United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1990
Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1990 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY 1991 through 1993 for specified environmental research, development, and demonstration activities and for program management and support of the Office of Research and Development. Authorizes the transfer of funds among categories, but requires prior notice to the Congress of transfers exceeding ten percent from or to any category. Prohibits the Administrator from using any funds appropriated in this Act for office closings or reductions in force unless a congressional notice and wait procedure has been complied with by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to establish a separately identified core research program consisting of fundamental ecological, health, and risk reduction research to support efforts to identify, assess, and mitigate serious environmental risks. Directs the Administrator to establish a Research Strategy Council to oversee, review, and ensure adequate funding of the core research program. Requires the Science Advisory Board to review and make recommendations on core research program activities. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program to conduct comprehensive, long-term environmental monitoring, data collection, and data analysis to assess and respond to the current and long-term status and trends of the ecological resources of the United States. Requires the Administrator to coordinate Program activities with other Federal agencies and to make available to the public and the Congress statistical data summaries and interpretive reports on ecological status and trends developed as a result of the Program. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a modernization program to identify, acquire, and maintain modern buildings, facilities, supplies, and equipment needed to conduct high quality research; and (2) conduct studies and make assessments of the adequacy of the equipment and facilities to meet the needs of EPA and to attract well-qualified scientists, engineers, and other appropriate personnel. Repeals a required annual report from the Administrator of a five-year plan for environmental research, development, and demonstration. Requires the Science Advisory Board to submit annual reports to the Congress and the Administrator on the proposed research program described in the President's budget request for research, development, and demonstration activities of the EPA. Requires the Board to conduct periodic evaluations of selected areas of the current and planned activities. Requires concurrent submission to the Congress of any report required from the Board to the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to carry out a program of research and monitoring on regional, national, and global impacts of environmental pollution and perturbation on biological diversity. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to develop recommendations on establishing a National Environmental Research Institute which would support long-range fundamental and environmental research, including competitive grants to interdisciplinary research teams and individual investigators. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) lease facilities, buildings, and other property to promote the activities authorized under this Act; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements to conduct application reviews and use research funds for such cooperative agreements. Directs the Administrator to: (1) report annually to the Congress on the accomplishments of programs authorized under this Act as they related to EPA's mission to reduce or prevent environmental risk; (2) conduct a study of, and submit a report concerning, the environmental implications and potential consequences of growth and development of communities; (3) produce a decision aid to assist State and local authorities in planning and managing such growth; (4) develop and implement a research program to increase understanding of the adverse human health effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields; and (5) established in conjunction with such program a public information dissemination and technical assistance program related to such health effects.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1990
Designates June 25, 1990, as Korean War Remembrance Day. Authorizes and requests the President to urge that the American flag be flown at half staff on such day in honor of the Americans who died as a result of their service in the Korean War.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1990
Transportation Employee Alcohol and Drug Testing Act of 1990 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prescribe regulations which require air carriers and foreign air carriers to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, periodic recurring, and post accident testing for illegal use of alcohol or controlled substance by airmen, crewmembers, airport security screening contract personnel, and other air carrier employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions. Requires the Administrator to require the suspension or revocation of any certificate issued to such an individual, or his or her dismissal, where the individual has used alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of Federal law or regulations. Prohibits such persons from using alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of Federal law or regulations and serving in their capacity as an air carrier employee. Prohibits violators from serving in such capacity unless they have completed a program of rehabilitation. Sets forth specified requirements for such rehabilitation programs. Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to require the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to issue regulations which require railroads to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, periodic recurring, and post accident testing of all railroad employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions for illegal use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Directs the Secretary to disqualify for an established period of time, or dismiss, a railroad employee found to have used or to have been impaired by alcohol while on duty, or a controlled substance whether or not on duty. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations for rehabilitation programs which provide for treatment for railroad employees responsible for safety-sensitive functions in need of assistance in resolving problems with the use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Amends the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to require the Secretary to issue regulations which require motor carriers to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, periodic recurring, and post accident testing of operaters of commercial motor vehicles for illegal use of alcohol or a controlled substance. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations for rehabilitation programs which provide treatment for operators of motor vehicles who have been found to have used alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of Federal law or regulations. Requires the Secretary to determine appropriate sanctions for violations of this Act. Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to require the Secretary to issue regulations which require recipients of assistance under this Act to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, periodic recurring, and post accident testing of operators of mass transportation vehicles for use of alcohol or a controlled substance in violation of Federal law or regulations. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations for rehabilitation programs for treatment of operators of mass transportation vehicles who have been found to have illegally used alcohol or a controlled substance. Requires the Secretary to determine appropriate sanctions for violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary to design a pilot test program for the testing of operators of commercial motor vehicles on a random basis to determine whether an operator has illegally used alcohol or a controlled substance. Requires such program to be administered as part of the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. Provides that such program shall last for one year.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1990
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 19, 1990, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1990
Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to require the Federal Prison Industries (FPI) to publish and update biannually a catalog of all specific products and services it offers for sale. Requires a buying activity of a Federal department, agency, or institution (entity) which has a requirement for a product or service listed in the catalog to solicit offers from FPI and other offerors, unless its requirements can be met by a delivery order for such specific product pursuant to a Federal Supply Schedule contract of the General Services Administration (GSA) or other indefinite delivery or indefinite quantity contract. Authorizes the Attorney General to direct that the buying activity withdraw the solicitation and consider awarding the contract to FPI using noncompetitive negotiation procedures if the Attorney General has determined that: (1) an award cannot reasonably be expected to be made to FPI on a competitive basis; (2) FPI has not captured more than a reasonable share of the market among Federal entities for the specific product or products as of October 1, 1991; and (3) it is necessary to use noncompetitive procedures to prevent a significant decline in the number of inmates who are working in the prison workshop which manufactures the specific product to be purchased or to enable FPI to diversify into labor-intensive manufacture of a new specific product approved by the FPI board of directors. Sets forth procedures with respect to notification of solicitation withdrawal, price arbitration by the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (currently, by a board consisting of the Comptroller General of the United States, the Administrator of General Services, and the President, or their representatives), and resolicitation of bids (where noncompetitive negotiations with FPI are terminated following arbitration). Requires: (1) each Federal entity to report to the GSA its acquisitions of products and services from FPI; and (2) FPI to annually compile a report on its sales activities with Federal entities during the preceding year. Specifies that whenever FPI, pursuant to a contract with the Department of Defense or a Defense agency, enters into a subcontract or supply contract with certain small business concerns and minority institutions, the value of such subcontract or supply contract shall apply toward furtherance of the five percent goal established under the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1987 to set aside five percent of specified Department of Defense procurement funds for contracts with small businesses, historically Black colleges and universities, and minority institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1990
Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1990 - Requires the United States Trade Representative to initiate an unfair trade practice investigation under the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to: (1) the elimination of unreasonable Japanese trade practices that limit imports of U.S. auto parts and accessories; and (2) increasing access for such items to Japanese markets. Amends the Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1988 to require the Secretary of Commerce to submit biannual reports to the Congress concerning increases in the sale of U.S. auto parts and accessories in Japanese markets. Directs the Attorney General and the International Trade Commission to study and report to the Congress on the pattern of procurement of such items by foreign automobile manufacturers operating in the United States to determine if there may be unfair methods of competition in connection with such procurement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1990
National Solid Waste Research and Measurement Standardization Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), acting through the EPA Office of Solid Waste, to conduct research on, and establish uniform standards for, solid waste measurements and terminology. Requires the Administrator, using such measurements and terminology, to develop and maintain a data base on solid waste. Sets forth information to be included in the data base. Requires 1986 solid waste data to be used as a baseline against which future data can be compared.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1990
Establishes an Official Mail Allowance for franked mailing by Members of the House of Representatives within specified guidelines and limitations. Amends rule XLVI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to: (1) reduce from six to two the number of franked mailings per year per addressee to which a Member after December 31, 1990, is entitled; (2) reduce from six to two, after such date, the number of franked mailings per year per addressee relating solely to a notice of appearance of a scheduled itinerary of a Member; (3) require a Member, before making any mass mailing (including direct response to communications from constituents), to submit a sample or description of the mail matter involved to the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards for a statutory compliance advisory opinion; (4) require the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make available for public inspection, semi-annually, a mass mailing report compiled from data provided by the House Committee on Administration; and (5) require that a mass mailing by a Member contain a specified notice on the cover page of the document.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1990
Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 - Title I: Child Abuse Offense - Requires the United States Sentencing Commission to promulgate guidelines or amend existing guidelines to provide that a defendant convicted of a sexual offense or crime of violence in which the victim was under age 14 shall receive a sentence at an offense level two levels higher than that which obtains when no victim was under age 14. Title II: Improving Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse Cases - Authorizes the Administrator of the Office for Victims of Crime to make grants to develop and implement multidisciplinary child abuse investigation and prosecution programs. Enumerates program criteria, including requirements identifying an appropriate site for counseling child victims of sexual and serious physical abuse and neglect, referring cases to the appropriate law enforcement agency within 24 hours, minimizing the number of interviews the child victim must attend, and assigning volunteers or staff advocates to each child's family. Directs the Administrator to make grants to national organizations to provide technical assistance and training to attorneys and others instrumental to the criminal prosecution of child abuse cases in State or Federal courts for the purpose of improving the quality of investigation and criminal prosecution. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Title III: Court Appointed Special Advocate Program - Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to expand the court-appointed special advocate program. Requires the Administrator to establish criteria to be used in evaluating grant applications, which shall include a program providing screening, training, and supervision of court-appointed special advocates. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Title IV: Child Abuse Training Programs for Judicial Personnel and Practitioners - Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance and training to judicial personnel and attorneys to improve the judicial system's handling of child abuse and neglect cases. Directs the Administrator to make grants to national organizations to develop model technical programs to improve the judicial system's handling of such cases. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to or for juvenile and family courts and State judicial systems for programs that implement model child abuse and neglect programs. Directs that the grant criteria give priority to programs which improve procedures for preventing placement of children in foster care, make reasonable efforts to reunite the family, and coordinate information and services. Authorizes appropriations. Requires that at least 80 percent of such funds be used for juvenile and family court and State judicial system programs. Title V: National Commission to Improve Domestic Relations Courts - Establishes the National Commission to Improve Domestic Relations Courts to develop suggestions to improve domestic relations courts, with special attention to the handling of child abuse and neglect cases, to suggest whether new model State legislation is needed, and to identify barriers to the nationwide use of specialized, comprehensive family court systems. Specifies membership, qualifications, terms of office, pay, powers, and reporting requirements of such Commission. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Federal Victims' Services, Protections, and Rights - Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish an evaluation system to rate law enforcement officers on their compliance with laws protecting victims of crime; and (2) create a set of standards to govern services to victims and witnesses in Federal cases and serve as a model to States and localities. Requires the Office for Victims of Crime to report at least annually to the public, the Congress, and the President on the protection of victims generally and, specifically, on compliance with such standards. Authorizes the court to appoint a guardian ad litem at the earliest possible stage of all proceedings where a child was a victim of a crime involving abuse or exploitation to protect the best interests of the child. Sets forth guidelines with respect to criteria in choosing, and the duties of, such guardian. Grants a child testifying at a criminal proceeding the right to be accompanied by an adult to provide emotional support to the child, subject to certain restrictions. Authorizes the court to order that a child's testimony be taken by closed-circuit TV if it finds that: (1) the child would be so intimidated, or otherwise inhibited, by the physical presence of the defendant that the child would be rendered incompetent or unable to testify; (2) there is a substantial likelihood that the child will suffer serious trauma from testifying in the same room as the defendant; and (3) conduct on the part of the defendant or defense counsel during the hearing or trial causes the child to be unable to continue the child's testimony. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) the court's questioning of a child; (2) a child's live testimony by two-way closed circuit TV; (3) videotaped depositions of child witnesses; (4) a videotape record of any examination of the child; (5) age appropriate questions; (6) testimonial aids; (7) competency examinations; (8) privacy and address protection of a child victim or witness; (9) closing the courtroom; (10) victim impact statements; and (11) speedy trial motions. Amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to make an exception to the hearsay rule to include within the definition of "unavailability" certain situations in which the declarant is a child. Prohibits any statute of limitations that would prevent the prosecution of abuse of a child under age 18 from taking effect before the child reaches age 20.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1990
Judicial Taxation Prohibition Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny to inferior Federal courts jurisdiction to issue any remedy, order, writ, or other judicial decree requiring the Federal Government or any State or local government to impose any new tax or to increase any existing tax or tax rate.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1990
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to permit the deferral of payments on student loans during professional internships of any duration (by removing a two-year limitation).
