United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Satellite Public Education and Information Act of 1989 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the encryption of any broadcast program intended for private viewing if the production or broadcasting is subsidized by the Government. Defines a program or broadcast as subsidized by the Government if: (1) tax-derived funds defray any part of the cost of producing the program; (2) tax-derived sources have paid for at least part of the broadcast's direct cost; (3) tax-exempt organizations provide any direct grant or other payment for defraying production or broadcasting costs; or (4) tax-exempt organizations produce or broadcast the program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Southeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Amendments Consent Act of 1989 - Grants congressional approval to amendments made by the party States to the Southeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Compact which provide for: (1) withdrawal from the Compact; and (2) the maximum length of time a party State is required to operate a regional facility.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Turtle Protection Parity Act of 1989 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the importation of shrimp: (1) from any country which does not require the use of turtle excluder devices by its shrimp fishing vessels in designated waters; or (2) which were harvested in designated waters by a vessel which did not use nets equipped with turtle excluder devices. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) designate, and publish a list of, those waters which constitute any part of the geographic range of sea turtles which are listed under such act as an endangered or threatened species; (2) publish and periodically update a list of each country which requires use of turtle excluder devices by its shrimp fishing vessels in designated waters; and (3) carry out provisions of this Act within three years after enactment. Delays the effective date of certain regulations issued by the Secretary on June 29, 1987, relating to sea turtle conservation until three years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Adds a new title to the Maritime Act of 1981, designating the new title as the Port Improvement Act of 1989. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Maritime Administration, and the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretaries) to jointly establish a program to make loans to port agencies for financing and refinancing improvements to facilities at deep-draft ports. Limits the aggregate amount of loans to: (1) a specified dollar amount in a five-fiscal-year period; and (2) 50 percent of the cost of the improvements. Requires the remaining percentage to come from non-Federal sources. Prohibits loans for any activity which is eligible for assistance as a water resource project carried out by the Secretary of the Army through the Chief of Engineers. Sets forth procedures and criteria for selection of loan recipients. Requires a set-aside of 20 percent of amounts appropriated from the Port Improvement Revolving Loan Fund each year for improvements at small deep-draft ports. Limits loans to a maximum of 20 years. Requires repayment at an interest rate which: (1) will ensure that the amount in the Fund will increase at approximately the rate of inflation; and (2) is less than market rates for such loans. Establishes in the Treasury the Port Improvement Revolving Loan Fund, to consist of amounts: (1) transferred to the Fund equal to specified percentages of customs duties collected during FY 1989 through 1991; (2) deposited in the Fund as repayment of loans made under this Act; and (3) credited to the Fund from interest on and proceeds from the sale or redemption of investment of amounts in the Fund. Directs the Secretaries to establish a permanent advisory board to advise the Secretaries on matters related to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) recognition and further attention should be given to the professional and personal needs of long-term care aides; (2) expanded access to health and pension benefits should be provided to such aides; (3) long-term care policy makers should recognize that problems of female household heads and minority workers affect most nursing care aides; (4) more data is needed on home health and nursing home aides; (5) expanded recruitment of specified groups should be considered to abate the long-term care aide shortage; and (6) changes should be made in nursing aide positions to ensure integration into management structures and to enhance attraction to careers in long-term care.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Designates June 21, 1989, as Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner Day. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has helped to fulfill the promise of democracy in this Nation. Reaffirms the goal of removing remaining barriers to full voter participation in this Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
Amends the Federal criminal code to require a minimum sentence of five years' imprisonment, without an opportunity for parole, for the unlawful possession of a firearm by any person: (1) who has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year imprisonment; (2) who is a fugitive from justice; (3) who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; (4) who has transported in interstate commerce any stolen firearm; or (5) who has received any stolen firearm. Increases from $5,000 to $10,000 and from five years to ten years the fine and term of imprisonment, respectively, for violation of Federal firearm laws. Increases the penalties for possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
States that the appropriate congressional committees shall give due consideration at the earliest possible date to the formulation and advancement of a rural economic development legislative package.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1989
Older Americans' Freedom to Work Act of 1989 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1989
Cable Competition Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize a State or cable television franchising authority to regulate the rates that a cable operator may charge for the provision of lifeline television services for any franchising area which is not provided with cable service by two or more cable operators. Defines the "lifeline television service" as the provision of: (1) channels of the three major networks; (2) a public television channel; and (3) one channel carrying each independent local television station. Repeals a provision of such Act which prohibits a telephone company from providing video programming in its telephone service area. Allows a telephone company to: (1) provide video programming directly to subscribers; or (2) provide rental arrangements to any entity which is owned or controlled by, or under common control with, such telephone company for the provision of such video programming. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to ensure that: (1) the economic risks of video programming business of a telephone company are not borne by telephone service ratepayers in any way; and (2) a common carrier providing video services allocates costs in a manner which protects basic telephone ratepayers from subsidizing the provision of cable video programming. Prohibits a telephone company from providing video programming services if prohibited from doing so by Federal antitrust laws. Makes it unlawful for any person (including a common carrier) to purchase or otherwise acquire control of a cable system without the permission of the franchising authority for that cable system. Prohibits a franchising authority from granting such authority unless: (1) it determines that cable subscribers will benefit from such acquisition; (2) it determines that the number of channels, the signal quality, and the types of services will be expanded; and (3) the person acquiring the cable system agrees to include an obligation to achieve such expanded benefits and services for its customers. Requires a cable operator to: (1) provide cable system access to any program service, except under specified conditions; (2) provide cable system access to any unaffiliated program service under the same rates, terms, and conditions as provided to an affiliated program; and (3) comply with regulations prescribed by the FCC which ensure such access. States that any regulations prescribed by the FCC shall not relieve a common carrier who provides cable service from any regulations under the above Act or any other regulations concerning open network architecture plans and related requirements. Makes it unlawful for any person affiliated with a cable operator who provides programming to any cable operator to engage in any unjust or unreasonable discrimination in charges, practices, regulations, facilities, or services against any person seeking to obtain such programming for distribution over another capable system or over any other medium capable of making the programming available for private viewing. Empowers U.S. district courts with jurisdiction to enforce such prohibitions. Directs the FCC to initiate a proceeding to investigate: (1) the extent to which affiliated persons are engaged in producing and distributing video programming for carriage on cable television systems; and (2) the degree to which such operations result in higher rates for television service or unfair or anticompetitive acts or practices with respect to such programming. Requires the FCC to report immediately to the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) any acts or practices found during such investigation that appear to violate any law within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General or the FTC. Directs the FCC to report to the Congress on the results of such investigation within one year after the enactment of this Act. Directs the FCC to initiate a proceeding to investigate: (1) the extent to which video programming is being delivered to residents of rural areas by means of cable television systems and other media; and (2) methods which might be used to improve and extend the delivery of such programming by such media. Directs the FCC to report the results of such investigations to the Congress within one year after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
International Plutonium Control Act - Urges the President to seek negotiations with the Soviet Union on a verifiable agreement to end the production by both countries of plutonium and highly enriched uranium for weapons purposes. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States and the Soviet Union should: (1) establish verification arrangements to monitor the cessation of activities under this Act, including mutual inspections of production reactors, chemical separation and uranium enrichment facilities, and isotope separation plants; (2) furnish the equipment and personnel to implement safeguards at civilian nuclear facilities and consider transferring the safeguards mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency; and (3) consider increasing their respective contributions to the Agency to fund the assignment of fully trained inspectors to each country to assume additional safeguards responsibilities at civilian nuclear facilities. Urges the President to seek agreement with the Soviet Union that the United States and the Soviet Union will: (1) exchange information on the location, mission, and maximum annual capacity of their facilities essential to the production of tritium for stockpile replenishment; and (2) provide to each other a complete inventory of facilities dedicated to the production of plutonium and uranium for weapons purposes. Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended by the United States to operate facilities dedicated to the production of plutonium for weapons purposes unless the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union has refused to enter in good faith into the negotiations; (2) the United States is unable to determine that Soviet facilities producing plutonium have ceased operation; or (3) the Soviet Union is continuing to obtain plutonium by operating civilian chemical separation plants that are not under bilateral U.S.-Soviet safeguards.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Cooperative Housing Opportunity Act of 1989 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make matching grants to States to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate limited equity cooperative housing for low and moderate income families. Permits such grants to be used for technical assistance and seed money revolving funds. Sets forth project eligibility requirements, including: (1) project size, cost, and standards; (2) equity buildup; and (3) family eligibility. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1992 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1989
Rural Housing Improvement Act of 1989 - Title I: Rural Housing Loan Guarantees - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to establish a guaranteed loan program for moderate income rural borrowers to acquire or rehabilitate single-family homes. Gives priority to first-time homebuyers. Provides for: (1) lender guarantee fees; (2) loan refinancing; (3) nonassumption of loans; and (4) geographic loan targeting. Title II: Agricultural Mortgage Secondary Market - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to expand the definition of "agricultural real estate" for purposes of the agricultural mortgage secondary market. Title III: Technical Assistance - Provides technical assistance for the programs under titles I and II of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Head Start Expansion Amendments of 1989 - Title I: Amendments to the Head Start Act - Amends the Head Start Act to define "full-working-day" as at least ten hours per day. Authorizes Head Start programs to provide child care services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994: (1) Head Start services other than child care services; and (2) if the appropriation for such other services equals or exceeds such authorization, a new program of child care services. Authorizes the use of a portion of a State's allotment to enable Head Start programs to provide child care services Monday through Friday throughout the year so that eligible children receive full-day Head Start services (including child care), if such child care is necessary for parents to work or attend a job training or educational program. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a one-year delay in indexing (for inflation) income tax rates and personal exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to elect to treat as ordinary income or loss certain capital gains and losses from the disposition of assets used in conducting business with or for patrons.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Changes the date for which Memorial Day is designated as a legal public holiday from the last Monday in May to May 30. Changes Memorial Day as a particular day for displaying the flag from the last Monday in May to May 30. Makes Memorial Day an exception to the observance on Mondays.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Small Day Care Center Assistance Act - Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to define the term "mortgage" to include a mortgage secured by a one-to-four family residential property that is occupied as a residence and in which child care service is legally provided.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Low-Income Housing Credit Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the low-income housing income tax credit (under current law the credit will expire after tax year 1989). Permits States a one-year carryover of unused credit authority. Assigns carryovers to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allocate to eligible States applying for excess credit. Allows the credit only if an extended low-income housing commitment (beyond the current 15-year period) is in effect with respect to any building for the relevant taxable year. Describes procedures to effect transition to a non-low-income use in connection with such extensions. Permits the credit in connection with the acquisition of an existing building only if the taxpayer incurs rehabilitation expenditures of at least $3,000 per unit. Revises rent restrictions to: (1) declare unnecessary a required rent reduction below the initial rent if the median gross income of the area decreases; (2) permit higher rent if units are occupied by higher income individuals and the project has an operating deficit; (3) base income limitations on the number of bedrooms in a unit; and (4) use State median gross income in certain low-income housing status determinations. Broadens categories of existing buildings eligible for a waiver of the ten-year requirement for the low-income housing credit. Revises credit provisions relating to single-room occupancy units and special needs housing. Loosens restrictions that limit credit benefits in connection with buildings financed with tax-exempt bonds and below market loans. Permits the credit to be allocated: (1) on a project basis; and (2) in connection with owner-occupied buildings of four units or less if a development plan is submitted. Directs housing credit agencies to adopt plans for allocating credit amounts among projects, prohibiting the credit with respect to any building not included in such a plan. Modifies at-risk rules in connection with buildings subject to the historic rehabilitation credit and those associated with financing provided by certain nonprofit organizations. Sets the tax credit rate on a semiannual rather than monthly basis. Increases the credit in connection with buildings in high cost areas (low-income census tracts or difficult development areas).
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress and the President, prior to each fiscal year, to agree on an estimate of total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year by enactment of a joint single subject resolution. Prohibits outlays for that year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding this amount unless the Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of the total membership of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1989 - Title I: General Prohibition Against Discrimination - Declares that it shall be discriminatory, on the basis of disability, to deny opportunities or to afford them unequally, to provide opportunities less effectively (or differently or separately, unless necessary for effectiveness), to assist an organization or individual that discriminates, or to otherwise limit opportunities enjoyed by others. Prohibits the use of standards, criteria, or administrative methods that have the purpose or effect of discrimination or perpetuate discrimination. Declares it discriminatory to deny equal opportunities because of the relationship or association of an individual with another individual with a disability. Allows as a defense to a charge of discrimination that an application of standards or criteria has been demonstrated to be both necessary and substantially related to the ability of an individual to take advantage of the essential components of the opportunity, and that the taking advantage cannot be accomplished by reasonable accommodations, modifications, or the provision of auxiliary aids or services. Title II: Employment - Prohibits discrimination by any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee against any qualified individual with a disability in job application procedures, hiring or discharge, compensation, advancement, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Makes the remedies set forth in specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other specified Federal law available to any individual who believes that he or she is being or is about to be subjected to discrimination in violation of this Act. Title III: Public Services - Declares that no qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination by a State, or by an agency, political subdivision, or other instrumentality of a State. Lists types of actions deemed, for purposes of this Act and specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to be discrimination with regard to public transportation. Makes the remedies and rights set forth in specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 available to any individual who believes that he or she is being or is about to be subjected to discrimination in violation of this Act. Title IV: Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the enjoyment of any place of public accommodation. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public transportation services provided by a private entity that is primarily engaged in transporting people, but that is not in the principal business of air transportation. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Makes specified provisions of the Fair Housing Act relating to enforcement available, subject to exception, to any aggrieved individual. Title V: Telecommunications Relay Services - Defines "telecommunications relay services" to mean services that enable simultaneous communication between individuals who use telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs) or other nonvoice terminal devices and individuals who do not use such devices. Declares it discriminatory for any common carrier that offers telephone services to the public to fail to provide interstate or intrastate telecommunication relay services that are equal to those provided to their customers who are able to use voice services, except in any State in which services are provided through an entity designated by the State. Declares it discrimination by a State that makes such a designation if the State fails to provide interstate or intrastate relay services that are equal to those provided to their voice customers. Makes specified provisions of the Fair Housing Act relating to enforcement available, subject to exception, to any aggrieved individual. Requires the Federal Communications Commission to enforce this title. Makes specified provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 apply with respect to the enforcement of this title. Provides for cease and desist orders by the Commission and for monetary penalties. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits retaliatory discrimination against any individual because of actions related to this Act. Declares that a State shall not be immune under the 11th Amendment to the Constitution from an action in Federal court for a violation of this Act. Requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to issue minimum guidelines to supplement the existing Minimum Guidelines and Requirements for Accessible Design. Allows the awarding of reasonable attorney's fees, in certain circumstances, in any action or proceeding under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Rape Prevention Act of 1989 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to public and nonprofit private community organizations for the purpose of establishing or operating local projects to combat rape and other forms of sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
Agricultural Nitrogen Management Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an Agricultural Nitrogen Best Management Practices Task Force to: (1) develop agricultural best management practices for agricultural nitrogen utilization; (2) develop related educational and training materials; and (3) report to the Congress with regard to such efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make certain nonpoint source management reports available to the Task Force.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
Precludes veterans entitled to benefits under the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program from receiving other veterans' educational assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
De Soto Trail Commission Act of 1989 - Title I: De Soto Expedition Trail Commission - Establishes in the Department of the Interior the De Soto Expedition Trail Commission to assist with the establishment of a commemorative highway route of the De Soto expedition through the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Highway Route of the De Soto Expedition - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to designate a vehicular route as the Highway Route of the De Soto Expedition. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue an order (subject to producer referendum) creating a soybean promotion, research, and consumer education program. Requires any such order to provide for the establishment of a: (1) United Soybean Board; and (2) Soybean Program Coordinating Committee. Funds such program through producer assessments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Designates the Labor Day weekend beginning on September 2, 1989, as National Drive for Life Weekend. Calls on people to observe that weekend with a pledge to not drink and drive.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Commission on the Mississippi River National Heritage Corridor Act of 1989 - Establishes the Commission on the Mississippi River National Heritage Corridor to investigate and make recommendations regarding: (1) the creation of a Mississippi River National Heritage Corridor, to run through Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin; and (2) other issues affecting the growth and development of the Corridor. Terminates such Commission 90 days after submission of a specified report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Contingent Liability Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, notwithstanding other law, to provide for payment for contingent liability in excess of available appropriations if the Government, for its convenience, terminates an authorized contract in connection with a privately financed facility for production of an advanced solid rocket motor.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Fresh Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue an order creating (subject to producer and importer referendum) a fresh mushroom (domestic and imported) promotion, research, and consumer education program. Requires any such order to provide for the establishment of a Mushroom Council. Funds such program through producer, handler, and importer assessments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Foreign Language Competence for the Future Act of 1989 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make: (1) grants to higher education institutions and consortia for summer foreign language institutes for elementary and secondary school foreign language teachers; (2) allotments to State education agencies for revolving loan funds for college students majoring in elementary and secondary foreign language education; (3) matching grants to States and major metropolitan areas for foreign language institutes and world trade council units to provide language training, translation services, and information about other cultures and markets to small- and medium-sized businesses seeking to enter export markets; (4) demonstration grants to State education agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit education and professional associations for technology for distance learning; and (5) demonstration grants to eligible consortia for critical languages and area studies programs and other activities to improve and expand elementary and secondary foreign language instruction. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Designates September 8, 1989, as National Pledge of Allegiance Day. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission should include the centennial observance of the Pledge of Allegiance in its commemorative activities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1989
Amends Federal law relating to the provision of books for the adult blind to provide that the certification of dyslexia, for purposes of eligibility for a loan of books published on sound reproduction recordings, may be made by a competent authority only through the use of a test: (1) approved by the Director of the National Institutes of Health; and (2) administered by an individual (who does not have to be a doctor of medicine) qualified to administer and evaluate such a test.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that an increase in estate taxes or the imposition of a capital gains tax at death would, by virtue of negative effects on family farms and family businesses, do more damage to the U.S. economy than the increased revenue would justify.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs income tax credit through 1992 (under current law the credit will expire after December 31, 1989). Amends the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations through FY 1992 in connection with the targeted jobs credit. Raises from 23 to 25 years the age limitation with respect to economically disadvantaged youth targeted for credit purposes. Adds as a targeted group under the credit economically disadvantaged individuals who have completed a qualified drug rehabilitation program.