United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Degradable Plastics Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue rules, within two years of this Act's enactment, requiring that plastic articles which are produced, distributed, or sold in the United States be made of naturally degradable material which will begin reduction to environmentally benign subunits within a specified period of time after being discarded that is not to exceed 180 days and complete such reduction within a specified period of time that is not to exceed two years. Provides that this Act does not preclude States or localities from adopting more stringent rules. Imposes civil and criminal penalties against persons who violate such rules. Requires producers of plastic articles to make records regarding the development and production of such articles available to the Administrator for inspection and copying. Makes the rules issued pursuant to this Act inapplicable to any plastic article produced before the end of the five-year period beginning after the issuance of such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Requires the President to suspend assistance for the Nicaraguan Resistance and makes it out of order for the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any legislation authorizing assistance to the Resistance until the Congress enacts a joint resolution declaring that the Resistance has satisfactorily accounted for assistance previously provided.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Includes service in the U.S. merchant marine between May 26, 1940, and January 1, 1948, as military service for the purpose of determining civil service retirement benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Campaign Expenditure Limitation Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to establish limitations on expenditures in elections for the House of Representatives. Prohibits a candidate from making expenditures from personal funds or immediate family funds which, in the aggregate, exceed $25,000. Prohibits a candidate from making expenditures which, in the aggregate, exceed $200,000. Prohibits any person from making independent expenditures which, in the aggregate, exceed $2,500. Prohibits a candidate from accepting contributions from nonparty multicandidate political committees or from separate segregated funds which, in the aggregate, exceed $50,000. Makes it the duty of the court of appeals and the Supreme Court to expedite judicial review of the constitutionality of any provision of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the corporate income tax exclusion of contributions to the capital of the taxpayer. Includes as a qualifying contribution any amount of money or property received by a regulated public utility (a utility required to provide electric energy, gas, water, or sewage disposal services) that: (1) is a contribution in aid of construction (as defined by regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury); (2) meets certain expenditure requirements; and (3) is not included in the taxpayer's rate base. Excludes amounts paid as customer connection fees. Adds conditions under which a taxpayer will be treated as a material participant in a business or trade for purposes of passive loss rules affecting income tax liability. Amends accounting provisions to: (1) permit an exception from required application of the percentage completion method in the case of certain construction contracts for condominiums or cooperatives; and (2) apply the exemption of residential construction contracts from long-term contract accounting rules retroactively with respect to contracts entered into after February 28, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Research and Experimental Credit Extension and Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax credit for qualified research expenditures by repealing the provisions that would terminate the credit for expenses incurred or paid after 1989. Revises the method for computing: (1) base period research expenses, adding a factor reflecting the gross national product growth rate; and (2) the tax credit, adding an alternative computation component. Applies the credit to in-house research expenses that the taxpayer pays or incurs for the principal purpose of using the research results in the active conduct of a future trade or business.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1989
Native American Burial Site Preservation Act of 1989 - Prohibits the excavation of, or removal of contents from, Native American burial sites unless such excavations and removals are authorized by State law. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1989
Television Violence Act of 1989 - Exempts from the antitrust laws any joint discussion, consideration, review, action, or agreement by or among persons in the television industry for the purpose of, and limited to, developing and disseminating voluntary guidelines designed to alleviate the negative impact of violence in telecast material, provided the joint action does not result in a boycott of any person. Terminates such exemption three years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1989
Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday Commission Extension Act - Makes permanent the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. (Current law terminates the Commission on April 20, 1989.) Makes the term of Commission members one year, except for Coretta Scott King (life term) and members of the family surviving Martin Luther King, Jr. (at the discretion of the family). Amends existing requirements to make the Commission's report on its activities reflect the most recent observance of the holiday. Replaces provisions requiring all expenditures of the Commission to be from donated funds with provisions authorizing appropriations for each fiscal year. Makes payment of expenses for Commission members and staff salary subject to the availability of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1989
Reasonable Detention of Aliens Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit the Attorney General's authority to detain an alien mother with a dependent child two years or younger subject to deportation (with specified exceptions) unless such detention is in connection with the alien's immediate departure from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an additional standard deduction of $600 for a taxpayer or spouse who is deaf or who is a paraplegic, a quadriplegic, a hemiplegic, or an amputee.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1989
