United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Farmers Tax Equity Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to define "large animal processors" and include them among the types of corporations required to use an accrual method of accounting to compute taxable income. Excludes such entities from eligibility for exception to these accounting requirements under most circumstances. Defines a "single purpose commodity storage structure" and includes such structures and single purpose livestock structures, as well as the work space appurtenant to each type of structure, as 15-year property for purposes of the accelerated cost recovery system used to determine the income tax deduction for depreciation. Repeals IRC provisions that disallow the inclusion of noncorporate taxpayer losses from certain tax shelter farm activity in computations to determine alternative minimum taxable income. Amends IRC provisions relating to the income tax deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) make the deduction permanent (under current law it expires after tax year 1989); and (2) increase, by annual increments of 25 percent (to 100 percent for tax year 1990 and thereafter), the percentage of such costs allowable as a deduction. Repeals specified provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that eliminated income averaging. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted. Amends the IRC to restore income averaging for a person: (1) actively engaged in the trade or business of farming, including aquaculture; and (2) whose average annual gross income for the three preceding taxable years is at least 50 percent attributable to farming. Amends the IRC to revise the treatment of activities of members of a taxpayer's family in determining a taxpayer's material participation in farming activity for purposes of passive loss and credit limitations. Exempts property used predominantly in a farm activity that does not involve the production of plants or animals whose preproductive period exceeds two years from provisions that require a taxpayer who elects to deduct preproductive expenses to apply straight line depreciation rules to the remainder of the taxpayer's farming property. Defines the preproductive period of livestock to be used for breeding purposes to begin at the animal's birth and to end when the animal is able to breed. Repeals specified provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that extended limitations on tax deductions for certain prepaid farm supply expenses to certain non-farm-related taxpayers with excess prepaid farm supplies. (Prior law applied only to farming syndicates.) Exempts from the percent reductions applicable to investment credit carryforwards any investment credit related to property used in a farming business when the affected taxpayer's average gross income for the three preceding taxable years is at least 50 percent attributable to such business.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
General Aviation Standards Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (relating to aviation accident investigations) to apply such Act, with specified exceptions, to any action for damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident brought against a general aviation manufacturer, owner, or operator of a general aviation aircraft, or a person who supports or maintains such aircraft. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for general aviation accidents. States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 12 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of a general aviation accident. Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Provides procedures for removal from State to Federal district courts of such actions. Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding recovery of damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to remove specified accounts related to railroad retirement funds, taxes, and revenues from inclusion in the Federal budget totals submitted by the President or the Congress, and to exempt such accounts from any general budget limitation imposed by law on Federal expenditures and net lending (budget outlays). Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to prohibit from inclusion in the Federal budget totals submitted by the President or the Congress certain railroad unemployment insurance accounts, taxes, and funds, and to exempt them from any general statutory budget limitations imposed upon Federal expenditures and budget outlays. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to direct the Railroad Retirement Board (the Board) to submit an annual budget program to the Office of Management and Budget which shall include separate statements of the Board's requested appropriations. Directs the President to include such requested amounts (without revision) in the budget transmitted to the Congress. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to provide that the Board's authority to determine the number of individuals it shall employ shall not be subject to review by other Federal administrative or accounting personnel. Precludes regulations promulgated by the Board from being subject to review by other Federal administrative or accounting personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1987
Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1987 - Requires that all telephones sold, rented, or otherwise distributed in the United States be hearing aid compatible, except telephones that are manufactured before the effective date of this Act or that are not required to be registered with the Federal Communications Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1987
Rural Letter Carriers Tax Simplification Act - Provides that, for taxable years beginning after 1986, rural mail carriers are permitted to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for use of their automobiles in performance of mail services: (1) by using a standard mileage rate for all miles of such use equal to 150 percent of the basic standard rate; or (2) without applying the limitation on deductions generally applicable in cases when the business use of the automobile accounts for 50 percent, or less, of its use. Prohibits the use of 150 percent of the basic standard mileage rate in determining the allowable deduction if the taxpayer claims an investment tax credit or depreciation deduction for such automobile.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1987
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require foods to include on their labeling the presence and amount of any palm, palm kernel, or coconut oil along with a statement that such oil(s) is a saturated fat.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1987
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit practitioners from dispensing oral, non-vaccine drugs for profit, except as specified in emergency, rural, or other limited circumstances. Retains to the States authority over the regulation of drug dispensation. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, upon request, to assist States in enforcing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
