United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1989
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United States Trade Representative to impose practices that prohibit or limit the foreign investment in the United States on those foreign countries that have similar practices against U.S. investment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1989
Access to Education Act of 1989 - Title I: Access and Choice in Federal Education Programs - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow the use of certain special education financial assistance (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children) funds for innovative projects to provide continued services to eligible children transferred to ineligible areas as part of an open enrollment public school system. Allows a local educational agency to provide basic program services to educationally deprived children who, under a desegregation plan or open enrollment system, attend a school not located in an eligible school attendance area. Requires that information on basic program services under an open enrollment system be provided to parents of eligible children. Allows the use of local targeted assistance program funds for the planning and implementation of open enrollment systems. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish special rules for Pell grant, supplemental educational opportunity grant, and State student incentive grant eligibility for secondary school open enrollment participants enrolled in or accepted for classes offered by higher education institutions. Amends the Defense Dependents' Education Act of 1978 to provide for parental choice open enrollment for overseas military dependents. Title II: Demonstration Projects and Research - Authorizes the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make grants to State educational agencies to develop and expand policies, programs, and projects that increase opportunities of parents to select the public school or program attended by their children, particularly disadvantaged, minority, or rural area children. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to local educational agencies or consortia for open enrollment demonstration projects that increase parental access to excellent, distinctive, and diverse schools or programs that can meet their children's educational needs and promote parental choice. Provides for research and dissemination of results on open enrollment systems. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title for FY 1990 through 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1989
Directs the Agency for International Development to use certain unobligated funds to provide medical care and other relief for noncombatant victims of civil strife in Central America. Requires such assistance to be provided only through nonpolitical private and voluntary organizations and international relief organizations. Permits up to half of such assistance to be provided through nonpolitical private and voluntary organizations and international relief organizations operating in Nicaragua. Prohibits such assistance from being provided to or through the Government of Nicaragua.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
Amends the Fair Housing Act to repeal the requirements that certain housing have special facilities and services to quality as housing for older persons under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1989
Small Business Rehabilitation Relief Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small businesses for the expense of providing accessibility to the disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1989
Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to require the Council on Environmental Quality to promulgate regulations governing the implementation of such Act by Federal agencies, to include requirements for notification procedures for, and public review and cost-effective preparation and dissemination of, environmental impact statements.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1989
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Laurance Spelman Rockefeller in recognition of his leadership on behalf of natural resource conservation and historic preservation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1989
International Narcotics Control Act of 1989 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) it is crucial to international antidrug efforts that funds be made available to provide alternative sources of income for individuals in major coca producing countries who are dependent on illicit drug production, as well as for eradication, enforcement, rehabilitation, treatment, and education programs in such countries; and (2) the United States and other major donor countries should provide increased economic assistance to major coca producing countries which have taken steps to attack illicit coca production by methods which reduce the flow of cocaine to the world market. Urges the Director of National Drug Policy to develop and submit to the Congress a plan which addresses such needs. Authorizes the President to make funds for foreign military financing under the Arms Export Control Act and international military education and training under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 available to provide defense articles and services and international military education and training to Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Earmarks specified amounts of such assistance for narcotics law enforcement training and interdiction activities and procurement of defense articles by enforcement agencies in such countries. Makes such countries eligible only if they maintain democratic governments and their law enforcement agencies do not engage in human rights violations. Requires the President to report to specified congressional committees prior to obligating such funds. Provides for human rights reporting on such countries. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the International Narcotics Control Act of 1988 to earmark specified amounts of international military education and training assistance and anti-narcotics military assistance for FY 1990 for eligible countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Waives provisions of the Arms Export Control Act concerning foreign military financing with respect to financing for narcotics control activities. Prohibits the provision of such assistance to Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to be used to acquire defense articles for narcotics control purposes. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to transfer excess defense articles to any country: (1) which is a major illicit drug producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean with a democratic government; and (2) whose armed forces do not engage in human rights violations. Requires such countries to ensure that such articles will be used only in support of anti-narcotics activities. Limits the aggregate value of articles to be transferred to a country in any fiscal year. Permits such transfers only if: (1) the articles are drawn from existing Department of Defense (DOD) stocks; (2) funds available to DOD for the procurement of defense equipment are not expended in connection with such transfers; and (3) the President determines that such transfers will not have an adverse impact on the military readiness of the United States. Permits such transfers without cost to the recipient country. Requires the President to notify specified congressional committees prior to transferring such articles. Waives certain prohibitions on the provision of assistance to countries in default on loan payments to the United States with respect to narcotics-related assistance for FY 1990 for major illicit drug producing countries. Earmarks specified amounts of grant military assistance and foreign military financing for FY 1990 for arming aircraft used in narcotics control eradication or interdiction efforts. Prohibits such funds from being used to purchase new aircraft. Requires the notification of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee prior to the use of such funds. Earmarks a specified amount of international narcotics control assistance for FY 1990 for the testing and use of herbicides for the aerial eradication of coca. Limits the amount of FY 1990 international narcotics control assistance to be made available for Mexico. Permits excess assistance to Mexico only if specified congressional committees are notified. Waives a prohibition on assistance to drug traffickers with respect to FY 1990 assistance to major drug transit countries if the President certifies that: (1) certain provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with regard to money laundering do not apply to such a country; (2) such country was previously a major illicit drug producing country but has effectively eliminated drug production during the preceding two years; and (3) such country is cooperating fully with the United States or has taken certain steps with respect to narcotics control. Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. trade policy should be coordinated with U.S. narcotics control objectives, particularly with respect to the International Coffee Agreement. Commends the President for reviewing, and urges him to continue to review whether: (1) the International Coffee Agreement negotiations should be resumed; and (2) the trade benefits provided in the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act should be extended to the major coca producing countries of Latin America. Requires the President to report to the Congress on such review. Urges the President to: (1) place debt relief and drug control efforts in Latin American countries among the highest of foreign policy priorities; and (2) ensure that the Director of National Drug Control Policy, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the Treasury have leading roles in addressing these problems. Urges the President to consult with Latin American countries to arrange a hemispheric summit to discuss specific illicit drug and debt issues. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the proposal for the promotion of a multilateral anti-narcotics force for the Western Hemisphere should be endorsed; and (2) the United States should work through multilateral organizations to determine the feasibility, and assist in the establishment, of such force. Urges the President to: (1) seek agreement by relevant foreign countries, especially NATO countries and members of the Warsaw Pact, to join with the United States in halting weapons transfers to narcotics traffickers in Latin America; and (2) improve the coordination of U.S. efforts to track the flow of such weapons to international narcotics traffickers and to prevent illegal shipments from the United States. Calls upon the President to direct the U.S. representative to INTERPOL to urge such organization to study the feasibility of establishing an international database on the flow of the types of weapons acquired illegally by international narcotics traffickers. Requires the President to report to the Congress on such actions. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to raise the limit on the amount of rewards for information concerning international terrorism. Makes technical amendments to provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 concerning international narcotics control. Incorporates related provisions of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and the International Narcotics Control Act of 1986 into such Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 for international narcotics control assistance. Requires countries receiving such assistance to bear an appropriate share of the costs for any activity for which assistance is provided. Exempts assistance for narcotics control crop substitution activities from a prohibition on the use of funds to support the production of any agricultural commodity in a foreign country which would compete with a similar U.S. commodity. Authorizes the President to release Bolivia, Colombia, or Peru from obligations to make payments to the United States if such country is participating in a program for the use of herbicides for the aerial eradication of coca. Directs the President to report annually to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on international narcotics control activities. Makes technical amendments to, and repeals specified provisions of, the International Narcotics Control Act of 1988, the International Narcotics Control Act of 1986, and the Narcotics Control Trade Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Federal agencies should use the most recent census data available in applying formulas for the distribution of Federal assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1989
