United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1987
Essential Air Service Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to revise the definition of an eligible point to be any nonhub airport which the Secretary of Transportation determines is not: (1) within 35 miles of a hub airport; or (2) within 35 miles of a nonhub airport where the Secretary determines that significant scheduled air service is available. Directs the Secretary to determine what is the minimum essential air service for each eligible point, after considering the views of certain interested parties. Sets forth transition provisions for the continuation of small community air service and transfers administrative responsibilities for such service to the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for FY 1989 through 1999. Extends the small community air service program from 1988 to 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1987
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to direct (current law authorizes) the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay travel expenses of certain veterans and their eligible dependents to or from a Veterans Administration facility or other authorized place in connection with rehabilitation, counseling, or medical treatment or care. Defines those veterans entitled to such payment, including: (1) those veterans financially unable to meet such travel costs; and (2) those veterans unable to bear the cost of special transportation necessitated due to a medical disability. Limits such payments in the case of travel by a privately-owned vehicle to the cost of similar public transportation for such travel. Limits such payment to the actual cost incurred for such travel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that certain short-term loans made in the ordinary course of business of a taxpayer bank or other financial institution that does not use an accrual method of accounting shall not be subject to requirements governing: (1) the current inclusion in gross income of the discount on such obligations; and (2) the deferral of the deduction for net direct interest expenses allocable to the accrued discount on such obligations. Applies these amendments to loans acquired after July 18, 1984. Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to apply requirements relating to the accrual of interest payments on certain short-term obligations to obligations acquired after October 22, 1986 (thus removing the retroactivity of the Act, which made these requirements applicable to obligations acquired after September 27, 1985).
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1987
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing situations in which certain unearned income of a child under age 14 is taxed as if it were parental income. Excludes from the calculations of net unearned income for such income tax treatment income that: (1) is attributable to any amount a child receives in a lump sum as payment for damages received on account of personal injuries or sickness; and (2) accrues while the damage payment is in a custodial account whose uses are restricted by State law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to accord income tax treatment as a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (401(k) plan) to a plan of a tax-exempt organization if such a plan meets the pertinent criteria and is part of a: (1) profit-sharing or stock bonus plan (including an employee stock ownership plan); (2) pre-ERISA money purchase plan; or (3) rural electric cooperative plan.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1987
Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, from making certain grants regarding acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), under existing provisions of such Act, to a public entity established by a State which does not by law require testing for the etiologic agent for AIDS of any individual who: (1) is receiving medical treatment for any venereal disease; (2) is between 15 and 49 years of age and is admitted to any hospital; (3) applies for a marriage license; or (4) is convicted of prostitution or the intravenous use of any drug.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1987
AIDS Confidentiality and Accountability Act of 1987 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, from making certain grants regarding acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), under existing provisions of such Act, to a public entity established by a State which does not by law require: (1) physicians and medical technicians to report to the appropriate State health authorities the name and address of any individual infected with the etiologic agent for AIDS; and (2) such reporting to be carried out in accordance with State laws regulating the confidentiality of records regarding individuals with sexually transmitted diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1987
Federal Accounting Practices Review Commission Act of 1987 - Title I: Title, Statement of Findings, Purpose and Limitations - Declares the reasons for, and purposes of, this Act. Title II: Establishment, Duties, and Membership - Establishes the Federal Accounting Practices Review Commission to: (1) examine and describe the financial management practices of the Federal Government; (2) formulate a financial accounting and management system for Federal agencies; (3) prepare a plan for implementation of such system; and (4) recommend an ongoing method for determining and updating generally accepted accounting principles for the Government. Title III: Administration - Sets forth the administrative staffing, procedures, and powers of the Commission. Requires the Commission to submit a final report to the President and the Congress not later than 18 months after the date of completion of appointments of members to the Commission. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of such report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide an exemption from taxation under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (employment tax) and from benefits under the social security program for employers and their employees in cases when both are members of religious groups opposed to participation in such a program. Requires both the employer and the employee to submit an application for the tax exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to define the preproductive period of an animal, for income tax inventory cost capitalization purposes, as beginning at the birth of the animal or, if later, at the time of its acquisition by the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Farmers Tax Equity Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to define "large animal processors" and include them among the types of corporations required to use an accrual method of accounting to compute taxable income. Excludes such entities from eligibility for exception to these accounting requirements under most circumstances. Defines a "single purpose commodity storage structure" and includes such structures and single purpose livestock structures, as well as the work space appurtenant to each type of structure, as 15-year property for purposes of the accelerated cost recovery system used to determine the income tax deduction for depreciation. Repeals IRC provisions that disallow the inclusion of noncorporate taxpayer losses from certain tax shelter farm activity in computations to determine alternative minimum taxable income. Amends IRC provisions relating to the income tax deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) make the deduction permanent (under current law it expires after tax year 1989); and (2) increase, by annual increments of 25 percent (to 100 percent for tax year 1990 and thereafter), the percentage of such costs allowable as a deduction. Repeals specified provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that eliminated income averaging. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted. Amends the IRC to restore income averaging for a person: (1) actively engaged in the trade or business of farming, including aquaculture; and (2) whose average annual gross income for the three preceding taxable years is at least 50 percent attributable to farming. Amends the IRC to revise the treatment of activities of members of a taxpayer's family in determining a taxpayer's material participation in farming activity for purposes of passive loss and credit limitations. Exempts property used predominantly in a farm activity that does not involve the production of plants or animals whose preproductive period exceeds two years from provisions that require a taxpayer who elects to deduct preproductive expenses to apply straight line depreciation rules to the remainder of the taxpayer's farming property. Defines the preproductive period of livestock to be used for breeding purposes to begin at the animal's birth and to end when the animal is able to breed. Repeals specified provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that extended limitations on tax deductions for certain prepaid farm supply expenses to certain non-farm-related taxpayers with excess prepaid farm supplies. (Prior law applied only to farming syndicates.) Exempts from the percent reductions applicable to investment credit carryforwards any investment credit related to property used in a farming business when the affected taxpayer's average gross income for the three preceding taxable years is at least 50 percent attributable to such business.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
General Aviation Standards Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (relating to aviation accident investigations) to apply such Act, with specified exceptions, to any action for damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident brought against a general aviation manufacturer, owner, or operator of a general aviation aircraft, or a person who supports or maintains such aircraft. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for general aviation accidents. States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 12 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of a general aviation accident. Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Provides procedures for removal from State to Federal district courts of such actions. Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding recovery of damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Directs the head of each Federal department or agency holding records relating to sightings of U.S. military personnel in Southeast Asia since 1973 to make available to the public, within 30 days after the enactment of this Act, all such records. Provides exceptions to such disclosures for information revealing intelligence sources and methods or the names of such personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to remove specified accounts related to railroad retirement funds, taxes, and revenues from inclusion in the Federal budget totals submitted by the President or the Congress, and to exempt such accounts from any general budget limitation imposed by law on Federal expenditures and net lending (budget outlays). Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to prohibit from inclusion in the Federal budget totals submitted by the President or the Congress certain railroad unemployment insurance accounts, taxes, and funds, and to exempt them from any general statutory budget limitations imposed upon Federal expenditures and budget outlays. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to direct the Railroad Retirement Board (the Board) to submit an annual budget program to the Office of Management and Budget which shall include separate statements of the Board's requested appropriations. Directs the President to include such requested amounts (without revision) in the budget transmitted to the Congress. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to provide that the Board's authority to determine the number of individuals it shall employ shall not be subject to review by other Federal administrative or accounting personnel. Precludes regulations promulgated by the Board from being subject to review by other Federal administrative or accounting personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Budget Process Reform Amendments of 1987 - Title I: Amendments to House Rules - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to require, for the consideration of any resolution reported from the Committee on Rules which waives any provision of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, that the Committee report contain explanations, justifications, and cost estimates of the provisions to which each such waiver applies. Requires a separate vote on each such waiver. Prohibits the inclusion of extraneous matters in reconciliation measures. Limits the spending levels for short-term continuing appropriations measures (those effective for 30-days or less). Subjects long-term continuing appropriations measures to the same prohibitions on legislation and unauthorized provisions that apply to general appropriations bills. Requires a three-fifths' vote of the House to waive points of order against provisions in a continuing resolution not previously adopted by the House. Title II: Budget Act Amendments - Extends the point of order prohibiting the consideration of legislation that exceeds various spending limits to include budget outlays. Prohibits the consideration of any appropriations bills until all appropriations bills are reported from the Committee on Appropriations. Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to grant the President special rescission authority over long-term continuing appropriations measures that cover two or more regular appropriations bills. Title III: Restoration of Automatic Sequestration - Deficit Reduction Commission Act of 1987 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to establish the Commission on Deficit Reduction which shall: (1) review and consider reports issued by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under such Act; (2) issue reports to the President and the Congress estimating the budget base levels of total revenues and total budget outlays for each fiscal year; (3) state whether there is a deficit for each fiscal year in excess of the permissible maximum deficit amount; (4) specify the amounts by which the deficit must be reduced to eliminate such excess deficit; and (5) perform other responsibilities required of the Commission under such Act. (Substitutes the Commission for the Comptroller General in the sequestration process.) Terminates the Commission on September 30, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Provides for the appointment of a delegation of Members of Congress to participate in ceremonies to be held in New York City in April 1989 commemorating the 200th anniversaries of: (1) the implementation of the Constitution as the form of government of the United States; (2) the inauguration of George Washington as the first President; and (3) the proposal of the Bill of Rights as the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Invites the President to join the delegation in participating in the ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1987
Value Engineering Council Act of 1987 - Defines "value engineering" as any scientific method used to analyze and redesign programs, products, and services to maximize productivity and minimize costs. Establishes the Value Engineering Council in the Office of Management and Budget. Directs the Council to: (1) conduct research to determine programs, products, or services of or acquisitions by executive agencies where cost reduction and increased productivity would result from the application of value engineering, particularly with regard to defense procurement matters; (2) advise executive agencies and private industries concerning the feasibility and cost benefits of value engineering; (3) provide study materials and technical assistance regarding value engineering to educational institutions; and (4) promote the use of incentives to encourage value engineering and the formulation of awards for value engineers who either propose accepted value engineering change proposals or effectively administer value engineering programs. Requires the Council to report annually to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Congress. Terminates the Council three years after it is first established unless the Director renews the Council. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1987
Rural Letter Carriers Tax Simplification Act - Provides that, for taxable years beginning after 1986, rural mail carriers are permitted to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for use of their automobiles in performance of mail services: (1) by using a standard mileage rate for all miles of such use equal to 150 percent of the basic standard rate; or (2) without applying the limitation on deductions generally applicable in cases when the business use of the automobile accounts for 50 percent, or less, of its use. Prohibits the use of 150 percent of the basic standard mileage rate in determining the allowable deduction if the taxpayer claims an investment tax credit or depreciation deduction for such automobile.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1987
Farmers Home Administration Guaranteed Loan Improvements Act of 1987 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit leaders and subsequent loan holders to sell the guaranteed portion of certain Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) loans provided that: (1) all related fees due the Secretary of Agriculture are fully paid; and (2) the loan has been fully disbursed to the borrower. Authorizes the issuing of pool certificates representing ownership of the guaranteed portion of such FmHA loans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for the central collection of registration information; (2) provide for specified seller-buyer disclosure; (3) regulate market makers in pool certificates; (4) require market makers to service all pools and provide the Secretary with payment and default information; and (5) report annually to the appropriate congressional committees regarding secondary market operations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1987
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require foods to include on their labeling the presence and amount of any palm, palm kernel, or coconut oil along with a statement that such oil(s) is a saturated fat.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
PRO Due Process and Equity Amendments of 1987 - Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Social Security Act to give Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) providers 30 days to request a hearing, and such time as is thereafter needed to exhaust administrative and judicial remedies, before the decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to exclude the provider from Medicare participation takes effect, provided that such delay does not pose a severe and immediate threat to the health of Medicare beneficiaries. Provides that where the Secretary finds such an immediate threat to exist, the provider shall be immediately excluded from Medicare participation and be given a hearing within 30 days. Directs the Secretary to act upon the recommendations regarding a provider's noncompliance with title XI requirements within five days of their submission if the PRO finds such noncompliance to pose an immediate threat to the health of Medicare beneficiaries, and, in any other case, within 120 days of the submittal of the recommendations. Entitles Medicare providers to a reconsideration by PRO of that organization's denial of payment for services