United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) recognize the legitimacy of the plight of the Namibian people; (2) urge the Government of South Africa to take actions to end its illegal occupation of that country and to implement U.N. Resolution 435; (3) take a role in pursuing the resumption of negotiations between South Africa and the leaders of the Namibian people; (4) reject any policy which links the implementation of Resolution 435 to the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola; and (5) call for the termination of U.S. business in Namibia until South Africa complies with Resolution 435.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Recognizes the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the International Association of Fire Fighters National Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1987
Minority Business Development Act of 1987 - Redesignates the Minority Business Development Agency in the Department of Commerce as the Minority Business Development Administration, to be headed by an Assistant Secretary of Commerce appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on the organizational structure within the Administration and its organizational position in the Department of Commerce. Title I: Market Development - Empowers the Administration to: (1) assist disadvantaged businesses in penetrating domestic and foreign markets by making available to them management and technological assistance, a skilled labor pool, and financial and marketing services; and (2) encourage disadvantaged firms to establish joint ventures and projects to increase their share of the market. Allows the Assistant Secretary of the Administration, if certain conditions are met to approve any agreement between disadvantaged firms or public or private sector organizations providing for a joint program for market development. Exempts from the antitrust laws or the Federal Trade Commission Act any act within the scope of any approved joint program for market development. Authorizes the Administration to provide financial assistance to public and private sector organizations to carry out this Act, unless the assistance is intended primarily to facilitiate the use by disadvantaged businesses of federally-administered programs not established under this Act. Requires the Administration to consult with State and local governments for the purpose of leveraging local resources and recommending local administrative and legislative initiatives to promote the position of disadvantaged businesses. Authorizes the Administration to provide financial assistance to States and cities and to allocate such assistance on the basis of relative populations of disadvantaged individuals, numbers of disadvantaged businesses, and unemployment rates of disadvantaged individuals. Requires the Administration to publish in the Federal Register: (1) amounts available for financial assistance and proposed allocations; (2) responses to public comments in connection with the allocation scheme; and (3) changes in allocation methodology. Title II: Capital Formation - Authorizes the Administration to defray all or part of the costs of pilot projects conducted by public or private organizations and designed to assist disadvantaged businesses in obtaining equity capital. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to cooperate with the Administration to promote access to securities markets for disadvantaged businesses. Establishes within the Treasury a revolving fund to be available to the Administration to provide financial assistance to qualified disadvantaged businesses through the purchase of equity investments in such businesses. Permits the Administration to provide such assistance to qualified businesses only after determining that: (1) such assistance is unavailable on reasonable terms from other sources; (2) the assistance will permit a concern to operate profitably in a reasonable period of time; (3) the proceeds will be used in a reasonable period of time for plant construction, to finance the acquisition of equipment, or to supply working capital; (4) the terms under which the assistance is provided will not be breached by the business; and (5) salaries paid by the business are reasonable. Limits the amount of equity investments that may be purchased by the Administration and be outstanding at any one time. Title III: Management Educational Development - Requires the Administration to: (1) encourage universities, business leaders, and other public and private entities, to offer scholarships, sponsor seminars, and provide internships for the benefit of disadvantaged individuals; and (2) accelerate curriculum design in support of disadvantaged business development. Title IV: Research and Information - Requires the Administration to submit to the Congress a report describing the resources needed to advance and represent disadvantaged businesses in all levels of the economic system in numbers that would have existed were it not for past discrimination. Authorizes the Administration to: (1) provide financial assistance to public and private organizations to assist the Administration in collecting data on the causes for success and failure of disadvantaged businesses and in conducting research on how economic conditions affect their development; (2) develop and maintain a data bank on disadvantaged businesses; and (3) establish an information clearinghouse for data pertinent to disadvantaged business. Title V: Administrative and Miscellaneous Powers of the Administration - Sets forth the administrative powers of the Administration. Requires: (1) recipients of assistance to keep records for audit purposes; (2) the Comptroller General to review and report to the Congress on programs authorized by this Act; and (3) the Assistant Secretary to submit to the Congress an annual report on the Administration's activities. activities to the Congress. Excludes the Administration from the coordination functions of the Small Business Administration's Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1987
