United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze medals commemorating the 100th Congress. Specifies the size of the medals, leaving their quantity and design to the Secretary's determination. Authorizes appropriations which are to be reimbursed out of proceeds from sales of the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Postmaster General should issue a stamp commemorating the 100th Congress; and (2) the U.S. Postal Service should conduct a public competition for the design of the stamp.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1987 - Title I: General Requirements for Family Leave and Medical Leave - Makes rights provided under this title inapplicable to employees of any facility of an employer at which fewer than 15 employees are employed if the combined number of employees employed by the employer within 200 miles of the facility is fewer than 15. Entitles employees to family leave for specified periods in cases involving the birth, adoption, or serious health condition of a child or the serious health condition of a parent. Entitles employees to temporary medical leave for specified periods in cases involving inability to work because of a serious health condition. Sets forth conditions for certification for such types of leave. Provides that such leave may be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave to cover part of such leave period. Sets forth employment and benefits protections relating to such leave. Provides for administrative enforcement of this title by the Secretary of Labor, as well as enforcement by civil action. Sets forth provisions for injunctive relief, monetary relief, and attorneys' fees. Requires employers to post notice of the pertinent provisions of this title. Title II: Family Leave and Temporary Medical Leave for Civil Service Employees - Amends specified Federal law to entitle civil service employees to family and temporary medical leave for specified periods. Provides that such leave will be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave for part of such leave. Sets forth protection for job position and health insurance benefits of employees using such leave. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to prescribe regulations for administration of this title which are consistent with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under title I of this Act. Title III: Commission on Paid Family and Medical Leave - Establishes the Commission on Paid Family and Medical Leave. Requires the Commission to report on its study of paid family and medical leave to the Congress within two years after the Commission first meets. Terminates the Commission within 30 days after its final report. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effect of this Act on existing laws and existing employment benefits. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to discourage employers from adopting more generous leave policies. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations to carry out title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Amendments Act of 1986 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary), or the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of public domain National Forest System lands, to lease onshore Federal lands for oil and gas development by competitive bidding if the appropriate Secretary determines such lands to be suitable for such development. Increases land units for development from 640 acres to 2,560 acres. Requires the Secretary to: (1) invite public nomination of areas favorable for oil and gas discovery at least once each calendar quarter; (2) automatically offer to lease any area receiving two or more such public nominations if the Secretary has determined such areas to be available and suitable for leasing; (3) hold competitive oil and gas lease sales on a quarterly basis; and (4) issue a lease to the highest responsible qualified bidder. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the initial five-year lease term of a non-producing oil or gas lease only upon finding that the lessee could not adequately explore during the initial lease term due to certain circumstances not attributable to the lessee. Requires an extension application to include an exploration plan. Limits total extensions to five years. Proscribes guidelines for rentals and royalties. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report periodically to the Congress regarding fees, rentals, and royalty payments; (2) notify the appropriate State Governor and the general public of scheduled lease offerings and of the scheduled approval of lease development activities; (3) regulate all surface-disturbing operations conducted under a lease; and (4) determine surface-resources conservation activities. Conditions the granting of a drilling permit on an oil or gas lease upon: (1) the Secretary's approval of an operations plan covering all surface-disturbing activities; and (2) the posting of sufficient bond by the lessee to ensure reclamation of surface disturbing activities. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing any lease on national forest lands without the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. Conditions the issuance of oil and gas leases on public lands (or public domain national forest lands) upon evaluation and approval of such leases in a land use plan meeting specified environmental requirements. Proscribes the issuance of oil and gas leases upon specified wilderness study lands. Authorizes either Secretary to issue permits for prospecting, seismic surveys, and core sampling not requiring road construction or improvements, if such activity is conducted in a manner compatible with the preservation of the wilderness environment. Prohibits the use of explosives in designated wilderness areas. Requires an exploration license for the commercial exploration of oil and gas on lands subject to this Act. Sets forth a one-year term for such license. Provides that exploration licenses for lands under the jurisdiction of other Federal agencies may only be issued by the Secretary upon such conditions as the surface management agency may prescribe regarding the use and protection of the nonmineral interest in those lands. Imposes a fine for commercial oil and gas exploration without a commercial exploration license.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Federal Employees Fair Tax Act of 1987 - Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal provisions which eliminated the three-year basis recovery rule in computing the amount of an employee's retirement benefits includable in gross income. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted. Repeals provisions which require the inclusion in income of certain distributions received before an annuity starting date.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the internal exile of Igor Ogurtsov; and (2) urge the Soviet Union to release him before February 9, 1987, accept his application for an exit visa, and allow him to emigrate without forcing him to renounce his views.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Social Security Administration should not take actions which impair the ability of the staff of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program to make eligibility determinations in accordance with the Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984. Urges the Social Security Administration to place a higher priority on assisting States in both complying with the 1984 reforms and improving the accuracy of SSDI eligibility determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1987