PRO Due Process and Equity Amendments of 1987 - Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Social Security Act to give Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) providers 30 days to request a hearing, and such time as is thereafter needed to exhaust administrative and judicial remedies, before the decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to exclude the provider from Medicare participation takes effect, provided that such delay does not pose a severe and immediate threat to the health of Medicare beneficiaries. Provides that where the Secretary finds such an immediate threat to exist, the provider shall be immediately excluded from Medicare participation and be given a hearing within 30 days. Directs the Secretary to act upon the recommendations regarding a provider's noncompliance with title XI requirements within five days of their submission if the PRO finds such noncompliance to pose an immediate threat to the health of Medicare beneficiaries, and, in any other case, within 120 days of the submittal of the recommendations. Entitles Medicare providers to a reconsideration by PRO of that organization's denial of payment for services provided, and to further review where such reconsideration is adverse to the provider and certain jurisdictional criteria are satisfied. Requires PROs to notify providers regarding any changes in the services reviewed or the review standards applied by PROs at least 30 days before such changes take effect. Requires the Secretary to emphasize PRO educational activities as much as its sanctioning activities when entering into, reviewing, or terminating PRO contracts. Directs PROs to make at least 50 percent of their review of small rural hospitals on-site reviews and take into account professionally recognized local health care standards as well as national and State standards in conducting such reviews. Prohibits the finalization of a provider payment denial until at least 30 days after the PRO gives the provider reasonable notice of the proposed denial and a reasonable opportunity to discuss such denial. Requires a PRO to include at least one hospital representative on its governing body. Requires the random review of physician care to be conducted so that there is an equal likelihood and intensity of review for each physician sampled.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Medicare Rural Hospital Amendments of 1987 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to extend, until October 1990, the adjustment of payments made to sole community hospitals which experience a five percent decrease in patient volume over two successive cost reporting periods, unless such decrease in patient volume is due to hospital actions taken to reduce capacity or case load. Requires the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission (Commission) to report to the Congress on March 1, 1988, on a study into the appropriateness of the criteria used in designating hospitals as sole community hospitals. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on a study into the feasibility and impact of eliminating separate urban and rural prospective payment rates for hospital services. Requires the Commission to collect information and report to the Congress on March 1, 1988, concerning whether an adjustment to the area wage index (used to adjust prospective payment rates to account for the wage differential between urban and rural areas) is warranted to account for variations in the occupational mix of hospital employees. Requires information on the wages and hours of employment for employees in hospital occupational categories to be collected for purposes of the annual update of the area wage index. Bases outlier payments for a fiscal year on a percentage of the total prospective payment system (PPS) payments made for the second previous fiscal year. (Currently, outlier payments represent a percentage of the total PPS payments estimated to be made for the same fiscal year). Directs the Commission to report to the Congress by FY 1989 on a study into the impact on urban and rural hospitals of the criteria used to determine eligibility for outlier payments. Requires the Secretary to analyze the appropriateness of different annual percentage changes in prospective payment rates for urban and rural hospitals. Authorizes the Secretary, beginning in FY 1989, to provide for different annual percentage changes in prospective payment rates for urban and rural hospitals. Sets forth certain factors that a rural hospital which is adjacent to an urban area must establish in order to have the urban wage index applied in the determination of its prospective payments. Sets aside 25 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to the Social Security Act, beginning with FY 1988, for research and demonstration projects relating to the delivery of or access to health care, to projects relating to the delivery of or access to health care in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Rural Nursing Care Access Amendments of 1987 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit certain rural hospitals having less than 150 beds to provide Medicare extended care services. (Currently, such hospitals must have less than 50 beds.) Provides that, as an alternative to procuring a State certificate of need for extended care services, such hospitals may demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Health and Human Services that: (1) there is no Medicare skilled nursing facility in the county (or equivalent area) in which the hospital is located or; (2) if there are such facilities, at least 95 percent of facility beds have been occupied during the year preceding the hospital's annual agreement with the Secretary for the provision of such services. Reimburses eligible hospitals for routine extended care services on the same basis on which skilled nursing facilities in the area are reimbursed for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Rural Health Care Preservation Act of 1987 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new title, Title XXIII: Preservation of Rural Health Care. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to appoint a Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Health Care to coordinate public and private activities to strengthen the rural health care system, including regional analyses and an information clearinghouse. Requires the Director of the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment to appoint a Rural Health Care Advisory Commission to report annually to the Congress, the Secretary, and the Deputy Under Secretary on access to community-based rural health care. Declares that certain provisions of the Social Security Act relating to staffing, administration, and reporting shall apply in the same way to the Commission as they apply to the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act relating to the Rural Health Care Advisory Commission for FY 1988 through 1990. Requires the Secretary to include with the publication of certain regulations an analysis of the impact of each regulation on access to rural health care. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants for mental health services demonstration projects relating to rural residents. Increases the amount authorized to be appropriated for such projects in FY 1988 and authorizes such increased amount for FY 1989 and 1990. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to provide that not less than 25 percent of funds set aside for research and demonstration projects relating to health services delivery or access be used in projects relating to rural areas, except for funds appropriated for the National Institutes of Health or funds first made available before FY 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Designates the week beginning August 2, 1987, as International Special Olympics Week and designates August 3, 1987, as International Special Olympics Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) reconciliation legislation should take into account the special needs of rural hospitals which are not currently taken into account under the Medicare hospital prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Older Americans Act Amendments of 1987 - Title I: Amendments to Title II: Administration on Aging - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 (the Act) to require that at least five of the 15 members of the Federal Council on the Aging be older individuals. (Currently, at least two members must be older individuals.) Provides that after FY 1987 appointments to the Council shall be made by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes appropriations for the Council for FY 1988 through 1990. Title II: Amendments to Title III: Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988, through 1990 for supportive services, senior centers, and congregate and home delivered nutrition services for the aged. Bases a State's share of appropriated funds on the proportion of individuals aged 65 or older in the United States which reside in such State. (Currently, the allotment formula is based on individuals aged 60 or older.) Eliminates the guarantee that a State's allotment will be no less than its allotment for FY 1984. Prohibits the Federal share of costs of a State's long-term care ombudsman program from exceeding 85 percent. Authorizes a State agency to function as an area agency on aging for the entire State or a portion of the State. Clarifies the inclusion of factors which put an individual at risk of institutionalization within the definition of "greatest social need." Eliminates the requirement that an area agency on aging expend some of its funds for support services on legal assistance and in-home and access services to require only that some funds be expended on one or more of those services. Makes the Davis-Bacon Act inapplicable to contracts for the construction, alteration, or renovation of multipurpose senior centers which are not in excess of $100,000. Requires States to provide assurances that area agencies on aging will facilitate the coordination of community-based services to older individuals residing at home, or in hospitals or long term care facilities, who are at risk of institutionalization but could remain in or be returned to the community if community-based services were available. Authorizes States to permit area agencies on aging to change fees, based on ability to pay, for supportive services, provided that no low-income individuals are charged for such services. Authorizes the Commissioner on Aging to waive certain requirements of the Older Americans Act in the case of Statewide demonstration projects relating to the initiation, expansion, or improvement of supportive or nutrition services for the aged. Repeals the authority of States to apply to the Commissioner for funds, in addition to funds which have been allotted to them, for State plan administration. Increases the portion of allotments that States may transfer between the supportive services and nutrition services programs from 30 percent under current law to 50 percent for FY 1988, 60 percent for FY 1989, and 75 percent for FY 1990. Repeals the requirement that a State's allotment for any fiscal year be reduced by the percentage by which its expenditures from State sources for that fiscal year are less than such expenditures for the preceding fiscal year. Title III: Amendments to Title IV: Training, Research, and Discretionary Projects and Programs - Deletes specific descriptions of the types of education and training programs for which the Commissioner may make grants and enter into contracts. Repeals a provision of the Act specifically authorizing the Commissioner to make grants for establishing or supporting gerontology centers. (Authority to fund such centers would still be available under the Commissioner's general authority.) Gives the Commissioner general authority to make grants to and enter into contracts with: (1) any public or private entity or individual for research and development, evaluation, collection, and dissemination of information, and conducting of conferences relating to title IV of the Act; and (2) any public or private agency or organization in the State for nationwide, Statewide, or local demonstration project providing supportive or nutrition services or otherwise promoting the well-being of older individuals. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988, through 1990 for programs under title IV of the Act. Repeals the prohibition on the transfer of title IV funds to any office or other authority of the Federal Government not directly responsible to the Commissioner. Title IV: (Omitted) Title V: Amendments to Title VI: Grants for Indian Tribes - Eliminates the requirement that individuals served by a tribal organization receiving grants under title VI of the Act not receive support and nutrition services under title III of the Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988, through 1990 for grants to Indian tribes. Title VI: Repeal of Title VII: Older American Personal Health Education and Training Program - Repeals the Older Americans Personal Health Education and Training Program under title VII of the Act. Title VII: Minor and Technical Amendments - Sets forth technical amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Social Security Beneficiary Ombudsman Act of 1987 - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman in the Social Security Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the Beneficiary Ombudsman to represent within the Secretary's decision-making process the interests of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program (title II of the Act) and Supplemental Security Income program (title XVI of the Act) beneficiaries and help resolve the problems under such programs of individual beneficiaries in unusual or difficult circumstances. Requires that the Secretary's annual report to the Congress on the administration of Social Security programs include a description of the Beneficiary Ombudsman's activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency having substantial procurement or grant-making authority to develop rural area business enterprise development plans. Requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish uniform guidelines for all Federal agencies to use in rural area business development programs. Directs each Federal agency required to develop a rural area business development plan to assist small businesses in rural areas by providing direct assistance, procurement assistance, and management and technical assistance to such small businesses and by providing incentives for greater subcontracting by Federal prime contractors and grant recipients with such small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Ethanol Motor Fuel Act of 1987 - Mandates that in any calendar year beginning with calendar year 1988, the total quantity of motor fuel sold annually in U.S. commerce by wholesale distributors shall contain, on the average, not less than a specified percentage of ethanol by volume. Sets forth a computation formula for measuring the percentage of ethanol in motor fuel sold by a wholesale distributor. Requires wholesale distributors of motor fuel to report to the Secretary of Energy regarding ethanol sales and credits. Imposes a civil penalty on wholesale distributors for violation of the ethanol-blended fuel requirements. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote ethanol use in motor fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Rural Development Reorganization Act of 1987 - Title I: Reorganization of the Department of Agriculture - Renames the Department of Agriculture the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development to establish and maintain a revitalized nationwide rural development program as set forth in the Rural Development Act of 1972, the Rural Development Policy Act of 1980, and this Act. Establishes in such Department a Rural Development Administration headed by an Administrator appointed by the Secretary, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Secretary to transfer to the Rural Development Administration those agencies, offices, or entities in the Department performing rural development functions. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to expand the number of designated assistance areas from 225 to 450. Establishes within the Rural Development Administration an Office of Advocacy for Rural Development, whose Chief Counsel shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Specifies the functions and duties of such Office. Directs the Comptroller General to investigate and report to the President and the Congress about services, functions, and missions of other Federal departments and agencies which could be transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Directs the Secretary to report, by geographical areas of the United States, to the Congress: (1) within six months after enactment of this Act on the extent to which rural development offices and activities of the Federal Government were located or relocated to rural areas during FY 1981 through 1986; and (2) within six months after the end of each fiscal year beginning with FY 1987 on the extent to which Federal offices and activities were located or relocated to rural areas. Title II: State Cooperative Agreements and Plans - Authorizes the Administrator, Rural Development Administration, to enter into cooperative agreements with States: (1) to delegate to any State the authority to cooperate in carrying out the provisions of this Act; and (2) to assist States in the development and administration of Federal programs that provide educational opportunities, job training, health services, and other specified benefits to rural residents. Conditions any agreement or financial assistance under this Act upon a State's submission for approval of a comprehensive plan for a State rural development program. Permits the Secretary and other Federal agency heads to enter into agreements with State and local governments to provide educational training, job training, health services, and other benefits to rural residents. Directs the Administrator in cooperation with the Secretary to use the Cooperative State Extension Service to inform rural residents about such programs. Establishes in the National Agricultural Library the National Rural Assistance Information Clearinghouse, which shall distribute information and data about Federal, State, and local programs. Title III: Rural Technology Grants - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit institutions to establish rural technology development centers to seek to improve rural economic conditions. Permits the Secretary to provide employment-related technical assistance to economically distressed rural areas. Title IV: Special Grants - Amends the Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants to programs assisting displaced farmers. Specifies the kinds of services to be provided. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Miscellaneous Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to the Community Economic Development Act of 1981 and other Federal law. Title VI: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions. Title VII: Block Grants - Subtitle A: Rural Development Assistance Grant - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Rural Development Administration to make grants to States: (1) to provide rural economic development technical assistance, rural community leadership development, and community and areawide rural economic development planning; or (2) for measures designed to facilitate development of private business enterprises. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Rural Infrastructure Block Grant Act - Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year, to allocate to each State funds for rural infrastructure development according to a congressionally approved formula. Lists factors to be considered in devising such formula. Requires submission of a proposed formula to the agriculture committees of both Houses of Congress. Makes such proposed formula effective after 90 calendar days unless a joint resolution is enacted either disapproving the formula or substituting another formula. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy - Directs the President, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to appoint a Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy who shall: (1) systematically review Federal programs affecting rural areas; and (2) assist in the preparation of a comprehensive rural development strategy designed to maximize the effectiveness and increase the responsiveness of Federal programs to rural areas. Requires the Secretary, within one year after enactment of this Act, to transmit the rural development strategy to the congressional agriculture committees and to report annually to such committees on any changes to such strategy. Requires the Special Assistant to use the Office of the President to maximize coordination of Federal programs affecting rural areas. Title IX: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Project ACCESS - Establishes a two-year demonstration program that will provide a wide array of services to secondary school students in rural sections of the country to encourage entry into and successful completion of postsecondary education programs, career planning, and return to the rural community. Authorizes the Secretary of Education, in accordance with specified provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1986, to support development of Project ACCESS Program capability in any or all of the nine Educational Research Laboratories. Sets forth application requirements and services to be incorporated as part of the programming under Project Access. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and 1989 to supplement the contracts now held by the nine regional educational laboratories administered by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) for purposes of this program. Subjects this program to ratable reductions. Requires regional educational laboratories wishing to develop and operate a demonstration Project ACCESS Program to request a modification of their existing OERI contracts. Sets forth required contents of such proposed contract modifications. Requires OERI to prepare and submit a report to the Congress on the impact of this demonstration program, including recommendations of the regional laboratories, by November 30, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Telecommunications Equipment and Information Services Act of 1987 - Authorizes the Bell operating companies to provide information services (excluding electronic publishing) and to manufacture telecommunications equipment, subject to certain limitations. Conditions such authority on the Federal Communications Commission's determination that such activity by a Bell operating company would not harm competition in the industry, customers of telephone service, or the public interest. Requires the Commission to develop rules ensuring that the Bell companies provide comparable opportunities for both their own affiliates and outside information service providers and manufacturers for interconnection with, and sales to, Bell operating company facilities. Prohibits cross subsidies between telephone service and the lines of business authorized by this Act. Requires the Commission to establish rules for allocating costs of factors of production between telephone service and such other lines of business. Requires the Commission to ensure that telephone service ratepayers shall not be assigned any investments or debts originally assigned to such other lines of business. Requires each Bell operating company that engages in such other lines of business to provide to the Commission the results of an annual audit of compliance with cost allocation and assignment rules. Requires the Commission to convene a joint board on principles of cost assignment and allocation to be used by the Commission and by State commissions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to provide leadership and coordination with respect to policies affecting procurement programs for rural areas. Directs the Administrator to: (1) coordinate with and advise State and local officials with regard to Federal efforts to encourage procurement in rural areas with the aim of fostering economic development in such areas; (2) establish specific rural area procurement targets for executive agencies consistent with awards or contracts for small business concerns; and (3) encourage the use of set asides or other appropriate methods for meeting procurement targets for rural areas. Requires executive agencies to cooperate with the Administrator's responsibilities for rural area programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Requires the President to include with the annual Federal budget submitted to the Congress another budget prepared by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System showing estimated receipts and expenditures for itself and all Federal Reserve banks for the next three fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to permit Rural Electrification Administration borrowers to prepay Federal Financing Bank loans without penalties if: (1) private capital is used to replace such loans; and (2) any savings will be used to avoid future rate increases, passed on to customers, or used to improve the borrower's financial strength.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
United States Peace Tax Fund Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit conscientious objectors to designate their income, estate, or gift tax payments for nonmilitary purposes. Establishes within the Treasury a United States Peace Tax Fund (Fund) to receive such tax payments. Makes these tax designation procedures available to any individual who by reason of religious training and belief is opposed to participation in war in any form and either: (1) has been exempted from combat training and service in the armed forces under the Military Selective Service Act; or (2) satisfactorily demonstrates conscientious objection to war in any form. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to deny such status to a taxpayer upon a finding that the taxpayer is not entitled to make such a designation. Allows a taxpayer to challenge such a denial by bringing an action in the United States Tax Court or in U.S. District Court for a declaratory judgment as to whether the taxpayer is an eligible individual for purposes of such designation. Requires that each publication of general instructions accompanying income tax returns include specified information about the Fund, including the purposes of the Fund and the criteria governing one's eligibility to designate tax payments for such Fund. Requires every taxpayer who makes such a designation for any taxable year to file a questionnaire return during such year for the purpose of determining whether the taxpayer is an eligible individual. Permits the setting aside of criminal or civil penalties imposed upon a taxpayer for nonpayment of tax prior to 1988 if the taxpayer pays the tax due (with interest) and establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury that the nonpayment was due to religious beliefs. Directs the Comptroller General to determine the percentage of actual appropriations made by the United States from the Federal budget during the preceding year for military purposes. Requires the publication of such information in the Congressional Record. Establishes a United States Peace Tax Fund Board of Trustees to distribute funds for eligible nonmilitary activities and research. Sets forth the Board's membership structure and its duties. Directs the Board to publish regulations to govern applications for funds. Includes as activities qualified for funding: (1) research directed toward developing nonviolent solutions to international conflict; (2) disarmament efforts; (3) special projects of the United States Institute of Peace; (4) improvement of international health, education, and welfare; and (5) retraining of workers displaced by conversion from military production activities. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Sets forth the concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1988 and the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1989 and 1990. Sets forth levels and amounts of Federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, and deficits for FY 1988 through 1990 for purposes of determining whether the maximum defict amounts set forth in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) have been exceeded. Recommends levels of Federal revenues of $672,000,000,000 for FY 1988, $712,000,000,000 for FY 1989, and $776,700,000,000 for 1990. Sets the amount by which the aggregate levels of Federal revenues should be increased at $12,000,000,000 for FY 1988, $11,600,000,000 for FY 1989, and $12,600,000,000 for FY 1990. Designates the following amounts of Federal revenues for Federal Insurance Contributions Act revenues: (1) $59,700,000,000 for FY 1988; (2) $63,900,000,000 for FY 1989; and $68,900,000,000 for FY 1990. Sets the appropriate levels of total new budget authority at $902,700,000,000 for FY 1988, $957,400,000,000 for FY 1989, and $995,700,000,000 for FY 1990. States that the appropriate levels of total budget outlays are $836,100,000,000 for FY 1988, $875,500,000,000 for FY 1989, and $914,900,000,000 for FY 1990. Sets the amount of the deficit at $164,400,000,000 for FY 1988, $163,500,000,000 for FY 1989, and $138,200,000,000 for FY 1990. Sets the appropriate levels of the public debt at $2,580,400,000,000 for FY 1988, $2,810,900,000,000 for FY 1989, and $3,014,000,000,000 for FY 1990. Sets forth the appropriate levels of total Federal credit activity as follows: (1) $33,205,303,000 for new direct loan obligations and $149,583,221,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1988; (2) $31,907,373,000 for new direct loan obligations and $150,748,217,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1989; and (3) $30,617,576,000 for new direct loan obligations and $158,306,087,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1990. Sets forth the levels of budget authority, budget outlays, new direct obligations, and new primary loan guarantee commitments for each major functional category for FY 1988 through 1990. Requires all standing committees of the House of Representatives to make recommendations for FY 1988 for programs within their jurisdiction necessary to carry out proposed reductions in the deficit of $30,000,000,000 and submit such recommendations to the House Budget Committee. Directs the House Committee on Ways and Means to report changes in the law within the jurisdiction of that committee sufficient to increase revenues in FY 1988 by $12,000,000,000 and submit its recommendations to the House Budget Committee. Requires the House Committee on Government Operations to recommend proposed legislation to eliminate any constitutional defects in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Directs the Committee on the Budget to report to the House a reconciliation bill or resolution carrying out such recommendations. Directs the Congressional Budget Office to review such recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Pension Portability Act of 1987 - Title I: Rules Generally Applicable to Simplified Employee Pensions - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to define a "simplified employee pension plan" as a pension plan consisting of one or more individual retirement accounts or annuities that meet certain requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe an alternative method of compliance with requirements for simplified employee pension plans. Establishes participation and vesting requirements for such plans. Requires each simplified employee pension plan and portable pension plan to provide that: (1) the distribution of the accrued benefit with respect to each participant will be only in a permitted retirement income form; (2) no distribution may be made without the consent of the participant or beneficiary; and (3) the benefit will be distributed in accordance with a timely application in accordance with the terms of the plan. Describes a standard retirement income form for simplified employee pension plans as: (1) a qualified joint and survivor annuity; (2) any other joint life annuity, including a cash refund annuity; (3) a single life annuity, including a refund annuity; or (4) any series of substantially equal periodic payments described under the Internal Revenue Code. Allows participants to elect a form of distribution other than distribution over life expectancy, if such spousal consent requirements are met. Requires the administrator of a simplified employee pension plan, prior to making a distribution, to provide to the individual who is to receive the distribution a written explanation of: (1) the provisions under which the distribution may be subject to tax or penalty under the Internal Revenue Code; and (2) the terms and conditions of the applicable permitted retirement income form, the participant's rights with respect to electing other forms of distribution, and spousal rights. Declares that for simplified employee pension plans a beneficiary means a spouse of the participant or any other person designated by the participant or by the terms of the plan. Specifies conditions under which spousal consent requirements are to be met. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make conforming amendments. Exempts simplified employee pension plans from specified funding provisions of ERISA. Authorizes employees to elect alternative salary reduction arrangements under such plans where the employer may make elective contributions to the pension on behalf of the employee or directly to the employee in cash for any year. Specifies the maximum salary reduction amount. Establishes rules governing employer contributions, including participation requirements, the method of determining employer contributions and compensation amounts, and tax reporting requirements. Allows employees to establish simplified employee pension plans with respect to separate lines of business. Title II: Portable Pensions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA to define a portable pension plan as an arrangement of one or more individual retirement accounts or annuities which: (1) meets the requirements of a simplified employee pension; and (2) provides for the transfer of plan investment accumulations to other tax-qualified plans. Makes provisions relating to favorable tax treatment inapplicable to cash distributions from rollovers from portable pension plans. Preserves the five-year income averaging treatment for lump sum distributions from portable pension plans which are separately accounted for under such plans. Provides that amounts exceeding the maximum rollover allowable shall not be taxable if such amounts are transferred to a portable pension plan in a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer. Establishes special rules for portable pension plans under ERISA. Relieves the administrators of such plans of liability for reliance in good faith on information provided by an employer, participant, or beneficiary which constitutes a misrepresentation or mistake of fact. Sets forth the responsibilities of the plan sponsor, administrator, and employer. Requires a portable pension plan to: (1) meet employee self-directed account regulations; (2) designate a fiduciary; and (3) provide at least one investment option in U.S. securities. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe by regulation one or more prototype portable pension plans. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the direct transfer to a portable pension plan from any other pension plan of the entire nonforfeitable benefit of a participant under such other pension plan.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Pension Portability Act of 1987 - Title I: Rules Generally Applicable to Simplified Employee Pensions - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to define a "simplified employee pension plan" as a pension plan consisting of one or more individual retirement accounts or annuities that meet certain requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe an alternative method of compliance with requirements for simplified employee pension plans. Establishes participation and vesting requirements for such plans. Requires each simplified employee pension plan and portable pension plan to provide that: (1) the distribution of the accrued benefit with respect to each participant will be only in a permitted retirement income form; (2) no distribution may be made without the consent of the participant or beneficiary; and (3) the benefit will be distributed in accordance with a timely application in accordance with the terms of the plan. Describes a standard retirement income form for simplified employee pension plans as: (1) a qualified joint and survivor annuity; (2) any other joint life annuity, including a cash refund annuity; (3) a single life annuity, including a refund annuity; or (4) any series of substantially equal periodic payments described under the Internal Revenue Code. Allows participants to elect a form of distribution other than distribution over life expectancy, if such spousal consent requirements are met. Requires the administrator of a simplified employee pension plan, prior to making a distribution, to provide to the individual who is to receive the distribution a written explanation of: (1) the provisions under which the distribution may be subject to tax or penalty under the Internal Revenue Code; and (2) the terms and conditions of the applicable permitted retirement income form, the participant's rights with respect to electing other forms of distribution, and spousal rights. Declares that for simplified employee pension plans a beneficiary means a spouse of the participant or any other person designated by the participant or by the terms of the plan. Specifies conditions under which spousal consent requirements are met. Exempts simplified employee pension plans from specified funding provisions of ERISA. Title II: Portable Pensions - Amends ERISA to define a portable pension plan as an arrangement of one or more individual retirement accounts or annuities which: (1) meets the requirements of a simplified employee pension; and (2) provides for the transfer of plan investment accumulations to other tax-qualified plans. Establishes special rules for portable pension plans under ERISA. Relieves the administrators of such plans of liability for reliance in good faith on information provided by an employer, participant, or beneficiary which constitutes a misrepresentation or mistake of fact. Sets forth the responsibilities of the plan sponsor, administrator, and employer. Requires a portable pension plan to: (1) meet employee self-directed account regulations; (2) designate a fiduciary; and (3) provide at least one investment option in U.S. securities. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe by regulation one or more prototype portable pension plans. Amends ERISA to provide for the direct transfer to a portable pension plan from any other pension plan of the entire nonforfeitable benefit of a participant under such other pension plan.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1987
Makes permanent the income tax credit for qualified research expenditures by repealing the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that would terminate such credit for expenses incurred or paid after 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from self-employment income, for Social Security tax purposes, certain payments under the conservation acreage reserve program. Prohibits an income tax deduction for expenses incurred as a result of participation in such program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1987
Food Security Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to base 1987 through 1990 wheat and feed grain deficiency payments on the first five months of each marketing year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Rural Dislocation Assistance Act - Obligates amounts for State-administered readjustment services to dislocated farmers, ranchers, and farm workers from such sums as are provided to the Secretary of Labor in FY 1988 through 1992 for dislocated worker assistance programs. Includes among such services: (1) financial planning assistance; (2) psychological and mental health counseling; (3) legal counseling; and (4) employment and training assistance. Sets forth fund allocation provisions and eligibility requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of protecting the equity of Farm Credit System borrowers and of ensuring the continued availability of competitive borrower credit.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1987
Satellite Television Fair Marketing Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the encrypting of satellite programming from the Public Broadcasting Service and the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. Requires anyone who encrypts satellite delivered programming for private viewing to: (1) make it available for private viewing by home satellite antenna users; (2) establish reasonable character and financial criteria for distributors of satellite delivered programming and not discriminate in prices, terms, or conditions among distributors offering similar distribution services; and (3) conduct such encryption according to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - approved standards designed to comply with specified criteria. Requires the FCC-approved standards to provide the public interest benefits of a universal encryption system permitting decryption by cable television subscribers and home satellite users. Authorizes aggrieved persons to commence civil actions to enforce this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a study of pricing and distribution terms of satellite television programming to determine whether the programming market is developing competitively. Authorizes the FTC to establish remedies necessary to produce adequate competition. Requires the FCC to begin a rulemaking proceeding on improving access to network signals for rural Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the appointment by the Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands of electors of the President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which such territories would be entitled if they together were a single State, but in no event more electors than the least populous State appoints.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1987
