United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Title I: Water Resources Authority of the Geological Survey - Geological Survey Water Resources Organic Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Geological Survey, to undertake research, investigations, appraisals, surveys, and related activities regarding 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 1990 through 1992. Title II: Ground Water Research - National Ground Water Research Act of 1989 - Directs the President to coordinate groundwater related activities conducted by Federal agencies. Requires the President to assist States in the conduct of such activities, including disseminating information. Directs the President to establish an Interagency Ground Water Research Committee to coordinate research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, training, and information dissemination activities related to groundwater conducted by the Federal agencies, including establishing priorities. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to prepare a report assessing groundwater quality and quantity information systems and data collection and monitoring. Requires the Secretary to submit such report to the Congress with biennial updates. Directs the Secretary to conduct a national groundwater assessment program to assist State and local governments in managing groundwater resources and designing monitoring programs, including recommending protocols to assist such governments in meeting their data collection responsibilities under specified Federal environmental statutes. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and coordinate a research, development, and demonstration program for the protection and management of groundwater resources, including surveys, the development of cost-effective prevention, detection, and mitigation techniques, and the provision of technical assistance. Sets forth demonstration project selection criteria and procedures, based upon the seriousness of the contaminant addressed and a project's applicability to other locations and circumstances. Requires that such project be monitored and evaluated by the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to pay the costs of such evaluation, but limits Federal cost sharing for the project in general. Directs the Administrator to conduct and publish a risk assessment analysis for significant groundwater contaminants according to a standard format and prescribed schedule. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator each to establish a technical assistance program to serve other Federal and governmental agencies, including conducting research, surveys, training, and technology transfer. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a National Groundwater Information Clearinghouse. Directs the Administrator to establish a media-specific research committee for groundwater resources. Directs the Science Advisory Board established by the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1978 to review and report to the Congress on EPA's groundwater research programs. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and maintain research fellowships. Directs the Administrator to make grants for groundwater research institutes which are to be located in areas making significant use of groundwater. Requires that funds be equitably distributed throughout the United States and that one of the institutes be the National Center for Ground Water Research, a consortium between Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Rice Universities. Limits the Federal share to 50 percent of costs and earmarks funds for technology transfer. Requires the Administrator to review and evaluate such institutes and subjects the institute's research to peer review. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Army to consider the impact on groundwater when evaluating new water resource projects. Authorizes modifications in existing projects to protect groundwater. Requires the Administrator, in cooperation with New Jersey and relevant local governments, to study and report on: (1) the feasibility of removing volatile groundwater contaminants in the New Jersey coastal plain by induced air phase transport; and (2) the problem of trace metal leaching by corrosive groundwater in such coastal plain. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with California and relevant local agencies, to study and report on the feasibility of groundwater replenishment with treated wastewater and of the potential of groundwater contamination through exfiltration of sewage from sewer systems of publicly owned treatment works. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with New York State and relevant local governments, to study and report on the pollution of the Buffalo River by contaminated groundwater in Erie County. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Army, to conduct a research and demonstration program at the Lake Okeechobee ecosystem, Florida, on the relationship between ground and surface water quality and the management and control of aquatic plants. Requires that methods developed be adaptable to other circumstances and be made available to State and local governments. Requires the solicitation of information from other sources, such as scientists and management personnel. Requires the Administrator and the Secretary each to report to the Congress on such program and demonstration project, authorizing other Federal agencies to utilize such report. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress on groundwater generally and groundwater programs conducted pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Title III: Agricultural Production and Water Use - Agricultural Ground Water Management Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to investigate and report to the Congress on the relationship between agricultural practices and water use and quality, including current and projected status and efforts. Requires the Administrator and the Secretary to conduct a joint study of the impact on groundwater and agricultural interests of proposals to dredge from the Hudson River sediments which contain PCBs and dispose of such sediments on land. Directs the Secretary to establish an Agricultural Nitrogen Best Management Practices Task Force to report to the Secretary and the Congress on agricultural best management practices, systems, and technologies for reducing or mitigating any negative effects of agricultural nitrogen on water quality. Authorizes appropriations for three fiscal years. Title IV: Ground Water Radium Contamination - Authorizes the Administrator to assist local governments in demonstrating mitigation of radium contamination in groundwater where such groundwater is used as a source of public drinking water in small communities and the contamination exceeds the level established under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for such program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Federal Employees' Political Activities Act of 1989 - Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of any election. Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority to intimidate, threaten, coerce, command, or influence: (1) any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of any individual to vote as the individual may choose, or of causing any individual to vote, or not to vote, for any candidate or measure in any election; (2) any person to give or withhold any political contribution; or (3) any person to engage, or not to engage, in any form of political activity. Prohibits an employee from using, attempting to use, or permitting the use of any official information, unless such information is available to the general public. Prohibits an employee from: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or to refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; (2) soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; or (3) giving or handing over a political contribution to a superior of the employee. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving, or from being in any manner concerned with soliciting, accepting, or receiving, a political contribution: (1) from another employee (or a member of another employee's immediate family) with respect to whom the employee is a superior; or (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official or an individual receiving salary or compensation from the Treasury. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution from, or giving a political contribution to, any person who: (1) has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business or financial relations with the employing agency; (2) conducts operations or activities which are regulated by that agency; or (3) has interests which may be substantially affected by the performance of the employee's official duties. Directs the Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board to prescribe regulations which exempt employees from such prohibitions. Prohibits an employee from engaging in political activity: (1) while on duty; (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official; (3) while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee; or (4) while using any vehicle owned or leased by the Government. Exempts certain high level political appointees from such prohibitions if the costs associated with the political activity are not paid for by money derived from the Treasury. Authorizes leave without pay or accrued annual leave to an employee who is a candidate, upon request, to allow such employee to engage in activities relating to that candidacy. Declares that such request may be denied if the exigencies of the public business so require. Declares that such employee may be required to take leave without pay or accrued annual leave in order to be a candidate if activities relating to the candidacy interfere with the employee's performance of duties. Applies this Act to postal employees and employees of the Postal Rate Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Enterprise Zone Improvements Act of 1989 - Title I: Housing and Community Development Provisions - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to require each Federal agency that provides special assistance to enterprise zones or that waives or modifies rules within such zones to report to the Congress and to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development identifying its actions. Broadens the scope of funding sources for State and local government actions required in connection with tax relief and regulatory simplification in enterprise zones. Directs Federal agencies to seek to provide special assistance to enterprise zones, including expedited processing, priority funding, program set-asides, and technical assistance. Authorizes all Federal agencies to waive or modify rules within enterprise zones. (Under current law, only the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and, in some cases, the Secretary of Agriculture may do so.) Adds the promotion of affordable housing and law enforcement as objectives justifying waiver or modification of Federal agency rules in an enterprise zone. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for qualified increased employment expenditures and employment of the disadvantaged. Sets the credit amount at ten percent of the increase in payroll plus a specified percentage of wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers through the first 20 years of the enterprise zone designation. Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of wages earned. Phases out both credits in the last four years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investments made in certain enterprise zone construction property. Limits the credit to ten percent for new property, including rental property. Requires the recapture of credit amounts upon the early disposition of the property. Subtitle C: Nonrecognition of Qualified Enterprise Zone Capital Gain Where Acquisition of Enterprise Zone Business Property - Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property if, within one year after the sale, the taxpayer acquires qualified replacement property (generally defined as property related to an enterprise zone or to a business within a zone). Subtitle D: Deduction for Purchase of Enterprise Stock - Allows a taxpayer to deduct up to $100,000 of the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Treats any gain from the disposition of the stock as ordinary income. Subtitle E: Rules Relating to Private Activity Bonds - Declares that: (1) limitations on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property; and (2) the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to bonds whose proceeds are used to finance facilities in enterprise zones. Subtitle F: Ordinary Loss Deduction for Securities of Enterprise Zone Business Which Become Worthless - Permits an ordinary loss deduction for securities of enterprise zone business that become worthless during the taxable year. Subtitle G: Increase in Research Credit for Research Conducted in Enterprise Zones - Increases from 20 percent to 37 1/2 percent the tax credit for increasing research conducted in enterprise zones. Subtitle H: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Subtitle I: Regulations - Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act not later than six months after enactment. Title III: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Tech-Prep Education Act - Amends the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act to establish a program of grants to consortia of local educational agencies and community colleges to provide tech-prep education programs. Defines "tech-prep education program" as a combined secondary and postsecondary program which: (1) leads to an associate degree or two-year certificate; (2) provides technical preparation in at least one field of engineering technology, applied science, or mechanical, industrial, or practical art or trade; (3) provides competence in mathematics, science, and communications (including through applied academics); and (4) leads to placement in employment. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to pay the Federal share of the cost of activities carried out under this Act to consortia of: (1) local educational agencies or area vocational schools serving secondary school students; and (2) community colleges or postsecondary vocational technical schools. Sets forth the Federal share. Requires each grant recipient to use the grant funds to develop and operate a four-year technical preparation education program with specified curricula. Sets forth application and reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Fairness in America Health Care Act of 1989 - Title I: One-Year Delay in Implementation of Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 - Delays, for one year, the implementation of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, except for provisions of such Act expanding benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Title II: Bipartisan Commission to Review the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act - Establishes the Commission to Review the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act to study: (1) the effect implementation of such Act will have on Medicare beneficiaries who currently have supplementary coverage; (2) how such Act's benefits compare with the benefits provided by supplementary coverage; (3) the access Medicare beneficiaries who do not have supplementary or Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) coverage have to necessary health services; (4) the feasibility and likely cost of implementing such Act's drug benefits; and (5) the benefits and financing mechanisms which Medicare beneficiaries prefer. Directs the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the Congress within six months of this Act's enactment or by September 1, 1989, whichever is earlier.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which a beneficiary may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the corporate income tax exclusion of contributions to the capital of the taxpayer. Includes as a qualifying contribution any amount of money or property received by a regulated public utility (a utility required to provide electric energy, gas, water, or sewage disposal services) that: (1) is a contribution in aid of construction (as defined by regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury); (2) meets certain expenditure requirements; and (3) is not included in the taxpayer's rate base. Excludes amounts paid as customer connection fees.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Repeals estate tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to inclusion in the gross estate of the value of certain types of transfers with a retained life estate. Applies the repeal retroactively in connection with property transferred after December 17, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement in which total Federal outlays (except those for repayment of debt principal) do not exceed total receipts (except those derived from borrowing), unless a three-fifths vote of both Houses authorizes a specific excess. Limits the rate of increase in receipts in the statement to that of the increase in national income in the previous calendar year, unless law is enacted solely to approve specific additional receipts. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget. Authorizes waiver of these provisions in time of war. Sets a permanent limit on the amount of Federal public debt, prohibiting any increase unless legislation enacted by a three-fifths majority of both Houses becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit consideration of bills or resolutions making appropriations under the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee for periods after November 30 of a fiscal year, unless three-fifths of the House votes to waive or suspend this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends rule XXIV and rule I of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the rendering of the Pledge of Allegiance in the House at the start of each legislative day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that any Federal agency that utilizes the Draize rabbit eye irritancy test should develop and validate alternative ophthalmic testing procedures that do not require the use of animal test subjects.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Declares that the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Services should immediately study and report to the Congress on ways to correct the benefit disparity caused by the 1977 changes in the social security benefit formula under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1988
