United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Postal Service Employees' Political Activities Act of 1987 - Declares it to be the policy of the Congress to encourage employees of the United States Postal Service to exercise their rights to participate or refrain from participating in political processes. Prohibits such employees from: (1) using their official authority to influence the result of any election or the political action of any person; (2) using any information obtained through employment and not publicly available for any political purposes; (3) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or refrain from voting; (4) soliciting or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting; (5) knowingly giving a political contribution to a superior; (6) knowingly soliciting or receiving a political contribution from another subordinate employee; or (7) knowingly soliciting or receiving a political contribution in specified facilities or from any person who has or is seeking business relations with the employee's agency. Directs the Postal Service and the Postal Rate Commission to prescribe certain exemptions to such prohibitions. Prohibits employees from engaging in political activities while on duty, while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying their position, or in designated areas. Requires a postal employee to notify his or her agency (U.S. Postal Service or the Postal Rate Commission, as applicable) upon becoming a candidate for elective office. Permits such employee to take annual leave or leave without pay to engage in activities related to his or her candidacy. Imposes penalties against employees found by the Merit Systems Protection Board to have violated this Act. Requires the Postal Service to study and report to the Congress on the effects of this Act on the political activities of employees, the merit system, and matters generally contributing to the improper use of official authorities or information by employees.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Federal Employees' Political Activities Act of 1987 - Revises provisions which prohibit Federal and District of Columbia employees from engaging in political activities. Continues proscriptions against employees using their official authority or influence to interfere with the result of any election or to coerce the political action of any person. Prohibits employees from using any information obtained through their employment and not publicly available for any political purpose. Modifies provisions relating to the solicitation and offering of political contributions by Federal employees. Prohibits employees from: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or refrain from voting; (2) soliciting or receiving a contribution to vote or refrain from voting; (3) giving a contribution to a superior; (4) soliciting or receiving a contribution from a subordinate employee; (5) soliciting or receiving a contribution in specified facilities; or (6) soliciting or receiving a contribution from or giving a political contribution to an employee, Member of Congress, officer of a uniformed service, or agent of such individual, or any person who has or is seeking business interests affected by such employee's agency. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to prescribe certain exemptions to such prohibitions. Prohibits employees, with specified exceptions, from engaging in political activities while on duty, while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying their position, or in designated areas. Allows employees holding certain restricted positions to take part in political management or a political campaign only under specified conditions. Requires an employee to notify his or her agency upon becoming a candidate for political office. Permits an employee to take annual leave or leave without pay to engage in activities related to such candidacy. Sets forth the penalties to be imposed against any employee who is found by the Merit Systems Protection Board to have violated provisions of this Act. Permits State and local employees to run for political office if they are in federally funded positions. Directs OPM to report to the Congress on the effect of the provisions of this Act on political participation by Federal employees, the merit system, and the improper use of official influence or information.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Olmsted Heritage Landscapes Act of 1987 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to prepare a State-by-State inventory of Olmsted heritage landscapes. Provides that all properties on the inventory shall be part of an Olmsted heritage landscape system. Requires periodic updating of the inventory. Requires appropriate access to such inventory at the Library of Congress, the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site in Brookline, Massachusetts, the National Park Service regional headquarters, and appropriate State offices. Excludes specified property owned by the Society of the New York Hospital on Bloomingdale Road in White Plains, New York, from provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) promulgate general standards for preservation of historic landscapes; (2) provide technical assistance to Federal agencies, State and local governments, private organizations, and other interested individuals on the identification, commemoration, and preservation of Olmsted heritage landscapes; (3) conduct and submit to the Congress a thematic study of historic landscapes to identify those landscapes which would qualify as national historic landscapes; and (4) encourage a program for the use of the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site in Massachusetts as a center for research. Requires the Secretary to provide for the coordination of applications for grants for the preservation of Olmsted heritage landscapes. Requires the Secretary to encourage maximum public participation in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct appropriate activities during the period 1987 to 1995 to commemorate the Olmsted achievements and influence on American life. Establishes the Technical Committee on Olmsted Heritage Landscapes to assist the Secretary on matters that relate to Olmsted heritage landscapes. Terminates such Committee after December 31, 1997, unless an extension is granted by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
New Columbia Admission Act - Declares the State of New Columbia (presently the District of Columbia) to be a State of the United States of America. Admits New Columbia into the Union on an equal footing with the other States in all respects. Reserves Federal title to certain lands and property. Sets forth election protocol for popular ratification of statehood. Provides for election of one member of the House of Representatives as well as two Senators. Maintains the laws that were territorially in effect. Continues any law suits already pending in District of Columbia courts.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Expedited Funds Availability Act - Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to begin to develop an expedited funds availability system which shall be implemented no later than three years and 90 days after enactment of this Act. Provides that such system shall require that funds deposited in an account of a depository institution by local and in-state checks be available for withdrawal the business day after deposit and that funds deposited by all other checks be available on the fourth business day after deposit. Lists considerations for the Board in establishing such system which include providing for the automated return of unpaid checks, a uniform endorsement standard, and direct notification of nonpayment. Directs the Board to report to the Congress every six months on its actions to implement such system and within two years after enactment of this Act on the effects of temporary schedules for funds availability established under this Act. Establishes specific time limits for funds availability for various types of deposits. Provides for next day availability for cash, the cash portion of a deposit, wire transfers, checks of $100 or less, checks drawn on in-state branches of the receiving depository institution or branches located in the same check processing region, U.S. Treasury checks endorsed only by the payee, State and local treasury checks endorsed only by the payee and deposited in special envelopes at manned branches, cashier's checks, certified checks, teller's checks, and depository checks endorsed only by the payee and deposited in special envelopes at manned branches. Sets forth a schedule, to be terminated upon implementation of the expedited funds availability system, providing that: (1) checks drawn on local originating depository institutions shall be available on the third business day after deposit during the one-year period beginning 90 days after enactment of this Act and on the second business day after deposit during the subsequent two years; and (2) checks drawn on nonlocal originating depository institutions shall be available for withdrawal on the seventh business day after deposit. Authorizes the Board to make certain adjustments in such time limits. Sets forth time limit exceptions and special time limits which shall apply: (1) to new accounts, deposits by checks in excess of $5,000, checks redeposited after being returned, repeated overdrafts, and foreign checks; and (2) under specified emergency conditions. Authorizes the Board to suspend the applicability of this Act to any classification of checks directly associated with an unacceptable level of losses due to check-related fraud. Requires the Board to transmit a report justifying any suspension to specified congressional committees. Prohibits any depository institution from freezing funds in an account because other funds deposited in such account by check are not yet available for withdrawal pursuant to this Act. Directs each institution to inform employees of, and ensure employee compliance with, the requirements of this Act. Provides that State laws providing for shorter time periods for the availability of funds deposited in a State-chartered institution shall supersede this Act and shall apply to all federally insured depository institutions located in such State. Requires interest to accrue on funds deposited in an interest-bearing account of an institution beginning on the business day on which the institution receives provisional credit for such funds. Requires a depository institution to meet specified disclosure requirements concerning its general policy on the availability for withdrawal of funds deposited by check. Authorizes the Board to publish model disclosure forms and clauses for common transactions. Directs the Board to establish a Payments System Advisory Council to advise and consult with the Board in the exercise of the Board's functions under this Act. Declares that this Act supersedes State law, including the Uniform Commercial Code, except as specified earlier. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) the administrative enforcement of this Act; and (2) the civil liability of institutions that fail to comply with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Whistleblower Protection Act of 1987 - Separates the Office of Special Counsel from the Merit Systems Protection Board. Empowers the Special Counsel to represent and act as legal counsel on behalf of employees alleging prohibited personnel practices, especially whistleblowers. Revises current law with respect to the Special Counsel to reflect its advocate status. Authorizes the Special Counsel to file a petition to the Board against an official for: (1) committing prohibited personnel practices; (2) violating a law within the jurisdiction of the Special Counsel; or (3) failing to comply with an order of the Board. Sets forth disciplinary actions for such officials. Requires the Special Counsel to report annually to the Congress on its activities. Authorizes employees who have been adversely affected by a prohibited personnel practice to bring an action before the Board (instead of or in addition to taking such action to the Special Counsel). Authorizes such employees to obtain judicial review of the Board's decision in the appropriate court of appeals. Prohibits reprisals against an employee for disclosing information to the Inspector General of an agency, or the Special Counsel, or for failing to follow orders to disobey a law. Subjects the Tennessee Valley Authority to prohibited personnel practices provisions. Authorizes appropriations for the Merit Systems Protection Board for FY 1987 through 1992 and for the Office of Special Counsel for FY 1987 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Title I: Shelter Assistance for the Homeless and Displaced - Establishes in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the National Emergency Food and Shelter Board to continue the national board of charities food and shelter program. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations. Directs the Board to carry out a demonstration program to determine the effectiveness of assisting nonprofit organizations in providing housing and support services for the homeless. Sets forth program provisions, including a limit on FY 1988 budget authority. Directs the Board to make State and local grants for emergency shelter. Sets forth program provisions, including a matching fund requirement. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations. Requires a report to the Congress. Title II: Housing Assistance - Subtitle A: Programs Under United States Housing Act of 1937 - Part I: General Provisions - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase FY 1988 budget authority for lower income housing programs, including public housing, Indian housing, elderly and handicapped housing, regular housing, and comprehensive improvement assistance. Provides for public housing phased-in rent increases in cases of tenant employment. Authorizes public housing agencies (PHAs) to determine, with the Secretary's approval (as an alternative to the existing schedule), monthly rents which do not exceed the maximum allowable rent contribution and do not exceed either the average monthly debt service and operating expenses for similarly-sized projects or the section 8 fair market rent in the area. Increases the percentage of section 8 public housing assistance available for other than very low income families. Part 2: Public Housing - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 relating to the administration of public housing management. Authorizes grants for public housing development costs. Authorizes grants for public housing child care. Requires a report to the Congress. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to provide payments for operating lower income housing projects through a performance funding system that is based on a certain system and that establishes standards for operating costs and income projections. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations. Authorizes grants for comprehensive improvement assistance. Revises the conditions of approval for project demolition applications. Authorizes public housing comprehensive grants. Requires the Secretary to include such operations in his annual report. Provides for a pilot program of public housing resident management, including establishment of resident management corporations (RMCs). Requires an annual report to the Congress. Provides families residing in public housing projects with the opportunity to purchase dwelling units through an RMC. Part 3: Section 8 Assistance and Other Programs - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to permit voucher payments for a family living in a project being renovated (under section 17 of such Act) if such family was a lower income family at the time of initial assistance whose post-rehabilitation rent would exceed 30 percent of adjusted monthly income. Provides that the percentage of voucher assistance retained by PHAs for administrative expenses shall be the same as permitted under the section 8 existing housing program. Provides for the portability of section 8 certificates and vouchers. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations for: (1) rental rehabilitation grants; and (2) rental development grants. Subtitle B: Multifamily Housing Management and Preservation - Amends the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 regarding the management and preservation of HUD-owned multifamily housing projects. Provides for tenant participation in the elderly and handicapped housing program. Subtitle C: Multifamily Housing Preservation Loans - Authorizes capital improvement loans for certain multifamily housing projects. Establishes in the Treasury the Multifamily Housing Preservation Fund to carry out such program. Sets forth program provisions. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations. Subtitle D: Other Housing Assistance Programs - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize FY 1988 appropriations for elderly and handicapped housing loans. Provides for a demonstration (three year maximum) of prototype handicapped designs. Terminates section 8 assistance in handicapped projects (primarily nonelderly) where contract funds are appropriated under such housing for the handicapped families program. Amends the Congregate Housing Services Act of 1978 to authorize FY 1988 appropriations for the congregate services program. Sets forth conditions (health, employment, hardship, dietary customs) under which the owner of any assisted housing for the elderly shall exempt a tenant from mandatory meal participation. Authorizes financial assistance toward participation in lieu of an exemption. Requires owners to accept food stamps as meal payment. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 to exempt from HUD regulations limiting alien eligibility for public housing: (1) alien families with an American member; (2) current housing residents; and (3) affirmed citizens over age 62. (Retains the student-alien restriction.) Authorizes the Secretary to require HUD program participants or applicants to disclose their social security or employer identification numbers. Directs the Secretary to establish energy conservation standards for use in assisted housing development and rehabilitation projects. Amends the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 to authorize FY 1988 appropriations for housing demonstration projects. Title III: Rural Housing - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to authorize FY 1988 appropriations for: (1) subsidized homeownership loans; (2) farmworker rental housing loans; (3) low income and elderly subsidized rental housing loans; (4) site loans; (5) home repair loans; (6) construction defects payments; (7) repair grants; (8) farmworker rental housing grants; (9) mutual and self-help grants; (10) rental assistance payments; and (11) housing preservation grants. Extends authority through FY 1988 for rental assistance payment contracts. Provides that maximum income levels for rural housing programs in the Virgin Islands shall be the same as those for Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to provide for rural housing escrow accounts. Extends the existing "rural area" classification through September 30, 1988. Requires a study of mortgage credit in rural areas. Revises the definition of very-low income families for purposes of rural housing assistance eligibility. Requires local governmental consultation under the programs for insured loans and financial assistance for domestic farm labor housing. Prohibits reduction, cancellation, or refusal to renew rural housing assistance due to an increase in borrower income if the borrower will be unable to reasonably afford the resulting higher payments. Title IV: Mortgage Insurance and Secondary Mortgage Market Programs - Subtitle A: FHA Mortgage Insurance Programs - Amends the National Housing Act to extend authority through September 30, 1988, 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) homeownership for lower income families including mortgage insurance authority and housing stimulus authority; (5) mortgage co-insurance, including rental rehabilitation and development projects; (6) graduated payment and indexed mortgage insurance; (7) the demonstration mortgage reinsurance program; (8) mortgage insurance for armed forces civilian employees and defense housing for impacted areas; (9) mortgage insurance for land development; and (10) mortgage insurance for medical and dental group practice facilities. Provides a specified FY 1988 amount for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance commitments. Authorizes the Secretary to fix premium charges for FHA mortgages or loan insurance, but not more than certain percentages of principal calculated according to