United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1990
House of Representatives Clean Indoor Air Act - Prohibits an individual from possessing a lit tobacco product in any public area within a House office building unless it is in an area designated by the House Office Building Commission. Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives to study and report to the Committee on House Administration on the feasibility of offering a smoke cessation assistance program for Representatives, officers, and employees of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1990
Expresses congressional appreciation and support of the Foster Grandparent Program (providing opportunities for low-income older persons to volunteer their time for the benefit of children who have special needs) on its 25th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1990
Drug Abuse Resistance Education Act of 1990 - Amends the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to local education agencies, in consortia with entities which meet specified requirements, to provide drug abuse resistance education to students in kindergarten through grade six. Reserves specified amounts for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1990
Designates as South African Freedom Week the week in 1990 coinciding with the first visit of Nelson Mandela to the United States after his release from prison in South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1990
Amtrak Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 1990 - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1992 for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). Limits the liability for certain rail accidents occurring in the District of Columbia to no more than the limits of coverage maintained by a publicly funded commuter transportation authority established under Virginia law to indemnify Amtrak or any railroad over which the authority conducts its operations. Authorizes the use of proceeds from the sale of railroad lines that were acquired and rehabilitated with funds under the Rail Safety and Service Improvement Act of 1982 for similar purposes with respect to railroad lines connected with such a line for the purpose of continued rail service on them. Requires Amtrak to cooperate with the efforts of the Washington State Department of Transportation in designing a study of the feasibility of reestablishing rail service between Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Directs Amtrak to study and report to the Congress on the revenue and cost implications of separating the California Zephyr-Desert Wind-Pioneer train into two service routes serving a southern and a control route through Iowa. Prohibits the compensation of any rail or motor carrier employee who works in more than one State from being subject to State income taxes in any State but the State in which the employee resides. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to treat Amtrak as a publicly funded rail carrier with respect to its contribution toward employees' unemployment compensation benefits. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to the Congress on the potential need among Class II and Class III railroads for Federal guarantees of obligations for funding rehabilitation and improvement of facilities and equipment, acquisition of new railroad facilities, or refinancing of existing debt.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1990
Social Security Disability Benefits for the Blind Act of 1990 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to make blind persons eligible for disability benefits regardless of their ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1990
Repeals the Newspaper Preservation Act. Prohibits such repeal from applying to any joint newspaper operating arrangement: (1) entered into before July 24 1970; and (2) exempted under antitrust law by the Attorney General before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1990
Urges the President to instruct the Attorney General to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the involvement of Government officials in the savings and loan scandal.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1990
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include in the Even Start program the following U.S. territories: Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1990
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to take appropriate measures for the 1990 census to ensure that: (1) no member of the armed forces shall be excluded based on being assigned to a post outside of the United States; and (2) each such member is enumerated at such member's home of record.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1990
Peanut Program Modernization Act of 1990 - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to repeal peanut marketing quota provisions. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to replace existing peanut price support provisions with price supports as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture based upon specified factors, including production costs and domestic and foreign demand.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1990
Medigap Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1990 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to penalize individuals who issue, sell, or renew Medicare supplemental policies which are in violation of this Act's standards or offer to sell a policy in a State that has not approved such policy. Requires that Medicare supplemental policy issuers: (1) cover a core group of basic benefits and, if they offer other benefits, issue a policy covering only such basic benefits; (2) provide prospective purchasers of a policy with a summary information sheet describing policy benefits and the amount of any premiums attributable to optional benefits; (3) guarantee the renewability of policies; (4) offer each group policyholder terminating their coverage or group membership the right to continued coverage under an individual policy (the policyholder ending his or her group membership may also opt for continued coverage under the group policy) or, if the old group policy is replaced by a new group policy, the right to coverage under a new group policy without exclusion for preexisting