United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1987
Medicare Diabetic Foot Disease Prevention Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program for therapeutic shoes furnished to individuals with severe diabetic foot disease.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1987
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that evidence obtained by a search or seizure shall not be excluded in a Federal proceeding if the seizure was undertaken in a reasonable, good faith belief in its conformity with the fourth amendment to the Constitution. Provides that evidence obtained in accordance with a warrant is prima facie evidence of good faith, absent intentional and material misrepresentation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1987
Establishes a Joint Committee on Intelligence to make continuing studies of the intelligence matters of the Government. Declares that such Committee shall be the primary recipient of classified or unclassified intelligence information coming from the President to the Congress. Requires all bills, resolutions, and other matters relating to intelligence matters to be referred to the Joint Committee. Authorizes the Committee to classify information originating within the Committee in accordance with standards for classifying restricted data or defense information.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1987
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to consider the aggregate number of resident workers who commute from the county in which a hospital is located to contiguous metropolitan statistical areas, rather than only considering the number of workers commuting to a single metropolitan area, for the purpose of determining whether such hospital should be paid at urban rather than rural rates.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Omnibus Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Directs the Secretary to transmit drafts of such statement to specified congressional committees and to distribute the final statement to all taxpayers with tax forms sent by the IRS. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to establish within the Department of the Treasury (Department) an Office of Inspector General (Inspector). Transfers to such Office the existing audit and investigation units of the Department. Prohibits the Inspector from reviewing: (1) monetary, fiscal, and tax policy; and (2) the exercise of legal judgment in the investigation and litigation of cases. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) withhold from the Inspector requested information that the Secretary determines will jeopardize the success of an ongoing investigation or litigation, confidential sources, or the national security; and (2) prohibit the Inspector from undertaking or continuing an audit or investigation under limited circumstances described in this Act. Requires the IRS, upon taxpayer request, to conduct any interview regarding a deficiency assessment at a reasonable time and place convenient to the taxpayer and to the IRS, and to permit the taxpayer, at his or her own expense, to record the interview. Authorizes the IRS interviewer to record such interview if the taxpayer has been given prior notice and is provided, upon request and payment of reproduction costs, with a transcript of the recording. Requires the interview to warn the taxpayer that: (1) he or she has a right to remain silent; (2) any statement the taxpayer makes may be used against him or her; and (3) he or she has the right to the presence of an attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent, or enrolled actuary. Permits a waiver of such rights if voluntarily and knowingly made. Amends Federal law to require the Comptroller General (Comptroller) of the General Accounting Office to: (1) conduct audits of the IRS with respect to the efficiency, uniformity, and equity of the internal revenue laws (current law specifies no particular focus for such audits); and (2) conduct special audits or investigations of internal revenue law administration upon the request of any congressional committee or Member of Congress. Requires the Comptroller's annual report to the Congress to include specified findings concerning IRS management, efficiency, procedures, and structure. Divests of its finality a vote of the Joint Committee on Taxation to disapprove a Comptroller General audit of the IRS. Designates such vote as a recommendation to disapprove an audit and makes such recommendation subject to congressional approval. Prohibits evaluations of IRS personnel based on revenue collected from taxpayers as a result of audits or investigations involving such personnel. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by an officer or employee of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws that inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action in Federal court (regardless of the amount in controversy) for any taxpayer aggrieved by such prohibited investigation or recordkeeping. Authorizes both equitable remedies and awards of damages, including punitive damages, litigation costs and reasonable attorney fees, in such cases. Extends from ten to 30 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Specifies information that must be incorporated in such notice, including possible alternative actions and the appropriate appeals procedures. Adds to the circumstances triggering termination of such a levy: (1) an agreement between the taxpayer and the Secretary for payment of the liability; and (2) the Secretary's determination that the taxpayer's financial condition precludes enforceability of the liability. Revises the list of property exempt from levy to: (1) increase the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages; (2) add an exemption for certain deposits in qualified institutions; and (3) provide an express exemption, except under limited circumstances specified in this Act, for the taxpayer's principal residence, a motor vehicle used by the taxpayer as the primary means of transportation to work, and any tangible personal property essential to the operation of the taxpayer's business in cases when a levy would prevent the taxpayer from carrying on such business. Prohibits a levy on any property when levy and sales expenses would exceed either the liability for which the levy is made or the fair market value of the levied property. Sets forth situations in which the Secretary must release a levy. Applies to jeopardy levies the administrative and judicial review procedures currently applicable to jeopardy assessments. Authorizes the Secretary, in certain cases, to enter into a binding agreement with a taxpayer under which such taxpayer may pay tax liability in installments. Requires the Secretary to offer in writing to enter such an agreement with any individual: (1) whose tax liability is $20,000 or less; and (2) who has