United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1988
Commodity Exchange Option Reform Amendments of 1988 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to state that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall have exclusive jurisdiction to designate a board of trade for any put, call, or option. Repeals the provision regarding Commission submission of certain contract market designation applications for Securities and Exchange Commission review.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1988
District of Columbia Revenue Bond Act of 1988 - Waives the period of congressional review for certain District of Columbia Acts authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of revenue bonds by specified organizations. Makes such Acts effective upon enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1988
Amends rule XXIV and rule I of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the rendering of the Pledge of Allegiance in the House at the start of each legislative day.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1988
Drought Assistance Act of 1988 - Title I: Emergency Livestock Assistance - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to add a new title VI which may be cited as the "Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988." Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency feed assistance in any State, county, or area of a State where disease or other natural disaster has created a livestock emergency. States that the Governor of a State or a county committee may request the Secretary to make a livestock emergency determination and to provide assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make such determination on his own initiative. Requires the Secretary to make such determination within 30 days of request and to notify the requesting party of any proposed action. States that producers in counties eligible for the emergency feed or emergency feed assistance programs in 1988 shall maintain such eligibility and be eligible for assistance under this title. Directs the Secretary to determine such counties' eligibility for assistance under this title. States that an eligible producer may receive assistance as follows: (1) assistance to offset inadequate feed stocks resulting from on-farm losses; and (2) assistance to maintain foundation herds if the producer does not have, and is unable to obtain through normal channels without undue cost, necessary feed stocks. Sets forth the following assistance programs available under this title: (1) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) feed donations and reduced price sales; (2) partial reimbursement of feed purchase expenses; and (3) partial reimbursement of transportation and handling costs for such CCC feed, for hay, and for transporting livestock to and from available grazing areas (not to exceed $24 a head). Permits the Secretary to: (1) make in-kind payments; and (2) provide assistance through feed dealers or manufacturers. Authorizes the Secretary to provide the following additional assistance if necessary: (1) CCC feed donations for stranded and unidentified livestock, including transportation costs; (2) water assistance; and (3) CCC catalog commodities in lots appropriate to family farmers. Limits total assistance under this title for each livestock disaster to any one person to $50,000. Subjects each person (including individual members of a cooperative producer association) to the overall payment limitation ($100,000) under this Act. Prohibits a person from receiving assistance under this title for lost feed production due to the 1988 drought to the extent that such person receives production disaster payments under this Act. Subjects persons who misuse such assistance to a civil penalty equal to the market value of the involved fee, and a fine of up to $1000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to repeal the Secretary's authority to reduce 1989 milk price supports (50-cents per hundredweight). Title II: Disaster Payment - Provides that, for producers of the 1988 crops of wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, or rice who participated in the production adjustment program under the Agricultural Act of 1949, the Secretary shall make disaster payments to those producers who have suffered at least 35 percent production losses due to the 1988 drought or related condition. States that such payments shall be made at a rate equal to 65 percent of the established price for deficiencies below 65 percent. Exempts such producers from advance deficiency repayments for up to 35 percent of crop losses. Permits eligible producers who had elected not to receive such payments prior to enactment of this Act to change their decision. Provides similar disaster payments to producers who did not participate in such production adjustment program. Bases payments on the basic county loan rate (or comparable price). Provides similar disaster payments to producers of the 1988 crops of peanuts, tobacco, sugar beets, and sugarcane. Bases payments for peanuts and tobacco on the basic county loan rate (or comparable price), and for sugar beets and sugarcane on 1988 price support levels. Provides for prevented planting credit. Sets forth special payment provisions for peanuts, including deficiency payments based on quota and additional peanuts. Provides similar disaster payments to producers of the 1988 soybean and nonprogram crops. Bases payments on a specified percentage of the average market price received in three of the last five years (excluding high and low years). Provides for prevented planting credit. Reduces payments to producers with Federal crop insurance under a specified crop-type determination. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer CCC funds during FY 1988 to the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service to carry out the provisions of this title. Directs the Secretary, within 15 days after enactment of this Act, to announce the terms by which producers may prove their yield on crops harvested for silage or other forage uses. Directs the Secretary to make disaster payments under this title in the form of cash, commodities, or commodity certificates. Limits individuals to $100,000 in disaster payments. Limits a person to $100,000 of combined assistance for crop disaster assistance and livestock disaster assistance. Permits a person to elect which form of assistance to receive. Prohibits a person from receiving disaster payments attributable to 1988 drought-caused crop losses to the extent that such person receives livestock emergency benefits for such lost production under the Agricultural Act of 1949. Title III: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Commodity Stock Adjustment - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary, if an acreage limitation program is in effect for 1989 and 1990, to permit producers to plant soybeans or sunflowers on between ten percent and 35 percent of permitted crop acreage. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should provide export assistance for cottonseeds and sunflower seeds if such crop prices are adversely affected by soybean and sunflower plantings under this title. Directs the Secretary to permit producers to designate any portion of their 1989 or 1990 farm acreage base for oats if the feed grain acreage base for such years is less than 12.5 percent. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, with respect to the 1989 and 1990 feed grain crops, if such crops' acreage limitation percentage exceeds 12.5 percent the Secretary should establish the lowest possible oats acreage limitation if market imbalances for barley and oats exist. Provides that, effective for the 1988 marketing year for wheat and feed grains, producers may repay specified commodity loans without additional interest or other specified charges if the producer reserve program trigger level has been met. Provides that, if during the 1988 marketing year the Secretary permits producers to place wheat and feed grains into the producer reserve, no storage payments nor interest forgiveness shall be permitted on such stored commodities during the marketing year. Subtitle B: Disaster Credit and Forbearance - Directs the Secretary to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that Farmers Home Administration direct operating loans for 1989 crop production are made available to producers suffering major losses resulting from the 1988 drought or related condition. Directs the Secretary to make available in FY 1989 specified operating loan guarantees, in addition to existing purposes for such guarantees, to refinance and reamortize 1988 operating debt resulting from major farming or ranching losses resulting from the drought or related condition. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should exercise forbearance in debt collection and encourage similar actions by commercial lenders and expedited loan restructuring with respect to producers suffering major drought losses. Subtitle C: Conservation and Water Assistance - Provides that with respect to a producer who harvested hay during the 1988 crop year on conservation reserve program acreage, such producer's rental payments shall not be reduced to the extent that he or she shares the cost of carrying out practices designed to enhance soil, water, and wildlife conservation on such land (or in the vicinity of such land) in accordance with a Soil Conservation Service approved plan. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) undertake water-problem related projects, including research, grants, technical assistance, loans, and extension services; (2) cooperate with other Federal agencies, State or local units, or public or private entities; and (3) accept funds from non-Federal sources to carry out such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Rural Businesses - Directs the Secretary to make rural industrialization loans or loan guarantees during FY 1989 to assist rural businesses (including cooperatives) adversely affected by the 1988 drought or related condition. Requires any such loan to meet applicable Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act eligibility requirements. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, to conduct a survey of agriculture-related rural businesses to determine the adverse effects of the 1988 drought and report to the appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1988
President's Pro-Life Act of 1988 - Prohibits the use of Federal funds for abortions, except when continuing the pregnancy would endanger the mother's life.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1988
Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from adopting revisions of the rules and policies in the proceeding "Policy and Rules Concerning Rates for Dominant Carrier," CC Docket 87-313, unless the changes expressly provide for: (1) the proper functioning of the long-term support mechanisms for the carrier common line rates administered by the National Exchange Carrier Association; (2) the maintenance of uniform nationwide long distance rates by dominant interexchange carriers; and (3) the use of an industry-wide rate of return to determine costs for access tariffs and to calculate the Universal Service Fund. Requires the FCC to report to the Congress the compliance of revisions with these conditions. Postpones effectiveness of any rule or policy revisions until 60 days have elapsed during which both Houses of the Congress are in session.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1988
Makes the legal defense of discretionary function provided under specified Federal law and the legal doctrine of foreseeability of damages inapplicable to any legal or administrative proceeding for damages arising out of U.S. violation of occupational safety or health standards or U.S. negligence at any workplace owned or operated by or under contract with the United States. Prohibits the foreseeability doctrine from being used to limit the amount or kind of damages otherwise available to the plaintiff. Establishes a National Registry of Government Litigants, within the U.S. Claims Court, to collect and maintain data regarding claims against the United States predicated (in whole or in part) upon U.S. violation of safety and health standards. Allows any person seeking damages from the United States on the basis (in whole or part) of harm resulting from U.S. violation of safety and health standards to file a notice of such fact with the U.S. Claims Court, within 30 days after commencement of such action (whether administrative or judicial in character). Directs the chief judge of the U.S. Claims Court to report annually to the Congress on the number of, and relevant facts and common characteristics underlying, such notices filed within the Registry.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1988
