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United States · Official source
1,647 records where Rep. Morrison, Sid [R-WA-4] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1987
Designates the week beginning on the third Sunday of September 1987 and 1988 as National Adult Day Care Center Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1987
Designates the decade beginning January 1, 1988, as the Decade of the Brain.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1987
Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments of 1987 - Prohibits the expenditure of funds for any nuclear waste site characterization activities before the Federal Radioactive Waste Agency (established by this Act) has nominated sites for selection as repositories. Establishes the Federal Radioactive Waste Agency as an independent instrumentality within the executive branch. Establishes a Director of such Agency. Requires an annual report to the Congress regarding Agency activities and expenditures. Outlines the staffing and functions of the Agency. Directs the Comptroller General to make annual audits of the Agency. Repeals specified repository siting guidelines issued by the Department of Energy. Requires the Director to: (1) issue revised guidelines for the recommendation of repository sites; (2) nominate at least five sites considered suitable for characterization within 18 months after such revised guidelines are issued; (3) recommend to the President at least three sites as candidate sites; and (4) issue an environmental assessment for each such site. Provides that if the President approves certain candidate sites in an order other than the order in which such sites were ranked, then no site characterization activity will be implemented until 18 months after the President's approval. Sets forth procedural guidelines under which the President is required to submit site recommendations to the Congress. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to prescribe guidelines under which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall allocate disposal capacity in the first repository among producers of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Requires the Director to: (1) make grants to States adjacent to States in which a repository candidate site is approved for the purpose of studying the safety and environmental impact of such repositories; (2) appoint a panel to study the need for disposal capacity beyond the 70,000 metric ton limitation, and to submit its findings and recommendations to the Director within 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act; (3) submit the panel findings to the Congress, along with recommendations for implementation; and (4) revise the mission plan in order to implement the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1987
Designates the week beginning on the third Sunday in May 1988 as National Tourism Week.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
National Advanced Technician Training Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out an advanced technician training program, making matching grants to two-year community and technical colleges to provide training in technical competencies in strategic fields. Requires such program to emphasize on-the-job training and recruitment of the unemployed. Requires that an inventory of available programs be accessible. Requires the Director to appoint a National Advisory Council on Advanced Technician Training to review and report to the Director and to the Congress on the effectiveness of the program, with recommendations as needed. Requires the Director to designate ten centers of excellence among such colleges to serve as clearinghouses, half for advanced technician training and half for undergraduate education in mathematics and science. Requires the Director to make at least 20 grants annually. Requires that funds under this Act be used to strengthen programs in advanced-technology occupations, for faculty development in advanced-technology fields such as laser, robotic, and computer technology, and the development of cooperative training and information networks with other schools and the private sector. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Designates the week beginning August 2, 1987, as International Special Olympics Week and designates August 3, 1987, as International Special Olympics Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) reconciliation legislation should take into account the special needs of rural hospitals which are not currently taken into account under the Medicare hospital prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Federal Radioactive Waste Liability Act of 1987 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require the Secretary of Energy to enter into indemnification agreements with contractors regarding the transportation and disposal of radioactive waste to which the United States holds title. Requires such agreements to provide for the indemnification of persons to the full extent of the potential public liability for claims for nuclear incidents arising out of a contractual activity. Directs the Secretary to make certain indemnification payments out of the Nuclear Waste Fund. Provides for Federal indemnification for a precautionary evacuation undertaken as a result of a federally contracted radioactive waste disposal incident. Defines such a precautionary activity as an evacuation of the public within a specified area near a nuclear facility, or a nuclear transportation vehicle transporting waste to which the United States holds title, if the evacuation: (1) is the result of an event that poses imminent danger of injury or property damage from the radiological properties of such waste; and (2) is initiated by a public official authorized by State law to initiate such an evacuation. Applies the waiver of specified defenses to indemnity agreements entered into by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding radioactive waste to which the United States holds title. States that: (1) radioactive waste to which the United States holds title may only be transported by a contractor of the Secretary of Energy; and (2) title to radioactive waste generated at a civilian facility shall transfer to the United States when such waste is removed from the site where it was generated.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Designates the square dance as the American folk dance of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency having substantial procurement or grant-making authority to develop rural area business enterprise development plans. Requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish uniform guidelines for all Federal agencies to use in rural area business development programs. Directs each Federal agency required to develop a rural area business development plan to assist small businesses in rural areas by providing direct assistance, procurement assistance, and management and technical assistance to such small businesses and by providing incentives for greater subcontracting by Federal prime contractors and grant recipients with such small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Ethanol Motor Fuel Act of 1987 - Mandates that in any calendar year beginning with calendar year 1988, the total quantity of motor fuel sold annually in U.S. commerce by wholesale distributors shall contain, on the average, not less than a specified percentage of ethanol by volume. Sets forth a computation formula for measuring the percentage of ethanol in motor fuel sold by a wholesale distributor. Requires wholesale distributors of motor fuel to report to the Secretary of Energy regarding ethanol sales and credits. Imposes a civil penalty on wholesale distributors for violation of the ethanol-blended fuel requirements. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote ethanol use in motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Rural Development Reorganization Act of 1987 - Title I: Reorganization of the Department of Agriculture - Renames the Department of Agriculture the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development to establish and maintain a revitalized nationwide rural development program as set forth in the Rural Development Act of 1972, the Rural Development Policy Act of 1980, and this Act. Establishes in such Department a Rural Development Administration headed by an Administrator appointed by the Secretary, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Secretary to transfer to the Rural Development Administration those agencies, offices, or entities in the Department performing rural development functions. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to expand the number of designated assistance areas from 225 to 450. Establishes within the Rural Development Administration an Office of Advocacy for Rural Development, whose Chief Counsel shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Specifies the functions and duties of such Office. Directs the Comptroller General to investigate and report to the President and the Congress about services, functions, and missions of other Federal departments and agencies which could be transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Directs the Secretary to report, by geographical areas of the United States, to the Congress: (1) within six months after enactment of this Act on the extent to which rural development offices and activities of the Federal Government were located or relocated to rural areas during FY 1981 through 1986; and (2) within six months after the end of each fiscal year beginning with FY 1987 on the extent to which Federal offices and activities were located or relocated to rural areas. Title II: State Cooperative Agreements and Plans - Authorizes the Administrator, Rural Development Administration, to enter into cooperative agreements with States: (1) to delegate to any State the authority to cooperate in carrying out the provisions of this Act; and (2) to assist States in the development and administration of Federal programs that provide educational opportunities, job training, health services, and other specified benefits to rural residents. Conditions any agreement or financial assistance under this Act upon a State's submission for approval of a comprehensive plan for a State rural development program. Permits the Secretary and other Federal agency heads to enter into agreements with State and local governments to provide educational training, job training, health services, and other benefits to rural residents. Directs the Administrator in cooperation with the Secretary to use the Cooperative State Extension Service to inform rural residents about such programs. Establishes in the National Agricultural Library the National Rural Assistance Information Clearinghouse, which shall distribute information and data about Federal, State, and local programs. Title III: Rural Technology Grants - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit institutions to establish rural technology development centers to seek to improve rural economic conditions. Permits the Secretary to provide employment-related technical assistance to economically distressed rural areas. Title IV: Special Grants - Amends the Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to programs assisting displaced farmers. Specifies the kinds of services to be provided. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Miscellaneous Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to the Community Economic Development Act of 1981 and other Federal law. Title VI: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions. Title VII: Block Grants - Subtitle A: Rural Development Assistance Grant - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Rural Development Administration to make grants to States: (1) to provide rural economic development technical assistance, rural community leadership development, and community and areawide rural economic development planning; or (2) for measures designed to facilitate development of private business enterprises. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Rural Infrastructure Block Grant Act - Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year, to allocate to each State funds for rural infrastructure development according to a congressionally approved formula. Lists factors to be considered in devising such formula. Requires submission of a proposed formula to the agriculture committees of both Houses of Congress. Makes such proposed formula effective after 90 calendar days unless a joint resolution is enacted either disapproving the formula or substituting another formula. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy - Directs the President, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to appoint a Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy who shall: (1) systematically review Federal programs affecting rural areas; and (2) assist in the preparation of a comprehensive rural development strategy designed to maximize the effectiveness and increase the responsiveness of Federal programs to rural areas. Requires the Secretary, within one year after enactment of this Act, to transmit the rural development strategy to the congressional agriculture committees and to report annually to such committees on any changes to such strategy. Requires the Special Assistant to use the Office of the President to maximize coordination of Federal programs affecting rural areas. Title IX: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Project ACCESS - Establishes a two-year demonstration program that will provide a wide array of services to secondary school students in rural sections of the country to encourage entry into and successful completion of postsecondary education programs, career planning, and return to the rural community. Authorizes the Secretary of Education, in accordance with specified provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1986, to support development of Project ACCESS Program capability in any or all of the nine Educational Research Laboratories. Sets forth application requirements and services to be incorporated as part of the programming under Project Access. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and 1989 to supplement the contracts now held by the nine regional educational laboratories administered by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) for purposes of this program. Subjects this program to ratable reductions. Requires regional educational laboratories wishing to develop and operate a demonstration Project ACCESS Program to request a modification of their existing OERI contracts. Sets forth required contents of such proposed contract modifications. Requires OERI to prepare and submit a report to the Congress on the impact of this demonstration program, including recommendations of the regional laboratories, by November 30, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
