United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Christopher Columbus Coin and Fellowship Act - Title I: Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coins - Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of five dollar gold coins, one dollar silver coins, and half dollar clad coins emblematic of the quincentary of the discovery of America. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of such coins after June 30, 1993. Requires the Secretary to deposit surcharges from the sale of such coins in the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Fund for use by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation. Declares that no law governing procurement or public contracts shall be applicable to the procurement of goods and services necessary for carrying out this Act, except that this provision shall not relieve any person from complying with any law relating to equal employment opportunity. Title II: Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation - Christopher Columbus Fellowship Act - Establishes the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation to award fellowships to outstanding individuals to encourage new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind. Establishes the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Fund. Directs the Foundation to report to the President and to the Congress annually on its operations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
United Services Organization's 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of five dollar gold coins, one dollar silver coins, and half dollar clad coins to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Services Organization (USO). Requires such coins to be emblematic of USO Services to military service personnel and families. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of such coins after February 4, 1991. Requires surcharges from the sale of such coins to be deposited in a coinage profit fund and used for USO programs and to reduce the national debt. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress semiannually through December 31, 1992, on activities under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Labor Shortage Reduction Act of 1989 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to: (1) develop a methodology to use available data bases to annually identify national labor shortages; (2) as part of such identification, develop information on specified topics; (3) within 18 months and annually thereafter, publish a list of national labor shortages; (4) distribute such list and related information to specified parties and agencies, through various means such as the Interstate Job Bank; (5) conduct research and develop data bases to improve the accuracy of the methodology and make recommendations to identify regional, State, and local labor shortages; (6) report annually to the Congress on such research and development; and (7) submit an annual plan to the Congress, specifying actions to be taken by the Secretary and recommending action for other parties. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that individuals throughout the United States should observe Independence Day, July 4, 1989, as Take Pride in the Flag Day to celebrate the 213th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 201st anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to its concern over the Supreme Court's decision in Texas v. Johnson and its commitment to preserving the honor and integrity of the flag. Condemns all actions intended to desecrate the flag. Urges the American people to continue to display proudly the U.S. flag.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
National Ground Water Research Act of 1989 - Directs the President to coordinate Federal ground water research, monitoring, and protection activities through the establishment of an Interagency Ground Water Research Committee. Requires the Committee to appoint an Education Committee to review the academic and related institutional capabilities for education and training of ground water research related professionals and to identify opportunities for improving such education and training. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the U.S. Geological Survey, to prepare a report assessing ground water quality and quantity information systems and data collection and monitoring. Requires the Secretary to submit such report to the Congress with biennial updates. Directs the Secretary to conduct a national ground water assessment program to assist State and local governments in ground water protection and remediation of contamination and depletion and in the design of monitoring programs, including recommendations for protocols to assist such governments in meeting their data collection responsibilities under specified Federal environmental statutes. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and coordinate a research, development, and demonstration program for ground water protection and remediation of contamination, to include surveys, the development of cost-effective prevention, detection, and remediation techniques, and the provision of technical assistance. Sets forth demonstration project selection criteria and procedures, based upon the seriousness of the contaminant addressed and a project's applicability to other locations and circumstances. Requires that such project be monitored and evaluated by the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to pay the costs of such evaluation, but limits Federal cost sharing for the project in general. Requires the Administrator to publish an environmental profile for each significant ground water contaminant. Requires such profiles to include risk assessment analyses to assess the risk to human health and the environment within a range of concentrations of such contaminants. Directs the Administrator to implement research programs for the development of information necessary to conduct risk assessments and make risk management decisions regarding the presence of such contaminants in ground water. Establishes a timetable for the publication of such profiles. Requires the Administrator, in publishing such profiles, to give priority to the most toxic contaminants. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator each to establish a technical assistance program to serve other Federal and governmental agencies, including assistance for research, surveys, training, and technology transfer. Directs the Secretary, acting through the U.S. Geological Survey, to establish and maintain a National Groundwater Information Clearinghouse. Directs the Administrator to establish a ground water research committee for ground water resources. Directs the Science Advisory Board established by the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1978 to review and report to the Congress on EPA's ground water research programs. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and maintain research fellowships. Directs the Administrator to make grants for ground water research institutes. Requires that funds be equitably distributed throughout the United States and that one of the institutes be the National Center for Ground Water Research, a consortium between Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Rice Universities. Limits the Federal share to 50 percent of costs and earmarks funds for technology transfer. Requires the Administrator to review and evaluate such institutes and subjects the institute's research to peer review. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress on activities carried out under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States to support the development and implementation of State strategies designed to detect, prevent, and correct ground water contamination and control sources of contaminants. Sets forth allotment requirements. Limits such grants to 50 percent of a project's total cost. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1990 through 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Court of Veterans Appeals Judges Retirement Act - Title I: Judges Retirement and Survivor Annuity Program - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions concerning the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals (Court) to outline the age and service requirements for full retirement benefits. Requires a judge who is unable to perform the duties of office due to permanent disability to retire. Provides that a judge serving for less than ten years who retires due to permanent disability shall receive retired pay of one-half of the rate of pay in effect at retirement. Requires an election to retire under such retirement provisions to be made while the judge is still an active judge. Prohibits revocation of such an election after the retired pay begins to accrue. Requires such election to be in writing and sent to the chief judge or, in the case of the chief judge, to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) forfeiture of rights to retired pay while accepting employment with the United States; (2) the lack of an annuity payable under civil service retirement laws, as well as the lack of a deduction from retired pay for the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; and (3) notice to the President in writing when a judge is unable to perform the duties of office due to a permanent disability. Allows an individual who has elected to receive retired pay under these provisions to revoke such election at any time before the first day on which retired pay would begin to accrue. Requires notice of such revocation to be in writing and sent to the Director of OPM. Outlines the ramifications of such revocation (basically, reinclusion under Federal civil service retirement provisions). Requires the Director of OPM to begin withholding one percent of the salary of a judge under this Act after proper notice of the election to receive retirement coverage under this Act. Requires withheld amounts to be credited to the Court of Veterans Appeals Judges Retirement Fund. Allows a judge to deposit into such Fund amounts for up to 15 years of service prior to the date on which contributions may be made under this Act. Authorizes a judge to become a participant in the annuity program by filing a written notice of such election under this Act while in office in a manner prescribed by the Court. Provides for a deduction of 3.5 percent of the judge's pay to provide coverage for the annuity. Requires amounts so withheld to be deposited into the Fund. Requires a judge to deposit into the Fund, for annuity coverage, 3.5 percent of the judge's pay or other compensation for service as a Member of Congress or any other civilian Federal service. Allows such payments for prior years of service to be made in installments. Provides that if the service of a judge who makes an election to be covered under the annuity provisions is terminated, or if any judge ceases to be married after making the election and revokes the election, the amount in the judge's individual account shall be returned to the judge. Allows an annuity to be paid to the surviving spouse and dependent child of a judge under this Act if the judge dies after having rendered at least five years of civilian service and has made payments into the Fund for at least five years. Terminates the annuity to the surviving spouse upon his or her death or remarriage before age 55. Terminates the annuity payable to the child at the child's death. Recomputes the annuity payable to the child at the child's death. Recomputes the annuity payable to a dependent child after the death of a surviving spouse and after the death of another dependent child. Terminates any annuity payments if a judge making an election to be covered for annuity purposes dies before having rendered at least five years of civilian service or dies without a survivor entitled to such benefits. Provides, in such case, that the full amount of deposits made by the judge before his or her death, plus interest, shall be returned to the persons surviving on the date that title