United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1990
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) establish a separate limitation of $1,000 with respect to nonparty multicandidate political committee contributions to any candidate for Federal office (currently, all multicandidate political committee contributions to such candidates are subject to a $5,000 limitation); (2) prohibit separate segregated funds established by corporations or labor organizations for political purposes from acting as intermediaries or conduits with respect to contributions to such a candidate; (3) prohibit a political committee that is not an authorized committee of such a candidate and is not a political committee of a political party from transferring funds to any other such political committee; (4) prohibit such a candidate from establishing, maintaining, financing, or controlling a political committee, other than the principal campaign committee of the candidate; and (5) prohibit a principal campaign committee of such a candidate from making any contribution to any other principal campaign committee (other than the principal campaign committee of the same individual as a candidate for another Federal office).
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1990
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) remove the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives as ex officio members of the Federal Election Commission; and (2) require all designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under that Act to be filed with the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1990
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to set forth required contents of notices to be submitted to foreign governments and international governmental agencies upon the cancellation or suspension of a pesticide registration. Prohibits pesticides with cancelled or suspended registrations from being exported to a foreign country unless the exporter, prior to such exportation, has submitted an export notice to the person importing the pesticide, the regulatory office of the importing country, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Sets forth required contents of the export notice. Requires the Administrator, upon receiving a notice from another country or an international agency that prohibits importation of a pesticide with a cancelled or suspended registration and certifies that the pesticide shall not be used or produced in the country, to: (1) notify the public of such notice; and (2) ensure that U.S. exports comply with such notice. Directs the Administrator, upon petition of any person, to allow exports of a pesticide to a country if the country is not complying with its notice or certification. Requires the Administrator to provide technical assistance to foreign countries for developing pesticide regulatory programs. Directs the Administrator to conduct and publish a triennial survey of all countries that import U.S. pesticides or from which the United States imports agricultural commodities to ascertain what procedures are in place in each country for: (1) registration, labeling, and training to ensure safe handling, transportation, application, and disposal of pesticides; and (2) controlling residues on foods to meet tolerances under U.S. law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1990
Amtrak Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 1990 - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1992 for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). Limits the liability for certain rail accidents occurring in the District of Columbia to no more than the limits of coverage maintained by a publicly funded commuter transportation authority established under Virginia law to indemnify Amtrak or any railroad over which the authority conducts its operations. Authorizes the use of proceeds from the sale of railroad lines that were acquired and rehabilitated with funds under the Rail Safety and Service Improvement Act of 1982 for similar purposes with respect to railroad lines connected with such a line for the purpose of continued rail service on them. Requires Amtrak to cooperate with the efforts of the Washington State Department of Transportation in designing a study of the feasibility of reestablishing rail service between Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Directs Amtrak to study and report to the Congress on the revenue and cost implications of separating the California Zephyr-Desert Wind-Pioneer train into two service routes serving a southern and a control route through Iowa. Prohibits the compensation of any rail or motor carrier employee who works in more than one State from being subject to State income taxes in any State but the State in which the employee resides. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to treat Amtrak as a publicly funded rail carrier with respect to its contribution toward employees' unemployment compensation benefits. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to the Congress on the potential need among Class II and Class III railroads for Federal guarantees of obligations for funding rehabilitation and improvement of facilities and equipment, acquisition of new railroad facilities, or refinancing of existing debt.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1990
Urges the President to instruct the Attorney General to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the involvement of Government officials in the savings and loan scandal.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1990
Airport and Airway Trust Fund Protection Act of 1990 - Declares that the receipts and disbursements of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund allocable to transportation-related operations: (1) shall not be included in the totals of the Federal budget or the congressional budget; (2) shall be exempt from general budget limitations on expenditures and net lending; and (3) shall be exempt from any sequestration order under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and shall not be counted for purposes of calculating the Federal deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1990
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 1990 - Divides the current U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into the following two circuits: (1) the Ninth Circuit, composed of the States of Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, consisting of 19 judges, and holding regular sessions in San Francisco and Los Angeles; and (2) the Twelfth Circuit, composed of the States of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, consisting of nine judges, and holding regular sessions in Portland and Seattle.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1990
Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1990 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY 1991 through 1993 for specified environmental research, development, and demonstration activities and for program management and support of the Office of Research and Development. Authorizes the transfer of funds among categories, but requires prior notice to the Congress of transfers exceeding ten percent from or to any category. Prohibits the Administrator from using any funds appropriated in this Act for office closings or reductions in force unless a congressional notice and wait procedure has been complied with by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to establish a separately identified core research program consisting of fundamental ecological, health, and risk reduction research to support efforts to identify, assess, and mitigate serious environmental risks. Directs the Administrator to establish a Research Strategy Council to oversee, review, and ensure adequate funding of the core research program. Requires the Science Advisory Board to review and make recommendations on core research program activities. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program to conduct comprehensive, long-term environmental monitoring, data collection, and data analysis to assess and respond to the current and long-term status and trends of the ecological resources of the United States. Requires the Administrator to coordinate Program activities with other Federal agencies and to make available to the public and the Congress statistical data summaries and interpretive reports on ecological status and trends developed as a result of the Program. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a modernization program to identify, acquire, and maintain modern buildings, facilities, supplies, and equipment needed to conduct high quality research; and (2) conduct studies and make assessments of the adequacy of the equipment and facilities to meet the needs of EPA and to attract well-qualified scientists, engineers, and other appropriate personnel. Repeals a required annual report from the Administrator of a five-year plan for environmental research, development, and demonstration. Requires the Science Advisory Board to submit annual reports to the Congress and the Administrator on the proposed research program described in the President's budget request for research, development, and demonstration activities of the EPA. Requires the Board to conduct periodic evaluations of selected areas of the current and planned activities. Requires concurrent submission to the Congress of any report required from the Board to the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to carry out a program of research and monitoring on regional, national, and global impacts of environmental pollution and perturbation on biological diversity. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to develop recommendations on establishing a National Environmental Research Institute which would support long-range fundamental and environmental research, including competitive grants to interdisciplinary research teams and individual investigators. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) lease facilities, buildings, and other property to promote the activities authorized under this Act; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements to conduct application reviews and use research funds for such cooperative agreements. Directs the Administrator to: (1) report annually to the Congress on the accomplishments of programs authorized under this Act as they related to EPA's mission to reduce or prevent environmental risk; (2) conduct a study of, and submit a report concerning, the environmental implications and potential consequences of growth and development of communities; (3) produce a decision aid to assist State and local authorities in planning and managing such growth; (4) develop and implement a research program to increase understanding of the adverse human health effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields; and (5) established in conjunction with such program a public information dissemination and technical assistance program related to such health effects.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1990
National Advanced Civilian Reactor Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a comprehensive program of research, development, and demonstration to encourage the civilian application of technologies for the generation of energy from nuclear fission. Conditions assistance under this Act for the prototype demonstration of near-term advanced reactors and long-term advanced reactors on matching non-Federal funds, with international participation allowed. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1990
Drug Emergency Areas Act of 1990 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to replace language with respect to the designation of high intensity drug trafficking areas with provisions authorizing the President to declare a State or part of a State to be a drug emergency area. Requires requests for such a declaration to be made, in writing, by the Governor or chief executive officer of any affected State or local government and forwarded to the President through the Director of National Drug Control Policy. Allows cities, counties, or States to submit a joint request. Requires requests to be based on a written finding that the emergency is of such severity and magnitude that it is beyond the capability of the State or local government to respond and Federal assistance is necessary. Prohibits the President from limiting declarations made under this Act to highly-populated centers of drug trafficking, drug use, or drug-related violence. Requires the President to consider applications from governments of less populated areas. Requires each Governor or chief executive officer, as part of such requests and as a prerequisite to such assistance, to: (1) take appropriate action under State or local law to respond to the crisis and furnish information on the nature and amount of State and local resources which have been or will be committed to alleviating the emergency; (2) certify that State and local government obligations and expenditures will comply with all applicable cost-sharing requirements; and (3) submit a detailed plan outlining the requesting government's short- and long-term plans to respond to the emergency. Requires the Director to review requests submitted and forward the application to the President, along with a recommendation. Authorizes the President to make grants to State or local governments of up to $50,000,000 for any single emergency. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of the costs necessary to implement the short- and long-term plan. Limits the duration of assistance to a drug disaster area to one year, after which the Governors or chief executive officers may apply for an extension of up to 180 days. Requires each State or local government receiving Federal assistance to balance the allocation of such assistance evenly between drug supply and demand reduction efforts, unless State or local conditions dictate otherwise. Authorizes the President to: (1) direct any Federal agency to utilize its authorities and resources to support State and local efforts; and (2) provide technical and advisory assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1990