Declares that no person who is a retired regular officer of the U.S. armed forces shall be considered as holding a public office for purposes of provisions that require anyone who destroys public records to forfeit public office and be disqualified from holding office.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1989
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to study and report to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on the resolution of the water supply needs of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1989
Provides that any retired military officer who forfeits public office by reason of being convicted of concealing, removing, damaging, or falsifying Government records shall not forfeit his right to retired pay and other military personnel benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1989
Amends the Disaster Assistance Act of 1989 to make earthquake losses in orchards, forest crops, and rural business enterprises eligible for disaster assistance under such Act. Makes ornamentals eligible for such assistance. Increases rural business enterprise assistance limits from $200,000,000 to $300,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1989
Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Title I: Minting of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin - Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Provides for the sale of Benjamin Franklin commemorative coins at a surcharge of which 25 percent shall be paid to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial and the remainder be distributed in specified percentages to the National Fire Center and Museum Account, the National Hero Scholarship Account, the Firefighter's Tuition Assistance Account, the Hazardous Materials Response Computer Account, the In Search of Excellence Research and Education Account, and the Burn Research Grant Account of the Firefighter Assistance Trust Fund (Fund). Prohibits the issuance of such coins from resulting in any net cost to the Federal government. Title II: Fire Service Bill of Rights - Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to establish a fire service bill of rights. Establishes the National Fire Center and Museum in the District of Columbia to provide information about the fire service and safety to the public and fire services. Funds such museum exclusively through the Fund. Establishes a National Hero Scholarship to fund the higher education of the children or spouse of a deceased firefighter. Establishes a scholarship providing tuition assistance to firefighters for higher education in fire safety or protection. Authorizes the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration to use amounts in the In Search of Excellence Research and Education Account of the Fund to fund other specified programs under the Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974. Establishes the Firefighters Assistance Trust Fund. Places the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control within the United States Fire Administration. Directs the Administrator to use funds from the Hazardous Materials Response Computer Account of the fund to procure computer equipment for fire services that want such equipment. Directs the Administrator to make a grant from the Burn Research Grant Account of the Fund to one national firefighter's burn foundation dedicated to reducing burn injuries. Requires the Administrator to prepare and make available to State fire marshals, upon request, a manual describing Federal procedures for disposing of surplus property and highlighting how fire services could obtain such property. Directs the Administrator to distribute to such marshals information on the infectious diseases to which firefighters are particularly vulnerable.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1989
Declares that it is the policy of the United States to recognize Brazil's sovereign authority in the Amazon and that the United States should adopt a policy to encourage and support conservation efforts initiated by Brazil to protect the Amazon forest. Declares that the United States should redouble its efforts to address development within its own borders in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1989
Reaffirms support for the goals of democracy, peace, freedom, and security in Central America and the terms of the Bipartisan Accord on Central America of March 24, 1989. Supports the progress that has been made toward holding free and fair elections in Nicaragua on February 25, 1990. Condemns the action by President Ortega to end the cease-fire with the Nicaraguan Resistance, calls on him to reverse that decision, and calls on both the Government and the Nicaraguan Resistance to abide by the cease-fire. Deplores any effort by: (1) the Government of Nicaragua to curtail, postpone, or cancel elections on February 25, 1990, or to use any pretense to impose emergency laws during the period leading up to the election; or (2) the Nicaraguan Resistance to disrupt such elections.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1989
Amends title II (Old, Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to require that regular monthly OASDI payments be made in a manner which ensures their receipt no later than the first day following the month to which they are attributable.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to develop a management plan, including a research program, to coordinate communications with Federal agency and other scientific experts for the prevention of defects in the manufacture of aircraft parts.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Waives time limitations upon the submission of a claim by a named individual against the United States for personal injuries sustained as a result of medical treatment in U.S. military facilities in Italy during the 1950's and 1960's.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Amends the Warren Act to grant users of Federal reclamation projects certain rights with respect to the delivery of excess water. Expands the purposes for which excess storage or carrying capacity in reclamation projects may be used to include municipal, industrial, domestic, or miscellaneous purposes, including fish and wildlife purposes, as well as for irrigation purposes. Specifies that water shall not be furnished for irrigation uses from any reservoir or canal in excess of the amount sufficient to irrigate that landowner's ownership entitlement under Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Social Security Disabled Worker Incentives Act of 1989 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that individuals shall not be considered to have engaged in substantial gainful activity for disability benefit eligibility purposes unless their earnings exceed the amount persons of retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Amends Federal law to require the Secretary of the Treasury to make timely payments of benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act despite the public debt limit.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1989
