United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Salvadoran Foreign Assistance Reform Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the U.S. foreign assistance program for El Salvador should be revised to promote a negotiated settlement and a reduction of human suffering; (2) the ratio of assistance should be reversed in FY 1990 so that the amount spent on the war effort is only one-third of the amount spent for reform and development activities; (3) such assistance should not be distributed in a manner which would promote the interests of any particular political party; (4) such assistance should be distributed through church-related and other nongovernmental organizations and international organizations selected by the Agency for International Development; and (5) the President should report quarterly to the Congress on the restructuring of such assistance, the economic results of such restructuring, and any reports of corruption in its distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1988
Neighborhood Housing Services Act of 1988 - Amends the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act to authorize FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. States that appropriations in excess of amounts necessary for existing Corporation services shall be available in specified amounts for: (1) mutual housing associations; (2) expansion of the neighborhood housing services network; and (3) expansion of such services' loan purchasing capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Amateur Basketball Association United States of America and the U.S. Olympic Committee should promote the adoption of rules that would make all basketball players eligible to compete in the Olympic games; and (2) the U.S. Olympic Committee should promote the elimination of the distinction between amateur and professional athletes in all sports for purposes of eligibility to compete in the Olympic games.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1988
National Energy Policy Act of 1988 - Establishes as national goals: (1) that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere be reduced from 1988 levels by at least 20 percent by the year 2000 through a mix of Federal and State energy policies; and (2) the establishment of an International Global Agreement on the Atmosphere by 1992. Title I: National Energy Plan - Requires the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to transmit to the Congress within 18 months after the enactment of this Act a "Least Cost National Energy Plan" for meeting such national goals. Sets forth the Plan's contents. Mandates revision and resubmission of the Plan to the Congress every two years. Title II: Office of Climate Protection - Establishes the Office of Climate Protection which shall be responsible for: (1) participation by the Department of Energy in various domestic and international agencies involved in global climate change analysis; and (2) the monitoring of U.S. energy policies for atmospheric and global warming effects, with annual reports on such effects. Title III: Energy Efficiency - Subtitle A - Directs the Secretary to: (1) assign a high priority to energy efficiency in departmental programs, buildings, and equipment; and (2) submit to the Congress within one year after the enactment of this Act (and triennially thereafter) an evaluations report regarding the policy options necessary to produce a two to four percent annual decrease in the energy use per unit of gross national product through the year 2005. Mandates that the President's budget request for FY 1990 through 1992 include the Secretary's recommendations of amounts to be set aside for innovative energy efficiency research and development. Authorizes appropriations for energy efficiency research and development programs for FY 1990 through 1992. Requires the Secretary, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, to issue a general request for proposals dealing with energy efficiency technology. Sets forth guidelines for Federal financial assistance for such proposals. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide financial assistance to joint research and development ventures with specialized private firms and investors in order to establish at least five regional centers for energy-intensive industries. Requires such industries to conduct research and development on common industrial processes to improve energy efficiency and reduce production and emission of carbon dioxide and trace gases into the atmosphere. Authorizes appropriations for such centers, and requires the industries for which the centers are established to contribute matching funds starting in 1991. Directs the Secretary to establish a Federal Energy Analysis Team to analyze and make recommendations regarding energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy in Federal buildings. Sets guidelines for the Federal building energy conservation program to be implemented by the Secretary and Federal agencies. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to repeal the prohibition against the supply or installation by a public utility of a residential energy conservation measure for residential customers. Requires the Secretary to promulgate guidelines for regulations to be formulated and implemented by State governments requiring the assignment of an energy efficiency rating to residential buildings. Declares that after October 1, 1990, no State shall be eligible to receive certain funds appropriated under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act unless it has adopted such energy efficiency ratings. Adds incandescent and fluorescent lamps to the list of covered consumer products to which energy efficiency standards apply. Requires the Secretary to prescribe energy conservation standards and test procedures for such projects by January 1, 1990. Subtitle B - Amends the Federal Power Act to add new definitions regarding "qualifying conservation." Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to prescribe within one year after the date of enactment of this Act rules encouraging the achievement of qualifying conservation. Mandates that such rules: (1) require that electric utilities offer to purchase qualifying conservation from qualifying cogeneration or small power production facilities; and (2) provide for the verification of conservation achievement. Prescribes rate guidelines for such electric utilities purchases. Title IV: Energy Research and Development Priorities - Directs the Secretary to establish priorities for research and development programs using prescribed criteria. Title V: State Energy Conservation Program - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to mandate that State energy conservation feasibility reports submitted to the Secretary include a reduction of ten percent or more in the total amount of energy consumed in such State in the year 2000 from the projected energy consumption for such State in that year. Adds to Federal assistance eligibility prerequisites for proposed State energy conservation plans, including an emergency planning program for energy supply disruption. Cites optional State energy conservation programs. Repeals the mandate for supplemental State energy conservation plans. Repeals the National Energy Extension Service Act. Authorizes appropriations for energy conservation programs for FY 1989 through 1992. Establishes a State Energy Advisory Board to: (1) review and advise on the programs under this Act; (2) serve as liaison between the States and the Department of Energy on energy efficiency; and (3) report at least annually to the Secretary and the Congress on the status of State energy conservation programs. Authorizes the use of loan programs and performance contracting for the non-Federal share of energy conservation project costs under the grant program. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act regarding limitations upon Federal weatherization assistance for low income persons to provide that: (1) at least 80 percent of the administrative costs incurred shall be available to subgrantees performing program measures; and (2) subgrantees with small programs shall have adequate administrative funding. Cites conditions under which the Secretary is authorized to approve a State application for a waiver of: (1) the requirement that at least 40 percent of Federal weatherization assistance be used for weatherization materials; and (2) the limitations placed upon expenditures per dwelling unit for weatherization measures. Title VI: Renewable Energy - Subtitle A - Solar Development Initiative Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to develop a complementary solar and renewable energy research program which: (1) has near-term commercial applications; and (2) enhances the international competitiveness of the solar and renewable energy industries. Requires the Secretary to include funding for such program in the FY 1990 budget. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an information dissemination program for Federal procurement and loan officers regarding the application of solar heating and cooling technology in Federal buildings. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the renewable energy technologies programs established by the Secretary of Commerce should be funded in FY 1988 through 1990 through the Department of Energy at a specified maximum level. Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to direct the President to take into account, when determining whether to designate a beneficiary country, the degree to which it undertakes self-help measures to promote energy self-sufficiency using locally available renewable energy resources. Mandates that the design for new Federal facilities for specified agencies include consideration of energy systems using solar energy or other renewable energy forms. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to mandate that a specified minimum percentage of loan authority be available only for solar and renewable energy loans. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to include among its special projects incentives, grants, and studies for renewable energy and other small business activities. Prohibits the use of administrative funds for such projects. Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) repeal provisions regarding loans to small business concerns for solar energy and energy conservation measures; (2) mandate that a certain percentage of loan authority be used only for small business energy measures; and (3) direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to give due consideration to the export potential of solar and renewable energy loan guarantees in an annual report to the Congress. Subtitle B - Renewable Energy Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 - Sets forth specified national goals for the current wind, photovoltaics, and solar thermal energy programs. Requires the President's budget requests for FY 1989 to contain the recommendations of the Secretary of Energy for specified Department of Energy research and development programs for 1995, including biofuels energy systems, solar buildings energy systems, ocean energy systems, and geothermal energy. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for: (1) the wind energy research program; (2) the photovoltaic energy systems program; (3) the solar thermal energy systems program; (4) the biofuels energy systems program; (5) the solar buildings energy systems program; (6) the ocean energy systems program; and (7) the geothermal program. Mandates that the President's budget requests for FY 1990 include the Secretary's recommendation for proof of concept proposals for certain renewable energy projects. Requires the Secretary to submit an options analysis to the Congress regarding the accelerated commercialization of specified renewable energy technologies. Directs the Secretary to establish joint research and development ventures in specified energy technologies, and to report to the Congress on the implementation of such plans. Directs the Secretary to establish the following advisory bodies: (1) Advisory Committee on Photovoltaic Village Energy Systems; (2) Advisory Committee on Wind Energy Village Energy Systems; (3) Advisory Committee on Solar Thermal Community Total Energy Systems; (4) Advisory Committee on Energy Performance in Factory-Made Housing; (5) Advisory Committee on Advanced District Cooling Technology; (6) Advisory Committee on Integrated Renewable Energy Systems; and (7) Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Technology Exports. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for such joint ventures. Requires the Secretary to evaluate and report to the Congress on the efforts of the Committee on Renewable Energy, Commerce and Trade to promote renewable energy technology exports. Authorizes appropriations for such Committee activities for FY 1990 through 1992. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to the Congress regarding the research programs and ventures under this Act. Requires each annual submission of the National Energy Policy Plan to be accompanied by a three-year strategic plan for energy technology research, development, and demonstration, including energy conservation and renewable energy technologies. Subtitle C - Renewable Energy/Fuel Cell Systems Integration Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement a research program regarding: (1) fuel cell use of methane gas generated from biomass forms; (2) technologies using renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar energy) to produce hydrogen for fuel cell use; and (3) fuel cell technology for electric power production as backup spinning reserve components to renewable power systems in rural and isolated areas. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, private research laboratories. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the fuel cell research program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to include industries using fuel cell technology under the Renewable Energy Industry Development Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare Federal guidelines, within 180 days after enactment of this Act, for cities and municipalities specifying environmental and safety standards for use of fuel cell technology. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, within the same period of time, to report to the Congress an assessment of the export market potential for integrated systems of fuel cells with renewable power technologies. Subtitle D - Hydrogen Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive five-year program management plan for a research and development program designed to permit the development of a domestic hydrogen fuel production capability within the shortest practicable time. Requires the Secretary to send the Congress annual plan descriptions including any necessary plan modifications. Directs the Secretary to establish such program within the Department of Energy. Requires that the areas to be addressed in such program include production, liquefaction, transmission, distribution, storage, and utilization. Requires priority to be given to production techniques that use renewable energy sources as their primary energy sources. Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstrations to evaluate technical and nontechnical parameters to determine commercial applicability of hydrogen technology and to prepare a comprehensive large-scale hydrogen demonstration technology plan. Requires the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive technology application plan which shall include: (1) the potential applications for the use of hydrogen; (2) technical market and economic readiness assessments for such potential applications; (3) an assessment of Government actions needed to develop such application; and (4) an analysis of the impact of such applications on domestic energy supplies. Requires the Secretary to consult with other Federal agencies and departments in carrying out this program. Requires the establishment of a Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel of the Energy Research Advisory Board to advise the Secretary on the conduct of the hydrogen program. Requires the Panel to submit an annual report on the program to the Energy Research Advisory Board which shall subsequently report to the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title for FY 1991 through 1995. Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive five-year program management plan for a research and development program for the development of a domestic hydrogen-fueled aircraft capability within the shortest practicable time. Requires the Administrator to transmit to Congress an annual plan description including any necessary modifications with respect to the plan. Requires the Administrator to establish such program within NASA and to prepare and transmit to the Congress a comprehensive flight demonstration plan which shall confirm the technical feasibility, economic viability, and safety of liquid hydrogen as a fuel for commercial transport aircraft. Provides that the research and development program under this title shall include, at a minimum, the development of the systems associated with the production, transportation, storage, and handling of liquid hydrogen for commercial aircraft application. Provides that the Administrator shall consult with other Federal agencies and departments in carrying out the program. Establishes a Hydrogen-Fueled Aircraft Advisory Committee to advise the Administrator on the programs established by this title. Requires the Committee to report annually to the Administrator on its activities and on the status of such programs. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title for FY 1991 through 1995. Title VII: Advanced Civilian Reactor Programs - Directs the Secretary to implement, according to certain guidelines, a research, development, and demonstration program for the generation of commercial electric power from nuclear fission. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1993. Mandates that a portion of such appropriations be used to support construction of a commercial-scale advanced civilian nuclear power reactor demonstration project which is to be connected to a utility grid by the year 2000. Outlines conditions under which proposals for such project may be submitted and accepted, including licensing and cost-sharing with non-Federal funds. Title VIII: Fusion - Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress within one year after enactment of this Act regarding international collaboration in research, development, and demonstration in technology for the production of electricity from thermonuclear fusion. Outlines report contents. Title IX: Coal - Requires the Secretary, within nine months after the date of enactment of this Act, to provide the Congress with a comprehensive review of clean coal technologies to be developed in federally funded projects under the Department of Energy's Clean Coal Technology Program. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement: (1) research and development programs demonstrating techniques for carbon dioxide recovery and disposal from motor vehicles, electric utility power operations, and industrial manufacturing processes; and (2) a comprehensive program in the fundamental physics and chemistry of coal combustion. Directs the Secretary to support research to improve the efficiency of coal-generated electricity and industrial processes, giving priority to those projects with the greatest potential for reducing the generation of carbon dioxide. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992. Title X: Natural Gas - Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with and to provide financial assistance to municipal governments to demonstrate the feasibility of using natural gas as a fuel for urban area mass transit. Sets as a prerequisite to such agreements that the participating municipal government provide at least 25 percent of the demonstration costs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992. Requires the Secretary to submit a feasibility report to the Congress within nine months after the date of enactment of this Act pertaining to the use of natural gas in diesel-powered vehicles to facilitate compliance with emissions requirements. Directs the Secretary to implement a research, development, and demonstration program (including joint research and development ventures) on nonconventional natural gas recovery techniques, as well as improved techniques for recovering gas from discovered reservoirs. Title XI: Northeast Natural Gas Pipeline Capacity - Requires the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to transmit to the Congress within 90 days after enactment of this Act recommendations for enacting legislation to expedite final Commission approval of new pipeline projects serving markets in the Northeast United States. Mandates that such legislation require the Commission to take final action by March 31, 1990, on any application currently pending in the Northeast pipeline certificate proceeding which the Commission determines merits certification. Title XII: Natural Resource Policy - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the ecological and environmental resources that would be affected by a global climate change. Outlines study contents. Directs such Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to consider the relative impact on global warming of all Federal forest land management programs, including timber sales and reforestation. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal: (1) the annual appropriation for the Tongass National Forest timber utilization program; (2) specified land management provisions; and (3) the mandate given to the Secretary of the Interior to monitor timber supply and demand, and to report thereon to the Congress. Title XIII: Basic Science Initiatives - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 to specified Federal agencies to conduct certain climatological and ecological research. Title XIV: Development Assistance - Directs the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Administrator of the Agency for International Development and other specified officials, to report to the Congress on the status of forest resources in tropical countries, including a forest plan with goals for each tropical country. Requires the Administrator to: (1) make financial support available to implement such plan; (2) ensure that all activities supported by U.S. bilateral foreign assistance are consistent with such plan; and (3) take into account each country's measure of success in meeting plan goals when allocating development assistance monies. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretaries of State and of the Treasury are directed to promote multilateral tropical forestry programs, and to report to the Congress regarding the progress made by each of the multilateral development banks, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Program, the United Nations Development Program, and the International Tropical Timber Organization. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations within one year after the date of enactment of this Act requiring wood and products containing imported wood to bear a label disclosing the names of such wood and the countries of origin. Requires such Secretary to promulgate regulations prohibiting the importation of wood and wood products containing wood from: (1) tropical forest countries that have not achieved the forest plan goals; (2) countries that import wood or products containing wood harvested in tropical countries that have not achieved forest plan goals; and (3) countries that permit transit of wood or products containing wood harvested in tropical countries that have not achieved forest plan goals. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the status of import controls with respect to tropical forest countries that have not achieved the forest plan goals. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to assist developing countries with research and development programs aimed at energy efficiency and energy transmission facilities in rural areas. Prohibits assistance for large-scale production of energy from fossil fuels. Prescribes guidelines under which the President is directed to provide support to aid-receiving countries with emphasis upon end use energy efficiency, least-cost energy planning, and energy conservation. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress regarding the bilateral energy program, including the progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emission. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of each multilateral development bank to: (1) vigorously promote the adoption by each bank of an energy conservation and efficiency program containing specified components; and (2) oppose, except in certain instances, financial or technical assistance to any borrowing country if a least-cost energy plan prioritizing energy conservation, end use energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources is not in place. Directs the Secretary of State to instruct the Ambassador to the United Nations to: (1) vigorously encourage the United Nations Development Program implementing energy conservation and efficiency programs for recipient countries; and (2) oppose the adoption of country programs for any country for which a least-cost energy planning program giving priority to energy conservation, end use energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources is not in place. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State to report annually to the Congress regarding the progress of the multilateral development banks and the United Nations Development Program in implementing energy conservation measures. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the loan terms on up to one-half of the sovereign debt owed the United States by developing countries as a condition of adopting forest and energy conservation programs. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations implementing such environmental conservation and debt reduction program within one year after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to encourage the adoption of joint initiatives of debt reduction and conversion by the public and private sectors in member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to report biennially to the Congress regarding the status of energy conservation and efficiency for each country receiving Federal development assistance monies. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) instruct the U.S. Executive Director to notify the staff of each multilateral development bank that future Federal contributions will be conditioned upon the successful implementation of a specified energy efficiency program; and (2) report annually to the Congress on the progress made by each multilateral development bank in implementing the energy efficiency program. Requires the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to report to the Congress regarding the options and strategies for the use of bilateral and multilateral development assistance programs sponsored by the United States to control emissions of certain greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Title XV: International Activities - Declares that it is the policy of the United States that the Secretary of State shall convene an international meeting in the United States by the end of 1992 to adopt a global climate protection convention with measures at least as stringent as those in this Act. Sets forth a percentage reductions schedule for emissions of specified gases. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) initiate negotiations for the adoption of a binding multilateral agreement requiring specified reductions of nitrogen oxide emissions by 1998; (2) request and, if necessary, convene the parties to the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer for possible control measures reassessment; and (3) convene an international meeting to exchange information regarding nuclear safety issues, including nuclear waste disposal. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of multilateral development banks to promote lending policies which emphasize specified aspects of energy conservation, renewable energy sources, and greenhouse and promote energy conservation and efficiency, including measures for international energy cooperation, and world population reduction. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to take specified measures concerning: (1) biological diversity conservation; (2) renewable energy resources and conservation; (3) assistance to developing countries in the use of agricultural and industrial chemicals; and (4) report to the Congress on Agency practices regarding the overseas use of renewable energy technologies. Declares U.S. policy with respect to domestic and international efforts to deal with the greenhouse effect. Requests the President to take steps to establish a long term study of the greenhouse effect, beginning with a one-year cooperative international research program started during or before 1991. Names the year of such program the International Year of the Greenhouse Effect. Title XVI: Moderating World Population Growth - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for international population and family planning assistance. Prohibits the use of such funds for: (1) involuntary sterilization; (2) abortion; or (3) the coercion of any person to accept family planning services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Amends Federal bankruptcy provisions relating to the adjustment of debts of a municipality to revise rules relating to the treatment of special revenue bonds. Treats as an administrative expense any claim against a debtor municipality if the debtor provides adequate protection of the interest of the holder of a claim secured by a lien on property of the debtor and if the creditor has a claim from a stay of action against such property. Specifies that the filing of a bankruptcy petition does not operate as a stay of application of pledged special revenues to payment of indebtedness secured by such revenues. Specifies that the transfer of property of the debtor to or for the benefit of any holder of a bond or note, on account of such bond or note, may not be avoided. Provides that the holder of a claim payable solely from special revenues of a municipality under applicable nonbankruptcy law shall not be treated as having recourse against the debtor as an unsecured creditor. Provides that special revenues acquired by the debtor after the commencement of the case shall remain subject to any lien resulting from any security agreement entered into by the debtor before the commencement of the case. Specifies that any such lien on special revenues derived from a project or system shall be subject to the necessary operating expenses of such project or system. Specifies that a lease to a municipality shall not be treated as an executory contract or unexpired lease by reason of its being subject to termination in the event the debtor fails to appropriate rent.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Postmaster General should provide and sell a postage stamp to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the discovery of Alta California by Portuguese explorer John Rodrigues Cabrillo. Declares that the stamp should be provided and sold in 1992 and sold for such period as the Postmaster General determines.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1988
