United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1987
Prohibits the proposed enhancement or upgrade in the sensitivity of technology of, or the capacity of, Maverick missiles for Saudi Arabia, as described in the May 29, 1987, certification from the President to the Congress under the Arms Export Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1987
Airline Safety and Service Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to repeal the Civil Aeronautics Board termination provisions (thus reestablishing such Board). Declares that the Board is established as an agency of the United States, and sets forth its membership. Declares that the provisions regarding the general powers of the Board shall have the same effect as on December 31, 1984. Provides that certain Board functions which had been transferred to other agencies are hereby transferred back to the Board. Sets forth provisions for the economic regulation of air carriers by the Board. Prescribes the factors which the Board and the Federal Aviation Administrator shall consider as being in the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1987
Depositor Protection Act of 1987 - Prohibits a bankruptcy trustee from avoiding as a preferential transfer certain withdrawal transactions made by depositors or investors from accounts with certain financial institutions which issue savings obligations or accept deposits in the ordinary course of business. Applies such prohibition to bankruptcy cases filed on or after March 9, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1987
Designates the week beginning June 21, 1987, as National Outward Bound Week in honor of the 25th anniversary of the first Outward Bound Outdoor Recreational Program offered in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1987
Agricultural Mortgage Marketing Act of 1987 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to establish as a federally-chartered institution of the Farm Credit System (System) the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Corporation). States that the Corporation shall not be liable for the debts of any other System institutions. Directs the Corporation to provide a secondary agricultural mortgage market by: (1) developing uniform underwriting, security appraisal, and repayment standards; (2) determining the eligibility of agricultural mortgage marketing facilities to contract with the Corporation for credit enhancement of specific mortgage pools; and (3) providing credit enhancement to assure repayment of principal and interest on pools of qualified agricultural mortgage loans. Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) the Board of Directors; (2) operating powers; (3) stock; (4) agricultural mortgage marketing facility certification (including revocation); (5) credit enhancement of qualified agricultural mortgage loans; (6) the required ten-percent contribution reserve (including distributions of any earnings on such reserve and loss allocation); (7) standards for qualified agricultural mortgage loans; (8) credit enhancement (including fees and limitations on liability); (9) Corporation regulation (including an annual report); and (10) exemption from Federal and State securities laws under specified conditions (including authorized investments).
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1987
FmHA Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to restructure, rather than foreclose, a delinquent Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) loan if foreclosure costs would exceed restructuring costs. Requires the Secretary, if the estimated liquidation value of the securing property exceeds 70 percent of the loan value, to provide independent support for such estimate. Requires the Secretary to pay losses incurred when a guaranteed lender restructures a loan as provided for by this Act. Requires the Secretary to continue to release living and operating expenses to a borrower until FmHA takes title and possession of the land and determines that such borrower is ineligible for leaseback of the property. Provides that emergency loans made to family farmers shall be refinanced at the same interest rates as FmHA real estate or operating loans made for the same purpose. Revises farmland disposition provisions to establish the following order of priority: (1) sale or lease with purchase option to previous owners of such land; (2) sale or lease with purchase option to previous operators of such land; and (3) sale or lease with purchase option to family-farm sized operators. Revises homestead protection provisions to: (1) include out buildings in homestead property; and (2) extend authority beyond the current December 23, 1988, cut-off date. Requires the Secretary to provide all FmHA borrowers with written descriptions of available loan service programs. Suspends collection activities until the Secretary has issued final loan restructuring regulations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Secretary should ensure through FmHA that farmland held in inventory which is suitable for use by eligible persons be properly classified and offered for sale to eligible buyers; and (2) such land should be classified as suitable unless the Secretary demonstrates that it is unlikely that it could be profitably farmed.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1987
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to direct (current law authorizes) the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay travel expenses of certain veterans and their eligible dependents to or from a Veterans Administration facility or other authorized place in connection with rehabilitation, counseling, or medical treatment or care. Defines those veterans entitled to such payment, including: (1) those veterans financially unable to meet such travel costs; and (2) those veterans unable to bear the cost of special transportation necessitated due to a medical disability. Limits such payments in the case of travel by a privately-owned vehicle to the cost of similar public transportation for such travel. Limits such payment to the actual cost incurred for such travel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1987