Veterans Entrepreneurship Promotion Act of 1988 - Title I: Findings, Purposes, and Definitions - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes with respect to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. Amends the Small Business Act to add veteran-related definitions used in this Act. Title II: Procurement Assistance - Amends the Small Business Act to include small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans as a discrete group with respect to which the head of each Federal agency must establish goals for participation in procurement contracts. Requires annual reports to the Congress on the extent of participation by such businesses in agency procurement contracts. Includes veteran-owned businesses as a targeted group for purposes of Government contracts and subcontracts. Directs Federal agencies, in their procurement activities, to engage in affirmative action to identify and solicit offers from small businesses owned and controlled by veterans, by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and by veterans with service-connected disabilities. Title III: National Veterans Business Council - Establishes the National Veterans' Business Council to review the status of veteran-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 IV: Statistical Data - Directs: (1) the Bureau of Labor Statistics to include in its census reports on veterans 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 veterans; (3) the Small Business Administration'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 by veterans, by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and by veterans with service-connected disabilities. Requires the President's annual Report on Small Business and Competition to include in separate detail information relevant to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans, by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and by veterans with service-connected disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1988
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to prohibit persons from dumping sewage sludge or industrial waste into the ocean without a permit. Prohibits all such dumping after 1992. Imposes dumping fees which increase with the approach of 1993. Requires that 85 percent of such fees be deposited in a trust account for the development of environmentally sound alternatives to ocean dumping or improvement in sewage sludge and industrial waste treatment and storage techniques. Pays the remainder of such fees to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for ocean dumping permit, enforcement, research, and monitoring activities. Conditions receipt of an ocean dumping permit upon the entering into of a compliance or enforcement agreement with the Administrator which includes a plan for the phasing-out and cessation of ocean dumping and the implementation of alternatives to such dumping. Waives dumping fees charged against persons who have entered into a compliance agreement. Imposes civil monetary penalties against persons who dump sewage sludge or industrial waste into the ocean after 1992. Requires that 90 percent of such penalties be paid into the trust accounts in 1993, with five percent reductions in such allotment for each succeeding year. Pays the remainder to the Administrator for the activities to which dumping fees are devoted. Sets forth reporting requirements. Requires that fees and penalties not needed for use by the Administrator for permit, enforcement, research, and monitoring activities be used for making capitalization grants to New York and New Jersey for the establishment of a revolving fund to assist specified water pollution control efforts under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Directs the Administrator to issue orders requiring ocean dumpers to cease such dumping until they enter into a compliance or enforcement agreement and obtain a permit. Authorizes the Administrator to request the Attorney General to commence civil actions against persons who violate such orders or this Act's ocean dumping provisions. Prohibits persons from disposing of sewage sludge at any landfill located on Staten Island, New York. Requires that New York and New Jersey use at least 20 percent of their capitalization grant and contribution associated with such grant within six months of receipt of such grant to assist persons in developing and implementing environmentally sound alternatives to ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress, within six months of this Act's enactment, on ocean discharge guidelines established pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Requires the President, in submitting his budget for FY 1990, to include a schedule and an estimate of the resources needed for achieving compliance with such guidelines.
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 · 9 September 1988
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require applications of States and local governments for block and discretionary grants under such Act to include a certification that individuals who are convicted of first degree murder under the law of the State and sentenced under such law to imprisonment for life without possibility of parole are not granted any unescorted release from imprisonment.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1988
Information Dissemination and Research Accountability Act - Establishes in the National Library of Medicine a National Center for Research Accountability to assist in eliminating duplication of effort in Federal research proposals involving live animals. Directs the President to appoint as members of the Center 20 experts in the biomedical information sciences who are currently employed by a Federal agency in a capacity that qualifies them to make determinations as to whether research proposals involving live animals are duplicative of other research efforts. Sets forth provisions for a Director of the Center. Prohibits Federal agencies from carrying out or funding any research proposal involving live animals unless the proposal is submitted to the Center following agency approval. Prohibits Federal funding of any proposal the Center determines would duplicate other research completed or in process. Authorizes the Center to contract with private entities to assist in conducting comprehensive full-text literature searches. Directs the President to establish rules to preclude any conflict of interest in the awarding of these contracts. Directs the Center to report annually to the President and the Congress. Provides for modernization of biomedical information storage and dissemination by the National Library of Medicine. Directs the Library to: (1) acquire, in full-text form, all biomedical information owned or available for use by Federal agencies (except information already in the Library or classified for national security reasons); (2) transcribe and store in full-text all such information acquired by the Library after January 1, 1960; (3) make available to medical libraries, through modern technologies, all full-text biomedical information in its collection; (4) support, by grants and contracts, the creation of new information for teaching and demonstrations, including audiovisual aids and computer graphics technologies; (5) make available such new information to research and teaching institutions, at cost; and (6) increase the number of persons trained in modern methods of biomedical information storage and dissemination technologies by making available stipends, awards, and grants to persons engaged in such training. Provides that the cost to those requesting biomedical or teaching and demonstration information shall include the Federal expenses incurred in acquiring and making it available. Authorizes the Library to award contracts to the private-sector data recording industry to improve: (1) the development of technologies for storage and dissemination of full-text biomedical information; and (2) dissemination of such information to medical libraries for research use. Requires the Library to report annually to the Congress on its progress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1988
New Jersey-New York Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a demonstration program, within nine months of this Act's enactment, to track, by the use of a manifest system, medical waste generated and disposed of in New York and New Jersey. Makes such program applicable to generators of medical waste, and owners and operators of facilities for the treatment, storage, transport, and disposal of medical waste. Requires such parties to permit access to and provide copies of all records relating to such wastes to any designated EPA representative. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides that this Act does not preclude any State or locality from imposing more stringent requirements for the control or monitoring of medical waste or affect any other authorities or requirements of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the EPA to report to the Congress, within three years of this Act's enactment, on the progress and success of the demonstration program. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1989 through 1991. Directs the EPA to report to the Congress on medical waste treatment and disposal methods currently being employed by New York and New Jersey.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1988
Amends rule XXIV and rule I of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the rendering of the Pledge of Allegiance in the House at the start of each legislative day.
