United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
International Health Corps Act - Amends title III (General Powers and Duties of Public Health Service) of the Public Health Service Act to establish the International Health Corps (Health Corps), to consist of the International Health Development Corps (Development Corps) and the International Health Emergency Corps (Emergency Corps). Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, on request of a foreign government, to assign members of: (1) the Development Corps to serve in the country to assist the country in meeting the long-term basic health care needs of its people; and (2) the Emergency Corps to provide short-term assistance in the country with regard to an ongoing medical emergency. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information on the Health Corps and request health care professionals to provide services to the Corps without compensation. Directs the Secretary to establish the International Health Corps Loan Repayment Program. Authorizes the Secretary, for each year of obligated service an individual contracts to serve in the Health Corps, to pay, up to a specified amount, the principal, interest, and related expenses on government and commercial loans for tuition, reasonable educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses. Directs the establishment of a committee to advise the Secretary on policies concerning the activities of the Health Corps. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Youth Employment Services Act of 1987 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to establish a demonstration program for employment opportunities for severely disadvantaged youth. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to carry out such programs with specified funds. Defines an eligible severely disadvantaged youth as one who: (1) is between 16 and 20 years old; (2) is economically disadvantaged; (3) has dropped out of elementary or secondary school, or has received a secondary school degree but whose reading and mathematics skills are both below the eighth grade level; (4) has not participated in an education or training program in nine months preceding the month in which he or she enrolls in the program under this Act; and (5) has less than 150 hours work experience in a specified nine-month period. Requires program grant applicants to form eligible partnerships, which shall include a public agency or private nonprofit organization and a business concern or association. Allows program funds to be used for: (1) individual assessment; (2) intensive basic skills training combined with vocational training and/or work experience; (3) support services; (4) job development and placement services; (5) a monitoring period after program completion, with support services to assist in retaining employment or advancing toward an educational degree; and (6) other appropriate services to further job placement. Sets forth provisions relating to the allocation and number of demonstration grants. Set forth program agreement requirements. Sets forth provisions for program payments and the Federal share of program costs. Directs the Secretary to evaluate services provided by eligible partnerships funded under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on such evaluation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Declares that the United States shall: (1) implement specific changes in defense policy, including changes in deployment and modernization of weapon systems, that will reduce the likelihood of the first use of nuclear weapons; (2) formally renounce the first use of all nuclear weapons; and (3) conclude treaties with all nations renouncing the first use of all nuclear weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1987
Act for Better Child Care Services of 1987 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and such sums as necessary for FY 1989 through 1992 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Specifies the manner of making allotments for child care services. Requires the designation of a lead agency in each State which participates in the programs under this Act. Requires States to submit, in order to qualify for assistance under this Act, an application and plan to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires each plan to cover a five-year period and to meet specified requirements for providers of child care services. Authorizes the use of State allotments: (1) by contracts with or grants to eligible child care providers, or public or private nonprofit agencies, to enable such providers or agencies to operate programs directly or by subcontract; or (2) by distributing child care certificates that parents may use as payment for child care services. Requires that a percentage of funds be reserved to enable part-day programs to extend existing hours of operation and provide full-day child care services. Authorizes the Secretary to make planning grants to States which desire to participate under this Act but cannot fully satisfy the requirements of a State plan without financial assistance. Provides for a review of the operation of a State plan during the five-year period to determine its continued eligibility for funds. Requires the Governor of each participating State to establish: (1) a State interagency advisory committee on child care to assist the lead agency in carrying out its responsibilities; and (2) a State committee on licensing to review the licensing requirements, the law, and the policies regulating child care services and programs within the State. Requires each participating State to recognized private nonprofit community-based organizations, or public organizations, as resources and referral agencies for particular geographic areas. Requires each participating State to require that all employed or self-employed persons providing licensed or regulated child care complete at least 15 hours per year of inservice, continuing education, or other training as described in this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services an Administrator of Child Care to carry out the provisions of this Act. Establishes enforcement provisions for review of State plans and monitoring of State compliance. Declares the Federal share of child care programs to be 80 percent and requires the State to demonstrate that the remaining 20 percent will be provided from other sources. Requires the Secretary to establish a National Advisory Committee on Child Care Standards to: (1) review Federal policies on child care services and such other data as appropriate; (2) submit to the Secretary proposed minimum standards for child care programs; and (3) develop and make available to lead agencies model regulations for resources and referral agencies. Terminates the committee 90 days after the date of publication of final minimum child care standards. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act for: (1) sectarian purposes or activities; (2) capital improvements to sectarian institutions; and (3) tuition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1987