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 19, 1990, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1990
Establishes an Official Mail Allowance for franked mailing by Members of the House of Representatives within specified guidelines and limitations. Amends rule XLVI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to: (1) reduce from six to two the number of franked mailings per year per addressee to which a Member after December 31, 1990, is entitled; (2) reduce from six to two, after such date, the number of franked mailings per year per addressee relating solely to a notice of appearance of a scheduled itinerary of a Member; (3) require a Member, before making any mass mailing (including direct response to communications from constituents), to submit a sample or description of the mail matter involved to the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards for a statutory compliance advisory opinion; (4) require the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make available for public inspection, semi-annually, a mass mailing report compiled from data provided by the House Committee on Administration; and (5) require that a mass mailing by a Member contain a specified notice on the cover page of the document.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1990
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress and the States shall have power to prohibit the act of physical desecration of the U.S. flag and to set criminal penalties for such act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1990
Crop Insurance Act of 1990 - Directs the President to appoint as an officer in the Department of Agriculture (Department) a Commissioner of Crop Insurance. Provides for the creation of: (1) a Crop Insurance Advisory Committee; and (2) an Office of Crop Insurance Operations (Office) in the Department. Provides for reviews of: (1) insurers; (2) rating organizations; and (3) crop insurance rates and policies. Preempts State and local law with regard to such reviews and related matters. Requires the Office to make premium vouchers available to agricultural producers to purchase multiple peril crop insurance. Authorizes the Office to provide hardship allowances for the first five years after enactment of this Act under specified circumstances. Directs the Commissioner to provide for an assigned crop insurance plan for those producers unable to obtain crop insurance. Creates a Federal catastrophic reinsurance program to protect insurers against nationwide losses exceeding specified levels. Establishes the Catastrophic Reinsurance Fund. Applies specified fraud remedies to insurance policies under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Phases out the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, and repeals the Federal Crop Insurance Act upon the Corporation's dissolution. Directs the Commissioner, upon enactment of this Act, to implement its programs with a Three-Year Transitional Program operated through a Special Transitional Pool (insurance policy repository).
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1990
Contraception and Infertility Research Centers Act of 1990 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Institute of Child Health and Human Development to make grants and enter into contracts for centers for improving methods of contraception and centers for diagnosing and treating infertility. Requires the Director, subject to appropriations, to provide for three centers with respect to contraception and two centers with respect to infertility. Requires each center to: (1) conduct clinical and other applied research; (2) develop training protocols for and conduct training of physicians, scientists, nurses, and other health and allied health professionals; (3) develop model continuing education programs; and (4) disseminate information to such professionals. Allows a center to use the funds to provide: (1) stipends for health and allied health professionals enrolled in the training programs; and (2) fees to individuals serving as subjects in the clinical trials. Requires each center to use the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting requirements as prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Allows support for a center to be for a period of up to five years, with extensions of one or more periods of up to five years if the center's operations have been reviewed by a peer review group and the group has so recommended. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to establish a program of entering into agreements with health professionals, including graduate students, under which the professionals agree to conduct research with respect to contraception or infertility in consideration of the Government agreeing to repay, for each year of such service, not more than a specified amount of the principal and interest of their educational loans. Applies provisions of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program to this program, except as inconsistent. Authorizes appropriations. Requires amounts appropriated to remain available until the end of the second fiscal year after they are appropriated.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1990
Declares that the Congress should: (1) establish a program of research for the development of methods of contraception and methods of diagnosing and treating infertility; (2) provide adequate long-term resources for the program; (3) ensure that Federal programs with respect to sexually transmitted diseases adequately respond to the role of such diseases in infertility; (4) ensure public education on contraception and infertility; (5) establish as Federal goals the development, by the year 2010, of improved barrier methods to protect against pregnancy and diseases, new methods of contraception for use by men, a vaccine-like drug for women that prevents pregnancy for a significant period of time without other specified effects, and new and improved techniques of diagnosing and treating infertility; (6) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reestablish the Ethical Advisory Board in order to facilitate research with respect to infertility; (7) review the policies and procedures of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to expediting approval of drugs and devices for use by the public, especially with respect to contraception and infertility; and (8) determine to what extent measures can be implemented by public or private entities to resolve liability issues involved with drugs and devices concerned with contraception and infertility.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
