United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Community Mental Health Coordination Act of 1987 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require area agencies on aging to coordinate their outreach and mental health services with the outreach and mental health services provided by community mental health centers and other public agencies and nonprofit private organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency having substantial procurement or grant-making authority to develop rural area business enterprise development plans. Requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish uniform guidelines for all Federal agencies to use in rural area business development programs. Directs each Federal agency required to develop a rural area business development plan to assist small businesses in rural areas by providing direct assistance, procurement assistance, and management and technical assistance to such small businesses and by providing incentives for greater subcontracting by Federal prime contractors and grant recipients with such small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Ethanol Motor Fuel Act of 1987 - Mandates that in any calendar year beginning with calendar year 1988, the total quantity of motor fuel sold annually in U.S. commerce by wholesale distributors shall contain, on the average, not less than a specified percentage of ethanol by volume. Sets forth a computation formula for measuring the percentage of ethanol in motor fuel sold by a wholesale distributor. Requires wholesale distributors of motor fuel to report to the Secretary of Energy regarding ethanol sales and credits. Imposes a civil penalty on wholesale distributors for violation of the ethanol-blended fuel requirements. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote ethanol use in motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Rural Development Reorganization Act of 1987 - Title I: Reorganization of the Department of Agriculture - Renames the Department of Agriculture the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development to establish and maintain a revitalized nationwide rural development program as set forth in the Rural Development Act of 1972, the Rural Development Policy Act of 1980, and this Act. Establishes in such Department a Rural Development Administration headed by an Administrator appointed by the Secretary, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Secretary to transfer to the Rural Development Administration those agencies, offices, or entities in the Department performing rural development functions. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to expand the number of designated assistance areas from 225 to 450. Establishes within the Rural Development Administration an Office of Advocacy for Rural Development, whose Chief Counsel shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Specifies the functions and duties of such Office. Directs the Comptroller General to investigate and report to the President and the Congress about services, functions, and missions of other Federal departments and agencies which could be transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Directs the Secretary to report, by geographical areas of the United States, to the Congress: (1) within six months after enactment of this Act on the extent to which rural development offices and activities of the Federal Government were located or relocated to rural areas during FY 1981 through 1986; and (2) within six months after the end of each fiscal year beginning with FY 1987 on the extent to which Federal offices and activities were located or relocated to rural areas. Title II: State Cooperative Agreements and Plans - Authorizes the Administrator, Rural Development Administration, to enter into cooperative agreements with States: (1) to delegate to any State the authority to cooperate in carrying out the provisions of this Act; and (2) to assist States in the development and administration of Federal programs that provide educational opportunities, job training, health services, and other specified benefits to rural residents. Conditions any agreement or financial assistance under this Act upon a State's submission for approval of a comprehensive plan for a State rural development program. Permits the Secretary and other Federal agency heads to enter into agreements with State and local governments to provide educational training, job training, health services, and other benefits to rural residents. Directs the Administrator in cooperation with the Secretary to use the Cooperative State Extension Service to inform rural residents about such programs. Establishes in the National Agricultural Library the National Rural Assistance Information Clearinghouse, which shall distribute information and data about Federal, State, and local programs. Title III: Rural Technology Grants - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit institutions to establish rural technology development centers to seek to improve rural economic conditions. Permits the Secretary to provide employment-related technical assistance to economically distressed rural areas. Title IV: Special Grants - Amends the Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to programs assisting displaced farmers. Specifies the kinds of services to be provided. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Miscellaneous Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to the Community Economic Development Act of 1981 and other Federal law. Title VI: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions. Title VII: Block Grants - Subtitle A: Rural Development Assistance Grant - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Rural Development Administration to make grants to States: (1) to provide rural economic development technical assistance, rural community leadership development, and community and areawide rural economic development planning; or (2) for measures designed to facilitate development of private business enterprises. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Rural Infrastructure Block Grant Act - Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year, to allocate to each State funds for rural infrastructure development according to a congressionally approved formula. Lists factors to be considered in devising such formula. Requires submission of a proposed formula to the agriculture committees of both Houses of Congress. Makes such proposed formula effective after 90 calendar days unless a joint resolution is enacted either disapproving the formula or substituting another formula. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy - Directs the President, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to appoint a Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy who shall: (1) systematically review Federal programs affecting rural areas; and (2) assist in the preparation of a comprehensive rural development strategy designed to maximize the effectiveness and increase the responsiveness of Federal programs to rural areas. Requires the Secretary, within one year after enactment of this Act, to transmit the rural development strategy to the congressional agriculture committees and to report annually to such committees on any changes to such strategy. Requires the Special Assistant to use the Office of the President to maximize coordination of Federal programs affecting rural areas. Title IX: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Project ACCESS - Establishes a two-year demonstration program that will provide a wide array of services to secondary school students in rural sections of the country to encourage entry into and successful completion of postsecondary education programs, career planning, and return to the rural community. Authorizes the Secretary of Education, in accordance with specified provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1986, to support development of Project ACCESS Program capability in any or all of the nine Educational Research Laboratories. Sets forth application requirements and services to be incorporated as part of the programming under Project Access. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and 1989 to supplement the contracts now held by the nine regional educational laboratories administered by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) for purposes of this program. Subjects this program to ratable reductions. Requires regional educational laboratories wishing to develop and operate a demonstration Project ACCESS Program to request a modification of their existing OERI contracts. Sets forth required contents of such proposed contract modifications. Requires OERI to prepare and submit a report to the Congress on the impact of this demonstration program, including recommendations of the regional laboratories, by November 30, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to provide leadership and coordination with respect to policies affecting procurement programs for rural areas. Directs the Administrator to: (1) coordinate with and advise State and local officials with regard to Federal efforts to encourage procurement in rural areas with the aim of fostering economic development in such areas; (2) establish specific rural area procurement targets for executive agencies consistent with awards or contracts for small business concerns; and (3) encourage the use of set asides or other appropriate methods for meeting procurement targets for rural areas. Requires executive agencies to cooperate with the Administrator's responsibilities for rural area programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Alzheimer's Disease Coordination Act of 1987 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require area agencies on aging to coordinate their in-home services, legal assistance, and services associated with access to services with the activities of community-based organizations established for the benefit of Alzheimer's disease victims and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Older Americans Transportation Act of 1987 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Commissioner on Aging to conduct a study to determine for FY 1988: (1) the extent to which funding for such Act was used for transportation services (including the delivery of goods and services) benefiting older individuals; and (2) the relative importance of such transportation services for older individuals. Requires the Commissioner to submit a report to the Congress by March 31, 1989, summarizing the results of such study and containing recommendations for improving such services.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Medigap and Long-Term Care Insurance Counseling Act of 1987 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require area agencies on aging to coordinate volunteer services to assist older individuals in evaluating the provisions of medical insurance policies which such individuals are considering for purchase in order to supplement Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) benefits. Directs the Administration on Aging to provide such volunteer programs with technical assistance. Requires States to develop information that older individuals may use to select from among the medical insurance policies which are available to supplement Medicare benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to permit Rural Electrification Administration borrowers to prepay Federal Financing Bank loans without penalties if: (1) private capital is used to replace such loans; and (2) any savings will be used to avoid future rate increases, passed on to customers, or used to improve the borrower's financial strength.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Elderly Victims of Crime Act of 1987 - Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to require States (in order to receive grants from the Crime Victims Fund) to certify that priority will be given to eligible programs which provide assistance to elderly crime victims.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Elder Abuse Information Act of 1987 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) acquire statistical data about the incidence of elder abuse for 1988 and 1989 and publish annual summaries of such data; and (2) modify the uniform crime reporting program of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to include data, for types of offenses that may involve elder abuse, on the age of the victim and the victim's relationship to the offender.