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 · 2 November 1989
Rural Economic Development Act of 1989 - Title I: Reorganization of the Department of Agriculture - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish in the Department of Agriculture the Rural Development Administration. Title II: Local Prioritization of Project Funding - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to set out the framework for certain rural development programs, which shall include: (1) an area plan for long range rural development; and (2) State rural economic development review panels. Authorizes grants for State revolving funds for loans to very small businesses. Title III: Enhancement of Existing Rural Development Programs - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to establish in the Rural Electrification Administration a technical assistance unit. Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to authorize banks for cooperatives to make loans for water or waste disposal systems. Title VII: Rural Electrification Provisions - Rural Telecommunications Improvements Act of 1989 - Subtitle A: Amendments Relating to Title I of the 1936 Act - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (the Act) to include the balance of all rescinded loans and obligations among the unexpended or unobligated funds which may be carried over for loans by the Administrator (the Administrator) of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). Prohibits the Administrator and the Governor of the Rural Telephone Bank (the Governor) from: (1) denying or reducing any loan based on a borrower's fund level; or (2) making any loan, guarantee, or grant, unless the borrower has obtained the consent of the State regulatory authority and the loan or grant will not duplicate existing facilities or systems. Subtitle B: Amendments Relating to Title II of the 1936 Act - Prohibits the Administrator and the Governor from making or guaranteeing a telephone grant or a loan which would result in facilities or service duplication. Prohibits the Administrator and the Governor from requiring a telephone loan applicant to increase: (1) rates charged to customers or subscribers; or (2) the ratio of net income or margins before interest to the interest requirements on all the applicant's outstanding and proposed loans. Prohibits the Administrator from treating certain rural development investments as dividends or capital distributions. Requires the Administrator and the Governor to: (1) publish telephone policy standards; (2) use only specified depreciation rates in loan evaluations; and (3) make loans for all authorized purposes. Prohibits the Administrator and the Governor from: (1) rescinding certain telephone loans without the borrower's consent; (2) regulating the order or sequence of advances of funds to any borrower under any combination of approved telephone loans from specified entities; or (3) denying a loan or taking adverse action against a borrower for any reason not based on a published policy standard. Subtitle C: Amendments Relating to Title III of the 1936 Act - Directs the Administrator to maintain separate electric and telephone accounts within the Rural Electric and Telephone Revolving Fund. Sets forth a tier requirement for the interest rates of insured telephone loans. Provides for full use of REA insured loan authority. Prohibits the Administrator from providing guarantee assistance unless the borrower specifically applies for it. Subtitle D: Amendments Relating to Title IV of the 1936 Act - Revises provisions for the Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) Board of Directors. Revises (RTB) provisions relating to: (1) capitalization; (2) pro rata stock purchases by RTB borrowers; (3) authority to set loan levels; and (4) the overcharge on RTB loans made before FY 1988. Provides for full use of RTB loan authority. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish local income-based loan rates for health care and related facilities. Increases assistance for communities dependent on natural resources. Directs the Secretary to establish a loan restructuring and servicing program for distressed community facility program borrowers. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to provide water and waste facility loans and grants to alleviate health risks.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to develop a management plan, including a research program, to coordinate communications with Federal agency and other scientific experts for the prevention of defects in the manufacture of aircraft parts.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Rural Telecommunications Improvements Act of 1989 - Title I: Amendments Relating to Title I of the 1936 Act - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (the Act) to include the balance of all rescinded loans and obligations among the unexpended or unobligated funds which may be carried over for loans by the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) (the Administrator). Prohibits the Administrator and the Governor of the Rural Telephone Bank (the Governor) from: (1) denying or reducing any loan or loan advance based on a borrower's level of general funds; or (2) making any loan or grant, or providing any guarantee, for electric service to any borrower of a telephone loan, or for telephone service to any borrower of an electric loan, unless the borrower has obtained the consent of the State regulatory authority and the loan or grant will not be used to duplicate any lines, facilities, or systems. Title II: Amendments Relating to Title II of the 1936 Act - Prohibits the Administrator or the Governor from making or guaranteeing a loan, or making a grant, for telephone purposes, if this would result in the duplication of lines, facilities, or systems that provide reasonably adequate service. Prohibits the Administrator and the Governor from