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United States · Official source
3,666 records where Rep. Studds, Gerry E. [D-MA-10] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the low-income housing credit through 1990. (Under current law the credit is due to expire on December 31, 1989.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1988
Designates February 19 through February 25, 1989, as National Visiting Nurse Associations Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1988
Designates the week beginning November 13, 1988, as National Craniofacial Deformity Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1988
Calls upon the President to urge the State of Israel to drop all charges against Mubarak Awad and allow him to continue his work on behalf of regional peace at the Palestinian Center for the Study of Nonviolence.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1988
Declares that, notwithstanding provisions of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the extension of the governing international fishery agreement between the United States and the German Democratic Republic is approved and shall enter into force and effect on enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1988
Designates the week of November 6 through November 12, 1988, as National Disabled Americans Week.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1988
Designates June 12 through June 18, 1988, as Lyme Disease Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1988
Fair Employment Relations Resolution - Title I: Amendments to House Rules - Amends rules XLIII and XI of the House of Representatives, relating to employment practices. Prohibits discrimination against the handicapped under such rules. Provides that, in interpreting such rules the principles of title VII (Equal Employment Opportunities) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 shall govern to the extent practicable so that the prohibitions against discrimination under the rules are as broad as similar prohibitions under such Acts. Title II: Fair Employment Relations Board - Establishes as an office of the House the House Fair Employment Relations Board (the Board). Directs the Board to: (1) establish policies for the implementation and enforcement of the rules against employment discrimination; (2) supervise the actions of the Director of the House Fair Employment Relations Office; and (3) hear complaints alleging violations of such rules. Authorizes the Board to appoint hearing examiners for such complaints. Title III: House Fair Employment Relations Office - Establishes as an office of the House the House Fair Employment Relations Office (the Office). Provides that the Office shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Board. Directs the Office, in addition to functions and duties imposed on it by title IV of this Act, to: (1) develop procedures to implement Board policies to encourage full compliance with equal employment opportunity rules by all Members, officers, and employees of the House; and (2) perform other functions prescribed by the Board. Directs the Office to gather and maintain information with respect to: (1) each category of employees and individuals afforded equal employment opportunity under specified House rules, including, to the extent possible, information on job applicants; and (2) the employment practices of committees and offices. Requires the Director, with Board approval, to report annually to the House on such information. Directs the Office to use such information to identify discriminatory wage-setting practices in the House and to report on them to the House, with recommendations for correction. Directs the Office, upon request of a committee or office, to submit recommendations for improvements in that office's or committee's employment practices. Directs the Office to assist the placement office in developing procedures to collect and disseminate applications submitted by individuals from categories afforded equal employment opportunity under the House rules. Directs the Office to review procedures and practices for receiving, hearing, and settling complaints of alleged violations of House rules under title IV of this Act and to make recommendations regarding the continuation or improvement of such procedures. Requires the Director, by January 3, 1987, to submit to the House the results of such review, with recommendations. Requires such review to be referred to the appropriate committee or committees of the House which, within 180 days after such referral, shall submit their recommendations on the report to the House. Title IV: Complaints of Violations of Equal Employment Opportunity - Part A: Counseling and Conciliation - Allows individuals who believe that they are being discriminated against in violation of House rules on equal employment opportunity to request the Office for counseling and assistance. Requires such requests to be within 60 days after the action giving rise to the alleged discrimination, unless the Director authorizes otherwise. Allows such individuals, within 20 days after requesting counseling, to file an informal complaint with the Director. Sets forth requirements and procedures for such complaints. Requires the Director to collect information and report to the Board within 45 days after such filing. Requires the Director, upon determination that a violation has occurred, to attempt to resolve such violation by informal means. Requires the Director to report on such informal agreements, or, if agreement is not reached, to report the findings. Part B: Formal Complaints and Hearings - Allows a complainant, if the Director's report on the informal complaint determines that there is reason to believe a violation has occurred but no agreement has been reached, to file a formal complaint with the Board within 30 days after submission of such report. Allows a complainant to request, within 30 days, the Board to review a determination that there is no reason to believe a violation occurred. Directs the Board to assign each complaint to a hearing examiner. Sets forth hearing requirements and procedures. Set forth provisions for Board decisions. Directs the Board to review the transcript and findings and recommendations of the hearing examiner with respect to each formal complaint. Requires the Board to render a decision within 60 days after the filing of the formal complaint. Requires the Board to include an order for remedial action if it determines that a violation has occurred. Directs the Board to prescribe and publish, with opportunity for public comment, rules and regulations to carry out this part. Part C: Appeals to Committee on Standards of Official Conduct - Allows a complainant or respondent aggrieved by a decision or order of the Board to appeal to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (the Committee) within 30 days of the issuance of the decision or order. Directs the Committee to render its decision within 60 days after such appeal is filed. Requires the Committee to prescribe rules and regulations for such appeal process. Part D: Miscellaneous - Sets forth remedial actions which may be specified in an order issued by the Board or the Committee. Provides that any payment ordered as such remedial action be made out of the contingent fund of the House. Prohibits intimidation of complainants or witnesses in proceedings under this title by any member, officer, or employee of the House. Requires retention of records of informal and formal complaints and appeals for at least five years. Provides for the confidentiality of such records. Requires that Board and Committee decisions and orders be made public. Title V: General Provisions - Requires each committee and office of the House to cooperate with the Board, the Office, and the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1988
