United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
United States Coast Guard Bicentennial Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design, strike, and sell a medal in commemoration of the bicentennial of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1990. Requires the design of the medal to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Commission of Fine Arts.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act - Makes it unlawful for any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless: (1) the transferor has notified the chief law enforcement officer for the individual's place of residence about the proposed transfer and either has received a response indicating that such transfer is not prohibited by law or has not received a response indicating otherwise within seven days; (2) the individual has presented to the transferor a statement from the officer indicating that the individual requires a handgun because of a threat to him or his family; or (3) the individual has a State handgun permit that is less than a year old which satisfies the same requirements. Requires any transferor who subsequently receives a report from such officer that receipt or possession of the handgun by the individual violates the law to: (1) furnish information about the transfer and the individual to the chief law enforcement officer of the transferor's place of business and the individual's place of residence; and (2) keep confidential any information received which is not otherwise available to the public, with exceptions. Requires a transferor to retain a copy of the individual's sworn statement for at least a year. Requires the law enforcement officer to destroy any copy of the individual's sworn statement and any record containing information derived from such statement within 30 days, unless such officer determines that the transaction would violate Federal, State, or local law. Provides that this Act shall not apply in any State that requires: (1) a seven-day waiting period for the transfer of a handgun to an unlicensed individual; or (2) a State law enforcement officer to verify an unlicensed individual's eligibility to receive a handgun. Sets penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that neither the President nor the Congress should impose import fees on the importation of crude oil or refined petroleum products.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Establishes the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, New York. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation land, improvements thereon, and associated personal property within such Site. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the State of New York and other public and private entities to further the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with a group of historians, scholars, and other experts, to report to specified House and Senate committees on issues related to such Site and other historic sites in the Hudson River Valley no later than two years after enactment of this Act. Establishes the Thomas Cole Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary on the management and development of the Site. Requires the Secretary, within five years, to submit to specified House and Senate committees a general management plan for the preservation and use of the Site and other historic sites in the Hudson River Valley. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Grants the United States Claims Court jurisdiction to hear, determine, and render judgment upon any claim for back pay by a named individual against the United States arising out of the termination of her employment at the United States Information Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1989 - Amends Federal law to declare as nonmailable any mail matter which is designed to resemble a bill, invoice, or statement of account due, but which in fact constitutes a solicitation of donations. Requires such mail matter to bear on its face in conspicuous type that it is a solicitation of donations and that the addressee is under no obligation to make any payment. Declares as nonmailable any mail matter which constitutes a solicitation by a non-governmental entity: (1) for the purchase of products or services which are provided free of charge or at a lower price by the Federal Government, or which are substantially the same as such products or services; (2) for the purchase of products or services and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term or symbol which reasonably could be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement; and (3) for the contribution of funds and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term which could reasonably be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement. Allows the mailing of such matter if it contains a conspicuous disclaimer that it is not a Government document. Establishes penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop and implement a method for determining, on an annual basis, the cost of living in each area of the country relative to the cost of living in the District of Columbia. Provides for adjusting the rates of pay for Federal employees in any area where the cost of living is higher than the District's.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a special 60-day part B enrollment period for individuals who enter the United States after having resided continuously outside the country for the preceding 12 months. Eliminates part B premium increases for months during which an individual resides outside the United States if such months are part of a continuous 12-month period during which such individual was outside the country at least 330 days.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Social Security Work Incentives Act of 1989 - Title I: Disabled and Working Status under Title II of the Social Security Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to reduce monthly disability benefits by 50 percent of a beneficiary's monthly earnings in excess of $85. Limits the total amount by which an individual's OASDI disability benefits may be reduced if such individual is also eligible for benefits provided under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Act to individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite severe medical impairment. Prohibits deductions from disability-based child insurance benefits for the recovery of prior overpayments resulting from a failure to reduce such benefits on the basis of earnings. Extends to current OASDI disability beneficiaries the rule preventing reductions in the primary insurance amount for prior recipients. Continues an individual's entitlement to disability benefits while such individual is under disabled and working status, meaning that such individual is earning enough to be considered engaged in substantial gainful activity, but would otherwise continue to satisfy eligibility requirements. Sets a four-year limit on the Medicare hospital insurance eligibility (under part A of title XVIII of the Act) of individuals who owe their eligibility to their disabled and working status under the OASDI program. Amends the Medicare program to authorize such individuals to enroll for hospital insurance benefits upon the termination of such four-year limit. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act to cover Medicare cost-sharing amounts for individuals of disabled and working status who are entitled to enroll for Medicare hospital insurance benefits and whose income and resources do not exceed 300 percent of the Federal poverty level and the SSI resource eligibility limit, respectively. Requires States to collect a coinsurance percentage from such individuals pursuant to a sliding scale which increases such percentage from 0 to 100 percent in reasonable increments as incomes move from 150 to 300 percent of the Federal poverty level. Extends to all recipients of disability-based child's insurance benefits the rule permitting continued entitlement to Medicaid benefits of individuals who would remain eligible for SSI benefits but for their receipt of such child's insurance benefits. Title II: Amendments Relating to the Disabled and Working Status Program Under Title XVI of the Social Security Act - Amends the SSI program to exclude spousal income in determining a disabled and working individual's eligibility for SSI and Medicaid benefits. Excludes from such an individual's income, for SSI eligibility determinations: (1) earned income necessary for the costs of attendant care services; and (2) if such individual receives a State supplementary payment, impairment-related work expenses. Provides Medicaid coverage to individuals who become ineligible for SSI benefits by reason of a cost of living increase in OASDI benefits. Precludes the attainment of age 65 from serving as a basis for the termination of Medicaid eligibility under the SSI program. Includes State supplementary payments in determining a disabled and working individual's eligibility for SSI and Medicaid benefits. Treats royalties from the publication of an individual's work and scholarships which have not been excluded from income as earned income in determining the SSI and Medicaid eligibility of a disabled and working individual.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends title V (Administration and Coordination of the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse) of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program for the certification of laboratories engaging in the performance of toxicological urinalysis conducted for drug testing programs. Sets forth certification program requirements. Sets forth allowed and prohibited acts related to testing under the certification program. Establishes civil monetary penalties and terms of imprisonment for violations. Allows standards which are more stringent than those in this Act. Directs the Secretary to require the payment of fees by a laboratory to recover the costs of certification, recertification, and other activities under the certification program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Anti-Terrorism and Arms Export Amendments Act of 1989 - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the Government or U.S. persons from exporting or providing munitions items to, or facilitating (through loans, credits, guarantees, or other financial assistance) the acquisition of munitions by, any country, or any individual or group in a country, which, as determined by the Secretary of State, has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. Permits the rescission of a determination of the Secretary only after the President makes specified certifications to the Congress concerning the country involved. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition with respect to transactions determined to be vital to national security after consulting with, and reporting to, the Congress. Exempts from such prohibition transactions subject to reporting requirements of the National Security Act of 1947. Authorizes additional waivers pursuant to authority under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 in exceptional circumstances where time is of the essence and the President consults with and submits a report to the Congress at least 24 hours prior to granting such a waiver. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties for violations of this Act. Requires the Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, in making decisions concerning the issuance of export licenses, to consider whether the export of an article will support international terrorism. Requires the Director's evaluation of an arms sale submitted to the Congress to include an evaluation of whether the sale would support international terrorism. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to require a validated license for the export of goods or technology to a country if the Secretary determines that: (1) such country has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism; and (2) such exports could contribute to the military potential of such country or would enhance the ability of such country to support acts of international terrorism. Removes the $1,000,000 threshold for notification to the Congress of the issuance of an export license. Revises the President's authority to rescind the Secretary's determination. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit the provision of any assistance under such Act, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, the Peace Corps Act, or the Export-Import Bank Act to any country which the Secretary determines has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. Authorizes the President to: (1) rescind such a determination only after making specified certifications to the Congress concerning the country involved; and (2) waive such prohibition for national security interests or humanitarian reasons only after consulting with, and reporting to, the Congress. Requires the President, in order to rescind a determination by the Secretary that a country supports international terrorism, to certify to the Congress that: (1) there has been a fundamental change in the leadership and policies of the government concerned and such government is not supporting acts of international terrorism and has provided assurances not to do so in the future; or (2) the government concerned has not provided any support for international terrorism during the preceding six-month period and has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to specify that any presidential designation to place a defense item on the munitions list shall be final and conclusive and shall not be subject to judicial review. Directs the President to include in required quarterly reports to the Congress concerning military exports a listing of: (1) all consents granted to third-party transfers of defense articles or defense services exceeding $1,000,000 in value; and (2) munitions items exceeding $250,000 in value transferred by the Department of Defense to other agencies of the U.S. Government, excluding items transferred for use within the United States or for intelligence activities subject to other reporting requirements under the National Security Act of 1947. Revises requirements for reporting the use of foreign assistance funds where it is inadvisable to specify the nature of the use of such funds to require that such a report be transmitted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives rather than to the Speaker of the House. Amends the Hostage Act to specify that the President may not use any means otherwise prohibited by law in attempting to cause the release of U.S. citizens imprisoned by foreign governments. (Current law specifies that the President may not use any means amounting to acts of war.) Specifies that the use by any government of armed force in the exercise of individual or collective self-defense in accordance with applicable international agreements and customary international law shall not be considered an act of international terrorism for purposes of this Act.
