United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Expresses congressional concern regarding the actions of the Government of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for repeated human rights violations and the brutal handling of the crisis in the Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo. Urges the Yugoslav Government to assure that further violence does not occur and assure protection of the rights of the Albanian minority in Yugoslavia. Calls upon: (1) the President and the Department of State to continue to monitor closely human rights conditions in Yugoslavia; and (2) the President to express these concerns to Yugoslav representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1989
Air Toxics Control Act of 1989 - Amends the Clean Air Act to establish a list of hazardous air pollutants. Permits any person to petition the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for additions to or deletions from such list. Requires the presentation of adequate data concerning health or environmental effects for such additions or deletions. Prohibits air pollutants for which national air quality standards have been established, with specified exceptions, from being added to such list. Directs the Administrator to review and revise such list at least every five years. Requires the Administrator to list and establish emissions standards for categories of major emitting facilities. Establishes a timetable for the promulgation of such standards, requiring standards for all categories within eight years of this Act's enactment. Directs the Administrator to review and, if necessary, revise such standards at least every five years. Requires the Administrator, within four years of promulgating standards for a category, to evaluate risks to human health and the environment remaining after application of such standards. Provides for revisions of such standards for carcinogens or other pollutants not meeting emissions thresholds. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate design, equipment, work practice, and operation standards for major emitting facilities under this Act. Directs the Administrator to promulgate such standards when it is infeasible to establish a numerical emission limitation standard for any category. Requires such standards to: (1) achieve reductions comparable to numerical emission limitations under this Act; (2) include leak prevention, detection, and correction requirements unless the Administrator finds such requirements infeasible or unnecessary; (3) require owners or operators of major emitting facilities to carry out annual safety inspections to locate leaks and unpermitted releases and to report the results of such inspections to the permitting authority; and (4) include procedures for monitoring or measuring emissions and for demonstrating compliance with such requirements. Authorizes the Administrator to establish a de minimis level for emissions from categories of facilities under this Act, provided that such level does not exceed 10 tons annually for any single hazardous air pollutant or 25 tons annually for a combination of such pollutants. Makes it unlawful to construct or modify a major emitting facility or to emit any pollutant subject to this Act's standards, except in compliance with a permit. Outlines the requirements of the permit program. Limits permits to five-year periods. Requires inspections of facilities for permit issuances or renewals. Authorizes the issuance of a temporary permit if a facility owner or operator certifies that the facility is in compliance with applicable standards. Requires the permitting authority to review and inspect such facility to determine whether a full permit should be issued. Requires compliance with standards by existing facilities within three years of the promulgation or revision of such standards. Exempts facilities from standards for carcinogens or nonthreshold air pollutants if a permit contains alternative emission limitations which will prevent adverse health or environmental effects. Grants extensions for permit compliance to existing facilities under specified conditions. Authorizes the President to exempt any facility from any standards for up to two years if the technology to implement such standards is unavailable and the operation of the facility is required for national security reasons. Authorizes additional two-year extensions of such exemptions. Requires the President to report to the Congress with respect to each exemption or extension. Allows exemptions from emission standards for facilities which achieved reductions of at least 95 percent from uncontrolled emissions of a hazardous air pollutant prior to proposal of the standard. Directs the Administrator to conduct an urban pollution research program to include: (1) ambient monitoring for a broad range of hazardous air pollutants in a representative number of urban locations; (2) analysis to characterize the area sources of such pollution and the health risks posed by such pollutants; and (3) consideration of factors which elevate such health risks. Requires State air pollution agencies which receive Federal grants and have responsibility for metropolitan areas with populations over 250,000 to establish monitoring programs to measure the concentrations of hazardous air pollutants. Directs the Administrator to list and promulgate emissions standards for categories of area sources of hazardous air pollutants. Establishes a timetable for the promulgation of such standards, requiring standards for all categories within eight years of this Act's enactment. Requires the Administrator to review and, if necessary, revise such standards at least every five years. Authorizes States to submit to the Administrator for approval programs for the implementation and enforcement of permits or standards concerning areas sources. Permits the transfer of the Administrator's enforcement authorities to a State. Requires the Administrator to publish guidance for use in program development. Sets forth provisions regarding approval of such programs. Requires the Administrator to review State programs at least every two years and to withdraw approval of any program if determined that a State is not administering or enforcing such program. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States for program development. Requires the Administrator to: (1) investigate the sources of atmospheric deposition of hazardous air pollutants on the Great Lakes and tributary waters and evaluate the adverse human health and environmental effects of such deposition; (2) report the results of such investigation to the Congress; and (3) promulgate further emissions standards or control measures necessary to prevent the effects of such deposition. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on the implementation of certain requirements under this Act and to maintain a database on pollutants and sources subject to provisions of this Act. Requires such report to identify specific metropolitan areas which experience high risks to human health as the result of hazardous air pollutant emissions and the sources of such emissions. Makes available to the public any information submitted to a permitting authority. Directs the Administrator to establish and maintain an air toxics clearinghouse, control technology center, and risk information center to provide technical assistance and information to States, local agencies, and the public on emissions reduction. Requires the Administrator to review and, if necessary, revise risk evaluation guidelines at least every five years. Require such evaluations to evaluate direct and indirect exposure pathways. Directs the Administrator to establish standards and procedures for the certification of persons preparing such evaluations. Requires the Administrator to publish a list of air pollutants which: (1) are emitted by motor vehicles into the ambient air or into the interior of a motor vehicle; and (2) cause or contribute to air pollution which may result in serious adverse effects to human health or the environment. Sets forth the same petitioning, review, revision, and risk evaluation procedures as those applicable to major emitting facilities. Establishes diesel particulates emissions standards for: (1) passenger vehicles and light trucks manufactured after 1991; and (2) heavy trucks and buses manufactured after 1990. Makes it unlawful, on the later of one year after this Act's enactment or January 1, 1991, to sell or introduce into commerce any leaded gasoline for use as a motor vehicle fuel. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the reduction of particulates from existing diesel buses. Permits requirements for municipal transit buses to be more stringent than those applicable to other buses. Directs the Administrator to list at least 100 substances which, as the result of an accidental release, may cause adverse human health or environmental effects. Treats liquids and gases identified by the Secretary of Transportation as toxic by inhalation as listed under this section if the Administrator fails to list 100 substances by the required deadline. Requires the Administrator to review substances which are not on such list but are listed under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, this Act, and the list identified by the Secretary for possible additions to the list. Provides for petitioning and modification of such list, as appropriate. Requires the Administrator to update such list at least every five years. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish de minimis quantities of listed substances; and (2) promulgate regulations to provide for prevention and detection of accidental releases of such substances from covered facilities and for response to such releases by owners or operators of such facilities. Requires such regulations to include monitoring, inspection, recordkeeping, storage, design, equipment, work practice, and operational requirements. Directs owners or operators of such facilities to implement risk management plans to detect and prevent or minimize accidental releases. Requires such plans to include hazard assessments, prevention programs, and response measures. Directs the Administrator to promulgate guidelines to assist in the preparation of such plans. Sets forth compliance and enforcement provisions. Requires the President to establish within the EPA an independent Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board to: (1) investigate and report on accidental chemical releases; (2) propose corrective safety steps for chemical facilities; and (3) promulgate requirements for the reporting of such releases. Authorizes the Board to hold hearings, secure written reports from persons handling chemicals, obtain autopsy reports, and conduct inspections of any facility where an accidental release has occurred. Makes information obtained by the Board, with the exception of information concerning trade secrets, available to the public. Directs the Administrator to set forth reasons for any refusal to implement a recommendation of the Board. Requires the Board to report annually to the Congress on recommendations submitted to the Administrator regarding accidental releases. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals certain provisions of the Clean Air Act concerning the revision of stationary source regulations. Increases penalties for specified violations of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1989
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (the Act) to require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring any generator of a shipment of hazardous materials to transmit a manifest of its contents and the license plate or other identifying number of the carrier to the central reporting system and data center. Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract under which a private entity shall establish a central reporting system and data center to provide law enforcement and firefighting personnel with information and advice on dealing with emergencies connected with the transportation of hazardous materials (currently the Secretary is required to establish and maintain such a system and data center). Prohibits the appropriation of Federal funds for such system and data center. Permits the private entity to impose a fee for manifesting such a shipment if the generator is a Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to study the flow of hazardous materials in the United States. Requires the Secretary, in collaboration with the private entity, to report the results of such study to the Congress. Increases both civil and criminal penalties for violations under the Act. Sets forth specified terms and conditions with respect to the private entity's establishment and maintenance of the reporting system and data center.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1989
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement for the transfer of specified monkeys used in research at the Institute for Behavioral Research in Silver Spring, Maryland, to Primarily Primates, Inc., an animal sanctuary in San Antonio, Texas, the teaching zoo known as Moorpark College in Moorpark, California, or the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present a bronze medal to individuals: (1) who were members of the armed forces and were present in Hawaii on December 7, 1941; and (2) who participated in combat operations that day against Japanese military forces attacking Hawaii. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike such medals. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations which are to be reimbursed out of the proceeds from sales of the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to increase the number of criminal investigators assigned to its Office of Criminal Investigations by at least 30 percent in each of the next five fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Designates the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Brick Township, New Jersey, as the James J. Howard Veterans' Outpatient Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Designates June 21, 1989, as Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner Day. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has helped to fulfill the promise of democracy in this Nation. Reaffirms the goal of removing remaining barriers to full voter participation in this Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