National Health Service Corps Revitalization Amendments of 1990 - Title I: Revisions in General Program for National Health Service Corps - Amends the Public Health Service Act provisions relating to the purpose of the National Health Service Corps to require that the Secretary of Health and Human Services use the Corps to provide primary health services in health manpower shortage areas. Removes a limitation on the dollar amount of pay increases which may be granted to a Corps member during the first 36 months of service. Removes provisions directing the Secretary, in assigning Corps members, to: (1) give priority to meeting Indian Health Service and other indian tribe or tribal organization needs; and (2) provide special consideration to homeless populations who do not have access to primary health care services. Applies certain definitions to provisions relating to Corps scholarship and loan programs as well as to provisions relating directly to the Corps. Requires that a complete descriptive list of health manpower shortage areas be published in the Federal Register by specified deadlines. Includes in the definition of "medical facility": (1) health programs or facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization; and (2) facilities used in connection with provisions relating to health services for homeless individuals. Allows the Secretary to assign members of the Corps to an entity to provide health services in a health manpower shortage area only if there has been (currently, will be) appropriate and efficient use of Corps members assigned to that entity for the area. Removes certain provisions relating to priorities and considerations in assigning Corps personnel, replacing some such provisions with similarly worded provisions. Sets forth the exclusive factors the Secretary may consider in determining the areas with the greatest shortages. Requires annual publication in the Federal Register of a list of areas that are to be given priority in the assignment of Corps members and, for FY 1991, a list of entities authorized to receive assignments of Corps members. Replaces provisions relating to grants and contracts for programs respecting preparation for practice of individuals subject to a service obligation with provisions: (1) concerning consideration of characteristics of Corps members in making assignments; (2) requiring certain types of counseling of Corps members; (3) requiring assistance to Corps members in establishing local professional relationships; (4) directing the Secretary to provide assistance regarding temporary relief from Corps duties in order to pursue continuing education or other interests, including vacations; and (5) directing the Secretary to carry out activities to determine the characteristics of health professionals who are more likely to remain in shortage areas after completion of Corps service, and to determine the appropriate conditions for the assignment of certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs of National Health Service Corps - Replaces measures providing for the establishment of the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program with similar provisions directing the Secretary to establish such a Scholarship Program to assure, with respect to primary health services, an adequate supply of health professionals. (Current law makes no reference to primary health services.) Requires that an agreement to work as a provider of primary health services in a shortage area (currently, an agreement to work in a shortage area) be a part of the scholarship contract. Alters the priorities in providing contracts under the Scholarship Program to include an individual with characteristics that increase the probability that the individual will continue to serve in a shortage area after completion of obligated service. Changes the required contents of an annual report mandated by current law regarding the Scholarship Program. Replaces measures providing for the establishment of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program with similar provisions directing the Secretary to establish such a Loan Repayment Program to assure, with respect to the provision of primary health services, an adequate supply of health professionals. (Current law makes no reference to primary health services.) Requires that an agreement to work as a provider of primary health services in a shortage area (currently, an agreement to work in a shortage area) be a part of the loan repayment contract. Changes eligibility procedures for the Loan Repayment Program. Replaces provisions governing priorities in providing loan repayment contracts with provisions directing the Secretary to give priority to an individual who has characteristics that increase the probability that the individual will continue to serve in a shortage area after completion of obligated service. Increases the limit on the amount the Secretary may pay for each year of obligated service. Removes provisions allowing fulfillment of a service obligation in the Indian Health Service or in a program or facility operated by a tribe or a tribal organization. Requires (currently, allows) the Secretary to pay all (currently, part or all) of any increase in Federal income tax liability of an individual which arises as a result of the loan repayments. Changes the required contents of an annual report mandated by current law regarding the Loan Repayment Program. Requires that an annual report concerning the Scholarship Program and the Loan Repayment Program cover the next five years rather than the next three years. Authorizes appropriations, requiring set-asides in certain percentages for new applicants and for applicants in specified fields. Title III: State Offices of Rural Health - Authorizes the Secretary, through the Director of the Office of Rural Health Policy, to make grants to States for improving health care in rural areas through the operation of State offices of rural health. Requires recipient States to agree that such office will be provided with a minimum annual budget. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits making grants under this program after the aggregate amounts appropriated reach a specified level. Title IV: General Provisions - Specifies the effective dates of provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Amends title XVIIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover services performed by a physician assistant regardless of the setting or geographical location in which such services are rendered.