Code, to provide for the interim extension of patents subject to that section. | Commerce | 1993-10-27 | 1993-12-03 | See H.R.2632. | House | Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2] | NJ | D | H000930 | 0 | Authorizes the owner of record of a product patent who expects that the applicable regulatory review period for the product may extend beyond the patent term to submit, during the period beginning six months and ending 30 days before the term is due to expire, an application to the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks for an interim extension. Permits up to four subsequent interim extensions. Requires any interim extension to terminate at the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date on which the product involved receives permission for commercial marketing or use unless the applicant submits specified additional information not previously contained in the interim extension application in which case the patent shall be extended for up to five years from the expiration date of the original patent term. | 2025-01-16T12:12:20Z | |
| 103-hr-3342 | 103 | hr | 3342 | To establish a toll free number in the Department of Commerce to assist consumers in determining if products are American-made. | Commerce | 1993-10-21 | 1994-08-09 | Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce. | House | Rep. Traficant, James A., Jr. [D-OH-17] | OH | D | T000350 | 234 | Directs the Secretary of Commerce, upon determining on the basis of comments submitted in rulemaking under this Act that interest among manufacturers is sufficient to warrant the establishment of a three-year toll free number pilot program and manufacturers will provide fees so that the program will operate without cost to the Federal Government, to: (1) establish such program solely to help inform consumers whether a product is made in America or the equivalent thereof; and (2) publish the toll-free number in the Federal Register. Requires: (1) the Secretary to contract for the establishment and operation of such pilot program and the registration of products; and (2) such number to be used solely to inform consumers as to whether products are American made. Requires consumers to be informed that such registration does not mean that: (1) the product is endorsed or approved by the Government; (2) the Secretary has conducted any investigation to confirm that the product meets the definition of American made; or (3) the product contains 100 percent U.S. content. (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary to propose regulations to: (1) establish a procedure under which the manufacturer of a product may voluntarily register such product as complying with such definition and have such product included in the information available through the toll free number; (2) establish, assess, and collect a fee to cover all costs of registering products and including registered products in information provided under the number; (3) establish the pilot program; and (4) solicit views from the private sector concerning the level of interest of manufacturers in registering products. Requires the Secretary to promulgate such regulations if the pilot program and product registration is determined to be warranted. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) registration fees; and (2) penalties for manufacturers who knowingly register a product which is not American made. | 2025-01-14T18:51:33Z | |
| 103-s-1566 | 103 | s | 1566 | Rent-To-Own Consumer Credit Protection Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-10-19 | 1993-10-19 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking. | Senate | Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH] | OH | D | M000678 | 2 | Rent-To-Own Consumer Credit Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit a seller in a rent-to-own transaction from taking, receiving, or assessing any interest, finance charge, or other fee for the transaction in excess of that which may be charged under State law which establishes in connection with a credit or retail installment sale for the same or a similar item: (1) a maximum rate or amount of interest, finance charge, or time-price differential that may be charged; (2) the types and maximum amount of fees that a seller may charge; or (3) the types of credit insurance and the maximum amount of premiums that can be charged for credit insurance. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) termination, recovery, and other fees; (2) the effect of termination; and (3) guarantees and warranties. Makes the following Federal laws applicable to rent-to-own transactions: (1) the Truth in Lending Act; (2) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; (3) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; and (4) the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Requires a seller to include the following information on each item in the seller's place of business that is available for purchase pursuant to a rent-to-own transaction: (1) the cash price; (2) an itemization of services offered and the price of each service; (3) the annual percentage rate; (4) any applicable periodic payment and the number of payments; (5) the total number of payments required to acquire ownership; and (6) whether the item is new or used. Requires a seller to provide such information to a consumer in writing at the time the parties enter into the contract. Prohibits a seller under a rent-to-own contract with a consumer from taking specified actions, such as using threats or coercion to collect amounts alleged due, or unreasonably disclosing information to third parties regarding amounts owed by the consumer. Makes compliance with the requirements of this Act enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission. Deems a violation of this Act to be an unfair … | 2025-08-26T13:50:13Z | |
| 103-hr-3288 | 103 | hr | 3288 | Public Accommodations Exception Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-10-14 | 1993-10-19 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration. | House | Rep. Thomas, Craig [R-WY-At Large] | WY | R | T000162 | 38 | Public Accommodations Exception Act of 1993 - Exempts from consideration as copyright infringement communication of a transmission by radio or television embodying a performance or display of a work by the public reception of the transmission on a receiving or recording apparatus in a restaurant, tavern, or other commercial establishment serving food or drink, the performance of which is incidental to the main purpose of such establishment, unless a direct charge is made to see or hear the transmission. | 2025-08-26T13:52:40Z | |