requiring an applicant, as a condition of a telephone loan, to increase: (1) rates charged to customers or subscribers; or (2) the ratio of net income or margins before interest to the interest requirements on all the applicant's outstanding and proposed loans. Prohibits the Administrator from treating as dividends or distributions of capital certain rural development investments by qualified telephone borrowers. Requires the Administrator and the Governor to: (1) publish policy standards for the telephone loan programs; (2) use only depreciation rates authorized by the State regulatory body in evaluating loan feasibility; and (3) make loans for all authorized purposes. Prohibits the Administrator and the Governor from: (1) rescinding certain telephone loans without the borrower's consent; (2) regulating the order or sequence of advances of funds to any borrower under any combination of approved telephone loans from specified entities; or (3) denying a loan or advance to, or taking adverse action against, a telephone loan borrower for any reason not based on a published policy standard. Requires the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees on why certain loan applications have not been processed promptly. Title III: Amendments Relating to Title III of the 1936 Act - Directs the Administrator to maintain separate electric and telephone accounts within the Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund (the Fund). Provides that borrowers are to determine the amortization period for insured telephone loans. Sets forth a tier requirement for the interest rates of insured telephone loans. Provides for full use of REA insured loan authority. Prohibits the Administrator from providing guarantee assistance to any borrower of a telephone loan unless the borrower specifically applies for guarantee assistance. Title IV: Amendments Relating to Title IV of the 1936 Act - Revises provisions for the Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) Board of Directors. Revises provisions relating to: (1) RTB capitalization; (2) pro rata purchase of RTB stock by RTB borrowers; (3) authority to set RTB loan levels; and (4) the overcharge on RTB loans made before FY 1988. Provides for determination of the amortization period for RTB loans by borrowers, within certain maximum limits. Provides for full use of RTB loan authority. Title V: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
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 · 24 October 1989
Federal Reserve Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the Federal Open Market Committee to meet and consult with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors during certain periods related to the submission of: (1) certain reports by the Board of Governors to the Congress; and (2) the President's budget for the coming fiscal year. Changes the term of office of the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from four years to the period ending on January 31 of the first calendar year beginning after the end of the term of the President who appointed the Chairman expires. Provides that in the event of the absence or unavailability of the chairman, the vice chairman (or in the vice chairman's absence, another member of the Board) may be designated acting chairman. Provides that the vice chairman shall perform the duties of the chairman until a successor takes office if a vacancy occurs in the office of the chairman. Provides that in the case of vacancies in both offices chairman and vice chairman, the member of the Board with the most years of service shall perform the duties of the chairman until a successor takes office. Requires each change in the intermediate targets for monetary policy adopted by the Federal Open Market Committee to be disclosed to the public on the date of adoption. Defines "intermediate targets" as any policy objectives regarding monetary aggregates, credit aggregates, prices, interest rates, or bank reserves. Repeals provisions which exempt from Comptroller General audit any transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee and deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy by the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks. Requires the estimated expenditures and receipts and proposed appropriations for the Board to be submitted to the President by October 16 each year and included, unchanged, in the annual Federal budget submitted by the President to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1989
Federal Inspection for Seafood Healthfulness Act of 1989 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to develop an inspection program for seafood and seafood products to protect the public from adulterated and misbranded products. Prohibits any establishment or vessel from processing seafood (any aquatic plant or animal capable of use as human food) unless registered under the program. Requires all seafood labeling to be approved by the Secretary prior to use. Provides for the inspection of establishments and vessels registered under the program and for condemnation of adulterated or misbranded seafood. Requires the Secretary, with the Secretary of Commerce, to establish a system to sample and test seafood and seafood products to identify geographical areas having significant quantities of products not in compliance with this Act. Imposes standards, inspection requirements, and sampling requirements on imported seafood and seafood products. Requires the Secretary to review, upon request, the seafood inspection program of countries desiring to export products to the United States. Sets U.S. seafood export standards. Directs the Secretary to encourage States to establish seafood inspection programs, providing Federal assistance for such programs. Prescribes prohibited acts relating to seafood processing, sale, and transport, imposing civil and criminal penalties for violations. Exempts carriers from penalties for delivery of adulterated or misbranded seafood and products unless certain knowledge and other requirements are met. Exempts from this Act establishments and vessels processing seafood not intended for use as human food, intended for personal use, for certain restaurant processing, and vessels that do not process seafood by certain methods. Directs the implementation of a national program for seafood safety education. Authorizes appropriations. Requires reports to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1989