Puerto Rico Status Referendum Act - Title I - Requires an island-wide referendum to be held in Puerto Rico in which voters will be presented a choice of three status options for Puerto Rico as follows: (1) statehood; (2) independence; or (3) commonwealth. Specifies a time period during which such referendum must occur. Provides for a runoff referendum between the two status options which received the largest number of votes if there is not a majority in favor of one of the options. Requires such referendum to include "None of the Above" as an option. Requires the Governor of Puerto Rico to certify to the President and the Congress the decision of the people which receives a majority of the votes cast, if a majority is obtained. Requires the Attorney General to provide for adequate monitoring of the referendum by U.S. marshals. Authorizes any aggrieved person to institute an action to challenge the choice certified by the Governor. Gives a three-judge court exclusive jurisdiction over all such claims. Provides that an appeal from a final judgment of such court will be to the U.S. Supreme Court by way of certiorari. Requires the certified option to go into effect on October 1, 1991, in accordance with the appropriate title (II, III, or IV) of this Act. Directs the President to appoint a Referendum Information Officer to be responsible for the translation and distribution of information and educational materials on the referendum. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Statehood - Declares Puerto Rico to be a State of the United States admitted in the Union on an equal footing with the other States. Accepts the current Constitution as the constitution of the State of Puerto Rico. Provides that any lands and other properties that are set aside pursuant to law for the use of the United States shall remain the property of the United States. Requires each Federal agency having control over such lands or property retained by the United States to report to the President and the Congress on the continued need for such land or property. Provides for the election of U.S. Senators and Representatives. States that the office of Resident Commissioner shall cease to exist upon the swearing in of the first Member of the House. Increases the permanent membership of the House of Representatives to account for the additional Representatives from Puerto Rico. Continues in force all of the local laws in force at the the time of Puerto Rico's admission into the Union. States that all of the laws of the United States shall have the same force and effect within Puerto Rico as on the date immediately prior to the date of admission, with enumerated exceptions. Directs the President to appoint a Commission on Federal Laws to survey U.S. laws and to make recommendations to the Congress as to which laws should apply to Puerto Rico. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress on such recommendations. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for the continuation of civil causes of action and criminal offenses. Preserves the right of judicial review of final decisions of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico or the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. Reserves authority in the United States for the exercise by the Congress of the power of exclusive legislation over lands held by the United States for defense or Coast Guard purposes. States that Puerto Rico shall always have the right to serve civil or criminal process within such lands for acts committed within the State but outside such lands. Provides that no provision of this title will operate to confer, terminate, or restore U.S. nationality. Title III: Independence - Requires the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico to provide for the election of delegates to a Constitutional Convention to serve until the proclamation of independence and to draft a Constitution for the Republic of Puerto Rico. Requires such Convention to draft a Constitution establishing a republican form of government which is required to guarantee the protection of fundamental human rights. Provides for the adjustment of U.S. property rights and for ratification of the Constitution. Requires the Governor to issue a proclamation calling for the election of such officers of the Republic of Puerto Rico as may be required by the Constitution. Provides for a Joint Transition Commission which shall be responsible for expediting the orderly transfer of all functions currently exercised by the United States in Puerto Rico. Requires that the costs of the Transition Commission be evenly divided between the United States and Puerto Rico. Authorizes appropriations for the U.S. share of such costs. Directs U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance to the Commission on a reimbursable basis. Directs that any action arising from title filed in U.S. Court be stayed and referred to the Joint Transition Commission for resolution. Directs the President, within one month of the certification of the elected officers and approval of specified agreements, to: (1) withdraw and surrender all rights of possession, supervision, jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty then existing and exercised by the United States over Puerto Rico; and (2) recognize on behalf of the United States the independence of Puerto Rico. Vests all property, rights, and interests which the United States may have acquired over Puerto Rico, with an exception, in the Republic of Puerto Rico. Withdraws the application of all U.S. laws applicable to Puerto Rico immediately prior to independence. Requires Puerto Rico to recognize all orders and judgements rendered by U.S. or Commonwealth courts prior to independence. Declares that upon the proclamation of independence, the judicial power of the United States shall no longer extend to Puerto Rico. Provides for pending proceedings . Deems the Government of the Republic of Puerto Rico the successor to the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto. Directs