United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1990
Desert Shield Burden-Sharing Act of 1990 - Directs the President to determine whether each foreign country that receives trade benefits from the United States is making a commensurate contribution to the multinational military mobilization carried out in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Requires the President to impose an additional duty on dutiable products and a duty on duty-free products of countries that are found not to be contributing to the mobilization. Provides for the termination of such duties. Establishes the Desert Shield Reimbursement Fund to receive duties collected under this Act. Makes the Fund available solely to reimburse appropriations made to support U.S. participation in the mobilization.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) other countries that benefit from a secure supply of Persian Gulf oil or whose sovereignty the United States is committed to upholding should assume a proportionate share of the cost of the deployment of U.S. military forces in Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf region; (2) the Congress supports the President in his effort to request appropriate levels of assistance or reimbursement from such countries to defray deployment costs; and (3) the President should make it an ongoing priority to request such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1990
Establishes the Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to manage a sufficient amount of such Refuge woodlands as a continuous mature forest to benefit the species of passerine birds that occupy this type of habitat.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Walker Percy of Covington, Louisiana, be remembered as one of the finest writers and contributors to the culture of the United States of the 20th century.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1990
Bird Conservation Research Act - Requires the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a ten-year comprehensive plan for the conservation of migratory nongame birds in the Western Hemisphere to facilitate the detection of trends in bird population declines at the earliest possible time and to enable a determination of the causes of such trends. Requires submission of the developed plan to the President and the Congress. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek a declaration by appropriate international organizations of a World Decade of Ornithology, to begin on January 1, 1991. Makes Federal Government equipment for studying bird migration available to Federal and non-Federal ornithologists. Requires the Director to support: (1) research on the impact of brown-headed cowbirds, bronzed cowbirds, and shiny cowbirds on populations of native songbirds; and (2) development of effective methods for conserving songbird populations without endangering the continued existence of native cowbird populations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1990
FHA Protection and Homeownership Preservation Act of 1990 - Amends the National Housing Act to limit the maximum amount of a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgage principal to a property's appraised value. Sets forth periodic premium payment schedules. Limits FHA rebates on unearned premiums. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to: (1) insure that the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund attains specified capital ratios; (2) conduct annual Fund audits; and (3) adjust premiums as necessary. Authorizes periodic mortgage insurance safety premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1990
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the memory of Walt Disney should be honored on the 35th anniversary of his contribution to the American dream (the opening of Disneyland).
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1990
National Forest Plan Implementation Act of 1990 - Title I: Amending and Revising Plans - Amends the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA) to impose additional requirements for amending and revising forest plans. Title II: Status of Plans - Provides that, if a final forest plan is enjoined by a court, the immediately previous final version of such plan shall remain in effect. Title III: Implementation of Plans - Sets limitations on administrative appeals in addition to the Department of Agriculture's appeals regulations. Grants jurisdiction to the United States court of appeals for the circuit in which such national forest is located to review: (1) land and resource management plans; (2) documents establishing minimum management requirements in forests; and (3) action implementing a land resource management plan. Provides for tiering of environmental documentation and the achievement of the allowable sale quantity (ASQ) of timber on a forest-by-forest basis. Requires the Administration's budget request for each year beginning with FY 1992, to include a statement of what funds would be required to achieve 100 percent of the output specified for each forest with respect to its land and resource management plan.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1990
Authorizes the States to waive application of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to vehicles used either for transporting farm supplies from retail dealers to or from a farm, or for custom harvesting, regardless of whether or not they are controlled or operated by a farmer.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1990
