United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the administration should oppose the European Community Meat Ban Directive which will restrict U.S. access to the Community's agricultural markets and will be inconsistent with the Community's obligation under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); (2) the Community should submit evidence to support its hormone ban directive to the GATT Scientific Dispute-Settlement Panel which will review the claim that U.S. beef is unsafe for human consumption; and (3) if the Community denies access to U.S. beef based on scientifically unsubstantiated standards, the administration should adopt countermeasures, including reciprocal trade action granted under the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and other laws.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of the classification of anhydrous ammonia as a poisonous gas for purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from implementing the classification of anhydrous ammonia as a poisonous gas for purposes of such Act until the Secretary of Agriculture has reported to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Relinquishes all U.S. interests under a conservation easement in specified lands in Wood County, Texas, whenever a water resource project that will affect such land is started on or by January 1, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Permits certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Provides that the Tax Reform Act of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if the three-year basis recovery rule applicable to government employees' annuities had not been repealed.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Merchant Mariners Fairness and Memorial Act of 1989 - Provides that certain qualified service of a member of the U.S. merchant marine during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of eligibility for various veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue an honorable discharge under such Act to each merchant marine member whose qualified service warrants such a discharge. Defines "qualified service." Prohibits the payment of any retroactive benefits under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to convey the right, title, and interest of the United States in vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet to nonprofit organizations for use in funding merchant marine memorials, provided the vessels have no usefulness to the Government and are scheduled to be scrapped and the organizations agree to sell the vessels for scrap, divide the proceeds, and use them for memorials. Requires organizations to have raised a minimum amount from non-Federal sources before enactment of this Act in order to participate in the sale. Limits an organization to one grant under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Child Development and Education Act of 1989 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994, if appropriations under specified provisions of the Head Start Act equal or exceed specified amounts in the relevant fiscal years. Allocates the aggregate amount appropriated for this Act, one-third each to carry out: (1) the expanded program under the Head Start Act, as amended by title I of this Act; (2) the School-Based Child Care and Development program under the new title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by title II of this Act; and (3) the Infant and Toddler Child Care Act, as added by title III of this Act. Title I: Expanded Head Start - Amends the Head Start Act to provide for child care services throughout the year for children who participate or are eligible to participate in Head Start programs. Authorizes Head Start programs to provide child care services. Extends through FY 1994 the authorization of appropriations for Head Start programs. Authorizes Head Start programs to use additional funds under this Act (if the parents are working or attending a job training or educational program) for: (1) full-working-day (at least ten hours) child care services throughout the year to children participating in Head Start programs; and (2) part-day and full-working-day child care services throughout the year to children eligible to participate in Head Start programs. Allows the use of up to 50 percent of such funds to provide Head Start services to children: (1) who are otherwise ineligible under specified provisions; (2) whose family income is greater than the poverty line but less than 150 percent of the lower living standard income level (LLSIL); and (3) whose parents are working or attending a job training or educational program. Requires payment of sliding scale fees for a portion of such services from parents whose income exceeds the LLSIL or whose children receive such services under the expanded eligibility provisions. Title II: School-Based Child Care and Development - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a new title VIII program of grants to States for school-based child care or early childhood development programs. Requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to use such funds to expand or establish a school-based child care or early childhood development programs that meet specified requirements. Mandates provision of such programs: (1) at no cost to families with income not more than 100 percent of the LLSIL; and (2) on an income-based fee schedule to families with income not more than 150 percent of the LLSIL. Requires the early childhood development program to include four-year-olds from such families to the extent such no-cost services are not available under the Head Start Act. Requires the before- and after-school care program to cover such families where: (1) the parent or parents work or are in education or training programs; and (2) the children attend early childhood development programs or regular kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school classes. Requires inclusion of private school children. Sets forth standards for such early childhood development programs, including requirements for adequate and nutritious meals and snacks, and, if practicable, health and social services. Sets forth program requirements for State educational agencies which wish to participate in the program to make specified assurances, including commitment to participate in a State interagency task force on child care. Requires each State to distribute at least 90 percent of grant payments from the Secretary of Education to eligible LEAs. Title III: Infant and Toddler Child Care - Infant and Toddler Child Care Act - Establishes a program of grants to States for infant and toddler child care programs. Makes eligible for such programs children under three whose family income does not exceed 150 percent of the LLSIL and who: (1) reside with one or more parents, each of whom is working, seeking employment, or attending a job training or educational program; or (2) are receiving, or need to receive, protective services and reside with a parent or parents not described in clause (1). Requires an appropriate State agency to act as the lead agency for such program. Requires a State advisory committee on child care and local advisory councils for such program. Requires that providers provide services to a reasonable mix of children, including those from different socioeconomic backgrounds and those with handicapping conditions. Requires States to use at least 75 percent of their allotment to provide child care services to eligible children on a sliding fee scale basis, using specified funding methods and giving priority to children whose families have very low income (and who pay no fee). Requires program funds to be distributed: (1) to a variety of types of child care providers, including center-based, group home, and family providers; and (2) equitably among rural and urban areas. Requires provision of child care services through contracts or grants to eligible providers or through grants to local governments that agree to contract with eligible providers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make