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Sets forth the concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1988 and the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1989 and 1990. Sets forth levels and amounts of Federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, and deficits for FY 1988 through 1990 for purposes of determining whether the maximum defict amounts set forth in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) have been exceeded. Recommends levels of Federal revenues of $672,000,000,000 for FY 1988, $712,000,000,000 for FY 1989, and $776,700,000,000 for 1990. Sets the amount by which the aggregate levels of Federal revenues should be increased at $12,000,000,000 for FY 1988, $11,600,000,000 for FY 1989, and $12,600,000,000 for FY 1990. Designates the following amounts of Federal revenues for Federal Insurance Contributions Act revenues: (1) $59,700,000,000 for FY 1988; (2) $63,900,000,000 for FY 1989; and $68,900,000,000 for FY 1990. Sets the appropriate levels of total new budget authority at $902,700,000,000 for FY 1988, $957,400,000,000 for FY 1989, and $995,700,000,000 for FY 1990. States that the appropriate levels of total budget outlays are $836,100,000,000 for FY 1988, $875,500,000,000 for FY 1989, and $914,900,000,000 for FY 1990. Sets the amount of the deficit at $164,400,000,000 for FY 1988, $163,500,000,000 for FY 1989, and $138,200,000,000 for FY 1990. Sets the appropriate levels of the public debt at $2,580,400,000,000 for FY 1988, $2,810,900,000,000 for FY 1989, and $3,014,000,000,000 for FY 1990. Sets forth the appropriate levels of total Federal credit activity as follows: (1) $33,205,303,000 for new direct loan obligations and $149,583,221,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1988; (2) $31,907,373,000 for new direct loan obligations and $150,748,217,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1989; and (3) $30,617,576,000 for new direct loan obligations and $158,306,087,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1990. Sets forth the levels of budget authority, budget outlays, new direct obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for each major functional category for FY 1988 through 1990. Requires all standing committees of the House of Representatives to make recommendations for FY 1988 for programs within their jurisdiction necessary to carry out proposed reductions in the deficit of $30,000,000,000 and submit such recommendations to the House Budget Committee. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means to report changes in the law within the jurisdiction of that committee sufficient to increase revenues in FY 1988 by $12,000,000,000 and submit its recommendations to the House Budget Committee. Requires the House Committee on Government Operations to recommend proposed legislation to eliminate any constitutional defects in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Directs the Committee on the Budget to report to the House a reconciliation bill or resolution carrying out such recommendations. Directs the Congressional Budget Office to review such recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Encourages State and local governments and local educational agencies to provide quality daily physical education programs for all children from kindergarten through grade 12.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1987
Indochinese Refugee Resettlement and Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a specific time period in which the President must consult with the Congress regarding emergency refugee admissions. States that the Secretary of State shall have sole authority to admit certain South Asian refugees. Prohibits denial of refugee status to aliens who are otherwise eligible for immigrant classification. Allocates a specified number of FY 1988 through 1990 refugee admissions for: (1) East Asians; and (2) the Orderly Departure Program (from Vietnam). Expresses the sense of the Congress that under the leadership of the United States renewed efforts should be made to settle Indochinese refugees who have lived in camps for at least three years. Allocates specified numbers of FY 1988 through 1990 East Asian entries for: (1) persons who have lived in refugee camps for at least three years; and (2) other camp residents. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to allocate specified amounts from FY 1988 and 1989 authorizations for education, economic, and military training border projects in Thailand. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the international community should increase efforts to protect Indochinese refugee camps in Thailand from cross-border attacks, and that international personnel should be present on a 24-hour-a-day basis at camp "Site 2" in Thailand.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1987
Suspends nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) for products of Romania entered into the United States during the one-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. Allows the President to restore nondiscriminatory treatment to products of Romania prior to the end of such period if the President submits a report to the Congress, before the 181st day of the suspension year, containing: (1) the annual objectives of the United States toward achieving the gradual reduction of Romanian human rights violations during the remainder of the suspension year and the reduction and termination of such violations during the five succeeding years; and (2) recommendations regarding actions to be taken by the United States within such five-year period to achieve such objectives. Allows the President to extend nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of Romania during each of the five succeeding years if the President submits a report to the Congress before the beginning of each year stating that the Romanian Government is achieving the applicable human rights violation reduction objectives. Provides for the termination of such nondiscriminatory treatment for any part of such years by enactment of a joint resolution disapproving of the extension of such nondiscriminatory treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1987
World War I Veterans' Service Pension Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly pension of $150 to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements. Requires such veteran, if receiving another pension administered by the Veterans Administration (VA), to elect which pension he will receive. Provides for the payment of a monthly pension of $100 to surviving spouses of World War I veterans who meet certain marriage requirements. Requires such surviving spouses to choose between pensions if they are currently receiving another pension through the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1987
Food Security Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to base 1987 through 1990 wheat and feed grain deficiency payments on the first five months of each marketing year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Home Health and Hospice Care Waiver Extension Act of 1987 - Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 to continue, until FY 1990, waivers of liability which provide that home health agencies and hospice programs which keep their services for which Medicare coverage (under title XVIII of the Social Security Act) is denied below specified percentages shall not be denied payment for such care. (Currently, the home health agency waiver expires one year after certain regional intermediaries begin to service such agencies and the hospice program waiver expires on November 1, 1988.)
