United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Condemns the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Holds the Soviet-backed Afghan regime responsible for continuing human rights abuses. Calls for: (1) a halt to the placement of lethal weapons in the Afghan countryside; (2) the withdrawal of all Soviet forces from Afghanistan by February 15, 1989; (3) restoration of a freely chosen Afghan Government; (4) close scrutiny by the international community of human rights abuses in Afghanistan; and (5) continued support of the Afghan people through the provision of material if Soviet forces are not withdrawn.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel should not be increased as a means of reducing the Federal deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new title on trauma care. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with respect to trauma care to: (1) conduct and support research, training, evaluations, and demonstration projects; (2) foster development of trauma care systems; (3) collect and disseminate information; (4) provide technical assistance to State and local agencies; and (5) sponsor workshops and conferences. Directs the Secretary to establish the Advisory Council on Trauma Care Systems. Declares that, notwithstanding provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Council shall continue in existence until otherwise provided by law. Directs the Secretary to make an allotment for each State for each fiscal year for developing, implementing, and monitoring the modifications to the trauma-care component of the State plan for the provision of emergency medical services. Requires non-Federal matching contributions (in cash or in kind) in specified ratios for fiscal years after FY 1990. States that such component of the State plan will be modified with regard to: (1) trauma care regions, centers, and systems; (2) triage and transport of children; (3) accreditation and evaluation; (4) data reporting and analysis systems; (5) procedures for paramedical personnel to assess the severity of injuries; (6) transportation and transfer policies; (7) public education; (8) coordination and cooperation; and (9) other matters. Requires States to adopt guidelines for the designation of trauma centers, and for triage, transfer, and transportation policies, equivalent to the applicable guidelines developed by the American College of Surgeons and by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Authorizes the Secretary, after public notice and an opportunity for comment, to waive the requirement of adoption of such guidelines. Mandates that States: (1) require each trauma center to provide certain information to the State emergency medical system annually; (2) submit to the Secretary, at least annually, the information it receives from its data reporting and analysis system; and (3) identify and submit to the Secretary a list of rural areas lacking certain emergency medical services. Sets forth restrictions on the use of State allotments. Requires an annual report from each State to the Secretary. Sets forth a formula for determination of the amount of allotments. Provides for: (1) repayment and offset for failure to use funds as agreed; (2) criminal penalties for certain false statements; (3) technical assistance and provision of supplies and services by the Secretary in lieu of grant funds; and (4) a report by the Secretary to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, to develop guidelines and a model curriculum for emergency response employees (EREs) with respect to the prevention of exposure to infectious diseases during the process of responding to emergencies. Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to assist in developing the guidelines and model curriculum, appointing to the task force representatives of the Centers for Disease Control, State governments, and EREs. Requires a medical facility to notify the designated officer of the transporting EREs if the facility determines that a victim the EREs transported to the facility has an infectious disease. Requires a medical facility, upon request of a designated officer of EREs, to notify the designated officer if the facility makes a determination that a victim transported by EREs has an infectious disease. Applies notification requirements to both the facility receiving the victim and, if the victim dies, to the facility ascertaining the cause of death. Sets forth notification procedures. States that the public health officer of each State will designate one official of each employer of EREs to make requests and receive notifications. Provides for notification of EREs and for requests from an ERE to a designated officer that the designated officer request notification from the medical facility. Declares that the provisions in this Act regarding notification of EREs will not be construed to authorize or require: (1) a medical facility to test a victim of an emergency for any infectious disease; and (2) any medical facility, any designated officer, or any ERE to make disclosures with respect to the identity of a victim if such disclosures are prohibited under State or Federal law. Mandates that States agree to establish enforcement provisions, including injunctive relief and a civil cause of action for damages, for violations of the notification provisions in this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study to determine the adequacy and appropriateness of the reimbursements provided to trauma centers under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Federal Communications Commission to complete a study, establish a plan, and report to the Congress regarding emergency medical services communications.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Recyclable Materials Science and Technology Development Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to study and report to the Congress concerning: (1) means to increase the use of degradable materials in manufactured goods; (2) technologies for recycling nondurable consumer products; and (3) ways to expand the marketing of recycled products. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of recycling nondegradable medical supplies and of substituting degradable for nondegradable materials in medical equipment and supplies. Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to the Congress on the national defense and security implications of requiring the use of degradable materials in defense items. Instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to initiate a pilot project to develop and demonstrate viable technology for composting municipal waste and sewage sludge. Requires the Secretary to report project results to the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a Director of Recycling Research and Information to make grants to support research into innovative recycling technology. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for FY 1990. Prohibits, effective five years after this Act's enactment, the production, manufacture, distribution, sale, or delivery of nonrecycled consumer goods, fast food in nondegradable containers, and packaging for specified purposes that contains any material that is not naturally degradable. Establishes both civil and criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Commerce jointly to issue regulations to govern the designation of goods and materials for noncompliance purposes. Directs the Secretary to publish and periodically update lists of items and materials affected by the prohibition on activities involving nonrecyclable items.