not been delinquent in installment tax payments under similar agreements during a specified period. Permits the Secretary, after proper notice and a hearing, to modify or annul such an agreement upon the finding that the financial condition of the affected taxpayer has significantly changed. Requires the Secretary to abate in full any deficiency, including penalty or interest, completely attributable to erroneous advice in writing given to a taxpayer by an IRS officer or employee in response to such taxpayer's specific inquiry. Directs IRS officers and employees, when giving oral advice to a person, to inform such person that the contents of such communication are not binding on the IRS. Authorizes the IRS Ombudsman, upon application filed by a taxpayer, to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Ombudsman: (1) the taxpayer is suffering or is about to suffer from an unusual or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary has failed to carry out any of his or her duties or has violated any provision of law. Allows the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary to release property of the taxpayer levied upon or to cease or refrain from certain actions. Requires the Secretary to obey any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued by the Ombudsman. Allows an administrative appeal of tax liens. Revises the criteria according to which the Secretary determines a minimum sale price for property seized by levy and subject to a tax sale. Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing a class audit of taxpayers in a particular business or trade until each group member is given proper notice and the opportunity either to file an amended return or to challenge the Secretary's findings at a hearing. Places upon the IRS the burden of proof on all issues in all administrative and judicial proceedings between the IRS and a taxpayer. Applies the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act to all IRS rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide that it shall not be in order for either House of Congress to consider any legislation which would impose any requirement on State or local governments which is likely to result in an annual cost to such governments of $50,000,000 or more for any particular program, project, or activity, except for legislation which complies with any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the report of the Committee on the Budget of each House accompanying the concurrent resolution on the budget to identify changes in Federal aid programs for State and local governments on a program-by-program basis.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for damaging or destroying any religious real property or interfering with any person's free exercise of religious beliefs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Suspends most-favored-nation treatment for Romania for six months. Permits the products of Romania to receive most-favored-nation treatment during any 180-day period following the initial six months only if: (1) the President submits to the House of Representatives and the Senate a document containing specified findings and assurances, including a finding that granting most-favored-nation treatment will promote improved freedom to emigrate from Romania and will promote an end to religious and political persecution in Romania; and (2) a joint resolution disapproving such action is not enacted. Provides for expedited consideration of such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Medicare Catastrophic Illness Coverage Act - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove durational limitations on the coverage of inpatient hospital services. Provides coverage of post-hospital extended care services for up to 100 days each year. (Currently such services are provided for up to 100 days during a "spell of illness".) Requires a beneficiary to pay a deductible for each of the first two inpatient hospital admissions in a year. (Currently an inpatient hospital deductible is required for each "spell of illness.") Eliminates the coinsurance requirement for inpatient hospital services and outpatient hospital extended care services. Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program to cover the amount by which a part B enrollee's out-of-pocket expenses exceed $2,000 in 1988, adjusting such ceiling thereafter to reflect changes in total Medicare per capita expenses. Excludes from the computation of a beneficiary's out-of-pocket expenses amounts above the full part B payment to physicians and others who do not accept assignment. Includes in the computation of the part B premium an amount equal to the Secretary of Health and Human Services' estimate of a part B enrollee's share of the benefits and administrative costs which result from this Act's catastrophic care coverage and beneficiary expense ceiling. Provides for the transfer to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund of part B premium revenues which are attributable to the catastrophic care coverage this Act establishes under part A of the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1987
Designates June 14, 1987, as Baltic Freedom Day. Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Pornography Victims Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to the prohibition against the sexual exploitation of children to add as a condition triggering Federal penalties that the person concerned know that a minor was transported in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of producing pornography. Makes it a criminal offense for any person to coerce, intimidate, or fraudulently induce an individual 18 years or older to engage in any sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing any visual depiction of such conduct. Grants the U.S. district courts jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General or any person threatened with loss or damage by such conduct to institute a civil suit. Provides for treble damages for a victim who suffers physical injury, emotional distress, or property damage. Imposes civil penalties for violation of the prohibition against sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Amends the National Housing Act to make authority permanent for: (1) title I financial institution insurance for housing renovation and modernization; (2) general mortgage insurance; (3) low and moderate income and displaced families mortgage insurance; (4) mortgage co-insurance, including rental rehabilitation and development projects; (5) mortgage insurance for armed forces' civilian employees and defense housing for impacted areas; (6) mortgage insurance for land development; (7) mortgage insurance for medical and dental group practice facilities; (8) mortgage insurance commitment limitations; and (9) graduated payment and indexed mortgage insurance. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to make authority permanent for urban rehabilitation loan authority. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to make authority permanent for: (1) insured loans for rental and cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families in rural areas; and (2) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1986 to make national flood insurance authority, including emergency implementation provisions, permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1987