Uranium Revitalization, Tailings Reclamation and Enrichment Act of 1988 - Expresses the purposes of this Act, including to ensure a domestic supply of uranium for defense and nuclear power programs and to establish a system for financing reclamation at uranium and thorium processing sites. Title I: Uranium Revitalization - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to repeal: (1) the authority of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to enter into contracts for producing or enriching special nuclear material; and (2) the requirement that the Secretary of Energy monitor the viability of the domestic uranium mining and milling industry and report to the Congress thereon. Establishes the Uranium Revitalization Fund for the purchase of domestic uranium by the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary). Mandates contributions to the Fund from: (1) States in which active uranium processing sites are located; (2) owners or licensees of such active sites; (3) the United States Enrichment Corporation (established by this Act); and (4) fees received from owners or operators of civilian nuclear power reactors. Prescribes a contribution schedule. Requires the Secretary to obligate from the Fund certain amounts for domestic uranium purchases from small domestic producers for specified years. Outlines a competitive bidding system for such pruchases. Requires the Secretary, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, to develop recommendations and implement programs promoting domestic uranium exports. Restricts the use of federally-owned natural uranium stockpiles to: (1) military purposes; (2) Federal research; and (3) certain activities of the United States Enrichment Corporation (the Corporation). Requires annual certification to the Secretary of the total weight of uranium in new fuel assemblies loaded during the past year by owners or operators of civilian nuclear power reactors between 1990 and such year that $1,000,000,000 has been contributed to the Fund. Declares that the use and purchase of natural uranium under this Act shall not decrease the demand for natural uranium by United States utilities. Restricts the use of natural uranium purchased by the Corporation to overfeeding and enriched uranium preproduction. Authorizes the Corporation to use or recycle enrichment tails only for military purposes or for replacement of certain uranium previously used in over-feeding. Title II: Remedial Action Performed by the Owner or Licensee of Active Sites - Provides that remedial action with respect to uranium shall be performed according to statutory guidelines by the site owner or licensee at the active site. Requires that such owners' reclamation expenses be reimbursed from the Uranium Revitalization Fund. Identifies the active sites that qualify for such reimbursement. Authorizes the owners or licensees of such sites to elect to perform remedial actions through the Fund and be entitled to reimbursement for such actions. Requires notification of the Secretary of such election on or before January 1, 1990. Outlines the reimbursement procedure. Provides that the costs of remedial actions at active thorium sites shall be borne by the licensee or owner, subject to Federal reimbursement for a portion of the costs if the tailings were generated as an incident of sale to the United States. Authorizes appropriations. States that the sole liability and financial obligation under Federal law for remedial action at active uranium and thorium sites shall consist of the contributions and work performed by active site owners or licensees. Title III: United States Enrichment Corporation - Establishes the United States Enrichment Corporation as a wholly-owned Government corporation to acquire, operate, and market uranium enrichment activities on a commercial, profitable basis. Mandates that its corporate structure be self-financing in order to obviate the need for Federal financing. States that the Corporation Administrator shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Establishes an Advisory Board to review Corporation policies and performance. Transfers certain Department of Energy property to the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to establish charges to its customers that will recover costs of decommissioning and decontamination of Corporation property. Requires the Corporation to report annually regarding its activities to the President and certain congressional committees. Requires the Commission to promulgate licensing regulations for facilities employing gaseous diffusion technology. Sets guidelines for payments in lieu of taxes by the Corporation to States and local governments. Directs the Secretary to indemnify Corporation contractors for nuclear hazards incidents as if such contractors were contractors of the Secretary. Requires the Administrator to make recommendations to the President and the Congress five years after enactment of this Act regarding the transfer of the Corporation's functions and assets to private ownership. Establishes the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund to cover the Corporation's decommissioning and decontamination expenses. Applies Federal environmental and occupational safety and health law to the Corporation as though it were privately owned. Eliminates the treatment of uranium enrichment facilities as production facilities under the Atomic Energy Act with respect to the importation of such facilities into the United States (thus subjecting them to less stringent licensing requirements). Repeals the proscription against the use of specified appropriations for Federal uranium supply and enrichment activities. Prohibits the Corporation's total FY 1989 expenditures from exceeding its total FY 1989 receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1988
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Federal law governing the taxation of State and local government bonds should not be changed in order to increase Federal revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government of Nicaragua should: (1) fulfill its pledge in the Esquipulas II agreement to grant a general amnesty to all political prisoners; (2) cease inhumane torture and holding prisoners incommunicado; (3) end random arrests for purposes of political intimidation; (4) allow human rights observers in all parts of prison facilities; (5) compensate former political prisoners; and (6) cease human rights violations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1988
Finds that recent events in Panama indicate a political environment in which the Government of Panama is becoming increasingly unstable and more hostile toward the United States. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should submit an unclassified report to the Congress addressing: (1) the stability of the Panamanian Government; (2) the likelihood of compliance by the Panamanian Government with the Neutrality Treaty and the Statement of Understanding guaranteeing transit of vessels, including U.S. war vessels, through the Panama Canal; (3) U.S. options regarding the transfer of the Canal; and (4) U.S. options, following transfer of the Canal to Panama, if the Canal is being used for illicit drug trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1988
Comprehensive Anti-Drugs Act of 1988 - Title I: Demand Reduction and User Accountability - Subtitle A: User Accountability Act of 1988 - Makes any individual who is convicted of two or more drug or narcotic offenses, or any offense consisting of the distribution of a controlled substance, ineligible for Federal benefits for a specified period. Authorizes the Attorney General to assess a civil penalty on any person who violates the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA), or the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. Directs that the proceeds from any penalty be allocated equally to drug education, treatment, and State and local narcotics assistance as the Attorney General shall prescribe. Limits the amount of such penalty. Directs the Attorney General to study the feasibility of prosecuting Federal drug-related offenses in a manner alternative or supplemental to the current criminal justice system and to report the results of such study to the Congress. Provides for the withholding of Federal highway funds to States which do not have in effect and enforce a law which revokes or suspends for a period of not less than: (1) six months the driver's license of a person who is convicted after the date of the enactment of this Act of a violation of the CSA, or for any drug or narcotic offense chargeable under the law of such State or any other State; and (2) one year the driver's license of a person who, in a five-year period, is convicted of more than one of certain offenses. Provides for the apportionment of withheld funds after compliance and for the use of such funds for other projects in the event of noncompliance. Subtitle B: Drug-Free Schools and Businesses Act of 1988 - Requires, as a condition of receiving any Federal contract or assistance, that the recipient maintain a drug-free workplace or activity. Requires the Federal agency administering such contract or assistance to make the recipient aware of such requirement. Requires the agency to terminate the contract or assistance and not to enter into any further contract or assistance with the recipient until such recipient demonstrates effective compliance if the agency, after an opportunity for an agency hearing on the record, determines that a recipient has not complied with such requirement. Specifies that a good faith effort to maintain a drug-free workplace or activity is sufficient to satisfy the requirement. Subtitle C: Drug Testing in the Federal Criminal Justice System - Requires the Attorney General to provide for the mandatory drug testing and retesting of all arrestees for Federal drug-related offenses. Makes it a mandatory condition of release that the individual refrain from the illegal use of any controlled substance. Makes it a mandatory condition of parole that: (1) the parolee submit to regular drug tests administered under the authority of the person supervising the parolee; and (2) the parolee refrain from the use of any controlled substance without a prescription. Makes the latter requirement a mandatory condition of probation. Provides for the random testing of probationers by each probation officer. Subtitle D: Increased and Expanded Treatment of Drug Abuse - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to provide for the reduction of the waiting period for drug abuse treatment. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities for the purpose of expanding the capacity of grantees to carry out drug abuse treatment programs. Prohibits the Secretary from making a grant to an applicant unless such applicant: (1) is experienced in the delivery of drug abuse treatment services; (2) is, on the date the application is submitted, carrying out a program for the delivery of such services; (3) as a result of the number of requests for admission into the program, is unable to admit any individual any earlier than one month after the date on which the individual makes a request for such admission; and (4) provides satisfactory assurances to the Secretary that, after funding is no longer available under this Act, the applicant will have access to financial resources sufficient to continue the program. Sets forth further conditions on the making of grants under this Act. Requires independent evaluations of federally-funded drug treatment programs and research into methods of such treatment. Requires the Secretary, in carrying out such evaluations, to: (1) assess the comparative effectiveness and costs of the various methods of treatment utilized for specific patient groups; (2) clarify research and treatment objectives and methodologies; and (3) determine whether entities carrying out such programs have organizational biases with respect to such treatment and the extent to which they are contributing to progress in the development of effective methods of treatment. Directs the Secretary to complete the required evaluation and submit a report of the findings to the Congress within one year. Requires the Director of the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Public Health Service to make grants and enter into contracts to establish: (1) support groups for parents and families of individuals who abuse drugs; and (2) counseling and referral services for such parents and families. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation model projects for high risk groups. Authorizes appropriations for a preventive health services block grant. Authorizes appropriations for emergency substance abuse treatment and preventive rehabilitation. Provides for increased State grants for demonstration projects for the provision to expectant mothers of outpatient residential treatment services. Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to exclude from the definition of the term "individual with handicaps" any individual who uses, or is addicted to, illegal drugs, with exceptions. Subtitle E: Drug Education Amendments - Amends the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 to authorize appropriations and require that local applications for grants under such Act describe: (1) the extent and nature of the current illegal drug and alcohol problem in each school of the applicant; (2) the applicant's drug and alcohol policy; and (3) how the applicant will monitor the effectiveness of its program. Requires an applicant to submit to the State educational agency a progress report on the first two fiscal years of its plan in order to receive the third year's funding. Prohibits such agency from awarding funds for the third year unless it determines that such report shows reasonable progress toward accomplishing the objectives of its plan and of this Act. Requires each State to submit an annual report containing specified information on State or local programs. Restricts the amount of funds allocated for use by a State for the administrative costs of the chief executive officer of such State. Allows a small number of individuals who are not high risk youth to participate in programs for high risk youth if their participation does not significantly diminish the amount or quality of services provided. Subtitle F: Drug-Free Public Housing Act of 1988 - Drug-Free Public Housing Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a clearinghouse to collect information regarding drug abuse in public housing projects in order to respond to public inquiries for assistance and provide referrals. Directs the Secretary to establish a regional program for the training of public housing officials to educate them to the widespread abuse of controlled substances in the communities in which they work. Requires that such program be conducted within 12 months after enactment of this Act by a national training unit established by the Secretary. Title II: Drug Law Enforcement - Subtitle A: Death Penalty for Drug Kingpins - Drug Kingpin Act of 1988 - Amends the CSA to subject to the death penalty any individual who intentionally engages in conduct during the course of a continuing criminal enterprise that results in the death of another individual and who is the principal organizer of the enterprise, if the violation involves a specified quantity of a controlled substance. Sets forth procedural safeguards, such as the right of the accused to reasonable notice that the Government will seek the death penalty. Requires the Government to set forth the aggravating factors which it will seek to prove as the basis for such sentence. Authorizes the court to permit the Government attorney to amend such notice upon a showing of good cause. Provides for a separate sentencing hearing to determine punishment in cases where the Government has filed such a notice and the defendant is found or pleads guilty to an offense which might subject him to the death penalty. Permits information to be presented at the sentencing hearing as to any matter relevant to the sentence or to mitigating or aggravating factors, regardless of its admissibility as evidence at criminal trials, unless its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury. Grants the Government and the defendant the opportunity to present and rebut information. Specifies the order and burden of proof. Establishes guidelines for the jury or court to follow in considering the information and returning its findings. Directs the court to sentence the defendant to death upon a finding that such a sentence is justified. Specifies mitigating and aggravating factors to be considered. Directs the judge to instruct the jury that it shall not consider the defendant's race, color, national origin, creed, or sex in reaching its decision. Authorizes the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Sets forth procedures and standards of review for appeals of the death sentence. Subtitle B: Exclusionary Rule Reform - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit otherwise admissible evidence obtained as a result of a search or seizure to be admitted into evidence if such search or seizure was undertaken in an objective, reasonable, good faith belief that it was in conformity with the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. Specifies that a showing that evidence was obtained pursuant to, and within the scope of, a warrant constitutes prima facie evidence of such good faith belief, unless obtained through intentional and material misrepresentation. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations for Prisons and Prosecutors - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 and 1990 of such sums (and for such purposes) as are specified in the respective budgets transmitted by the President to the Congress for the Federal prison system and U.S. attorneys. Authorizes the Bureau of Prisons to lease prison facilities subject to approval in advance in appropriations Acts. Authorizes the Attorney General to issue debt instruments for purchase by the Secretary of the Treasury to finance the acquisition or construction of a facility to be used for penal or correctional purposes by the Bureau. Subtitle D: Elimination of Diversity Jurisdiction - Eliminates district court jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship. Subtitle E: State and Local Narcotics Control Assistance - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to expand the purposes of the grant program to include: (1) introducing innovations in penalties for possession of a controlled substance, such as revocation or suspension of drivers' licenses, ineligibility for State grants, increased criminal and civil fines, and cost recovery of governmental expenses incurred in rehabilitation programs; (2) reducing delays in time between arrest, prosecution, adjudication, and detention of persons accused of violating State or local drug laws, including the development of an alternative or supplemental judicial system for drug-related offenses; and (3) increasing participation in multi-jurisdictional task forces for enforcing drug laws. Prohibits the use of any such grant to provide counsel to assist defendants accused of violations of the CSA or of State or local laws that establish offenses similar to those established in the CSA. Restricts expenditures of drug law enforcement grants to no more than 50% (currently, 75%) of the cost of the identified uses for which such grants are received. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Drug Enforcement Agency Personnel Support Act of 1988 - Authorizes the Attorney General to use Department of Justice (DOJ) appropriations to pay benefits to Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) overseas personnel. Directs the Attorney General to report to the Congress within 120 days on the implementation of this subtitle. Subtitle G: Anti-Drug Manufacturing Act of 1988 - Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) polluting U.S. lands while manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance; and (2) creating a substantial risk of harm to human life while possessing or manufacturing a controlled substance. Subtitle H: Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988 - Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988 - Amends the CSA to establish recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the distribution, receipt, sale, importation, and exportation of listed precursor and essential chemicals. Prohibits the distribution of such chemicals unless the recipient provides a certification of lawful use and proper identification. Establishes exemptions from such requirements: (1) for the distribution of such chemicals between agents or employees within a single facility; (2) for the delivery of such chemicals to or by common carriers; (3) where the Attorney General determines that such requirements are not necessary for the enforcement of this Act; and (4) where products containing such chemicals are lawfully marketed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Establishes an import-export notice and declaration requirement for listed precursors and essential chemicals. Includes as precursor chemicals: (1) N-Acetylanthranilic acid; (2) Anthranilic acid; (3) Ergotamine tartrate; (4) Ergonovine maleate; (5) Phenylacetic acid; (6) Ephedrine; (7) Pseudoephedrine; (8) Benzyl cyanide; (9) Benzyl chloride; and (10) Piperidine. Includes as essential chemicals: (1) Potassium permanganate; (2) Acetic anhydride; (3) Acetone; and (4) Ethyl ether. Establishes a mechanism and criteria for adding or deleting chemicals from such lists. Prohibits the transfer of commercial tableting and encapsulating machines unless a certification of lawful use and proper identification are provided. Establishes reporting requirements for such transfers. Establishes criminal penalties for the unlawful: (1) possession, manufacture, distribution, sale, importation, or exportation of a precursor or essential chemical; and (2) possession, manufacture, distribution, or importation of drug manufacturing equipment, tableting or encapsulating machines, and gelatin capsules. Subjects all listed precursor and essential chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment, tableting and encapsulating machines, and gelatin capsules which have been imported, exported, manufactured, possessed, or distributed in violation of such Act (as well as all conveyances and equipment) to forfeiture to the United States. Directs the Attorney General to maintain an active program, both domestic and international, to curtail the diversion of precursor and essential chemicals. Grants the Attorney General subpoena power with respect to precursor and essential chemicals. Subtitle I: Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act of 1988 - Provides a mandatory penalty (ten years imprisonment, to run concurrently with any other term, and/or a fine) for using a firearm in committing assaults on Federal officers. Establishes penalties for the possession of firearms or dangerous weapons in a Federal courthouse. Permits the court to consider pretrial detention for certain firearms and explosives offenses. Extends the possession of explosives offense to certain airports and increases penalties for possessing explosives in such airports and in Federal buildings. Increases penalties for using an explosive in the commission of a Federal felony. Makes it unlawful for any person to transfer a firearm to any business that does not maintain a place of business in the State in which the transferor resides. Deletes the requirement that stolen firearms and ammunition be in interstate commerce to be a Federal offense. Makes trafficking in firearms without serial numbers unlawful. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) make payments from DOJ appropriations for expenses necessary for hosting the General Assembly of INTERPOL's annual meeting and for the periodic sponsorship of INTERPOL conferences relating to international crime; and (2) solicit, accept, and make gifts in connection with certain INTERPOL activities, with specified restrictions. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) promulgate rules for such soliciting, accepting, and giving gifts to avoid creating a conflict of interest; and (2) report annually to the Congress regarding all such gifts. Authorizes electronic communications providers to disclose specified information to a governmental entity under certain circumstances. Subtitle J: Anti-Public Corruption Act of 1988 - Anti-Public Corruption Act of 1988 - Establishes the offense of public corruption and sets penalties for individuals who endeavor by scheme or artifice to deprive the inhabitants of a a State (or political subdivision thereof): (1) of the honest services of a State official or employee; or (2) of a fair and impartial election through fraud. Specifies that, in the case of a conviction under this subtitle for which the motive was to facilitate or further a violation of the CSA or CSIEA, if the maximum imprisonment otherwise provided is less than 20 years, such maximum imprisonment shall be 20 years. Adds public corruption as a predicate offense under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and as a basis for authorizing a wiretap. Subtitle K: Increased Penalties - Amends the CSA to provide increased penalties for crack violations. Amends the CSA and CSIEA to provide civil penalties for certain violations involving heroin or cocaine. Subtitle L: Amendments to the Money Laundering Control Act - Amends the Money Laundering Control Act to: (1) include electronic fund transfers in the definition of "monetary instruments"; and (2) encompass property that has been represented to be the proceeds of unlawful activity. Subtitle M: National Forest System Drug Control - Amends the National Forest System Drug Control Act to grant certain powers to special agents and law enforcement officers within and outside the boundaries of the National Forest System if in hot pursuit. Directs the U.S. Forest Service to: (1) oversee investigations and enforcement activities and prepare national and regional strategy plans in coordination with the DEA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) cooperate with the Attorney General in carrying out the seizure and forfeiture provisions of the CSA as such activity relates to the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of marijuana or other controlled substances within the National Forest System. Subtitle N: United States Postal Service Authority Expansion - Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to grant: (1) the U.S. Postal Service authority to subject to forfeiture specified drugs and drug-related contraband articles; and (2) certain Postal Service officers and employees authority to perform enforcement functions performed by DEA officers or employees. Subtitle O: United States Marshals Service Act of 1988 - United States Marshals Service Act of 1988 - Establishes the United States Marshals Service as a bureau within the Department of Justice. Directs the President to appoint a United States marshal for each judicial district of the United States and for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Sets forth procedures for filling vacancies in the office of a U.S. marshal. Specifies the powers and duties of the Service. Allows the Attorney General to exempt the procurement of contract services under the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund from certain procurement guidelines if necessary to maintain the security and confidentiality of related criminal investigations. Prescribes a schedule of fees that the Service may collect. Authorizes the Attorney General to use funds appropriated to the Service for the support of U.S. prisoners in non-Federal institutions. Subtitle P: Assimilative Crimes Act Amendments of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that the criminal penalty for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol in a special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States shall be the punishment provided under the law of that State, territory, possession, or district. States that whoever operates a motor vehicle in such a jurisdiction consents to certain tests if arrested for driving under the influence of a drug or alcohol. States that any person refusing to submit to such tests shall be denied the privilege of operating a motor vehicle for one year. Subtitle Q: National Guard Drug Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 1988 - Provides that the consent of a Governor may not be withheld with regard to the provision of National Guard assistance to civilian law enforcement officials. Subtitle R: Drug Law Enforcement in Public Housing Projects - Authorizes the Secretary of HUD to establish a demonstration project providing grants to public housing agencies to permit such agencies to prevent drug-related crimes in public housing projects through: (1) the establishment and operation of public housing security and protective services for such projects; or (2) the reimbursement of local law enforcement agencies for additional security and protective services for such projects. Subtitle S: Study of Improvements to Monetary Rewards - Directs the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress concerning: (1) ways to increase cooperation and assistance for drug law enforcement from informants eligible for rewards from the Asset Forfeiture Fund; and (2) the feasibility of establishing a bounty system for alternative rewards. Subtitle T: Deportation of Aliens Amendment - Allows a court, on motion of the Government, to exempt from deportation provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act an alien who has provided substantial assistance in the investigation or prosecution of a person who has committed a drug offense under the CSA. Subtitle U: Steroid Control Act - Amends the CSA to include methandrosterolone as a Schedule I substance (a drug or substance with a high potential for abuse, which has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and which lacks any accepted safety use under medical supervision). Subtitle V: Task Force on Clandestine Drug Laboratories - Joint Federal Task Force on Clandestine Drug Laboratories Establishment Act of 1988 - Establishes the Joint Federal Task Force on Clandestine Drug Laboratories. Directs the Task Force to formulate, establish, and implement a program for the cleanup and disposal of hazardous waste produced by clandestine drug laboratories. Provides for periodic reports by the Task Force to the President and to each House of the Congress. Subtitle W: Additional Penalties for Operation of a Locomotive or Common Carrier While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs - Provides penalties for the operation of a locomotive common carrier while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Subtitle X: Miscellaneous Technical Amendments - Sets a mandatory minimum penalty for trafficking in a specified quantity of methamphetamine. Prohibits and establishes penalties for conducting a financial transaction involving the proceeds of specified unlawful activity with the intent to violate the Internal Revenue Code. Title III: International Drug Control - Subtitle A: Multinational Anti-Drug Strike Force - Directs the President to develop a plan to establish a multinational strike force to combat illicit narcotics production and trafficking in the Americas and in Asia. Encourages the President to enter into negotiations with other nations to implement such strike forces. Requires the President to submit to the Congress a report describing such plan and detailing actions taken to implement such strike forces. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Foreign Assistance Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA) to provide for exemptions from the prohibition on using international narcotics control assistance to procure weapons or train foreign police forces if the President determines that such assistance or training is necessary to combat illicit drug production or trafficking. Subtitle C: Sense of Congress on the Convening of a Summit of Western Hemisphere Nations Concerning Drug Abuse - Urges the President to convene a meeting of the heads of government of countries in the Western Hemisphere in which illicit drug production, transit, or use is a problem to reach agreement on enhancing international cooperation and information sharing. Subtitle D: Sense of Congress on Suppression of International Narcotics Trafficking - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the suppression of international narcotics trafficking is the most important national security objective within the Western Hemisphere. Subtitle E: Authorization of Appropriations for Assisting Law Enforcement Authorities in Certain Foreign Countries - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 for: (1) education and training of law enforcement authorities in certain foreign countries to enhance drug interdiction and eradication efforts; and (2) military assistance for such efforts, especially with respect to rapid deployment capabilities. Subtitle F: Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties - Directs the Secretary of State to place greater emphasis on updating extradition treaties and on negotiating mutual legal assistance treaties with major illicit drug producing and drug-transit countries. Subtitle G: Export-Import Bank Financing for Defense Against Narco-Terrorists - Authorizes the Export-Import Bank of the United States to guarantee, insure, and extend credit in connection with a credit sale of defense articles or services to a major illicit drug producing or drug-transit country if the President certifies to the Congress that such country needs such articles or services in combatting illicit drug production or trafficking. Subtitle H: Increased Intelligence Capabilities - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to provide that a special activity directed at illicit international drug trafficking shall be deemed to be important to national security for purposes of requirements for presidential approval. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to authorize the use of information concerning illicit drug trafficking obtained by electronic surveillance conducted for foreign intelligence purposes to combat such trafficking. Subtitle I: Mexico-United States Intergovernmental Commission - Amends the International Narcotics Control Act of 1986 to provide for the appointment of Members of Congress to and funding, reporting requirements, and the initial meeting of the Mexico-United States Intergovernmental Commission on Narcotics and Psychotropic Drug Abuse and Control. Title IV: Interdiction Improvement - Subtitle A: Use of Armed Forces for Interdiction of Narcotics at United States Borders - Requires the President to use the U.S. armed forces to locate, pursue, and seize aircraft and vessels carrying narcotics, deploy radar and pursuit aircraft, and use the National Guard and Reserves to halt the unlawful penetration of U.S. borders within 45 days after the enactment of this Act. Directs the President to: (1) report to the Congress on the impact and costs of this Act and recommendations for changes in existing law; and (2) submit to the Congress a request for the amount of funds spent and the amount needed to continue the program through FY 1988 and 1989. Provides for a separate budget request, beginning with FY 1990, for funds for the drug interdiction program. Subtitle B: Department of Transportation Study of Establishing Flight Corridors - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) study the feasibility of establishing flight corridors across the sourthern borders of the United States, including the policy of interdicting aircraft which deviate from such corridors; and (2) report the results of such study to the Congress within 180 days. Subtitle C: Maritime Drug Law Enforcement and Enhancement Act of 1988 - Maritime Drug Law Enforcement and Enhancement Act of 1988 - Chapter 1: Drug Enforcement Budget Improvement - Requires: (1) the President to submit annual reports on Federal drug enforcement expenditures; and (2) each congressional committee to issue a report, by March 15 of each year, describing estimates of the budget required by each agency for the following fiscal year to effectively implement illegal drug enforcement programs within such committee's jurisdiction. Chapter 2: Coast Guard Drug Interdiction Enhancement - Expands the Coast Guard's maritime air surveillance and interdiction authority. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (currently, the Coast Guard) to make inquiries, examinations, inspections, searches, and seizures of aircraft subject to U.S. jurisdiction or law (current law applies only to vessels), order such aircraft to a landing area, and take any other lawful action. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, to make moneys from the Customs Forfeiture Fund available to the Coast Guard. Authorizes the commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel or aircraft, or of a surface naval vessel on which a Coast Guard member is assigned, to fire upon a vessel which does not stop upon being ordered to do so or on being chased. Provides for indemnification of: (1) all persons acting under such commanding officer from any penalties or actions for damages for firing upon such vessel; and (2) Coast Guard members and employees against any claim or judgment which arises out of an act committed within the scope of their official duties in carrying out drug enforcement activities. Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to submit to the Congress a draft of legislation relating to special restrictions and inspections for vessels arriving from drug producing countries. Amends the CSA to prohibit the forfeiture of specified vessels under such Act unless it appears that the owner was a consenting party to a violation of such Act. Chapter 3: Great Lakes Drug Interdiction - Directs the Secretary of Transportation and the Commissioner of Customs to enter into an agreement to increase the effectiveness of maritime drug interdiction activities in the Great Lakes area. Provides for increased use of long-range surveillance aircraft in such area. Directs the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with the Government of Canada to establish an agreement for increased cooperation and information sharing with respect to illegal drug interdiction efforts along the U.S.-Canadian border. Chapter 4: Vessel Identification - Defines "United States vessel" and "documented vessel." Requires the identification of the individual designated as the agent of the owner of the vessel on the certificate of documentation for such vessel. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain a central depository of information relating to the ownership of U.S. vessels. Chapter 5: Reorganization to Coordinate Maritime Law Enforcement Programs - Federal Maritime Administration Act - Establishes the Federal Maritime Administration (FMA) with the Department of Transportation, consisting of the Coast Guard and the National Maritime Service and headed by the Under Secretary for Maritime Affairs and Readiness. Specifies the duties of the Under Secretary. Provides for an Office of Drug Interdiction Coordination within the FMA. Renames the existing Maritime Administration. Transfers certain maritime functions of the National Ocean Service and National Weather Service. Redesignates the Commissioned Officer Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the Commissioned Officer Corps of FMA. Provides for incidental transfers, terminations, and miscellaneous provisions. Establishes the Merchant Marine Reserve within the Coast Guard Reserve. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) issue final regulations to implement this chapter within one year; and (2) make recommendations to the Congress regarding the consolidation of budget authority. Subtitle D: Prohibition on Reissuance of Airman Certificates - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the issuance of an airman certificate to any person whose certificate has been revoked.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1988
Expresses the grave concern of the Congress regarding the apparent discriminatory treatment of Federal Express by the Government of Japan. Urges Japan to honor its obligations under the 1985 Memorandum of Understanding and allow Federal Express to compete in the U.S.-Japan market with maximum flexibility.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1988
College Savings Bond Act of 1988 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue college savings bonds in the interest of encouraging long-term savings for postsecondary education. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual any interest on college savings bonds to the extent these proceeds are used to pay the qualified educational expenses (tuition, fees, books, supplies, reasonable living expenses) of the taxpayer, spouse, child, or dependent at an institution of higher education, including a postsecondary vocational school. Decreases the permissible exclusion for taxpayers having adjusted gross income above $60,000, allowing no exclusion if income exceeds $80,000.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1988
Coronado National Trail Study Act of 1988 - Amends the National Trails System Act to provide for a study of the Coronado Trail, the route taken by the Spanish explorer through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, for inclusion in such System.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1988
Upland Cotton Optional Acreage Diversion Act of 1988 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide that producers of the 1988 through 1990 upland cotton crops who devote all or a part of their permitted upland cotton acreage to conservation or other authorized uses shall receive deficiency payments on the acreage considered to be planted to such crops (0/92 option) at not less than the projected deficiency rate for such crop. (Current law requires at least 50 percent planted cotton acreage in order to be eligible for such payments.) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to minimize adverse program effects on agribusiness and other agriculturally related economic interests within any county, State, or region. Authorizes the Secretary to restrict the total amount of upland cotton that may be taken out of production under this Act, except in counties eligible for emergency disaster loans. Requires the Secretary, in issuing implementing regulations under this Act, to ensure to the maximum extent possible that the program will not adversely affect landlord-tenant crop acreage base relations. Provides for the protection of crop acreage bases and program yields.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit cooperatives (farmers' cooperatives, cooperative banks, mutual insurance companies, and rural electric and telephone cooperatives) to: (1) elect to treat as ordinary income or loss any gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of any asset used by the organization to facilitate the conduct of business done with or for patrons; and (2) include such gain or loss in net earnings of the organization from business done with or for patrons.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1988
Uranium Revitalization, Tailings Reclamation and Enrichment Act of 1988 - Title I: Uranium Revitalization - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to extend from 1983 to the year 2000 the period during which the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) is required to monitor the viability of the domestic uranium mining and milling industry. Sets forth a formula for the calculation of user charges to be paid by civilian nuclear power reactor licensees with fuel assemblies containing foreign uranium between January 1, 1988, to January 1, 2001. Prohibits Federal bodies from entering into foreign uranium purchase contracts. Restricts the use of federally-owned natural uranium stockpiles to: (1) military purposes; (2) Federal research; and (3) production activities by the United States Enrichment Corporation. Exempts the Tennessee Valley Authority from the foreign purchase prohibition. Title II: Tailings Reclamation - Provides that remedial action with respect to uranium shall be performed according to statutory guidelines by the site owner or licensee at the active site. Requires that such owners' reclamation expenses be reimbursed from the Uranium Mill Tailings Fund (established by this Act). Identifies the active sites that qualify for such reimbursement. Establishes the Uranium Mill Tailings Fund, which shall consist of contributions from: (1) States in which active sites are located; (2) site owners or licensees; (3) the Federal Government; and (4) user fees. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) Fund administration; (2) contributions; (3) participation; and (4) reimbursement for expenditures for remedial actions (including at thorium sites). States that the sole liability and financial obligation udner Federal law for remedial action at active uranium and thorium sites shall consist of the contributions, fines, and work performed by: (1) active site owner licensees; or (2) persons using source or special nuclear material for a civilian nuclear power reactor to generate electrical energy. Title III: United States Enrichment Corporation - Establishes the United States Enrichment Corporation as a wholly-owned Government corporation to acquire, operate, and market uranium enrichment activities on a commercial, profitable basis. Mandates that its corporate structure be self-financing in order to obviate the need for Federal financing. States that the Corporation Administrator shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Establishes an Advisory Board to review Corporation policies and performance. Transfers certain Department of Energy property to the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to establish charges to its customers that will recover costs of decommissioning and decontamination of Corporation property. Requires the Corporation to report annually regarding its activities to the President, the Secretary, and certain congressional committees. Prescribes licensing and taxation guidelines for the Corporation. Sets guidelines for payments in lieu of taxes by the corporation to States and local governments. Requires the Administrator to make recommendations to the President and the Congress by December 31, 1998, regarding the transfer of the Corporation's functions and assets to private ownership. Establishes the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund to cover the Corporation's decommissioning and decontamination expenses. Directs the Secretary to indemnify Corporation contractors for nuclear hazards incidents as if such contractors were contractors of the Secretary. Eliminates the treatment of uranium enrichment facilities as production facilities under the Atomic Energy Act with respect to the importation of such facilities into the United States (thus subjecting them to less stringent licensing requirements). Prohibits the Corporation's total FY 1989 expenditures from exceeding its total FY 1989 receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1988