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Joint Manufacturing Opportunities Act of 1989 - Declares that the conduct of any individual in making or performing a contract to carry out a flexible manufacturing network shall not be deemed illegal per se under the antitrust laws, but rather shall be judged on its reasonableness considering all relevant factors affecting competition. Defines "flexible manufacturing network" (FMN) as any group of activities, including attempting to make, making, or performing a contract, carried out by two or more persons for the purpose of: (1) purchasing raw materials, services, or facilities to jointly manufacture and distribute a product; (2) collecting and sharing information on production costs and manufacturing capacity necessary to prepare a bid to sell a product jointly manufactured by such persons, or information applicable to the marketing of such product; or (3) sharing information on manufacturing and distribution capacity for the purpose of jointly manufacturing and distributing such product. Excludes activities not reasonably required to carry out a flexible manufacturing network. Limits recovery under the Clayton Act to actual damages (for private suits), the total damage sustained (in suits by States), interest calculated at a specified rate, and costs, including a reasonable attorney's fee, if such claim results from conduct that is within the scope of a notification that has been filed under this Act for an FMN and is filed after such notification becomes effective. Specifies that interest shall be awarded on the damages involved for the period between the date of injury and the date of judgment, unless the court finds that such award is unjust under the circumstances. Limits recovery under this Act if the challenged conduct of a person defending against a claim is not in violation of any decree or order entered or issued after the effective date of this Act. Provides for the award of costs and attorney's fees. Establishes procedures for the filing of a notice with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission of a written agreement to carry out an FMN disclosing: (1) the identities of the parties; and (2) the nature and objectives of such FMN. Exempts specified information from disclosure. Provides for: (1) publication of such notice in the Federal Register; (2) withdrawal of notice; and (3) judicial review of any action by the Attorney General or the Commission with respect to notification filed under this Act. Restricts the admissibility of information disclosed or published under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1989 - Amends Federal law to declare as nonmailable any mail matter which is designed to resemble a bill, invoice, or statement of account due, but which in fact constitutes a solicitation of donations. Requires such mail matter to bear on its face in conspicuous type that it is a solicitation of donations and that the addressee is under no obligation to make any payment. Declares as nonmailable any mail matter which constitutes a solicitation by a non-governmental entity: (1) for the purchase of products or services which are provided free of charge or at a lower price by the Federal Government, or which are substantially the same as such products or services; (2) for the purchase of products or services and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term or symbol which reasonably could be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement; and (3) for the contribution of funds and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term which could reasonably be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement. Allows the mailing of such matter if it contains a conspicuous disclaimer that it is not a Government document. Establishes penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Repeals Internal Revenue Code provisions that include social security and tier I railroad retirement benefits in the gross (taxable) income of certain taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Congressional Pay Reform Act of 1987 - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to specify that pay adjustments for Members of Congress shall become effective on March 1 following the beginning of the next Congress after the Congress during which such adjustment is approved. Amends the Federal Salary Act to require the President to transmit to the Congress, within a specified time period, recommendations for rates of pay of Members of Congress and legislative and judicial employees. (Currently such recommendations are included in the Federal budget.) Prohibits the House of Representatives and the Senate from considering any bill or joint resolution carrying an appropriation for compensation of Members of Congress for any fiscal year if it carries an appropriation, or a limitation of appropriations, for any other purpose. Requires a recorded vote on such bill or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Permits certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Eliminates provisions of Federal law which restrict premium pay to the minimum rate of basic pay for GS-10 for Federal employees in a position in which: (1) the hours of duty cannot be controlled administratively; (2) a substantial amount of irregular, unscheduled overtime is required; and (3) the employee is generally responsible for recognizing circumstances which require the employee to remain on duty.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends Federal law relating to veterans to provide that the remarriage of a veteran's spouse after age 55 shall not result in termination of dependency and indemnity compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Social Security Work Incentives Act of 1989 - Title I: Disabled and Working Status under Title II of the Social Security Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to reduce monthly disability benefits by 50 percent of a beneficiary's monthly earnings in excess of $85. Limits the total amount by which an individual's OASDI disability benefits may be reduced if such individual is also eligible for benefits provided under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Act to individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite severe medical impairment. Prohibits deductions from disability-based child insurance benefits for the recovery of prior overpayments resulting from a failure to reduce such benefits on the basis of earnings. Extends to current OASDI disability beneficiaries the rule preventing reductions in the primary insurance amount for prior recipients. Continues an individual's entitlement to disability benefits while such individual is under disabled and working status, meaning that such individual is earning enough to be considered engaged in substantial gainful activity, but would otherwise continue to satisfy eligibility requirements. Sets a four-year limit on the Medicare hospital insurance eligibility (under part A of title XVIII of the Act) of individuals who owe their eligibility to their disabled and working status under the OASDI program. Amends the Medicare program to authorize such individuals to enroll for hospital insurance benefits upon the termination of such four-year limit. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act to cover Medicare cost-sharing amounts for individuals of disabled and working status who are entitled to enroll for Medicare hospital insurance benefits and whose income and resources do not exceed 300 percent of the Federal poverty level and the SSI resource eligibility limit, respectively. Requires States to collect a coinsurance percentage from such individuals pursuant to a sliding scale which increases such percentage from 0 to 100 percent in reasonable increments as incomes move from 150 to 300 percent of the Federal poverty level. Extends to all recipients of disability-based child's insurance benefits the rule permitting continued entitlement to Medicaid benefits of individuals who would remain eligible for SSI benefits but for their receipt of such child's insurance benefits. Title II: Amendments Relating to the Disabled and Working Status Program Under Title XVI of the Social Security Act - Amends the SSI program to exclude spousal income in determining a disabled and working individual's eligibility for SSI and Medicaid benefits. Excludes from such an individual's income, for SSI eligibility determinations: (1) earned income necessary for the costs of attendant care services; and (2) if such individual receives a State supplementary payment, impairment-related work expenses. Provides Medicaid coverage to individuals who become ineligible for SSI benefits by reason of a cost of living increase in OASDI benefits. Precludes the attainment of age 65 from serving as a basis for the termination of Medicaid eligibility under the SSI program. Includes State supplementary payments in determining a disabled and working individual's eligibility for SSI and Medicaid benefits. Treats royalties from the publication of an individual's work and scholarships which have not been excluded from income as earned income in determining the SSI and Medicaid eligibility of a disabled and working individual.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the St. Marys River in Florida and Georgia for potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends the Uniformed Services Survivor Benefits Amendments of 1980 to entitle certain individuals who were widowed before September 21, 1972, and who are not covered by the Military Survivor Benefit Plan to an annuity.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Guam Commonwealth Act - Title I: Political Relationship - Creates the Commonwealth of Guam. Grants the people of Guam the right of full self-government through adoption of a Constitution, consistent with U.S. sovereignty over Guam and the supremacy of U.S. law applicable to Guam, and within specified guidelines. Recognizes the right of self-determination of the people of Guam. Directs the U.S. Government, through additional federally-funded programs, to promote preservation of the Chamorro culture, enhanced economic, social, and educational opportunities for Chamorros, and training of Chamorros for employment. Provides that nothing in this Act or the Constitution of Guam shall impair the U.S. citizenship of the residents of Guam or their descendants or their rights and privileges as U.S. citizens under the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Directs Guam to establish a land trust for the benefit of the indigenous Chamorro people and to establish residency requirements under the Constitution of Guam for voting and holding elective office. Allows this Act to be modified only with the mutual consent of the Governments of the United States and Guam. Title II: Applicability of Federal Law - Makes specified provisions of, and amendments to, the U.S. Constitution applicable to Guam, in addition to those portions which currently apply. Makes Federal laws, rules, or regulations passed after the date of this Act inapplicable unless mutually consented to by the Governments of the United States and Guam. Creates the Joint Commission on the Applicability of Federal Law. Specifies its duties, including: (1) participating in consultations between the Governments of the United States and Guam; (2) studying existing statutes and regulations affecting the U.S.-Guam relationship; (3) reviewing policies and procedures of Federal agencies relating to such relationship; (4) compiling data; (5) drafting modifications in existing laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and obtaining such modifications by negotiation and mediation concerning issues such as land claims and war claims; and (6) seeking to obtain maximum economic development and political autonomy for Guam, consistent with U.S. security interests. Provides that the United States will bear the cost of the work of the Commission. Authorizes the President or his designee to delegate to the Governor of Guam total or partial performance of functions now vested in Federal administrative agencies. Title III: Foreign Affairs and Defense - Grants the United States responsibility for authority with respect to matters relating to foreign affairs and defense that affect Guam. Provides for U.S. consultation with Guam in advance of negotiations toward any treaties or international or executive agreements affecting Guam, and with respect to proposals to increase or decrease Department of Defense activities within Guam. Prohibits the establishment of military security zones or the stationing of foreign military personnel on the Island of Guam without the approval of the Government of Guam except in time of declared war, or the establishment of military bases without consultation with the Governor. Provides for U.S. assistance to Guam in the establishment of offices in the United States and abroad, in becoming a member or participant in appropriate regional and international organizations, and in obtaining from other countries favorable treatment for exports. Prohibits the United States from utilizing the Island of Guam or the water surrounding it for the dumping or storage of nuclear waste or hazardous chemicals. Provides for the clean up by the United States of chemical dump sites used by the military in the past. Requires the United States to compensate any person injured as a result of hazardous materials stored, used, or disposed of by the U.S. Government in Guam or its waters. Title IV: Courts - Specifies provisions governing the relations between U.S. courts and the local courts of Guam, the jurisdiction of the District Court of Guam, and the applicable district court rules. Provides for the appointment of a judge for the District Court of Guam, a U.S. attorney, and a U.S. marshal for Guam. Title V: Trade - Establishes a Guam-United States free trade area, under which neither party may impose duties, quotas, or other restrictions on each other's products, nor shall the United States treat products of Guam as having originated in any other country. Defines "products of Guam" to mean articles that contain at least 30 percent value added in Guam, and specifies costs included in value added. Authorizes Guam to impose, increase, reduce, or eliminate duties and other restrictions on: (1) products that originate outside the customs territory of the United States and that are imported into Guam; and (2) exports from Guam, whether or not products of Guam. Requires the Governor of Guam to certify that the origin of "products of Guam" is, in fact, Guam, and provides for customs inspections of products brought into the United States. Title VI: Taxation - Makes U.S. income tax laws applicable to Guam. Deems such laws to impose a separate tax, payable to the Government of Guam, to be known as the Guam Commonwealth income tax. Grants the Governor the same administrative and enforcement powers and remedies with regard to such tax (pursuant to the laws of Guam) as the Secretary of the Treasury and other executive branch officials have with respect to U.S. income tax. Sets forth similar enforcement authority with respect to criminal violations, tax liens, and suits to recover erroneously or illegally assessed taxes. Grants the District Court of Guam exclusive jurisdiction over all judicial proceedings in Guam, both criminal and civil, with respect to such tax. Allows the Government of Guam to provide for the rebate or reduction of taxes in order to assist new industries or economic development. Grants Guam the power to determine the nature and amount of taxes imposed upon the income and property of persons within its jurisdiction. Repeals applicable U.S. tax laws one year after Guam has enacted a replacement comprehensive local income tax. Exempts all bonds or other obligations issued by Guam from