United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Postal Reorganization Act Amendments of 1989 - Declares that the receipts and disbursements of the Postal Service Fund: (1) shall not be included in the totals of the Federal budget or the congressional budget; (2) shall be exempt from Federal budget limitations on expenditures and net lending; and (3) shall be exempt from any sequestration order under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and shall not be counted for purposes of calculating the Federal deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1989
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide for a trails interpretation center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to interpret the history of development and use in the State of Iowa and the adjacent region of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, and the Oregon National Historic Trail. Prohibits the Federal share of the costs for planning, acquisition, and development of such center from exceeding 80 percent of such costs or $10,000,000, whichever is less.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1989
Volunteer Protection Act of 1989 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal financial liability for acts on behalf of the organization or entity. Sets forth exceptions to and conditions on the granting of such immunity that a State may impose. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to a State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such State has, within two years, certified to the Secretary that it has enacted a State law which provides such immunity. Provides for the continuation of such increase based on an annual recertification.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1989
Designates July 27, 1989, as National Korean War Veterans Recognition Day and expresses the gratitude of the Congress and the Nation for the contributions made by the Korean War veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1989
SSI Disabled and Blind Children Act of 1989 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct an individualized assessment of a child's mental and physical impairments in determining his or her eligibility for SSI benefits by reason of disability or blindness. Establishes a presumption that a child under age four with a genetic or congenital impairment is disabled or blind for SSI purposes if it is probable that more accurate clinical and laboratory techniques would prove such to be the case. Directs the Secretary to publish, within 30 days of this Act's enactment, a revision of specified listings of mental and emotional disorders which justifies each deviation from recommendations contained in the Revised Childhood Listings of Mental Impairments submitted by the Mental Impairment Listings Workgroup to the Associate Commissioner for Disability on April 1, 1986. Requires the Secretary to: (1) consider age-appropriate medical and functional criteria developed by experts in childhood disability in reviewing and revising all childhood listings; and (2) publish a revised listings and explain deviations from the recommendations of experts within 18 months of this Act's enactment. Establishes a formula for determining the amount of parental resources deemed available to a disabled or blind child for SSI benefit and eligibility purposes. Excludes property which is essential to the self-support of an individual from his or her resources, but includes income from such property in such individuals earned income. Requires States to provide Medicaid coverage (under title XIX of the Act) for all SSI blind or disabled children.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Fairness in Bargaining Act of 1989 - 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 franchise. Provides that the termination or non-renewal of a franchise relationship, upon expiration of an underlying lease for marketing premises, is reasonable if specified conditions exist.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover, on a reasonable charge basis, the services of a clinical psychologist which would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as incident to a physician's service.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Establishes the Medicare Geographical Classification Review Board to decide on a rural hospital's application for classification as an urban hospital for Medicare payment purposes. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to alter the Rural Health Care Transition Grant Program to extend and increase authorized appropriations for such program through FY 1992, and permit the Secretary to waive the hospital grant limit. Expands, from four to ten hospitals, a Medicare demonstration program covering additional costs incurred by teaching hospitals in sending their residents to rural hospitals for training. Requires the Secretary to establish five-year Medicare demonstration programs covering costs incurred by five hospitals in providing clinical training to undergraduate nurses. Extends the regional referral center classification of hospitals so classified as of September 30, 1989, and the payment rates applicable to such hospitals under the Medicare program, through FY 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Scrapie Eradication Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish scrapie (sheep and goat disease) research and eradication programs, including owner indemnification for any animals destroyed under such programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Social Security Administrative Reform Act of 1989 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and supplemental security income, and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) an Executive Director; (2) a Deputy Director of Social Security; (3) a General Counsel; (4) an Inspector General; and (5) an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall represent the interests of beneficiaries under the OASDI and SSI programs within the Administration. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a description of the activities of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan as established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Requires the establishment of demonstration projects involving the delegation of authority from the Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration to the Board. Provides for the transfer to the Administration of all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program and an Advisory Council on Health and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation of the trust funds supporting the OASDI and Medicare programs and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Social Security Investment Reform Act of 1989 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Managing Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (trust funds) to immediately invest that portion of the trust funds which is not required for current withdrawals. Prohibits the sale and redemption of trust fund assets or the expenditure of trust fund amounts for purposes other than those specified in such titles. Requires members of such trust funds' Boards of Trustees to faithfully execute their duties, but does not impose a fiduciary duty. Requires that, in consideration of the public debt limit, required investment of funds or amounts over which the Secretary of the Treasury has investment authority occur prior to the issuance of other obligations. Requires the Boards of Trustees of the trust funds to meet at least twice each year. Sets forth provisions requiring reports by the Boards of Trustees and the Managing Trustees to the Congress regarding the operation and status of the trust funds.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1989
Television Self-Regulation Act of 1989 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to exempt from Federal antitrust laws any joint discussion or agreement by or among persons in the television industry for the limited purpose of developing standards designed to promote creative television programming and honest, responsible television advertising. Authorizes the Federal Communications Commission to consider, in the context of television broadcast license renewals, compliance with any voluntary guidelines resulting from such discussions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
National Observance Advisory Act - Establishes the President's Advisory Commission on National Observances to: (1) establish criteria for recommending to the President that a proposed national observance be approved or disapproved; (2) review proposals for national observances submitted in accordance with procedures published by the Commission; and (3) issue recommendations to the President concerning each proposal reviewed.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to adjust census figures as necessary so that illegal aliens are not counted for purposes of the apportionment of Representatives in the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for interest on any indebtedness incurred to pay the educational expenses of the taxpayer, spouse, or dependent. (Under current law, such a loan must be secured by an interest in real property.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays, physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) increase from 25 percent to 100 percent the allowable deduction; and (2) make the deduction permanent (under current law it will expire after tax year 1989).
