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United States · Official source
2,808 records where Sen. Bentsen, Lloyd M. [D-TX] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1989
Commends all volunteers of the United States and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1989
Designates 1992 as the Year of Clean Water and October 1992 as Clean Water Month.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress and the States shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the U.S. flag.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1989
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to States to establish revolving funds for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and water supply projects in economically distressed counties on the United States-Mexico border. Requires States to provide 50 percent matching funds. Requires: (1) a State to establish an economically distressed area revolving loan fund in order to receive assistance under this Act; (2) Federal fund audits at least once a year; (3) annual reports to the Secretary; and (4) annual Federal oversight review.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1989
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend the duty on furniture seats and parts made of cane, osier, bamboo, or other similar materials, including rattan, through December 31, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1989
Farm Animal Facilities Protection Act of 1989 - Makes it unlawful to disrupt a farm animal facility (as defined by this Act) by removing animals, vandalizing, trespassing, or entering with intent to commit a prohibited act. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to investigate such actions upon request. Grants U.S. district courts jurisdiction in such cases. Provides for a private right of action.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1989
Designates October 29, 1989, as Fire Safety at Home--Change Your Clock, and Change Your Battery Day. Directs the President to issue a proclamation to urge people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they reset their clocks from daylight savings time.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1989
Designates the week beginning September 16, 1990, as Emergency Medical Services Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1989
DOE Nuclear Safety and Environment Act - Title I: Oversight of Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to redefine a Department of Energy (DOE) defense nuclear facility as one which includes: (1) the tritium loading facility and the 236 H facility at Savannah River, South Carolina; (2) the Mound Laboratory, Ohio; (3) any facility or activity involved with the assembly or testing of nuclear explosives; and (4) testing and assembly facilities operated for national security purposes under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) (including test site facilities in Nevada; the Pinnellas Plant, Florida; and the Pantex facility, Texas). Requires the Secretary to notify the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and the Congress immediately about any abnormal occurrence at a DOE defense nuclear facility which could result in an unplanned release of radioactive products in excess of the allowable limits for normal operation. Title II: Application of OSHA and NIOSH to DOE Nuclear Facilities - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to apply it to: (1) a DOE defense nuclear facility and production or utilization facilities under the Secretary's control; (2) a facility subject to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 under the Secretary's control; and (3) a waste storage or disposal facility under the Secretary's control. Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate regulations governing the application of OSHA to DOE nuclear facilities. Includes DOE nuclear facilities within the purview of functions performed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and requires the Institute to conduct hazard evaluations at such facilities. Requires the Secretary and every contractor operating a nuclear facility to cooperate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and with the Secretary of Labor with respect to inspections or investigations conducted at nuclear facilities. Title III: Mixed Hazardous Waste - Mixed Hazardous Waste Amendment Act of 1989 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to provide that the term "solid waste" does not include source, special nuclear, or by-product materials unless such materials are: (1) part of any mixture or combination of solid waste as defined within the Act; or (2) wastes at the time they are emplaced at a repository. Title IV: The Radiation Research Board - Radiation Research Board Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Radiation Research Board to advise and assist the Secretary of Energy in conducting studies of the effects of radiation. Requires the Secretary of Energy to: (1) submit for the Board's review all proposed studies regarding the health effects of radiation if such studies require funds in excess of $50,000; (2) report annually to the Congress regarding the implementation of Board recommendations; (3) insure that all studies be subject to peer review; (4) promulgate guidelines for the provision of study data to qualified researchers who are not associated with DOE; and (5) make data concerning the health effects of radioactive and other hazardous materials in the possession of DOE or its contractors available to qualified researchers. Directs the Radiation Research Board to establish procedures expediting the release of such data. Title V: Office of Environment, Safety, and Health Within the Department of Energy - Establishes within DOE an Office for Environment, Safety, and Health to exercise specified oversight powers with respect to DOE conformance with environmental, health, and safety regulations (including independent review of environmental