taxation by Federal, State, or local governments of the United States. Title VII: Immigration - Applies the Immigration and Nationality Act and pertinent Federal regulations to Guam for two years from enactment of this Act. Directs Guam to enact a comprehensive law on immigration to become effective at the end of the two-year period. Provides that such law shall not impair the free movement of U.S. citizens to and from Guam, include the authority to naturalize aliens for U.S. citizenship, or alter the Governor's authority to issue U.S. passports. Authorizes U.S. consular officials to issue visas for travel only to Guam for any alien seeking to enter Guam as a non-immigrant in order to encourage investors and tourists to come to Guam. Title VIII: Labor - Grants preference to qualified residents of Guam in all Federal civil service vacancies occurring in Guam. Grants Guam the authority to enact and enforce all laws regulating or affecting employment in Guam. Provides that all pertinent U.S. laws regulating employment on Guam on the effective date of this Act shall remain applicable until replaced by duly enacted law of the Guam Legislature. Title IX: Transportation and Telecommunications - Precludes application of any U.S. law barring the U.S. registration and use of any foreign-built vessel within the waters around Guam for any purpose. Exempts from the coastwise laws of the United States any shipment of fish or fish products from Guam to any U.S. coastwise destination. Directs the Commission periodically to examine the applicability of such laws and to recommend termination of their applicability upon determining that such laws constrain Guam's economic development. Authorizes the Governor of Guam to sponsor any qualified air service carrier to come to Guam, subject to presidential consultation concerning U.S. foreign policy and security interests. Exempts Guam from all bilateral treaties between the United States and foreign states with respect to scheduling and technical specifications of aircraft, other than safety requirements. Provides that Guam shall remain an "eligible point" for purposes of being ensured essential air transportation to and from the United States. Defines Guam as "domestic" for Federal Communications Commission rate setting purposes. Title X: Land, Natural Resources and Utilities - Grants the Government of Guam the power of eminent domain. Grants Guam jurisdiction over all natural resources of the seabed, subsoil, tidelands, and adjacent territorial waters of the Island of Guam. Sets limits on U.S. acquisition of real property on Guam. Exempts Guam from Federal regulations governing the transfer or sale of excess Federal real property. Provides for the transfer of all excess Federal property to Guam, with specified exceptions. Provides for access and use by the residents of Guam of certain retained Federal property, subject to military security requirements. Authorizes the granting of easements on such property to the Government of Guam in specified circumstances. Directs the United States to transfer ownership of island utilities to Guam. Title XI: United States Financial Assistance - Provides for the return of U.S. revenues from taxes and fees collected in Guam or from its residents or products to the Government of Guam. Makes U.S. laws providing Federal benefits and financial assistance which are applicable to the States likewise applicable to Guam on an equal basis. Directs the Governor of Guam, in preparing an annual budget, to identify the costs and benefits to Guam brought about by its role as one of the principal U.S. military bases. Requires the Governor to submit such information to the Guam Legislature and the Office of Management and Budget for use in reviewing the Governor's request for appropriations for the annual Federal payment to Guam, which request the Governor shall submit to the President for transmission to the Congress each year. Provides for assistance to aid Guam's transition to a Commonwealth, including: (1) U.S. financing of the costs of institutional changes connected with the change in Guam's political relationship with the United States; (2) help in meeting the capital needs of Guam necessary for long-term, self-sustaining development; and (3) establishing an economic development fund to assist expansion of the private sector. Title XII: Technical Amendments and Interpretation - Makes technical and conforming amendments. Calls for this Act to be interpreted liberally to accomplish its purpose of providing for complete, internal self-government for Guam. Requires this Act to be submitted to the registered voters of Guam for ratification after being passed by the Congress. Repeals the Organic Act of Guam.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Directs the Secretary of the Army to set aside an appropriate area within Arlington National Cemetery for the unmarked burial of cremated remains of persons entitled to burial in such cemetery.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Enterprise Zone Improvements Act of 1989 - Title I: Housing and Community Development Provisions - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to require each Federal agency that provides special assistance to enterprise zones or that waives or modifies rules within such zones to report to the Congress and to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development identifying its actions. Broadens the scope of funding sources for State and local government actions required in connection with tax relief and regulatory simplification in enterprise zones. Directs Federal agencies to seek to provide special assistance to enterprise zones, including expedited processing, priority funding, program set-asides, and technical assistance. Authorizes all Federal agencies to waive or modify rules within enterprise zones. (Under current law, only the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and, in some cases, the Secretary of Agriculture may do so.) Adds the promotion of affordable housing and law enforcement as objectives justifying waiver or modification of Federal agency rules in an enterprise zone. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for qualified increased employment expenditures and employment of the disadvantaged. Sets the credit amount at ten percent of the increase in payroll plus a specified percentage of wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers through the first 20 years of the enterprise zone designation. Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of wages earned. Phases out both credits in the last four years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investments made in certain enterprise zone construction property. Limits the credit to ten percent for new property, including rental property. Requires the recapture of credit amounts upon the early disposition of the property. Subtitle C: Nonrecognition of Qualified Enterprise Zone Capital Gain Where Acquisition of Enterprise Zone Business Property - Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property if, within one year after the sale, the taxpayer acquires qualified replacement property (generally defined as property related to an enterprise zone or to a business within a zone). Subtitle D: Deduction for Purchase of Enterprise Stock - Allows a taxpayer to deduct up to $100,000 of the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Treats any gain from the disposition of the stock as ordinary income. Subtitle E: Rules Relating to Private Activity Bonds - Declares that: (1) limitations on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property; and (2) the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to bonds whose proceeds are used to finance facilities in enterprise zones. Subtitle F: Ordinary Loss Deduction for Securities of Enterprise