Prohibits the entry into the customs territory of the United States of any whole lobster or parts of lobster of a specified species that: (1) is smaller than the minimum possession size required under the American Lobster Fishery Management Plan; or (2) is bearing attached eggs or bears evidence of the forcible removal of eggs. Requires the Commissioner of Customs to enforce this provision. Requires the Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service to study annually the impact that the availability of undersized lobsters is having on the implementation of the fishery management plan. Requires transmittal of the study results to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1988
Cigarette Testing and Liability Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to provide for a continuing study of the constituents of tobacco smoke, including: (1) random testing of cigarettes produced or sold in the United States to determine the amount of specified ingredients of the smoke of cigarettes; and (2) the levels of such ingredients when people change their smoking behavior to compensate for lower levels of nicotine. Directs the Commission to: (1) arrange for a laboratory of the Federal Government or a private, nonprofit laboratory with no connection to a tobacco company to conduct the study; (2) require, as a condition to the arrangement, that the laboratory conduct similar studies for private nonprofit groups; and (3) report annually to the Congress on the results of the study. Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to provide that compliance with cigarette labeling and advertising requirements does not relieve any person from liability under common law or State statutory law.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1988
Designates October 16, 1988, as World Food Day.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1988
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1988 - Provides that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of handicap in: (1) employment practices and training covered by title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (2) the sale or rental of housing covered by title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968; (3) any public accommodation covered by title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (4) transportation services; (5) the actions, practices, and operations of State and local governments; and (6) broadcasts, communications, or telecommunications services. Lists the forms of discrimination which are prohibited by this Act, including: (1) denying any person the opportunity to participate in or benefit from a service, program, job, or other opportunity on the basis of his or her handicap; (2) establishing (or failing to remove) any architectural, transportation, or communication barriers that prevent the access or limit the participation of persons because of their handicap; (3) failing or refusing to make a reasonable accommodation to permit a handicapped individual to have access to a program, activity, job, or opportunity; (4) imposing any unnecessary standard or criteria that screens out or places the handicapped at a disadvantage; and (5) denying services, programs, jobs, or other opportunities to any person because of that person's relationship to, or association with, a handicapped person. Permits the exclusion or denial of equal access to services, programs, jobs, or other opportunities to persons: (1) for reasons unrelated to the existence of their handicap; or (2) based upon the application of standards or criteria that are necessary and substantially related to the ability to perform essential components of the job, program, activity, or opportunity, and such performance can not be accomplished by a reasonable accommodation. States that it shall be an act of discrimination, in regard to housing, to discriminate in the sale or rental of a dwelling (or in the terms, conditions, or privileges of such sale or rental) to any buyer or renter because of the physical or mental impairment of: (1) the buyer or renter; (2) a person residing in, or intending to reside in, such dwelling; or (3) any person associated with the buyer or renter. States that it shall be an act of discrimination to: (1) refuse to permit reasonable modifications, at the expense of the handicapped person, to afford such person enjoyment of the premises; (2) refuse to make reasonable accommodation in rules, policies, practices, or services to afford handicapped individuals equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling; or (3) fail to design and construct multifamily dwellings (after a specified date) which are not accessible to the handicapped. Provides certain limitations on the duties of accommodation and barrier removal. Sets forth guidelines for the establishment of requirements and promulgation of regulations by specified Federal entities with respect to: (1) the accessibility of buildings and transportation systems; (2) the implementation and enforcement of the requirements of this Act; (3) employment practices; (4) the sale and rental of housing; and (5) the removal of communication barriers. Establishes procedures for the administrative enforcement of the provisions of this Act. Establishes a civil right of action for individuals who are subjected to discrimination in violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1988
Deceptive Mailings Prevention Act of 1988 - Amends Federal law to declare as nonmailable any mail matter which is designed to resemble a bill, invoice, or statement of account due, but which in fact constitutes a solicitation of donations. Requires such mail matter to bear on its face in conspicuous type that it is a solicitation of donations and that the addressee is under no obligation to make any payment. Declares as nonmailable any mail matter which constitutes a solicitation by a non-governmental entity: (1) for the purchase of products or services which are provided free of charge or at a lower price by the Federal Government, or which are substantially the same as such products or services; (2) for the purchase of products or services and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term or symbol which reasonably could be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement; and (3) for the contribution of funds and which contains a seal, insignia, trade or brand name, or any other term which could reasonably be interpreted or construed as implying Federal Government connection, approval, or endorsement. Allows the mailing of such matter if it contains a conspicuous disclaimer that it is not a Government document. Establishes penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1988
