United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1989
Directs the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its immediate area to honor World War II veterans and to commemorate U.S. participation in that conflict. Directs the Commission to plan, design, construct, and oversee the operation of the memorial. Specifies that such design shall provide for accessibility by, and accommodations for, the physically handicapped. Establishes the World War II Memorial Advisory Board to: (1) promote the establishment of the memorial and encourage the donation of private funds for construction maintenance; (2) assist and cooperate with the Commission in the selection of the site and design for the memorial; and (3) transmit annual reports on its activities to the Congress. Authorizes the Commission to solicit private contributions for such memorial. Establishes a fund in the Treasury which shall be made available to the Commission to carry out this Act. Authorizes Federal funding, in addition to such private funds, for site preparation, design, planning, establishment, construction, maintenance, and operation of the memorial. Authorizes assistance from specified Federal departments and agencies, including the Library of Congress. Authorizes Federal property to be transferred to the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to purchase suitable property within the District of Columbia for the establishment of such memorial. Urges the Government to encourage 50th anniversary commemorations of the U.S. role in World War II. Urges the Smithsonian Institution and other Federal museums to develop commemorative exhibitions to be shared with academic institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend from December 31, 1989, until December 31, 1992, the exemption from the termination of small issue bonds for farm property and manufacturing facilities located in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1989
Designates October 29, 1989, as Fire Safety at Home Day: Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery. Directs the President to issue a proclamation to urge people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they reset their clocks from daylight savings time.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1989
Declares it is U.S. policy to provide a national air transportation system which: (1) enhances the general welfare and security of the United States; and (2) is free of regulations which unreasonably burden or restrict the right of citizens to travel by air. Requires the President to submit to the Congress a plan for a new comprehensive national aviation policy.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Congressional Campaign Fairness Act of 1989 - Declares that candidates seeking election to the Congress should: (1) limit contributions from political committees to no more than 40 percent of total campaign contributions accepted; and (2) require that at least 75 percent of their campaign contributions be from residents of their State. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit a multicandidate political committee from making contributions from November 15 following the date of a regularly scheduled general election until the following November 14 to any individual elected as a Senator or Member of the House of Representatives at that election or to the authorized political committees of such individual. Reduces from $5,000 to $2,500 the aggregate amount a multicandidate political committee may contribute to a candidate or his authorized political committee in any election for Federal office. Permits the national committee of a political party or a State committee of a political party to contribute to a candidate for the office of Senator or Member of the House of Representatives or the authorized committee of such candidate an amount equal to the total amount of contributions of less than $200 each that is received by such candidate or authorized committee. Repeals the exception which permits any individual who was a Member of Congress on January 8, 1980, to convert excess campaign funds to personal use. Requires disclosure of the name of a political committee in any political communication if such committee makes independent expenditures for the purpose of financing such communications.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress and the States shall have power to prohibit the act of desecration of the U.S. flag and to set criminal penalties for that act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that individuals throughout the United States should observe Independence Day, July 4, 1989, as Take Pride in the Flag Day to celebrate the 213th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 201st anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1989
Amends rule XLVI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to: (1) reduce the number of pieces of franked mail which may be mailed during any calendar year; and (2) increase the number of days immediately before the date of any election during which mass mail shall not be franked.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that: (1) the misuse or desecration of the symbol, emblem, seal, or flag of the United States or of the several States is not protected speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; and (2) the Congress and the legislatures of the several States shall have power to enforce the Article proposed by this Joint Resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1989
Emergency Chinese Adjustment of Status Facilitation Act of 1989 - Waives the two-year home country residence requirement for nationals of the People's Republic of China in the United States on a student (J) visa. Continues the legal status of nonimmigrant nationals of the People's Republic of China in the United States for adjustment or change of status purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1989