provided, and to further review where such reconsideration is adverse to the provider and certain jurisdictional criteria are satisfied. Requires PROs to notify providers regarding any changes in the services reviewed or the review standards applied by PROs at least 30 days before such changes take effect. Requires the Secretary to emphasize PRO educational activities as much as its sanctioning activities when entering into, reviewing, or terminating PRO contracts. Directs PROs to make at least 50 percent of their review of small rural hospitals on-site reviews and take into account professionally recognized local health care standards as well as national and State standards in conducting such reviews. Prohibits the finalization of a provider payment denial until at least 30 days after the PRO gives the provider reasonable notice of the proposed denial and a reasonable opportunity to discuss such denial. Requires a PRO to include at least one hospital representative on its governing body. Requires the random review of physician care to be conducted so that there is an equal likelihood and intensity of review for each physician sampled.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Social Security Procedural Improvements Act of 1987 - Title I: Improvements in Administrative Determinations of Disability Entitlements - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to make the Secretary of Health and Human Services' decision to assume a State's disability determination function discretionary. Authorizes the Secretary to implement a plan concerning the assumption of the disability determination function from a State when a State notifies the Secretary that it no longer wishes to perform such function. Converts to employment with the Department of Health and Human Services those permanent State employees whose disability determination function is assumed by the Secretary either at the Secretary's discretion or upon the State's request, provided, in the latter case, the Secretary declines to implement the plan authorized above. Sets forth provisions, regarding the administration of the conversion of State employees to Federal employment, which take an employee's State service into account in computing the Federal pay and benefits to which such employee is entitled. Allows certain senior employees to elect to remain covered under State retirement plans rather than converting to a Federal retirement program. Provides for the transfer of funds to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund to cover the Federal retirement annuity due former State employees. Reduces the amount of such annuity available to former State employees to the extent such employee is entitled to State retirement benefit payments. Title II: Establishment of Social Security Court; Abolition of Appeals Council and Interim Benefits in Cases of Delayed Final Decisions - Establishes the Social Security Court which shall have exclusive jurisdiction over actions arising under titles II, XVI (Supplemental Security Income), and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Authorizes any individual who was a party to a hearing to which the Secretary has rendered a final decision to bring a timely action for review of such decision in the Social Security Court. Authorizes the Court to affirm, modify, or reverse the Secretary's decision, but restricts the Court's authority to reconsider factual findings. Amends title VII (Administration) of the Act to provide for the President's appointment of 20 judges to the Court. Authorizes the chief judge of the Court to divide the Court into divisions of one or more judges which may sit anywhere within the country so that claimants have a reasonable opportunity to appear before the Court without great inconvenience. Allows the Court, within certain guidelines, to prescribe its procedural rules and punish by fine or imprisonment contempt of its authority. Requires the claimant and Secretary to be given notice and the opportunity to be heard upon a proceeding in the Court or its divisions. Provides that within 60 days of a division's decision such decision shall be the decision of the Court, unless, within that period, a party petitions the Court's chief judge, or the chief judge makes his own motion, for the Court's review of the decision. Directs the Court to have any of its decisions which the chief judge determines to have precedential value published for public use. Gives the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit exclusive jurisdiction to review Social Security Court decisions upon the claimant's or Secretary's appeal, but prohibits such appeal until the Social Security Court has reviewed or denied a petition for review of its decision. Abolishes the Department of Health and Human Services' Appeals Council without limiting the Secretary's authority to hold hearings and conduct investigations. Amends titles II and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Act to require individuals to be paid interim benefits in cases where an administrative law judge has determined their entitlement to certain benefits, but the Secretary's final decision has not been issued within 90 days of the judge's decision. Sets forth effective date and transitional provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Medicare Rural Hospital Amendments of 1987 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to extend, until October 1990, the adjustment of payments made to sole community hospitals which experience a five percent decrease in patient volume over two successive cost reporting periods, unless such decrease in patient volume is due to hospital actions taken to reduce capacity or case load. Requires the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission (Commission) to report to the Congress on March 1, 1988, on a study into the appropriateness of the criteria used in designating hospitals as sole community hospitals. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on a study into the feasibility and impact of eliminating separate urban and rural prospective payment rates for hospital services. Requires the Commission to collect information and report to the Congress on March 1, 1988, concerning whether an adjustment to the area wage index (used to adjust prospective payment rates to account for the wage differential between urban and rural areas) is warranted to account for variations in the occupational mix of hospital employees. Requires information on the wages and hours of employment for employees in hospital occupational categories to be collected for purposes of the annual update of the area wage index. Bases outlier payments for a fiscal year on a percentage of the total prospective payment system (PPS) payments made for the second previous fiscal year. (Currently, outlier payments represent a percentage of the total PPS payments estimated to be made for the same fiscal year). Directs the Commission to report to the Congress by FY 1989 on a study into the impact on urban and rural hospitals of the criteria used to determine eligibility for outlier payments. Requires the Secretary to analyze the appropriateness of different annual percentage changes in prospective payment rates for urban and rural hospitals. Authorizes the Secretary, beginning in FY 1989, to provide for different annual percentage changes in prospective payment rates for urban and rural hospitals. Sets forth certain factors that a rural hospital which is adjacent to an urban area must establish in order to have the urban wage index applied in the determination of its prospective payments. Sets aside 25 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to the Social Security Act, beginning with FY 1988, for research and demonstration projects relating to the delivery of or access to health care, to projects relating to the delivery of or access to health care in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Rural Health Care Preservation Act of 1987 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new title, Title XXIII: Preservation of Rural Health Care. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to appoint a Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Health Care to coordinate public and private activities to strengthen the rural health care system, including regional analyses and an information clearinghouse. Requires the Director of the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment to appoint a Rural Health Care Advisory Commission to report annually to the Congress, the Secretary, and the Deputy Under Secretary on access to community-based rural health care. Declares that certain provisions of the Social Security Act relating to staffing, administration, and reporting shall apply in the same way to the Commission as they apply to the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act relating to the Rural Health Care Advisory Commission for FY 1988 through 1990. Requires the Secretary to include with the publication of certain regulations an analysis of the impact of each regulation on access to rural health care. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants for mental health services demonstration projects relating to rural residents. Increases the amount authorized to be appropriated for such projects in FY 1988 and authorizes such increased amount for FY 1989 and 1990. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to provide that not less than 25 percent of funds set aside for research and demonstration projects relating to health services delivery or access be used in projects relating to rural areas, except for funds appropriated for the National Institutes of Health or funds first made available before FY 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Designates the week beginning August 2, 1987, as International Special Olympics Week and designates August 3, 1987, as International Special Olympics Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) reconciliation legislation should take into account the special needs of rural hospitals which are not currently taken into account under the Medicare hospital prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends title II (Foreign Missions Act) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to restrict the travel within the United States of the personnel of certain international organizations and the personnel of the foreign missions of specified foreign countries. Limits such travel to the municipal city limits of the city in which such organization or mission is located. Allows a special rule for such travel within the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Authorizes the Attorney General to waive such restrictions for U.S. security or foreign policy interests.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency having substantial procurement or grant-making authority to develop rural area business enterprise development plans. Requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish uniform guidelines for all Federal agencies to use in rural area business development programs. Directs each Federal agency required to develop a rural area business development plan to assist small businesses in rural areas by providing direct assistance, procurement assistance, and management and technical assistance to such small businesses and by providing incentives for greater subcontracting by Federal prime contractors and grant recipients with such small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Rural Development Reorganization Act of 1987 - Title I: Reorganization of the Department of Agriculture - Renames the Department of Agriculture the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development to establish and maintain a revitalized nationwide rural development program as set forth in the Rural Development Act of 1972, the Rural Development Policy Act of 1980, and this Act. Establishes in such Department a Rural Development Administration headed by an Administrator appointed by the Secretary, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Secretary to transfer to the Rural Development Administration those agencies, offices, or entities in the Department performing rural development functions. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to expand the number of designated assistance areas from 225 to 450. Establishes within the Rural Development Administration an Office of Advocacy for Rural Development, whose Chief Counsel shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Specifies the functions and duties of such Office. Directs the Comptroller General to investigate and report to the President and the Congress about services, functions, and missions of other Federal departments and agencies which could be transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Directs the Secretary to report, by geographical areas of the United States, to the Congress: (1) within six months after enactment of this Act on the extent to which rural development offices and activities of the Federal Government were located or relocated to rural areas during FY 1981 through 1986; and (2) within six months after the end of each fiscal year beginning with FY 1987 on the extent to which Federal offices and activities