Amends the Animal Welfare Act to permit citizen suits to compel enforcement of such Act. Authorizes the court in such suits to award litigation expenses, including attorney fees, to: (1) a prevailing plaintiff; or (2) a prevailing defendant if such action is found to be frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Federal Employees Health Benefits Reform Act of 1987 - Increases the amount of the Government's contribution for an employee enrolled in an employee health benefits plan from 60 to 75 percent of the average subscription charge for such plan. Increases the maximum Government contribution for an enrollee from 75 to 100 percent of such subscription charge. Requires payment of a Government differential equal to five percent of the average subscription charge, in addition to the Government's contribution, for any enrollee who is over 65 years of age and not entitled to Medicare benefits. Excludes such differential in determining the amount to be paid by the enrollee. Permits the following persons to elect to continue coverage under a Federal employees' health benefits plan for a specified period: (1) an employee who is involuntarily separated from the civil service due to a reduction in force; (2) an individual who elects to receive the lump-sum credit for civil service retirement benefits; and (3) an individual 22 years of age or older whose enrollment was based on such individual's being an unmarried child who was incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability which existed and did not terminate before the individual attained the age of 22. Requires such persons who elect to continue coverage to pay into the Employees Health Benefits Fund an amount equal to the sum of employee and agency contributions paid for the same level of benefits. Allows such a person to: (1) change to a lower level of benefits; (2) change coverage within 60 days after a change in family status; and (3) transfer enrollment to another plan under conditions prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Provides a temporary extension of coverage to allow persons who elected not to continue coverage or whose continued coverage is terminated to convert to a nongroup contract providing health benefits. Allows annuitants whose annuity is less than the amount required to be withheld for enrollment in a health benefits plan to pay the amount of any deficiency required for enrollment. Requires contracts for employee organization plans to require carriers to: (1) enter into an agreement approved by OPM with an underwriting subcontractor licensed to issue group health insurance in all States and the District of Columbia; and (2) meet minimum financial standards prescribed by OPM. Requires the service benefit plan and the indemnity benefit plan to provide, in addition to all currently authorized benefits: (1) nervous and mental disorder benefits; (2) alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation benefits; and (3) comprehensive dental benefits. Prohibits the OPM from entering into a contract for any service benefit, indemnity benefit, or employee organization plan which does not provide for 50 outpatient visits and 60 inpatient days of nervous and mental disorder benefits and two 28-day alcoholism treatment and rehabilitation benefits. Requires any limits on nervous and mental disorder benefits to be exceeded on a case by case basis only to the extent that a peer review mechanism determines such treatment to be necessary. Requires 80 percent of such excessive benefit claims to be paid from the balance of one percent of all contributions to the Employees Health Benefits Fund remaining after the expenses of administering provisions governing Federal employees health benefit plans are paid. Prohibits the OPM from entering into a contract with a carrier for any health benefits plan which does not provide 95 percent of the benefits that such plan or the most similar plan provided during the preceding year, unless the carrier and the OPM mutually agree to waive such requirement. Prohibits the OPM from entering into a contract for a health benefits plan which excludes anyone because of nonactive employee status.
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
Government Contractor Whistleblower Protection Act of 1987 - Prohibits a Federal contractor from taking reprisal actions against its officers or employees for disclosing information to a Federal agency regarding performance of a contract with such agency which indicates: (1) a violation of law; or (2) mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a danger to public health or safety. Sets forth civil penalties and remedies for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Fair Trade and Economic Justice Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) promote an open and fair international trading system; (2) strengthen international trading rules to renounce the exploitation of workers in order to gain a competitive advantage in international trade; and (3) treat as an unfair trade practice any competitive advantage derived from denial of workers' rights. Title I: Negotiating Objectives Regarding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and Enforcement of Internationally Recognized Worker Rights - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include among the actions to be taken on trade agreements the enhancement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) through: (1) the adoption of an additional GATT article declaring that the exploitation of workers is an unjustifiable means for a country to gain a competitive trade advantage; (2) the amendment of the GATT to affirm such principle; or (3) the adoption and implementation of a code on internationally recognized worker rights. Prohibits the President from entering into any negotiation with respect to any trade agreement unless the President first reports to specified congressional committees on the actions that will be taken to protect workers' rights and to redress the trade disadvantage of countries that rely primarily on direct taxes for revenue needs. Prohibits any trade agreement entered into after enactment of this Act from taking effect with respect to the United States unless the President consults with specified congressional committees on the progress being made to protect workers' rights. Title II: Enforcement of United States Rights Under Trade Agreements and Response to Certain Foreign Practices - Authorizes the President, in response to certain unfair foreign trade practices, to deny nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to imports from a country that engages in such practices. Adds to the definition of "unreasonable" trade acts, policies, or practices: (1) toleration of cartels; and (2) denial of internationally recognized workers' rights. Provides that petitioners for relief from unfair trade practices shall be persons with substantial evidence. Requires persons who request hearings in unfair trade practice cases to be persons with substantial evidence. (Currently any interested person may petition for relief and may request a hearing in such cases.) Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to submit recommendations to the President within nine months of the start of an investigation into unfair trade practices if the petition alleges that the unfair trade practice involves denial of internationally recognized workers' rights.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress the mail fraud charges brought against black leader Marcus Garvey in 1923 were not substantiated and that his conviction was unjust and unwarranted.
