United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1989
Veterans' Health-Care Programs Amendments of 1989 - Title I: Personnel Provisions - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide special pay for nurses (as is currently provided to physicians and dentists) in a specified amount (depending on full- or part-time employment) upon the execution of a written agreement to complete a specified period of service with the Veterans Health Services and Research Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the Secretary, in addition to such special pay, to provide incentive special pay to Department nurses for: (1) tenure of service within the Administration of two years or more but less than five years; (2) tenure of service within the Administration of five years or more: (3) service in intensive care units, critical care units, emergency rooms, operating rooms, or in nursing specialties for which recruitment and retention of qualified nurses is difficult; (4) service in a specific geographic location in which it is especially difficult to recruit and retain qualified nurses; and (5) service in a head nurse position. Directs the Secretary to provide such incentive special pay, under the same criteria, for eligible part-time nurses employed in the Administration. Provides that the agreement required for the payment of special pay may only be entered into if the nurse is a registered nurse and an employee of the Administration whose duty assignments involve direct patient care. Provides specified amounts (per annum) of such special incentive pay for qualified nurses within the Administration. Extends premium pay for nurses for work performed during certain hours or for overtime work to licensed practical or vocational nurses and nurse assistants of the Administration. Excludes Administration employees appointed and paid under general Federal provisions governing appointments in the competitive service from any Federal veterans' benefits provisions limiting employment outside of the Department. Includes nurses who are retired military personnel and who are necessary to meet emergency employment needs in the category of Administration personnel who are exempt from reductions in retirement pay under Federal provisions regarding pay administration in the competitive service. Authorizes the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Chief Medical Director of the Department, to appoint qualified individuals in the competitive civil service to the Administration without regard to Federal provisions regarding examination, certification, and appointment in the competitive service. Requires the Secretary to apply the principles of preference for hiring established under such Federal provisions. Title II: Health Program Amendments - Extends permanently the authority of the Secretary to provide respite care services to eligible veterans. (Currently, such authority expires as of the end of FY 1989.) Extends through FY 1992 the authority for the making of grants to States for the construction of State nursing home facilities. Amends the Veterans' Home Loan Program Improvements and Property Rehabilitation Act of 1987 to convey to employers who employ veterans participating in a compensated work therapy program real property and improvements for not less than 75 percent of the fair market value of such property. Rescinds a Department medical regulation relating to the use of community nursing home facilities. Title III: Health-Care Management - Directs the Secretary, during FY 1990 and 1991, to carry out a pilot program in one medical region of the Administration for an improved management system for amounts payable to the United States from programs administered by the Administration. Requires the Secretary to develop an automated program to carry out billing and collection of fees. Sets forth the requirements of such program and the allocation of amounts received by the Department through such program. Provides that the amounts retained and allocated shall be used for: (1) pay and other personnel benefits to enhance the recruitment and retention of Administration health-care employees; and (2) the supplementing of medical equipment accounts of medical centers at which such accounts are deficient. Authorizes appropriations. Makes military dependents who are eligible for medical care under Federal armed forces provisions eligible for health care under sharing agreements for health-care resources between the Department and the Department of Defense. Requires the Secretary, by October 1, 1989, to compile a list of individuals eligible for medical care under veterans' benefits provisions relating to survivors and dependents of certain veterans. Provides that the Secretary may pay benefits only to persons on such list. Directs the Secretary, no later than October 1, 1989, to establish a procedure for the periodic review of the need for, and the cost-effectiveness of, such medical care. Requires the Inspector General of the Department to report to the Senate and House veterans' committees on the Secretary's compliance with the establishment of such list and the procedures of such review. Directs the Secretary to study alternative methods for providing for the costs of such medical care and to report such study to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits the Department canteen service from contracting for the performance by any individual not employed by the United States of any activity that would otherwise be performed by an individual employed by the United States who is compensated with nonappropriated funds. Declares that the head of such service may not be required to report to any Department official other than the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1989
Social Security Transitional Benefit Computation Act of 1989 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to alter the formula for computing the primary insurance amount of individuals who attain age 65 in or after 1982 and would otherwise be subject to the benefit computation rules of the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Extends the application of such transitional benefit computation rules to those who become eligible for benefits before 1989. (Currently those who become eligible after 1983 are subject to the benefit computation rules of the Social Security Amendments of 1977.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1989