Provides an opportunity for Federal employees subject to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and certain Federal employees subject to other retirement systems under the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1964 for Certain Employees and the Foreign Service Act to elect coverage under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) between July 1 and December 31, 1989. Delays implementation of certain Government pension offset provisions under the Social Security Act. Makes this Act's amendments effective as of January 1, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
Oil Spill Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to trade or business expenses to disallow the deduction for oil and hazardous substances cleanup costs if the Secretary of the Treasury receives notification from the relevant authority that the taxpayer has failed to comply with specified Federal environmental law. Disallows such deduction where it can be shown that the oil or hazardous substance discharge was the result of willful negligence or willful misconduct. Reduces the tax attributes of the taxpayer by the amount disallowed. Disallows a deduction for losses resulting from any oil or hazardous substance discharge if the cleanup costs of such discharge are disallowed as a deduction. Sets forth time limits for: (1) the Secretary to assess any deficiency attributable to the notification of noncompliance with Federal environmental law; and (2) the taxpayer to file a claim for credit or refund attributable to receipt of such notification. Establishes an account in the Treasury to consist of the increase in revenues resulting under this Act. Makes such amounts available for: (1) the revolving fund under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for expenses related to removal of discharged oil; or (2) the Hazardous Substance Superfund. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the decrease of Federal revenues because of the allowance of the deduction for oil and hazardous substances cleanup costs. Requires the Secretary to report annually to such committees on the amount expended on environmental cleanup costs and the amount accruing to the Treasury by reason of the disallowance of such deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1989
Homebuyer Savings Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any payment or distribution from an eligible retirement plan for the purpose of acquiring a first home.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1989
Aviation Security and Terrorism Commission Act of 1989 - Establishes the Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism to investigate events leading up to and surrounding the destruction of Pan American World Airways flight 103 on December 21, 1988, and the destruction of Korean Air Lines flight 007 on August 31, 1983. Terminates the Commission 30 days after it makes required reports.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1989
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive the application of certain Medicaid requirements in up to ten States which choose to provide long-term care pursuant to joint, State-sponsored public and private financing arrangements. Sets durational and fiscal limitations on such programs. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress, by January 1, 1999, on the effectiveness of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1989
Older Americans' Freedom to Work Act of 1989 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the appropriate congressional committees should: (1) investigate the extent to which the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 has contributed to the creation of monopoly power for the cable television industry; and (2) recommend legislation that protects the interests of consumers of cable television.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1989
Commends the demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in Beijing and throughout China for their use of nonviolent means to achieve reform. Urges the Chinese Government to reach an accommodation with the demonstrators and work toward a democratic China.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Act - Sets forth U.S. policy concerning chemical and biological weapons. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as may be required to control the export of materials, equipment, and technology having significance for the manufacture or use of chemical and biological weapons. Makes subject to the penalties imposed by the Export Administration Act of 1979 any person who violates any regulation, license, or order issued by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary of State to assess the risk of the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. Specifies particular matters to be considered by such assessment and requires such assessment to give particular attention to the materials, equipment, and technology that have direct significance for the production and use of chemical and biological weapons. Requires the Secretary of State to submit to the Congress a biannual report describing the status of: (1) control of the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons; (2) efforts to prevent the spread of such weapons; and (3) programs to control the export of materials, equipment, and technology having direct significance for the production of chemical and biological weapons. Requires the Secretary of State to establish a Chemical Industry Advisory Group to provide advice to the Secretary concerning such assessment and such biannual report. Requires the Secretary of State to inform the appropriate committees of the Congress of developments of significance to the proliferation and control of chemical and biological weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Pipeline-Hazardous Waste Anti-Dumping Act of 1989 - Amends the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit, by regulation, with specified exceptions, the tending for transportation in crude oil pipeline facilities of any used oil, waste oil, solvent, salt, metal, chemical (including chlorinated or oxygenated hydrocarbons), or other substance determined to pose an unreasonable threat of damage or injury to pipeline facilities, human beings, or the environment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Food Irradiation Safety and Labeling Requirement Act of 1989 - Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from implementing pork irradiation regulations and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from implementing other food irradiation regulations. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to arrange for and report within two years on a study of the risks to human health and the environment presented by food irradiation. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that food for domestic use or export which has been irradiated be labeled in a prescribed fashion. Requires restaurant menus to indicate when foods have been irradiated. Requires persons irradiating food to report semiannually to the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1989
Irrigation Subsidies Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to prohibit a producer who receives Federal irrigation water at less than full cost from participating in any agricultural price and income support program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1989