Prohibits the Administrator of Veterans Affairs from taking into consideration any payment to any person pursuant to the settlement in the case of In re: "Agent Orange" Product Liability Litigation in determining: (1) eligibility to receive a veterans' pension; (2) the amount of any such pension; or (3) the amount of such person's attributable income for purposes of eligibility for certain medical benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the income tax rules requiring cost capitalization shall not apply in connection with the qualified artistic work expenses of freelance writers, artists, and photographers. Excludes from qualified expenses those related to printing, photographic plates, motion picture films, video tapes, and similar items. Applies the same exemption with respect to qualified indirect costs of certain film producers, not including any direct costs of a motion picture film or video tape.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1988
Directs the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to provide visa (H-1) extensions of at least one year for alien nurses whose visas expire between January 1, 1988, and September 30, 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1988
Designates October 1988 as National Down Syndrome Month.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1988
Immigration Exclusion and Deportation Amendments of 1988 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make only the following classes of aliens ineligible to receive visas for admission into the United States: (1) any alien with a communicable disease of public health significance; (2) any alien with a record of recent physical or mental disorder that poses a threat to property or safety; (3) any alien with a drug addiction; (4) any alien convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, with specified exceptions; (5) any alien convicted of specified drug violations or involved in drug trafficking; (6) any alien who has engaged in prostitution, or procurement of prostitutes, within ten years of the date of application for U.S. entry; (7) any alien likely to be a security risk; (8) any alien who has engaged in terrorist activity; (9) any alien whose entry would endanger the lives or property of U.S. citizens living abroad; (10) any alien who participated in Nazi persecutions; (11) any alien who is likely to become a public charge, with admission on bond at the discretion of the Attorney General; (12) any alien seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of performing skilled or unskilled labor, with specified exceptions (teaching, postgraduate research, and science or arts), or in situations of insufficient U.S. workers; (13) any alien who is a graduate of a medical school not accredited by a body approved for such purpose by the Secretary of Education, with certain exceptions; (14) any excluded or deported alien who seeks readmission within one year of the excluding event, unless the Attorney General consents to such readmission; (15) any alien seeking to enter the United States by fraud or the willful misrepresentation of a material fact; (16) any stowaway alien; (17) any alien who aids any other alien in illegal entry; (18) any immigrant not in possession of a valid immigrant visa and passport at the time of admission; (19) any nonimmigrant without a valid passport authorizing the alien to return to the country from which he or she came or without a valid nonimmigrant visa or border crossing card (provides for a Guam visa waiver for pleasure or business entries of up to 15 days); and (20) any alien ineligible for U.S. citizenship, including a person who left or remained outside the United States to avoid U.S. military service in time of war or national emergency. Repeals the ideological grounds for exclusion. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to jointly develop guidelines for the review of exclusion lists and other mechanisms used to screen alien visa applicants. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary to report jointly to the appropriate committees regarding the development of such guidelines (within one year) and the results of the review of such alien lists (within two years). Makes deportable by the Attorney General only those aliens within one of the following classes: (1) any alien who at the time of entry was within one or more of the classes of aliens excludable by then existing law; (2) any alien entering the United States without inspection or at a time and place other than as designated by the Attorney General; (3) any alien admitted as a nonimmigrant who has failed to maintain such status; (4) any alien admitted as a temporary agricultural worker (H-2A visa) whose status has been terminated (with family hardship exceptions); (5) any alien who within five years of entry knowingly and for gain has aided another alien to illegally enter the United States; (6) any alien admitted as an additional special agricultural worker who fails to show the necessary number of seasonal work days; (7) any alien who gained U.S. entry through marriage fraud; (8) any alien convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within five years from the date of entry and who is either sentenced or confined for a term of one year or longer; (9) any alien who at any time after entry is convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude; (10) any alien who at any time after entry is convicted of a violation of certain drug laws; (11) any alien who is a narcotic drug addict; (12) any alien who at any time after entry is convicted under weapons-possession laws; (13) any alien who at any time is convicted of violating any of various specified loyalty laws (e.g., sabotage, treason and sedition, selective service, etc.); (14) any alien who fails to comply with alien registration laws or foreign agent registration laws; (15) any alien convicted of fraud or misuse of visas or other entry documents; (16) any alien engaging in activity which endangers the public safety or national security, including terrorist activity; (17) any alien who within five years after entry has become a public economic burden; (18) any alien who has engaged in terrorist activity; or (19) any alien who participated in Nazi persecutions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1988
Terminates the trade and other sanctions imposed on Nicaragua under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act pursuant to the national emergency declared by the President on May 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on smokeless tobacco from: (1) 24 cents to $1.20 per pound for snuff; and (2) eight cents to 40 cents per pound for chewing tobacco. Establishes in the Treasury the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Trust Fund, to be available to finance research by the National Cancer Institute on cancer and other lung diseases related to tobacco products. Appropriates to the Trust Fund amounts equal to the revenue raised by the excise tax imposed on smokeless tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1988