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
Homecare Quality Assurance Act of 1987 - Adds a new title XXI to the Social Security Act entitled "Homecare Quality Assurance." Defines "homecare services" to include home help services (i.e., homemaker, personal care, and sitter services) and Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) home health services. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate a homecare consumer's bill of rights which includes rights: (1) facilitating consumer participation in the planning and delivery of services; (2) requiring consumer notification regarding services, charges for services, and the termination or reduction of services; (3) protecting consumer dignity, privacy, and property; and (4) ensuring service from properly trained and competent individuals. Requires homecare contractors to: (1) satisfy Medicare home care agency requirements, unless they provide only home help services; (2) provide consumers with copies of the homecare bill of rights; (3) implement grievance review procedures and provide copies of such procedures to consumers; (4) provide consumers with schedules of the services to be provided; (5) have methods for identifying and reviewing a homecare consumer's needs and coordinating the provision of services with other homecare contractors; (6) ensure that each homecare provider whom they employ or have under contract receives training; and (7) evaluate annually and supervise each homecare provider whom they employ or have under contract. Requires the Secretary to encourage States to place at least as stringent conditions on State homecare service programs not covered by title XXI as those placed on covered services. Conditions coverage of durable medical equipment services on providers: (1) issuing written instructions to and training the homecare consumer and staff in the operation of such equipment; and (2) formulating an emergency plan for providing services to the consumer. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for: (1) conducting an equal number of announced and unannounced surveys of a homecare contractor's compliance with title XXI participation conditions, with more frequent surveys required for contractors with poor compliance records; and (2) validating surveys of contractors performed by accrediting organizations and States. Exempts certain homecare contractors from the Secretary's survey procedures provided they are subject to State quality assurance or licensing programs and certified by accrediting organizations whose standards and survey procedures are at least as stringent as those established under title XXI. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations, within one year of this Act's enactment, pursuant to which peer review organizations (PROs) shall monitor the provision of home health services, devoting at least 75 percent of their efforts to quality assurance. Requires the inclusion of: (1) both documentary review and personal interviews of homecare consumers and providers in the PRO review process; and (2) representatives of homecare providers and consumers in PRO membership. Requires each State to appoint a home help monitoring agent to monitor the provision of home help services. Requires each State to establish a Consumer Advisory Board, within one year of this Act's enactment, to oversee the quality assurance review activities of PROs and the home help monitoring agent. Directs the Board to report to the Secretary and the State's chief executive on October 1 of each year regarding such quality assurance review activities. Requires the Secretary to encourage PROs and home help monitoring agents to develop coordinated mechanisms and outcome-orientated criteria for monitoring the quality of homecare, requiring that such monitoring include direct contact with homecare consumers. Requires that PROs and home help monitoring agents: (1) establish and operate statewide toll-free hotlines for receiving homecare questions and complaints, unless the State establishes such a hotline; and (2) assist consumers in resolving homecare quality problems. Directs Consumer Advisory Boards, PROs, and home help monitoring agents to cooperate with State and local officials in educating consumers regarding quality assurance programs and the assistance available for consumers with quality assurance problems. Directs the Secretary to encourage States to develop ombudsman programs for nonelderly homecare consumers. Requires the Secretary to establish and the States to develop procedures for imposing sanctions against contractors and providers failing to comply with this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on January 1 of each year regarding the availability, adequacy, and use of sanctions. Requires the Secretary to develop incentives to contractor compliance with title XXI participation conditions, including an annual directory of homecare contractors having a consistent record of compliance with such conditions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage States to develop homecare provider licensing and certification policies; and (2) issue a biennial report on State implementation of such policies. Establishes a Homecare Quality Assurance Council with which the Secretary must consult in implementing and administering title XXI of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary to award grants for homecare contractor and provider training programs and furnish States, contractors, and providers with training materials. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines, fund, and issue a report regarding: (1) studies on homecare quality assurance measures; and (2) demonstration projects which include projects exploring the feasibility and desirability of developing certification requirements for individuals who provide homecare services, and projects considering alternatives to the use of PROs in monitoring homecare contractors. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on January 1 of each year and States to report to the Secretary on October 1 of each year regarding the nature and performance during the preceding fiscal year of the homecare quality assurance system. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the home health monitoring activities of PROs and home help monitoring agents; (2) home health training program grants; and (3) the studies and demonstration projects established pursuant to this Act. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to extend the long-term care ombudsman program to homecare services. Requires each State to establish a toll-free telephone hotline to facilitate the communication of complaints regarding long-term and homecare services. Authorizes appropriations for the hotline and homecare ombudsman program. Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects to determine the most effective methods for an ombudsman to: (1) administer and perform homecare activities; and (2) coordinate such activities with other ombudsman activities. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding such projects by 1990. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study, within three years of this Act's enactment, into the feasibility of extending the ombudsman program to physician and hospital services received by older individuals. Sets forth administrative and reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