Zone Business Which Become Worthless - Permits an ordinary loss deduction for securities of enterprise zone business that become worthless during the taxable year. Subtitle G: Increase in Research Credit for Research Conducted in Enterprise Zones - Increases from 20 percent to 37 1/2 percent the tax credit for increasing research conducted in enterprise zones. Subtitle H: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Subtitle I: Regulations - Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act not later than six months after enactment. Title III: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Fairness in America Health Care Act of 1989 - Title I: One-Year Delay in Implementation of Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 - Delays, for one year, the implementation of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, except for provisions of such Act expanding benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Title II: Bipartisan Commission to Review the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act - Establishes the Commission to Review the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act to study: (1) the effect implementation of such Act will have on Medicare beneficiaries who currently have supplementary coverage; (2) how such Act's benefits compare with the benefits provided by supplementary coverage; (3) the access Medicare beneficiaries who do not have supplementary or Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) coverage have to necessary health services; (4) the feasibility and likely cost of implementing such Act's drug benefits; and (5) the benefits and financing mechanisms which Medicare beneficiaries prefer. Directs the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the Congress within six months of this Act's enactment or by September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which a beneficiary may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Family Education Assistance Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of the taxpayer's child or certain other relatives at an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Limits the deduction to $1,500 annually (adjusted for inflation) for each account. Disallows the deduction for contributions to an account maintained for any individual aged 19 or older. Requires any account balance to be distributed after the beneficiary attains age 30. Permits an exclusion from the gross income of the contributor or the beneficiary of account distributions used to pay educational expenses of the latter. Exempts an account from taxation (except for the tax on unrelated business income of a charitable organization), unless a contributor or the beneficiary engages in specified prohibited transactions in connection with it. Imposes a ten percent surtax on distributions not used for educational purposes. 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 an education savings account. Imposes penalty taxes in connection with excess contributions or prohibited transactions associated with an account.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Small Contribution Tax Credit Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual a nonrefundable income tax credit for up to $100 ($200 for joint returns) of contributions to congressional candidates. Disallows the credit if the contribution is transmitted through any intermediary group.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement in which total Federal outlays (except those for repayment of debt principal) do not exceed total receipts (except those derived from borrowing), unless a three-fifths vote of both Houses authorizes a specific excess. Limits the rate of increase in receipts in the statement to that of the increase in national income in the previous calendar year, unless law is enacted solely to approve specific additional receipts. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget. Authorizes waiver of these provisions in time of war. Sets a permanent limit on the amount of Federal public debt, prohibiting any increase unless legislation enacted by a three-fifths majority of both Houses becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Establishes the Joint Committee on Intelligence. Declares that such committee has exclusive legislative jurisdiction with respect to any intelligence activity of the Federal Government and authorizations for appropriations for specified agencies and intelligence-related activities. Directs the joint committee to review and study on a continuing basis any intelligence or counterintelligence activity conducted by any Federal agency or department. Directs the joint committee to classify its information and records according to standards used generally by the executive branch. Directs the joint committee to establish and carry out rules and procedures necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information. Prohibits any Member of Congress from disclosing information received from the joint committee without proper authorization, except in a closed session of the House of Representatives or the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Establishes the Joint Committee on Intelligence. Declares that such committee has exclusive legislative jurisdiction with respect to any intelligence activity of the Federal Government and authorizations for appropriations for specified agencies and intelligence-related activities. Directs the joint committee to classify its information and records and to establish guidelines for their maintenance, use, and availability. Sets forth procedures for the disclosure of such information. Directs the joint committee to establish and carry out rules and procedures necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information. Makes conforming amendments to the National Security Act of 1947 and the Rules of the House of Representatives, including abolishing the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit consideration of bills or resolutions making appropriations under the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee for periods after November 30 of a fiscal year, unless three-fifths of the House votes to waive or suspend this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1988
Bicentennial House Restoration Amendments of 1988 - Amends rule I of the Rules of the House of Representatives to direct the Speaker of the House, immediately after the reading of a veto message and without intervening motion or business, to state the question on reconsideration of the vetoed measure. Directs the Speaker to provide for the visual coverage of House proceedings on a uniform basis throughout each day's session. Allows such coverage to include periodic views of the entire Chamber, provided that it is uniform throughout the day and does not detract from the visual coverage of any one person who is speaking. Requires the Speaker to announce a legislative program at the beginning of each congressional session which includes: (1) target dates for the consideration of specified major budgetary, authorization, and appropriation bills; (2) an indication of those weeks during which the House will be in session; (3) those weeks set aside for district work periods; and (4) the target date for the adjournment of that session. Amends rule X to require each standing committee, not later than March 1 in the first session of a Congress, to adopt its oversight plans in a meeting open to the public. Declares that it will not be in order to consider any committee expense resolution for any committee that has not submitted its oversight plans. Requires the committees to submit such plans to the Committee on House Administration, which shall, not later than March 15 in the first session of a Congress, report such plans to the House with