United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1989
Commends the Board of Immigration Appeals for its decision to allow Joseph Patrick Doherty to apply for U.S. asylum. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Attorney General should approve Joseph Patrick Doherty's asylum application and release him on bond pending the application's review.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1989
Excludes Agent Orange settlement payments from income or resources in determining eligibility for benefits under any Federal or federally assisted program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1989
Habeas Corpus Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal judicial code to condition consideration of a habeas corpus claim by a State prisoner on a showing of actual prejudice resulting from the denial of a Federal right, and that: (1) State action precluded assertion of the right; (2) the Federal right asserted was newly recognized; or (3) the factual basis of the claim could not have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence prior to the procedural default. Establishes a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners. Vests authority to issue certificates for probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits denial on the merits of habeas corpus writs notwithstanding the failure to exhaust State remedies. Prohibits the granting of a habeas corpus writ with respect to any claim which has been fully and fairly adjudicated in State proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1989
Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations prohibiting any railroad employee from leaving either the scene of a railroad accident or such employee's appropriate place of duty (unless warranted because of injury or other urgent circumstances) if the employee: (1) may have caused or contributed to the accident; or (2) has specified responsibilities regarding the accident's aftermath. Sets forth criminal penalties for knowing or willful violation of regulations issued under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1989
Condemns the death sentence issued against British author Salman Rushdie by the Ayatollah Khomeini. Calls for its immediate repudiation and the immediate withdrawal of any reward of money and martyrdom for the murder of Mr. Rushdie.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Scenic Byways Study Act of 1989 - Declares it to be the policy of the United States to identify, protect, and enhance scenic and historic roads. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) transmit to the Congress a nationwide, long-term plan for promoting, designating, protecting, and enhancing scenic and historic roads, including an analysis of available studies on a national scenic byways program, guidelines for administration of such a program, and forecasts of significant changes in traffic volumes, safety consequences, and environmental and economic impacts; (2) assemble for the Congress available information on economic activity associated with scenic and recreational travel; (3) conduct a study and make recommendations regarding economic impacts of promoting scenic byways as tourist attractions, techniques for incorporating scenic byways into tourism development and marketing programs, and alternative means to inform the public about scenic byways; and (4) conduct case studies of, and report on, States with existing scenic byway programs. Requires the Secretary to consult with the States on studies under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct national and regional conferences to ensure public involvement. Authorizes appropriations.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Provides for all Federal civilian and military retirees to receive the full cost-of-living adjustment in annuities payable under Federal retirement systems for FY 1990. (Includes benefits payable under the Civil Service Retirement and Disability System, military retirement and survivor benefit programs, the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and railroad retirement programs.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Health Care Savings Account Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employees and employers, including self-employed individuals, a 60 percent tax credit for contributions to a health care savings account for the benefit of the employee or self-employed individual. Limits total contributions to an account to the aggregate amount of hospital insurance tax paid with respect to the account beneficiary. Describes conditions that must be met by the account. Excludes from the gross income of the beneficiary any account contributions made by an employer. Exempts an account from taxation (except for the tax on unrelated business income of a charitable organization) unless the distributee engages in specified transactions in connection with it. Excludes from gross income any account distributions used to pay the eligible medical expenses of the beneficiary or qualifying spouse. Imposes a ten percent surtax on account distributions used for other than health care purposes or made before the distributee is aged 65 or older. Imposes penalty taxes in connection with: (1) excess contributions or prohibited transactions associated with an account; (2) distributions from an account that reduces a distributee's account level below a specified amount; and (3) failure to effect spousal rollover of an account upon the spouse's death. Imposes penalties for failure to make required reports concerning an account. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to reduce the Medicare benefits of a health care savings account beneficiary by 60 percent of the maximum amount of Medicare-related expenditures that could be reasonably underwritten (by an insurance company) for the average Medicare beneficiary, given certain assumptions. Establishes special rules for individuals who cannot obtain insurance to cover their added deductible at the standard premium rates. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish rules in connection with recalculations of deductibles when a qualifying spouse becomes eligible for Medicare. Establishes catastrophic health care expense protection for certain individuals who qualify for Medicare and have met specified contribution requirements with respect to one or more health care savings accounts. Describes conditions under which a qualifying spouse becomes eligible for this protection.