Rep. Bonker, Don [D-WA-3]

An amendment adding a provision "The export of goods and technology to the People's Republic of China should be subject to no greater restriction under this Act than the export of goods and technology to any friendly nonaligned country.".

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to add a new section requiring that each area agency on the aging be a separate organizational unit.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to the Courter amendment to permit the President to extend the negotiations for mutual export control with an exporting nation if he certifies to Congress that negotiations require more time. They may be extended for an additional six months.

United States · United States Congress

A substitute amendment to the Roth amendment to provide that no authority or permission to export may be required before goods or technology are exported to a country which maintains exports controls with the U.S. except that (1) the Secretary may require a license to those end users who the Secretary determines may divert the goods or technology, and (2) shall require that as a condition to exporting that there be agreement against reexportation to any country to which exports are controlled without the prior approval of the Secretary.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to include lumber of American Lumber Standards Grades of number 3 or better, or Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau Export R-List Grades Number 3 common or better in the technical changes in the bill dealing with lumber export.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to set out the U.S. policy in regard to INTELSAT. The Secretary of State in conjunction with the Secretary of Commerce is to determine the appropriate modification of the INTELSAT Agreement to permit INTELSAT to establish cost based rates for individual traffic routes, as exceptional circumstances warrant, paying attention to the need to avoid significant economic harm to INTELSAT and U.S. foreign policy interests. It also requires the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the effect of the President's pursuit of a separate international telecommunications satellite system on INTELSAT and on U.S. foreign interests, should the President decide to pursue such a policy.

United States · United States Congress

A substitute amendment to the Hughes amendment to permit the Secretary of Commerce to designate any officer or employee of the Commerce Department carrying out enforcement functions under the Export Administration Act to execute warrants or other processes issued by courts or officers relating to this Act. The Commerce personnel may carry firearms in executing the warrants or processes.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to loosen various regulatory restrictions governing bank-affiliated export trading companies. The changes permit revenues from third party and counter-trade to be counted as "export revenues" in order to meet the threshold test for the definition of an export trading company; exempt banks from restrictions on how much reserve capital they could lend to their affiliate export trading companies; and require the Commerce Department to prepare an annual report on the activities of the export trading companies.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to strike the the authorization for $300 million for the competitive tied aid fund and rely instead on existing Federal resources.

United States · United States Congress

Acid Deposition Control Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1988

Acid Deposition Control Act of 1988 - Amends title I (Air Pollution Prevention and Control) of the Clean Air Act to allocate required reductions in sulfur dioxide emissions among powerplants and States. Requires States to set emission limitations for oxides of nitrogen from: (1) electric utility steam generating units using tangential and wall-fired boilers; and (2) other electric utility steam generating units if the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that reductions at comparable cost-effectiveness are reasonably feasible. Directs each State which is required to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide or oxides of nitrogen pursuant to this Act to submit a revised State implementation plan to the Administrator which establishes enforceable emissions limitations, compliance schedules, conservation measures, and other enforceable measures necessary to achieve such emission reductions. Prohibits a State from allocating an emission reduction to a small utility powerplant whose costs of compliance would significantly exceed the Statewide average for all fossil-fuel fired powerplants and result in significant adverse competitive effects on the small utility. Requires the Administrator to issue guidelines, within nine months of this Act's enactment, for the development and implementation of emissions trading programs. Prohibits the Administrator from approving emission trading unless the electric utility: (1) demonstrates that the total aggregate tonnage of emissions reduction will be no less than would be achieved absent such trading; (2) agrees to install and operate continuous emission monitoring for sulfur dioxide; and (3) maintains, and makes available to the public, records of its operations and emissions. Directs the Administrator to impose fees on persons who generate or import electric energy which shall be credited to the Acid Deposition Control Fund out of which payments will be made to electric utilities to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. Makes the portion of costs covered dependent on the control measures employed. Imposes other conditions on such payments to ensure that utilities are rewarded for cost-effective emission control measures. Requires the Administrator to survey the history of reviews and revisions of new source performance standards for sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen applicable to electric utility boilers and report to the Congress, within nine months of this Act's enactment, on the results of such survey. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Clean Coal, Acid Deposition and Climate Change Control Technology Installation Program which shall provide grants, from FY 1989 through 1993, to owners or operators of fossil-fuel fired steam generating units for the installation of clean coal technology, conservation measures, or renewable resource technology, or any combination thereof, which has not been adequately demonstrated on a commercial scale and has a reasonable likelihood of achieving more cost-effective continuous emission reductions than measures or technology which has been adequately demonstrated on a commercial scale. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1989 through 1992. Authorizes the Administrator to issue an extension on emission standards compliance deadlines to owners or operators of fossil-fuel fired steam generating units who made a good faith effort to install and operate the measures or technology for which a grant has been authorized under this Act.