Farm Credit Borrower Relief, System Reform and Local Control Act of 1987 - Title I: Interest Rate Reduction - Provides for: (1) a mandatory interest rate reduction of at least seven percent on all Farm Credit System (System) loans; (2) an additional reduction of up to two points, upon a borrower's written request, to be funded by applying up to one-half of such borrower's stock against interest otherwise due; and (3) a five-year guarantee of borrower stock. Title II: Borrower Relief: Forbearance and Restructuring - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to require all banks and associations to have a forbearance program providing for loan extensions, deferrals, or late payments for delinquent borrowers who meet specified criteria. Prohibits foreclosure if a borrower is making efforts to repay a loan, is maintaining the property, and has the capacity to work out of debt. Provides: (1) that a borrower must have at least 30 days written notice before a foreclosure action is filed against him or her; and (2) a ten-day right to appeal such action. Requires System institutions to make efforts to permit a borrower in a foreclosure or voluntary liquidation action to retain ownership or possession of a principal residence and a reasonable amount of adjoining land in order to maintain his or her family. Requires System institutions to establish lease-back buy-back programs to avoid displacing farm operators and depressing land values. Includes within such program provisions regarding: (1) leases with repurchase options; (2) repurchase options; (3) maximum ten-year terms for holding collateral; (4) use of loan collateral as bond collateral; (5) appeal rights; and (6) program inapplicability to wetlands and highly erodible land. Title III: Borrower Rights - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to protect a borrower from: (1) being required to provide additional collateral; (2) being foreclosed for failing to provide such collateral; or (3) being required to furnish additional financial information unless such provision is in the loan agreement or unless the borrower requests an agreement change. Provides for borrower access to documents and information. Grants a borrower the right to sue any System institution in a U.S. district court. Title IV: Uniform Use of Regulatory Accounting - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to require each bank of the System, for the years 1986 through 1988, to capitalize, amortize (over a 20-year period), and prepare financial reports on: (1) any additions to their loan loss reserves in excess of one-half of one percent; and (2) interest costs in excess of six percent. Title V: Sunset of the Capital Corporation and Halt to System Centralization Through Service Organizations - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to terminate the Farm Credit System Capital Corporation 90 days after the enactment of this Act. (Currently, such Corporation expires as of December 31, 1990.) Prohibits the Farm Credit Administration from chartering any entities except Federal land banks, Federal land bank associations, Federal intermediate credit banks, production credit associations, banks for cooperatives, the Central Bank for Cooperatives, and the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. Liquidates all service organizations established before the effective date of this Act, except the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation, within 90 days of the effective date of this Act. Title VI: Future Stability Through Farm Credit Reserve Fund - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to direct the Farm Credit Administration to establish a reserve fund within 30 days of the effective date of this Act. States that such reserve shall be used to: (1) guarantee borrower stock; and (2) protect institution viability. Funds such reserve initially through a one-time issue of an uncollateralized joint obligation of System banks. Provides for perpetual reserve funding through obligation contributions. Sets forth operating provisions. Title VII: Termination of Loss Sharing That Conflicts With the Reserve Fund - Repeals the authority for interbank loss-sharing agreements. Title VIII: Local Control - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to provide a referendum method for stockholder elections of separate boards of directors for System banks. Terminates a district board if separate boards are established for two or more banks in such district. Sets forth related operating provisions. Title IX: Mandatory Cool-Off Period for Mergers - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to provide for a mandatory cooling-off period before a merger becomes effective. Title X: Funding Corporation Report - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to require the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation to report annually to each System institution detailing its bond placements, budget, costs, and expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Directs the head of each Federal department or agency holding records relating to sightings of U.S. military personnel in Southeast Asia since 1973 to make available to the public, within 30 days after the enactment of this Act, all such records. Provides exceptions to such disclosures for information revealing intelligence sources and methods or the names of such personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1987
Energy Security Tax Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on the first sale within the United States of imports of: (1) crude oil; (2) refined petroleum products; and (3) petrochemical feedstocks or other derivatives. Sets the rate of such tax as the difference between $24 per barrel ($26.50 for petroleum and petrochemical products) and the most recently published average price of a barrel of internationally traded oil, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with a specified formula. Permits an income tax deduction for oil import tax payments. Repeals the windfall profit tax on domestic crude oil.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1987