Route 66 Study Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to undertake a comprehensive study of U.S. Route 66. Specifies that such study shall include: (1) an evaluation of the significance of the Route; (2) options for preservation and use of remaining segments and of features associated with the highway; and (3) participation by representatives from each of the States traversed by the Route and representatives of associations interested in the Route's preservation. Provides that private sector initiatives are to be fully evaluated. Directs the Secretary to submit such study to specified congressional committees within two years after funds are made available for the study. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1989
Historic Forts Study and Preservation Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Directors of the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service, to study specific historic military forts occupied during the Civil War and Indian campaigns in Oklahoma and to develop alternative means of interpreting and preserving such forts. Requires a report to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1989
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reimburse fiscal intermediaries and carriers for administrative costs on other than a reasonable charge basis.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1989
Designates November 11, 1989, as Washington Centennial Day in recognition of the economic, social, and historic contributions of the State of Washington to the United States over the past century.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1989
Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from enforcing, during the 12-month period following the enactment of this Act, its underground petroleum storage tank financial responsibility regulations promulgated pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act with respect to certain underground tank owners. Permits enforcement after such period if the Administrator of the EPA determines that such enforcement would not impose an unjust economic burden on the owners. Requires the Administrator to conduct a study for the purpose of identifying the principal economic difficulties associated with compliance by underground tank owners with EPA technical standards for such tanks. Directs the Administrator to report the results of such study to specified congressional committees. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to: (1) delete the requirement that regulations under such Act include provisions for compensation of third parties for injury and property damage caused by accidental releases from underground storage tanks; and (2) reduce financial responsibility requirements for specified underground petroleum storage tanks.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1989
Food Safety Assurance Act of 1989 - Title I: Cancellation and Suspension - Amends provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) relating to cancellation and changes in classification or other terms or conditions of registration with respect to the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires that a rulemaking under such provisions be based on a validated test or other significant evidence raising prudent concerns of unreasonable adverse effects to man or to the environment. Sets forth procedural requirements for such a rulemaking. Provides for amendment of a rule and for judicial review. Allows the Administrator, in the case of a suspension, to waive certain requirements. Allows the Administrator to elect to proceed with a special review proceeding or a public interim administrative review proceeding, if published before January 1, 1990, under the law in effect before enactment of this Act. Requires the Administrator to reassess each tolerance and exemption from the requirement for a tolerance at certain times in connection with reregistration of pesticides. Establishes the Science Review Board to assist the Scientific Advisory Panel in reviews conducted by the Panel. Revises procedures applicable after denial of an application for registration. Allows the Administrator to deny an application for registration because it does not comply with the requirements of a rule issued under provisions of this Act. Repeals provisions regulating the authority of the Administrator to initiate a public interim administrative review process. Declares a decision made after a hearing in certain circumstances during phase three of reregistration to be final. Amends provisions regulating: (1) review by district courts of suspension of registrations; and (2) public hearings. Title II: Data Collection - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to collect by surveys on a biennial basis pesticide use data of State-level significance for all the major crops and crops of dietary significance. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to add to the responsibilities of the Secretary of Agriculture that of establishing, with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a committee to oversee coordination between the Department of Agriculture's conservation, commodity, research, and education programs and the EPA's pesticide regulatory activities. Requires the interagency coordinating committee to: (1) develop and oversee integrated pest management research and education initiatives targeted toward principal pests of crops, with an emphasis on crops which constitute significant human dietary exposure to pesticide residues and for which few pesticide alternatives exist; and (2) advise the Administrator regarding ways to take into account, in registration, reregistration, and cancellation actions, the implications of the emergency or severity of genetic resistance in pests to pesticides, or the viability and profitability of integrated pest management systems. Authorizes appropriations. Adds to the list of high priority research, for the purpose of grants by the Secretary of Agriculture under existing provisions, research to develop and refine integrated pest management techniques and other nonchemical or reduced chemical control technologies targeted toward crop pests, particularly those pests and crops which require applications of pesticides that may pose greater than a negligible risk to man or the environment. Title III: Authorizations - Increases the amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out the FIFRA for FY 1990 and 1991, earmarking the increased authorization for the implementation of regulations relating to certain ingredients in pesticide products. Title IV: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to define, subject to exception, "pesticide chemical" as it is defined in the FIFRA. Adds to the list of prohibited acts under the FDCA violation of provisions relating to confidentiality of data, as amended by this Act. Deems a food adulterated if it bears or contains: (1) a pesticide chemical residue that is unsafe; or (2) a new animal drug, or conversion product thereof, that is unsafe. Sets forth requirements relating to tolerances and exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance for pesticide chemical residues in food, including residues of degradation products. Prohibits establishment of a tolerance higher than a level the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines is adequate to protect the public health. Sets forth the factors the Administrator must consider. Allows a greater than negligible dietary risk if: (1) use protects from greater adverse health effects to humans or the environment; (2) use avoids greater risks from another pesticide; or (3) the unavailability of the pesticide would reduce the availability of an adequate, wholesome, and economical domestic supply of the food, and the adverse effects from the reduction would outweigh the risk posed by the residue. Allows the Administrator to issue an exemption from the requirement for a tolerance only if the Administrator determines that a tolerance is not needed to protect the public health, in view of the levels of dietary exposure that could reasonably be expected to occur. Sets forth the factors the Administrator must consider. Sets forth procedures and requirements in connection with: (1) petitions for tolerances or exemptions; (2) certain actions authorized on the Administrator's own initiative; (3) the required submission of additional data to support the continuation of a tolerance or exemption; and (4) confidentiality of data submitted to the Administrator. Provides for continuation of previously issued regulations. Sets forth transitional provisions. Prohibits a final rule that revokes, modifies, or suspends a tolerance or exemption until the Administrator has taken any necessary action under the FIFRA with respect to the registration of the pesticide involved. Requires the Administrator, if the Administrator takes certain actions with respect to the registration of a pesticide, to revoke any tolerance or exemption that allows the presence of the chemical or chemical residue. Requires the suspension of any tolerance or exemption upon the suspension of the use of an associated registered pesticide. Provides for: (1) tolerances for unavoidable residues in the case of a residue of a canceled or suspended pesticide chemical that will unavoidably persist in the environment and thereby be present in or on a food; and (2) residues resulting from an application which was lawful at the time of the application. Directs the Administrator to require the payment of fees sufficient for the Administrator's functions under these provisions. Prohibits, subject to exception, a State from establishing or enforcing any limit on a qualifying pesticide chemical residue in or on any food which is not identical to Federal requirements. Prohibits a State from enforcing a residue limit which was lawful at the time of application. Authorizes appropriations for increased monitoring by the Secretary of Health and Human Services of pesticide residues in imported and domestic food.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make funds from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund available for the essential air transportation program under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to enter into contracts and agreements to provide essential air services prior to September 30, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1989
Farm Animal and Research Facilities Protection Act of 1989 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to make it unlawful to disrupt or damage a farm animal facility, its animals, or property. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Allows the Secretary of Agriculture to investigate such offenses. Grants U.S. district courts jurisdiction in such cases. Provides for a private right of action.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989 - Repeals Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) catastrophic health care coverage provided under the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988. Makes transitional and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