conditions; and (5) suspend policy benefits and premiums upon the policyholder's indication that he or she is entitled to Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) benefits. Requires the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) or, upon the NAIC's default, the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate simplification standards which set the core group of basic benefits policies must provide, limit the additional benefit packages that may be provided, and establish a uniform language and format to be used with respect to policy benefits. Prohibits the sale of policies which do not meet such standards, though permits approved waivers of such standards to test new or innovative benefits. Directs the Secretary to request the NAIC to educate Medicare beneficiaries on the simplification standards. Increases the civil monetary penalty for knowingly selling a policy which duplicates health benefits to which an individual is already entitled. Permits persons aggrieved by duplicative coverage to recover triple damages in a civil suit. Prohibits a policy issuer from selling a policy without: (1) obtaining a written statement of the buyer indicating any health policies of the same type or Medicaid coverage the buyer may have; and (2) notifying the buyer of the possibility and effect of their coverage under the Medicaid program and the address and telephone number of any State Medicare supplemental policy counseling program and the State Medicaid office. Prohibits the issuer from selling a policy to a person who indicates that he or she is covered by the Medicaid program or has duplicative health benefits. Penalizes individuals who sell a policy in violation of such requirements. Increases the percentage of premiums which must be returned to policyholders as benefits. Establishes a process whereby States must approve premium increases prior to their implementation. Requires public hearings for any premium increase request exceeding twice the percentage increase in the medical care component of the consumer price index. Limits Medicare supplemental policy sales commissions. Authorizes appropriations for a matching grant program to assist States in establishing counseling programs to aid Medicare-eligible individuals in choosing Medicare supplemental policies. Prohibits such policies from denying a claim for losses incurred more than six months from the effective date of coverage for a preexisting condition.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1990
National Summit Conference on Education Amendments of 1990 - Amends the National Summit Conference on Education Act of 1984 to revise congressional findings, executive committee membership, and provide for regional meetings and agenda with respect to the National Summit Conference on Education.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1990
Judicial Taxation Prohibition Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny to inferior Federal courts jurisdiction to issue any remedy, order, writ, or other judicial decree requiring the Federal Government or any State or local government to impose any new tax or to increase any existing tax or tax rate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Comprehensive American Wetlands Act of 1990 - Establishes a comprehensive system for the identification, valuation, preservation, and compensation to the owners of U.S. wetlands, and for providing tax incentives for transfers of wetlands to governments and other specified entities. Makes this Act inapplicable to any coastal wetlands in the United States or to any wetlands in the State of Alaska. Title I: Wetland Preservation - Directs the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) to conduct an inventory to locate, delineate, and determine the special wetland value of all U.S. wetlands subject to this Act. Directs the SCS, upon determining that certain lands may have special wetland value, to refer such determination to: (1) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for determinations relating to wildlife habitat; (2) the Army Corps of Engineers for determinations relating to flood control (except lands eligible for certain small watershed projects, for which the SCS will make the determinations); (3) the Geological Survey for determinations relating to aquifer recharge; (4) the SCS for determinations relating to sedimentation discharge; and (5) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for determinations relating to water quality. Directs the Cooperative Extension Service for each State to identify practices exempted from regulations under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), taking into account existing practices and developing additional practices in consultation with the affected industry or community. Amends the FWPCA to include a similar exemption, with respect to certain areas of navigable waters, for normal crop rotation practices, activities generally acceptable within the agricultural community, or new technology activities proper in the industry or community, as established by the State Cooperative Extension Service. Requires that a list of exempted practices and activities be filed with the EPA Administrator, who shall publish the list as a proposed rule. Directs the EPA Administrator to identify the specific activities and practices for each State exempted by regulation. Requires mitigation as a condition for conversion of wetlands. Requires such mitigation to be, to the extent practicable, a restoration within the same environmental system of the special wetland values converted. Directs the Federal agency that determined the special value of the wetlands to determine the amount of mitigation, in consultation with the affected party. Limits such amount to not more than the following ratios of acreage restored to acreage converted: (1) one to one, for "nonconverted" wetlands; (2) two to one, plus preserving or enhancing in the same environmental system the special wetland values lost, for "special nonconverted" wetlands; and (3) five to one, plus such preservation or enhancement of those values, for "natural" wetlands. Exempts "prior converted" and certain small acreage wetlands from such mitigation requirements. Provides for consideration of construction of artificial wetlands as a mitigating factor. Establishes a wetlands conservation conveyance program. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands from a willing seller by purchase or exchange, to provide for wetlands conservation. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such lands to appropriate Federal agencies and contract with States for their management. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate wetlands within any lands acquired by the United States to determine if special wetland values are present and, if so, to administer such lands if practicable. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to include in the agricultural conservation reserve program lands that are not highly erodible but that are wetlands. Limits to 10,000,000 acres the wetlands that may be enrolled in such program. Requires the Secretary, during the 1991 through 1995 crop years, to only enroll wetlands in such program. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to revise conservation reserve credits for wheat, feed grains, cotton, and rice acreage. Allows any reduced, set-aside, or additional diverted cropland acreage to be devoted to water storage in compliance with an established conservation plan approved by the SCS. Doubles such credit for non-converted wetlands, and triples it for prior converted wetlands. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise the wetland conservation program with respect to determinations of ineligibility for specified Federal program loans, payments, and benefits for persons who produce agricultural commodities on converted wetland. Allows an exemption from the ineligibility penalty if: (1) an agricultural commodity was produced on converted wetlands as a natural result of a project found to be in the public interest, unless such lands were not used for agriculture before December 23, 1985; or (2) mitigation is carried out in accordance with this Act. Allows persons found to be ineligible appeal to the State Committee of the Agriculture and Soil Conservation Service. Authorizes the State Committee to modify the ineligibility determination after considering specified specified factors. Sets forth procedures for administrative appeals of decisions made under this Act and specified FWPCA provisions relating to wetlands. Directs the EPA Administrator to establish a National Appeals Division for hearing and determining appeals of decisions by employees of the EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Title II: Tax Treatment for Certain Transactions Relating to Wetlands - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the charitable contribution base for contributions of wetlands. Grants a capital gains preference for certain sales and exchanges of wetlands by individuals. Allows a specified deduction of capital gains on certain sales and exchanges of wetlands to specified governmental units or any other organization approved by the Secretary of the Interior as a proper custodian of lands with wetland values. Sets forth a special rule for estates and trusts. Disallows such deduction in determining alternative minimum taxable income. Allows amortization of certain expenditures for restoring wetlands.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1990
Medicare Nursing Facility Access Improvement Act of 1990 - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the prior hospitalization prerequisite to eligibility for Medicare nursing facility services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide that the definition of "owner or operator" (for purposes of liability) does not include: (1) a designated lending institution which acquires control of a facility pursuant to the terms of a security interest held by the person in such facility or in connection with a lease subject to Federal or State banking authorities; (2) a corporate fiduciary which operates or has legal title to a facility pursuant to the terms of an estate or trust; (3) an individual or institution that serves as an indenture trustee and acquires control of a facility as the result of default on a financing document between the trustee and the issuing entity; and (4) an individual fiduciary who has legal title to a facility for purposes of administering an estate or trust.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Medicare Physician Regulation Relief Amendments of 1990 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require carriers and peer review organizations to release the medical review screen or the associated screening parameter to a physician before notifying such physician that payment for his or her service has been denied. Permits Medicare reimbursement of a patient's regular physician for services provided to such patient by another physician who occasionally covers for the regular physician. Requires Medicare carriers to provide physicians, upon request and without charge, with carrier-generated information which physicians need to submit a payment claim or respond to a carrier inquiry. Allows a medical society or other professional organization representing physicians to represent a group or class of physicians in Medicare payment determinations, reconsiderations, or appeals. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to appoint, based on nominations submitted by national medical organizations representing physicians, a Practicing Physicians Advisory Council with which the Secretary must consult concerning changes in the Medicare program and proposed changes in regulations and carrier operation policies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Textile, Apparel, and Footwear Trade Act of 1990 - Limits the 1990 imports of textiles and textile products classified under a category to an amount equal to 101 percent of the total 1989 imports classified under such category. Limits the 1990 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under a nonrubber footwear category to an amount equal to: (1) the total 1989 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under such category; and (2) in the case of high priced nonrubber footwear, the total 1989 imports of high priced nonrubber footwear classified under such category. Provides for a one-percent annual growth in the amount of permitted imports of textiles and textile products after 1990. Exempts from the limitations imposed under this Act imports of textiles and textile products from U.S. possessions if such articles are exempt from duty under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States and are manufactured by U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of such a possession. Limits the imports of certain sweaters made in Guam to a specified amount during FY 1990 and to such amount increased by one percent per year in subsequent years. Declares such limitations shall not apply to Canada or Israel. Sets forth limitations on the amount of textile and textile products, classified under certain import categories, which may be imported from beneficiary countries under the Caribbean Basin Initiative. Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into trade agreements to grant new concessions as compensation to the extent required under U.S. trade agreements for the import limits imposed by this Act; and (2) proclaim such modification or continuance of any existing duty on textiles and textile products and on nonrubber footwear as necessary to carry out such agreements. Prohibits the President from reducing any rate of duty by more than ten percent. Requires the President, before entering into such trade agreements, to consider whether a country has violated trade concessions of benefit to the United States and the violation has not been adequately offset. Sets forth requirements governing staged rate reductions in the tariffs of articles affected by this Act. Prohibits the President, except as authorized by this Act, from entering into trade negotiations with any country with respect to duties on textiles, textile products, and nonrubber footwear. Prohibits the President, except as provided in this Act, from decreasing or proposing a decrease in any such duty by any means, including an implementing bill or a proclamation. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the administration of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, ten years after enactment of this Act, to study and report to the Congress on its operation. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a pilot program for the issuance and sale to U.S. companies at public auction of import licenses applicable to categories of textiles. Terminates such licensing program on December 31, 1991, and requires a report to the Congress on its administration.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the provisions permitting small issues of tax-exempt bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1990
Tourism Policy and Export Promotion Act of 1990 - Declares it to be the national goal to increase U.S. export earnings from U.S. tourism and transportation services with an eye toward: (1) the elimination of the travel and tourism export deficit of the United States and the U.S trade deficit; and (2) the achievement of a travel and tourism export surplus. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify foreign trade barriers to U.S. travel and tourism. Requires the USTR to submit the National Trade Estimate to the President and the Senate Committees on Finance and Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Amends the International Trade Act of 1961 to require each annual tourism trade development plan to focus on those countries in which tourism trade development has the greatest potential for increasing travel and tourism export revenues. Declares that the Congress finds that increased efforts directed at the promotion of rural tourism will contribute to the economic development of rural America. Establishes the Rural Tourism Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1990
Permanent Wetlands Agricultural Reserve Act - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a wetland reservation program of at least 2,500,000 acres to be carried out through permanent easement agreements providing for compensation to wetlands owners for restoration, the fair market value, lost income, and the establishment of vegetation on the wetlands.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1990
National College Athletics Accountability Act of 1990 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require disclosure, accounting, and certain methods of use and control of a higher education institution's revenues from, and expenditures for, its athletic departments and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1990
ESOP Promotion and Improvement Act of 1990 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow S corporations (certain small business corporations) to participate in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Extends the ESOP exception to the ten percent early withdrawal penalty tax to certain ESOP distributions to employees made at any time. (Currently the exception applies only to distributions made before January 1, 1990.) Permits ESOP participants whose compensation does not exceed a certain amount to contribute up to 50 percent of it to the plan. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit payroll deductions for ESOP participants to make certain political contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1990
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the proposed postal rate increase is unwarranted and that the U.S. Postal Service should reduce its deficit by cutting costs rather than by increasing postal rates.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1990
Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1990 - Extends authorized appropriations from FY 1991 through 1994 to carry out programs under the following Acts: (1) the Head Start Act; (2) the Follow Through Act; (3) the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act; (4) the Community Services Block Grant Act; (5) the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act; and (6) the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981. Amends the Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1986 to extend authorized appropriations from FY 1991 through 1994 to carry out the grant program relating to demonstration partnership agreements addressing the needs of the poor.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1990