Amends provisions of Federal law to establish a new pay schedule for the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service and the United States Park Police. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct annual surveys comparing the minimum rates of basic pay for entry-level positions within the U.S. Park Police force with the minimum rates of basic pay for similar positions in the police departments in the following areas: (1) the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area; (2) the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, New York-New Jersey-Connecticut Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area; and (3) the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, California Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area. Requires the Secretary to increase the rates of pay for entry-level positions within the U.S. Park Police as necessary to ensure that such minimum rates are comparable to the minimum rates payable for similar positions in comparable police departments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct annual surveys comparing the minimum rates of basic pay for entry-level positions within the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service with the minimum rates of basic pay for similar positions in the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Requires the Secretary to increase the minimum rates of basic pay for entry-level positions within the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service as necessary to ensure that such minimum rates are comparable to the minimum rates payable for such statistical area. Requires the Secretaries to give thorough consideration to the views and recommendations of appropriate employee organizations representing both police forces. Amends the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 to conform to provisions of this Act. Provides for conversion to the new pay schedule for pay periods on or after October 1, 1988, for the U.S. Park Police, and on September 30, 1988, for the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service. Declares that adjustments pursuant to the surveys shall be made beginning with applicable pay periods commencing on or after October 1, 1989. Amends the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 to provide for service step adjustments. Authorizes additional compensation for technicians of the U.S. Park Police and the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service. Provides for the payment of premium pay for night duty and Sunday work for both police forces.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1988
Immigration Nursing Relief Act of 1988 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant special immigrant status to an immigrant (and accompanying spouse and children): (1) who entered the United States before January 1, 1988, as a nonimmigrant to perform services as a registered nurse; (2) who is working in such capacity with a valid visa as of the date of enactment of this Act; and (3) with respect to whom a labor certification has been filed prior to the granting of special immigrant status. Sets forth the following conditions for admission of nonimmigrant nurses during the five-year period beginning on April 1, 1989: (1) a professional nursing license from the country where the alien studied nursing or a degree from a U.S. or Canadian nursing school; (2) completion of an appropriate examination or possession of a license in the State of intended employment; (3) such alien's employment will not adversely affect wages and working conditions of similarly employed nurses; (4) a substantial disruption of the hiring health facility's services will occur without the services of such alien; (5) the facility has taken steps toward recruitment and retention of U.S. citizens or immigrant nurses; and (6) there is no ongoing labor dispute or related activity at such facility. Provides for an initial admission period of up to three years, with extensions up to a five-year total (six years under extraordinary circumstances). Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide for the appointment by April 1, 1990, of an advisory group to advise the Secretary: (1) concerning the impact of this Act on the nursing shortage; (2) regarding programs to recruit U.S. citizens or immigrant nurses; and (3) regarding the advisability of extending the provisions of this Act beyond April 1, 1994. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress by April 1, 1991, regarding the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1988
Authorizes the Rumsey Indian Rancheria in California to convey certain land in Sparks, Nevada, to any bona fide purchaser for value. Directs that proceeds from the conveyance of such land may be used only for the economic development and social welfare of the Rumsey Indian Rancheria.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1988
Temporary Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior to enter into reciprocal agreements with foreign fire organizations to provide wildfire protection resources for lands and other properties for which such Secretaries or organizations normally provide such protection. Requires that such agreements allow for termination of the agreement by any party thereto after reasonable notice. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, in the absence of such agreement, to furnish emergency wildfire protection resources to any foreign nation and to accept such assistance from any foreign fire organization when to do so is in the best interest of the United States. Authorizes the reimbursement of Canada or Canadian fire organizations for U.S. wildfire protection pursuant to a specified memorandum and arrangement with Canada. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior to determine that no U.S. fire organization is reasonably available to provide such protection before spending funds for foreign wildfire protection.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1988
Requires the display of the National League of Families POW/MIA flag at each U.S. diplomatic or consular post until the President determines that there has been the fullest possible accounting of the Americans who are imprisoned, missing, or unaccounted for as a result of the conflict in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1988
Competition in Government Spare Parts Procurement Act - Amends Federal armed forces provisions to require a solicitation for sealed bids or competitive proposals to include, in the case of procurement of spare or repair parts (other than for small purchases), a copy of all technical data that is: (1) necessary in order to provide the part the supply of which is being solicited; and (2) owned by the United States or which the United States has the right to use, release, or disclose. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to establish the same requirement for nondefense procurement. Provides additional authority to the Secretary of Defense to waive the payment of costs for the release of technical data under the Freedom of Information Act. Authorizes such waiver if any citizen or U.S. corporation requests such data in order to enable any offer to provide the product to which the technical data relate, or to determine whether to request service approval to qualify to make an offer. Authorizes the Secretary to require the citizen or corporation to pay a refundable deposit to cover the cost of complying with the request. Establishes similar authorities for nondefense procurement. Directs the Secretary to require by regulation that the head of an agency, in preparing a solicitation for a property procurement contract, identify those spare or repair parts for which future procurements exceeding a total amount of $10,000 over the life of the property procured are likely to be needed. Directs the Secretary to require that any contract awarded pursuant to such solicitation provide that the United States have the right to use (or have used) all technical data related to any such part in any future procurement of such part. States that such technical data rights do not apply to contracts awarded to small business concerns. Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to establish the same technical data rights for nondefense reprocurements. Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations which require the purchase from contractors of production special tooling and production special test equipment acquired or fabricated in the performance of contracts for the purpose of fabricating or testing the spare or repair part for which future procurements are likely to exceed $10,000. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to establish similar requirements. Requires the solicitation of bids or proposals separately in the case of a defense and nondefense procurement of an individual spare or repair part in which the contract amount will exceed $100,000. Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the advocate for competition of an executive agency to establish a program of training and education assistance for staff specialists in engineering, technical operations, contract administration, financial management, supply management, and utilization of small business concerns. Requires the program to emphasize improving the skills of such staff in the areas of engineering and manufacturing. Repeals the three-year time limit during which the Secretary of Defense may challenge a use or release restriction asserted with respect to technical data by a contractor or subcontractor. Declares that nothing precludes the Secretary from using or releasing technical data when a contracting officer has upheld the validity of a challenge (even pending appeal) to a contractor's asserted use or release restriction. Provides a civil remedy for the owner of technical data that are used or disclosed by the United States, by a contractor or subcontractor, or any person, firm, or corporation acting for the Government. Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to repeal provisions which bar judicial review of regulatory flexibility analyses. Amends the Small Business Act and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require executive agencies to furnish the Secretary of Commerce for publication a notice of solicitation for bids or proposals for a contract for property or services expected to exceed $10,000 (currently, $25,000). Requires additional information to be included in such notice with respect to the machining operations necessary to produce the item. Declares that the date on which a notice is published by the Secretary is the date of actual publication of such notice, and an executive agency may not presume notice is published merely by the passage of a certain period of time. Requires any determination that is unreasonable to specify standards to satisfy a qualification requirement documenting such unreasonableness with a cost comparison. Prohibits the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the military department concerned from requiring a spare or repair part to meet any standard that is more stringent than a standard for an identical part approved by the Government for commercial use, unless the Secretary specifies in writing the additional standard and the justification for it.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1988
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to repeal the limitation on the eligibility of, and benefits available to, households that include a member who is on strike.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1988
Low-Income Housing Revitalization Act - Amends Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provisions relating to the low-income housing credit to: (1) increase the credit from four percent to nine percent with respect to new buildings that are federally subsidized; (2) reallocate unused credit amounts among other States for their housing credit agencies; and (3) permit carryover to the succeeding year of a housing credit amount, if it is reasonably likely that the building will be put into service then. Extends the low-income housing credit through 1991. Amends IRC accounting provisions to exempt low-income housing credit activities from limitations on passive losses. Revises the accelerated cost recovery system in connection with low-income residential rental property to reduce the applicable recovery period from 27.5 to 20 years. Disallows an income tax deduction for any expense relating to residential rental units that violate State or local building, health, or safety codes and are not brought into compliance. Requires the regulatory agency that notifies a taxpayer of the substandard conditions to file an information return with respect to affected taxpayers. Excludes deductions for business expenses, interest on indebtedness, and taxes from calculations to determine the passive loss limitation in connection with rental real estate activity relating to a qualified low-income housing project in which a noncorporate taxpayer actively or materially participates.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1988
Designates January 29, 1988, as National Challenger Center Day. (The Challenger Center is an institution offering children and teachers activities and information derived from American space research.)
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1988
Degradable Plastics Act of 1988 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue rules, within two years of this Act's enactment, requiring that plastic articles which are produced, distributed, or sold in a State be made of naturally degradable material which will begin reduction to environmentally benign subunits within a specified period of time after being discarded that is not to exceed 180 days and complete such reduction within a specified period of time that is not to exceed two years. Provides that this Act does not preclude States or localities from adopting more stringent rules. Imposes civil and criminal penalties against persons who violate such rules. Requires producers of plastic articles to make records regarding the development and production of such articles available to the Administrator for inspection and copying. Makes the rules issued pursuant to this Act inapplicable to any plastic article produced before the end of the five-year period beginning after the issuance of such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) rededicate itself to attaining leadership in space activities; (2) increase budget resources for the space program; (3) pursue a strong program of both manned and unmanned space activities, including development of a permanently manned space station; and (4) seek opportunities for international cooperation in space.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1988
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 - Title I: Clinical Laboratories Under the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit soliciting or accepting materials from the human body for laboratory procedures without a certificate issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Makes certificates valid for a maximum of two years. Requires certain criteria to be met for issuance or renewal of a certificate, including that the laboratory makes agreements regarding: (1) inspections by the Secretary; (2) treating proficiency testing samples in the same manner as other materials; (3) billing patients directly; and (4) disclosure of a financial interest in the laboratory held by the referring physician, the referring group of physicians, or an immediate family member of the referring physician. Authorizes a laboratory to be accredited for certification if it meets the standards of an approved accreditation body and if the laboratory authorizes that body to submit information to the Secretary as the Secretary requires. Allows the Secretary to approve an accreditation body if certain criteria are met, including: (1) that the body's standards are at least as stringent as the Secretary's; (2) that the body agrees to collect from the laboratories it accredits and forward to the Secretary certain fees. Sets forth procedures relating to withdrawal of an accreditation body's approval. Directs the Secretary to evaluate annually the performance of each accreditation body by conducting inspections. Directs the Secretary to issue standards to assure consistent performance, including standards regarding: (1) quality assurance and quality control; (2) maintenance of records, equipment, and facilities; (3) qualifications of personnel; and (4) qualification under a proficiency testing program. Directs the Secretary to establish standards for the proficiency testing programs for certified laboratories to be conducted by the Secretary, an approved private nonprofit organization, or an approved accrediting body. Mandates that proficiency be tested to each examination and