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Amends the Colorado River Storage Project Act to express the intent of the Congress that the Glen Canyon Dam be operated in a manner that protects, mitigates damages to, and enhances the natural resources of the Grand Canyon National Park and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) develop emergency interim operating criteria (EIOC) for the Glen Canyon Dam in consultation with the Department of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, and the State of Arizona, and with the full participation of the general public, including environmental organizations, the recreation industry, Indian tribes, and those who contract for the purchase of Federal power produced at Glen Canyon Dam; and (2) implement such EIOC pending adoption of new long-term operating criteria. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to vary the EIOC if necessary to: (1) comply with requirements enumerated later under this Act; (2) respond to hydrologic extremes or power system operating emergencies; or (3) further reduce adverse impacts on resources downstream. Directs the Secretary, within three years after this Act's enactment, to complete the Glen Canyon Environmental Studies and the final Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement as required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Outlines certain evaluations and information with respect to the Park, the Area, and the Dam required to be included in the impact statement. Directs the Secretary to adopt new long-term operating criteria for the Dam based on the Studies and the Statement and to submit the Studies, the Statement, and the new criteria to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide that the definition of "owner or operator" (for purposes of liability) does not include: (1) a designated lending institution which acquires control of a facility pursuant to the terms of a security interest held by the person in such facility or in connection with a lease subject to Federal or State banking authorities; (2) a corporate fiduciary which operates or has legal title to a facility pursuant to the terms of an estate or trust; (3) an individual or institution that serves as an indenture trustee and acquires control of a facility as the result of default on a financing document between the trustee and the issuing entity; and (4) an individual fiduciary who has legal title to a facility for purposes of administering an estate or trust.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Medicare Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Payment Amendments of 1990 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish uniform national fee schedule payment rates for certified registered nurse anesthetist services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
State Offices of Rural Health Act of 1990 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the Office of Rural Health Policy, to make grants to States to improve the availability, quality, and cost-effectiveness of rural health care. Requires State grant recipients to expend the grant for operation of an office of rural health. Directs the Secretary to: (1) annually convene a conference of representatives of the Office of Rural Health Policy and of the offices operated under this Act to discuss such improvements; and (2) request the attendance of representatives of such State offices without regard to whether a State is a grantee. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Federal Earthquake Insurance and Reinsurance Act - Creates the Federal Earthquake Insurance and Reinsurance Corporation to make available: (1) earthquake and volcanic eruption insurance for residential property; and (2) property and casualty excess reinsurance for private insurers and private reinsurers for losses associated with earthquake or volcanic eruption. Makes the Corporation, its Residential Property Insurance Fund, its Reinsurance Fund, and its activities, property, and income exempt from all taxation, subject to exception. Directs the Corporation to develop a practical, cost-effective, and workable plan of earthquake loss mitigation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Rural Hospital Payment Equity Act of 1990 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to equalize average standardized Medicare payments for urban and rural hospitals. Requires the Security of Health and Human Services to collect data on compensation and paid hours of employment for hospital employees in various occupational categories and use such data to establish a professional and non-professional occupational component for each area wage index used in reimbursing hospitals for wage-related costs. Directs the Secretary to develop a legislative proposal allowing for the adjustment of a rural hospital's wage index by substituting the professional occupational component of the wage index used in the nearest metropolitan area for the professional occupational component that would otherwise apply to such rural hospital's area wage index.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the provisions permitting small issues of tax-exempt bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1990
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize FY 1991 through 1995 appropriations for the targeted export assistance program. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) monitor recipient expenditures; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1990
Superconducting Super Collider Project Authorization Act of 1990 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish the position of Under Secretary for the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) to facilitate the management and decisionmaking of the Federal Government regarding the SSC and to ensure responsibility and accountability. Requires the establishment of an SSC Project Office at the site of the SSC. Abolishes the Under Secretary position two years after completion of the construction of the SSC. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into arrangements with persons or consortia for participation in the research and development, design, construction, or operation of the SSC. Establishes in the Treasury the Superconducting Super Collider Fund to contain unexpended balances of appropriations made for the SSC before enactment of this Act as well as State, international, and other non-Federal cash contributions received under this Act, plus appropriations under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund to the Secretary for expenditures in accordance with this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make expenditures from the Fund, as provided in appropriations Acts, for construction and associated activities, including equipment procurement and research and development. Directs the Secretary to negotiate with the State selected as the SSC site (Texas) to mutually agree on a schedule for making cash and in-kind contributions to the SSC and on the composition of the contributions. Requires, if Federal support is withdrawn before October 1, 1995, a refund of cash payments and in-kind contributions made by the State from amounts available to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to secure commitments for international contributions covering between 20 and 33 percent of the SSC cost. Authorizes the Secretary to accept contributions from other non-Federal sources. Directs the Secretary to try to devise creative funding mechanisms that minimize SSC construction costs. Sets forth SSC contract eligibility requirements for domestic and foreign firms. Prohibits use of funds authorized under this Act for any activity not directly related to the construction of the SSC.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1990
Tourism Policy and Export Promotion Act of 1990 - Declares it to be the national goal to increase U.S. export earnings from U.S. tourism and transportation services with an eye toward: (1) the elimination of the travel and tourism export deficit of the United States and the U.S trade deficit; and (2) the achievement of a travel and tourism export surplus. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify foreign trade barriers to U.S. travel and tourism. Requires the USTR to submit the National Trade Estimate to the President and the Senate Committees on Finance and Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Amends the International Trade Act of 1961 to require each annual tourism trade development plan to focus on those countries in which tourism trade development has the greatest potential for increasing travel and tourism export revenues. Declares that the Congress finds that increased efforts directed at the promotion of rural tourism will contribute to the economic development of rural America. Establishes the Rural Tourism Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1990
American Technology Preeminence Act - Title I: Department of Commerce Research and Technology - Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1990 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the following activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; (5) research support activities; (6) cold neutron source facility; and (7) technology services. Earmarks specified amounts for: (1) steel technology; (2) the Center for Building Technology; (3) the Center for Fire Research; (4) the technical competence fund; (5) the evaluation of nonenergy-related inventions and related technology extension activities; and (6) Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology. Permits transfers of funds among activities under specified conditions. Prohibits the merger of the Center for Building Technology and the Center for Fire Research. Authorizes the use of certain funds to pay the Federal share of the cost of a pilot program to assist in the development of comprehensive industrial standards for countries that have requested such assistance, if other conditions are met. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology; (2) carrying out the Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1986; (3) modernization of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS); (4) the Clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation; and (5) adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits which may be provided for by law. Requires NTIS operating costs, associated with the acquisition and storage of information, to be recovered through the collection of fees. Amends Federal law to remove the cap on expenditures for construction and improvement of NIST buildings and facilities, but retains the requirement that such expenditures be within the limits of funds appropriated to NIST. Amends Federal law to authorize appropriations for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology (Centers). Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions mandating a nationwide study of current State technology extension services. Amends Federal law to establish within NIST an Office of Technology Services to supervise the Centers Program, NIST's assistance to State technology programs, and other activities or programs as the Secretary or the NIST Director may specify. Prohibits funds appropriated for NIST activities from being expended unless the activities have been specifically authorized by law. Title II: Advanced Technology Program Amendments - Emerging Technology Research and Development Act of 1990 - Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of NIST, to support joint ventures to identify and solve generic technology and manufacturing problems in emerging technology fields including high resolution information systems and advanced materials research and development so as to speed commercialization of products and services based on these technologies, and to establish procedures for technology sharing and technology transfer among members of the joint venture while protecting against transfer of intellectual properties, trade secrets, or proprietary data overseas. Requires that awards to joint ventures be based on competitive or other merit-based procedures. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to negotiate an agreement with any joint venture participants: (1) delineating their activities and responsibilities; and (2) specifying a period of time during which the Federal Government shall receive payments from any profits of the venture in proportion to the Federal share of the cost or, as an alternative, an option to pay an amount determined by the Secretary to be equal to the full Federal investment plus a reasonable return on such investment. Sets forth criteria for determining whether a company shall be considered a U.S. business and other eligibility criteria. Authorizes the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director to organize such industry advisory committees as appropriate. Authorizes the use of up to a specified percentage of the funds appropriated for carrying out provisions relating to the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) for standards development in support of those provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research and development of new or advanced technology of significant long-term value to the civilian U.S. economy, or for research and development concerning the generic commercial adaptation of such technology. Requires grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under the ATP to be designed to support projects which are high risk and which have potential for eventual substantial widespread commercial application. Authorizes appropriations for the ATP. Title III: Amendments to Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Stevenson-Wydler Act) to remove fiscal year limitations from provisions requiring that each Federal agency transfer an amount to NIST for the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Adds references to intellectual property to provisions defining "cooperative research and development agreement." Amends the definition of "Federal agency" to include any agency of the legislative branch. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to use appropriated funds to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities under the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Improvement Act of 1987. Title IV: Office of Science and Technology Policy - Amends Federal law to add the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to the list of positions at level I of the Executive Schedule. Adds the Director of the Office of Science and Technology to the list of positions at level II of the Executive Schedule. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to report annually to the Congress on all major science and technology proposals involving more than one country and having a total estimated cost greater than a specified sum. Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to add a new title to be cited as the National High Performance Computer Technology Program Act of 1990. Directs the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to develop a National High Performance Computer Technology Plan containing recommendations for a five-year national effort. Mandates that the plan include: (1) funding requirements; and (2) the establishment of a multi-gigabit-per-second research and education computer network by 1996, to be known as the National Research and Education Network, to link government, industry and the higher education community, to provide computer users with access to supercomputers, data bases, and other research facilities, and to meet other goals. Requires the Plan to define the organizational arrangement for managing the operation of the Network. Requires the Council to develop the Plan, coordinate the high performance computing research and development activities of Federal agencies, and establish an advisory board. Amends the STPOP to establish a Presidential Commission on Reducing Capital Costs for Emerging Technology to develop recommendations to increase the competitiveness of U.S. industry by encouraging investment in quality, product and process improvements, and new product development and marketing. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth the sense of the Congress that the research and experimentation tax credit be permanently extended and raised to 25 percent, and the research and development costs allocation rules for deduction of expenses from foreign income be revised so as to not discourage activities in the United States and not penalize companies exporting U.S. made products or providing services through U.S. citizens stationed abroad. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a Presidential Commission on Procurement and Technology to develop recommendations for changes to Federal procurement laws, procedures, and policies with respect to the development of advanced technologies. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Information Collection and Dissemination - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing and operating a Federal Online Information Product Catalog (FEDLINE) at the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Amends the National Technical Information Act of 1988 to add producing and disseminating products in electronic format to the duties of the NTIS. Title VI: High Resolution Information Systems - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a High Resolution Information Systems Board to foster and monitor the development of U.S. based high resolution information systems industries. Includes high definition television in the definition of such systems. Title VII: Reports - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to require that the biennial national critical technologies report include the most economically important emerging civilian technologies during the ten-year period following the report, together with the estimated current and future size of domestic and international markets for products derived from these technologies. Allows a product or process technology to be considered to be a national critical technology if it is essential for U.S. long-term national security or (currently, and) economic prosperity. Requires each report to identify technology base gaps between the United States and its major trading partners and list the technologies and markets targeted by major trading partners for development or capture. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing, in affiliation with NIST, a Quality Institute and privately-funded foundation to support that Institute. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to propose to the Congress a strategy for improving the university research capabilities of those States which historically have received relatively little Federal research and development funding. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to enter into a contract with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis for the development of a methodology or approach that can be used in the establishment of international product standards. Authorizes the use of a specified sum of the amounts authorized under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 to carry out such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1990
Innovative Boot Camp Prison Act of 1990 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize grants to States to carry out projects that demonstrate innovative alternatives to the imprisonment of individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses. Includes boot camp prisons as such alternatives, in conjunction with drug treatment, literacy education, vocational education, and job training programs. Makes drug testing and treatment mandatory for drug offenders. Sets forth: (1) application procedures and requirements for grants; and (2) procedures for review of applications. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1990
Financial Incentives Going to Help Towns Fighting Drugs Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to designate that one dollar of their tax liability be paid to the Local Anti-Drug Program Trust Fund. Establishes such Fund for grants to counties for: (1) law enforcement activities regarding drug-related crimes; (2) education, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs regarding drug abuse; and (3) grants to units of general local government.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1990
National Undesirable Plant Management Act of 1990 - Amends the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 to require each Federal agency to develop a program in cooperation with State agencies to control undesirable plants on Federal lands.