United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1990
Prohibits the proposed sales to Saudi Arabia of armored vehicles (including M1A2 tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles), AH-64 APACHE attack helicopters, PATRIOT guided missile units, and related defense articles and services, that were reported to the Congress pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act on September 27, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1990
Salutes and congratulates the people of Poland as they commemorate the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Polish Constitution on May 3, 1991. Directs the Library of Congress to commemorate the anniversary with appropriate ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1990
Pension Restoration Act of 1990 - Establishes a Federal annuity program, administered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, to compensate participants in plans which were terminated before September 1, 1974, for nonforfeitable pension benefits lost by reason of the termination. Sets forth provisions for such annuity program relating to: (1) entitlement; (2) computation; (3) applications; (4) administrative appeals; (5) judicial review; (6) payment; (7) interagency coordination and cooperation; and (8) regulations. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for use of certain funds to pay such annuities and the administrative costs of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1990
Universal Childhood Security Act - Title I: Foreign Assistance Programs - Requires that specified minimum amounts from aggregate U.S. funding for international development and economic assistance programs, for each of FY 1991 through 1996, be available only for: (1) child survival activities, including those authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; and (2) programs in support of basic primary education, including teacher training and other necessary activities. Declares the sense of the Congress that the World Bank should: (1) give greater priority to child survival and development, including support of basic education activities; and (2) devote five percent or more of its annual lending programs to primary health and five percent to primary education. Title II: Domestic Programs - Declares the sense of the Congress that it should increase participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (the WIC program) by 20 percent per year in each of 1991 through 1995, so that the goal of full participation may be reached by the end of FY 1995. Declares the sense of the Congress that it should follow through on providing full funding for the Head Start program of early childhood education and childhood development, so that the goal of participation of all eligible three- and four-year-old children can be reached by FY 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1990
Patent Competitiveness and Technological Innovation Act of 1990 - Title I: Patents in Space - Patents in Space Act - Amends Federal patent law to provide that any invention made, used, or sold in outer space on a space object or component under the jurisdiction or control of the United States shall be considered made, used, or sold within the United States unless: (1) it has been specifically identified and otherwise provided for in an international agreement which the United States has signed; or (2) it is carried on the registry of a foreign state in accordance with the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space. Declares that any invention carried on such registry shall be considered made, used, or sold within the United States if it has been specifically so agreed in an international agreement between the United States and the state of registry. Applies this provision to all patents granted before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act, with certain exceptions. Title II: Transgenic Animal Patent Improvements - Transgenic Animal Patent Improvement Act - Amends Federal patent law to declare that it shall not be an act of infringement for a person to: (1) reproduce a patented transgenic farm animal through breeding; (2) use it in the farming operation; or (3) sell it or its reproductive material in the farming operation (including germ cells, sperm, eggs or embryos). Authorizes the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to accept a deposit of biological material to satisfy patent application requirements. Declares that human beings are not patentable subject matter. Title III: Patent Remedy Clarification - Patent Remedy Clarification Act - Amends Federal patent law to declare that neither the States, their officers, nor their instrumentalities are immune from infringement liability. Provides the same remedies for infringement against State entities as are available against any private entity. Title IV: Research, Experimentation, an Competitiveness - Research, Experimentation, and Competitiveness Act of 1990 - Amends Federal patent law to declare it shall not be an act of infringement to make or use a patent invention solely for research or experimentation purposes unless the invention's primary purpose is research or experimentation. States that if a patented invention has a primary purpose of research or experimentation it shall not be an act of infringement to study, evaluate, or characterize it to create a product outside the scope of the patent covering the invention. Title V: Contractor Invention Rights - Contractor Invention Rights Act - Amends Federal patent law regarding patent rights in inventions made with Federal assistance to outline the parameters of contractors rights in inventions developed pursuant to a Federal contract. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) consider certain principles of national security and sensitive information when implementing contractor invention rights; and (2) review contractor standards of conduct for resolving potential conflicts of interest, including those involving Department of Energy personnel, contractors, or the current business associates of former Department of Energy employees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1990
