United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Expedited Consideration of Proposed Rescissions Act of 1990 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require a special message, in the case of budget authority proposed to be rescinded or reserved, to include language amending the law authorizing such programs to allow them to continue to function at the proposed new level of budget authority. Allows the President to transmit to both Houses of the Congress, for expedited consideration, one or more special messages proposing to rescind all or part of any item of budget authority provided in an appropriation bill. Requires that such special message be transmitted not later than three days after the President approves the appropriation bill and be accompanied by a draft bill or joint resolution that would, if enacted, rescind the budget authority proposed to be rescinded. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for the expedited consideration of such a proposal.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Acid Deposition Monitoring and Response Act of 1989 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program, in its final report to the Congress, to submit a plan for the operation of a nationwide network to detect and measure levels of acid deposition and identify significant research gaps and priorities. Directs the President to establish, and report to the Congress on, a nationwide monitoring program to compile data on acid deposition emissions, surface water quality, forest conditions, and visibility impairment. Provides for annual updates of monitoring results. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the President to develop an assessment framework for reporting complicated technical information about acid deposition in a manner useful to policymakers and the public to assist in formulating a response. Directs the President to: (1) submit updated assessments to the Congress every five years; and (2) report to the Congress on the reduction in acid deposition rates that must be achieved to prevent adverse ecological effects. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1989
Export Development Task Force Act of 1990 - Establishes the Bipartisan Task Force on Export Development and Promotion to review all Federal activities and programs that assist U.S. businesses in export development or promotion of nonagricultural goods and services, including financing programs. Establishes the Interagency Working Group on Export Development to develop export markets for U.S. nonagricultural goods and services.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1989
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any oil or gas exploration leases or licenses on submerged lands off the coastlines of the eastern seaboard, western seaboard, and Alaska (the Outer Continental Shelf). Retains the leases, licenses, and permits in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to cancel (with compensation) specified leases or permits in effect on such date. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on alternative options for compensating leaseholders of specified land tracts.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1989
Cliff Walk National Historic Site Act - Establishes the Cliff Walk National Historic Site, Rhode Island, as a unit of the National Park System. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1989
Super Savings Bond Act - Provides for the issuance of 12-year super savings bonds, through payroll deduction or regular monthly purchase plans, to increase national savings and reduce the Federal debt owed to foreign creditors.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1989
Screening Mammography Medicare Coverage Act of 1989 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover screening mammographies for women over age 34 under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1989
Freedom of Choice Act of 1989 - Provides that a State may not restrict the right of a woman to choose to terminate a pregnancy: (1) before fetal viability; or (2) at any time, if such termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman. Allows a State to impose requirements medically necessary to protect the life or health of such women.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
National Environmental Education Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an Office of Environmental Education within the Office of External Affairs to carry out this Act. Establishes an Environmental Education and Training Program to train educational professionals in the development and delivery of environmental education and training programs and studies. Directs the Administrator to make an annual grant to an institution of higher education or nonprofit research institution to establish and operate such program. Sets forth application and eligibility requirements and criteria to be considered in awarding such grants. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements or provide grants to support projects to design, demonstrate, and disseminate practices related to environmental education and training. Outlines activities eligible for grant support and priorities in awarding such grants. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual solicitation for environmental education grants. Authorizes local education agencies, colleges or universities, State education or environmental agencies, or nonprofit agencies to apply for such grants. Limits Federal funds for demonstration projects to 75 percent of the total cost, except in specified instances. Limits such grants to $100,000 and requires 25 percent of all funds obligated under this section to be for grants of no more than $5,000. Requires the Administrator to provide for internships by postsecondary students with Federal agencies involved in environmental issues. Directs the Administrator, to the extent practicable, to support at least 150 internships annually. Makes eligible for participation in such program students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities who have successfully completed at least four courses or the equivalent in environmental sciences. Requires the Administrator to provide for a series of national awards recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental education to include: (1) the Theodore Roosevelt Award for environmental teaching or administration; (2) the Henry David Thoreau Award for literature on the environment and pollution problems; and (3) the Rachel Carson Award for film or print media for public education and information on environmental issues or problems. Provides that recipients of such awards shall be nominated by the Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the regional administrator of each EPA office to present an "Outstanding Environmental Educator Award" annually to a teacher or faculty member from a local education agency, college or university, or nonprofit organization in recognition of an outstanding contribution to environmental education. Establishes a National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the Council to report biennially to the Congress on: (1) the extent and quality of environmental education in the Nation's schools; (2) activities conducted pursuant to this Act; (3) obstacles to improving environmental education; and (4) training and skills needed to respond to environmental problems. Establishes the Environmental Education Trust Fund to carry out this Act. Allocates funding for this Act's activities and authorizes 50 percent of penalties received under specified environmental Acts to be appropriated to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
Pollution Prevention Advancement Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide for the conduct of research and development activities with respect to new or improved practices and technologies for pollution prevention. Requires at least 50 percent of the funds appropriated for such activities to be used for grants to universities or research institutions. Directs the Administrator to earmark a portion of such funds for participation in the Small Business Innovation Research Program. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on the impact of products on pollution prevention capabilities, including a list of 50 constituents that have adverse environmental or public health effects when recycled, discarded, incinerated, or treated before disposal and an identification of as many of the products containing such constituents as is practicable. Directs the Administrator to provide funding for projects demonstrating new pollution prevention practices and technologies to: (1) entities responsible for municipal solid waste disposal; and (2) public and private entities. Limits such grants to specified percentages of the total cost of a project. Sets forth criteria to be considered in the awarding of such grants. Requires the Administrator to evaluate such projects to determine the effectiveness and life-cycle costs of such technologies or practices and related social impacts. Directs the Administrator to establish a program of research grants to State and local governments that have solid waste prevention and recycling programs to enable such governments to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs. Requires such governments to report the results of such research to the Administrator. Limits the Federal share of the cost of such research to 50 percent of the total amount. Requires the Administrator to promote the use of, and provide technical assistance for, pollution prevention practices and technologies. Directs the Administrator to establish a Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse. Establishes priorities for the Administrator in undertaking pollution prevention research and development and demonstration activities with respect to hazardous and other wastes. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on the activities carried out under this Act. Authorizes and allocates appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1989
Provides that, in evaluating any sealed bid or competitive proposal for a defense contract for the performance of professional services, the head of an agency shall evaluate the bid or proposal as if the hourly labor rates of the professional employees carrying out the professional services are based on a 40-hour work week.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1989
Small Business Rehabilitation Relief Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small businesses for the expense of providing accessibility to the disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1989
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Laurance Spelman Rockefeller in recognition of his leadership on behalf of natural resource conservation and historic preservation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1989
Directs the heads of Federal departments or agencies which hold or receive records and information which have or could possibly have been correlated to U.S. personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts to publicly disclose such records and information, except where such disclosure would compromise national security. Requires the Department of Defense to publicly disclose a complete list of such personnel including those killed in action (body not returned) in such hostilities with each service member's current classification as well as any changes in such classification occurring during or after such hostilities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1989
Declares that it is the policy of the United States to recognize Brazil's sovereign authority in the Amazon and that the United States should adopt a policy to encourage and support conservation efforts initiated by Brazil to protect the Amazon forest. Declares that the United States should redouble its efforts to address development within its own borders in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Sustainable Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1989 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth sustainable agricultural reporting requirements of the Secretary of Agriculture. Title II: Farm Program Flexibility Option - Directs the Secretary to establish a program (program) to assist farmers in adopting sustainable agricultural production systems aimed at: (1) enhancing profitability and productivity; (2) conservation; (3) protecting human and animal welfare; (4) minimizing chemical use; and (5) promoting diversification. Prohibits farm program payment yield reductions for program participants. Title III: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Program - Establishes within the Extension Service a Sustainable Agriculture Extension Program. Title IV: Technical and Financial Assistance - Subtitle A: Technical Assistance and Training - Directs the Secretary to: (1) revise the Soil Conservation Service field office technical guides to incorporate sustainable agricultural practices; and (2) establish grants for such purpose. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to provide related in-service training for the Extension Service and the Soil Conservation Service. Subtitle B: Financial Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cost-sharing agreements with producers who implement farm management plans.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1989