Farmers Home Administration Guaranteed Loan Improvements Act of 1987 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit leaders and subsequent loan holders to sell the guaranteed portion of certain Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) loans provided that: (1) all related fees due the Secretary of Agriculture are fully paid; and (2) the loan has been fully disbursed to the borrower. Authorizes the issuing of pool certificates representing ownership of the guaranteed portion of such FmHA loans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for the central collection of registration information; (2) provide for specified seller-buyer disclosure; (3) regulate market makers in pool certificates; (4) require market makers to service all pools and provide the Secretary with payment and default information; and (5) report annually to the appropriate congressional committees regarding secondary market operations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Department of International Trade and Industry Act of 1987 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth congressional findings and definitions related to this Act. Title II: Department of International Trade and Industry - Part A: Establishment - Establishes an independent Department of International Trade and Industry (Department) which shall be administered by a Secretary of International Trade and Industry. Requires the Secretary to be the U.S. Trade Representative. Sets forth the functions of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to be: (1) Chairman of the Board of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (2) Chairman pro tempore of the interagency organization established pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962; (3) a member of the National Security Council; and (4) Deputy Chairman of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Agriculture on all matters which potentially involve international trade in agricultural products. Requires that the Secretary shall be Chairman and the Secretary of Agriculture shall be Vice Chairman of any negotiation that includes discussion of international trade in agricultural products. Authorizes the Secretary, except where expressly prohibited by law, to assign the responsibility for conducting an international trade negotiation to the head of another Federal agency if the subject matter of the negotiation is related to the functions of that agency. Requires the President, if the provisions of a regulation, executive order, or executive agreement may have a significant impact on the international economic competitiveness of significant domestic product and service industries, to submit a statement to specified congressional committees describing the likely impact of such provisions. Requires such statement to be submitted at least 60 days before the regulation, order, or agreement will take effect. Authorizes the President to waive the impact statements if, in order to serve the national interest or deal with an emergency situation, the regulation, order, or agreement must take effect immediately. Requires that the report of a bill or resolution which contains provisions that would have a significant impact on the international economic competitiveness of significant domestic product and service industries shall contain a statement describing the likely impact of such provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to establish regional trade centers throughout the United States in order to increase exports of U.S. goods and services. Part B: Offices and Administrations - Establishes in the Office of the Secretary the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Establishes within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for Agriculture. Establishes within the Department: (1) the United States Travel and Tourism Administration; (2) the Administration for Productivity and Technology (composed of the Patent and Trademark Office, the National Bureau of Standards, and Office of Telecommunications and Information, and the National Technical Information Service); (3) the Office of Small Business Trade Assistance, which shall provide small businesses with information concerning import relief and assistance in preparing petitions and applications for import relief; and (4) the Office of Competitive Analysis, which shall provide information and analysis for the Secretary, the Department, and the Congress with respect to trade policy, trade negotiating strategy, and other policies affecting the competitiveness of domestic industries. Requires the Office of Competitive Analysis to report annually to the Congress on economic and technological developments affecting the competitive position of U.S. industry. Directs the Secretary to convene an industry sector competitiveness council for specified industry sectors to assess actual or potential dislocation, challenge, or opportunity for the industry involved and to formulate recommendations for business, government, and labor. Part C: Officers - Establishes in the Department a Deputy Secretary of International Trade and Industry who, among other things, shall be Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Establishes within the Department four Under Secretaries of International Trade and Industry, including an Under Secretary for Travel and Tourism and an Under Secretary for Agriculture. Establishes within the Department an Administrator for Productivity and Technology who shall administer the Administration for Productivity and Technology. Establishes within the Department nine Assistant Secretaries including an Assistant Secretary for Patents and Trademarks and an Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information. Establishes within the Department a General Counsel and an Inspector General. Lists other officers within the Department. Part D: Transfers to the Department - Transfers to the Secretary all functions of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Transfers to the Secretary, except for functions transferred by titles III, IV, and V: (1) all functions of the Secretary of Commerce; (2) all functions of the Department of Commerce; and (3) all functions of specified officers within the Department of Commerce. Part E: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions dealing with: (1) personnel issues; (2) the power of the Secretary to delegate functions; (3) the succession of officers within the Department; (4) the authority of the Secretary to reorganize the Department; (5) the authority of the Secretary to issue rules and regulations; (6) the establishment of a working capital fund for the Department; (7) the transfer of funds; and (8) other administrative matters. Part F: Related Agencies - Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require that the interagency trade organization established pursuant to that Act shall be composed of the President, the Secretaries of International Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Defense, Labor, and the Treasury, and the heads of such other departments and agencies and such other officers as the President shall designate. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require that the Deputy Secretary of International Trade and Industry shall serve as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that the Secretary shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and that the Director of the United States International Development Cooperation Agency shall be the Vice Chairman of such Board. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to make the Secretary a member of the National Security Council. Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to require the U.S. executive director of the International Monetary Fund to consult with the Secretary on matters under consideration by the Fund which relate to trade. Establishes within the Executive Office of the President a Council on International Trade, Economic, and Financial Policy to coordinate U.S. trade policies with U.S. international economic policies. Establishes within the Executive Office of the President an Advisor to the President for International Trade, Economic, and Financial Policy who shall be Executive Director of the Council and Executive Director of the interagency organization established pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Requires the Advisor to report to the President and the Congress every six months on actual and potential conflicts between U.S. international economic policies and U.S. trade policies. Part G: Conforming Provisions - Sets forth conforming amendments. Title III: Establishment of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as an Independent Agency - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act of 1985 - Part A: Establishment of Administration - Establishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as an independent agency. Requires the Administration to include specified officers, including an Administrator (appointed by the President) and a Deputy Administrator. Transfers the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce to the Administration. Part B: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the President on the activities of the Administration. Title IV: Establishment of the Bureau of the Census as an Independent Agency - Establishes the Bureau of the Census as an independent agency. Transfers the Bureau of the Census of the Department of Commerce to the Bureau. Sets forth the powers and duties of the Bureau of the Census. Directs the President to the report to the Congress, within 90 days of the effective date of this Act, on the coordination of statistical functions between the Bureau and the Department involved in carrying out certain statistical functions. Title V: Transfers to Other Federal Agencies - Part A: Minority Business Development Agency - Transfers the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce to the Small Business Administration. Part B: Economic Development Administration - Transfers the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce to the Department of Agriculture. Title VI: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Provides for transfers of other functions of the Secretary of Commerce which are not dealt with in earlier titles. Sets forth transitional, savings, and conforming provisions relating to changes made by this Act. Terminates the Department of Commerce. Title VII: Agricultural Exports - Directs the President to report to the Congress any export control imposed on agricultural commodities under the Export Administration Act of 1979. Terminates such export control if a law is not enacted within 60 days after the export control is imposed approving the export control. Directs the Secretary to take all feasible steps to bring about the export of U.S. agricultural products at competitive world prices. Authorizes the Secretary to subsidize the price of exporting agricultural commodities. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act. Provides for interim appointments of certain officers. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Declares it to be U.S. policy to: (1) reduce trade problems and current account deficits and to achieve an equilibrium in such accounts by 1992; and (2) maintain stable exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar through cooperation within the international financial community. Directs the President to enforce all appropriate procedures and treaties to achieve these objectives, including but not limited to: (1) implementing trade policy measures to expand markets for U.S. exports, discipline unfair trade policies of other nations, and require an equitable world trading system; (2) exerting greater efforts to coordinate economic and monetary policy with U.S. trading partners; and (3) recommending to the Congress appropriate changes in fiscal, regulatory, or general economic policy. Requires the Congress, in enacting future legislation, to give priority to the policy objectives of this Act and to presidential recommendations which further such objectives. Declares that the Congress seeks to hold the President and his designated representatives accountable to the people for the enforcement of a trade policy that would eradicate current abuses that undermine U.S. living standards, national security, and future prosperity. Calls on the President to make frequent reports to the Congress on specific steps that are being taken to reduce the trade deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
1987 White House Conference on International Trade Act - Declares that it is the policy of the Congress that the Government should develop and implement a policy for expanding the participation of the United States in international trade. Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on International Trade in order to develop recommendations for further research and action in international trade. Requires the Conference to bring together representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, professional and lay people, and academics. Requires a final report of the Conference, which shall include a statement of comprehensive national policy on international trade, to be submitted to the President within 180 days after the Conference adjourns. Authorizes appropriations.