1992 Olympic Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue 1992 Olympic Games commemorative five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins. Prescribes guidelines for the sale and pricing of such coins and directs the Secretary to ensure that their issuance will not result in any net cost to the United States. Mandates that surcharges be paid to the U.S. Olympic Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1990
Amends Federal law to require the President to submit a budget which recommends a level of estimated expenditures that does not exceed estimated receipts for a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1990
Rural Small Business Enhancement Act of 1990 - Title I: Loan Programs - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of Small Business to make loans to rural economic development entities which must use them for: (1) the creation and expansion of business concerns; and (2) rural small business incubators. Prescribes lending guidelines. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Rural Small Business Investment Companies - Modifies the capital requirements for certain companies licensed to assist rural small business concerns. Authorizes paid-in capital to include contributions by State and local governments and nonprofit institutions. Title III: Technical Assistance for Rural Small Business Concerns - Establishes an Office of Rural Affairs (the Office) in the Small Business Administration to be headed by an Associate Administrator who shall: (1) ensure that rural small businesses receive a percentage of financial assistance representative of the population and economic needs in their areas; (2) compile specified rural business statistics; and (3) disseminate information regarding sources of assistance. Mandates that rural area statistics compiled by the Office be included in the President's annual report on small business and competition. Directs the Administrator to: (1) make grants to rural economic development entities to fund a portion of the salaries and expenses of rural technical assistance specialists; (2) report to the Congress regarding the effectiveness of such grants; (3) make marketing assistance grants for rural small businesses; and (4) make grants to assist marketing studies regarding tourism promotion in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth matching grant requirements. Title IV: Infrastructure Improvement - Amends the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 to increase the authorization for rural Federal-aid highways. Mandates that each State conduct a rural scenic byways preservation and improvement program with Federal amounts apportioned for construction projects on such byways. Outlines funding guidelines. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: National Commission on Rural America - Establishes the National Commission on Rural America to evaluate and report to the Congress on specified aspects of the Federal rural assistance program. Terminates the Commission after it submits such report. Title VI: Research and Reporting Requirements - Directs the Administration to study and report to the Congress on methods to: (1) assist rural small businesses to obtain Government contracts; and (2) expand the export of goods and services provided by such businesses. Directs the Administrator to compile and distribute to the public and the Congress a catalog of Federal rural small business assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1990
Wetlands Restoration and Conservation Act - Authorizes States to adopt wetlands restoration and conservation programs and to require the issuance of permits for development activities in protected wetlands (other than habitable areas). Provides for the issuance of conservation credits to persons carrying out approved projects. Requires credits to be used for: (1) offsetting permit requirements and restrictions for wetlands activities; and (2) matching funds for grants issued under this Act. Makes persons who fail to carry out projects for which credits are issued subject to revocation of credits or to civil penalties. Provides for the expedited issuance of permits for wetlands conservation projects. Authorizes States to submit to the Secretary of the Army for approval programs for the creation, restoration, or protection of wetlands. Requires the Secretary to delegate authority for such programs to States if the programs are consistent with this Act. Sets forth program requirements. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a Wetlands Protection Trust Fund to be used only for grants to States for wetlands conservation or restoration projects. Appropriates to the Fund five percent of all bonuses, rents, and royalties received in connection with leasing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf. Directs the Secretary to establish a grant program for States with approved wetlands restoration and conservation programs. Limits the Federal share of the cost of any activity carried out with a grant.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1990
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prescribe conditions under which the U.S. International Trade Commission must temporarily exclude from entry into the United States patent, copyright, trademark, or mask work articles which it is investigating for alleged infringement and unfair import trade practices.