Higher Education Technical Amendments Act of 1987 - Amends provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 relating to: (1) the selection criteria for institutional challenge grant eligibility, including provisions for the waiver of certain requirements in certain cases when the Secretary of Education determines that such a waiver will substantially increase higher education opportunities appropriate to the needs of American Indians; (2) the value of a principal residence for the purpose of computations to determine Pell grant eligibility in certain cases involving dislocated workers or displaced homemakers; (3) the definition of "untaxed income and benefits" for the purpose of computing annual adjusted family income for Pell grant eligibility determinations; (4) the formula used in assessing institutional need for purposes of the allocation of funding for supplemental educational opportunity grants; (5) authorizations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the high school equivalency and the college assistance migrant programs; (6) special child care services for disadvantaged college students; (7) per student aggregate loan limits; (8) variable interest rates on supplemental and PLUS loans, and limitation, repayment, and refinancing criteria applicable to such loans; (9) PLUS loan deferments; (10) consolidation loans; (11) insurance program agreements to qualify loans for interest subsidies; (12) guaranty agreements for reimbursing loans; (13) the computation of the interest rate on loans under the income contingent direct loan demonstration project; (14) the financial needs assessment of students, including provisions governing the discretion of a student financial aid administrator to make necessary adjustments to allow for the treatment of individual students with special circumstances; and (15) the eligibility of preschool teachers for the Congressional Teacher Scholarship program. Amends the Higher Education Amendments of 1986 relating to: (1) effective dates; and (2) the conduct of certain required studies. Amends the General Education Provisions Act concerning the disposition of certain funds received by the Center for Education Statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1987
Rural Worker Readjustment Act - Amends title III of the Job Training Partnership Act to allow the Secretary of Labor to use discretionary funds to provide assistance to individuals who are affected by economic downturns, such as those occurring in the agriculture industry. Allows the Governor of any State receiving allocations under such Act to reserve up to 30 percent for: (1) administration, technical assistance, and coordination; and (2) rapid response capabilities and for programs addressing statewide or regional displacement problems. Requires the remainder of funds to be distributed according to a formula established by the Governor, in consultation with the State advisory council. Subjects such formula to approval by the Secretary. Lists types of information which must be considered when establishing such a formula. Allows a farmer or rancher to be identified as an eligible dislocated worker if: (1) the operation of the farm or ranch will terminate because of one or more listed events (foreclosure, failure to return a profit during the preceding 12 months, bankruptcy proceedings, the inability to obtain necessary capital, the failure to make payments on loans secured by farm premises, or total debts exceeding 70 percent of total farm assets); or (2) the farmer or rancher is determined to leave farming or ranching because of excessive debts. Requires each State to ensure the establishment of a rapid response capability. Requires funds allotted by the Governor under such Act to be allotted among service providers to: (1) establish centers to provide for the comprehensive delivery of authorized services; and (2) insure the delivery such services to dislocated workers. Requires each service provider to submit a biennial plan to the Governor describing its programs, activities, and goals. Expands the authorized activities which may be provided under such Act to include: (1) basic education and occupational skills assessment; (2) literacy skills assessment; (3) basic, remedial and literacy education; and (4) the establishment and maintenance of rapid response capabilities. Allows a substate grantee to provide support services to participants if necessary to facilitate participation in an authorized program. Directs the Secretary to develop a means by which statistical data relating to rural unemployment can be collected and to publish a report based on such data.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1987
Petroleum Marketing Practices Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to provide that, with respect to the sale, consignment, or distribution of motor fuel, the term "franchise" includes any contract between specified parties which is economically necessary to the operation of the leased marketing premises. Provides that the termination or non-renewal of a franchise relationship, upon expiration of an underlying lease for a marketing premises, is reasonable in the event that the franchisor: (1) has an option to renew or purchase an underlying lease or premises and, at least 90 days before such option expires, provides the franchisee with the name, address, and phone number of the owner or lessor; and (2) agrees not to terminate the franchise relationship solely because of the lease and option expiration during any term during which the franchisee is able to retain possession of the premises as a result of entering into an agreement with the owner or lessor.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1987
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to permit a State to exclude from coverage service performed by election officials or election workers if the remuneration paid for such service: (1) is less than $300 in a calendar year; or (2) is less than $100 in a calendar quarter.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, and the Missing Children's Assistance Act to extend the authorization of appropriations to FY 1989 through 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Telephone Decency Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any obscene or indecent telephone communication, in foreign or interstate communication or in the District of Columbia, for commercial purposes to any person. (Current law prohibits such communication to any person without his or her consent or to any person under 18 years of age.)
![Official portrait of Rep. Tauke, Thomas Joseph [R-IA-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000053_200.jpg)