United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Defense Savings Act - Establishes the Bipartisan Commission on the Consolidation of Military Bases (the Commission) to: (1) review the military importance of all major military installations; and (2) identify which such installations can be closed or realigned without impairing the security of the United States. Outlines administrative procedures concerning membership, staff, meetings, and powers of the Commission. Directs the Commission, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to submit to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and each House of the Congress a final report on the findings and conclusions of the Commission. Terminates the Commission 30 days after the submission of such report. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to take certain specified action with respect to the implementation of the Commission's recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Competition Savings Act of 1987 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the Federal Government to contract with the private sector for the performance of a commercial activity when the cost is lower than the cost of the performance of such activity by the Government. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to prescribe regulations for such cost comparisons. Requires the Director to publish a commercial activity inventory each fiscal year in the Federal Register. Provides that such inventory shall consist of a list of all commercial activities carried out by full-time Government employees, and the cost of such activities. Requires each executive agency to complete cost comparisons or award contracts for commercial activities which constitute 20 percent of the number of activities listed in the agency's inventory for each fiscal year, beginning with FY 1989. Specifies commercial activities which are exempt from cost comparisons and those eligible for expedited procedures. Sets forth performance deadlines after completion of cost comparisons. Requires the inclusion of cost comparison results in budget requests. Provides for judicial review of decisions resulting from cost comparisons. Makes greater reliance on private sector sources a part of Federal procurement policy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Defense Select Consolidations Act of 1986 - Title I: Consolidation and Administration of Depot Level Maintenance - Defines "depot level maintenance facility" as a Department of Defense (DOD) facility in which certain maintenance functions are performed and for which there is an extensive capital investment for the performance of such functions. Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to designate a single manager in DOD to be responsible for the administration of depot level maintenance facilities. Requires the manager, no later than two years after the enactment of this Act, to develop and implement a plan for the consolidation of: (1) depot level maintenance facilities; and (2) the performance of management functions related to such facilities. Requires such plans to be submitted to both the Secretary of Defense and the Inspector General of DOD. Requires the Inspector General to review such plan and make appropriate comments and recommendations to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, no later than 90 days before the implementation of the plan commences, to submit the plan, together with the Inspector General's comments, to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. Outlines the functions and control to be exercised by the manager. Directs the Secretaries of the military departments to consult with and make budget requests through the manager for the performance of depot level maintenance functions. Title II: Consolidation of Wholesale Depot Facilities - Defines "wholesale depot facility" as a DOD facility that receives, stores, and issues bulk quantities of materials to the ultimate user of the material. Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to designate a single manager in DOD to be responsible for the administration and operation of wholesale depot facilities. Requires the manager, no later than two years after the enactment of this Act, to develop and implement a plan for the consolidation of: (1) wholesale depot facilities; and (2) the performance of management functions related to such facilities. Requires such plan to be submitted to both the Secretary of Defense and the Inspector General of DOD. Requires the Inspector General to review such plan and make appropriate comments and recommendations to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, no later than 90 days before the implementation of the plan commences, to submit the plan, together with the Inspector General's comments, to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. Title III: Consolidation of Base Support Operations - Defines "base support operations" as various services provided in connection with military bases and installations. Directs the military departments to participate in the Defense Retail Interservice Support Program of the Department of Defense (the Program). Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) encourage consolidation of base support operations under the Program in all geographic areas in which there are two or more military installations located within 50 miles of each other; (2) utilize the Program to develop other specified consolidation of base support operations; and (3) submit to the Congress each year, at the same time the President's budget is submitted, the cost of base support operations performed under contract and a summary of planned actions to consolidate and reduce the cost of such operations. Title IV: Unification of Traffic Management - Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than one year after the enactment of this Act, to establish a unified traffic management command to assume all traffic management functions assigned to the Military Traffic Command, the Military Sealift Command, and the Military Airlift Command. Requires the Secretary, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to develop and transmit to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees a plan to establish the unified traffic management command. Repeals a provision of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1983 which prohibits the consolidation of the military transportation commands.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Border Management Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1987 - Title I: Border Management Consolidation - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Policy Development, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and other concerned agencies, to develop and submit to the Congress within 180 days a plan which: (1) provides for the consolidation of border and entry inspection functions of the U.S. Customs and Immigration and Naturalization Services; and (2) sets forth a comprehensive border management policy. Makes such plan effective 60 days after submission to the Congress, unless disapproved during such period by a joint resolution. Requires completed implementation of such plan within one year of submission. Title II: Employee Overtime Compensation and Reimbursement - Amends specified Federal laws relating to overtime compensation for the U.S. Customs Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Title III: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for interest on refinanced indebtedness secured by a qualified residence, when the indebtedness was incurred and secured on or before August 16, 1986, but such refinancing occurred after August 16, 1986. Requires that the principal amount after refinancing not exceed the principal amount before refinancing (even though the latter, when originally incurred, exceeded the cost basis for the residence plus improvements).