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Home Health Communications Act of 1987 - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct a fiscal intermediary to provide each home health agency it serves a copy of a written notice and communication of a nonwritten notice of any change in Medicare home health policy within seven days of receiving such notice from the Department of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Home Health Informed Consumers Act of 1987 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the publication, distribution, and periodic revision of a booklet informing current and potential consumers of home health services regarding Medicare coverage of such services. Requires that such booklet include a description of the: (1) process for the review and appeal of coverage denials; and (2) guidelines applied in determining whether an individual is homebound and whether he or she needs skilled nursing care on an intermittent basis. Requires that such booklet be published and distributed within one year of this Act's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Home Health Medical Necessity Standards Act of 1987 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that in determining whether home health services meet the Medicare requirement that covered services be reasonable and necessary: (1) medical care prescribed by a physician shall be considered reasonable and necessary unless it is deemed by expert, unbiased medical evidence to be otherwise; and (2) the individual's particular circumstances shall be taken into account, but not whether the individual's condition is acute or chronic.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Home Health Prompt Reconsideration Act of 1987 - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct a fiscal intermediary to act fully on reconsideration of a payment denial for home health services and give the individual and home health agency involved notice of its findings within 90 days after the reconsideration request is filed. Requires intermediaries to pay interest on the claim for the period during which the reconsideration findings are past due, regardless of whether or not the claim is ultimately paid. Makes such interest penalty inapplicable when the home health agency receives periodic interim payments for its services.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1987
Satellite Television Fair Marketing Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the encrypting of satellite programming from the Public Broadcasting Service and the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. Requires anyone who encrypts satellite delivered programming for private viewing to: (1) make it available for private viewing by home satellite antenna users; (2) establish reasonable character and financial criteria for distributors of satellite delivered programming and not discriminate in prices, terms, or conditions among distributors offering similar distribution services; and (3) conduct such encryption according to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - approved standards designed to comply with specified criteria. Requires the FCC-approved standards to provide the public interest benefits of a universal encryption system permitting decryption by cable television subscribers and home satellite users. Authorizes aggrieved persons to commence civil actions to enforce this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a study of pricing and distribution terms of satellite television programming to determine whether the programming market is developing competitively. Authorizes the FTC to establish remedies necessary to produce adequate competition. Requires the FCC to begin a rulemaking proceeding on improving access to network signals for rural Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1987
Airline Passenger Equity Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to require commercial air carriers engaged in the transportation of passengers in the United States (including foreign air and commuter air carriers) to report to the Secretary on a monthly basis specified information regarding flight delays, cancellations, reroutings, luggage status performance, and "bumped" passengers. Requires the Secretary to make such information available to the public at all public airports in a timely fashion. Directs the Secretary to require that each such air carrier disclose to each passenger at the time of ticket purchase specified information regarding flight cancellations, overbookings, delays, liability for luggage, and food and restroom accommodations on such flight. Directs the Secretary to prohibit air carriers from advertising a fare for any flight at a particular price unless the carrier offers at least one-third of the seats for such flight at the advertised price, or unless the air carrier makes a general disclosure that fewer than one-third of such seats are available at that particular price. Prohibits any air carrier from cancelling a flight for economic reasons unless reasonable efforts are made to notify each passenger and to make similar services available within a reasonable time. Establishes a civil penalty for violations of regulations under this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a 24-hour toll-free consumer hotline and to prominently publicize such hotlines availability at airports.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1987
Higher Education Technical Amendments Act of 1987 - Amends provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 relating to: (1) the selection criteria for institutional challenge grant eligibility, including provisions for the waiver of certain requirements in certain cases when the Secretary of Education determines that such a waiver will substantially increase higher education opportunities appropriate to the needs of American Indians; (2) the value of a principal residence for the purpose of computations to determine Pell grant eligibility in certain cases involving dislocated workers or displaced homemakers; (3) the definition of "untaxed income and benefits" for the purpose of computing annual adjusted family income for Pell grant eligibility determinations; (4) the formula used in assessing institutional need for purposes of the allocation of funding for supplemental educational opportunity grants; (5) authorizations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the high school equivalency and the college assistance migrant programs; (6) special child care services for disadvantaged college students; (7) per