National Bureau of Standards and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 1987 - Renames the Bureau of Standards as the National Bureau of Standards and Industrial Competitiveness (the Bureau). Establishes an Industrial Competitiveness Division within the Bureau. Provides that the Division shall be headed (subject to specified requirements relating to an Industrial Competitiveness Board) by a Deputy Director for Industrial Competitiveness who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the President to afford the Industrial Competitiveness Board an opportunity to make recommendations with respect to such appointment. Sets forth the industrial competitiveness functions of the Bureau. Establishes an Industrial Competitiveness Board within the Bureau. Directs the Board to exercise general supervision and policy control of the Division. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to appoint as Board members three from the Federal Government and five from the private sector representing a cross-section of the industrial base, including large and small businesses. Authorizes the Board to establish special commissions. Directs the Secretary to formulate the programs and budgets of the Division in consultation with the Board. Requires the Deputy Director to submit an annual report to the Director of the Bureau, the Secretary, and the Congress, detailing activities of the Division. Establishes in the Treasury the Standards and Industrial Competitiveness Fund. Makes the Fund available to the Director, in accordance with appropriations Acts but without fiscal year limitation, for use as a revolving fund to carry out the industrial competitiveness functions of the Bureau. Outlines sources of deposits to the Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund for the eight fiscal years beginning after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to provide leadership and coordination with respect to policies affecting procurement programs for rural areas. Directs the Administrator to: (1) coordinate with and advise State and local officials with regard to Federal efforts to encourage procurement in rural areas with the aim of fostering economic development in such areas; (2) establish specific rural area procurement targets for executive agencies consistent with awards or contracts for small business concerns; and (3) encourage the use of set asides or other appropriate methods for meeting procurement targets for rural areas. Requires executive agencies to cooperate with the Administrator's responsibilities for rural area programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Designates the month of May 1988 as Better Hearing and Speech Month.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Congratulates Ducks Unlimited, Incorporated, for its accomplishments in 50 years of protection and enhancement of wetlands waterfowl habitat.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Portable Pension Plan Act of 1987 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require, at an employee's request, any employer who has not maintained a qualified pension plan for five years prior to such request to establish a salary reduction arrangement providing for employee coverage under a simplified employee pension plan. Provides that employers are not required to make contributions to such plan. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make conforming amendments. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe by regulation a simplified method of compliance with simplified employee pension plans. Makes participation and vesting requirements of ERISA applicable to such plans and funding requirements inapplicable to such plans. Increases from ten percent to 20 percent the additional tax on early distributions from qualified retirement plans. Exempts from such tax early distributions from individual retirement plans for medical expenses. Requires the consent of the participant before the immediate distribution of a vested accrued benefit in excess of $3,500. Provides for the portability (transfer) of amounts between plans upon a participant's preretirement separation from service. Allows the distribution of vested amounts that do not exceed $200. Makes conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Secretary of Labor to take such action as necessary to facilitate and encourage the establishment and continued maintenance by small employers of employee pension benefit plan coverage, including providing access to instructional information and information by toll-free telephone. Directs the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on the extent to which efforts have been made to meet such requirement. Requires the Comptroller General of the General Accounting Office to report to the Congress on the retirement plan qualification process and the portability of pension benefits, together with recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Designates the month of November in 1987 and 1988 as National Hospice Month.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, as appropriate, to take such actions as are necessary to protect cave resources on Federal lands, including: (1) restricting the use of such resources; (2) entering into volunteer management agreements with the caving community; and (3) appointing advisory committees. Restricts the release of information concerning cave location to protect the resource, requiring the Governor of a State in which a cave resource is located or a bona fide research institution to request location information in writing along with a commitment to protect the confidentiality of such information. Establishes a permit program for the collection or removal of natural resources from caves on Federal lands. Requires a permittee to post a bond or cash deposit to offset potential damage. Revokes permits for violations of this Act or permit conditions. Excludes Federal cave resources within the National Park or Wildlife Refuge Systems from this program. Imposes criminal penalties for the alteration of a cave or interference with cave resources, including the sale or exchange of cave resources removed without permission. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act or permit conditions. Authorizes appropriations. Places permit fees and fines in a special fund in the Treasury for cave resource management.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Designates the week beginning October 4, 1987, as National School Yearbook Week.