Deposit Insurance Modernization Act of 1990 - Sets a maximum $100,000 per person aggregate limit for deposits which may be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Sets such limitation without regard to the capacity in which the account holder holds an interest in such account. Makes a deposit insurance declaration a prerequisite for the issuance of deposit insurance. Sets forth a priority scheme for deposit insurance coverage in the case of multiple accounts. Sets forth criminal fines for fraudulent attempts to obtain deposit insurance in excess of such limitation. Prescribes payment and oversight procedures. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Act to: (1) limit the aggregate amount of deposit insurance payments which may be made to any one person in any three-year period; and (2) outline a risk-based assessment scheme (including risk-based premiums and credits). Prohibits FDIC insurance coverage on certain deposit obligations which would not have been covered as of April 6, 1989. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Act to require insured credit unions and depository institutions to disclose, upon consumer request, their credit ratings. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to: (1) include foreign deposits in the calculation of assessment rates of depository institutions in certain locations outside the continental United States; and (2) preclude insurance coverage for brokered deposits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to affirm State authority to regulate the disposal of certain low-level radioactive waste for which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission does not require disposal in a licensed facility.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Copyright Amendments Act of 1990 - Title I: Computer Software - Computer Software Rental Amendments Act - Amends Federal copyright law to prohibit the person in possession of a computer software program from renting, leasing, or lending it for direct or indirect commercial advantage unless authorized to do so by the copyright owner. Excludes certain home video game software from the prohibition. Authorizes nonprofit libraries to lend computer programs if a copyright warning has been affixed to the computer program packaging. Requires the Register of Copyrights to report to the Congress regarding the efficacy of this Act. Sets forth remedies for copyright infringement in cases of violations of this Act. Title II: Fair Use - Amends Federal copyright law to apply the fair use doctrine to all copyrighted work, whether published or unpublished. Title III: Architectural Works - Architectural Works Copyright Protection Act - Amends Federal copyright law to define and include architectural works within the scope of copyright subject matter. Excludes from such copyright any right to prevent a pictorial representation of an architectural work if the work is embodied in a structure located in a public place. Permits the owners of a structure embodying an architectural work to make alterations without the author's or copyright owner's consent.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1990
Violence Against Women Act of 1990 - Title I: Safe Streets for Women - Safe Streets for Women Act of 1990 - Subtitle A: Federal Penalties for Sex Crimes - Amends Federal law to require the U.S. Sentencing Commission to create or amend guidelines to provide for: (1) up to twice the term of imprisonment or fine for violation, after the first conviction, of Federal laws relating to sexual abuse or similar laws of any State or foreign country; and (2) specified minimum terms of imprisonment for aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and abusive sexual contact. Amends the Federal criminal code to increase the penalties for sexual abuse of a minor or ward and for abusive sexual contact. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate guidelines or amend existing guidelines to incorporate the increase in maximum penalties for aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, and sexual abuse of a minor or award. Requires that a court order restitution for violations of such Federal sexual abuse laws. Subtitle B: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Reduce Violent Crime Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to areas of high intensity crime against women. Requires that the grants be used for personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for the more widespread apprehension, prosecution, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States, for use by States and their subdivisions, for purposes outlined in this Act and to reduce the rate of violent crimes against women. Authorizes the Director, in addition to the grants under this subtitle, to direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to use its authorities and resources in support of State and local assistance efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Safety for Women in Public Transit and Public Parks - Directs the Secretary of Transportation, from funds authorized under existing provisions, to make capital grants for the prevention of crime and to increase security in existing and future public transportation systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans to States and local public bodies to increase the safety of public transportation through lighting, camera surveillance, security phones, or other projects. Sets the Federal share of each project at 90 percent of the net cost. Directs the Secretary to provide grants and loans to study ways to reduce violent crimes against women in public transit through better design or operation of public transit systems. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants for capital improvements and other measures to increase safety in public parks and recreation areas. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) direct the chief law enforcement official within the National Park Service to compile a list of areas within the national park system with the highest rates of violent crime and make recommendations for capital improvements and other measures needed to reduce the rates of violent crime, including sexual assault; and (2) obligate up to $10,000,000 to the national park system for safety measures such as increasing lighting, providing emergency telephone lines, and increasing security and law enforcement personnel. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize funding for: (1) rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers; and (2) rape prevention demonstration projects to develop and evaluate techniques for lowering the overall incidence of rape by 20 percent by the year 2000 and for reducing the trauma and long-term impact of rape. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: National Commission on Violent Crime Against Women - Establishes the National Commission on Violent Crime Against Women to promote a national consensus on violent crime against women and to make recommendations on reducing such crime. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Commission after submission of its final report, subject to extension by the President for up to one year. Title II: Safe Homes for Women - Safe Homes for Women Act of 1990 - Subtitle A: Interstate Enforcement - Provides for a Federal term of imprisonment or fine, in addition to any State penalties, for any person who travels or causes another (including the intended victim) to travel in interstate commerce with intent to injure his or her spouse and who violates a law of any State concerning domestic or family violence. Provides for imprisonment and fines for interstate violation of protection orders, including increased penalties for repeated offenses and for offenses involving serious bodily injury. Mandates that a court order restitution to the victim of an offense under this Act. Requires, provided certain conditions are met, that a protection order issued by the court of one State be accorded full faith and credit by the court of another State. Subtitle B: Arrest in Spousal Abuse Cases - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to prohibit a