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Amends Federal law to extend the immediate retirement provisions applicable to Federal law enforcement officers to: (1) revenue officers for the Internal Revenue Service; (2) customs inspectors for the U.S. Customs Service; (3) customs canine enforcement officers for the U.S. Customs Service; and (4) inspectors for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Prohibits all U.S. military and economic assistance for Turkey until the President certifies to the Congress that negotiations have achieved significant progress toward establishing a constitutional democracy in Cyprus and that the Turkish Government has: (1) withdrawn all Turkish military forces, in excess of those permitted by the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, and all illegal Turkish colonists from Cyprus; (2) returned the area of Famagusta/Varosha to the Government of Cyprus; (3) returned the five Americans abducted by the Turkish invasion forces in 1974 and the 1,614 Greek Cypriots who have been missing since the Turkish invasion; (4) withdrawn its recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; and (5) taken steps to reverse the illegal declaration of an independent state in northern Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Denies most-favored-nation treatment for products from India. Authorizes the President to restore such treatment if he determines, and certifies to the Congress at least 30 days prior to the time such restoration takes effect, that: (1) there are no jailed prisoners who have not been charged with a specific crime and given a fair trail; (2) internationally-recognized human rights groups are being allowed to visit such prisoners; and (3) India has taken steps to curb human rights abuses.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize the collection from Federal tax refunds of past-due support for disabled and dependent adults whose disability originated in childhood.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction of up to $2,000 per year for cash contributions to a first home savings account established for the exclusive benefit of an individual who has never owned his or her principal residence. Limits total deductions to $20,000. Permits an exclusion from gross income of account payments and distributions used exclusively in connection with the purchase of a principal residence for the eligible beneficiary. Exempts an account from taxation (except for the tax on unrelated business income of a charitable organization) unless the beneficiary either engages in prohibited transactions or acquires a principal residence. Imposes a ten percent surtax on distributions used for other than the purposes for which the account was established. Requires the account trustee to report to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the account's beneficiary concerning the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to report. Allows taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions to deduct for contributions to a first home savings account. Exempts account contributions from the gift tax. Imposes penalty taxes in connection with excess contributions or prohibited transactions associated with an account. Excludes from the gross income of an individual any distributions from an individual retirement account or certain other tax-deferred plans if the distribution is used in connection with the purchase of the first principal residence for the individual. Limits the exclusion to the excess of $20,000 over the individual's aggregate contributions to a first home savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1989
1991 Mount Rushmore Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Provides that such coins shall be considered legal tender. Requires the Secretary to begin issuing such coins on January 1, 1991. Directs the Secretary to obtain silver for the minting of such coins from stockpiles established under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act and to obtain gold pursuant to authority under existing law. Provides that the design of such coins shall be selected by the Secretary after consultation with the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society of Black Hills. Specifies the sales price of such coins as the face value plus costs. Requires that all sales of such coins include a surcharge of $35 per coin for five-dollar coins, $7 per coin for one-dollar coins, and $1 for half-dollar coins. Requires that of the total surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of such coins: (1) 50 percent shall be returned to the Treasury for purposes of reducing the national debt; and (2) 50 percent shall be paid to the Society to assist efforts to improve the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Authorizes the Comptroller General to audit such payments. Requires the Secretary to ensure that the minting and issuance of such coins shall not result in any net costs to the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1989
National Cooperative Research and Production Amendments of 1989 - Amends the National Cooperative Research Act of 1984 to limit antitrust liability of competitors for exchanging information, entering into agreements, or engaging in specified conduct through joint arrangements for the production, marketing, or distribution of any product, process, or service.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1989
Community, Employee, and Stockholder Right-to-Know Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to authorize the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) to suspend the effectiveness of the offer for, or request or invitations of tenders for, a security if the SEC determines that the required information statement filed with the SEC is lacking in specified information or that the information does not provide full disclosure concerning such security. Maintains such suspension until a determination following a hearing. Requires such hearing to be held within ten days after the date of suspension, and a determination to be made within three days following the completion of the hearing. Requires the SEC to permanently suspend an offer found to contain inadequate information concerning the security, subject to the offeror's right to remedy the inadequate information provided in the offer. Prohibits the offeror from taking any action concerning the offer of a security while such offer's validity is being determined by such a hearing. Prohibits any offeror from acquiring any equity securities of any class of any issuer at any time within two years following the last purchase of securities pursuant to an offer for securities of that class, unless the holders of the equity securities are afforded a reasonable opportunity to dispose of the securities to the offeror upon substantially equivalent terms as those provided in the earlier offer. Provides that all shares acquired in violation of this Act or in violation