State Offices of Rural Health Act of 1989 - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to require the Director of the Office of Rural Health Policy to make matching grants to States to establish State Offices of Rural Health which shall: (1) coordinate their activities with the rural development activities of the Agricultural Extension Service; (2) make recommendations on improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of rural health care delivery; (3) report periodically to the Office of Rural Health Policy on their activities; (4) communicate and cooperate with five rural health research centers located in North Carolina, North Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Arizona; and (5) provide rural health leadership and advocacy for rural residents. Specifies optional activities each State Office of Rural Health may undertake. Prohibits States from using more than 20 percent of their grant for research. Authorizes appropriations for such grant program from FY 1990 through 1992. Requires an annual meeting between representatives of each State Office of Rural Health and representatives from the Office of Rural Health Policy to share information and coordinate strategies for improving the quality and effectiveness of rural health care delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to permit prepayment and refinancing of Rural Electrification Administration guaranteed loans made to rural electrification and telephone systems if: (1) private capital is used for such prepayment; and (2) the borrower certifies that any savings incurred will be passed on to customers, used to improve the borrower's financial strength, or used to mitigate future rate increases. Sets forth the interest rate for such loans. Prohibits any additional loan charges.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Expresses sorrow to the family of Lieutenant Colonel William Higgins over his reported murder and to the families of hostages of all nationalities being held in Lebanon. Recognizes that Iran is both directly and indirectly responsible for the captivity of the American hostages and the reported murder of Lt. Col. Higgins. Commends the President and the Secretary of State for doing everything in their power to deter further threats to the American hostages. Urges: (1) the President to express to the Government of Iran that the United States holds Iran responsible for Lt. Col. Higgins' death, the captivity of the remaining hostages, and all Hezbollah-sponsored terrorism; and (2) the President and the Secretary of State to continue exploring all possible channels for freeing the hostages and bringing those responsible for such acts to justice.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1989
Agricultural Extended Retirement Credit Act of 1990 - Extends creditable service under the Civil Service Retirement System for periods of service in certain Federal-State cooperative programs which had agricultural or related purposes. Establishes a hiring limitation period of four fiscal years after 60 days following enactment of this Act on the replacement of retirees in the United States Department of Agriculture. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any budget authority or outlays saved in any fiscal year by reason of reduced pay and personnel resulting from implementation of this Act. Requires that the budget authority and outlays thus saved: (1) be carried to the surplus fund of the Department of Agriculture and deposited by the Secretary of Agriculture in the Treasury to the credit of the Civil Service Retirement Fund, as a Government contribution; and (2) credited against pay and other personnel costs required to be sequestered under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the Comptroller General to notify the Congress, of of each instance of noncompliance with the requirements of this Act. Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to report to the Congress on an evaluation of the extended credit retirement program and the limitation on replacement of retirees provided under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1989
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 20, 1989, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1989
Section 457 Reform and Simplification Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to state that the accounting provisions applicable to the deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and of private tax-exempt organizations shall not apply to nonelective deferred compensation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations defining nonelective deferred compensation. Applies retroactively to tax year 1988 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1989
Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the death of Benjamin Franklin. Provides that such coins shall be considered legal tender. Requires the Secretary to begin issuing such coins on October 1, 1989. Directs the Secretary to obtain silver for the minting of such coins from stocks of silver held by the Secretary or from any other federally owned stocks of silver and to obtain gold pursuant to authority under existing law. Provides that the design of such coins shall be selected by the Secretary after consultation with the Chairman of the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial at the Franklin Institute and the Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts. Specifies the sales price of such coins as the face value plus costs. Requires that all sales of such coins include a surcharge of $35 per coin for five-dollar coins, $7 per coin for one-dollar coins, and $2 for half-dollar coins. Requires that all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of such coins shall be paid to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial (The Franklin Institute): (1) to restore and renovate the Memorial; (2) to construct or renovate certain adjoining areas of the Franklin Institute; (3) to establish an endowment to ensure the continued upkeep and maintenance of the Memorial; (4) for exhibits in the Memorial or certain adjoining areas of the Institute; and (5) for funds for construction of certain facilities and for the acquisition and preservation of artifacts relating to Franklin. Authorizes the Comptroller General to audit such payments. Prohibits the minting of such coins under this Act after December 31, 1990. Requires the Secretary to ensure that the minting and issuance of such coins shall not result in any net costs to the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1989
Designates the Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture, animal health research building located at the Roman L. Hruska United States Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska, as the Virginia D. Smith Animal Health Research Laboratory.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1989
Mandates that a portion of Federal highway funds be withheld from States that do not enact and enforce laws requiring the suspension or revocation of driver's licenses of persons convicted of drug-related criminal offenses. Sets forth provisions for determining the period of availability of withheld funds and the disposition of such funds in cases of noncompliance with such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1989
Commends the citizens of the Sioux City, Iowa, tri-State area for their heroism and volunteerism in providing assistance to the passengers and crew of crashed United Airlines Flight 232.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1989
Fastener Quality Act - Prohibits the offering for sale or sale in commerce of any fastener (screw, nut, bolt, stud, similar threaded device, or washer) unless it is part of a lot which: (1) conforms to standards and specifications represented by the manufacturer; and (2) has been inspected, tested, and certified according to this Act. Sets forth special rules for small lots. Requires manufacturers to have a fastener lot sample inspected by a laboratory accredited under an approved system (including one owned or affiliated with the manufacturer if it is so accredited). Requires the laboratory, upon determination of conformance with the appropriate standards and specifications, to provide the manufacturer certificates with respect to such lot. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to establish: (1) a program for the accreditation of laboratories engaged in the inspection and testing of fasteners; (2) conditions under which accreditation by private entities using standards issued by consensus standards organizations shall be deemed to satisfy the accreditation requirements of this Act; and (3) conditions, no less stringent than those for private accrediting entities, under which accreditation of foreign laboratories by their governments shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Act. Limits accreditation to three years. Requires that laboratory accreditation standards issued by one or more consensus standards organizations selected by the Director be used to accredit laboratories under the accreditation program. Authorizes the Director to hire contractors as necessary to carry out the accreditation program. Requires costs for the establishment and operation of the program to be fully reimbursable through fees or other charges for accreditation services. Directs the Secretary to ensure that private accrediting entities and laboratories accredited by such entities or by foreign governments comply with conditions and requirements in this Act. Requires the Director to periodically transmit recommendations to consensus standards organizations. Prohibits any manufacturer from selling any container of fasteners manufactured in the United States unless delivery to the first purchaser is accompanied by a written notification of testing and certification by an accredited laboratory. Prohibits any person from selling any container of fasteners manufactured outside the United States to any importer or end user unless delivery is accompanied by an original certificate from an accredited laboratory. Allows delivery to an importer or private label distributor without the required certificate if: (1) the manufacturer discloses in writing the appropriate standards and specifications; and (2) the importer or private label distributor assumes responsibility in writing for inspection and testing. Requires that, in a sale of any quantity for resale at wholesale, the container be conspicuously marked with the lot number. Requires persons who make significant alterations to a fastener subsequent to manufacture to have the altered fastener inspected and tested unless delivery is accompanied by a disclosure of the alteration and a warning. Requires subsequent disclosures of the alteration in resales. Prohibits commingling of fasteners from different lots in the same container. Requires fastener manufacturers or private label distributors to comply with requirements of a program for recordation of insignias. Directs the Secretary to establish such a program, including regulations to ensure traceability. Sets forth civil remedies, including declaratory and injunctive relief, and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violations of this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) preempt any rights or causes of action that any buyer may have with respect to any seller of fasteners under the law of any State, except insofar as such State law conflicts with this Act; and (2) limit or otherwise affect the authority of any consensus standards organization to establish, modify, or withdraw any standards and specifications under any other law or authority in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1989
