United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1990
Calls upon the President to ensure the maximum assistance of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in facilitating the transition of Eastern European countries to free market democracies by: (1) creating the basic statistics for the economic and social measurement of specified key areas; (2) ensuring an effective exchange of people with experience in managing market-based economies; and (3) coordinating the advice of high-level nongovernmental experts capable of providing impartial advice on policy implementation and reform.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1990
Medigap Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1990 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to penalize individuals who issue, sell, or renew Medicare supplemental policies which are in violation of this Act's standards or offer to sell a policy in a State that has not approved such policy. Requires that Medicare supplemental policy issuers: (1) cover a core group of basic benefits and, if they offer other benefits, issue a policy covering only such basic benefits; (2) provide prospective purchasers of a policy with a summary information sheet describing policy benefits and the amount of any premiums attributable to optional benefits; (3) guarantee the renewability of policies; (4) offer each group policyholder terminating their coverage or group membership the right to continued coverage under an individual policy (the policyholder ending his or her group membership may also opt for continued coverage under the group policy) or, if the old group policy is replaced by a new group policy, the right to coverage under a new group policy without exclusion for preexisting conditions; and (5) suspend policy benefits and premiums upon the policyholder's indication that he or she is entitled to Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) benefits. Requires the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) or, upon the NAIC's default, the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate simplification standards which set the core group of basic benefits policies must provide, limit the additional benefit packages that may be provided, and establish a uniform language and format to be used with respect to policy benefits. Prohibits the sale of policies which do not meet such standards, though permits approved waivers of such standards to test new or innovative benefits. Directs the Secretary to request the NAIC to educate Medicare beneficiaries on the simplification standards. Increases the civil monetary penalty for knowingly selling a policy which duplicates health benefits to which an individual is already entitled. Permits persons aggrieved by duplicative coverage to recover triple damages in a civil suit. Prohibits a policy issuer from selling a policy without: (1) obtaining a written statement of the buyer indicating any health policies of the same type or Medicaid coverage the buyer may have; and (2) notifying the buyer of the possibility and effect of their coverage under the Medicaid program and the address and telephone number of any State Medicare supplemental policy counseling program and the State Medicaid office. Prohibits the issuer from selling a policy to a person who indicates that he or she is covered by the Medicaid program or has duplicative health benefits. Penalizes individuals who sell a policy in violation of such requirements. Increases the percentage of premiums which must be returned to policyholders as benefits. Establishes a process whereby States must approve premium increases prior to their implementation. Requires public hearings for any premium increase request exceeding twice the percentage increase in the medical care component of the consumer price index. Limits Medicare supplemental policy sales commissions. Authorizes appropriations for a matching grant program to assist States in establishing counseling programs to aid Medicare-eligible individuals in choosing Medicare supplemental policies. Prohibits such policies from denying a claim for losses incurred more than six months from the effective date of coverage for a preexisting condition.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1990
American Jobs Stability Act of 1990 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the possessions tax credit to certain business operations which relocate to a possession of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1990
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that: (1) continued whaling and commercialization of whale meat are a violation of the International Whaling Commission moratorium; (2) the Secretary of Commerce should certify any nation for continued whaling activities rejected as scientifically invalid by the Commission; (3) the President should order an embargo on a significant quantity of fishery products from nations found to be diminishing the effectiveness of the International Whaling Convention; (4) the President should use all diplomatic tools to convince whaling nations to comply with decisions of the Commission; and (5) the President should use all diplomatic tools to encourage support of Commission member nations for a long-term solution to problems before the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1990
Federal Contract Crimes Sentencing Act of 1990 - Mandates debarment of a contractor from Government contracting for at least five years upon a second conviction for fraud or other felonious activity involving a Government contract or subcontract within a ten-year period, except when debarment would be harmful to the national security.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1990
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Federal Agencies to conduct a full and complete investigation of waste, fraud, and abuse in Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1990
Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to require the Federal Prison Industries (FPI) to publish and update biannually a catalog of all specific products and services it offers for sale. Requires a buying activity of a Federal department, agency, or institution (entity) which has a requirement for a product or service listed in the catalog to solicit offers from FPI and other offerors, unless its requirements can be met by a delivery order for such specific product pursuant to a Federal Supply Schedule contract of the General Services Administration (GSA) or other indefinite delivery or indefinite quantity contract. Authorizes the Attorney General to direct that the buying activity withdraw the solicitation and consider awarding the contract to FPI using noncompetitive negotiation procedures if the Attorney General has determined that: (1) an award cannot reasonably be expected to be made to FPI on a competitive basis; (2) FPI has not captured more than a reasonable share of the market among Federal entities for the specific product or products as of October 1, 1991; and (3) it is necessary to use noncompetitive procedures to prevent a significant decline in the number of inmates who are working in the prison workshop which manufactures the specific product to be purchased or to enable FPI to diversify into labor-intensive manufacture of a new specific product approved by the FPI board of directors. Sets forth procedures with respect to notification of solicitation withdrawal, price arbitration by the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (currently, by a board consisting of the Comptroller General of the United States, the Administrator of General Services, and the President, or their representatives), and resolicitation of bids (where noncompetitive negotiations with FPI are terminated following arbitration). Requires: (1) each Federal entity to report to the GSA its acquisitions of products and services from FPI; and (2) FPI to annually compile a report on its sales activities with Federal entities during the preceding year. Specifies that whenever FPI, pursuant to a contract with the Department of Defense or a Defense agency, enters into a subcontract or supply contract with certain small business concerns and minority institutions, the value of such subcontract or supply contract shall apply toward furtherance of the five percent goal established under the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1987 to set aside five percent of specified Department of Defense procurement funds for contracts with small businesses, historically Black colleges and universities, and minority institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1990
Technology Corporation of America Act of 1990 - Establishes the Technology Corporation of America as a nonprofit corporation to: (1) assist in the redirection of Federal civilian research and development funds to better meet the strategic research and development needs of America's domestic industries; (2) assist in the creation of private and public sector research, development, and manufacturing activities focused on developing the Nation's strategic technologies; (3) encourage cooperative research and development; and (4) serve as a permanent source of strategic vision for the Nation's technological and industrial base. Requires the Corporation's Board of Directors to establish advisory committees for financial issues and technical issues. Limits assistance by the Corporation to projects: (1) subject to exception, where majority control is held by North American companies or entities; and (2) that demonstrate the ability to obtain funding equal to or greater than that requested from the Corporation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1990
Requests the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to publish, within one year, proposed amended regulations that specify the components of an adequate operator training program and certification system for operators of powered industrial trucks.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, for a three-year period, the duty on ethyl 2-keto-4-phenylbutonate (also known as keto ester).
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, for a three-year period, the duty on (S)-1-(N2-(1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl)-L- lysyl)-L proline dehydrate (also known as lisinopril).
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Recycling Initiatives Grant Act - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for conducting research on, or developing, innovative techniques for solid waste recycling. Limits the amount of such grants. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Bone Marrow Registry Act of 1990 - Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act providing for the establishment of a voluntary bone marrow donor registry to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that the types of marrow represented in the registry provide adequate representation of the U.S. population. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Condemns the restrictions of the print and electronic media imposed by the Soviet Union on journalists attempting to cover events in Lithuania. Urges: (1) General Secretary Gorbachev to rescind restrictions on the admission of Western journalists to, and on freedom of the press in, Lithuania; and (2) President Bush to take steps to facilitate the readmission of Western journalists to Lithuania.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1990
Wage Withholding Relief for Farmers and Ranchers Act of 1990 - Amends the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of cash remuneration which may be paid for agricultural labor without requiring wage withholding and old-age, survivors and disability insurance coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1990
Authorizes and requests the President to designate May 26, 1990, to commemorate the bicentennial of "An Act for the government of the territory of the United States, south of the river Ohio" (from which Tennessee was formed).