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Coal Pipeline Act of 1987 - Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920 to authorize a person who has secured specified water rights under applicable State law to apply to the Secretary of the Interior for certification that it is in the national interest to construct, operate, or extend a coal pipeline. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary will make such a certification, including the decision to grant rights-of-way across Federal lands upon such pipeline's request. Conditions such certification upon an applicant's reservation of a specified portion of total pipeline capacity for small, independent producers located in the geographic region served by such pipeline. Makes all Federal and State environmental laws applicable to the issuance or denial of such certification. Outlines the procedures for granting rights-of-way across Federal lands. Proscribes the granting of any right-of-way through lands: (1) designated as wilderness areas; (2) administered as part of the national park system; or (3) which are part of a historic site (unless there is no reasonable alternative and reasonable planning is made to minimize the harm of such site). Prohibits any person or entity (including the United States) from claiming any right or interest in water within any State for a coal pipeline unless such claim takes place under the law of the affected State. Delegates to the States all power regarding water rights for a coal pipeline in spite of any otherwise impermissible burden which may thereby be imposed upon interstate commerce. States that this Act does not: (1) impair the validity of any State law (or interstate compact) regarding any claim to water rights; (2) alter the rights of any State to its apportioned share of water under past or future allocation or interstate compact; (3) affect any Indian water rights; or (4) preempt or otherwise affect any State or Federal law or interstate compact regarding water quality or disposal. Prohibits any State acting under authority of this Act from restricting the movement through such State of water acquired in another State and within a coal pipeline. Authorizes certain persons who have received a certification from the Secretary that it is in the national interest to operate or extend a coal pipeline to acquire rights-of-way through private lands by the power of eminent domain. States this Act shall not be construed to permit any person (including the United States) to acquire any water rights through the power of eminent domain. Prohibits the acquisition of any right-of-way through the power of eminent domain if such right-of-way is upon land which is part of a historic site of national, State, or local significance, unless there is no prudent alternative and reasonable planning is made to minimize harm to such site. Provides for an antitrust review of applications for certification by the Attorney General. Sets forth certification guidelines under which the Secretary shall determine whether construction, operation, or extension of a coal pipeline is in the national interest. Requires each pipeline carrier for which a certification has been issued to provide service on reasonable request. Prohibits such carriers from unreasonably discriminating or refusing to enter into contracts with coal shippers under similar conditions in a contemporaneous period. Requires the Secretary to publish notice of coal pipeline certifications in the Federal Register. States that this Act shall not be construed to modify or preempt the ratemaking authority of any State utility regulatory agency. Requires the Secretary to establish uniform Federal standards for coal pipeline safety. Establishes penalties for failure to comply with such safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Trade Expansion Act of 1987 - Title I: Trade Negotiations and Relief from Import Impacts - Sets forth the trade negotiating objectives of the United States, which include: (1) developing principles, rules, and procedures to reduce trade barriers and distortions; (2) improving the dispute settlement mechanisms and procedures of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); (3) strengthening the GATT rules pertaining to subsidy practices and countervailing measures, and dumping practices and antidumping measures; and (4) establishing free trade areas with market economy countries. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek to implement agreements to achieve such objectives through the submission of treaties, rather than through the procedures of the Trade Act of 1974. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the President's nontariff barrier negotiating authority through January 3, 1993. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to: (1) submit annual reports to specified congressional committees on such negotiations; and (2) consult with the Advisory Committee on Trade Negotiations and with private committees during the course of such negotiations. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to eliminate the injury requirement with regard to unlawful unfair methods of competition. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend existing procedures regarding the establishment of free trade areas with countries other than Israel. (Current law requires additional procedures with regard to such countries.) Allows the President to grant antitrust relief to industries to prevent or remedy serious injuries caused by imports. Sets forth procedures for the provision of such relief. Title II: Export Controls - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to declare that it shall be the policy of the United States to use export controls to restrict the export of strategic and critical materials. Provides that the authority to impose short supply export controls: (1) shall be exercised only to enable the President to carry out the Critical Materials Stock Piling Act; and (2) may not be delegated. Removes certain procedural requirements regarding the monitoring of exports. Removes restrictions regarding the export of: (1) domestically produced crude oil; (2) Alaskan North Slope Oil; and (3) unprocessed timber from Federal lands. Title III: Business Information and Confidentiality Procedures - Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Freedom of Information Act to require agencies to promulgate regulations with regard to the procedures for: (1) designating certain business information confidential; and (2) handling requests for such confidential information. Establishes guidelines for procedures to be followed when an agency is required to notify a submitter that a request has been made for information designated (or treated) as exempt by the submitter. Describes circumstances in which an agency is not required to notify a submitter. Provides for de novo judicial review by a U.S. district court of an agency decision to withhold or disclose records. Directs the court to assess attorney's fees against a submitter where the submitter's reasons for withholding information were not substantially justified. Title IV: Business Practices and Records Act of 1987 - Business Practices and Records Act of 1987 - Changes the name of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) to the Business Practices and Records Act. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require securities issuers to maintain an internal accounting system that provides reasonable assurance that specified accountability and accuracy goals are met. Prohibits imposing criminal liability for failing to maintain such an accounting system. Prohibits imposing civil injunctive relief with respect to: (1) an issuer who fails to maintain the required accounting system if the issuer tried in good faith to meet the requirements; or (2) any person other than an issuer in connection with an issuer's failure to comply with such requirements, unless such person knowingly caused the issuer to fail to comply. Prohibits anyone from knowingly circumventing such an accounting system for a purpose inconsistent with the accountability and accuracy goals of such system. Requires only good faith efforts at ensuring compliance by issuers who hold 50 percent or less of the equity of domestic or foreign firms. Transfers from the Securities and Exchange Commission to the Department of Justice jurisdiction to enforce the bribery prohibitions of the FCPA with respect to issuers. Revises the prohibition against domestic concerns using any means of interstate commerce to further payments to obtain business with a foreign official. States that such a payment made "directly or indirectly" to a foreign official is illegal. Prohibits such payments that are made to: (1) influence a foreign official's act or induce such an official to violate a legal duty; or (2) induce a foreign official to affect a foreign government's act. Prohibits domestic concerns from using interstate commerce to direct or authorize an agent to further such a payment to a foreign official. Exempts from such prohibitions: (1) payments to foreign officials to expedite or to secure the performance of routine governmental action; (2) payments which constitute tokens of regard or esteem; (3) expenditures associated with selling, purchasing, or demonstrating goods; or (4) ordinary expenditures associated with performing a contract with a foreign government. Provides an affirmative defense where such payment or gift is lawful under the laws of the foreign official's country. Revises the fines and criminal penalties for violations of such Act. Empowers the Attorney General to undertake all civil investigations necessary to enforce the Act. Prohibits prosecution of a domestic concern or specified agents of such concern for violating the Federal mail or wire fraud provisions by making a payment to a foreign official if the prosecution is based on the theory that the official, by receiving the payment, violated a duty to or defrauded the foreign government or the citizens of a foreign country. Title V: Clayton Act Amendments - Amends the Clayton Act to repeal: (1) the provision prohibiting the acquisition by one corporation of the stock of another if such acquisition substantially lessens competition or tends to create a monopoly; and (2) the requirements regarding premerger notification. States that liability for damages in private and State civil actions under the Clayton Act shall be for actual damages. (Current law provides for treble damages.) Title VI: Amendment to Cargo Preference Laws to Stimulate U.S. Agricultural Exports - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to provide a cargo preference exemption for agricultural commodities. Provides that a specified Joint Resolution of Congress requiring Government-financed exports to be shipped in U.S. vessels shall be inapplicable to agricultural products.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Polygraph Reform Act of 1987 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to add a title relating to polygraph examinations. Prohibits, except under circumstances set out in this Act, an employer from: (1) requiring or suggesting that any present or prospective employee submit to a polygraph examination for any purpose; (2) using or referring to the results of a polygraph examination of any present or prospective employee for any purpose; (3) discharging, disciplining, or denying employment or promotion to any present or prospective employee who refuses to take a polygraph test; and (4) basing the discharge, discipline, or denial of employment or promotion solely on the analysis and opinions of a polygraph examiner authorized by this Act to conduct polygraph examinations. Directs the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to establish standards and qualifications for persons wishing to conduct polygraph examinations. Sets forth requirements that must be incorporated in such standards, including criteria relating to: (1) age and citizenship; (2) formal training and internship; (3) inquiries that may be pursued during a polygraph examination (prohibiting, for example, questions about religious, racial, or political beliefs and about sexual preferences); (4) notice to the examinee of legal rights and remedies; (5) the data recording instruments to be used during the examination; (6) limitations on the conclusions and opinions of the examiner; (7) recordkeeping; and (8) examiner bonding or professional liability insurance coverage. Limits disclosure of information obtained during a polygraph examination. Prohibits the waiver of rights and procedures provided by this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue appropriate rules and regulations and to cooperate with regional, State, and local agencies and with employers and labor unions to carry out this title. Empowers the Secretary to make investigations and to require recordkeeping in accordance with existing FLSA law. Makes applicable to this title the enforcement powers, remedies, and procedures of existing FLSA law, including statutes governing the civil liability of violator employers and injunction proceedings. Provides that amounts owing to a person as a result of a violation of this Act shall be deemed to be unpaid minimum wages or unpaid overtime compensation for purposes of liability determination. Limits payment of liquidated damages to instances of willful violations. Grants to the court jurisdiction to provide any appropriate legal or equitable relief, including judgments that: (1) compel employment, reinstatement, or promotion; or (2) enforce liability. Directs the Secretary, before instituting an enforcement action, to attempt to eliminate the alleged offending practice and to effect voluntary compliance with this Act through informal conciliatory processes. Creates a civil cause of action in any court of competent jurisdiction to any aggrieved person. Entitles a person to trial by jury in such actions. Terminates the right of any person to bring such an action on the commencement of an action by the Secretary to enforce such person's right. Prohibits the commencement of a civil action brought by an individual until 60 days after the filing of a charge alleging a violation. Sets forth time limitations applicable to the filing of such charges: (1) generally; and (2) in cases of violations in States having specified standards or an approved administrative plan regulating polygraph examinations. Directs the Secretary, upon receiving such a charge, to notify specified persons and to seek to eliminate any alleged violation by informal means. Applies specified provisions of the Portal-to-Portal Act to actions under this title (provisions permitting an employer defense based on a good faith reliance on certain written administrative regulations, as well as statute of limitations provisions). States that it is the express intent of the Congress to permit regulation of polygraph examinations in any manner consistent with this Act. Authorizes any State or local government wishing to develop and enforce standards for the use of polygraphs by employers to submit to the Secretary an administrative plan relating to such standards and containing information specified in this Act. Requires the Secretary to make a continual evaluation of each approved administrative plan and to withdraw approval of such plan upon the finding that it is not being administered in ways to assure substantial compliance with this Act's standards. Authorizes review by the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Secretary's decision to withdraw such a plan. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to be applicable to: (1) the U.S. Government, its agencies, or its agents; (2) any State governmental agency or its agent; or (3) any law enforcement agency or its agent. Requires the Secretary to issue rules and regulations appropriate for carrying out this Act not later than 180 days after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Commemorates the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 as one of the fundamental legal documents of the United States. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the bicentennial of the Northwest Ordinance.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1987