Spending Control Enhancement Act of 1989 - Adds a title to the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to rescind all or part of any budget authority provided in an appropriations bill by notifying the Congress of the rescission by a special message within ten calendar days after enactment of the Act in question. Makes such rescission effective unless the Congress, within ten days after receiving the special message, completes action on a bill disapproving the proposal. Describes: (1) information to be included in the President's message; and (2) procedures to govern consideration of rescission disapproval legislation in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1989
Forest Users' Protection Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties for cutting, spiking, injuring, or destroying any tree on land owned or held in trust by the Government. Provides increased penalties for subsequent violations or when a personal injury or property damage exceeding $500 results. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a reward to any individual who provides information which leads to the finding of a civil violation or a criminal conviction under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1989
Product Liability Reform Act of 1989 - Declares that this Act governs any product liability action brought in any State or Federal court against a manufacturer or product seller, on any theory, for harm. States that a civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller for commercial loss shall be governed by applicable commercial or contract law. Supersedes any inconsistent State law regarding recovery in such actions. Lists specific laws not superseded, including: (1) defense of sovereign immunity asserted by any State or by the United States; (2) any Federal law (except the Federal Employees Compensation Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act); (3) the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976; (4) State choice-of-law rules; (5) the right of any court to transfer venue or to apply the law of a foreign nation or to dismiss a claim of a foreign nation or citizen on the ground of inconvenient forum; and (6) any statutory or common law cause of action which is not an action for harm caused by a product or an action to abate a nuisance and which is for civil damages or civil penalties, clean up costs, injunctions, restitution, cost recovery, punitive damages, or any other form of relief from contamination or pollution of the environment or the threat of it. Makes this Act (except provisions relating to workers' compensation offset) inapplicable to any product liability action brought in State or Federal court, on any theory, for harm caused by asbestos or asbestos products. Provides that, with respect to civil actions brought for vaccine-related injury or death, if specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) take effect and establish a Federal rule of law or defense applicable to such actions, then this Act does not affect the application of such rule of law or defense and any conflicting rule or defense prescribed by this Act shall not apply to such an action. Provides that if there is an aspect of such an action for which a PHSA rule or defense does not apply, then this Act or otherwise applicable law will apply to such aspect. Establishes a standard of manufacturer liability in product liability actions for proximate causes of harm, established by a preponderance of the evidence, which fall under the categories of: (1) negligence; (2) strict product liability; or (3) intentional wrongdoing. Provides that negligence shall be in terms of a manufacturer's failure to act as a reasonably prudent person would with respect to product design, construction, warnings, or instructions. Provides that strict liability shall be with respect to a product's being in an unreasonably dangerous defective condition in: (1) deviation from standards; (2) nonconformance with an express warranty; (3) failure to contain adequate warnings or instructions; or (4) design (in which case State law governs with respect to establishment of a prima facie case). Provides that a manufacturer's intentional wrongdoing shall be determined under applicable State law. Sets forth a defense to manufacturer liability based on a product's inherent characteristics. Provides that a product shall not be considered to be in an unreasonably dangerous defective condition if the product aspect which allegedly caused the harm cannot be made safe and is not dangerous to an extent beyond that which would be contemplated by the ordinary person who uses or consumes the product with the knowledge common to the community as to its characteristics. Provides that such defense does not limit a manufacturer's liability solely because the risk of harm is patent, open, or obvious. Provides that a manufacturer shall not be relieved of liability on the grounds that the product that allegedly caused the harm was unavoidably unsafe, unless the product is a drug or medical device. Provides that in product liability actions involving an improperly designed and unavoidably unsafe drug or medical device, the manufacturer's liability shall be determined under State law (and the state-of-the-art defense under this Act shall not apply). Sets forth a state-of-the-art defense. Provides that the manufacturer shall not be liable for the design of the product if the manufacturer establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that at the time the product left its control: (1) the manufacturer did not and could not know that the product was in an unreasonably dangerous defective condition because of its design in light of knowledge reasonably available to experts; or (2) there was not a feasible alternative design that would have prevented the harm without substantially impairing the reasonably anticipated or intended function of the product (considering specified factors). Makes the state-of-the-art defense inapplicable if the court finds, on its own or on a party's motion, that a claimant has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the product is so unsafe compared to its usefulness that it should not have been marketed. Sets forth standards for product warnings and