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the tax exemption for qualified small issue industrial bonds (bonds issued to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property) through 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1990
Taxpayers' Right to Know Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the booklets of instructions for individual income tax returns to include pie-shaped graphs showing the relative sizes of the major outlay and income categories.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1990
Hydrogen Research and Development Act - Title I: Hydrogen Production and Use - Directs the Secretary of Energy to submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive five-year management plan for a research and development program designed to permit the development of a domestic hydrogen fuel production capability within the shortest time practicable. Requires the Secretary to send the Congress annual plan descriptions and modifications. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Energy a program consistent with the plan. Lists research areas and priority criteria. Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstrations to evaluate technical and nontechnical parameters to determine commercial applicability of hydrogen technology and to prepare a comprehensive large-scale hydrogen demonstration plan. Directs the Secretary, with the advice and help of industry, academic, and governmental interests, to implement a program in the interest of accelerating broader application of hydrogen technologies and of increasing the participation of private sector interests in near commercial applications. Lists the Secretary's duties in connection with the program. Establishes a Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel as part of the Energy Research Advisory Board. Requires the Panel to report to the Board and terminates the Panel after such submittal. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Hydrogen-Fueled Aircraft Research and Development - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive five-year management plan for a research and development program for a domestic hydrogen-fueled aircraft capability within the shortest time practicable. Mandates that such plan include activities of the National Aero-Space Plane Program. Requires the Administrator to: (1) transmit to the Congress an annual plan description, including any necessary plan modifications; (2) establish such a program within NASA and incorporate within it the goals and activities of the National Aero-Space Plane Program; and (3) prepare and transmit to the Congress a comprehensive flight demonstration plan whose implementation will confirm the technical feasibility, economic viability, and safety of liquid hydrogen as a fuel for commercial transport aircraft. Prescribes required subjects of the research and development program. Establishes a Hydrogen-Fueled Aircraft Advisory Committee to advise the Administrator. Requires the Committee to report annually to the Administrator. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1990
Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration to review existing response information used by emergency response personnel at the State and local levels to evaluate its accuracy, consistency, and clarity. Specifies that such information should clearly communicate to such personnel the probable hazards in an emergency situation involving hazardous materials and the appropriate response to such hazards. Directs the Administrator to establish a working group to develop and disseminate hazardous materials identification, response, and incident data. Requires such working group to submit a report to the Administrator, along with recommendations to ensure that response information disseminated to emergency response personnel is appropriate for operational personnel at the local level. Requires the working group to meet at least once a year to review and recommend changes to the report.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1990
Congressional Recycling Act of 1990 - Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to purchase recycled paper and paper products for use to the greatest extent practicable in the operations of the House and the Senate. Directs the Public Printer to assure that the Government Printing Office uses recycled paper in providing services to the House.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1990
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the U.S. Postal Service should study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of establishing lower rates for second- and third-class mail matter which uses recycled paper and materials.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Ancient Forest Protection Act of 1990 - Establishes the National Ancient Forest Reserve System. Designates certain lands in California, Oregon, and Washington as components of such System. Declares that all Federal lands in such States which qualify as ancient forest or associated forest and are not designated as components of the System shall be managed as if they are. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations with respect to the removal of commercial timber from such lands. Declares it to be U.S. policy to develop and utilize scientific information to study and identify the biological and ecological requirements of ancient forest ecosystems. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to study and report to appropriate congressional committees on the biological and physical requirements for the survival of such ecosystems.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide that the definition of "owner or operator" (for purposes of liability) does not include: (1) a designated lending institution which acquires control of a facility pursuant to the terms of a security interest held by the person in such facility or in connection with a lease subject to Federal or State banking authorities; (2) a corporate fiduciary which operates or has legal title to a facility pursuant to the terms of an estate or trust; (3) an individual or institution that serves as an indenture trustee and acquires control of a facility as the result of default on a financing document between the trustee and the issuing entity; and (4) an individual fiduciary who has legal title to a facility for purposes of administering an estate or trust.