Volunteer Protection Act of 1987 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal civil liability. Requires each State to certify to the Secretary of Health and Human Services before the beginning of each fiscal year (commencing with FY 1989) that it has enacted or has in effect a State law which provides such immunity. Requires the Secretary to reduce by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to such State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such law is not in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1987
Arms Export Reform Act of 1987 - Requires the President to submit to the Congress a certification in the case of any letter of offer under the Arms Export Control Act, any application for an export license, and any lease or loan agreement relating to certain military equipment regardless of the dollar amount involved in such sale, export, lease, or loan, specifically: (1) turbine-powered military aircraft, rockets, missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and associated control target acquisition and electronic warfare equipment and software; (2) helicopters designed or equipped for combat operations; (3) main battle tanks and nuclear-capable artillery; and (4) submarines, aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, frigates, destroyers, and auxiliary warships. Sets forth the information to be contained in the President's certification to the Congress. Prohibits the issuance of any such letter of offer and export license and the making of any such lease or loan to: (1) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, any member country of such Organization, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, or any country which is a party to the Camp David Accords, or an agreement based on such Accords, if the Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval within 15 days of receiving the certification; and (2) any other country or international organization unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution or other provision of law authorizing such sale, export, lease, or loan. Declares that the congressional actions described in the previous sentence shall not be required if the President states in the certification that an emergency exists which requires the proposed sale, export, lease, or loan. Provides for expedited consideration of such joint resolutions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1987
Social Security Claimants Protection Act of 1987 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to exclude any representative of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, any other agency of such department, or an involved State agency from appearing as a party at a benefit hearing or participating in the development of the record of such hearing, unless, in the latter case, the presiding officer requests such participation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1987
Declares that the Congress: (1) protests continued Soviet violations of international human rights, especially its restrictive emigration regulations; (2) states that such human rights abuses seriously affect negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union; (3) calls upon the Soviet authorities to release all "Prisoners of Conscience" and permit all "refuseniks" and other specified people to emigrate; and (4) dedicates itself to support, as a priority during the 100th Congress, the restoration of internationally recognized human rights to all Soviet citizens, especially restoration of the right to emigrate to Soviet Jews and others who have requested exit visas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Title I: Authorization - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to undertake research, investigations, appraisals, surveys, and related activities of the Nation's water resources. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with other government agencies and to perform such activities on a reimbursable basis, as specified. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Title II: National Ground Water Contamination Research - National Ground Water Contamination Research Act of 1987 - Makes the Secretary of the Interior primarily responsible at the Federal level for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information concerning the state of the Nation's groundwater. Requires the Secretary to report within two years to specified congressional committees and the States on the condition of the Nation's groundwater. Requires that such report be accompanied by an independent evaluation by State individuals charged with responsibility for water pollution control matters. Directs the Secretary to establish a national groundwater quality assessment program within three years of enactment. Requires such program to coordinate government efforts in such area, seek to achieve uniform data collection, and provide information and assistance as required. Directs the Secretary to establish a national groundwater clearinghouse. Requires the Secretary to establish a technical assistance program to serve other Federal and governmental agencies. Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1974 to make conforming changes. Authorizes appropriations for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to delay until December 31, 1988 (currently, December 31, 1986) the exception for certain technical personnel from certain rules for determining whether an individual is an employee or independent contractor for employment tax purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1987
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to the Bethune-Cookman College in Volusia County, Florida, to establish the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial Fine Arts Center. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1987
Amends the definitions of "city" and "county" for purposes of the withholding of city or county income or employment taxes from Federal employees residing in or employed in such cities and counties under agreements between the Secretary of the Treasury and the city or county. Eliminates the requirement that there be 500 or more persons regularly employed by all agencies of the Federal Government in such city or county before an agreement can be entered into.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1987
Taser Gun Prohibition Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the transfer or possession of a taser gun. Defines "taser gun" as a firearm which fires barbs attached to wire and emits shocks upon impact.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1987