Volunteer Protection Act of 1989 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal financial liability for acts on behalf of the organization or entity. Sets forth exceptions to and conditions on the granting of such immunity that a State may impose. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to a State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such State has, within two years, certified to the Secretary that it has enacted a State law which provides such immunity. Provides for the continuation of such increase based on an annual recertification.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1989
Designates July 27, 1989, as National Korean War Veterans Recognition Day and expresses the gratitude of the Congress and the Nation for the contributions made by the Korean War veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover, on a reasonable charge basis, the services of a clinical psychologist which would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as incident to a physician's service.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Amends the Delaware River Basin Compact to create a cost-sharing formula for the Francis E. Walter water supply storage project. Provides that one-third of the water supply storage shall be allocable to future demand and not less than two-thirds of such storage portion shall be available for use in the Pennsylvania counties of Luzerne, Lackawanna, Carbon, and Monroe.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Truth in Savings Act - Requires each advertisement, announcement, or solicitation by a depository institution which refers to a specific interest rate, yield, or rate of earnings on amounts deposited in a demand or interest-bearing account to state the following information clearly and conspicuously: (1) the annual percentage yield and the period such yield is in effect; (2) all minimum initial deposit, minimum balance, and time requirements for earning such yield; (3) the annual rates of simple interest; (4) fees or other conditions that could reduce the yield; (5) any interest penalty for early withdrawal; and (6) the effective percentage yield on the maturity date of any account maturing in less than one year. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to exempt advertisements, announcements, or solicitations made by any broadcast or electronic medium or outdoor advertising displays not on the premises of a depository institution from the disclosure requirements relating to initial deposit requirements, rates of simple interest, or fees if such disclosure would be unnecessarily burdensome. Prohibits any depository institution from advertising an account as a free or no-cost account if: (1) there are minimum balance or limited transaction requirements to avoid fees; or (2) there is any service fee, transaction fee, or similar charge imposed for such account. Prohibits any institution from making any advertisement, announcement, or solicitation that is inaccurate or misleading or that misrepresents its deposit contracts. Requires each depository institution to maintain a schedule, written in clear and plain language, of fees, charges, interest rates, and terms and conditions such as minimum balance and time requirements applicable to each class of accounts offered. Requires that such schedule be disclosed to potential customers and requesting individuals and mailed to account holders. Requires that account holders receive 30 days' advance notice of any change to be made in any term or condition required to be disclosed in the schedule if the change might reduce the yield or adversely affect any account holder. Directs the Board to require modified disclosure requirements concerning the annual yield on variable rate accounts, multiple rate accounts, guaranteed-rate accounts that mature in less than one year, and accounts for which the interest rate is not guaranteed. Directs the Board to provide for public notice and comment on, and to publish, model forms and clauses for common disclosures required by this Act. Provides for the enforcement of this Act and the civil liability of a depository institution that fails to comply with requirements of this Act. Sets forth limitations on such liability and factors to be considered by the court in determining class action awards. Provides that an institution may not be held liable for a violation if the institution demonstrates that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error. Establishes U.S. district court jurisdiction and a one-year statute of limitations for actions brought under this Act. Directs the National Credit Union Administration to provide for the similar regulation of credit unions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Northern Ireland Fair Employment Practices Act - Prohibits an article from being imported into the United States from Northern Ireland unless documentation is presented at the time of entry indicating that the enterprise which manufactured or assembled such article complied at the time of manufacture with certain fair employment principles (such as freedom from religious discrimination). Bases such principles on the MacBride Principles, a nine point set of guidelines for fair employment in Northern Ireland. Requires any U.S. person who has a branch or office in Northern Ireland or who controls an enterprise in Northern Ireland in which more than 20 people are employed to insure implementation of such employment principles and compliance with this Act. Requires reports to the Secretary of Commerce on compliance with this Act. Sets forth the fair employment principles. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act in the interest of national security. Requires such waiver to become effective 90 days after the President submits a justification of such waiver to the Congress unless the Congress adopts a joint resolution disapproving the waiver. Provides for expedited consideration of such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for interest on any indebtedness incurred to pay the educational expenses of the taxpayer, spouse, or dependent. (Under current law, such a loan must be secured by an interest in real property.)