impact statements prepared by DOE and the immediate shutdown of any DOE facility posing an unreasonable environmental, safety, or health risk). Title VI: Defense Nuclear Facility Cleanup Compliance Agreements - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Energy, and each State containing a DOE defense nuclear facility to negotiate a defense nuclear facility cleanup agreement within a specified period. Prescribes guidelines for such agreements. Title VII: Repeal of Prohibition on the Use of Funds to Pay Penalties Under Environmental Laws - Repeals the prohibition against using appropriated funds to pay penalties for DOE non-compliance with environmental laws with respect to its defense nuclear facilities. Title VIII: Department of Energy Facility Closing Restrictions - States that upon the closing of any DOE defense nuclear facility the Secretary must provide: (1) a complete survey of environmental problems at the facility; (2) budget quality data indicating the cost of returning the facility to an environmentally safe multi-use condition; and (3) report to the Congress how DOE intends to initiate and complete the facility's cleanup.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1989
Big Thicket National Preserve Addition Act of 1989 - Expands the boundaries of the Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas, through the addition of specified lands in Hardin, Polk, and Tyler Counties, Texas. Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to exchange timberlands within and in the vicinity of the Preserve.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restrict the partial exclusion from income of interest on loans used to acquire employer securities to cases where the employee stock ownership plan owns at least 30 percent of: (1) each class of outstanding stock of the issuing corporation; or (2) the total value of all outstanding stock of the corporation. Limits securities acquisition loans to terms of 15 years and requires voting rights for members of the plan for the acquired stock. Imposes an excise tax on: (1) the disposition of employer securities within three years of acquisition; and (2) any disposition of such securities before allocation to participant accounts, where the proceeds of disposition are not allocated to such accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1989
Disaster Assistance Extension Act of 1989 - Title I: Emergency Crop Loss Assistance - Subtitle A: Annual Crops - Extends disaster crop loss assistance through the 1989 crop year for wheat, feed grains, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, tobacco, soybeans, and other nonprogram crops. Extends crop quality reduction disaster assistance through the 1989 crop year. Reduces disaster assistance payments in relation to Federal crop insurance payments. Requires producers to obtain Federal crop insurance for 1990 in order to be eligible for disaster payments and other specified assistance for 1989 crop losses. Sets forth exempted circumstances. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to announce within a specified time the conditions for establishing a 1989 farm yield for forage-use-crops. Limits assistance under this Act to $100,000. Authorizes the Secretary to determine a de minimis yield for each crop eligible for reduced yield disaster payments under this Act. Declares that, if the actual yield for a crop on a farm is at or below the de minimis yield, neither the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation nor companies reinsured by it may require destruction of any portion of that crop as a condition for making a full crop loss indemnity payment to a producer under a valid crop insurance contract. Subtitle B: Forest Crops - Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to tree farmers who lost seedlings in 1989 as a result of drought conditions. Limits assistance to any one person to $25,000. Subtitle C: Administrative Provisions - Makes a person with qualifying annual gross income (as defined by this Act) in excess of $2,000,000 ineligible for assistance under this Act. Requires assistance applications to be made by March 31, 1990, or such later date as the Secretary may prescribe. Title II: Emergency Livestock Assistance - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to make funds available for: (1) emergency livestock transportation (1989) and water assistance (1988 and 1989); and (2) construction or deepening of livestock ponds. Title III: Commodity Stock Adjustment - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend alternate crop authority through 1990. Title IV: Disaster Credit and Forbearance - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to make a person eligible for emergency loan assistance regardless of Federal crop insurance availability if such eligibility is based on 1989 crop damage. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary and Farm Credit System institutions should, with regard to outstanding agricultural loans, exercise collection forbearance and expedite credit restructuring. Title V: Conservation Assistance - Prohibits the Secretary from reducing rental payments to an owner or operator who hays or grazes livestock during the 1989 crop year on land subject to a conservation reserve program contract to the extent that such owner or operator carries out and pays for specified additional conservation practices. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations for repairing drought damage to the National Grasslands. Title VI: Rural Businesses - Directs the Secretary to provide loan guarantees through the Rural Development Insurance Fund to rural business enterprises (including Indian tribes) which have suffered disaster damage in 1988 or 1989. Limits: (1) individual guarantees to the lesser of 90 percent of principal and interest or $500,000; and (2) aggregate guarantees to $200,000,000. Title VII: Water-Related Assistance - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to establish an emergency water assistance grant program for rural and small communities (less than 5,000 population, median household income below State nonmetropolitan level) with significant water shortages, or to enable such communities to comply with the requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Safe Drinking Water Act. Obligates at least 75 percent of program funds for rural communities of less than 3,000 persons. Limits grants to: (1) $75,000 for existing system repairs; and (2) $500,000 for water shortage areas. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1989