recommendations. Authorizes the Speaker of the House to appoint special ad hoc oversight committees to review specific matters within the jurisdiction of two or more committees. Amends rule XI to require each committee to include in its biennial report to the House a separate section summarizing its legislative and oversight activities during that Congress. Directs the Speaker of the House to initially refer each bill, resolution, or other matter to one committee of principal jurisdiction. Eliminates the Speaker's authority to refer any such matter initially to two or more committees for concurrent consideration. Amends rule X to require standing committees to be elected by the House within seven legislative days (currently, seven calendar days) after the commencement of a Congress. Requires standing committees to hold organizational meetings not later than three legislative days after election. Requires the membership of each committee (except the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct), select committee, and conference committee (and each subcommittee, task force, or subunit thereof) to reflect the ratio of majority to minority Members. Provides that such ratio be reflected for standing committees at the beginning of each Congress, and for select and conference committees at the time of appointment. Prohibits any standing committee from establishing more than six subcommittees, and any Member serving at any one time on more than four subcommittee's. Defines "subcommittee" as any subunit of a standing committee established for a period of more than six months. Prohibits the vote by any member of any committee or subcommittee from being cast by proxy. Amends rule XI to require open committee meetings unless disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security, tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person or otherwise violate any law or rule of the House, or involve committee personnel. Provides that a majority of members of each committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. Requires committee rollcall votes on a motion to report any bill or resolution of a public character to include the names of Members voting for, against, and by proxy. Requires each nonrecord vote to include the names of those Members actually present at the time the bill or resolution is ordered reported. Prohibits Rules Committee reports from being considered on the subsequent calendar day of the same legislative day. Prohibits the Rules Committee from reporting any order of business resolution which prohibits a motion to recommit, including instructions in the form of an amendment. Prohibits the consideration of any resolution reported from the Committee on Rules providing for the consideration of any bill or joint resolution which limits the right of Members to offer germane amendments unless the chairman of the Committee has announced in advance that less than an open amendment process might be recommended by the Committee. Prohibits the consideration of any order of business resolution reported from the Committee on Rules which provides that, upon the adoption of such resolution, the House shall be considered to have automatically adopted a motion, amendment, or resolution, or to have passed a bill, joint resolution, or conference report, unless the consideration of such order of business resolution is agreed to by not less than two-thirds of the Members voting, and the yeas and nays shall be considered as ordered. Prohibits the consideration of any budget waiver resolution reported by the Committee on Rules unless an explanatory statement accompanies such resolution. Prohibits the House from considering any primary expense resolution until the Committee on House Administration has reported and the House has adopted a resolution establishing the committee staff personnel ceiling for the year. Requires such committee to specify in any primary or supplemental expense resolution the number of staff positions authorized therein. Authorizes the House to consider any supplemental expense resolution in excess of such ceiling by a vote of two-thirds of the Members present. Prohibits the overall staff ceiling of the 101st Congress from exceeding 90 percent of the total committee staff personnel employed at the end of the 100th Congress. Amends rule XV to require an automatic rollcall vote on any bill or joint resolution making appropriations, providing revenue, or adjusting the rate of pay of Members, or on final adoption of any concurrent resolution on the budget which provides an increase in the statutory debt limit. Amends rule XXI to establish procedures for the consideration of any bill or joint resolution making continuing appropriations for a period of 30 days or less. Establishes limitations for the consideration of reconciliation bills. Requires bills or resolutions which authorize the enactment of new budget authority to be reported on or before the May 15 preceding the fiscal year to which such authority applies. Amends rule XXIV to include the Pledge of Allegiance in the daily order of business. Amends rule XXVII to establish new procedures for the consideration of motions to suspend the rules. Prohibits such motion if the measure or matter would enact new budget or spending authority in excess of a specified amount. Requires the printing in the Congressional Record, and weekly update thereafter, of a motion to discharge a committee from consideration of a bill or resolution when 100 Members have signed such motion. Amends rule XXXVIII to grant a House conferee three calendar days in which to file supplemental, minority, or additional views. Establishes procedures for the consideration of legislation granting the President special rescission authority with respect to any budget authority for which an authorization has not been enacted. Provides for applying certain labor laws to the House. Directs the Committee on Rules to report to the House by December 31, 1989, on realigning the jurisdictions of House committees.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1988
Chemical Warfare Control Act - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to set forth as U.S. policy the use of export controls to curtail transfers of material and technology used in producing chemical weapons. Requires the President to prepare a list of materials and technology which would assist a country's chemical warfare capability. Prohibits the export of such materials and technology to Iran, Iraq, Libya, or Syria or, at the President's discretion and upon notification to the Congress, to additional countries. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition upon determining that an export will not assist a country's chemical warfare capability. Authorizes the exclusion of any country from such prohibition beginning 30 days after the President submits the name of such country to the Congress. Requires the President, no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter, to submit to specified House and Senate members and committees a report on: (1) the efforts by Iran, Libya, and Syria to acquire the materials to produce chemical weapons; and (2) the present and future capability of such countries to produce such weapons. Requires the report to: (1) assess whether Communist-bloc countries have aided such countries in acquiring such materials; (2) list companies in non-Communist countries which have exported items on the President's list to such countries; and (3) provide credible information that any non-Communist country has aided such countries. Directs the President to apply sanctions to any foreign person who exports any item on the list to any such country. Requires that such sanctions prohibit: (1) contracting with and procuring products and services from a sanctioned person by the U.S. Government; and (2) importing products produced by such person into the United States. Declares that the President shall not apply sanctions in the case of procurement of defense articles and services if: (1) the articles and services are under existing contracts; (2) the President determines that the person to whom sanctions would apply is the sole supplier of essential defense articles or services; or (3) the President determines that such articles or services are essential to national security. Prohibits the application of sanctions to: (1) contracts entered into before the President notifies the Congress of the intention to impose sanctions; (2) spare parts; (3) component parts; (4) routine servicing and maintenance of products; or (5) information and technology.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1988