Public Rangelands Fee Act of 1987 - Sets forth a formula, beginning with grazing year 1987, for determining fees for domestic livestock grazing on public rangelands. Bases the formula on appraised base value, expressed in dollars per head or pair month, and the forage value index. Prohibits annual fee adjustments greater or less than 33.3 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the promotion of unrestricted family visits between related people of the United States and the Soviet Union is an essential part of American policy toward the Soviet Union; and (2) the President, the Secretary of State, and other administration members should raise the issue of family visitation at all appropriate opportunities in discussions with leaders of the Communist Party and the Government of the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United Nations, and in particular the Human Rights Commission, should include among its highest priorities of its human rights agenda consideration of the question of human rights in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Federal Hospital System Sharing Act of 1987 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to allow, under a health care sharing agreement, an individual who is eligible to receive direct health care in a facility of one agency (either the Veterans Administration or the Department of Defense) to be furnished such care at the facility of the other agency. Revises the definition of the term "beneficiary" for purposes of eligibility for such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
American Trade, Growth, and Employment Promotion Act - Title I: Expanded Trade Negotiating Authority - Directs the President to begin negotiations with Mexico, the Caribbean Basin countries, and Canada to establish a North American free trade area. Requires any agreement reached through such negotiations to be reciprocal and to provide mutual reductions in trade barriers. Authorizes the President to enter into bilateral and multilateral trade agreements with foreign countries to establish expanded trade areas. Requires any such agreement to ensure a mutual and reciprocal reduction of tariff and nontariff trade barriers. Authorizes the President to enter into trade agreements with any developing country for the purpose of establishing expanded trade areas and ultimately promoting a reciprocal reduction in trade barriers. Requires such agreements to provide for a gradual (within five years) reduction or elimination of tariff and nontariff trade barriers by the developing country. Authorizes the President to enter into such an agreement only if the President determines that: (1) the benefits to the developing country are justified in terms of its per capita income, economic development, and international competitive position; and (2) such gradual reduction of trade barriers is mutually advantageous. Requires the President to terminate or suspend such agreement if the President determines that the developing country has failed to carry out its obligations under the agreement. Authorizes the President to enter into any multilateral trade agreement resulting from the Uruguay round of trade negotiations conducted under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Authorizes the President to exclude from any agreements negotiated under this title any article if such exclusion is necessary to achieve an agreement for an expanded trade area. Sets forth the requirements for implementation of trade agreements entered into under this title. Title II: Elimination of Unfair Trade Practices and Barriers to Trade - Requires the President, if the President determines that a foreign country consistently engages in unfair trade practices identified in a specified report submitted to the Congress under the Trade Act of 1974, to: (1) suspend or terminate any negotiations with such country under title I if insufficient progress is being made in obtaining an agreement to expand trade; (2) initiate negotiations with any other country whose exports compete with the exports of such country in order to establish an expanded trade area with such other country; or (3) expedite any existing negotiations under title I with any other country whose exports compete with the exports of such country in order to establish an expanded trade area with such other country. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United States Trade Representative to conduct an annual study to: (1) identify foreign trade practices that constitute barriers to U.S. commerce; (2) estimate the trade-distorting impact of such barriers; (3) identify export subsidies offered by foreign countries; (4) identify U.S. trade practices that constitute barriers to foreign imports into the United States; and (5) distinguish between those practices identified under (1) and (2) which appear to be illegal impediments to trade and those that are legal impediments to trade. Title III: Anti-Protectionism and Trade Promotion - Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to prepare for each bill or joint resolution reported by any congressional committee that may affect international trade an estimate of: (1) the impact such bill or joint resolution would have on U.S. consumers; and (2) the costs of such bill or joint resolution to U.S. consumers. Requires such estimate to be submitted to the appropriate committees and to be included in their reports. Declares that it shall not be in order for either House of the Congress to consider any bill or joint resolution if the report of the committee does not contain such estimate. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit annually to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), a list, by country, of current loan disbursements and any loan applications that are likely to be brought before loan review committees of multilateral development banks during the calendar year. Requires the USTR to identify the foreign countries on that list that take actions or maintain policies that: (1) restrict the sale of U.S. products in their markets; or (2) provide an unfair economic advantage for their products over U.S. products. Requires the USTR to compare the practices of such foreign countries with U.S. practices. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury and the USTR jointly to develop recommendations of trade liberalization actions for foreign countries identified on such list. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of each multilateral development bank and of the International Monetary Fund to: (1) oppose loans to any foreign country identified on such list that refuses to accept the trade liberalization recommendations developed by the Secretary and the USTR; and (2) oppose any "drawing" of any approved loan by such a country if it has failed to carry out the trade liberalization recommendations developed as a condition of the loan.