Eliminates post-1968 service in the National Guard as a prerequisite to civil service retirement credit for former National Guard technicians. Amends the National Guard Technicians Act of 1968 to eliminate post-1968 service as a prerequisite for National Guard technicians for receipt of credit in the determination of length of Federal civil service for purposes of leave, Federal employees' death and disability compensation, group life and health insurance, severance pay, tenure, and status. Sets forth rules for applying provisions of this Act to affected individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1989
Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to reduce from 250 to 25 tons the maximum number of tons of coal that may be removed without specific regulatory approval. Establishes criminal penalties (including fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture) for surface coal mining operations conducted without a permit.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1989
Virgin Islands Reunification Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer Water Island to the Government of the Virgin Islands. Prohibits the Secretary from conveying title to Water Island until the Governor of the Virgin Islands submits to specified congressional committees a detailed plan for its use which has been approved by the legislature of the Virgin Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1989
Requires the Administrator of General Services or the Secretary of Defense to transfer, without consideration, the United States' right, title, and interest in specified excess property on Guam to the Superior Court of Guam within six months after enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary, not later than one year after such date, to determine if a specified parcel of land is excess and to transfer the United States' interest in it, without consideration, to the Superior Court of Guam as soon as practicable after such determination. Prohibits any transfer of land under this Act until the land is determined to be surplus property. Provides that such land will be deemed to be surplus property 30 days after the Administrator of General Services notifies executive agencies that such land is excess property, unless any agency pays to the Administrator the fair market value of the land. Authorizes the Superior Court of Guam to: (1) hold the title to all lands transferred; (2) render decisions on claims of persons and their heirs for eligibility for the transfer of land; (3) transfer to a qualified transferee the Court's interest in such land; and (4) determine the amount of consideration to be paid by a qualified transferee. Provides that if any portion of any property transferred does not remain in the ownership of United States persons it shall revert to the Government of Guam, that the transferred land shall be treated as "after-discovered property" under Guam's probate code, proof of ownership of such lands shall be in accordance with the civil evidentiary laws of Guam, and that determinations of the Superior Court of Guam shall be conclusive on all issues and will not be appealable. Requires the Superior Court of Guam, ten years after the enactment of this Act, to transfer to the Government of Guam all of the Court's remaining interest in the transferred land. Requires that three months after the disposition of all claims related to other property on Guam which may be determined to be excess, the Superior Court shall transfer its remaining interest to the Government of Guam. Provides that if any interest in any property transferred to the Government of Guam is transferred to any person who is not a United States person, that interest shall revert to the United States. Prohibits the transfer of any land to a qualified transferee until he pays to the Secretary of the Treasury an amount equal to the amount of any compensation paid by the United States (adjusted for inflation) which is attributable to such land and either: (1) waives all claims with respect to such land including the right to receive any award pursuant to a specified settlement; or (2) pays the amount of such an award (adjusted for inflation) received to the Secretary of the Treasury within six months after the date on which the Superior Court of Guam decides that such transferee is eligible for land pursuant to this Act. Provides that any person or heir is a qualified transferee if he: (1) is a United States person; and (2) files in the Superior Court of Guam a claim for the transfer of specified land which the United States acquired. Requires the Attorney General to make available to the Superior Court of Guam, without charge, the report commonly referred to as the Middlebrook Report. Requires the Attorney General to assist the Superior Court of Guam in identifying the owners, size, and amount of compensation or settlement award for land transferred to the Superior Court of Guam. Describes excess Federal property on Guam as of the date of the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to execute the instruments needed to modify the conditions under which specified land was transferred to the Government of Guam. Repeals the requirement that the sale by the Government of Guam of specified property conveyed to it by the Secretary of the Navy shall only be for a monetary consideration. Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration to transfer, without consideration, to the Government of Guam all U.S. interest in Apra Harbor Parcel 6 to be used exclusively for plant and wildlife conservation. Provides that such parcel shall revert to the United States if: (1) the parcel is used for any purpose other than plant and wildlife conservation; or (2) the Government of Guam transfers any portion of its interest in the parcel.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1989
