United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the current inquiries into the activities of the British West Midlands Crime Squad must be extended to cover the period of the Birmingham bombings of November 21, 1974; (2) the British Prime Minister should call upon the British Home Secretary to reopen the case of the Birmingham Six (those convicted for the bombings); (3) the convictions of such individuals should be quashed; and (4) the President should raise with the British Prime Minister concern for the basic human rights violations and miscarriage of justice arising from the continued incarceration of such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) it would be inequitable for Civil Service retirees to receive smaller cost-of-living adjustments to their pensions than Social Security retirement beneficiaries; and (2) any budget adopted by the Congress should provide for full cost-of-living adjustments for all individuals receiving a Federal retirement pension or benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1990
Prohibits the commercial harvesting of Atlantic striped bass in the coastal waters or Exclusive Economic Zone. Imposes penalties and allows civil forfeiture of vessels for violations. Requires the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director to take actions reflecting the prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1990
National Environmental Strategy Act of 1990 - Establishes the National Environmental Institute Commission to: (1) make recommendations to the President and the Congress for the establishment of a National Environmental Institute, a Bureau of Environmental Information and Statistics, and an organization to examine public environmental policies; and (2) identify areas of research which require long-term efforts to mitigate serious risk to the environment. Requires the Commission to recommend the design of the Institute to accommodate the following functions: (1) developing a National Environmental Research Strategy; (2) evaluating the state of the environment; (3) coordinating Federal, State, and private sector efforts to perform needed research and the performance, or provision of support for, necessary research which has not been performed; and (4) serving as a focus for international solutions to global environmental problems. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1990
Congressional Commitment to Long-Term Care Concurrent Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that payments to long-term care providers under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act be sufficient to maintain the highest quality of patient care in nursing homes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
Amends the National Trails System Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to study the historical significance of the Underground Railroad, the route taken by escaping slaves during the Civil War. Requires the Secretary to designate such route the Underground Railroad Historic Trail and examine the possibility of extending it into Canada and Mexico. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
Rose Kushner Medicare Screening Mammography Act of 1990 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover screening mammographies for women over age 34 at a frequency which varies on the basis of a woman's age and risk of developing breast cancer. Finances such coverage by increasing the Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) premium.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
Department of Environmental Protection Act - Title I: Establishment of Department of Environmental Protection - Redesignates the Environmental Protection Agency as the Department of Environmental Protection, an executive department to be administered by a Secretary of Environmental Protection. Establishes within the Department: (1) an Office of International Environmental Affairs; (2) an Office of Enforcement; and (3) a Center for Environmental Statistics (Center). Encourages the Secretary to assist the Secretary of State in negotiating and administering international environmental protection agreements and participating in the work of international environmental protection organizations. Encourages the Secretary to continue the Department's role in conducting international environmental research and providing technical assistance to other nations to improve environmental quality. Requires the Secretary to establish an Advisory Committee on Environmental Statistics to advise the Center and the Congress on the collection and dissemination of statistical data. Directs the Secretary to maintain a comprehensive guide to the Department's environmental and public health information services. Requires the Secretary to establish an Advisory Committee on Public Access to provide recommendations on improving public access to departmental information. Directs the Secretary to: (1) study the use of computer telecommunications and other means to provide for access to such information; and (2) permit the reduction or waiver of user fees for such access. Title II: Commission on Environmental Administration - Establishes the Commission on Environmental Administration to analyze and make recommendations on specified reorganization and management issues in the Department. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
Extends nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to products of Czechoslovakia for a five-year period. Requires a bilateral commercial agreement to be in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
Makes supplemental FY 1990 appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services' low-income home energy assistance program for States with specified home heating cost increases.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct an emergency study and report to the Congress and the President within 30 days of this resolution's approval on the causes of the rapid and sharp increase of home heating oil and propane prices in the winters of 1989 and 1990, including in such report proposals for protecting consumers from such increases in the future. Directs the Comptroller General to submit a supplemental report assessing the Secretary's study and report.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1990
Dire Energy Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act - Makes FY 1990 supplemental appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for payments under the low-income home energy assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Nuclear Weapons Health and Safety Enforcement Act - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) to establish standards for occupational health and safety, public and environmental safety, and for location, design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of Department of Energy (DOE) defense nuclear facilities. Requires the Board to establish licensing standards for new or substantially modified DOE defense nuclear facilities. Prohibits such facilities from commencing operations without such a license. Grants the Board investigatory and oversight powers over the transportation of nuclear materials between facilities. Requires the Board to maintain an onsite staff for investigation, review, and compliance at each DOE defense nuclear facility. Requires the Secretary of Energy to notify the Board and the Congress immediately of any abnormal occurrence at a DOE defense nuclear facility that may result in an unplanned release of radioactive or hazardous materials. Authorizes the Board to issue administrative orders and bring suit in Federal court to compel compliance with its standards (including compliance with State and Federal standards). Authorizes the President, in the interests of national security, to issue the orders the overriding either court orders or administrative orders of the Board. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Unsolicited Sexually Oriented Advertisements Prevention Act - Establishes a civil penalty for mailing sexually oriented advertisements to individuals included on the Postal Service's list of persons who have indicated a desire not to receive any such mailings. Eliminates the charge for being on such list.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Amends Federal law to authorize and request the President to designate May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month annually, beginning in 1990. (Current law designates a seven-day period beginning on May 4, 1979).