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Suspends most-favored-nation treatment for Romania for six months. Permits the products of Romania to receive most-favored-nation treatment during any 180-day period following the initial six months only if: (1) the President submits to the House of Representatives and the Senate a document containing specified findings and assurances, including a finding that granting most-favored-nation treatment will promote improved freedom to emigrate from Romania and will promote an end to religious and political persecution in Romania; and (2) a joint resolution disapproving such action is not enacted. Provides for expedited consideration of such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Federal Financial Management Improvement Act - Establishes: (1) the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the United States in the Executive Office of the President; (2) an Assistant Secretary for Financial Management in each executive department; and (3) a Controller in each executive agency. Requires officers to be appointed to such positions by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to: (1) provide central direction and monitoring of the executive agencies in the management of their financial activities; (2) ensure that the President and the Congress are fully informed of the Government's financial management condition; and (3) maintain the central accounting and reporting records of the Government. Requires each Assistant Secretary and Controller to: (1) maintain a strategic financial management plan for the department or agency; and (2) participate in the appointment, development, and evaluation of financial managers of such department or agency. Requires the budget of each department and agency to contain a line item for its Assistant Secretary or Controller based on its strategic financial management plan. Establishes in the executive branch the Federal Finance Council, which shall consist of the CFO and the Assistant Secretaries, as an advisory body on financial management objectives, information requirements, plans, operations, and activities. Directs the President to transfer to the Office of the CFO: (1) such functions of the executive agencies as the President determines are properly related to the functions of the Office; and (2) such personnel, property, and records of such agencies as are related to the transferred functions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Designates June 14, 1987, as Baltic Freedom Day. Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1987
Syndicated Television Music Copyright Reform Act of 1987 - Amends the copyright law to require that any conveyance of performance rights in an audiovisual work to nonnetwork commercial television include the right to perform in synchronization any accompanying copyrighted music. Entitles the music copyright holder to an interest in any compensation received for the audiovisual work performance rights.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal provisions which increase the current year liability test for estimated tax payments from 80 percent to 90 percent. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such section has not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Uniform Product Safety Act of 1987 - States that this Act governs any civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller for personal injury or damage caused by a product. Supersedes any inconsistent State law regarding recovery in such such actions. Lists specific laws not superseded, including: (1) defenses of sovereign immunity asserted by the United States or any State; (2) any Federal law (except the Federal Employees Compensation Act); (3) the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976; (4) State choice-of-law rules; and (5) the right of any court to transfer venue. Allows any State to develop and implement expedited product liability claims procedures. Establishes uniform national standards for product liability actions. Subjects a product manufacturer to liability if the claimant establishes that: (1) the manufacturer manufactured an unreasonably dangerous product; (2) the product failed to conform to an express warranty made by the manufacturer; (3) the manufacturer was negligent in designing the product; or (4) the manufacturer failed to provide appropriate warnings or instructions. Treats a product seller as a manufacturer where: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to a service of process in any State where the action might be brought; or (2) the court determines that the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Subjects a product seller to liability if the claimant establishes that: (1) the product failed to conform to an express warranty made by the product seller; (2) the product seller did not exercise reasonable care in assembling, inspecting, or maintaining such product; or (3) the product seller did not exercise reasonable care in passing on the manufacturer's warnings or instructions. Establishes defenses in such actions with respect to: (1) manufacturing practices in light of existing technology; and (2) compliance with Government standards and contract specifications; and (3) claimant's intoxication. Holds each defendant found responsible for the harm jointly and severally liable. Makes a product seller or manufacturer liable for punitive damages if such seller or manufacturer: (1) knowingly destroyed or failed to make available evidence whose production is required; or (2) manifested a conscious and flagrant indifference to consumer safety. Lists factors to be considered in setting the amount of punitive damages. Limits punitive damages to treble damages plus costs. Provides that punitive damages may not be awarded where: (1) a drug or medical device complied with certain Government standards; or (2) an aircraft was certified by the Secretary of Transportation under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Establishes a 25-year statute of repose. Requires any damage award to be reduced by the amount of workers' compensation benefits paid. Establishes a Federal Product Liability Study Panel to study: (1) existing and proposed expedited product liability claims procedures; (2) Federal and State workers' compensation systems; and (3) nonjudicial methods for resolving product liability claims. Requires the Panel to report to specified congressional committees within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require deductions for research and experimental expenditures to be allocated to income from sources within the United States. Repeals a provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 which establishes a one-year requirement that 50 percent of such expenditures be allocated to U.S. income and the remainder on the basis of gross sales or gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Arctic Coastal Plain Leasing Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. States that this Act shall be considered the primary land management authorization for all exploration and production activities on the Coastal Plain. Provides that no land management review shall be required except as specifically authorized by this Act. Mandates that all receipts from sales, rentals, bonuses, and royalties on leases under this Act be deposited into the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that oil and gas exploration and transportation activities are conducted to achieve the reasonable protection of animal and environmental resources (including subsistence uses of the Coastal Plain). States that the "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Coastal Plain Resource Assessment," prepared by the Secretary, satisfies all legal requirements for the promulgation of such regulations, and that no further studies or assessments shall be required prior to Federal action. Directs the Secretary to provide impact aid and other assistance to communities on the North Slope and elsewhere in Alaska in order to ensure the public services needed to accommodate oil and gas production and transportation activities on the Coastal Plain.