Radon Gas Tax Relief Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a 40 percent nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $4,000 for expenditures made for radon testing in or below the taxpayer's principal residence and for the installation of property designed to reduce radon levels inside the residence. Permits an income tax deduction (both individual and corporate) for radon prevention expenditures in connection with real property development, building construction or enlargement, and certain relocation dwellings. Makes the tax credit and the tax deduction mutually exclusive with respect to the same expenditures. Amends Federal law to make funds available for the reimbursement of Federal employees for radon protection expenditures necessary to overcome a substantial obstacle to the salability of a principal residence being sold in conjunction with a transfer to a new location.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1989
Recognizes the National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, as the official national memorial to volunteer and career firefighters who die in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1989
Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics. Designates June 14, 1989, as Baltic Freedom Day. Authorizes and requests the President to call upon the Soviet Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Democratic Republic of Germany to renounce the acquisition or absorption of the Baltic Republics by the Soviet Union as a result of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1989
General Aviation Standards Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (with respect to aviation accident investigations) to apply such Act, with specified exceptions, to any action for damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident brought against a manufacturer, owner, or operator of a general aviation aircraft, or a person who supports or maintains such aircraft or any other person or governmental entity. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for such accidents. States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 12 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of such an accident. Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Provides procedures for removal from State to Federal district courts of such actions. Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding recovery of damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to the Congress, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the results of a study determining whether persons awarded damages for general aviation accidents under this Act are unable to collect such damages, and the amount of any uncollectible damages.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1989
Nuclear Decommissioning Reserve Fund Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) decrease from 34 percent to 15 percent the rate of the tax imposed on the income of any Nuclear Decommissioning Reserve Fund; and (2) remove restrictions on permitted investments of Fund monies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1989
Palau Compact of Free Association Implementation Act - Authorizes the entry into force of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and Palau (the Compact), subject to its approval by referendum. Directs the President to negotiate: (1) an agreement with the Government of Palau to provide assistance for maintaining offices of public auditor and special prosecutor; (2) an agreement regarding responses to an audit by the Comptroller General of the United States or the Secretary of the Interior; and (3) an agreement providing for the Palau Government to provide current information regarding its national development plan under the Compact. Directs the National Drug Policy Board to develop a plan for an anti-drug program in Palau. Requires the President to negotiate an agreement with Palau to implement such plan. Prohibits using funds appropriated for assistance to Palau to satisfy any obligation or expense incurred by Palau prior to November 14, 1986, with respect to contracts or debts related to electrical generating plants or related facilities which have not been specifically authorized by the Congress in advance, with exceptions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide assistance for the development and promulgation of regulations regarding expenditures, upon Palau's request; (2) provide such sums as may be necessary for a further referendum on the Compact or other costs of approval; and (3) submit a report on the range and cost of options for upgrading the Koror hospital. States that the United States will consider requests for additional financial assistance for medical facility construction based on such report. Directs the chief officer of any agency conducting annual audits of assistance provided to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands to certify such audits. Declares that the Compact does not restrict the President from requesting additional funding or consenting to an extension concerning the use by the United States of privately owned lands in Palau as defense sites. Directs the Secretary to submit a report on the condition of the Palau prison. States that the United States will consider requests for additional financial assistance to meet the need for prison construction based on such report. Directs the Secretary to station at least one professional staff person in each of the offices of the U.S. in Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands to provide Federal program coordination and assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Approves specified agreements between the United States and the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. Provides for continuing availability of unobligated balances of funds provided to Palau. Authorizes the President to negotiate an agreement with the Government of Palau which shall provide the following: (1) $28,000,000 shall be provided to Palau in FY 1989; (2) Palau shall pay to the United States, on or before the 15th anniversary of the effective date of the Compact, the net economic costs of providing such funds; and (3) automatic payment to the United States if Palau has not paid such amount by the 15th anniversary of the effective date of the Compact. Amends the Act approving the Compact to provide that the authorizations for transition purposes shall decline over the first through third fiscal years after the Compact's effective date (under current law, FY 1987 through 1989).