Designates July 20, 1989, as Space Exploration Day.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit any person from acquiring a controlling interest in an air carrier unless the Secretary of Transportation has determined that the acquisition will not adversely and materially affect such air carrier's ability to conduct air transportation in a manner consistent with the highest degree of safety.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to make Poland eligible for designation as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to continue to permit the immigration of certain adopted children.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
United States Forces in Korea Realignment Act of 1989 - Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriated to the Department of Defense after FY 1992 for the support or maintenance of more than 21,000 U.S. Army personnel in South Korea. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should achieve required troop reductions through equal annual reductions beginning no later than October 1, 1990. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate discussions with South Korea regarding: (1) the phased-in annual reduction of U.S. troops there; and (2) the kinds and quantities of military equipment needed there after the reduction in U.S. troops. Directs the President to report to the Congress on such troop reduction. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to the security and territorial integrity of South Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
Designates the decade beginning January 1, 1990, as the Decade of the Brain.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
Designates July 20, 1989, and July 20, 1990, as Space Exploration Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Federal Fish Inspection Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to add a new title relating to fish inspection. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an inspection program designed to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of fish and fish products. Requires the program to: (1) cover processing, storage, and handling; (2) include imported and domestic fish products; (3) provide for registration and inspection of fish processing facilities and vessels; and (4) identify geographic areas producing products that exceed the safety standards developed under the title added by this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish standards governing: (1) sanitary conditions and processing, storage, and handling practices; (2) the safety and wholesomeness of fish products; and (3) packaging and labeling. Directs the Secretary to carry out monitoring and surveillance to assure compliance with such standards. Requires the compliance system to: (1) be in accordance with the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point method; (2) provide for the appointment and training of inspection officers; (3) contain reporting and recordkeeping requirements; and (4) provide for enforcement, including civil and criminal penalties. Directs the Secretary to conduct and support research with respect to: (1) testing the methodology for biological and chemical contaminants; (2) inspection techniques and procedures; and (3) sanitation practices for processing, transportation, and storage. Directs the Secretary to conduct and support public education programs in furtherance of the title added by this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) avoid duplication of Federal and State efforts; (2) minimize disruption in the fish industry; (3) consult with other Federal agencies; (4) provide technical, advisory, and financial assistance to States to encourage State programs consistent with the title added by this Act; and (5) ensure establishment of arrangements with foreign nations to ensure mutual acceptance of standards and inspection programs. Makes title I through IV of the Federal Meat Inspection Act inapplicable to the title added by this Act. Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Act of 1989 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to establish average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles (for model years 1995 through 2000) and automobiles other than passenger automobiles (light trucks) (for model years 2001 and thereafter). Allows any person to petition the Secretary to modify an average fuel economy standard for model year 2001 and thereafter. Specifies procedures for response to such petition. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to report annually to specified congressional committees on a study on the accuracy of fuel economy testing of passenger automobiles. Directs the Secretary of Energy to distribute at least 100 explanatory booklets each year to every dealer and additional numbers if requested. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide for a review of the current state of research and development in light truck fuel economy and passenger automobile fuel economy and an assessment of the remaining potential for improving fuel efficiency and reducing energy consumption of passenger automobiles and light trucks. Requires a report to the Congress on such review and an updated report every five years. Doubles the civil penalty for repeated violations of the fuel economy standard.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Designates 1990 as the International Year of Bible Reading.