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
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
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
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
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
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 · 6 April 1987
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal prohibitions against the use of natural gas or petroleum as a primary energy source in new and existing electric powerplants and major fuel-burning installations. Applies the provisions of this Act only to the contiguous 48 States and the District of Columbia. Prohibits the construction or operation of any new electric powerplant as a base load powerplant without the capability to use coal or another alternate fuel as a primary source. States that an electric powerplant has the capability to use coal or another alternate fuel if: (1) it has sufficient inherent design characteristics to permit the addition of equipment necessary to render it capable of using coal or another alternate fuel as its primary energy source; and (2) it is not technologically or structurally precluded from using coal or another alternate fuel as its primary energy source. Makes the coal utilization requirements inapplicable to peakload powerplants or to intermediate load powerplants. Requires the owner or operator of any new baseload electric powerplant proposing to use natural gas or petroleum as its primary energy source to certify to the Secretary of Energy prior to construction or operation that such powerplant has the requisite coal-using capability. States that any permanent exemption from the proscription against the construction of new electric powerplants without coal or alternate fuel capability shall not take effect until all approvals required by State regulatory authorities relating to construction have been obtained.
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 · 25 March 1987
Rural Area Revitalization Act of 1987 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize FY 1988 through 1992 appropriations for Rural Development Loan Fund intermediate borrowers. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make 1988 through 1992 grants for: (1) rural business, employment, and infrastructure development; and (2) stimulation of growth and diversification in rural communities affected by chronic underemployment in basic economic sectors, such as agriculture. Limits: (1) Federal cost sharing to 75 percent, unless waived by the Secretary; and (2) grant eligibility to projects serving communities with populations of not more than 20,000 people. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize grants for rural drinking water projects. Directs the Secretary to establish an office in the Farmers Home Administration of the Department of Agriculture whose primary purpose shall be to encourage different approaches to economic and community development in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Amends the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 to require bilateral arrangements between the United States and steel exporting nations imposing quantitative limitations on steel exports to, or imports into, the United States to include restraints on certain welded steel used for concrete reinforcement. Prohibits any arrangement country (or the European Community) from obtaining an exception or modification to such arrangements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Establishes the Veterans Administration as an executive department redesignated as the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Makes technical and conforming changes, including the redesignation of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs as the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Federal Lands Receipts Clarification Act - Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act, the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, and other Federal law to specify that the States' share of certain revenue from National Forest System timber sales, from oil and gas royalties, and from mineral and geothermal leases be determined on the basis of gross receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to take all feasible steps, including subsidizing exports, to cause the exportation at competitive world prices of U.S. agricultural commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the corporate, legal, labor, and academic communities should pursue establishment of an organization to provide pro bono legal assistance to small businesses in cases involving foreign unfair trade practices. Urges such organization to: (1) develop an outreach program to inform businesses of remedies available under U.S. trade laws; and (2) provide pro bono legal assistance to those businesses lacking resources to seek such remedies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Family Farm Act - Title I: Agricultural Commodity Supply Management - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, effective for the 1988 through 2000 crop years, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct referendums among crop and milk producers every four years to determine whether an agricultural commodity supply management program (program) shall be in effect for such period. (States that if a referendum is not approved current price support provisions shall apply.) Administers such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Establishes program commodity loan rates at 70 percent of parity beginning with the 1988 crop year, and increasing by one percent per year to a maximum of 80 percent for the 1998 through 2000 crop years. (Eliminates target prices and other subsidy payments.) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress prior to the beginning of the 1993 crop year regarding the economic impact of this Act and the continuation of such loan schedule. Directs the Secretary to: (1) proclaim a national marketing quota for each commodity based upon domestic and export demands, food aid requirements, and carryover and reserve requirements; and (2) proclaim a national acreage allotment based upon projected national yield and expected underplantings. Requires producers to apply for farm acreage allotments. Limits acreage increases to not more than 20 percent of the previous year's acreage. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a conservation use set-aside program if a commodity's projected production will exceed its national marketing quota. Increases set-aside percentages as projected production increases. Limits such maximum percentage to 35 percent. Authorizes a paid diversion program if further production decreases are necessary. Limits nonprogram crop production under specified conditions. Provides for the assignment of marketing certificates based upon the number of permitted acres times a farm's program yield. Provides for quantity reductions due to on-farm use. Authorizes excess commodities to be stored and marketed under a certificate issued in a subsequent year, or donated or sold for famine relief to the CCC. Requires importers to obtain such certificates. Limits the conditions of their use. Directs the Secretary to establish a farmers' disaster reserve, to be initially stocked by CCC commodities and afterwards by producer contributions. Limits maximum individual assistance. Sets forth penalties for program noncompliance. Makes conforming amendments to specified Acts. Permits family-size livestock and poultry producers to purchase CCC grain for a 36-month period beginning 30 days after enactment of this Act. Limits maximum annual purchases. Title II: Milk Marketing Control - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary to conduct referendums among milk producers every four years to determine whether an alternative milk price support program (program) shall be in effect for such period. (States that if a referendum is not approved current price support provisions shall apply.) Establishes milk price support levels at 70 percent of parity beginning in 1988, and increasing by one-percent per year to a maximum of 80 percent for 1998 through 2000. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress before January 1, 1993, regarding the economic impact of this Act and the continuation of such support schedule. States that the Secretary shall determine individual milk marketing bases for each year such program is in effect. Bases such amount on the product of the producers' marketing history (1981 through 1985) and the annual marketing allocation factor (based on domestic and export needs and production quantities). Permits the transfer of milk marketing bases, subject to specified conditions and with priority given to family members and beginning producers. Title III: Agricultural Exports and Imports - Subtitle A: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to provide for multilateral famine relief agreements. Authorizes the use of CCC surplus stocks for such purposes. Subtitle B: Agricultural Imports - Directs the Secretary to use specified import limitation authority under the Agricultural Adjustment Act to prevent imported commodities from interfering with domestic price support activities. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require country of origin labeling for any agricultural product containing a significant (by volume or value) portion of imported ingredients. Prohibits the importation of commodities, live animals used for food, or food items containing residues of chemicals prohibited for use in the United States. Title IV: Food and Nutrition Assistance - Subtitle A: General Food and Nutrition Programs - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary to increase food stamp benefits to offset any food price increases resulting from this Act. Makes similar amendments to the National School Lunch Act (school lunch program), and the Child Nutrition Act of 1986 (school breakfast program and the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC)). Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to: (1) adjust the cost of the thrifty food plan; (2) exclude child support payments from income for purposes of food stamp eligibility; (3) increase excess shelter expense deduction caps; (4) amend the allowable deduction for excess medical expenses of the elderly and disabled; (5) increase the limitations on financial resources; (6) permit the use of administrative funds to provide program information to unemployed, disabled, or elderly persons; (7) increase FY 1988 through 1990 appropriations; (8) authorize outreach programs for the homeless; (9) provide separate household status for certain children and siblings; and (10) provide food stamps within five days of application to the homeless and to persons whose combined gross income and liquid resources is less than their monthly rent and utilities. Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to increase FY 1987 authorizations, and authorize FY 1988 authorizations, for the temporary emergency food assistance (TEFAP) program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to replace the current specific FY 1989 WIC authorization with an authorization of necessary funds for FY 1989. Increases the authorization of appropriations for nutrition education and training. Subtitle B: Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research - National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1987 - Establishes a ten-year coordinated program, to be known as the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program, which shall be implemented by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture. Establishes an Interagency Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to facilitate the implementation of such program. Authorizes the Secretaries to appoint an Administrator of Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to coordinate such program. Requires the Secretaries to prepare and implement a comprehensive national nutrition monitoring and related research plan which shall: (1) assess and report on U.S. nutritional and dietary trends; (2) assess and report on low-income food and household expenditures; (3) sponsor and conduct research; (4) develop and update a national dietary and nutritional status data bank; (5) assist State and local agencies in developing procedures and networks for nutrition monitoring and surveillance; and (6) focus the activities of Federal agencies. Requires the plan to allocate the project functions and activities among the various Federal agencies and offices involved. Provides that the comprehensive plan shall be carried out during the period ending with the close of the ninth fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the final comprehensive plan is submitted. Requires the Secretaries to provide for and coordinate such scientific research and development as may be necessary to support the coordinated program and comprehensive plan. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the President to establish a National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice on the development and implementation of all components of the coordinated program and the comprehensive plan; (2) evaluate such program and plan; and (3) submit an annual report to the Secretaries. Directs the Secretaries to publish and review dietary guidelines for the general population. Title V: Financial Assistance - Subtitle A: Farm Debt Restructuring Program - Chapter 1: Entitlement to Debt Restructuring Aid - Entitles eligible farmers in qualifying States who enter into qualifying debt restructuring agreements to Federal debt restructuring assistance. Chapter 2: Qualifying States - Sets forth the following requirements for qualifying States: (1) the State must have a farm loan mediation program; (2) State law must require that a collection action be preceded by notification of the borrower of the availability of State mediation services and Federal debt restructuring assistance; and (3) the State must provide farm counseling services. Sets forth mediation program requirements including: (1) training mediators; and (2) mediation period of at least 42 days. Chapter 3: Qualified Debt Restructuring Agreements - Requires qualified debt restructuring agreements to provide for: (1) principal writedown and interest rate reduction; and (2) timely borrower payments. Chapter 4: Debt Restructuring Aid - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a County Emergency Debt Restructuring Committee in each county of a qualifying State to administer the debt restructuring program. Requires a committee to determine an applicant's eligibility for debt restructuring assistance within seven days of receipt of an application. Provides assistance as either: (1) no-interest loans of up to $30,000 for three years; or (2) grants of equivalent value. Establishes a five-year loan repayment period, with a two-year postponement if necessary. Establishes an appeals procedure for denied restructuring agreements. Directs the Secretary to establish a Review Board for such purpose. Chapter 5: Administrative Provisions - Provides 50 percent matching grants to States to offset the costs of such mediation program. Limits annual payments to any State to $1,000,000. Sets forth provisions regarding the participation of affected Federal agencies, including the Farm Credit Administration. Requires the Secretary to submit a program report to the Congress by January 15 of each fiscal year. Chapter 6: Definitions - Defines "eligible farm borrower" as a person: (1) who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; (2) who operates a family farm (gross sales not exceeding $500,000); (3) who is a farm loan borrower; (4) whose average nonfarm related income does not exceed $45,000; and (5) whose projected gross income will not exceed specified sums. Subtitle B: Grants to States to Assist Persons Leaving Farming - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture the Office of Emergency Aid for Persons Leaving Farming to provide transition assistance to States for eligible families leaving agriculture. Makes such assistance available as: (1) cash assistance; (2) home energy assistance; (3) relocation assistance; (4) family services; (5) employment assistance; (6) job skills training; and (7) nutrition assistance information. Requires the Secretary to submit a program report to the Congress by January 15 of each fiscal year. Terminates such program five years after enactment of this subtitle. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to prohibit debt restructuring assistance to persons producing commodities on erodible land or converted wetlands. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to permit banks to write off over ten years their losses incurred with such debt restructing agreements. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) reduce the minimum annual sales requirement for purposes of homestead protection eligibility; (2) make limited resource loans available to minority farmers in proportion to local population percentages; and (3) require the Secretary to submit a report to the Congress regarding such minority loans by January 15 of each fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1987
Amends part B (Peer Review) of title IX of the Social Security Act to give physicians 30 days to request a hearing, and an opportunity thereafter to exhaust administrative and judicial remedies, before the Secretary of Health and Human Services' decision to exclude the physician from Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) participation takes effect and the public receives notice of such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1987
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make specified payments to producers who sold cattle for nonbreeding purposes during the period March 28, 1986, through June 30, 1986. Requires payment claims to be submitted before July 1, 1988. Sets forth procedures for resolving disputed claims, including judicial review in U.S. district court.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Mrs. Jesse Owens in recognition of the late Jesse Owens' athletic achievements and humanitarian contributions to public service, civil rights, and international goodwill. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of the medal.
![Official portrait of Rep. Watkins, Wes [R-OK-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000194_200.jpg)