WIC Food for Life Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) should receive increasing appropriations until all eligible persons are being served; and (2) an outreach program should be conducted to identify persons eligible for WIC assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Small Business Prompt Payment Act Amendments of 1987 - Revises Federal law to deem the head of a Federal agency to have received an invoice on the later of: (1) the date on which the designated office or employee of an agency actually receives it; or (2) the fifth day after the date on which a property is actually delivered, or final performance of a service is actually completed, unless the contract specifies otherwise. Makes Federal prompt payment provisions applicable to the United States Postal Service. Makes the Postmaster General responsible for issuing procurement regulations, solicitation provisions, and contract clauses. Reduces the 15-day grace period for payment of interest penalties to eight days for solicitations (other than meat products and agricultural commodities) issued before October 1, 1990. Eliminates such grace period for procurement solicitations issued on or after October 1, 1990. Requires an agency to pay a double interest penalty if: (1) the agency owes the interest penalty; (2) the interest penalty is not paid to the business concern on or after the date the penalty is due; (3) the agency does not pay the penalty within ten days after such payment is made; and (4) a written demand is made within 40 days after such payment is made. Requires regulations on interest penalties, in the case of construction contracts, to provide for the payment of interest on: (1) progress payments due for more than seven days, or a longer period if the prevailing practice in private construction contracts is to provide such longer period; and (2) amounts retained during the performance of a contract, if such amounts are not paid by the required payment date. Requires regulations on interest penalties to provide for periodic payments in the case of supply or service contracts upon: (1) the submission of an invoice for supplies delivered or services performed; and (2) acceptance of supplies or services by an authorized employee or certification of performance by such an employee. Requires Government construction contractors to include a payment provision in their agreements with their subcontractors which provides for payment in accordance with prevailing industry standards. Requires the contractor to pay a late payment interest penalty to the subcontractor at the rate applicable between the prime contractor and the Government. Specifies the calculation of time for interest penalties on discount payments. Revises agency reporting requirements on interest penalty payments to include: (1) a description of agency payment practices; and (2) an analysis by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for each of the various Federal agencies on the impact of such payments on small and disadvantaged businesses. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to report to the congressional committees on Small Business on current Government compliance with the payment of interest penalties and the impact on small business. Requires the Chief Counsel to monitor the compliance of all agencies and of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget with interest penalty payments. Requires the modification of the Federal acquisition regulation to implement Federal prompt payment provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Consumer Products Safe Testing Act - Expresses congressional findings that: (1) the Federal Government has encouraged the use of the LD50 test through regulations which mandate or encourage its use or do not prescribe other less costly, more accurate, and more humane alternatives; and (2) private industry is reluctant to use these other tests without Federal Government encouragement. (LD50 is a procedure whereby toxicity is measured in terms of the median dose that will kill 50 percent of the test animals within a specified time.) Prohibits Federal department or agency heads from considering LD50 test results when determining product safety, labeling, or transportation requirements for purposes of Federal regulation. Requires Federal department and agency heads to: (1) review and evaluate directives that call for the use of an animal toxicity test; and (2) promulgate regulations specifying the use of nonanimal alternatives. Permits the use of animal toxicity tests under certain conditions. Requires that animal toxicity testing regulations be subject to periodic agency review and to public comment in certain cases.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude specified types of employers and performers in the performing arts from coverage under unfair labor practice provisions prohibiting specified contracts or agreements between employers and labor organizations and prohibiting specified actions of labor organizations to force or require cessation of dealings with others, joining of labor or employer organizations, or recognition of or negotiation with labor organizations not certified as representative. Permits such employers, excluding employers in the broadcasting or motion picture industries, to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in such organization a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if the majority status of the organization has not yet been established. Defines "employer" to include purchasers of musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform musical services.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Underutilized Bank Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to develop and carry out a program for the expanded use of underutilized banks by Federal agencies for: (1) depositing Federal funds as demand deposits or otherwise; and (2) depositaries or financial agents. Defines an "underutilized bank" as a bank: (1) at least 51 percent of which is owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; and (2) the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by such individuals. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress annually on program activities and recommendations for legislative and executive actions. Provides for the participation of Federal agencies in such program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require the withholding of child support payments from the non-custodial parent's wages upon the issuance or modification of a child support order. (Currently, such withholding need not occur until one month of nonpayment has elapsed.) Directs States to establish binding guidelines for child support award amounts. (Currently, such guidelines need not be binding.) Creates a rebuttable presumption that the child support award resulting from the application of such guidelines in a judicial or administrative child support proceeding is correct. Requires States to review and update all child support orders at least once every two years to ensure that they continue to comply with child support award guidelines. Gives the Federal Parent Locator Service and State child support enforcement agencies access to all employment security information in the possession or control of existing data networks. Conditions a State's eligibility for payments under titles IV or XIX (Medicaid) of the Act on its compliance with federally prescribed child support enforcement procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Small Business Preservation Act of 1987 - Amends the Small Business Act to require any procurement requirement which is not suitable for the award of Government contracts to small businesses to be set aside for exclusive competition among small businesses if the Government procurement officer has a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two responsible small businesses that offer products of different small business concerns and that such awards will be made at reasonable prices.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Fair Election Act - Prohibits States from using any device to abridge or deny the right of an individual to be placed on, or to have such individual's political affiliation placed on, a ballot or similar voting materials in a Federal election. Allows States to impose specified prerequisites regarding petitions for placement on ballots. Allows States to waive such requirements for candidates or political affiliates which receive certain amounts of votes in the most recent election for President or the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Competitive Credit Card Interest Rate Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to establish a national ceiling on credit card interest rates of eight percentage points over the yield on one-year Treasury securities. Supersedes certain provisions of State laws regarding notice requirements preceding increases in credit card interest rates. States that this Act shall not supersede applicable State limitations on finance charges. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to conduct a study of: (1) the relationship between credit card interest rates and the cost of extending such credit; and (2) the degree to which such rates reflect competition for new credit card accounts. Requires the Board to submit the results of such study to specified congressional committees by September 1, 1987. Provides that such ceiling shall not take effect if such study reveals that the credit rates reflect the cost of extending credit.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Hidden Budget Accountability Act - Directs the President to submit with the annual Federal budget transmitted to the Congress a presentation of the estimated budget outlays and requested budget authority, by agency and function, for programs that are included in the budget in a manner designed to conceal their existence and scope. Requires the first budget submitted after enactment of this Act to set forth: (1) estimated budget outlays and requested budget authority for such programs included in the budget for each of the five previous years; and (2) the actual amounts appropriated by agency and function for such programs for each of such years.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Authorizes the President to issue a posthumous commission of brigadier general to Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Young, U.S. Army, a black graduate of West Point in 1889.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Prohibits any investments in South Africa by U.S. persons. Prohibits the importation into the United States of any article from South Africa, except for strategic minerals which the President certifies to the Congress are essential for military uses, are not sufficiently available from domestic supplies, and for which no substitutes are available. Prohibits the exportation to South Africa of any goods, technology, or other information subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Prohibits any such exportation by any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Exempts from such prohibition certain medical supplies and food. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit the takeoff and landing of any aircraft except for emergencies by a foreign air carrier owned by South Africa or South African nationals. Prohibits the importation into the United States of any South African gold coin. Prohibits any U.S. depository institution from accepting, receiving, or holding a deposit account from South Africa. Prohibits the United States from engaging in any military or intelligence activities in cooperation with South Africa. Authorizes the President to limit imports into the United States from a foreign country to the extent that such foreign country benefits from, or takes commercial advantage of, any prohibition imposed by this Act. Provides for the enforcement of this Act. Repeals the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 and the amendments made by that Act to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Cancer Patients' Employment Rights Act - Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, because of an individual's cancer history, to: (1) fail or refuse to hire or to discharge the individual, or to otherwise discriminate against the individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment; or (2) limit, segregate, or classify employees or applicants for employment in any way which would tend to deprive an individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the individual's status as an employee. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employment agency to: (1) fail or refuse to refer for employment, or otherwise discriminate against, an individual because of the individual's cancer history; or (2) classify or refer for employment an individual on the basis of the individual's cancer history. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for a labor organization to: (1) exclude or to expel from its membership, or otherwise discriminate against, an individual because of the individual's cancer history; (2) limit, segregate, or classify its membership, or to classify or fail or refuse to refer an individual for employment because of the individual's cancer history; or (3) cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate against an individual. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee controlling an apprenticeship, training, or retraining program to discriminate against an individual because of the individual's cancer history in admission to, or employment in, such programs. Declares that it is not an unlawful employment practice to hire individuals on the basis of their cancer history in cases where cancer history is a bona fide occupational qualification. Declares it to be an unlawful employment practice for an employer to give and to act upon the results of a professionally developed ability test if such test is designed or used to discriminate because of cancer history. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to require an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee to grant preferential treatment to an individual or group because of the individual's or group's cancer history for the purpose of certain numerical comparisons. Describes other unlawful employment practices with respect to individuals with a cancer history, including: (1) retaliation; (2) published job notices; (3) medical examinations and medical information; and (4) reasonable accommodations for such individuals. Requires all personnel actions in the following government entities to be made free from discrimination based on cancer history: (1) military departments; (2) executive agencies; (3) the United States Postal Service and Postal Rate Commission; (4) units of the District of Columbia government having positions in the competitive service; and (5) units of the judicial branch having positions in the competitive service. Empowers the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to enforce this Act and to make investigations and require recordkeeping as appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Democracy in Chile Act of 1987 - Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) encourage the peaceful return to democracy in Chile; (2) condemn continued acts of brutality by the Chilean Government as well as the assassination attempt against General Pinochet; (3) call for the adoption of a timetable for the transition to democracy and civilian rule; and (4) support efforts to establish the framework for such transition. Imposes the following sanctions against Chile beginning 30 days after enactment of this Act: (1) U.S. opposition to multilateral development bank loans or other assistance for Chile unless the assistance is directed specifically to programs which serve the basic human needs of the citizens of Chile; (2) denial of benefits to Chile under the Generalized System of Preferences and prohibition of duty-free treatment of imports from Chile; (3) denial of Overseas Private Investment Corporation loans or investment guarantees for Chile; (4) prohibition of imports of copper from Chile; and (5) termination of the United States-Chile air transportation agreement. Provides that such sanctions shall not apply if: (1) the President certifies to the Congress that Chile has made significant progress in complying with internationally recognized human rights and in restoring labor rights, has made significant progress in establishing a free multi-party electoral process, has ended the practice of forced exile and restrictions on the right of Chilean nationals to enter and leave their country, and has taken appropriate steps to investigate the deaths of Rodrigo Rojas de Negri, Orlando Letelier, and Ronni Moffitt; and (2) the Congress, within 30 days of receiving such certification, enacts a joint resolution approving such certification. Provides for expedited congressional consideration of such joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Establishes the National Council for Trade and International Economic Policy in the Executive Office of the President to provide advice with respect to: (1) the integration of national and international policies relating to international trade, business policy, and other issues affecting the competitiveness of American industry; and (2) coordinating the functions of all departments and agencies of the U.S. Government to accomplish a more consistent international economic policy. Requires the Council to transmit to the Congress annual reports on the international trade and economic position of the United States. Requires the President to submit an impact statement to specified congressional committees 60 days before the effective date of any regulation, executive order, or executive agreement which may have a significant impact on domestic industries' ability to compete in domestic and international markets against foreign products. Allows the President to waive such requirement in order to serve the national interest or deal with emergency situations. Requires the respective committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives to include an impact statement with any reported bill or resolution which may have a significant impact on domestic industries' ability to compete in domestic and international markets against foreign products. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a minimum income tax of ten percent on individual economic income which exceeds the following exemption amount: (1) $50,000 for joint returns; (2) $40,000 for single returns; and (3) $25,000 for married individuals filing separate returns. Defines "economic income" as income received or accrued reduced by the sum of ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred in the production of such income plus a reasonable allowance for the diminution in the value of property used in the production of such income. Imposes a ten percent minimum tax on the net income of a corporation exceeding $50,000.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Tongass Timber Reform Act - Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal the ongoing appropriations for timber utilization in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska. Repeals the requirement for identifying lands unsuitable for timber production in such forest. Repeals the reporting requirement on the adequacy of timber supply from such forest lands. Requires the biennial report on such Forest to include the impact of timber management on subsistence resources, wildlife, and fisheries habitats.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Commemorates the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 as one of the fundamental legal documents of the United States. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the bicentennial of the Northwest Ordinance.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Prohibits the United States from carrying out a test of the Space Defense System (antisatellite weapon) involving the miniature homing vehicle against an object in space until the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union has conducted, after enactment of this Act, a test against an object in space of a dedicated antisatellite weapon. Provides that such prohibition expires on October 1, 1988. Declares that the President should seek with the Soviet Union a mutual and verifiable treaty which limits the testing, deployment, and use of any antisatellite weapon.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1987