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Federal Fire Service Pay Schedule Act of 1989 - Establishes a pay schedule for Federal fire service personnel. Excludes employees of the District of Columbia from such schedule. Provides for periodic and additional step increases, minimum hours of work, the computation of overtime, educational incentive service step increases, retirement, pay comparability, and additional compensation for technicians.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1989
Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1990 - Title I: General Provisions - Provides for budget compliance of this Act for FY 1991 through 1992. Title II: Interagency Council on the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (SBMHAA) to authorize appropriations through FY 1992. Extends the Interagency Council on the Homeless through FY 1992. Title III: Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program - Amends SBMHAA to authorize appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program through FY 1992. Title IV: Housing Assistance - Amends the SBMHAA to extend through FY 1992: (1) the emergency shelter grants program; (2) the supportive housing demonstration program; (3) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless; and (4) section 8 assistance for single room occupancy dwellings. Title V: Health Care for the Homeless - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize through FY 1992: (1) categorical grants for primary health services and substance abuse services; (2) block grants for community mental health services; and (3) alcohol and drug abuse treatment of homeless individuals. Amends SBMHAA to authorize appropriations for Community demonstration projects. Title VI: Education, Training, and Community Services Program - Amends SBMHAA to authorize appropriations for specified education, training, and community services programs through FY 1992. Title VII: Veterans Programs - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations for veterans medical programs through FY 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1989
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any oil or gas exploration leases or licenses on submerged lands off the coastlines of the eastern seaboard, western seaboard, and Alaska (the Outer Continental Shelf). Retains the leases, licenses, and permits in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to cancel (with compensation) specified leases or permits in effect on such date. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on alternative options for compensating leaseholders of specified land tracts.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1989
Senior Biomedical Research Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish in the Public Health Service a Senior Biomedical Research Service. Requires the Service to: (1) be appointed without regard to provisions of Federal law relating to Government organization and employees; and (2) consist of individuals outstanding in the field of biomedical research or clinical research evaluation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1989
Democracy in El Salvador Act of 1989 - Makes El Salvador ineligible for any American assistance or military financing, except for humanitarian assistance. Provides that such assistance shall be disbursed directly to private voluntary relief organizations. Makes such sanctions inapplicable if the President certifies (and the Congress approves such certification by joint resolution) that the Government of El Salvador: (1) has prosecuted those responsible for the murders of certain faculty members of the Jose Simeon Canas Central American University; (2) has removed from public office and responsibilities all those connected with death squad activity; (3) has established a judiciary free from political pressures; (4) is taking every measure to avoid civilian casualties and is allowing neutral humanitarian organizations to evacuate the dead and wounded and to provide emergency relief to civilians; (5) is abiding by the Geneva Convention with regard to combatants; and (6) is seeking to establish a cease-fire in the civil war. Provides that a motion to consider such a joint resolution shall be treated as highly privileged in the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that payment under a life insurance contract to an insured who is terminally ill be treated as a death benefit, making such payment eligible for tax exclusion from gross income. Provides that any reference to life insurance shall be treated as referring to a qualified terminal illness rider. Provides for the tax treatment of such riders. Describes such a rider as one which provides for payments to an insured upon the insured's becoming terminally ill.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1989
Screening Mammography Medicare Coverage Act of 1989 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover screening mammographies for women over age 34 under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act of 1989 - Amends the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984 to require State Governors to maintain records on asbestos in school buildings. Deletes a requirement for the submission of asbestos abatement application materials by State Governors to the Secretary of Education. Requires State Governors, in determining the adequacy of financial resources available to a local educational agency for asbestos abatement, to consider the additional costs to such agency of meeting the needs of disadvantaged students. Removes a reporting requirement concerning actions taken by State Governors in accordance with State plans. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to approve applications for financial assistance no later than April 30 of each year. Prohibits the provision of such assistance to applicants who are not in compliance with title II of the Toxic Substances Control Act. Requires the proceeds from the repayment of Federal asbestos abatement loans and assistance recovery lawsuits to be deposited into the Asbestos Trust Fund. Removes a condition on the provision of financial assistance which requires the submission of an application within five years of the enactment of the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Prohibits the approval of assistance applications unless the local educational agency certifies that it is implementing an asbestos management plan and all abatement activities will be conducted by trained and accredited individuals in conformance with the Toxic Substances Control Act. Removes certain requirements for the promulgation by the Administrator of standards for asbestos removal contractors and the protection of school employees trained to carry out abatement activities. Requires the Administrator to report annually (until 1999) to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the loan and grant program under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Authorizes appropriations for the asbestos abatement program for FY 1991 through 1995. Revises provisions concerning the allocation of appropriations. Permits up to five percent of appropriations to be reserved each fiscal year for the administration of asbestos abatement activities. Authorizes the Administrator to use up to five percent of such appropriations for grants to States for: (1) assisting local educational agencies in performing periodic reinspections and training activities; and (2) maintaining programs to accredit personnel performing asbestos inspections and response actions. Makes conforming amendments to provisions of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 concerning the Asbestos Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
National Environmental Education Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an Office of Environmental Education within the Office of External Affairs to carry out this Act. Establishes an Environmental Education and Training Program to train educational professionals in the development and delivery of environmental education and training programs and studies. Directs the Administrator to make an annual grant to an institution of higher education or nonprofit research institution to establish and operate such program. Sets forth application and eligibility requirements and criteria to be considered in awarding such grants. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements or provide grants to support projects to design, demonstrate, and disseminate practices related to environmental education and training. Outlines activities eligible for grant support and priorities in awarding such grants. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual solicitation for environmental education grants. Authorizes local education agencies, colleges or universities, State education or environmental agencies, or nonprofit agencies to apply for such grants. Limits Federal funds for demonstration projects to 75 percent of the total cost, except in specified instances. Limits such grants to $100,000 and requires 25 percent of all funds obligated under this section to be for grants of no more than $5,000. Requires the Administrator to provide for internships by postsecondary students with Federal agencies involved in environmental issues. Directs the Administrator, to the extent practicable, to support at least 150 internships annually. Makes eligible for participation in such program students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities who have successfully completed at least four courses or the equivalent in environmental sciences. Requires the Administrator to provide for a series of national awards recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental education to include: (1) the Theodore Roosevelt Award for environmental teaching or administration; (2) the Henry David Thoreau Award for literature on the environment and pollution problems; and (3) the Rachel Carson Award for film or print media for public education and information on environmental issues or problems. Provides that recipients of such awards shall be nominated by the Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the regional administrator of each EPA office to present an "Outstanding Environmental Educator Award" annually to a teacher or faculty member from a local education agency, college or university, or nonprofit organization in recognition of an outstanding contribution to environmental education. Establishes a National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the Council to report biennially to the Congress on: (1) the extent and quality of environmental education in the Nation's schools; (2) activities conducted pursuant to this Act; (3) obstacles to improving environmental education; and (4) training and skills needed to respond to environmental problems. Establishes the Environmental Education Trust Fund to carry out this Act. Allocates funding for this Act's activities and authorizes 50 percent of penalties received under specified environmental Acts to be appropriated to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
Pollution Prevention Advancement Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide for the conduct of research and development activities with respect to new or improved practices and technologies for pollution prevention. Requires at least 50 percent of the funds appropriated for such activities to be used for grants to universities or research institutions. Directs the Administrator to earmark a portion of such funds for participation in the Small Business Innovation Research Program. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on the impact of products on pollution prevention capabilities, including a list of 50 constituents that have adverse environmental or public health effects when recycled, discarded, incinerated, or treated before disposal and an identification of as many of the products containing such constituents as is practicable. Directs the Administrator to provide funding for projects demonstrating new pollution prevention practices and technologies to: (1) entities responsible for municipal solid waste disposal; and (2) public and private entities. Limits such grants to specified percentages of the total cost of a project. Sets forth criteria to be considered in the awarding of such grants. Requires the Administrator to evaluate such projects to determine the effectiveness and life-cycle costs of such technologies or practices and related social impacts. Directs the Administrator to establish a program of research grants to State and local governments that have solid waste prevention and recycling programs to enable such governments to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs. Requires such governments to report the results of such research to the Administrator. Limits the Federal share of the cost of such research to 50 percent of the total amount. Requires the Administrator to promote the use of, and provide technical assistance for, pollution prevention practices and technologies. Directs the Administrator to establish a Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse. Establishes priorities for the Administrator in undertaking pollution prevention research and development and demonstration activities with respect to hazardous and other wastes. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on the activities carried out under this Act. Authorizes and allocates appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1989
National Recyclable Commodities Act of 1989 - Title I: Department of Commerce Recycling Requirements - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Bureau of Recyclable Commodities within the Department of Commerce to promote the recycling of materials contained in municipal refuse. Requires the Secretary to gather and publish statistics on municipal refuse, pre-consumer refuse, specified types of materials contained in municipal refuse, and recycled materials. Provides for the annual updating of such statistics. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate between six and ten multi-State regions for the purpose of regional data collection; and (2) collect and compile statistics for such regions. Requires the Secretary to revise the standard industrial classification system, as necessary, to facilitate the collection of statistics and other information on recycling and related activities. Requires the Secretary to identify and, to the extent practicable, standardize: (1) the types and grades of municipal refuse material covered under this Act that qualify as recyclable commodities; (2) the technical specifications applied to the use of recyclable commodities as raw materials or feedstocks for recycling; and (3) the test methods used in determining whether refuse materials meet specifications that apply to each commodity. Provides for the periodic revision of types and grades, as necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to assign municipal refuse materials to multiple types and grades. Requires the periodic revision of specifications and test methods to ensure continuing conformance to industry recycling standards. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory panel to support the identification of specifications and test methods for recyclable commodities. Permits industries or local governments engaged in recycling activities to petition the Secretary for the revision of types, grades, specifications, or test methods to prevent or minimize interference with current recycling techniques. Requires the Secretary to issue a recycling advisory to potentially affected parties if a physical or chemical property or contaminant of a recyclable commodity is not adequately addressed by specifications or test methods and is interfering with: (1) current recycling techniques; (2) marketing of recycled goods manufactured from the commodity; or (3) handling of the recyclable commodity prior to recycling. Directs the Secretary to make reports available to the public, at least on a quarterly basis, on prevailing market prices for recyclable commodities. Requires the Secretary to make reports available to the public, at least annually, on: (1) the prevailing national recycling rate for each recyclable commodity; and (2) the technical and economic factors that may influence future foreign and domestic markets for recyclable commodities. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the potential for expanded recycling of waste paper and paperboard, lead scrap, rubber scrap, plastic scrap, ferrous and nonferrous scrap, waste glass, and yard and food waste. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations requiring labeling on the recyclability and composition of packaging, containers, and nondurable goods. Sets deadlines for the promulgation of such regulations, requiring regulations for all covered items within four years of this Act's enactment. Directs the Secretary, when determining the type of label to be required on an item, to determine the recyclability of such item. Sets forth label requirements. Requires nonrecyclable items to bear a label stating that they are nonrecyclable by Federal standards. Authorizes the Secretary to establish an alternative label requirement if such alternative conveys information equivalent to labels required by this Act. Authorizes exemptions from labeling requirements if the Secretary determines that labeling will interfere with normal use or handling. Prohibits such exemptions if the manufacturer's or distributor's trade name appears on the packaging, container, or nondurable good. Requires the Secretary to review and, as necessary, revise labeling regulations. Permits industries or local governments engaged in recycling activities to petition the Secretary for revisions of regulations or labeling requirements. Directs the Secretary to publish a standardized, national recyclability seal to further assist purchasers in identifying recyclable packaging, containers, and nondurable goods. Authorizes the Secretary, when a person is in violation of labeling requirements, to: (1) issue a recall order requiring the removal of the item from sale or distribution in commerce; or (2) commence a civil action against such person. Permits the assessment of civil penalties for noncompliance with an order. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations defining minimum content requirements for packaging, containers, or nondurable goods labeled as recycled. Directs the Secretary to issue and periodically revise guidelines for the use of procuring agencies in complying with this Act. Requires such guidelines to set forth information concerning the procurement of recycled items. Sets deadlines for the revision and issuance of guidelines for specified items. Requires the Secretary to establish standards for the level of recycled content in recycled paper and paperboard goods purchased by procuring agencies. Phases in minimum recycled content standards for such goods, requiring 50 percent of paper goods procured by Federal agencies to have a recycled content of at least 50 percent by 1992. Permits the Secretary to establish more stringent targets and schedules for the procurement of recycled paper goods. Authorizes the Secretary to establish minimum content standards for other items, as necessary. Requires procuring agencies which procure items designated in the guidelines to procure items composed of the highest percentage of recycled content practicable or which are in conformance with minimum content standards issued by the Secretary. Makes exceptions to such requirements if procurement items: (1) are not reasonably available within a reasonable period of time; (2) fail to meet performance standards set forth in specifications or standards of the procuring agencies; or (3) are only available at an unreasonable price. States that an unreasonable price is one which exceeds the price of alternative items by more than ten percent. Requires contracting offices at procuring agencies to require vendors to: (1) certify that the percentage of recycled content used in the contract will be at least the amount required by specifications or contractual requirements; and (2) estimate the percentage of the total material used in the contract which is recycled. Applies such requirements to contracts in which the purchase price of procurement items exceeds $10,000. Directs procuring agencies to develop affirmative procurement programs to assure that items composed of recycled content will be purchased to the maximum extent practicable. Requires such agencies to: (1) adopt procedures equivalent to those specified in the guidelines and to set equivalent minimum content standards; and (2) maintain records on types, quantities, and percentages of items composed of recycled content which are purchased or contracted for by the agency and report such statistics annually to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on actions taken by Federal agencies to implement such procurement policies. Repeals a section of the Solid Waste Disposal Act concerning Federal procurement of recovered materials. Directs the Secretary to review and, if necessary, revise guidelines issued by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency after November 8, 1984, pursuant to Federal procurement provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the Secretary to develop a program to promote the export of recyclable commodities for recycling by foreign industries. Directs the Secretary to make available to the public information identifying potential foreign buyers of recyclable commodities. Requires the Secretary to develop a program to promote the export of recycled goods produced in the United States. Directs the Secretary to integrate this program with existing programs promoting such exports. Requires the Secretary to make available to the public statistics and information on: (1) recycling techniques employed by foreign industries; (2) available export markets for recyclable commodities; (3) specifications and test methods employed by foreign industries to assess commodity quality; (4) prevailing prices in foreign markets for recyclable commodities; and (5) other information on export markets. Directs the Secretary to establish a national recycling clearinghouse through which all statistics and other information on recycling and related activities shall be made available to the public. Requires the Secretary to conduct a national advertising campaign to promote recycling and the purchase of recycled goods. Prohibits the Secretary from endorsing specific products or trade names. Authorizes the Secretary to publish recycling rates for specific refuse materials or recyclable commodities and for types of containers, packaging, or goods. Directs the Secretary to make grants to accredited institutions of higher education to establish at least four to six recycling research centers in the United States. Requires the Secretary to establish such centers equitably among the regions of the United States. Directs each center to carry out at least one project relating to research on the composting of yard waste, food waste, or waste paper and paperboard. Authorizes such centers, as necessary to conduct research, to enter into contracts with: (1) persons involved in recycling activities; (2) State and local governments; and (3) nonprofit private entities which are exempt from Federal taxation. Limits the Federal share of grants to 80 percent of the total cost of establishing and operating the research center. Prohibits the use of such grants for the acquisition of real property or for building construction. Requires at least 40 percent of the funds made available to each center to be allocated to projects performed jointly by the center and local governments with expertise in areas critical to such research. Sets forth grant selection criteria. Requires the Secretary to establish a program for the source separation and collection of materials contained in refuse from Federal agencies. Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines for such program. Requires Federal office facilities with more than 25 workers to carry out such programs. Provides for the retention by a Federal agency of any funds received from the sale of collected materials and any savings in refuse disposal costs resulting from the implementation of such programs. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct an independent technical assessment of any product specification or standard that may: (1) disfavor the use of a recyclable commodity as a substitute for comparable virgin feedstocks or raw materials in the manufacture of the product; and (2) have a substantial adverse impact on existing or potential markets for the recyclable commodity. Prohibits the Secretary from reviewing specifications or standards established by individual firms or persons. Requires the Secretary to publish and make available to the public the findings of the technical assessment. Permits industries or local governments engaged in recycling activities to petition for an independent technical assessment of any specification or standard. Requires the Secretary to establish an interagency working group to assist in the development of regulations and guidelines and the collection of information required by this Act. Sets forth provisions concerning citizen suits and judicial review of final regulations. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals a section of the Solid Waste Disposal Act concerning resource and recovery functions of the Secretary. Title II: Tax Incentives for Certain Recycling and Remanufacturing Facilities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat qualified recycling facilities as solid waste disposal facilities under tax exempt bond rules. Exempts qualified government-owned recycling facilities from a volume cap. Allows an investment tax credit of 15 percent of the qualified investment for remanufacturing equipment. Provides that such equipment shall cease to be section 38 property when it ceases to be qualified remanufacturing property.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1989
Employee Mass Transit Benefits Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax exclusion for the following transportation benefits provided to an employee by an employer: (1) payment for public transportation between the employee's residence and workplace; and (2) any transit pass entitling the employee to transportation on mass transit facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1989
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Laurance Spelman Rockefeller in recognition of his leadership on behalf of natural resource conservation and historic preservation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1989
Directs the heads of Federal departments or agencies which hold or receive records and information which have or could possibly have been correlated to U.S. personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts to publicly disclose such records and information, except where such disclosure would compromise national security. Requires the Department of Defense to publicly disclose a complete list of such personnel including those killed in action (body not returned) in such hostilities with each service member's current classification as well as any changes in such classification occurring during or after such hostilities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1989
Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Title I: Minting of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin - Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Provides for the sale of Benjamin Franklin commemorative coins at a surcharge of which 25 percent shall be paid to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial and the remainder be distributed in specified percentages to the National Fire Center and Museum Account, the National Hero Scholarship Account, the Firefighter's Tuition Assistance Account, the Hazardous Materials Response Computer Account, the In Search of Excellence Research and Education Account, and the Burn Research Grant Account of the Firefighter Assistance Trust Fund (Fund). Prohibits the issuance of such coins from resulting in any net cost to the Federal government. Title II: Fire Service Bill of Rights - Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to establish a fire service bill of rights. Establishes the National Fire Center and Museum in the District of Columbia to provide information about the fire service and safety to the public and fire services. Funds such museum exclusively through the Fund. Establishes a National Hero Scholarship to fund the higher education of the children or spouse of a deceased firefighter. Establishes a scholarship providing tuition assistance to firefighters for higher education in fire safety or protection. Authorizes the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration to use amounts in the In Search of Excellence Research and Education Account of the Fund to fund other specified programs under the Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974. Establishes the Firefighters Assistance Trust Fund. Places the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control within the United States Fire Administration. Directs the Administrator to use funds from the Hazardous Materials Response Computer Account of the fund to procure computer equipment for fire services that want such equipment. Directs the Administrator to make a grant from the Burn Research Grant Account of the Fund to one national firefighter's burn foundation dedicated to reducing burn injuries. Requires the Administrator to prepare and make available to State fire marshals, upon request, a manual describing Federal procedures for disposing of surplus property and highlighting how fire services could obtain such property. Directs the Administrator to distribute to such marshals information on the infectious diseases to which firefighters are particularly vulnerable.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1989
Declares that it is the policy of the United States to recognize Brazil's sovereign authority in the Amazon and that the United States should adopt a policy to encourage and support conservation efforts initiated by Brazil to protect the Amazon forest. Declares that the United States should redouble its efforts to address development within its own borders in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1989
Morris and Delaware and Raritan Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 1989 - Establishes the Morris and Delaware and Raritan Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor in New Jersey. Establishes the Morris and Delaware and Raritan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission to assist Federal, State, and local authorities in the development of an integrated resource management plan for the Corridor. Requires the Commission to submit to the Secretary of the Interior a Cultural Heritage and Corridor Management Plan. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1989
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act Uniform Safety Amendments Act of 1989 - Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous materials in domestic and foreign commerce (including route designations). Cites the area in which Federal regulations preempt State hazardous materials transportation requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations for dispute resolution among the States or Indian tribes regarding hazardous materials highway route designations. Permits States or Indian tribes to petition for judicial review of the dispute resolution decision. Grants the Secretary discretion to either adopt or reject hazardous materials transportation standards adopted by international bodies according to the Secretary's perception of the public interest. Requires a person who offers a hazardous material for transportation in commerce to disclose to the carrier specified information on such material. Prohibits a person from altering any required marking or packaging of hazardous materials. Prohibits a person who receives a package containing a hazardous material from removing any such markings from the package until the material has been removed. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations governing the number, content, and placement of documents with respect to the transportation of hazardous materials. Provides for: (1) filing of registration statements with the Secretary by persons who transport hazardous materials; (2) the issuance of safety permits to motor carriers who transport specified hazardous materials; and registration statements and safety permit fees. Increases the penalties for persons who commit violations in the transport of hazardous materials. Prescribes guidelines under which the preemption of State laws or Indian laws conflicting with this Act shall be determined. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study on a State-by-State basis of the flow of hazardous materials in commerce and the capability of emergency response to unintentional releases of them in the United States. Requires the Secretary to issue guidelines for the preparation and submission of a hazardous materials transportation emergency preparedness assessment of each State. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations with respect to the safe transportation of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel (including mode and route designations). Prohibits any railroad tank car constructed before a specified date from being used for the transportation of certain explosives or hazardous materials unless its air brake equipment support attachments comply with minimum Federal standards. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study of the present system of identifying hazardous materials and of means to improve such identification while in transit. Provides for State participation in the regulation of the transportation of hazardous materials by rail carriers. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations for the safe operation of trains that transport specified hazardous materials. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to prohibit the transportation in commerce of hazardous materials or solid waste in any motor vehicle which is also used to transport any food, food additive, drug, cosmetic, or device, or any package containing such items. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations with respect to making safety ratings of motor carriers available to the public. Requires the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Research and Special Programs Administration to employ an additional number of safety inspectors. Provides for State participation in the regulation of hazardous materials transported by rail carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1989
Comprehensive Urban Transportation Act of 1989 - Establishes a strategic urbanized program for providing assistance for the Federal-aid highway systems in urbanized areas with populations of 50,000 or more for projects designed to help reduce traffic congestion and traffic flow problems. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) apportion funds authorized for expenditure under the program according to specified guidelines based on population; and (2) require that projects be selected by the State highway department of each State. Allows up to 25 percent of the amount apportioned in a fiscal year to a State under the program to be transferred for other specified uses if requested by the State highway department and approved by the Governor of such State and the Secretary as being in the public interest. Directs the Secretary to set aside $300,000,000 for discretionary projects. Sets forth criteria which must be met before a State may obtain funding. Specifies factors which the Secretary shall consider in selecting projects, including: (1) project cost; (2) traffic congestion levels; (3) importance of a project to a congestion relief planning effort; and (4) impact of a project on economic development. Specifies that the Federal share shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of any project. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the use of such funds for public transportation, railway-highway crossings, carpool and vanpool projects, bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways, and research and planning.
![Official portrait of Rep. Dwyer, Bernard J. [D-NJ-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000586_200.jpg)