Dire Emergency Veterans Medical Care Supplemental Appropriations Act for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1989 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for FY 1989 for veterans' medical care.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Correctional Alternatives Act of 1989 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to States to carry out: (1) projects that demonstrate alternatives to incarcerating individuals who are convicted of nonviolent crimes; and (2) jointly with private entities, vocational educational projects, and job training projects, that are also alternatives to incarcerating such individuals. Sets forth the application procedure for such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Prohibits a person from being appointed Inspector General of the Department of Defense unless such person has at least ten years of professional experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations. Outlines administrative provisions concerning the term, removal, duties, and subpoena power of the Inspector General. Requires the Director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency to report to, and be subject to the supervision of, the Inspector General.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Department of Defense Audit Improvement Act - Establishes the position of Auditor General (AG) in each of the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, to be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate to be under the supervision of the Secretary of the military department concerned (Secretary). Allows the AG to be removed only by the President. Establishes three Assistant Auditors General of each department, as follows: (1) Assistant Auditor General for Auditing; (2) Assistant Auditor General for Investigations; and (3) Assistant Auditor General for Inspections. Requires the AG to be under the authority, control, and direction of the Secretary with respect to audits, investigations, or inspections relating to: (1) sensitive operational plans; (2) intelligence matters; (3) counterintelligence matters; (4) ongoing criminal investigations by other administrative units relating to national security; and (5) other matters the disclosure of which would constitute a threat to national security. Allows the Secretary to prohibit the AG from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit, investigation, or inspection if necessary to preserve the national security interests of the United States. Requires certain statements and reports if the Secretary exercises such prohibition. Directs the AG to perform such audit, investigation, and inspection functions as directed by the Secretary. Requires the AG to provide policy direction for such functions within the department. Requires the AG to comply with all standards established by the Comptroller General and the Inspector General of the Department of the Defense (DOD). Requires the AG to perform legislative review and other activities related to promoting economy and efficiency in the department's programs and operations. Requires the AG to inform the Secretary, the Inspector General of DOD, the Secretary of Defense, and the Congress of fraud and other problems, abuses, and deficiencies relating to the administration of programs and operations administered or financed by the department and to recommend corrective action. Directs the AG to avoid duplicative efforts with the Comptroller General and the Inspector General of DOD. Requires the AG to report on criminal violations found. Outlines general administrative powers of the AG with respect to audit, investigative, and inspection functions within the department, including the power to obtain information from other Federal agencies in connection with the performance of such functions. Authorizes the AG to receive and investigate complaints or information from Army employees concerning a possible violation of laws or regulations, mismanagement, waste, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety. Requires the AG to report to the Inspector General of DOD to aid the Inspector General in the preparation of the semiannual report required under the Inspector General Act of 1978. Requires the AG to cooperate fully with the Inspector General in connection with the performance of any duty or function. Directs the Inspector General to resolve any jurisdictional disputes between the two. Makes conforming amendments and transfers current auditing and investigative functions within the department to the AG within one year after enactment of this Act. Places the position of Auditor General of a military department at level IV of the Executive Schedule. Includes revelations made to any such Auditor General under the whistleblower protection for members of the armed forces. Requires certain transfers of personnel as a result of the establishment of Auditors General within the military departments. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees within 120 days after enactment of this Act on such transfers. Requires amounts requested for the Auditors General of the military departments to be separately identified in the annual budget justification materials submitted to the Congress by the President. Provides that nothing in this Act changes the relationship between the Inspector General of DOD and the entities of the military departments that carry out audits, investigations, and inspections. Requires the President to submit to the Senate, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, nominations for the Auditor General positions of the military departments.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Clean Air Restoration Act of 1989 - Title I: General Provisions for Nonattainment Areas - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish guidelines for enhanced State monitoring of ozone, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and particulate matter 10 (PM 10) and for improved inventories of emissions of such substances. Directs the Administrator to establish emissions factors for estimating emissions of such substances from stationary sources which emit less than 25 tons per year of such pollutants. Requires State plan revisions submitted after this Act's enactment for ozone, carbon monoxide, or PM 10 nonattainment areas to provide for the maintenance of the attainment standard for 20 years after such submission. Directs the Administrator to periodically review and revise such plans, as necessary, to insure the maintenance of such standard. Revises the boundaries of ozone and carbon monoxide nonattainment areas which are classified as Extreme or Severe and are located within Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) or Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Areas (CMSA) to include the entire MSA or CMSA. Authorizes the Administrator to modify nonattainment areas classified as Moderate or serious for ozone, carbon monoxide, or PM 10 to encompass the entire MSA or CMSA if such modification is necessary to attain the air quality standard. Requires permits issued in nonattainment areas for stationary sources to provide for: (1) quarterly reports to the permitting authority on monitoring measures; and (2) annual certifications to such authority demonstrating compliance with such permit. Prohibits the issuance of any permit unless such authority has conducted an on-site inspection of the source or emissions unit. Allows new or modified stationary sources to comply with any offset requirement for increased emissions of