Requires the President to direct officers and agencies of the Federal Government to implement the recommendations regarding intravenous drug abusers made by the President's Commission on the HIV Epidemic (HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus) which are capable of being implemented under existing law. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to the Congress and the President drafts of legislation which would permit the implementation of those recommendations regarding intravenous drug abusers made by the Commission which are not capable of being implemented under existing law.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1988
Salvadoran Foreign Assistance Reform Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the U.S. foreign assistance program for El Salvador should be revised to promote a negotiated settlement and a reduction of human suffering; (2) the ratio of assistance should be reversed in FY 1989 so that the amount spent on the war effort is only one-third of the amount spent for reform and development activities; (3) such assistance should not be distributed in a manner which would promote the interests of any particular political party; (4) such assistance should be distributed through church-related and other nongovernmental organizations and international organizations selected by the Agency for International Development; and (5) the President should report quarterly to the Congress on the restructuring of such assistance, the economic results of such restructuring, and any reports of corruption in its distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1988
Omnibus McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1988 - Title I: General Provisions - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (the Act) to require the Comptroller General to make annual audits of Federal emergency management food and shelter and housing assistance programs. Title II: Interagency Council on the Homeless - Amends the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1990 for the Interagency Council on the Homeless. Extends such Council through FY 1990. Title III: Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program - Amends the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1990 for the Federal emergency management food and shelter program. Title IV: Housing Assistance - Amends the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1990 for the emergency shelter grants program. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report annually to the Congress regarding the supportive housing demonstration program. Authorizes program appropriations through FY 1990. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990 for supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless. Increases budget authority for section 8 assistance (low-income housing) for single room occupancy dwellings. Makes religious organizations or organizations with religious affiliations meeting specified conditions eligible to receive housing assistance under this title and community development block grants under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Title V: Identification and Use of Surplus Federal Property - Amends the Act to require the Secretary to identify Federal properties to use to aid the homeless within two months of collecting such information. Title VI: Health Care for the Homeless - Subtitle A: Categorical Grants for Primary Health Services and Substance Abuse Services - Amends the Public Health Service Act to limit Federal matching funds after the first fiscal year to 66-2/3 percent of service costs with regard to grants for health assistance for the homeless. (Current law provides for 75 percent Federal funding.) Authorizes the continued provision for up to 12 months of certain health (including mental health) services to former homeless persons currently living in permanent housing. Includes persons living in transitional housing within the definition of "homeless individual" for purposes of such grants. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 1991. Subtitle B: Block Grant for Community Mental Health Services - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1991 for community mental health services block grants. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations for Community Demonstration Projects - Amends the Act to authorize additional appropriations through FY 1991 for mental health services for homeless persons with chronic mental illness. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1991 for alcohol and drug abuse treatment for homeless persons. Subtitle D: General Provisions - Sets forth effective dates for specified provisions of this title. Title VII: Education, Training, and Community Services Programs - Amends the Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1990 for the following programs for the homeless: (1) adult education; (2) education for children and youth; (3) exemplary education programs and related information dissemination; (4) job training, including a specified obligation for veterans' reintegration projects; and (5) the emergency community services homeless grant program. Title VIII: Food Assistance for the Homeless - Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to make excess Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) flour, cheese, and cornmeal available through 1990. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990 for the temporary emergency food assistance program (TEFAP) including storage and distribution costs. Increases amounts obligated for emergency feeding organizations. Extends the termination date for such programs from September 30, 1988, to September 30, 1990. Title IX: Veterans Programs - Authorizes additional appropriations through FY 1990 for veterans' medical care, including specified amounts for domiciliary care and for chronically mentally ill homeless veterans. Authorizes additional appropriations through FY 1990 (to remain available through FY 1991) for veterans' job training. Title X: Aid to Families With Dependent Children and Related Programs - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reduce Federal matching aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) in a jurisdiction where substantial progress is not being made toward reducing the number of AFDC families living in commercial or similar transient accommodations. Authorizes the Secretary to approve demonstration projects through FY 1990 under which States encourage landlords to make permanent shelter available to families receiving AFDC housing assistance by paying rent for such shelter for the first year at the rate paid for comparable commercial or similar transient accommodations and for the remainder of the lease at the applicable AFDC housing allowance.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1988