Drug-Free America Act of 1988 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish criteria for the imposition of the death penalty when, during the course of a continuing criminal enterprise drug offense, an individual knowingly causes the death of another. Requires the Government, for such offense, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea, disclosing that it intends to seek the death penalty and the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to such offense. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading of the jury. Directs the court, or the jury by unanimous vote, to impose the death penalty upon finding that such sentence is justified based on consideration of both aggravating and mitigating factors. Sets forth some mitigating factors to be considered by the jury or the court when imposing its sentence. Includes as aggravating factors: (1) the intentional nature of the act which resulted in the victim's death; (2) previous convictions for offenses for which life imprisonment or death is authorized; and (3) the especially heinous, cruel, or depraved nature of the offense. Requires the court to instruct the jury not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant in its consideration of the sentence. Allows the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for such offenses when the death penalty is not imposed. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the Court of Appeals, upon consideration of the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the finding of aggravating factors or the absence of mitigating factors. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination. Provides increased criminal penalties for the possession of a mixture or substance which contains cocaine base (crack). Establishes recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the manufacture, distribution, importation, and exportation of listed precursor and essential chemicals. Prohibits the distribution of such chemicals unless the recipient provides a certification of lawful use and proper identification. Establishes exemptions from such requirements: (1) for the distribution of such chemicals between agents or employees within a single facility; (2) for the delivery of such chemicals to or by common carriers; (3) if the Attorney General determines that such requirements are not necessary for the enforcement of this Act; and (4) if products containing such chemicals are lawfully marketed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Establishes an import-export permit requirement for listed precursors and a declaration requirement for listed essential chemicals. Includes as precursor chemicals: (1) N-Acetylanthranilic acid; (2) Anthranilic acid; (3) Ergotamine tartrate; (4) Ergonovine maleate; (5) Phenylacetic acid; (6) Ephedrine; (7) Pseudoephedrine; (8) Benzyl cyanide; (9) Benzyl chloride; and (10) Piperidine. Includes as essential chemicals: (1) Potassium permanganate; (2) Acetic anhydride; (3) Acetone; and (4) Ethyl ether. Establishes a mechanism and criteria for adding or deleting chemicals from such lists. Prohibits the transfer of commercial tableting and encapsulating machines unless a certification of lawful use and proper identification are provided. Establishes reporting requirements for such transfers. Establishes criminal penalties for the unlawful: (1) possession, manufacture, distribution, sale, importation, or exportation of a precursor or essential chemical; and (2) possession, manufacture, distribution, or importation of drug manufacturing equipment, tableting or encapsulating machines, and gelatin capsules. Subjects all listed precursor and essential chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment, tableting and encapsulating machines, and gelatin capsules which have been imported, exported, manufactured, possessed, or distributed in violation of such Act (as well as all conveyances and equipment) to forfeiture to the United States. Directs the Attorney General to maintain an active program, both domestic and international, to curtail the diversion of precursor and essential chemicals. Grants the Attorney General subpoena power with respect to precursor and essential chemicals. Provides additional civil penalties for certain Controlled Substances Act violations involving heroin or cocaine. States that individuals who have been convicted of violations involving a controlled substance, or of criminal violations regarding certain reporting or recordkeeping requirements, shall be ineligible for any license or permit issued under the authority of the United States for a specified period of time. Provides that any permit or license held at the time of the conviction shall be revoked. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require States receiving Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Mental Health Services Block Grants to make grants for demonstration projects which provide treatment services to expectant mothers. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Office of the Director of National Drug Control Policy to be headed by a Director, who shall be responsible for: (1) developing, reviewing, implementing, and enforcing U.S. policy with respect to drug control and abuse; (2) directing and coordinating U.S. efforts to halt the importation, manufacture, distribution, and use of illicit drugs; and (3) preparing a National and International Drug Control Strategy. Terminates the National Drug Enforcement Policy Board 90 days after the appointment of the Director. Makes conforming amendments to the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 and the Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1996. Makes supplemental appropriations for Coast Guard drug enforcement activities. Authorizes Coast Guard vessels and aircraft to fire at or into vessels which are liable to seizure or examination that do not bring-to after being ordered to do so by an authorized vessel or aircraft. Grants the commanding officer of the authorized vessel or aircraft immunity for such actions. Allows the Commandant of the Coast Guard to indemnify members or employees of the Coast Guard against any claim arising out of an act committed within the scope of their official drug enforcement duties. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to extend jurisdiction over possession offenses to U.S. vessels and aircraft (and vessels and aircraft subject to the operation of the law of the United States). Subjects any U.S. citizen or resident on board any vessel to Federal criminal penalties for manufacturing, possessing, or distributing a controlled substance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the suppression of international narcotics trafficking is a major security objective of the United States and the most important national security objective within the Western Hemisphere. Allows the Secretary of Defense to provide equipment to, or assign members of the armed forces to assist, foreign governments in the enforcement of drug laws. Provides for the assignment of members of the armed forces to assist Federal agencies in drug interdiction activities. Requires the Secretary to prepare a plan to implement such provision. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to evaluate alternatives to the use of deadly force as a means of forcing suspected drug-smuggling aircraft entering the United States to land. Requires the Secretary to submit such recommendations to the Congress in the form of proposed legislation. Directs the Secretary to submit proposed legislation to the Congress relating to special restrictions and inspections for vessels and aircraft arriving from drug-producing countries. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to modify the factors to be considered by the President when determining whether to certify a country as having cooperated with United States drug interdiction programs. Directs the President to consider whether such countries have taken the steps necessary to eliminate the laundering of drug-related profits. Amends Federal law to include electronic fund transfers within the definition of "money instruments." Amends the National Forest System Drug Control Act of 1986 to provide additional law enforcement authority for the Forest Service in dealing with Controlled Substances Act violations by: (1) removing the limitation on the number of Service personnel who may exercise specified law enforcement powers; and (2) permitting the exercise of such powers by Service personnel outside of the boundaries of the National Forest System. Grants the Service authority, with respect to the specified law enforcement powers, to: (1) coordinate investigations and enforcement activities and prepare national and regional strategy plans in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) cooperate with the Attorney General in carrying out the seizure and forfeiture provisions of the Controlled Substances Act as such activities relate to the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of controlled substances within the System. Establishes criminal penalties for polluting Federal lands while manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance. Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to grant the Postal Service certain seizure and law enforcement authority with respect to Controlled Substances Act violations. States that all moneys and proceeds from such seizures shall be deposited in the Postal Service Fund (and later withdrawn and paid into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund). States that any person convicted of a drug-related offense shall be ineligible for any form of student assistance provided under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Requires any person applying for such assistance to file a statement with the institution certifying that the person has not been convicted of a drug-related offense. Requires the Secretary of Education to prescribe methods for verifying such statements. Amends the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 to require State educational agencies to distribute funds for State and local programs for drug abuse education and prevention programs on the basis of relative enrollments in public and private, nonprofit schools (currently, on the basis of the relative number of children in the school-age population) within an area. Requires local applications for funds for a three-year period to include a description of: (1) the extent and nature of the current drug and alcohol problem in the schools of the applicant; (2) the applicant's drug and alcohol policy; and (3) how the applicant will monitor program effectiveness. Requires applicants to submit a progress report to State educational agencies for the preceding two years in order to receive funds for the third year. Requires the report to show reasonable progress toward accomplishing program objectives or a modified plan to meet such objectives. Requires States to report annually to the Secretary with specified information on programs funded under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991 to carry out the provisions of such Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 to the building and facilities account, Federal Prison System, for the construction, acquisition, remodeling, and equipping of prisons. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the National Institute of Justice should conduct a research project to obtain, on a voluntary basis, and analyze urine samples from individuals who are arrested to determine whether they use controlled substances. Amends the Federal criminal code to make regular drug testing and refrainment from any use of controlled substances mandatory conditions of parole and probation. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require Drug Law Enforcement Program grant recipients to provide additional matching funds. Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to exclude any individual who uses or is addicted to illegal drugs from the definition of an individual with handicaps, for purposes of specified provisions. Amends specified Federal law which prohibits discrimination against Federal employees or applicants for Federal employment to provide that such prohibition shall not be construed to permit or require the employment of an individual who uses illegal drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1988
Expresses the concern of the House of Representatives regarding the future security of the Panama Canal. Calls on the President to renegotiate the Panama Canal Treaties to permit: (1) the permanent stationing of U.S. forces in Panama; and (2) the United States to act independently to maintain the security of the Canal and to guarantee its regular operation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1988
Amends the Revenue Act of 1987 to delay until October 1, 1988, the imposition of excise tax on wholesale sales of diesel and aviation fuels. (Under current law the tax applies to sales after March 31, 1988.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1988
Imposes a civil penalty upon any person who mails to any individual or group of individuals at their place of residence: (1) any unsolicited sexually oriented advertisement; or (2) any unsolicited obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecent, filthy, or vile article, matter, thing, device, or substance.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1988
Section 457 Clarification Act of 1988 - Amends Internal Revenue Code accounting rules governing the year of inclusion of compensation deferred under qualified plans of State and local governments and of private tax-exempt organizations. Declares the rules to be inapplicable to both nonelective deferred compensation and basic employee benefits, including bona fide vacation plans, sick leave plans, sabbatical leave, and similar benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1988