State or locality from receiving a grant under existing provisions if, as a matter of policy or law, it discriminates against family violence victims by prohibiting or discouraging the arrest of persons committing family violence. Declares that proof that a State or locality permits warrantless misdemeanor arrests based on probable cause in domestic violence situations is sufficient, but not necessary, to show such nondiscrimination. Requires certification of compliance. Amends provisions of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 relating to grants for crime victim assistance to require certification that a State does not engage in such discrimination against family violence victims. Makes warrantless misdemeanor arrests sufficient to show compliance. Bars any State, locality, or group of States or localities from receiving funds under such Act without certification that it does not discriminate against victims of family violence by prohibiting or discouraging the arrest of persons committing family violence. Amends the FVPSA to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible States, municipalities, or local government entities, with regard to spousal or family violence, to centralize police enforcement, tracking of cases, prosecution, and judicial responsibility. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to delegate to the Attorney General responsibility for carrying out these provisions and transfer to the Attorney General a limited amount of funds appropriated under existing provisions. Subtitle C: Funding for Shelters - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations to carry out that Act, earmarking at least 60 percent of funds appropriated for State demonstration grants to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance. Subtitle D: Judicial Training - Directs the Attorney General, from funds appropriated under specified provisions of the FVPSA, to provide a certain amount to the State Justice Institute for developing model programs for training judges in the laws of the States on spousal abuse and family violence. Title III: Civil Rights - Declares that all persons within the United States shall have the same rights, privileges, and immunities in every State as are enjoyed by all other persons to be free from crimes of violence motivated by the victim's gender (defined as rape, sexual assault, or abusive sexual contact motivated by gender-based animus). Makes any person, including a person who acts under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of any State, who deprives another of the rights, privileges, and immunities secured by the Constitution and laws as enumerated by this Act liable to the injured party for compensatory and punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1990
Banking Law Enforcement Act of 1990 - Title I: Enhanced Criminal Penalties - Amends Federal criminal law to establish criminal penalties (including imprisonment) for the concealment of assets from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (acting as conservator or receiver), the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC), or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board (acting as conservator or liquidating agent). Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Insurance Act to prohibit certain felons convicted of dishonesty or breach of trust from controlling or participating in the affairs of a depository institution for a minimum ten-year period. Amends Federal criminal law to establish criminal penalties (including imprisonment) for obstructing any examination of a financial institution. Increases from 20 years to 30 years the maximum prison term for bank fraud and embezzlement. Establishes a ten-year statute of limitations for the prosecution of racketeering offenses involving financial institutions. Extends money laundering prohibitions to include funds from specified bank crimes. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate guidelines for increased penalties for certain bank crime convictions in which the defendant derived more than $1,000,000 in gross receipts from the offense. Provides for restoration of forfeited property and for restitution to bank crime victims. Sets forth maximum criminal fines and minimum imprisonment terms for certain continuing financial crime enterprises (i.e., certain violations committed by at least four persons acting in concert). Title II: Protecting Assets from Wrongful Disposition - Authorizes the Attorney General to obtain a court order enjoining or restraining the alienation or disposition of property obtained as a result of a banking law violation. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Act to set forth attachment procedures. Amends Federal bankruptcy law to provide that the trustee shall be deemed to have assumed a debtor's commitment to a Federal depository institution regulatory agency to maintain the capital of an insured depository institution (thus precluding the trustee from rejecting such commitment as an executory contract which can be avoided as a discharge in bankruptcy). Exempts a Federal depository institution regulatory agency acting as conservator for an insured depository institution from the requirement of proving reasonable reliance upon a false writing supplied by a debtor who is an institution-affiliated party. Prohibits a discharge in bankruptcy for debts resulting from the debtor's failure to fulfill a commitment to a Federal financial institution regulatory agency to maintain the capital of an insured depository institution. Exempts a Federal depository institution regulatory agency acting as conservator for an insured depository institution from the requirement of a timely nondischargeability request (including notice and hearing) when seeking to recover a debt relating to malfeasance. Declares that for specified cases of deceitful conduct, any institution-affiliated party of an insured depository institution (or credit union) shall be deemed to have been acting in a fiduciary capacity with respect to any debt owed to a Federal banking regulatory agency (thus making such debt nondischargeable in bankruptcy). Sets forth as a prerequisite for a bankruptcy reorganization plan that the debtor will: (1) maintain any commitment to a Federal banking regulatory agency to maintain the capital of an insured depository institution; and (2) continue to be obligated for any debt to such agency for failure to fulfill such commitment. Makes certain debts owed by an institution-affiliated party to an insured depository institution under Federal receivership nondischargeable under a consumer debt bankruptcy plan. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Act to empower the FDIC and the NCUA (acting as conservators) to avoid fraudulent conveyances by a debtor institution-affiliated party. Prohibits an insured depository institution or credit union which does not meet minimum Federal capitalization requirements from making golden parachute payments, covered benefit payments, or certain payments in anticipation of insolvency to an institution-affiliated party without prior written Federal agency approval. Cites conditions under which insured depository institutions and credit unions may make golden parachute payments and covered benefits payments with FDIC or NCUAB approval. Amends the Federal criminal code to revise the civil and criminal forfeiture guidelines for: (1) property affecting a financial institution; and (2) fraudulent offenses involving the sale of assets held by Federal banking regulatory agencies. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Act to prohibit certain convicted felony debtors whose default to an insured financial institution in receivership will cause substantial loss from acquiring any asset of the institution (except with respect to repayment). Title III: Improved Procedures for Handling Banking-Related Cases - Amends Federal criminal law to authorize wiretaps for bank fraud and related offenses. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Act to set forth reciprocal assistance guidelines for foreign investigations by Federal banking agencies and investigations on behalf of foreign banking authorities. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) to extend from five to ten years the statute of limitations for commencing a civil action for Federal bank law violations. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the National Credit Union Act to grant the FDIC, the RTC, and the NCUA subpoena authority. Title IV: Structural Reforms to Improve the Federal Response to Crimes Affecting Financial Institutions - Establishes within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in the Department of Justice a Financial Institutions Fraud Unit, headed by a Special Counsel who shall report directly to the Deputy Attorney General. Terminates such Office five years after enactment of this Act. Empowers the Special Counsel to investigate and prosecute criminal activity involving the financial services industry. Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) financial institutions fraud task forces; and (2) a senior interagency group to assist in identifying the most significant financial institution fraud cases, to allocate investigative and prosecutorial resources, and to expedite interagency coordination and prosecution of financial institutions fraud. Amends Federal criminal law to authorize the Secret Service (under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury) to detect and arrest persons who violate banking laws with respect to financial institutions and the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC). Title V: Reporting Requirements - Directs the Attorney General to report quarterly to the Congress regarding financial institution crimes. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to present annual statistical tables to the Congress on the business imposed on the Federal courts by the savings and loan crisis. Title VI: National Commission on Financial Institution Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement - Establishes the National Commission on Financial Institution Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement to make investigations and recommendations regarding specified aspects of the savings and loan crisis. Requires the Commission to submit a final report to the President and the Congress within one year after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after the submission of such final report. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Authorizations - Amends the FIRREA to authorize appropriations to the Attorney General and the Federal Court System for bank crime cases.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1990
Title I: Federal Courts Study Committee Implementation - Federal Courts Study Committee Implementation Act of 1990 - Requires the Federal Judicial Center to submit to the Congress a study on: (1) the number and frequency of conflicts among the judicial circuits in interpreting the law that remain unresolved because they are not heard by the Supreme Court; and (2) how many conflicts are "intolerable" based on specific factors, but are unlikely to be resolved by the Supreme Court. Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions concerning the appointment of Federal public defenders to require defender organizations to be supervised by a board or commission independent of the courts being served by the organizations. Transfers specified authorities of the court of appeals of the circuit with respect to such organizations to such boards or commissions. Amends the Federal judicial code to remove requirements for approval of budget estimates by the Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Directs the President, in any case in which a U.S. judge assumes the duties of a full-time office of Federal judicial administration, to appoint an additional judge for the court on which the judge serves. Increases attendance fees paid to witnesses, jurors, petit jurors, and grand jurors. Revises provisions concerning the removal of separate and independent claims. Authorizes a civil action where jurisdiction is founded only on diversity of citizenship to be brought only in the judicial district in which: (1) any defendant resides, if all defendants reside in the same State; (2) a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred, or a substantial part of property that is the subject of the action is situated; or (3) the defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction at the time the action commenced. (Current law permits such actions to be brought only in the judicial district where all plaintiffs or defendants reside, or in which the claim arose.) Permits a civil action where jurisdiction is not founded solely on diversity of citizenship to be brought only in the judicial district in which: (1) any defendant resides, if all defendants reside in the same State; (2) a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred, or a substantial part of property that is the subject of the action is situated; or (3) any defendant may be found, if there is no district in which the action may otherwise be brought. Revises venue provisions concerning civil actions in which a defendant is an officer or employee of the United States. Prohibits civil actions arising under an Act of the Congress from being commenced later than four years after the action accrues. Initiates a retirement program for Claims Court judges aged 65 or older, basing annuities upon specified age and length of service criteria, as determined in accordance with this Act. Includes provisions to cover retirement due to disability. Precludes judges who elect this new annuity program from receiving civil service retirement benefits. Permits the recall of retired judges to perform judicial duties, subject to certain conditions. Sets forth the administrative features of the annuity plan. Provides for a forfeiture of annuity for retired Claims Court judges who: (1) in the practice of law represent a client in a civil claim against the United States; (2) fail to perform required judicial duties (such forfeiture to occur for a one-year period); or (3) accept Government civil office or employment compensation (such forfeiture to occur for the period the compensation is received). Makes