to the payment arises, in a specified order of priority. Provides for payment of the unpaid remaining annuity of a survivor or dependent upon the termination (other than by death) of the annuity of any individual based upon the service of a judge, in a specified order of preference. Provides for alternative measures to be taken for the payment of annuities to minors or mentally incompetent persons. Outlines administrative provisions concerning the time and amounts of annuity payments (determined on the basis of a judge's average annual pay). Requires the years of service for determining the amount of a surviving spouse's annuity rights to include years of service as a judge of the Court, as a Member of Congress, and as a member of the armed forces (within a specified limit) and any other Federal civilian service. Requires a judge making an election to provide an annuity under this Act to waive all benefits under the civil service retirement laws. Requires annuity payments to be increased whenever a judge's salary is increased as long as the deceased judge rendered some portion of his or her final 18 months as a judge of the Court. Establishes in the Treasury the Court of Veterans Appeals Retirement Fund. Requires the chief judge of the Court to submit to the President an annual estimate of the expenditures and appropriations necessary for maintenance and operation of the Fund. Provides for periodic examinations of the Fund by an actuary. Requires deposits into the Fund as necessary to reduce to zero its unfunded liability. Title II: Provisions Relating to Establishment of Court of Veterans Appeals - Directs the Secretary to transfer to the Court such funds as the chief judge of the Court certifies to be required for the initial startup and operational costs of the Court, until funds for the operation of the Court are first appropriated. Requires that, upon appropriation, the chief judge must reimburse the Secretary the total sum transferred to the Court. Provides for facilities for the Court to be provided through the Administrator of General Services. Extends the date by which an appeal must be filed with the Court with regard to Board of Veterans Appeals decisions made before the Court commences operations. Provides for interim rules and employment authority of the Court. Title III: Technical Corrections - Makes technical corrections to current Federal law concerning the Board of Veterans Appeals. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Excludes certain noncareer appointments and competitive service-excepted positions in the Department of Veterans Affairs from a requirement prohibiting political affiliation or activity from being taken into account in connection with the appointment of personnel to certain positions. Provides for an acting chief judge of the Court in the event of a vacancy. Authorizes the Court to procure the services of experts and consultants.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1989
Emergency Chinese Adjustment of Status Facilitation Act of 1989 - Waives the two-year home country residence requirement for nationals of the People's Republic of China in the United States on a student (J) visa. Continues the legal status of nonimmigrant nationals of the People's Republic of China in the United States for adjustment or change of status purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1989
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to permit the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the principal due on agricultural regular or producer reserve loans in order to avoid loan collateral forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1989
Emergency Response Equipment Inventory Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the National Response Center (NRC) to establish, maintain, and annually revise a nationwide computerized listing of emergency response resources which are available to, and appropriate for use by, the National Response Team (NRT) in responding to: (1) discharges and substantial threats of discharge of oil which are within the scope of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; and (2) releases and substantial threats of release of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants within that scope. Directs the NRC to provide continuous access to such information to regional response teams and centers, on-scene coordinators, and all State and local government officials responsible for directing responses to such discharges or releases. Requires the head of each Federal agency having a representative on the NRT to ensure that all such individuals have ready accessibility to all relevant, unclassified data. Directs the President to take such actions as may be necessary to encourage appropriate international organizations to establish an international inventory of emergency response resources.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
National American Indian Museum Act - Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a memorial to Native Americans to be known as the National Museum of the American Indian, to provide for the study, research, collection, and exhibition of Native Americans and their culture. Designates specified areas in the District of Columbia and New York City as the sites of facilities for the Museum. Requires establishment of a facility for the conservation and storage of Museum collections at the Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland. Authorizes the Smithsonian to: (1) provide for the transfer of certain assets of the Heye Foundation for the benefit and use of the Museum; (2) construct such facilities; (3) provide for acquisition of Native American objects and artifacts from museums or private collections; and (4) maintain or loan objects and artifacts in the Museum collection. Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Museum. Directs the Board to: (1) recommend annual budgets for the Museum; and (2) assist the Board of Regents on matters relating to the Museum. Grants the Trustees sole authority to: (1) dispose of and acquire additional Museum property; and (2) establish policy with respect to the utilization of the Museum's collections. Grants the Trustees authority to: (1) establish policy with respect to the restoration, preservation, and maintenance of Museum collections; (2) solicit funds for the Museum; (3) approve expenditures from the Museum's endowment; (4) advise the Museum's Director; (5) provide for the exhibition of Native American objects and artifacts; and (6) conduct research and evaluation and educational programs with respect to the Museum collections. Requires the Trustees to submit annual reports to the Board of Regents and the Congress. Requires the Foundation's employees serving at the time of the transfer to be offered employment by the Smithsonian. Directs the Board of Regents to: (1) loan artifacts and objects from the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit service to the Heye Foundation's successor; and (2) provide training and assistance to such successor to maintain and operate exhibits and a museum facility at Audubon Terrace, New York, New York. Directs the Board, in providing such services, to require such successor to: (1) designate a specified area for exhibit space; (2) ensure physical suitability of such space for exhibition of traveling collections; and (3) make an effort to coordinate exhibits. Authorizes the Board to enter into agreements with museums, educational institutions, and cultural organizations to: (1) loan Native American artifacts and objects from the Museum collection; (2) sponsor and coordinate traveling exhibitions; and (3) provide technical assistance. Directs the Board to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Interior to insure that certain museums have an opportunity to participate in such programs. Directs the Board to: (1) identify the geographic and tribal origins of the skeletal remains of Indians and associated grave offerings in the Smithsonian; (2) conduct a study and make recommendations on how to implement a policy of returning or repatriating such skeletal remains and associated grave offerings according to tribal custom; (3) consult with traditional Indian religious leaders in making such recommendations; and (4) report to the Congress within three years of this Act's enactment on the identity of such skeletal remains and associated grave offerings and the findings and recommendations of such study. Directs the Secretary to make grants available for assisting Indian tribes in such repatriation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Job Corps Amendments Act of 1989 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (the Act) to revise provisions for the Job Corps. Raises the maximum age limit for Job Corps enrollees from 22 to 25, and repeals authority to waive the age limitation for handicapped individuals. Declares that nothing in the Act prohibits transfer of Job Corps participants to and from Training Services programs for the disadvantaged. Increases from ten to 20 percent the maximum percentage of Job Corps enrollees who may be nonresident participants in any year. Prohibits the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) from reducing the number of residential participants during any program year below their number during program year 1989. Prohibits any Department of Labor funds from being used to: (1) close any Job Corps Center that was operating during program year 1989; or (2) carry out any contract with a nongovernmental entity to administer or manage a Civilian Conservation Center of the Job Corps which was not under such a contract as of September 1, 1984. Directs the Secretary to provide child care at or near Job Corps centers for the children of Job Corps participants. Requires each Job Corps Center to provide alcohol or drug abuse counseling, treatment, and related prevention services for enrollees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Condemns the brutal treatment of, and blatant discrimination against, the Turkish minority by the Government of Bulgaria. Calls upon the Bulgarian authorities to cease all such discriminatory practices, release all those imprisoned because of their participation in nonviolent political acts, and honor its obligations concerning the right of all Bulgarians to emigrate. Urges the President and Secretary of State to make strong diplomatic representations to Bulgaria protesting its treatment of its Turkish minority and to raise this issue in all appropriate international fora.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Cable Foreign Ownership Act of 1989 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any cable system in the United States from being owned or otherwise controlled by any alien or any representative or corporation of such alien. Provides that if the government of a foreign country applies a more restrictive ownership requirement on U.S. citizens, such requirement shall be applied to representatives of that country in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Aflatoxin Food Safety Act of 1989 - Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to provide for aflatoxin contamination testing of all corn shipped in foreign commerce. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) indemnify corn producers for aflatoxin contamination losses due to 1988 or 1989 weather or related conditions; (2) establish standardized testing equipment and procedures; and (3) conduct related research.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Consumer Products Recovery Act of 1989 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require producers or importers of lubricating oil to recycle, through methods specified under this Act, an amount of used oil equal to at least the amount determined by multiplying the amount of lubricating oil produced or imported that year by such persons by the recycling percentage established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Authorizes such individuals to comply with this Act by: (1) recycling (through re-refining) used oil or purchasing re-refined oil for purposes of producing lubricating oil; or (2) purchasing recycling credits under this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a recycling percentage that is two points higher than the existing recycling rate for lubricating oil. Provides for increases in such percentage of two points annually until 1999. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations allowing recyclers to create credits for used oil recycling and producers or importers of lubricating oil to purchase such credits. Provides that such regulations shall require: (1) owners or operators of used oil collection places to keep receipts issued by transporters who take delivery of such oil and copies of agreements under which the transporter agrees to take such oil to a recycling facility; (2) such owners or operators to certify that oil taken by transporters is not contaminated with hazardous wastes or substances above de minimis levels; (3) transporters to obtain an identification number from the Administrator and to keep certain records; (4) owners or operators of recycling facilities to be the only persons to create a recycling credit for the recycling credit system; (5) recyclers to certify that the substance being recycled is uncontaminated used oil; (6) oil proposed to be recycled to have come from a used oil collection place or a transporter with an identification number; (7) specified records to be kept by recyclers and by importers or producers; and (8) recyclers to sell or distribute in commerce such oil as specification used oil, off-specification used oil, hazardous waste fuel, or re-refined oil. Allows used oil re-refiners to exclude between 15 and 25 percent of re-refined oil from recycling requirements. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on such regulations and to include: (1) a discussion of the effects of such regulations on the oil industry and the environment; and (2) an evaluation of the level of the recycling percentage and whether such percentage should be increased in future years. Requires an updated version of such report to be submitted within ten years of this Act's enactment. Applies recycling requirements to persons who import or produce more than 100,000 gallons of lubricating oil annually. Sets the recycling percentage at 40 percent if the Administrator fails to promulgate such regulations. Directs the Administrator to submit to the Congress a plan for the recycling of certain commodities, including daily newspapers, used tires, lead acid batteries, pesticide containers, antifreeze, and specified volatile organic compounds. Requires such plan to include an incentive-based method for accomplishing such recycling. Directs the Administrator to implement such plan with respect to one commodity and with respect to an additional commodity each year thereafter. Provides that if used oil is identified as a hazardous waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, any fuel derived from such oil shall not be considered to be a hazardous waste after being reprocessed at a permitted facility. Requires persons who package lubricating oil to label such packages with a hazardous substance warning label and to include a telephone number for information on area recycling. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring States to develop plans for making information about used oil recycling available to the public. Requires the Administrator to establish a toll-free telephone line for information on State used oil recycling programs. Makes certain regulations proposed in the Federal Register on November 29, 1985, effective with respect to used oil management if the Administrator fails to promulgate regulations under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Defense Program Management Improvement Act - Revises provisions relating to the qualifications, duties, term, and other administrative matters relating to major defense program managers. Outlines the following requirements concerning such program managers: (1) requires each to be a civilian; (2) requires each such position to be filled in a GS-13 through 15 pay grade; (3) specifies the term of such managers; (4) sets forth job evaluation procedures for such managers; (5) requires each to report and take direction from a civilian line of authority of senior acquisition personnel only; (6) authorizes such managers to receive information and employs members of the armed forces; and (7) allows members of the armed forces to be program managers only after resigning or agreeing not to reenlist in the armed forces. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a personnel system with a career path for civilian personnel within the Department of Defense. Requires the Secretary to begin implementing such system within three years after enactment of this Act. Requires certain educational and experiential qualifications of program managers under such system. Specifies educational requirements for persons who are program managers after two years after enactment of this Act but before the establishment of such personnel system.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Displaced Homemakers and Single Parents Homeownership Assistance Act - States that displaced homemakers and single parents shall not be deemed ineligible for Federal assistance for first-time homebuyers on the basis of previous home ownership or residence while married or a homemaker.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