Medical Testing Improvement Act of 1988 - Amends title III (General Powers and Duties) of the Public Health Service Act to remove references to interstate commerce from provisions prohibiting operating a laboratory without a license issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Repeals provisions exempting from statutes regulating laboratories those laboratories operated by physicians, osteopaths, dentists, or podiatrists solely as an adjunct to the treatment of their own patients. Requires an annual inspection of laboratories to insure compliance with standards issued by the Secretary. Requires laboratories to qualify under a quarterly proficiency testing program established by the Secretary, including testing for each category of test which the laboratory is authorized to perform under its license. Requires the Secretary to maintain a technical and staff capacity to provide training and technical assistance to laboratories requesting such service and to laboratories which do not qualify under the proficiency testing program. Allows the proficiency testing to be performed by a private entity only if the entity meets standards established by the Centers for Disease Control. Requires the Secretary to maintain the capacity to conduct the testing. Makes laboratory licenses issued by the Secretary valid for one year instead of three years. Removes the cap on the fee for issuance or renewal of licenses. Directs the Secretary to make grants to a State which enacts laws providing for standards equal to or more stringent than under the provisions amended by this Act to assist the State in implementing the laws.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1988
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover, on a reasonable charge basis, the services of a clinical psychologist which would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as incident to a physician's service.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1988
Designates the period of September 17 through October 10, 1988, as Coastweeks '88, recognizing the importance of coastal zones.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1988
Supports the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) continue to provide a credible U.S. nuclear deterrent force based in Europe for the security of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies; (2) provide leadership within NATO with respect to strengthening NATO conventional forces and modernizing its nuclear deterrent forces in Europe; (3) seek verifiable conventional arms agreements leading to Warsaw Pact arms reductions in Europe; (4) continue to discuss with our NATO allies a comprehensive strategy for arms control and nuclear and conventional defense modernization in the post-INF period; (5) continue to work for verifiable strategic nuclear reductions which contribute to stability; (6) take appropriate action, including withdrawing from the INF Treaty, if he determines that the Soviets have materially violated that Treaty; and (7) propose specific procedures to resolve existing and future Soviet arms control violations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1988
Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person to manufacture, assemble, import, sell, possess, receive, ship, or deliver any firearm which is not: (1) as detectable as the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar, after the removal of grips, stocks, and magazines, by walk-through metal detectors calibrated and operated in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for use at U.S. airports; or (2) impregnated with barium sulfate, or a similar compound, to facilitate detectability by cabinet x-ray systems. States that nothing in this Act shall require: (1) the FAA to utilize the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar as a FAA detection standard; or (2) that a firearm be made of any particular material or be of any particular weight as long as the detectability standard is met. States that firearms manufactured before the date of enactment of this Act, and the frame or receiver of any firearm, shall be excluded from coverage under this Act. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing the importation of undetectable firearms. Provides increased criminal penalties for using or carrying an undetectable firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. Defines the term "Minimum Security Standard Exemplar" to mean a firearm substitute used for testing that resembles a revolver, is made of material type 17-4 PH stainless, and weighs four ounces. Directs the Administrator of the FAA to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of airport security metal detectors and airport security x-ray systems. Directs the Administrator of the FAA, the Director of the Secret Service, and the Director of the Marshals Service to conduct a study to identify available equipment capable of detecting the Minimum Security Standard Exemplar while distinguishing innocuous metal objects. Allows the Secretary, when appropriate because of changed technology, to submit proposed legislation to amend the definition of Minimum Security Standard Exemplar.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1988
Provides that restrictions may be applied to information, counseling, or services provided by family planning entities abroad that receive U.S. assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 only to the extent that the same restrictions apply to domestic family planning entities receiving funds under the Public Health Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1988
Designates the week of September 25, 1988, as Religious Freedom Week.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1988
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Commercialization and Development Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish specific technical research and development performance goals for Department of Energy programs relating to: (1) photovoltaics; (2) wind; (3) solar thermal; (4) biofuels; (5) solar building and energy systems; (6) ocean energy systems; and (7) geothermal energy. Mandates that such goals be designed to promote significant further commercial applications by 1995. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress with respect to biennial technical performance goal reviews and updates. Requires the Secretary to include in the FY 1990 budget request funding for at least three commercial demonstration projects involving renewable energy technologies. States that 50 percent of such project costs shall be funded by the United States and 50 percent shall be funded by the private sector. Cites circumstances under which the United States may fund up to 66 percent of such project costs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991 for: (1) specified renewable energy programs; (2) energy conservation research and development programs; and (3) a Federal interagency working group (established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make recommendations regarding the coordination of Federal programs affecting commerce in renewable energy products and related services). Requires that each annual submission of the National Energy Policy Plan be accompanied by a three-year strategic plan for energy technology research, including energy efficiency and renewable energy.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1988