Agriculture in Transition Act - Amends title III (Employment and Training Programs for Dislocated Workers) of the Job Training Partnership Act to provide for grants to States and service delivery areas for dislocated farmers and ranchers. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in determining whether to award such a grant to a State or to one or more service delivery areas within a State, to consider: (1) the need to make services available throughout the State; (2) the desirability of providing a comprehensive set of services to eligible individuals at a single site; and (3) the extent to which administrative overhead can be reduced and duplication avoided. Allows grant recipients to subcontract for the delivery of services. Requires programs assisted through such grants to provide services to individuals: (1) who can certify or demonstrate that the farm or ranch operations which provide their primary occupation have terminated or will terminate because of specified circumstances; (2) who may reasonably be expected to leave farming or ranching as their primary occupation because of unfavorable debt-to-asset ratio; or (3) displaced from agriculture-related businesses and industries whose companies have been adversely affected by the declining agricultural economy. Requires programs assisted through such grants to provide to individuals and their immediate families who are attempting to continue farming or ranching: (1) assistance in evaluating their financial condition and preparing financial plans; and (2) assistance in managing temporary crises. Requires programs assisted by such grants to provide to individuals and their immediate families who are not attempting to continue farming or ranching or employment in an agriculture-related business or industry: (1) vocational evaluation; (2) basic skills, remedial, and literary education; (3) job search assistance; (4) entrepreneurial training; (5) classroom, occupational skills, and on-the-job training; and (6) supportive services. Allows grant funds to also be used to: (1) develop jobs with local employers; (2) provide funds for education training expenses; and (3) reimburse employers for up to one-half the wages paid during on-the-job training. Sets forth grant application requirements. Directs the Governor of each State receiving such grant funds to establish and provide administrative support to a rural employment opportunities task force to advise the Governor on dislocated worker programs and to report annually to the Secretary on the effectiveness of such programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992 for grants to States for dislocated farmers and ranchers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
National Oceans Policy Commission Act of 1987 - Establishes the National Oceans Policy Commission (the Commission), composed of 17 members to be appointed by the President. Requires the Commission to have eight congressional advisors to advise the Commission in the formulation of findings and recommendations. Requires the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to also advise the Commission. Directs the Commission to propose to the President and the Congress a comprehensive national oceans policy to carry out the purposes set forth in this Act, including promoting the conservation of marine resources and the peaceful use of the oceans. Directs the Commission to develop recommendations on the international and domestic ocean policies, laws, regulations, and activities of the United States that will define and implement the comprehensive policy. Outlines further considerations concerning the development of such recommendations, including surveys of Federal ocean-related activities and reviews of marine facilities. Outlines powers of the Commission and other administrative provisions. Directs the Commission, no later than two years after it first meets, to submit to the President and to each House of the Congress a final report on the comprehensive oceans policy and the recommendations developed under this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after such report is submitted. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
High Technology Trade Promotion Act of 1987 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to declare that no permission to export may be required for national security reasons for exports of goods or technology to a country which maintains export controls on such goods or technology cooperatively with the United States pursuant to an international agreement. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to require permission to export such goods or technology to certain end users. Authorizes the Secretary to require permission to export such goods or technology to a country if the country is engaging in a pattern of noncompliance with the agreement of the Coordinating Committee on Export Controls or other applicable agreement. Declares that no permission to export may be required under the national security export control provisions for the export to any country (other than a controlled country) of certain low technology items. Declares that no permission to reexport goods may be required under the national security export control provisions for: (1) reexports to or from any country which maintains export controls on such goods cooperatively with the United States pursuant to an international agreement except for reexports to certain end users; (2) reexports of goods that are incorporated in other goods and do not constitute more than 35 percent of the value of the goods in which they are incorporated; and (3) reexports of certain low technology items. Requires the Secretary, when reviewing the foreign availability of items subject to national security export controls, to include sources of such items within a country to which exports are controlled. Grants the Secretary the authority, with specified exceptions, to make a foreign availability determination notwithstanding the approval or disapproval of any other agency. Imposes a timetable for determinations by the Secretary of foreign availability of items subject to national security export controls. Requires the President to begin negotiations to eliminate the foreign availability of items subject to national security export controls whenever the President determines that it is in the national security interest to eliminate such availability. Provides that if such negotiations do not result in the elimination of such foreign availability within six months, the Secretary may not require a validated license for the export of such items. Deletes the provision that authorized an extension of such negotiating period. Provides a 30-day period for submission of data in connection with review of the inclusion of an item on the national security export control list. Repeals the provision providing special procedures for the Secretary of Defense in the processing of export license applications. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to refer export license applications to other agencies under certain circumstances. Requires the Comptroller General to review the effect of the changes in export license review procedures contained in this paragraph and to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning procedural improvements to ensure the removal of export controls without adversely affecting national security. Requires the President to appoint a person representing the U.S. electronics industry to the U.S. delegation to the Coordinating Committee on Export Controls. Authorizes appropriations for the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration and for the Office of Export Licensing. Authorizes the issuance of a distribution export license to approve distributors or users of exports in China. Makes certain technical amendments to such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal provisions which increase the current year liability test for estimated tax payments from 80 percent to 90 percent. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such section has not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Uniform Product Safety Act of 1987 - States that this Act governs any civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller for personal injury or damage caused by a product. Supersedes any inconsistent State law regarding recovery in such such actions. Lists specific laws not superseded, including: (1) defenses of sovereign immunity asserted by the United States or any State; (2) any Federal law (except the Federal Employees Compensation Act); (3) the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976; (4) State choice-of-law rules; and (5) the right of any court to transfer venue. Allows any State to develop and implement expedited product liability claims procedures. Establishes uniform national standards for product liability actions. Subjects a product manufacturer to liability if the claimant establishes that: (1) the manufacturer manufactured an unreasonably dangerous product; (2) the product failed to conform to an express warranty made by the manufacturer; (3) the manufacturer was negligent in designing the product; or (4) the manufacturer failed to provide appropriate warnings or instructions. Treats a product seller as a manufacturer where: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to a service of process in any State where the action might be brought; or (2) the court determines that the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Subjects a product seller to liability if the claimant establishes that: (1) the product failed to conform to an express warranty made by the product seller; (2) the product seller did not exercise reasonable care in assembling, inspecting, or maintaining such product; or (3) the product seller did not exercise reasonable care in passing on the manufacturer's warnings or instructions. Establishes defenses in such actions with respect to: (1) manufacturing practices in light of existing technology; and (2) compliance with Government standards and contract specifications; and (3) claimant's intoxication. Holds each defendant found responsible for the harm jointly and severally liable. Makes a product seller or manufacturer liable for punitive damages if such seller or manufacturer: (1) knowingly destroyed or failed to make available evidence whose production is required; or (2) manifested a conscious and flagrant indifference to consumer safety. Lists factors to be considered in setting the amount of punitive damages. Limits punitive damages to treble damages plus costs. Provides that punitive damages may not be awarded where: (1) a drug or medical device complied with certain Government standards; or (2) an aircraft was certified by the Secretary of Transportation under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Establishes a 25-year statute of repose. Requires any damage award to be reduced by the amount of workers' compensation benefits paid. Establishes a Federal Product Liability Study Panel to study: (1) existing and proposed expedited product liability claims procedures; (2) Federal and State workers' compensation systems; and (3) nonjudicial methods for resolving product liability claims. Requires the Panel to report to specified congressional committees within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1987
Supports the President in seeking global measures regarding the adverse effects resulting from the release of chloroflurocarbons and other manufactured chemicals that significantly deplete the ozone layer, including negotiating an immediate international reduction in the use of chlorofluorocarbons and the expeditious elimination of fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons and other manufacturing chemicals that may deplete the ozone layer.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Drug Kingpin Act of 1987 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish criteria for the imposition of the death penalty where, as a result of a continuing criminal enterprise, an individual (other than a participant in such conduct) dies. Requires the Government, for such offense, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea, disclosing that it intends to seek the death penalty and the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to such offense. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading of the jury. Directs the court, or the jury by unanimous vote, to impose the death penalty upon finding that such sentence is justified based on consideration of both aggravating and mitigating factors. Sets forth some mitigating factors to be considered by the jury or the court when imposing its sentence. Includes as aggravating factors to be considered by the jury or the court: (1) the intentional nature of the act which resulted in the victim's death; (2) previous convictions for offenses for which life imprisonment or death is authorized; (3) the especially heinous, cruel, or depraved nature of the offense; (4) the defendant committed such offense in consideration for pay; and (5) the offense was committed against a judge, a law enforcement officer, or an employee of a penal of correctional institution. Requires the court to instruct the jury not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant in its consideration of the sentence. Allows the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for such offenses when the death penalty is not imposed. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the Court of Appeals, upon consideration of the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the finding of aggravating factors or the absence of mitigating factors. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Fair Credit and Charge Card Disclosure Act of 1987 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to issue regulations requiring that credit and charge card solicitations mailed to consumers include information regarding finance charge conditions, interest rates, and annual fees and related charges.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax-exempt organization all of whose members primarily coach football as full-time employees of four-year colleges or universities to have a pension plan with a qualified cash or deferred arrangement, provided such organization was in existence on September 18, 1986. Requires such a plan to be treated as a multiemployer plan.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1987
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to extend indefinitely (currently ends on June 30, 1988) the required date of entry into the armed forces for eligibility for basic educational assistance entitlement for veterans (both of active-duty and Selected Reserve duty) of the All-Volunteer Force.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for the forfeiture of media royalties (profits from depiction of a crime in a movie, book, newspaper, magazine, radio or television production, or live entertainment) by those convicted of any offense involving national security.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Eliminates provisions of Federal law which restrict premium pay to the minimum rate of basic pay for GS-10 for Federal employees in a position in which: (1) the hours of duty cannot be controlled administratively; (2) a substantial amount of irregular, unscheduled overtime is required; and (3) the employee is generally responsible for recognizing circumstances which require the employee to remain on duty.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Public Health Service Act to provide that the period of continuation health coverage terminates upon reemployment and eligibility for health coverage. Requires a 90-day qualifying period to obtain continuation coverage benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1987
Medicare Mental Illness Non-Discrimination Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate restrictions with respect to inpatient psychiatric care and the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders of an individual who is not an inpatient.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
H.U.D. Income Verification Act of 1987 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to require Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program applicants or participants to: (1) disclose their social security or employer identification numbers; and (2) consent to wage information verification. Amends the Social Security Act to provide HUD with access to State employment records. Requires Federal, State, local, or public housing administering agencies to independently verify such information before terminating or reducing any housing benefits. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for misuse of such information.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Congressional Pay For Performance Act - Provides that if the Congress has not passed all general appropriation bills before the beginning of a fiscal year, then the permanent appropriation for the compensation of Members of Congress shall not be effective for such fiscal year. Prohibits the House of Representatives and the Senate from considering the legislative branch appropriation bill for any fiscal year until other general appropriation bills for such fiscal year have been presented to the President.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Designates August 12, 1988, as National Civil Rights Day and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling for the ringing of church bells during a moment of silence.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Securities and Exchange Commission should use its authority to preserve the one share, one vote rule on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and to modify the rules of other exchanges so that the NYSE will not be placed at a competitive disadvantage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) seek to reconvene the Seventeenth Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of American States in order to obtain a renewed commitment to the immediate replacement of the Nicaraguan regime, installation of a democratic government in Nicaragua, guarantee of human rights to all Nicaraguans, and the holding of free elections; (2) make unmistakable the U.S. commitment to help the Nicaraguan people achieve their democratic aspirations; and (3) recognize the Nicaraguan resistance as a legitimate force for the democratization of Nicaragua.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Special Educational Needs Act of 1987 - Chapter 1: Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children - Replaces chapter 1 (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Disadvantaged Children) of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 and title I (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Provides for assistance to improve the educational opportunities of educationally deprived children. Part A: Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies - Subpart 1: Allocations - Directs the Secretary of Education to determine criteria for allocation of basic grants to territories. Sets forth a special formula for Puerto Rico. Sets forth a formula for allocation of basic grants to local educational agencies on the basis of number of children in specified categories to be counted and the average per pupil expenditure (within limits) in a State. Provides that the categories of children to be counted are as follows: (1) number of children aged five to 17, inclusive, in the school district from families below the poverty level; (2) number of such children from families above the poverty level; and (3) number of such children living in institutions for neglected or delinquent children, or being supported in foster homes with public funds. Sets forth provisions for a program for Indian children. Directs the Secretary to make payments to State educational agencies for grants made on the basis of entitlements created under such basic grants provisons during the period of FY 1988 through 1993. Provides for additional grants for local education agencies in counties with especially high