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1989
Illegal Dumping Prevention Act of 1989 - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to authorize the seizure and forfeiture of vessels illegally dumping wastes into ocean waters.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the age (55 or older) and dollar ($125,000) restrictions with respect to the one-time income tax exclusion of gain on the sale of a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1989
Designates April 16, 1989, the 87th birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, as Education Day, U.S.A. Calls on heads of state of the world to join the President of the United States in this tribute by signing scrolls of honor commemorating the 40th anniversary of Schneerson's leadership of the Lubavitch movement. Welcomes the cooperation of the Department of State in extending the good office of the U.S. missions to the Lubavitcher emissaries.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1989
National Biological Diversity Conservation and Environmental Research Act - States that the conservation of biological diversity is a national priority. Requires Federal actions to be consistent with such goal. Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to require that environmental impact statements on proposed Federal actions include any impacts on biological diversity. Requires Federal agencies to conduct annual reviews of their programs for consistency with the conservation of biological diversity pursuant to this Act and to report the results of such reviews to the President, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Congress. Sets forth requirements for programs found to be inconsistent with this Act. Directs the President's Council on Environmental Quality to: (1) establish guidelines for consideration of biological diversity in the preparation of environmental impact statements; and (2) identify those biotic communities, species, and populations that appear to be in decline, in imminent danger of loss of viability, or otherwise of special concern. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to review and comment on the adequacy of each environmental impact statement prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 in assessing biological diversity impacts. Establishes a National Center for Biological Diversity and Conservation Research (Center) responsible for: (1) coordinating the collection of data pertaining to the national biota and supplementing and disseminating such information; (2) arranging and conducting surveys and supplementary research of the national biota; and (3) enhancing the application of biological data to the conservation of biological diversity. Establishes an Interagency Working Committee on Biological Diversity responsible for preparing a coordinated Federal strategy (Strategy) for conservation of biological diversity. Dissolves the Committee two years after this Act's enactment. Sets forth the required contents of such strategy and reporting requirements. Authorizes each agency represented on the Interagency Committee to provide grants to public agencies, private individuals, and organizations for projects to maintain or restore biological diversity. Requires that such grants be matched on at least an equal basis by the grantee, except when the grantee is a State or where the grant is provided for research. Directs each agency represented on the Interagency Committee to: (1) give high priority to research and personnel training directed towards implementation of the Strategy; and (2) assess the adequacy of its environmental research and training programs. Establishes, on a permanent basis, a National Scientific Advisory Committee on Biological Diversity which shall: (1) oversee the implementation of the Strategy; (2) advise the Interagency Committee and Federal agencies in the preparation and implementation of the Strategy; (3) assist in the coordination of interaction between Interagency Committee agencies and the Center; (4) assist in the evaluation of the impacts of proposed Federal activities on biological diversity; (5) assist in the review of Federal programs for consistency with the conservation of biological diversity and the adequacy of such programs in environmental research and training; and (6) serve as a general reference and advisory resource for the Nation in matters relating to conservation of biological diversity. Authorizes appropriations for the activities of the Center and the grant program for FY 1990 through 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1989
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Expansion Act of 1989 - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (the Act) to repeal the termination date for duty-free treatment of beneficiary countries. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment to articles (not over $600 in value) acquired in a beneficiary country. Increases from $800 to $1200 the personal exemption from customs duties of articles acquired in the U.S. insular possessions and from other countries. Amends the Act to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR), upon request of a beneficiary country, to enter into a bilateral agreement with that country establishing guaranteed access levels for textile products assembled in such country from qualifying fabrics (fabrics formed and cut in the United States and certain fabrics of foreign manufacture which are cut in the United States). Makes such products eligible for duty-free treatment. Provides that textile products that are assembled in a beneficiary country from qualifying fabric and incorporate findings and trimmings of foreign origin are eligible for guaranteed access and duty-free treatment if such findings and trimmings do not exceed 25 percent of the cost of the components of the assembled product. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an advisory committee to provide to the Secretary descriptions of those fabrics that the committee recommends to be included on the list of fabrics likely to be utilized in the manufacture of textile products in beneficiary countries which: (1) are not formed in the United States; or (2) are formed in the United States but are in critical shortage. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the USTR, when negotiating bilateral textile agreements, should seek to obtain greater fairness, transparency, and stability in the administration by foreign countries of their obligations under such agreements, especially in the allocation of export certifications between U.S. and foreign firms. Sets forth provisions concerning "general duty-free quotas" and "national duty-free quotas" with respect to specified articles imported from beneficiary countries. Provides that duty-free treatment provided under the Act shall not apply to: (1) textile and apparel articles; (2) certain leather articles; (3) canned tuna; (4) petroleum and petroleum products; and (5) watches and watch parts. Requires the President to submit a specified report to the Congress every three years. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States with respect to the allocation of quotas on sugars imported from beneficiary countries. Prohibits the USTR, in allocating any limitation on such imports, from: (1) reducing the percentage allocation made to the Philippines; (2) making an allocation to the Republic of South Africa; and (3) allowing the aggregate of the amounts of the base quota allocations to Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) countries for any quota year beginning after December 31, 1988, to be less than 371,449 metric tons, raw value. Requires any allocation for any quota of imported sugar from specified foreign countries for any year to be reallocated on a pro-rata basis among the CBI countries receiving allocations for that year if such allocation is suspended or terminated due to a threat to U.S. national security or foreign policy. Authorizes the President to enter into trade agreements with foreign governments for the purpose of granting compensation if the United States takes specified action inconsistent with its international obligations (including the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade). Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the International Trade Commission, when making determinations as to material injury with respect to antidumping and countervailing duty cases, to assess cumulatively the volume and effect of imports from a country designated as a beneficiary country under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act with respect to imports of like products from beneficiary countries. Directs the Commissioner of Customs to implement a pilot preclearance program during FY 1990 and 1991 to assess the extent to which the availability of preclearance operations can assist in the development of tourism in the Caribbean Basin. Prohibits the commencement of such operations unless the Commissioner of Customs and the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization make a specified joint certification. Requires the Commissioner to submit to the Congress a report regarding such program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1989
Directs the President, subject to the Railway Labor Act, to create, not later than one day after enactment of this Act, an emergency board to investigate and report to him about the disputes between Eastern Airlines and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the Air Line Pilots Association, and the Transport Workers Union of America.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1989
Subjects exports of cigarettes and advertising of cigarettes abroad to the same restrictions on labeling and advertising of cigarettes as apply to the sale, distribution, and advertising of cigarettes in the United States. Provides for fines and for injunctions of violations. Repeals the exemption of cigarettes for export from coverage under the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act. Prohibits the executive branch from seeking through any means the removal or reduction of foreign restrictions on cigarettes or similar tobacco products, whether or not those restrictions constitute an unfair trade practice. Directs the President to issue necessary regulations within 90 days.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1989
Caribbean Regional Development Act of 1989 - Declares it to be the policy of the United States in providing development and other economic assistance to the Caribbean to: (1) help the poor to participate in the development of their societies; (2) support development that is environmentally sustainable; (3) promote Caribbean self-reliance; (4) increase food security; (5) promote the diversification of industrial and agricultural production; (6) advance the process of regional economic integration; (7) support national programs of economic adjustment that promote the policies of this Act; (8) support employment generation while avoiding the displacement of traditional lines of small-scale production; (9) preserve and reinforce traditional Caribbean culture and social values; (10) consult with the intended beneficiaries of U.S. economic assistance; and (11) sustain the policies set forth in this Act, with adequate funding, for a minimum of ten years. Requires that priority in providing development assistance to the Caribbean shall be given to supporting indigenous Caribbean institutions (including farmers' unions, cooperatives, trade unions and other labor organizations, women's groups, and community organizations) that represent, work with, and benefit the poor. States that for purposes of determining the eligibility of any Caribbean country for development assistance, the per capita income of that country shall be deemed to be no greater than the per capita income for the Caribbean as a whole. Specifies that Economic Support Fund assistance (ESF) shall be used for assistance for those nations in the Caribbean that are experiencing a scarcity of foreign exchange. Provides that to the extent that such assistance is used to finance commodity imports, priority in the use of such assistance shall be given to the purchase of: (1) critical commodity imports by small- and medium-sized industries, farms, and cooperatives that have limited access to foreign exchange; and (2) key consumer goods in critically short supply. Provides that preference in the purchase of commodity imports purchased with ESF funds or with local currencies shall be given to commodities within the Caribbean region. Specifies that in providing assistance to the Caribbean area priority in the allocation of funds provided for development assistance and through the ESF and in the allocation of local currencies shall be given to: (1) food self-sufficiency; (2) integrated rural development; (3) community-based agro-industries; (4) financial resources for small- and medium-sized farm and manufacturing enterprises; (5) expansion of tourism; (6) regional integration; (7) upgrading technical and managerial skills; (8) enhancing the natural resource base; and (9) private sector development. Prohibits the provision of any assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (except for international narcotics control assistance) for: (1) any government of any country in the Caribbean that does not enforce internationally recognized worker rights; and (2) a Caribbean country if the provision of that assistance would be inconsistent with promoting respect for international recognized worker rights. Authorizes such assistance if that government is taking steps to implement laws that demonstrate significant advancement in providing internationally recognized worker rights throughout the country. Authorizes any person to file a petition with the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs requesting that such assistance be terminated. Sets forth procedures