International Peacekeeping Activities Authorization Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1988

International Peacekeeping Activities Authorization Act of 1988 - Authorizes the President to transfer specified funds during FY 1989 to the Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities Account or the Peacekeeping Operations Account of the Department of State in order to meet requests for contributions or other assistance for new international peacekeeping activities. Provides that such transferred funds shall be deemed to be authorized to be appropriated for such accounts. Subjects any transfer or obligation of such funds to the regular reprogramming procedures of the relevant committees of the Congress.

A bill to extend the period for Congressional review of the proposed subsequent arrangement, under the Agreement for Cooperation between the United States and Japan, involving United States approval for sea transport of plutonium from either France or the United Kingdom to Japan.

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1988

Extends the period of congressional review specified in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 with respect to the proposed arrangement under the Agreement for Cooperation between the United States and Japan involving U.S. approval for the sea transport of plutonium from France or the United Kingdom to Japan.

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the Amateur Basketball Association United States of America and the United States Olympic Committee should promote the adoption of rules that would make all basketball players eligible to compete in the Olympic games and that the United States Olympic Committee should promote the adoption of rules that would make all athletes eligible to compete in the Olympic games.

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1988

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Amateur Basketball Association United States of America and the U.S. Olympic Committee should promote the adoption of rules that would make all basketball players eligible to compete in the Olympic games; and (2) the U.S. Olympic Committee should promote the elimination of the distinction between amateur and professional athletes in all sports for purposes of eligibility to compete in the Olympic games.

A resolution to congratulate the United Nations peacekeeping forces for being awarded the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize, and to seek their assistance in the matter of the "Peacekeeper" hostage and all other hostages.

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1988

Commends the selection of the United Nations peacekeeping forces as the recipients of the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize. Recognizes their coverage and supports their continued efforts to strengthen international peace and security. Urges the United Nations to redouble its efforts to secure the release of the U.S. citizens and other hostages being held in the Middle East.

Waste Act to Save the Environment

United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1988

Waste Act to Save the Environment - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to establish as an objective of such Act the assurance that solid waste exports are managed in accordance with environmental standards no less strict than Federal standards in this country. Prohibits the export of solid waste except when there is an agreement between the United States and the receiving country which provides for the exchange of information regarding such export and its management, cooperation in the enforcement of the agreement, and biannual review of the agreement's effectiveness. Requires exporters of solid waste to register with and submit specified export and export management information to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency who shall annually submit a report to the Congress summarizing such information. Prohibits the export of a solid waste until the Administrator finds that the transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of such export will be carried out in accordance with environmental standards no less strict than Federal standards in this country. Authorizes the Administrator to impose fees on exporters to defray the costs of administering this Act. Imposes criminal penalties against persons who knowingly violate this Act's requirements.

A concurrent resolution to express strong support for the cabotage laws protecting the coastwise trade to vessels of American construction, crewing, and documentation, as well as other maritime promotional programs, and to urge the Administration in the strongest possible terms that the opening of maritime transportation services not be proposed by the United States at the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) talks, and that the United States reject any such proposal by a foreign nation.

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.