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 · 13 July 1988
Condemns human rights suppressions and civil liberties violations by the Nicaraguan Government. Declares that the expulsion from Nicaragua of U.S. diplomatic representatives is intolerable. Calls on Nicaragua to implement true democratic reforms in keeping with the Esquipulas II and Sapoa accords and to comply with international standards concerning the treatment of political prisoners. Urges Central American leaders to convene and assess the conditions in Nicaragua. Urges both parties to the Nicaraguan conflict to abide by the ceasefire and resume peace negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1988
Recyclable Materials Science and Technology Development Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to study and report to the Congress concerning: (1) means to increase the use of degradable materials in manufactured goods; (2) technologies for recycling nondurable consumer products; and (3) ways to expand the marketing of recycled products. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress concerning the feasibility of recycling nondegradable medical supplies and of substituting degradable for nondegradable materials in medical equipment and supplies. Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to the Congress on the national defense and security implications of requiring the use of degradable materials in defense items. Instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to initiate a pilot project to develop and demonstrate viable technology for composting municipal waste and sewage sludge. Prescribes required features of the project. Requires the Secretary to report project results to the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a Director of Recycling Research and Information to: (1) make grants to support research into innovative recycling technology; and (2) gather and disseminate information on recycling technology. Describes possible research grant activities. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits, effective five years after this Act's enactment, the production, manufacture, distribution, sale, or delivery of nonrecycled consumer goods, fast food in nondegradable containers, and packaging for specified purposes that contains any material that is not naturally degradable. Establishes both civil and criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Commerce jointly to issue regulations to govern the designation of goods and materials for noncompliance purposes. Prescribes criteria with respect to these regulations, including exemptions. Directs the Secretary to publish and periodically update lists of items and materials affected by the prohibition on activities involving nonrecyclable items.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government of Nicaragua should: (1) fulfill its pledge in the Esquipulas II agreement to grant a general amnesty to all political prisoners; (2) cease inhumane torture and holding prisoners incommunicado; (3) end random arrests for purposes of political intimidation; (4) allow human rights observers in all parts of prison facilities; (5) compensate former political prisoners; and (6) cease human rights violations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1988
Comprehensive Anti-Drugs Act of 1988 - Title I: Demand Reduction and User Accountability - Subtitle A: User Accountability Act of 1988 - Makes any individual who is convicted of two or more drug or narcotic offenses, or any offense consisting of the distribution of a controlled substance, ineligible for Federal benefits for a specified period. Authorizes the Attorney General to assess a civil penalty on any person who violates the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA), or the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. Directs that the proceeds from any penalty be allocated equally to drug education, treatment, and State and local narcotics assistance as the Attorney General shall prescribe. Limits the amount of such penalty. Directs the Attorney General to study the feasibility of prosecuting Federal drug-related offenses in a manner alternative or supplemental to the current criminal justice system and to report the results of such study to the Congress. Provides for the withholding of Federal highway funds to States which do not have in effect and enforce a law which revokes or suspends for a period of not less than: (1) six months the driver's license of a person who is convicted after the date of the enactment of this Act of a violation of the CSA, or for any drug or narcotic offense chargeable under the law of such State or any other State; and (2) one year the driver's license of a person who, in a five-year period, is convicted of more than one of certain offenses. Provides for the apportionment of withheld funds after compliance and for the use of such funds for other projects in the event of noncompliance. Subtitle B: Drug-Free Schools and Businesses Act of 1988 - Requires, as a condition of receiving any Federal contract or assistance, that the recipient maintain a drug-free workplace or activity. Requires the Federal agency administering such contract or assistance to make the recipient aware of such requirement. Requires the agency to terminate the contract or assistance and not to enter into any further contract or assistance with the recipient until such recipient demonstrates effective compliance if the agency, after an opportunity for an agency hearing on the record, determines that a recipient has not complied with such requirement. Specifies that a good faith effort to maintain a drug-free workplace or activity is sufficient to satisfy the requirement. Subtitle C: Drug Testing in the Federal Criminal Justice System - Requires the Attorney General to provide for the mandatory drug testing and retesting of all arrestees for Federal drug-related offenses. Makes it a mandatory condition of release that the individual refrain from the illegal use of any controlled substance. Makes it a mandatory condition of parole that: (1) the parolee submit to regular drug tests administered under the authority of the person supervising the parolee; and (2) the parolee refrain from the use of any controlled substance without a prescription. Makes the latter requirement a mandatory condition of probation. Provides for the random testing of probationers by each probation officer. Subtitle D: Increased and Expanded Treatment of Drug Abuse - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to provide for the reduction of the waiting period for drug abuse treatment. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities for the purpose of expanding the capacity of grantees to carry out drug abuse treatment programs. Prohibits the Secretary from making a grant to an applicant unless such applicant: (1) is experienced in the delivery of drug abuse treatment services; (2) is, on the date the application is submitted, carrying out a program for the delivery of such services; (3) as a result of the number of requests for admission into the program, is unable to admit any individual any earlier than one month after the date on which the individual makes a request for such admission; and (4) provides satisfactory assurances to the Secretary that, after funding is no longer available under this Act, the applicant will have access to financial resources sufficient to continue the program. Sets forth further conditions on the making of grants under this Act. Requires independent evaluations of federally-funded drug treatment programs and research into methods of such treatment. Requires the Secretary, in carrying out such evaluations, to: (1) assess the comparative effectiveness and costs of the various methods of treatment utilized for specific patient groups; (2) clarify research and treatment objectives and methodologies; and (3) determine whether entities carrying out such programs have organizational biases with respect to such treatment and the extent to which they are contributing to progress in the development of effective methods of treatment. Directs the Secretary to complete the required evaluation and submit a report of the findings to the Congress within one year. Requires the Director of the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Public Health Service to make grants and enter into contracts to establish: (1) support groups for parents and families of individuals who abuse drugs; and (2) counseling and referral services for such parents and families. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation model projects for high risk groups. Authorizes appropriations for a preventive health services block grant. Authorizes appropriations for emergency substance abuse treatment and preventive rehabilitation. Provides for increased State grants for demonstration projects for the provision to expectant mothers of outpatient residential treatment services. Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to exclude from the definition of the term "individual with handicaps" any individual who uses, or is addicted to, illegal drugs, with exceptions. Subtitle E: Drug Education Amendments - Amends the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 to authorize appropriations and require that local applications for grants under such Act describe: (1) the extent and nature of the current illegal drug and alcohol problem in each school of the applicant; (2) the applicant's drug and alcohol policy; and (3) how the applicant will monitor the effectiveness of its program. Requires an applicant to submit to the State educational agency a progress report on the first two fiscal years of its plan in order to receive the third year's funding. Prohibits such agency from awarding funds for the third year unless it determines that such report shows reasonable progress toward accomplishing the objectives of its plan and of this Act. Requires each State to submit an annual report containing specified information on State or local programs. Restricts the amount of funds allocated for use by a State for the administrative costs of the chief executive officer of such State. Allows a small number of individuals who are not high risk youth to participate in programs for high risk youth if their participation does not significantly diminish the amount or quality of services provided. Subtitle F: Drug-Free Public Housing Act of 1988 - Drug-Free Public Housing Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a clearinghouse to collect information regarding drug abuse in public housing projects in order to respond to public inquiries for assistance and provide referrals. Directs the Secretary to establish a regional program for the training of public housing officials to educate them to the widespread abuse of controlled substances in the communities in which they work. Requires that such program be conducted within 12 months after enactment of this Act by a national training unit established by the Secretary. Title II: Drug Law Enforcement - Subtitle A: Death Penalty for Drug Kingpins - Drug Kingpin Act of 1988 - Amends the CSA to subject to the death penalty any individual who intentionally engages in conduct during the course of a continuing criminal enterprise that results in the death of another individual and who is the principal organizer of the enterprise, if the violation involves a specified quantity of a controlled substance. Sets forth procedural safeguards, such as the right of the accused to reasonable notice that the Government will seek the death penalty. Requires the Government to set forth the aggravating factors which it will seek to prove as the basis for such sentence. Authorizes the court to permit the Government attorney to amend such notice upon a showing of good cause. Provides for a separate sentencing hearing to determine punishment in cases where the Government has filed such a notice and the defendant is found or pleads guilty to an offense which might subject him to the death penalty. Permits information to be presented at the sentencing hearing as to any matter relevant to the sentence or to mitigating or aggravating factors, regardless of its admissibility as evidence at criminal trials, unless its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury. Grants the Government and the defendant the opportunity to present and rebut information. Specifies the order and burden of proof. Establishes guidelines for the jury or court to follow in considering the information and returning its findings. Directs the court to sentence the defendant to death upon a finding that such a sentence is justified. Specifies mitigating and aggravating factors to be considered. Directs the judge to instruct the jury that it shall not consider the defendant's race, color, national origin, creed, or sex in reaching its decision. Authorizes the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Sets forth procedures and standards of review for appeals of the death sentence. Subtitle B: Exclusionary Rule Reform - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit otherwise admissible evidence obtained as a result of a search or seizure to be admitted into evidence if such search or seizure was undertaken in an objective, reasonable, good faith belief that it was in conformity with the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. Specifies that a showing that evidence was obtained pursuant to, and within the scope of, a warrant constitutes prima facie evidence of such good faith belief, unless obtained through intentional and material misrepresentation. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations for Prisons and Prosecutors - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 and 1990 of such sums (and for such purposes) as are specified in the respective budgets transmitted by the President to the Congress for the Federal prison system and U.S. attorneys. Authorizes the Bureau of Prisons to lease prison facilities subject to approval in advance in appropriations Acts. Authorizes the Attorney General to issue debt instruments for purchase by the Secretary of the Treasury to finance the acquisition or construction of a facility to be used for penal or correctional purposes by the Bureau. Subtitle D: Elimination of Diversity Jurisdiction - Eliminates district court jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship. Subtitle E: State and Local Narcotics Control Assistance - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to expand the purposes of the grant program to include: (1) introducing innovations in penalties for possession of a controlled substance, such as revocation or suspension of drivers' licenses, ineligibility for State grants, increased criminal and civil fines, and cost recovery of governmental expenses incurred in rehabilitation programs; (2) reducing delays in time between arrest, prosecution, adjudication, and detention of persons accused of violating State or local drug laws, including the development of an alternative or supplemental judicial system for drug-related offenses; and (3) increasing participation in multi-jurisdictional task forces for enforcing drug laws. Prohibits the use of any such grant to provide counsel to assist defendants accused of violations of the CSA or of State or local laws that establish offenses similar to those established in the CSA. Restricts expenditures of drug law enforcement grants to no more than 50% (currently, 75%) of the cost of the identified uses for which such grants are received. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Drug Enforcement Agency Personnel Support Act of 1988 - Authorizes the Attorney General to use Department of Justice (DOJ) appropriations to pay benefits to Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) overseas personnel. Directs the Attorney General to report to the Congress within 120 days on the implementation of this subtitle. Subtitle G: Anti-Drug Manufacturing Act of 1988 - Establishes criminal penalties for: (1) polluting U.S. lands while manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance; and (2) creating a substantial risk of harm to human life while possessing or manufacturing a controlled substance. Subtitle H: Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988 - Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988 - Amends the CSA to establish recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the distribution, receipt, sale, importation, and exportation of listed precursor and essential chemicals. Prohibits the distribution of such chemicals unless the recipient provides a certification of lawful use and proper identification. Establishes exemptions from such requirements: (1) for the distribution of such chemicals between agents or employees within a single facility; (2) for the delivery of such chemicals to or by common carriers; (3) where the Attorney General determines that such requirements are not necessary for the enforcement of this Act; and (4) where products containing such chemicals are lawfully marketed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Establishes an import-export notice and declaration requirement for listed precursors and essential chemicals. Includes as precursor chemicals: (1) N-Acetylanthranilic acid; (2) Anthranilic acid; (3) Ergotamine tartrate; (4) Ergonovine maleate; (5) Phenylacetic acid; (6) Ephedrine; (7) Pseudoephedrine; (8) Benzyl cyanide; (9) Benzyl chloride; and (10) Piperidine. Includes as essential chemicals: (1) Potassium permanganate; (2) Acetic anhydride; (3) Acetone; and (4) Ethyl ether. Establishes a mechanism and criteria for adding or deleting chemicals from such lists. Prohibits the transfer of commercial tableting and encapsulating machines unless a certification of lawful use and proper identification are provided. Establishes reporting requirements for such transfers. Establishes criminal penalties for the unlawful: (1) possession, manufacture, distribution, sale, importation, or exportation of a precursor or essential chemical; and (2) possession, manufacture, distribution, or importation of drug manufacturing equipment, tableting or encapsulating machines, and gelatin capsules. Subjects all listed precursor and essential chemicals, drug manufacturing equipment, tableting and encapsulating machines, and gelatin capsules which have been imported, exported, manufactured, possessed, or distributed in violation of such Act (as well as all conveyances and equipment) to forfeiture to the United States. Directs the Attorney General to maintain an active program, both domestic and international, to curtail the diversion of precursor and essential chemicals. Grants the Attorney General subpoena power with respect to precursor and essential chemicals. Subtitle I: Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act of 1988 - Provides a mandatory penalty (ten years imprisonment, to run concurrently with any other term, and/or a fine) for using a firearm in committing assaults on Federal officers. Establishes penalties for the possession of firearms or dangerous weapons in a Federal courthouse. Permits the court to consider pretrial detention for certain firearms and explosives offenses. Extends the possession of explosives offense to certain airports and increases penalties for possessing explosives in such airports and in Federal buildings. Increases penalties for using an explosive in the commission of a Federal felony. Makes it unlawful for any person to transfer a firearm to any business that does not maintain a place of business in the State in which the transferor resides. Deletes the requirement that stolen firearms and ammunition be in interstate commerce to be a Federal offense. Makes trafficking in firearms without serial numbers unlawful. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) make payments from DOJ appropriations for expenses necessary for hosting the General Assembly of INTERPOL's annual meeting and for the periodic sponsorship of INTERPOL conferences relating to international crime; and (2) solicit, accept, and make gifts in connection with certain INTERPOL activities, with specified restrictions. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) promulgate rules for such soliciting, accepting, and giving gifts to avoid creating a conflict of interest; and (2) report annually to the Congress regarding all such gifts. Authorizes electronic communications providers to disclose specified information to a governmental entity under certain circumstances. Subtitle J: Anti-Public Corruption Act of 1988 - Anti-Public Corruption Act of 1988 - Establishes the offense of public corruption and sets penalties for individuals who endeavor by scheme or artifice to deprive the inhabitants of a a State (or political subdivision thereof): (1) of the honest services of a State official or employee; or (2) of a fair and impartial election through fraud. Specifies that, in the case of a conviction under this subtitle for which the motive was to facilitate or further a violation of the CSA or CSIEA, if the maximum imprisonment otherwise provided is less than 20 years, such maximum imprisonment shall be 20 years. Adds public corruption as a predicate offense under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and as a basis for authorizing a wiretap. Subtitle K: Increased Penalties - Amends the CSA to provide increased penalties for crack violations. Amends the CSA and CSIEA to provide civil penalties for certain violations involving heroin or cocaine. Subtitle L: Amendments to the Money Laundering Control Act - Amends the Money Laundering Control Act to: (1) include electronic fund transfers in the definition of "monetary instruments"; and (2) encompass property that has been represented to be the proceeds of unlawful activity. Subtitle M: National Forest System Drug Control - Amends the National Forest System Drug Control Act to grant certain powers to special agents and law enforcement officers within and outside the boundaries of the National Forest System if in hot pursuit. Directs the U.S. Forest Service to: (1) oversee investigations and enforcement activities and prepare national and regional strategy plans in coordination with the DEA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) cooperate with the Attorney General in carrying out the seizure and forfeiture provisions of the CSA as such activity relates to the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of marijuana or other controlled substances within the National Forest System. Subtitle N: United States Postal Service Authority Expansion - Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to grant: (1) the U.S. Postal Service authority to subject to forfeiture specified drugs and drug-related contraband articles; and (2) certain Postal Service officers and employees authority to perform enforcement functions performed by DEA officers or employees. Subtitle O: United States Marshals Service Act of 1988 - United States Marshals Service Act of 1988 - Establishes the United States Marshals Service as a bureau within the Department of Justice. Directs the President to appoint a United States marshal for each judicial district of the United States and for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Sets forth procedures for filling vacancies in the office of a U.S. marshal. Specifies the powers and duties of the Service. Allows the Attorney General to exempt the procurement of contract services under the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund from certain procurement guidelines if necessary to maintain the security and confidentiality of related criminal investigations. Prescribes a schedule of fees that the Service may collect. Authorizes the Attorney General to use funds appropriated to the Service for the support of U.S. prisoners in non-Federal institutions. Subtitle P: Assimilative Crimes Act Amendments of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that the criminal penalty for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol in a special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States shall be the punishment provided under the law of that State, territory, possession, or district. States that whoever operates a motor vehicle in such a jurisdiction consents to certain tests if arrested for driving under the influence of a drug or alcohol. States that any person refusing to submit to such tests shall be denied the privilege of operating a motor vehicle for one year. Subtitle Q: National Guard Drug Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 1988 - Provides