B-2 Fly-Before-You-Buy Act of 1989 - Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from obligating any funds for procurement of production aircraft under the B-2 Advanced Technology Bomber program until the Secretary certifies to the Congress that: (1) all testing and evaluation of the aircraft has been successfully accomplished; and (2) such aircraft has a high probability of being able to perform its intended missions. Directs the U.S. Comptroller General to review all test reports and evaluation documents concerning such aircraft program and to report the findings to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Amends rule XXXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that a portion of the House gallery be set aside for use by scholars of the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) recognition and further attention should be given to the professional and personal needs of long-term care aides; (2) expanded access to health and pension benefits should be provided to such aides; (3) long-term care policy makers should recognize that problems of female household heads and minority workers affect most nursing care aides; (4) more data is needed on home health and nursing home aides; (5) expanded recruitment of specified groups should be considered to abate the long-term care aide shortage; and (6) changes should be made in nursing aide positions to ensure integration into management structures and to enhance attraction to careers in long-term care.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means should review the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 and hold hearings in the process of such review.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Urges the administration to refrain from submitting any proposal to include maritime transportation in the forthcoming General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) discussions regarding trade in services industries and to oppose any proposals by foreign nations which are similar or which could result in a contraction of the U.S.-flag merchant marine.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1989
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (the Act) to require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring any generator of a shipment of hazardous materials to transmit a manifest of its contents and the license plate or other identifying number of the carrier to the central reporting system and data center. Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract under which a private entity shall establish a central reporting system and data center to provide law enforcement and firefighting personnel with information and advice on dealing with emergencies connected with the transportation of hazardous materials (currently the Secretary is required to establish and maintain such a system and data center). Prohibits the appropriation of Federal funds for such system and data center. Permits the private entity to impose a fee for manifesting such a shipment if the generator is a Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to study the flow of hazardous materials in the United States. Requires the Secretary, in collaboration with the private entity, to report the results of such study to the Congress. Increases both civil and criminal penalties for violations under the Act. Sets forth specified terms and conditions with respect to the private entity's establishment and maintenance of the reporting system and data center.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1989
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic located at 1900 Mason Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida, as the William V. Chappell, Jr., Veterans' Outpatient Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present a bronze medal to individuals: (1) who were members of the armed forces and were present in Hawaii on December 7, 1941; and (2) who participated in combat operations that day against Japanese military forces attacking Hawaii. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike such medals. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations which are to be reimbursed out of the proceeds from sales of the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit certain battered alien spouses to apply for permanent residence without filing a joint petition (and interview) with the citizen spouse. Requires such an alien spouse to demonstrate: (1) that the marriage was entered into with good faith; and (2) evidence of physical abuse or extreme mental cruelty.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Designates the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Brick Township, New Jersey, as the James J. Howard Veterans' Outpatient Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Surtax Repeal Act - Amends the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 to repeal the supplemental Medicare premium. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the existing 33 percent individual income tax rate to the highest income taxpayers. Repeals the phase-out of the 15 percent rate and personal exemptions. Establishes a maximum capital gains rate at 28 percent. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for funding medicare catastrophic benefits by the extension of the individual income tax rate. Makes appropriations of relevant amounts to the following trust funds: (1) the Federal Hospital Insurance Catastrophic Coverage Reserve Fund; (2) the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund; and (3) the Federal Catastrophic Drug Insurance Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
Amends the Federal criminal code to require a minimum sentence of five years' imprisonment, without an opportunity for parole, for the unlawful possession of a firearm by any person: (1) who has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year imprisonment; (2) who is a fugitive from justice; (3) who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; (4) who has transported in interstate commerce any stolen firearm; or (5) who has received any stolen firearm. Increases from $5,000 to $10,000 and from five years to ten years the fine and term of imprisonment, respectively, for violation of Federal firearm laws. Increases the penalties for possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