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Promotion of Democracy in Angola Act of 1987 - Prohibits the United States or any U.S. person from making a loan or other extension of credit to Angola or to any organization owned or controlled by Angola. Exempts loans or credits for which an agreement is entered into before enactment of this Act. Directs the President, 90 days after enactment of this Act, to issue regulations prohibiting any U.S. person from making any investment in Angola. Exempts: (1) certain loans and extensions of credit; (2) investments of earnings from a business in Angola established before enactment of this Act which are made in that business; and (3) the purchase on a registered national securities exchange of securities in such a business. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to add Angola to the list of communist countries which may not receive assistance under such Act. Prohibits imports from, and exports to, Angola, except for exports of international disaster relief assistance. Directs the President to provide for enforcement of this Act. Imposes penalties for violations of this Act. Requires the provisions of this Act to terminate if the President certifies to the Congress that Angola: (1) is making a concerted and significant effort to comply with internationally recognized human rights; (2) has entered into discussions with its non-communist opposition; (3) has established certain laws; (4) has held free and fair elections by November 1, 1988; and (5) all troops from communist countries have withdrawn from Angola.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits Government expenditures for any fiscal year from exceeding: (1) its revenues in such fiscal year; or (2) 19 percent of the gross national product for the last calendar year ending before such fiscal year. Permits the Congress to suspend such prohibition for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect or whenever three-fifths of the total membership of each House deem it necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal the penalty on underpayments of income tax attributable to the overstatement of pension liabilities. Specifies that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such provision had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
H.U.D. Income Verification Act of 1987 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to require Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program applicants or participants to: (1) disclose their social security or employer identification numbers; and (2) consent to wage information verification. Amends the Social Security Act to provide HUD with access to State employment records. Requires Federal, State, local, or public housing administering agencies to independently verify such information before terminating or reducing any housing benefits. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for misuse of such information.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Social Security Administrative and Investment Reform Act of 1987 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Commissioner of Social Security; (2) a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security; (3) a General Counsel; (4) an Inspector General; and (5) an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall represent the interests of beneficiaries under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income Program within the Administration. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a description of the activities of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan as established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to implement demonstration projects relating to personnel matters. Directs the Board and the Administrator of General Services to implement such projects relating to delegations from the Administrator. Specifies the authorities which are to be delegated to the Board from the Administrator and the Director. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees concerning such projects, including an evaluation of the Board's readiness to assume full and permanent authority. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Provides for the transfer to the Administration of all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth effective date and transitional rule provisions. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program and an Advisory Council on Health and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation of the trust funds supporting the OASDI program and the Medicare program and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each Trust Fund. Title III: Management of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund - Amends the OASDI and Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) programs to direct the Managing Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (trust funds) to immediately invest that portion of the trust funds which is not required for current withdrawals. Requires the investment of amounts in the OASDI trust funds to be made in accordance with policies established by the Social Security Board. Prohibits the sale and redemption of trust fund assets or the expenditure of trust fund amounts for purposes other than those specified in titles II and XVIII of the Act. Requires members of such trust funds' Boards of Trustees to faithfully execute their duties, but does not impose a fiduciary duty. Requires that, in consideration of the public debt limit, required investment of funds or amounts over which the Secretary of the Treasury has investment authority occur prior to the issuance of other obligations. Directs that tax receipts earmarked for the OASDI program be immediately transferred (currently, monthly transfers are made) from the general fund of the Treasury to the OASDI trust funds. Requires the Boards of Trustees of the trust funds to meet at least twice each year. Sets forth provisions requiring reports by the Board of Trustees and the Managing Trustees to the Congress regarding the operation and status of the trust funds.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the consideration of the legislative branch appropriation bill for any fiscal year until the House and the Senate have agreed to all other general appropriation bills for such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Securities and Exchange Commission should use its authority to preserve the one share, one vote rule on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and to modify the rules of other exchanges so that the NYSE will not be placed at a competitive disadvantage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) seek to reconvene the Seventeenth Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of American States in order to obtain a renewed commitment to the immediate replacement of the Nicaraguan regime, installation of a democratic government in Nicaragua, guarantee of human rights to all Nicaraguans, and the holding of free elections; (2) make unmistakable the U.S. commitment to help the Nicaraguan people achieve their democratic aspirations; and (3) recognize the Nicaraguan resistance as a legitimate force for the democratization of Nicaragua.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 1990, the duty on certain parts of indirect process electrostatic copying machines.