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United States · Official source
1,963 records where Rep. Synar, Mike [D-OK-2] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1988
Designates the period beginning May 16 and ending May 22, 1988, as National Safe Kids Week.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1988
Designates the period commencing November 13, 1988, and ending November 19, 1988, as Geography Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1988
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set 1988 through 1990 soybean support prices at $5.02 per bushel. (Currently such levels are a minimum of $4.50 per bushel for 1988 through 1990.) Requires (current law authorizes) soybean loan repayment at the lesser of prevailing world prices or the crop loan level. States that if producers of any crop are permitted to repay loans at less than the crop's loan level, cottonseed and sunflower seed prices shall be supported at traditional soybean-based levels.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1988
Designates the month of October 1988 as Polish American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1988
Designates the month of June 1988 as National Recycling Month.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1988
Designates March 29, 1988, the birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, as Education Day, U.S.A. Calls on heads of state of the world to join the President of the United States in this tribute by signing an international scroll of honor.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1988
Designates March 20, 1988, as National Agriculture Day.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1988
Establishes the National Park System Review Board to maintain a continuing review of National Park Service programs and of existing and proposed National Park System units. Requires the Board to transmit annually to the President and the Congress: (1) a report containing the results of such review, together with recommendations for the management of the National Park System or any proposed additions to such System; and (2) budget recommendations for the Service and the Board. Establishes a Director of the National Park Service within the Department of the Interior, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the functions of the Director. Mandates a five-year term of office.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1988
Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1988 to increase from $1,500,000,000 to $4,000,000,000 the maximum amount authorized to be transferred by the Secretary of Defense between working capital funds of the Department of Defense (DOD) and appropriations made available under such Act for military functions of DOD. Requires the Secretary, in determining the proper amounts to be so transferred, to ensure that an appropriate portion of such authority is used to transfer to operation and maintenance accounts of DOD for FY 1988 sufficient funds for depot maintenance activities and civilian personnel pay. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 to increase from $2,000,000,000 to $4,000,000,000 the amount authorized under such Act to effect such transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1988
Designates the week beginning May 15, 1988, as National Rural Health Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1988
Designates October 6, 1988, as German-American Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the Boat Safety Account in the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund to: (1) authorize transfers into the account of motorboat fuel taxes received before October 1, 1999 (current law provides authorization until October 1, 1988); (2) increase from $45,000,000 to $60,000,000 the amount permissible in the Account without triggering a prohibition of Highway Trust Fund transfers into the Account for FY 1988 and thereafter; and (3) extend from April 1, 1989, to October 1, 1999, the date before which expenditures may be made from the Account for recreational boating safety programs. Grants the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating liquidating contract authority with respect to State recreational boating safety programs in an amount equal to one-half (currently two-thirds) of the amount of motorboat fuel taxes transferred to the Account in FY 1988 and thereafter. Increases from one-third to one-half the portion of such funds available for Coast Guard services in connection with recreational boating safety services. Prohibits fiscal year expenditures for Coast Guard expenses from exceeding those for State boating safety programs generally. Amends Federal law to permit a State to use contributions of funds, materials, lands, and services to carry out certain fish restoration and management projects in lieu of paying its share of the activity.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1988
Designates September 16, 1988, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the required application of uniform inventory cost capitalization rules any animal produced in a farming business, regardless of the animal's preproductive period.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1988
Designates February 16, 1989, as Lithuanian Independence Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1988 - Title I: Child Pornography - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it illegal to use a computer to transport information in interstate or foreign commerce concerning the visual depiction of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct (child pornography). Establishes criminal penalties for buying, selling, or transferring the custody of a minor: (1) knowing that, as a consequence of the sale or transfer, the minor will be used in child pornography; or (2) with the intent to promote child pornography. States that such sale or transfer must involve: (1) the minor or other actor traveling in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) communications in interstate or foreign commerce; or (3) conduct in a territory or possession of the United States. Requires any person who produces a book, magazine, periodical, film, videotape, or other matter which contains any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct (which is shipped or intended for shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, or contains material shipped in interstate or foreign commerce) to maintain certain records regarding the performers portrayed in such conduct. Directs the Attorney General to issue regulations regarding the maintenance and availability of such records. Includes the sexual exploitation of children as a predicate offense to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute. Title II: Obscenity - Makes it a Federal criminal offense to receive or possess, with the intent to distribute, obscene matter which has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Makes it a Federal criminal offense to knowingly use a facility or means of commerce to sell or distribute obscene matter in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes a rebuttable presumption, with respect to Federal criminal offenses involving obscene matter, that obscene matter produced in one State (or outside the United States) which is subsequently located in another State (or in the United States) was transported, shipped, or carried in interstate (or foreign) commerce. Establishes criminal and civil forfeiture procedures with respect to Federal offenses involving obscene material and child pornography. Includes communications by means of cable or subscription television within the prohibition against broadcasting obscene language. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to modify the penalty provisions of such Act with respect to obscene telephone communications. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for the possession or sale of obscene matter on Federal property. Adds obscenity offenses to the list of crimes for which the Government may obtain wiretaps.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the gasoline excise tax any sale of gasoline to a State or local government (or to a purchaser for resale to such government) for its exclusive use.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Designates the week of October 30 through November 5, 1988, as National Jukebox Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the excise tax on diesel and aviation fuels. Prohibits imposition of the tax on the sale of these fuels to any purchaser (or purchaser for resale to a second purchaser) for use on a farm for farming purposes or for any other use not as a fuel in a diesel-powered highway vehicle or train. (Although fuel sold for these purposes is tax-exempt under current law, provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987 require purchasers to pay the tax and subsequently apply for a refund based on nontaxable uses of the fuel.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1988
Designates August 9, 1988, as National Neighborhood Crime Watch Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1988
Commends the President, Secretary of State, and Administrator of the Agency for International Development for their response to the drought and food emergency in Ethiopia and other nations of sub-Saharan Africa, and urges them to continue efforts to preclude the onset of famine and to ensure the timely delivery of medical and other emergency relief supplies. Declares that: (1) the Government response to these food emergencies should include initiatives to prevent the dislocation of large numbers of persons across national borders and/or into relief camps; and (2) the plight of the refugees or displaced should be addressed by emphasizing the provision of basic human needs, such as food, water, and shelter.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the excise tax on diesel and aviation fuels. Prohibits imposition of the tax on the sale of these fuels to any purchaser (or purchaser for resale to a second purchaser) for use on a farm for farming purposes. (Although fuel sold for these purposes is tax-exempt under current law, provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987 require purchasers to pay the tax and subsequently apply for a refund based on nontaxable uses of the fuel.)
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1988
Farmer Fuel Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit imposition of the excise tax on the sale of diesel or aviation fuel to any purchaser (or purchaser for resale to a second purchaser) for use on a farm for farming purposes. (Although fuel sold for these purposes is tax-exempt under current law, provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987 require purchasers to pay the tax and subsequently apply for a refund based on nontaxable uses of the fuel.) Permits wholesale distributors of gasoline who have registered with the Secretary of the Treasury and posted the required bond to pay the gasoline tax (in lieu of the person otherwise liable for the tax.) Prohibits imposition of the gasoline tax on the sale or removal of gasoline by any person (or for resale to a second person) for use on a farm for farming purposes. Requires that the reduced gasoline tax rate (3.4 cents instead of 9.1 cents) be applied with respect to gasoline used to produce gasohol after the time of the relevant removal or sale.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1987
Requests and authorizes the President to designate June 6 through June 12, 1988, as National Fishing Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1987
Establishes the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Oklahoma. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands within such Preserve by purchase with consent, donation, or exchange, including limited lands in Pawhuska. Requires the Secretary to develop a fire protection plan for such lands. Leaves any mineral interests in such lands in trust for the Osage Tribe. Permits owners of acquired, improved property to retain a right of use and occupancy to such property for residential purposes for 25 years or life, as specified. Limits land acquisition within a designated Easement Area to that needed to ensure uses consistent with the nature of the Preserve. Authorizes land acquisition outside the Preserve to facilitate the process. Entitles property owners within the Preserve to reasonable access. Permits grazing, hunting, and fishing according to plan. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance for an Osage Tribal museum. Continues current law as it pertains to oil and gas activities on such lands. Directs the Secretary to establish and operate a research facility for the management of tallgrass prairie flora and fauna. Permits research within the Preserve by qualified institutions and individuals. Requires the Secretary to submit within three years to the appropriate congressional committees a management plan for the Preserve which includes interpretation of its natural and cultural resources, a resources management plan, and access. Establishes the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Advisory Commission to assist the Secretary in the management of the Preserve. Establishes the Range Management Committee to assist the Secretary in developing a livestock grazing plan for such Preserve. Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of the Treasury to compensate the Osage County government and local school districts for loss of taxes. Authorizes appropriations for grants to operators of oil and gas facilities for barriers to protect the Osage mineral estate from liability claims. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with Osage County for roads. Preserve interpretation, and the provision of municipal services. Prohibits the Secretary from subordinating the Osage Tribe mineral rights. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with the City of Pawhuska for the use of Blue Stream Lake as a recreational facility. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1987