procedure quaterly, subject to exception. Directs the Secretary to establish a system to make proficiency testing program results available, upon request, to any person. Directs the Secretary to establish national standards for quality assurance in cytology services. Authorizes the Secretary, on an announced or unannounced basis, to enter and inspect certified laboratories. Grants the Secretary access to all facilities, equipment, materials, records, and information. Provides for intermediate sanctions, including civil monetary penalties. Allows the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for hearing, to suspend, revoke, or limit a certificate for specified causes. Allows suspension before a hearing in certain circumstances. Prohibits any person who has owned or operated a laboratory which has had its certificate revoked from owning or operating a certified laboratory within two years of revocation. Requires suspension of the certificate of a laboratory which has been excluded from participation under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act because of actions relating to quality. Allows temporary and permanent injunctions under suit by the Secretary. Provides for: (1) judicial review of certificate suspensions, revocations, and limitations; and (2) sanctions, including criminal fines and imprisonment. Directs the Secretary to require payment of fees for issuance and renewal of certificates, with the amounts set by the Secretary based on the volume and scope of the testing being performed. Directs the Secretary to establish the fees at lower rates for laboratories which are accredited. Directs the Secretary to annually compile information which is useful in evaluating the performance of a laboratory, including information relating to: (1) convictions for fraud and abuse, false billings, or kickbacks; (2) certificate revocations; (3) sanctions or intermediate sanctions; (4) withdrawal or revocation of accreditation; (5) injunctions; and (6) exclusions from participation under title XVIII (Medicare) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Permits the Secretary, by agreement, to use and pay for the Services or facilities of any Federal, State, or local public agency or nonprofit private organization. Allows the Secretary to exempt laboratories from compliance with these provisions where State laws are at least as stringent. Title II: Studies - Directs the Secretary, through the Public Health Service, to conduct studies on various aspects of validity, reliability, and accuracy of tests performed by clinical laboratories and to report the results to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1988
Designates July 27, 1989, as National Korean War Veterans Recognition Day and expresses the gratitude of the Congress and the Nation for the contributions made by the Korean War veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that India should allow Sikhs full access to the Golden Temple and remove all military presence from the shrine. Urges the Government of India to use restraint in resolving the dispute with the Sikh people in the Punjab. Calls for a political solution to restore home rule in the Punjab, with religious freedom and human rights guarantees.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1988
Condemns the Romanian Government's systematic violation of human rights. Protests the planned program of destruction of traditional settlements in violation of human rights, minority cultural rights, and property rights. Urges institutional reforms by the Romanian Government to comply with international agreements, including the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Urges continued presidential and Secretary of State action to bring about reforms. Urges the President not to consider providing any special benefit for Romania until a thorough human rights reform is instituted, including substantial actual improvement in the right of emigration, the rights of national minorities, and freedom of religion.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1988
Designates September 13, 1989, as Uncle Sam Day in honor of Samuel Wilson of the city of Troy, New York, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the city. (Samuel Wilson was the progenitor of the national symbol, Uncle Sam.)
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 - Title I: Congressional Findings and Purposes - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes with respect to small businesses owned and controlled by women. Title II: Demonstration Projects - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financial assistance to private organizations to conduct demonstration projects giving financial, management, and marketing assistance to small businesses, including start-up businesses, owned and controlled by women. Describes application criteria. Requires the SBA to report to the congressional Small Business Committees on the projects. Terminates authority for this pilot program on October 1, 1991. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Procurement Assistance - Amends the Small Business Act to include small business concerns owned and operated by women as a discrete group for purposes of Government contracts and subcontracts and procurement programs. (Current law governing these programs refers expressly only to small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals as groups targeted for assistance.) Instructs the Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of each Federal agency to designate a Women-in-Business Specialist to be responsible for programs designed to assist concerns owned and controlled by women. Directs Federal agencies, in their procurement activities, to engage in affirmative action to identify and solicit offers from small businesses owned and controlled by either women or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Title IV: Access to Capital - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit the Federal Reserve Board, except under limited circumstances, from exempting from such Act's provisions any class of transactions that are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, or business or commercial loans made available by a financial institution. Limits to five years any exemption authorized under the circumstances specified in this Act, unless a subsequent determination is made that the exemption remains appropriate. Requires lenders to keep records relating to loans and to provide written notice to applicants of their right to receive notice of reasons for a loan denial. Authorizes the SBA to establish a certified loan program for lenders that display knowledge and proficiency with respect to SBA regulations and programs. Directs the SBA to encourage small business loans of $50,000 or less under both this new program and the preferred lenders program in FY 1989 through 1991 by permitting participating lenders to: (1) use their own forms without regard to SBA paperwork; and (2) retain one-half of the loan guarantee fee. Requires SBA reporting to specified congressional committees in connection with the certified loan program. Directs the Federal Reserve Board, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Department of Commerce, and the SBA jointly to study levels of availability of and demand for debt and equity capital by small businesses, as well as innovative financing techniques to meet any unmet demand. Requires reporting to the congressional Small Business Committees. Title V: National Women's Business Council - Establishes the National Women's Business Council to review the status of women-owned businesses nationwide and to develop detailed multiyear plans in connection with both private and public sector actions to assist and promote such businesses. Requires annual reporting to both the President and the Congress. Title VI: Statistical Data and Effect on Other Programs - Directs: (1) the Bureau of Labor Statistics to include in its census reports on women-owned businesses specified information on sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations; (2) the Bureau of the Census to include