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Health Care Savings Account Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit individuals (employees or self-employed individuals) and employers to contribute to health care savings accounts. Limits the amount which may be contributed to a health care savings account each year to no greater than the combined amount of employee and employer hospital insurance (Medicare) payroll tax paid during that year. Provides that the employee or self-employed individual and the employer will each receive a 60 percent tax credit for their respective portion of their hospital insurance payroll tax paid. Provides that a health care savings account shall be exempt from income taxes, except for the tax on certain unrelated business income, and except where such account: (1) engages in prohibited transactions; or (2) is used to pledge as security for a loan. Excludes from gross income of the distributee amounts distributed from a health care savings account provided that these funds are used for eligible medical expenses while the individual is eligible for Medicare. Permits the tax-free rollover of contributions from one health care savings account to another for the benefit of the distributee. Imposes a penalty of ten percent of the amount of any early distributions from a health care savings account. Provides that no amount distributed out of a health care savings account may be taken as a medical expense deduction. Imposes a tax on any excess contributions to such accounts. Imposes a penalty tax on prohibited transactions involving a health care savings account. Imposes a five percent tax on distributions from a health care savings account in the taxable year which reduces the level of all such accounts with respect to the distributee below the total value of health care savings account tax credits for the distributee. Provides exceptions for certain distributions. Imposes a 100 percent tax on such distributions if the distributions are not corrected within the taxable period. Imposes a 50 percent excise tax on the difference between the value of a decedent's health care savings account at the time of death and the amount contributed into the spouse's health care savings account at the time of, and on account of, such death. Establishes certain penalties for failure to file required reports with respect to health care savings accounts. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that in the case of an individual who has established a health care savings account, the total amount of any Medicare benefits which will be paid with respect to the individual will be reduced by a health care savings account-related deductible for the year. Provides that this deductible amount will be equal to 60 percent of the amount of medical-related expenditures that could be reasonably underwritten (by an insurance company) for the average Medicare beneficiary assuming that the annual premium will equal the health care savings account annuity. Provides special rules for individuals who cannot obtain insurance to cover their added deductible at the standard premium rates. Provides that these high cost insurance beneficiaries' added deductible is reduced by a proportion reflecting 80 percent of the excess premium required above the standard rate, except that the deductible may not drop below 120 percent of the individual's health care savings account annuity amount. Provides that the health care savings account-related deductible and the annuity amount shall be recalculated upon the qualification of a younger spouse for Medicare. Establishes catastrophic health care expense protection for certain individuals qualifying for Medicare protection. Requires such individuals to have contributed at least one-third of the maximum amount possible over the course of their careers into a health care savings account and at least $100 (indexed for inflation) or 50 percent of the maximum contribution per year, whichever is greater, in ten individual years. Treats surviving spouses without a separate health care savings account as eligible for the catastrophic coverage if the deceased spouse was formerly eligible for catastrophic coverage and the surviving spouse rolls 100 percent of the health care savings account of the deceased spouse into a health care savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal provisions which eliminated the three-year use of the basis recovery rule in computing the amount of an employee's retirement benefits includable in gross income. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Jesse Gray Housing Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a program to construct 500,000 new public housing units during each of FY 1988 through 1997. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants to public housing agencies (PHAs); and (2) enter into contracts with (PHAs) for annual contributions. Limits the aggregate amount of fiscal year budget authority obligated under such contracts. Bases the formula for such amounts on the consumer price index for FY 1989 through 1997. Authorizes FY 1988 through 1997 appropriations. Requires the Secretary to make financial assistance available for public housing projects, especially those likely to be demolished or disposed of. Increases annually the aggregate amount of contract budget authority necessary to revitalize 100,000 public housing units in each of FY 1988 through 1997. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a PHA project demolition application. (Currently such approval is permitted if the Secretary makes specified determinations.) Requires PHAs to carry out job training and employment programs in connection with certain housing construction and revitalization projects. Gives program participation preference to housing residents. Establishes in the Treasury the National Housing Trust Fund. Reduces lower income rent contribution amounts under the National Housing Act, the United States Housing Act of 1937, the Housing Act of 1949, the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, and the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983. Excludes welfare or social security cost-of-living adjustments from such adjusted income determinations. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a comprehensive report concerning proposed limitations on Federal housing assistance to ensure that Federal housing and assistance funds benefit only lower income families.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1987
Requires that each State establish and maintain an approved workfare program as a condition of its eligibility for Federal payments or other assistance under the: (1) program under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act; (2) food stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977; and (3) public housing and assisted housing programs under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Requires that such State workfare program shall require every State resident applying for or receiving aid under such Federal public assistance programs to perform work in return for, and as a condition for, such aid. Directs the appropriate Federal agencies to promulgate guidelines for approval, supervision, and oversight of such State workfare programs. Exempts from required participation in such programs those who are: (1) under age 18 or over age 65; (2) disabled; (3) regularly employed for at least 40 hours a week; or (4) primarily responsible for the care of a child less than three years old (or for the care of a child more than two but less than six years old if suitable child care is not available at reasonable cost). Requires that each State workfare program must provide that if any individual who is required to participate in such program refuses to accept a bona fide offer of qualified employment or to perform qualified employment, in any month, neither such individual nor any other person in the family or household of which such individual is a member shall be eligible to receive any aid under such Federal public assistance programs for that month. Requires that State workfare programs include provision for job counseling, assistance in obtaining employment outside the program, and job search activities. Provides for: (1) Federal matching funds to cover administrative costs of such State programs; (2) Federal cut-offs of funds to State agencies for failure to comply with this Act; and (3) Federal agency reports to the Congress on such State programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1987