that the consent of a Governor may not be withheld with regard to the provision of National Guard assistance to civilian law enforcement officials. Subtitle R: Drug Law Enforcement in Public Housing Projects - Authorizes the Secretary of HUD to establish a demonstration project providing grants to public housing agencies to permit such agencies to prevent drug-related crimes in public housing projects through: (1) the establishment and operation of public housing security and protective services for such projects; or (2) the reimbursement of local law enforcement agencies for additional security and protective services for such projects. Subtitle S: Study of Improvements to Monetary Rewards - Directs the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress concerning: (1) ways to increase cooperation and assistance for drug law enforcement from informants eligible for rewards from the Asset Forfeiture Fund; and (2) the feasibility of establishing a bounty system for alternative rewards. Subtitle T: Deportation of Aliens Amendment - Allows a court, on motion of the Government, to exempt from deportation provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act an alien who has provided substantial assistance in the investigation or prosecution of a person who has committed a drug offense under the CSA. Subtitle U: Steroid Control Act - Amends the CSA to include methandrosterolone as a Schedule I substance (a drug or substance with a high potential for abuse, which has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and which lacks any accepted safety use under medical supervision). Subtitle V: Task Force on Clandestine Drug Laboratories - Joint Federal Task Force on Clandestine Drug Laboratories Establishment Act of 1988 - Establishes the Joint Federal Task Force on Clandestine Drug Laboratories. Directs the Task Force to formulate, establish, and implement a program for the cleanup and disposal of hazardous waste produced by clandestine drug laboratories. Provides for periodic reports by the Task Force to the President and to each House of the Congress. Subtitle W: Additional Penalties for Operation of a Locomotive or Common Carrier While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs - Provides penalties for the operation of a locomotive common carrier while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Subtitle X: Miscellaneous Technical Amendments - Sets a mandatory minimum penalty for trafficking in a specified quantity of methamphetamine. Prohibits and establishes penalties for conducting a financial transaction involving the proceeds of specified unlawful activity with the intent to violate the Internal Revenue Code. Title III: International Drug Control - Subtitle A: Multinational Anti-Drug Strike Force - Directs the President to develop a plan to establish a multinational strike force to combat illicit narcotics production and trafficking in the Americas and in Asia. Encourages the President to enter into negotiations with other nations to implement such strike forces. Requires the President to submit to the Congress a report describing such plan and detailing actions taken to implement such strike forces. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Foreign Assistance Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA) to provide for exemptions from the prohibition on using international narcotics control assistance to procure weapons or train foreign police forces if the President determines that such assistance or training is necessary to combat illicit drug production or trafficking. Subtitle C: Sense of Congress on the Convening of a Summit of Western Hemisphere Nations Concerning Drug Abuse - Urges the President to convene a meeting of the heads of government of countries in the Western Hemisphere in which illicit drug production, transit, or use is a problem to reach agreement on enhancing international cooperation and information sharing. Subtitle D: Sense of Congress on Suppression of International Narcotics Trafficking - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the suppression of international narcotics trafficking is the most important national security objective within the Western Hemisphere. Subtitle E: Authorization of Appropriations for Assisting Law Enforcement Authorities in Certain Foreign Countries - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 for: (1) education and training of law enforcement authorities in certain foreign countries to enhance drug interdiction and eradication efforts; and (2) military assistance for such efforts, especially with respect to rapid deployment capabilities. Subtitle F: Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties - Directs the Secretary of State to place greater emphasis on updating extradition treaties and on negotiating mutual legal assistance treaties with major illicit drug producing and drug-transit countries. Subtitle G: Export-Import Bank Financing for Defense Against Narco-Terrorists - Authorizes the Export-Import Bank of the United States to guarantee, insure, and extend credit in connection with a credit sale of defense articles or services to a major illicit drug producing or drug-transit country if the President certifies to the Congress that such country needs such articles or services in combatting illicit drug production or trafficking. Subtitle H: Increased Intelligence Capabilities - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to provide that a special activity directed at illicit international drug trafficking shall be deemed to be important to national security for purposes of requirements for presidential approval. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to authorize the use of information concerning illicit drug trafficking obtained by electronic surveillance conducted for foreign intelligence purposes to combat such trafficking. Subtitle I: Mexico-United States Intergovernmental Commission - Amends the International Narcotics Control Act of 1986 to provide for the appointment of Members of Congress to and funding, reporting requirements, and the initial meeting of the Mexico-United States Intergovernmental Commission on Narcotics and Psychotropic Drug Abuse and Control. Title IV: Interdiction Improvement - Subtitle A: Use of Armed Forces for Interdiction of Narcotics at United States Borders - Requires the President to use the U.S. armed forces to locate, pursue, and seize aircraft and vessels carrying narcotics, deploy radar and pursuit aircraft, and use the National Guard and Reserves to halt the unlawful penetration of U.S. borders within 45 days after the enactment of this Act. Directs the President to: (1) report to the Congress on the impact and costs of this Act and recommendations for changes in existing law; and (2) submit to the Congress a request for the amount of funds spent and the amount needed to continue the program through FY 1988 and 1989. Provides for a separate budget request, beginning with FY 1990, for funds for the drug interdiction program. Subtitle B: Department of Transportation Study of Establishing Flight Corridors - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) study the feasibility of establishing flight corridors across the sourthern borders of the United States, including the policy of interdicting aircraft which deviate from such corridors; and (2) report the results of such study to the Congress within 180 days. Subtitle C: Maritime Drug Law Enforcement and Enhancement Act of 1988 - Maritime Drug Law Enforcement and Enhancement Act of 1988 - Chapter 1: Drug Enforcement Budget Improvement - Requires: (1) the President to submit annual reports on Federal drug enforcement expenditures; and (2) each congressional committee to issue a report, by March 15 of each year, describing estimates of the budget required by each agency for the following fiscal year to effectively implement illegal drug enforcement programs within such committee's jurisdiction. Chapter 2: Coast Guard Drug Interdiction Enhancement - Expands the Coast Guard's maritime air surveillance and interdiction authority. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating (currently, the Coast Guard) to make inquiries, examinations, inspections, searches, and seizures of aircraft subject to U.S. jurisdiction or law (current law applies only to vessels), order such aircraft to a landing area, and take any other lawful action. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, to make moneys from the Customs Forfeiture Fund available to the Coast Guard. Authorizes the commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel or aircraft, or of a surface naval vessel on which a Coast Guard member is assigned, to fire upon a vessel which does not stop upon being ordered to do so or on being chased. Provides for indemnification of: (1) all persons acting under such commanding officer from any penalties or actions for damages for firing upon such vessel; and (2) Coast Guard members and employees against any claim or judgment which arises out of an act committed within the scope of their official duties in carrying out drug enforcement activities. Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to submit to the Congress a draft of legislation relating to special restrictions and inspections for vessels arriving from drug producing countries. Amends the CSA to prohibit the forfeiture of specified vessels under such Act unless it appears that the owner was a consenting party to a violation of such Act. Chapter 3: Great Lakes Drug Interdiction - Directs the Secretary of Transportation and the Commissioner of Customs to enter into an agreement to increase the effectiveness of maritime drug interdiction activities in the Great Lakes area. Provides for increased use of long-range surveillance aircraft in such area. Directs the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with the Government of Canada to establish an agreement for increased cooperation and information sharing with respect to illegal drug interdiction efforts along the U.S.-Canadian border. Chapter 4: Vessel Identification - Defines "United States vessel" and "documented vessel." Requires the identification of the individual designated as the agent of the owner of the vessel on the certificate of documentation for such vessel. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain a central depository of information relating to the ownership of U.S. vessels. Chapter 5: Reorganization to Coordinate Maritime Law Enforcement Programs - Federal Maritime Administration Act - Establishes the Federal Maritime Administration (FMA) with the Department of Transportation, consisting of the Coast Guard and the National Maritime Service and headed by the Under Secretary for Maritime Affairs and Readiness. Specifies the duties of the Under Secretary. Provides for an Office of Drug Interdiction Coordination within the FMA. Renames the existing Maritime Administration. Transfers certain maritime functions of the National Ocean Service and National Weather Service. Redesignates the Commissioned Officer Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the Commissioned Officer Corps of FMA. Provides for incidental transfers, terminations, and miscellaneous provisions. Establishes the Merchant Marine Reserve within the Coast Guard Reserve. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) issue final regulations to implement this chapter within one year; and (2) make recommendations to the Congress regarding the consolidation of budget authority. Subtitle D: Prohibition on Reissuance of Airman Certificates - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the issuance of an airman certificate to any person whose certificate has been revoked.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1988
Amends the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to make the art materials labeling requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials effective as a regulation of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Requires manufacturers or repackagers of such materials to provide the Commission with the criteria used to determine whether or not such materials could cause chronic adverse health effects along with a list of materials that require hazard warning labels. Requires updates and revisions in labeling and standards as necessary. Directs the Commission to issue guidelines specifying criteria for determining when customary or foreseeable uses of such materials could result in a chronic hazard. Requires the Commission to review and amend such guidelines as appropriate. Directs the Commission to develop informational and educational materials about art materials and to distribute such materials to interested persons.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1988
Federal Aviation Administration Drug Enforcement Assistance Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Federal Aviation Administrator to modify systems relating to aircraft registration, airman's certification, and fuel system alterations in order to make such systems more responsive to the needs of drug law enforcement authorities. Cites the areas to be modified. Requires the Administrator to issue final regulations implementing such modifications within ten months after the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and collect user fees to cover the costs associated with such modifications. Prescribes user fee guidelines. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress for a five-year period on the progress being made under this Act. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations under this Act. Cites conditions under which an aircraft used in connection with such violations may be seized by or forfeited to drug law enforcement authorities. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress for a three-year period on progress regarding: (1) informational assistance provided to drug law enforcement authorities; (2) registration and certification suspensions; and (3) the training of Federal Aviation Administration personnel with respect to controlled substances traffic. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on the funding resources needed annually to implement this Act during a five-year period. Requires concurrent submission of budget requests under this Act to the President, the Secretary of Transportation, and certain congressional committees and officials. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to report to the Congress within 120 days after enactment of this Act on the results of its review of the position classification within the Airmen and Aircraft Registry of the FAA and the Law Enforcement Assistance Unit of the Aeronautical Center of the FAA. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to the Congress the results of a feasibility study relating to the cost/benefit ratio (with respect to drug interdiction) of requiring aircraft entering the continental United States to: (1) have an operating transponder installed; and (2) have a flight plan filed with the Federal Aviation Administration before such entry. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to the Congress the results of a feasibility study pertaining to: (1) the interception of aircraft deviating from established flight corridors across the borders of the continental United States; and (2) the impact of the establishment of such corridors on safe and efficient aircraft movement and upon drug interdiction. Declares that this Act applies only to aircraft which are not used to provide specified air transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1988
Designates the Labor Day Weekend beginning on September 3, 1988, as National Drive for Life Weekend. Calls on people to observe that weekend with a pledge to not drink and drive.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1988
EPA Law Enforcement Powers Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize law enforcement officers with responsibility for the investigation of criminal violations of a law administered by the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) carry firearms; (2) execute and serve warrants; and (3) make arrests without a warrant for any offense against the United States committed in such officer's presence or any felony offense against the United States if such officer has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony offense.