were located or relocated to rural areas. Title II: State Cooperative Agreements and Plans - Authorizes the Administrator, Rural Development Administration, to enter into cooperative agreements with States: (1) to delegate to any State the authority to cooperate in carrying out the provisions of this Act; and (2) to assist States in the development and administration of Federal programs that provide educational opportunities, job training, health services, and other specified benefits to rural residents. Conditions any agreement or financial assistance under this Act upon a State's submission for approval of a comprehensive plan for a State rural development program. Permits the Secretary and other Federal agency heads to enter into agreements with State and local governments to provide educational training, job training, health services, and other benefits to rural residents. Directs the Administrator in cooperation with the Secretary to use the Cooperative State Extension Service to inform rural residents about such programs. Establishes in the National Agricultural Library the National Rural Assistance Information Clearinghouse, which shall distribute information and data about Federal, State, and local programs. Title III: Rural Technology Grants - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit institutions to establish rural technology development centers to seek to improve rural economic conditions. Permits the Secretary to provide employment-related technical assistance to economically distressed rural areas. Title IV: Special Grants - Amends the Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to programs assisting displaced farmers. Specifies the kinds of services to be provided. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Miscellaneous Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to the Community Economic Development Act of 1981 and other Federal law. Title VI: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions. Title VII: Block Grants - Subtitle A: Rural Development Assistance Grant - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Rural Development Administration to make grants to States: (1) to provide rural economic development technical assistance, rural community leadership development, and community and areawide rural economic development planning; or (2) for measures designed to facilitate development of private business enterprises. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Rural Infrastructure Block Grant Act - Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year, to allocate to each State funds for rural infrastructure development according to a congressionally approved formula. Lists factors to be considered in devising such formula. Requires submission of a proposed formula to the agriculture committees of both Houses of Congress. Makes such proposed formula effective after 90 calendar days unless a joint resolution is enacted either disapproving the formula or substituting another formula. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy - Directs the President, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to appoint a Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy who shall: (1) systematically review Federal programs affecting rural areas; and (2) assist in the preparation of a comprehensive rural development strategy designed to maximize the effectiveness and increase the responsiveness of Federal programs to rural areas. Requires the Secretary, within one year after enactment of this Act, to transmit the rural development strategy to the congressional agriculture committees and to report annually to such committees on any changes to such strategy. Requires the Special Assistant to use the Office of the President to maximize coordination of Federal programs affecting rural areas. Title IX: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Project ACCESS - Establishes a two-year demonstration program that will provide a wide array of services to secondary school students in rural sections of the country to encourage entry into and successful completion of postsecondary education programs, career planning, and return to the rural community. Authorizes the Secretary of Education, in accordance with specified provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1986, to support development of Project ACCESS Program capability in any or all of the nine Educational Research Laboratories. Sets forth application requirements and services to be incorporated as part of the programming under Project Access. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and 1989 to supplement the contracts now held by the nine regional educational laboratories administered by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) for purposes of this program. Subjects this program to ratable reductions. Requires regional educational laboratories wishing to develop and operate a demonstration Project ACCESS Program to request a modification of their existing OERI contracts. Sets forth required contents of such proposed contract modifications. Requires OERI to prepare and submit a report to the Congress on the impact of this demonstration program, including recommendations of the regional laboratories, by November 30, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to provide leadership and coordination with respect to policies affecting procurement programs for rural areas. Directs the Administrator to: (1) coordinate with and advise State and local officials with regard to Federal efforts to encourage procurement in rural areas with the aim of fostering economic development in such areas; (2) establish specific rural area procurement targets for executive agencies consistent with awards or contracts for small business concerns; and (3) encourage the use of set asides or other appropriate methods for meeting procurement targets for rural areas. Requires executive agencies to cooperate with the Administrator's responsibilities for rural area programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to permit Rural Electrification Administration borrowers to prepay Federal Financing Bank loans without penalties if: (1) private capital is used to replace such loans; and (2) any savings will be used to avoid future rate increases, passed on to customers, or used to improve the borrower's financial strength.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that an adequate level of funding should be authorized for vocational education programs for FY 1988 and that funds should not be rescinded from the 1987 appropriation for basic vocational education grants.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the member nations of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) should: (1) negotiate further reductions in tariffs and strengthen the rules governing nontariff barriers; (2) establish rules governing the use of safeguard actions (including voluntary restraint agreements and marketing arrangements) to ensure that such actions contribute to trade adjustment without shifting the burden to other trading countries; (3) develop rules governing agricultural trade (including the elimination of export subsidies and barriers to agricultural markets) and foreign investment; (4) establish enforceable mechanisms for the protection of intellectual property; and (5) strengthen and streamline the GATT dispute settlement procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