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
National Technology Extension Service Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to create a five-year Technology Extension Pilot Program to provide private businesses, in selected States, with improved access to Federal, State, and federally-funded technology and expertise. Directs the Secretary, through the Director and using a competitive selection process, to select: (1) a non-Federal database contractor to create the Program's Federal database and network of experts and to manage them for the duration of the Program; and (2) up to five States for participation in the Program. Provides for fees to be charged to businesses using the Program in certain circumstances. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Small Business Act to allow any Small Business Development Center to apply for an additional grant to increase access by small businesses in its service area to on-line databases. Specifies ways in which a Center may seek to increase small business access. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Urges the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to: (1) use "Super 301" under the Trade Act of 1974 to identify Japan as a priority country for purposes of negotiating the elimination of barriers to U.S. exports; (2) identify as trade-liberalization priorities under "Super 301" Japanese practices that are most costly in terms of lost U.S. exports and most resistant to change through market adjustment or prior negotiations; and (3) in determining such practices, give substantial weight to the worsening bilateral trade deficit in any sector where they prevail. Declares that the Congress considers that: (1) the identification of the trade-liberalization priorities in the 1990 "Super 301" report would reinforce other bilateral trade discussions such as the Structural Impediments Initiative talks and the negotiations regarding priorities in the 1989 "Super 301" report; and (2) use of the "Super 301" trade-liberalization incentive would improve prospects for reducing the U.S.-Japanese trade imbalance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide that the definition of "owner or operator" (for purposes of liability) does not include: (1) a designated lending institution which acquires control of a facility pursuant to the terms of a security interest held by the person in such facility or in connection with a lease subject to Federal or State banking authorities; (2) a corporate fiduciary which operates or has legal title to a facility pursuant to the terms of an estate or trust; (3) an individual or institution that serves as an indenture trustee and acquires control of a facility as the result of default on a financing document between the trustee and the issuing entity; and (4) an individual fiduciary who has legal title to a facility for purposes of administering an estate or trust.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Medicare Physician Regulation Relief Amendments of 1990 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require carriers and peer review organizations to release the medical review screen or the associated screening parameter to a physician before notifying such physician that payment for his or her service has been denied. Permits Medicare reimbursement of a patient's regular physician for services provided to such patient by another physician who occasionally covers for the regular physician. Requires Medicare carriers to provide physicians, upon request and without charge, with carrier-generated information which physicians need to submit a payment claim or respond to a carrier inquiry. Allows a medical society or other professional organization representing physicians to represent a group or class of physicians in Medicare payment determinations, reconsiderations, or appeals. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to appoint, based on nominations submitted by national medical organizations representing physicians, a Practicing Physicians Advisory Council with which the Secretary must consult concerning changes in the Medicare program and proposed changes in regulations and carrier operation policies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Textile, Apparel, and Footwear Trade Act of 1990 - Limits the 1990 imports of textiles and textile products classified under a category to an amount equal to 101 percent of the total 1989 imports classified under such category. Limits the 1990 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under a nonrubber footwear category to an amount equal to: (1) the total 1989 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under such category; and (2) in the case of high priced nonrubber footwear, the total 1989 imports of high priced nonrubber footwear classified under such category. Provides for a one-percent annual growth in the amount of permitted imports of textiles and textile products after 1990. Exempts from the limitations imposed under this Act imports of textiles and textile products from U.S. possessions if such articles are exempt from duty under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States and are manufactured by U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of such a possession. Limits the imports of certain sweaters made in Guam to a specified amount during FY 1990 and to such amount increased by one percent per year in subsequent years. Declares such limitations shall not apply to Canada or Israel. Sets forth limitations on the amount of textile and textile products, classified under certain import categories, which may be imported from beneficiary countries under the Caribbean Basin Initiative. Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into trade agreements to grant new concessions as compensation to the extent required under U.S. trade agreements for the import limits imposed by this Act; and (2) proclaim such modification or continuance of any existing duty on textiles and textile products and on nonrubber footwear as necessary to carry out such agreements. Prohibits the President from reducing any rate of duty by more than ten percent. Requires the President, before entering into such trade agreements, to consider whether a country has violated trade concessions of benefit to the United States and the violation has not been adequately offset. Sets forth requirements governing staged rate reductions in the tariffs of articles affected by this Act. Prohibits the President, except as authorized by this Act, from entering into trade negotiations with any country with respect to duties on textiles, textile products, and nonrubber footwear. Prohibits the President, except as provided in this Act, from decreasing or proposing a decrease in any such duty by any means, including an implementing bill or a proclamation. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the administration of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, ten years after enactment of this Act, to study and report to the Congress on its operation. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a pilot program for the issuance and sale to U.S. companies at public auction of import licenses applicable to categories of textiles. Terminates such licensing program on December 31, 1991, and requires a report to the Congress on its administration.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the provisions permitting small issues of tax-exempt bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1990