in its Business Census data the number of corporations that are 51 percent or more owned by women; (3) the SBA's Office of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to report on the most cost-effective and accurate ways to gather and present the statistics required in these census reports; and (4) Federal agencies to report to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy the number of first-time contract recipients that are small businesses owned and controlled either by women or by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Requires the President's annual Report on Small Business and Competition to include in separate detail information relevant to small businesses owned and controlled either by women or by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Eliminates post-1968 service in the National Guard as a prerequisite to civil service retirement credit for former National Guard technicians. Amends the National Guard Technicians Act of 1968 to eliminate post-1968 service as a prerequisite for National Guard technicians to receiving credit in the determination of length of Federal civil service for purposes of leave, Federal employees' death and disability compensation, group life and health insurance, severance pay, tenure, and status. Sets forth rules for applying provisions of this Act to affected individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Sacramento Area Flood Control Act of 1988 - Amends the Flood Control Act of 1917 to modify the project for flood protection along the Sacramento River and its tributaries, California, to: (1) provide flood protection to the Sacramento metropolitan area by constructing a flood control dam on the North Fork of the American River designed to not preclude enlargement to help meet hydroelectric power and local water supply needs, subject to obtaining appropriate non-Federal sponsorship of such purposes; (2) bring up to current design standards, modify, and extend the Sacramento River Flood Control project involving areas of the American River and its tributaries from Nimbus Dam downstream to the Sacramento River, and areas along the Sacramento River and its bypass system from the Feather River downstream to Freeport; (3) improve the operational efficiency of the Folsom Dam project; and (4) provide fish and wildlife mitigation as necessary. Provides for determining Federal and non-Federal costs and for crediting non-Federal interest with prior flood control construction work. Declares that adequate progress shall be deemed to have been made on the flood protection system for Sacramento to make such system eligible for premium rates for flood insurance. Deauthorizes the Auburn Dam and the Folsom South Canal and incorporates existing features with the flood control project authorized by this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to the Congress on a study to determine the feasibility of designating the Auburn Project Reservation as a national recreation area.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Fastener Quality Assurance Act of 1988 - Defines "fastener" as a screw, nut, bolt, or stud having internal or external threads, or a washer commonly used to perform a load indicating or bearing stress distribution function, with a diameter of one-quarter inch or more and containing any steel. Prohibits the offering for sale or sale in interstate commerce of any fastener unless it bears a specified insignia and is part of a lot which: (1) conforms to standards and specifications represented by the manufacturer or ordered by the purchaser; and (2) has been inspected, tested, and certified according to this Act. 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). Sets forth requirements governing sample size. Authorizes the laboratory, upon determination of conformance with the appropriate standards and specifications, to provide the manufacturer certificates with respect to such lot. Sets forth requirements for such certificates, the form of which is to be prescribed by the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) within 180 days after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary, also within such 180-day period, to issue regulations to establish a program for approval of any system for the accreditation of laboratories engaged in such inspection and testing of fasteners, if such system demonstrates that it has adopted or otherwise adheres to the requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard. Directs the Secretary, if the responsible technical committee withdraws the ASTM Standard, to: (1) approve an alternative standard issued by the ASTM or another voluntary consensus standards organization; or (2) issue a standard which incorporates the ASTM Standard together with any necessary modifications. Directs the Secretary to approve or reapprove any system which demonstrates that it has adopted or otherwise adheres to such a new standard. Prohibits any manufacturer from selling any lot or portion of a lot of fasteners manufactured in the United States unless delivery to the first purchaser is accompanied by an original certificate from an accredited laboratory. Prohibits any person from selling any lot or portion of a lot of fasteners manufactured outside the United States to any importer or end user unless delivery is accompanied by such a certificate. Allows such 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 the inspection and testing (for which purposes they shall be considered a manufacturer, except they must provide the laboratory with the manufacturer's written disclosure). Prohibits further sale or offer of sale unless delivery to the first subsequent purchaser is accompanied by an original certificate from an accredited laboratory. Requires that a copy of the original certificate be provided to subsequent purchasers who purchase at wholesale a lot or a portion from: (1) the purchaser of domestically manufactured fasteners; (2) the importer or end user who purchased foreign manufactured fasteners; (3) a private label distributor; or (4) any subsequent seller. Requires persons who make material physical alterations to a fastener subsequent to its manufacture to have such altered fastener inspected and tested before offering for sale or selling it. Requires manufacturers or private label distributors of fasteners offered for sale or sold in interstate commerce to: (1) be identified by a raised or depressed insignia on the surface or the fastener; and (2) comply with requirements of a program for recordation of such insignias. Directs the Secretary to establish such program, including regulations to ensure traceability, within 180 days after enactment of this Act. Sets forth civil remedies, including declaratory and injunctive relief, and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violations of this Act. Sets forth recordkeeping requirements for laboratories, manufacturers, importers private label distributors, and wholesalers. 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 in so far as such State law conflicts with this Act; and (2) limit or otherwise affect the authority of the National Bureau of Standards or any voluntary 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. Applies this Act only to fasteners fabricated more than 240 days after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to provide for the tolling of the ten-year delimiting period for educational and rehabilitative assistance to veterans when an alcohol or drug dependence or abuse condition exists and the veteran is under recognized treatment for such condition. Outlines limits to the extension of such delimiting period. Makes similar extensions of such tolling period for alcohol or drug dependence or abuse conditions recognized and treated in connection with the following programs: (1) rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities; (2) educational assistance for post-Vietnam era veterans; (3) educational assistance for Vietnam-era veterans; and (4) educational assistance for veterans' survivors and dependents. Outlines limits to the extension of the delimiting period in each case.