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to commence an administrative enforcement action under such Act against any Federal entity or employee responsible for the disposal or management of solid waste.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1987
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to appoint a Special Environmental Counsel as an independent counsel to enforce compliance with such Act and other environmental laws concerning hazardous waste management at Federal facilities. Empowers the Counsel to issue orders, bring civil actions, and collect civil penalties. Requires the President to request funds for compliance with such orders in the annual budget submission if such funds are not otherwise available. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1987
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to state that a permit issued to a Federal facility for hazardous waste management shall be deemed to be issued jointly to the United States and the operator, but that sovereign immunity does not extend to such operator. Prohibits Federal procurement from persons convicted of an offense under such Act. Permits exemptions as specified. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress on the implementation of this section. Prohibits Federal payment of an operator's fine. Permits payment of attorneys fees only if awarded pursuant to other authority.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1987
DOE Waste Cleanup Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish the DOE Hazardous Waste Management and Cleanup Account, which shall be credited with appropriations for hazardous waste activities under the Solid Waste Disposal Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund). Establishes within the Department of Energy the Office of Waste Management and Cleanup to implement the Secretary's hazardous waste disposal functions under the Solid Waste Disposal Act and Superfund. Directs the Secretary to pay the charges imposed by State authorities for hazardous waste disposal permit services on lands which are under the Secretary's jurisdiction to the same extent that non-governmental entities are required to pay for such services. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements on a reimbursable basis with any other governmental entity (or agency) for assistance related to waste management and cleanup carried out by the Director of Waste Management and Cleanup (established under this Act). Requires the Secretary to identify in each annual authorization and appropriations request the portion intended for Office support. Requires the President to set forth separately in budget proposals the amount requested for hazardous waste activities under the Solid Waste Disposal Act and for hazardous substances cleanup activities under the Superfund Act. Cites the budget details which must be included in the Secretary's annual budget submission. Requires the Comptroller General to report annually to the Congress the results of an annual mandatory audit of the Office.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1987
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to subject certain mixtures of hazardous and radioactive waste generated at Department of Energy facilities to regulation under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1987
Requires the Office of Personnel Management to report, with recommendations, to the Congress on the problem of delays in processing applications for benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System. Directs the Office to examine: (1) current methods and procedures; (2) circumstances where it might be appropriate to provide interim benefits; (3) the feasibility of processing records, forms, and other matters in anticipation of an employee's retirement; and (4) the effectiveness of retirement counselors. Requires the report to contain a plan to allow an individual to go from regular pay to retirement or disability retirement pay without interruption.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1987
Designates the period of June 11 through June 18, 1988, as National Dairy Goat Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1987
Designates May 1988 as National Digestive Disease Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1987
Designates the week of May 1 through May 7, 1988, as National Older Americans Abuse Prevention Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1987
Designates the week of April 17, 1988, as Crime Victims Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in celebration of the millennium of the Christianization of Kievan-Rus', the Soviet Union should: (1) comply with its international obligations and allow Christians to practice their faith without harassment; (2) grant a general amnesty for all Christians who have been imprisoned because of their religious beliefs; (3) allow religious believers to practice their faith freely; (4) permit unlimited publication, distribution, and importation of religious materials; and (5) allow closed churches to reopen, new churches to be built, and theological seminaries to open or expand.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the value of any Christa McAuliffe teacher fellowship.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1987
Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize security personnel of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to carry firearms and make warrantless arrests under guidelines prescribed by the Secretary of Energy (with the concurrence of the Attorney General). Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations relating to entry upon SPR property and bringing dangerous instruments or materials into such property. Declares that violations of such regulations shall be deemed misdemeanors, punishable by either a fine or imprisonment or both.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Dwight David Eisenhower Commemorative Coin Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of one dollar silver coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dwight David Eisenhower. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of the coins after December 31, 1990. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from the sale of the coins, to be used to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Authorizes the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc., to establish a commemorative statue within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to recognize and honor the women of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Vietnam war. Expresses the sense of the Congress that after the addition of such statue, no further commemorative works should be added to the Memorial. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select a site for the statue within the Memorial. Makes the design proposal subject to the approval of the Secretary and the National Capital Planning Commission. Prohibits the United States and the District of Columbia from paying any expense of establishing the statue.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Grants a Federal charter to the National Academies of Practice, honoring persons of the health care professions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Goose, Gander, and Sauce Act of 1987 - Declares that the pay of any person employed by the United States is subject to garnishment, execution, levy, attachment, and other legal process in the same manner as persons not employed by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Designates April 9, 1988, as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1987