instructions. Provides that a product is in an unreasonably dangerous defective condition because it failed to contain adequate warnings and instructions if reasonably prudent, adequate warnings or instructions, in the light of knowledge reasonably available to experts, on the aspect (including a design aspect) which caused the harm: (1) did not accompany the product at the time it left the manufacturer's control; or (2) were not given on a timely basis by the manufacturer before the harm. Requires that specified factors be considered. Establishes, in addition to the general standard of manufacturer's liability, a presumption of liability applicable to manufacturers of fire fighting equipment or protective clothing for harm suffered by any fire fighter performing interior structural firefighting if: (1) the harm was the result of the use of such equipment or clothing which left the manufacturer's control after the enactment of this Act; and (2) the equipment or clothing did not comply with the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) fire brigade occupational safety and health standards or a more stringent State standard. Establishes a standard of product seller liability in product liability actions for proximate causes of harm, established by a preponderance of the evidence, which fall under the categories of: (1) negligence; (2) express warranty; or (3) intentional wrongdoing. Provides that such negligence shall be in terms of a product seller's failure to exercise reasonable care with respect to the product. Provides that it shall not be such a failure based on an alleged failure to inspect a product where there was no reasonable opportunity to inspect it in a manner which would or should, in the exercise of reasonable care, have revealed the aspect which allegedly caused the harm. Provides that such product seller's express warranty must be independent of any express warranty of the manufacturer. Provides that a product seller's intentional wrongdoing shall be determined under applicable State law. Establishes an additional product seller liability as a manufacturer. Makes the product seller liable as if it were the manufacturer if: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to service of process under the laws of the State in which the claimant brings the action; or (2) the court determines that the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Sets forth a defense based on a claimant's being, as a result of the influence of intoxicating alcohol or any non-over-the-counter drug which has not been prescribed for the claimant by a physician, more than 50 percent at fault for the harm. Reduces the manufacturer's or product seller's liability for damages by the percentage of responsibility for the harm attributable to misuse or alteration of a product. Allows punitive damages to be awarded, to the extent provided by applicable State law, if the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the manufacturer or product seller engaged in conduct giving rise to punitive damages under applicable State law, with the following exception. Provides that a failure to exercise reasonable care in selecting among alternative product designs, formulations, instructions, or warnings shall not, by itself, constitute conduct that may give rise to punitive damages. Requires separate proceedings for punitive damages if such separate proceedings are requested by the defendant. Makes evidence in such separate proceedings which is relevant only to the claim of punitive damages inadmissible in any proceeding for compensatory damages. Directs the trier of fact, in determining the amount of punitive damages, to consider all relevant evidence, including specified factors. Prohibits punitive damages against a manufacturer of a drug or medical device unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the manufacturer or product seller engaged in conduct giving rise to punitive damages under applicable State law and unless the manufacturer engaged in: (1) intentional and wrongful withholding or misrepresentation of information, material and relevant to the harm, which either was required to be submitted before the approval of the drug or device or was related to the safety and efficacy of the drug or device after its approval, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) or the Public Health Service Act; or (2) a violation of the FFDCA which was material and relevant to the harm and was committed with the intent to defraud or mislead, as determined by the court and proven by clear and convincing evidence. Prohibits punitive damages against a drug manufacturer where the harm is alleged to relate to the adequacy of the packaging or labeling of a drug required to have tamper-resistant packaging (and related labeling), unless the drug is found by clear and convincing evidence to be substantially out of compliance with Federal regulations. Makes findings with respect to punitive damages relating to drugs and medical devices inadmissible in any criminal proceeding. Requires that civil actions subject to this Act be brought within two years from the time the individual discovered or should have discovered the harm and its cause, with the following exception. Bars actions for harm caused by a product which is a capital good unless the complaint is served and filed within 25 years of the date of delivery of the product to its first purchaser or lessee who was not engaged in the business of selling or leasing it or using it as a component in the manufacture of another product. Applies this capital goods rule only if: (1) the court determines that the claimant has received or would be eligible to receive State or Federal workers' compensation for the harm; and (2) the harm did not include chronic illness. Reduces any damages awarded under this Act by the amount paid in workers' compensation benefits which the claimant-employee is or would be entitled to receive. Provides for such reduction only where the employer or the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier does not have a lien against the claimant's recovery in a product liability action against a claimant or product seller. Provides that determinations under this Act of workers' compensation benefits shall have no binding effect on, and shall not be used as evidence in, any other proceeding. Allows the claimant to stay product liability actions under this Act until the workers' compensation benefits have been determined. Provides that the employer and its insurance carrier shall have no right of subrogation, contribution, or implied indemnity against an award made under this Act, unless the employer establishes, and the trier of fact determines, that the harm was not caused in any way by fault of the employer or a co-employee. Prohibits any third-party tortfeasor from maintaining any action for implied indemnity or contributions against the employer, any co-employee, or the exclusive representative of the injured party. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect any provision of State or Federal workers' compensation law which: (1) prohibits a person who is or would have been entitled to receive compensation under such law, or any derivative claim, from recovering in any other action against an employer, employer's insurer, co-employee, or exclusive representative; or (2) permits recovery based on an intentional tort by the employer or co-employee. Declares that this Act's restrictions on third-party claim tortfeasors shall not apply and applicable State law shall control if the employer or its insurer, in a product liability action subject to this Act, asserts or attempts to assert, because of provisions relating to its lack of fault under this Act, a right of subrogation, contribution, or implied indemnity against the manufacturer or product seller or a lien against the claimant's recovery from them. Sets forth standards, procedures, and sanctions relating to frivolous pleadings under this Act. Provides for the availability of information under this Act. Provides that U.S. district courts shall not have jurisdiction over any civil action arising under this Act. Requires the court in which any action is brought under this Act, upon the application of any party to the action, to refer the action to mediation, unless the court determines that the action involves novel or unsettled issues of law or is otherwise unsuitable for mediation. Allows the court to impose fees to cover the costs of the mediation. Makes mediation statements, briefs, and summaries inadmissable in any court or any other evidentiary proceeding. Requires the evaluation by the mediation panel to include a separate award for each claim, crossclaim, counterclaim, or third-party claim. Requires each party to file an acceptance or rejection of the panel's award, with special procedures for multiple parties. Requires that the action proceed to trial with respect to any claim for which any party rejects the mediation award. Makes the findings, evaluations, and awards of the panel and the parties' acceptance or rejection inadmissable at trial. Requires the rejecting party to pay the opposing party's costs, upon request, unless the verdict is more favorable to the rejecting party than the mediation award. Requires each State Attorney General and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to report to the Attorney General, and the Attorney General to report to the Congress regarding implementation of the mediation provisions of this Act. Sets forth definitions under this Act. Excludes commercial loss from the definition of harm. Defines harm as any of the following caused by a product: (1) personal physical illness, injury, or death; (2) mental anguish or emotional harm caused by or causing personal physical illness or injury; or (3) physical damage to property other than the product itself. Directs the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to report to the Congress on the effect of the implementation of this Act upon the cost and availability of product liability insurance. Sets forth requirements relating to the information on which such report is based. Requires such a report annually for ten years, after which the Secretary shall report on the costs and benefits of continuing such reports and continue them only if so requested by a majority of specified congressional committees. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on what information is needed to enable the Congress to measure the effect of product liability reforms on product liability actions. Requires consultation with specified entities in making such report. Requires specified information to be included in such report. Requires the report to be submitted within 18 months after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the effect of this Act upon product liability actions, product manufacturers, and product sellers (including small businesses), claimants, and Federal and State courts. Requires such report to assess specified factors. Requires such a report to be made biennially five times, after which the Secretary shall report on the costs and benefits of continuing such reports and continue them only if so requested by a majority of specified congressional committees. Directs the Secretary, upon determining that sufficient data does not exist to measure the effect of product liability reform on litigation, to report on what information is needed to enable the Congress to measure the effect of product liability reforms on product liability actions. Requires consultation with specified entities in making such report. Requires specified information to be included in such report. Requires the report to be submitted within 18 months after enactment of this Act. Declares that this Act shall not apply to any product liability cause of action arising from the use of a product before the date of enactment of this Act against a person who is a debtor in a case commenced on a specified date under bankruptcy provisions of Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Space Transportation Services Purchase Act of 1989 - Requires the Federal Government to purchase space transportation services from commercial providers, unless on a case-by-case basis: (1) the Secretary of Defense certifies to the National Space Council that national security reasons require otherwise; (2) the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certifies to the Council that the unique capabilities of the space shuttle are required; or (3) the Secretary of Transportation finds that the services required are unavailable at a reasonable cost from commercial providers. Requires the Federal Government to acquire only space transportation vehicles manufactured in the United States of primarily U.S.