| 103-hr-3169 | 103 | hr | 3169 | Insurance Disclosure Act | Commerce | 1993-09-29 | 1993-10-18 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Credit and Insurance. | House | Rep. Kennedy, Joseph P., II [D-MA-8] | MA | D | K000110 | 1 | Insurance Disclosure Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (the Secretary) to establish requirements for insurers to compile and submit information to the Secretary for each annual reporting period concerning the affordability and availability of insurance coverage for: (1) noncommercial insurance; (2) commercial insurance for residential properties and small businesses in urban areas; (3) bid, performance, and payment bonds for small businesses; and (4) insurance in designated rural areas. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such disclosure requirements if the State within which the insurer transacts business has an equivalent disclosure mechanism in place. Directs the Financial Institutions Examination Council to determine the extent to which private mortgage insurers make available to the public and to regulatory agencies the mortgage information required to be reported under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975. Provides for contracting out such data collection or submission of such data through statistical agents. Directs the Secretary to set forth specified annual disclosure requirements for loans and investments made by designated insurers in a designated metropolitan statistical area. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the compilation and public accessibility of the disclosures mandated by this Act; and (2) written notification by an insurer to applicants and policyholders regarding the reasons that coverage was denied. Sets forth civil penalties for insurers in violation of this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to report to certain congressional committees on insurance agency appointments affecting inner city and minority agents. Requires the Secretary to conduct studies and report to certain congressional committees on: (1) prescreening of insurance applicants; (2) insurer practices affecting the insurance needs of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, minority neighborhoods, and small businesses located in such neighborhoods; (3) disparate treatment of poli… | 2025-08-26T13:50:05Z | |
| 103-hr-3136 | 103 | hr | 3136 | Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-09-27 | 1993-10-18 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Credit and Insurance. | House | Rep. Gonzalez, Henry B. [D-TX-20] | TX | D | G000272 | 14 | Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to designate a new title X as the Rent-To-Own Protection Act to prohibit a seller in a rent-to-own transaction from taking, receiving, or assessing any interest, finance charge, or other fee for the transaction in excess of that which may be charged under State law which establishes in connection with a credit or retail installment sale for the same or a similar item: (1) a maximum rate or amount of interest, finance charge, or time-price differential that may be charged; (2) the types and maximum amount of fees that a seller may charge; or (3) the types of credit insurance and the maximum amount of premiums that can be charged for credit insurance. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) termination, recovery, and other fees; (2) the effect of termination; and (3) guarantees and warranties. Makes the following Federal laws applicable to rent-to-own transactions: (1) the Truth in Lending Act; (2) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; (3) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; and (4) the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Requires a seller to include the following information on each item in the seller's place of business that is available for purchase pursuant to a rent-to-own transaction: (1) the cash price; (2) an itemization of services offered and the price of each service; (3) the annual percentage rate; (4) any applicable periodic payment and the number of payments; (5) the total number of payments required to acquire ownership; and (6) whether the item is new or used. Requires a seller to provide such information to a consumer in writing at the time the parties enter into the contract. Prohibits a seller under a rent-to-own contract with a consumer from taking specified actions, such as using threats or coercion to collect amounts alleged due, or unreasonably disclosing information to third parties regarding amounts owed by the consumer. Makes compliance with the requirements of this Act enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission. Deems… | 2025-08-26T13:51:28Z | |
| 103-s-1485 | 103 | s | 1485 | Satellite Compulsory License Extension Act of 1994 | Commerce | 1993-09-22 | 1994-10-07 | By Senator Biden from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 103-407. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 11 | Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1994 - Amends copyright law with respect to satellite carrier compulsory licenses to require the subscriber information list submitted by a satellite carrier that makes secondary transmissions of a primary transmission by a network station to include the names of the subscribers. (Sec. 2) Provides that in any action relating to the violation of territorial restrictions on statutory license for network stations the satellite carrier shall have the burden of proving that its secondary transmission is for private home viewing to an unserved household. Revises: (1) the formula used by the satellite carrier to compute the royalty fee to be deposited semiannually with the Register of Copyrights to increase the fees for secondary transmissions subject to statutory licensing; and (2) dates and procedures regarding the adjustment of such royalty fee. Requires a copyright royalty arbitration panel, in determining such fees, to establish a rate for the secondary transmission of network stations and superstations that reflects the fair market value of such transmissions. Directs the panel to base its decision upon economic, competitive, and programming information presented by the parties and to take into account the competitive