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United States · Official source
6,804 records where Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1989
Designates the week of May 1 through May 7, 1989, as National Drinking Water Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should reassess current policy and pursue a negotiated settlement to the civil war in El Salvador.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1989
Comprehensive Health Care Improvement Act of 1989 - Title I: Qualified Health Insurance Plans - Part A: Definitions and Standards for Qualified Plans - Defines a "plan of health coverage" as any plan or combination of plans, including combinations of self-insurance, individual accident and health insurance policies, group accident and health insurance policies, coverage under a nonprofit health service plan, or coverage under a health maintenance organization (HMO) subscriber contract. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards for qualified plans and procedures for the review and certification of plans of health coverage as qualified plans. Provides that a plan shall be certified as an "A" qualified plan if it meets State requirements and meets the following minimum standards: (1) the minimum benefits for a covered individual equal at least 80 percent of the covered expenses in excess of an annual deductible not exceeding $250 per person or $250 for each of two members of a covered family; (2) the coverage includes a limitation of $3,000 per person and $6,000 for a covered family on total annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered expenses; (3) the coverage is subject to a $1,000,000 maximum life-time benefit; and (4) the $3,000, $6,000, and $1,000,000 limitations are not subject to change or substitution by use of an actuarially equivalent benefit. States that covered expenses are the usual and customary charges of a physician or chiropractor. Lists covered and excluded services. Deems HMOs providing certain services to be providing an "A" qualified plan. Certifies as a "B" qualified plan a plan which meets the requirements of an "A" plan, except that the annual deductible does not exceed $1,000 per person. Directs the Secretary, to the extent feasible, to provide for the review and certification by the insurance commissioner of each State of qualified plans to be offered in the State. States that the sale of plans is in and affects interstate commerce and that, in order to properly regulate such sales, it is necessary to regulate such sales in intrastate, as well as interstate, commerce. Requires every plan of health coverage sold to be labelled as "qualified" or "nonqualified" on the front of the policy. Requires each advertisement or promotion for a plan to specify whether the plan is "qualified" or "nonqualified." Part B: Requiring Offering of Certain Qualified Plans - Requires each employer employing an average of ten or more employees annually to make available a plan or combination of plans of health coverage which: (1) has been certified as an "A" or supplemental plan; (2) is a qualified convertible plan; and (3) permits coverage of an employee's spouse and children. Defines a "qualified convertible plan" as a plan of health coverage which: (1) permits each enrolled individual to continue coverage for one year and then to convert the plan to any individual qualified plan without the addition of underwriting restrictions if, for any reason, the individual leaves the group; and (2) permits, in the case of the death of the individual in whose name the contract was issued, other individuals covered under the plan to continue coverage without the addition of underwriting restrictions. Sets forth civil penalties for noncompliance. Excludes from the term "employee," for purposes of this provision, certain new, part time, part year, young, bargaining unit, and nonresident alien employees. Part C: Offering of Comprehensive Health Insurance by States - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the establishment and operation of a comprehensive health association in each State and a comprehensive health plan in each State, in accordance with this part of this Act. Defines a "comprehensive health insurance plan" to mean policies of insurance and contracts of HMO coverage offered by an association through the writing carrier in the State. Defines the "writing carrier" as the insurers and HMOs approved to administer the comprehensive health insurance plan. Provides that each State commissioner of insurance, consistent with any regulations the Secretary may promulgate: (1) may formulate general policies to advance the purposes of this title; (2) shall supervise the creation of the State comprehensive health association; (3) shall approve the selection of the writing carrier by the association in the State and approve the association's contract with the writing carrier, including the State plan coverage and premiums to be charged; (4) may appoint advisory committees with respect to implementation of this part; (5) shall conduct periodic audits to assure the general accuracy of the financial data submitted by the writing carrier and the association in the State; (6) shall contract with the Federal Government and may contract with any other unit of government to ensure coordination of the State plan of the association with other governmental assistance programs; (7) may undertake, directly or through contracts with other persons, studies or demonstration programs to develop awareness of the benefits provided under this Act, so that residents of the State may best avail themselves of the health care benefits provided hereunder; (8) may contract with insurers and others for administrative services; and (9) may adopt, amend, suspend, and repeal rules as reasonably necessary to carry out and make effective the provisions and purposes of this part. Requires each State to provide for the establishment of a comprehensive health association with membership consisting of all insurers, fraternal beneficiary associations, other entities offering health policies, and HMOs authorized or licensed to do business in the State. Exempts each association from State taxation. Provides for a board of directors of each