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate, test, and maintain the Lake Meredith Salinity Control Project, New Mexico and Texas, to improve the quality of water to the Canadian River downstream of Ute Reservoir, New Mexico, and entering Lake Meredith, Texas. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority of Texas (Authority) for the design and construction management of project facilities by the Bureau of Reclamation and for the payment of construction costs by the Authority. Makes it the responsibility of the Authority to operate and maintain the facilities upon completion of construction and testing. Requires the Authority to advance all costs of construction of project facilities as the non-Federal contribution. Declares the Federal share to be all project costs for verification, design preparation, and construction management. Provides for transferring control of the project works to the Authority or to a bona fide entity agreeable to New Mexico and Texas upon completion of construction and testing, or upon termination of activities at the request of the Authority. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1988
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to extend to November 8, 1989, the effective date for maintaining evidence of financial responsibility for owners and operators of underground storage tanks. Prohibits the first suspension of such financial responsibility requirement for a class or category of tanks from exceeding 360 days. (Such suspension is currently authorized for up to 180 days if the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency makes certain determinations.) Requires the Administrator to assist States in establishing: (1) State assurance funds to enable underground storage tank owners and operators to meet the financial requirements of the Act; and (2) programs to encourage private insurance providers to offer insurance coverage to such owners and operators.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1988
Repeals a provision of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 which includes employee tips within the wages on which employer social security taxes are based.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer a refundable income tax credit, in an amount based on adjusted gross income (minimum credit of $150), for each dependent below the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the taxpayer resides. Sets the maximum credit amount as the total employee tax withheld from the taxpayer's wages during the year under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. Disallows application of the nonrefundable dependent care income tax credit with respect to a taxpayer's dependents under age 15, unless the child is physically or mentally incapable of self-care.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the required application of uniform inventory cost capitalization rules any animal produced in a farming business, regardless of the animal's preproductive period.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1988 - Title I: Child Pornography - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it illegal to use a computer to transport information in interstate or foreign commerce concerning the visual depiction of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct (child pornography). Establishes criminal penalties for buying, selling, or transferring the custody of a minor: (1) knowing that, as a consequence of the sale or transfer, the minor will be used in child pornography; or (2) with the intent to promote child pornography. States that such sale or transfer must involve: (1) the minor or other actor traveling in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) communications in interstate or foreign commerce; or (3) conduct in a territory or possession of the United States. Requires any person who produces a book, magazine, periodical, film, videotape, or other matter which contains any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct (which is shipped or intended for shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, or contains material shipped in interstate or foreign commerce) to maintain certain records regarding the performers portrayed in such conduct. Directs the Attorney General to issue regulations regarding the maintenance and availability of such records. Includes the sexual exploitation of children as a predicate offense to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute. Title II: Obscenity - Makes it a Federal criminal offense to receive or possess, with the intent to distribute, obscene matter which has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Makes it a Federal criminal offense to knowingly use a facility or means of commerce to sell or distribute obscene matter in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes a rebuttable presumption, with respect to Federal criminal offenses involving obscene matter, that obscene matter produced in one State (or outside the United States) which is subsequently located in another State (or in the United States) was transported, shipped, or carried in interstate (or foreign) commerce. Establishes criminal and civil forfeiture procedures with respect to Federal offenses involving obscene material and child pornography. Includes communications by means of cable or subscription television within the prohibition against broadcasting obscene language. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to modify the penalty provisions of such Act with respect to obscene telephone communications. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for the possession or sale of obscene matter on Federal property. Adds obscenity offenses to the list of crimes for which the Government may obtain wiretaps.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the gasoline excise tax any sale of gasoline to a State or local government (or to a purchaser for resale to such government) for its exclusive use.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to change to November 1, 1989 (or February 1, 1990, if no regulations have been promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency) the date by which a local educational agency (LEA) must submit an asbestos management plan developed pursuant to regulations under such Act to the Governor of the State. Changes to August 1, 1990, the date by which each LEA must begin the implementation of such plan. Changes to May 1, 1989, the date by which the LEA must inspect for asbestos-containing material in each school building under its authority. Changes to November 1, 1989, the date by which such LEAs must implement an operation and maintenance plan with respect to friable asbestos-containing material in school buildings. Changes to February 1, 1990, the date by which LEAs must develop an asbestos management plan for submission to the Governor of the State.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the excise tax on diesel and aviation fuels. Prohibits imposition of the tax on the sale of these fuels to any purchaser (or purchaser for resale to a second purchaser) for use on a farm for farming purposes or for any other use not as a fuel in a diesel-powered highway vehicle or train. (Although fuel sold for these purposes is tax-exempt under current law, provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987 require purchasers to pay the tax and subsequently apply for a refund based on nontaxable uses of the fuel.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1987
Worker's Option Act of 1988 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to phase out, by 1993, the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits. Increases the delayed retirement credit rate for individuals who work beyond retirement age. Phases out the recomputation of an individual's primary insurance amount when such individual has wages or self-employment income after entitlement to old-age or disability insurance benefits. Charges off an individual's excess earnings by eliminating such individual's entitlement to retroactive OASDI benefits for months preceding such individual's attainment of retirement age. Authorizes the appropriation of revenues received by reason of this Act's amendments to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund from 1989 through 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1987
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make competitive research grants to: (1) develop a statistical framework to measure the extent to which microbiological and chemical agents in agricultural products pose human health risks; (2) identify such agents; and (3) devise appropriate testing and control procedures. Creates a peer review committee to evaluate grant applications. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees no later than one year after enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter. Authorizes FY 1988 through 1992 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1987
Amends the Federal Financing Bank Act of 1973 to state that specified loan guarantee agreements between the Rural Electrification Administration and the Federal Financing Bank shall remain in effect, notwithstanding their effective dates, until superseded by other such agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Dwight David Eisenhower Commemorative Coin Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of one dollar silver coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dwight David Eisenhower. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of the coins after December 31, 1990. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from the sale of the coins, to be used to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Omnibus Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Directs the Secretary to transmit drafts of such statement to specified congressional committees and to distribute the final statement to all taxpayers receiving annual tax filing forms from the IRS. Requires the IRS, upon taxpayer request, to conduct any interview regarding the determination or collection of any tax at a reasonable time and place convenient to the taxpayer and to the IRS, and to permit the taxpayer, at his or her own expense, to record the interview. Authorizes the IRS interviewer to record such interview if the taxpayer has been given prior notice and is provided, upon request and payment of reproduction costs, with a transcript of the recording. Requires the interviewer to explain to the taxpayer the audit process, including the taxpayer's rights with respect to the process. Requires the Secretary to abate any penalty or interest imposed on any deficiency attributable to erroneous advice in writing given to a taxpayer by an IRS officer or employee in response to such taxpayer's specific inquiry. Authorizes the IRS Ombudsman, upon application filed by a taxpayer, to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Ombudsman: (1) the taxpayer is suffering or is about to suffer from an unusual or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary has failed to carry out any of his or her duties or has violated any provision of law. Allows the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary to release property of the taxpayer levied upon or to cease or refrain from certain actions. Requires the Secretary to obey any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued by the Ombudsman. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations with respect to Taxpayer Assistance Orders, including provisions to assure full, fair, and impartial due process for affected taxpayers. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to establish within the Department of the Treasury an Office of Inspector General. Transfers to such Office the existing audit and investigation units of the Department. Sets forth criteria with respect to: (1) the authority of the Inspector General to conduct an investigation; and (2) the authority of the Secretary in cases of audits or investigations requiring access to information of a sensitive or confidential nature. Allows the Secretary to prohibit investigations under specified circumstances. Restricts disclosure by the Inspector General of tax returns and return information. Prohibits records of tax enforcement results from being used to evaluate certain IRS personnel or to impose or suggest production quotas. Requires district directors to certify compliance with this mandate on a monthly basis. Requires the Secretary to certify that a rule proposed by the IRS is substantially the only alternative that meets the mandate of the relevant statute in order for the rule to be considered an interpretative rule (and thereby not subject to analyses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act). Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require regulatory flexibility analyses to include consideration of both the direct and indirect beneficial and negative effects of a proposed or final rule. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary, with limited exceptions, to send a preliminary letter of deficiency to a taxpayer prior to the mailing of a deficiency notice. Specifies required contents for tax due notices and deficiency notices, including the basis of the deficiency and a breakdown of the total amount into tax, interest, and penalty. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations requiring all IRS personnel to explain and support their position in assessing any penalties or additions to tax. Requires the Comptroller General to study IRS procedures with respect to such assessments and to present findings to specified congressional committees no later than December 31, 1988. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a binding agreement with a taxpayer under which the taxpayer may pay tax liability in installments if the Secretary determines that such an agreement will facilitate collection of the liability. Permits the Secretary, after proper notice and a hearing, to modify or annul the agreement upon the finding that the financial condition of the affected taxpayer has significantly changed. Renders such an agreement nonbinding if the taxpayer fails to pay any installment or any other tax liability when due. Extends from ten to 30 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Specifies information that must be incorporated in such notice, including possible alternative actions and the appropriate appeals procedures. Adds to the circumstances triggering termination of such a levy: (1) an agreement between the taxpayer and the Secretary for payment of the liability; and (2) the Secretary's determination that the taxpayer's financial condition precludes enforceability of the liability. Revises the list of property exempt from levy to: (1) increase the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages; (2) add an exemption for certain deposits in qualified institutions; and (3) provide an express exemption, except under limited circumstances specified in this Act, for the taxpayer's principal residence, a motor vehicle used by the taxpayer as the primary means of transportation to work, and any tangible personal property essential to the operation of the taxpayer's business in cases when a levy would prevent the taxpayer from carrying on such business. Prohibits a levy on any property when levy and sales expenses would exceed either the liability for which the levy is made or the fair market value of the levied property. Permits the Secretary to demand surrender of bank accounts only after 21 days in escrow have passed since service of the notice of levy on the accounts. Sets forth situations in which the Secretary must release a levy. Applies to jeopardy levies the administrative and judicial review procedures currently applicable to jeopardy assessments. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action against the United States in the Tax Court for judicial review of jeopardy levies and assessments. (Under current law an action for judicial review of jeopardy assessments may be filed only in district court.) Increases the time during which a taxpayer may petition for such review. Describes the jurisdictional requirements to be applied to such actions. Allows an administrative appeal of tax liens. Grants to the Tax Court exclusive jurisdiction to enjoin premature assessments if the taxpayer has filed a timely petition for review. Provides for review of such injunctive orders by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to enforce payment by the Secretary of refunds of overpayment and interest to taxpayers. Places on the Secretary the burden of proof of justifying any failure to refund, credit, or offset relevant amounts with respect to a taxpayer. Entitles a prevailing taxpayer to: (1) an interest rate of 120 percent of the overpayment rate with respect to refunds; and (2) reasonable litigation costs. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to: (1) review jeopardy assessment sales of assets; and (2) redetermine interest under certain circumstances when a taxpayer claims an overpayment of the interest. Vests in the Tax Court original jurisdiction over any civil action against the Secretary for the recovery of any tax, additions to tax, and penalties with respect to income, estate, gift, and certain excise taxes. Authorizes an award of reasonable litigation costs to the prevailing party in proceedings by taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action in district court for actual damages resulting from the failure of any Federal officer or employee to release a tax lien on the taxpayer's property. Permits a civil cause of action in district court for damages resulting from the careless, reckless, or intentional disregard of internal revenue laws by any Federal officer or employee. Denies damage awards in cases of contributory negligence. Authorizes a damage award, to a $10,000 maximum, to the United States in cases of frivolous or groundless claims by a taxpayer. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation or surveillance authorized or conducted by an officer or employee of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws that inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Establishes in the Internal Revenue Service the Office for Taxpayers Services, under the supervision of an Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Directs this Assistant Commissioner to: (1) be responsible for telephone, walk-in, and educational services, and for the design and production of tax and information forms; and (2) prepare annually, for presentation to specified congressional committees, a joint report (with the Chief Problem Resolution Officer for the IRS) on the quality of taxpayer services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1987
Corporation for Small Business Investment Charter Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to establish timetables to govern the promulgation of regulations by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the qualification of licensees to do business with the Corporation for Small Business Investment and the special-purpose trust established by this Act. Establishes the Corporation for Small Business Investment as a Government-sponsored private corporation. Requires the President to appoint its interim Board of Directors. Sets forth procedures for selection of the permanent Board and describes Board duties. Sets out the Corporation's stock structure. Permits only small business investment companies to hold voting common stock. Requires the Corporation to mandate certain contributions from these companies in order to accumulate capital surplus funds from private sources. Includes depository institutions as eligible contributors entitled to receive stock and dispose of it. Authorizes the Corporation to issue obligations and securities, within prescribed limits. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase such obligations but sets amount and yield restrictions. Makes all obligations issued by the Corporation acceptable as security for any fiduciary, trust, and public funds controlled by the United States. Exempts Corporation issues from the regulatory framework of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Authorizes the Corporation to issue commitments or otherwise deal in small business investment securities after the permanent Board has been duly constituted. Sets forth the procedure for perfecting a security or ownership interest in small business investment securities created by the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to guarantee specified securities. Directs the Corporation to establish criteria, including private capital amount requirements, for the qualification of small business investment companies to conduct business with it. Instructs the Corporation to enter into agreements with small business investment companies, which are authorized to provide equity capital and loans to small businesses. Restricts the financing activities of the investment companies, setting time limits, aggregate securities acquisition limits, and use restrictions with respect to loan funds. Prohibits the Corporation from purchasing or guaranteeing securities in excess of ten percent of its assets. Provides for both financial and compliance audits of small business investment companies. Exempts loans made by small business investment companies from State usury law, unless the State expressly enacts overriding legislation. Directs the Corporation to adopt independent criteria in connection with the qualification of a special type of small business investment company to invest solely in disadvantaged small businesses. Establishes a special-purpose trust to benefit special small business investment companies. Provides for its operation in accordance with a trust agreement with the Corporation. Sets forth procedures for appointing the trustees. Requires the trustees to establish separate accounting for all preferred securities, debentures, loss reserves, and other funds acquired and to make an annual accounting of trust operations to the Secretary of the Treasury. Sets forth the powers of the trustees. Provides for SBA conveyance to the Corporation of all right, title, and interest to all securities and outstanding debentures issued by small business investment companies that are not in liquidation. Requires the trust to apply all of the funds held in trust and income to: (1) cover any losses realized on debentures purchased or guaranteed by the Corporation; (2) reduce the interest rate on debentures issued by special small business investment companies or purchase their preferred securities; and (3) pay administrative costs. Authorizes the trustees to purchase preferred securities and the Corporation to purchase or guarantee the payment of principal and interest on debentures issued by special small business investment companies. Sets forth the terms and conditions for these purchases. Authorizes a special small business investment company to request that the Corporation purchase or guarantee its debentures. Provides that such debentures shall be subordinate to any other obligations of such companies. Sets forth restrictions on the interest rate on and total amount of such debentures. Requires that all outstanding preferred securities purchased by the trust from special small business investment companies be redeemed and transferred to the Treasury 50 years after the effective date of this Act. Gives the SBA review authority over the Corporation and requires annual reporting in connection with this review. Mandates an annual independent audit of the Corporation's accounts, with reporting to the Secretary of the Treasury, who must subsequently report to the President and to the House and Senate Small Business Committees. Subjects Corporation books and records to audit by the General Accounting Office and by the Office of the Inspector General of the SBA under specified conditions. Requires annual Corporation reporting to the President, the SBA, and relevant congressional committees. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to sell to the Corporation on September 30, 1988, all the right and interest in small business investment company securities guaranteed by the SBA and held by the Federal Financing Bank, providing such securities are due in FY 1989 or later. Sets a minimum final purchase price of $720,000,000, a specified amount of which must be in preferred stock in the Corporation. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to propose a sale price for the securities that the Corporation is to purchase. Sets forth procedures for determining the purchase price if the Board finds the Secretary's proposal unacceptable. Establishes criteria to govern the preferred stock issued by the Corporation as part of the purchase price. Directs the Corporation to issue to the SBA warrants to purchase nonvoting common stock equivalent to a 28 percent interest in the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to report, within 30 days of the completion of the purchase of the securities, to the House and Senate Committees on Small Business. Prohibits the SBA from: (1) making any payments to the Department of the Treasury on debentures guaranteed under the Small Business Investment Act after they are sold to the Corporation; or (2) selling or encumbering loans or debentures it has made or issued, except as specified in this Act. Requires the General Accounting Office, by January 1, 1993, to prepare a report for the House and Senate Small Business Committees on the Corporation's effectiveness in achieving the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1987
Food Security Improvements Act of 1987 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to limit reductions in the 1988 farm program payment yield to not more than seven percent of 1985 levels.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Federal estate and gift taxes should not be changed in order to increase Federal revenues as part of deficit reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1987
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 a 60 percent majority of the House votes to waive or suspend this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1987
Authorizes appropriations for use in providing military assistance to the Nicaraguan democratic resistance after November 7, 1987, if the President makes a determination that the Government of Nicaragua has not complied with the agreement of certain Central American Governments entitled the "Procedure for Establishing Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America" (the Guatemala Agreement), particularly as such Agreement relates to amnesty and democratization. Authorizes appropriations for nonlethal assistance to the Nicaraguan democratic resistance until November 7, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
AFDC Employment and Training Reorganization Act of 1987 - Title I: Two-Tier System under AFDC program - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a two-tier system under which a family applying for or receiving AFDC benefits is assigned to the first tier if it is not a two-parent family and includes a child under six months of age and to the second tier if the family does not qualify for tier-one. Exempts first tier families from this Act's registration, employment, and training requirements. Exempts caretaker relatives, and authorizes the exemption of adolescents, in tier-two families who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent from such requirements if they participate in a program providing a high-school education or its equivalent. Requires a State plan to deny assistance to an individual under age 18 who is not and has never been married and who is responsible for the care of a dependent child (or is pregnant), unless such individual lives with a parent. Makes such requirement inapplicable if: (1) such individual has no parent who is living and whose whereabouts are known; (2) the health and safety of the child or individual would be jeopardized if such individual lived with the parent; or (3) such individual has not lived at home for at least one year prior to the child's birth or making a claim for AFDC payments. Title II: Comprehensive Employment and Training Program - Requires AFDC applicants and recipients to register with a State agency for employment counseling, training, and assignment. Authorizes AFDC recipients to refuse employment which results in a net loss in their income. Directs each State to: (1) establish a single intake and registration process for AFDC applicants and recipients; and (2) arrange for the participation of AFDC recipients in one or more of the work-related programs established under title IV of the Act or other Federal law, while coordinating such programs to enhance the availability and efficiency of services provided. Authorizes each State to: (1) make an assessment as to whether immediate employment is a realistic possibility or whether training or education is needed to prepare registered applicants and recipients for employment; (2) provide applicants and recipients with counseling regarding their prospects and needs; (3) require AFDC applicants to undertake an immediate program of job search; and (4) develop an employment plan for each AFDC recipient. Requires States to provide AFDC recipients who are assigned to employment, training, or education programs, and applicants who are required to participate in job search, with child care and transportation services, otherwise such applicants and recipients need not participate in such programs. Sets the Federal share of AFDC employment, training, and education costs in excess of FY 1987 costs at 50 percent. Establishes participation standards which