specified formulae. Permits the Secretary to insure a mortgage secured by a one- to four-family dwelling, or approve of a substitute mortgagor who assumes any mortgage, only if the mortgagor is to occupy the dwelling as a principal or secondary residence. Excludes from eligibility certain public and private nonprofit investors. Repeals the vacation and seasonal home mortgage insurance program. Specifies certain actions which the Secretary must take to reduce losses under the single family mortgage insurance program. Extends refinancing insurance authority to cover nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and board and care homes. Provides that if the State agency is not empowered to certify the need for a nursing home, intermediate care facility, board and care home, or hospital, then the Secretary shall accept in lieu of certification a feasibility study which demonstrates such need. Makes mortgages on Hawaiian homelands and Indian reservations General Insurance Fund obligations (currently they are under the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund). Increases from ten to 20 percent of the aggregate number of insured mortgages and loans for the preceding fiscal year the ceiling on the aggregate number of such insured mortgages and loans for any particular fiscal year. Raises the fine for equity skimming from $5,000 to $250,000, and the possible prison sentence from a maximum of three years to a maximum of five years. Subjects skimming on cooperatives and condominiums to such penalties. Revises the definition of one kind of equity skimming practice to mean failing to make payments under the mortgage or deed of trust as the payments become due, regardless of whether the purchaser is obligated on the loan. Authorizes the Secretary to impose civil money penalties on a mortgagee for certain violations of requirements of such Act, up to a maximum of $1,000 per violation, or $1,000,000 for all violations by a particular mortgagee during a one-year period. Provides for judicial review of an agency determination to assess such penalties. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a demonstration program of insurance of home equity conversion mortgages of elderly homeowners through FY 1988. Limits the total number of such mortgages to 1000. Requires the Secretary to maintain at least one office in each State to carry out such Act, in order to assure adequate processing of loan and mortgage insurance applications. Prohibits the Secretary from closing any State office until at least 30 days after the completion of any investigation, study, or review by any Federal agency or congressional committee of the proposal or determination to close such office. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress a study of voluntary standards for modular homes. Repeals the provision requiring the publication of certain prototype housing costs. Provides for a double damages remedy in U.S. district court to recover housing project assets or income. Subtitle B: Secondary Mortgage Market Programs - Prohibits (with specified exceptions) fees from being charged on: (1) Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) mortgages; (2) Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) guarantees; or (3) Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation mortgages. Extends Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation mortgage purchase authority through FY 1990. Title V: Community Development and Miscellaneous Programs - Subtitle A: Community and Neighborhood Development and Preservation - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to extend community development block grant entitlement authority for certain metropolitan city and urban county areas through September 30, 1988. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations for the community development block grant (CDBG) program, including a specified amount for the special discretionary fund. Makes specified amounts available for existing grant programs to minority graduate and undergraduate students in the areas of community development and planning. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations for the urban development action grant program. Extends and reduces CDBG guarantee authority for FY 1988. Prohibits fees for such loan guarantees. Revises urban development action grant selection criteria to add certain job-creation and minority small business considerations. Specifies points to be awarded for each factor in consideration and the percentage of fund distribution to applicants meeting different criteria. Requires the Comptroller General to report every three years to the Congress an evaluation of such selection criteria and the eligibility standards to which they apply. Prohibits the use of urban development action grants for business relocations. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations for the urban homesteading program. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend rehabilitation loan authority through FY 1988. Prohibits risk premiums or fees for such loans. Amends the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act to authorize FY 1988 appropriations for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Amends the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 to authorize FY 1988 appropriations for the neighborhood development demonstration program. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary to enter into a 180-month contributions contract to provide assistance payments on behalf of 500 lower income families in FY 1986 and an additional 250 lower income families in FY 1988 as long as they occupy properties in the Park Central New Community Project or in adjacent areas within the Park Central New Town In Town Project. Makes funds available for such fiscal year for community development grants for such project. Subtitle B: Flood and Crime Insurance Programs - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend authority for national flood insurance, including emergency implementation and flood-risk zones, through September 30, 1988. Amends the National Housing Act to extend authority for the national crime insurance program through September 30, 1988. Limits annual premium increases for such program through September 30, 1988. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations for flood insurance studies. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Programs - Authorizes a fair housing initiatives program. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations. Sets forth program provisions. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture to collect at least annually data on the racial and ethnic characteristics of persons eligible for or benefiting under each community development, housing assistance, and mortgage and loan insurance and guarantee program the Secretary administers. Declares that it is U.S. policy that each HUD prime contractor should establish procedures to ensure the timely payment of subcontractors. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 to authorize FY 1988 appropriations for research and development, including research or public housing energy improvements and lower cost building technologies. Amends the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 to make mortgage disclosure authority permanent. Directs the Secretary to make periodic determinations of lead paint hazards in older housing projects. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to authorize and increase FY 1988 appropriations for lower income tenant and homeowner counseling. Title VI: Nehemiah Housing Opportunity Grants - Authorizes the Secretary to provide grant assistance to nonprofit organizations to carry out a Nehemiah housing opportunity program. Limits maximum per home assistance to $15,000. Establishes in the Treasury the Nehemiah Housing Opportunity Fund. Requires an annual program report to the Congress. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations. Title VII: Enterprise Zone Development - Authorizes the Secretary to designate up to 100 enterprise zones (to be identified by State and local authorities, or Indian reservation governing bodies) to provide economic revitalization, job creation, and community development. Requires a specified number of rural designations. Sets forth area and eligibility requirements. Prohibits business relocation assistance. Requires program reports to the Congress every four years. Authorizes the waiver or modification of housing and community development rules in enterprise zones. Provides for the coordination of community development block grant, urban development action grant, and other HUD programs in such zones.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Mutual Nuclear Warhead Testing Moratorium Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should declare that the United States: (1) will, as soon as in-country reciprocal monitoring arrangements are implemented, stop testing nuclear warheads; and (2) will invite the Soviet Union to stop testing nuclear warheads and meet with the United States to enter into negotiations for the conclusion of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty at the earliest possible date. Declares that the United States should continue the cessation of the testing of nuclear warheads so long as the Soviet Union refrains from the testing of nuclear warheads and substantive Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty negotiations are in progress. Expresses the sense of the Congress that during such cessation the President should seek resumption of the comprehensive test ban talks. Prohibits the United States from obligating or spending any money for testing nuclear warheads outside a designated test area or for testing certain larger warheads within such a test area during the 12-month period beginning 90 days after enactment of this Act if the President does not declare a cessation of nuclear testing. Declares that such prohibition shall cease to apply if the President certifies that: (1) the Soviet Union has carried out such tests; or (2) after the prohibition takes effect, the Soviet Union refuses to accept and implement reciprocal in-country monitoring arrangements. Sets forth information to be included in such certification. Declares that the limitation on nuclear explosions shall be supplanted by a U.S.-Soviet agreement establishing significant limits on nuclear explosions that is negotiated after enactment of this Act. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on progress in negotiating a U.S.-Soviet Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Vietnam Veterans Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Compensation Act - Creates a presumption of service-connection for disability purposes for veterans suffering from a post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Declares that the United States: (1) condemns the seven years of Soviet aggression against the Afghan people; and (2) urges the conclusion of a negotiated political settlement based on the complete withdrawal of foreign troops, restoration of the independent status of Afghanistan, self-determination for the Afghan people, and the safe return of the Afghan refugees.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from testing or deploying an antiballistic missile system which is sea based, air based, space based, or mobile land based unless the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union has tested or deployed such a system.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Gives special recognition to the achievements of wilderness ecologist Aldo Leopold. Urges Federal land management agencies to model their activities after the conservation ethic he inspired.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Requires the President to report to the Congress on: (1) the status of implementation of the recommendations of the President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness; and (2) future plans for implementation of such recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a comprehensive study and review of the problems of children, youth, and families.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Hunger to conduct a continuing comprehensive study of the problems of hunger and malnutrition. Requires an annual report from such committee, including a summary of its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
States that the Congress: (1) commends the Czechoslovak human rights organization Charter 77, on the tenth anniversary of its establishment of the aims of the Helsinki Final Act; (2) calls upon the Government of Czechoslovakia to cease its persecution of those involved in Charter 77 and other human rights activities; and (3) commends the U.S. representatives to the Vienna Review Meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe for raising the persecution issue with Czechoslovakian representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government of the Soviet Union should approve the emigration applications of Abe Stolar, his wife, Gita, their son, Michael, his wife, Julia, and Michael and Julia's daughter, Sara.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1986
Omnibus Job Training and Retraining Act of 1986 - Title I: Unemployment Compensation and Related Matters - Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act - Subtitle A: Improved Program of Extended Unemployment Compensation - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to revise formulas for determining the amount and number of weeks of extended unemployment compensation for which an individual is eligible. Revises provisions duration periods for purposes of such formulas. Revises formulas for payments to States. Amends the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations for additional transfers to the extended unemployment compensation account. Directs the Secretary of Labor, within 18 months of the date of enactment of this Act, to implement a program of job training and extended benefits. Subtitle B: Worker Adjustment and Retraining - Establishes the Worker Retraining and Adjustment Fund in the Treasury. Provides that amounts in such Fund shall be available, as provided in appropriation Acts, to carry out title III (Employment and Training Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of the Job Training Partnership Act. Provides that revenues for such Fund shall be through imposition of a uniform duty on all imports and through funds received under certain unemployment taxes. Subtitle C: Advance Notice and Adjustment Assistance - Labor Management Notification and Adjustment Assistance Act of 1986 - Prohibits any employer from ordering a plant closing or mass layoff until 90 days after the employer serves written notice of a proposal to issue such an order to: (1) the representative of the affected employees or, if none, to each affected employee; and (2) the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Provides for reduction of such notification period if unavoidable business circumstances prevent the employer from withholding such closing or layoff until the end of such period. Amends title III of the Job Training Partnership Act to reserve ten percent of funds under such title to provide assistance for worker readjustment and placement committees which are established by employers who must give notice of plant closing or mass layoffs. Provides that such committees shall facilitate and coordinate the readjustment or relocation of workers through retraining counseling, placement, human resource, community, education, and other services. Subtitle D: Provision Relating to Regular Unemployment Compensation - Authorizes States to establish short-time compensation programs under their unemployment compensation law and encourages them to do so in accordance with specified provision of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982. Repeals outdated provisions of such Act. Subtitle E: Additional Assistance for Dislocated Workers - Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish and maintain the capacity to estimate the employment and unemployment impact of Federal programs, and the termination of Federal programs, including programs of financial assistance. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to set forth special provisions for dislocated workers with respect to Pell Grants. Directs the Secretary of Education, where a student is a certified dislocated worker, to disregard: (1) all equity in a single principal place of residence from the computation of assets; and (2) the amount of unemployment benefits paid to such student from the computation of effective income. Authorizes appropriations to pay the additional entitlement to dislocated workers resulting from such amendments. Prohibits payment of such entitlements unless funds for them are provided for in an appropriation Act. Revises guaranteed student loan provisions to provide that, in the case of an identified dislocated worker, determinations of need shall be based on current income. Authorizes the private industry council in each service delivery area to provide information concerning training opportunities, as well as opportunities provided under amendments made by this subtitle. Provides that acceptance of training and retraining, and enrollment in a postsecondary institution with assistance made available pursuant to the amendments made by this subtitle, shall be deemed to be acceptance of training with the approval of the State within the meaning of any other provision of Federal law relating to unemployment benefits. Subtitle F: Demonstration Projects and Reports - Directs the Secretary of Labor to enter into an agreement with at least three States to carry out a demonstration project concerning extended unemployment compensation for sub-State areas. Directs the Secretary of Labor to enter into an agreement with at least five States to carry out a demonstration project to promote training programs for individuals receiving unemployment compensation. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish, before July 1, 1987, and carry out during FY 1987 through 1991 a demonstration project to assist at least six States to improve: (1) employment testing, counseling, referral, and listing services for the unemployed, including reopening of employment service offices; and (2) coordination with other State, Federal, and private programs designed to assist the unemployed. Directs the Secretary of Labor, before the end of the six-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on the nationwide computerized job bank and matching program. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish before July 1, 1987, and carry out during FY 1987 and 1988 a demonstration project to assist from two to four States in improving their ability to: (1) identify individuals receiving employment compensation who have speical difficulties associated with obtaining employment; and (2) provide additional counseling, testing, and other activities that will assist such individuals in obtaining employment. Directs the Secretary of Labor to enter into an agreement with two to four States for a demonstration project under which unemployed individuals have the option of receiving job search and relocation assistance or self-employment assistance in lieu of regular unemployment compensation to which they are entitled. Directs the Secretary of Labor to conduct a study of one cause or causes of the difference between the total unemployment rate and the insured unemployment rate. Requires the Secretary to report on such study to the Congress within six months after the enactment of this Act, including recommendations for Federal legislative action for increasing the number of individuals receiving unemployment compensation. Permits the Secretary of Labor to obligate a expend amounts for any purpose under this subtitle only to the extent that funds are available for such purpose. Title II: Work Opportunities and Retraining of AFDC Recipients - Work Opportunities and Retraining Compact of 1986 - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require AFDC applicants and recipients to register with a State agency for employment counseling, training, and assignment. Authorizes AFDC recipients to refuse employment which results in a net loss in their income. Directs an agency of each State to: (1) establish a single intake and registration process for AFDC applicants and recipients; (2) determine whether training or education is needed to prepare registered applicants and recipients for employment and then provide counseling regarding prospects and needs; (3) arrange for participation in one or more of the work-related programs established under title IV of the Act or other Federal law, while coordinating such programs to enhance the availability and efficiency of services provided; and (4) develop an employment plan for each AFDC applicant