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Reaffirms that deposits in federally-insured depository institutions, up to the statutorily prescribed amount, are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Protect Medicare 90 Concurrent Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) hospital payments for FY 1990 should not be reduced below levels set by current law for such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
State Energy Conservation Programs Improvement Act of 1989 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to mandate that each State energy conservation plan which receives Federal assistance under the Act contain a specified reduction in energy consumption as one of its goals. Adds to Federal assistance eligibility prerequisites for proposed State energy conservation plans, including an emergency planning program for energy supply disruption. Cites optional State energy conservation programs. Repeals the mandate for supplemental State energy conservation plans. Authorizes appropriations for energy conservation programs for FY 1990 through 1992. Establishes within the Department of Energy a State Energy Advisory Board to report annually to the Congress regarding recommended energy efficiency objectives, the technology transfer aspect of Federal research and development with respect to energy efficiency and renewable resources, and recommended changes with respect to State and Federal energy policies. Authorizes the use of loan programs and performance contracting for the non-Federal share of energy conservation project costs under the grant program. Cites conditions under which the Secretary is authorized to approve a State application for a waiver of: (1) the requirement that at least 40 percent of Federal weatherization assistance for low-income persons be used for weatherization materials; and (2) the limitations placed upon expenditures per dwelling unit for weatherization measures. Terminates the Performance Fund used for State weatherization assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Extends the regional referral center classification of hospitals so classified as of September 30, 1989, and the payment rates applicable to such hospitals under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act through FY 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the right to life is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person. Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. States that nothing in this article shall prohibit a law allowing medical procedures required to prevent the death of either the pregnant woman or the unborn offspring.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. flag should be treated with respect, that public desecration of the flag is not symbolic speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and that Federal provisions prohibiting the willful and knowing display of contempt for the flag should be enforced.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1989
Repeals provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that establish nondiscrimination requirements for coverage and benefits under certain statutory employee benefit plans. (The consequence is the repeal of section 89 of the Internal Revenue Code.)
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Amends Federal law to eliminate the requirement that there be 500 or more persons regularly employed by all Federal agencies in a city or county before the Secretary of the Treasury may enter into an agreement to withhold city and county income and employment taxes from the pay of Federal employees who live or work there.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to four named individuals in full satisfaction of a family's claims against the United States arising from a construction accident.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to make it explicit that the authority to withhold past-due child support from an individual's Federal tax refunds may be exercised after such child reaches the age of majority.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Amends the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to provide for a presumption of disability due to pneumoconiosis with respect to certain coal miners whose claims were filed during a specified period under the Black Lung Benefits Program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to provide that information requested from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to assist a party in interest with respect to the administration of an employee benefit plan shall be provided at least once without charge.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to take such actions as are necessary to ensure that, with respect to each field office of the Social Security Administration in operation as of January 1, 1989: (1) such office is not closed; (2) any type of function performed by such office is not terminated; and (3) no employee of such office is removed, reassigned, furloughed, or reduced in grade. Permits a field office to be relocated if the new location is within the same commuting area as the former site of such office. Requires an annual report to the Congress on compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Changes the definition of "Vietnam era," for purposes of veterans' benefits, to include, in the case of a veteran who served on active duty in the armed forces in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, or the adjacent waters, the period from March 1, 1961, through August 4, 1964. Amends the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 to apply such definition to veterans' employment preference.