forfeitures inapplicable in specified cases where a retired judge elects to freeze the amount of the annuity. Sets forth procedures with respect to revoking an election to receive an annuity. Establishes the Claims Court Judges Retirement Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for survivors' annuities for survivors of Claims Court judges who retire under the system established by this Act. Entitles retired Claims Court judges who elect the retirement system under this Act to lump-sum credits under Federal provisions governing civil service compensation. Permits the judicial councils of two or more circuits, if authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States, to establish a joint bankruptcy appellate panel to hear and determine specified appeals. Authorizes bankruptcy judges, upon the expiration of a term of office, to continue to perform such duties for a specified time period, with the approval of the judicial council of the circuit. Amends the Bankruptcy Judges, United States Trustees, and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act of 1986 to extend certain effective dates with respect to the application of amendments to judicial districts. Authorizes a bankruptcy administrator to raise, appear, and be heard on any issue in a bankruptcy case. Prohibits an administrator from filing a reorganization plan. Amends the Federal judicial code to require a district court judge or a magistrate to advise parties to civil actions that they are free to withhold consent to the exercise of the magistrate's jurisdiction without adverse consequences. Extends the time period during which a magistrate may continue to serve after the expiration of a term of office. Permits any party to assert a non-Federal claim, in any civil action of which the district courts have original jurisdiction, if: (1) the Federal claim in the original complaint is not insubstantial; and (2) the original Federal claim and the non-Federal claim arise out of the same transaction or occurrence. Authorizes the original plaintiff, if the original Federal claim is founded solely on diversity of citizenship, to assert a non-Federal claim only against the original defendant or against a party who has been brought into the action by a party other than the plaintiff, unless the action was removed from a State court. Permits the district court to exercise supplemental jurisdiction even if: (1) the non-Federal claim is asserted against a person who is not already a party to the civil action or such claim is the only claim asserted against a party to be brought into the action; or (2) the party asserting the non-Federal claim is an intervenor or an applicant for intervention. Requires the district court to determine whether the non-Federal claim should be dismissed or remanded. Sets forth conditions under which such claim may be dismissed or remanded. Requires the period of limitations for any non-Federal claim to be tolled while the claim is pending in Federal court and for a period of 30 days after it is dismissed unless State law provides for a longer tolling period. Authorizes courts other than the Supreme Court to establish voluntary dispute resolution procedures. Requires the Director of the Federal Judicial Center to: (1) conduct, on a continuing basis, research on the alternative dispute resolution techniques adopted by U.S. district courts; and (2) publish analyses of the experience of such courts with the application of such techniques. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions and Technical Amendments - Includes Watertown, New York, in the list of sites where court for the Northern District of New York shall be held. Requires the chief judge of each circuit to summon biennial (and permits him to summon annual) judicial conferences. (Current law requires the chief judge to summon annual conferences.) Removes the requirement for summoning the U.S. District Court for the District of the Canal Zone to such conferences. Requires the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands to be summoned. Establishes service requirements for retirement for certain judges aged 62 to 64. Requires the chief judge of the Court of International Trade to be the judge of the court in regular active service who is senior in commission of those judges who: (1) are 64 years of age or under; (2) have served for one year or more as a judge of the court; and (3) have not served previously as chief judge. Sets forth alternative requirements if there is no judge meeting such qualifications. Sets the term of the chief judge at seven years. Prohibits any judge over age 70 from serving as chief judge unless no other judge is qualified to serve. Redesignates U.S. magistrates as assistant U.S. district judges. Authorizes magistrates to levy fines on individuals found in contempt of court. Sets forth eligibility requirements for judicial survivors' annuities in cases where the death of the judicial official was by assassination. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to determine whether the killing of a judicial official was an assassination, subject to review by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Applies annuity provisions to all judges assassinated on or after May 28, 1979. Sets forth provisions concerning retroactive application of annuity eligibility. Removes a provision which exempts U.S. Sentencing Commission officers and employees from civil service provisions governing conflicts of interest.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1990
National Advisory Committee for the Review of Federal Excess and Surplus Personal Property - Establishes in the General Services Administration the National Advisory Committee for the Review of Federal Excess and Surplus Personal Property to conduct an investigation of: (1) current methods by which the personal property of Federal agencies may be transferred to other Federal agencies, foreign governments, and State and local agencies; and (2) the need for, and advantages and disadvantages of, increasing the transfer of unutilized and underutilized personal property of Federal agencies and excess and surplus personal property of the Federal Government to State and local agencies to assist such agencies in carrying out their duties. Terminates the Committee 120 days after it submits a final report to the President and the Congress on the results of its investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1990
State Thrift Deposit Insurance Premium Act of 1990 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to direct the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to determine and apportion among the States the cumulative cost of Federal assistance provided to State-chartered savings associations for case resolutions. Declares as "high risk" any State whose share of State resolution costs exceeds twice its share of 1980 State deposits. Mandates that each high risk State pay to the Savings Association Insurance Fund prescribed premiums reflecting such risk. Sets forth insurance termination procedures if a State fails to pay the required premium. Requires depositor notification of such insurance termination.