Amends the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978 to: (1) establish an Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere in the Department of Commerce; and (2) eliminate the position of Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Substitutes the Under Secretary for the Administrator for purposes of the Act. Makes the Director of the National Ocean Pollution Program Office responsible for the administration of the National Ocean Pollution Program. Requires the National Ocean Pollution Policy Board to report simultaneously to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congress on all department and agency budget requests relating to the comprehensive Federal plan on ocean pollution. (Currently such report does not need to be submitted simultaneously to OMB and the Congress.) Extends through FY 1990 the authorization of appropriations to carry out the purposes of the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978. Requires that certain information regarding ocean pollution research activities associated with the Great Lakes be disseminated by June 1 annually to governmental agencies and other persons interested in such information. (Currently such information must be disseminated in a timely manner.)
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1988
Amends title II (monitoring and research programs for ocean and coastal dumping) of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to require the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that the comprehensive and continuing program of research into the long-range effects of pollution, overfishing, and man-induced changes of ocean ecosystems is consistent with the comprehensive plan relating to ocean pollution developed under the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978. Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on October 31 of each year on the title II monitoring and research programs carried out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency and the amount of funds allocated to each of such programs. Authorizes appropriations under title II through FY 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1988
Amends title III (Marine Sanctuaries) of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to authorize appropriations through FY 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1988
Authorizes appropriations for the Maritime Administration for FY 1989 for: (1) payment of operating-differential subsidy obligations; (2) research and development activities; (3) operations and training activities; and (4) national security support capabilities, including for the National Defense Reserve Fleet and the Ready Reserve Force. Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Maritime Commission for FY 1989. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to revise Federal provisions relating to the making of student incentive payments to individuals enrolled in State maritime academies. Excludes, until October 1, 1990, certain classes of vessels intended for offshore oil and gas exploration or development or for operation of inland waterways from coverage under Federal ship mortgage insurance provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1988
Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to extend through FY 1993 the authorization of appropriations to the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, and the Marine Mammal Commission to carry out specified functions under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1988
Reproductive Health Equity Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Peace Corps Act, the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, and other Federal laws covering armed forces personnel and dependents, certain veterans, Federal employees' health benefits, and Federal penal and correctional institutions to provide that services related to abortion be made available in the same manner as are other pregnancy-related services under federally funded programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1988
Postal Reorganization Act of 1988 - Declares that the receipts and disbursements of the Postal Service Fund: (1) shall not be included in the totals of the Federal budget or the congressional budget; (2) shall be exempt from Federal budget limitations on expenditures and net lending; and (3) shall not be counted for purposes of calculating the Federal deficit. Repeals certain limitations on postal borrowing authority. Increases the limitations on postal borrowing authority.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1988
National Appliance Energy Conservation Amendments of 1988 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to include fluorescent lamp ballasts within the list of products covered by the Act. Directs the Secretary of Energy to prescribe by July 1, 1989, test procedures for such ballasts manufactured on or after January 1, 1990. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling rules for such ballasts according to specified guidelines. Sets forth energy efficiency standards for such ballasts. Preempts State energy conservation standards for such ballasts unless such standards were prescribed or enacted before the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1988
Condemns the failure of the National Governing Council of Haiti to support a constitutional transition to democracy, to provide security for the Haitian people, and to respect internationally recognized human rights. Declares it to be the policy of the United States to: (1) demonstrate the disapproval of the United States of those elements in Haiti responsible for the failure to restore genuine democratic government in accordance with the Haitian Constitution (approved March 29, 1987); (2) encourage a transition to democracy through the holding of free and fair elections; (3) promote respect for human rights in Haiti; (4) continue to support efforts of the Haitian people to achieve economic development and social justice; (5) deny benefits to the Government of Haiti until there has been a transition to democracy; and (6) recognize that Haiti is a major point for the transshipment of illicit drugs. Suspends the provision of any type of foreign assistance to Haiti. Allows an exception for specified types of assistance, including emergency and humanitarian assistance. Provides that the United States shall use its vote and influence in relevant international financial institutions to oppose any loan or any extension of financial or technical assistance to Haiti, unless such assistance is directed to programs which serve the basic human needs of the citizens of Haiti. Prohibits the extension of certain trade benefits to Haiti, including: (1) treatment as a beneficiary country for purposes of the Caribbean Basic Economic Recovery Act; (2) treatment as a beneficiary developing country for purposes of the Generalized System of Preferences; and (3) specialized tariff treatment of articles exported to and returned from Haiti. Prohibits the importation from Haiti of any sugars, sirups, or molasses whenever any limitation is otherwise imposed on such importation. Prohibits the selling or leasing of any defense articles or defense services to Haiti under provisions of the Arms Export Control Act. Requires any U.S. Government agency to: (1) take into account the general policy of the United States to deny benefits to Haiti until a transition to democracy has occurred before taking any action with respect to Haiti that is not explicitly addressed by this Act; and (2) report to the Congress any decision to take such action. Requires the President to develop and transmit to the Congress a comprehensive plan for supporting individuals and institutions in Haiti committed to advancing democracy. Specifies the objectives to be considered in developing such a plan. Terminates sanctions imposed by this Act only after the Congress: (1) determines that the Haitian Constitution is being fully adhered to by a Government chosen in free elections; and (2) repeals such sanctions. Allows the President to suspend certain sanctions temporarily if he certifies to the Congress that Haiti is making significant progress toward establishment of a democratic government. Requires the President to periodically report to the Congress on the progress made toward the policy objectives of this Act. Requires the President to submit a report to the Congress which: (1) explains why Haiti has not been treated as a major-drug-transit country for purposes of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trade Act of 1974; and (2) states whether Haiti cooperated fully with respect to illicit drug trafficking. Repeals existing restrictions on assistance to Haiti as contained in the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Act, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1988
AIDS Health Care Financing Act of 1988 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Public Health Service Act to extend the maximum required period of continuation coverage of group health plans from 18 months to 29 months for an individual determined, under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) or title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act, to have been disabled at the time of termination or reduction in hours. Increases the premium which plans are permitted to require for continuation coverage from 102 percent to 152 percent of the applicable premium for the period for any month after the 18th month of continuation coverage after terminations, reduced hours, or multiple qualifying events. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit States to pay expenses of an individual eligible for benefits under its plan for premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, or similar costs for health coverage offered by the individual's employer, including continuation coverage. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a three-year program of grants to States to assist in paying premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and similar costs for continuation coverage for individuals who were disabled at the time of termination of employment. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Provides that when the Secretary allows a State Medicaid plan to provide for payment for individuals with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or an AIDS-related condition, for home or community-based services such as home health care, personal care services, case management services, outpatient mental health treatment, and outpatient substance abuse treatment, the Federal medical assistance percentage shall not be less than 75 percent. Declares that nothing in title XIX of the Social Security Act shall be construed as preventing a State from establishing differential payment rates for providers to reflect the additional costs of providing services to patients with AIDS or an AIDS-related condition. Directs the Secretary to provide for up to four Regional AIDS Treatment Demonstration Projects for individuals with AIDS and AIDS-related conditions in areas which do not have a disproportionate number of such individuals. Requires the projects to incorporate innovative approaches to the delivery of necessary services, particularly focusing on community-based services. Requires each project to provide for case management services and community-based services. Sets forth considerations in selection of projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Sets forth reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish up to six Demonstration HIV Monitoring and Treatment Centers for individuals diagnosed as infected with a virus related to the development of AIDS but who have not developed AIDS. Sets forth terms and conditions relating to the imposition of charges for services, the development of model clinical treatment plans, and confidentiality of records. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to up to four local projects which have established AIDS prevention and treatment services to permit the projects to assist entities in developing and establishing similar local projects in other areas. Allows the assistance to be used for staff, overhead, and the preparation and reproduction of educational materials. Prohibits use of the assistance for AIDS prevention and treatment services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to local governments which demonstrate a disproportionate share of: (1) residents with AIDS or an AIDS-related condition; or (2) expenditures from local funds for treatment of such syndrome or condition. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1988
Title I: Housing and Urban Development - Makes FY 1988 supplemental appropriations for the following Department of Housing and Urban Development homeless programs authorized by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act: (1) single room occupancy dwelling rehabilitation; (2) emergency shelter grants; (3) supportive housing demonstration program; and (4) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless. Makes FY 1988 supplemental appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's emergency food and shelter program. Title II: Health and Human Services - Makes FY 1988 supplemental appropriations for the following Department of Health and Human Services homeless programs authorized by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act: (1) health services; (2) community mental health services (alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health); and (3) emergency community services.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) should: (1) investigate the management of Texas Air Corporation and Eastern Air Lines since the acquisition of Eastern by Texas Air to determine (according to prescribed guidelines) the effect of such management upon the public interest; (2) use the investigation findings as a basis for decisions in pending and future cases involving proposed changes in domestic and international operations of Eastern; (3) not authorize the operation of any entity as a subsidiary of Texas Air in performing any air transportation operations until completion of a review to determine whether such performance is consistent with the public interest; (4) not authorize any Texas Air subsidiary to engage in air transportation until the application for such certificate has been reviewed; (5) not authorize Orion Air to provide contract services with Eastern unless Orion establishes conclusively its capability of conducting such operations with the highest degree of safety; (6) not expedite consideration of Orion's request to operate under contract with Eastern by diverting employees of the Department of Transportation or the Federal Aviation Administration from their responsibilities of ensuring the safety of previously authorized operations; and (7) require, as a condition of any approval of Orion's request to operate under contract with Eastern, that purchasers of tickets for such service must be informed at the time of making reservations of the identity of the carrier having operational responsibility for such service.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1988
Authorizes appropriations for the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act for FY 1989 through 1991. Makes such Act effective until the end of FY 1991. Extends the funding of striped bass studies under the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act to the end of FY 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1988
Amends the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 to extend the authorization of appropriations through FY 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1988
American Heritage Trust Act of 1988 - Title I: American Heritage Trust - Establishes the American Heritage Trust, comprised of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Historic Preservation Fund, to provide funding for the preservation of America's natural, historical, cultural, and outdoor recreational areas. Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to invest a portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund in public debt securities. Requires that the interest from such investments be used to provide for the preservation of the Nation's recreational areas. Sets forth a formula for the allocation of such interest income to the Federal Government and the States. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the apportionment of such income to local and State governments. Repeals a specified section concerning publicity and signing provisions. Title III: Historic Preservation Fund - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act to extend the Historic Preservation Fund through 2015. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to invest a portion of such Fund in public debt securities. Requires that the interest from such investments be used for the preservation of historic sites. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the owner of any site that benefits from moneys derived from the American Heritage Trust to install a sign indicating that fact.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1988
Department of Energy Nuclear Facilities Safety Act of 1988 - Establishes the Federal Facilities Nuclear Safety Board (the Board) as an independent body in the executive branch. Empowers the Board to: (1) review and evaluate health and safety standards at each Department of Energy (Department) nuclear facility; (2) investigate events or practices at each facility which may adversely affect public safety; (3) review a facility's design and construction as it pertains to public health and safety; and (4) recommend to the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) the health and safety measures needed to ensure adequate protection of the public. Grants the Board access to Department nuclear facility design and operational data. Authorizes the Board to: (1) establish reporting requirements which shall be binding upon the Secretary; and (2) enter into agreements with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences (and non-Federal experts) to evaluate differences between Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations and Department orders governing nuclear facilities. Requires the Secretary to cooperate fully with the Board and provide it ready access to facilities, personnel, and information requested by the Board to implement its mandate. Sets forth guidelines under which the Board's recommendations and the Secretary's decision to accept or reject them shall be publicized in the Federal Register and reported in writing to the Congress. Requires the Secretary to prepare plans to implement recommendations. Sets forth a review procedure for Board recommendations regarding a severe or imminent threat to public health and safety. Requires implementation of any such recommendations which the Secretary accepts. Requires the Board and the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding their respective activities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1988
Age Discrimination Claims Assistance Act of 1988 - Extends the statute of limitations applicable to bringing civil actions in the Federal courts on certain claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 that were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Commission to send out notices regarding the claims for which the statute of limitations has been extended. Directs the Commission to report to specified congressional committees on such claims, notices, alleged unlawful practices eliminated or attempted to be eliminated, and civil actions filed.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1988
Natural Gas Transition Act of 1988 - Prohibits the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) from permitting natural gas distribution service which would displace existing service provided by a local distribution company (or which could be provided by such local company) if: (1) the State or local regulatory authority certifies to the Commission that the displacing service would prejudice the interests of such distribution company's customers; or (2) the proponent of such displacing service fails to demonstrate that the local distribution company protesting the proposed service is unwilling to provide transportation service on terms in effect or acceptable to the State or local commission. Precludes the Commission from permitting such displacing service until 30 days after it has published notice of such service in the Federal Register. Applies this Act to all service not provided before its date of enactment, regardless of whether the Commission had granted permission to provide such service before such date.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1988
Designates the week beginning October 30, 1988, as National Marine Technology Week.