concentrations of children from low-income families. Reserves specified funds for such purpose. Subpart 2: Basic Program Requirements - Requires local educational agencies to use funds received under this chapter only for programs and projects designed to meet the special educational needs of educationally deprived children. Sets forth authorized uses of such funds. Sets forth provisions for innovation projects and for program improvement. Sets forth local educational agency application requirements. States that eligible school attendance areas are those having high concentrations of children from low-income families. Sets forth procedures for designation of such areas. Requires a local educational agency to use funds received under this chapter for educationally deprived children identified as having the greatest need for special assistance. Sets forth provisions for assessment of educational need. Provides for continued eligibility during the same school year for educationally deprived children who transfer to ineligible areas or schools. Permits local educational agencies to skip eligible children who are receiving services of the same nature and scope from non-Federal sources. Provides for eligibility of children of limited English proficiency and handicapped children under specified conditions. Provides that a child who was previously identified as being in greatest need of assistance but is no longer, and who continues to be educationally deprived, may participate in the program for two additional years. Provides for eligibility for children transferred from a State operated program for neglected and delinquent children. Permits the local education agency to carry out a schoolwide project to upgrade the entire educational program of a school in the case of any school serving an eligible attendance area in which not less than 75 percent of the children are from low-income families. Sets forth requirements for designation of such schools, approval of the plan, operation of the project, and use of funds. Sets forth accountability provisions for continuation of such schoolwide project. Sets forth provisions for parental involvement. Sets forth provisions for participation of children enrolled in private schools. Sets forth various fiscal requirements, including maintenance of effort. Requires that Federal funds supplement, not supplant, regular non-Federal funds. Permits a local educational agency to receive funds under this chapter only if State and local funds will be used in the district of such agency to provide services in project areas which, taken as a whole, are at least comparable to services being provided in areas in such district which are not receiving such funds. Permits exclusion of certain special State and local program funds for purposes of such requirements. Prohibits any State from taking into consideration payments under this chapter in determining the eligibility of any local educational agency for State aid, or the amount of State aid, with respect to free public education of children. Requires local and State evaluations of chapter 1 programs. Requires schools which show a decline in achievement of children served under this chapter in any two consecutive years to submit a detailed plan of improvement to the local educational agency. Requires the local educational agency to: (1) review such plan and provide technical assistance for program improvement at such school; and (2) if achievement continues to decline for two additional years, notify the State educational agency which shall then provide technical assistance for program improvement. Part B: Even Start Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies - Provides for grants to integrate early childhood education and adult education for parents. Provides, within specified limits, that such grants shall be made to each State in the same proportion as grants are allocated under part A. Reserves a specified amount for migrant programs. Provides that funds made available to local educational agencies under this part shall be used to provide family-centered education programs to help parents become full partners in the education of their children and to assist children in reaching their full potential as learners. Sets forth program elements. Provides that funds under this part may be used for not more than 80 percent of the total cost of the program in the first year of funding, 60 percent in the second year, 40 percent in the third year, and 20 percent in the fourth and any subsequent year. Provides that additional funds may be obtained from any available source, including part A of this chapter. Makes eligible for participation in this program families that include: (1) a parent who is eligible for participation in an adult basic education program under the Adult Education Act; and (2) a child aged one to seven, inclusive, who resides in a school attendance area designated for participation in part A programs. Set forth local application requirements. Requires each State educational agency to appoint a review panel that will award grants on the basis of proposals which meet specified criteria. Provides that grants may be awarded for up to four years. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide for the annual independent evaluation of programs under this part; and (2) submit to the Congress an annual review and summary of the results of such evaluations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1993 for purposes of this part. Part C: Secondary School Programs for Basic Skills Improvement and Dropout Prevention - Provides for grants to States for local educational agencies with high concentrations of low-income children to improve the achievement of educationally deprived children and potential dropouts enrolled in secondary schools and such children who have already dropped out of school. Provides, within limits, that such grants will be made to each State in the same proportion as grants to States are allocated under part A. Provides that only local educational agencies in counties which meet certain requirements with respect to concentrations of low-income children shall be eligible to receive grants under this part. Sets forth authorized uses of funds under this part. Makes eligible for program participation secondary school students who meet part A requirements as educationally deprived children having the greatest need for special assistance, and students who are dropouts or potential dropouts. Sets forth local application requirements and the selection process for award of grants. Provides that such grants may be awarded for up to three years. Requires such programs to meet certain fiscal and evaluation requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1993 for purposes of this part. Part D: Programs Operated by State Agencies - Subpart 1: Programs for Migratory Children - Entitles a State educational agency or a combination of such agencies, upon application, to receive a grant for any fiscal year under this part to establish or improve, either directly or through local educational agencies, programs of education for children of migratory agricultural workers or migratory fishermen. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of such grants on the basis of average per pupil expenditure and numbers of full-time and part-time residents who are migratory children aged three to 21, inclusive. Sets forth a special formula for Puerto Rico. Sets forth program requirements for approval of applications. Sets forth a provision for by-passing a State under certain conditions. Sets forth provisions for coordination of migrant education activities. Reserves specified funds for such purpose. Subpart 2: Programs for Handicapped Children - Makes a State agency which is directly responsible for providing free public education for handicapped children eligible to receive a grant under this subpart for any fiscal year. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of such grant based on average per pupil expenditure and the number of handicapped children operated or supported by the State agency, including schools providing special education for handicapped children under contract or other arrangement with the State agency. Sets forth a special formula for Puerto Rico. Provides for the counting of children transferring from State to local programs under specified conditions. Sets forth program requirements. Subpart 3: Programs for Neglected and Delinquent Children - Entitles a State agency which is directly responsible for providing free public education for children in institutions for neglected or delinquent children or in adult correctional institutions to receive a grant under this subpart for any fiscal year. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of such grant based on average per pupil expenditure and the number of such neglected or delinquent children in average daily attendance at schools for such children operated or supported by the State agency, including schools providing education for such children under contract or other arrangement with such agency. Sets forth a special formula for Puerto Rico. Sets forth program requirements. Makes such grants available for projects up to three years. Requires annual program evaluations. Reserves specified amounts for transition services. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State and local educational agencies to support projects to facilitate the transition of children from State-operated institutions for neglected and delinquent children into locally operated programs and into a regular school program. Requires that such grants be used to provide special educational services for such children in schools other than State-operated institutions. Subpart 4: General Provision for State-Operated Programs - Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year for purposes of each of subparts 1, 2, and 3 of this part, in an amount equal to not more than one percent of the amount appropriated for such year for such subparts for payments to specified territories of the United States. Part E: Payments - Sets forth payment methods for this chapter. Sets forth the amount of payments to local education agencies. Provides for adjustments in allocations to States where necessitated by the amount of appropriations. Provides for payments for State administration. Sets a limitation on grants to Puerto Rico under this chapter. Provides that no entitlement authority or authority to enter into grants, contracts, or other financial assistance agreements under this chapter shall be effective except to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Part F: General Provisions - Subpart 1: Federal Administration - Authorizes the Secretary to issue necessary regulations. Provides that programs under this chapter may not be required to follow anyone instructional model. Requires that proposed regulations be reviewed by regional panels of Federal, State, and local administrators. Sets forth provisions for the availability of appropriations. Sets forth provisions for the withholding of payments to States. Provides for judicial review of such withholding. Directs the Secretary to develop national standards for local evaluation of programs under this chapter. Directs the Secretary to report biennially to the appropriate congressional committees on State and local evaluation results based on specified data. Directs the Secretary to conduct a national longitudinal study of eligible children participating in programs under this chapter. Requires a follow-up of the initial survey. Requires a final report on the study to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees by January 1, 1997, and an interim report by January 1, 1993. Directs the Secretary to prepare and distribute a policy manual for this chapter. Directs the Secretary to respond within 30 days to inquiries of State or local educational agencies with respect to this chapter. Directs the Secretary to continue, establish, and expend technical assistance centers to provide assistance to State and local educational agencies with respect to programs under this chapter. Provides for Federal dissemination of exemplary programs through the National Diffusion Network. Directs the Secretary to provide for review of State and local administration of programs under this chapter. Authorizes the Secretary to make small grants for applied research on promising educational models for serving educationally deprived children under this chapter. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1993 for Federal evaluation, technical assistance, and research activities related to this chapter and for authorized studies. Subpart 2: State Administration - Sets forth provisions relating to State rulemaking. Directs each State educational agency to keep such records and provide such information to the Secretary as may be required for fiscal audit and program evaluation. Provides that, under certain conditions, public school personnel paid entirely by funds made available under this chapter may be assigned limited supervisory duties. Subpart 3: Definitions - Sets forth definitions for purposes of this chapter. Chapter 2: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals chapter 1 (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Disadvantaged Children) of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 and title I (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Sets forth transition provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Requires that the rate of pay for Members of Congress and Federal officials under the Executive Schedule be determined as if the recommendations of the President on January 5, 1987, relating to such pay rates had been disapproved. (Exempts Federal judicial salaries from this disapproval.)
