United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Limits assessments of underpayments with respect to taxable periods beginning before July 1, 1985, in connection with the annual $250 occupational tax on retail liquor and beer dealers. Abates assessments and refunds overpayments of any post-1987 tax.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue an order (subject to producer referendum) creating a soybean promotion, research, and consumer education program. Requires any such order to provide for the establishment of a: (1) United Soybean Board; and (2) Soybean Program Coordinating Committee. Funds such program through producer assessments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Precludes veterans entitled to benefits under the All Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program from receiving other veterans' educational assistance. Terminates other veterans' educational assistance as of June 30, 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Designates September 8, 1989, as National Pledge of Allegiance Day. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission should include the centennial observance of the Pledge of Allegiance in its commemorative activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1989
Repeals provisions of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 that deny marital deductions for estate and gift tax purposes when the surviving spouse is not a U.S. citizen.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1989
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to authorize the distribution of a meat article or animal without charge to nonprofit private entities or to State, local, and Federal entities engaged in the distribution of food without charge to individuals, if the article or animal: (1) is in violation of the Act; (2) has been seized and condemned; (3) is capable of use as a human food; and (4) has been inspected under the Act. Relieves the United States and the person from whom the meat was seized and condemned from legal responsibility for the article or animal if it was found after inspection under the Act to be capable of use as a human food.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1989
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) make the deduction permanent (under current law it will expire after tax year 1989); and (2) phase in an increase in the allowable deduction, reaching 100 percent for taxable years beginning in 1994 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs income tax credit through 1992 (under current law the credit will expire after December 31, 1989). Amends the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations through FY 1992 in connection with the targeted jobs credit. Raises from 23 to 25 years the age limitation with respect to economically disadvantaged youth targeted for credit purposes. Adds as a targeted group under the credit economically disadvantaged individuals who have completed a qualified drug rehabilitation program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1989
Organ Transportation Good Samaritan Act - Limits to gross negligence the liability of persons who without compensation transport by air in interstate commerce human transplant organs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1989
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1989 - Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that: (1) terminated the income tax exclusion of amounts paid under employee educational assistance programs as of tax year 1989; and (2) deny benefits in connection with graduate work.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for travel, food, lodging, and transportation expenses paid or incurred in connection with the taxpayer's performance of services as a member of the armed forces reserves or the National Guard. Excludes the taxpayer's meal and entertainment expenses from deductibility limitations in this context.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) give the highest priority to fully accounting for the Americans still missing in Southeast Asia and to negotiating the return of Americans still held captive; (2) maintain an ongoing dialogue with Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Lao officials so that the prisoners of war issue may be resolved; (3) continue joint field investigations with such officials; and (4) heighten public awareness of the prisoners of war issue through the dissemination of factual data.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1989
Coast Guard License Verification Act - Amends the National Driver Register Act of 1982 to authorize applicants for new and renewed merchant seamen licenses and certificates of registry to serve on or operate a commercial vessel to request the chief State driver licensing official to transmit to the Commandant of the Coast Guard information regarding such applicants' motor vehicle driving records. Prescribes the use of such information by the Commandant. Precludes access to information that was entered more than three years before the date of request unless it relates to revocations or suspensions which are still in effect on the date of request. Directs the Commandant to initiate a rulemaking to require each applicant to make available to the Commandant information regarding the motor vehicle driving record of the applicant.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1989