the President to notify the governments with which the United States is in diplomatic correspondence, the United Nations, and the Organization of American State that: (1) the United States has recognized the independence of Puerto Rico; and (2) all obligations and responsibilities of the U.S. Government which arise from any valid international instruments affecting Puerto Rico shall cease. Provides that all matters pertaining to Puerto Rican citizenship shall be regulated pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the Republic. States that upon the certification of the referendum under this Act, Puerto Rico shall no longer be deemed to be a part of the United States for the purposes of acquiring U.S. citizenship by place of birth. States that no person born outside of the United States after the Proclamation of Independence shall be a U.S. citizen at birth if the parents of such person acquired U.S. citizenship solely by virtue of being born in Puerto Rico prior to the Proclamation. Authorizes certain non-U.S. citizens to enter into, lawfully engage in occupations, and establish residence as immigrants in the United States. Requires that specific arrangements for the use of military areas by the United States in Puerto Rico be negotiated by a task force established by the Joint Transition Commission. Requires such arrangements to come into effect simultaneously with the proclamation of independence. Continues all Federal programs in Puerto Rico until the end of the fiscal year in which independence is proclaimed. Requires that specific arrangements for the continuation or phaseout of Federal programs be negotiated by a Task Force on Economic Assistance established by the Joint Transition Commission. Requires such arrangements to come into effect simultaneously with the proclamation of independence. Directs the Joint Transition Commission to: (1) establish a Task Force on Social Security to protect the rights of workers who have permanently insured status under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) programs under title II of the Social Security Act, as of five years subsequent to the certification of the referendum; and (2) negotiate agreements necessary for the coordination of the U.S. social security system with a similar system to be established in the new Republic Requires the Joint Transition Commission to establish a Task Force on Medicare to negotiate agreements for the coordination of the U.S. Medicare system with a similar system to be established in the Republic. Directs the Commission to establish a Task Force on Currency and Finance to negotiate an agreement to: (1) assist Puerto Rico in the design and establishment of a deposit insurance system; (2) determine the extent of financial support to be provided for the system by U.S. insurance organizations in which Puerto Rico's financial institutions currently participate; and (3) make the necessary arrangements with respect to the use of U.S. currency by Puerto Rico if requested by Puerto Rico. Maintains until maturity the guarantees provided by the U.S. Government to investors in the secondary market for existing loans which originated in Puerto Rico. Requires the Republic of Puerto Rico to assume the outstanding debts, liabilities, and obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its municipalities and instrumentalities. Title IV: Commonwealth - Makes this title effective October 1, 1991, should Commonwealth be certified as having obtained a majority of the votes cast in the referendum. States that Puerto Rico is a self-governing body politic joined in political relationship with the United States and is under U.S. sovereignty. Makes this relationship permanent unless revoked by mutual consent. Allows the Governor of Puerto Rico to certify that the Puerto Rico legislature has adopted a resolution that states that a Federal law should no longer apply to Puerto Rico because there is no overriding national interest in having such law apply to Puerto Rico. Provides that a Federal law so certified shall no longer apply to Puerto Rico if a joint resolution approving the recommendation of the Puerto Rican Government is enacted. Sets out procedures for consideration of such joint resolution. Authorizes the Governor of Puerto Rico to enter into international agreements to promote the international interests of Puerto Rico as authorized by the President. Details procedures for agencies to follow with respect to rulemaking and in carrying out their duties. Provides for judicial review of such rulemaking decisions. Directs the officials of the Departments of State and Transportation to seek the advice of appropriate officials of Puerto Rico when negotiating any air transportation agreements which would affect air traffic to or from Puerto Rico. Adds Puerto Rico to the congressional declaration of policy respecting "Insular Areas." Requires the heads of Federal agencies to consult with the Governor of Puerto Rico as to whether there are special circumstances or qualifications which should be considered in making appointments to specified positions. Requires the President, prior to nominating any person to serve in Puerto Rico whose appointment requires the advice and consent of the Senate, to consult with the Governor as to whether such circumstances or qualifications should be considered in deciding on a nomination. Makes consultation requirements inapplicable with respect to the U.S. armed forces, Coast Guard, and law enforcement agency positions. Establishes the Office of Senate Liaison for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. States that the purpose of such Office shall be to facilitate the exchange of information between the Senate and the Puerto Rican Government. Authorizes appropriations for such Office. Directs the Secretary of State to establish a Passport Office for the Caribbean in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General to consult with Puerto Rico's Governor to determine what administrative actions can be taken to expedite the processing of visas. Requires the Secretary and Attorney General to report to the Congress on such consultations by March 15, 1990. Sets forth provisions with respect to antitrust laws and the development of voluntary guidelines designed to alleviate the negative impact of violence, sexually explicit material, and illegal drug use in telecast material and to promote local programming in Puerto Rico. Directs the President to report to the Congress on eight specified Federal properties. Requires such report to include an assessment of: (1) the Federal need for each property; (2) the costs and/or benefits of disposal of each property; and (3) the comments of the Puerto Rican Government regarding each property. States that unless the President finds that there is a national interest which requires continued Federal ownership, he should transfer such properties to Puerto Rico. Establishes the San Juan National Historic Site Advisory Commission. Requires the Commission to regularly advise the Secretary of the Interior on the operation, management, and administration of the San Juan National Historic Site. Waives the renewal provision of the Federal Advisory Committee Act with respect to the Commission. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Secretary and specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1989