AFDC Employment and Training Reorganization Act of 1987 - Title I: Two-Tier System under AFDC program - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a two-tier system under which a family applying for or receiving AFDC benefits is assigned to the first tier if it is not a two-parent family and includes a child under one year of age and to the second tier if the family does not qualify for tier-one. Exempts first tier families from this Act's registration, employment, and training requirements. Exempts caretaker relatives, and authorizes the exemption of adolescents, in tier-two families who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent from such requirements if they participate in a program providing a high-school education or its equivalent. Title II: Comprehensive Employment and Training Program - Requires AFDC applicants and recipients to register with a State agency for employment counseling, training, and assignment. Authorizes AFDC recipients to refuse employment which results in a net loss in their income. Directs an agency of each State to: (1) establish a single intake and registration process for AFDC applicants and recipients; (2) determine whether training or education is needed to prepare registered applicants and recipients for employment and then provide counseling regarding prospects and needs; (3) arrange for participation in one or more of the work-related programs established under title IV of the Act or other Federal law, while coordinating such programs to enhance the availability and efficiency of services provided; and (4) develop an employment plan for each AFDC applicant or recipient. Authorizes States to require any AFDC applicant to undertake an immediate program of job search. Accords priority in program participation to individuals who are not required to register yet register for such programs. Requires the State agency to provide AFDC applicants and recipients assigned to employment, training, or education programs with child care and transportation services, otherwise AFDC applicants and recipients need not participate in such programs. Sets the Federal contribution to education, training, and assignment costs as well as administrative and support service costs at 50 percent. Increases, by 25 percent in any fiscal year after FY 1987, the Federal share of education, training, and assignment costs, provided a State meets certain performance standards to be developed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Provides that such standards shall measure a State's success in reducing welfare costs and helping AFDC recipients achieve self-sufficiency, and, at the Secretary's discretion, take into account differing conditions among the States. Requires the publication of such standards within six months of this Act's enactment. Authorizes appropriations for employment, training, and education activities provided to AFDC applicants and recipients. Provides that, after FY 1988, the size on a State's allotment shall depend to a large extent on the State's success in placing high-priority applicants and recipients in schools or jobs. Authorizes States to continue providing a family with payments for child care services for one year after their AFDC eligibility ends. Establishes, in the Office of Family Assistance, an Office of Work Programs headed by a Director responsible for overseeing the operation and effectiveness of this Act's employment and training programs. Sets forth recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Makes this title's amendments effective within four years of this Act's enactment, but permits States to make them effective as early as October 1987. Title III: Child Support Enforcement Amendments - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct States to establish binding guidelines for child support award amounts. (Currently, such guidelines need not be binding). Creates a rebuttable presumption that the child support award resulting from the application of such guidelines in a judicial or administrative child support proceeding is correct. Requires States to review and update all child support orders at least once every two years to ensure that they continue to comply with child support award guidelines. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to authorize up to ten States to carry out demonstration projects which require absent parents who owe child support, but whose income is insufficient to pay such support, to participate in a employment or training program. Amends part D of title IV of the Act to require that the names and social security numbers of the father and mother of every child born in a State be recorded on such child's birth certificate. Requires States to adopt certain procedures with regard to paternity determinations and the standard of proof in paternity cases. Takes a State's paternity determinations into account in computing the State child support collection incentive payment. Requires each State to adopt procedures: (1) requiring employers to disclose certain information to the State child support enforcement agency regarding any employee who is under court order to pay child support; and (2) making certain legislation regarding the interstate enforcement of child support effective in the State. Provides that when the State in which the custodial parent resides requests the State in which the absent parent resides to modify a support order, the latter State shall not have jurisdiction to modify any other aspect of the order. Requires that by October 1992 every State have in effect an operational child support management information system. Reduces the Federal share of the costs for such systems. Makes this title's amendments effective three years after this Act's enactment. Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate State implementation of this title's amendments and report to the President and the Congress regarding such evaluation within four years of this Act's enactment. Title IV: State Demonstration Programs - Requires States that wish to conduct demonstration programs which include Federal, federally-assisted, or non-Federal public programs designed to alleviate poverty to submit filings regarding such demonstrations to an Interagency Low-Income Opportunity Board which shall select and approve those demonstrations judged worthy of implementation. Sets forth policy goals to be considered by the Board in selecting and evaluating such demonstrations. Directs that special consideration be given to demonstration programs designed to: (1) improve methods of helping welfare recipients achieve economic independence; (2) coordinate employment and training programs currently supported by Federal or State funds; (3) provide transition benefits to those who leave welfare because of employment or increased child support payments; (4) replace in-kind benefits with cash or vouchers; (5) establish paternity and obtain child support orders in AFDC cases for which paternity was not established when the case was opened; (6) provide child care to welfare clients participating in employment, training, work, or education programs; and (7) facilitate efforts by nongovernmental organizations to help welfare clients achieve economic independence. Requires a Governor or his designee to submit a filing which describes in detail the demonstration program to be conducted, including: (1) employment-related activities required of individuals receiving assistance under the demonstration and the circumstances in which they will not be required to participate in such activities; (2) procedures for determining the initial and continuing eligibility of, and benefits for, individuals and families; (3) a budget setting forth the amounts and sources of funding for the demonstration. Requires each Federal department or agency with responsibility for a program which is included in the demonstration program to make an estimate of Funding which, but for the demonstration, would be available for such programs so that the Chairman may compare State budgetary assumptions with such estimate. Provides that when the amount of Federal funds necessary to carry out the demonstration is less than the amount contained in the budget by reason of the effectiveness of the demonstration in achieving the objectives of this title, the State may use excess Federal funds to improve the demonstration or otherwise benefit individuals and families included in the demonstration. Provides that those within a class eligible to participate in a demonstration shall only be eligible for benefits under a program included in such demonstration. Requires the Board to conduct interim evaluations of, and have States submit annual reports on, demonstrations. Authorizes the submittal of demonstration changes for congressional approval if such changes improve the likelihood of accomplishing this title's objectives and participant benefits are not thereby reduced. Authorizes State Governors or the Chairman of the Board to terminate the demonstration (upon giving the Chairman or Governor at least three months advance notice) if the interests of the Federal Government, the State, or the participating individuals would be better served by returning to the separate conduct of the included programs. Requires a Governor, within six months of the completion of a demonstration, to submit a final report on such demonstration to the Board. Directs the Chairman to report annually to the Congress on demonstrations. Directs the Board, after selecting and approving demonstration programs in accordance with criteria it establishes, to prepare a single demonstration proposal containing all information pertinent to the programs selected. Provides that the proposal shall be submitted to the Congress and become effective unless the Congress passes legislation modifying or rejecting the proposal within 60 days after its submission by the Board. Title V: Evaluation of Employment and Training Programs and State Demonstration Programs - Directs the Secretary to convene an Interagency Panel within three months of this Act's enactment which shall design, implement, and monitor a series of studies assessing the methods and effects of the programs initiated under titles II and IV of this Act. Requires the Panel to select an advisory board of not more than 12 members, within six months of this Act's enactment, to provide the Panel with advice and counsel on all aspects of its operation. Sets forth Panel reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the Panel. Title VI: Method of Financing Program Costs - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the dependent care credit available to individuals whose income exceeds $40,000 and prohibit such credit when their income exceeds $80,000.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Human Fetal Tissue Transportation Act of 1987 - Prohibits interstate importation, exportation, or transportation of human fetal tissue, except as permitted under this Act. Requires any person who transports such tissue to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) semiannually of each such transportation, with specified information. Requires the Secretary to establish regulations restricting or prohibiting interstate importation, exportation, or transportation of human fetal tissue and the operation of human fetal tissue storage facilities as necessary to protect the public health or promote the general welfare. Prohibits operation of a human fetal storage facility, except with a license issued under this Act. Requires the Secretary to issue or renew such license for any organization which meets the requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to limit, suspend, or revoke any license for material misrepresentations, failure to provide certain information, or failure to comply with regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct investigations or inspections necessary to carry out this Act. Requires the Secretary to furnish the Attorney General information indicating noncompliance with this Act. Establishes penalties of fines or imprisonment for violations of this Act. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law, except to the extent such law is inconsistent with this Act, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency. Defines "human fetal tissue" to be matter yielded by an aborted human pregnancy and any biochemical product derived from such matter.