Head Start Amendments of 1990 - Amends the Head Start Act to extend through FY 1993 the authorization of appropriations for the Head Start program. Revises conditions on renewed funding of Head Start grantees and priorities in designation of Head Start agencies. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review thoroughly each designated Head Start agency at least every three years. Requires the head of each Head Start agency to coordinate its Head Start programs with public schools, the State agency that administers Aid to Families with Dependent Children under the Social Security Act, and other programs serving the children and families served by that Head Start agency. Amends the Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1985 to authorize appropriations for FY 1991 through 1993 for the child development associate scholarship assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Older Americans Act of 1965 and its successful implementation should be recognized; (2) contributions at all levels of the aging network should be acknowledged and commended; and (3) support for the Act and its primary goal should be reaffirmed.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1990
Competitive Northeastern Rail Freight Service Act of 1990 - Requires the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to provide for access by a second, competitive rail freight carrier over routes from Montreal, Quebec, through New York State, via Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Hagerstown, Maryland, and Potomac Yard, Alexandria, Virginia. Requires the ICC, if necessary, to grant trackage rights for the establishment of such competitive routes.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1990
Twenty-First Century Teachers Act - Title I: Loans Incentives for Teaching - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to establish a separate fund for teachers under the National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995 for the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make separate capital contributions to NDSL student loan funds. Requires a student, in order to receive a loan from the special account, to: (1) have completed two undergraduate years; (2) intend to pursue a teaching career; and (3) agree to certain repayment conditions if the student either does not enter full-time teaching within a certain period or ceases such teaching before the end of the five-year service period required for loan cancellation. Gives priority for such loans to minority students, or those otherwise underrepresented in the teaching profession or curricula areas, and to individuals who qualify and need such a loan and who demonstrate high academic achievement and potential for success in teaching. Provides for an expedited loan cancellation option for teaching at certain types of schools. Title II: Financial Assistance for Institutional Recruitment and Retention of Individuals Preparing to Enter the Teaching Force - Directs the Secretary to allocate funds under this title to State educational agencies (SEAs) for grants to institutions of higher education for programs to recruit and retain students, particularly minority students, preparing to enter the teaching profession. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Professional Development Academies - Directs the Secretary to allocate 80 percent of funds for this title among SEAs, on the basis of number of disadvantaged children, to distribute such funds to consortia of local educational agencies (LEAs) for various activities relating to teacher training. Directs the Secretary, from the remaining 20 percent of funds under this title, to award to specified consortia grants to establish professional development academies to provide interstate, international, or other exemplary programs. Limits such grants to five years, with renewal for one additional five-year period. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Teacher Recognition - Teacher of the Year Recognition Act - Directs the Secretary to design and implement a program for teachers designated by the Council of Chief State School Officers as teacher of the year and the national teacher of the year. Directs the Secretary to designate and procure medals to honor such teachers of the year, which shall be presented by the President or a designee. Authorizes the Secretary to work with States, local governments, SEAs, LEAs, and others to encourage development of State and local recognition programs for teachers and other educators.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1990
Repeals the provision of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1989 which requires the withholding of income tax from wages paid for agricultural labor. Requires the Internal Revenue Code to be applied as though such provision had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1990
Declares it to be U.S. policy that there should be: (1) recognition and commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Federal aid to elementary and secondary education; (2) a renewed, sustained commitment to Federal aid to educating children who are disadvantaged members of special populations, with limited English proficiency, or with handicaps, and illiterate adults; and (3) a specified annual increase in funding for the program for disadvantaged children under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1990
Civil Rights Protections Act of 1990 - Amends specified provisions of Federal law relating to equal protection under the law to declare that: (1) the rights protected by those provisions are protected against nongovernmental discrimination as well as against impairment under color of State law; and (2) those provisions afford the same protection against discrimination in the performance, breach, or termination of a contract, or in the setting of the terms or conditions thereof, as it does in the making or enforcement of the contract. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to declare that an unlawful employment practice occurs when a seniority system is adopted, an individual becomes subject to it, or a person is injured by the application of the system or a provision thereof, if it was adopted for an intentionally discriminatory purpose, whether or not that discriminatory purpose is apparent on the face of the provision.
![Official portrait of Rep. Goodling, William F. [R-PA-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000291_200.jpg)