or recipient. Requires the State agency to provide AFDC applicants and recipients assigned to employment, training, or education programs with child care and transportation services. Sets the Federal contribution to education, training, and assignment costs at 70 percent and the Federal share of administrative and support service costs at 50 percent. Increases, by five percent in any fiscal year after FY 1987, the Federal share of education, training, and assignment costs, provided a State meets certain performance standards to be developed by the Office of Technology Assessment. Provides that such standards shall measure a State's success in reducing welfare costs and helping AFDC recipients achieve self-sufficiency, while accounting for differing conditions among the States. Title III: Community Youth Learn and Earn - Community Youth Learn and Earn Act - Amends title II (Training Service for the Disadvantaged) of the Job Training Partnership Act to add a new part C, Community Youth Learn and Earn Programs. Sets forth provisions for allotments to States and within State allocations. Sets a 12 through 21 age limitation on dropout prevention programs. Provides that a requirement that an individual be economically disadvantaged shall not apply to programs of school to work transition assistance. Requires the appropriate private industry council and local educational agency for each service delivery area desiring to receive an allocation to submit to the State designated agency a plan for the use of funds. Permits part C funds to be used for specified activities and for: (1) a stay-in-school program; (2) a youth career service program; and (3) a community youth services corps. Sets forth administrative provisions and provisions for the Federal share of part C programs. Authorizes appropriations for part C for FY 1987 through 1991. Title IV: National Campaign to End Illiteracy - National Campaign to End Illiteracy Act - Directs the Secretary of Education, in conjunction with the States, to conduct a nationwide survey of the incidence and degree of adult illiteracy. Provides for allotment of funds to States to conduct State literacy surveys and to develop State literacy plans. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States with approved plans to pay the Federal share of the cost of establishing or expanding literacy education programs to be carried out by local education agencies and by public or private agencies, organizations, and institutions. Sets forth allotment formulas based on relative number of unemployed individual and illiterate adults. Sets forth requirements for State plans. Sets the Federal share of 50 percent of the cost of the State programs. Directs the Secretary to support applied research, development, demonstration, dissemination, evaluation, and related activities which will contribute to the improvement and expansion of literacy education in the United States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 for grants for surveys and development of plans. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1994 for grants for literacy programs. Title V: Educational and Training Assistance for Workers - Subtitle A: Exclusion of Educational Assistance from Gross Income - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a provision which terminated the exclusion of educational assistance from gross income. Limits the maximum annual exclusion for educational assistance to $5,000, except in the case of graduate students engaged in teaching or research activities. Subtitle B: Individual Training Accounts - Establishes a national individual training account program to provide incentives to employers and employees to invest in a system of individual training account to defray the costs of employee training in the event an employee becomes or is about to become involuntarily unemployed. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into an agreement with any State, or with any agency administering the unemployment compensation laws of any State, under which such State or agency shall: (1) issue and redeem vouchers to pay training and relocation expenses; (2) accept contributions from employers and employees for deposit into individual training accounts and distribute any amount in any such account at specified times; (3) provide individual counseling or job and training referral services to any program participant; and (4) cooperate with Federal officers or any other State in carrying out the purposes of this subtitle. Outlines the duties of the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of the Treasury in carrying out this subtitle. Sets forth provisions relating to distrubtion from individual training accounts. Sets forth provisions for certification of eligible training programs by the Secretary of Labor. Sets forth provisions for approval of qualified relocation expenses by the Secretary of Labor. Amends the Social Security Act to establish individual training accounts as separate book account in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Relating to Individual Training Accounts - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require approval of a State individual training account program for approval of State unemployment compensation laws. Sets forth requirements for approval of State individual training account programs. Allows employee and employer tax deductions for contributions to individual training accounts. Provides for no reduction in Federal unemployment tax in the case of large (25 or more employees) employers who refuse to participate in the national individual training account program. Subtitle D: Amendment to Title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 - Amends the Higher Education of 1965 Act to rename title I as Postsecondary Programs for Non-Traditional Students. Provides for institutional development grants (for working and non-traditional students, parents, and adults). Establishes off-campus education program grants for postsecondary institutions. Provides for adult and continuing education staff development. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such program and planning grants. Requires at least 55 percent of such funds to be available for institutional development grants. Requires evaluation of the above programs and reports on such evaluations. Establishes a program of adult learning research. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 to cary out national programs of evaluation and adult learning research. Title VI: National Partnership for Training Council - Establishes in the executive branch as an independent agency the National Partnership for Training Council to facilitate cooperative activities between business, labor, and government. Repeals Job Training Partnership Act provisions relating to the National Commission for Employment Policy. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1986
Homecare Quality Assurance Act of 1986 - Adds a new title XXI to the Social Security Act entitled "Homecare Quality Assurance." Defines "homecare services" to include home help services (i.e., homemaker, personal care, and sitter services) and Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) home health services. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate a homecare consumer's bill of rights which includes rights: (1) facilitating consumer participation in the planning and delivery of services; (2) requiring consumer notification regarding services, charges for services, and the termination or reduction of services; (3) protecting consumer dignity, privacy, and property; and (4) ensuring service from properly trained and competent individuals. Requires homecare providers to: (1) satisfy Medicare home care agency requirements, unless they provide only home help services; (2) provide consumers with copies of the homecare bill of rights; (3) implement grievance review procedures and provide copies of such procedures to consumers; (4) provide consumers with schedules of the services to be provided; (5) have methods for identifying and reviewing a homecare consumer's needs and coordinating the provision of services with other providers; and (6) receive training and disclose the extent of such training to consumers. Conditions coverage of durable medical equipment services on providers: (1) issuing written instructions to and training the homecare consumer and staff in the operation of such equipment; and (2) formulating an emergency plan for providing services to the consumer. Authorizes the Secretary to modify homecare requirements to meet the circumstances of individual providers, but prohibits modifications which exempt a provider from training requirements or infringe upon the consumers' bill of rights. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations, within one year of this Act's enactment, pursuant to which peer review organizations (PROs) shall monitor the provision of home health services, devoting at least 50 percent of their efforts to quality assurance. Requires each State to appoint a home help monitoring agent to monitor the provision of home help services. Requires each State to establish a Consumer Advisory Board, within one year of this Act's enactment, to oversee the quality assurance review activities of PROs and the home help monitoring agent. Directs the Board to report to the Secretary and the State's chief executive on October 1 of each year regarding such quality assurance review activities. Requires the Secretary to develop methods and criteria for monitoring the quality of homecare, requiring that such monitoring include direct contact with homecare consumers. Requires that PROs and home help monitoring agents: (1) establish and operate statewide toll-free hotlines for receiving homecare questions and complaints; and (2) assist consumers in resolving homecare quality problems. Directs Consumer Advisory Boards, PROs, and home help monitoring agents to establish programs to educate consumers regarding quality assurance programs and the assistance available for consumers with quality assurance problems. Directs the Secretary to encourage States to develop ombudsman programs for nonelderly homecare consumers. Requires the Secretary to establish and the States to develop procedures for imposing sanctions against providers failing to comply with this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on January 1 of each year regarding the availability, adequacy, and use of sanctions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage States to develop homecare provider licensing and certification policies; and (2) issue a biennial report on State implementation of such policies. Establishes a Homecare Quality Assurance Council with which the Secretary must consult in implementing title XXI of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary to award grants for homecare provider training programs and furnish States and providers with training materials. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines and fund: (1) studies on homecare quality assurance measures; and (2) demonstration projects which include State models for monitoring homecare quality and projects exploring the feasibility of developing certification requirements for individuals providing homecare services. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on January 1 of each year and States to report to the Secretary on October 1 of each year regarding the nature and performance during the preceding fiscal year of the homecare quality assurance system. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the home health monitoring activities of PROs and home help monitoring agents; (2) home health training program grants; and (3) the studies and demonstration projects established pursuant to this Act. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to extend the long-term care ombudsman program to homecare services. Requires each State to establish a toll-free telephone hotline to facilitate the communication of complaints regarding long-term and homecare services. Increases authorized appropriations for old-age services in FY 1987. Increases the portion of appropriated funds which may be allotted to the ombudsman programs. Requires the Secretary to report on the effectiveness of demonstration projects established pursuant to this Act within three years of this Act's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Social Security Administration should not take actions which impair the ability of the staff of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program to make eligibility determinations in accordance with the Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984. Urges the Social Security Administration to place a higher priority on assisting States in both complying with the 1984 reforms and improving the accuracy of SSDI eligibility determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York should deny the applications of Japanese securities firms to become primary dealers of U.S. Treasury securities until substantial progress is made in opening up Japanese securities markets to U.S. firms; and (2) the Bank and the Administration should intensify efforts to negotiate the reduction of barriers to access to such Japanese markets for U.S.firms.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1986
Northern Ireland Fair Employment Practices Act - Prohibits an article from being imported into the United States from Northern Ireland unless documentation is presented at the time of entry indicating that the enterprise which manufactured or assembled such article was in compliance at the time of manufacture with certain fair employment principles (such as freedom from religious discrimination). Provides that such principles are based on the MacBride Principles, a nine point set of guidelines for fair employment in Northern Ireland. Requires that any U.S. person who has a branch or office in Northern Ireland or who controls an enterprise in Northern Ireland in which more than 20 people are employed shall take the necessary steps to insure that such employment principles are implemented and that this Act is complied with. Requires each such U.S. person to report to the Secretary of Commerce on compliance with this Act. Sets forth the fair employment principles. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act in the interest of national security. Requires such waiver to become effective 90 days after the President submits a justification of such waiver to the Congress unless the Congress adopts a joint resolution disapproving the waiver. Provides for expedited consideration of such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1986
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) to promulgate regulations establishing minimum Federal standards for the licensing, testing, qualifications and classifications of commercial motor vehicle operators, and additional regulations for such operators who transport hazardous materials. Sets guidelines for such standards. Establishes guidelines for civil and criminal penalties to be imposed by the States for violations of such standards. Prohibits commercial motor vehicle operators from possessing more than one operator's license. Sets September 1, 1989, as the deadline by which each State must adopt and administer a classified licensing program which complies with the minimum Federal standards for commercial motor vehicle operators. Requires the States to notify the Secretary of the proposed and actual issuance of a commercial license in order to eliminate the multiple licensing of commercial motor vehicle operators. Restricts the issuance of commercial licenses to persons with acceptable safety records. Provides that States must require commercial operators to turn in other commercial licenses. Provides Federal grants to assist States which have programs for license issuance and administration that comply with the Federal guidelines established under this Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) withhold highway funds and certain apportionments from States which are not in compliance with this Act as of September 30, 1990; and (2) establish by January 1, 1989, a commercial driver's license information clearinghouse allowing rapid communication among the States. Sets forth the functions of such information system. Requires any prospective employer to consult such clearinghouse prior to employing a commercial motor vehicle operator in order to ascertain his or her status. Prohibits the employment of drivers whose licenses have been suspended, revoked, or cancelled for cause. Requires the Secretary to establish fees for the use of such information system. Makes funds available for FY 1987 to establish such information system. Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to require States receiving grants under the Act to: (1) conduct frequent roadside inspections of commercial motor vehicles; (2) conduct tests to determine blood alcohol content levels of commercial motor vehicle operators; and (3) provide for license suspension or revocation for operators who either have certain blood alcohol content levels, or who refuse to submit to blood alcohol content tests. Authorizes the Secretary to provide funds to encourage the States to determine whether commercial motor vehicle operators are driving under the influence of a controlled substance. Increases authorizations for FY 1987 and 1988 for grants to assist States in the implementation of Federal commercial motor vehicle programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 and 1990 for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1986
Repeals specified provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 which eliminate the income tax deduction for State and local sales taxes. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1986
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 · 26 September 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should attend a summit meeting of the leaders of the "front-line states" that border South Africa to discuss Southern Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1986
Provides for the continuation of the three-year income tax basis recovery rule with respect to annuities of Federal employee contributions to Federal retirement systems. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to report to specified congressional committees on the effects of a retroactive repeal of such rule on the Federal workforce.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1986
Community Development Credit Union Revolving Loan Fund Transfer Act - Transfers the authority to administer the Community Development Credit Union Revolving Loan Fund from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the National Credit Union Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1986
Arms Export Reform Act of 1986 - Requires the President to submit to the Congress a certification in the case of any letter of offer under the Arms Export Control Act, any application for an export license, and any lease or loan agreement relating to certain military equipment regardless of the dollar amount involved in such sale, export, lease, or loan, specifically: (1) turbine-powered military aircraft, rockets, missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and associated control target acquisition and electronic warfare equipment and software; (2) helicopters designed or equipped for combat operations; (3) main battle tanks and nuclear-capable artillery; and (4) submarines, aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, frigates, destroyers, and auxiliary warships. Sets forth the information to be contained in the President's certification to the Congress. Prohibits the issuance of any such letter of offer and export license and the making of any such lease or loan to: (1) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, any member country of such Organization, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, or any country which is a party to the Camp David Accords, or an agreement based on such Accords, if the Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval within 15 days of receiving the certification; and (2) to any other country or international organization unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution or other provision of law authorizing such sale, export, lease, or loan. Declares that the congressional actions described in the previous sentence shall not be required if the President states in the certification that an emergency exists which requires the proposed sale, export, lease, or loan. Provides for expedited consideration of such joint resolutions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1986