planning grants to States under specified conditions. Makes a State ineligible for assistance under this title five years after the Secretary establishes minimum child care standards, unless the State demonstrates that all child care providers in the State required to be licensed and regulated: (1) are so licensed and regulated; (2) satisfy the minimum standards; and (3) are subject to the enforcement provisions referred to in the State plan. Requires each participating State to establish a State advisory committee on child care. Requires such committees to review State licensing authority and to report to the Governor. Sets forth requirements for State-funded resource and referral programs. Requires participating States to require, within two years, that all employed or self-employed individuals who provide licensed or regulated child care services in the State complete annually at least 15 hours of training in specified areas. Directs States to make grants and contracts with various entities for training and technical assistance for child care providers. Directs States to provide scholarship assistance to: (1) individuals who seek a nationally recognized child development associate credential for child care, and whose income does not exceed the poverty line by more than 50 percent; and (2) caregivers who seek to obtain the required annual training and whose income does not exceed the poverty line. Directs the State lead agency to establish a clearinghouse for training materials. Directs States to use a portion of program funds for various activities to encourage businesses (especially small businesses) to support or provide child care services to a reasonable mix of children of employees and nonemployees. Requires consultation with a business task force and the State economic development agency. Establishes the position of the Administrator of Child Care in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires the Administrator to: (1) coordinate all HHS activities relating to child care with similar activities of other Federal agencies; (2) annually collect and publish State child care standards; (3) evaluate activities funded under this title; (4) act as a clearinghouse for materials related to areas of required annual training and to studies of salaries for child care employees; and (5) provide technical assistance to States. Sets forth Federal enforcement provisions. Sets the Federal share of program costs at 80 percent (85 percent if a State makes a required demonstration of compliance throughout a fiscal year). Prohibits States from requiring any private provider of child care to contribute to the State share. Establishes the National Advisory Committee on Child Care Standards. Requires the Committee to: (1) review Federal policies with respect to child care services; (2) submit to the Secretary proposed minimum standards; and (3) develop and make available model requirements for resource and referral agencies. Sets forth guidelines for minimum child care standards. Terminates the Committee 90 days after the Secretary establishes such standards. Makes applicable to this title specified provisions of the Head Start Act relating to nondiscrimination and restrictions on sectarian activities. Provides for preservation of parental rights and responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Federal Employees' Political Activities Act of 1989 - Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of any election. Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority to intimidate, threaten, coerce, command, or influence: (1) any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of any individual to vote as the individual may choose, or of causing any individual to vote, or not to vote, for any candidate or measure in any election; (2) any person to give or withhold any political contribution; or (3) any person to engage, or not to engage, in any form of political activity. Prohibits an employee from using, attempting to use, or permitting the use of any official information, unless such information is available to the general public. Prohibits an employee from: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or to refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; (2) soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; or (3) giving or handing over a political contribution to a superior of the employee. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving, or from being in any manner concerned with soliciting, accepting, or receiving, a political contribution: (1) from another employee (or a member of another employee's immediate family) with respect to whom the employee is a superior; or (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official or an individual receiving salary or compensation from the Treasury. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution from, or giving a political contribution to, any person who: (1) has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business or financial relations with the employing agency; (2) conducts operations or activities which are regulated by that agency; or (3) has interests which may be substantially affected by the performance of the employee's official duties. Directs the Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board to prescribe regulations which exempt employees from such prohibitions. Prohibits an employee from engaging in political activity: (1) while on duty; (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official; (3) while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee; or (4) while using any vehicle owned or leased by the Government. Exempts certain high level political appointees from such prohibitions if the costs associated with the political activity are not paid for by money derived from the Treasury. Authorizes leave without pay or accrued annual leave to an employee who is a candidate, upon request, to allow such employee to engage in activities relating to that candidacy. Declares that such request may be denied if the exigencies of the public business so require. Declares that such employee may be required to take leave without pay or accrued annual leave in order to be a candidate if activities relating to the candidacy interfere with the employee's performance of duties. Applies this Act to postal employees and employees of the Postal Rate Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Public Utility Holding Company Modernization Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 with respect to unlawful transactions by registered public utility holding companies to permit a subsidiary company which is neither a holding company nor a public utility company to issue and sell securities solely for the purpose of financing its business. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to exempt a subsidiary of a registered holding company from the proscription against the issuance or selling of its own securities (including the alteration of stockholder rights to such securities) if such transactions are solely for its business and have been expressly authorized by the State regulatory authority. Permits a registered holding company to acquire: (1) business interests of a non-public utility nature whose book value aggregates 15 percent of its total consolidated assets; and (2) additional business interests which the Commission finds consistent with the public interest or the protection of investors or consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Repeals estate tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to inclusion in the gross estate of the value of certain types of transfers with a retained life estate. Applies the repeal retroactively in connection with property transferred after December 17, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control to conduct continuing oversight and review of the problems of narcotics, drug, and polydrug abuse and control.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Hunger to conduct a continuing comprehensive study of the problems of hunger and malnutrition.