Older Americans' Freedom to Work Act of 1989 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance)(OASDI) of the Social Security Act to phase out, by 1994, the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1989
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from refusing to issue or renew an airman's certificate, or terminate the employment of an airman, solely by reason of the airman's age if such person is under the age of 65.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1989
Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance and Prevention Formula Grant Amendments Act of 1989 - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to establish a formula grant program for homeless housing assistance to eligible States, metropolitan cities, or urban counties.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1989
Small Business Access Improvement Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small businesses for the expense of providing public accommodations access to the disabled. Reduces the tax deduction for expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1989
Directs the Committee on Rules to report to the House of Representatives a resolution to amend the Rules of the House to: (1) require that no member or employee of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence may be given access to classified information in the possession or control of such committee unless and until an appropriate security clearance has been granted to such individual by the House; and (2) establish standards (comparable to those applicable to the executive branch) and procedures (including confidentiality provisions) governing the granting, denial, periodic review, renewal, and withdrawal of such security clearances.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1989
Declares it is in the interests of the United States to support efforts to protect South Pacific marine resources (including albacore tuna, porpoises, whales, seals and other marine mammals, birds, sea turtles, and fish) from the slaughter of driftnet fishing. Supports the Tarawa Declaration and the South Pacific Commission resolution calling for an immediate ban on driftnet fishing in the South Pacific. Urges the Secretary of State to work toward an international convention banning driftnet fishing in the South Pacific. Urges Japan and Taiwan to immediately cease the use of driftnets in international South Pacific waters.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1989
Long-Term Care Insurance for the Elderly Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-free distributions from an individual retirement account or an individual retirement annuity for the purchase of long-term care insurance coverage when: (1) the entire amount received is used to buy such insurance for the individual or individual's spouse within 90 days of its receipt; and (2) the individual or individual's spouse has reached age 59 and one-half by the date of the distribution. Describes the method, based on the taxpayer's adjusted gross income for the taxable year, for determining the applicable percentage of the distribution or payment amount to which tax-free treatment will be accorded. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to the Congress, within one year after this Act's enactment, a proposal for the regulation of long-term care insurance policies, including minimum standards and an evaluation of the various catastrophic and long-term care policies currently available.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1989
Approves the location of a commemorative work to honor women who served in the armed forces of the United States in Vietnam during the Vietnam era on certain Federal land in the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1989
Pornography Victims Protection Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to the prohibition against the sexual exploitation of children to add as a condition triggering Federal penalties that the person concerned know that a minor was transported in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of producing pornography. Makes it a criminal offense for any person to coerce, intimidate, or fraudulently induce an individual 18 years or older to engage in any sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing any visual depiction of such conduct. Grants the U.S. district courts jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General or any person threatened with loss or damage by such conduct to institute a civil suit. Provides for treble damages for a victim who suffers physical injury, emotional distress, or property damage. Imposes civil penalties for violation of the prohibition against sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1989
Amends the Peace Corps Act to require the Director of the Peace Corps to drape a flag over the casket of a deceased Peace Corps volunteer or former volunteer. Requires such flag to be given to such individual's next-of-kin or, if no claim is made by the next-of-kin, to a close friend or associate. Prohibits a flag from being given to any other person if a flag is given to a friend or associate.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Senate should expeditiously give its advice and consent to ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances; and (2) the President should ratify such Convention as soon as possible after the Senate gives its advice and consent.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1989