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
Condemns the Government of Greece for permitting an alleged Palestinian terrorist, Abdel al-Zomar, to leave Greece and for denying the extradition request of the Government of Italy. Urges the Government of Greece to adhere to the U.S.-Greek extradition treaty and to extradite Mohammed Rashid to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1988
Federal Credit Reform Act of 1988 - Establishes procedures for the budgetary treatment and financing of Federal direct loan and loan guarantee programs. Defines "subsidy" as: the difference in cost to the borrower between the direct loan or guaranteed loan and alternative private financing potentially available to the borrower for the same or similar purpose. Makes any direct loan obligation of a Federal agency an obligation of the Direct Loan Fund. Requires each agency to include in its budget proposal for a fiscal year: (1) the planned level of new direct loan obligations and new loan guarantee commitments; and (2) the estimated subsidies associated with each. Prohibits an agency from making a direct loan obligation or loan guarantee commitment unless: (1) funds have been appropriated or are available on a permanent indefinite basis for the subsidy; or (2) the use of funds otherwise available to the agency for the subsidy has been limited. Provides that the loan subsidy amount shall constitute the obligation of the agency and the difference between such amount and the face value of the loan shall constitute the obligation of the Direct Loan Fund. Requires the subsidy to be paid as the loan is disbursed. Makes any loan guarantee commitment of a Federal agency a commitment of the Guaranteed Loan Fund. Requires the relevant subsidy to be paid to the Guaranteed Loan Fund when the underlying loan agreement is executed. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury a Federal Credit Direct Loan Fund and a Federal Credit Guaranteed Loan Fund to serve as central revolving funds and financing mechanisms for all new Federal direct loans and loan guarantees respectively. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to receive into the respective Funds as appropriate: (1) subsidy payments from Federal agencies; (2) payments due the Government for direct loans; (3) proceeds from the sale of direct loans and from the sale of any collateral received as the result of defaults on direct or guaranteed loans; and (4) fees due the Government for loan guarantees. Sets forth the Secretary's duties in managing the Funds. Requires the head of each agency authorized to make or guarantee loans to: (1) request annual appropriations for the subsidized portions of agency loans; (2) conduct loan programs within specified limitations; and (3) pay to the Funds all relevant loan collections. Provides for the budgetary treatment of direct loan and loan guarantee subsidies as agency obligations and of financing requirements of credit programs exceeding agency subsidies as obligations of the relevant Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to use the proceeds of the sale of any securities issued under the Second Liberty Bond Act to: (1) finance direct loans to the extent not covered by agency subsidy payments and direct loan sales; and (2) pay claims, resulting from federally-guaranteed loans, in excess of Guaranteed Loan Fund reserves. Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to liquidate debt incurred by the Funds due to operating losses. Authorizes appropriations to agencies for subsidies associated with proposed direct loan obligations and proposed loan guarantee commitments, including current indefinite budget authority for subsidies associated with entitlements. Includes as "deposit insurance agencies" the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Provides that: (1) obligations of deposit insurance agencies to make direct loans to the public or to assume loan assets shall remain obligations of such agencies; and (2) commitments to guarantee loans shall remain commitments of such agencies. Requires each deposit insurance agency to include in its budget proposal the estimated subsidy costs associated with proposed direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments. Makes technical and conforming amendments. Preempts previous law governing the same subject matter to the extent the law is inconsistent with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1988
Grants the United States Claims Court jurisdiction to hear, determine, and render judgment upon any claim for back pay by a named individual against the United States arising out of the termination of her employment at the United States Information Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1988
Neighborhood Housing Services Act of 1988 - Amends the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act to authorize FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. States that appropriations in excess of amounts necessary for existing Corporation services shall be available in specified amounts for: (1) mutual housing associations; (2) expansion of the neighborhood housing services network; and (3) expansion of such services' loan purchasing capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1988
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the country of origin marking law requiring that imported manhole rings, frames, or covers be marked on the top surface.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1988
Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop and implement a method for determining, on an annual basis, the cost of living in each area of the country relative to the cost of living in the District of Columbia. Provides for adjusting the rates of pay for Federal employees in any area where the cost of living is higher than the District's.