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 · 2 April 1987
Designates October 1987 as National Down Syndrome Month.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 1987, as Benign Essential Blepharospasm Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1987
Satellite Television Fair Marketing Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the encrypting of satellite programming from the Public Broadcasting Service and the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. Requires anyone who encrypts satellite delivered programming for private viewing to: (1) make it available for private viewing by home satellite antenna users; (2) establish reasonable character and financial criteria for distributors of satellite delivered programming and not discriminate in prices, terms, or conditions among distributors offering similar distribution services; and (3) conduct such encryption according to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - approved standards designed to comply with specified criteria. Requires the FCC-approved standards to provide the public interest benefits of a universal encryption system permitting decryption by cable television subscribers and home satellite users. Authorizes aggrieved persons to commence civil actions to enforce this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a study of pricing and distribution terms of satellite television programming to determine whether the programming market is developing competitively. Authorizes the FTC to establish remedies necessary to produce adequate competition. Requires the FCC to begin a rulemaking proceeding on improving access to network signals for rural Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1987
Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to require the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to promulgate regulations relating to the exchange of land or land interests, including the timing of appraisals and the submission of appraisals in disagreement to binding arbitration. Requires regulations governing appraisals to reflect nationally recognized appraisal standards and the differences between acquisition appraisals and transfer appraisals. Permits each Secretary to exchange land or interests of approximately equal value if to do so would be in the public interest and expedite the exchange. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1998 for land exchange activities. States that the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act shall remain unaffected by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1987
Partnership Act of 1987 - Title I: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Subtitle A: Benefits and Federal Participation - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to establish minimum AFDC payment standards which, when added to the value of any food stamp allotment to which the family or its household is entitled, equal a specified percentage (set at 50 percent in FY 1989, but increasing by two percent in each subsequent fiscal year until reaching 90 percent) of the Federal poverty level. Reimburses States for 85 percent of their expenses in providing the minimum benefit for FY 1989 through 1991 and for 90 percent of such expenses thereafter. Requires States to make AFDC payments with respect to dependent children of unemployed parents in two-parent families. Subtitle B: Work-Related Requirements - Requires, with certain exceptions, AFDC applicants and recipients to register with a State agency for employment counseling, training, and assignment. Directs such State agency to: (1) determine the appropriate employment-related activities for each registered AFDC applicant or recipient; and (2) arrange for their participation in one or more of the employment-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. 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 75 percent in FY 1988 and a percentage in subsequent years which is determined by use of a specified formula which takes into account a State's compliance with performance standards to be developed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Provides that such standards shall measure a State's success in reducing welfare costs and helping AFDC recipients achieve self-sufficiency. Sets the Federal share of administrative costs at 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the activities under this title, allotting such funds among States on the basis of each State's share of AFDC recipients. Gives States the option, when a family's increased income renders them ineligible for AFDC, to: (1) continue to cover a family's child care, transportation, and other employment-related support service expenses for the year after such family's eligibility would otherwise end; and (2) require a family contribution for such services. Subtitle C: Child Support Enforcement - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Act to alter the rules of State eligibility for child support collection incentive payments. Directs States to establish standards for child support award amounts which meet minimum Federal guidelines and are presumptively applicable in particular child support actions. Requires the Secretary to conduct periodic reviews of child support award amounts to gauge compliance with such standards. Subtitle D: Child Care Services for Children in Certain Families - Establishes a part F of title IV of the Act to make payments to States (including territories) which provide child care services for children: (1) who are or are at risk of being abused or neglected or are in families receiving child protective services; and (2) in eligible families whose family income does not surpass a maximum set by the State at or below 125 percent of the Federal poverty level. Requires, in addition, that families receiving part F services not be eligible for child care under the AFDC program and include parent(s) who are adolescent, working, enrolled in education or training programs, or seeking employment. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a State to report to the Secretary on its intended use of part F payments before expending such funds. Authorizes States to impose a fee for child care services which may vary on the basis of a family's ability to pay. Requires that fees collected be used only to provide child care to children covered by this Act. Establishes a formula for determining the State child care assistance percentage which takes into account the State's taxable resources and the number of children at risk of neglect or abuse in the State, but prohibits such percentage from being less than 50 percent. Subtitle E: Hold Harmless - Reimburses States for all of their AFDC expenditures in FY 1989 which exceed State AFDC expenditures in FY 1988 and are attributable to this Act's amendments. Title II: Medicaid - Extends Medicaid eligibility to pregnant women and children up to age five whose family income does not exceed the Federal poverty level. Extends the Medicaid age eligibility limit for children on a gradual basis so that by FY 1999 children up to age 16 are covered. Requires the Secretary to establish uniform national standards regarding the types of Medicaid services provided to such individuals. Directs States to provide Medicaid coverage to individuals who are eligible for benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Act or would be eligible for such benefits if they were not in a medical institution. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage to individuals eligible for participation in certain other social security programs, but requires the State plan to include at least one group not covered under such programs. Raises the limit on the Medicaid Federal assistance percentage to 90 percent. Sets such percentage at: (1) 100 percent for medical services provided through Indian Health Service facilities; and (2) 80 percent for FY 1988, 85 percent for FY 1989 through 1991, and 90 percent thereafter for medical assistance provided to pregnant women and children pursuant to this Act. Provides for annual reductions in the State percentage. Reimburses States for all of their Medicaid expenditures in FY 1988 and 1989 which exceed State Medicaid expenditures in FY 1987 and are attributable to this Act's amendments. Extends the moratorium on the reduction of payments to States for high erroneous payment rates under the AFDC and Medicaid programs for one year. (Currently, the moratorium is set to expire on July 1, 1988.) Title III: Termination or Reduction of Certain Federal Programs - Abolishes certain programs providing Federal assistance for: (1) economically distressed areas; (2) urban mass transit system; (3) community services and development (including the Urban Development Action Grant program); (4) education (including impact aid; (5) vocational education and manpower training; and (6) water pollution control. Abolishes the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Economic Development Administration. Repeals title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act. Eliminates the program of rural water and waste facility loans and grants. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to set a ceiling on the total amount of rural electrification loans which may be made in a fiscal year. Title IV: Fiscal Capacity Grants - Entitles State and local governments to grants from the General Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund established in the Treasury by this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to determine grant allocations to be paid in quarterly installments for each of FY 1988 through 1992. Sets forth general grant qualification requirements. Authorizes the Secretary, after providing notice and an opportunity for corrective actions, to withhold grant payments for noncompliance with such requirements. Provides special entitlements for Indian tribes, Alaskan Native villages, and the District of Columbia. Sets forth the procedure by which the Secretary shall allocate grant amounts to: (1) each State (for subsequent allocation to local governments) based on each State's population, general tax effort factor, and relative fiscal capacity factor; and (2) each local government, from each State's amount, based on each government's population, general tax effort factor, and income factor. Requires each State which receives grant funds to establish a commission to: (1) investigate the public service needs and fiscal capacities of its local governments; and (2) recommend an alternative method of allocating grant funds to local governments which reduces the excess of the funds each government needs to provide public services over the fiscal capacity of such government. Directs the Secretary to use such method to allocate funds instead of the procedure prescribed by this Act if such method is enacted into State law. Sets forth the procedure by which the Secretary shall allocate grant amounts to each State government based on each State's population, general tax effort factor, and relative fiscal capacity factor. Requires the Secretary, in determining grant allocations, to use the most recent available information provided by the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Labor, with specified exceptions. Requires a State government or local government expending payments under this title to: (1) hold at least one public hearing on the proposed use of the payment in relation to its total budget, unless public participation is otherwise ensured in the budget process; and (2) disclose specified information on the proposed use of the payment within specified periods before such hearing and after the budget is adopted. Prohibits discrimination under any State or local government program or activity any part of which is paid for with funds received under this title. Sets forth provisions governing discrimination proceedings, the suspension and termination or resumption of payments in such proceedings, agreements by local governments to comply with discrimination prohibitions, the enforcement of such prohibitions by the Attorney General, administrative and civil actions by persons adversely affected by discriminatory practices, and judicial review of a decision to withhold, suspend, or terminate grant payments. Requires each State and local government that receives a payment under this Act in a fiscal year to conduct an audit for such year. Requires the Secretary to maintain regulations