require State AFDC employment, training, and education programs to include a specified annual percentage (increasing from 15 percent in FY 1988 to 70 percent in FY 1996 and thereafter) of a State's mandatory AFDC population. Requires 80 percent of such population within the ages of 16 and 18 to be attending school on a full-time basis by FY 1990. Reduces Federal funding for States which fall short of such participation standards. Authorizes appropriations for AFDC employment, training, and education programs. Expresses the congressional intent that such funding be increased after FY 1988 if and to the extent such programs prove successful in reducing welfare dependency. Ensures that each State receive at least as much funds for such programs in FY 1988 and 1989 as it did in FY 1987. Provides that after FY 1989 50 percent of such funds shall be allotted on the basis of a State's share of the total participating AFDC population and 50 percent on the basis of the relative success of each State in placing high-priority AFDC applicants and recipients (high school dropouts, unwed mothers with children under age three, and AFDC recipients under age 22) in school or jobs for six months or more. Requires Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam to each implement a coordinated program of activities affording individuals the opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency through employment. Authorizes appropriations for such programs for each fiscal year after 1987. Makes this Act's registration, employment, and training requirements inapplicable to such territories. Establishes, in the Office of Family Assistance, an Office of Work Programs headed by a Director responsible for overseeing the operation and effectiveness of this Act's employment and training programs. Sets forth recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Authorizes States to add the cash value of food stamps to AFDC payments which are divided by the greater of the Federal or State minimum wage in determining the number of hours a community work experience program participant who is a recipient of such benefits may be required to work. Title III: Certificate System for Child Care - Authorizes States to establish a program providing certificates for child care to families: (1) whose income is less than 150 percent of the Federal poverty level; (2) which have received AFDC benefits within the past three months, but are no longer eligible for such aid because of increased earnings; and (3) which are paying for from ten to 90 percent of the cost of such child care. Limits the applicability of such certificates to the child care necessary to permit their recipients' employment or search for employment. Provides for Federal reimbursement of program costs as though they were costs incurred in providing child care to individuals assigned to an AFDC employment, training, and education program. Requires providers participating in the child care certificate program to be licensed or certified by the State, but certain providers shall be given two years to comply with State licensing or certification requirements. Requires States to disseminate information regarding child care and the certificate program to parents, the public, and child care providers. Limits the certification program's administrative expenses to eight percent of the program costs which are subject to Federal reimbursement. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to withhold Federal payments for certificate program costs upon a State's substantial failure to comply with program requirements. Sets forth reporting requirements. Title IV: Child Support Enforcement Amendments - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct States to establish binding guidelines for child support award amounts. (Currently, such guidelines need not be binding). Creates a rebuttable presumption that the child support award resulting from the application of such guidelines in a judicial or administrative child support proceeding is correct. Requires States to review and update all child support orders at least once every two years to ensure that they continue to comply with child support award guidelines. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to authorize up to ten States to carry out demonstration projects which require absent parents who owe child support, but whose income is insufficient to pay such support to participate in an employment or training program. Amends part D of title IV of the Act to require that the names and social security numbers of the father and mother of every child born in a State be recorded on such child's birth certificate. Requires States to adopt certain procedures with regard to paternity determinations and the standard of proof in paternity cases. Takes a State's paternity determinations into account in computing the State child support collection incentive payment. Requires each State to adopt procedures: (1) requiring employers to disclose certain information to the State child support enforcement agency regarding any employee who is under court order to pay child support; and (2) making certain legislation regarding the interstate enforcement of child support effective in the State. Provides that when the State in which the custodial parent resides requests the State in which the absent parent resides to modify a support order, the latter State shall not have jurisdiction to modify any other aspect of the order. Requires that by October 1992 every State have in effect an operational child support management information system. Reduces the Federal share of the costs for such systems. Requires the withholding of child support payments from the non-custodial parent's wages upon the issuance or modification of a child support order unless both parents agree in writing to an alternative arrangement or the parent paying child support posts a bond equal to six months of child support. Requires that the Parent Locator Service and the State agency administering the State child and spousal support plan be given access to all employment security information which is in the possession or control of any Federal or interstate telecommunications network or is available through any other data exchange method, and is to be used for child support enforcement purposes. Directs the Secretary to develop and publish standards within one year of this Act's enactment for the amount of time a State may take to complete each of several actions in child support cases. Penalizes States which fail to comply with such standards. Makes this title's amendments effective one year after this Act's enactment. Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate State implementation of this title's amendments and report to the President and the Congress regarding such evaluation within four years of this Act's enactment. Title V: State Demonstration Programs - Requires States that wish to conduct demonstration programs which include Federal, federally-assisted, or non-Federal public programs designed to alleviate poverty to submit filings regarding such demonstrations to an Interagency Low-Income Opportunity Board which shall select and approve those demonstrations judged worthy of implementation. Sets forth policy goals to be considered by the Board in selecting and evaluating such demonstrations. Directs that special consideration be given to demonstration programs designed to: (1) improve methods of helping welfare recipients achieve economic independence; (2) coordinate employment and training programs currently supported by Federal or State funds; (3) establish paternity and obtain child support orders in AFDC cases for which paternity was not established when the case was opened; (4) facilitate efforts by nongovernmental organizations to help welfare clients achieve economic independence. Requires a Governor or his designee to submit a filing which describes in detail the demonstration program to be conducted, including: (1) employment-related activities required of individuals receiving assistance under the demonstration and the circumstances in which they will not be required to participate in such activities; (2) procedures for determining the initial and continuing eligibility of, and benefits for, individuals and families; (3) a budget setting forth the amounts and sources of funding for the demonstration. Requires each Federal department or agency with responsibility for a program which is included in the demonstration program to make an estimate of Funding which, but for the demonstration, would be available for such programs so that the Chairman may compare State budgetary assumptions with such estimate. Provides that when the amount of Federal funds necessary to carry out the demonstration is less than the amount contained in the budget by reason of the effectiveness of the demonstration in achieving the objectives of this title, the State may use excess Federal funds to improve the demonstration or otherwise benefit individuals and families included in the demonstration. Provides that those within a class eligible to participate in a demonstration shall only be eligible for benefits under a program included in such demonstration. Requires the Board to conduct interim evaluations of, and have States submit annual reports on, demonstrations. Authorizes the submittal of demonstration changes for congressional approval if such changes improve the likelihood of accomplishing this title's objectives and participant benefits are not thereby reduced. Authorizes State Governors or the Chairman of the Board to terminate the demonstration (upon giving the Chairman or Governor at least three months advance notice) if the interests of the Federal Government, the State, or the participating individuals would be better served by returning to the separate conduct of the included programs. Requires a Governor, within six months of the completion of a demonstration, to submit a final report on such demonstration to the Board. Directs the Chairman to report annually to the Congress on demonstrations. Directs the Board, after selecting and approving demonstration programs in accordance with criteria it establishes, to prepare a single demonstration proposal containing all information pertinent to the programs selected. Provides that the proposal shall be submitted to the Congress and become effective unless the Congress passes legislation modifying or rejecting the proposal within 60 days after its submission by the Board. Title VI: Evaluation of Employment and Training Programs and State Demonstration Programs - Directs the Secretary to convene an Interagency Panel within three months of this Act's enactment which shall design, implement, and monitor a series of studies assessing the methods and effects of the programs initiated under titles II and V of this Act. Requires the Panel to select an advisory board of not more than 12 members, within six months of this Act's enactment, to provide the Panel with advice and counsel on all aspects of its operation. Requires the Panel to ensure that a study of child care during the welfare-to-work transition period is conducted during the first three years of its operation. Sets forth Panel reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the Panel. Title VII: Miscellaneous and Related Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to approve a five-year demonstration project testing Washington State's Family Independence Program as an alternative to the AFDC program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Provides that when any bill or joint resolution making continuing appropriations is agreed to by both Houses of the Congress in the same form, the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall enroll the provisions in such bill or joint resolution as separate bills or joint resolutions (for item veto purposes). Requires the enrollment as part of one separate bill or joint resolution of: (1) all the provisions within the jurisdiction of a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations; (2) all the provisions within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Appropriations; (3) all the provisions within the jurisdiction of any other House committee; and (4) all the provisions for which jurisdiction cannot be determined.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a partnership, S corporation, or personal service corporation, unless it is part of a tiered structure, to elect to have a taxable year other than the required one, but generally only if the deferral period of the taxable year elected is three months or less. (Current law requires partnerships, S corporations, and personal service corporations, in most cases, to conform their taxable years to the calendar years used by their owners.) Subjects the principals of a partnership or S corporation electing to change taxable years to additional estimated tax requirements to offset any tax deferral resulting from such election. Imposes deduction limitations on a personal service corporation that changes taxable years. Provides that an election with respect to taxable year shall be made by the partnership, S corporation, or personal service corporation and shall be binding on all partners and shareholders. Sets forth the formula for determining the additional tax requirement when a taxpayer: (1) is a partner or shareholder in at least one such entity during any applicable election years of the entity that end within the taxpayer's taxable year; and (2) has an aggregate deferred tax exceeding $200 with respect to the entity. Describes payment procedures. Requires the inclusion of specified information on returns filed by partnerships and S corporations that elect to use a non-required taxable year. Limits the tax deduction permitted to a personal service corporation for amounts paid or incurred with respect to employee-owners when such a corporation: (1) elects to have a taxable year other than the required one; and (2) fails to meet certain minimum distribution requirements regarding non-dividend amounts paid to owners.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1987
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 · 8 July 1987
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to declare that contributions, gifts, or payments by union members or by officials or employees of national banks or corporations to a separate fund which is used for political purposes must be voluntary and unrelated to monies required as a condition of employment. Declares it to be unlawful to use monies paid to an organization as a condition of employment, or money or anything of value secured by force, job discrimination, or financial reprisal, for any type of election or campaign activity by such organization.
![Official portrait of Rep. Combest, Larry [R-TX-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000653_200.jpg)