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 · 27 September 1988
Chemical Warfare Control Act - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to set forth as U.S. policy the use of export controls to curtail transfers of material and technology used in producing chemical weapons. Requires the President to prepare a list of materials and technology which would assist a country's chemical warfare capability. Prohibits the export of such materials and technology to Iran, Iraq, Libya, or Syria or, at the President's discretion and upon notification to the Congress, to additional countries. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition upon determining that an export will not assist a country's chemical warfare capability. Authorizes the exclusion of any country from such prohibition beginning 30 days after the President submits the name of such country to the Congress. Requires the President, no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter, to submit to specified House and Senate members and committees a report on: (1) the efforts by Iran, Libya, and Syria to acquire the materials to produce chemical weapons; and (2) the present and future capability of such countries to produce such weapons. Requires the report to: (1) assess whether Communist-bloc countries have aided such countries in acquiring such materials; (2) list companies in non-Communist countries which have exported items on the President's list to such countries; and (3) provide credible information that any non-Communist country has aided such countries. Directs the President to apply sanctions to any foreign person who exports any item on the list to any such country. Requires that such sanctions prohibit: (1) contracting with and procuring products and services from a sanctioned person by the U.S. Government; and (2) importing products produced by such person into the United States. Declares that the President shall not apply sanctions in the case of procurement of defense articles and services if: (1) the articles and services are under existing contracts; (2) the President determines that the person to whom sanctions would apply is the sole supplier of essential defense articles or services; or (3) the President determines that such articles or services are essential to national security. Prohibits the application of sanctions to: (1) contracts entered into before the President notifies the Congress of the intention to impose sanctions; (2) spare parts; (3) component parts; (4) routine servicing and maintenance of products; or (5) information and technology.
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 · 14 September 1988
Congratulates Israel and Egypt for a decade of peace based upon the Camp David accords. Calls upon other Arab states and Palestinians to join in the peace process, renounce the state of war and acts of violence, and enter into direct negotiations with Israel to achieve a lasting peace.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1988
Prevention of Genocide Act of 1988 - Makes certain findings concerning the use of chemical weapons by Iraq and Iraq's treatment of the Kurdish people. Requires the U.S. Executive Director or representative at all international financial institutions to vote against all loans to Iraq. Prohibits the provision of any assistance, the sale of any kind of military equipment, the provision of any credits, or the provision of any credit guarantees to Iraq. Prohibits the sale or transfer to Iraq of any item subject to export control by any agency of the United States. Prohibits the importation of any oil or petroleum products produced in Iraq. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions if he determines and certifies to the Congress that: (1) Iraq is not committing genocide against the Kurdish population in Iraq; and (2) Iraq is not using chemical weapons banned by the 1925 Geneva Conventions and has provided reliable assurances that it will not use such weapons. Expresses the sense of the Congress: (1) commending the Government of Turkey for its humanitarian decision to host thousands of Kurdish people fleeing extermination in Iraq; and (2) that the United States shall provide assistance to Kurdish refugees in need of medical treatment and other humanitarian aid.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1988
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to the family of Brigadier General Herbert Wassom in recognition of the dedicated public service of General Wassom. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1988
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to the family of the late Arnold Raphel, the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, in recognition of his dedicated public service. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Labor, in cooperation with the ACTION Agency, should publicize and promote projects under the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Older American Community Service Employment Program that encourage and recruit older individuals to provide child care services in community-based child care centers.
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 · 28 July 1988
Condemns the Romanian Government's systematic violation of human rights. Protests the planned program of destruction of traditional settlements in violation of human rights, minority cultural rights, and property rights. Urges institutional reforms by the Romanian Government to comply with international agreements, including the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Urges continued presidential and Secretary of State action to bring about reforms. Urges the President not to consider providing any special benefit for Romania until a thorough human rights reform is instituted, including substantial actual improvement in the right of emigration, the rights of national minorities, and freedom of religion.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1988
Designates September 13, 1989, as Uncle Sam Day in honor of Samuel Wilson of the city of Troy, New York, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the city. (Samuel Wilson was the progenitor of the national symbol, Uncle Sam.)
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1988
Rural Electrification Administration Lending Assistance Improvements Act of 1988 - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to limit after September 30, 1988, the Rural Electrification Administration's (REA) authority to guarantee loans to 70 percent for electric distribution and subtransmission facilities and telephone facilities and 80 percent for electric generation and transmission facilities. Prohibits REA guarantees of loans from any Federal lending agency after such date. Revises guaranteed loan and direct or insured loan prepayment provisions. Reduces the maximum amount of funds that a borrower may invest. Prohibits the REA from insuring loans after such date unless specified findings are made. Bases interest rates on comparable U.S. obligations, with a minimum rate of five percent. Prohibits the REA from guaranteeing loans after such date to certain metropolitan area borrowers for: (1) recreation purposes; or (2) telephone service improvement if the borrower's gross revenues exceed specified amounts. Prohibits the issuance of class A stock after September 30, 1988. Requires 51 percent of such stock to be redeemed on September 30, 1995, with the remaining stock redeemed and retired by September 30, 2005. Repeals the provision creating a telephone bank reserve for losses due to interest rate changes. Requires the telephone bank to retire all Treasury-held debentures by September 30, 1995. Prohibits the further issuance of such debentures. Provides for the privatization of the telephone bank.