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 · 20 June 1990
Establishes the Financial Services Crime Division within the Department of Justice (DOJ), to be headed by an Assistant Attorney General (AAG). Requires the AAG to be responsible for ensuring that all investigations and prosecutions are coordinated within DOJ to: (1) provide the greatest use of civil proceedings and forfeitures to attack the financial resources of those who have committed fraud or engaged in other criminal activity in or against the financial services industry; and (2) ensure that adequate resources are made available in connection with criminal investigations and prosecutions of fraud and other criminal activity in the industry. Establishes the position of Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Division. Designates all field offices established by the Attorney General for purposes of this Act as the Financial Services Crime Division Strike Forces. Requires the Division to coordinate its activities with other Federal agencies in the investigation and prosecution of crime in the financial services industry. Requires semiannual Division reports to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1990
Savings Association Law Enforcement Improvement Act of 1990 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) take action to increase the investigation and prosecution of savings association criminal misconduct; (2) take increased action to recover or obtain restitution for losses incurred as a result of savings association fraud or embezzlement; and (3) make quarterly reports to certain congressional committees on the status of savings association criminal investigations and prosecutions and the progress in recovering amounts lost to fraud and embezzlement.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1990
Federal Employees Health Benefits Reform Act of 1990 - Revises the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (the Program) to: (1) establish the Federal Employees Health Benefits Board (the Board); (2) replace current service and indemnity health benefit plans with a new Government-wide health insurance plan that offers both a standard and a high option for either self or family coverage; (3) require group- and individual-practice prepayment plans and mixed model prepayment plans to offer the same types of benefits offered under the standard option; (4) allow employee organization sponsored health plans to offer supplementary benefits; (5) establish flexible spending plans to allow employees to set aside a portion of their salary on a pretax basis to pay out-of-pocket health care expenses; and (6) allow annuitants whose annuities are insufficient to cover the full amount of required withholdings to elect to be covered under health benefits plans if they pay an amount equal to such withholdings to the Employees Health Benefits Fund (the Fund) through the retirement system that administers their health benefits enrollment. Directs the Board to: (1) prescribe regulations governing the provision of health insurance benefits to Federal employees, their families, and retirees under the Government-wide plan in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and (2) establish procedures for reviewing the utilization of health care services under such plan and controlling service costs. Declares that the service providers shall not be eligible for payments under the plan unless they comply with such procedures. Specifies the benefits required to be provided under each option of the plan and the extent to which they are covered. Requires such individuals to meet specified annual deductions under each option of the plan before any benefits will be paid, except in the case of a family enrollment when the deduction will be waived once it is met by any two family members. Establishes maximum out-of-pocket expense limitations for self and family coverage under each option. Requires the plan to pay all covered expenses after out-of-pocket expenses have exceeded their appropriate maximum limitation. Revises provisions for computing Government contributions. Establishes different requirements for each respective basic health benefits plan. Provides for the following with respect to the Government-wide plan: (1) establishment of specified biweekly employee contributions for the first administrative year to be increased for later years, by the lesser of the increase in the medical care component of the consumer price index or the increase in the average enrollment charges; (2) procedures for determining average annual enrollment charges (the costs for providing benefits and administering the plan and any amounts necessary to maintain an adequate contingency reserve) in consultation with the Board for the first administrative year and for adjusting such charges for later years; (3) allocation of such costs to each option in a manner which is reasonable and equitable; (4) publication of new enrollment charges in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations; and (5) continued individual and family coverage for employees who are placed in a leave without pay status. Revises provisions regarding contracting authority to establish separate authority for awarding competitive three-year contracts to nongovernmental organizations to administer the Government-wide plan on a regional basis in areas established by OPM. Requires plan administrators to review the utilization of health care services and implement the cost-control procedures established by the Board. Permits certain employee organizations which currently self-insure to serve as the plan administrators for employees within their bargaining unit. Repeals provisions regarding payment or reimbursement for services by: (1) psychologists or optometrists; and (2) any person licensed under State law in a State where a specified percentage of the population is located in primary medical care manpower shortage areas. Revises provisions concerning election of coverage to: (1) provide automatic coverage under the Government-wide plan's standard option for self alone to an employee becoming eligible for Federal health insurance coverage unless the employee elects alternative coverage or to be excluded from coverage; (2) revise criteria for continuation of coverage for annuitants; and (3) extend coverage to unmarried dependent natural or adopted children of the former spouse and the employee who are students over age 22 but under age 23. Allows temporary employees to enroll in the Government-wide plan provided they pay both employee and Government contributions. Provides that if an individual eligible to enroll in a basic health benefits plan has a spouse who is also eligible, either may enroll for self and family or each may enroll as an individual, but no individual may be covered both as an enrollee and as a family member. Sets forth rules to apply in administering provisions regarding: (1) election of coverage: (2) continued coverage; (3) coverage of restored employees and survivor or disability annuitants; (4) double coverage; and (5) changes in family status. Requires any amounts forfeited under flexible spending plans to be transferred to a separate account which shall be within the Fund. Allows such amounts to be used for wellness programs for Federal employees. Revises provisions regarding contribution set-asides in the Fund to establish new set-aside requirements for contributions to the basic health benefits plans. Directs OPM to: (1) prescribe regulations to provide eligible individuals with an opportunity to elect coverage under the health benefits plans, to terminate their enrollment, to transfer to another such plan, or to make any other allowable changes in the terms or conditions of their enrollment; (2) on an annual basis compile statistics and submit to the Board a report on the use of the different benefits of the basic and supplemental plans and their costs to the Government as part of a continuing study of the operation and administration of the Program; (3) prescribe Program regulations providing for the establishment of wellness programs for Federal employees; and (4) prescribe regulations to ensure that, for any annuitant eligible to receive Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) and Federal health insurance benefits, deductibles and coinsurance or copayment amounts under the Program shall be waived to the same extent as before the enactment of this Act and that when an individual is eligible for Federal health insurance benefits which would be duplicative of Medicare benefits, the primary payer shall be the same as it would have been before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1990