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Health Care Savings Account Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit individuals (employees or self-employed individuals) and employers to contribute to health care savings accounts. Limits the amount which may be contributed to a health care savings account each year to no greater than the combined amount of employee and employer hospital insurance (Medicare) payroll tax paid during that year. Provides that the employee or self-employed individual and the employer will each receive a 60 percent tax credit for their respective portion of their hospital insurance payroll tax paid. Provides that a health care savings account shall be exempt from income taxes, except for the tax on certain unrelated business income, and except where such account: (1) engages in prohibited transactions; or (2) is used to pledge as security for a loan. Excludes from gross income of the distributee amounts distributed from a health care savings account provided that these funds are used for eligible medical expenses while the individual is eligible for Medicare. Permits the tax-free rollover of contributions from one health care savings account to another for the benefit of the distributee. Imposes a penalty of ten percent of the amount of any early distributions from a health care savings account. Provides that no amount distributed out of a health care savings account may be taken as a medical expense deduction. Imposes a tax on any excess contributions to such accounts. Imposes a penalty tax on prohibited transactions involving a health care savings account. Imposes a five percent tax on distributions from a health care savings account in the taxable year which reduces the level of all such accounts with respect to the distributee below the total value of health care savings account tax credits for the distributee. Provides exceptions for certain distributions. Imposes a 100 percent tax on such distributions if the distributions are not corrected within the taxable period. Imposes a 50 percent excise tax on the difference between the value of a decedent's health care savings account at the time of death and the amount contributed into the spouse's health care savings account at the time of, and on account of, such death. Establishes certain penalties for failure to file required reports with respect to health care savings accounts. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that in the case of an individual who has established a health care savings account, the total amount of any Medicare benefits which will be paid with respect to the individual will be reduced by a health care savings account-related deductible for the year. Provides that this deductible amount will be equal to 60 percent of the amount of medical-related expenditures that could be reasonably underwritten (by an insurance company) for the average Medicare beneficiary assuming that the annual premium will equal the health care savings account annuity. Provides special rules for individuals who cannot obtain insurance to cover their added deductible at the standard premium rates. Provides that these high cost insurance beneficiaries' added deductible is reduced by a proportion reflecting 80 percent of the excess premium required above the standard rate, except that the deductible may not drop below 120 percent of the individual's health care savings account annuity amount. Provides that the health care savings account-related deductible and the annuity amount shall be recalculated upon the qualification of a younger spouse for Medicare. Establishes catastrophic health care expense protection for certain individuals qualifying for Medicare protection. Requires such individuals to have contributed at least one-third of the maximum amount possible over the course of their careers into a health care savings account and at least $100 (indexed for inflation) or 50 percent of the maximum contribution per year, whichever is greater, in ten individual years. Treats surviving spouses without a separate health care savings account as eligible for the catastrophic coverage if the deceased spouse was formerly eligible for catastrophic coverage and the surviving spouse rolls 100 percent of the health care savings account of the deceased spouse into a health care savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985, effective for the 1988 through 1990 crops, to subject to agricultural program payment limitations: (1) resource adjustment payments; (2) gains on certain loan repayments; (3) specified deficiency payments; and (4) specified inventory reduction payments. Sets forth agricultural program payment limitations concerning corporations, stockholders, and other legal entities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Insurance Act - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure a home equity conversion mortgage and to make commitments for the insurance of such mortgages prior to the date of their execution or disbursement if such mortgages: (1) may improve the financial situation or otherwise meet the needs of elderly homeowners; (2) can be developed to include safeguards for mortgagors to offset the special risks of such mortgages; and (3) have a potential for acceptance in the private market. Includes among insurance eligibility requirements that the mortgage shall: (1) have been made and held by a mortgagee approved by the Secretary; (2) have been executed by an elderly homeowner; (3) be secured by a one-family residential dwelling occupied by the mortgagor; (4) able to be prepaid without penalty; and (5) have a capped interest rate. Sets forth required mortgage disclosure and mortgagor information service provisions, including the provision of alternate home equity conversion options and related tax and financial information. Prohibits the Secretary from insuring a mortgage pursuant to this Act after September 30, 1991. Sets the total number of insurable mortgages under this Act at 2,000. Permits the Secretary to take any action necessary to provide a mortgagor with funds due pursuant to an insured mortgage or ancillary contract which have not been paid by the party responsible and to obtain reimbursement of such payments from any source. Prohibits the Secretary from insuring a home equity conversion mortgage that does not provide specified safeguards to prevent the displacement of the homeowner. Requires the Secretary to provide the Congress with two specified interim program reports.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze medals commemorating the 100th Congress. Specifies the size of the medals, leaving their quantity and design to the Secretary's determination. Authorizes appropriations which are to be reimbursed out of proceeds from sales of the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
Repeals the limitations enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 on individual retirement account (IRA) deductions for active participants in certain pension plans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a nonworking or the lesser-earning spouse filing a joint income tax return to include the spouse's compensation in calculations made to determine the maximum amount permitted as a deduction for qualified retirement contributions (thus permitting such a taxpayer to deduct up to $2,000).