Urgent Supplemental Assistance for Southern Africa Act of 1987 - Establishes the Southern Africa Special Humanitarian Assistance Fund which shall be used for humanitarian assistance programs in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund for FY 1987. Requires the money in the Fund to be used only for: (1) certain projects supported by the Southern Africa Development Coordination Conference; (2) the African Development Foundation; (3) refugee assistance and certain international organizations; (4) international disaster assistance; and (5) projects sponsored by certain nongovernmental organizations. Provides for transfers of money among the accounts within the Fund. Requires the President, in providing famine relief under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480), to enter into an agreement that would facilitate the provision of urgently needed food commodities to people in the named countries. Provides that such an agreement shall be a triangular agreement under which one country receives agricultural commodities under Public Law 480 in exchange for the supply by that country of other agricultural commodities to a named country or countries. Authorizes the President to use up to 25 per cent of the funds available to carry out the famine relief provisions of Public Law 480 for prepositioning food in recipient countries. Provides that such famine relief funds may be used for the inland transportation of agricultural commodities wherever necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1987
National Commission on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Act of 1987 - Establishes the National Commission on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome to: (1) advise the Congress, the President, and Federal agencies on policies and programs designed to reduce the incidence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and address problems encountered by individuals having AIDS; (2) monitor the progression of AIDS; (3) evaluate AIDS research activities and health services; (4) study the effects that AIDS has had on the armed forces; and (5) identify financial resources available to prevent and treat AIDS. Directs the Commission to report to the President and the Congress. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submitting such report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1987
Provides that the Tax Reform Act of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if the three-year basis recovery rule applicable to employees' annuities had not been repealed.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1987
Disapproves the proposed rescission (R87-70) of budget authority for Veterans Administration medical care. Requires the amount of such budget authority proposed for rescission to instead be made available for obligation no later than the date of enactment of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1987
Reaffirms the sense of the Congress that the one-percent loan origination fee charged by the Veterans Administration (VA) to veterans obtaining a home loan guaranteed by the VA should not be increased. Requests the President to request additional appropriations if he finds that additional funding for the VA home loan guarantee program is required.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1987
Designates as additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System 81 wilderness areas within the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA), the Yuma District, and the Bakersfield District of the Bureau of Land Management. States that non-designated areas within the CDCA have been adequately studied for inclusion in the System and are therefore released from otherwise applicable restrictions. Designates eight areas within the CDCA for study to determine their suitability for inclusion in such System. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to give priority to consolidating Federal ownership within this Act's wilderness areas. Requires the Secretary to exchange Federal land for California land located within the boundaries of such wilderness areas. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) no Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) physician payment methodology should be implemented which is based on hospital discharge classifications or requires mandatory assignment; and (2) no drastic change in the Medicare physician payment methodology should be undertaken without the receipt of reports required by legislation enacted in the 99th Congress and a detailed analysis of the long-range impact of such change on the provision of health care.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold five percent of the amount required to be apportioned to any State under the Federal-aid highway program if it is lawful in such State to: (1) possess an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of any motor vehicle on a public highway; (2) consume any alcoholic beverage in such motor vehicle on a public highway; or (3) drive a motor vehicle on a public highway when the driver's blood alcohol concentration is at least 0.10 percent. Exempts from such withholding measures charter buses of ten or more passengers whose drivers are not permitted by State law to possess open alcoholic beverages in the passenger area. Sets forth guidelines for the withholding of such funds. Provides for the release of withheld funds to States which comply with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Veterans' Administration Adjudication Procedure and Judicial Review Act - Title I: Adjudication Procedures - Codifies, for Veterans Administration (VA) adjudication purposes, the burden of proof and reasonable doubt standards currently provided for by VA regulation. States that a claimant has the burden of submitting sufficient evidence to justify a claim, and that if an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence exists regarding the merits of a claim, the VA is to resolve such doubt in favor of the claimant. States that VA subpoenas may be served either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail. Requires the chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals to submit an annual report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the Board's current handling of cases and projections for the subsequent fiscal year. Requires the Board to: (1) provide notice to a claimant and an opportunity for a hearing before a decision may be based on "additional official information" received after a Board decision has previously been made; and (2) make its decision exclusively on evidence and material of record in the proceeding. Removes the requirement that new material sufficient to allow the Board to reopen a previously disallowed claim be in the form of official reports. Provides that the Board's discretionary authority to reopen a claim will not be diminished by a judicial decision following an appeal as provided for by this Act. Requires the Board to mail to the claimant notice of its decision and the reasons for such decision. Provides that, upon the request of a claimant, the Board shall provide an independent advisory medical opinion when there exists substantial medical disagreement with respect to a material issue in a veteran's appeal. Sets forth new procedural rules for adjudication hearings regarding: (1) oaths, affirmations, and witness examination; (2) admissibility of evidence; (3) procedural rights of claimants; (4) disqualification of a hearing officer; (5) the record of the proceedings and the claimant's right to examine and obtain a copy of such record; and (6) the exclusiveness of veterans' adjudication procedures and rights prescribed by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to provide at each stage of the appeal proceedings written notice to a claimant of the claimant's procedural rights. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of two alternative claims resolution methods: one, a new intermediate-level adjudication process; the other, an enhanced schedule of formal Appeals Board hearings. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on such studies. Title II: Veterans Administration Rule Making - Includes the VA's rulemaking procedures under the relevant provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Title III: Judicial Review - Provides for judicial review of VA decisions in the Federal court system. States, with regard to jurisdiction: (1) the definition of final decision; (2) that judicial review of a final decision in a claim for benefits may be obtained in a civil action brought within 180 days of the Board's mailing of notice of its decision, and that such action shall be brought in Federal district court; (3) that the VA shall file the various materials constituting the record in a case together with its answer to the claimant's complaint; (4) that the court may render a decision on the pleadings; and (5) that the judicial review procedures established under this Act shall not apply to insurance and home loans. States, with regard to the reviewing court's scope of review, that such court: (1) shall decide questions of law and interpret constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions, but that questions of fact (unless unsupported by substantial evidence) will not be subject to a trial de novo; and (2) in reviewing a final decision of the VA which is adverse to a party solely because such party failed to comply with VA procedures, may only review questions concerning such procedures. Sets out provisions regarding remand, survival of actions, and appellate review. Title IV: Attorneys' Fees - Authorizes the Administrator to allow attorneys' fees above the present $10 maximum if the appealing party's claim is allowed by the VA after an initial denial. States that such fee shall be the lesser of: (1) the fee agreed upon by the party and attorney; (2) $500, unless the Administrator approves a greater amount; or (3) if the party and attorney have entered into a contingent-fee agreement, not more than 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such party's claim. Provides for the approval of attorneys' fees in successful veterans' claims brought before a court as provided for under this Act. States that such fees shall be determined by such court, and in contingent-fee agreements such fees shall not exceed 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such claim. Authorizes attorneys' fees of up to $750 in certain unsuccessful veterans' claims. Prohibits the VA from authorizing payment to a claimant's attorney based on past-due benefits unless such benefits are owed as of the date of the VA's or a court's award. States that such provisions regarding attorneys' fees shall only apply to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the VA and shall not apply in cases in which the VA is the plaintiff or in which other attorneys' fees statutes are otherwise controlling. Title V: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Prohibits making any funds available for assistance for the Nicaraguan democratic resistance during the period between the date of enactment of this Act and November 15, 1987, unless the President and the Congress take specified actions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Civil Rights Amendments Act of 1987 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation. Provides that this Act shall not be construed to permit a finding of discrimination based on statistical differences or the fashioning of any remedy requiring a quota.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Minimum Wage Inflation Adjustment Act of 1987 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the minimum wage by increments to $4.35 starting January 1, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant special immigrant status to an alien service member (or veteran), and accompanying spouse and children, who enlisted outside the United States without first being admitted for U.S. permanent residence. Requires at least four years of honorable military service in order to qualify for such status.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Breast Cancer Treatment Informed Consent Act - Requires any State receiving funds under titles V (Maternal and Child Health Block Grant) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act or under the preventive health service provisions of the Public Health Service Act to require any physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine in such State to inform any breast cancer patient of alternative methods of treatment for breast cancer before such treatment is begun. Requires that the patients be informed by means of: (1) a standardized written summary in layman's language and in a language understood by the patient of alternative methods of treatment; and (2) an explanation of the treatment options described in such written summary together with the risks associated with each procedure relative to each patient's particular medical circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit each individual enrolled under part B to elect to be provided the benefits described in this Act. Provides that each such individual shall be deemed to have elected coverage for such benefits, unless the individual files notice to the contrary. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the premiums for such coverage. Sets forth the following benefits to be provided by such coverage: (1) the limitation on the length of inpatient hospital services under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII would be dropped; (2) coinsurance payments, under part A, for the first 100 days of skilled nursing coverage would be dropped; (3) coinsurance payments for part B services would be dropped; and (4) coverage for an annual preventive health care visit would be added.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Authorizes the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to establish a monument on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Excepts such monument from the prohibition on the construction of works commemorating individuals who have died within 25 years. Provides that U.S. funds may not be used to establish the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for expenses incurred in the care of elderly family members. Sets such credit at 30 percent of the expenses incurred for taxpayers with incomes of $25,000 or less. Reduces the rate of such credit, but not below 20 percent, by one percent for each $2,000 of taxpayer income in excess of $25,000. Limits such credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $75,000. Imposes a maximum $10,000 limit on the amount of elderly care expenses that can be taken into account. Defines "qualified family member" as any individual who: (1) is related to the taxpayer by blood or marriage; (2) is at least 70 years of age, is diagnosed with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, or is disabled; and (3) has a family income of $15,000 or less. Defines "qualified elderly care expenses" as payments for: (1) home health agency services; (2) homemaker services; (3) adult day care; (4) respite care; or (5) certain health care equipment and supplies.