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to take appropriate measures for the 1990 census to ensure that: (1) no member of the armed forces shall be excluded based on being assigned to a post outside of the United States; and (2) each such member is enumerated at such member's home of record.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1990
Designates June 25, 1990, as Korean War Remembrance Day. Authorizes and requests the President to urge that the American flag be flown at half staff on such day in honor of the Americans who died as a result of their service in the Korean War.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1990
Social Security Justice Act of 1990 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to apply an interpretation of provisions of, or regulations under, such titles reached by a U.S. court of appeals in a case to which the Department of Health and Human Services or an employee was a party to all individuals and circumstances within the court's jurisdiction, except during the pendency of an appeal of the court's decision to the Supreme Court. Requires the Secretary to: (1) appeal a decision which requires the Secretary's acquiescence in more than one circuit on the same question of law; and (2) apply such decision to all individuals and circumstances in all circuits if the question of law is not reviewed by the Supreme Court. Gives the U.S. courts of appeals original jurisdiction over actions in the nature of mandamus brought by individuals whose rights may be prejudiced if the Federal Government is not compelled to carry out its duties under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1990
Habeas Corpus Revision Act of 1990 - Amends the Federal judicial code to revise provisions governing habeas corpus procedures, particularly in capital cases. Establishes a one-year statute of limitations for the filing of an application for habeas corpus relief from a sentence of death. Prescribes periods during which such time requirement shall be tolled, including any period during which the applicant is not represented by counsel. Provides for dismissal of an application for failure to comply with such time requirement, except where the waiver of such requirement is warranted by exceptional circumstances. Specifies requirements for stays of execution and for the consideration of second or successive applications for a writ of habeas corpus in capital cases. Grants an applicant under sentence of death the right to appeal the final order in a habeas corpus proceeding without a certificate of probable cause, except after denial of a second application. Requires each habeas corpus claim to be governed by the law existing on the date the court considers the claim. Specifies circumstances under which the court may decline to apply a new rule representing a sharp break from precedent that positively changes the law from governing at the time the claimant's sentence became final. Specifies circumstances under which a habeas corpus applicant shall be deemed to have defaulted for failing to raise a claim in State proceedings. Requires any State in which capital punishment may be imposed to: (1) provide legal services to indigents who have been charged with capital offenses or who seek appellate, collateral, or Supreme Court review of a death sentence; and (2) establish an appointing authority to recruit, train, appoint, and evaluate attorneys for capital clients. Specifies standards for qualifications and performance for the lead counsel and co-counsel at the trial or sentencing stage and at the appellate, collateral, or certiorari stage. Provides for payment of appointed attorneys from the private bar and for relief and procedural exceptions where a State fails to provide qualified counsel in capital cases. Eliminates exceptions to the dismissal of any claim for habeas corpus relief where the petitioner has failed to exhaust available and effective State court remedies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1990
California Fish and Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to implement a program to restore the population and habitat of migratory birds and waterfowl, anadromous fisheries, and endangered species in the Central Valley, California. Requires the Secretary to annually review and make such adjustments to assure that fish, wildlife, and habitat restoration goals are met and provide a copy of such review to specified congressional committees. Requires the Secretary to deliver dependable water supplies of suitable quality to certain Central Valley refuges, including additions to or new refuges. Authorizes the Secretary to provide water to other Federal, State, and private wetlands and other fish and wildlife habitat in the Central Valley. Declares the national interest with regard to water conservation in the Central Valley. Requires a report on administrative inhibitions on water conservation by Central Valley Project contractors, and actions which could remove barriers to conservation. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration, to utilize power from the Central Valley Project power generation facilities to meet the requirements of this Act. Reserves a minimum portion of the transmission capacity of the Harold T. (Bizz) Johnson California-Pacific Northwest Intertie line to serve the needs of Department of Energy laboratories and wildlife refuges in California. Provides for citizen suits to enforce this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration to issue and sell bonds, notes, and similar obligations to assist in repayment of the costs required in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Construction Safety, Health, and Education Improvement Act of 1990 - Renames the Office of Construction and Engineering within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the Office of Construction Safety, Health, and Education (the Office), which is to protect the safety and health of construction workers and educate them concerning hazardous conditions on the worksite. Provides that the Office shall be headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act) to direct the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to establish an effective and fair system for construction worksite inspections by the Office. Gives priority to inspection of: (1) projects and worksites of owners and employers having a higher than average incidence of severity of injuries or illnesses for the type of construction involved; and (2) worksites and operations with a high potential for fatalities or serious injuries and illnesses. Requires the construction safety specialist to provide the Secretary a notice containing specified information on a construction project prior to commencement of work, unless it is necessary to perform such work immediately to prevent injury to persons, and notice is given to the Secretary as soon as practicable. Requires an employer to report to the appropriate regional office of OSHA by telephone or telegraph any incident involving construction work that results in: (1) a fatality or serious injury (within four hours after the incident's occurrence); or (2) a structural failure that leads to the collapse of a place of employment (within 24 hours after the incident's occurrence). Requires the construction safety specialist to submit a written follow-up report with specified information. Directs the Secretary to conduct site inspections to investigate all such reports, as well as all reports of those categories of serious injuries the Secretary prescribes. Requires such inspections within 24 hours after receipt of the telephone or telegraph report, unless site conditions would make inspection dangerous. Directs the Secretary to make public a narrative description of the occurrence. Requires each construction contractor to maintain accurate records of accidents and injuries at a construction worksite. Requires a construction safety specialist to: (1) ensure worksite compliance with the onsite plan and with guidelines of the Secretary and the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health; (2) maintain a detailed worksite safety report; and (3) upon discovery of a hazard, order the contractor to eliminate it and inform the contractor, owner, and Secretary of any imminent dangers. Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations providing for certain exemptions from this Act for specified types of construction projects, operations, or construction contractors, conditioned on compliance with alternative requirements capable of promoting employee safety and health. Requires a construction contractor to establish a written safety and health program, to be managed by a construction safety specialist. Sets forth the requirements of such a program, including safety and health training for supervisors and employees, construction worksite instruction, inspections, emergency evacuation plans, and material safety data sheets. Requires such programs to have a procedure whereby, if an employee or employee representative reasonably believes that an imminent danger exists, work in the endangered area will stop until a construction safety professional arrives and completes an inspection to determine whether a danger exists. Requires written reports of such evaluations and analyses to be provided immediately to the construction safety specialist and the employee requesting them. Requires a contractor who denies such a request to provide written reasons immediately to the specialist, the employee making the request, and the employee's representative. Requires the employee to return immediately to work, if the site is determined safe. Requires employees working in that area to stop entering an unsafe area until the dangerous condition is corrected and the correction approved by the construction safety specialist. Directs the Construction Safety and Health Training Academy to: (1) train employees of the Office who conduct construction worksite inspections and other appropriate persons; and (2) train and certify construction safety specialists who have fulfilled requirements of a standardized training course and testing program. Revises Federal law relating to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Increases criminal penalties for any employer's willful violations of such Act which result in serious injury or death to an employee. Makes employers who cause such results through specified criminal negligence also liable to such penalties. Doubles the maximum amount of such fines for repeat offenders. Sets forth criminal penalties for persons giving advance notice of any OSHA inspection without authority from the Secretary or the Secretary's designees. Amends the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act to grant the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health specified powers to carry out its functions. Directs the President, in the budget message, to separate the appropriation account for construction industry safety activities from that of nonconstruction activities under such Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Bone Marrow Registry Act of 1990 - Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act providing for the establishment of a voluntary bone marrow donor registry to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that the types of marrow represented in the registry provide adequate representation of the U.S. population. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Calls immediately for Greyhound Lines, Inc., and the Amalgamated Transit Union to resume negotiations under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the Secretary of Labor.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1990
Mickey Leland Peace Dividend Housing Assistance Act of 1990 - Title I: Housing for Low-Income Families - Increases FY 1991 through 1995 budget authority for Housing Act of 1937 section 8 existing housing certificates. Amends such Act to revise section 8 tenant selection preferences, including annual reevaluation of family preference. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to submit semiannual assisted housing reports to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Community Housing Partnership - Community Housing Partnership Act - Subtitle A: Housing Education and Organizational Support Grants for Community Based Housing Projects - Authorizes the Secretary to provide housing education and organizational support grants to eligible cities and States and directly to nonprofit sponsors and nonprofit organizations. Subtitle B: Community Housing Partnership Grants - Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to cities and States and grants and loans to nonprofit sponsors for acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of low- and moderate-income housing. Allocates community partnership housing grants as follows: (1) 60 percent to metropolitan and urban areas; (2) 25 percent to States for non-urban use; and (3) 15 percent to nonprofit sponsors. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Defines specified terms for purposes of this title. Authorizes appropriations for subtitle A. Title III: Recycling of Existing Federal Assets - Recycling of Existing Assets for Cost-Effective Housing Act - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for State housing finance agencies to establish revolving funds for low- to moderate-income rental housing. Requires State matching funds. Requires: (1) States receiving such funds to establish a revolving fund; and (2) agencies to develop affirmative action programs. Sets forth requirements with regard to: (1) rental housing; and (2) eligible properties. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Public Housing Development and Modernization - Increases FY 1991 through 1995 budget authority under the Housing Act of 1937 for: (1) public housing development; and public housing modernization. Amends such Act to revise public housing tenant selection criteria, including annual reevaluation of family preference. Title V: Grants for Preservation of Existing Housing and Security in Public Housing - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for: (1) acquisition and rehabilitation of specified multifamily housing; (2) training and technical assistance to nonprofit sponsors and representative organizations; and (3) public housing security, including Indian public housing. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Rural Housing Program Funding - Increases FY 1991 through 1995 budget authority under the Housing Act of 1949 for the following rural housing programs: (1) homeownership loan program; (2) very low-income housing repair loan program; (3) farm labor housing loan program; (4) rural rental housing loan program; (5) farm labor housing grant program; (6) housing preservation grant program; and (7) rental assistance payments program. Extends program authority for: (1) rental housing loans; and (2) rural area classification. Title VII: Supportive Services - Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to coordinate supportive services in federally assisted housing, including such services as: (1) child care; (2) health monitoring; (3) education and job training; and (4) drug and alcohol counseling. Title VIII: Single Room Occupancy Housing for Homeless Families and Individuals - Increases FY 1991 through 1995 budget authority under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act for section 8 assistance for single room occupancy dwellings. Amends such Act to extend single room occupancy contract authority. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Directs the Comptroller General to audit the Secretary at least annually with respect to activities under this Act, and report to the Congress.
![Official portrait of Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000020_200.jpg)