any air pollutant by obtaining enforceable emissions reductions of such pollutant from other sources in the same nonattainment area. Requires such reductions to be in effect by the time such sources commence operation and to insure that the total tonnage of increased emissions is offset by a greater reduction in the actual emissions from other area sources. Title II: Provisions Applicable to Ozone Nonattainment Areas - Classifies ozone nonattainment areas as Moderate, Serious, Severe, or Extreme, based upon the percentage by which the air quality standard is exceeded in the area. Authorizes the Administrator to adjust the classification of areas which would be classified in another category if the ozone level in such areas were ten percent greater or less. Requires the Administrator to promulgate special rules for rural nonattainment areas where area sources do not make significant contributions to the ozone concentration in such areas. Directs States with classified ozone nonattainment areas to submit compliance strategies to the Administrator. Requires such strategies to provide for: (1) meeting an initial milestone for emissions reductions; (2) improved monitoring of ozone, oxides of nitrogen, and VOCs; (3) annual statements from owners or operators of stationary sources showing emissions of oxides of nitrogen and VOCs; and (4) annual emissions inventories to be submitted to the Administrator. Waives the requirement for owners or operators of stationary sources which emit less than 25 tons annually of VOCs if the State provides an inventory of emissions of such sources. Applies requirements for State permits with respect to air quality standards to statements for stationary sources which emit 25 tons or more annually of oxides of nitrogen or VOCs. Deems such sources to be major stationary sources. Establishes fees to be collected by States for each ton of emissions of such substances and approval procedures for compliance strategies. Directs the Administrator to publish oxides of nitrogen and VOC emissions reduction targets for Serious, Severe, and Extreme ozone nonattainment areas. Provides for reductions or increases in such targets based upon percentage reductions or increases over a 1988 emissions inventory. Directs the Administrator to publish a VOC emissions reduction milestone for such areas to require a 20 percent reduction in emissions within four years of this Act's enactment based upon the 1988 emissions inventory. Requires additional milestones to be achieved within eight and 12 years of this Act's enactment. Sets forth attainment dates of four, eight, 12, and 16 years, respectively, for Moderate, Serious, Severe, and Extreme areas. Requires State implementation plans for Serious, Severe, and Extreme areas to be revised to include measures for meeting targets and milestones, conforming with compliance strategies, and attaining and maintaining revised ozone standards. Sets forth approval procedures for such plans. Requires the Administrator to audit biennially and, if necessary, revise such plans to assure compliance. Includes specified ratios for offsets of increased emissions by new or modified sources in permit requirements for Moderate areas. Requires compliance strategies or revised implementation plans for Serious and Severe areas to contain a permit program covering the construction and operation of certain new or modified emissions units. Requires certain emissions offsets by the time such units enter operation. Provides that such plans or strategies shall: (1) contain a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program to reduce in-use emissions of VOCs and oxides of nitrogen in Serious areas; and (2) require the use of fill nozzles in such areas which prevent vapor discharge and vehicle fuel tank overflows on nozzle disconnect. Applies the nozzle requirement only to facilities which sell more than 10,000 gallons of gasoline per month (50,000 gallons per month in the case of certain independent small business gasoline marketers). Waives such requirement when the Administrator determines that onboard emissions control systems are in widespread use throughout the motor vehicle fleet. Requires such plans or strategies to require all buses which are purchased or leased by State or local governments after January 1, 1992, (for which such governments enter into contracts or for which engines are replaced after such date) and which are used for public transportation in Serious areas to be low-emission vehicles using low-emission fuels. Requires permits for the operation of certain existing stationary sources in Serious, Severe, and Extreme areas. Requires such strategies or plans to establish a schedule requiring at least 30 percent of the new motor vehicles registered in Severe areas by 1998 to be low-emission vehicles using low-emission fuels. Prohibits the use of an emissions reduction trading program to comply with the reasonably available control technology requirement applicable to such sources under the Clean Air Act. Requires tanks used for motor vehicle liquid fuel storage in such areas to be capable of storing methanol. Prohibits the use of Federal funds for transportation planning in such areas unless the Administrator determines that such planning uses all available techniques for reducing aggregate vehicle emissions. Requires all new motor vehicles owned or operated by persons owning or operating 15 or more vehicles in a Severe area after 1992 to be low-emission vehicles using low-emission fuels. Provides that compliance strategies and State implementation plans for Extreme areas shall contain the same requirements as those for Severe areas. Provides that, eight years after this Act's enactment, each electric utility and industrial and commercial boiler emitting more than 25 tons annually of oxides of nitrogen in such areas shall: (1) burn natural gas, methanol, or ethanol (or a comparably low polluting fuel) as a primary fuel; or (2) use advance control technology for reduction of such emissions. Establishes a schedule for increasing in annual increments the percentage of new motor vehicles registered in such areas which are low-emission vehicles. Requires all model year 2000 vehicles to be low-emission vehicles. Authorizes the establishment of traffic control measures during heavy traffic hours to reduce the use of high polluting vehicles in such areas. Allows an Extreme area to apply for a four-year extension of the attainment date. Directs the Administrator to grant such extension if the area is reasonably expected to meet minimum emissions reduction targets and the implementation plan is adequate to meet the attainment standard by the extended date. Sets forth procedures to be applied in the case of noncompliance with plan and compliance strategy requirements, including emissions offsets for new or modified stationary sources or emissions units at a ratio of three to one and a prohibition on the approval of, or awarding of Federal funds for, highway projects in non-complying areas. Sets forth deadlines for States to demonstrate that all measures in compliance strategies have been implemented and that milestones have been met. Provides for reclassification of areas or the implementation of additional measures, including economic incentive programs in Severe and Extreme areas, if a State fails to meet emissions reduction milestones or to submit a