Public Rangelands Fee Act of 1987 - Sets forth a formula, beginning with grazing year 1987, for determining fees for domestic livestock grazing on public rangelands. Bases the formula on appraised base value, expressed in dollars per head or pair month, and the forage value index. Prohibits annual fee adjustments greater or less than 33.3 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to limit annual imports of milk protein products (casein) to 50 percent of the average annual amount imported during the period 1981 through 1985. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a preferential import licensing system for such products based on the availability of domestic substitutes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Older American Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991 for State and community programs on aging which include programs providing nutrition services, supportive services, surplus commodities, or cash payments in lieu of food commodities to older individuals. Requires States to include among such programs a program providing in-home services to frail, older individuals. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991, for: (1) the older American community service employment program; (2) grants to Indian tribes for the provision of supportive and nutritional services to older Indians; and (3) the older Americans personal health education and training program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Family Farm Act - Title I: Agricultural Commodity Supply Management - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, effective for the 1988 through 2000 crop years, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct referendums among crop and milk producers every four years to determine whether an agricultural commodity supply management program (program) shall be in effect for such period. (States that if a referendum is not approved current price support provisions shall apply.) Administers such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Establishes program commodity loan rates at 70 percent of parity beginning with the 1988 crop year, and increasing by one percent per year to a maximum of 80 percent for the 1998 through 2000 crop years. (Eliminates target prices and other subsidy payments.) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress prior to the beginning of the 1993 crop year regarding the economic impact of this Act and the continuation of such loan schedule. Directs the Secretary to: (1) proclaim a national marketing quota for each commodity based upon domestic and export demands, food aid requirements, and carryover and reserve requirements; and (2) proclaim a national acreage allotment based upon projected national yield and expected underplantings. Requires producers to apply for farm acreage allotments. Limits acreage increases to not more than 20 percent of the previous year's acreage. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a conservation use set-aside program if a commodity's projected production will exceed its national marketing quota. Increases set-aside percentages as projected production increases. Limits such maximum percentage to 35 percent. Authorizes a paid diversion program if further production decreases are necessary. Limits nonprogram crop production under specified conditions. Provides for the assignment of marketing certificates based upon the number of permitted acres times a farm's program yield. Provides for quantity reductions due to on-farm use. Authorizes excess commodities to be stored and marketed under a certificate issued in a subsequent year, or donated or sold for famine relief to the CCC. Requires importers to obtain such certificates. Limits the conditions of their use. Directs the Secretary to establish a farmers' disaster reserve, to be initially stocked by CCC commodities and afterwards by producer contributions. Limits maximum individual assistance. Sets forth penalties for program noncompliance. Makes conforming amendments to specified Acts. Permits family-size livestock and poultry producers to purchase CCC grain for a 36-month period beginning 30 days after enactment of this Act. Limits maximum annual purchases. Title II: Milk Marketing Control - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary to conduct referendums among milk producers every four years to determine whether an alternative milk price support program (program) shall be in effect for such period. (States that if a referendum is not approved current price support provisions shall apply.) Establishes milk price support levels at 70 percent of parity beginning in 1988, and increasing by one-percent per year to a maximum of 80 percent for 1998 through 2000. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress before January 1, 1993, regarding the economic impact of this Act and the continuation of such support schedule. States that the Secretary shall determine individual milk marketing bases for each year such program is in effect. Bases such amount on the product of the producers' marketing history (1981 through 1985) and the annual marketing allocation factor (based on domestic and export needs and production quantities). Permits the transfer of milk marketing bases, subject to specified conditions and with priority given to family members and beginning producers. Title III: Agricultural Exports and Imports - Subtitle A: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to provide for multilateral famine relief agreements. Authorizes the use of CCC surplus stocks for such purposes. Subtitle B: Agricultural Imports - Directs the Secretary to use specified import limitation authority under the Agricultural Adjustment Act to prevent imported commodities from interfering with domestic price support activities. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require country of origin labeling for any agricultural product containing a significant (by volume or value) portion of imported ingredients. Prohibits the importation of commodities, live animals used for food, or food items containing residues of chemicals prohibited for use in the United States. Title IV: Food and Nutrition Assistance - Subtitle A: General Food and Nutrition Programs - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary to increase food stamp benefits to offset any food price increases resulting from this Act. Makes similar amendments to the National School Lunch Act (school lunch program), and the Child Nutrition Act of 1986 (school breakfast program and the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC)). Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to: (1) adjust the cost of the thrifty food plan; (2) exclude child support payments from income for purposes of food stamp eligibility; (3) increase excess shelter expense deduction caps; (4) amend the allowable deduction for excess medical expenses of the elderly and disabled; (5) increase the limitations on financial resources; (6) permit the use of administrative funds to provide program information to unemployed, disabled, or elderly persons; (7) increase FY 1988 through 1990 appropriations; (8) authorize outreach programs for the homeless; (9) provide separate household status for certain children and siblings; and (10) provide food stamps within five days of application to the homeless and to persons whose combined gross income and liquid resources is less than their monthly rent and utilities. Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to increase FY 1987 authorizations, and authorize FY 1988 authorizations, for the temporary emergency food assistance (TEFAP) program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to replace the current specific FY 1989 WIC authorization with an authorization of necessary funds for FY 1989. Increases the authorization of appropriations for nutrition education and training. Subtitle B: Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research - National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1987 - Establishes a ten-year coordinated program, to be known as the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program, which shall be implemented by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture. Establishes an Interagency Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to facilitate the implementation of such program. Authorizes the Secretaries to appoint an Administrator of Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to coordinate such program. Requires the Secretaries to prepare and implement a comprehensive national nutrition monitoring and related research plan which shall: (1) assess and report on U.S. nutritional and dietary trends; (2) assess and report on low-income food and household expenditures; (3) sponsor and conduct research; (4) develop and update a national dietary and nutritional status data bank; (5) assist State and local agencies in developing procedures and networks for nutrition monitoring and surveillance; and (6) focus the activities of Federal agencies. Requires the plan to allocate the project functions and activities among the various Federal agencies and offices involved. Provides that the comprehensive plan shall be carried out during the period ending with the close of the ninth fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the final comprehensive plan is submitted. Requires the Secretaries to provide for and coordinate such scientific research and development as may be necessary to support the coordinated program and comprehensive plan. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the President to establish a National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice on the development and implementation of all components of the coordinated program and the comprehensive plan; (2) evaluate such program and plan; and (3) submit an annual report to the Secretaries. Directs the Secretaries to publish and review dietary guidelines for the general population. Title V: Financial Assistance - Subtitle A: Farm Debt Restructuring Program - Chapter 1: Entitlement to Debt Restructuring Aid - Entitles eligible farmers in qualifying States who enter into qualifying debt restructuring agreements to Federal debt restructuring assistance. Chapter 2: Qualifying States - Sets forth the following requirements for qualifying States: (1) the State must have a farm loan mediation program; (2) State law must require that a collection action be preceded by notification of the borrower of the availability of State mediation services and Federal debt restructuring assistance; and (3) the State must provide farm counseling services. Sets forth mediation program requirements including: (1) training mediators; and (2) mediation period of at least 42 days. Chapter 3: Qualified Debt Restructuring Agreements - Requires qualified debt restructuring agreements to provide for: (1) principal writedown and interest rate reduction; and (2) timely borrower payments. Chapter 4: Debt Restructuring Aid - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a County Emergency Debt Restructuring Committee in each county of a qualifying State to administer the debt restructuring program. Requires a committee to determine an applicant's eligibility for debt restructuring assistance within seven days of receipt of an application. Provides assistance as either: (1) no-interest loans of up to $30,000 for three years; or (2) grants of equivalent value. Establishes a five-year loan repayment period, with a two-year postponement if necessary. Establishes an appeals procedure for denied restructuring agreements. Directs the Secretary to establish a Review Board for such purpose. Chapter 5: Administrative Provisions - Provides 50 percent matching grants to States to offset the costs of such mediation program. Limits annual payments to any State to $1,000,000. Sets forth provisions regarding the participation of affected Federal agencies, including the Farm Credit Administration. Requires the Secretary to submit a program report to the Congress by January 15 of each fiscal year. Chapter 6: Definitions - Defines "eligible farm borrower" as a person: (1) who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; (2) who operates a family farm (gross sales not exceeding $500,000); (3) who is a farm loan borrower; (4) whose average nonfarm related income does not exceed $45,000; and (5) whose projected gross income will not exceed specified sums. Subtitle B: Grants to States to Assist Persons Leaving Farming - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture the Office of Emergency Aid for Persons Leaving Farming to provide transition assistance to States for eligible families leaving agriculture. Makes such assistance available as: (1) cash assistance; (2) home energy assistance; (3) relocation assistance; (4) family services; (5) employment assistance; (6) job skills training; and (7) nutrition assistance information. Requires the Secretary to submit a program report to the Congress by January 15 of each fiscal year. Terminates such program five years after enactment of this subtitle. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to prohibit debt restructuring assistance to persons producing commodities on erodible land or converted wetlands. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to permit banks to write off over ten years their losses incurred with such debt restructing agreements. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) reduce the minimum annual sales requirement for purposes of homestead protection eligibility; (2) make limited resource loans available to minority farmers in proportion to local population percentages; and (3) require the Secretary to submit a report to the Congress regarding such minority loans by January 15 of each fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Irrigation Subsidy Reform Act of 1987 - Amends the Reclamation Projects Act of 1939 to require the Secretary of the Interior to charge full cost for the delivery of water used in the production of any surplus agricultural commodity.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hayes, Charles A. [D-IL-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000388_200.jpg)