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
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress and the States shall have power to prohibit the act of physical desecration of the U.S. flag and to set criminal penalties for such act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Comprehensive American Wetlands Act of 1990 - Establishes a comprehensive system for the identification, valuation, preservation, and compensation to the owners of U.S. wetlands, and for providing tax incentives for transfers of wetlands to governments and other specified entities. Makes this Act inapplicable to any coastal wetlands in the United States or to any wetlands in the State of Alaska. Title I: Wetland Preservation - Directs the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) to conduct an inventory to locate, delineate, and determine the special wetland value of all U.S. wetlands subject to this Act. Directs the SCS, upon determining that certain lands may have special wetland value, to refer such determination to: (1) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for determinations relating to wildlife habitat; (2) the Army Corps of Engineers for determinations relating to flood control (except lands eligible for certain small watershed projects, for which the SCS will make the determinations); (3) the Geological Survey for determinations relating to aquifer recharge; (4) the SCS for determinations relating to sedimentation discharge; and (5) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for determinations relating to water quality. Directs the Cooperative Extension Service for each State to identify practices exempted from regulations under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), taking into account existing practices and developing additional practices in consultation with the affected industry or community. Amends the FWPCA to include a similar exemption, with respect to certain areas of navigable waters, for normal crop rotation practices, activities generally acceptable within the agricultural community, or new technology activities proper in the industry or community, as established by the State Cooperative Extension Service. Requires that a list of exempted practices and activities be filed with the EPA Administrator, who shall publish the list as a proposed rule. Directs the EPA Administrator to identify the specific activities and practices for each State exempted by regulation. Requires mitigation as a condition for conversion of wetlands. Requires such mitigation to be, to the extent practicable, a restoration within the same environmental system of the special wetland values converted. Directs the Federal agency that determined the special value of the wetlands to determine the amount of mitigation, in consultation with the affected party. Limits such amount to not more than the following ratios of acreage restored to acreage converted: (1) one to one, for "nonconverted" wetlands; (2) two to one, plus preserving or enhancing in the same environmental system the special wetland values lost, for "special nonconverted" wetlands; and (3) five to one, plus such preservation or enhancement of those values, for "natural" wetlands. Exempts "prior converted" and certain small acreage wetlands from such mitigation requirements. Provides for consideration of construction of artificial wetlands as a mitigating factor. Establishes a wetlands conservation conveyance program. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands from a willing seller by purchase or exchange, to provide for wetlands conservation. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such lands to appropriate Federal agencies and contract with States for their management. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate wetlands within any lands acquired by the United States to determine if special wetland values are present and, if so, to administer such lands if practicable. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to include in the agricultural conservation reserve program lands that are not highly erodible but that are wetlands. Limits to 10,000,000 acres the wetlands that may be enrolled in such program. Requires the Secretary, during the 1991 through 1995 crop years, to only enroll wetlands in such program. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to revise conservation reserve credits for wheat, feed grains, cotton, and rice acreage. Allows any reduced, set-aside, or additional diverted cropland acreage to be devoted to water storage in compliance with an established conservation plan approved by the SCS. Doubles such credit for non-converted wetlands, and triples it for prior converted wetlands. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise the wetland conservation program with respect to determinations of ineligibility for specified Federal program loans, payments, and benefits for persons who produce agricultural commodities on converted wetland. Allows an exemption from the ineligibility penalty if: (1) an agricultural commodity was produced on converted wetlands as a natural result of a project found to be in the public interest, unless such lands were not used for agriculture before December 23, 1985; or (2) mitigation is carried out in accordance with this Act. Allows persons found to be ineligible appeal to the State Committee of the Agriculture and Soil Conservation Service. Authorizes the State Committee to modify the ineligibility determination after considering specified specified factors. Sets forth procedures for administrative appeals of decisions made under this Act and specified FWPCA provisions relating to wetlands. Directs the EPA Administrator to establish a National Appeals Division for hearing and determining appeals of decisions by employees of the EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Title II: Tax Treatment for Certain Transactions Relating to Wetlands - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the charitable contribution base for contributions of wetlands. Grants a capital gains preference for certain sales and exchanges of wetlands by individuals. Allows a specified deduction of capital gains on certain sales and exchanges of wetlands to specified governmental units or any other organization approved by the Secretary of the Interior as a proper custodian of lands with wetland values. Sets forth a special rule for estates and trusts. Disallows such deduction in determining alternative minimum taxable income. Allows amortization of certain expenditures for restoring wetlands.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the administration should: (1) be commended for its quick action in addressing the humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia; and (2) impress upon Ethiopia's opposition groups that the U.S. attitude toward each such group will be greatly influenced by their cooperation in facilitating relief efforts and by steps they take in negotiating a lasting political settlement. Requests the President to urge: (1) the parties to the conflict in northern Ethiopia to agree to a ceasefire, to accept free passage of relief, and to permit the United Nations (U.N.) to assume a prominent role in coordinating international relief efforts; (2) Soviet President Gorbachev to press the Ethiopian Government to agree to such actions; and (3) nations supplying military assistance to the warring parties in Ethiopia to use their influence to facilitate a ceasefire and end external military flows. Urges the President: (1) until the Ethiopian Government takes such actions, to oppose favorable treatment of such Government by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to continue to oppose upgrading of U.S. diplomatic relations with such Government, and to prohibit the importation of Ethiopian coffee; and (2) after the Ethiopian Government takes such actions and has made substantial progress in effecting macroeconomic reform and in negotiating a settlement of Ethiopia's internal wars, to begin the normalization of relations and to support an expanded World Bank and IMF role in Ethiopia.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1990
Authorizes and requests the President to designate May 26, 1990, to commemorate the bicentennial of "An Act for the government of the territory of the United States, south of the river Ohio" (from which Tennessee was formed).
