The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Rep. Murphy, Austin J. [D-PA-20]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001088_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
4,495 records where Rep. Murphy, Austin J. [D-PA-20] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Grants a Federal charter to the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Universal Voter Registration Act of 1989 - Entitles any eligible individual to register for any Federal election by mail, in person, or at the appropriate polling place on the day of an election. Declares that such individual may register in person at: (1) a designated place for such individual's current address; (2) any Federal, State, county, or municipal agency that serves the public directly; or (3) any private agency that voluntarily agrees to register voters. Provides that if a State maintains a system of voter registration, such State shall allow an individual to register to vote for elections held on the date of Federal elections, in the manner provided by an approved State plan. Requires such plan to include: (1) the voter registration form to be used for mail registration; (2) provisions for distribution of such forms; (3) election day voter registration; (4) voter registration in agencies which serve the public directly and at private agencies that voluntarily agree to register voters; (5) provisions for prompt notification of registration acceptance; (6) provisions to inform registrants about voting places and times; (7) registration confirmation to insure accurate, inclusive, and uniform voter registration lists; (8) provisions with respect to registration challenges; and (9) a description of State efforts to actively increase voter registration. Requires each State to submit to the Federal Election Commission for approval a voter registration form which allows registration in person or by mail. Allows the form to be similar or identical to postcard application forms under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. Specifies requirements for such form, including that it provide for postage paid return delivery to the appropriate State or local official. Requires agencies subject to this Act to provide for year-round registration services. Requires State and local election officials to provide for the availability of sufficient quantities of registration forms. Requires the chief election official of any State to establish a program to confirm voter registration. Sets forth requirements for such program, including: (1) notification systems concerning deaths and changes of address; (2) non-removal from a voter registration list unless a voter has died, changed residence to another jurisdiction, been convicted of a criminal offense or institutionalized for mental incapacity, or requested removal; and (3) voter registration lists comprising eligible voters, voters whose registration cannot be confirmed and whose eligibility may be challenged on election day, and individuals who have been removed from such list not more than four years before the date of the election. Sets forth provisions for challenging election votes, including the use of an affidavit ballot for the challenged voter. Declares that voter registration requirements shall not apply to any State which: (1) provides for voter registration procedures which meet or exceed the standards for State plans; (2) does not require voter registration; or (3) adopts the Federal postcard application form. Requires individuals who register to vote on an election day to establish their identity, place of residence, and qualifications at the time of such registration. Requires each polling place to provide a means of processing such registrants separately from other voters. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to administer this Act and to provide advice and technical assistance to States. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress every two years on: (1) the effectiveness of efforts to establish and maintain voter registration procedures; (2) the administration of voter registration programs; and (3) recommendations on national voter registration standards. Declares any order of the Commission under this Act to be reviewable by the appropriate U.S. court of appeals. Provides that the appellee shall not be liable for costs. Directs the Commission to make grants to the chief election official of any State which has an approved plan for establishing voter registration programs. Requires such grants to be made to enable and encourage States to computerize voter registration lists and to undertake alternative methods of voter registration. Authorizes the Commission to establish an advisory council of State and local election officials to advise States about voter registration systems. Requires the Commission to develop a formula for the allocation of funds to States and to allocate or reallocate such funds. Requires a State to submit a plan for voter registration to the Commission within two years of enactment of this Act. Requires the Commission to publish proposed regulations for an implementation plan, or portion thereof, for any State which fails to submit a plan or for any State plan determined not to meet the requirements under this Act. Establishes Federal enforcement procedures and penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Allies Fair Share Defense Act of 1989 - Prohibits, after the end of FY 1990, the funding of U.S. armed forces assigned to permanent duty in member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or in Japan at levels in excess of a specified troop strength. Directs that for 1992, 1993, and 1994, such levels shall be reduced by a specified number each year. Waives such reduction in troop strength for NATO countries if either of the following occur: (1) each member nation of NATO has increased its defense spending by a specified amount; or (2) the Secretary of Defense certifies to the Congress in writing that the member nations of NATO other than the United States have accomplished certain objectives relating to the increase of defensive measures and the overall significant improvement of their conventional defense capability. Waives such reduction in troop strength for Japan if Japan has either: (1) increased its defense spending by a specified amount; or (2) increased its capability to defend its sea lanes to specified distances. Provides for smaller reductions of U.S. armed forces in NATO-member countries and Japan if at least one of the above-described objectives has been met, or if some, but not all, of the objectives have been met. Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than March 1 of each of the calendar years 1990 through 1994, to report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on the status of the following matters as of January 1 of the year in which the report is submitted: (1) the supply of aerial and ground munitions of NATO-member nations; (2) the number of emergency operating facilities and semihardened aircraft shelters in such nations; and (3) other measures taken by such nations to improve their conventional defense capability. Outlines further information to be included in such reports concerning the attainment of objectives specified under this Act. States that this Act shall not apply if: (1) a declaration of war by the United States is in effect; (2) there is an armed attack on any NATO-member nation or Japan; or (3) the President declares a national state of emergency and immediately informs the Congress of such action and the reasons therefor.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Public Utility Holding Company Modernization Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 with respect to unlawful transactions by registered public utility holding companies to permit a subsidiary company which is neither a holding company nor a public utility company to issue and sell securities solely for the purpose of financing its business. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to exempt a subsidiary of a registered holding company from the proscription against the issuance or selling of its own securities (including the alteration of stockholder rights to such securities) if such transactions are solely for its business and have been expressly authorized by the State regulatory authority. Permits a registered holding company to acquire: (1) business interests of a non-public utility nature whose book value aggregates 15 percent of its total consolidated assets; and (2) additional business interests which the Commission finds consistent with the public interest or the protection of investors or consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Arctic Coastal Plain Leasing Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. States that this Act shall be considered the primary land management authorization for all exploration and production activities on the Coastal Plain. Provides that no land management review shall be required except as specifically authorized by this Act. Mandates that all receipts from sales, rentals, bonuses, and royalties on leases under this Act be deposited into the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that oil and gas exploration and transportation activities are conducted to achieve the reasonable protection of animal and environmental resources (including subsistence uses of the Coastal Plain). States that the "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Coastal Plain Resource Assessment," prepared by the Secretary, satisfies all legal requirements for such promulgation and that no further studies or assessments shall be required. Directs the Secretary to provide impact aid and other assistance to communities on the North Slope and elsewhere in Alaska in order to ensure the public services needed to accommodate oil and gas production and transportation activities on the Coastal Plain.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the corporate income tax exclusion of contributions to the capital of the taxpayer. Includes as a qualifying contribution any amount of money or property received by a regulated public utility (a utility required to provide electric energy, gas, water, or sewage disposal services) that: (1) is a contribution in aid of construction (as defined by regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury); (2) meets certain expenditure requirements; and (3) is not included in the taxpayer's rate base. Excludes amounts paid as customer connection fees.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Designates the week of November 5 through November 11, 1989, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Authorizes and requests the President to designate May 1989 as Older Americans Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Title I: Housing and Urban Development - Makes supplemental FY 1989 appropriations for the following Department of Housing and Urban Development programs for the homeless: (1) assisted housing; (2) emergency shelter grants; (3) supportive housing demonstration projects; and (4) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless. Makes supplemental FY 1989 appropriations for: (1) the Federal Emergency Management Agency's emergency food and shelter program; and (2) the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care for homeless veterans program. Title II: Health and Human Services - Makes supplemental FY 1989 appropriations for the following Department of Health and Human Services programs for the homeless: (1) health services; (2) community mental health and mental health services demonstration projects; (3) alcohol and drug abuse treatment; and (4) emergency community services block grants.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a comprehensive study and review of the problems of children, youth, and families.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control to conduct continuing oversight and review of the problems of narcotics, drug, and polydrug abuse and control.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Hunger to conduct a continuing comprehensive study of the problems of hunger and malnutrition.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the last Friday of April each year as National Arbor Day.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1988
Commission on the Importation of Japanese Semiconductors and Integrated Circuits Establishment Act of 1988 - Establishes the Commission on the Importation of Japanese Semiconductors and Integrated Circuits. Directs the Commission to: (1) determine whether any Japanese act, policy, or practice with respect to the export of semiconductors and integrated circuits to the United States is unreasonable; and (2) transmit a report to the Congress and the President. Requires the Commission further to determine whether such act, policy, or practice burdens or restricts U.S. commerce if it is determined to be unreasonable. Terminates the Commission in the event its determinations are negative. Directs the Commission, if its determinations are affirmative, to impose an additional duty on imported Japanese electronic products. Establishes in the Treasury the National Manufacture of Semiconductors and Integrated Circuits Trust Fund. Sets forth the purposes of the Fund. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress with regard to such fund. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make direct loans to assist small businesses in financing plant construction, conversion, expansion, including acquisition of land for such plant, or startup, and the acquisition of equipment to enable such business to manufacture semiconductors or integrated circuits.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1988
Steel Import Stabilization Extension Act - Amends the Steel Import Stabilization Act to extend such Act for a five year period.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1988
Designates October 14, 1988, as National Day of Remembrance for Political Prisoners in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1988