student aggregate loan limits; (8) variable interest rates on supplemental and PLUS loans, and limitation, repayment, and refinancing criteria applicable to such loans; (9) PLUS loan deferments; (10) consolidation loans; (11) insurance program agreements to qualify loans for interest subsidies; (12) guaranty agreements for reimbursing loans; (13) the computation of the interest rate on loans under the income contingent direct loan demonstration project; (14) the financial needs assessment of students, including provisions governing the discretion of a student financial aid administrator to make necessary adjustments to allow for the treatment of individual students with special circumstances; and (15) the eligibility of preschool teachers for the Congressional Teacher Scholarship program. Amends the Higher Education Amendments of 1986 relating to: (1) effective dates; and (2) the conduct of certain required studies. Amends the General Education Provisions Act concerning the disposition of certain funds received by the Center for Education Statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1987
Rural Worker Readjustment Act - Amends title III of the Job Training Partnership Act to allow the Secretary of Labor to use discretionary funds to provide assistance to individuals who are affected by economic downturns, such as those occurring in the agriculture industry. Allows the Governor of any State receiving allocations under such Act to reserve up to 30 percent for: (1) administration, technical assistance, and coordination; and (2) rapid response capabilities and for programs addressing statewide or regional displacement problems. Requires the remainder of funds to be distributed according to a formula established by the Governor, in consultation with the State advisory council. Subjects such formula to approval by the Secretary. Lists types of information which must be considered when establishing such a formula. Allows a farmer or rancher to be identified as an eligible dislocated worker if: (1) the operation of the farm or ranch will terminate because of one or more listed events (foreclosure, failure to return a profit during the preceding 12 months, bankruptcy proceedings, the inability to obtain necessary capital, the failure to make payments on loans secured by farm premises, or total debts exceeding 70 percent of total farm assets); or (2) the farmer or rancher is determined to leave farming or ranching because of excessive debts. Requires each State to ensure the establishment of a rapid response capability. Requires funds allotted by the Governor under such Act to be allotted among service providers to: (1) establish centers to provide for the comprehensive delivery of authorized services; and (2) insure the delivery such services to dislocated workers. Requires each service provider to submit a biennial plan to the Governor describing its programs, activities, and goals. Expands the authorized activities which may be provided under such Act to include: (1) basic education and occupational skills assessment; (2) literacy skills assessment; (3) basic, remedial and literacy education; and (4) the establishment and maintenance of rapid response capabilities. Allows a substate grantee to provide support services to participants if necessary to facilitate participation in an authorized program. Directs the Secretary to develop a means by which statistical data relating to rural unemployment can be collected and to publish a report based on such data.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Telephone Decency Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any obscene or indecent telephone communication, in foreign or interstate communication or in the District of Columbia, for commercial purposes to any person. (Current law prohibits such communication to any person without his or her consent or to any person under 18 years of age.)
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
National Flood Insurance Improvement Act of 1987 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to establish a schedule of payments for a structure covered by flood insurance if such structure is condemned by a State or local authority because it is located on land along the shore of a body of water that is subject to imminent collapse. Sets forth a schedule of payments following condemnation and dismantlement before the structure collapses. Limits the amount of payment if such land collapses or subsides before the owner dismantles and removes the structure, but after the owner has a reasonable period of time following condemnation (or after the date of enactment of this Act, whichever occurs later) to dismantle and remove it.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Acknowledges the magnanimity of the Marshall plan and the efforts of the Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Virginia, to continue the values for which George C. Marshall stood, and asks all Americans to rededicate themselves to the ideals which George C. Marshall represented. Welcomes the publication on June 5, 1987, of the fourth volume of the official biography of George C. Marshall. Designates the month of June 1987 as George C. Marshall Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Marine Resources Investment and Economic Competitiveness Act of 1987 - Expands coverage of the National Sea Grant College and Program Act to include Great Lakes resources. (Current law covers ocean and coastal resources.) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to establish a marine policy fellowship program for the placement of qualified graduate students with the legislative or executive branches of the U.S. Government. Amends the Sea Grant Improvement Act of 1976 to authorize the Secretary to make grants of up to 100 percent to carry out the strategic marine research program. Prohibits granting more than ten percent of the total funds appropriated for any fiscal year to persons in any one State, except for centers of excellence designated as provided in this Act. Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (the Under Secretary), within one year of enactment of this Act, and every three years thereafter, to develop and publish a report identifying and describing priority areas for strategic marine research. Requires submission of the report to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries in the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate. Prohibits the Under Secretary from making such grants until 45 days after receipt of such report by the committees. Authorizes the Secretary, upon making certain findings, to designate centers of excellence in strategic marine research. Requires the Secretary to establish and administer a program of strategic marine research postdoctoral fellowships. Prohibits, except for such centers of excellence, more than ten percent of the fellowship awards being in use at any one sea grant program in the same fiscal year. Prohibits use of a fellowship to support an individual at the institution where that individual received a graduate degree. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts and make grants for specified purposes. Sets eligibility requirements. (Current law requires the Secretary to support a sea grant fellowship program.) Establishes an independent committee to be known as the sea grant review panel, superseding the existing sea grant review panel, within 90 days after the enactment of this Act. Provides for the duties, membership, terms, and powers of such panel. Authorizes appropriations of specified amounts for each of FY 1988 through 1992. Provides for reversion of unused grant funds to the Secretary for use in other grants under the same provision as the original grant. Requires the Secretary, within one year of the enactment of this Act, to prescribe rules and regulations necessary to carry out provisions of this Act regarding the strategic marine research program. Repeals the provision of the current law dealing with the sea grant international program. Repeals provisions relating to a biennial report by the Secretary to the Congress and the President regarding the national sea grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Small Business Trade Remedies Act of 1987 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish within the Small Business Administration's Advocacy Office the Small Business Trade Remedies Office. Provides that the functions of the Office are to assist small businesses by preparing, initiating, and participating in proceedings relating to the administration of U.S. trade laws. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the International Trade Commission (ITC), with respect to countervailing and antidumping duty investigations, to make determinations concerning whether a U.S. small business has been materially injured by reason of imported merchandise upon information (available at the time of the determination) which was provided by the parties to the investigation or generally available to the public. (Previously, determinations were based upon the best information available to the Commission at the time of the determination.) Sets forth special rules the ITC must use in making determinations as to material injury to U.S. small businesses in countervailing and antidumping duty investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Repeals specified provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that eliminated income averaging. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted. Amends the IRC to permit qualified farmers to use income averaging. Defines "qualified farmer" as a person: (1) actively engaged in the trade or business of farming; (2) whose gross income for the three preceding taxable years is at least 50 percent attributable to farming; (3) whose farming business or trade has been substantially affected in the first preceding taxable year by a natural disaster in the United States or by a major disaster or emergency so designated by the President; and (4) whose farming enterprise has sustained, as a result of such disasters, at least a 30 percent loss of normal per acre or per animal production, based on specified criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax exclusion for employee educational assistance programs. (Present law terminates such exclusion as of December 31, 1987.) Requires, for every taxable year beginning after 1988, an annual cost of living adjustment of the maximum excludable amount. Waives the maximum excludable amount for any educational assistance furnished by certain educational institutions to graduate students engaged in teaching or research activities for such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Establishes the Veterans Administration as an executive department redesignated as the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Makes technical and conforming changes, including the redesignation of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs as the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should express to the Soviet Union the U.S. opposition to the Soviet Union's slave labor policies by all possible means, including refusing to permit imports of products made by such labor. Requests the President to end the delay in enforcing the restriction against importing goods produced by forced labor.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Social Security Reorganization Act of 1987 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Subtitle A: Establishment - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Commissioner of Social Security; (2) a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security; (3) a General Counsel; (4) an Inspector General; and (5) an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall represent the interests of beneficiaries under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income Program within the Administration. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a description of the activities of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan as established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to implement demonstration projects relating to personnel matters. Directs the Board and the Administrator of General Services to implement such projects relating to delegations from the Administrator. Specifies the authorities which are to be delegated to the Board from the Administrator and the Director. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees concerning such projects, including an evaluation of the Board's readiness to assume full and permanent authority. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Provides for the transfer to the Administration of all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth effective date and transitional rule provisions. Subtitle B: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs which he or she administers. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Program and an Advisory Council on Hospital and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation between the trust funds supporting the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Medicare program and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each Trust Fund. Sets forth the effective dates of this title. Title II: Social Security Court - Establishes, under article I of the Constitution, a Social Security Court (Court) having exclusive jurisdiction over cases arising under titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), XVI (Supplemental Security Income), XVIII (Medicare), and XI of the Social Security Act. Amends title VII (Administration) of the Act to provide for the President's appointment of 20 judges to the Court. Authorizes review by the Court by means of hearings conducted before filed panels of one or more judges and held in a manner and at locations which the Court's chief judge prescribes as providing claimants with a reasonable opportunity to appear before the Court without great inconvenience. Allows the Court, within certain guidelines, to prescribe its procedural rules and punish, by fine or imprisonment, contempt of its authority. Requires the claimant and Secretary to be given notice and the opportunity to be heard upon a proceeding in the Court. Provides that within 60 days of a field panel's decision such decision shall be the decision of the Court, unless, within that period, a party petitions the Court's chief judge, or the chief judge makes his own motion, for the Court's review of the decision. Requires the publication for public use of precedential decisions. Authorizes any individual who has exhausted administrative remedies and was a party to a final decision rendered after a hearing under title II, XI, XVI, or XVIII of the Act to bring a timely action for review of such decision in the Court. Authorizes the Court to affirm, modify, or reverse the Secretary's decision, but restricts the Court's authority to reconsider factual findings. Subjects the Court's review to regulations of the Secretary or Social Security Board. Gives the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit exclusive jurisdiction to review Social Security Court decisions upon a party's appeal, but prohibits such appeal until the Social Security Court has reviewed or denied a petition for review of its decision. Grants the district courts of the United States exclusive jurisdiction to review any final decision rendered after a hearing under titles II, XI, XVI, or XVIII of the Act if the claim arises under the Constitution or challenges the validity of any regulation of the Secretary or Social Security Board, but requires that the parties stipulate that there is no dispute as to material facts. Authorizes any party to the hearing (other than the Secretary or Social Security Board) to bring such claims to the district courts. Gives the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit exclusive jurisdiction to review the final decisions of the district courts. Requires, when a district court decision necessitates regulatory change, that the Secretary and Social Security Board either make regulations conform to such decision or appeal such decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Abolishes the Department of Health and Human Services' Appeals Council one year after enactment of this Act. Title III: Disability Benefit Entitlement Review Procedures - Amends the OASDI and SSI programs of the Social Security Act to set forth a separate procedure for review of the Secretary's determination that the disability on which a benefit claim is based does not exist. Requires the Secretary, where such a determination is made, to issue a statement of the reasons for such decision and give interested parties notice of their right to an evidentiary hearing before a hearing officer who is not the individual who made the initial determination. Subjects the hearing officer's decision to court review only after an interested party (which may include the Secretary) makes a timely application for review by an administrative law judge. Permits the administrative law judge to modify or reverse the decision only if it is contrary to law or the case presents a novel question of law, though the judge may order additional evidence to be taken before the hearing officer. Authorizes the Secretary to review disability denials when the individual fails to meet time limits on filing for review, but considers a decision by an administrative law judge to be the Secretary's final decision. Alters the method for determining when a period of disability begins. Requires the payment of interim benefits under the OASDI and SSI programs where the Secretary appeals a decision rendered by a hearing officer or administrative law judge which is favorable to the applicant for or recipient of benefits and 60 days pass without resolution of the appeal.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Nuclear Waste Transportation Act - Prohibits any person from offering high-level radioactive waste for transportation in interstate commerce unless a license to do so has been obtained from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission). Prohibits any person from transporting such waste in interstate commerce unless: (1) an order designating the transportation route for such waste has been received from the Commission; and (2) such radioactive waste has been received from a person licensed by the Commission under this Act. Prescribes the guidelines under which the Commission is authorized to issue licenses to offer high-level radioactive wastes for transportation. Requires the Commission to: (1) provide written notification of such license applications to political subdivisions and Indian tribes through whose territories such waste may be transported; (2) solicit comments from the chief official of such affected areas with regard to the routing of such wastes; (3) issue an order to the transporter designating the transportation route for such waste after considering the information provided by the appropriate chief official; and (4) forward a copy of such order to such official. Requires a licensee under this Act to inform any chief official of the: (1) date of such radioactive waste transportation; and (2) emergency response procedures to be implemented in case of an accident. Requires such information to be furnished at least ten days prior to the transportation date. Authorizes the Commission to determine whether a license under this Act shall be effective for a single shipment or for a series of similar shipments from the same location. Prohibits any license from being effective for more than one year. Subjects violators of this Act to certain civil penalties under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.