for the Assistant Secretary to follow in making a determination of such request. Prohibits the Agency for International Development (AID) from providing any assistance, directly or indirectly, for the use of any chemical or other substance in the Caribbean if such use; (1) is not permitted under the public health laws of that nation; or (2) would not be permitted in the United States under U.S. public health laws. Specifies that in the provision of development assistance to the Caribbean, AID shall place emphasis on ensuring the active participation of Caribbean women in the development process. Requires AID to: (1) consult with Caribbean organizations that work with the poor in all stages of the design and implementation of assistance policies; and (2) monitor socioeconomic conditions in the Caribbean and the effect of economic assistance programs and policies on those conditions. Requires the Office of Technology Assessment to conduct an evaluation of and report to the Congress on the performance of AID in carrying out this Act. Requires the Administrator of AID to report annually to the Congress concerning AID's efforts to implement the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit takeoffs and landings at U.S. airports of subsonic aircraft exceeding certain noise levels. States that this prohibition applies only to an airport during the three-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act if the number of individuals residing within five miles of it exceeds 100,000.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Veterans Nurse Pay Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to restructure the current nurse grades of the Department of Veterans Affairs so as to provide four grade levels for nurses. (Current law provides for eight grade levels.) Specifies the relationship the new grade levels have with the current nurse grades and to pay grades under the General Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Federal Council on Women Act - Establishes a Federal Council on Women to: (1) collect and evaluate information with respect to any problems that are particular to women in the United States; (2) review and evaluate Federal policy related to any such problems; (3) coordinate the activities of the Council with similar activities conducted by States, local governments, and concerned organizations; and (4) make recommendations. Directs the Council to report its findings and recommendations to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Death Penalty Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal criminal code to subject any person who is found guilty of the first degree murder of a Federal law enforcement officer, or certain other Federal officials or employees, to the penalty of death. Establishes procedures for the imposition of the death penalty in such cases. Provides that no person who was less than 18 years of age at the time of the offense may be sentenced to death. Sets forth mitigating and aggravating factors to be considered by the jury in determining whether the death sentence will be imposed. Requires the Government to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea that it intends to seek the death penalty, as well as notice of the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Provides that no presentence report shall be prepared in such cases. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury or the court (upon motion by the defendant) when the defendant is convicted and the Government has filed notice that it intends to seek the death penalty. Allows the Government and the defendant to present any information relevant to a mitigating or aggravating factor without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of creating unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, or misleading the jury. Conditions imposition of the death penalty on a unanimous finding by the jury or, if there is no jury, the court, that: (1) the aggravating factors found to exist sufficiently outweigh any mitigating factor found to exist; or (2) in the absence of a mitigating factor, the aggravating factors alone are sufficient to justify a sentence of death. Specifies that: (1) the jury or the court, regardless of its findings with respect to aggravating and mitigating factors, is never required to impose a death sentence; and (2) the jury shall be so instructed. Requires the court to instruct the jury not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant in its consideration of the death sentence. Directs the court to impose the death sentence upon a finding that such sentence is justified. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the court of appeals, upon consideration of the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, and any special finding, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the special finding of the existence of an aggravating factor. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination. Establishes procedures for the implementation of the death sentence.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Imposes a civil penalty upon any person who mails to any individual or group of individuals at their place of residence: (1) any unsolicited sexually oriented advertisement; or (2) any unsolicited obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecent, filthy, or vile article, matter, thing, device, or substance.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Semiautomatic Assault Weapons Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the transfer or possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or ammunition feeding device, unless such weapon or device was lawfully possessed before the date this Act takes effect. Defines "semiautomatic assault weapon" to include: (1) any Kalashnikov, Uzi, or Colt AR-15 type semiautomatic firearm; (2) any semiautomatic weapon fed by an ammunition belt or feed strip; (3) any semiautomatic shotgun with a magazine, cylinder, or drum capacity exceeding six rounds of ammunition; and (4) any weapon designated as such by the Secretary of the Treasury. Specifies weapons not falling within such definition. Defines "ammunition feeding device" to include a detachable device which has a capacity of, or can be converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition and which meets certain specifications. Requires the Secretary: (1) to compile and publish a list of weapons designated by the Secretary as SAWs; and (2) to periodically modify such list. Establishes guidelines in determining whether to designate a weapon as a SAW. Provides: (1) that the Secretary shall not be required to authorize the importation of SAWs; and (2) for enhanced penalties for possession or use of a SAW during a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply firearms taxes and registration requirements to SAWs.
![Official portrait of Del. de Lugo, Ron [D-VI-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000209_200.jpg)