Low-Income Housing Tax Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) with respect to gain or loss on dispositions of property to provide that for purposes of determining the allowable depreciation and the amount of gain in connection with qualified low-income housing (as defined in this Act) or its disposition, the adjusted basis shall be increased to equal the adjusted cost of the housing. Provides for the recapture of benefits if the taxpayer fails to operate the housing in accordance with the relevant agreement or if there is a disposition of the property. Revises the IRC to waive the ten-year requirement for the low-income housing credit if: (1) the head of the governmental body responsible for administering the pertinent low-income housing program determines either that the availability of the credit would help to avoid default or mitigate loss to the government involved, or that the availability of the credit is necessary to enable the project to avoid default or to be retained for low-income use; or (2) the taxpayer acquires the building from a governmental body that acquired it by reason of default on any indebtedness. Excludes from the gross income of a noncorporate taxpayer any passive activity gain realized in connection with the disposition of a qualified low-income housing project to a qualified non-related party that agrees to continue the low-income housing use of the property. Requires that the property: (1) be held by the taxpayer for the five years preceding the disposition; and (2) be identified by a State or local government as necessary to meet certain low-income housing requirements. Revises the definition of "cooperative housing corporation" for purposes of the income tax deduction of taxes, interest, and business depreciated by a tenant-stockholder to delete the 80-percent income requirement for limited equity cooperative housing corporations. Requires that income derived from investment of the mandatory reserves of a limited equity cooperative housing corporation be treated, for purposes of the tax deduction incurred in transactions with members, as income derived by the corporation from its members. Provides for the recapture of such amounts if the corporation ceases to be a qualified limited equity cooperative housing corporation. Permits such a corporation to elect retroactive application of such treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Dwight David Eisenhower Commemorative Coin Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of one dollar silver coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dwight David Eisenhower. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of the coins after December 31, 1990. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from the sale of the coins, to be used to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1987
Sugar Supply Stabilization Act of 1987 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 and the Agricultural Act of 1949 with respect to price support levels for crops of sugar beets and sugarcane. Reduces the sugar support price progressively over crop years from 18 cents per pound in 1986 to 12 cents per pound in 1991 and thereafter. Increases the annual import quota applicable to sugars, syrups, and molasses derived from sugarcane or sugar beets by 500,000 tons per year for 1989 through 1992. Repeals provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 that authorize the President to take certain actions to prevent sugar loan forfeitures. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study and report to specified congressional committees concerning means of reducing the difference between the loan rate and the market stabilization price by using alternative methods for determining transportation differentials, regional loan rates, and the market stabilization price of sugar.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1987
Raoul Wallenberg Monument Resolution - Authorizes the Raoul Wallenberg Tribute Committee to establish a monument to honor Raoul Wallenberg on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of the establishment of the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Authorizes the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc., to establish a commemorative statue within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to recognize and honor the women of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Vietnam war. Expresses the sense of the Congress that after the addition of such statue, no further commemorative works should be added to the Memorial. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select a site for the statue within the Memorial. Makes the design proposal subject to the approval of the Secretary and the National Capital Planning Commission. Prohibits the United States and the District of Columbia from paying any expense of establishing the statue.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should not provide any support for military or paramilitary operations in Angola until the President has informed the Congress and the public that such support is important to the national security and the Congress has approved such support. Authorizes any U.S. agency, during FY 1988 and 1989, to use its funds to conduct military or paramilitary operations in Angola or to provide aid to any group engaged in such operations only if such use of such funds is the openly acknowledged U.S. policy. Provides that such policy is considered openly acknowledged only if: (1) the President determines that U.S. support for such operations is important to national security and requests the Congress to approve support for such operations; and (2) the Congress enacts a joint resolution approving support for such operations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1987
Designates the building on Orange Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, known as the General Mail Facility of the United States Postal Service, as the John O. Holly Station of the United States Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1987
Commends the people and Government of Turkey for their determination to return to full democracy. Expresses the hope that the November 29 election will proceed freely and fairly.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the people of the United States should purchase U.S. products and services whenever possible. Urges the President and the State Governors to issue proclamations calling upon the people to promote this policy with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Requests that leaders of civic and consumer organizations, and of the mass media, assist in: (1) promoting awareness of the importance of selecting U.S. goods and services; and (2) identifying such American goods and services, and the merchants from whom they may be acquired. Requests and encourages U.S. producers and manufacturers to make every effort to label and advertise the U.S. origin of such goods.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1987
Designates the week beginning September 11, 1988, as Total Education Awareness Week, recognizing that the educational experience should address the total needs of children, including their intellectual, psychological, social, and physical needs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Education Savings Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an income tax exclusion to a taxpayer who transfers a qualified U.S. savings bond to an eligible institution of higher education or vocational school to pay the higher education expenses (tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment) of the taxpayer, spouse, or dependent. Excludes from gross income the lesser of: (1) the otherwise taxable amount involved in the transfer; or (2) the amount of the relevant higher education expenses. Phases out the permissible exclusion in the case of taxpayers having adjusted gross income of $75,000 or more, disallowing it entirely when income exceeds $150,000. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to advise the general public of the program established by this Act. Amends Federal law to permit: (1) the type of transfer of U.S. savings bonds that would be necessary to effect the tax exclusions described in this Act; and (2) redemption of such bonds by recipient institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payments, on an assignment-related basis, for screening mammography provided to a woman for the purpose of early detection of breast cancer. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards for screening mammography programs. Authorizes the payment to be made for mammograms performed at specified intervals. Requires the director of the National Cancer Institute to develop guidelines, based on age and other factors, for the intervals. Authorizes the Secretary, based on the guidelines, to revise the intervals for which payment is authorized. Sets limits on the amount which may be paid for screening mammography.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1987
Decennial Census Improvement Act of 1987 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to adjust the population data of the decennial census to correct for any undercounts or overcounts and to report to the appropriate congressional committees, not later than one year in advance of such census, on the proposed plan for making such adjustment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1987
Smoking and Health Advertising Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow an income tax deduction for tobacco and tobacco product sale promotion expenses. Defines "tobacco and tobacco products" as any small cigarette, large cigarette, cigar, pipe tobacco, tobacco that can be rolled into a cigarette, or smokeless tobacco product, including snuff and chewing tobacco. Permits the deduction if the taxpayer's expenditures for advertising informing the public of the health effects of tobacco product use exceed five percent of the sales promotion expenses in question for a given taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government should encourage both the print and electronic media to voluntarily print or air public service messages describing the deadly effects of cigarette smoking.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Department of Veterans Affairs Act - Redesignates the Veterans Administration (VA) as the Department of Veterans Affairs (the Department), an executive department within the executive branch of the Government. Provides that the Department shall be headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Designates as other principal officers of the Department the Deputy Secretary, the Chief Medical Director, and the Chief Benefits Director. Provides for the temporary continuation of service of the current Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Chief Medical Director, and Chief Benefits Director of Veterans Affairs. Establishes within the Department eight Assistant Secretaries, each of whom shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to perform such functions as the Secretary may prescribe. Directs the Secretary to assign to one such Assistant Secretary all functions regarding the National Cemetery System and the State cemetery grant program. Outlines functions which the Secretary shall assign to the Assistant Secretaries. Provides for the temporary continuation of the performance of such functions by present personnel until such functions are assigned to an individual appointed as Assistant Secretary under this Act. Redesignates the current VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery as the Veterans Health Services Administration of the Department. Redesignates the VA's current Department of Veterans Benefits as the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department, whose primary function shall be to administer nonmedical programs which provide assistance to veterans, their dependents, and their survivors. Establishes within the Department the Office of the General Counsel. Redesignates the current Office of Inspector General of the VA as the Office of Inspector General of the Department. Provides that any references to departments or positions under the current VA system shall be considered to be references to such departments and positions of the Department as modified under this Act. Provides continuing effect of all legal documents, suits, actions, and property and resources of the current VA. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after appropriate congressional consultation, to prepare and submit to the Congress proposed legislation containing technical and conforming amendments to reflect the changes made under this Act. Requires such legislation to be submitted no later than six months after the enactment of this Act. Provides that any spending authority of the Department is subject to available amounts as provided in appropriation Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1977 to prohibit the dumping of medical wastes into the ocean and navigable waters. Establishes a maximum fine for violations at least twice as high as that imposed for dumping other kinds of waste. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of medical waste as necessary to protect human health and the environment. Excludes waste already regulated as hazardous. Requires persons handling such waste to submit information and permit inspection of handling facilities, including providing samples. Establishes civil penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Comprehensive Child Development Centers Act of 1987 - Amends the Head Start Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities in rural and urban areas to pay the Federal share of the cost of projects designed to encourage intensive and comprehensive support services which will enhance the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of low-income children from birth to compulsory school age, including providing necessary support to their parents and other family members. Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts, agreements, or other arrangements with at least ten but not more than 25 eligible agencies to carry out such program. Lists characteristics of the eligible agency which the Secretary must consider. Authorizes the Secretary to make planning grants to eligible agencies. Limits such grants to not more than 30 in number and to one year in duration. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Directs the Secretary to make grants to selected eligible agencies to pay the Federal share of the cost of carrying out projects for intensive and comprehensive supportive services for low-income infants, young children, parents, and other family members. Requires that rural projects receive some of these grants. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Directs the Secretary to pay to eligible agencies with approved applications the Federal share (80 percent) of the cost of activities described in the application. Limits a planning grant to a single eligible agency to $35,000. Directs the Secretary to conduct or provide for an evaluation of the success of such projects. Requires grantees to furnish information for such evaluation. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress by October 1, 1992, on such evaluation, with recommendations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1993 to carry out such program (other than the report). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for the evaluation and report.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Authorizes the Indian American Forum for Political Education to establish a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi in the District of Columbia and its environs. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Medicaid Home and Community Quality Services Act of 1987 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to provide Medicaid coverage of community and family support services for severely disabled individuals who became disabled before age 22 and are living in a family home, foster family home, or community living facility. Requires that such services be provided in accordance with a written habilitation plan developed by an interdisciplinary team on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the individual's strengths and the services and support necessary to: (1) enable such individual to attain or retain capabilities for independence or self-care; (2) promote interaction between disabled and nondisabled individuals within the community; and (3) enable disabled individuals who are over age 18 to engage in paid employment. Increases the age at which newly disabled individuals will be eligible for this Act's coverage so that eventually individuals who become disabled between age 22 and 50 will be covered. Lists the services which may comprise community and family support services, requiring that such services include at a minimum: (1) case management services; (2) individual and family support services; (3) specialized vocational services; and (4) protective intervention services. Excludes from such services: (1) room and board, other than room and board provided for less than six consecutive weeks and less than 12 weeks per year; (2) cash payments as a service; (3) aversive behavior intervention, management, or therapies; (4) services provided to a disabled individual living in a hospital, or skilled nursing or intermediate care facility; (5) educational services which the State makes generally available to its residents without cost and without regard to their income; and (6) services for which payment is made under title XVIII (Medicare), or part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) or B (Child Welfare Services) of title IV of the Act. Requires each State to make certain assurances regarding their provision of community and family support services and submit an implementation strategy to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires that such implementation strategies: (1) describe the extent and scope of community and family support services provided to the severely disabled and the extent and scope of services provided to the severely disabled who are institutionalized; (2) set forth the objectives and a five-year strategy for expanding community and family support services for the severely disabled; (3) include certain procedures for transferring severely disabled, institutionalized individuals to family homes, foster family homes, or community living facilities; (4) set forth standards for the provision of community and family support services and a program for licensing and certifying all facilities and programs providing such services; (5) provide for assessments of the provision and affect of community and family support services and the correction of service deficiencies; (6) provide the public with an adequate opportunity to comment on the strategies; (7) set forth methods ensuring that the personnel providing community and family support services receive adequate training and are competent to provide such services; (8) provide that the State has in effect a management information system capable of collecting, storing, and retrieving data on the severely disabled who receive community and family support services; (9) provide an opportunity for an appeal and hearing before a hearing officer to individuals who believe themselves to be inappropriately served or denied an appropriate service, or who are being scheduled for an involuntary transfer from one living arrangement to another; (10) describe the methods to be used in administering community and family support services; and (11) set forth procedures to protect the interests of public employees who will be affected by the transfer of the severely disabled from public institutions. Allows States to provide any new community and family support service for up to three years without meeting the Medicaid requirements that they provide a service on a statewide basis and that the service be comparable in all parts of the State. Requires that intermediate care facility services for the mentally retarded include the ascertainment of the individual needs of each newly admitted individual by an interdisciplinary team within 30 days and the development of a written habilitation plan for each individual. Limits Medicaid payments to States for skilled nursing and intermediate care facility services furnished to individuals under age 65 who became disabled before age 22 to the amount payable for such services in the fiscal year ending after the enactment of this Act, increased if and by the extent to which the percentage increase in the consumer price index exceeds six percent. Makes such limitation inapplicable to facilities which have less than 16 beds or meet the size and location requirements for a community living facility. Requires States to have in effect a system to protect and advocate those rights of the severely disabled who are eligible for medical assistance which relate to the provision of such assistance. Provides Federal Medicaid matching funds for such system. Gives individuals who are adversely affected by a violation of this Act's requirements the right to bring an action to enjoin such violation. Allows States to set payment rates for community and family support services for the severely disabled. Authorizes States to treat severely disabled individuals under age 19 who are not in a medical institution as receiving benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Act for Medicaid eligibility purposes if they would be eligible for SSI benefits if institutionalized. Requires States to establish a uniform income standard for the severely disabled regardless of whether or not they are in a medical institution. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage of disabled spouses and children who, except for the resources deemed to them, would be eligible for SSI benefits. Removes certain limitations on the Secretary's approval of reduction and correction plans for deficient intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded. Makes individuals who are severely disabled and receiving or deemed to be receiving SSI benefits eligible for Medicaid as long as such qualifications continue to be satisfied. Directs the Secretary to establish, within the Health Care Financing Administration, a Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services responsible for administering Medicaid programs for the severely disabled. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop standards and a program for training Federal and State personnel who perform surveys of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities to determine whether such facilities meet Medicaid participation requirements; and (2) periodically conduct studies of the reliability of such surveys and make the changes necessary to improve such reliability. Directs the Secretary to support the development of: (1) instruments to assess outcomes in the provision of this Act's services; and (2) competency-based personnel standards for agencies and organizations providing services to the severely disabled pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct an annual assessment of each State's compliance with this Act's requirements; and (2) issue final regulations regarding this Act's amendments prior to the first fiscal year beginning after this Act's enactment. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1987
Fire Safe Cigarette Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue by rule a fire safety standard for cigarettes. Prohibits stockpiling of cigarettes between the issuing and effective dates of the standard. Provides for judicial review of the standard. Prohibits manufacture or importing of a cigarette unless the cigarette is in compliance with a standard issued under provisions of this Act. Declares violation of the prohibition to be a violation of provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. States that this Act and the standard issued under it does not preempt any law of a State which prescribes a more stringent fire safety standard for cigarettes. Prohibits, in any civil action for damages, admitting as a defense compliance with the standard.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1987
White House Conference on the International Trade in Services Act of 1987 - Directs the President to convene a White House Conference on the International Trade in Services that will assist the United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of the Treasury in formulating U.S. priorities for international negotiations on trade in services. Sets forth the duties of the Conference. Requires the President to select as delegates to the Conference representatives of businesses, associations, labor organizations, academic institutions, the Congress, Federal agencies, and commissions studying the international trade in services. Requires the Conference to submit a final report to the President which shall include a review of international negotiations on trade in services, the negotiating positions of the United States and other countries in such negotiations, and recommendations for improving the U.S. position in such negotiations. Requires the President to submit such report to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance. Sets forth administrative provisions with respect to the functioning of the Conference. Terminates the Conference 90 days after submission of its final report to the President.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1987
Requires the manufacturers of toy firearms to distinctively mark such firearms as toys. Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate regulations prescribing the manner and form in which such firearms are to be marked. States that any firearm which is sold in interstate commerce and not marked as required by this Act shall be considered a misbranded hazardous substance sold in violation of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include as a tax-excludible fringe benefit qualified employer-provided commuter services between an employee's residence and workplace. Includes as qualified services: (1) transportation furnished in a commuter highway vehicle (such as a van); and (2) transportation paid for or reimbursed by the employer on public buses, trains, or subways that run along regular routes according to a schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1987
Corporation for Small Business Investment Charter Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to establish timetables to govern the promulgation of regulations by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the qualification of licensees to do business with the Corporation for Small Business Investment and the special-purpose trust established by this Act. Establishes the Corporation for Small Business Investment as a Government-sponsored private corporation. Requires the President to appoint its interim Board of Directors. Sets forth procedures for selection of the permanent Board and describes Board duties. Sets out the Corporation's stock structure. Permits only small business investment companies to hold voting common stock. Requires the Corporation to mandate certain contributions from these companies in order to accumulate capital surplus funds from private sources. Includes depository institutions as eligible contributors entitled to receive stock and dispose of it. Authorizes the Corporation to issue obligations and securities, within prescribed limits. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase such obligations but sets amount and yield restrictions. Makes all obligations issued by the Corporation acceptable as security for any fiduciary, trust, and public funds controlled by the United States. Exempts Corporation issues from the regulatory framework of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Authorizes the Corporation to issue commitments or otherwise deal in small business investment securities after the permanent Board has been duly constituted. Sets forth the procedure for perfecting a security or ownership interest in small business investment securities created by the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to guarantee specified securities. Directs the Corporation to establish criteria, including private capital amount requirements, for the qualification of small business investment companies to conduct business with it. Instructs the Corporation to enter into agreements with small business investment companies, which are authorized to provide equity capital and loans to small businesses. Restricts the financing activities of the investment companies, setting time limits, aggregate securities acquisition limits, and use restrictions with respect to loan funds. Prohibits the Corporation from purchasing or guaranteeing securities in excess of ten percent of its assets. Provides for both financial and compliance audits of small business investment companies. Exempts loans made by small business investment companies from State usury law, unless the State expressly enacts overriding legislation. Directs the Corporation to adopt independent criteria in connection with the qualification of a special type of small business investment company to invest solely in disadvantaged small businesses. Establishes a special-purpose trust to benefit special small business investment companies. Provides for its operation in accordance with a trust agreement with the Corporation. Sets forth procedures for appointing the trustees. Requires the trustees to establish separate accounting for all preferred securities, debentures, loss reserves, and other funds acquired and to make an annual accounting of trust operations to the Secretary of the Treasury. Sets forth the powers of the trustees. Provides for SBA conveyance to the Corporation of all right, title, and interest to all securities and outstanding debentures issued by small business investment companies that are not in liquidation. Requires the trust to apply all of the funds held in trust and income to: (1) cover any losses realized on debentures purchased or guaranteed by the Corporation; (2) reduce the interest rate on debentures issued by special small business investment companies or purchase their preferred securities; and (3) pay administrative costs. Authorizes the trustees to purchase preferred securities and the Corporation to purchase or guarantee the payment of principal and interest on debentures issued by special small business investment companies. Sets forth the terms and conditions for these purchases. Authorizes a special small business investment company to request that the Corporation purchase or guarantee its debentures. Provides that such debentures shall be subordinate to any other obligations of such companies. Sets forth restrictions on the interest rate on and total amount of such debentures. Requires that all outstanding preferred securities purchased by the trust from special small business investment companies be redeemed and transferred to the Treasury 50 years after the effective date of this Act. Gives the SBA review authority over the Corporation and requires annual reporting in connection with this review. Mandates an annual independent audit of the Corporation's accounts, with reporting to the Secretary of the Treasury, who must subsequently report to the President and to the House and Senate Small Business Committees. Subjects Corporation books and records to audit by the General Accounting Office and by the Office of the Inspector General of the SBA under specified conditions. Requires annual Corporation reporting to the President, the SBA, and relevant congressional committees. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to sell to the Corporation on September 30, 1988, all the right and interest in small business investment company securities guaranteed by the SBA and held by the Federal Financing Bank, providing such securities are due in FY 1989 or later. Sets a minimum final purchase price of $720,000,000, a specified amount of which must be in preferred stock in the Corporation. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to propose a sale price for the securities that the Corporation is to purchase. Sets forth procedures for determining the purchase price if the Board finds the Secretary's proposal unacceptable. Establishes criteria to govern the preferred stock issued by the Corporation as part of the purchase price. Directs the Corporation to issue to the SBA warrants to purchase nonvoting common stock equivalent to a 28 percent interest in the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to report, within 30 days of the completion of the purchase of the securities, to the House and Senate Committees on Small Business. Prohibits the SBA from: (1) making any payments to the Department of the Treasury on debentures guaranteed under the Small Business Investment Act after they are sold to the Corporation; or (2) selling or encumbering loans or debentures it has made or issued, except as specified in this Act. Requires the General Accounting Office, by January 1, 1993, to prepare a report for the House and Senate Small Business Committees on the Corporation's effectiveness in achieving the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1987
Federal Employees' Political Activities Act of 1987- Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of any election. Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use official authority to intimidate, threaten, coerce, command, or influence: (1) any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of any individual to vote as the individual may choose, or of causing any individual to vote, or not to vote, for any candidate or measure in any election; (2) any person to give or withhold any political contribution; or (3) any person to engage, or not to engage, in any form of political activity. Prohibits an employee from using or attempting to use, or permitting the use of, any official information unless such information is available to the general public. Prohibits an employee from: (1) giving or offering to give a political contribution to any individual either to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; (2) soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote for or against any candidate or measure, in any election; or (3) giving or handing over a political contribution to a superior of the employee. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving, or from being in any manner concerned with soliciting, accepting, or receiving, a political contribution: (1) from another employee (or a member of another employee's immediate family) with respect to whom the employee is a superior; or (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official or an individual receiving salary or compensation from the Treasury. Prohibits an employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a political contribution from, or giving a political contribution to, any person who: (1) has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business or financial relations with the employing agency; (2) conducts operations or activities which are regulated by that agency; or (3) has interests which may be substantially affected by the performance of the employees' official duties. Directs the Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board to prescribe regulations which exempt employees from such prohibitions. Prohibits an employee from engaging in political activity: (1) while on duty; (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal employee or official; (3) while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying the office or position of the employee; or (4) while using any vehicle owned or leased by the Government. Exempts certain high level political appointees from such prohibitions if the costs associated with the political activity are not paid for by money derived from the Treasury. Describes such a political appointee as one: (1) whose duties and responsibilities continue outside normal duty hours and while away from the normal duty post; (2) who is paid from an appropriation for the Executive Office of the President; (3) whose position is located within the United States; and (4) who determines policies to be pursued by the United States in its relations with foreign powers or in the nationwide administration of Federal laws. Authorizes leave without pay or accrued annual leave to an employee who is a candidate, upon request, to allow such employee to engage in activities relating to that candidacy. Declares that such request may be denied if the exigencies of the public business so require. Declares that such employee may be required to take leave without pay or accrued annual leave in order to be a candidate if activities relating to the candidacy interfere with the employee's performance of duties. Directs the Special Counsel to prescribe rules and regulations to implement this Act. Applies this Act to postal employees and employees of the Postal Rate Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1987
Directs the Administrator of General Services to convey to the Museum of the American Indian the Old United States Custom House in New York, New York. Subjects the conveyance to the following conditions: (1) the property shall be used by the Museum solely as a museum to preserve the customs and history of North, South, and Central American Indians; (2) the Museum shall maintain the historic architectural character of the property; (3) the Museum shall give the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment on proposed renovations or alterations; and (4) the Museum shall obtain the approval of the Administrator before commencing any renovation or alteration. Provides that all right, title, and interest in the property shall revert to the United States if: (1) the Museum at 3753 Broadway in New York City does not operate as a branch of the Museum to be established at the property; (2) the Museum does not continuously use such property solely as a North, South, and Central American Indian museum and maintain its historic architectural character; (3) the Museum does not maintain such property in a manner that ensures that adequate services are provided to the U.S. courts on the fifth and sixth floors; or (4) the Museum interferes with the occupancy of such property by the courts. Prohibits the Museum from using such property as security for any obligation. Reserves to the United States: (1) air and development rights associated with such property; and (2) the right to occupy the fifth and sixth floors of the property for use by U.S. courts until the Administrator provides suitable permanent accommodations for such courts at the Foley Square Courthouse Annex. Requires the Museum to submit a plan detailing any proposed renovation or alteration of the property to the Administrator, who shall approve such action unless it would not preserve the property's historic architectural character.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the exclusion from an employee's gross income of the following qualified employer-provided transportation benefits: (1) the value of transportation in a commuter highway vehicle between the employee's residence and place of employment; and (2) up to $45 per month of the value of any transit pass entitling the employee to transportation on mass transit facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1987
Fairness for Adopting Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual income tax deduction for qualified adoption expenses. Includes as deductible all reasonable and necessary expenses that do not violate a Federal or State law and that are directly related to a legal adoption of any child if the adoption has been arranged by a State, local, or other nonprofit agency, or through a private placement. Limits the deduction to $5,000 per adopted child ($7,000 in the case of an international adoption). Reduces the amount of the deduction when the taxpayer's income exceeds $60,000. Disallows such a deduction for expenses in connection with: (1) the adoption of a stepchild; or (2) travel outside the United States unless the travel is required as a condition of the child's adoption, to assess the health and status of the child, or to escort the child back to the United States. Excludes such a deduction from the two percent floor on miscellaneous itemized deductions. Excludes from an employee's gross income any amounts paid on behalf of the employee by an employer pursuant to a qualified adoption assistance program. Limits the exclusion to $5,000 ($7,000 in the case of an international adoption). Reduces the amount excluded when the taxpayer's income exceeds $60,000. Permits an employer to treat an adoption assistance program as a statutory employee benefit plan, thus making the employer's contributions to such a program tax deductible as business expenses. Applies this Act retroactively to tax year 1986 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the prohibition against indirect income tax deductions through pass-through entities shall not apply to any regulated investment company whose shares are: (1) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering; (2) regularly traded on an established securities market; or (3) held by or for at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1987
Opportunities for Employment Preparation Act of 1987 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (the Act) to establish a program of targeted assistance for severely economically disadvantaged individuals. Defines "severely economically disadvantaged" as individuals who have received benefits under Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) provisions of the Social Security Act for two years or more, who have been unemployed or without steady employment for two years or more, and who are not eligible under title III (Employment and Training Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of the Act. Requires the job training program in each service delivery area to establish a feeder system using community-based organizations to conduct outreach and provide preemployment services to severely economically disadvantaged individuals. Requires such outreach and feeder system to include: (1) skills assessment; (2) registration with the Bureau of Employment Security; (3) preemployment training, including an eight-week internship; (4) employment training, including vocational, adult, and community college and other postsecondary programs; and (5) on-the-job and other employment preparation activities available under the Act. Requires preemployment services to include: (1) educational preparation and basic skills development to increase literacy and computational skills; (2) programs to strengthen attitude and motivation for work; (3) guidance and counseling to assist with occupational choice and selection of employment preparation programs; (4) counseling, referral and follow-up for those experiencing personal or family problems; and (5) parenting and home and family living skills, including nutrition and health education, targeted to teenage parents. Requires supportive services, including child care and transportation assistance, to be given to program participants. Provides that program participants will not lose any other Federal benefits because of program participation. Requires State plans to include descriptions of coordination of other programs with such targeted assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1987
Prohibits U.S. military or security assistance to Zaire under the Arms Export Control Act or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Allows U.S. economic assistance to Zaire under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 only if the assistance benefits the majority, is for humanitarian purposes, and is channeled through private and voluntary organizations. Requires the U.S. Executive Directors to the relevant international financial institutions to raise the issues of human rights violations and misuse of funds in Zaire.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1987
Taxpayer Safeguard and Protection Act of 1987 - Title I: Provisions Relating to Liens and Levies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to entitle a taxpayer, in the event of a wrongful levy on property, to the prompt return (within 14 days) of the property in question or, if the property has been sold, to the greater of the amount received from its sale or its fair market value immediately preceding the levy. Treats property wrongfully levied upon and subsequently lost or destroyed while in the possession of the United States as if it had been sold at its fair market value immediately before the levy. Permits a taxpayer to request the sale of seized property within 60 days. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to comply with such a request unless it is adverse to the best interests of the United States. Requires the Secretary, in the case of a wrongful lien, to issue a certificate of release of the lien stating that the lien was erroneusly imposed. Directs the Secretary to provide toll-free telephone numbers for: (1) discussion of alleged Internal Revenue Service (IRS) administrative errors with respect to a taxpayer; and (2) 24-hour access to taxpayers experiencing emergencies associated with any lien or levy imposed under the internal revenue laws. Extends from ten to 20 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Increases for levy purposes the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages. Exempts from levy: (1) welfare payments under title IV (aid to families with dependent children) of the Social Security Act; (2) supplemental security income under title XVI of the Social Security Act (aid for the aged, blind, and disabled); (3) State or local government public assistance programs whose eligibility requirements are based on income or need; and (4) unemployment training allowances under the Job Training Partnership Act. Revises levy exemptions related to service-connected disability payments to: (1) remove the exemption of certain veterans' life insurance benefits; and (2) add exemptions for wartime and peacetime death compensation, burial benefits, and dependency and indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths. States that levy exemption provisions shall not apply to withholding taxes. Title II: Statement Disclosing Rights and Obligations of Taxpayers - Requires the Secretary to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the IRS during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Title III: Civil Damages for Unauthorized Disclosure or Use of Return Information by Return Preparers - Amends the IRC to permit a civil cause of action for damages in district court for a taxpayer with respect to whom a tax preparer discloses or misuses tax return information. Permits such actions only when: (1) six months have elapsed since the taxpayer notified an appropriate Federal official of the improper disclosure; and (2) statutorily-authorized prosecution of the offender was not begun during that six-month period. Title IV: Tax Court Jurisdiction to Redetermine Interest on Deficiencies - Amends the IRC to authorize the Tax Court, upon the motion of a taxpayer who has paid the entire amount of a deficiency assessment plus the associated interest, to reopen the case solely to determine whether the taxpayer has made an overpayment of interest because of mathematical error in its computation. Provides for judicial review of any order redetermining interest due. Title V: Reports; Improvement of Taxpayer Assistance - Directs the Secretary, not later than July 1, 1988, to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a report on: (1) the effectiveness of the Office of the Taxpayer Ombudsman and of the Problem Resolution Program; (2) the results of IRS quality improvement procedures; and (3) the adequacy of IRS training programs with respect to preparing individuals for effective and helpful interaction with taxpayers. Directs the Assistant Commissioner (Inspection) of the IRS and the Taxpayer Ombudsman, not later than July 1, 1988, jointly to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a report on: (1) significant problems taxpayers experience in dealing with the IRS; and (2) the status of current projects designed to improve IRS communication with taxpayers. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the level of taxpayer service should be improved to assure taxpayer compliance with the Tax Reform Act of 1986; and (2) the IRS should conduct taxpayer interviews at a time and place convenient to both taxpayer and interviewer, continue to permit taxpayers to record IRS interview proceedings, improve its handling of taxpayer inquiries and correspondence, and take steps to ensure that taxpayers do not incur unnecessary legal, accounting, or other expenses as a result of IRS delays, errors, or requests for redundant information.