-made components, and only as required under this Act or by NASA for conducting research and development on space transportation technology. Requires contracts to provide space transportation services to be awarded through the competitive bidding process among U.S. persons. Requires other activities of the Government relating to: (1) commercial payloads on the space shuttle; (2) grants for space transportation services; (3) expenditures for international activities or organizations using space transportation services; and (4) studies on future space transportation services.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Living Wage Act of 1990 - Title I: Earned Income Tax Credit - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the earned income tax credit to: (1) increase from $5,714 to $7,000 the amount of earned income subject to the credit; (2) increase the basic credit from 14 percent to 15 percent; and (3) add additional credits to apply to not more than four children of five percent for each dependent school age child between age six and age 16 and ten percent for each preschool age child. Reduces the amount of the credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross income over $40,000. Indexes amounts relating to the credit beginning in 1992. Disallows application of the nonrefundable dependent care income tax credit with respect to a taxpayer's dependents under age 13, unless the child is physically or mentally incapable of self-care. Permits the credit with respect to handicapped children under age 15 only if the taxpayer elects not to include the child within the framework of the earned income credit. Repeals provisions of the Family Support Act of 1988 that revise the way in which the earned income credit is treated in the context of needs analysis for purposes of State plans for aid and services to needy families with children under title IV of the Social Security Act. Title II: Federal Minimum Wage - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (the Act) to increase the minimum wage per hour from $3.35 in 1989 to: (1) $3.65 in 1990; (2) $3.95 in 1991; and (3) $4.25 in 1992 and thereafter. Increases the tip credit under the Act from 40 percent to 50 percent. (The tip credit deems the amount paid to a tipped employee, for minimum wage purposes, to be increased by an amount determined by the employer, but not by an amount in excess of the specified percentage of the applicable minimum wage rate). Increases the small business exemption by revising the definition of an enterprise engaged in commerce, for purposes of coverage under the Act ("the enterprise test"). Exempts from such coverage enterprises whose annual gross volume of sales or business is less than $500,000 (currently $362,500), effective in 1990. Requires employers who were covered in 1988, but who are exempt under the new threshold, to continue to pay the $3.35 per hour minimum wage. Authorizes employers, in lieu of the minimum wage, to pay a newly hired employee not less than $3.35 an hour and thereafter not less than 80 percent of the increased minimum wage. Applies the rights and protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to employees in the House of Representatives, employees under the Architect of the Capitol, and employing authorities of the House of Representatives. Authorizes employers to employ any employee for periods of not more than ten hours in excess of the 40-hour maximum without paying overtime if during such periods the employee is receiving remedial education.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Prohibits nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to the products of China. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, to prohibit the Overseas Private Investment Corporation from extending loans, credits, or insurance to such country.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1989
Workers' Political Rights Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to include political committees among those entities to which contributions by national banks, corporations, or labor organizations are restricted. Provides that communications to its members and their families and the establishment of, and solicitation of contributions for, a separate segregated political fund by a labor organization shall not be considered to be prohibited political contributions or expenditures only if such organization provides to employees it represents written notification of the following information: (1) that no employee is required to join the labor organization, and if the collective bargaining agreement purports to require membership in, or the payment of any amounts to, such organization, the employee instead may pay an agency fee to such organization; (2) the amount of the agency fee for the current year and the amount of union membership dues, initiation fees, and assessments for the current year; (3) that employees who choose to join the union will be subject to the labor organization's reasonable internal rules, regulations, and discipline; (4) that employees who resign from such organization may do so without being subject to internal union discipline for any post-resignation conduct; (5) that the amount of the agency fee for the current year is limited to the employee's pro rata cost of the labor organization's exclusive representation services to the collective bargaining unit; (6) that a procedure is in place to determine those costs which are chargeable to agency fee payors and such procedures are fully explained; and (7) that due regard is given to the fact that the labor organization holds a fiduciary position of trust with respect to the employees it represents and that the rights of employees to associate freely are not infringed any more than necessary for such organization to defray its reasonable costs of providing exclusive representation services. Requires a labor organization which does not provide employees with such notification to finance those political activities which are not considered contributions or expenditures with funds collected for its separate, segregated political fund.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