Designates the week of October 22 through October 29, 1989, as National Red Ribbon Week. Recognizes and commends the hard work and dedication of certain individuals and organizations and urges activities that support community and alcohol education during such week. Encourages Americans to wear or display red ribbons during such Week to present and symbolize their commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, and to develop an attitude of intolerance to the use of drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1989
Authorizes the use of the official expenses allowance of each Member of the House of Representatives for production of newsletters containing directories of State, local, and nonprofit private drug counseling, treatment, and information programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1989
Claude Pepper Act for Amputees - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to authorize the Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation to conduct a research program to finance development of advanced technology prosthetic and orthotic devices by Federal, State, and local government agencies and qualified private organizations. Requires such program to include research on: (1) the development of lower and upper limb devices; (2) useful applications of modern materials; and (3) new methods of utilizing body power. Directs the Secretary of Education to prescribe regulations for such program within 90 days. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 and 1991 for such research program. Requires that at least ten percent of such funds be used to make grants to providers of prosthetic and orthotic services who are approved under agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1989
Commodity Futures Improvements Act of 1989 - Title I: Limitations on Certain Trading Practices - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to prohibit dual trading by a floor broker in any contract market in which the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has determined the average daily trading volume to equal or exceed a threshold trading level. Exempts a board of trade from such prohibition if it can show adequate trading violation surveillance (audit trails). Limits trading among members of broker associations. Title II: Enhancement of Regulatory and Enforcement Activities - Sets forth audit trail requirements, including one-minute transaction recording. Prohibits a person who has solicited a new account by telephone from entering any orders for such account for three days after the customer has signed any contract and a risk disclosure statement. Continues CFTC authority to conduct undercover enforcement operations. Establishes CFTC contract market disciplinary committees. Provides for public representation on contract market governing boards. Requires floor trader registration. Revises provisions regarding: (1) registration; and (2) enforcement of money penalties. Requires ethics training for new registrants. Provides for nationwide service of process and venue in U.S. district courts. Title III: Assistance to Foreign Futures Authorities - Provides for cooperation with foreign futures authorities (as defined by this Act) with regard to: (1) subpoena authority; (2) investigative assistance; and (3) information disclosure and receipt. Title IV: Authorization of Appropriations; Effective Date - Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1989
Directs the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its immediate area to honor World War II veterans and to commemorate U.S. participation in that conflict. Directs the Commission to plan, design, construct, and oversee the operation of the memorial. Specifies that such design shall provide for accessibility by, and accommodations for, the physically handicapped. Establishes the World War II Memorial Advisory Board to: (1) promote the establishment of the memorial and encourage the donation of private funds for construction maintenance; (2) assist and cooperate with the Commission in the selection of the site and design for the memorial; and (3) transmit annual reports on its activities to the Congress. Authorizes the Commission to solicit private contributions for such memorial. Establishes a fund in the Treasury which shall be made available to the Commission to carry out this Act. Authorizes Federal funding, in addition to such private funds, for site preparation, design, planning, establishment, construction, maintenance, and operation of the memorial. Authorizes assistance from specified Federal departments and agencies, including the Library of Congress. Authorizes Federal property to be transferred to the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to purchase suitable property within the District of Columbia for the establishment of such memorial. Urges the Government to encourage 50th anniversary commemorations of the U.S. role in World War II. Urges the Smithsonian Institution and other Federal museums to develop commemorative exhibitions to be shared with academic institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1989
Requires interest income from certain qualified leased property transactions of rural electric cooperatives to be offset by rental expenses of such transactions before allocating income or expense to members and nonmembers of such cooperatives for purposes of the accelerated cost recovery system of the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1989