Oil Spill Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to trade or business expenses to disallow the deduction for oil and hazardous substances cleanup costs if the Secretary of the Treasury receives notification from the relevant authority that the taxpayer has failed to comply with specified Federal environmental law. Disallows such deduction where it can be shown that the oil or hazardous substance discharge was the result of willful negligence or willful misconduct. Reduces the tax attributes of the taxpayer by the amount disallowed. Disallows a deduction for losses resulting from any oil or hazardous substance discharge if the cleanup costs of such discharge are disallowed as a deduction. Sets forth time limits for: (1) the Secretary to assess any deficiency attributable to the notification of noncompliance with Federal environmental law; and (2) the taxpayer to file a claim for credit or refund attributable to receipt of such notification. Establishes an account in the Treasury to consist of the increase in revenues resulting under this Act. Makes such amounts available for: (1) the revolving fund under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for expenses related to removal of discharged oil; or (2) the Hazardous Substance Superfund. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the decrease of Federal revenues because of the allowance of the deduction for oil and hazardous substances cleanup costs. Requires the Secretary to report annually to such committees on the amount expended on environmental cleanup costs and the amount accruing to the Treasury by reason of the disallowance of such deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1989
Waste Export Control Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to establish as an objective of such Act the assurance that solid waste exports are managed in a manner protective of human health and the environment and no less strict than that which would be required if the waste were managed in the United States. Exempts from this Act's requirements baled waste paper, glass cullet, metals, or plastic that: (1) have been separated by type from solid waste before export; (2) are exported for incorporation into new products with recycled content; and (3) are not hazardous wastes under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Prohibits the export of solid waste from the United States unless there is an agreement between the United States and the receiving country which provides for: (1) the exchange of information regarding such export and its management; (2) cooperation on compliance with and enforcement of such agreement; (3) biennial review and revision or suspension of such agreement under certain circumstances; and (4) a prohibition on further transport of such waste from the country of destination without the written consent of parties to the agreement. Deems any agreement concerning shipments of hazardous waste entered into by the United States and in force on this Act's enactment date to meet this Act's requirements for one year following such enactment date. Prohibits the export of solid waste from the United States unless the exporter has obtained a permit from the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Outlines information to be included in the permit application. Requires the Director of the National Enforcement Investigations Center to submit an investigative report on each applicant to the Administrator. Provides that permittees shall have the continuing duty to provide assistance or information requested by the Administrator or the Center and to cooperate in any inquiry conducted by the Center. Limits permit terms to a period of five years. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on all solid waste exports. Prohibits the issuance of any permit unless the Administrator determines that: (1) the waste generator has used reasonable efforts to eliminate or minimize waste generation prior to export; (2) the receiving facility is capable of treating, storing, and disposing of such waste in a manner protective of human health and the environment and no less strict than that which would be required if the waste were managed in the United States; and (3) the application meets the requirements of this Act. Directs the Administrator to make inspections of any facility handling waste subject to a permit. Authorizes the Administrator to revoke a permit under specified circumstances. Directs the Administrator to establish a user fee to defray the cost of administering this Act. Requires such fee system to consist of a one-time permit application fee and a waste export permit fee to be paid over the life of the permit. Authorizes foreign governments to bring actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1986 when damages are incurred with respect to the export of hazardous substances from the United States. Prescribes criminal penalties for knowing violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1989
Utility Customer Refund Act of 1989 - Describes conditions under which a normalization method of accounting will not be assumed (for purposes of recapture of certain investment tax credits) in connection with the treatment of excess deferred tax reserves of public utility companies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1989
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the use of tritium for nuclear explosive purposes. Authorizes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in time of war or national emergency, to order the recapture of tritium and to order entry into any facility for such recapture.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1989
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive the application of certain Medicaid requirements in up to ten States which choose to provide long-term care pursuant to joint, State-sponsored public and private financing arrangements. Sets durational and fiscal limitations on such programs. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress, by January 1, 1999, on the effectiveness of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1989
