United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude deductions for business expenses, interest on indebtedness, and taxes from calculations to determine the passive loss limitation in connection with rental real estate activity in which a noncorporate taxpayer actively or materially participates.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Provides that a court-ordered allocation of military retired pay to a former spouse of a member of the armed forces which is based upon the treatment of such retired pay as property of both the member and the former spouse shall terminate upon the remarriage of the former spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Labor, in cooperation with the ACTION Agency, should publicize and promote projects under the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Older American Community Service Employment Program that encourage and recruit older individuals to provide child care services in community-based child care centers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Directs the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force to prescribe regulations to ensure that National Guard technicians are protected from certain adverse employment actions (i.e. removal, suspension, grade reduction, or furlough) in the same manner as are Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Amends Federal provisions relating to the National Guard to include positions held by civilian technicians of the National Guard within the competitive service. Provides that service performed by such technicians prior to the effective date of this Act shall be considered competitive service for purposes of eligibility for certain Federal benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
United States Coast Guard Bicentennial Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design, strike, and sell a medal in commemoration of the bicentennial of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1990. Requires the design of the medal to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Commission of Fine Arts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Amends Federal law to require the reverse side of the first coin redesigned to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution for a two-year period. Provides that the design on the obverse side of U.S. coins shall contain the likenesses of those displayed on current coins and shall be considered for redesign. Requires any such obverse redesigns to conform to the inscription requirements of current law. Requires U.S. coins to be redesigned, at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, over the next six years. Requires the Secretary, in selecting new designs, to consider specified constitutional concepts. Requires the designs to be selected by the Secretary upon consultation with the United States Commission of Fine Arts. Requires that any profits from the sale of uncirculated and proof sets of U.S. coins be deposited in the Treasury and used solely to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Directs the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial and museum on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its immediate area to honor World War II veterans and to commemorate U.S. participation in that conflict. Directs the Commission to plan, design, construct, and oversee the operation of the memorial and museum. Specifies that such design shall provide for accessibility by, and accommodations for, the physically handicapped. Establishes the World War II Memorial and Museum Advisory Board to: (1) promote the establishment of the memorial and museum and encourage the donation of private funds for construction maintenance; (2) recommend the site and select the design for the memorial and museum, subject to the approval of the Commission; and (3) transmit annual reports on its activities to the Congress. Authorizes the Commission to solicit private contributions for such memorial and museum. Establishes a fund in the Treasury which shall be made available to the Commission to carry out this Act. Authorizes Federal funding, in addition to such private funds, for site preparation, design, planning, establishment, construction, maintenance, and operation of the memorial and museum. Authorizes assistance from specified Federal departments and agencies, including the Library of Congress. Authorizes Federal property to be transferred to the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to purchase suitable property within the District of Columbia for the establishment of such memorial and museum.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Information Dissemination and Research Accountability Act - Establishes in the National Library of Medicine a National Center for Research Accountability to assist in eliminating duplication of effort in Federal research proposals involving live animals. Prohibits Federal agencies from carrying out or funding any research proposal involving live animals unless the proposal is submitted to the Center following agency approval. Prohibits Federal funding of any proposal the Center determines would duplicate other research completed or in process. Authorizes the Center to contract with private entities to assist in conducting comprehensive full-text literature searches. Directs the Center to report annually to the President and the Congress. Provides for modernization of biomedical information storage and dissemination by the National Library of Medicine. Authorizes the Library to award contracts to the private-sector data recording industry to improve: (1) the development of technologies for storage and dissemination of full-text biomedical information; and (2) dissemination of such information to medical libraries for research use. Requires the Library to report annually to the Congress on its progress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and thereafter.
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
Prohibits payments under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act unless the recipient is either: (1) a permanent U.S. resident who actually resides in the United States for at least six months in any one calendar year; or (2) a U.S. citizen at the time benefits become payable.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax exclusion of amounts received under qualified group legal services plans. (Under current law the exclusion expired as of January 1, 1989.)
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Repeals provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that restrict the types of scholarships and fellowship grants that may be excluded from gross income for income tax purposes. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for interest on a qualified educational loan incurred to pay the educational expenses of the taxpayer, spouse, or dependent. Eliminates the current requirement that such indebtedness be secured by an interest in real property.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to exclude, beginning with FY 1990, 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 · 3 January 1989
Tax Fairness for Farmers, Ranchers, and Small Businessmen Act of 1989 - Amends estate tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from recapture any use valuation benefits of a qualified heir who rents the property to another qualified heir on a net cash basis. Applies this provision retroactively in connection with the estates of decedents dying after 1976. Repeals provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that eliminated income averaging. Increases from 25 percent to 50 percent the allowable income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals and makes the deduction permanent (under current law it will expire after tax year 1989). Allows a one-time exclusion from gross income of up to $125,000 of gain realized by a farmer from the sale or exchange of land used for farming or ranching during the ten-year period preceding the sale. Permits a full investment tax credit carryforward to certain farmers (current law requires a 35 percent reduction).
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Relinquishes all U.S. interests under a conservation easement in specified lands in Wood County, Texas, whenever a water resource project that will affect such land is started on or by January 1, 2000.
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
Cable Subscriber Protection Act of 1989 - Amends Federal copyright laws to subject certain secondary transmissions by cable systems to compulsory licensing if: (1) such transmissions take place entirely within the local service area of the primary transmitter and the cable system complies with specified requirements of the Communications Act of 1934; or (2) such transmission takes place wholly or partially beyond the local service area of the primary transmitter. Requires in both instances that carriage of the signals be permissible under Federal Communications Commission rules. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define the must-carry requirements with which cable service providers must comply. Redefines "local service area of a primary transmitter."
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from acquiring any water resource land or accepting any conservation easement affecting water resource land for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unless: (1) the acquisition or granting of the easement is specifically approved by the legislature of the affected State; and (2) the acquisition or easement is subject to express written guarantees of access by the general public to the land concerned at all times.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Provides that the Tax Reform Act of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if the three-year basis recovery rule applicable to government employees' annuities had not been repealed.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Federal Employees Health Benefits Reform Act - Increases the amount of the Government's contribution for an employee enrolled in an employee health benefits plan from 60 to 75 percent of the average subscription charge for such plan. Increases the maximum Government contribution for an enrollee from 75 to 100 percent of such subscription charge. Requires payment of a Government differential equal to five percent of the average subscription charge, in addition to the Government's contribution, for any enrollee who is over 65 years of age and not entitled to Medicare benefits. Excludes such differential in determining the amount to be paid by the enrollee. Permits certain persons to elect to continue coverage under a Federal employees' health benefits plan for a specified period. Requires such persons who elect to continue coverage to pay into the Employees Health Benefits Fund an amount equal to the sum of employee and agency contributions paid for the same level of benefits. Allows annuitants whose annuity is less than the amount required to be withheld for enrollment in a health benefits plan to pay the amount of any deficiency required for enrollment. Requires contracts for employee organization plans to require carriers to: (1) enter into an agreement approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) with an underwriting subcontractor licensed to issue group health insurance in all States and the District of Columbia; and (2) meet minimum financial standards prescribed by OPM. Requires the service benefit plan and the indemnity benefit plan to provide, in addition to all currently authorized benefits: (1) nervous and mental disorder benefits; (2) alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation benefits; and (3) comprehensive dental benefits. Prohibits the OPM from entering into a contract with a carrier for any health benefits plan which does not provide 95 percent of the benefits that such plan or the most similar plan provided during the preceding year, unless the carrier and the OPM mutually agree to waive such requirement. Prohibits the OPM from entering into a contract for a health benefits plan which excludes anyone because of nonactive employee status.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Federal Employees Health Care Freedom-of-Choice Act - Amends provisions relating to Federal employee health benefits to authorize direct payment or reimbursement for services performed by a: (1) chiropractor; (2) marriage family therapist; (3) nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, and any other nurse; and (4) mental health counselor. Declares that this Act does not supersede or preempt any State or local law which relates to licensing or certification of health practitioners.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Organ Transplant Assistance Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to indicate on their income tax returns their election to include a cash contribution of at least one dollar, to be used for organ transplant assistance. Establishes in the Treasury the National Organ Transplant Assistance Trust Fund to receive such amounts designated on tax returns. Establishes a program through which Trust Fund monies will be used to finance grants to health care facilities where organ transplants are performed to assist them in providing transplants for individuals unable to afford them. Sets forth general criteria to govern these grants.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage to include expenses incurred in providing a Papanicolaou test for the diagnosis of uterine cancer, if the individual receiving the test has not had such a test on a routine basis during the preceding six months.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent be reduced by the amount such individual receives in monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove charitable contributions of appreciated capital gain property as an item of tax preference for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.
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
Foreign Ownership Disclosure Act of 1989 - Requires any foreign person who holds or acquires a significant interest in a U.S. property or a controlling interest in a U.S. business enterprise to register with the Secretary of Commerce. Requires that any changes in registration information be disclosed in an amended registration. Sets forth penalties for the failure to comply with registration requirements. Defines a "significant interest" in U.S. property as more than five percent of the total equity or ownership interests in assets or real property having a market value or gross sales in excess of specified amounts. Defines a "controlling interest" in a U.S. business enterprise as more than 25 percent of the total equity or ownership interests in a business enterprise having assets or gross sales in excess of specified amounts. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress concerning: (1) the extent and effects of foreign investment in the United States; and (2) the effectiveness and efficiency of the registration and reporting requirements of this Act. Directs the Secretary to compile a registry of foreign investments in the United States. Limits access to the information in such registry.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Title I: Water Resources Authority of the Geological Survey - Geological Survey Water Resources Organic Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Geological Survey, to undertake research, investigations, appraisals, surveys, and related activities regarding the Nation's water resources. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with other government agencies and to perform such activities on a reimbursable basis, as specified. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992. Title II: Ground Water Research - National Ground Water Research Act of 1989 - Directs the President to coordinate groundwater related activities conducted by Federal agencies. Requires the President to assist States in the conduct of such activities, including disseminating information. Directs the President to establish an Interagency Ground Water Research Committee to coordinate research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, training, and information dissemination activities related to groundwater conducted by the Federal agencies, including establishing priorities. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to prepare a report assessing groundwater quality and quantity information systems and data collection and monitoring. Requires the Secretary to submit such report to the Congress with biennial updates. Directs the Secretary to conduct a national groundwater assessment program to assist State and local governments in managing groundwater resources and designing monitoring programs, including recommending protocols to assist such governments in meeting their data collection responsibilities under specified Federal environmental statutes. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and coordinate a research, development, and demonstration program for the protection and management of groundwater resources, including surveys, the development of cost-effective prevention, detection, and mitigation techniques, and the provision of technical assistance. Sets forth demonstration project selection criteria and procedures, based upon the seriousness of the contaminant addressed and a project's applicability to other locations and circumstances. Requires that such project be monitored and evaluated by the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to pay the costs of such evaluation, but limits Federal cost sharing for the project in general. Directs the Administrator to conduct and publish a risk assessment analysis for significant groundwater contaminants according to a standard format and prescribed schedule. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator each to establish a technical assistance program to serve other Federal and governmental agencies, including conducting research, surveys, training, and technology transfer. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a National Groundwater Information Clearinghouse. Directs the Administrator to establish a media-specific research committee for groundwater resources. Directs the Science Advisory Board established by the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1978 to review and report to the Congress on EPA's groundwater research programs. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and maintain research fellowships. Directs the Administrator to make grants for groundwater research institutes which are to be located in areas making significant use of groundwater. Requires that funds be equitably distributed throughout the United States and that one of the institutes be the National Center for Ground Water Research, a consortium between Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Rice Universities. Limits the Federal share to 50 percent of costs and earmarks funds for technology transfer. Requires the Administrator to review and evaluate such institutes and subjects the institute's research to peer review. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Army to consider the impact on groundwater when evaluating new water resource projects. Authorizes modifications in existing projects to protect groundwater. Requires the Administrator, in cooperation with New Jersey and relevant local governments, to study and report on: (1) the feasibility of removing volatile groundwater contaminants in the New Jersey coastal plain by induced air phase transport; and (2) the problem of trace metal leaching by corrosive groundwater in such coastal plain. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with California and relevant local agencies, to study and report on the feasibility of groundwater replenishment with treated wastewater and of the potential of groundwater contamination through exfiltration of sewage from sewer systems of publicly owned treatment works. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with New York State and relevant local governments, to study and report on the pollution of the Buffalo River by contaminated groundwater in Erie County. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Army, to conduct a research and demonstration program at the Lake Okeechobee ecosystem, Florida, on the relationship between ground and surface water quality and the management and control of aquatic plants. Requires that methods developed be adaptable to other circumstances and be made available to State and local governments. Requires the solicitation of information from other sources, such as scientists and management personnel. Requires the Administrator and the Secretary each to report to the Congress on such program and demonstration project, authorizing other Federal agencies to utilize such report. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress on groundwater generally and groundwater programs conducted pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Title III: Agricultural Production and Water Use - Agricultural Ground Water Management Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to investigate and report to the Congress on the relationship between agricultural practices and water use and quality, including current and projected status and efforts. Requires the Administrator and the Secretary to conduct a joint study of the impact on groundwater and agricultural interests of proposals to dredge from the Hudson River sediments which contain PCBs and dispose of such sediments on land. Directs the Secretary to establish an Agricultural Nitrogen Best Management Practices Task Force to report to the Secretary and the Congress on agricultural best management practices, systems, and technologies for reducing or mitigating any negative effects of agricultural nitrogen on water quality. Authorizes appropriations for three fiscal years. Title IV: Ground Water Radium Contamination - Authorizes the Administrator to assist local governments in demonstrating mitigation of radium contamination in groundwater where such groundwater is used as a source of public drinking water in small communities and the contamination exceeds the level established under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for such program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Federal Employees' Political Activities Act of 1989 - Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of any election. Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority to intimidate, threaten, coerce, command, or influence: (1) any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of any individual to vote as the individual may choose, or of causing any individual to vote, or not to vote, for any candidate or measure in any election; (2) any person to give or withhold any political contribution; or (3) any person to engage, or not to engage, in any form of political activity. Prohibits an employee from using, attempting to use, or permitting the use of any official information, unless such information is available to the general public. Prohibits an employee from: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or to refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; (2) soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; or (3) giving or handing over a political contribution to a superior of the employee. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving, or from being in any manner concerned with soliciting, accepting, or receiving, a political contribution: (1) from another employee (or a member of another employee's immediate family) with respect to whom the employee is a superior; or (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official or an individual receiving salary or compensation from the Treasury. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution from, or giving a political contribution to, any person who: (1) has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business or financial relations with the employing agency; (2) conducts operations or activities which are regulated by that agency; or (3) has interests which may be substantially affected by the performance of the employee's official duties. Directs the Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board to prescribe regulations which exempt employees from such prohibitions. Prohibits an employee from engaging in political activity: (1) while on duty; (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official; (3) while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee; or (4) while using any vehicle owned or leased by the Government. Exempts certain high level political appointees from such prohibitions if the costs associated with the political activity are not paid for by money derived from the Treasury. Authorizes leave without pay or accrued annual leave to an employee who is a candidate, upon request, to allow such employee to engage in activities relating to that candidacy. Declares that such request may be denied if the exigencies of the public business so require. Declares that such employee may be required to take leave without pay or accrued annual leave in order to be a candidate if activities relating to the candidacy interfere with the employee's performance of duties. Applies this Act to postal employees and employees of the Postal Rate Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Anti-Terrorism and Arms Export Amendments Act of 1989 - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the Government or U.S. persons from exporting or providing munitions items to, or facilitating (through loans, credits, guarantees, or other financial assistance) the acquisition of munitions by, any country, or any individual or group in a country, which, as determined by the Secretary of State, has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. Permits the rescission of a determination of the Secretary only after the President makes specified certifications to the Congress concerning the country involved. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition with respect to transactions determined to be vital to national security after consulting with, and reporting to, the Congress. Exempts from such prohibition transactions subject to reporting requirements of the National Security Act of 1947. Authorizes additional waivers pursuant to authority under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 in exceptional circumstances where time is of the essence and the President consults with and submits a report to the Congress at least 24 hours prior to granting such a waiver. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties for violations of this Act. Requires the Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, in making decisions concerning the issuance of export licenses, to consider whether the export of an article will support international terrorism. Requires the Director's evaluation of an arms sale submitted to the Congress to include an evaluation of whether the sale would support international terrorism. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to require a validated license for the export of goods or technology to a country if the Secretary determines that: (1) such country has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism; and (2) such exports could contribute to the military potential of such country or would enhance the ability of such country to support acts of international terrorism. Removes the $1,000,000 threshold for notification to the Congress of the issuance of an export license. Revises the President's authority to rescind the Secretary's determination. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit the provision of any assistance under such Act, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, the Peace Corps Act, or the Export-Import Bank Act to any country which the Secretary determines has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. Authorizes the President to: (1) rescind such a determination only after making specified certifications to the Congress concerning the country involved; and (2) waive such prohibition for national security interests or humanitarian reasons only after consulting with, and reporting to, the Congress. Requires the President, in order to rescind a determination by the Secretary that a country supports international terrorism, to certify to the Congress that: (1) there has been a fundamental change in the leadership and policies of the government concerned and such government is not supporting acts of international terrorism and has provided assurances not to do so in the future; or (2) the government concerned has not provided any support for international terrorism during the preceding six-month period and has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to specify that any presidential designation to place a defense item on the munitions list shall be final and conclusive and shall not be subject to judicial review. Directs the President to include in required quarterly reports to the Congress concerning military exports a listing of: (1) all consents granted to third-party transfers of defense articles or defense services exceeding $1,000,000 in value; and (2) munitions items exceeding $250,000 in value transferred by the Department of Defense to other agencies of the U.S. Government, excluding items transferred for use within the United States or for intelligence activities subject to other reporting requirements under the National Security Act of 1947. Revises requirements for reporting the use of foreign assistance funds where it is inadvisable to specify the nature of the use of such funds to require that such a report be transmitted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives rather than to the Speaker of the House. Amends the Hostage Act to specify that the President may not use any means otherwise prohibited by law in attempting to cause the release of U.S. citizens imprisoned by foreign governments. (Current law specifies that the President may not use any means amounting to acts of war.) Specifies that the use by any government of armed force in the exercise of individual or collective self-defense in accordance with applicable international agreements and customary international law shall not be considered an act of international terrorism for purposes of this Act.
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
Requires that the President's budget proposal to the Congress and the budgets reported by the congressional budget committees reflect a balanced budget for each fiscal year, beginning with FY 1990. Authorizes both the President and the committees to submit alternative budgets that provide for a surplus or deficit upon determining that a balanced budget would be inappropriate for a particular fiscal year. Requires an alternative budget to include a comprehensive plan for balancing the budget.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit Federal expenditures from exceeding revenues during any fiscal year, except in time of war declared by the Congress or in a period of economic necessity declared by congressional joint resolution. States that it shall not be in order in either the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider or adopt a concurrent resolution on the budget that does not meet this standard. Requires the President's budget to comply with the same standard. Directs the President to take action (by placing funds in reserve, by apportionment of funds, or otherwise) necessary to ensure such compliance, notwithstanding obligational authority or appropriations made within the executive branch.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Tech-Prep Education Act - Amends the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act to establish a program of grants to consortia of local educational agencies and community colleges to provide tech-prep education programs. Defines "tech-prep education program" as a combined secondary and postsecondary program which: (1) leads to an associate degree or two-year certificate; (2) provides technical preparation in at least one field of engineering technology, applied science, or mechanical, industrial, or practical art or trade; (3) provides competence in mathematics, science, and communications (including through applied academics); and (4) leads to placement in employment. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to pay the Federal share of the cost of activities carried out under this Act to consortia of: (1) local educational agencies or area vocational schools serving secondary school students; and (2) community colleges or postsecondary vocational technical schools. Sets forth the Federal share. Requires each grant recipient to use the grant funds to develop and operate a four-year technical preparation education program with specified curricula. Sets forth application and reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Allows the Secretary of Defense to provide military personnel and equipment to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Customs Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Aviation Administration for the detection and interdiction of unlawfully transported controlled substances.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Public Utility Holding Company Modernization Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 with respect to unlawful transactions by registered public utility holding companies to permit a subsidiary company which is neither a holding company nor a public utility company to issue and sell securities solely for the purpose of financing its business. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to exempt a subsidiary of a registered holding company from the proscription against the issuance or selling of its own securities (including the alteration of stockholder rights to such securities) if such transactions are solely for its business and have been expressly authorized by the State regulatory authority. Permits a registered holding company to acquire: (1) business interests of a non-public utility nature whose book value aggregates 15 percent of its total consolidated assets; and (2) additional business interests which the Commission finds consistent with the public interest or the protection of investors or consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Arctic Coastal Plain Leasing Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. States that this Act shall be considered the primary land management authorization for all exploration and production activities on the Coastal Plain. Provides that no land management review shall be required except as specifically authorized by this Act. Mandates that all receipts from sales, rentals, bonuses, and royalties on leases under this Act be deposited into the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that oil and gas exploration and transportation activities are conducted to achieve the reasonable protection of animal and environmental resources (including subsistence uses of the Coastal Plain). States that the "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Coastal Plain Resource Assessment," prepared by the Secretary, satisfies all legal requirements for such promulgation and that no further studies or assessments shall be required. Directs the Secretary to provide impact aid and other assistance to communities on the North Slope and elsewhere in Alaska in order to ensure the public services needed to accommodate oil and gas production and transportation activities on the Coastal Plain.