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a marking and recordkeeping system tracking medical equipment from its manufacture or importation to its disposal. Prohibits the disposal or disinfection of medical equipment waste at a facility which is not licensed. Requires such facilities to post a bond with the Administrator to insure compliance with licensing regulations. Requires handlers of medical equipment to give EPA representatives or representatives of a State having an authorized medical waste program information and access to information concerning such waste. Imposes penalties for violations of medical equipment marking, recordkeeping, and disposal requirements. Prohibits the interpretation of this Act as precluding more stringent State or local medical equipment tracking or disposal requirements. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator through FY 1991 for carrying out this Act's activities. Makes individuals who violate medical equipment tracking or disposal requirements liable for compensable damages caused by the disposal of such equipment. Sets forth defenses to such liability. Limits the time within which such actions may be brought. Reduces amounts payable to a plaintiff by the total of the relief or compensation they have previously received for such damages.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1988
National Lottery Act - Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Lottery Commissioner, who shall establish and operate a national lottery. Requires the Lottery Commissioner to: (1) deposit receipts from the sale of national lottery tickets into the general fund of the Treasury; (2) report to the Congress every six months; and (3) issue regulations and begin operation of the national lottery as soon as practicable. Sets forth requirements for the Lottery Commissioner to issue licenses to persons to operate as national lottery sales agents. Sets forth penalties for the illegal sale of lottery tickets and for the alteration of any lottery ticket. Establishes the National Lottery Trust Fund for expenditures of: (1) establishing and operating the national lottery; (2) paying prizes; (3) conducting a national achievement test for high school seniors; (4) conducting a national achievement test for students in first grade through twelfth grade; (5) college scholarship payments and merit pay for bonuses for teachers; and (6) reducing the principal on the Federal debt. Requires the publication in the Congressional Record of information with respect to the educational programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1988
Declares that the Congress urges the Administration to refrain from submitting any proposal in the GATT negotiations that would consider maritime transportation activity as being within the scope of "trade in services" and to reject any proposals made by foreign nations which are similar or which would lead to a contraction of the merchant marine.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Employee Benefits Standards in Government Contracting Act of 1988 - Requires that certain contracts between the United States and private contractors and subcontractors require the contractor to provide certain pension and health benefits to its employees. Declares that Federal contracts or subcontracts are covered by this Act if they are in excess of $25,000 and involve employment in connection with: (1) construction, alteration, or repair (including painting or decorating) of Federal public buildings or Federal public works within the United States; or (2) the manufacture or furnishing of materials, supplies, articles, or equipment. Prohibits any contract or subcontract subject to this Act from being awarded on the basis of a bid that contains specifications concerning uncompensated overtime. Requires Federal agencies to provide a cost-savings impact statement (along with the specifics of the award) demonstrating that the services performed under the contract or subcontract could not have been performed at least as effectively and economically by the Federal Government, whenever such Federal agency awards a contract or subcontract which: (1) is required to meet the pension plan and group health plan requiremens of this Act; (2) exceeds $500,000; and (3) is for services or is on other than a firm, fixed-price basis. Requires such statement to include: (1) a comparison of the amount of the contract with the projected cost of performance of the covered services by the Federal Government; (2) the expertise and experience of the private employer and its employees; and (3) the extent to which the activities under the contract are solely commercial. Requires the advertised specifications for any contract covered by this Act to include the requirements of this Act and to prohibit any bid from including uncompensated overtime specifications. Sets forth pension plan requirements for contracts covered by this Act. Requires such pension plans to meet: (1) specified requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; (2) requirements that all employees covered by this Act participate in such plan; and (3) certain minimum benefit requirements for defined benefit plans or defined contribution plans, without taking into account Social Security and similar contributions and benefits. Treats certain governmental, church, and other pension plans as meeting such requirements. Sets forth group health plan requirements for contracts covered by this Act. Requires such health plans to meet: (1) specified requirements under ERISA; (2) requirements that all employees covered by this Act participate in such plan (and that their spouses and children be covered by such plan); and (3) certain minimum benefit requirements. Treats certain governmental, church, and other group health plans as meeting such requirements. Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to prescribe regulations to carry out this Act within one year after its enactment. Requires that such regulations provide for: (1) coordination where an employer has two or more plans; and (2) principles for treatment of leased employees similar to those under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Directs the Secretary to provide for penalties for failure by employers to comply with contractual provisions required by this Act, including: (1) publication of the employer's name; (2) debarment from future Government contracts, or extensions or modifications of existing contracts, until the employer has established and carried out policies to provide for such compliance. Provides for equitable relief from such violations under ERISA. Directs the Secretary to establish, and serve as chairperson of, a waiver review board. Directs such board to use criteria developed jointly by its constituent agency heads in deciding whether to grant a waiver from the requirements of this Act to any Federal agency applying for one. Directs the Secretary to conduct an annual review of a random number of audits conducted by agencies that award contracts under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Amends the Federal criminal code to prescribe penalties for the unauthorized use of the name Visiting Nurse Association or Visiting Nurse Service or of the name or insignia of the Visiting Nurse Association of America.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1988
Designates October 5, 1988, as Raoul Wallenberg Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1988
Designates October 30, 1988, as Fire Safety at Home Day: Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1988