Rural Development Investment Zone Act of 1989 - Title I: Designation of Rural Development Investment Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to designate rural development investment zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate an investment zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every four years on the effects of such investment zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers - Allows employers located in investment zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for qualified increased employment expenditures. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Rural Development Investment Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investments made in certain investment zone construction property. Limits the credit to ten percent for new property, including rental property. Requires the recapture of credit amounts upon the early disposition of the property. Title III: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Rural Development Investment Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within investment zones. Requires the Secretary to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Title IV: Responsibilities of Federal Agencies in Rural Development Investment Zones; Regulatory Flexibility - Requires Federal agencies to seek to provide special assistance to designated rural development investment zones. Amends Federal law to revise "small entity" with regard to the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating with investment zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an investment zone. Requires agencies to approve a request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in maintaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification or a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1989
Older Americans' Freedom to Work Act of 1989 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Permits States to grant waivers of application of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 with respect to farm vehicles whether or not such vehicles are operating within 150 miles of the farm.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Pipeline-Hazardous Waste Anti-Dumping Act of 1989 - Amends the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit, by regulation, with specified exceptions, the tending for transportation in crude oil pipeline facilities of any used oil, waste oil, solvent, salt, metal, chemical (including chlorinated or oxygenated hydrocarbons), or other substance determined to pose an unreasonable threat of damage or injury to pipeline facilities, human beings, or the environment.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to elect to treat as ordinary income or loss certain capital gains and losses from the disposition of assets used in conducting business with or for patrons.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1989
Declares that control of a class I rail carrier may be acquired, with the approval of the Interstate Commerce Commission, by a person that is not a carrier.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress and the President, prior to each fiscal year, to agree on an estimate of total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year by enactment of a joint single subject resolution. Prohibits outlays for that year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding this amount unless the Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of the total membership of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989
Urges the President to initiate: (1) the abrogation of the Panama Canal Treaty and the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and the Operation of the Panama Canal; and (2) negotiations with the Panamanian Government with regard to the Panama Canal's future status whenever that Government is freely elected.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Rape Prevention Act of 1989 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to public and nonprofit private community organizations for the purpose of establishing or operating local projects to combat rape and other forms of sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the valuation of farm land for estate tax purposes, permitting a qualified heir to enter into a cash lease of farm or other real property with a family member and still have the property valued under use value principles rather than according to its highest and best use.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
Davis-Bacon Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Davis-Bacon Act to increase from $2,000 to $250,000 the threshold amount subjecting certain contracts to such Act and requiring them to specify the minimum wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish as the prevailing wage for a class of laborers or mechanics the entire range of wages being paid to a corresponding class of such workers in the particular urban or rural subdivision of the State in which the work is to be performed. Sets out the means for determining such prevailing wage in cases when more than a single wage is being paid to corresponding classes of workers. Excludes from the computation of wages the basic hourly rates of pay for workers on local Federal projects. Establishes a separate classification for helpers of laborers or mechanics, with their prevailing wages to be determined on the basis of the corresponding class of