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Declares it to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act to advertise or cause to be advertised through magazines, newspapers, brochures, promotional displays, radio or television broadcasting (including cable broadcasting) any alcoholic beverage unless the advertising includes one of specified warnings. Makes the Federal Trade Commission responsible for establishing and maintaining toll free numbers referred to in some of the warnings. Sets forth requirements for the warnings, including rotating between the warnings.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Medicare Physician Regulation Relief Amendments of 1990 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require carriers and peer review organizations to release the medical review screen or the associated screening parameter to a physician before notifying such physician that payment for his or her service has been denied. Permits Medicare reimbursement of a patient's regular physician for services provided to such patient by another physician who occasionally covers for the regular physician. Requires Medicare carriers to provide physicians, upon request and without charge, with carrier-generated information which physicians need to submit a payment claim or respond to a carrier inquiry. Allows a medical society or other professional organization representing physicians to represent a group or class of physicians in Medicare payment determinations, reconsiderations, or appeals. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to appoint, based on nominations submitted by national medical organizations representing physicians, a Practicing Physicians Advisory Council with which the Secretary must consult concerning changes in the Medicare program and proposed changes in regulations and carrier operation policies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1990
Textile, Apparel, and Footwear Trade Act of 1990 - Limits the 1990 imports of textiles and textile products classified under a category to an amount equal to 101 percent of the total 1989 imports classified under such category. Limits the 1990 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under a nonrubber footwear category to an amount equal to: (1) the total 1989 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under such category; and (2) in the case of high priced nonrubber footwear, the total 1989 imports of high priced nonrubber footwear classified under such category. Provides for a one-percent annual growth in the amount of permitted imports of textiles and textile products after 1990. Exempts from the limitations imposed under this Act imports of textiles and textile products from U.S. possessions if such articles are exempt from duty under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States and are manufactured by U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of such a possession. Limits the imports of certain sweaters made in Guam to a specified amount during FY 1990 and to such amount increased by one percent per year in subsequent years. Declares such limitations shall not apply to Canada or Israel. Sets forth limitations on the amount of textile and textile products, classified under certain import categories, which may be imported from beneficiary countries under the Caribbean Basin Initiative. Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into trade agreements to grant new concessions as compensation to the extent required under U.S. trade agreements for the import limits imposed by this Act; and (2) proclaim such modification or continuance of any existing duty on textiles and textile products and on nonrubber footwear as necessary to carry out such agreements. Prohibits the President from reducing any rate of duty by more than ten percent. Requires the President, before entering into such trade agreements, to consider whether a country has violated trade concessions of benefit to the United States and the violation has not been adequately offset. Sets forth requirements governing staged rate reductions in the tariffs of articles affected by this Act. Prohibits the President, except as authorized by this Act, from entering into trade negotiations with any country with respect to duties on textiles, textile products, and nonrubber footwear. Prohibits the President, except as provided in this Act, from decreasing or proposing a decrease in any such duty by any means, including an implementing bill or a proclamation. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the administration of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, ten years after enactment of this Act, to study and report to the Congress on its operation. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a pilot program for the issuance and sale to U.S. companies at public auction of import licenses applicable to categories of textiles. Terminates such licensing program on December 31, 1991, and requires a report to the Congress on its administration.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the provisions permitting small issues of tax-exempt bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1990
Superconducting Super Collider Project Authorization Act of 1990 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish the position of Under Secretary for the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) to facilitate the management and decisionmaking of the Federal Government regarding the SSC and to ensure responsibility and accountability. Requires the establishment of an SSC Project Office at the site of the SSC. Abolishes the Under Secretary position two years after completion of the construction of the SSC. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into arrangements with persons or consortia for participation in the research and development, design, construction, or operation of the SSC. Establishes in the Treasury the Superconducting Super Collider Fund to contain unexpended balances of appropriations made for the SSC before enactment of this Act as well as State, international, and other non-Federal cash contributions received under this Act, plus appropriations under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund to the Secretary for expenditures in accordance with this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make expenditures from the Fund, as provided in appropriations Acts, for construction and associated activities, including equipment procurement and research and development. Directs the Secretary to negotiate with the State selected as the SSC site (Texas) to mutually agree on a schedule for making cash and in-kind contributions to the SSC and on the composition of the contributions. Requires, if Federal support is withdrawn before October 1, 1995, a refund of cash payments and in-kind contributions made by the State from amounts available to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to secure commitments for international contributions covering between 20 and 33 percent of the SSC cost. Authorizes the Secretary to accept contributions from other non-Federal sources. Directs the Secretary to try to devise creative funding mechanisms that minimize SSC construction costs. Sets forth SSC contract eligibility requirements for domestic and foreign firms. Prohibits use of funds authorized under this Act for any activity not directly related to the construction of the SSC.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1990