environment in which such programming is distributed. Provides that, upon a challenge by a network station regarding whether a subscriber is an unserved household, a satellite carrier shall terminate service to the household and notify the network station of such termination or conduct a measurement of the signal intensity of the subscribers's household to determine whether the household is unserved and, if so, terminate service. Requires the challenging station to reimburse a carrier for any signal intensity measurement that indicates the household is an unserved household. Revises the definition of a "network station" for purposes of cable and satellite carrier compulsory license provisions to be: (1) a television broadcast station owned or operated by, or affiliat… | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 103-hr-3102 | 103 | hr | 3102 | To amend the Truth in Lending Act, Truth in Savings Act, and Consumer Leasing Act to modify certain disclosure requirements. | Commerce | 1993-09-21 | 1993-10-18 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Credit and Insurance. | House | Rep. LaRocco, Larry [D-ID-1] | ID | D | L000098 | 60 | Amends the Truth in Lending Act of 1968, Truth in Savings Act of 1991, and Consumer Leasing Act of 1976 to declare that radio broadcast advertisements satisfy statutory consumer disclosure requirements if they include toll-free telephone numbers providing consumers with disclosure information prior to engaging in the transactions specified. | 2024-02-06T19:38:08Z | |
| 103-s-1447 | 103 | s | 1447 | Radio Consumer Information Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-09-10 | 1993-09-10 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce. | Senate | Sen. Bryan, Richard H. [D-NV] | NV | D | B000993 | 22 | Radio Consumer Information Act of 1993 - Amends the Consumer Leasing Act of 1976, the Truth in Lending Act of 1968, and the Truth in Savings Act of 1991 regarding disclosures in connection with advertisements, announcements, or solicitations made through radio. | 2025-08-26T13:52:19Z | |
| 103-hr-3041 | 103 | hr | 3041 | To eliminate deception in product labelling or marking with regard to the country of origin of merchandise and merchandise parts. | Commerce | 1993-09-09 | 1993-09-22 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness. | House | Rep. Klink, Ron [D-PA-4] | PA | D | K000270 | 27 | Prohibits a label on a product stating that the product was made in America unless: (1) the product is registered with the Department of Commerce as required by this Act; (2) at least 60 percent of the product was manufactured in the United States; and (3) final assembly took place in this country. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require products to provide additional information to consumers regarding the foreign content of imported articles. Requires any product manufactured in this country and which is assembled with a part from a foreign country to state on its label: (1) the country of origin of such part; and (2) the proportion of the cost of such product which is accounted for by such part. Sets forth penalties for violating provisions of this Act. | 2024-02-07T16:32:33Z | |
| 103-hr-3025 | 103 | hr | 3025 | Smokeless Tobacco Distribution Control Act of 1993 | Commerce | 1993-09-08 | 1993-10-05 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment. | House | Rep. Schroeder, Patricia [D-CO-1] | CO | D | S000142 | 15 | Smokeless Tobacco Distribution Control Act of 1993 - Prohibits the distribution of free samples of smokeless tobacco products. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to monitor compliance. | 2025-08-26T13:50:15Z | |
| 103-sres-142 | 103 | sres | 142 | A resolution to express the sense of the Senate to recognize and commend the American Business Women's Association. | Commerce | 1993-09-07 | 1993-09-07 | Referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources. | Senate | Sen. Coverdell, Paul [R-GA] | GA | R | C000813 | 0 | Commends the American Business Women's Association. | 2025-04-21T12:24:17Z | |
| 103-hr-2946 | 103 | hr | 2946 | To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the mandatory-separation age for members of the Capitol Police be conformed to the mandatory-separation age for Federal law enforcement officers. | Commerce | 1993-08-06 | 1993-08-12 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits. | House | Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5] | MD | D | H000874 | 0 | Changes the mandatory separation age from 55 to 57 for a member of the Capitol Police who is eligible for immediate retirement. | 2024-02-07T11:39:48Z | |
| 103-hr-2960 | 103 | hr | 2960 | To amend the Competitiveness Policy Council Act to provide for reauthorization, to rename the Council, and for other purposes. | Commerce | 1993-08-06 | 1993-11-23 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce. | House | Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29] | NY | D | L000556 | 0 | Amends the Competitiveness Policy Council Act to rename it and to: (1) change the name of the Competitiveness Policy Council to the National Competitiveness Commission (Commission); and (2) reauthorize and extend the Commission. Amends the National Competitiveness Commission Act (as renamed) to make technical changes with respect to Commission duties, powers, staff, and reporting requirements. | 2025-01-14T18:51:33Z |
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CREATE TABLE legislation (
bill_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
congress INTEGER,
bill_type TEXT,
bill_number INTEGER,
title TEXT,
policy_area TEXT,
introduced_date TEXT,
latest_action_date TEXT,
latest_action_text TEXT,
origin_chamber TEXT,
sponsor_name TEXT,
sponsor_state TEXT,
sponsor_party TEXT,
sponsor_bioguide_id TEXT,
cosponsor_count INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
summary_text TEXT,
update_date TEXT,
url TEXT
);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_congress ON legislation(congress);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_type ON legislation(bill_type);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_policy ON legislation(policy_area);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_date ON legislation(introduced_date);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_sponsor ON legislation(sponsor_name);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_sponsor_bioguide ON legislation(sponsor_bioguide_id);