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
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the implementation of sanctions against a hospital for violating Medicare emergency medical condition screening and treatment requirements until a peer review organization makes a finding as to whether such a violation has occurred.
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 · 4 April 1990
Commends the Runnin' Rebels of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas for winning the 1990 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1990
Language of Government Act of 1990 - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that the Government has an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because they communicate in English. Prohibits a Government entity from making or enforcing an official act requiring the use of a language other than English. Deems anyone discriminated against for communicating in English to have been discriminated against on the basis of national origin. Makes available to a person so discriminated against all lawful remedies available under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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 · 27 March 1990
Title I: Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price support provisions for the 1991 through 1995 crops of upland cotton. Establishes the target price at $.729 per pound, with adjustment authority based on production cost increases. Provides for ten-month market-based loans, with an eight-month extension if average prices do not exceed specified levels. Provides for: (1) a marketing loan program based on adjusted world market prices, including a market certificate program; and (2) the imposition of a special limited global import quota when the U.S. upland cotton price exceeds the "Northern Europe" price. Provides for deficiency payments calculated on a calendar year basis. Provides for an acreage limitation program that will provide for specified carryover cotton stocks. Authorizes a uniform acreage reduction of up to 25 percent. Sets forth conservation use provisions. Authorizes disaster payments and reduced yield disaster payments under specified conditions. Provides for a paid land diversion program if projected carryovers exceed specified limits. States that cross-compliance shall not apply to such crops. Extends specified provisions of the extra long staple cotton program. Title II: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price support provisions for the 1991 through 1995 rice crops. Establishes the target price at $10.71 per hundredweight, with adjustment authority based on production cost increases. Provides for nine-month market-based loans. Provides for a marketing loan program based on adjusted world market prices, including a market certificate program. Authorizes disaster payments and reduced yield disaster payments under specified conditions. Provides for an acreage limitation program that will provide for specified carryover rice stocks. Authorizes a uniform acreage reduction of up to 35 percent. Sets forth conservation use provisions. States that cross-compliance shall not apply to such crops. Title III: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price support provisions for the 1991 through 1995 sugar crops. Establishes loan rates at $.18 per pound for sugarcane. Bases sugar beet prices on sugarcane levels. Authorizes price support increases based upon production cost increases and other circumstances that may adversely affect domestic sugar production.
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 · 22 March 1990
World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should recognize the 50th anniversary of World War II by minting and issuing commemorative coins. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue and mint such coins in five dollar, one dollar, and half dollar denominations. Mandates that surcharges received from the sale of such coins be deposited in a coinage profit fund and allocated, upon separate congressional authorization, to the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a World War II memorial. Directs the Secretary to report semiannually to the Congress regarding implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1990
Wetlands Conservation Reserve Program Act of 1990 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to make wetlands and surrounding uplands eligible for inclusion in the conservation reserve program. Extends the program through crop year 1995. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) conduct a study of the advisability and effect of extending and expanding the program; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees.