United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to permit Rural Electrification Administration borrowers to prepay Federal Financing Bank loans without penalties if: (1) private capital is used to replace such loans; and (2) any savings will be used to avoid future rate increases, passed on to customers, or used to improve the borrower's financial strength.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Amends the International Air Transportation Fair Competitive Practices Act of 1974 to reduce from 180 days to 90 days the Secretary of Transportation's aggregate period for taking action upon unfair competitive practices by a foreign air carrier or instrumentality of a foreign government. Cites conditions under which the Secretary is authorized to extend such period for an additional 90 days. Instructs the Secretary, when considering any complaint or in any proceedings under the Secretary's own initiative, to solicit the views of the Department of Commerce and of the United States Trade Representative as well as of the Department of State (as under current law). Directs the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees on actions taken with respect to such complaints.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Farm Employment and Enterprise Development Act of 1987 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Specifies that States and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits to 100 the total number of areas which may be designated as enterprise zones. Limits the period during which: (1) the Secretary has authority to designate such zones; and (2) the designations may remain in effect. Authorizes the Secretary to designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of a local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 1,000 or is entirely within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to residents of the area. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting nominated areas for designation as enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every four years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that the designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Provides that such enterprise zones shall be treated for all purposes under Federal law as labor surplus areas. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in rural enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for qualified increased employment expenditures and employment of the disadvantaged. Allows a three-year carryback and a 15-year carryover of such credit. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of the increase in payroll (taking into account $17,500 in wages per year per employee) plus a specified percentage of wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers through the first 20 years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such credit in the last four years of the enterprise zone designation. Disallows a deduction for the portion of wages taken into account for such credit. Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of wages earned (taking into account up to $10,500 per year). Phases out such credit in the last four years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investments made in certain enterprise zone construction property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to ten percent for new enterprise zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be located in an enterprise zone, be predominantly used in the zone, be either constructed, reconstructed, renovated, etc. during the period of zone designation or acquired during such period, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon the early disposition of the property. Provides for a phase-out of the tax credit as the enterprise zone ends. Provides for an adjustment to the basis of the enterprise zone construction property to reflect the tax credit. Subtitle C: Nonrecognition of Qualified Enterprise Zone Capital Gain Where Acquisition of Enterprise Zone Business Property - Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of property if, within one year after such sale, the taxpayer acquires qualified replacement property (generally defined as property related to an enterprise zone or to a business within such a zone). Limits such nonrecognition of gain to the amount by which the gain does not exceed the cost of the replacement property. Sets forth special rules and provisions relating to this subtitle. Subtitle D: Deduction for Purchase of Enterprise Stock - Allows a taxpayer to deduct up to $100,000 of the aggregate amount paid during the taxable year for the purchase of enterprise stock on the original issue of such stock by a qualified issuer. Requires that the gain from the disposition of the stock be treated as ordinary income. Includes provisions to govern situations in which: (1) the stock is transferred within three years of its purchase; or (2) the issuer ceases to be a qualified issuer of enterprise stock within five years of its issue. Requires the basis of such stock to be reduced by the amount of the deduction. Exempts this deduction from calculations with respect to the limitation of an individual taxpayer's miscellaneous itemized deductions to two percent of adjusted gross income. Subtitle E: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that limitations on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property. Provides that the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to bonds whose proceeds are used to finance facilities in such enterprise zones. Modifies certain small issue volume limitations with respect to enterprise zone facilities. Requires that five percent of the private activity bond volume cap of a State that has at least one enterprise zone shall be set aside for use only in such zones. Subtitle F: Ordinary Loss Deduction for Securities of Enterprise Zone Business Which Become Worthless - Permits an ordinary loss deduction for securities of enterprise zone businesses which become worthless during the taxable year. Subtitle G: Increase in Research Credit for Research Conducted in Enterprise Zones - Increases from 20 to 30 percent the tax credit for increasing research conducted in enterprise zones. Subtitle H: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Subtitle I: Regulations - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act not later than six months after the date of enactment. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise 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 enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of a rule shall remain in effect only as long as the affected zone designation. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and to consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that, to the maximum extent practicable, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1987