Federal Inspection for Seafood Healthfulness Act of 1989 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to develop an inspection program for seafood and seafood products to protect the public from adulterated and misbranded products. Prohibits any establishment or vessel from processing seafood (any aquatic plant or animal capable of use as human food) unless registered under the program. Requires all seafood labeling to be approved by the Secretary prior to use. Provides for the inspection of establishments and vessels registered under the program and for condemnation of adulterated or misbranded seafood. Requires the Secretary, with the Secretary of Commerce, to establish a system to sample and test seafood and seafood products to identify geographical areas having significant quantities of products not in compliance with this Act. Imposes standards, inspection requirements, and sampling requirements on imported seafood and seafood products. Requires the Secretary to review, upon request, the seafood inspection program of countries desiring to export products to the United States. Sets U.S. seafood export standards. Directs the Secretary to encourage States to establish seafood inspection programs, providing Federal assistance for such programs. Prescribes prohibited acts relating to seafood processing, sale, and transport, imposing civil and criminal penalties for violations. Exempts carriers from penalties for delivery of adulterated or misbranded seafood and products unless certain knowledge and other requirements are met. Exempts from this Act establishments and vessels processing seafood not intended for use as human food, intended for personal use, for certain restaurant processing, and vessels that do not process seafood by certain methods. Directs the implementation of a national program for seafood safety education. Authorizes appropriations. Requires reports to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1989
Ocean Dumping Enforcement Improvement Act of 1989 - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA) to prohibit unauthorized ocean dumping in the Exclusive Economic Zone. Makes technical amendments to provisions concerning prohibited acts and permits. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations prohibiting the issuance of permits for dumping of material which is not in compliance with criteria relating to the effects of dumping on the marine environment. Requires ocean dumping permits to contain recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Directs persons in charge of vessels and other sources governed under MPRSA to notify the National Response Center as soon as they have knowledge of any unauthorized ocean dumping. Authorizes the Administrator to exempt certain quantities or categories of material from such notification requirement. Revises and expands the scope of administrative penalties for violations of MPRSA. Authorizes the Administrator, the Secretary of the Army, or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to: (1) obtain information from any person who may have information concerning material dumped or to be dumped into ocean waters after being transported from the United States; (2) enter any location where such material is or was stored; and (3) inspect and obtain samples of such material from such location. Makes such information available to the public (with the exception of trade secrets). Prescribes penalties for disclosures of confidential information. Prescribes fines pursuant to the Federal criminal code and up to one year of imprisonment, or both, for negligent violations of MPRSA. Doubles the maximum punishment for subsequent negligent or knowing violations. Revises and expands the scope of penalties for knowing violations of MPRSA. Authorizes the seizure and forfeiture to the United States of any property or money obtained as a result of such violations. Makes persons who violate MPRSA and knowingly place another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury subject to fines under the Federal criminal code and up to 15 years of imprisonment, or both. Subjects organizations convicted of such violations to fines of up to $1,000,000. Doubles the maximum punishment for subsequent violations. Prescribes fines under the Federal criminal code and up to two years of imprisonment, or both, for false statements under MPRSA. Sets civil penalties of up to $250,000 per violation of such Act. Makes vessels used in violations of such Act liable in rem for administrative and judicial penalties. Provides that such penalties shall constitute maritime liens. Authorizes the Administrator or the Secretary of the Treasury to pay awards of up to $10,000 for information leading to findings of liability, civil judgments, criminal convictions, or forfeitures of property with respect to violations of MPRSA. Permits the Administrator to request the Attorney General to bring suit for expedited relief from any person alleged to be dumping material which may create an imminent danger to human health or the environment. Authorizes the Administrator to issue orders to protect human health or the environment affected by such dumping. Subjects persons in willful violation of such orders to fines of up to $25,000 per day of noncompliance. Prohibits Federal agencies from entering into procurement or assistance agreements with persons convicted of criminal offenses under MPRSA. Authorizes the President to make exemptions to such prohibition if paramount to the U.S. interest. Requires the President to notify the Congress of such exemptions. Sets forth procedures for the review of regulations and permit issuances or denials under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1989
Small Business Access Improvement Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small businesses for the expense of providing public accommodations access to the disabled. Reduces the tax deduction for expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1989
Newsprint Recycling Incentives Act of 1989 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require producers or importers of newsprint to recycle, through methods specified under this Act, an amount of newsprint equal to at least the amount determined by multiplying the amount of newsprint produced or imported annually by such individuals by the recycling percentage established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Authorizes such individuals to comply with this Act by: (1) recycling (through deinking) newsprint; (2) purchasing recycled newsprint to combine with shipments of virgin newsprint; or (3) purchasing recycling credits under this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a recycling percentage that is two points higher than the existing recycling rate for newsprint. Provides for increases in such percentage of two points annually until 1999. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to allow newsprint producers or importers to create or purchase recycling credits. Provides that such regulations shall require: (1) producers and importers to keep specified records; (2) producers of recycled newsprint to notify EPA of capacity to recycle old newsprint; (3) importers of recycled newsprint to notify the U.S. Customs Service of the amount of newsprint being imported and to have certifications of the accuracy of such amount from the trade representative of the country shipping such newsprint to the United States; and (4) producers and importers to report to the Administrator on the amount of recycled newsprint produced or imported annually and the number of credits purchased from, or sold to, other producers or importers. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on such regulations and to include: (1) a discussion of the effects of such regulations on the newsprint and newspaper industry and the environment; and (2) an evaluation of the level of the recycling percentage and whether such percentage should be increased in future years. Requires an updated report to be submitted with ten years of this Act's enactment. Applies recycling requirements to persons who produce or import more than ten tons of newsprint annually. Sets the recycling percentage at 20 percent if the Administrator fails to promulgate such regulations. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) settlement of the civil war in El Salvador can only be achieved through negotiations to end hostilities and to incorporate the FMLN into the democratic process; (2) President Cristiani and the FMLN should be urged to continue the negotiating process until a successful conclusion; (3) the United States should encourage all parties, including the Salvadoran armed forces, to support the negotiations; and (4) the United States should stand ready to help implement a negotiated settlement by restructuring its assistance program to increase support for land reform and for the construction of health care and educational facilities to benefit the Salvadoran poor.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1989
Coal Industry Health Benefit Stabilization Act of 1989 - Authorizes the transfer of surplus assets from a coal industry pension plan to a coal industry health benefits plan, under specified conditions, without certain adverse effects in tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. Obliges specified employers to continue to contribute to multiemployer coal industry health benefits plans. Provides that nothing in this Act shall diminish or adversely affect any cause of action of such a plan, or its board of trustees, against an employer for contributions based on a collective bargaining agreement between the employer and a labor organization which is a settlor of the plan. Directs the United Mine Workers of America and the Bituminous Coal Operators' Association to report by February 1, 1994, on the effect of this Act on the delivery of retiree health benefits in the bituminous coal industry.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1989
International and South Pacific Forestry Cooperation Act of 1989 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to undertake various activities to promote sound management and conservation of forests and related natural resources in other countries and in U.S. territories in the South Pacific. Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with the Government of American Samoa, to establish: (1) the South Pacific Tropical Forestry Research Center; and (2) the American Samoa Experimental Forest. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1989
Declares that: (1) Antarctica is a global ecological commons and should be managed under a new agreement among the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties or a protocol to the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities which should for an indefinite period establish Antarctica as a region closed to commercial minerals development and related activities; (2) under such new agreement, information about minerals or other resources in Antarctica should be obtained under strictly controlled arrangements and should be openly shared in the international scientific community; (3) the Convention is not adequate to protect the environment of Antarctica and could stimulate commercial exploitation; (4) pending the negotiations and entry into force of a new agreement or protocol ensuring the full protection of Antarctica as a global ecological commons, the President should not present the Convention to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification; (5) the United States should support the interim measures presently in force among nations signatory to the Convention; and (6) the negotiation of such a new agreement or protocol should be a major item on the agenda of the pending XV Antarctic Treaty Consultative meeting opening on October 9, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1989
Global Environmental Standards Reporting Act - Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to report annually to the Congress on: (1) environmental laws in major trading countries, including members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan; (2) progress in compliance with such laws in such countries and the United States; and (3) governmental financial assistance, including tax incentives, grants, and low interest loans to industry to achieve compliance with such laws.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1989
Oil Pollution Act of 1989 - Title I: Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation - Imposes joint, several, and strict liability for specified removal costs and damages upon the party responsible for a vessel or facility from which oil is either discharged into certain waters, or which poses a substantial threat of such a discharge. Makes owners of oil carried in bulk as cargo on vessels secondarily liable for such costs and damages. Exempts from such liability certain discharges permitted under Federal, State, and local law or discharges from public vessels. Sets forth defenses to liability under this Act. Sets forth limits to liability under this Act, with specified exceptions. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to establish by regulation a maximum liability limit. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress from time to time regarding liability adjustments. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the relative operational and environmental risks posed by the transportation of oil by vessels to deepwater ports versus the transportation of oil to other ports; (2) report to the Congress on the results of such study; and (3) lower the limits of liability with respect to deepwater ports and to vessels transporting oil to such ports, if determined that the use of deepwater ports in connection with the transportation of oil results in lower operational or environmental risks than the use of other ports. Declares that the responsible party or his guarantor shall be liable to the claimant for interest on the amount paid in satisfaction of a claim for a specified period. Defines circumstances under which liability for injury to natural resources shall be to either: (1) the United States; (2) the affected State; (3) an Indian tribe; or (4) a foreign government. Sets forth recovery and indemnification procedures. Makes responsible parties subject to certain civil penalties if an oil discharge results in damages to natural resources that cannot be restored. Sets forth the uses of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (the Fund). Sets forth defenses to liability for such Fund. Confers rights of subrogation upon the United States for payment of any claim by the Fund. Sets forth a claims procedure for removal costs or damages. Requires the Secretary to designate the source of a discharge and to immediately notify the responsible party or guarantor of such designation. Grants subrogation rights to any person (including the Fund) who pays compensation under this Act to any claimant for costs or damages. Requires the following parties to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility to meet maximum liability limits: (1) parties responsible for certain vessels over 300 tons or vessels using the waters of the exclusive economic zone to transship or lighter oil destined for U.S. ports; (2) owners of oil carried in bulk as cargo on vessels; and (3) parties responsible for offshore facilities and deepwater ports. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold or revoke the clearance of any vessel that does not have evidence of financial responsibility. Sets forth circumstances under which such vessels may be denied entry into U.S. ports, or waters, be detained at such ports, or be subject to seizure. Imposes a civil penalty for failure to comply with the financial responsibility requirement. Restricts judicial review of any regulation promulgated under this Act to the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Grants the district courts original jurisdiction over all actions arising under this Act. Sets forth a limitation period for actions for removal costs, damages, or contribution. Title II: Conforming Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to: (1) the Intervention on the High Seas Act; (2) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (3) the Deepwater Port Act; and (4) the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978. Title III: Implementation of International Conventions - States that during any period in which the Civil Liability Convention and the Fund Convention are in force with respect to the United States, owner liability for pollution damage arising from a ship-related incident shall be determined according to such Conventions. Requires the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to indemnify and defend certain persons with respect to recovery of removal costs and damages. Grants recognition to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund as a legal person under Federal law, and deems the Director of such Fund to have irrevocably appointed the Secretary of State as the Fund's agent for service of process for legal proceedings involving the Fund within the United States. Exempts such Fund and its assets from all direct taxation in the United States. Provides that certain required contributions with respect to oil received in the United States shall be paid to the International Fund from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Grants recognition to any final judgment of a court of any country which is a party to either the Civil Liability Convention or the Fund Convention. Sets forth the financial responsibility requirements of shipowners whose vessels are subject to the Civil Liability Convention. Imposes specified sanctions and civil penalties upon persons violating the financial responsibility requirements. Waives all U.S. defenses based upon sovereign immunity with respect to any controversy arising under the Civil Liability Convention or the Fund Convention relating to any ship owned by the United States and used for commercial purposes. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to prescribe regulations to implement this Act and all Federal obligations under the specified Oil Pollution Conventions. Title IV: Prevention and Removal - Subtitle A: Prevention - Amends Federal law relating to certificates of registry and merchant seamen licenses to prohibit the Secretary from issuing such documents to any individual who fails to make available to the Secretary information in the National Driver Register regarding such individual's driving record. Limits the term of such documents to five years and authorizes renewals for additional five year periods. Applies such terms to new and existing documents. Requires the Secretary to conduct criminal record reviews of certificate of registry applicants and of merchant seamen license renewal applicants. Directs the Secretary to request holders of shipping licenses, certificates of registry, or merchant seamen licenses to make available to the Secretary all information in the National Driver Register regarding such individuals' driving records. Requires the Secretary to temporarily suspend and take possession of such documents if a holder performs a sensitive function on a vessel and there is cause to believe that such individual has: (1) performed such function while under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug; (2) been denied a motor vehicle license for cause within the five year period preceding the suspension; or (3) been convicted of an offense for which such documents may be suspended or revoked under Federal law. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend or revoke such documents if a holder: (1) is convicted of an offense preventing the renewal of such documents; or (2) is convicted of an alcohol-related driving offense or an offense involving a fatal traffic accident or reckless driving within the five year period preceding the suspension or revocation. Permits the termination of a revocation only when the Secretary decides that the reissuance of a document is compatible with the requirement of good discipline and safety at sea and the former holder provides satisfactory proof that the bases for revocation are no longer valid. Directs the next two senior members on a vessel, if they believe that the individual in command is under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug and is incapable of commanding the vessel, to take command of the vessel, enter details in the vessel log, and report such details to the Secretary as expeditiously as possible. Amends the National Driver Register Act of 1982 to authorize applicants for and holders of merchant seamen licenses or certificates of registry to request the chief State driver licensing official to transmit to the Secretary information regarding such individuals' motor vehicle driving records. Prescribes the use of such information by the Secretary. Precludes access to information that was entered more than five years before the date of request unless it relates to revocations or suspensions which are still in effect on the date of request. Revises standards for foreign tank vessels. Prohibits foreign vessels which fail to enforce standards equivalent to U.S. or customary international law from entering the United States. Allows provisional entry for such vessels under specified circumstances. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to authorize the Secretary to construct, operate, or improve a vessel traffic system in any U.S. channel or port. Prohibits the appropriation of funds for vessel traffic system projects unless such projects are approved by the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on such projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) study whether the Secretary should be given additional authority to direct vessel movement on navigable waters and should exercise such authority; (2) study and prioritize U.S. ports and channels that are in need of new or improved vessel traffic systems; and (3) report to the Congress on such study, together with recommendations for implementing such study. Authorizes States to require State pilotage for, and levy pilot charges on, tankers having Federal pilots without licenses endorsed for pilotage in State waters. Authorizes a member of a vessel to serve as the pilot required in Great Lakes waters not designated by the President if such member is: (1) a U.S. citizen who has a pilot license; or (2) a Canadian citizen who has an equivalent pilot license. Authorizes a vessel (except for specified regulated vessels) to operate in waters of the Great Lakes without a U.S. or Canadian registered pilot when the Secretary of Transportation notifies the master that a registered pilot is not available. Makes vessels liable in rem for rates and charges for pilotage services and any costs of collection. Increases the penalties for owners of vessels who permit such a vessel to navigate in the waters of the Great Lakes without a U.S. or Canadian registered pilot. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to report and make recommendations to the Congress on whether existing laws and regulations are adequate to ensure the safe navigation of vessels transporting oil and hazardous substances on the navigable waters and the exclusive economic zone. Directs the Secretary of the Army to report and make recommendations to the Congress on the feasibility of modifying dredges to make them usable in removing discharges of oil and hazardous substances. Requires the President to report and make recommendations to the Congress on whether liners or other secondary means of containment should be used to prevent leaking or aid in leak detection at onshore oil storage facilities located near navigable waters. Subtitle B: Removal - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the President to ensure an effective and immediate removal of an oil or hazardous substance discharge: (1) into navigable waters; (2) on adjoining shorelines to such waters; (3) on waters of the exclusive economic zone; or (4) that may affect U.S. natural resources. Authorizes the President to direct and monitor all removal actions. Requires the President to: (1) designate areas for which new or improved local contingency plans must be prepared to respond to discharges, or threats of discharges, of oil or hazardous substances; and (2) specify the Federal, State, and local officials required to prepare such plans. Outlines plan requirements. Provides for the periodic review of such plans by the President. Authorizes the President to provide technical assistance for the preparation of such plans. Requires owners or operators of tank vessels or facilities that could reasonably discharge on the navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, or the exclusive economic zone to prepare contingency plans. Outlines plan requirements. Prohibits such vessels or facilities from handling or transporting oil unless the owner or operator has submitted an approved contingency plan and is in compliance with such plan. Requires the President to review such plans. Directs the President to require: (1) periodic inspection of major equipment used to remove discharges of oil and hazardous substances; and (2) vessels operating on the navigable waters and carrying such substances to have removal equipment that employs the best technology available and is compatible with the safe operation of the vessel. Requires the President, acting through the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to conduct periodic drills of removal capability in major port areas under local and relevant vessel and facility contingency plans. Directs the Secretary to publish annual reports on such drills. Requires the Secretary to ensure that vessels designed to replace Coast Guard buoy tenders are equipped with oil skimming systems that are available, operable, and complement the mission of servicing aids to navigation. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a comprehensive nationwide computer listing of emergency removal resources available and appropriate for use in responding to oil discharges. Requires the President to encourage appropriate international organizations to establish an international inventory of emergency response resources. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous - Amends specified Acts to increase and expand the scope of penalties for specified violations, including those concerning: (1) discharges of oil or hazardous substances; (2) negligent shipping operations; (3) ship inspections; (4) liquid dangerous cargoes; (4) load lines; (5) complements of inspected vessels; (6) deck watches; (7) pilotage and crew requirements; and (8) vessel navigation. Provides for the deposit into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund of penalties collected for oil discharges under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Title V: Prince William Sound Oil Spill Removal - Prince William Sound Oil Spill Removal Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary to require: (1) tank vessels transporting oil from the Trans-Alaska Pipeline within Prince William Sound to be escorted by at least one towing or other appropriate vessel; and (2) the use of a pilot licensed by the State of Alaska for all tank vessels navigating between the Port of Valdez, Alaska, and a certain point in the Sound. Requires the Secretary to prepare a plan to modify surveillance coverage of the Sound. Requires such plan to include construction of new radar sites to cover the vessel traffic system within the Sound and a review of existing radar surveillance and maintenance policies. Directs the Secretary to require: (1) prepositioned oil spill containment and removal equipment in the Port of Valdez, the city of Cordova, and other locations within the Sound; (2) the establishment of an oil spill removal organization at appropriate locations within the Sound to consist of trained personnel capable of immediately removing a discharge of 200,000 barrels of oil; (3) tank vessels operating in the Sound to carry equipment or materials sufficient to remove an oil discharge and minimize environmental damage; and (4) biannual practice exercises for equipment and personnel testing and training in oil removal techniques for local residents and individuals engaged in fish cultivation or production in the Sound. Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce to expend at least $5,000,000 annually in FY 1990 through 1992 to conduct living marine resource damage assessments in Arctic waters from the Exxon Valdez oil spill in the Sound. Directs the Under Secretary, whenever possible, to recover such sums from the owner or operator of the Exxon Valdez. Requires such sums to be credited to the appropriations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on: (1) a list of oil pollution exercises conducted in the Port of Valdez and the Sound during the operation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; and (2) any other matters regarding oil spills in Arctic waters, including faster approval of oil spill removal technology by Federal and State agencies. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Amends Federal law relating to shipping to waive certain inspection, load line, and manning of vessel requirements if the Secretary of Transportation determines that such waivers are needed in a crisis concerning: (1) a discharge or threat of discharge of oil or a hazardous substance; or (2) the national defense. Repeals a named Act to make a conforming amendment. Title VII: Research and Development - Establishes an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research. Requires the Committee to submit an oil pollution research plan to the Congress. Directs the Committee to coordinate the establishment of an oil pollution research and development program, including research and development technologies for preventing or mitigating oil discharges and protecting the environment. Requires such program to provide for: (1) technology evaluation; (2) research on the environmental effects of oil discharges; (3) monitoring and research programs by the Secretary of Commerce to determine the effects of specified oil spills in Alaska, Narragansett Bay, the Houston Ship Channel, and the Delaware River; and (4) research on the use of geographic and ship response simulation models. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to recoup costs for the Alaskan monitoring and research program from the owners and operators of the Exxon Valdez, to the extent such costs are directly related to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Allows the Committee to enter into contracts with, and make grants to, universities, research institutions, and other persons to carry out such program. Requires the Committee to coordinate and cooperate with other nations and foreign research entities in conducting such activities. Directs the Committee to report annually to the Congress on the program. Provides for the establishment of a minimum of six regional research centers through competitive grants to universities or research institutions. Directs such centers to implement oil pollution research and development programs. Requires at least one center to be established in each of the following regions of the United States: (1) the tropical and subtropical coastal environments of Florida and the Gulf Coast; (2) the Atlantic and Pacific temperate coastal environments; (3) the Alaskan coastline and other Arctic and subarctic environments; (4) the Great Lakes; and (5) the inland waters. Sets forth selection criteria for grant applicants. Limits such grants to 80 percent of the total cost of such activities. Prohibits such grants from being used for the acquisition of real property or building construction. Provides for the equitable allocation of funds among the centers. Directs grant applicants to disseminate results of oil pollution research and development through technology transfer, training, and other educational programs. Makes funds available for oil pollution research and development activities. Allocates funds for FY 1990 through 1994 for the regional centers. Title VIII: Provisions Applicable to Alaska Oil - Amends the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act to make holders of right-of-way permits in Alaska who are responsible for pollution damages liable for any administrative costs relating to the removal of a pollutant incurred by the State. Repeals a provision of such Act which establishes the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund. Requires the Fund to pay valid claims if an owner or operator of a vessel has not paid a claim within 90 days of the submission of such claim. Subrogates the Fund to the rights of persons entitled to recover under this Act upon payment of any claim. Directs the President, after the settlement of all claims by the Fund, to study and report to the Congress on the final disposition of the unexpended balance in the Fund. Provides that officers and trustees of the Fund shall: (1) be indemnified by the Fund against all claims and liabilities to which they are subject by reason of serving as officers or trustees; and (2) be reimbursed for all legal expenses incurred in connection with such claims or liabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1989
Billboard Control Act of 1989 - Revises Federal provisions with respect to restrictions on outdoor advertising adjacent to interstate and Federal-aid primary highways. Specifies that a State shall be treated as failing to provide effective control of the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices (signs): (1) unless the State submits to the Secretary of Transportation by December 1st of each year an inventory of conforming and non-conforming signs in such State; and (2) if the State allows vegetation located on any land on which the State owns a right-of-way for a highway to be cut to improve the visibility of such signs. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a detailed annual report on the extent to which each State has complied with the requirements of this Act, including a compilation of inventories and a description of the Secretary's efforts to assure that necessary directional information about facilities providing goods and services of interest to the traveling public is available to motorists. Makes exceptions to restrictions under this Act for signs which are lawfully in existence on September 1, 1989, and those located in industrial or commercial areas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1989
Global Forest Emergency Act - Establishes a national policy of no net loss of forests within the United States and its territories. Makes forest conservation and the sustainable use of forests, domestically and internationally, a national priority. Requires: (1) the President to declare a national forest emergency and work with other nations and international organizations for similar declarations; (2) all U.S. agencies to take all actions within their authority to conserve forests and support forest regeneration and restoration as appropriate to their mission; and (3) the Council on Environmental Quality to establish national objectives to implement and promote such policy. Directs specified U.S. officials to work with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and other international bodies toward a global survey of the world's forests and forest resources to assess the extent, status, and projected trends of the world's forests. Requires such survey to use the best available technology, including satellite imagery. Directs the Agency for International Development and the Forest Service to work together to support and provide technical assistance for national-level forest inventories around the world. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (FCCSET), to prepare a comprehensive research program in forest ecology to be known as the Endangered Forest Research Initiative. Specifies that such Initiative shall include: (1) research roles for specified agencies; (2) cooperative scientific programs with other nations; (3) research toward understanding the role of forests in ameliorating climate change, in preserving biological diversity, in preventing erosion, and in protecting watersheds; and (4) development of technologies and methodology for sustained yield forestry and forest restoration and development of indigenous crops in sustained yield agroforestry. Requires the FCCSET: (1) in preparing the Initiative, to pay particular attention to the recommendations of specified National Academy of Sciences reports; (2) to coordinate with the International Union of Forest Research Associations and other domestic and international organizations as appropriate in developing the Initiative; and (3) to submit the Initiative to the Congress within one year after enactment of this Act. Requires that the recommendations contained in the Initiative be represented in the annual budget requests of the participating agencies and departments. Directs the President to extend an invitation to the Government of Japan to participate in a joint United States-Japan Commission on Global Forest Restoration which shall provide financial and technical assistance to nations, international organizations, local and national nongovernmental organizations, and industry to: (1) develop, initiate, and support a global forest restoration program; (2) seek to implement a global policy of no net loss of forest through conservation of existing forests, natural regeneration, and planting of additional trees; and (3) include training and education activities in forest conservation and restoration techniques. Specifies the U.S. members of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1989
Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to repeal an exemption from specified communicable disease control requirements of the Public Health Service Act for waste disposal from railroads operating in intercity rail passenger service.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that in recognition of several significant steps that Angola has taken toward peace, national reconciliation, and economic reform it is in the interest of the United States to take steps to normalize relations with the Government of Angola, including: (1) establishing a U.S. liaison office in Luanda; (2) supporting Angola's full participation in multilateral development institutions; and (3) providing humanitarian assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1989
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover an annual screening mammography for women over age 64.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1989
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicaid coverage of screening mammographies for women age 35 and older. Varies the permissible frequency of such covered tests on the basis of a woman's age and her risk of developing breast cancer. Directs the Secretary to periodically review and revise permissible frequencies of such tests, and to establish standards which assure their safety and accuracy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should require health insurance providers to cover screening mammographies by January 1, 1991, in accordance with screening frequency guidelines established by the National Cancer Institute and equipment quality standards established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1989
Congressional and Judicial Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1989 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require that personnel actions affecting employees or applicants in the legislative and judicial branches of the Government be free from any discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap, or age. Allows Members of Congress to take into consideration an individual's domicile and political affiliation. Establishes within the judicial branch an Employment Review Board. Provides that members of the Board be appointed from the retired judges of the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals. Authorizes an aggrieved individual to file a written complaint with the Board. Establishes procedures for the Board to investigate, settle, hear, and determine the claims alleged. Provides that if a violation is found an order for relief may compel the defendant to: (1) employ or reinstate such individual on such terms and conditions as may be appropriate, except that the Board may not compel any committee or Member of Congress to employ or reinstate, or modify the terms and conditions of employment of, any individual; (2) pay compensatory damages; and (3) pay fees and allowances of witnesses and reasonable attorneys' fees. Authorizes the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review, enjoin, set aside, suspend, modify, or enforce orders of the Board. Requires members of the Board to submit written reports to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics describing complaints during the reporting period.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1989
Authorizes to be appropriated for FY 1990, in addition to sums already authorized, a certain amount to the National Cancer Institute for breast cancer research other than research which involves treatment or clinical trials.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Older Workers Benefit Protection Act - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) to specify that it prohibits discrimination against older workers in all employee benefits except when age-based reductions in employee benefit plans are justified by significant cost considerations. Declares that, as used in ADEA, the phrase "compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment" encompasses all employee benefits, including those provided under a bona fide employee benefit plan. Requires that the actual amount of payment made or cost incurred on behalf of an older worker be no less than that made or incurred on behalf of a younger worker, for each benefit or benefit package, in order for an employee benefit plan not to violate ADEA. Places on the employer, employment agency, or labor organization the burden of proving, in any civil enforcement proceeding brought under ADEA, that specified actions are lawful. Requires a seniority system or employee benefit plan to comply with ADEA regardless of the date of adoption of such system or plan. Applies this Act to all actions or proceedings under ADEA that were brought after June 23, 1989, or that were pending on such date (which is the date on which the Supreme Court issued the decision in Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio v. Betts).
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Science Museum Assistance Act - Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish: (1) a merit based, competitive program of awards to science museums to make their services more available and to foster their involvement in local science and technology education; and (2) a peer review process to select award recipients. Sets forth selection criteria. Requires the program established under this Act to be administered through the Science and Engineering Education activity at the NSF. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 and subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1989
Adult Literacy and Employability Act of 1989 - Title I: Literacy Coordination - Establishes a Joint Presidential-Congressional Task Force on Adult Literacy. Requires the Task Force to report to the Council for Literacy Coordination established by this Act. Terminates the Task Force six months after its last member is appointed. Authorizes appropriations for the Task Force for FY 1990. Establishes the Cabinet Council for Literacy Coordination (the Council). Requires the Council to report annually to the Congress and the President. Authorizes appropriations for the Council for FY 1990 through 1993. Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish in the Department of Education an Office of Adult Literacy, to be administered by a Director of such Office. Requires the Director to: (1) coordinate the administration of literacy programs within the Department; and (2) work with the Cabinet Council for Literacy to coordinate related activities. Establishes the National Center for Adult Literacy as a nonprofit corporation which will not be an agency or establishment of the Federal Government. Divides the Center into a research institute, a technical assistance and training institute, and a policy analysis institute. Requires an annual report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for the Center for FY 1990 through 1994. Directs the Chairperson of the Council to make grants to States for a network of State or regional adult literacy resource centers. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1990 through 1992 and succeeding fiscal years. Requires each State that receives adult literacy assistance under an applicable Federal program to: (1) establish a State advisory board on literacy; and (2) submit a State literacy coordination plan. Requires the State Governor to report annually to the Council. Title II: Investment in Literacy - Amends the Adult Education Act (AEA) to increase and extend through FY 1995 the authorization of appropriations for AEA programs. Revises allotment provisions. Requires limitations on the use of funds to: (1) eliminate a cap on high school equivalency certificate programs; and (2) require that a specified amount be used to support adult education and literacy services provided by community-based organizations and nonprofit volunteer agencies. Includes among projects for which State must expand a portion of their AEA allotments: (1) development and expansion of innovative programs; and (2) support for statewide volunteer technical assistance activities. Eliminates certain maintenance of effort requirements. Authorizes the Chairperson of the Council to make matching challenge grants to State for investment in adult literacy instruction staff training and educational technology. Allows States, for purposes of matching such grants, to reserve specified portions of funds for FY 1990 through 1995 under specified Federal laws. Requires that States receiving such grants make available federally-assisted adult literacy program equipment, facilities, or training services, when not in program use or when surplus capacity exists, to other adult literacy programs (without charge or in certain circumstances at cost). Authorizes appropriations for such challenge grants for FY 1990 and succeeding fiscal years. Establishes a Literacy Leader Training Fund. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary), through the Office of Adult Literacy, to make scholarship grants from the Fund to individuals pursuing careers in adult education, instruction, management, research, or innovation, for education or research to expand their expertise. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for FY 1990 and succeeding fiscal years. Amends the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) to establish a library literacy demonstration program. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State and local public libraries for model innovative programs for delivery of adult literacy services, including development of technology-based centers. Requires that a peer review panel advise on grant criteria and application review, and that an expert in library literacy activities administer such program in the Department of Education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994 for such library literacy demonstration program. Extends through FY 1994 the authorization of appropriations for other LSCA library literacy programs. Title III: Family Literacy - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary to carry out through the Office of Adult Literacy the Secretary's functions under the Even Start program (which integrates early childhood education and adult education for parents). Title IV: Workplace Literacy - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to provide for workplace literacy skills and programs. Revises State education coordination and grant programs to provide financial assistance for any State education, labor, or economic development agency (or consortia) to enhance provision of statewide workplace literacy training and education through cooperative agreements between appropriate agencies and organizations. Requires that at least 75 percent of funds for such activities be used to improve program quality by means such as application of learning technology, model program development, and investment in staff training and services targeted at participants lacking workplace skills. Revises general program requirements for the service delivery system to require private industry councils to give priority to participant placements with businesses and industries that have a workplace literacy program or are willing to develop one with other public and private agencies. Makes individuals lacking workplace literacy skills eligible for adult and youth training program services. Requires, beginning in program year 1990, that at least 40 percent of adult program participants in each service delivery area (SDA) be in need of and be offered basic training through an individual workplace literacy plan. Requires assessment and testing of each potential participant's workplace literacy skills and employment skills. Allows participants who have been placed in employment to continue workplace literacy training until they have achieved their goal or for at least two years, whichever is earlier. Requires SDAs to provide such training for such duration to participants who need and would benefit from it. Allows such training to include workplace literacy training and English-as-a-second-language. Requires such activities to be described in an individualized workplace literacy plan for each participant, including goals based on participant needs. Requires that eligible dislocated workers lacking workplace literacy be offered basic skills training for at least a two-year period from the date of entry into the program. Establishes a Workplace Literacy Demonstration Program. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants for joint ventures of business, industry, or labor (or consortia) cooperating with State, County, or local governments or private industry councils (or consortia) to provide large-scale model development approaches to improving the basic workplace skills of the workforce. Requires the use of such funds for: (1) basic skills training; (2) specific program offerings; (3) assessments of individual and workplace skill needs; (4) program evaluations; and (5) technology-based learning environments. Sets forth matching requirements for grantees. Requires independent evaluation of such programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1995 for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1989
National High-Performance Computer Technology Act of 1989 - Title I: National High-Performance Computer Technology Program - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to direct the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (Council), to develop and implement a National High-Performance Computer Technology Plan, to be submitted to the Congress within one year of this title's enactment and revised at least biennially. Requires the plan to recommend a five-year proposal of goals and priorities for a Federal high-performance computer technology program. Describes required plan contents, including funding requirements and suggested roles for various Federal agencies. Designates the Council as the lead entity responsible for development and implementation of the plan, directing it to coordinate related activities among the agencies, review budget estimates, and work with the National Research Council and other researchers and potential users of the research. Suggests responsibilities appropriate to specified Federal agencies. Directs each Federal entity involved in high-performance computing to submit, as part of its annual budget request, a report to the Office of Management and Budget on the role of its activities with regard to the plan and relevant budget requests. Instructs the Chairman of the Council to submit to the President and to the Congress, by March 1 annually, a report on plan achievements and progress. Title II: National Research and Education Network - Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide for the establishment of a three gigabit-per-second computer network, to be known as the National Research and Education Network, with provisions for certain user charges, to link government, industry, and higher education. Requires the Council to: (1) establish a National Network Advisory Committee; (2) submit a report to the Congress evaluating effective mechanisms for providing operating funds for the long-term maintenance and use of the Network; and (3) allow Federal research grant recipients to use grant moneys to pay for computer networking and other telecommunications expenses. Requires the Department of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, to be responsible for research and development of needed advanced fiber optics technology, switches, and protocols. Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (formerly the National Bureau of Standards) to develop common standards for network activities to provide interoperability, common user interfaces to systems, and enhanced security. Directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to determine the effect of current telecommunications regulations on private industry participation in the data transmission field and to report its findings to the Congress within one year of this Act's enactment. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Title III: National Information Infrastructure - Directs the NSF to coordinate the development of a national science and technology information infrastructure of data bases and knowledge banks accessible through the Network. Title IV: Software - Requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to oversee the cooperative efforts of Federal departments and agencies in the research and development of high-performance computer software. Requires the NSF to: (1) establish clearinghouses to validate and distribute unclassified software developed by federally funded researchers and other software in the public domain; and (2) place special emphasis on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and establish joint research programs among government, industry, and higher education to develop AI applications. Requires the NIST to develop standards for software programs purchased or developed by the Federal Government that promote development of interoperable software systems. Requires procurement regulations of departments and agencies to be changed so that contractors providing software to the Government are no longer required to forfeit the proprietary software development tools that they used to develop the software. Authorizes appropriations to the OSTP for distribution to relevant agencies for computer software research and development for FY 1990 through 1994. Title V: Computer Systems - Requires the NSF to ensure that the national supercomputer centers in the United States continue to have the most advanced, commercially available supercomputers produced by U.S. manufacturers. Requires Federal agencies to procure prototype or early production models of new high-performance computer systems and subsystems to stimulate development in the American high-performance computer industry. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, to review and report to the Congress on export controls that hinder the development of foreign markets for U.S. supercomputer and other high-performance computer technology manufacturers. Authorizes appropriations to the OSTP, for distribution as specified in the Plan, for research in computational science and engineering for FY 1990 through 1994. Title VI: Basic Research and Education - Requires the OSTP to: (1) support basic computer technology research; (2) create technology transfer mechanisms to make basic research results readily available to U.S. industry; (3) promote basic research in computer science, computational science, electrical engineering, and material science; and (4) educate more researchers in computer science and computational science. Authorizes appropriations to the NSF to support basic research and training of scientists and engineers in specified fields for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1989
Municipal and Industrial Water Conservation Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an Office of Water Conservation to perform specified duties, including: (1) the support of programs to reduce water use and loss in municipal, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential sectors; (2) the support of dissemination of model water conservation programs; and (3) the promotion of least-cost approaches to water planning and regional approaches to management of water and sewer systems. Calls for intergovernmental coordination in water conservation efforts. Requires the Office to provide technical assistance to States, Indian tribes, utilities, local governments, and others in efforts to implement water conservation policies. Requires regular consultations with major water resources development agencies to target limited resources. Requires the Office to develop a series of model water conservation programs with policy options for States, Indian tribes, water utilities, and municipalities. Allows such water users to request feasibility studies of their current and potential water conservation activities. Allocates the costs of such studies, allowing smaller studies to be conducted at full Federal cost. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987) to require the Administrator to make capitalization grants to State water pollution control revolving funds for conducting municipal and industrial water conservation activities which will reduce operating and capital costs of and needs for waste water treatment facilities. Directs the Office to provide, upon request, technical assistance to businesses and institutions for water efficiency campaigns, plumbing system leak-detection, water use audits, and other water conservation measures. Requires the development of model water conservation programs for businesses and institutions and studies, upon request, of their programs. Directs the Administrator to establish a National Clearinghouse on Water Conservation to collect and disseminate, free of charge, information on water conservation technologies and practices. Establishes the Advisory Council on Water Conservation to make recommendations to the Administrator on activities under this Act. Requires the President's Council on Environmental Quality to require, by rulemaking authority, the consideration of water conservation activities in all relevant environmental impact studies conducted under specified provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1994 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1989
Clean Ocean Act of 1989 - Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to conduct a study to assess the effectiveness of planning and equipment of State and local governments and private organizations to respond to discharges of oil or hazardous substances into navigable waters. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a report containing recommendations based on such study and recommendations for establishing a nationwide computerized inventory of oil spill and hazardous substance removal equipment and experts. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations which revise the National Contingency Plan. Requires owners and operators of oil vessels or facilities to establish response teams and supply such teams with equipment to minimize damages from the discharge of oil or a hazardous substance into navigable waters. Authorizes the appropriate head of an agency to charge a fee for: (1) conducting any review or periodic drill of a response team; or (2) performing certification inspections of such teams equipment. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of regulations issued under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1989
Economic Equity Act of 1989 - Title I: Employment - Subtitle A: Pay Equity Technical Assistance to Public and Private Sector - Pay Equity Technical Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to develop and implement a continuing program of information dissemination, research, and technical assistance to public and private entities with respect to correction of wage-setting practices, and reduction or elimination of wage disparities, to the extent that they are based on the sex, race, or national origin of the employee, rather than on the work performed and other appropriate factors. Subtitle B: Legislative Pay Equity Commission and Study - Establishes a Commission on Employment Discrimination in the Legislative Branch. Directs the Commission to: (1) employ a nongovernmental consultant to study the compensation paid to Library of Congress personnel and analyze personnel policies of the Library; (2) evaluate the compensation system of the Library for compliance with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make any recommendations needed to achieve compliance; (3) develop a plan for the application of title VII throughout the legislative branch; and (4) make recommendations to the Congress for improvement of personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to the Congress 18 months after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report. Subtitle C: Extension of Benefits to Part-Time and Temporary Workers - Part-Time and Temporary Workers Protection Act of 1989 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to bring certain part-time employees within the participation, vesting, and accrual rules governing pension plans. Addresses any employee who, within a relevant 12-month period: (1) has customarily completed more than 500 but fewer than 1,000 hours of service; or (2) is employed in a type of position in which employment customarily consists of such a number of hours. Provides that completion of such hours of service will be treated as completion of 1,000 hours of service (thereby bringing the employee within the ERISA benefit framework). Permits a reduction in the employer-provided premium under a group health plan in the case of a part-time employee only when such employee: (1) has customarily completed fewer than 30 hours of service per week; or (2) is employed in a type of position in which employment customarily consists of such a number of hours. Limits such a premium reduction, when permissible, to not less than a ratable portion of the premium ordinarily provided in the case of an employee who completes 30 hours of service per week. Revises the ERISA definition of "employee" to include non-employees who, pursuant to a contract or agreement, provide employee-like services to an employer for at least one year at the rate of 500 or more hours per year. Subtitle D: Federal Council on Women - Federal Council on Women Act - Establishes a Federal Council on Women to: (1) collect and evaluate information with respect to any problems that are particular to women in the United States; (2) review and evaluate Federal policy related to any such problems; (3) coordinate the activities of the Council with similar activities conducted by States, local governments, and concerned organizations; and (4) make recommendations. Directs the Council to report its findings and recommendations to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Maintenance of Sex Equity Set-Asides in Vocational Education Programs - Amends the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act (the Act) to include displaced homemakers in the vocational education program for single parents or homemakers. Makes single pregnant women eligible for such program. Directs the administrator of such program, and of the sex equity program, to: (1) distribute to community-based organizations the State allotment for such programs on a competitive basis; and (2) develop procedures for appropriate data collection from fund recipients for program evaluation. Requires States to: (1) develop an annual plan for use of funds; (2) manage funds distribution; (3) monitor recipients' use of funds; and (4) evaluate program effectiveness. Provides for pre-vocational services to single parents, single pregnant women, homemakers, and displaced homemakers. Allows use of funds for dependent care (currently only child care) as part of such services. Directs the Secretary of Education to conduct biennial oversight visits to the States to determine if funds for programs for single parents, single pregnant women, and for elimination of sex bias and stereotyping in secondary and postsecondary education are being allocated, distributed, and used in accordance with the Act. Provides that assistance under the Act shall not effect an individual's eligibility for assistance under other Federal programs. Directs the General Accounting Office, within 18 months, to conduct a study of State compliance with specified assurances required under the Act. Subtitle F: Women in Business Procurement Assistance - Women's Business Procurement Assistance Act of 1989 - Amends the Small Business Act to add to existing goals for participation of small business concerns in Federal procurement contracts the participation of small business concerns owned and controlled by women. Requires the head of each Federal agency to report to the Small Business Administration (SBA) on the extent that small business concerns owned and controlled by women participate in procurement contracts and subcontracts. Declares it is the policy of the United States that small business concerns owned and controlled by women shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts let by any Federal agency. Precludes the award of any contract unless the procurement authority determines that the offeror's plan includes the maximum opportunity for participation of small business concerns owned and controlled by women. Authorizes any Federal agency, when dealing with negotiated contracts, to provide such incentives as it may deem appropriate in order to encourage subcontracting opportunities for small business concerns owned and controlled by women. Requires the SBA to report annually to certain congressional committees on subcontracting plans found acceptable by any Federal agency which the SBA determines do not contain maximum opportunities for small business concerns owned and controlled by women. Requires the Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for each Federal agency to designate an employee of that Director's office to be a Women-in-Business Specialist. Requires each Federal agency having procurement powers to affirmatively solicit offers from small business concerns owned and controlled by women and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Title II: Economic Security - Subtitle A: Earnings Sharing by Married Couples - Social Security Modernization Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple which are attributable to the period of their marriage shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Provides that this subtitle shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits. Subtitle B: Treatment of Disabled Widows and Widowers - Social Security Disabled Widow's and Widower's Equity Act of 1989 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal the separate definition of disability applicable to widows and widowers. Permits the months of a widow's or widower's entitlement to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits (title XVI of the Social Security Act) on the basis of a disability to be counted towards the 24 months needed to become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) on that basis. Provides full widow's or widower's insurance benefits to disabled widows or widowers without regard to age. Amends the SSI program to preserve the Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) eligibility of disabled widows or widowers who become ineligible for SSI benefits upon the implementation of this Act's amendments making them eligible for, or increasing their, widow's or widower's insurance benefits. Amends the OASDI program to extend the time period during which a surviving spouse or a surviving divorced spouse must have initially become disabled in order to qualify for widow's or widower's insurance benefits before reaching age 60 in cases where such surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse has quarters of coverage based on his or her own work after the death of the insured individual on whose wages such benefits are based. Subtitle C: Private Pension Reform - Pension Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to extend to all accrued benefits existing in plan year 1989 and thereafter the amendments made with regard to the nondiscriminatory coordination of defined contribution plans with Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI). Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to repeal provisions that permit a certain disparity in simplified employee pension plan contributions with respect to nondiscriminatory coordination with OASDI. Provides for the repeal, effective for plan year 2000 and thereafter, of IRC rules with respect to: (1) the nondiscriminatory coordination of defined contribution plans with OASDI; and (2) pension integration exceptions. Amends the IRC to establish distinct minimum employee coverage requirements applicable in cases when an employer with respect to a plan is treated as operating a single line of business. Requires such a plan to benefit all the employer's employees. Limits the exception to minimum coverage requirements available to employers treated as operating separate lines of business for a year. Amends the IRC and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to eliminate the special vesting requirements governing multiemployer plans. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States, as soon as possible after this Act's enactment, to undertake thorough studies with respect to: (1) possible methods of requiring employee pension plans to provide cost of living and other adjustments to plan benefits; and (2) potential pension portability mechanisms, including ways to preserve and enhance the real value of deferred vested pension benefits. Lists specific items to be addressed in each study. Requires submission of the studies to specified congressional committees within two years of this Act's enactment. Subtitle D: Eligibility of Displaced Homemakers for First-Time Homebuyers Assistance - Displaced Homemakers and Single Parents Homeownership Assistance Act - States that displaced homemakers and single parents shall not be deemed ineligible for Federal assistance for first-time homebuyers on the basis of previous home ownership or residence while married or a homemaker. Subtitle E: Section 8 Housing Assistance for Domestic Violence Victims - Family Housing Options Program Act of 1989 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to reserve at least five percent of section 8 housing assistance for families affected by domestic violence and for homeless families. Requires administration of such program through the local public housing agencies. Permits assistance to be used in shared housing arrangements if the family receiving assistance so consents. States that rent contributions made by a family in such an arrangement shall not be considered income to the participating family for purposes of specified housing assistance eligibility. Includes among State allocation factors the number of transitional and emergency shelters, domestic violence shelters, and the number of families served by such programs. Requires: (1) each State to make an annual program report to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and (2) the Secretary to include a summary of such reports in the annual section 8 report. Title III: Dependent Care - Subtitle A: Quality Child Care Demonstration Projects - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to not more than ten eligible public agencies and private entities, in urban and rural areas, to administer child development models to increase the quality and availability of child care services. Defines "child development model," with respect to child care services, as an entity capable of providing training and on-going assistance to satellites that provide child care services to sick children or exceptional children, and which is either: (1) a child care development center providing services at a single site (or at multiple sites in reasonably close proximity) to infants, toddlers, preschool children, and school-age children; or (2) a high quality child care program capable of recruiting, training, supporting, and monitoring family child care providers. Directs the Secretary to report by April 1, 1992, to the Congress on such program. Subtitle B: Dependent Care Tax Credit Expansion - Repeals the Internal Revenue Code's nonrefundable income tax credit for employment-related dependent care expenses, replacing it with a corresponding refundable 50 percent credit, reduced (but not below 20 percent) as the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $15,000 (adjusted for inflation). Includes within the scope of the new credit up to $1,200 ($2,400 in the case of more than one qualifying individual) of respite care expenses incurred in the care of: (1) a dependent of the taxpayer who is at least 15 years old; or (2) a spouse or other dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care. Subtitle C: Mortgage Financing for Family Day Care Centers - Small Day Care Center Assistance Act - Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to define the term "mortgage" to include a mortgage secured by a one-to-four family residential property that is occupied as a residence and in which child care service is legally provided. Subtitle D: Flexible Work Force Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an employer tax credit (to a maximum of two percent of wages) for one-third of the aggregate wages (to a maximum of $6,000) attributable to services performed by a full-time employee of the taxpayer who is permitted to work at home or during nonbusiness hours solely in order to reduce dependent care needs. Requires that there be at least a 20 percent reduction in the time of dependent care provided outside the employee's home. Terminates these provisions, subject to exception, after December 31, 1993. Subtitle E: Child Care Services in Transitional Housing - Transitional Housing Child Care Services Act - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide child care assistance for transitional housing residents. Subtitle F: Title XX Funding Increase - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to increase the amount authorized for such program in FY 1991 and thereafter. Subtitle G: School-Based Child Care - State Dependent Care Grants Amendments Act of 1989 - Amends the State Dependent Care Development Grants Act to authorize the use of funds for operation of school-age child care services before and after school. Requires that such amounts be earmarked to enable children whose families lack adequate financial resources to participate in before or after school child care programs. Requires State Governors to include specified information in their reports on programs assisted under such Act. Extends until September 30, 1993, the period during which descriptions of intended uses of State allotments must be revised to reflect substantial changes. Title IV: Health - Subtitle A: Breast Cancer Prevention - Older Women's Breast Cancer Prevention Act of 1989 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the cap on coverage of screening mammography. Subtitle B: Maternal and Child Health Funding Increase - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act to increase authorized appropriations for such program. Requires States, as a condition of receiving additional funds, to conduct a statewide needs assessment of maternity and infant care, including prenatal care and prevention of low birthweight and infant mortality, and to develop a plan to meet those needs. Changes State reporting requirements to monitor plan implementation results. Subtitle C: Infant Mortality Education and Health Services in Public Housing - Public Housing One-Stop Perinatal Services Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a program to demonstrate the effectiveness of grants to public housing agencies for providing facilities for one-stop perinatal services programs for pregnant women who reside in public housing. Sets forth preferences in selecting the agencies to receive grants. Limits the aggregate amount provided under these provisions for any public housing project to a specified sum. Requires services and facilities provided or assisted with grants under these provisions to comply with all applicable State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, and all requirements established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for such services and facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Domestic Violence Judiciary Training Grants - Amends the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to authorize the use of Institute funds to conduct up to five projects to: (1) investigate and carry out research regarding State judicial decisions relating to child custody litigation involving domestic violence; (2) develop training curricula to assist State courts to develop an understanding of, and appropriate responses to, child custody litigation involving domestic violence; and (3) disseminate the results of such investigation and research and the curricula to State courts. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1992. Subtitle E: Sense of Congress on Child Custody - Expresses the sense of the Congress that, for purposes of determining child custody, evidence of spousal abuse should create a statutory presumption that it is detrimental to the child to be placed in the custody of the abusive parent. Subtitle F: Immigration Reform for Domestic Violence Victims - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit certain battered alien spouses to apply for permanent residence without filing a joint petition (and interview) with the citizen spouse. Requires such an alien spouse to demonstrate: (1) that the marriage was entered into with good faith; and (2) evidence of physical abuse or extreme mental cruelty. Subtitle G: Long-Term Care Workers Demonstration Projects - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the Commissioner on Aging to give special consideration to funding demonstration projects providing older individuals with the opportunity to serve as volunteers furnishing long-term care services to nursing home residents. Subtitle H: Sense of Congress on Caregivers - Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) recognition and further attention should be given to the professional and personal needs of long-term care aides; (2) expanded access to health and pension benefits should be provided to such aides; (3) long-term care policy makers should recognize that problems of female household heads and minority workers affect most nursing care aides; (4) more data is needed on home health and nursing home aides; (5) expanded recruitment of specified groups should be considered to abate the long-term care aide shortage; and (6) changes should be made in nursing aide positions to ensure integration into management structures and to enhance attraction to careers in long-term care.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1989
Veterans PTSD Treatment and Psychological Readjustment Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of: (1) vet centers currently in existence by 20 additional units by December 31, 1991, and by 20 more units by December 31, 1994; and (2) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment facilities currently in existence by 15 additional units by December 31, 1991, and by 15 more units by December 31, 1994. Requires new vet centers to be established in cities which do not have such centers. Earmarks a specified amount of FY 1990 PTSD funding for contracts with private facilities and therapists for the provision of PTSD treatment. Requires the Secretary, in administering the Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program, to encourage the participation of individuals in the program who desire to become psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses specializing in the treatment of PTSD. Directs the Secretary to establish the Advisory Committee on Readjustment of Veterans. Requires the Secretary to consult with, and seek the advice of, the Committee with respect to: (1) the administration of Department benefits for veterans, particularly Vietnam veterans; (2) reports and studies pertaining to veterans, particularly Vietnam veterans; and (3) the needs of all veterans with respect to compensation, health care, readjustment, outreach, and other benefits and programs administered by the Department. Requires the Committee to report annually to the Secretary pertaining to the social, economic, educational, and psychological readjustment of veterans. Requires the Secretary to submit such reports to the Congress, along with comments and recommendations. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a pilot program to contract for care and treatment and rehabilitative services in halfway houses, therapeutic communities, psychiatric residential treatment centers, and other community-based treatment facilities for eligible veterans suffering from PTSD. Requires the Chief Medical Director (CMD) to plan, design, and conduct such program. Requires the Secretary to approve the quality and effectiveness of a program operated by a contract facility before allowing veterans to be furnished treatment there under the pilot program. Directs the Secretary to: (1) urge all public and private entities to provide appropriate employment and training opportunities to veterans who have been provided treatment and rehabilitative services under this Act for PTSD and who have been determined to be sufficiently rehabilitated to be employable; and (2) provide all possible assistance to the Secretary of Labor in placing such veterans in such opportunities. Requires the Secretary to provide referral services and advice to veterans discharged or released from active service who are not eligible for PTSD treatment and services. Outlines provisions concerning the transfer of veterans to contract care facilities for treatment of PTSD, requiring such transfer only within 30 days of such member's enlisted tour of duty and only if such person requests such a transfer while on active duty. Limits the period of such care and rehabilitative services to five years after the fiscal year in which the pilot program is initiated. Requires the Secretary to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees on findings and recommendations pertaining to the operation of the pilot program authorized under this Act. Directs the CMD of the Department to conduct a research program relating to the treatment of PTSD.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1989
Fastener Quality Act - Prohibits the offering for sale or sale in commerce of any fastener (screw, nut, bolt, stud, similar threaded device, or washer) unless it is part of a lot which: (1) conforms to standards and specifications represented by the manufacturer; and (2) has been inspected, tested, and certified according to this Act. Sets forth special rules for small lots. Requires manufacturers to have a fastener lot sample inspected by a laboratory accredited under an approved system (including one owned or affiliated with the manufacturer if it is so accredited). Requires the laboratory, upon determination of conformance with the appropriate standards and specifications, to provide the manufacturer certificates with respect to such lot. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to establish: (1) a program for the accreditation of laboratories engaged in the inspection and testing of fasteners; (2) conditions under which accreditation by private entities using standards issued by consensus standards organizations shall be deemed to satisfy the accreditation requirements of this Act; and (3) conditions, no less stringent than those for private accrediting entities, under which accreditation of foreign laboratories by their governments shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Act. Limits accreditation to three years. Requires that laboratory accreditation standards issued by one or more consensus standards organizations selected by the Director be used to accredit laboratories under the accreditation program. Authorizes the Director to hire contractors as necessary to carry out the accreditation program. Requires costs for the establishment and operation of the program to be fully reimbursable through fees or other charges for accreditation services. Directs the Secretary to ensure that private accrediting entities and laboratories accredited by such entities or by foreign governments comply with conditions and requirements in this Act. Requires the Director to periodically transmit recommendations to consensus standards organizations. Prohibits any manufacturer from selling any container of fasteners manufactured in the United States unless delivery to the first purchaser is accompanied by a written notification of testing and certification by an accredited laboratory. Prohibits any person from selling any container of fasteners manufactured outside the United States to any importer or end user unless delivery is accompanied by an original certificate from an accredited laboratory. Allows delivery to an importer or private label distributor without the required certificate if: (1) the manufacturer discloses in writing the appropriate standards and specifications; and (2) the importer or private label distributor assumes responsibility in writing for inspection and testing. Requires that, in a sale of any quantity for resale at wholesale, the container be conspicuously marked with the lot number. Requires persons who make significant alterations to a fastener subsequent to manufacture to have the altered fastener inspected and tested unless delivery is accompanied by a disclosure of the alteration and a warning. Requires subsequent disclosures of the alteration in resales. Prohibits commingling of fasteners from different lots in the same container. Requires fastener manufacturers or private label distributors to comply with requirements of a program for recordation of insignias. Directs the Secretary to establish such a program, including regulations to ensure traceability. Sets forth civil remedies, including declaratory and injunctive relief, and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violations of this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) preempt any rights or causes of action that any buyer may have with respect to any seller of fasteners under the law of any State, except insofar as such State law conflicts with this Act; and (2) limit or otherwise affect the authority of any consensus standards organization to establish, modify, or withdraw any standards and specifications under any other law or authority in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1989
Veterans Agent Orange Exposure and Vietnam Service Benefits Act of 1989 - Provides that the disease of chloracne in Vietnam veterans shall be considered to have been service-connected if such disease became manifest to a ten percent or more degree of disability within one year after the last date on which the veteran performed such service in Vietnam. Presumes the following diseases to be service-connected for veterans who performed active service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such service: (1) non-Hodgkins lymphoma; (2) soft-tissue sarcoma; and (3) melanoma and basal cell carcinoma. Provides a presumption of service-connection in the case of a Vietnam veteran suffering from a disease associated with effects of exposure to certain dioxins or other herbicide agents during such service in Vietnam. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations listing a positive association between any disease and the biological effects of exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam. Requires the Secretary to update such list continually. Requires the Secretary, in prescribing and revising such list, to obtain by contract the determinations and estimates of a contract scientific organization. Requires such organization to: (1) determine which diseases have any degree of association with the biological effects of exposure to an herbicide agent; and (2) estimate the extent of association between each such disease and each such biological effects. Requires the organization to determine such association specifically with respect to non-Hodgkins lymphoma, each soft-tissue sarcoma, lung cancer, and each other cancer. Outlines contract provisions required in such agreements between the Secretary and the scientific organization, including surveys, evaluations, and periodic determinations. Requires such scientific organization to provide reports to the Secretary and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees regarding its determinations and evaluations. Requires such organization to determine, in the effect of a positive association, whether there is a reasonable basis for concluding that a Vietnam veteran with the highest level of exposure to that herbicide agent in Vietnam was exposed to such agent under the circumstances necessary for such biological effects. Requires a report from the organization to the Secretary and the veterans' committees when there is no such reasonable basis found. Requires the Secretary to make certain determinations and follow-up reports after receiving such reports from the contract scientific organization, including the issuance of a report to the veterans' committees and the promulgation of positive association regulations, if necessary. Requires benefits to be continued even though a disease is removed from the regulations listing diseases having positive associations. Terminates such contracting authority ten years after the first day of the fiscal year in which a scientific organization transmits its first report to the Secretary. Provides special effective dates. Directs the Secretary to compile and analyze all clinical data that: (1) is obtained by the Department in connection with examinations and treatment of veterans for disabilities related to exposure to certain herbicides or to service in Vietnam; and (2) is likely to be scientifically useful in determining the association, if any, between the disabilities of such veterans and their exposure to such herbicides and other toxic substances. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the veterans' committees concerning such analysis and its results. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Director of the National Institutes of Health Research and Grants Division (NIH) before compiling and analyzing such information. Requires the Director of NIH to review each annual report submitted by the Secretary and transmit to the Secretary an evaluation of the contents of each report. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a system for the collection and storage of voluntarily contributed samples of blood and tissue of veterans who performed active service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Outlines provisions concerning the security and authorized uses of such specimens, as well as limitations on the acceptance of such samples. Requires the Secretary to consult with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to the extent that an agreement has been reached with the NAS serving as the contract scientific organization for the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Director of the Medical Follow-up Agency in the event of no agreement with NAS. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide for the conduct of studies of the feasibility of conducting additional scientific research on health hazards resulting from: (1) exposure to dioxin; (2) exposure to other toxic agents in herbicides used in support of U.S. and allied military operations in Vietnam during the Vietnam era; and (3) active military, naval, or air service there. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees on the results of such studies. Requires the Secretary to consult with the NAS before undertaking such studies and requires the NAS, to review such studies and report recommendations to the Secretary and the veterans' committees, to the extent provided under any agreement between the Secretary and NAS. Amends the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1988 to require the Secretary to annually furnish updated information to veterans listed in the Department of Veterans Affairs' Agent Orange Registry on health risks resulting from exposure to dioxin or other toxic agents in herbicides as a result of service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the veterans' committees on the research being conducted to develop treatments for psychological absorption of dioxin and other toxic agents used in herbicides by the United States in Vietnam, including research relating to exposure to dioxin and other toxic agents outside Vietnam. Extends through December 31, 2000, the eligibility for hospital and nursing home care for veterans exposed to toxic substances in Vietnam. Amends the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1988 to authorize direct consultation between the Ranch Hand Advisory Committee and Department of the Air Force scientists conducting the Ranch Hand Study (a study of the long-term health effects of exposure to phenoxy herbicides and contaminants). Requires the preparation and submission of annual reports and a final report in connection with such study.
![Official portrait of Rep. Schneider, Claudine [R-RI-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000136_200.jpg)