Volunteer Protection Act of 1987 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal civil liability. Requires each State to certify to the Secretary of Health and Human Services before the beginning of each fiscal year (commencing with FY 1989) that it has enacted or has in effect a State law which provides such immunity. Requires the Secretary to reduce by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to such State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such law is not in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1987
Family Education Assistance Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the education expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) at an institution of higher education or a vocational school of a child of the taxpayer, of a child of a brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister of the taxpayer, of an individual for whom the taxpayer has been appointed as guardian, or of a descendant of a child of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of such deduction to $1,500 (adjusted for inflation) for each account per calendar year. Provides that no account may have more than one beneficiary and that no individual may be a beneficiary of more than one account. Disallows any deduction for contributions to an education savings account for any beneficiary who has attained the age of 19. Requires any balance in an education savings account to be distributed after the individual for whose benefit the account is established attains age 30. Includes the distributions from an education savings account in the gross income of the payee or distributee except for those amounts distributed or used to pay educational expenses incurred by the individual for whose benefit the account is established. Provides that an education savings account is exempt from taxation except for the tax on unrelated business income. Revokes the tax exemption of the account where the individual for whose benefit the account is established engages in certain prohibited transactions with the account. Imposes a ten percent penalty tax on distributions which are not used for educational expenses. Requires the trustee of an education savings account to file reports with the Secretary of the Treasury on the maintenance of the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to file any required report. Extends the deduction for contributions to an education savings account to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions. Imposes: (1) a six percent excise tax on excess contributions to an education savings account; and (2) a five percent excise tax on amounts connected with any prohibited transaction with respect to such an account. Excludes from the gross income of an individual distributions from an education savings account used exclusively for that individual's educational expenses. Provides that distributions from an education savings account shall not be taken into account in determining support to the extent such distribution is excluded from gross income of the individual for whose benefit the account has been established.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1987
Declares that the Congress: (1) protests continued Soviet violations of international human rights, especially its restrictive emigration regulations; (2) states that such human rights abuses seriously affect negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union; (3) calls upon the Soviet authorities to release all "Prisoners of Conscience" and permit all "refuseniks" and other specified people to emigrate; and (4) dedicates itself to support, as a priority during the 100th Congress, the restoration of internationally recognized human rights to all Soviet citizens, especially restoration of the right to emigrate to Soviet Jews and others who have requested exit visas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Live Birth Abortion Revision Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a taxpayer's personal exemption deduction for a child who is born alive after an induced abortion or an attempt to perform an abortion and dies as a result of such procedure. Denies the deduction for abortion expenses unless the abortion was performed to save the life of the mother. Denies the personal exemption deduction for the spouse or a dependent of the taxpayer if the taxpayer intentionally causes the death of such spouse or dependent. Requires a court determination of an intentional cause of death.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to delay until December 31, 1988 (currently, December 31, 1986) the exception for certain technical personnel from certain rules for determining whether an individual is an employee or independent contractor for employment tax purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Declares that the House of Representatives deplores the denial of the rights of Hungarians and people of other nationalities in Transylvania by the Romanian Government. Requests the President and the Secretary of State to discuss the human rights of the Hungarians in Transylvania with the Government of Romania.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1987
Preborn Children's Civil Rights Act of 1987 - Prohibits the use of Federal funds to perform, promote, or do research on any procedure to take the life of a preborn child (except for medical procedures required to prevent the death of either the pregnant women or her preborn child). Prohibits the Federal Government from entering into any contract for insurance which provides for payment or reimbursement for abortion services. States that no institution receiving Federal financial assistance shall: (1) discriminate against any employee, applicant, or student on the basis of that person's opposition to abortion; or (2) require any employee or student to participate, directly or indirectly, in abortion procedures, counseling, or an insurance program which includes abortion coverage. States that attorney's fees shall not be allowed in any civil action involving a law prohibiting or restricting abortions. Provides for Supreme Court review of lower court decisions which declare State and local anti-abortion statutes unconstitutional.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits a person who has been elected to: (1) the Senate two times from being eligible for election or appointment to the Senate; and (2) the House of Representatives six times from being eligible for election to the House.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that if an employer does not operate an on-premises eating facility, 50 percent of the employer's share of an off-premises meal furnished to an employee shall be treated as a de minimis fringe benefit (not includible in the employee's income) provided that: (1) the employer pays no more than one-third of the cost of the meal; (2) a maximum of one meal per working day is provided; (3) the meal is furnished during normal business hours; and (4) the employer's share is furnished in kind and not in cash.
![Official portrait of Rep. Crane, Philip M. [R-IL-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000873_200.jpg)