Amends provisions of Federal law to establish a new pay schedule for the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service and the United States Park Police. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct annual surveys comparing the minimum rates of basic pay for entry-level positions within the U.S. Park Police force with the minimum rates of basic pay for similar positions in the police departments in the following areas: (1) the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area; (2) the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, New York-New Jersey-Connecticut Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area; and (3) the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, California Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area. Requires the Secretary to increase the rates of pay for entry-level positions within the U.S. Park Police as necessary to ensure that such minimum rates are comparable to the minimum rates payable for similar positions in comparable police departments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct annual surveys comparing the minimum rates of basic pay for entry-level positions within the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service with the minimum rates of basic pay for similar positions in the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Requires the Secretary to increase the minimum rates of basic pay for entry-level positions within the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service as necessary to ensure that such minimum rates are comparable to the minimum rates payable for such statistical area. Requires the Secretaries to give thorough consideration to the views and recommendations of appropriate employee organizations representing both police forces. Amends the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 to conform to provisions of this Act. Provides for conversion to the new pay schedule for pay periods on or after October 1, 1988, for the U.S. Park Police, and on September 30, 1988, for the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service. Declares that adjustments pursuant to the surveys shall be made beginning with applicable pay periods commencing on or after October 1, 1989. Amends the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 to provide for service step adjustments. Authorizes additional compensation for technicians of the U.S. Park Police and the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service. Provides for the payment of premium pay for night duty and Sunday work for both police forces.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1988
Designates the week of December 11 through December 17, 1988, as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1988
Recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Loyal Order of Moose and commends the accomplishments of its members in providing service in the spirit of voluntarism.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1988
Competition in Government Spare Parts Procurement Act - Amends Federal armed forces provisions to require a solicitation for sealed bids or competitive proposals to include, in the case of procurement of spare or repair parts (other than for small purchases), a copy of all technical data that is: (1) necessary in order to provide the part the supply of which is being solicited; and (2) owned by the United States or which the United States has the right to use, release, or disclose. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to establish the same requirement for nondefense procurement. Provides additional authority to the Secretary of Defense to waive the payment of costs for the release of technical data under the Freedom of Information Act. Authorizes such waiver if any citizen or U.S. corporation requests such data in order to enable any offer to provide the product to which the technical data relate, or to determine whether to request service approval to qualify to make an offer. Authorizes the Secretary to require the citizen or corporation to pay a refundable deposit to cover the cost of complying with the request. Establishes similar authorities for nondefense procurement. Directs the Secretary to require by regulation that the head of an agency, in preparing a solicitation for a property procurement contract, identify those spare or repair parts for which future procurements exceeding a total amount of $10,000 over the life of the property procured are likely to be needed. Directs the Secretary to require that any contract awarded pursuant to such solicitation provide that the United States have the right to use (or have used) all technical data related to any such part in any future procurement of such part. States that such technical data rights do not apply to contracts awarded to small business concerns. Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to establish the same technical data rights for nondefense reprocurements. Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations which require the purchase from contractors of production special tooling and production special test equipment acquired or fabricated in the performance of contracts for the purpose of fabricating or testing the spare or repair part for which future procurements are likely to exceed $10,000. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to establish similar requirements. Requires the solicitation of bids or proposals separately in the case of a defense and nondefense procurement of an individual spare or repair part in which the contract amount will exceed $100,000. Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the advocate for competition of an executive agency to establish a program of training and education assistance for staff specialists in engineering, technical operations, contract administration, financial management, supply management, and utilization of small business concerns. Requires the program to emphasize improving the skills of such staff in the areas of engineering and manufacturing. Repeals the three-year time limit during which the Secretary of Defense may challenge a use or release restriction asserted with respect to technical data by a contractor or subcontractor. Declares that nothing precludes the Secretary from using or releasing technical data when a contracting officer has upheld the validity of a challenge (even pending appeal) to a contractor's asserted use or release restriction. Provides a civil remedy for the owner of technical data that are used or disclosed by the United States, by a contractor or subcontractor, or any person, firm, or corporation acting for the Government. Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to repeal provisions which bar judicial review of regulatory flexibility analyses. Amends the Small Business Act and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require executive agencies to furnish the Secretary of Commerce for publication a notice of solicitation for bids or proposals for a contract for property or services expected to exceed $10,000 (currently, $25,000). Requires additional information to be included in such notice with respect to the machining operations necessary to produce the item. Declares that the date on which a notice is published by the Secretary is the date of actual publication of such notice, and an executive agency may not presume notice is published merely by the passage of a certain period of time. Requires any determination that is unreasonable to specify standards to satisfy a qualification requirement documenting such unreasonableness with a cost comparison. Prohibits the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the military department concerned from requiring a spare or repair part to meet any standard that is more stringent than a standard for an identical part approved by the Government for commercial use, unless the Secretary specifies in writing the additional standard and the justification for it.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1988
Fair Employment Practices Resolution - Title I: Federal Labor Law Coverage for Certain Legislative Branch Employees - Applies the policies and principles of the following Federal labor laws to any individual employed in any office of the House of Representatives (other than a Member or officer of the House): (1) the National Labor Relations Act; (2) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; (3) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (4) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; and (5) the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Provides that the provisions of this resolution shall not be construed to require: (1) any Member of Congress to employ in the legislative branch any individual who is not a domiciliary of the district or State such Member represents; or (2) any Member of Congress or congressional committee not to take political affiliation into consideration in hiring for the legislative branch. Title II: Enforcement Provisions - Part A: Establishment of the House of Representatives Personnel Review Board - Establishes the House Personnel Review Board as an Office of the House of Representatives. Directs the Board to: (1) establish and publish policies and guidelines for implementing and enforcing this resolution; and (2) hear and render decisions on complaints alleging any violation of this resolution. Authorizes the Board to appoint hearing examiners to conduct hearings brought under this resolution. Authorizes the Board chairperson to appoint officers and employees to carry out Board functions, including conduct of inspections and investigations under any law listed under title I. Part B: Violations - Allows any individual who claims to be aggrieved by a violation of this resolution to file a charge with the Board alleging such violation and stating a claim for relief authorized under this part. Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) filing of such charges; (2) investigations, complaints, appointments, and qualifications of investigating counsels; and (3) hearings and determinations of hearing examiners. Directs the hearing examiner, upon the conclusion of the hearing, to submit to the Board a report containing findings and recommendations (if any) for remedial action. Allows such report to recommend the following remedies: (1) payment of backpay; (2) payment of front pay, according to a specified formula; (3) continuation of coverage under a group health plan; (4) continuation of coverage under a pension plan and life insurance plan; (4) payment of liquidated damages of $3,000 for each year (or part thereof) of employment with the House; and (6) payment of attorney's fees, up to $2,500. Prohibits the Board from compelling any Member of Congress or any committees, or their staff members, to employ, reinstate, or modify terms and conditions of employment of any individual to any position on their staffs. Requires any such ordered payments to be paid out of the contingency fund of the House. Sets forth provisions for review of orders. Provides for review by the board of hearing examiners' reports, upon appeal. Provides for appeals of Board decisions in orders to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives. Provides for review, upon appeal, of such Committee's decisions or orders by the House of Representatives. Authorizes reversal of such a Committee decision or order upon a two-thirds vote of the full House membership. Authorizes the House to order such specified remedy as it determines appropriate. Prohibits the intimidation of persons filing complaints or appearing as witnesses. Requires that proceedings of the Board and the Committee be conducted in closed session and that the results not be made public. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires each committee and office of the House of Representatives to cooperate with the Board, the Committee, and the House so that their functions and duties under this Act may be carried out.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1988
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to exclude from their reduced duty rates any waste or scrap of iron, steel, copper, zinc, or aluminum or of alloys of any such metals that is exported from the United States, processed abroad, and reexported to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1988
Prohibits covered defense officials who are participating in procurement functions in connection with contracts of at least $25,000 to be awarded by the Department of Defense (DOD) from disclosing to any contractor: (1) any unauthorized information regarding the bids of competing contractors; or (2) any information concerning the proprietary data of competing contractors or which may afford a contractor an advantage over competing contractors. Prohibits a competing contractor from knowingly receiving such information. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for such prohibited conduct. Requires the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the military department concerned to terminate any contract with any contractor who has been convicted for a violation of this Act, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that such termination would be inconsistent with national security interests. Directs the Secretary to award a contract for any work remaining to be done under a terminated contract to the most qualified offeror who submitted a bid in the original competition for such contract if: (1) such contract is terminated two years or less after the award of the contract; (2) the offeror is willing to carry out the work for such contract near the same cost and level of quality as proposed in the original competition; and (3) the award is consistent with national security interests.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1988
Condemns the Romanian Government's systematic violation of human rights. Protests the planned program of destruction of traditional settlements in violation of human rights, minority cultural rights, and property rights. Urges institutional reforms by the Romanian Government to comply with international agreements, including the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Urges continued presidential and Secretary of State action to bring about reforms. Urges the President not to consider providing any special benefit for Romania until a thorough human rights reform is instituted, including substantial actual improvement in the right of emigration, the rights of national minorities, and freedom of religion.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1988
Designates September 13, 1989, as Uncle Sam Day in honor of Samuel Wilson of the city of Troy, New York, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the city. (Samuel Wilson was the progenitor of the national symbol, Uncle Sam.)
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 - Title I: Congressional Findings and Purposes - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes with respect to small businesses owned and controlled by women. Title II: Demonstration Projects - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financial assistance to private organizations to conduct demonstration projects giving financial, management, and marketing assistance to small businesses, including start-up businesses, owned and controlled by women. Describes application criteria. Requires the SBA to report to the congressional Small Business Committees on the projects. Terminates authority for this pilot program on October 1, 1991. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Procurement Assistance - Amends the Small Business Act to include small business concerns owned and operated by women as a discrete group for purposes of Government contracts and subcontracts and procurement programs. (Current law governing these programs refers expressly only to small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals as groups targeted for assistance.) Instructs the Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of each Federal agency to designate a Women-in-Business Specialist to be responsible for programs designed to assist concerns owned and controlled by women. Directs Federal agencies, in their procurement activities, to engage in affirmative action to identify and solicit offers from small businesses owned and controlled by either women or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Title IV: Access to Capital - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit the Federal Reserve Board, except under limited circumstances, from exempting from such Act's provisions any class of transactions that are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, or business or commercial loans made available by a financial institution. Limits to five years any exemption authorized under the circumstances specified in this Act, unless a subsequent determination is made that the exemption remains appropriate. Requires lenders to keep records relating to loans and to provide written notice to applicants of their right to receive notice of reasons for a loan denial. Authorizes the SBA to establish a certified loan program for lenders that display knowledge and proficiency with respect to SBA regulations and programs. Directs the SBA to encourage small business loans of $50,000 or less under both this new program and the preferred lenders program in FY 1989 through 1991 by permitting participating lenders to: (1) use their own forms without regard to SBA paperwork; and (2) retain one-half of the loan guarantee fee. Requires SBA reporting to specified congressional committees in connection with the certified loan program. Directs the Federal Reserve Board, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Department of Commerce, and the SBA jointly to study levels of availability of and demand for debt and equity capital by small businesses, as well as innovative financing techniques to meet any unmet demand. Requires reporting to the congressional Small Business Committees. Title V: National Women's Business Council - Establishes the National Women's Business Council to review the status of women-owned businesses nationwide and to develop detailed multiyear plans in connection with both private and public sector actions to assist and promote such businesses. Requires annual reporting to both the President and the Congress. Title VI: Statistical Data and Effect on Other Programs - Directs: (1) the Bureau of Labor Statistics to include in its census reports on women-owned businesses specified information on sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations; (2) the Bureau of the Census to include in its Business Census data the number of corporations that are 51 percent or more owned by women; (3) the SBA's Office of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to report on the most cost-effective and accurate ways to gather and present the statistics required in these census reports; and (4) Federal agencies to report to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy the number of first-time contract recipients that are small businesses owned and controlled either by women or by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Requires the President's annual Report on Small Business and Competition to include in separate detail information relevant to small businesses owned and controlled either by women or by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Applies specified Commodity Credit Corporation funds: (1) against outstanding Farmers Home Loan Administration direct and guaranteed loans; (2) for drought-resistant plant and livestock research and development; (3) for long term weather forecasting; and (4) to determine animal feed nutritional content.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Requires the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to inform the Secretary of Agriculture of the number of bushels of specified crops available from its inventory. Directs the Secretary to make such commodities available through a voucher system to 1988 drought-affected farmers for animal feed use. Makes such vouchers freely transferable. Applies specified CCC funds: (1) against outstanding Farmers Home Loan Administration direct and guaranteed loans; (2) for drought-resistant plant and livestock research and development; (3) for long term weather forecasting; and (4) to determine animal feed nutritional content.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to provide for the tolling of the ten-year delimiting period for educational and rehabilitative assistance to veterans when an alcohol or drug dependence or abuse condition exists and the veteran is under recognized treatment for such condition. Outlines limits to the extension of such delimiting period. Makes similar extensions of such tolling period for alcohol or drug dependence or abuse conditions recognized and treated in connection with the following programs: (1) rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities; (2) educational assistance for post-Vietnam era veterans; (3) educational assistance for Vietnam-era veterans; and (4) educational assistance for veterans' survivors and dependents. Outlines limits to the extension of the delimiting period in each case.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988
Designates the week of October 16 through October 22, 1988, as National Poetry Week.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1988
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the export of petroleum products (from Alaska and from the rest of the United States) that are domestically produced by oil refineries owned by non-U.S. citizens. Sets forth specified exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1988
President's Pro-Life Act of 1988 - Prohibits the use of Federal funds for abortions, except when continuing the pregnancy would endanger the mother's life.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1988
Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from adopting revisions of the rules and policies in the proceeding "Policy and Rules Concerning Rates for Dominant Carrier," CC Docket 87-313, unless the changes expressly provide for: (1) the proper functioning of the long-term support mechanisms for the carrier common line rates administered by the National Exchange Carrier Association; (2) the maintenance of uniform nationwide long distance rates by dominant interexchange carriers; and (3) the use of an industry-wide rate of return to determine costs for access tariffs and to calculate the Universal Service Fund. Requires the FCC to report to the Congress the compliance of revisions with these conditions. Postpones effectiveness of any rule or policy revisions until 60 days have elapsed during which both Houses of the Congress are in session.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1988
Designates October 8, 1988, as National Day of Outreach to the Rural Disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1988
Designates August 29, 1988, as National China-Burma-India Veterans Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1988