of any order of the SEC will be denied voting rights for one year after acquisition, with the issuer having the right to call the shares for redemption at book value per share. Includes, as part of the information required to be filed with the SEC by any person acquiring more than five percent of a class of securities, the following information: (1) a description of any securities which are being offered in exchange for the equity securities of the issuer; (2) whether such person will effect a merger or consolidation with any other person or change the location of the principal executive office or of a material portion of an acquired business's activities; or (3) whether such person will make any other specified major change in the business, corporate structure, management, or personnel for the entity in which the security represents an interest. Directs the SEC to promulgate rules and regulations to prohibit: (1) the sale by any principal stockholder to the offeror of any equity securities for a consideration greater than that to be paid to other stockholders pursuant to an agreement not disclosed to other stockholders; (2) the refusal by the issuer to permit an offeror who is a stockholder of record to examine its list of stockholders and use such information to make or mail solicitations of tender offers to such stockholders; and (3) the solicitation of any acceptance or rejection of an offer before the filing of the information statement required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Provides that certain reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 shall apply to a control share acquisition. States that all securities acquired by a person in violation of certain required shareholder approval requirements shall be denied voting rights for one year after acquisition, with the issuer having the option to call the securities for redemption at book value. Requires a person proposing to make a control share acquisition to deliver to the issuer of the securities involved a statement in such form as the SEC may prescribe, containing information relating to the specifics of such proposed acquisition and changes in voting power which would be the result of such proposed acquisition. Requires a special meeting of the stockholders, between 30 and 55 days after the receipt of such statement, to vote on the proposed control share acquisition. Allows the acquiring person to consummate the proposed control share acquisition only if both of the following occur: (1) the proposed control share acquisition is approved by a majority vote of the stockholders at the special meeting called for such purpose; and (2) the proposed control share acquisition is consummated within 180 days after shareholder approval. Allows an acquiring person to examine the most recent stockholder register for the purpose of communicating with stockholders to obtain authorization for such a control share acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Congressional Scholarships for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Act - Instructs the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish and implement a merit-based competitive program for awarding a four-year Congressional Scholarship for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering to one female and one male from each U.S. congressional district. Requires the Director: (1) annually to notify secondary schools and colleges of the program; and (2) to establish nominating committees for each congressional district. Limits each scholarship to $5,000 per year, to be used solely for tuition, fees, and room and board expenses. Requires the NSF Director to ensure that both students and nominating committees are selected on a nondiscriminatory basis. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Family Planning Reauthorization Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993 for projects, training, and information and materials related to family planning.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Title I: National Commission on Natural Resources Disasters - Establishes a National Commission on Natural Resources Disasters to study the effects of natural fire disasters and make recommendations concerning a smooth transition from the loss of natural resources. Directs the Commission to study the effects of such fires on: (1) the economic stability of the affected communities; (2) the availability of sufficient timber supplies to meet future industry needs; (3) fish and wildlife habitats; (4) recreation in the affected areas; (5) the watershed and water quality protection plans in effect within National Forest Systems lands; (6) the ecosystems in the areas; and (7) management plans of the affected National Forest System lands. Requires a report to the Secretary of Agriculture by December 1, 1990. Authorizes the Commission to accept contributions of money and services in carrying out its duties. Authorizes the Secretary, if contributions are insufficient, to transfer to the Commission funds available from the general fund of the Treasury. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its report to the Secretary. Title II: Forest Firefighting Planning and Cooperation - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report to the Congress on the rehabilitation needs of each national forest resulting from forest fire damage during the previous year. Requires the Secretary to offer training programs annually to certify volunteers for suppressing forest fires on National Forest System lands. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the local fire emergency mobilization plans for fire fighting equipment in each area of the National Forest System which is prone to forest fires.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Postal Reorganization Act Amendments of 1989 - Declares that the receipts and disbursements of the Postal Service Fund: (1) shall not be included in the totals of the Federal budget or the congressional budget; (2) shall be exempt from Federal budget limitations on expenditures and net lending; and (3) shall be exempt from any sequestration order under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and shall not be counted for purposes of calculating the Federal deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Intergenerational Library Literacy Act - Amends the Library Services and Construction Act to authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to local public libraries to establish demonstration projects using older adult volunteers to provide intergenerational library literacy programs for school children during afterschool hours. Directs the Secretary, within three years after first making a grant under this Act, to report to the Congress on such demonstration projects, including any recommendations on the establishment of a permanent program. Makes local public libraries which receive such demonstration grants ineligible during the same fiscal year to receive certain other grants for support of library literacy programs. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to require the Director of the ACTION Agency, in making grants under the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, to give priority to programs of national significance, such as intergenerational library literacy programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Toy Safety and Child Protection Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a consumer product safety standard requiring cautionary labeling warning of any dangers to children of specific ages for any children's toy which: (1) is manufactured for sale, offered for sale, distributed in commerce, or imported into the United States; and (2) includes a small part, as defined by the Commission. Requires the Commission to establish such standard, and rules implementing the requirements of such standard, by January 1, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Comprehensive Lyme Disease Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants with respect to Lyme disease: (1) through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, for research and treatment; and (2) through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, for public education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Amends title IV (National Research Institutes) of the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Center for Nursing Research to acquire, construct, improve, or repair laboratories and other research facilities to increase the capacity of institutions of higher education to conduct nursing research. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants and enter into contracts for such purposes. Requires the Director, from amounts appropriated under this Act, to reserve 15 percent to carry out such purposes through grants to, and contracts with, institutions that received less than an aggregate of a specified amount in Federal financial assistance for research and development in the preceding two fiscal years. Requires matching funds, in cash or in kind, from non-Federal sources. Directs the Secretary to require technical and scientific peer review of applications for grants and contracts. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to approve projects within urbanized areas with populations of 50,000 or more for expanding the capacity of open-to-traffic routes on the Interstate Highway System, including construction of noise barriers, acquisition of right-of-ways for future construction of mass transit facilities, and acquisition of land for construction of parking lots. Sets forth a formula for apportionment of highway funds for such projects. Specifies: (1) the period of availability of funds apportioned to a State for Interstate System capacity expansion; (2) conditions that must be met in order to use lapsed funds for discretionary projects; and (3) the Federal share (80 percent) of any such expansion projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1993 through 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Directs the President to impose certain sanctions against persons who export, transfer, or otherwise engage in the trade of any Missile Technology Control Regime item in violation of the U.S. export control laws. Declares such sanctions to include the: (1) denial of an export license; (2) prohibiting of all contracting with, or procurement of any products and services from, such violator; and (3) prohibiting of imports from such violator. Requires the President to report to the Congress: (1) within ten days before imposing or waiving any such sanction; and (2) annually about the status of any sanctions or sanction waivers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Truth in Social Security Accounting Act of 1989 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to exclude, beginning with FY 1991, Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund receipts and outlays in Federal deficit determinations for purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Peace Corps Volunteer Education Demonstration Program Act - Authorizes the Director of the Peace Corps to carry out a training and educational benefits demonstration program. Makes eligible for program participation any student at an institution of higher education who: (1) has completed at least two years of satisfactory study and is enrolled in a bachelor-degree program of at least four years; (2) agrees to serve at least three years in the Peace Corps; and (3) is selected in a competitive process. Requires selection procedures to include special consideration for traditionally underserved groups of students and students who will specialize in courses in areas in which the Peace Corps has special need. Requires the Director to carry out a training program under which participants receive appropriate training for their Peace Corps work as part of their course of study. Makes participants eligible for educational benefits to cover attendance costs during their remaining two years of study. Requires repayment of such benefits if the individual fails to complete three years of Peace Corps service. Directs the Secretary of Education to evaluate and report on such program to the President and the Congress by October 31, 1994. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove limitations on the deductibility of contributions to individual retirement plans by active participants in employer-maintained plans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Directs the Secretary of Defense to furnish to the House of Representatives certain information concerning the actions of the Commission on Base Realignment and Closure with respect to specified military bases.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1989
Volunteer Protection Act of 1989 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal financial liability for acts on behalf of the organization or entity. Sets forth exceptions to and conditions on the granting of such immunity that a State may impose. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to a State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such State has, within two years, certified to the Secretary that it has enacted a State law which provides such immunity. Provides for the continuation of such increase based on an annual recertification.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bentley, Helen Delich [R-MD-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000392_200.jpg)