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require all testimony of witnesses at committee or subcommittee hearings be taken under oath.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Amends Federal law to require the reverse side of the first coin redesigned to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution for a two-year period. Provides that the design on the obverse side of U.S. coins shall contain the likenesses of those displayed on current coins and shall be considered for redesign. Requires any such obverse redesigns to conform to the inscription requirements of current law. Requires U.S. coins to be redesigned, at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, over the next six years. Requires the Secretary, in selecting new designs, to consider specified constitutional concepts. Requires the designs to be selected by the Secretary upon consultation with the United States Commission of Fine Arts. Requires that any profits from the sale of uncirculated and proof sets of U.S. coins be deposited in the Treasury and used solely to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Department of Environmental Protection Act - Redesignates the Environmental Protection Agency as the Department of Environmental Protection, an executive department to be administered by a Secretary of Environmental Protection appointed by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Directs the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial and museum on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its immediate area to honor World War II veterans and to commemorate U.S. participation in that conflict. Directs the Commission to plan, design, construct, and oversee the operation of the memorial and museum. Specifies that such design shall provide for accessibility by, and accommodations for, the physically handicapped. Establishes the World War II Memorial and Museum Advisory Board to: (1) promote the establishment of the memorial and museum and encourage the donation of private funds for construction maintenance; (2) recommend the site and select the design for the memorial and museum, subject to the approval of the Commission; and (3) transmit annual reports on its activities to the Congress. Authorizes the Commission to solicit private contributions for such memorial and museum. Establishes a fund in the Treasury which shall be made available to the Commission to carry out this Act. Authorizes Federal funding, in addition to such private funds, for site preparation, design, planning, establishment, construction, maintenance, and operation of the memorial and museum. Authorizes assistance from specified Federal departments and agencies, including the Library of Congress. Authorizes Federal property to be transferred to the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to purchase suitable property within the District of Columbia for the establishment of such memorial and museum.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Black Lung Benefits Check Delivery Assurance Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to provide that if the regularly scheduled delivery date for black lung benefit checks falls on a weekend or a legal public holiday, then such checks shall be mailed for delivery on the first day preceding the weekend or holiday, even if the delivery would be made before the end of the month for which such checks are issued. Provides that if as a consequence of such modified delivery date the payment is more than the correct authorized amount, no action shall be taken to recover the incorrect portion.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Civil Service and Federal Employee Retirement Check Delivery Assurance Act of 1989 - Provides that if the usual delivery date for civil service retirement checks falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal public holiday, then such checks shall be mailed a day earlier than usual.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Requires the early mailing of benefit checks for military retired and retainer pay, Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan annuities, and military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities if the day regularly designated for the delivery of such checks falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Railroad Retirement Benefits Check Delivery Assurance Act of 1989 - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to provide that if the regularly scheduled delivery date for certain railroad benefits checks falls on a weekend or a legal public holiday, then such checks shall be mailed for delivery on the first day preceding the weekend or holiday, even if the delivery would be made before the end of the month for which such checks are issued. Provides that if, as a consequence of such modified delivery date, the payment is more than the correct authorized amount, no action shall be taken to recover the incorrect portion.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to prescribe the extent to which Federal agency activities directly affecting the coastal zones must be consistent with approved State management programs. Allows Federal activities to be inconsistent with State coastal zone management programs only if to be consistent would violate Federal law or if substantial unforeseen obstacles are encountered. Describes what is encompassed by "directly affecting activities."