demonstration. Directs the Administrator to establish guidelines for such programs. Sets forth administrative procedures for making determinations, including provisional determinations, of attainment of air quality standards during a three-year period. Directs the Administrator to reclassify Moderate, Serious, or Severe areas which fail to meet attainment deadlines into the next, more stringent, category. Requires States with Extreme areas failing to meet such deadlines to submit plan revisions providing for: (1) emissions offsets at a ratio of three to one for new or modified sources or emissions units in such areas; and (2) an economic incentives program to aid in reducing the total tonnage of VOC and oxides of nitrogen emissions by at least five percent annually prior to attainment of the standard. Establishes an ozone transport region comprised of coastal States on the east coast between Maine and Maryland and the CMSA including the District of Columbia. Authorizes the creation of additional regions, as necessary. Directs the Administrator to establish an ozone transport commission for each region. Requires each State within a region to submit to the Administrator a revised implementation plan which requires compliance with emission levels as if the region were classified as a Serious area for ozone. Exempts regions within a State that do not contribute significantly to ozone concentrations in Serious, Severe, or Extreme areas. Permits States or subdivisions to petition the Administrator for the inclusion of another State or portion of a State within an ozone transport region. Requires the Administrator to develop criteria for determining transboundary pollution for ozone. Authorizes the Administrator to pay up to 100 percent of the program costs of such commissions for two years. Directs the Administrator to: (1) list all categories of commercial and consumer solvents, architectural and other surface coatings, pesticide applications, traffic coatings, and military specification coatings which release significant evaporative emissions of VOCs; and (2) promulgate standards biennially, for eight years, to reduce emissions from the highest priority group of such substances to the lowest feasible emissions rate. Requires the Administrator to publish a list of the 12 categories of stationary sources for which control technologies have not been published and which make the most significant contribution to the formation of ozone air pollution. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance for such sources, including guidelines for monitoring emissions of VOCs and oxides of nitrogen, and review and, if necessary, update such guidelines. Requires owners or operators of sources emitting ten tons or more of VOCs annually to reduce such emissions by a specified percentage if guidance for such source has not been published. Directs the Administrator to publish a control technology document regarding control of VOC emissions from the loading of petroleum products on or off of vessels. Provides that such emissions shall be considered to be direct emissions of the onshore terminal. Title III: Provisions Applicable to Carbon Monoxide Nonattainment Areas - Classifies carbon monoxide nonattainment areas as Moderate, Serious, or Severe. Authorizes the Administrator to adjust such classifications under conditions parallel to those for ozone nonattainment areas. Requires the Administrator to publish carbon monoxide concentration milestones for Serious and Severe areas to be achieved within four and eight years of this Act's enactment, respectively. Sets forth attainment dates of four, eight, and twelve years, respectively, for Moderate, Serious, and Severe areas. Sets forth requirements parallel to those for ozone nonattainment areas for State plan revisions, content, approval, and auditing. Requires plans for Serious and Severe areas to include: (1) motor vehicle inspection and maintenance programs to reduce in-use carbon monoxide emissions; and (2) provisions requiring the use of oxygenated fuels for all gasoline-powered motor vehicles during periods identified as having carbon monoxide concentrations potentially in excess of air quality standards. Directs the Administrator to promulgate guidelines allowing the use of marketable oxygen credits from fuels with higher oxygen contents than required to offset the sale or use of fuels with lower contents than required. Waives the oxygenated fuel requirement upon a demonstration that the use of such fuels would prevent or interfere with an area's attainment of a standard for any other air pollutant. Requires persons selling oxygenated fuel to label the fuel dispensing system accordingly. Sets forth requirements parallel to those for ozone nonattainment areas for: (1) permit programs and emissions offsets in Severe areas; (2) persons owning or operating more than 15 vehicles in such areas; and (3) funding for transportation planning. Provides for a $5 per vehicle annual registration fee in such areas. Makes registration revenues available to the State air pollution control agency for developing carbon monoxide emissions reduction strategies. Sets forth requirements parallel to those for ozone nonattainment areas for noncompliance procedures and State demonstrations. Provides for the implementation of an incentives program to reduce vehicle miles traveled in Severe areas if milestones or demonstration requirements have not been met. Provides for reclassification and plan revision procedures parallel to those required for Severe and Extreme ozone nonattainment areas. Title IV: Provisions Applicable to PM 10 Nonattainment Areas - Classifies PM 10 nonattainment areas as Serious or Severe. Sets forth attainment dates of four and eight years after this Act's enactment, respectively, for Serious and Severe areas. Directs the Administrator to publish PM 10 concentration milestones for Severe areas to require a 50 percent reduction in concentrations within four years of this Act's enactment. Sets forth requirements parallel to those for ozone and carbon monoxide nonattainment areas for: (1) State plan revisions, content, approval, and auditing; and (2) permit programs for Serious and Severe areas. Requires permits for the operation of: (1) certain existing sources in Severe areas; and (2) new, modified, and existing sources of PM 10 precursors where such emissions contribute significantly to PM 10 concentrations in nonattainment areas. Sets forth requirements parallel to those for ozone and carbon monoxide nonattainment areas for noncompliance, State demonstrations, reclassifications, and plan revisions. Allows States which have submitted plan revisions for Severe areas to apply for a two-year extension of the attainment date. Provides that three to one offset requirements shall not apply to areas granted such extensions. Waives any PM 10 requirements if determined that anthropogenic sources of PM 10 do not contribute significantly to the violation of the PM 10 standard in the area. Directs the Administrator to: (1) list all important categories of PM 10 emissions and precursors; and (2) publish biennial guidelines concerning the best available control technology for PM 10 emissions from stationary sources in the highest priority group. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations for PM 10 emissions reduction from existing diesel buses in Severe areas to require the use of lower polluting fuels. Requires State plans to include annual PM 10 emissions inventories to be submitted to the Administrator. Provides for revisions of such plans if air quality standards are modified. Requires plans to contain measures to improve the ambient monitoring of PM 10. Title V: Mobile Sources - Sets standards for emissions of hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and particulates from: (1) passenger cars and light duty trucks manufactured after 1991; and (2) heavy duty trucks and buses manufactured after 1990. Directs the Administrator to promulgate standards for vehicles using low-emissions fuel. Requires the Administrator to evaluate and, if necessary, revise such standards at least every four years. Directs the Administrator to establish a minimum percentage of new motor vehicles to be certified as low-emissions vehicles. Requires the Administrator to promulgate emissions standards for internal combustion engines used in any vehicle or machine manufactured after January 1, 1993. Requires such standards to be proportional to those for motor vehicle engines of comparable horsepower using the same fuel. Directs the Administrator to add an idle test to the Federal Test Procedure for emissions from light duty vehicles manufactured after 1991. Permits only ten percent of vehicles manufactured after 1990 in a selective enforcement audit to fail motor vehicle testing. Requires the Administrator to review and revise, as necessary, testing regulations to insure that vehicles are tested under circumstances reflecting actual current driving conditions. Requires each vehicle and engine to comply with the applicable emissions standard (Current law permits averaging). Provides that the useful life of vehicles and engines manufactured after 1994 shall be ten years or 100,000 miles. Makes technical amendments to prohibitions on tampering with vehicle emission control devices. Directs the Administrator to require the use of best available technology to control evaporative emissions from motor vehicles for a vehicle's useful life. Sets standards for emission of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and evaporative hydrocarbons from motorcycles manufactured after 1991. Requires the installation of onboard emission diagnostic equipment on motor vehicles. Directs the Administrator to: (1) promulgate regulations to reduce evaporative emissions from motor vehicle fuels; and (2) establish a standard for gasoline volatility. Requires new light duty motor vehicles manufactured in the second year after standards are promulgated to be equipped with onboard evaporative emissions control systems. Provides for carbon monoxide emissions testing at 20 degrees Fahrenheit of passenger cars and light duty trucks manufactured after model year 1992. Sets emissions standards at such temperature. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the Administrator to establish requirements to control air pollution from Outer Continental Shelf sources. Authorizes States adjacent to such sources to submit to the Administrator procedures for enforcing such requirements. Directs the Administrator to delegate enforcement authority to States with adequate procedures. Authorizes the Administrator to substitute maximum allowable increases in particulate matter smaller than or equal to ten micrometers (PM 10) for maximum allowable increases in such matter specified under the Clean Air Act. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) treat Indian tribes as States under the Clean Air Act; (2) delegate to such tribes primary responsibility for assuring air pollution control; and (3) provide such tribes grant and contract assistance to carry out such functions. Outlines requirements for such authorization. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate other means for administering such authorities where such treatment is inappropriate. Directs the Administrator to list nonattainment areas for air pollutants other than those covered by this Act when a new or revised air quality standard is promulgated. Applies the PM 10 standards, excepting attainment deadlines and provisions relating to diesel buses, to such areas. Requires the Administrator to make information regarding emissions control technology available to States and the public through a central database. Repeals provisions concerning enforcement orders and violations by owners or operators of major stationary sources. Requires States to submit plan revisions for nonattainment areas failing to meet attainment deadlines for air pollutants other than those covered by this Act. Requires new or modified sources of such pollutants to comply with provisions of this Act and applies an emissions offset ratio of three to one to such pollutants. Directs the Administrator to conduct biennial audits of motor vehicle inspection and maintenance programs in Severe or Extreme ozone or carbon monoxide nonattainment areas. Increases and expands the scope of penalties and violations of the Clean Air Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Low-Income Housing Credit Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the low-income housing income tax credit (under current law the credit will expire after tax year 1989). Permits States a one-year carryover of unused credit authority. Assigns carryovers to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allocate to eligible States applying for excess credit. Allows the credit only if an extended low-income housing commitment (beyond the current 15-year period) is in effect with respect to any building for the relevant taxable year. Describes procedures to effect transition to a non-low-income use in connection with such extensions. Permits the credit in connection with the acquisition of an existing building only if the taxpayer incurs rehabilitation expenditures of at least $3,000 per unit. Revises rent restrictions to: (1) declare unnecessary a required rent reduction below the initial rent if the median gross income of the area decreases; (2) permit higher rent if units are occupied by higher income individuals and the project has an operating deficit; (3) base income limitations on the number of bedrooms in a unit; and (4) use State median gross income in certain low-income housing status determinations. Broadens categories of existing buildings eligible for a waiver of the ten-year requirement for the low-income housing credit. Revises credit provisions relating to single-room occupancy units and special needs housing. Loosens restrictions that limit credit benefits in connection with buildings financed with tax-exempt bonds and below market loans. Permits the credit to be allocated: (1) on a project basis; and (2) in connection with owner-occupied buildings of four units or less if a development plan is submitted. Directs housing credit agencies to adopt plans for allocating credit amounts among projects, prohibiting the credit with respect to any building not included in such a plan. Modifies at-risk rules in connection with buildings subject to the historic rehabilitation credit and those associated with financing provided by certain nonprofit organizations. Sets the tax credit rate on a semiannual rather than monthly basis. Increases the credit in connection with buildings in high cost areas (low-income census tracts or difficult development areas).