Declares that the Congress urges the Administration to refrain from submitting any proposal in the GATT negotiations that would consider maritime transportation activity as being within the scope of "trade in services" and to reject any proposals made by foreign nations which are similar or which would lead to a contraction of the merchant marine.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Through the Eyes of the Child Act of 1988 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require that State courts award custody to a child's primary caretaker and award child support equal to 17 percent of the noncustodial parent's gross income to a parent having custody of one child, 25 percent to a parent having custody of two children, and 33 percent to a parent having custody of three children. Furnishes an incentive payment to States which have in effect a law requiring that the primary caretaker be awarded custody of a child. Repeals the requirement that States establish guidelines for child support awards. Requires employers to withhold amounts owed as child support from the wages of an absent parent regardless of whether the absent parent is or is not in arrears. Requires an employer to notify the court which issued a child support order of any change in an absent parent's wages or other compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Requires the Administrator of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency to establish a clearinghouse on juvenile justice in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Requires the Administrator to: (1) accept from public and nonprofit private agencies information regarding criminal gangs whose members include juveniles; and (2) make such information available without charge to other such agencies and at a reasonable cost to any other entity. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Directs the Secretary of Education to make payments to State educational agencies for demonstration grants for early childhood family education programs conducted by eligible local educational agencies. Sets forth a formula for allotment of such payments to States on the basis of population. Sets forth minimum and maximum numbers of such demonstration grants to be awarded in each State. Sets forth maximum limits on grant amounts. Sets forth criteria for eligibility for: (1) State educational agencies for payments; and (2) local educational agencies for demonstration grants. Authorizes appropriations for such demonstration grants program. Directs the Secretary to make a grant to each of 20 eligible local educational agencies for early childhood family education programs in public schools within such agencies in the greatest need. Sets forth factors which the Secretary must consider in determining whether a school is in greatest need. Sets forth application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for school districts in greatest need. Directs the Secretary to disseminate to State and local educational agencies information on: (1) The Parents and Teachers Program: The National Center, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and (2) the Minnesota Early Childhood Education Project, sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education. Authorizes appropriations for dissemination of such information. Defines "early childhood family education program" to mean a program consisting of not less than two multi-hour sessions per month, during which parents of children three years old or younger meet at either a private home or a central location and receive instruction in effective parent-child interaction from a trained parent-educator and participate in organized discussion with other such parents.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Authorizes the Administrator of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to private community-based organizations for activities for prevention or reduction of the participation of juveniles in the activities of gangs that commit crimes. Sets forth eligibility and application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Family Support Centers Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible organizations to improve the quality and availability of health, family, and preschool services for families with one or more children under age 13. Sets forth eligibility requirements for organizations. Requires that such organizations be located in or in a reasonable proximity to a high risk area, i.e. an area with a significantly high rate of: (1) infant mortality; (2) teenage pregnancy; or (3) high school dropouts. Requires organizations receiving grants to offer at least five of the following services at locations convenient to the local community (for example, in a housing project, a community center, or a building occupied by a religious organization): (1) prenatal and postnatal care; (2) nutritional lunches; (3) on-site nurse practitioner services; (4) family drop-in center; (5) Head Start program; (6) parenting education services;(7) drug abuse prevention services; (8) family-based child care services; (9) center-based child care services; (10) after-school care for children under age 13; and (11) other services which the Secretary shall specify in regulations. Directs the Secretary to give primary consideration, in selecting grantees, to the location or locations at which the organization provides services to the local community. Sets limitations on: (1) the total monetary amount of all such grants; (2) the maximum percentage of project start-up costs which may be covered; and (3) the maximum amount per grantee. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish a grants program for parental choice open enrollment in public schools. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make such program grants to local educational agencies (LEAs). Prohibits any LEA from being eligible to participate in such program unless it agrees to permit: (1) elementary and secondary school students to enroll in public schools in the school district without regard to school attendance zones; and (2) such students and their families to decide which school the student will attend in that school district. Allows such grants to be used for: (1) increasing school attendance and student achievement; (2) increasing accountability for success of the educational program in schools; (3) increasing parental involvement and public interest in schools; (4) establishing and operating distinctive schools with new and innovative approaches to education, including increasing flexibility and autonomy at the school level; and (5) providing a wider range of choices of educational courses of instruction to educationally and economically disadvantaged children. Requires that at least 50 percent of a grant be used to carry out the parental choice program. Sets forth individual LEA application requirements for such grants. Permits LEA consortia to apply for such grants to develop and conduct interdistrict, regional, or statewide parental choice programs. Limits the amount of each grant, but authorizes the Secretary to waive such limitation in the case of an LEA serving a very large number of students or a consortium of LEAs serving large school districts or in other special circumstances. Limits the duration of such grants to a five-year period. Allows any LEA with a parental choice program in operation during the year for which assistance is sought to apply for a grant to expand such program. Allows any LEA receiving a magnet schools program grant, under the ESEA or the Education for Economic Security Act, to apply for a parental choice program grant if the LEA provides assurances that such funds will be used for additional activities to strengthen the educational program of its schools. Directs the Secretary, by October 1, 1992, to: (1) provide for an independent evaluation of assisted programs to determine the effectiveness of parental choice programs; and (2) report to the Congress on such evaluation results. Requires that such evaluation be made available for all possible dissemination. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Authorizes the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to States for demonstration projects to provide character education to juveniles who are confined in juvenile detention facilities as a result of being delinquent. Provides that such grants may be made to eligible States to carry out, directly or by contract, at least ten demonstration projects. Sets forth eligibility and application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Directs the Secretary of Education to make five-year grants to not more than ten State educational agencies to conduct school-based management projects in one or more local educational agencies in the State. Requires each such project to be designed to result in strengthening opportunity and capacity for school-based management. Sets the amount of each grant for each year of the grant period. Sets forth requirements for applications and selection of grant recipients. Requires such projects to include: (1) increased responsibility and decision-making for teachers; (2) increased staff support for teachers; (3) greater differentiation of teachers' roles and responsibilities; (4) variation in school leadership structures; (5) greater autonomy at the school level with respect to budgeting and resource allocation; and (6) greater accountability for teachers and schools with respect to student performance. Allows grant funds to be used to: (1) support increased operating costs at the schools involved (for the first two years of the project); (2) underwrite development and technical assistance; (3) document and describe the process of transition to school-based management; (4) evaluate the results of transition; and (5) disseminate nationally information on new models in school management. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for FY 1989 through 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Family Preservation Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible organizations to establish family preservation programs to provide assistance to families in order to prevent the placement of children under 18 years old in foster care. Sets forth eligibility requirements for applicant organizations. Requires all of the following assistance to be offered under such programs: (1) clothing, cleaning and housing locator services, family counseling services, services designed to improve communication skills; and (2) referrals to other organizations and State agencies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) give preference to applicants located in areas with the highest percentages of children in foster care; and (2) ensure that grants are made to eligible applicants in locations which reflect a diversity of geographical areas. Directs the Secretary to make such grants as follows: (1) ten grants in a specified amount to eligible applicants in ten different geographical areas for training and technical assistance in development of programs to provide families such goods and services in order to prevent placement of children in foster care; and (2) implementation grants to such ten grantees, in specified total and single maximum amounts. Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with a selected organization for a study and report on the effectiveness of programs receiving such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 for such grants and such study.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to eligible States that contain geographical areas in which a large number of juveniles participate in activities of gangs that commit crimes. Sets forth eligibility criteria, including the existence of a State law that provides for the treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, counseling, employment, and supervision of each juvenile who is released after having been found to have committed an act that would have been a crime under State law if committed by an adult. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Bootstrap Schools Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to enhance the quality of education provided at elementary and secondary schools through establishing bootstrap school programs. Makes an LEA eligible for such a grant if it submits an application and serves a qualified area, i.e. any area of the State in which the percentage of the population whose annual gross income does not exceed the poverty line is twice the percentage of the State population. Sets forth requirements for contents of applications. Requires that special consideration be given to applications which describe a program to: (1) serve areas in which at least 60 percent of the population has an annual gross income that does not exceed the poverty line; and (2) improve academic standards and performance at schools through measures such as: (1) open enrollment; (2) school-based management of curricula, class size, and funds; (3) professionalization of teachers, as determined by the Secretary; (4) alternative certification of teachers; (5) reduction of the number of nonteaching personnel; and (6) merit pay for teachers. Requires each LEA recipient to use the grant only for: (1) planning and outreach activities directly related to expanding and enhancing academic programs and services offered at such schools; (2) acquisition of teaching materials, books, and equipment for educational programs (including computers); and (3) teacher compensation. Requires that such use be directly related to increasing the knowledge of students attending elementary and secondary schools, under the LEA's jurisdiction, in mathematics, science, history, English, foreign languages, art, or music or to improving their vocation skills. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies for character education programs. Requires local educational agencies to certify to the Secretary that the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag is a part of the daily program of each elementary and secondary school under their control and direction, in order to be eligible for such grants. Sets forth application requirements. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information on successful character education and development programs to State and local educational agencies, community-based organizations, and other interested individuals and organizations. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Public Housing Family Stability Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987, to direct public housing agencies to set maximum monthly rents for their tenants.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bilirakis, Michael [R-FL-9]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000463_200.jpg)