Makes permanent the income tax credit for qualified research expenditures by repealing the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that would terminate such credit for expenses incurred or paid after 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from self-employment income, for Social Security tax purposes, certain payments under the conservation acreage reserve program. Prohibits an income tax deduction for expenses incurred as a result of participation in such program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1987
Moscow Embassy Security Resolution - Declares that: (1) the Government of the U.S.S.R. has violated the diplomatic privileges and immunities of the Embassy of the United States by surreptitiously entering that Embassy to conduct espionage; (2) the penetration of the Embassy constitutes a gross violation of international law; (3) such penetration has inflicted grave damage upon the national security of the United States; (4) the security of the United States requires that American personnel in Moscow can communicate in confidence; (5) such personnel cannot communicate in confidence within the present Embassy in Moscow, nor within the proposed new Embassy in Moscow; (6) the agreements between the United States and the U.S.S.R. concerning new embassies in Moscow and Washington allow either party to withdraw from the agreements to the extent the national security interests of the party require; and (7) to protect national security, the United States must withdraw from the embassy agreements. Declares that the United States withdraws from the embassy agreements. Requires the Secretary of State to notify the Government of the U.S.S.R. that the Mount Alto site in Washington, D.C., will cease to be available to that Government for any purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1987
Social Security Transitional Benefit Computation Act of 1987 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to alter the formula for computing the primary insurance amount of individuals who attain age 65 in or after 1982 and would otherwise be subject to the benefit computation rules of the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Extends the application of such transitional benefit computation rules to those who become eligible for benefits before 1989. (Currently those who become eligible after 1983 are subject to the benefit computation rules of the Social Security Amendments of 1977.)
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1987
Food Security Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to base 1987 through 1990 wheat and feed grain deficiency payments on the first five months of each marketing year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of protecting the equity of Farm Credit System borrowers and of ensuring the continued availability of competitive borrower credit.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the appointment by the Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands of electors of the President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which such territories would be entitled if they together were a single State, but in no event more electors than the least populous State appoints.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1987
Rural Worker Readjustment Act - Amends title III of the Job Training Partnership Act to allow the Secretary of Labor to use discretionary funds to provide assistance to individuals who are affected by economic downturns, such as those occurring in the agriculture industry. Allows the Governor of any State receiving allocations under such Act to reserve up to 30 percent for: (1) administration, technical assistance, and coordination; and (2) rapid response capabilities and for programs addressing statewide or regional displacement problems. Requires the remainder of funds to be distributed according to a formula established by the Governor, in consultation with the State advisory council. Subjects such formula to approval by the Secretary. Lists types of information which must be considered when establishing such a formula. Allows a farmer or rancher to be identified as an eligible dislocated worker if: (1) the operation of the farm or ranch will terminate because of one or more listed events (foreclosure, failure to return a profit during the preceding 12 months, bankruptcy proceedings, the inability to obtain necessary capital, the failure to make payments on loans secured by farm premises, or total debts exceeding 70 percent of total farm assets); or (2) the farmer or rancher is determined to leave farming or ranching because of excessive debts. Requires each State to ensure the establishment of a rapid response capability. Requires funds allotted by the Governor under such Act to be allotted among service providers to: (1) establish centers to provide for the comprehensive delivery of authorized services; and (2) insure the delivery such services to dislocated workers. Requires each service provider to submit a biennial plan to the Governor describing its programs, activities, and goals. Expands the authorized activities which may be provided under such Act to include: (1) basic education and occupational skills assessment; (2) literacy skills assessment; (3) basic, remedial and literacy education; and (4) the establishment and maintenance of rapid response capabilities. Allows a substate grantee to provide support services to participants if necessary to facilitate participation in an authorized program. Directs the Secretary to develop a means by which statistical data relating to rural unemployment can be collected and to publish a report based on such data.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Amends the Small Business Act to set forth specified criteria to be used by the Small Business Administration for determining whether a small business or agricultural cooperative has suffered a substantial economic injury as a result of a disaster or Federal action with respect to the award of economic injury loans. Sets forth the effective date of eligibility for such loans. Prohibits the disapproval of such loans solely on the basis of the indebtedness of the applicant which existed prior to the disaster or Federal action which is claimed to have caused the economic injury.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