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold five percent of the amount required to be apportioned to any State under the Federal-aid highway program if it is lawful in such State to: (1) possess an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of any motor vehicle on a public highway; (2) consume any alcoholic beverage in such motor vehicle on a public highway; or (3) drive a motor vehicle on a public highway when the driver's blood alcohol concentration is at least 0.10 percent. Exempts from such withholding measures charter buses of ten or more passengers whose drivers are not permitted by State law to possess open alcoholic beverages in the passenger area. Sets forth guidelines for the withholding of such funds. Provides for the release of withheld funds to States which comply with this Act on or before September 30, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1986
Employee Drug Testing Protection Act - Prohibits any employer (including the Federal Government) from requiring an employee to undergo a drug test unless: (1) the employer has a reasonable suspicion that the employee uses a controlled substance or designer drug; (2) the employee is or will be engaged in a drug-sensitive occupation; or (3) the employer may do so under a collective bargaining agreement covering the employee. Prohibits an employer from disclosing positive test results before the employee undergoes a confirmatory drug test whose results are also positive. Requires the Secretary of Labor to prepare and distribute notices of the prohibitions against drug testing and to prescribe regulations as necessary to carry out this Act. Sets forth the duties of employers with respect to: (1) notifying employees of protections afforded by this Act; (2) preparing drug test reports; and (3) maintaining, correcting, and disclosing such reports. Sets forth the enforcement powers of the Secretary. Authorizes employees aggrieved by a violation of this Act to obtain relief from the U.S. district courts. Declares that this Act does not apply to members of the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1986
Prohibits the implementation of a rule of the Department of Defense that would establish procedures for determining whether rates charged by vessels of the United States or belonging to the United States are excessive under the Cargo Preference Act of 1904.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1986
Title I: Authorization - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to undertake research, investigations, appraisals, surveys, and related activities of the Nation's water resources. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with other government agencies and to perform such activities on a reimbursable basis, as specified. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and 1989. Title II: National Ground Water Contamination Research - National Ground Water Contamination Research Act of 1986 - Makes the Secretary of the Interior primarily responsible at the Federal level for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information concerning the state of the Nation's groundwater. Requires the Secretary to report within two years to specified congressional committees and the States on the condition of the Nation's groundwater. Requires that such report be accompanied by an independent evaluation by the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators. Directs the Secretary to establish a national groundwater quality assessment program within three years of enactment. Requires such program to coordinate government efforts in such area, establish uniform data collection, and provide information and assistance as required. Directs the Secretary to establish a national groundwater clearinghouse within one year of enactment. Requires the Secretary to establish a technical assistance program within one year of enactment to serve other Federal and governmental agencies. Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to make conforming changes. Authorizes appropriations for such programs for two fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1986
Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986 - Title I: Handicapped Infants and Toddlers - Amends the Education of the Handicapped Act (the Act) to add a new part H, Handicapped Infants and Toddlers. Establishes a program to address the needs of handicapped infants and toddlers (from birth to age two, inclusive) and their families. Defines "handicapped infants and toddlers" and "early intervention services." Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make grants to States for development of statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency systems to provide early intervention services for handicapped infants and toddlers and their families. Requires a State, to be eligible for such a grant, to establish a State Interagency Coordinating Council which meets specified requirements. Sets forth other requirements for continuing eligibility for such grants. Sets forth the minimum components required for a statewide system. Requires that each handicapped infant or toddler and their family receive: (1) a multidisciplinary assessment of unique needs and the identification of services appropriate to meet such needs; and (2) a written individualized family service plan developed by a multidisciplinary team, including the parent or guardian. Sets forth State application requirements. Allows States to also use grant funds for: (1) direct services for handicapped infants and toddlers that are not otherwise provided by other sources; and (2) expansion and improvement of services that are otherwise available. Sets forth procedural safeguards required to be included in a statewide system. Prohibits funds under part H from being used to satisfy a financial commitment for services which would have been paid for from another source but for the enactment of part H, except that to prevent delay in the receipt of appropriate early intervention services such funds may be used to pay the provider of services pending reimbursement from the agency with ultimate responsibility. Prohibits the State from construing part H as permitting reducing assistance or altering eligibility under Social Security Act provisions relating to maternal and child health or Medicaid for handicapped infants and toddlers. Sets forth requirements for State Interagency Coordinating Councils. Sets forth provisions relating to Federal administration of part H. Sets forth provisions for per capita allocation of grant funds, including reservations of funds for specified U.S. territories and possessions and Department of the Interior Indian schools. Authorizes appropriations to carry out part H for FY 1987 through 1991. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a joint study of Federal funding sources and services for early intervention programs currently available and to act jointly to facilitate interagency coordination of Federal resources for such programs and to ensure that funding available for handicapped infants, toddlers, children, and youth from Federal programs other than those under the Act is not being withdrawn or reduced. Requires the Secretaries, within 18 months after the enactment of this Act, to submit a joint report to the Congress. Title II: Handicapped Children Aged 3 to 5 - Amends the Act to replace the incentive grant program with a pre-school grant program. Establishes maximum levels of assistance which a State may receive under the pre-school grant program. Sets forth provisions for apportionment of funds between the State educational agency and local educational agencies. Sets forth acceptable uses of pre-school grant funds. Sets forth circumstances under which a State may count handicapped children aged three through five for purposes of receiving basic State grant funds. Conditions eligibility for specified grants which relate exclusively to programs, projects, and activities pertaining to children aged three through five upon the State's eligibility to receive a pre-school grant. Provides that certain provisions placing ultimate responsibility on the State education agency for ensuring compliance with specified requirements should not be construed as limiting the responsibility of agencies other than educational agencies for providing or paying some or all of the costs of a free appropriate public education to be provided to handicapped children. Revises requirements that certain Federal funds supplement and not supplant other funds. Requires States to set forth policies and procedures for developing and implementing interagency agreements between the State educational agency and other appropriate State and local agencies. Provides that the Act shall not be construed to permit a State to reduce medical and other assistance under Social Security Act provisions for maternal and child health and Medicaid with respect to the provision of a free appropriate public education for handicapped children. Title III: Discretionary Programs - Amends the Act to permit regional resource centers to provide assistance with respect to early intervention services for handicapped infants and toddlers and their families. Requires that regional resource center services be consistent with the priority needs identified by the States served and with the Secretary's findings in monitoring reports. Includes among center functions information and training for submitting applications for grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under specified provisions of the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to establish one coordinating technical assistance center focusing on national priorities to assist the regional resource centers in the delivery of technical assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements for the development and operation of extended school year demonstration programs for severely handicapped children and youth, including deaf-blind children and youth. Specifies that funds for early education of handicapped children may be used for pre-school and early intervention demonstration and outreach programs, as well as experimental programs. Directs the Secretary to arrange for the establishment of a technical assistance development system to assist entities operating experimental, demonstration, and outreach programs and to assist State agencies to expand and improve services for handicapped children. Directs the Secretary to arrange for the establishment of early childhood research institutes to generate and disseminate new information on preschool and early intervention for handicapped children and their families. Revises provisions for research, innovation, training, and