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress and the President, prior to each fiscal year, to agree on an estimate of total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year by enactment of a joint single subject resolution. Prohibits outlays for that year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding this amount unless the Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of the total membership of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) India should schedule negotiations with Nepal as soon as possible to resolve the problems which led to the closing by India of the Nepalese-Indian border, immediately open such border, and resume the sale of Indian-refined petroleum products in Nepal; and (2) the Secretary of State should continue to monitor the dispute and provide regular briefings to the Congress on the effect of the dispute on U.S. interests in Nepal and the Indian subcontinent.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual the following qualified employer-provided transportation benefits: (1) the value of transportation in a commuter highway vehicle between the employee's residence and workplace; and (2) up to $60 per month of the value of any transit pass entitling the employee to transportation on mass transit facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union should be held responsible for any use of chemical warfare by the Afghan regime against the mujahideen and should remove the potential for chemical warfare in Afghanistan; and (2) any such use may be cause for the United States to reduce or terminate diplomatic initiatives and economic cooperation with the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Designates the Labor Day weekend beginning on September 2, 1989, as National Drive for Life Weekend. Calls on people to observe that weekend with a pledge to not drink and drive.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Student Loan Default Prevention Act of 1989 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (the Act) to require delayed disbursement for first-year students at high default rate institutions of Federally-insured student loans (FISL) and guaranteed student loans (GSL) under the Robert T. Stafford Student Loan Program. Lowers the amount insured for any lender by the GSL program from 100 percent to 95 percent of the unpaid principal if one-third or more of the principal outstanding during any consecutive two-year period on the lender's loans consists of loans to students for attendance costs at a higher default rate institution. Defines "high default rate institutions" as ones with a default rate of 20 percent or more. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to define "default rate" by regulation. Adds requirements with respect to disbursement and endorsement of student loans. Requires multiple disbursements, with minimum intervals. Sets forth other requirements for the initial disbursement, withholding of second disbursement, and aggregation of multiple loans, with specified exceptions. Prohibits an institution from being certified or recertified as eligible for the Stafford or other student assistance if it has lost its institutional accreditation during the preceding 24 months, unless such accreditation has been restored or the institution has demonstrated its academic integrity to the Secretary's satisfaction. Requires that officers or directors of the accrediting agency or association not be affiliated in any way with a vocational school seeking or obtaining eligibility for the student loan insurance program. Requires that testing of ability-to-benefit students be administered by an agency independent of, and at a location not owned or controlled by, the higher education institution concerned. Establishes a tuition refund policy. Directs eligible institutions to require borrowers to supply specified exit interview information. Sets forth restrictions on institutional promotional activities. Requires that an institution's graduation and placement statistics be audited by an independent public agency.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Precludes veterans entitled to benefits under the All Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program from receiving other veterans' educational assistance. Terminates other veterans' educational assistance as of June 30, 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Designates September 8, 1989, as National Pledge of Allegiance Day. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission should include the centennial observance of the Pledge of Allegiance in its commemorative activities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Condemns the use of excessive and lethal force by Soviet troops in responding to the demonstrations of April 9, 1989, in Tbilisi, Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. Urges the Soviet Union to investigate allegations of the use of toxic chemical agents against the demonstrators in Tbilisi and, if true, to take steps to prevent the reoccurrence of such use. Supports the demands of the people of Georgia for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1989
Prohibits the United States from making any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations or any of its affiliated organizations if such entity grants full membership as a state to any organization or group that does not have the internationally recognized attributes of statehood.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1989
Plastic Container Identification Act of 1989 - Prescribes labeling requirements for plastic containers in interstate commerce to indicate the type of plastic resin used to produce the container. Imposes criminal penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1989
Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to establish a special joint committee to coordinate the investigations of the individual committees of Congress into the bombing of Pan American flight number 103. Requires such committee to report to the House and the Senate on its investigation.
![Official portrait of Rep. Courter, Jim [R-NJ-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000809_200.jpg)