regarding the investigation of complaints of violations of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to carry out necessary reviews for the Congress to evaluate compliance and operations under this Act. Requires annual reports by: (1) the Secretary to the Congress on the administration of, and operations under, this Act; and (2) State and local governments to the Secretary on the amounts and uses of grant payments. Title V: Use of State Federalization Savings - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine the amount of funds each State will save by reason of the amendments made by titles I and II of this Act and notify each State of such amount prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. Requires States to allot a portion (determined pursuant to a specified formula which takes into account direct Federal funding lost by local governments under title III of this Act) of such savings to local governments. Allots the remainder of such savings to States in accordance with an intended use report which the State submits to the Secretary within 30 days of receiving notification of such savings.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Legalization Family Unification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive the continuous residence requirement under the legalization program for parents of U.S. citizen children born after December 31, 1981, and before November 7, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Rural Area Revitalization Act of 1987 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize FY 1988 through 1992 appropriations for Rural Development Loan Fund intermediate borrowers. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make 1988 through 1992 grants for: (1) rural business, employment, and infrastructure development; and (2) stimulation of growth and diversification in rural communities affected by chronic underemployment in basic economic sectors, such as agriculture. Limits: (1) Federal cost sharing to 75 percent, unless waived by the Secretary; and (2) grant eligibility to projects serving communities with populations of not more than 20,000 people. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize grants for rural drinking water projects. Directs the Secretary to establish an office in the Farmers Home Administration of the Department of Agriculture whose primary purpose shall be to encourage different approaches to economic and community development in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Legalization Family Unification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive the continuous residence requirement under the legalization program for spouses and children of legalized aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Designates the week of August 23 through August 29, 1987, as National CPR Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1987
Antitrust Damages Clarification Act of 1987 - Provides that no damages, costs, or attorney's fees shall be awarded under an antitrust suit with respect to the establishment or use of any rate, charge, or premium filed by a title insurance company with a State insurance department or authorized, approved, or permitted to become effective pursuant to State insurance laws.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1987
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of April as Fair Housing Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 1987, as Senior Center Week.
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 · 18 March 1987
WIC Food for Life Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) should receive increasing appropriations until all eligible persons are being served; and (2) an outreach program should be conducted to identify persons eligible for WIC assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Small Business Prompt Payment Act Amendments of 1987 - Revises Federal law to deem the head of a Federal agency to have received an invoice on the later of: (1) the date on which the designated office or employee of an agency actually receives it; or (2) the fifth day after the date on which a property is actually delivered, or final performance of a service is actually completed, unless the contract specifies otherwise. Makes Federal prompt payment provisions applicable to the United States Postal Service. Makes the Postmaster General responsible for issuing procurement regulations, solicitation provisions, and contract clauses. Reduces the 15-day grace period for payment of interest penalties to eight days for solicitations (other than meat products and agricultural commodities) issued before October 1, 1990. Eliminates such grace period for procurement solicitations issued on or after October 1, 1990. Requires an agency to pay a double interest penalty if: (1) the agency owes the interest penalty; (2) the interest penalty is not paid to the business concern on or after the date the penalty is due; (3) the agency does not pay the penalty within ten days after such payment is made; and (4) a written demand is made within 40 days after such payment is made. Requires regulations on interest penalties, in the case of construction contracts, to provide for the payment of interest on: (1) progress payments due for more than seven days, or a longer period if the prevailing practice in private construction contracts is to provide such longer period; and (2) amounts retained during the performance of a contract, if such amounts are not paid by the required payment date. Requires regulations on interest penalties to provide for periodic payments in the case of supply or service contracts upon: (1) the submission of an invoice for supplies delivered or services performed; and (2) acceptance of supplies or services by an authorized employee or certification of performance by such an employee. Requires Government construction contractors to include a payment provision in their agreements with their subcontractors which provides for payment in accordance with prevailing industry standards. Requires the contractor to pay a late payment interest penalty to the subcontractor at the rate applicable between the prime contractor and the Government. Specifies the calculation of time for interest penalties on discount payments. Revises agency reporting requirements on interest penalty payments to include: (1) a description of agency payment practices; and (2) an analysis by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for each of the various Federal agencies on the impact of such payments on small and disadvantaged businesses. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to report to the congressional committees on Small Business on current Government compliance with the payment of interest penalties and the impact on small business. Requires the Chief Counsel to monitor the compliance of all agencies and of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget with interest penalty payments. Requires the modification of the Federal acquisition regulation to implement Federal prompt payment provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a western regional office with the authority to issue export licenses.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Authorizes and requests the President to designate April 26 through May 2, 1987, as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to display the American flag at the apex of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Coal Pipeline Act of 1987 - Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920 to authorize a person who has secured specified water rights under applicable State law to apply to the Secretary of the Interior for certification that it is in the national interest to construct, operate, or extend a coal pipeline. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary will make such a certification, including the decision to grant rights-of-way across Federal lands upon such pipeline's request. Conditions such certification upon an applicant's reservation of a specified portion of total pipeline capacity for small, independent producers located in the geographic region served by such pipeline. Makes all Federal and State environmental laws applicable to the issuance or denial of such certification. Outlines the procedures for granting rights-of-way across Federal lands. Proscribes the granting of any right-of-way through lands: (1) designated as wilderness areas; (2) administered as part of the national park system; or (3) which are part of a historic site (unless there is no reasonable alternative and reasonable planning is made to minimize the harm of such site). Prohibits any person or entity (including the United States) from claiming any right or interest in water within any State for a coal pipeline unless such claim takes place under the law of the affected State. Delegates to the States all power regarding water rights for a coal pipeline in spite of any otherwise impermissible burden which may thereby be imposed upon interstate commerce. States that this Act does not: (1) impair the validity of any State law (or interstate compact) regarding any claim to water rights; (2) alter the rights of any State to its apportioned share of water under past or future allocation or interstate compact; (3) affect any Indian water rights; or (4) preempt or otherwise affect any State or Federal law or interstate compact regarding water quality or disposal. Prohibits any State acting under authority of this Act from restricting the movement through such State of water acquired in another State and within a coal pipeline. Authorizes certain persons who have received a certification from the Secretary that it is in the national interest to operate or extend a coal pipeline to acquire rights-of-way through private lands by the power of eminent domain. States this Act shall not be construed to permit any person (including the United States) to acquire any water rights through the power of eminent domain. Prohibits the acquisition of any right-of-way through the power of eminent domain if such right-of-way is upon land which is part of a historic site of national, State, or local significance, unless there is no prudent alternative and reasonable planning is made to minimize harm to such site. Provides for an antitrust review of applications for certification by the Attorney General. Sets forth certification guidelines under which the Secretary shall determine whether construction, operation, or extension of a coal pipeline is in the national interest. Requires each pipeline carrier for which a certification has been issued to provide service on reasonable request. Prohibits such carriers from unreasonably discriminating or refusing to enter into contracts with coal shippers under similar conditions in a contemporaneous period. Requires the Secretary to publish notice of coal pipeline certifications in the Federal Register. States that this Act shall not be construed to modify or preempt the ratemaking authority of any State utility regulatory agency. Requires the Secretary to establish uniform Federal standards for coal pipeline safety. Establishes penalties for failure to comply with such safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Designates October 6, 1987, as German-American Day.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1987
Designates April 4, 1987, as National Catfish Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1987
Designates the week beginning May 10, 1987, as National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Agricultural Commodity Distribution Act of 1987 - Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to take specified actions to improve the distribution and quality of surplus commodities donated by the Department of Agriculture for school and other nutrition assistance programs. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory council, whose authority shall terminate on September 30, 1992, on the distribution of such donated agricultural commodities.
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 Reclamation Authorizations Act of 1976 to increase authorized appropriations for the construction of the Oroville-Tonasket Unit, Chief Joseph Dam Project, Washington.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
See digest of H.R. 374.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Grants a Federal charter to the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Incorporated.