Educational Excellence Act of 1989 - Title I: Improving Elementary and Secondary Education - Part A: Presidential Merit Schools - Presidential Merit Schools Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish the Presidential Merit Schools Program to recognize and reward public and private elementary and secondary schools that have made substantial progress in: (1) raising student educational achievement, especially in reading, writing, and mathematics; (2) creating a safe and alcohol- and drug-free school environment; and (3) reducing the dropout rate. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Authorizes State educational agencies (SEAs) to designate as a Merit School any public or private elementary or secondary school nominated through procedures established by the SEA. Sets forth requirements for selection criteria established by the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) and by SEAs. Provides that each Merit School will be awarded a Presidential Certificate of Merit, as well as funds to further its educational program. Prohibits Federal, State or local reduction of other assistance to a school because it receives such an award. Part B: Magnet Schools of Excellence - Magnet Schools of Excellence Act of 1989 - Amends ESEA to establish the Magnet Schools of Excellence Program of grants to support public elementary or secondary schools that: (1) offer the highest quality instruction in an academic or vocational discipline or create a unique and effective learning environment; (2) are open to students from beyond the immediate school attendance area; and (3) are capable of attracting students from a variety of backgrounds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Sets forth criteria for selection of applications. Limits such grants to any one school to no more than two years, and requires satisfactory progress in order to receive the grant for the second year. Prohibits Federal, State, or local reduction of assistance to a school because it receives such an award. Part C: Alternative Certification for Teachers and Principals - Alternative Certification of Teachers and Principals Assistance Act of 1989 - Amends ESEA to establish a program of assistance for Alternative Certification of Teachers and Principals. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990. Repeals this Part as of October 1, 1990. Part D: Presidential Awards for Excellence in Education - Amends ESEA to establish the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Education Program to recognize and reward outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Makes any full-time public or private elementary or secondary school teacher of academic or vocational subjects eligible for such an award. Makes teachers of religion (other than religion as an academic discipline) ineligible. Allows various individuals, groups, or institutions to nominate teachers for such awards. Requires State panels to select award recipients using criteria approved by the Secretary. Sets the amount of such an award at $5,000, and allows the recipient to use it for any purpose. Part E: Effective Date - Sets the effective date of the amendments made by this title. Title II: National Science Scholars - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to establish the National Science Scholars Program to recognize student excellence and achievement in the physical, life, and computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Authorizes the Secretary to award scholarships to outstanding students selected as National Science Scholars by the President. Allows students who satisfy certain requirements to receive such scholarships for the first year of undergraduate study and, if they satisfy additional requirements, additional scholarships to cover the remaining undergraduate years. Directs the Secretary to appoint a panel of experts to recommend academic achievement criteria for use in the nomination of scholars. Sets forth requirements for initial and continuation awards. Sets the scholarship amount at $10,000 for an academic year, but reduces such amount based on cost of attendance and other grant or scholarship assistance, and adjusts for insufficient appropriations. Requires that scholarship recipients, to the extent they are otherwise qualified, be given priority consideration for federally financed summer employment in research and development centers. Title III: Other Programs - Amends the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 to establish a Drug-Free Schools Urban Emergency Grants program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Directs the Secretary ot use program funds to award a small number of one-time grants to local educational agencies in urban areas with the most severe drug problems to assist them in developing and implementing comprehensive approaches to eliminating such problems. Amends HEA to authorize appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993 for special awards to historically Black colleges and universities. Makes institutions that receive such awards ineligible for other specified awards, and makes institutions that do not receive them eligible for those other awards.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1989
Urges the Government of Iran to uphold the human rights of all its nationals, including members of the Baha'i faith, and to extend the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) emphasize human rights improvements as an important factor in the development of relations between the U.S. and Iranian Governments; (2) cooperate with other governments to initiate and support actions by the United Nations and its agencies to promote the protection of the religious rights of the Baha'is; and (3) provide, and urge others to provide, for refugee and humanitarian assistance for those Baha'is fleeing their homelands to escape religious repression.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Emergency Refugee Act of 1989 - Authorizes additional FY 1989 refugee admissions from the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Vietnam, the Near East, and East Asia First Asylum countries. Transfers unused FY 1989 State legalization impact assistance grant (SLIAG) funds to cover specified costs related to such admissions. Authorizes additional SLIAG FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations for anti-discrimination in employment activities. Authorizes SLIAG funds to be used for: (1) employment training and educational outreach programs for legalized aliens; and (2) State enforcement of anti-discrimination activities. Establishes an administrative appeals process for States applying for SLIAG assistance. Gives education priority under such grants to basic citizenship skills (English language and United States history and government).