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Recyclable Materials Science and Technology Development Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to study and report to the Congress concerning: (1) means to increase the use of degradable materials in manufactured goods; (2) technologies for recycling nondurable consumer products; and (3) ways to expand the marketing of recycled products. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of recycling nondegradable medical supplies and of substituting degradable for nondegradable materials in medical equipment and supplies. Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to the Congress on the national defense and security implications of requiring the use of degradable materials in defense items. Instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to initiate a pilot project to develop and demonstrate viable technology for composting municipal waste and sewage sludge. Requires the Secretary to report project results to the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a Director of Recycling Research and Information to make grants to support research into innovative recycling technology. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for FY 1990. Prohibits, effective five years after this Act's enactment, the production, manufacture, distribution, sale, or delivery of nonrecycled consumer goods, fast food in nondegradable containers, and packaging for specified purposes that contains any material that is not naturally degradable. Establishes both civil and criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Commerce jointly to issue regulations to govern the designation of goods and materials for noncompliance purposes. Directs the Secretary to publish and periodically update lists of items and materials affected by the prohibition on activities involving nonrecyclable items.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Federal Asset Disposition Association Dissolution Act - Amends the National Housing Act to specify that the purpose of the establishment of a new savings and loan association in connection with a liquidation is for such association to operate as an issuer of savings accounts and a lender and investor and not as an institution having the special purpose of managing or disposing of assets acquired from insured institutions in default. Specifies that provisions of the National Housing Act shall not be construed as authorizing the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) to organize a new Federal association for the purpose of managing or disposing of any assets: (1) of an insured institution for which the FSLIC has been appointed receiver; or (2) acquired by the FSLIC in order to prevent a default. Authorizes the FSLIC to delegate such liquidation functions to an appropriate regional office. Prohibits the Federal Asset Disposition Association (FADA) from engaging in any new activities after the date of the enactment of this Act. Directs the FSLIC to require FADA to assign all its rights and obligations under any contract to the FSLIC. Requires the FSLIC, within 60 days after the enactment of this Act, to revoke the charter of FADA and assume its assets and liabilities. Prohibits the FSLIC from paying any severance pay to employees of the FADA in excess of specified civil service amounts. Prohibits the FSLIC from taking any action which results in the sale of FADA as a going concern or the reconstitution of the FADA as a private corporation. Specifies that this Act shall not be construed as any recognition or ratification by the Congress of: (1) any authority of the FSLIC to charter FADA; or (2) any authority of FADA to act on behalf of the FSLIC. Requires the FSLIC to prepare and submit to the Congress a report describing: (1) the manner in which the dissolution of FADA was implemented; (2) the results of such dissolution; and (3) FSLIC's actions as the receiver of FADA. Specifies certain information to be included in such report. Requires the FSLIC to take such action as may be necessary to ensure that the FSLIC and all officers and employees of the FSLIC maintain full compliance with the competitive procurement requirements of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. Requires the FSLIC to liquidate the assets of insolvent savings and loan associations in a manner which: (1) minimizes the cost to the FSLIC; (2) maximizes the return which the FSLIC realizes on the assets; and (3) encourages the use of services of persons in the private sector in managing and disposing of such assets to the maximum extent possible. Requires the FSLIC to ensure that no individuals are employed by the FSLIC under personal service contracts except to the extent that such employment: (1) does not exceed 60 days in any one-year period; or (2) is determined to be necessary because of unusual circumstances which do not allow the position involved to be filled by a civil service employee. Provides that the number of asset liquidation personnel employed by the FSLIC shall not be subject to any limitation imposed by any officer of the executive branch who is not an officer of the FSLIC. Imposes a statutory limit on the number of asset liquidation employees that may be employed at any time by the FSLIC. Requires the FSLIC to establish an employment grade structure for asset liquidation employees which is comparable to the grade structure for employees of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) who manage or dispose of assets. Requires representatives of specified Government agencies and the private sector to conduct a multiagency study on options for reducing the duplication, overlap, and inconsistency among Federal agencies and instrumentalities and for making better use of private sector resources in managing and disposing of assets. Requires that a report concerning the results of such study be submitted to the Congress within one year after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that a beneficiary shall be entitled to a prorated benefit for the month in which he or she dies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Biological Weapons Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon any person who knowingly: (1) develops, produces, stockpiles, acquires or possesses any agent, toxin, or delivery system for use as a weapon of mass destruction; or (2) assists a foreign state or an international organization to manufacture or acquire such an agent, toxin, or delivery system. Authorizes the Attorney General to seize and destroy any such agent, toxin, or delivery system. Authorizes the United States to obtain an injunction against conduct prohibited by this Act. Sets forth defenses to any seizure or injunction under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Eliminates provisions of Federal law which restrict premium pay to the minimum rate of basic pay for GS-10 for Federal employees in a position in which: (1) the hours of duty cannot be controlled administratively; (2) a substantial amount of irregular, unscheduled overtime is required; and (3) the employee is generally responsible for recognizing circumstances which require the employee to remain on duty.