Alzheimer's Disease Research and Training Act of 1989 - Authorizes appropriations, in addition to amounts otherwise authorized for FY 1990, to conduct biomedical research relating to Alzheimer's disease in order to increase, by at least 50 percent, the number of approved investigator-initiated grant proposals funded in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Panel on Alzheimer's Disease. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from amounts appropriated under this authorization, to provide specified minimum amounts: (1) to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRC) for specified activities and facilities; (2) to the National Institute on Aging (NIA); and (3) for the purpose of expanding construction on the ADRC. Requires that at least 70 percent of the funds appropriated be administered by the National Institute on Aging and at least 15 percent by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Requires research activities conducted with the funds to be coordinated by the Alzheimer's Disease Coordinating Committee of the National Institutes of Health and the Council on Alzheimer's Disease. Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year to be used by the Secretary to conduct research and prepare evaluations on Alzheimer's disease services, psychosocial issues, and behavioral management methods. Requires that, of the amounts appropriated under this authorization, specified sums be made available to: (1) establish not more than ten Health Services Research Centers on Alzheimer's Disease to work in conjunction with the ADRC; and (2) carry out the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Service Research Act, to be used by the NIA, the NIMH, the National Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology Assessment, and the Health Care Financing Administration. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 to establish Centers for Health Services Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. Requires research that receives assistance to be coordinated through the ADRCs in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. Specifies the types of research to be conducted. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 to be used by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for training professionals, paraprofessionals, and support personnel responsible for the care of, or working with, patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress may by law prohibit and establish criminal penalties for an act of desecration, misuse, or improper display of the U.S. flag.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to its concern over the Supreme Court's decision in Texas v. Johnson and its commitment to preserving the honor and integrity of the flag. Condemns all actions intended to desecrate the flag. Urges the American people to continue to display proudly the U.S. flag.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1989
Emergency Chinese Adjustment of Status Facilitation Act of 1989 - Waives the two-year home country residence requirement for nationals of the People's Republic of China in the United States on a student (J) visa. Continues the legal status of nonimmigrant nationals of the People's Republic of China in the United States for adjustment or change of status purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Title I: Federal Minimum Wage - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (the Act) to increase the minimum wage per hour from $3.35 in 1989 to: (1) $3.65 in 1990; (2) $3.95 in 1991; and (3) $4.25 in 1992 and thereafter. Increases the tip credit under the Act from 40 percent to 45 percent for 1990 and to 50 percent for 1991 and thereafter. (The tip credit deems the amount paid to a tipped employee, for minimum wage purposes, to be increased by an amount determined by the employer, but not by an amount in excess of the specified percentage of the applicable minimum wage rate.) Increases the small business exemption by revising the definition of an enterprise engaged in commerce, for purposes of coverage under the Act ("the enterprise test"). Exempts from such coverage enterprises whose annual gross volume of sales or business is less than $500,000 (currently $362,500), effective in 1990. Requires employers who were covered in 1988, but who are exempt under the new threshold, to continue to pay the $3.35 per hour minimum wage. Title II: Earned Income Tax Credit - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the earned income tax credit to: (1) increase from $5,714 to $7,000 the amount of earned income subject to the credit; (2) increase the basic credit from 14 percent to 15 percent; and (3) add additional credits to apply to not more than four children of 5 percent for each dependent school age child between age 6 and age 16 and ten percent for each preschool age child. Reduces the amount of the credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross income over $40,000. Indexes amounts relating to the credit beginning in 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Amends the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 to direct the Advisory Committee on Medicare Home Health Claims to evaluate and report to the Congress and the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, by September 1, 1990, on the implementation of revised home health coverage policies, and on changes in the process for denying claims for home health services, under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after its issuance of such report. Requires the Administrator to: (1) give the public an opportunity to comment on the Committee's earlier report on, and recommendations for, changing the home health services claims denial process; and (2) evaluate such recommendations and report to the Congress by October 31, 1989, on their implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Truth in Legislating Resolution - Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each report or joint explanatory statement accompanying each bill or joint resolution to contain: (1) an identification of each provision which benefits only ten or fewer beneficiaries; (2) the name of each beneficiary; (3) the name of the Member who sponsored such provision and an identification of each such provision requested by a Federal agency or Federal officer; and (4) an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee on Taxation of the costs or loss in revenues resulting from such provision.