Tourism Policy and Export Promotion Act of 1990 - Declares it to be the national goal to increase U.S. export earnings from U.S. tourism and transportation services with an eye toward: (1) the elimination of the travel and tourism export deficit of the United States and the U.S trade deficit; and (2) the achievement of a travel and tourism export surplus. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify foreign trade barriers to U.S. travel and tourism. Requires the USTR to submit the National Trade Estimate to the President and the Senate Committees on Finance and Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Amends the International Trade Act of 1961 to require each annual tourism trade development plan to focus on those countries in which tourism trade development has the greatest potential for increasing travel and tourism export revenues. Declares that the Congress finds that increased efforts directed at the promotion of rural tourism will contribute to the economic development of rural America. Establishes the Rural Tourism Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1990
World War II 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should recognize the 50th anniversary of World War II by minting and issuing commemorative coins. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue and mint such coins in five dollar, one dollar, and half dollar denominations. Mandates that surcharges received from the sale of such coins be deposited in a coinage profit fund and allocated, upon separate congressional authorization, to the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a World War II memorial. Directs the Secretary to report semiannually to the Congress regarding implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1990
American Technology Preeminence Act - Title I: Department of Commerce Research and Technology - Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1990 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the following activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; (5) research support activities; (6) cold neutron source facility; and (7) technology services. Earmarks specified amounts for: (1) steel technology; (2) the Center for Building Technology; (3) the Center for Fire Research; (4) the technical competence fund; (5) the evaluation of nonenergy-related inventions and related technology extension activities; and (6) Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology. Permits transfers of funds among activities under specified conditions. Prohibits the merger of the Center for Building Technology and the Center for Fire Research. Authorizes the use of certain funds to pay the Federal share of the cost of a pilot program to assist in the development of comprehensive industrial standards for countries that have requested such assistance, if other conditions are met. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology; (2) carrying out the Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1986; (3) modernization of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS); (4) the Clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation; and (5) adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits which may be provided for by law. Requires NTIS operating costs, associated with the acquisition and storage of information, to be recovered through the collection of fees. Amends Federal law to remove the cap on expenditures for construction and improvement of NIST buildings and facilities, but retains the requirement that such expenditures be within the limits of funds appropriated to NIST. Amends Federal law to authorize appropriations for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology (Centers). Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions mandating a nationwide study of current State technology extension services. Amends Federal law to establish within NIST an Office of Technology Services to supervise the Centers Program, NIST's assistance to State technology programs, and other activities or programs as the Secretary or the NIST Director may specify. Prohibits funds appropriated for NIST activities from being expended unless the activities have been specifically authorized by law. Title II: Advanced Technology Program Amendments - Emerging Technology Research and Development Act of 1990 - Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of NIST, to support joint ventures to identify and solve generic technology and manufacturing problems in emerging technology fields including high resolution information systems and advanced materials research and development so as to speed commercialization of products and services based on these technologies, and to establish procedures for technology sharing and technology transfer among members of the joint venture while protecting against transfer of intellectual properties, trade secrets, or proprietary data overseas. Requires that awards to joint ventures be based on competitive or other merit-based procedures. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to negotiate an agreement with any joint venture participants: (1) delineating their activities and responsibilities; and (2) specifying a period of time during which the Federal Government shall receive payments from any profits of the venture in proportion to the Federal share of the cost or, as an alternative, an option to pay an amount determined by the Secretary to be equal to the full Federal investment plus a reasonable return on such investment. Sets forth criteria for determining whether a company shall be considered a U.S. business and other eligibility criteria. Authorizes the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director to organize such industry advisory committees as appropriate. Authorizes the use of up to a specified percentage of the funds appropriated for carrying out provisions relating to the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) for standards development in support of those provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research and development of new or advanced technology of significant long-term value to the civilian U.S. economy, or for research and development concerning the generic commercial adaptation of such technology. Requires grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under the ATP to be designed to support projects which are high risk and which have potential for eventual substantial widespread commercial application. Authorizes appropriations for the ATP. Title III: Amendments to Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Stevenson-Wydler Act) to remove fiscal year limitations from provisions requiring that each Federal agency transfer an amount to NIST for the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Adds references to intellectual property to provisions defining "cooperative research and development agreement." Amends the definition of "Federal agency" to include any agency of the legislative branch. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to use appropriated funds to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities under the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Improvement Act of 1987. Title IV: Office of Science and Technology Policy - Amends Federal law to add the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to the list of positions at level I of the Executive Schedule. Adds the Director of the Office of Science and Technology to the list of positions at level II of the Executive Schedule. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to report annually to the Congress on all major science and technology proposals involving more than one country and having a total estimated cost greater than a specified sum. Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to add a new title to be cited as the National High Performance Computer Technology Program Act of 1990. Directs the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, to develop a National High Performance Computer Technology Plan containing recommendations for a five-year national effort. Mandates that the plan include: (1) funding requirements; and (2) the establishment of a multi-gigabit-per-second research and education computer network by 1996, to be known as the National Research and Education Network, to link government, industry and the higher education community, to provide computer users with access to supercomputers, data bases, and other research facilities, and to meet other goals. Requires the Plan to define the organizational arrangement for managing the operation of the Network. Requires the Council to develop the Plan, coordinate the high performance computing research and development activities of Federal agencies, and establish an advisory board. Amends the STPOP to establish a Presidential Commission on Reducing Capital Costs for Emerging Technology to develop recommendations to increase the competitiveness of U.S. industry by encouraging investment in quality, product and process improvements, and new product development and marketing. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth the sense of the Congress that the research and experimentation tax credit be permanently extended and raised to 25 percent, and the research and development costs allocation rules for deduction of expenses from foreign income be revised so as to not discourage activities in the United States and not penalize companies exporting U.S. made products or providing services through U.S. citizens stationed abroad. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a Presidential Commission on Procurement and Technology to develop recommendations for changes to Federal procurement laws, procedures, and policies with respect to the development of advanced technologies. Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Information Collection and Dissemination - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing and operating a Federal Online Information Product Catalog (FEDLINE) at the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Amends the National Technical Information Act of 1988 to add producing and disseminating products in electronic format to the duties of the NTIS. Title VI: High Resolution Information Systems - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish within that office a High Resolution Information Systems Board to foster and monitor the development of U.S. based high resolution information systems industries. Includes high definition television in the definition of such systems. Title VII: Reports - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (STPOP) to require that the biennial national critical technologies report include the most economically important emerging civilian technologies during the ten-year period following the report, together with the estimated current and future size of domestic and international markets for products derived from these technologies. Allows a product or process technology to be considered to be a national critical technology if it is essential for U.S. long-term national security or (currently, and) economic prosperity. Requires each report to identify technology base gaps between the United States and its major trading partners and list the technologies and markets targeted by major trading partners for development or capture. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing, in affiliation with NIST, a Quality Institute and privately-funded foundation to support that Institute. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to propose to the Congress a strategy for improving the university research capabilities of those States which historically have received relatively little Federal research and development funding. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to enter into a contract with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis for the development of a methodology or approach that can be used in the establishment of international product standards. Authorizes the use of a specified sum of the amounts authorized under the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 to carry out such requirement.
![Official portrait of Rep. Valentine, Tim [D-NC-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/v000006_200.jpg)