Great Lakes Maritime Trade Act of 1989 - Title I: Eligibility of Certain Reflagged Vessels in the Great Lakes to Carry Preference Cargoes - Exempts an American Great Lakes vessel (AGLV) from provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 which prohibit a vessel which is built or rebuilt outside the United States or documented under any foreign registry from being, for purposes of cargo preference provisions, a privately owned U.S.-flag vessel. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to designate a vessel to be an AGLV if it meets certain requirements regarding U.S. documentation and if the owner enters into a construction and purchase agreement specifying that: (1) all repair, maintenance, reconditioning, and other construction (except emergency repairs) shall be performed in the United States; and (2) if the designation is revoked or terminated under provisions of this Act, the United States shall have an exclusive right to purchase the vessel under specified price terms. Declares that, notwithstanding any law, if the United States does not purchase the vessel, the owner shall not be prohibited from transferring the vessel to a foreign registry or selling it to a non-U.S. citizen. Prohibits an AGLV, except during the Great Lakes shipping off-season, from engaging in trade: (1) from a non-Great Lakes U.S. port; (2) between U.S. ports; or (3) between Great Lakes U.S. ports and Great Lakes Canadian ports. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to revoke the designation of a vessel as an AGLV on determining that the vessel does not meet a requirement for the designation, it has been operated in violation of this title, or the owner has violated a construction and purchase agreement under this title. Terminates an AGLV designation three years after the date of the designation or on an earlier date as may be requested by the vessel owner. Title II: Great Lakes Maritime Passage Enhancements - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to extend indefinitely, with regard to certain cargo preference provisions, the requirement that the Secretary of Transportation take steps to preserve the percentage share, or metric tonnage of bagged, processed, or fortified commodities experienced in calendar year 1984, of waterborne cargoes exported from Great Lakes ports pursuant to specified provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Directs the Secretary of the Army, notwithstanding specified requirements of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, to initiate and complete the design, planning, and engineering of the Sault Sainte Marie lock project. Extends the authorization of such project to the end of FY 1993. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) initiate discussions with Canada to eliminate all tolls on the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway; and (2) report to the Congress, by January 1, 1990, regarding those efforts, any results, and recommendations for further action. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that: (1) funding for icebreaking capability in the Great Lakes should be maintained at a level sufficient to ensure passage under any conditions which may reasonably be expected to occur during the Great Lakes shipping season; and (2) it is essential to maintain in the Great Lakes an icebreaking vessel with horsepower and beam equivalent to those of the Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1989
Provides for veterans' readjustment appointments in the Federal Government at the GS-11 level. Includes as veterans eligible for such appointments (currently, only Vietnam veterans are eligible) veterans who have more than 14 years of education and who are entitled to disability compensation or whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. Grants such veterans preference over other eligible veterans for such appointments. Includes as other eligible veterans those veterans whose last discharge or release from active duty occurred within the four-year period immediately preceding an appointment under such provisions. States that the "last discharge or release" from active duty shall not include a discharge or release of less than 90 days of continuous service except for a service-connected disability, for a pre-existing medical condition which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines is not service-connected, or for hardship.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1989
Disaster Assistance Act of 1989 - Title I: Emergency Crop Loss Assistance for Annual Crops - Extends disaster crop loss assistance through the 1989 crop year for wheat, feed grains, peanuts, sugar, tobacco, soybeans, and other nonprogram crops. Extends crop quality reduction disaster assistance through the 1989 crop year. Reduces disaster assistance payments in relation to Federal crop insurance payments. Requires producers to obtain Federal crop insurance for 1990 in order to be eligible for disaster payments and other specified assistance for 1989 crop losses. Sets forth exempted circumstances. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to announce within a specified time the conditions for establishing a 1989 farm yield for forage-use crops. Limits assistance under this Act at $100,000. Authorizes the Secretary to determine a de minimis yield for each crop eligible for reduced yield disaster payments under this Act. Title II: Forest Crops and Conservation Measures - Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to tree farmers who lost seedlings in 1989 as a result of drought conditions. Limits assistance to any one person to $25,000. Prohibits the Secretary from reducing rental payments to an owner or operator who harvests 1989 hay on land subject to a conservation reserve program contract to the extent that such owner or operator carries out and pays for specified additional conservation practices. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Makes a person with qualifying annual gross income (as defined by this Act) in excess of $2,000,000 ineligible for assistance under this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Jontz, Jim [D-IN-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000265_200.jpg)