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Disapproves the recommendations of the President relating to pay rates of Members of Congress, Federal judges, and Federal officials. Provides that if the date of enactment of this resolution is on or after February 8, 1989, then the rate of pay for positions increased by the recommendations shall be the rate of pay in effect before such recommendations took effect. Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 and the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to require a recorded vote on any increase in the rates of pay of Members of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the right to life is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person. Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. States that nothing in this article shall prohibit a law allowing medical procedures required to prevent the death of either the pregnant woman or the unborn offspring.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1989
Repeals provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that establish nondiscrimination requirements for coverage and benefits under certain statutory employee benefit plans. (The consequence is the repeal of section 89 of the Internal Revenue Code.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1989
Declaration of Personhood Act - Declares that all human beings, from the moment of conception and without regard to age, health, or condition of dependency, are persons entitled to the guarantees contained in the fifth, 13th, and 14th amendments to the Constitution. Prohibits abortion.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Child Protection Act of 1989 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute to extend its coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Allows any person injured personally or in his business or property by such violations to bring a civil suit for treble damages. Amends the Federal criminal code to require a mandatory life sentence in kidnapping offenses involving the murder of a minor. Establishes mandatory minimum sentences for the sexual exploitation of minors. Provides that the period of any applicable limitation for the commencement of prosecution for certain offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children shall not begin until the child has reached the age of 18 years. Directs the Attorney General to submit a report to the Congress detailing possible changes in the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and other procedures which would facilitate the participation of child witnesses in cases involving child abuse and sexual exploitation. Directs the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information System and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children by: (1) including the age of the victim and the relationship of the victim to the offender; and (2) using a uniform definition of a child.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Residential Mortgage Credit Fairness Act of 1987 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from: (1) imposing terms and conditions for a residential mortgage transaction which are less favorable to the consumer than the terms and conditions which were originally disclosed to the consumer; or (2) limiting the availability or effectiveness of such terms and conditions to a specified period. Allows an exception to such requirements if: (1) the disclosure contains a clear and conspicuous statement that such terms and conditions are subject to change; or (2) any delay in consummating the transaction is due to an unreasonable delay caused by the consumer. Requires that any disclosure made in connection with a residential mortgage shall: (1) be mailed or delivered before the earlier of the date on which the credit is extended or three days after the creditor receives the consumer's application; and (2) include a statement of the rights and duties of the creditor and the consumer and any form to be used by the consumer to exercise the right to withdraw the application. Allows a consumer to withdraw a mortgage application without incurring any obligation to the creditor (other than certain reasonable fees) if the consumer provides the creditor written notice within three days after receiving the required disclosure statement from the creditor. Specifies that for purposes of such required disclosure statements the term "finance change" shall include any fee imposed by the creditor for any such extension of credit. Increases the civil penalty for failure to make a required disclosure for a residential mortgage from a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $1,000 to a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1989
Repeals a provision of the Internal Revenue Code that disallows the income tax deduction of 25 percent of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals after tax year 1989 (thus extending the deduction indefinitely).
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 to delay until 1990 the effective date of the new nondiscrimination requirements (Internal Revenue Code section 89) for coverage and benefits under certain statutory employee benefit plans.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Air Travel Rights for Blind Individuals Act - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to preclude an air carrier from establishing aircraft seating restrictions based upon a passenger's visual acuity or use of a white cane or dog guide or other such means of assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel should not be increased as a means of reducing the Federal deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Local Rail Service Reauthorizing Act - Amends the Department of Transportation Act with respect to local rail service assistance to authorize appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991. Decreases the Federal share of rail service assistance program costs from 70 percent to 50 percent. Provides that the Federal share of costs to rehabilitate rail properties for the purpose of facilitating rail freight service shall be 70 percent. Modifies the eligibility criteria for Federal assistance to States for rail freight financial assistance programs to allow the Interstate Commerce Commission to exempt certain rail line abandonments or service discontinuances from the current requirement that they be specifically authorized by the Commission. States that, effective October 1, 1988, all funds appropriated for State rail service assistance, with specified exceptions, shall be available to the Secretary of Transportation for rail service assistance projects meeting specified requirements. Reduces from $100,000 to $36,000 the amount of funds to which a State is entitled for its rail plan implementation. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish procedures to ensure that funds for rail service assistance projects are distributed by April 1 of the fiscal year for which they are appropriated; and (2) report to the Congress on the status of funds which are not distributed by such date.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1989
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of the classification of anhydrous ammonia as a poisonous gas for purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from implementing the classification of anhydrous ammonia as a poisonous gas for purposes of such Act until the Secretary of Agriculture has reported to the Congress.
![Official portrait of Rep. Tauke, Thomas Joseph [R-IA-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000053_200.jpg)