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
Social Security Reorganization Act of 1989 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Commissioner of Social Security; (2) an Office of Hearings and Appeals, to be headed by a Chief Administrative Law Judge; (3) a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security; (4) a General Counsel; (5) a Chief Actuary; (6) an Office of Policy and Legislation, to be headed by a Director of Policy and Legislation; (7) an Inspector General; and (8) an Office of the Ombudsman, to be headed by a Social Security Ombudsman who shall represent the concerns of the public regarding the OASDI and SSI programs to the Commissioner, the Board, and the President, and conduct studies and surveys of the administrative effectiveness and program policy goals of the agency. Establishes a Citizens' Advisory Committee within the Office of the Ombudsman to prepare and transmit to the Congress a biennial report assessing the administration and objectives of the OASDI and SSI programs. Authorizes the Committee to request, and assist in the preparation of, ombudsman studies and surveys of the agency's administration of the OASDI and SSI programs. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Transfers to the Administration functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth a beneficiary bill of rights under which: (1) all individuals are required to be treated fairly by the Board, the Commissioner, and the Secretary; (2) the Board, the Commissioner, and the Secretary are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of age, sex, race, creed, color, handicap, national origin, or economic condition; (3) the Commissioner and the Secretary should maintain prompt, professional, and effective service which is accessible and responsive to the community; (4) benefit payments are to be timely and proper; (5) a personal conference with an official or employee of the agency or Department of Health and Human Services is to be accorded to a beneficiary adversely affected by a determination of the Commissioner or the Secretary; and (6) a beneficiary is to receive, with respect to appealable administrative matters, a full, fair, and impartial evidentiary hearing before an administrative law judge. Sets forth effective date and transitional rule provisions. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Program and an Advisory Council on Health and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation of the trust funds supporting the OASDI program and the Medicare program and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each trust fund. Title III: Management of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund - Amends the OASDI and Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) programs to direct the Managing Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (trust funds) to immediately invest that portion of the trust funds which is not required for current withdrawals. Requires the investment of amounts in the OASDI trust funds to be made in accordance with policies established by the Social Security Board. Prohibits the sale and redemption of trust fund assets or the expenditure of trust fund amounts for purposes other than those specified in titles II and XVIII of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Repeals estate tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to inclusion in the gross estate of the value of certain types of transfers with a retained life estate. Applies the repeal retroactively in connection with property transferred after December 17, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress and the President, prior to each fiscal year, to agree on an estimate of total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year by enactment of a joint single subject resolution. Prohibits outlays for that year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding this amount unless the Congress, by a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires the Congress, whenever actual outlays exceed actual receipts for any fiscal year, to provide by law for the repayment of the excess in the ensuing fiscal year. Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of the total membership of each House by rollcall vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Declares that the Secretary of Transportation should refrain from adopting regulations to implement Essential Air Service reductions for 1989 and from taking action that would result in a reduction in Essential Air Service subsidies, until the Congress has had the opportunity to appropriate supplemental funding for the Essential Air Service Program for FY 1989.
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.
![Official portrait of Rep. Chapman, Jim [D-TX-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000312_200.jpg)