President's Pro-Life Bill of 1987 - Prohibits the use of Federal funds for abortions, except when continuing the pregnancy would endanger the mother's life. Prohibits the granting of funds relating to certain population research and voluntary family programs under the Public Health Service Act to organizations providing abortions or abortion referrals, unless the life of the mother would be endangered by continuing the pregnancy.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Agricultural Export Reserve Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative, to carry out an export expansion program for the 1987 through 1991 marketing years. Establishes an agricultural surplus Export Reserve for such program. Permits such Reserve to be used for barter for strategic and other stockpiled materials, either for direct ownership or for storage use as collateral. Sets forth policy guidelines for such Reserve, including a prohibition on its use to expand exports to any nation with which the United States does not have full diplomatic relations or against which the President has imposed a trade embargo. Establishes the Export Reserve Advisory Council to advise the Secretary and the Trade Representative on how best to use such Reserve. Requires semi-annual reports to the appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Repeals specified provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that eliminated income averaging. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted. Amends the IRC to permit qualified farmers to use income averaging. Defines "qualified farmer" as a person: (1) actively engaged in the trade or business of farming; (2) whose gross income for the three preceding taxable years is at least 50 percent attributable to farming; (3) whose farming business or trade has been substantially affected in the first preceding taxable year by a natural disaster in the United States or by a major disaster or emergency so designated by the President; and (4) whose farming enterprise has sustained, as a result of such disasters, at least a 30 percent loss of normal per acre or per animal production, based on specified criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax exclusion for employee educational assistance programs. (Present law terminates such exclusion as of December 31, 1987.) Requires, for every taxable year beginning after 1988, an annual cost of living adjustment of the maximum excludable amount. Waives the maximum excludable amount for any educational assistance furnished by certain educational institutions to graduate students engaged in teaching or research activities for such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Establishes the Veterans Administration as an executive department redesignated as the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Makes technical and conforming changes, including the redesignation of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs as the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Defense Savings Act - Establishes the Bipartisan Commission on the Consolidation of Military Bases (the Commission) to: (1) review the military importance of all major military installations; and (2) identify which such installations can be closed or realigned without impairing the security of the United States. Outlines administrative procedures concerning membership, staff, meetings, and powers of the Commission. Directs the Commission, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to submit to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and each House of the Congress a final report on the findings and conclusions of the Commission. Terminates the Commission 30 days after the submission of such report. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to take certain specified action with respect to the implementation of the Commission's recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Competition Savings Act of 1987 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the Federal Government to contract with the private sector for the performance of a commercial activity when the cost is lower than the cost of the performance of such activity by the Government. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to prescribe regulations for such cost comparisons. Requires the Director to publish a commercial activity inventory each fiscal year in the Federal Register. Provides that such inventory shall consist of a list of all commercial activities carried out by full-time Government employees, and the cost of such activities. Requires each executive agency to complete cost comparisons or award contracts for commercial activities which constitute 20 percent of the number of activities listed in the agency's inventory for each fiscal year, beginning with FY 1989. Specifies commercial activities which are exempt from cost comparisons and those eligible for expedited procedures. Sets forth performance deadlines after completion of cost comparisons. Requires the inclusion of cost comparison results in budget requests. Provides for judicial review of decisions resulting from cost comparisons. Makes greater reliance on private sector sources a part of Federal procurement policy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Establishes the Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, as a unit of the National Park System. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Western Historic Trails Center Commission to develop a draft management plan and oversee its implementation. Requires the Secretary to administer the Center and acquire lands, artifacts, and provide technical assistance. Requires the Commission to submit to the Secretary for approval a management plan which provides for the interpretation, celebration, and research of major historic events surrounding the westward expansion of the United States. Limits Federal funding of land acquisition and construction to 75 percent of the aggregate costs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Merchant Marine Support and Equity Act of 1987 - Requires at least 50 percent of the tonnage of all agricultural commodities imported into the United States, for which an adequate production capacity exists within the United States, be shipped in private U.S. vessels. Waives such requirement whenever the President or the Congress declares that an emergency exists that justifies such waiver. Limits such waiver to no longer than six months. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to annually determine and publish in the Federal Register a list of the commodities and products to be shipped under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Aircraft Collision Avoidance Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require that civil aircraft with a maximum passenger capacity of more than 30 seats be equipped with a collision avoidance system developed by the Federal Aviation Administration (TCAS-II). Mandates that an altitude-encoding transponder be installed on each civil aircraft operating in a high traffic density area if such aircraft is not required to be equipped with the TCAS-II. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to complete, as soon as possible, the research, development, and certification of the collision avoidance system known as TCAS-III. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Irrigation Subsidy Reform Act of 1987 - Amends the Reclamation Projects Act of 1939 to require the Secretary of the Interior to charge full cost for the delivery of water used in the production of any surplus agricultural commodity.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United Nations, and in particular the Human Rights Commission, should include among its highest priorities of its human rights agenda consideration of the question of human rights in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1987
Directs the Postal Service to restore the reduced rates applicable to mailings of fewer than 5,000 copies of publications to counties adjacent to the county of publication. Limits to 20,000 the number of copies of such publications which may be mailed under reduced rates within the county of publication.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to permit individuals to engage in industrial homework (including sewing, knitting, jewelry, or craftmaking) or perform any service in or about their place of residence as employees of any employer covered by such Act if the employer complies with minimum wage and maximum hours requirements under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Agricultural Loan Assistance Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require Federal banking agencies to permit an agricultural bank to: (1) amortize over ten years any loss on a qualified agricultural loan that the bank would otherwise be required to show on an annual financial statement for 1987 through 1991; and (2) reappraise the value of any real estate or other real or personal property that the bank acquired coincident to making a qualified agricultural loan and that it owned on January 1, 1987, and any additional property that it acquired before January 1, 1992, and to amortize over ten years any loss resulting from such reappraisal that it would otherwise be required to show on its annual financial statements. Allows such amortization only if there is no evidence that fraud or criminal abuse by the bank led to such losses.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for expenses related to preparation of withholding certificates. Requires that a person who filed such certificate knew it to be false or fraudulent before the imposition of civil penalties. Establishes a transition period for imposition of such penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1987
Medicare Diabetic Foot Disease Prevention Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program for therapeutic shoes furnished to individuals with severe diabetic foot disease.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1987
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide a mandatory life sentence (except when the death penalty is invoked) for any person convicted of gathering or delivering defense information to a foreign government.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Emergency Farm Credit Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require Federal banking agencies to permit an agricultural bank to amortize over ten years any loss on a qualified agricultural loan that the bank would otherwise be required to show on an annual financial statement for 1984 through 1988. Allows such amortization only if there is no evidence that fraud or criminal abuse by the bank led to such losses. Requires a participating agricultural bank to maintain in its loan portfolio a percentage of agricultural loans not lower than such percentage as of January 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Omnibus Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Directs the Secretary to transmit drafts of such statement to specified congressional committees and to distribute the final statement to all taxpayers with tax forms sent by the IRS. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to establish within the Department of the Treasury (Department) an Office of Inspector General (Inspector). Transfers to such Office the existing audit and investigation units of the Department. Prohibits the Inspector from reviewing: (1) monetary, fiscal, and tax policy; and (2) the exercise of legal judgment in the investigation and litigation of cases. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) withhold from the Inspector requested information that the Secretary determines will jeopardize the success of an ongoing investigation or litigation, confidential sources, or the national security; and (2) prohibit the Inspector from undertaking or continuing an audit or investigation under limited circumstances described in this Act. Requires the IRS, upon taxpayer request, to conduct any interview regarding a deficiency assessment at a reasonable time and place convenient to the taxpayer and to the IRS, and to permit the taxpayer, at his or her own expense, to record the interview. Authorizes the IRS interviewer to record such interview if the taxpayer has been given prior notice and is provided, upon request and payment of reproduction costs, with a transcript of the recording. Requires the interview to warn the taxpayer that: (1) he or she has a right to remain silent; (2) any statement the taxpayer makes may be used against him or her; and (3) he or she has the right to the presence of an attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent, or enrolled actuary. Permits a waiver of such rights if voluntarily and knowingly made. Amends Federal law to require the Comptroller General (Comptroller) of the General Accounting Office to: (1) conduct audits of the IRS with respect to the efficiency, uniformity, and equity of the internal revenue laws (current law specifies no particular focus for such audits); and (2) conduct special audits or investigations of internal revenue law administration upon the request of any congressional committee or Member of Congress. Requires the Comptroller's annual report to the Congress to include specified findings concerning IRS management, efficiency, procedures, and structure. Divests of its finality a vote of the Joint Committee on Taxation to disapprove a Comptroller General audit of the IRS. Designates such vote as a recommendation to disapprove an audit and makes such recommendation subject to congressional approval. Prohibits evaluations of IRS personnel based on revenue collected from taxpayers as a result of audits or investigations involving such personnel. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by an officer or employee of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws that inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action in Federal court (regardless of the amount in controversy) for any taxpayer aggrieved by such prohibited investigation or recordkeeping. Authorizes both equitable remedies and awards of damages, including punitive damages, litigation costs and reasonable attorney fees, in such cases. Extends from ten to 30 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Specifies information that must be incorporated in such notice, including possible alternative actions and the appropriate appeals procedures. Adds to the circumstances triggering termination of such a levy: (1) an agreement between the taxpayer and the Secretary for payment of the liability; and (2) the Secretary's determination that the taxpayer's financial condition precludes enforceability of the liability. Revises the list of property exempt from levy to: (1) increase the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages; (2) add an exemption for certain deposits in qualified institutions; and (3) provide an express exemption, except under limited circumstances specified in this Act, for the taxpayer's principal residence, a motor vehicle used by the taxpayer as the primary means of transportation to work, and any tangible personal property essential to the operation of the taxpayer's business in cases when a levy would prevent the taxpayer from carrying on such business. Prohibits a levy on any property when levy and sales expenses would exceed either the liability for which the levy is made or the fair market value of the levied property. Sets forth situations in which the Secretary must release a levy. Applies to jeopardy levies the administrative and judicial review procedures currently applicable to jeopardy assessments. Authorizes the Secretary, in certain cases, to enter into a binding agreement with a taxpayer under which such taxpayer may pay tax liability in installments. Requires the Secretary to offer in writing to enter such an agreement with any individual: (1) whose tax liability is $20,000 or less; and (2) who has not been delinquent in installment tax payments under similar agreements during a specified period. Permits the Secretary, after proper notice and a hearing, to modify or annul such an agreement upon the finding that the financial condition of the affected taxpayer has significantly changed. Requires the Secretary to abate in full any deficiency, including penalty or interest, completely attributable to erroneous advice in writing given to a taxpayer by an IRS officer or employee in response to such taxpayer's specific inquiry. Directs IRS officers and employees, when giving oral advice to a person, to inform such person that the contents of such communication are not binding on the IRS. Authorizes the IRS Ombudsman, upon application filed by a taxpayer, to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Ombudsman: (1) the taxpayer is suffering or is about to suffer from an unusual or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary has failed to carry out any of his or her duties or has violated any provision of law. Allows the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary to release property of the taxpayer levied upon or to cease or refrain from certain actions. Requires the Secretary to obey any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued by the Ombudsman. Allows an administrative appeal of tax liens. Revises the criteria according to which the Secretary determines a minimum sale price for property seized by levy and subject to a tax sale. Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing a class audit of taxpayers in a particular business or trade until each group member is given proper notice and the opportunity either to file an amended return or to challenge the Secretary's findings at a hearing. Places upon the IRS the burden of proof on all issues in all administrative and judicial proceedings between the IRS and a taxpayer. Applies the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act to all IRS rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend during a specified period of time the excise taxes on: (1) aviation fuel; (2) aircraft tires; (3) gasoline used in aircraft; and (4) air transportation. Provides that such taxes shall be suspended during a time when the unobligated balance in the Airport and Airway Trust fund exceeds $1,000,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Amends the National Housing Act to make authority permanent for: (1) title I financial institution insurance for housing renovation and modernization; (2) general mortgage insurance; (3) low and moderate income and displaced families mortgage insurance; (4) mortgage co-insurance, including rental rehabilitation and development projects; (5) mortgage insurance for armed forces' civilian employees and defense housing for impacted areas; (6) mortgage insurance for land development; (7) mortgage insurance for medical and dental group practice facilities; (8) mortgage insurance commitment limitations; and (9) graduated payment and indexed mortgage insurance. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to make authority permanent for urban rehabilitation loan authority. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to make authority permanent for: (1) insured loans for rental and cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families in rural areas; and (2) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1986 to make national flood insurance authority, including emergency implementation provisions, permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1987
National Institute for New Agricultural and Forestry Industrial Materials Act of 1987 - Establishes in the Office of Critical Agricultural Materials of the Department of Agriculture the National Institute for New Agricultural and Forestry Industrial Materials to encourage private efforts to increase the use of advanced technology suitable for application to the industrial use of industrial crops and forest products. Sets forth operating and administrative provisions. Requires the establishment of regional education centers at land-grant colleges and universities to provide users and producers of industrial crops and forest products with production, processing, and marketing information. Authorizes FY 1988 through 1991 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1987