Makes the legal defense of discretionary function provided under specified Federal law and the legal doctrine of foreseeability of damages inapplicable to any legal or administrative proceeding for damages arising out of U.S. violation of occupational safety or health standards or U.S. negligence at any workplace owned or operated by or under contract with the United States. Prohibits the foreseeability doctrine from being used to limit the amount or kind of damages otherwise available to the plaintiff. Establishes a National Registry of Government Litigants, within the U.S. Claims Court, to collect and maintain data regarding claims against the United States predicated (in whole or in part) upon U.S. violation of safety and health standards. Allows any person seeking damages from the United States on the basis (in whole or part) of harm resulting from U.S. violation of safety and health standards to file a notice of such fact with the U.S. Claims Court, within 30 days after commencement of such action (whether administrative or judicial in character). Directs the chief judge of the U.S. Claims Court to report annually to the Congress on the number of, and relevant facts and common characteristics underlying, such notices filed within the Registry.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1988
Uranium Revitalization, Tailings Reclamation and Enrichment Act of 1988 - Expresses the purposes of this Act, including to ensure a domestic supply of uranium for defense and nuclear power programs and to establish a system for financing reclamation at uranium and thorium processing sites. Title I: Uranium Revitalization - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to repeal: (1) the authority of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to enter into contracts for producing or enriching special nuclear material; and (2) the requirement that the Secretary of Energy monitor the viability of the domestic uranium mining and milling industry and report to the Congress thereon. Establishes the Uranium Revitalization Fund for the purchase of domestic uranium by the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary). Mandates contributions to the Fund from: (1) States in which active uranium processing sites are located; (2) owners or licensees of such active sites; (3) the United States Enrichment Corporation (established by this Act); and (4) fees received from owners or operators of civilian nuclear power reactors. Prescribes a contribution schedule. Requires the Secretary to obligate from the Fund certain amounts for domestic uranium purchases from small domestic producers for specified years. Outlines a competitive bidding system for such pruchases. Requires the Secretary, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, to develop recommendations and implement programs promoting domestic uranium exports. Restricts the use of federally-owned natural uranium stockpiles to: (1) military purposes; (2) Federal research; and (3) certain activities of the United States Enrichment Corporation (the Corporation). Requires annual certification to the Secretary of the total weight of uranium in new fuel assemblies loaded during the past year by owners or operators of civilian nuclear power reactors between 1990 and such year that $1,000,000,000 has been contributed to the Fund. Declares that the use and purchase of natural uranium under this Act shall not decrease the demand for natural uranium by United States utilities. Restricts the use of natural uranium purchased by the Corporation to overfeeding and enriched uranium preproduction. Authorizes the Corporation to use or recycle enrichment tails only for military purposes or for replacement of certain uranium previously used in over-feeding. Title II: Remedial Action Performed by the Owner or Licensee of Active Sites - Provides that remedial action with respect to uranium shall be performed according to statutory guidelines by the site owner or licensee at the active site. Requires that such owners' reclamation expenses be reimbursed from the Uranium Revitalization Fund. Identifies the active sites that qualify for such reimbursement. Authorizes the owners or licensees of such sites to elect to perform remedial actions through the Fund and be entitled to reimbursement for such actions. Requires notification of the Secretary of such election on or before January 1, 1990. Outlines the reimbursement procedure. Provides that the costs of remedial actions at active thorium sites shall be borne by the licensee or owner, subject to Federal reimbursement for a portion of the costs if the tailings were generated as an incident of sale to the United States. Authorizes appropriations. States that the sole liability and financial obligation under Federal law for remedial action at active uranium and thorium sites shall consist of the contributions and work performed by active site owners or licensees. Title III: United States Enrichment Corporation - Establishes the United States Enrichment Corporation as a wholly-owned Government corporation to acquire, operate, and market uranium enrichment activities on a commercial, profitable basis. Mandates that its corporate structure be self-financing in order to obviate the need for Federal financing. States that the Corporation Administrator shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Establishes an Advisory Board to review Corporation policies and performance. Transfers certain Department of Energy property to the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to establish charges to its customers that will recover costs of decommissioning and decontamination of Corporation property. Requires the Corporation to report annually regarding its activities to the President and certain congressional committees. Requires the Commission to promulgate licensing regulations for facilities employing gaseous diffusion technology. Sets guidelines for payments in lieu of taxes by the Corporation to States and local governments. Directs the Secretary to indemnify Corporation contractors for nuclear hazards incidents as if such contractors were contractors of the Secretary. Requires the Administrator to make recommendations to the President and the Congress five years after enactment of this Act regarding the transfer of the Corporation's functions and assets to private ownership. Establishes the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund to cover the Corporation's decommissioning and decontamination expenses. Applies Federal environmental and occupational safety and health law to the Corporation as though it were privately owned. Eliminates the treatment of uranium enrichment facilities as production facilities under the Atomic Energy Act with respect to the importation of such facilities into the United States (thus subjecting them to less stringent licensing requirements). Repeals the proscription against the use of specified appropriations for Federal uranium supply and enrichment activities. Prohibits the Corporation's total FY 1989 expenditures from exceeding its total FY 1989 receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1988
Designates the week of February 5 through February 11, 1989, as National Burn Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1988
Designates September 14, 1988, as National Medical Research Day.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1988
Extends through August 31, 1988, the certification for worker trade adjustment assistance made under the Trade Act of 1974 as a result of the petition TA-W-13,654.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1988
Prohibits specified provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations relating to eligibility for worker trade adjustment assistance from being used in the administration of such assistance under the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1988
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 - Title I: Grants to States - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to States for consumer-responsive comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related assistance for individuals of all ages with disabilities. Lists functions and activities which may be included in the programs. Directs the Secretary to award to States three-year grants for statewide programs of technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities. Provides for the number and amounts of the grants. Gives States receiving grants in one fiscal year priority in the availability of amounts appropriated in the next fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to award grants in a manner that is geographically equitable and that distributes them among States that have differing levels of development of programs of technology-related assistance. Sets forth information and assurances which must accompany an application. Authorizes the Secretary to award a two-year extension grant to any State that demonstrates significant progress of a statewide program of technology-related assistance under a grant provided for in this Act. Provides for the amounts of the extension grants and for priority for previously participating States. Specifies elements which must be included in an extension grant application. Requires each State that receives a grant under this title to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Sets forth specific requirements for reports with respect to extension grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a system to assess the extent to which States which receive grants under this title are making significant progress. Subjects any State which fails to comply with the requirements of this title to a corrective action plan. Declares that nothing in this title shall be construed to permit the State or any Federal agency to reduce medical or other assistance available or to alter eligibility under: (1) title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), title V (Maternal and Child Health), title XVI (Supplemental Security Income), title XVIII (Medicare), title XIX (Medicaid), or title XX (Block Grants for States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act; (2) the Education of the Handicapped Act; (3) the Rehabilitation Act; or (4) laws relating to veterans' benefits. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993. Directs the Secretary to reserve from amounts appropriated one percent for provision to States of information and technical assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to reserve sums as necessary to cover the cost of on-site visits. Directs the Secretary, directly or by contract, to: (1) conduct a national evaluation of the grant program authorized by this title; and (2) report to the Congress not later than October 1, 1992. Authorizes the Secretary to work with the States to consider and develop a uniform information system designed to report and compile a qualitative and quantitative description of the impact of the grant program. Title II: Programs of National Significance - Part A: Study on Financing of Assistive Technology Devices and Assistive Technology Services for Individuals with Disabilities - Requires the National Council on the Handicapped to: (1) conduct a study and make recommendations to the Congress and the President concerning financing and other aspects of technology-related assistance, devices, and services; and (2) appoint an advisory committee in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to assist the Council in carrying out the Council's duties under this part. Directs the heads of all Federal agencies, to the extent not prohibited by law, to cooperate with the Council. Authorizes the Council, with the consent of the agency involved, to use the resources of Federal, State, local, and private agencies, with or without reimbursement. Sets forth reporting requirements. Part B: National Information and Program Referral Network - Directs the Secretary to enter into any contract or cooperative agreement necessary in order to establish a national information and program referral network to assist States regarding such technology-related assistance, if the Secretary determines it appropriate to establish the network. Requires the contracts or agreements, if any, to be entered into before the end of 30 months after appropriations are enacted. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the feasibility and desirability of creating such a network. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract or cooperative agreement necessary to conduct the study. Provides for the content and timetable of the study. Part C: Training and Public Awareness Projects - Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts or cooperative agreements concerning training with regard to the provision of technology-related assistance. Specifies eligible activities. Directs the Secretary to make grants to assist institutions of higher education to prepare personnel for careers relating to the provision of technology-related assistance. Sets forth priorities and specifies allowed uses of funds. Directs the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts to carry out national projects that build awareness of the importance and efficacy of assistive technology devices and services for individuals of all ages with disabilities functioning in various settings of daily life. Sets forth allowed uses of the funds. Directs the Secretary to establish priorities for the grants and to publish the priorities, along with an explanation of how the priorities were determined, in the Federal Register. Part D: Demonstration and Innovation Projects - Directs the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements to pay all or part of the cost of demonstration and innovation projects concerning technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities. Sets forth allowed uses of the funds. Part E: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993. Sets forth priorities depending on specified levels of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1988
Palau Compact of Free Association Implementation Act - Authorizes the entry into force of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and Palau (the Compact), subject to specified determinations of approval by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Palau or by referendum. Directs the President to negotiate: (1) an agreement with the Government of Palau to establish an office of public auditor; (2) an agreement regarding responses to an audit by the Comptroller General of the United States or the Secretary of the Interior; (3) agreements for the establishment of an independent office of special prosecutor and for the provision of law enforcement assistance and U.S.-Palau law enforcement cooperation; (5) an agreement providing for the submission by the Palau Government of a national development plan; and (6) agreements for the provision of medical, capital improvement, and further referendum cost assistance. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide assistance for the development and promulgation of regulations regarding expenditures; and (2) negotiate an agreement guaranteeing purchase by the Federal Financing Bank of Palau Government obligations issued to refinance indebtedness related to the Palau electric power generating and distribution system. Provides funds for construction of medical facilities in Palau and debt assistance to Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands for use of medical facilities prior to implementation of the territories' compacts. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct annual audits of assistance provided to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. Extends Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and College Work-Study assistance to students who are or will be citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, or the Marshall Islands. Authorizes the Presidents of the United States and Palau to make agreements regarding compensation for and the transfer of land for defense uses. Directs the United States to provide funds for capital improvements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish field offices in Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands; and (2) provide sums as may be necessary for a further referendum or other costs of Compact implementation. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for continuing availability of unobligated balances of funds provided to Palau. Directs the Secretary to assist the President of Palau in implementing the requirements of the fiscal procedures and law enforcement assistance agreements and to report annually to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Provides a 180-day transitional rule for granting of U.S. nonimmigrant status. Amends the Act approving the Compact to provide that the authorizations for transition purposes shall decline over the first through third fiscal years after the Compact's effective date (under current law, FY 1987 through 1989).