Video Privacy Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make any person who wrongfully discloses video tape rental or sale records liable for civil damages.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1987
Designates March 25, 1988, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1987
Designates June 26, 1988, as a national day of recognition for Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1987
Designates the period of August 1 through August 8, 1988, as National Harness Horse Week.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Omnibus Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Directs the Secretary to transmit drafts of such statement to specified congressional committees and to distribute the final statement to all taxpayers receiving annual tax filing forms from the IRS. Requires the IRS, upon taxpayer request, to conduct any interview regarding the determination or collection of any tax at a reasonable time and place convenient to the taxpayer and to the IRS, and to permit the taxpayer, at his or her own expense, to record the interview. Authorizes the IRS interviewer to record such interview if the taxpayer has been given prior notice and is provided, upon request and payment of reproduction costs, with a transcript of the recording. Requires the interviewer to explain to the taxpayer the audit process, including the taxpayer's rights with respect to the process. Requires the Secretary to abate any penalty or interest imposed on any deficiency attributable to erroneous advice in writing given to a taxpayer by an IRS officer or employee in response to such taxpayer's specific inquiry. Authorizes the IRS Ombudsman, upon application filed by a taxpayer, to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Ombudsman: (1) the taxpayer is suffering or is about to suffer from an unusual or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary has failed to carry out any of his or her duties or has violated any provision of law. Allows the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary to release property of the taxpayer levied upon or to cease or refrain from certain actions. Requires the Secretary to obey any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued by the Ombudsman. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations with respect to Taxpayer Assistance Orders, including provisions to assure full, fair, and impartial due process for affected taxpayers. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to establish within the Department of the Treasury an Office of Inspector General. Transfers to such Office the existing audit and investigation units of the Department. Sets forth criteria with respect to: (1) the authority of the Inspector General to conduct an investigation; and (2) the authority of the Secretary in cases of audits or investigations requiring access to information of a sensitive or confidential nature. Allows the Secretary to prohibit investigations under specified circumstances. Restricts disclosure by the Inspector General of tax returns and return information. Prohibits records of tax enforcement results from being used to evaluate certain IRS personnel or to impose or suggest production quotas. Requires district directors to certify compliance with this mandate on a monthly basis. Requires the Secretary to certify that a rule proposed by the IRS is substantially the only alternative that meets the mandate of the relevant statute in order for the rule to be considered an interpretative rule (and thereby not subject to analyses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act). Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require regulatory flexibility analyses to include consideration of both the direct and indirect beneficial and negative effects of a proposed or final rule. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary, with limited exceptions, to send a preliminary letter of deficiency to a taxpayer prior to the mailing of a deficiency notice. Specifies required contents for tax due notices and deficiency notices, including the basis of the deficiency and a breakdown of the total amount into tax, interest, and penalty. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations requiring all IRS personnel to explain and support their position in assessing any penalties or additions to tax. Requires the Comptroller General to study IRS procedures with respect to such assessments and to present findings to specified congressional committees no later than December 31, 1988. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a binding agreement with a taxpayer under which the taxpayer may pay tax liability in installments if the Secretary determines that such an agreement will facilitate collection of the liability. Permits the Secretary, after proper notice and a hearing, to modify or annul the agreement upon the finding that the financial condition of the affected taxpayer has significantly changed. Renders such an agreement nonbinding if the taxpayer fails to pay any installment or any other tax liability when due. Extends from ten to 30 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Specifies information that must be incorporated in such notice, including possible alternative actions and the appropriate appeals procedures. Adds to the circumstances triggering termination of such a levy: (1) an agreement between the taxpayer and the Secretary for payment of the liability; and (2) the Secretary's determination that the taxpayer's financial condition precludes enforceability of the liability. Revises the list of property exempt from levy to: (1) increase the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages; (2) add an exemption for certain deposits in qualified institutions; and (3) provide an express exemption, except under limited circumstances specified in this Act, for the taxpayer's principal residence, a motor vehicle used by the taxpayer as the primary means of transportation to work, and any tangible personal property essential to the operation of the taxpayer's business in cases when a levy would prevent the taxpayer from carrying on such business. Prohibits a levy on any property when levy and sales expenses would exceed either the liability for which the levy is made or the fair market value of the levied property. Permits the Secretary to demand surrender of bank accounts only after 21 days in escrow have passed since service of the notice of levy on the accounts. Sets forth situations in which the Secretary must release a levy. Applies to jeopardy levies the administrative and judicial review procedures currently applicable to jeopardy assessments. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action against the United States in the Tax Court for judicial review of jeopardy levies and assessments. (Under current law an action for judicial review of jeopardy assessments may be filed only in district court.) Increases the time during which a taxpayer may petition for such review. Describes the jurisdictional requirements to be applied to such actions. Allows an administrative appeal of tax liens. Grants to the Tax Court exclusive jurisdiction to enjoin premature assessments if the taxpayer has filed a timely petition for review. Provides for review of such injunctive orders by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to enforce payment by the Secretary of refunds of overpayment and interest to taxpayers. Places on the Secretary the burden of proof of justifying any failure to refund, credit, or offset relevant amounts with respect to a taxpayer. Entitles a prevailing taxpayer to: (1) an interest rate of 120 percent of the overpayment rate with respect to refunds; and (2) reasonable litigation costs. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to: (1) review jeopardy assessment sales of assets; and (2) redetermine interest under certain circumstances when a taxpayer claims an overpayment of the interest. Vests in the Tax Court original jurisdiction over any civil action against the Secretary for the recovery of any tax, additions to tax, and penalties with respect to income, estate, gift, and certain excise taxes. Authorizes an award of reasonable litigation costs to the prevailing party in proceedings by taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action in district court for actual damages resulting from the failure of any Federal officer or employee to release a tax lien on the taxpayer's property. Permits a civil cause of action in district court for damages resulting from the careless, reckless, or intentional disregard of internal revenue laws by any Federal officer or employee. Denies damage awards in cases of contributory negligence. Authorizes a damage award, to a $10,000 maximum, to the United States in cases of frivolous or groundless claims by a taxpayer. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation or surveillance authorized or conducted by an officer or employee of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws that inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Establishes in the Internal Revenue Service the Office for Taxpayers Services, under the supervision of an Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Directs this Assistant Commissioner to: (1) be responsible for telephone, walk-in, and educational services, and for the design and production of tax and information forms; and (2) prepare annually, for presentation to specified congressional committees, a joint report (with the Chief Problem Resolution Officer for the IRS) on the quality of taxpayer services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Designates the week beginning November 22, 1987, as American Indian Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1987
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, to develop a curriculum for educating emergency response employees (EREs) with respect to the prevention of exposure to infectious diseases during the process of responding to emergencies. Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to assist in developing the curriculum, appointing to the task force representatives of the Centers for Disease Control, State governments, and EREs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to assist in purchasing educational materials and protective equipment recommended in the curriculum, with at least 75 percent of the grant spent for educational materials. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to assist in conducting demonstration projects for programs of screening EREs for infectious diseases and immunizing them against vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Prohibits the grants unless the applicant agrees that screenings and immunizations will be conducted only with the consent of the emergency response employee (ERE) involved. Exempts, from the screening and immunization provisions, infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (etiologic agent). Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to assist in the initial implementation of programs of testing notified EREs for infection with the etiologic agent. Prohibits grants unless the applicant agrees that the testing will be conducted only with the consent of the ERE. Requires the amount of the grant to be determined on the basis of the population of the geographic area relative to the U.S. population. Prohibits grants unless the applicant agrees to provide counseling before and, for both those testing negative and those testing positive, after testing. States that such agreements do not prohibit providing the counseling services to an ERE who will not undergo testing. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a medical facility to notify the employer of EREs if the facility determines that a victim the EREs transported to the facility has an infectious disease. Requires a medical facility, upon request of an employer of EREs, to notify the employer if the facility makes a determination that a victim transported by EREs has an infectious disease. Makes notification requirements apply to both the facility receiving the victim and, if the victim dies, to the facility ascertaining the cause of death. Requires such disclosure on request by any ERE employer. Sets forth notification procedures. Directs the public health officer of each State to designate one official of each employer of EREs to make requests and receive notifications. Prohibits other individuals from receiving notifications. Provides for notification of EREs and for requests from an ERE to an employer that the employer request notification from the medical facility. Prohibits: (1) persons providing testing or counseling services from disclosing the identity of any notified ERE; and (2) persons receiving a disclosure of protected information from disclosing the information. Provides for exceptions to the prohibitions. Prohibits a person from discriminating against an otherwise qualified notified ERE in employment, housing, public accommodations, governmental services, or the provision of benefits under any program receiving Federal financial assistance, solely because the ERE is, or is regarded as being, infected with the etiologic agent. Prohibits a person who obtains, as a result of notification provisions of this Act, information relating to the identity of a victim of an emergency who is infected with the etiologic agent, from disclosing such information. Provides, for violations of certain provisions of this Act, for civil monetary penalties, injunctive relief, civil causes of action, and criminal penalties.