Syndicated Television Music Copyright Reform Act of 1987 - Amends the copyright law to require that any conveyance of performance rights in an audiovisual work to nonnetwork commercial television include the right to perform in synchronization any accompanying copyrighted music. Entitles the music copyright holder to an interest in any compensation received for the audiovisual work performance rights.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Directs the Secretary of the Army to construct a flood control diversion project for Carter Lake, Nebraska. Provides that the Federal share of the cost of this project will be 75 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Broadcast License Renewal Act of 1987 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to declare it to be the policy of the United States that, with respect to the grant or renewal of a broadcast license, the licensee has the responsibility to: (1) broadcast material responsive to matters of concern to residents of its service area; and (2) operate in compliance with provisions of such Act and Federal Communications Commission regulations. Directs the Commission to: (1) grant an application for license renewal if the applicant has met such responsibilities in the preceding license term; or (2) deny renewal or grant limited renewal if the applicant failed to meet such responsibilities. Prohibits the Commission, in evaluating a licensee's performance in broadcasting material responsive to matters of public concern, from establishing or applying any requirement with respect to the broadcast of any specific subject or material. Directs the Commission to accept the licensee's judgment if found to be reasonable and made in good faith. Prohibits the Commission, in determining whether to renew a license, from considering whether the public interest, convenience, and necessity might be served by granting a license to a competing applicant. Directs the Commission to conduct an inquiry and prescribe any necessary regulations concerning any additional information that licensees should be required to maintain and make available to the public regarding the licensee's responsibility to broadcast material responsive to matters of public concern. Makes it unlawful for a license applicant and any other person, while a license application is pending, to effectuate an agreement whereby the other person withdraws or withholds an informal objection or a petition to deny in exchange for the payment of any thing of value by, or on behalf of, the applicant.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the administration should; (1) oppose the establishment of a tax on vegetable and marine fats and oils in the European Community; (2) continue its efforts to ensure that such a tax is not established; and (3) notify the European Community that the United States will view establishment of such a tax as inconsistent with the European Community's obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and as an action that will result in the result in the adoption of strong and immediate countermeasures.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Arctic Coastal Plain Leasing Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. States that this Act shall be considered the primary land management authorization for all exploration and production activities on the Coastal Plain. Provides that no land management review shall be required except as specifically authorized by this Act. Mandates that all receipts from sales, rentals, bonuses, and royalties on leases under this Act be deposited into the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that oil and gas exploration and transportation activities are conducted to achieve the reasonable protection of animal and environmental resources (including subsistence uses of the Coastal Plain). States that the "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Coastal Plain Resource Assessment," prepared by the Secretary, satisfies all legal requirements for the promulgation of such regulations, and that no further studies or assessments shall be required prior to Federal action. Directs the Secretary to provide impact aid and other assistance to communities on the North Slope and elsewhere in Alaska in order to ensure the public services needed to accommodate oil and gas production and transportation activities on the Coastal Plain.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax-exempt organization all of whose members primarily coach football as full-time employees of four-year colleges or universities to have a pension plan with a qualified cash or deferred arrangement, provided such organization was in existence on September 18, 1986. Requires such a plan to be treated as a multiemployer plan.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to permit a producer of corn and oats, beginning in 1987, to plant more oat acreage than his or her permitted farm acreage base for oats and barley without losing eligibility for feed grain agricultural program benefits. Stipulates that excess oat and barley planting will result in benefits loss for oats and barley. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a uniform date for producers in a county to certify their corn and oats acreage.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Medicaid Infant Mortality Amendments of 1987 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow States to extend Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and infants under age one whose family income exceeds current income eligibility standards, but does not exceed 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Authorizes States to accelerate the coverage of poor children under age five. (Currently, coverage would not be extended to all poor children under age five until FY 1991.) Allows States to extend Medicaid coverage to poor children under age eight.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
United States House of Representatives Election Recount Act of 1987 - Declares that any recount of ballots for the office of Representative shall be completed: (1) in a general election by December 31 of the year of the election; and (2) in a special election by the end of six weeks after the election.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lightfoot, Jim [R-IA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000305_200.jpg)