helpers. Prohibits the division of contracts into units of $250,000 or less for purposes of avoiding wage computation under such Act. Provides for administrative enforcement of such prohibition. Applies the increased contract amount threshold for coverage provided in this Act to other related Federal laws which use the Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage rate determination requirements. Provides that wages found to be due to laborers and mechanics pursuant to the Davis-Bacon Act shall be paid to them directly from accrued payments withheld under the contract, in accordance with specified regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor. (Currently the Comptroller General makes such payments.) Directs the Administrator of General Services (rather than the Comptroller General) to distribute a list to all Federal agencies giving the names of persons or firms that the Secretary of Labor (rather than the Comptroller General) has found to have disregarded their obligations to employees and subcontractors. Amends the Copeland Act to require certain contractors or subcontractors to furnish compliance statements concerning weekly wages at the beginning, midpoint, and conclusion of the period covered by the contract, instead of every week as the wages are paid. Requires such statements at least every three months. Directs the Secretary of Labor and the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress annual reports describing the effects of the Davis-Bacon Act, the Copeland Act, and this Act on local wages and on local and national economies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue an order (subject to producer referendum) creating a soybean promotion, research, and consumer education program. Requires any such order to provide for the establishment of a: (1) United Soybean Board; and (2) Soybean Program Coordinating Committee. Funds such program through producer assessments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Designates September 8, 1989, as National Pledge of Allegiance Day. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission should include the centennial observance of the Pledge of Allegiance in its commemorative activities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1989
Prohibits the United States from making any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations or any of its affiliated organizations if such entity grants full membership as a state to any organization or group that does not have the internationally recognized attributes of statehood.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1989
Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to extend the deadlines to: (1) May 1, 1990, for the submission of asbestos management plans by local educational agencies; (2) December 31, 1989, for requests for deferral of such submissions; and (3) July 9, 1990, for the implementation of such plans, upon approval of a deferral request.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1989
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) make the deduction permanent (under current law it will expire after tax year 1989); and (2) phase in an increase in the allowable deduction, reaching 100 percent for taxable years beginning in 1994 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1989
Consumer Coal Royalty Rate Amendment Act of 1989 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to reduce the statutory minimum ad valorem royalty rate on coal purchase contracts entered into prior to March 1, 1989, from 12 1/2 percent to six percent of the value of coal. Exempts coal leases of Indian tribal or allotted lands from such royalty reduction. Permits the Secretary of the Interior to determine a lesser rate for coal from underground mining operations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that an increase in estate taxes or the imposition of a capital gains tax at death would, by virtue of negative effects on family farms and family businesses, do more damage to the U.S. economy than the increased revenue would justify.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs income tax credit through 1992 (under current law the credit will expire after December 31, 1989). Amends the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations through FY 1992 in connection with the targeted jobs credit. Raises from 23 to 25 years the age limitation with respect to economically disadvantaged youth targeted for credit purposes. Adds as a targeted group under the credit economically disadvantaged individuals who have completed a qualified drug rehabilitation program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1989
Amends rule IV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to obtain and distribute the customary metal tags provided for under the District of Columbia Traffic Act, 1925 which identify congressional vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1989
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1989 - Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that: (1) terminated the income tax exclusion of amounts paid under employee educational assistance programs as of tax year 1989; and (2) deny benefits in connection with graduate work.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1989