dissemination activities to focus on funding such programs for severely handicapped children. Revises provisions for postsecondary education programs to require program operators to coordinate with and disseminate information about their activities to the clearinghouse on postsecondary programs. Specifies that secondary and transitional services programs can also serve handicapped youth who recently left school. Adds to the list of authorized projects specifically designed physical education and therapeutic recreation programs to increase the potential of handicapped youths for community participation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1989 for: (1) regional resources and Federal centers; (2) services for deaf-blind children and youth; (3) early education for handicapped children; (4) programs for severely handicapped children; (5) postsecondary education programs; and (6) secondary education and transitional services for handicapped youth. Revises provisions for grants for personnel training to include training for careers in early intervention. Requires the Secretary, in making such grants, to base the determination on information relating to the present and projected need for the personnel to be trained based on identified State, regional, or national shortages, and the capacity of the institution or agency to train qualified personnel, and other appropriate information. Includes the application of new technology among new approaches for training. Revises provisions relating to parent training centers. Requires the Secretary to give priority to grants which involve unserved areas. Provides that parent training and information programs may, at a grant recipient's discretion, include State or local educational personnel where such participation will further a program objective. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State education agencies, and authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education, to assist in establishing and maintaining preservice and inservice programs to prepare personnel to meet the needs of handicapped infants, toddlers, children, and youth. Directs the Secretary to arrange for a national clearinghouse designed to encourage students to seek careers and professional personnel to seek employment in the various fields relating to the education of handicapped children and youth. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1989 to carry out provisions for training personnel for the education of the handicapped and provisions for clearinghouses. Reserves specified portions of such funds for specified activities. Revises provisions for research and demonstration projects in education of handicapped children to include issues related to early intervention for handicapped infants and toddlers. Adds to authorized uses of project funds the development of instruments, including tests, inventories, and scales, for measuring progress of handicapped infants, toddlers, children, and youth across a number of developmental domains. Revises provisions for the convening of panels of experts. Requires such panels to include a majority of non-Federal members. Requires such panels to be convened when a grant application exceeds a specified amount. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1989 for research in the education of the handicapped. Revises provisions for captioned films and education media for handicapped persons to include the purpose of addressing problems of illiteracy among the handicapped. Specifies that public libraries may be used for the distribution of captioned films and other educational media and equipment. Authorizes grants and contracts for education media and materials for the deaf. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the National Theatre of the Deaf. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1989 for instructional media for the handicapped. Adds a new part G, Technology, Education Media, and Materials for the Handicapped. (Replaces certain provisions of part F.) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to advance the use of new technology, media, and materials in the education of handicapped students and the provision of early intervention to handicapped infants and toddlers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1989 to carry out such part G. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Specifies that the Secretary may make grants to and cooperative agreements with the Secretary of the Interior to remove architectural barriers in schools serving Indians on reservations. Specifies that community colleges receiving funding from the Secretary of the Interior are to be considered as institutions of higher education for purposes of grants under the Act. Provides that the term "public or private nonprofit agency or organization" includes an Indian tribe. Revises a formula for allocation of basic State grants. Revises provisions relating to State administrative costs of monitoring and complaint investigation. Increases the amount reserved for use by the Secretary of the Interior for the education of handicapped children on reservations served by schools operated by the Department of the Interior. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to assure: (1) that all handicapped children aged three through five receive a free appropriate public education by or before the 1987-1988 school year; and (2) that there are public hearings with adequate notice and opportunity for comment afforded to members of tribes, tribal governing bodies, and designated local school boards before adoption of specified policies, programs, and procedures. Requires States to include in their plans policies and procedures relating to the establishment and maintenance of standards to ensure that necessary personnel are appropriately and adequately prepared and trained. Revises evaluation provisions to add language relating to early intervention for handicapped infants and toddlers. Provides that data collected shall be for the age group as a whole in the case of infants and toddlers birth through age two and handicapped children age three through five. Requires the Secretary, in the annual report for FY 1988 which is published in 1989, to include special sections addressing the provision of free appropriate public education to handicapped infants, toddlers, children, and youth in rural areas and to handicapped migrants, handicapped Indians, handicapped Native Hawaiian and other native Pacific basin children and youth, and handicapped infants, toddlers, children, and youth of limited English proficiency. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1989 to carry out evaluation provisions. Repeals provisions relating to the National Advisory Committee on the Education of Handicapped Children and Youth.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1986
Prohibits an agency from requesting or requiring that an employee submit to a drug test unless at least two individuals having supervisory or oversight authority with respect to such employee concur that: (1) the employee's performance is impaired; and (2) there is reason to believe the impairment is due to the employee's being under the influence of a controlled substance. Declares that an employee having a positive result in a drug test may be requested or required to submit to a confirmatory drug test. Authorizes an agency to take action against any employee who tests out positive in a confirmatory drug test, or who refuses to submit to a confirmatory drug test. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to establish general guidelines to carry out this Act. Authorizes persons aggrieved by a violation of this Act to bring a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court. Declares that employees subject to collective bargaining agreements shall not be subject to drug tests: (1) if, or to the extent, such tests would violate such agreement; or (2) if drug tests are not covered by such agreement, unless or until there has been consultation in accordance with applicable law. Declares that this Act does not apply to employees of the Central Intelligency or the National Security Agency. Makes this Act applicable to an executive agency, a military department, a court of the United States, the Administrative Office of the United States, the Library of Congress, the Botanic Garden, and the Government Printing Office.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1986
Pornography Victims Protection Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to the prohibition against the sexual exploitation of children to add as a condition triggering Federal penalties that the person concerned know that a minor was transported in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of producing pornography. Makes it a criminal offense for any person to coerce, intimidate, or fraudulently induce an individual 18 years or older to engage in any sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing any visual depiction of such conduct. Grants the U.S. district courts jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General or any person threatened with loss or damage by such conduct to institute a civil suit. Provides for treble damages for a victim who suffers physical injury, emotional distress, or property damage. Imposes civil penalties for violation of the prohibition against sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1986
Philippines Sugar Quota Act of 1986 - Permits a foreign country to be allocated a portion of the U.S. import quota on sugars, syrups, and molasses only if the President determines that such country is a friendly developing country and is a net exporter of sugars, syrups, and molasses. Requires the reallocation of a foreign country's allotment of the U.S. sugar import quota to the Philippines (until the Philippine share of such quota reaches 27 percent of its total) if such country is no longer determined to be a friendly developing country and a net exporter of sugar. Provides for the reallocation of a country's sugar import quota among all foreign countries if the Philippine share of the total import quota is 27 percent. Provides that the terms for sugar imports from the Philippines shall be as favorable as the terms for such imports from any other countries (including countries granted duty-free treatment).
![Official portrait of Rep. Morrison, Bruce A. [D-CT-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000992_200.jpg)