Tourism Policy and Export Promotion Act of 1990 - Declares it to be the national goal to increase U.S. export earnings from U.S. tourism and transportation services with an eye toward: (1) the elimination of the travel and tourism export deficit of the United States and the U.S trade deficit; and (2) the achievement of a travel and tourism export surplus. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify foreign trade barriers to U.S. travel and tourism. Requires the USTR to submit the National Trade Estimate to the President and the Senate Committees on Finance and Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Amends the International Trade Act of 1961 to require each annual tourism trade development plan to focus on those countries in which tourism trade development has the greatest potential for increasing travel and tourism export revenues. Declares that the Congress finds that increased efforts directed at the promotion of rural tourism will contribute to the economic development of rural America. Establishes the Rural Tourism Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1990
American Technology Preeminence Act - Title I: Department of Commerce Research and Technology - Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1990 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the following activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; (5) research support activities; (6) cold neutron source facility; and (7) technology services. Earmarks specified amounts for: (1) steel technology; (2) the Center for Building Technology; (3) the Center for Fire Research; (4) the technical competence fund; (5) the evaluation of nonenergy-related inventions and related technology extension activities; and (6) Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology. Permits transfers of funds among activities under specified conditions. Prohibits the merger of the Center for Building Technology and the Center for Fire Research. Authorizes the use of certain funds to pay the Federal share of the cost of a pilot program to assist in the development of comprehensive industrial standards for countries that have requested such assistance, if other conditions are met. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology; (2) carrying out the Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1986; (3) modernization of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS); (4) the Clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation; and (5) adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits which may be provided for by law. Requires NTIS operating costs, associated with the acquisition and storage of information, to be recovered through the collection of fees. Amends Federal law to remove the cap on expenditures for construction and improvement of NIST buildings and facilities, but retains the requirement that such expenditures be within the limits of funds appropriated to NIST. Amends Federal law to authorize appropriations for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology (Centers). Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions mandating a nationwide study of current State technology extension services. Amends Federal law to establish within NIST an Office of Technology Services to supervise the Centers Program, NIST's assistance to State technology programs, and other activities or programs as the Secretary or the NIST Director may specify. Prohibits funds appropriated for NIST activities from being expended unless the activities have been specifically authorized by law. Title II: Advanced Technology Program Amendments - Emerging Technology Research and Development Act of 1990 - Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of NIST, to support joint ventures to identify and solve generic technology and manufacturing problems in emerging technology fields including high resolution information systems and advanced materials research and development so as to speed commercialization of products and services based on these technologies, and to establish procedures for technology sharing and technology transfer among members of the joint venture while protecting against transfer of intellectual properties, trade secrets, or proprietary data overseas. Requires that awards to joint ventures be based on competitive or other merit-based procedures. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to negotiate an agreement with any joint venture participants: (1) delineating their activities and responsibilities; and (2) specifying a period of time during which the Federal Government shall receive payments from any profits of the venture in proportion to the Federal share of the cost or, as an alternative, an option to pay an amount determined by the Secretary to be equal to the full Federal investment plus a reasonable return on such investment. Sets forth criteria for determining whether a company shall be considered a U.S. business and other eligibility criteria. Authorizes the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director to organize such industry advisory committees as appropriate. Authorizes the use of up to a specified percentage of the funds appropriated for carrying out provisions relating to the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) for standards development in support of those provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research and development of new or advanced technology of significant long-term value to the civilian U.S. economy, or for research and development concerning the generic commercial adaptation of such technology. Requires grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under the ATP to be designed to support projects which are high risk and which have potential for eventual substantial widespread commercial application. Authorizes appropriations for the ATP. Title III: Amendments to Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Stevenson-Wydler Act) to remove fiscal year limitations from provisions requiring that each Federal agency transfer an amount to NIST for the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Adds references to intellectual property to provisions defining "cooperative research and development agreement." Amends the definition of "Federal agency" to include any agency of the legislative branch. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to use appropriated funds to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities under the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Improvement Act of 1987. Title IV: Office of Science and Technology Policy - Amends Federal law to add the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to the list of positions at level I of the Executive Schedule. Adds the Director of the Office of Science and Technology to the list of positions at level II of the Executive Schedule. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to report annually to the Congress on all major science and technology proposals involving more than one country and having a total estimated cost greater than a specified sum. Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to add a new title to be cited as the National High Performance Computer Technology Program Act of 1990. Directs the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to develop a National High Performance Computer Technology Plan containing recommendations for a five-year national effort. Mandates that the plan include: (1) funding requirements; and (2) the establishment of a multi-gigabit-per-second research and education computer network by 1996, to be known as the National Research and Education Network, to link government, industry and the higher education community, to provide computer users with access to supercomputers, data bases, and other research facilities, and to meet other goals. Requires the Plan to define the organizational arrangement for managing the operation of the Network. Requires the Council to develop the Plan, coordinate the high performance computing research and development activities of Federal agencies, and establish an advisory board. Amends the STPOP to establish a Presidential Commission on Reducing Capital Costs for Emerging Technology to develop recommendations to increase the competitiveness of U.S. industry by encouraging investment in quality, product and process improvements, and new product development and marketing. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth the sense of the Congress that the research and experimentation tax credit be permanently extended and raised to 25 percent, and the research and development costs allocation rules for deduction of expenses from foreign income be revised so as to not discourage activities in the United States and not penalize companies exporting U.S. made products or providing services through U.S. citizens stationed abroad. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a Presidential Commission on Procurement and Technology to develop recommendations for changes to Federal procurement laws, procedures, and policies with respect to the development of advanced technologies. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Information Collection and Dissemination - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing and operating a Federal Online Information Product Catalog (FEDLINE) at the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Amends the National Technical Information Act of 1988 to add producing and disseminating products in electronic format to the duties of the NTIS. Title VI: High Resolution Information Systems - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a High Resolution Information Systems Board to foster and monitor the development of U.S. based high resolution information systems industries. Includes high definition television in the definition of such systems. Title VII: Reports - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to require that the biennial national critical technologies report include the most economically important emerging civilian technologies during the ten-year period following the report, together with the estimated current and future size of domestic and international markets for products derived from these technologies. Allows a product or process technology to be considered to be a national critical technology if it is essential for U.S. long-term national security or (currently, and) economic prosperity. Requires each report to identify technology base gaps between the United States and its major trading partners and list the technologies and markets targeted by major trading partners for development or capture. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing, in affiliation with NIST, a Quality Institute and privately-funded foundation to support that Institute. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to propose to the Congress a strategy for improving the university research capabilities of those States which historically have received relatively little Federal research and development funding. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to enter into a contract with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis for the development of a methodology or approach that can be used in the establishment of international product standards. Authorizes the use of a specified sum of the amounts authorized under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 to carry out such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1990
Great Lakes Water Quality Improvement Act of 1990 - Amends the Clean Water Act to extend from five to seven years the period for conducting study and demonstration projects on the removal of toxic pollutants from the Great Lakes. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to develop: (1) specific numerical water quality criteria for the Great Lakes; and (2) guidance for the use of such criteria by States and local governments in implementing pollution prevention procedures. Requires the Great Lakes States (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) to adopt water quality standards which incorporate such criteria. Directs the Administrator to promulgate standards for Great Lakes States which fail to adopt such standards. Requires the Great Lakes States to develop and submit to the International Joint Commission remedial action plans for places designated as areas of concern pursuant to the Great Lakes Agreement between the United States and Canada. Directs the Great Lakes National Program Office to provide technical assistance to such States for plan development. Requires remedial actions to be included in such States' water quality plans. Directs the Administrator to develop and submit to the Commission a lakewide management plan for each of the Great Lakes. Provides for the revision of such plans and of remedial action plans, as necessary. Requires the Administrator to establish a program for making grants to Great Lakes States for the implementation of the Great Lakes Agreement and this Act. Directs the Administrator to develop consistent methods of reporting water quality data to the Commission. Authorizes and allocates appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1990
Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990 - Requires the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to conduct a comprehensive study of the status of, and the assessment, management, and restoration needs of, the fishery resources of the Great Lakes. Requires the Director to: (1) enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Army (Secretary) and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) regarding their implementation responsibilities; and (2) require non-Federal contributions in accordance with recommendations developed under the study mandated by this Act. Limits the total Federal share of any implementation activity to 80 percent of the cost of that activity. Mandates that the Director carry out implementation activities in accordance with the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, and consistent with the jurisdictional authorities of the State directors responsible for the management and conservation of the fish and wildlife resources of specified States over Great Lakes fishery resources. Requires the Director, in administering programs related to the Great Lakes, to seek to achieve specified goals. Requires the Director to establish: (1) a centrally located facility for the coordination of all Service activities in the Great Lakes System, to be known as the Great Lakes Coordination Office; and (2) an office for the implementation of fishery restoration and enhancement projects in the lower Great Lakes, to be known as the Lower Great Lakes Fisheries Assistance Office (Assistance Office). Requires the Assistance Office to be centrally located in the lower Great Lakes region so as to facilitate activities relating to Lakes Erie and Ontario. Authorizes appropriations to the Director, the Administrator, and the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1990
Family Choice and Child Care Improvement Act of 1990 - Title I: Expansion of Head Start - Amends the Head Start Act to authorize Head Start programs to provide developmentally appropriate child care services throughout the year as full-working-day services to meet the needs of parents each of whom is working, attending a job training or educational program, or seeking employment. Authorizes appropriations for specified services on certain conditions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a 20-year longitudinal research study on the effects of Head Start on children's development, with periodic reports to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for such study. Title II: Small Business Involvement in Meeting Employee Child Care Needs - Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a program of grants to eligible small businesses to: (1) pay start-up costs incurred to provide child care services needed by their employees; or (2) provide additional services. Defines small businesses as ones with fewer than 50 full-time employees. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Block Grant Child Care Provisions - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to set forth block grant payments to States for each fiscal year after FY 1990. Requires a specified portion of such grants to pay for child care services activities. Specifies certain administrative requirements, parental rights, and the rights of religious child care providers. Title IV: Tax Changes Relating to Child Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of the advance refundable earned income tax credit, and to adjust such credit for family size for eligible individuals with one or more children. Provides a supplemental young child credit for taxpayers with a qualifying child under age six. Provides a supplemental infant credit for taxpayers with a qualifying child under age one. Bases advance payment on the number of qualifying children. Coordinates the earned income tax credit with means-tested programs by: (1) treating Federal means-tested transfer payments as support provided by the individual taxpayer, solely for purposes of determining such credit; and (2) disregarding such credit in determining benefits under means-tested programs involving Federal funds. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to the House Committee on Ways and Means whether the changes made by this Act to the advanced payment provisions of the Internal Revenue Code have resulted in an undue administrative or paperwork burden on taxpayers or the Internal Revenue Service. Phases out the dependent care credit and the exclusion for dependent care assistance for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $70,000, by specified reductions for each $1,000 of such excess. Title V: Child Care Earnings Excluded from Excess Earnings Test - Amends the Social Security Act to exclude child care earnings from wages and from self-employment income, for purposes of the excess earnings test.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1990
Medicare Rehabilitation and Long-Term Hospital Rebasing Act of 1990 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to adjust the base year applied in determining the amount of payments to be made to rehabilitation and long-term hospitals under part A (Hospital Insurance) of the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1990
National College Athletics Accountability Act of 1990 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require disclosure, accounting, and certain methods of use and control of a higher education institution's revenues from, and expenditures for, its athletic departments and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1990
District of Columbia Retrocession Act of 1990 - Retrocedes the District of Columbia to Maryland after Maryland's acceptance of such retrocession. Maintains the exclusive legislative authority and control of the Congress over the National Capital Service Area in the District of Columbia.