Indoor Air Quality Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Indoor Air Quality Act of 1988 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a national research, development, and demonstration program to assure the quality of indoor air, including coordinating and accelerating efforts related to the causes, detection, and correction of contaminated air. Requires such program to include information collection and dissemination, cooperative research, grants, studies, development of techniques, facility construction, and conferences. Requires that research focus on human health effects and the identification of types and levels of contaminants likely to cause harm, including the development of methodology and techniques for detection and control. Authorizes the Administrator to assist technology demonstration activities based on a technology's potential to cost-effectively control sources of contaminants which pose the greatest risk. Limits Federal funding to 75 percent of costs. Directs the Administrator to periodically publish general reports on the findings of such demonstration activities and provide such reports to the Indoor Air Clearinghouse. Requires the Administrator to publish and furnish the Indoor Air Clearinghouse with bulletins assessing technologies and management practices for the control and measurement of indoor air contaminants. Directs the Administrator to: (1) develop protocols for the measurement of radon gas in child care facilities; and (2) disseminate information concerning techniques for measuring and reducing radon levels in child care facilities and characteristics of child care facilities with high radon risks. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) provide States with devices and the use of EPA laboratories for testing child care facilities for radon; and (2) undertake diagnostic and remedial efforts to reduce radon levels in nonresidential child care facilities. Requires the Administrator to conduct a study and report to the Congress within three years of this Act's enactment on the appropriateness, feasibility, and implications of considering human exposure to indoor air pollutants in developing ambient air quality standards and national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Directs the Administrator to conduct and report to the Congress within two years of this Act's enactment on a national assessment of the seriousness and extent of indoor air contamination in buildings owned by local educational agencies. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress by the beginning of FY 1989 on activities conducted under this Act. Requires the Administrator to publish and biennially revise a list of contaminants known to occur in indoor air. Provides for additions to such list upon application of a State Governor. Requires the Administrator to publish advisory materials addressing the human health effects of listed contaminants which describe the properties, effects, risks, and concentrations of such contaminants. Directs the Indoor Air Panel of the EPA Science Advisory Board to assist in the listing and advisories. Requires that such advisories be updated every five years. Directs the Administrator to develop and publish a national indoor air quality response plan describing actions to be taken pursuant to existing statutory authority to reduce listed indoor air contaminants to safe levels. Requires that such plans include the dissemination of information, education programs, and the provision of technical assistance. Requires that the response plan identify the contaminant, the basis for the action, the nature of the response, the responsible Federal authority, the necessary financial resources, and situations where existing statutory authority or technology is inadequate to address contamination problems. Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to prepare a response plan to reduce listed indoor air contaminants to safe levels in Federal buildings. Exempts certain Federal buildings for national security, demolition, or special use purposes. Requires response plans to be submitted to the Congress on a biennial basis. Directs the GSA to reserve 0.5 percent of funds appropriated for the construction of new Federal buildings for the design and construction of air contaminant reduction measures and report upon the completion of each Federal building on the use made of reserved funds. Requires that any new EPA headquarters be designed and operated as a model to demonstrate principles and practices for the protection of indoor air quality. Authorizes grants to States for the development of management strategies and indoor air quality assessment and response programs similar to those of the Federal program. Directs the Administrator to establish an Office of Indoor Air Quality within EPA's Office of Air and Radiation to implement agency responsibilities under this Act. Establishes a Council on Indoor Air Quality to coordinate Federal activities and advise the President. Requires the Council to report to the Congress on a biennial basis. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), within six months of this Act's enactment, to define their respective responsibilities and planned actions to address radon hazards. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on actions taken to implement such MOU within two years of this Act's enactment. Directs the Administrator to establish a national indoor air quality clearinghouse which shall operate a toll-free line on indoor air quality. Requires the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to implement a Building Assessment Demonstration Program to support the development of methods for assessing indoor air contamination in non-residential, non-industrial buildings and to provide building owners and occupants with assistance and guidance in reducing indoor air contamination. Authorizes building owners or occupants, or representatives of employees working in a building, to submit building assessment proposals which shall be selected or denied on the basis of specified considerations, including the apparent seriousness and extent of building air contamination. Sets forth reporting requirements. Directs the Administrator to make grants to institutions of higher learning to establish and operate five regional radon training centers to provide instruction on radon diagnosis and mitigation and disseminate information on radon. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993.

A bill to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize international disaster assistance for Jamaica to assist in alleviating the human suffering caused by Hurricane Gilbert.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish disaster assistance to Jamaica to alleviate the suffering caused by Hurricane Gilbert. Authorizes appropriations. Requires that a certain amount of such appropriations be transferred to the Peace Corps for disaster relief programs in Jamaica under the Peace Corps Act.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of telebinocular low vision aids or telescopic eyeglasses for individuals with low vision.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover telebinocular low vision aids or telescopic eyeglasses for individuals with low vision.

A resolution to amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to authorize and direct the Speaker to implement closed caption broadcasting for hearing-impaired individuals of floor proceedings of the House of Representatives.

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1988

Amends rule I of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the Speaker of the House to implement closed caption broadcasting of floor proceedings for hearing-impaired individuals.

A joint resolution designating October 5, 1988, as "Raoul Wallenberg Day".

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1988

Designates October 5, 1988, as Raoul Wallenberg Recognition Day.

A joint resolution to designate October 30, 1988 as "Fire Safety at Home Day - Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery".

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1988

Designates October 30, 1988, as Fire Safety at Home Day: Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery.

Immigration Nursing Relief Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1988

Immigration Nursing Relief Act of 1988 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant special immigrant status to an immigrant (and accompanying spouse and children): (1) who entered the United States before January 1, 1988, as a nonimmigrant to perform services as a registered nurse; (2) who is working in such capacity with a valid visa as of the date of enactment of this Act; and (3) with respect to whom a labor certification has been filed prior to the granting of special immigrant status. Sets forth the following conditions for admission of nonimmigrant nurses during the five-year period beginning on April 1, 1989: (1) a professional nursing license from the country where the alien studied nursing or a degree from a U.S. or Canadian nursing school; (2) completion of an appropriate examination or possession of a license in the State of intended employment; (3) such alien's employment will not adversely affect wages and working conditions of similarly employed nurses; (4) a substantial disruption of the hiring health facility's services will occur without the services of such alien; (5) the facility has taken steps toward recruitment and retention of U.S. citizens or immigrant nurses; and (6) there is no ongoing labor dispute or related activity at such facility. Provides for an initial admission period of up to three years, with extensions up to a five-year total (six years under extraordinary circumstances). Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide for the appointment by April 1, 1990, of an advisory group to advise the Secretary: (1) concerning the impact of this Act on the nursing shortage; (2) regarding programs to recruit U.S. citizens or immigrant nurses; and (3) regarding the advisability of extending the provisions of this Act beyond April 1, 1994. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress by April 1, 1991, regarding the amendments made by this Act.

A joint resolution designating November 4 through 10, 1988, as the "Week of Remembrance of Kristallnacht".

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1988

Designates November 4 through November 10, 1988, as the Week of Remembrance of Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass).