United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1990
Nontraditional Students Assistance Act of 1990 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to lower from 24 to 22 the age at which an individual is to be considered an independent student, for purposes of student financial assistance in general, as well as for Pell Grants. Makes less-than-half-time students who meet specified requirements eligible for student loans under the guaranteed student loan (GSL) program, as well as for Pell Grants. Makes such students also eligible for grace periods and deferrals with respect to repayment of GSL loans and of loans under the national student direct loan (NDSL) program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1990
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (the Secretary), in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, to make grants to qualifying medical schools to assist in the establishment of new medical research centers. Outlines qualifications for medical schools eligible for such grants, including: (1) being primarily State-supported; (2) having no established research center in the field for which application is made; (3) being located in proximity to a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility which has an affiliation with a medical facility of the Department of Defense; and (4) having demonstrable potential for successful development of such a new research center. Requires the Secretary to ensure that centers for which grants are made are geographically dispersed within the United States. Requires the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to advise a medical school with respect to activities of the center for which a grant is made. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into an agreement to make a grant unless the Secretary finds that the school will maintain arrangements with the Department medical facility with which it is affiliated as to be mutually beneficial in carrying out the mission of the respective medical facilities and the school. Requires facilities of such research centers to be made available on a competitive basis. Requires the fact of Federal funding for such centers to be acknowledged in the activities and publications of the center. Requires that grants may only be provided from funds specifically appropriated for such grants. Requires matching appropriations to the Department of Defense for research, development, testing, and evaluation whenever an appropriation is made to the Department for such grants. Requires an agreement for such grants to include certain assurances with respect to the sufficiency of non-Federal funding for such research centers. Authorizes the Secretary to increase grant amounts due to cost increases, within specified limits. Sets forth application requirements from medical schools desiring to receive such grants. Requires the Secretary, in considering such applications, to give priority to applications which emphasize research in one or more of the following areas: (1) diabetes and metabolic diseases; (2) prosthetics and rehabilitation medicine; (3) mental health, behavioral medicine, and neurological disease; (4) acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and related diseases; (5) Alzheimer and dementia; (6) degenerative cardiopulmonary disease; (7) cancer; (8) technology assessment; and (9) toxicology. Requires the Secretary to use a merit review process in considering applications and awarding grants under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1994. Entitles the Secretary to recover from grant recipients any amount not used for appropriate grant purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1990
Tourism Policy and Export Promotion Act of 1990 - Declares it to be the national goal to increase U.S. export earnings from U.S. tourism and transportation services with an eye toward: (1) the elimination of the travel and tourism export deficit of the United States and the U.S trade deficit; and (2) the achievement of a travel and tourism export surplus. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify foreign trade barriers to U.S. travel and tourism. Requires the USTR to submit the National Trade Estimate to the President and the Senate Committees on Finance and Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Amends the International Trade Act of 1961 to require each annual tourism trade development plan to focus on those countries in which tourism trade development has the greatest potential for increasing travel and tourism export revenues. Declares that the Congress finds that increased efforts directed at the promotion of rural tourism will contribute to the economic development of rural America. Establishes the Rural Tourism Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1990
World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should recognize the 50th anniversary of World War II by minting and issuing commemorative coins. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue and mint such coins in five dollar, one dollar, and half dollar denominations. Mandates that surcharges received from the sale of such coins be deposited in a coinage profit fund and allocated, upon separate congressional authorization, to the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a World War II memorial. Directs the Secretary to report semiannually to the Congress regarding implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1990
Computer Matching Corrections Act of 1990 - Amends the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 to exempt State and local governments from verification requirements regarding certain information produced by computer matching programs if the information is provided by a Federal source agency. Restores the ten-day period within which the Federal Government and the States must notify recipients of food stamps, Medicaid, supplemental security income and aid to families with dependent children of a reduction or termination of such welfare benefits (currently there is a 30-day period), except in the case of an individual whose records are used in computer matching programs and who receives notice of an adverse action before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1990
American Technology Preeminence Act - Title I: Department of Commerce Research and Technology - Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1990 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the following activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; (5) research support activities; (6) cold neutron source facility; and (7) technology services. Earmarks specified amounts for: (1) steel technology; (2) the Center for Building Technology; (3) the Center for Fire Research; (4) the technical competence fund; (5) the evaluation of nonenergy-related inventions and related technology extension activities; and (6) Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology. Permits transfers of funds among activities under specified conditions. Prohibits the merger of the Center for Building Technology and the Center for Fire Research. Authorizes the use of certain funds to pay the Federal share of the cost of a pilot program to assist in the development of comprehensive industrial standards for countries that have requested such assistance, if other conditions are met. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology; (2) carrying out the Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1986; (3) modernization of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS); (4) the Clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation; and (5) adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits which may be provided for by law. Requires NTIS operating costs, associated with the acquisition and storage of information, to be recovered through the collection of fees. Amends Federal law to remove the cap on expenditures for construction and improvement of NIST buildings and facilities, but retains the requirement that such expenditures be within the limits of funds appropriated to NIST. Amends Federal law to authorize appropriations for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology (Centers). Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions mandating a nationwide study of current State technology extension services. Amends Federal law to establish within NIST an Office of Technology Services to supervise the Centers Program, NIST's assistance to State technology programs, and other activities or programs as the Secretary or the NIST Director may specify. Prohibits funds appropriated for NIST activities from being expended unless the activities have been specifically authorized by law. Title II: Advanced Technology Program Amendments - Emerging Technology Research and Development Act of 1990 - Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of NIST, to support joint ventures to identify and solve generic technology and manufacturing problems in emerging technology fields including high resolution information systems and advanced materials research and development so as to speed commercialization of products and services based on these technologies, and to establish procedures for technology sharing and technology transfer among members of the joint venture while protecting against transfer of intellectual properties, trade secrets, or proprietary data overseas. Requires that awards to joint ventures be based on competitive or other merit-based procedures. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to negotiate an agreement with any joint venture participants: (1) delineating their activities and responsibilities; and (2) specifying a period of time during which the Federal Government shall receive payments from any profits of the venture in proportion to the Federal share of the cost or, as an alternative, an option to pay an amount determined by the Secretary to be equal to the full Federal investment plus a reasonable return on such investment. Sets forth criteria for determining whether a company shall be considered a U.S. business and other eligibility criteria. Authorizes the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director to organize such industry advisory committees as appropriate. Authorizes the use of up to a specified percentage of the funds appropriated for carrying out provisions relating to the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) for standards development in support of those provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research and development of new or advanced technology of significant long-term value to the civilian U.S. economy, or for research and development concerning the generic commercial adaptation of such technology. Requires grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under the ATP to be designed to support projects which are high risk and which have potential for eventual substantial widespread commercial application. Authorizes appropriations for the ATP. Title III: Amendments to Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Stevenson-Wydler Act) to remove fiscal year limitations from provisions requiring that each Federal agency transfer an amount to NIST for the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Adds references to intellectual property to provisions defining "cooperative research and development agreement." Amends the definition of "Federal agency" to include any agency of the legislative branch. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to use appropriated funds to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities under the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Improvement Act of 1987. Title IV: Office of Science and Technology Policy - Amends Federal law to add the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to the list of positions at level I of the Executive Schedule. Adds the Director of the Office of Science and Technology to the list of positions at level II of the Executive Schedule. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to report annually to the Congress on all major science and technology proposals involving more than one country and having a total estimated cost greater than a specified sum. Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to add a new title to be cited as the National High Performance Computer Technology Program Act of 1990. Directs the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to develop a National High Performance Computer Technology Plan containing recommendations for a five-year national effort. Mandates that the plan include: (1) funding requirements; and (2) the establishment of a multi-gigabit-per-second research and education computer network by 1996, to be known as the National Research and Education Network, to link government, industry and the higher education community, to provide computer users with access to supercomputers, data bases, and other research facilities, and to meet other goals. Requires the Plan to define the organizational arrangement for managing the operation of the Network. Requires the Council to develop the Plan, coordinate the high performance computing research and development activities of Federal agencies, and establish an advisory board. Amends the STPOP to establish a Presidential Commission on Reducing Capital Costs for Emerging Technology to develop recommendations to increase the competitiveness of U.S. industry by encouraging investment in quality, product and process improvements, and new product development and marketing. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth the sense of the Congress that the research and experimentation tax credit be permanently extended and raised to 25 percent, and the research and development costs allocation rules for deduction of expenses from foreign income be revised so as to not discourage activities in the United States and not penalize companies exporting U.S. made products or providing services through U.S. citizens stationed abroad. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a Presidential Commission on Procurement and Technology to develop recommendations for changes to Federal procurement laws, procedures, and policies with respect to the development of advanced technologies. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Information Collection and Dissemination - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing and operating a Federal Online Information Product Catalog (FEDLINE) at the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Amends the National Technical Information Act of 1988 to add producing and disseminating products in electronic format to the duties of the NTIS. Title VI: High Resolution Information Systems - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a High Resolution Information Systems Board to foster and monitor the development of U.S. based high resolution information systems industries. Includes high definition television in the definition of such systems. Title VII: Reports - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to require that the biennial national critical technologies report include the most economically important emerging civilian technologies during the ten-year period following the report, together with the estimated current and future size of domestic and international markets for products derived from these technologies. Allows a product or process technology to be considered to be a national critical technology if it is essential for U.S. long-term national security or (currently, and) economic prosperity. Requires each report to identify technology base gaps between the United States and its major trading partners and list the technologies and markets targeted by major trading partners for development or capture. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing, in affiliation with NIST, a Quality Institute and privately-funded foundation to support that Institute. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to propose to the Congress a strategy for improving the university research capabilities of those States which historically have received relatively little Federal research and development funding. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to enter into a contract with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis for the development of a methodology or approach that can be used in the establishment of international product standards. Authorizes the use of a specified sum of the amounts authorized under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 to carry out such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1990
National Service Act of 1990 - Title I: School-Based and Higher Education Community Service - Part A: School Based Community Service - Schools and Service-Learning Act of 1990 - Subpart I: School-Based Service Learning - Authorizes the Secretary of Education (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to make grants to States for state-wide school-based service learning programs involving local partnerships of local educational agencies (LEAs) and other organizations. Authorizes appropriations. Subpart 2: Youthbuild Projects - Authorizes the Director of the ACTION Agency to make grants for up to 90 percent of the cost of Youthbuild projects. Requires that eligible participants in Youthbuild projects be employed in construction, rehabilitation, or improvement of: (1) residential rental housing for homeless individuals and low-income families; (2) transitional housing for homeless individuals; or (3) facilities for providing health, education, and other social services to low-income families. Requires that participants be provided: (1) service opportunities on such construction or rehabilitation projects which are integrated with appropriate skills training and preapprenticeship or apprenticeship programs; (2) education services; (3) personal and peer supports; (4) leadership development; (5) preparation for an placement in unsubsidized employment; and (6) support services and need-based stipends to enable participation, and support services, for up to six months after completion of training, to assist in retaining employment. Conditions provision of service opportunities upon individual attendance and participation in educational services and activities. Bases participant eligibility, with certain exceptions, on the individual's being: (1) 16 to 24 years of age; (2) economically disadvantaged; and (3) a high school dropout with reading and mathematics skills at or below the eighth grade level. Limits an individual's full-time participation to between six and 18 months. Authorizes appropriations. Subpart 3: Other Federal Volunteer Service Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants and contracts for: (1) rural youth service demonstration projects; (2) model community service and service-learning programs; and (3) model service programs for dropouts and out-of-school youth. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Director of the ACTION Agency to make grants to State Governors for initiatives involving non-school-based voluntary service projects in their States. Sets forth provisions for authorized activities and allotments based on school-age population. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act to authorize appropriations to increase the number of low-income individuals who provide services under the Foster Grandparent Program to children who participate in Head Start programs. Subpart 4: Activities of the Secretary of Education - Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) widely disseminate information about programs under this part; (2) provide for program evaluation, including participant and community opinions; and (3) make such evaluations available to the public, and to congressional committees in the Secretary's annual report. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to or contracts with experienced public and private nonprofit agencies for national or regional clearinghouses for information on volunteer service with respect to subpart 1 programs. Authorizes appropriations. Subpart 5: Volunteer Service Activities of the President - Authorizes the President to make Presidential Awards for School-Based Service recognizing excellence in school-based service programs. Authorizes the President to create an interagency task force to: (1) create and monitor effective measures for coordinating the various parts of this Act; and (2) design a comprehensive Federal service strategy, including specified components. Authorizes appropriations. Subpart 6: General Provisions - Prohibits making grants under this part for any educational program, activity, or service related to sectarian instruction or religious worship, or provided by a school or department of divinity. Applies the General Education Provisions Act to the programs authorized by this part. Part B: Higher Education Community Service - Subpart 1: Innovative Projects for Community Service - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to and contracts with higher education institutions, (and other public agencies and nonprofit organizations working in partnership with such institutions) to: (1) enable them to create or expand their student community service activities; (2) encourage student initiated and designed community service projects; and (3) help integrate community service into academic curricula and crediting. Directs the Secretary to make grants to colleges, universities, and other nonprofit organizations to train teachers (and those planning teaching careers), education personnel, and community leaders in skills for developing, supervising, and organizing community service activities. Limits the Federal share under this subpart to not more than 50 percent of the cost of the community service activities. Authorizes appropriations. Subpart 2: Campus-Based Community Work Learning Jobs - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to provide for additional reservations of certain funds for: (1) campus-based community work learning study jobs; and (2) work-study for community service-learning on behalf of low-income individuals and families. Subpart 3: Guaranteed Student Loans - Amends HEA to provide for up to three-year loan deferments under the guaranteed student loan (GSL) and the federally-insured student loan (FISL) program for: (1) certain full-time volunteer service; (2) full-time employment as a professional in drug counseling, prevention, intervention, treatment, or education by a public or nonprofit private agency; and (3) full-time volunteers providing Indian health services. Subpart 4: Direct Loans to Students in Institutions of Higher Education - Amends HEA to provide for certain rates of partial cancellation of loans and certain deferments of loan repayments under the national direct student loan (NDSL) program for: (1) certain full-time volunteer service; (2) full-time employment as a professional in drug counseling and treatment; and (3) full-time volunteers providing Indian health services. Subpart 5: Publication - Amends HEA to require that specified information on student loan deferments and cancellations for certain full-time voluntary service be included in institutional information for students, exit counseling for borrowers, and Department of Education information on student loans. Subpart 6: Student Literacy Corps - Amends HEA to require Student Literacy Corps programs to give priority to tutoring services to illiterate parents of educationally or economically disadvantaged elementary school students, with special emphasis on single-parent households. Authorizes increased appropriations for the Student Literacy Corps. Subpart 7: Student Tutorial Corps Initiative - Amends HEA to create a Student Tutorial Corps. Authorizes the Secretary to make demonstration grants to higher education institutions for student tutorial programs that: (1) encourage their students to tutor educationally disadvantaged students in schools assisted under chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (2) are conducted at such schools, at the request and with the direction of school personnel; and (3) do not displace any of such personnel. Authorizes appropriations. Part C: Peace Corps Volunteer Education Demonstration Program Act - Authorizes the Director of the Peace Corps (the Director) to carry out a training and educational benefits demonstration program. Makes eligible for such program participation any individual who: (1) has satisfactorily completed at least two years at a higher education institution, is enrolled in a bachelor's degree program of at least four years and will complete it within two years; (2) agrees to serve at least three years as a Peace Corps volunteer; and (3) is selected under a specified competitive process. Requires the Director to provide a Peace Corps training program for the selectees as part of their course of study at their institution. Requires that selectees receive certain educational benefits to cover costs of their last two years of study. Requires repayment if the individual fails to complete the educational program or the service requirement. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to collect such repayments. Requires the Director and the Secretary to evaluate such demonstration program jointly and submit an interim and a final report to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: To Establish the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps - Part A: 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. 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. Part B: 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 part. 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. Part C: 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 title. Directs each program agency to maintain or enhance, through programs and projects under this title, the educational skills of program enrollees. Directs appropriate State and local officials to certify standards and procedures (that meet specified Federal criteria) for awarding academic credit and certifying educational attainment in such programs. Part D: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth requirements for award of grants to eligible entities, including matching requirements and limitations on use of funds. Limits enrollment in the ACC and YSC to individuals who, at the time of enrollment, are: (1) 16 through 25 years old (15 through 21 for summer programs); and (2) U.S. citizens or nationals or lawful permanent resident aliens. Requires the State job training coordinating council to appoint an advisory board for oversight and review of ACC and YSC projects under this title. Authorizes appropriations. Part E: Youth Service Clearinghouses - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the ACTION Agency to provide financial assistance to one or more national or regional clearinghouses on youth corps and youth service. Allows experienced public and private nonprofit agencies to apply for such assistance, and sets forth required clearinghouse functions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1990
Organ Procurement Process Review Act of 1990 - Amends the Public Health Service Act require that an organ procurement organization (OPO), in order to be eligible to receive certain grants, have a service area of sufficient size which will include not less than 50 potential organ donors each year. (Current law requires a service area of sufficient size such that the organization can reasonably expect to procure organs from not less than 50 donors each year.) Repeals provisions of the Health Omnibus Programs Extension of 1988 which delay the effective date of certain related amendments, with regard to an OPO designated under specified provisions of the Social Security Act, until two years after the initial designations of the organization. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the National Advisory Committee for Review of the Organ Procurement Process.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1990
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, for the purpose of developing standards and definitions of plastic degradability to be used in the packaging of consumer goods, to study and report to the Congress on the process by which plastics degrade.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1990
Underground Storage Tank Pollution Prevention and Assistance Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to guarantee principal and interest on loans made to qualified small businesses for the closure, replacement, upgrade, and release detection of underground storage tanks. Sets forth amounts and conditions of such guarantees. Permits the Administrator to make principal and interest payments on behalf of the borrower if: (1) the borrower is unable to make such payment and it is in the public interest to continue the project; and (2) the probable net cost to the Government in making such payments would be less than that resulting from the borrower's default. Authorizes the Administrator, in the event of a default by a borrower, to make payments in accordance with the guarantee. Requires the Attorney General to recover payments from the defaulting borrower. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to small businesses, in conjunction with such loans, for up to 50 percent of the cost of tank closure and replacement if: (1) the business is an essential community service and assistance is in the public interest; and (2) at least three private lending institutions have declined to provide a loan for such purposes. Terminates the authority to make loan guarantees or payment contracts five years after this Act's enactment. Permits the Administrator or a State to undertake corrective action with respect to threatened releases of petroleum from underground storage tanks. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make funds from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund available to carry out this Act. Sets forth deadlines for compliance with tank and financial disclosure requirements for owners of specified petroleum underground storage tanks.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should support the unified status of Jerusalem and continue to recognize that a unified Jerusalem is an integral part of the State of Israel; (2) efforts of the U.S. Government to achieve peace in the Middle East should take into account the close relationship between the United States and Israel, as well as Israel's legitimate security needs; and (3) efforts to advance the peace process must not call into question the status of Jerusalem.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1990
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) promote maximum conservation and protection of the world's whales; (2) work to postpone further review of the International Whaling Commission moratorium on the commercial killing of whales and maintain zero catch limits for all whale stocks for at least another decade; (3) work to strengthen the Commission and encourage it to carry out long-term, nonlethal research for all whale stocks on a global basis; and (4) in promoting protection, make use of diplomatic channels, domestic and international law, and all other means.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1990
Raises the minimum per annum rates of basic pay for entry level grades GS-3 through GS-10 for Federal law enforcement officers on a sliding scale with larger adjustments at the lower levels. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to prescribe regulations to: (1) readjust the rates of pay for such entry level grades every three years, based upon comparisons of State and local compensation for comparable work, in order to keep starting salaries of Federal law enforcement officers competitive with those paid to State and local law enforcement officers; and (2) establish a mechanism to adjust the rates of pay of Federal law enforcement officers serving in certain high cost-of-living areas in order to recruit and retain the best-qualified individuals. Sets forth procedures for identifying those regions for which higher pay rates are needed. Terminates a pay rate payable to Federal law enforcement officers that is based on a particular region if such an officer is transferred or reassigned to a place outside of such region. Requires pay rates established under this Act to be based on data compiled by the National Advisory Commission on Law Enforcement. Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to survey State and local law enforcement salaries every three years to compile the data needed to carry out this Act. Authorizes Federal agency heads, in order to retain highly qualified law enforcement officers who possess special skills or experience or whose continued services are particularly important due to factors associated with the geographic area to which they are assigned, to pay Federal law enforcement officers who are eligible for retirement an allowance of up to $10,000 per year provided the officers agree to complete at least one year of additional service in the agency involved. Makes Federal law enforcement officers who are transferred to an area within the United States having higher than average housing costs eligible for a relocation payment of up to $20,000 provided they agree to remain in Federal law enforcement for a specified period. Authorizes Federal agencies to offer rates of pay higher than the minimum rates for positions of GS-3 (currently, GS-11) or above if necessary to attract well qualified entry-candidates for Federal law enforcement service. Authorizes Federal agencies to pay law enforcement officers who possess and make substantial use of foreign language proficiency while performing their official duties a cash award of up to 25 percent of basic pay. Raises the mandatory age for Federal law enforcement officers to retire under the Civil Service and Federal Employees' Retirement Systems from 55 to 57. Changes the method of computing overtime for Federal law enforcement officers to one and one-half times the hourly rate of basic pay for work performed in excess of 40 hours per week. Limits the aggregate rate of pay (including premium pay) for Federal law enforcement officers in a calendar year to the pay rate for level V of the Executive Schedule. Prohibits application of other limitations on premium pay for administratively uncontrollable overtime. Excludes members of the U.S. Secret Service, Uniformed Division, Diplomatic Security Service special agents, postal inspectors, and pretrial services and probation officers from receiving premium pay except for night, Sunday, and holiday work.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1990
ESOP Promotion and Improvement Act of 1990 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow S corporations (certain small business corporations) to participate in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Extends the ESOP exception to the ten percent early withdrawal penalty tax to certain ESOP distributions to employees made at any time. (Currently the exception applies only to distributions made before January 1, 1990.) Permits ESOP participants whose compensation does not exceed a certain amount to contribute up to 50 percent of it to the plan. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit payroll deductions for ESOP participants to make certain political contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that foreign language instruction should begin at the elementary school level. Urges State and local educational agencies to initiate programs of foreign language instruction in elementary schools. Supports the statements of: (1) the National Governors' Association calling for such programs; and (2) the Follow-Up Committee to the Wingspread Consultation on Elementary School Foreign Languages, calling for establishment of a Blue Ribbon Commission to address the national agenda for foreign language instruction in elementary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1990
Pesticide Export Reform Act of 1990 - Title I: Exported Pesticides - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to require pesticide producers operating registered establishments to inform the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency of: (1) the types and quantities of pesticides and active ingredients used in producing pesticides for export to a foreign country; and (2) the date of export and quantity of such materials exported to each foreign country to which the producer has exported during the past 360-day period. Provides that specified information on exported pesticides shall not be entitled to confidential trade secret treatment. Makes it unlawful to knowingly or recklessly export a pesticide, device, or active ingredient in violation of FIFRA export requirements. Prohibits the exportation of pesticides, devices, or active ingredients unless: (1) such materials are prepared and packaged according to the specifications of the foreign purchaser and the legal requirements of the country of use; and (2) the producers or exporters meet specified FIFRA requirements. Prohibits the exportation of unregistered pesticides. Waives certain requirements to permit the export of pesticides not meeting FIFRA requirements to prevent or arrest the spread of a communicable disease if the Administrator makes specified determinations. Prohibits the exportation of specified pesticides (including restricted use pesticides and pesticides subject to suspension or cancellation proceedings) unless: (1) the exporter provides specified information on the pesticide to the Administrator; (2) the country of use consents to the import and is included on a list of approved countries; and (3) the pesticide is manufactured, stored, and packaged in accordance with standards of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Requires the Administrator to maintain a list of approved countries of use. Sets forth labeling requirements for exported pesticides. Permits the export of pesticides for experimental use in foreign countries if specified conditions are met. Requires the Administrator to notify foreign countries and the International Registry of Potentially Toxic Chemicals whenever regulatory action is taken with respect to a pesticide. Directs the Administrator to: (1) convene meetings with foreign governments and other interested parties to promote the implementation of improved research and regulatory programs for pest management and strategies for sustainable agriculture; (2) provide foreign countries with technical assistance to develop pesticide regulatory programs; (3) transmit triennial studies to the Congress on countries that import U.S. pesticides and from which the United States imports agricultural commodities to ascertain such countries' management of pesticides and whether the United States is able to test effectively for pesticide residues; and (4) convene meetings with foreign governments and other interested parties to encourage the adoption of a multilateral convention requiring standard notice and export control measures for pesticides. Title II: Tolerances for Agricultural Commodities - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Administrator, if registrations for a pesticide chemical under FIFRA have been cancelled, suspended, withdrawn, or modified to eliminate the use of such chemical on a raw agricultural commodity, to publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing: (1) the revocation of any tolerance for an agricultural use; or (2) an exemption for the use of such chemical on such commodity. Provides for temporary waivers from revocations for the purpose of distributing in commerce commodities that contain residues resulting from the application of pesticides before this Act's enactment or residual environmental contamination. Permits the Administrator to issue such waivers only if such waivers do not: (1) pose a dietary health risk; and (2) cause significant economic hardship for domestic producers of a commodity attributable to competition from foreign producers in countries in which the use of the pesticide is permitted. Prohibits, with specified exceptions, the establishment or continuation of a tolerance unless the Administrator determines that a practical method for detecting and measuring pesticide residues exists. Prohibits the importation of food into U.S. customs territory unless the commodity importer files with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of the Treasury a document identifying each pesticide chemical used in connection with the commodity. Requires such importers, if unreported pesticides are detected in such commodities, to submit residue analyses for such pesticides. Waives reporting requirements for unreported pesticides if the presence of such pesticides is attributable to long-term environmental persistence and does not pose a health risk. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to apply such requirements to importers of meat, poultry, and eggs. Title III: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1990
Designates April 6, 1990, the 88th birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, as Education Day, U.S.A. Calls on heads of state of the world to join the President of the United States in this tribute by signing scrolls of honor commemorating the 40th anniversary of Schneerson's leadership of the Lubavitch movement. Welcomes the cooperation of the Department of State in extending the good office of the U.S. missions to the Lubavitcher emissaries.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny an income tax deduction for expenses in connection with: (1) the cutting of old-growth redwood timber; or (2) the transportation of such timber in its unprocessed state. Imposes an excise tax on the cutting of any old-growth redwood timber, to be paid by the holder of the economic interest in the timber.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1990
Tire Recycling Incentives Act of 1990 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require tire producers or importers to recycle an amount of scrap tires equal to at least the amount determined by multiplying the amount of tires produced or imported that year by the recycling percentage established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Authorizes compliance by: (1) recycling scrap tires through reintroducing the reclaimed rubber into a manufacturing process to produce new tires or retread old tire casings; or (2) purchasing recycling credits under this Act. Requires such individuals to report annually to the Administrator on the amount of tires produced or imported. Directs the Administrator to establish a recycling percentage that is five percentage points higher than the existing recycling rate for tires. Provides for increases in such percentage of five points annually in the ten years following the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations allowing recyclers to create credits for tire recycling and tire producers or importers to purchase such credits. Sets forth: (1) specified recordkeeping requirements for owners or operators of tire sale and installation facilities and tire producers and importers; and (2) the amount of credits allowed for scrap tires. Directs the Attorney General to determine the effects of the credit system on competition within the tire and scrap tire recycling industries and to report annually to the Congress. Sets the recycling percentage at 60 percent if the Administrator fails to promulgate regulations. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish in the Federal Register minimum requirements for State scrap tire management and procedures under which such requirements shall be incorporated into State solid waste management plans; (2) provide for expedited review of State plans which include specified scrap tire recycling measures; and (3) establish standards to minimize health and environmental damages from the improper disposal and storage of tires. Requires such standards to provide for: (1) bans on the disposal of tires in land disposal facilities; (2) State inventories of scrap tire collection facilities, tire advisory boards, and scrap tire abatement plans; (3) agreements between facilities which distribute more than 1,000 tires annually and licensed tire haulers for the exclusive hauling of scrap tires by licensed haulers; and (4) prohibitions on the transportation of scrap tires by transporters without transportation identification numbers, with specified exceptions. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines for States for the issuance of permits to scrap tire storage, processing, transfer, and recycling facilities. Provides for: (1) limits on the size of scrap tire piles at such facilities; (2) bans on open burning within 50 feet of a scrap tire pile; (3) regulations on vegetation, rodent, and mosquito control at such facilities; and (4) different requirements for collection and storage facilities located in 100-year flood plains or other areas where water resources are critical. Requires the Administrator to promulgate guidelines for States for facility emergency plans. Directs facility owners or operators to maintain and update emergency preparedness manuals. Requires facility operators to notify the State immediately in the event of an emergency with potential offsite impacts. Sets forth specified emergency and operational recordkeeping, reporting, and inspection requirements. Requires all regulated facilities to have appropriate financial responsibility or insurance to maintain the facility for at least five years after closure. Exempts specified persons from permitting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, together with the heads of agencies responsible for public lands or military installations, to implement a plan to remediate tire piles. Applies plan requirements to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Directs the Administrator to develop a guideline for procuring goods that make use of scrap or used tires. Permits States to: (1) enter into consent orders with owners and operators of scrap tire collection facilities for proper management and abatement of scrap tires; and (2) levy fines on facilities for noncompliance. Imposes fines on tire facilities and landfills for specified violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1990
Designates the week of June 24 through June 30, 1990, as National Sheriffs' Week in honor of the 50th anniversary of the National Sheriffs' Association.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1990
Repeals the provision of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1989 which requires the withholding of income tax from wages paid for agricultural labor. Requires the Internal Revenue Code to be applied as though such provision had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1990
Civil Rights Protections Act of 1990 - Amends specified provisions of Federal law relating to equal protection under the law to declare that: (1) the rights protected by those provisions are protected against nongovernmental discrimination as well as against impairment under color of State law; and (2) those provisions afford the same protection against discrimination in the performance, breach, or termination of a contract, or in the setting of the terms or conditions thereof, as it does in the making or enforcement of the contract. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to declare that an unlawful employment practice occurs when a seniority system is adopted, an individual becomes subject to it, or a person is injured by the application of the system or a provision thereof, if it was adopted for an intentionally discriminatory purpose, whether or not that discriminatory purpose is apparent on the face of the provision.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1990
Benjamin Franklin Memorial Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Title I: Minting of Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin - Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemorative Coin Act - Provides for the sale of Benjamin Franklin commemorative coins at a surcharge of which 25 percent shall be paid to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial and the remainder be distributed in specified percentages to the National Fire Center and Museum Account, the National Hero Scholarship Account, the Firefighter Tuition Assistance Account, the Hazardous Materials Response Computer Account, the Research and Education Account, and the Burn Research Grant Account of the Firefighter Assistance Trust Fund (Fund). Prohibits the issuance of such coins from resulting in any net cost to the Federal government. Title II: Fire Service Bill of Rights - Fire Service Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to establish a fire service bill of rights. Establishes the National Fire Center and Museum in the District of Columbia to provide information about the fire service and safety to the public and fire services. Establishes a National Hero Scholarship to fund the higher education of a child, spouse, or dependent parent of a deceased firefighter. Establishes a scholarship providing tuition assistance to firefighters for higher education in fire safety or protection. Authorizes the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration to use amounts in the Research and Education Account of the Fund to fund other specified programs under the Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 and the provision of information concerning surplus Federal property and infectious diseases pursuant to this Act. Establishes the Firefighter Assistance Trust Fund. Places the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control within the United States Fire Administration. Directs the Administrator to provide States with funds from the Hazardous Materials Response Computer Account of the fund for distribution to local fire services that wish to purchase computer equipment. Directs the Administrator to make a grant from the Burn Research Grant Account of the Fund to one national firefighter's burn foundation dedicated to reducing burn injuries. Requires the Administrator to prepare and make available to fire services, upon request, a manual describing Federal procedures for disposing of surplus property and highlighting how fire services could obtain such property. Directs the Administrator to distribute to such marshals information on the infectious diseases to which firefighters are particularly vulnerable. Permits the Administrator, in certain circumstances, to award to a domestic firm a contract that, under the use of competitive procedures, would be awarded to a foreign firm.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1990
Nursing Home Access to Respiratory Therapy Act of 1990 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include respiratory therapy within covered extended care services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1990
International Voluntary Family Planning Assistance Act of 1990 - Authorizes appropriations for international population planning assistance. Earmarks a specified amount of such funds for the United Nations Population Fund if: (1) the Fund maintains such funds in a separate account, without commingling; (2) none of the funds are made available for China; and (3) any agreement to obligate such funds expressly states that the full amount granted by the agreement will be refunded to the United States if U.S. funds are used for family planning in China or abortions in any country. Prohibits any funds appropriated under this Act from being used for abortions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1990
Title I: General Provisions - Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes. Title II: Establishment of Ocean and Coastal Zone Management Service - Establishes within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration an Ocean and Coastal Zone Management Service to succeed the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. Title III: Coastal Zone Management Act - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to transfer specified coastal zone management authorities of the Secretary of Commerce to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Authorizes the Under Secretary to make annual grants to coastal States for the development of coastal zone management programs. Prohibits States from receiving more than two grants. Permits the Under Secretary (currently, the Secretary) to make administrative grants to States which match such grants according to specified ratios. Directs the Secretary to establish maximum and minimum grants to promote equity between States and effective coastal management. Revises program approval requirements. Requires the Under Secretary (currently, the Secretary) to make coastal resource management improvement grants to States. Revises State matching requirements for such grants. Directs State coastal management agencies to submit coastal waters protection programs to the Under Secretary. Requires such programs to implement coastal land use management measures to assist in controlling nonpoint source pollution of coastal waters. Outlines program requirements. Directs the Under Secretary to provide technical assistance to States and local governments for implementing such programs. Requires the Under Secretary to review the inland coastal boundary of each State program and evaluate whether such boundary extends inland to the extent necessary to control land and water uses having a significant impact on State coastal waters. Directs the Under Secretary to recommend modifications to such boundaries, as appropriate. Requires the Secretary to provide grants to States for coastal water protection programs. Subjects the provision of such grants to State matching requirements. Permits the Under Secretary to retain up to 30 percent of grant funds for States that are making exemplary progress in complying with program requirements. Requires the Under Secretary to mediate any disagreements between States with respect to coastal zone management. Authorizes coastal States and the Under Secretary, respectively, to collect specified administrative fees with respect to coastal zone management. Revises provisions concerning the coastal energy impact program. Directs the Under Secretary to recommend a coastal energy impact program to the Congress to include financial and technical assistance to meet the needs of States and local governments resulting from energy activities affecting the coastal zone. Requires the Under Secretary to: (1) implement a program to assist coastal States in fulfilling responsibilities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act; and (2) make grants to States likely to be affected by Outer Continental Shelf energy activities, if such States match such grants according to a specified ratio. Revises loan repayment provisions. Requires the Under Secretary, if any State or local government is unable to meet a loan obligation due to insufficient revenues from energy activities, to recommend to the Congress that legislation be enacted to forgive such loan. Directs the Under Secretary to establish a coastal zone management discretionary fund to be used only for: (1) regional, interstate, and demonstration projects; (2) emergency grants to States to address disasters; (3) awards recognizing excellence in coastal zone management; and (4) program development grants. Requires the Under Secretary to implement a program to require coastal States to make continual improvements in management programs in at least one of the following national interest areas: (1) coastal wetlands protection; (2) natural hazards management; (3) public access to coastal areas; (4) assessments of impacts of coastal growth and development; and (5) procedures to facilitate the siting of energy facilities and accommodate energy-related activities. Directs the Under Secretary to assess, for each State, the priority needs for improvement in each of the national interest areas and to negotiate a National Interest Improvements Program. Provides for the annual review of such programs and waivers to program requirements. Requires the Under Secretary to retain 20 percent of the amounts appropriated for administrative and resource improvement grants to implement such programs. Sets forth grant allocation requirements. Revises provisions concerning performance reviews of State coastal zone management. Permits the Under Secretary to place coastal States on probation for failure to implement coastal management programs. Requires the Under Secretary to withdraw up to 25 percent of coastal management funds allocated to a State for corrective action purposes. Directs the Under Secretary to withdraw approval of any management program of, and any financial assistance to, a State that has failed to implement a coastal waters protection program. Revises recordkeeping and auditing requirements. Directs the Under Secretary to implement an awards program to acknowledge outstanding accomplishment in coastal zone management. Revises provisions concerning the national estuarine research reserve system. Requires research guidelines for the system to include monitoring and education activities. Increases the ceiling on financial assistance to be provided to research reserves. Permits the Under Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with nonprofit organizations to aid activities in such reserves and to solicit donations for such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Permits coastal States, with the Under Secretary's approval, to allocate portions of any grants received under this title to local governments or regional or interstate agencies. Title IV: International Cooperation in Coastal Zone Management - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Under Secretary and the Secretary of State should cooperate to develop a program of technical assistance to developing nations for coastal zone management; and (2) coastal zone management should be a component of negotiations pursuant to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Under Secretary and the Secretary are encouraged to initiate discussions with other nations to include coastal zone management as part of an international convention on global climate change.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1990
Designates October 14, 1990, as Dwight D. Eisenhower Day, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Eisenhower's birth. Requests Members of Congress who are members of the Dwight David Eisenhower Centennial Commission to make arrangements for a joint meeting of the Congress in commemoration of the centennial of the birth of Dwight David Eisenhower.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1990
Antarctic Protection and Conservation Act of 1990 - Makes it unlawful to engage in, finance, or provide assistance to, any Antarctic mineral resource activity. Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to promulgate regulations to minimize and prevent any adverse impact by tourist expeditions to the Antarctic by training and establishing qualifications for tour guides and implementing safety standards for vessel and air transportation in such area. Prohibits the financing or conducting of any tourist activity in Antarctica if such regulations are not promulgated. Applies environmental impact assessment requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to Antarctica activities of Federal agencies or entities receiving Federal assistance. Amends the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act of 1984 to make it unlawful to engage in commercial fishing in Antarctica, except in compliance with a fishery management plan approved under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. Requires the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties to conclude an agreement to: (1) permanently ban Antarctic mineral resource activities; and (2) permanently conserve and protect Antarctica's environment and ecosystems. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1990
Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990 - Creates the Federal Salary Council to define local pay areas and occupational group categories that include professional, administrative, technical, clerical, law enforcement, firefighter, and health care positions. Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to: (1) survey the Federal employees in such occupational categories in each local pay area at least once every three years to compare Federal rates of pay to non-Federal rates of pay for the same work; and (2) prepare appropriate alternative pay schedules. Directs the President, based on the resulting BLS report, to establish alternative pay schedules or adjust existing pay schedules where necessary to ensure the competitiveness of the Government in recruiting or retaining well-qualified employees. Requires higher rates under such schedules to be implemented through equal percentage increments over three years. Prohibits an alternative pay schedule from applying with respect to any employee who is employed outside the continental United States or elsewhere where an allowance based on living costs or environmental conditions may be paid. Prohibits employees becoming subject to an alternative pay schedule from being paid less than they would otherwise be paid under a statutory pay system schedule. Prohibits any reduction of a rate of pay under an alternative pay schedule as a result of any adjustment under this Act. Provides that if pay surveys determine that no adjustment in pay rates under an alternative pay schedule is required, such rates shall be adjusted at the same time that any pay adjustment occurs and by the overall average percentage of any adjustment in General Schedule pay rates. Provides annual pay adjustments for employees under each statutory pay system equal to the annual increase in the Employment Cost Index (a quarterly measure of the cost of labor in the private sector). Declares that increases in rates of pay under this Act are not equivalent increases in pay under provisions regarding periodic step-increases. Grants the President authority to provide for special pay rates if the Government's efforts to recruit or retain well-qualified individuals are significantly handicapped by: (1) the remoteness of the area or location involved; (2) undesirable working conditions including exposure to toxic substances; or (3) any other circumstances which the President considers appropriate. Prohibits a minimum special pay rate from exceeding the maximum statutory pay rate for the applicable grade or level. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to grant authority to executive department and agency heads to fix the basic pay rate of up to 400 Government-wide positions which such heads determine to be critical positions at an annual rate that does not exceed the rate for level I of the Executive Schedule. Directs agency heads, in determining whether a position is critical, to consider to the extent to which: (1) the position requires scientific, technical, professional, or administrative qualifications; and (2) additional compensation is necessary to recruit or retain exceptionally qualified individuals. Allows such authority to be reexercised when such a position becomes vacant and is refilled if: (1) an agency head determines that the position remains a critical position; and (2) the Director reconfirms his or her original allocation of critical-position pay authority among executive departments and agencies. Eliminates the GS-11 grade requirement for paying new employees above the minimum rate of the appropriate grade. Creates a new pay system for administrative law judges and contract appeals board members consisting of at least three pay rates to be established and thereafter adjusted by the President. Sets the maximum rate at level IV of the Executive Schedule and the minimum rate at a grade GS-16, Step 1. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to determine which of such rates shall be paid to individual administrative law judges or contract appeals board members according to criteria prescribed by the Office.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1990
Elementary School Counseling Demonstration Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995 for the Secretary of Education to make demonstration grants to local education agencies to establish effective and innovative elementary school counseling programs that can serve as national models. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of School Counseling, headed by a Director, in the Department of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1990
Permits the reimbursement of a patient's regular physician under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for services provided to such patient by another physician who occasionally covers for the regular physician.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1990
B-2 Production Termination Act - Prohibits funds appropriated to the Department of Defense (DOD) after FY 1990 from being used to commence production of B-2 aircraft. Limits the use of funds already appropriated to DOD for the B-2 to: (1) the completion of the production of such aircraft which began with funds appropriated for a fiscal year before FY 1991; and (2) research, development, test, and evaluation, including flight testing. Directs the Secretary of Defense to preserve production facilities and tooling for production of such aircraft in order to maintain an option to produce such aircraft in the future.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1990
Savings and Economic Growth Act of 1990 - Title I: Capital Gains Provisions - Subtitle A: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the capital gains rate for noncorporate taxpayers through a deduction of: (1) 30 percent for assets held at least three years; (2) 20 percent for assets held at least two years; and (3) ten percent for assets held at least one year. Provides for the treatment of collectibles as short-term gains or losses (making them ineligible for such deduction). Disallows the capital gains deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Subtitle B: Depreciation Recapture - Provides for the treatment of gain from the disposition of certain depreciable realty as ordinary income. Title II: Home Ownership and Savings Incentives - Allows an exemption from the ten-percent additional tax on early distributions from qualified retirement plans up to $10,000, if the distribution is used to make a first-home purchase at a cost of no more than 110 percent of the median home price in the geographic area where the residence is located. Allows an individual (other than a dependent) to establish a family savings account for the exclusive benefit of an individual and the individual's beneficiaries. Limits contributions to such accounts to $2,500 for the taxable year, if the individual's adjusted income does not exceed $60,000 ($120,000 in the case of joint returns). Subjects the family savings account to the tax imposed on unrelated business income of tax-exempt organizations. Provides that distributions paid out of such accounts shall not be included in gross income, except for earnings on contributions held less than seven years. Establishes a ten-percent additional tax on earnings on contributions held less than three years.
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