Title I: National Development Investment - Public Works and Economic Development Act Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to cite such Act as the National Development Investment Act and to revise the emphasis of such Act from primary Federal initiative to coordination of investments between the public and the private sectors. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make development investment assistance grants to qualified applicants for: (1) constructing and improving public facilities; (2) revolving loan funds; and (3) employee stock ownership plans. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance for improving and enhancing economic development. Describes qualified applicants as States, distressed local governments, economic development districts, economic development organizations, and Indian tribes. Describes a distressed local government as one with a population under 50,000 that is located outside an economic development district. Requires an application for a grant under this Act to include: (1) a certification that the area concerned meets certain distress requirements; (2) a certification relative to performance of any responsibilities which the Secretary has agreed to accept; and (3) a development investment strategy prepared in accordance with this Act. Lists as distress requirements any one of which an area must meet in order to be eligible for a grant under this Act: (1) a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average; (2) an unemployment rate one percent above the national average for the most recent 24-month period for which statistics are available; or (3) a sudden economic dislocation resulting in job losses. Sets forth information to be contained in a grant applicant's development investment strategy. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to establish a revolving loan fund for making or guaranteeing loans to small businesses for initial or working capital or for the purchase of facilities or equipment. Limits to $1,000,000 the amount of any such grant. Limits the amount of any grant under this Act to a maximum of 50 percent of the cost of completing the project as determined at the time of the grant application. Permits the Secretary to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of a project in the case of an Indian tribe. Limits expenditures in any one State to a maximum of 15 percent of the appropriations made pursuant to this Act, except for expenditures to Indian tribes. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating more than $4,000,000 in any fiscal year to any person, other than grants for employee ownership organizations. Requires the Secretary, each fiscal year, to obligate minimum amounts of funds for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make economic development planning grants to States, economic development districts, Indian tribes, distressed counties, and distressed units of local governments with populations over 50,000 (if located outside an economic development district). Earmarks such grants for coordination of investments for community facilities, economic development, manpower training, and transportation services. Authorizes the Secretary to evaluate Federal, State, and local development investment efforts. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct demonstration programs to test the feasibility of new ways to increase productivity in the steel industry and related industries, foster innovative technology, match labor force with labor markets, or encourage economic diversity and regional balance. Requires a report to the Congress no later than 90 days after completion of any demonstration program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to colleges, universities, and other nonprofit educational and research organizations for management and technical assistance. Declares that the Secretary of Commerce shall administer this Act with the assistance of a specified Assistant Secretary of Commerce. Authorizes the Secretary to consult with other persons and agencies. Prohibits the approval of any grant unless the Secretary is satisfied that the project concerned will be properly and efficiently administered, operated, and maintained. Permits the Secretary to discharge responsibilities relative to a project by accepting a certification of the grant applicant's performance of such responsibilities. Requires the Secretary to make comprehensive annual reports to the Congress detailing operations under this Act. Requires all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on projects assisted under this Act to be paid the prevailing rate of wages. Requires the Secretary to maintain records of approved applications available for public inspection. Requires each recipient of a grant to maintain specified records. Allows the Secretary and the Comptroller General access to all records of such recipients. Prohibits the Secretary from: (1) discriminating in favor of or against any qualified applicant based on whether it is located in an urban or rural area; (2) creating separate allocations of funds for assistance to urban or rural areas unless allocations are based on objective findings or relative levels of distress in areas qualified for assistance; or (3) denying assistance to qualified applicants because the project is located in a State with low unemployment. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Appalachian Regional Development - Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to declare that investments under such Act shall also be made in severely distressed and underdeveloped counties lacking resources for basic services. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1992 for administrative expenses of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Authorizes the Commission to lease office space through FY 1992. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1992 for the Appalachian development highway system. Increases from 70 to 80 percent the subsequent Federal share of an Appalachian development highway segment when a participating State proceeds to construct a segment of such a highway without the aid of Federal funds. Applies such increase to projects approved after March 31, 1979. Removes the restriction on financial assistance for the cost of industrial facilities. Declares that after October 1, 1989, grants shall not exceed 50 percent of the costs of any approved project (except projects concerning Appalachian highways). Requires that energy enterprise development loan funds established with grants previously approved by the Commission be made available for authorized purposes. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1992. Extends the termination date of such Act from 1982 to October 1, 1992.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lightfoot, Jim [R-IA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000305_200.jpg)