Long-Term Health Care Markets Development Act - Title I: Tax-Free Withdrawals from IRA's Permitted for Payment of Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any distribution from an individual retirement plan if: (1) the payee has attained age 59 1/2 on or before the date of the distribution; and (2) the distribution is used to pay premiums for an insurance policy covering at least 12 months of medically necessary care for the payee or a spouse meeting the same 59 1/2 year age requirement. Title II: Employers Encouraged to Offer Higher Deductibles on Employer-Provided Group Health Insurance - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to empower the trustee of an eligible individual retirement account (IRA) maintained for the benefit of an employee electing employee group health insurance coverage under a qualified high-deductible option to extend credit to the employee to pay certified medical expenses. Uses the IRA assets as security for such credit, which is subject to specified limits. Authorizes credit only in connection with plans under which the employer contributes to the employee's IRA the premium savings resulting from the employee's choice of a high deductible health care option. Title III: Elimination of Certificate of Need Programs for Nursing Facilities - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit any State from establishing or operating any certificate of need program in connection with nursing facilities. Title IV: Tax-Free Conversion of Life Insurance Policies into Long-Term Care Insurance - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual otherwise taxable amounts derived from the whole or partial surrender, cancellation, or exchange of any life insurance policy if: (1) the individual is age 65 or older on the date of the transaction; and (2) the amounts in question are used to pay premiums for a long-term care insurance policy for the benefit of the individual or a spouse meeting the same 65-year age requirement. Title V: Reserves for Long-Term Care Insurance Treated in Same Manner as Reserves for Noncancellable Accident or Health Insurance - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require that, for the purpose of determining the income tax liability of insurance companies, insurance contracts providing for qualified long-term health care be treated in the same way as noncancellable accident or health insurance contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1989
International and South Pacific Forestry Cooperation Act of 1989 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to undertake various activities to promote sound management and conservation of forests and related natural resources in other countries and in U.S. territories in the South Pacific. Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with the Government of American Samoa, to establish: (1) the South Pacific Tropical Forestry Research Center; and (2) the American Samoa Experimental Forest. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1989
Requires the U.S. Government to exhaust all reasonable possibilities to obtain proof of the death of a missing person in order to establish a reasonable presumption that a member of the armed forces in a missing status is dead. Requires the head of the Federal agency concerned to provide certain procedural rights to the primary next of kin of a missing person when an action is to be undertaken by such agency to review the status of such missing person, including the right to review all information obtained by such agency with regard to the missing person's status. Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on current provisions of the Missing Persons Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1989
Global Environmental Standards Reporting Act - Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to report annually to the Congress on: (1) environmental laws in major trading countries, including members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan; (2) progress in compliance with such laws in such countries and the United States; and (3) governmental financial assistance, including tax incentives, grants, and low interest loans to industry to achieve compliance with such laws.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1989
Polish and Hungarian Democracy Initiative of 1989 - Title I: Structural Adjustment - Requires the U.S. Government, to the extent that Poland and Hungary continue to evolve toward pluralism and democracy and develop and implement comprehensive economic reform programs, to: (1) take the leadership in mobilizing international financial institutions to provide timely and appropriate resources to help Poland and Hungary; (2) use the Exchange Stabilization Fund to support the implementation of a plan of the Polish Government to attack hyperinflation and other structural economic problems, address pressing social problems, and carry out comprehensive economic reform; (3) urge all members of the Paris Club of creditor governments and other creditor governments to adopt a generous and early rescheduling program for debts owed by the Polish Government, and reschedule payments due on the debt owed by such Government to the U.S. Government that is payable during FY 1990 through 1994; and (4) make available to Poland U.S. agricultural assistance and encourage parallel efforts by the European Community and other agricultural surplus nations. Sets a minimum level of agricultural assistance to Poland for FY 1990. Requires the President to submit a report to the Congress: (1) describing the steps taken by the U.S. Government under this Act; (2) assessing Poland's requirements for additional agricultural assistance during FY 1990 and for assistance during FY 1991 through 1992; and (3) specifying how much agricultural assistance the President proposes be provided by the United States to meet those requirements. Directs the President to provide to the Congress revised assessments of Poland's requirements for agricultural assistance during FY 1991 through 1992, as additional information becomes available. Title II: Private Sector Development - Authorizes appropriations for the three-year period beginning October 1, 1989, to support the Polish-American Enterprise Fund and the Hungarian-American Enterprise Funds (Enterprise Funds). Authorizes the President to designate two private, nonprofit organizations as eligible to receive funds and support (the Enterprise Funds). Sets forth provisions with respect to the management and administration of such funds, audits, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. Requires