association. Requires that all members of an association: (1) maintain their membership in the association as a condition of doing accident and health insurance, self-insurance, or HMO business in the State; and (2) enter into a reinsurance contract with the association as required by this part. Exempts members of an association, in the performance of their duties as members, from Federal and State antitrust laws. Authorizes each association to provide for the reinsuring of risks incurred as a result of issuing qualified plans by members of the association. Requires each member which elects to reinsure its risks to determine the categories of coverage it elects to reinsure in the association. Provides that the categories consist of: (1) individual qualified plans, excluding group conversions; (2) group conversions; (3) group qualified plans with fewer than 50 employees or members; and (4) major medical coverage. Requires each association through its comprehensive health insurance plan to offer: (1) policies which provide the benefits of "A" and "B" qualified plans; and (2) HMO contracts in those areas of the State where an HMO has agreed to make the coverage available and has been selected as a writing carrier. Requires the comprehensive health insurance plan for a State to be open for enrollment by individuals residing in the State, who can enroll by submitting a certificate of eligibility to the writing carrier which certifies the applicant's name, address, age, length of residence, dependents to be insured, and type of coverage desired. Provides that upon certification the individual can enroll in a State's comprehensive health insurance plan by payment of the State plan premium to the writing carrier. Requires each member of an association to share the claims expenses for approved plans and the operating and administrative expenses incurred by the association, pursuant to the terms of the individual reinsurance contracts executed by the association with each member. Sets forth a method to determine each member's share of expenses. Authorizes any member of an association in a State to submit for approval to the State commissioner the policies of accident and health insurance or the HMO contracts which are being proposed to serve in the comprehensive health insurance plan. Authorizes the association to select approved policies and a contract to be the comprehensive health insurance plan based upon the member's proven ability to handle large group accident and health insurance cases, claims paying capacity, and estimate of total charges for plan administration. Requires each writing carrier to: (1) perform all required administrative and claims payment functions; and (2) report monthly to the association and State commissioner. Exempts premiums received by a writing carrier for the comprehensive health insurance plan from State taxation. Requires each association in a State to disseminate information to State residents regarding the existence of the comprehensive health insurance plan and the means of enrollment. Requires each writing carrier to pay an agent's referral fee, in an amount to be determined by the association, to each insurance agent referring an applicant to the State comprehensive health insurance plan, if the application is accepted. Title II: Program of Assistance to States for Assisting Low-Income Individuals to Purchase Comprehensive Health Insurance - Comprehensive Health Insurance Assistance Act of 1989 - Adds a new title XXI to the Social Security Act entitled "Grants to States for Assistance to Low-Income Individuals in the Purchase of Comprehensive Health Insurance." Authorizes appropriations under title XXI to enable each State to provide assistance to low-income individuals in the purchase of comprehensive health insurance under title XXI. Specifies the amount authorized for each fiscal year. Requires the sums made available under this title to be used to make payments to States which have submitted, and have been approved by the Secretary, State plans for comprehensive health insurance assistance to low-income individuals. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved plan, from the sums appropriated, an amount equal to 50 percent of the sums expended which are attributable either to assistance under the plan to low-income individuals or to plan administration. Prohibits such amount, during any quarter, from exceeding the product of $2.50 and the State's population. Requires a State plan for comprehensive health insurance assistance to low-income individuals, in order to be approved by the Secretary, to meet specified criteria. Title III: Program of Assistance to States for Assisting Individuals Who Incur Catastrophic Expenses for Health Care - Catastrophic Health Care Expenses Assistance Act of 1989 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII entitled "Grants to States for Assistance to Individuals Incurring Catastrophic Expenses for Health Care." Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year to enable each State to furnish medical assistance for catastrophic illness. Requires a State to have submitted and have approved by the Secretary a plan for medical assistance for catastrophic illness. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved plan, from the sums appropriated, an amount equal to 50 percent of the sums expended which are attributable either to payments made under the plan to eligible individuals or to plan administration. Prohibits such amount, during any quarter, from exceeding the product of $0.625 and the State's population. Sets forth circumstances in which payment with respect to expenses is prohibited. Lists requirements for a State plan to be approved by the Secretary. Defines an "eligible individual" as an individual who incurs an obligation to pay, in a consecutive 12-month period, expenses (including dependent's expenses) exceeding the greater of $3,000 (or such lower amount as the State may establish) or 30 percent of household income up to $25,000, plus 40 percent of household income between $25,000 and $40,000, plus 50 percent of household income in excess of $40,000 (or such lower respective percentages of such incomes, or of such higher incomes as the State may establish).
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1989 - Title I: General Requirements for Family Leave and Medical Leave - Entitles employees to family leave for specified periods in cases involving the birth, adoption, foster care, or serious health condition of a child or the serious health condition of a parent. Entitles employees to temporary medical leave for specified periods in cases involving inability to work because of a serious health condition. Sets forth conditions for certification for such types of leave. Provides that such leave may be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave to cover part of such leave period. Sets forth employment and benefits protections relating to such leave. Provides for administrative enforcement of this title by the Secretary of Labor, as well as enforcement by civil action. Requires employers to post notice of the pertinent provisions of this title. Title II: Family Leave and Temporary Medical Leave for Civil Service Employees - Amends specified Federal law to entitle civil service employees to family and temporary medical leave for specified periods. Provides that such leave will be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave for part of such leave. Provides for protection for job position and health insurance benefits of employees using such leave. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to prescribe regulations for administration of this title which are consistent with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under title I of this Act. Title III: Commission on Family and Medical Leave - Establishes the Commission on Family and Medical Leave. Requires the Commission to report on its study of family and medical leave (which may include legislative recommendations concerning coverage of small businesses) to the Congress within two years after the Commission first meets. Terminates the Commission within 30 days after its final report. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effect of this Act on existing laws and existing employment benefits. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to discourage employers from adopting more generous leave policies. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations to carry out title I of this Act within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Fairness in Bargaining Act of 1989 - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to provide that, with respect to the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel, the term "franchise" includes any contract between specified parties which is economically necessary to the operation of the franchise. Provides that the termination or non-renewal of a franchise relationship, upon expiration of an underlying lease for marketing premises, is reasonable if specified conditions exist.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Establishes the Medicare Geographical Classification Review Board to decide on a rural hospital's application for classification as an urban hospital for Medicare payment purposes. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to alter the Rural Health Care Transition Grant Program to extend and increase authorized appropriations for such program through FY 1992, and permit the Secretary to waive the hospital grant limit. Expands, from four to ten hospitals, a Medicare demonstration program covering additional costs incurred by teaching hospitals in sending their residents to rural hospitals for training. Requires the Secretary to establish five-year Medicare demonstration programs covering costs incurred by five hospitals in providing clinical training to undergraduate nurses. Extends the regional referral center classification of hospitals so classified as of September 30, 1989, and the payment rates applicable to such hospitals under the Medicare program, through FY 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Fastener Quality Assurance Act of 1989 - Prohibits the offering for sale or sale in interstate commerce of any fastener (screw, nut, bolt, stud, similar threaded device, or washer) unless it is part of a lot which: (1) conforms to standards and specifications represented by the manufacturer or ordered by the purchaser; and (2) has been inspected, tested, and certified according to this Act. Requires manufacturers to have a fastener lot sample inspected by a laboratory accredited under an approved system (including one owned or affiliated with the manufacturer if it is so accredited). Authorizes the laboratory, upon determination of conformance with the appropriate standards and specifications, to provide the manufacturer certificates with respect to such lot. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations to implement this Act. Prohibits any manufacturer from selling any primary container or lesser quantity of fasteners manufactured in the United States unless delivery to the first purchaser is accompanied by an original certificate from an accredited laboratory. Prohibits any person from selling any primary container or lesser quantity of fasteners manufactured outside the United States to any importer or end user unless delivery is accompanied by a certificate. Allows delivery to an importer or private label distributor without the required certificate if: (1) the manufacturer discloses in writing the appropriate standards and specifications; and (2) the importer or private label distributor assumes responsibility in further sale or offer of sale unless delivery to the first subsequent purchaser is accompanied by an original certificate from an accredited laboratory. Requires that a copy of the original certificate be provided to subsequent wholesale purchasers. Requires persons who make material physical alterations to a fastener subsequent to manufacture to have the altered fastener inspected and tested before offering it for sale or selling it unless delivery is accompanied by a disclosure of the alteration and a warning. Requires subsequent disclosures of the alteration in resales. Prohibits commingling of fasteners from different lots in the same primary container or other package. Requires fastener manufacturers or private label distributors to comply with requirements of a program for recordation of insignias. Directs the Secretary to establish such a program, including regulations to ensure traceability. Sets forth civil remedies, including declaratory and injunctive relief, and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violations of this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) preempt any rights or causes of action that any buyer may have respect to any seller of fasteners under the law of any State, except insofar as such State law conflicts with this Act; and (2) limit or otherwise affect the authority of the National Institute of Standards and Technology or any voluntary consensus standards organizations to establish, modify, or withdraw any standards and specifications under any other law or authority in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Biological Defense Safety Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to publish annually in the Federal Register a list of: (1) each biological agent used in, or the subject of, research under the Biological Defense Research Program; (2) the unique and complete biological properties of each agent; (3) the location at which research under the Program involving such agent is conducted; and (4) the biosafety level utilized in conducting such research.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Designates May 1989 as National Trauma Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Designates May 17, 1989, as High School Reserve Officer Training Corps Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Designates March 20, 1989, as National Agriculture Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Designates October 15 through October 21, 1989, as National Culinary Week.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Designates the week beginning November 26, 1989, as National Home Care Week.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act of 1989 - Title I: American Conservation Corps - Establishes the American Conservation Corps (ACC), to be administered by Federal agencies and through a State grant component. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to establish the Federal component of the ACC within their agencies to administer programs on Federal lands. Encourages Federal agencies to enter into program agreements with program agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program of grants to States to administer the State component of the ACC involving work on non-Federal public lands and waters. Directs each Governor to designate a State program agency. Authorizes any local government to establish a program agency to carry out the State component within its political subdivision if the State program agency has not been designated at the commencement of a fiscal year. Requires States carrying out such programs to provide mechanisms for participation by local governments and nonprofit organizations. Authorizes the ACC to carry out conservation, rehabilitation, and improvement projects relating to: (1) wildlife habitat, rangelands, parks, recreational areas; (2) urban revitalization and historical and cultural sites; (3) fish and fisheries; (4) roads and trails; (5) erosion, floods, droughts, and storm damage assistance and control; (6) streams, lakes, waterfront harbors, and ports; (7) wetlands protection and pollution control; (8) insect, disease, rodent, and fire prevention and control; (9) improvement of abandoned railroad beds and rights-of-way; (10) energy conservation, renewable resources, and biomass recovery; (11) reclamation and improvement of strip-mined land; and (12) forestry, nursery, and cultural operations. Limits such projects to those on public lands or Indian lands, except where the administering Secretary determines that a project involving other lands will provide a public benefit. Encourages any land or water conservation or related program administered in any State under authority of any Federal program to use ACC services. Title II: Youth Service Corps - Requires the Director of the ACTION Agency to appoint an Assistant Director to make grants for youth service projects to eligible public and private nonprofit agencies, and to otherwise administer Youth Service Corps (YSC) programs under this title. Provides for designation of specific activities as eligible service categories if: (1) they are of substantial social benefit in meeting unmet human, social (especially poverty-related), or environmental needs in a community; (2) they will not interfere unreasonably with employment availability and terms of employees of sponsoring organizations; and (3) participants are qualified for such activities. Allows such service categories to include service in: (1) State, local, and regional governmental agencies; (2) nursing homes, hospices, senior centers, hospitals, local libraries, parks, recreational facilities, day care centers, and schools; (3) law enforcement, penal, and probation agencies; (4) private nonprofit social services organizations; (5) rehabilitation or improvement of public facilities or neighborhoods, literacy programs, weatherization and repair of low-income housing, energy conservation (including solar energy), removal of public facility architectural barriers to the handicapped, and conservation, maintenance, or restoration of natural resources on publicly held lands; and (6) any other nonpartisan civic activities and services determined appropriate by the Assistant Director. Prohibits such service categories from including any position in any: (1) business organized for profit; (2) labor union; (3) partisan political organization; (4) religious organization, unless the position does not involve any religious functions; or (5) domestic or personal service organization. Title III: Youth Skills Enhancement - Requires the administering Secretary or the Assistant Director (as the case may be) to provide guidance and assistance to States in securing certification of training skills or academic credit for competencies developed under this Act. Directs each program agency to: (1) maintain or enhance, through programs and projects under this Act, the educational skills of program enrollees; (2) assess an entering enrollee's educational level; (3) use at least ten percent of program funds to provide in-service training and educational materials and services for enrollees and persons serving in such projects; and (4) use at least ten percent of program funds for post-service education and training assistance. Directs appropriate State and local officials to certify standards and procedures for awarding academic credit and certifying educational attainment in such programs. Requires such standards and procedures to specify that any person serving in a program or project under this Act: (1) who is not a high school graduate shall participate in an educational component progressing toward a high school diploma or its equivalent; and (2) may arrange to receive academic credit in recognition of learning and skills obtained from service satisfactorily completed. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth: (1) requirements for award of grants to eligible entities, including matching requirements and limitations on use of funds; and (2) provisions for approval of applications and supervision of programs. Limits enrollment in the ACC and YSC to individuals who, at the time of enrollment, are: (1) 16 through 25 years old; and (2) U.S. citizens or nationals or lawful permanent resident aliens. Requires that special efforts be made to recruit individuals who are economically, socially, physically, and educationally disadvantaged. Prohibits acceptance for service of any person without a high school diploma or equivalent, unless that person has not been enrolled as a high school student during the three months before the acceptance date. Limits individual enrollment to a total of 24 months. Prohibits individuals (except special members) from remaining enrolled after attaining age 26. Prohibits any enrollee from performing services on any project for more than a six-month period. Requires the State job training coordinating council to appoint an advisory board for oversight and review of projects under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 and succeeding fiscal years to carry out this Act. Title V: Commission on National Service Opportunities - Establishes the Commission on National Service Opportunities to study: (1) opportunities for young people to perform voluntary national service; and (2) the effect on Federal and other employees of improving the quality and expanding the number of such opportunities. Requires the Commission's final report and recommendations to be transmitted to the President and the Congress within 15 months after its first meeting. Requires each executive department and agency affected by such report to submit to the President recommendations for implementing it. Directs the President, within 90 days after the Commission's final report is transmitted to the Congress, to transmit an interim report to the Congress on: (1) the desirability, feasibility, and cost of implementing the Commission's recommendations, and the actions taken or planned with respect to that implementation; and (2) recommendations on legislation needed for implementation. Directs the President to transmit a final report, within 90 days after such interim report, detailing any implementing actions taken and any further recommendations. Terminates the Commission 180 days after its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Truth in Savings Act - Requires each advertisement, announcement, or solicitation by a depository institution which refers to a specific interest rate, yield, or rate of earnings on amounts deposited in a demand or interest-bearing account to state the following information clearly and conspicuously: (1) the annual percentage yield and the period such yield is in effect; (2) all minimum initial deposit, minimum balance, and time requirements for earning such yield; (3) the annual rates of simple interest; (4) fees or other conditions that could reduce the yield; (5) any interest penalty for early withdrawal; and (6) the effective percentage yield on the maturity date of any account maturing in less than one year. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to exempt advertisements, announcements, or solicitations made by any broadcast or electronic medium or outdoor advertising displays not on the premises of a depository institution from the disclosure requirements relating to initial deposit requirements, rates of simple interest, or fees if such disclosure would be unnecessarily burdensome. Prohibits any depository institution from advertising an account as a free or no-cost account if: (1) there are minimum balance or limited transaction requirements to avoid fees; or (2) there is any service fee, transaction fee, or similar charge imposed for such account. Prohibits any institution from making any advertisement, announcement, or solicitation that is inaccurate or misleading or that misrepresents its deposit contracts. Requires each depository institution to maintain a schedule, written in clear and plain language, of fees, charges, interest rates, and terms and conditions such as minimum balance and time requirements applicable to each class of accounts offered. Requires that such schedule be disclosed to potential customers and requesting individuals and mailed to account holders. Requires that account holders receive 30 days' advance notice of any change to be made in any term or condition required to be disclosed in the schedule if the change might reduce the yield or adversely affect any account holder. Directs the Board to require modified disclosure requirements concerning the annual yield on variable rate accounts, multiple rate accounts, guaranteed-rate accounts that mature in less than one year, and accounts for which the interest rate is not guaranteed. Directs the Board to provide for public notice and comment on, and to publish, model forms and clauses for common disclosures required by this Act. Provides for the enforcement of this Act and the civil liability of a depository institution that fails to comply with requirements of this Act. Sets forth limitations on such liability and factors to be considered by the court in determining class action awards. Provides that an institution may not be held liable for a violation if the institution demonstrates that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error. Establishes U.S. district court jurisdiction and a one-year statute of limitations for actions brought under this Act. Directs the National Credit Union Administration to provide for the similar regulation of credit unions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
National Observance Advisory Act - Establishes the President's Advisory Commission on National Observances to: (1) establish criteria for recommending to the President that a proposed national observance be approved or disapproved; (2) review proposals for national observances submitted in accordance with procedures published by the Commission; and (3) issue recommendations to the President concerning each proposal reviewed.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Smoking Cost Recovery and Education Tax Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase all existing Federal excise taxes on tobacco products. Imposes a new tax of $1.17 per pound on cigarette tobacco manufactured in or imported into the United States. Establishes in the Treasury the Smoking Cost Recovery and Education Trust Fund, to be available to finance educational programs (including paid advertising) concerning the hazards of cigarette smoking, with emphasis on discouraging smoking by youth. Appropriates to the Fund ten percent of the increase in tobacco tax revenue generated as a result of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct an ongoing study and to report biennially to specified congressional committees on: (1) the effects of smoking on health care costs; and (2) the incidence of cigarette smoking by youth, including the relationship between cigarette tax rates and youth smoking.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for interest on any indebtedness incurred to pay the educational expenses of the taxpayer, spouse, or dependent. (Under current law, such a loan must be secured by an interest in real property.)
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Designates June 23, 1989, as United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Day.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. Exempts from applicability of this amendment laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Reaffirms that deposits in federally-insured depository institutions, up to the statutorily prescribed amount, are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Protect Medicare 90 Concurrent Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) hospital payments for FY 1990 should not be reduced below levels set by current law for such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the current method of taxing capital gains is appropriate and a reduction of the capital gains tax rate unwarranted.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay to each individual member of the armed forces held as a prisoner of war during the Korean conflict an amount equal to the greater of $300 or the amount of leave accrued and lost while in a missing status. Authorizes such payments only if the individual involved has adequate records proving prisoner status, the grade held during such period, and any other information required by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Designates November 8, 1989, as Montana Centennial Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Designates the week beginning May 14, 1989, as National Osteoporosis Prevention Week of 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress opposing further restrictions on the mortgage interest income tax deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1989
Flight Attendant Duty Time Act - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish limitations on duty time for flight attendants. Requires the Secretary to issue final regulations by a specified deadline. Prohibits any air carrier from operating an aircraft using a flight attendant who has been on duty in excess of specified hours or who has had less than a specified number of hours of rest if such regulations have not been promulgated by a certain time. Permits modification of the specified hours of duty if the Secretary determines such modification is in the public interest and submits a copy of the modifying regulations to certain congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1989
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 with respect to automatic telephone dialing systems (telephone terminal equipment with the capacity to store or produce numbers, dial them, and deliver a prerecorded message without manual assistance). Makes it unlawful for any person in interstate or foreign communications to: (1) use such a system to call anyone on record with a common carrier as objecting to the receipt of such message; or (2) use any automatic telephone dialing system not in compliance with prescribed technical standards that, among other things, provide for release of the receiving party's line within five seconds after that party hangs up. Directs common carriers to maintain a list of persons who notify them of their objection to receiving messages from automatic dialing systems.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Pro Competition Cargo Allocation Act of 1989 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to repeal various provisions relating to cargo preference shipping requirements for certain agricultural exports, including provisions relating to preserving the percentage share or metric tonnage of certain commodities of waterborne cargoes exported from Great Lakes ports.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Aircraft Cabin Air Quality Protection Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require air carriers to prohibit smoking on any aircraft during any flight involving the carriage of passengers in interstate or overseas air transportation. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to promulgate regulations to implement this Act. Declares that it is unlawful to smoke during any flight involving the carriage of passengers in interstate or overseas air transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Ground Water Safety Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to require a pesticide registrant or reregistrant to submit information to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the pesticide's potential for groundwater leaching. Directs the Administrator, upon such registration, to determine a pesticide's leaching potential. Requires registrants, in the case of a positive leaching potential, to: (1) develop management practices to minimize such leaching; (2) disseminate such management information to applicators; and (3) conduct groundwater monitoring. Requires a registrant, upon detection of groundwater contamination, to notify EPA, the State, the owner of the property, and any other person(s) relying on the underground source for drinking water or household needs. States that if such contamination reaches or is likely to reach 25 percent of the EPA-established groundwater residue guidance level, the Administrator shall amend the registration to impose further restrictions on the pesticide's use. States that if contamination reaches 50 percent of the groundwater residue guidance level, the Administrator shall notify and provide relevant information to the affected State(s). Directs the Administrator, if an affected State fails to act, to prohibit the pesticide's use in the vicinity of the underground source of drinking water. Directs the Administrator to: (1) collect and make available to the public information on groundwater pesticide contamination; (2) provide technical assistance to States for groundwater protection programs; (3) conduct research activities to monitor the presence of pesticides in the unsaturated zone; and (4) enter into agreements with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to develop information systems for State and local officials, farmers, and applicators regarding soil, climate, and hydrology at specific pesticide use sites. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Requires States to develop and submit for EPA approval pesticide water pollution prevention programs. Authorizes: (1) the Administrator to provide financial assistance; and (2) FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Administrator to issue groundwater residue guidance levels for FIFRA-registered pesticides. Amends the Clean Water Act to authorize FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations for EPA research in developing management practices to control pesticide contamination of surface and groundwaters.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Global Poverty Reduction Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President to develop a plan to ensure that U.S. development assistance contributes measurably toward eradicating the worst aspects of absolute poverty by the year 2000. Requires that such plan include target dates for reaching specific measurable goals whose attainment would contribute to direct improvements in the living standards of the poorest 40 percent of the population. Specifies that such goals shall include reducing the mortality rate of infants under age five, increasing the female literacy rate, and reducing the percentages of populations below the absolute poverty level by specified amounts by the year 2000. Directs that development activities carried out under this Act shall be consistent with maintaining and restoring the renewable natural resource base. Requires the President to submit the plan to the Congress by July 1, 1990. Requires all U.S. development assistance to be directed at attaining plan goals between October 1, 1990, and December 31, 2000. Requires the President to submit annual reports to the Congress detailing progress toward achieving plan goals. Directs the Comptroller General to review and comment on each report issued. Directs the President to host an international development conference for heads of governments of development assistance donor and recipient countries by October 16, 1989, to conclude an international agreement on eliminating the worst aspects of absolute poverty by the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Directs the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force to prescribe regulations to ensure that National Guard technicians are protected from certain adverse employment actions (i.e. removal, suspension, grade reduction, or furlough) in the same manner as are Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
United States Coast Guard Bicentennial Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design, strike, and sell a medal in commemoration of the bicentennial of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1990. Requires the design of the medal to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Commission of Fine Arts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Amends Federal law to require the reverse side of the first coin redesigned to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution for a two-year period. Provides that the design on the obverse side of U.S. coins shall contain the likenesses of those displayed on current coins and shall be considered for redesign. Requires any such obverse redesigns to conform to the inscription requirements of current law. Requires U.S. coins to be redesigned, at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, over the next six years. Requires the Secretary, in selecting new designs, to consider specified constitutional concepts. Requires the designs to be selected by the Secretary upon consultation with the United States Commission of Fine Arts. Requires that any profits from the sale of uncirculated and proof sets of U.S. coins be deposited in the Treasury and used solely to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Prohibits the expenditure of appropriated funds, for two years after the enactment of this Act, for the production of lethal binary chemical agents or chemical-related munitions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should intensify efforts to achieve an agreement with the Soviet Union and other nations to establish a mutual and verifiable ban on the production, stockpiling, and proliferation of lethal chemical weapons and to provide for the destruction or elimination of existing chemical weapons stockpiles and production facilities; and (2) the Departments of State and of Commerce should develop a se of sanctions which could be implemented against nations which use chemical weapons or continue to develop or stockpile chemical weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to extend indefinitely the restrictions on the export of Alaskan North Slope oil.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Designates February 2, 1989, as National Women and Girls in Sports Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel should not be increased as a means of reducing the Federal deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 1989
Repeals a provision of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 that includes employee tips within the employer social security tax base.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Terminates the trade and other sanctions imposed on Nicaragua under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act pursuant to the national emergency declared by the President on May 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to gradually increase SSI benefits so that they are set at the Department of Health and Human Services' Federal Poverty Income Guidelines on and after January 1, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Cable Subscriber Protection Act of 1989 - Amends Federal copyright laws to subject certain secondary transmissions by cable systems to compulsory licensing if: (1) such transmissions take place entirely within the local service area of the primary transmitter and the cable system complies with specified requirements of the Communications Act of 1934; or (2) such transmission takes place wholly or partially beyond the local service area of the primary transmitter. Requires in both instances that carriage of the signals be permissible under Federal Communications Commission rules. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define the must-carry requirements with which cable service providers must comply. Redefines "local service area of a primary transmitter."
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Eliminates provisions of Federal law which restrict premium pay to the minimum rate of basic pay for GS-10 for Federal employees in a position in which: (1) the hours of duty cannot be controlled administratively; (2) a substantial amount of irregular, unscheduled overtime is required; and (3) the employee is generally responsible for recognizing circumstances which require the employee to remain on duty.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to make permanent the prohibition against smoking on scheduled airline flights of two hours or less.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to extend through FY 1992 the authorization of appropriations in the following areas: (1) general authorization of appropriations; (2) public works and development facility loans; (3) technical assistance and economic development planning; and (4) special economic development and adjustment assistance to areas with high unemployment, economic dislocation, or long-term economic deterioration problems. Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 (ARDA) to authorize appropriations through FY 1992 for: (1) the administrative expenses of the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the leasing of office space for the Commission; (3) the Appalachian development highway system; and (4) general implementation of ARDA. Extends the termination date for ARDA until October 1, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Defense Economic Adjustment Act - Title I: Defense Economic Adjustment Council - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Defense Economic Adjustment Council to be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor. Establishes in the Executive Office an Office of Economic Adjustment, headed by a Director, to provide staff support to the Council. Directs the Council to disseminate information from the Secretary of Defense to Federal, State, and local agencies concerning proposed or pending changes in defense spending which would affect employment in the defense industry. Requires the Council to perform other duties, including: (1) encouraging the preparation of plans for non-defense-related public projects; (2) coordinating and developing information on priority, federally-funded projects and programs pertaining to defense economic adjustment; (3) monitoring job services information banks; and (4) determining criteria for eligibility for assistance under this Act. Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide the pertinent information to the Council a year in advance of any change and to furnish the Council with projected future defense spending levels. Directs the Council to prepare and distribute a Conversion Guidelines Handbook to outline requirements of programs for professional retraining of personnel. Title II: Community Economic Adjustment Planning - Makes eligible for Federal assistance for economic adjustment planning any community which is substantially affected by reduction or elimination of Government defense facilities or curtailment or conclusion of defense contracts. Directs the Council to make available to alternative use committees information on economic development programs of any Federal instrumentality which provides funds that may be used for planning. Requires the Council to report to the Congress at least annually on any such economic development program. Directs the Council to use data from other departments to develop criteria which ensures that assistance is directed to those communities that are most vulnerable economically to reductions in defense expenditures. Requires the Council to publish a semiannual list of eligible communities. Requires excess property resulting from a closing or reduction in a Government-owned facility to be appraised for purposes of resale to the community. Title III: Alternative Use Committees - Requires the establishment of alternative use committees at defense facilities to plan for economic conversion in the event of closure or reduction. Directs such committees to: (1) evaluate the assets of the facilities and the resources and requirements of the local community; (2) develop at least biennially a detailed plan for conversion of the facility to non-defense-related productive activity; and (3) provide retraining and reemployment counseling services. Requires conversion plans to maximize the pool of skills of available personnel and specify in detail the composition of the work force and plant, material, and financing requirements. Penalizes any contractor who fails to submit an alternative use plan or carry out one approved by the Council by making such contractor ineligible for future defense contracts for three years. Title IV: Economic Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Makes displaced workers certified by the local alternative use committees to the Council eligible for benefits for two years under this Act. Includes among such benefits: weekly compensation, vested pension credit, maintenance of health insurance, retraining for civilian work, job search allowance, and reimbursement for relocation expenses. Requires completion of a program of professional retraining before certain employees are eligible for assistance. Directs the Council to enter into agreements with a State or agency in the State administering the unemployment compensation law to disburse benefits under this Act. Requires displaced workers to accept any employment determined by the State agency or Secretary of Labor to be comparable to the former job, or benefits will terminate. Excludes these benefits from other determinations of eligibility for unemployment compensation under any Federal or State law. Title V: Economic Adjustment Fund - Establishes in the Treasury a Workers Economic Adjustment Reserve Trust Fund. Requires defense contractors to pay a specified percentage into the Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit a percentage of the projected savings resulting from a cancellation or cutback in defense spending. Title VI: Use of Certain Research Funds - Requires the Council to define urgent national requirements for nondefense sectors of the economy in any determination of the Secretary of Defense as to how certain research and development funds are to be spent. Title VII: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1989 - Expresses the findings of the Congress that the Fairness Doctrine: (1) fairly reflects the statutory obligations of broadcasters; (2) received statutory approval from the Congress in 1959; and (3) reasonably balances first amendment rights. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require broadcast licensees to provide a reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance. Requires enforcement and application of such requirement to be consistent with the rules and policies of the Federal Communications Commission in effect on January 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Terminates the effectiveness of certain November 22, 1988, amendments to the foreign repair station rules of the Federal Aviation Administration.