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Aviation Career Improvement Act of 1989 - Amends Federal military pay provisions to require an officer, to be eligible for aviation career incentive pay, to perform the prescribed operational flying duties (including flight training but excluding proficiency flying) for nine of the first 12, and 12 of the first 18, years of aviation service. (Current law requires six of the first 12, and 11 of the first 18.) Allows such an officer continuous monthly incentive pay for the first 22 years of his or her officer service if an officer performs the prescribed operational duties for at least ten but less than 12 of the first 18 years of aviation service. (Current law requires at least nine but less than 11 of the first 18 years in order to be eligible for such limited incentive pay.) Increases the rates of such aviation career incentive pay, such rates increasing as the years of service increase. Increases the rates of such incentive pay proportionately whenever the President increases the rates of monthly basic pay. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to delay implementation of such provisions until a proper time as determined by such Secretary. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1989 to extend through FY 1992 (currently, FY 1989) the period during which an aviation officer may execute a career continuation agreement and therefore be paid an aviator retention bonus. Directs the following officials, on November 1 of each year beginning with 1989, to submit a report to the Secretary of Defense analyzing the effect that the aviator retention bonus program has had during the preceding fiscal year on the retention of qualified aviators in such officials' departments: the Secretary of each military department, the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard the Secretary of Commerce with respect to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to members of the Public Health Service. Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than December 1 of each year beginning in 1989, to submit such reports to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees (the defense committees), together with comments and recommendations. Increases the limitation on obligations for aviator retention bonuses to be paid to Navy and Air Force officers during FY 1990. Directs the Secretary of Defense to reduce, by no later than September 30, 1992, the number of nonoperational flying duty positions in the armed forces by a number equal to not less than five percent below the total number of such positions in existence as of the end of FY 1989. Directs the Secretary to effectuate a reduction of not less than two percent by the end of FY 1991, with the remainder of such reduction to be realized by the end of FY 1992. Prohibits any increase in the number of such positions after September 30, 1991, unless specifically authorized by law. States that the minimum active duty obligation of any member who successfully completes training in the armed forces as a pilot shall be nine years if trained to fly fixed wing jet aircraft, and seven years if trained to fly any other type of aircraft. Provides a minimum active-duty obligation of seven years for navigators or naval flight officers successfully completing such training. Directs the Secretary, no later than December 1, 1989, to report to the defense committees a legislative proposal for an accidental death insurance plan for aviators serving on active duty that provides for the payment of death benefits of $100,000 for death resulting from the performance of operational flight duty. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to conduct a study of the aviator assignment policies and practices of the armed forces, and submit the results of such study to the defense committees no later than February 15, 1990. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should establish a commission to study the reasons for the critical shortage of qualified aviators in both the armed forces and the commercial airline industry; (2) the President should include in such commission representatives from the commercial airlines, the Department of Defense, and other appropriate sources; (3) the President should appoint all members of such commission no later than February 15, 1990; and (4) the commission should be required to report the results of its study to the President and the Congress no later than March 1, 1991, together with specific recommendations for eliminating such shortage of qualified aviators.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Title I: Findings and Definitions - National Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Act of 1989 - Sets forth congressional findings and definitions. Title II: Oil and Gas Leasing on National Wildlife Refuges - Mandates that all oil and gas leasing receipts (including receipts from the sale of sand and gravel) be deposited into the Refuge Revenue Sharing Fund. Exempts oil and gas leases on Alaskan units of the National Wildlife Refuge System from such mandate (other than the Arctic and Teshekpuk-Utukok National Refuges). Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) to repeal, with the commencement of the first coastal plain lease sale, the proscription against oil and gas leasing within the Arctic Refuge. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to initiate, through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Director), a coastal plain oil and gas leasing program. Makes this Act the sole authority for oil and gas leasing and regulation on the coastal plain. Suspends all lease sales, in the event that the State of Alaska initiates a judicial challenge to the division of revenues between the State and the Federal Government, until a final decision has been issued. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to publish draft competitive oil and gas coastal plain leasing regulations within six months after the date of enactment of this Act. Declares a certain "Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement" to be adequate to satisfy Federal law. Sets forth environmental policy guidelines for such regulations, including a mandatory analysis of the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of oil and gas development. Sets forth general procedures and conditions for competitive oil and gas leasing, including expedited judicial review of administrative actions relating to such leasing, bonding requirements, and environmental stipulations. Directs the Secretary to establish a Federal-State Interagency Task Force for the Arctic Refuge, within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, to assist the Secretary, acting through the Director, in the development and implementation of an oil and gas exploration program that will avoid significant adverse impact upon fish, wildlife, and the environment. Sets forth Task Force responsibilities and membership. Grants the Secretary (acting through the Director) exclusive authority to grant a right-of-way across the coastal plain for purposes of a common carrier transportation or utility system corridor. Prohibits granting a permanent right-of-way until the first competitive coastal plain lease sale has been held. Mandates that the right-of-way standards for oil and gas pipelines across the coastal plain be consistent with the remainder of the pipeline outside the Arctic Refuge. Prohibits the construction of more than two new port facilities necessitated by oil or gas development that affects the Arctic Refuge along a specified coastal area. Prohibits the construction of any port facility within a distance of one and a half miles on either side of Pokok Bluffs (a polar bear denning habitat). Prohibits port facility or offshore causeway construction without prior consultation with specified fish and wildlife agencies. Grants the Secretary enforcement powers for violations of this Act, including power to issue compliance orders and assess civil and criminal penalties. Imposes joint, several, and strict liability for pollution and damages to wildlife and the environment caused by discharge or development activities involving oil, gas, or hazardous substances. Grants the Secretary the right to accomplish control and removal at the expense of the responsible party. Requires the Secretary to: (1) revise a specified Arctic Refuge conservation plan to include the Arctic Refuge coastal plain; (2) consult with affected State, native villages, regional corporations, and Canada in evaluating the impact of oil and gas exploration upon fish and wildlife; and (3) report biennially to congressional committees regarding the status of the oil and gas leasing program and its impact upon wildlife and the environment. Amends the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act to direct the Secretary to segregate oil and gas leasing revenues on the Arctic and Teshekpuk-Utukok National Wildlife Refuges (including sand and gravel sale revenues) from all other revenues deposited into the Refuge Revenue Sharing Fund. Outlines the manner in which such revenues shall be apportioned. Amends the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act to direct the Secretary to segregate excess oil and gas leasing revenues from all other monies within the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. Amends the Migratory Bird Conservation Act to authorize approval by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission of any acquisition recommendation made by the Secretary relating to: (1) the North American Waterfowl Plan (signed with Canada in 1986); and (2) land and water interests which would be acquired out of segregated oil and gas leasing revenues (including sand or gravel sale revenues) on the Arctic and Teshekpuk-Utukok National Wildlife Refuges. Outlines the manner in which such funds shall be allocated. Establishes the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Trust Fund to promote fish and wildlife conservation. Provides for an initial endowment of such Fund from oil and gas leasing revenues, including sand or gravel sale revenues on the Arctic and Teshekpuk-Utukok National Wildlife Refuges. Requires the Director to submit annual summaries of trust fund expenditures to the appropriate congressional committees. Establishes as a National Wildlife Refuge and as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System the Teshekpuk-Utukok National Wildlife Refuge. Requires the Director to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan for such Refuge. Sets forth a limited oil and gas leasing moratorium within such Refuge. Continues the local use of coal as fuel. Repeals certain statutory prohibitions applicable to subsurface coastal plain property interests owned by the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation or surface property rights owned by the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation. Precludes the authorization of exploratory drilling involving such property interests (with specified exceptions) until the day after the first lease sale is held pursuant to this Act. Applies environmental stipulations of the final regulations issued pursuant to this Act to all oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities involving such property interests. Requires all surface disturbance activities involving such property interests to be undertaken in accordance with a plan of operations to be approved by the Director. Confers full land reclamation liability upon coastal plain oil and gas leaseholders and holders of rights-of-way. Establishes the Coastal Plain Liability and Reclamation Fund within six months of a commercial discovery within the coastal plain and capitalizes such Fund with royalties from commercially produced crude oil or natural gas. Authorizes appropriations for impact aid for affected governments and communities. Directs the Secretary to establish an impact aid grant program for such entities, and to submit to the Congress the results of a study of projected impact aid needs. Requires the Secretary, through the Director, to establish a program to restore and enhance seriously eroded, degraded, or converted U.S. wetlands. Directs the Secretary to identify and prepare enhancement and restoration plans for wetlands that have been seriously affected by conversions or erosion. Sets forth plan requirements. Authorizes appropriations from the Wetlands Restoration and Enhancement Account to carry out such activities. Prohibits the exchange of any part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge without congressional approval. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Migratory Bird Conservation Act to provide that lease terms shall, at a minimum, address the same wildlife conservation and protection matters that are applicable to the access and development of reserved non-Federal mineral interests in National Wildlife Refuge System areas. Amends the Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act to authorize appropriations for each fiscal year through FY 1998 for the Secretary of the Interior to implement the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat. Amends the Refuge Administration Act to provide that specified Federal criminal law does not preclude the use of aircraft and motor vehicles in implementation of approved management plans on national wildlife refuges.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Designates the week beginning September 1, 1989, as World War II Remembrance Week in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of that War.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1989
Title I: Statehood Centennial Coin - Statehood Centennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of one-dollar silver coins and five-dollar palladium coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the statehood of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Requires the Secretary to provide a specified amount of all surcharges to the Documents West exhibition program with the remaining amount of surcharges to be deposited in the Treasury to be used to reduce the national debt. Requires the Secretary to obtain silver for the one-dollar coins only from stockpiles established under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act. Requires the Secretary to obtain palladium for the five-dollar coins by purchase of palladium mined and refined in the United States. Grants the Comptroller General the right to examine records and other data of the Idaho Centennial Commission. Title II: Silver Proof Sets - Silver Coin Proof Set Act - Authorizes the Secretary to mint and issue silver coin proof sets. Sets forth certain specified features of such coins and provides for their sale to the public. Requires the Secretary to obtain silver for such coins by purchase from stockpiles established under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act and from Treasury stocks on hand.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1989
Anti-Terrorism Sanctions Act of 1989 - Requires the President to revoke the most-favored-nation trade status of certain foreign countries that repeatedly support international terrorism. Prohibits duty-free treatment for the products of such countries under the Trade Act of 1974 or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act. Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from consulting with the governments of such countries regarding international travel and tourism. Allows the President to waive any sanction under this Act with respect to any foreign country if such waiver would be in the best interests of the United States. Requires the President to give 30 days' notice to the Congress concerning any waiver.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1989
Authorizes appropriations for the Maritime Administration for FY 1990 for: (1) operating-differential subsidies; (2) research and development; (3) manpower, education, and training; (4) operating programs; and (5) national security support capabilities, including the National Defense Reserve Fleet and the Ready Reserve Force. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to revise Federal provisions relating to the making of student incentive payments to individuals enrolled in State maritime academies. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to submit to the Congress a study on providing training opportunities for State, regional, and Federal maritime academy students that will produce licensed graduate officers. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to set the cap on annual payments to regional maritime academies which meet certain requirements at $200,000. Amends the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946 to limit the purposes for which the Secretary of Transportation may enter into a contract for maintenance of the National Defense Reserve Fleet, including the Ready Reserve Force.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act of 1989 - Title I: Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation - Imposes joint, several, and strict liability for specified removal costs and damages upon the party responsible for a vessel or facility from which oil is either discharged into certain waters, or which poses a substantial threat of such a discharge. Exempts from such liability certain discharges permitted under Federal, State, and local law. Defines conditions under which a mobile offshore drilling unit will be treated as either a tanker or as a facility for purposes of determining responsibility or excess liability. Sets forth defenses to liability under this Act. Sets forth limits to liability under this Act, with specified exceptions. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish by regulation a maximum liability limit. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress from time to time regarding liability adjustments. Declares that the responsible party or his guarantor shall be liable to the claimant for interest on the amount paid in satisfaction of a claim for a specified period. Defines circumstances under which liability for injury to natural resources shall be to either: (1) the United States; (2) the affected State; or (3) a foreign government. Sets forth recovery and indemnification procedures. Sets forth the uses of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (the Fund) including: (1) payment of removal costs and administrative expenses; and (2) contributions to the International Fund. Sets forth defenses to liability for such Fund and a specified maximum amount which may be paid from the Fund. Confers rights of subrogation upon the United States for payment of any claim by the Fund. Sets forth a claims procedure for removal costs or damages. Requires the Secretary to designate the source of a discharge and to immediately notify the responsible party or guarantor of such designation. Grants subrogation rights to any person (including the Fund) who pays compensation under this Act to any claimant for costs or damages. Requires the party responsible for certain vessels over 300 gross tons to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility to meet maximum liability limits. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold or revoke the clearance of any vessel which fails to certify such financial responsibility. Sets forth circumstances under which such vessels may be denied entry into U.S. ports or waters or have their oil cargo seized. Imposes a civil penalty for failure to comply with the financial responsibility requirement. Restricts judicial review of any regulation promulgated under this Act to the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Grants the district courts original jurisdiction over all actions arising under this Act. Sets forth a limitation period for actions for removal costs, damages, or contribution. Title II: Conforming Amendments - Sets forth conforming amendments to certain related statutes. Title III: Implementation of International Conventions - States that during any period in which the Civil Liability Convention and the Fund Convention are in force with respect to the United States, owner liability for pollution damage arising from a ship-related incident shall be determined according to such Conventions. Grants recognition to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund as a legal person under Federal law, and deems the Director of such Fund to have irrevocably appointed the Secretary of State as the Fund's agent for service of process for legal proceedings involving the Fund within the United States. Exempts such Fund and its assets from all direct taxation in the United States. Provides that certain required contributions with respect to oil received in the United States shall be paid to the International Fund from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Grants recognition to any final judgment of a court of any country which is a party to either the Civil Liability Convention or the Fund Convention. Sets forth the financial responsibility requirements of shipowners whose vessels are subject to the Civil Liability Convention. Imposes specified sanctions and civil penalties upon persons violating the financial responsibility requirements. Waives all U.S. defenses based upon sovereign immunity with respect to any controversy arising under the Civil Liability Convention or the Fund Convention relating to any ship owned by the United States and used for commercial purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to implement this Act and all Federal obligations under the specified Oil Pollution Conventions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in tabulating the decennial census for the apportionment of Representatives in Congress, to provide for the inclusion of: (1) members of the uniformed services and civilian employees assigned to posts of duty outside the United States and their dependents residing at or near such posts; and (2) citizens pursuing postsecondary education programs outside the United States. Excludes from the census any alien not lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions to provide the Secretary with census information on their students who are studying outside the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Terrorist Alien Removal Act of 1989 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make terrorist activity (as defined by this Act) grounds for deportation. Establishes removal procedures for alien terrorists, including a special removal hearing which shall be open to the public.
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 · 15 March 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should make the space program a national priority, emphasizing leadership in space science, exploration, and commercialization, increased program funding, manned and unmanned space activities, a permanently manned space station, and international cooperation in space.
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 · 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
Designates September 15, 1989, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Recognizes the National League of Families POW/MIA flag as the official symbol of the United States' commitment to resolving the fates of Americans still prisoner or missing in action in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1989
Declares that the Congress urges: (1) the President to work with the Congress on a comprehensive oceans and Great Lakes policy; (2) Federal, State, and local governments, industry, organizations, and the public to share their expertise to preserve and responsibly utilize the oceans and the Great Lakes; and (3) the President to dedicate appropriate funding to implement the policy.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1989
Federal Employees Fair Tax Act of 1989 - Repeals provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that eliminated the three-year basis recovery rule in computing the amount of an employee's retirement benefits includable in gross income. Repeals Internal Revenue Code provisions that require the inclusion in income of certain distributions received before an annuity starting date.
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 · 6 March 1989
Calls upon the Soviet Union and its allies to withhold further military assistance to the Republic of Nicaragua and to withdraw military advisors and support personnel from that country. Calls upon the Republic of Nicaragua to: (1) reverse significantly the growth of its armed forces; (2) work toward a stabilization of the regional military balance and prevent the introduction of advanced weapon systems; and (3) separate the armed forces from the Sandinista political party.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Amends Federal law to prohibit any State from imposing an income tax on the pension income of any individual who is not a resident or domiciliary of that State.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 1992 the period during which qualified mortgage bonds and mortgage credit certificates may be issued. (Under current law, authority for these programs is due to expire as of 1990.)