each Enterprise Fund to take into account such considerations as internationally recognized worker and human rights, environmental factors, U.S. economic and employment effects, and the likelihood of commercial viability of the activity receiving assistance from the Enterprise Fund. Requires the Secretary of Labor to provide technical assistance to Poland and Hungary for the implementation of labor market reforms and to facilitate adjustment during the period of economic transition and reform. Specifies types of technical assistance authorized, including assistance pertaining to job training and retraining, labor-management relations, and worker rights. Requires the President to develop and implement a program for extending basic agribusiness, commercial, entrepreneurial, financial, scientific, and technical skills to the people of Poland and Hungary to enable them to better meet their needs and develop a market economy, including management training and agricultural extension activities. Specifies agencies, programs, and organizations participating in such program. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations to carry out programs in Poland and Hungary under the Peace Corps Act. Directs that a portion of specified agricultural commodities be made available and sold or bartered to generate local currencies to be used to complement the assistance for Poland authorized by this Act. Title III: Trade and Investment - Amends: (1) the Trade Act of 1974 to make Poland eligible for the Generalized System of Preferences; and (2) the Foreign Assistance Act to make Poland and Hungary eligible for Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) programs. Directs the OPIC to support projects in Poland and Hungary which will result in enhancement of the nongovernmental sector and reduction of State involvement in the economy. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to remove Poland and Hungary from a list of Marxist-Leninist countries. Directs the Export-Import Bank and the Agency for International Development (AID) to work with certain international financial intermediaries which will facilitate trade between the United States and Poland which is eligible for financing from such Bank. Authorizes the President to provide guarantees to the Bank for liabilities incurred in connection with guarantees or insurance provided under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 for financing for transactions involving the export of goods and services for the use of the private sector in Poland and Hungary. Limits such guarantees to short-term guarantees and insurance extended by the Banks which shall be repayable within one year from the date of arrival at the port of importation of the goods and services covered by such guarantees or insurance. Provides that such guarantees or insurance shall: (1) be by the Administrator of AID and the Bank; and (2) provide for the establishment of a reserve fund by the administering agency. Sets forth provisions with respect to funding, the discharge of liabilities, reporting requirements, administrative and technical assistance, fees and premiums charged by the Bank, and congressional reporting requirements in connection with guarantees of insurance guaranteed by the administering agency. Authorizes appropriations. Urges the President to seek bilateral investment treaties with Poland and Hungary to establish a more stable legal framework for U.S. investment in those countries. Title IV: Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Activities - Urges the United States to: (1) expand its participation in educational and cultural exchange activities with Poland and Hungary; and (2) establish binational Fulbright commissions with Poland and Hungary to facilitate and enhance academic and scholarly exchanges with those countries. Encourages the establishment of "sister institution" programs between American and Polish, and American and Hungarian, organizations. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to establish and administer a program to provide scholarships to enable students from Poland and Hungary to study in the United States. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States to provide scholarship assistance for undergraduate or graduate degree programs, and training programs of one year or longer, in study areas related to the critical development needs of Poland and Hungary. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of State to continue to implement the 1987 U.S.-Polish science and technology agreement for FY 1990 through 1992. Title V: Other Assistance - Authorizes appropriations to support democratic institutions and activities in Poland and Hungary. Authorizes appropriations to undertake such action (including educational, research, and technical and financial assistance) as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deems appropriate in protecting the environment in Poland and Hungary. Authorizes the Administrator to cooperate with Polish officials and experts to: (1) establish an air quality monitoring network in the Krakow metropolitan area as part of Poland's national air monitoring network; and (2) improve both water quality and the availability of drinking water in such area. Requires the Administrator to work with the United States and Hungarian officials and private parties to establish a regional center in Budapest for facilitating cooperative environmental activities between governmental experts and public and private organizations from the United States and Europe. Authorizes appropriations for EPA activities for FY 1990 through 1992. Directs the Secretary of Energy to cooperate with Polish officials and experts to: (1) retrofit a coal-fired commercial powerplant in Krakow, Poland, with advanced clean coal technology; and (2) assess and develop the capability within Poland to manufacture boilers or other equipment that will enable industrial facilities within Poland to burn fossil fuels cleanly. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for medical supplies, hospital equipment, and training of Polish medical personnel. Title VI: Other Provisions - Requires: (1) the President to submit a report to the Congress on actions taken pursuant to this Act; and (2) the Secretary of State to coordinate the assistance for Poland and Hungary provided for in this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lagomarsino, Robert J. [R-CA-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000020_200.jpg)