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1989
Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that: (1) terminated the income tax exclusion of amounts paid under employee educational assistance programs as of tax year 1989; and (2) deny benefits in connection with graduate work. Limits graduate benefits to $1,500 per year.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1989
Radio License Renewal and Improvements Act of 1989 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission, with respect to applications for radio license broadcast renewals, to grant a renewal if during the preceding term of the license the licensee: (1) has broadcast material responsive to issues of concern to the residents of its service area; and (2) has not committed violations of such Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission, which taken together would constitute a pattern of abuse. Authorizes the Commission to deny a renewal or grant limited renewal if an applicant has failed to meet such requirements. Prohibits the Commission, in evaluating a licensee's performance in broadcasting material responsive to matters of public concern, from establishing or applying any requirement with respect to the broadcast of any specific subject or quantity of material. Directs the Commission to accept the licensee's judgment if found to be reasonable and made in good faith. Prohibits the Commission, in determining whether to renew a license, from considering whether the public interest, convenience, and necessity might be served by granting a license to a competing applicant. Directs the Commission to conduct an inquiry and prescribe any necessary regulations concerning any additional information that licensees should be required to maintain and make available to the public regarding the licensee's responsibility to broadcast material responsive to matters of public concern. Makes it unlawful for a license applicant and any other person, while a license application is pending, to effectuate an agreement whereby the other person withdraws or withholds the filing of a competing application, an informal objection, or a petition to deny in exchange for the payment of anything of value by, or on behalf of, the applicant. Requires the Commission to establish a procedure for the review of informal complaints received by the Commission during the license term of a radio licensee. Authorizes the Commission to consider such complaints at the time of a license renewal if such complaints constitute a pattern of abuse for purposes of this Act or evidence of the licensee's effort to serve the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
RICO Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to include additional predicate offenses within the definition of "racketeering activity," such as prostitution involving minors, computer fraud, and certain activity relating to terrorist acts abroad. Modifies civil remedies provisions of RICO to require U.S. district courts to find proof by a preponderance of the evidence before restraining violations. Authorizes: (1) specified governmental entities whose business or property is injured by conduct in violation of RICO to recover threefold the actual damages to such business or property, plus costs; (2) persons whose business or property is injured by such conduct to recover actual damages, plus costs (and punitive damages of up to twice the actual damages where the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's actions were consciously malicious, or so egregious and deliberate that malice may be implied); (3) such persons to recover threefold the actual damages if any defendant has been convicted of specified Federal or State offenses; and (4) natural persons who suffer serious bodily injury by reason of specified crimes of violence to recover actual damages to such person's business or property, damages sustained by such individual as allowed under State law (excluding pain and suffering), and costs (and, upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that defendant's actions were malicious, up to twice the actual damages). (Current law allows recovery of threefold the damages, plus costs, for persons whose business or property is injured.) Sets forth: (1) statutes of limitation; and (2) procedures for considering affirmative defenses. Permits international service of process. (Current law restricts such service to specified judicial districts within the United States.) Provides for exclusive Federal jurisdiction to hear criminal or civil RICO proceedings. Authorizes recovery beyond actual damages to a person's business or property, where such person would not otherwise be eligible to recover costs under this Act, under specified conditions, including where the judge determines that a limitation of recovery would clearly be unjust.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Federal Retirees Fairness Act - Requires Federal agencies to ensure that employee personnel files include information of all Federal employment for retirement purposes within 180 days after an employee begins service with an agency. Requires an agency, if an employee gives at least four months' to one year's notice of intent to retire, to: (1) inform such employee (or, if deceased, the employee's survivors) of any retirement counseling and applicable services; and (2) begin processing disability retirement applications not later than 30 days after the date of the application. Sets forth a schedule for processing applications for retirement deduction refunds and death benefits. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to compile quarterly information on the number of retirement applications submitted by agencies and their timeliness and accuracy. Requires the agency retirement counselor to conduct seminars at least twice a year.