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Designates the period of September 16 through October 9, 1989, as Coastweeks '89, recognizing the importance of coastal zones. Designates September 16, 1989, as National Estuaries Day and September 23, 1989, as National Beach Cleanup Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress and the States have the power to prohibit the desecrating, mutilating, defacing, defiling, or burning of the U.S. flag.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses its disappointment that the Texas statute prohibiting the desecration of the flag was found to be unconstitutional; (2) expresses its commitment to preserving the honor and integrity of the flag; (3) intends to make a study of the impact of the Supreme Court decision on Federal and State laws and to seek ways to restore sanctions against such conduct; and (4) urges the American people to continue to display proudly the American flag.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1989
Live Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude specified types of employers and performers in the live performing arts from coverage under unfair labor practice provisions: (1) prohibiting specified contracts or agreements between employers and labor organizations; and (2) prohibiting specified actions of labor organizations to force or require cessation of dealings with others, joining of labor or employer organizations, or recognition of or negotiation with labor organizations not certified as representative. Permits such employers to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in it a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if its majority status has not yet been established. Defines "employer" to include purchasers of live musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform live musical services.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1989
Designates October 22 through October 28, 1989, and October 21 through October 27, 1990, as National Adult Immunization Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1989
Designates April 22, 1990, as Earth Day for public activities that promote global environmental preservation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1989
Designates December 7, 1989, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1989
Maternal and Child Health Act of 1989 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to provide Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and children under age six whose family income is below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage to children under age 19 whose family income is below the Federal poverty level. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct three-year demonstration projects to study the effect on access to health care, private insurance coverage, and health care costs of extending Medicaid coverage in three States to medically uninsurable children and extending such coverage in one State to children under age six whose family income is below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level and children under age 20 whose family income is below the Federal poverty level. Permits such States to provide coverage by buying into the health insurance offered by certain employers. Imposes premiums on project beneficiaries whose family income exceeds the Federal poverty level. Caps project expenditures. Sets forth reporting requirements. Requires States to make Medicaid ambulatory prenatal care available to pregnant women during a presumptive eligibility period. Eliminates the requirement that pregnant women apply for Medicaid coverage within 14 days of the commencement of presumptive eligibility. Requires States to continue the Medicaid coverage of a woman and her infant for 60 days after delivery regardless of fluctuations in her income during such period. Prohibits the redetermination of the Medicaid eligibility of a child under age six who has been deemed eligible less than six months previously, unless such eligibility is due to his or her receipt of aid under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) or E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Act or under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Act. Preserves the Medicaid eligibility of a child under age six who loses such aid until it is determined that he or she is not eligible for Medicaid on some other basis. Amends the Child Support Enforcement Amendments of 1984 to make permanent the four-month continuation of Medicaid eligibility for children who lose AFDC eligibility due to increased collection of child support payments. Requires that Medicaid coverage of inpatient hospital services provided to children under age 18 at hospitals serving a disproportionate share of low-income patients: (1) make an outlier adjustment in payment amounts for exceptionally long or costly cases if such payments are made on a prospective basis; (2) not impose durational limitations on such services; and (3) not set dollar limits on the delivery of services to individuals who enter the hospital prior to their first birthday. Directs States to pay for the care of a child under age 19 in an out-of-State hospital at the receiving State's rate, unless the involved States have an alternative payment agreement. Requires States to provide Medicaid coverage of services furnished by certified pediatric or family nurse practitioners. Permits States to cover home and community-based services for children under age 18 who have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or are medically dependent on a ventilator for life support. Allows States to cover home visitor services furnished by registered nurses to infants, during the first six months of life, who require treatment with life sustaining medication or equipment or technically-assisted feeding. Prohibits the Secretary from limiting to fewer than 500 (currently, 200) the number of individuals in a State who may receive home and community-based services under a waiver of certain Medicaid requirements. Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Act to increase authorized appropriations for such program for FY 1990. Requires the Secretary to set-aside 15 percent of appropriated amounts for special Federal projects which include: (1) projects promoting the use of outpatient and community-based services for children with special health care needs; and (2) demonstration projects utilizing alternative approaches to providing health insurance coverage to children under age 19 who are not covered by other public or private programs. Directs States to use at least 30 percent of their title V allotments on services for children with special health care needs, and at least five percent of such allotments for projects in sickle-cell anemia and genetic disorders screening, the development of community-based service networks and case management services for children with special health care needs, and programs providing primary health care services to children. Requires each State to: (1) conduct a statewide maternal and child health care needs assessment; (2) establish a State maternal child health advisory board to participate in the planning and development of services; (3) develop a system of family centered community-based coordinated care for children with special care needs in collaboration with other programs; (4) develop and maintain a consolidated data base containing information about providers available to meet the needs of chronically ill children and establish a toll-free number for parents to access such information; (5) include in the annual title V report information on the extent to which needs have been met with respect to specific services and the amount of funds allotted for family centered community-based coordinated care; and (6) maintain its title V funding at at least 1989 levels. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to direct the Secretary to publish an annual report on the health status of U.S. children. Requires the Secretary to make available to States, by January 1, 1991, a model uniform Medicaid application for individuals who are neither institutionalized nor receiving AFDC cash assistance. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop definitions of medically high risk pregnancy and children at a high risk of medical problems; (2) develop alternative definitions of medically uninsurable children; (3) develop a model health benefit package for pregnant women and children through age 18; and (4) study different methodologies to improve the coordination between various public health programs. Sets forth reporting requirements. Amends the Medicaid program to set forth the required components of Medicaid early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services. Requires Medicaid coverage of the measures which need to be taken to correct or ameliorate defects or conditions discovered by the screening services. Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects and establish annual participation goals for each State to increase participation in Medicaid early and periodic screening and diagnostic services. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress by the close of 1990 on the requirements of such services relative to mental illness. Requires States to provide Medicaid coverage to all children under age 18 who are SSI recipients. Requires that Medicaid payment rates for obstetric and pediatric services be set at levels which are sufficient to induce enough providers of such services to participate in the Medicaid program so that such services are available to beneficiaries to at least the same extent that they are available to the general population. Directs States to furnish providers of such services with assistance in complying with Medicaid billing and recordkeeping requirements, which includes: (1) training; (2) a toll-free number for resolving administrative problems; and (3) a State ombudsman for resolving their complaints. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress by January 1, 1990, on the adequacy and timeliness of Medicaid payments to providers of obstetric and pediatric services. Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require that a preplacement health care record for a child be provided to such child's foster care provider and be completed before he or she is placed in foster care or within 30 days after an emergency foster care placement. Requires the maintenance of a health care plan and record for such child while he or she is in foster care, and notification of the provider concerning such child's eligibility for Medicaid early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to reduce the lag time between the Secretary's calculation of the Federal matching rate under the AFDC, Medicaid, and Foster Care and Adoption Assistance programs and its implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1989
Designates October 22 through October 28, 1989, as World Population Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Technology Administration Authorization Act of 1989 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out executive and analytical activities performed by the Technology Administration including: (1) executive direction; (2) technology policy and commercial affairs; and (3) Japanese technical literature. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 to the Secretary for the internal science and technology research and services activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Institute), including: (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; and (5) research support activities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990, in addition to sums already authorized for specified purposes, to the Secretary to carry out the industrial technology extension activities of the Institute. Authorizes the transfer of funds among the line items listed in the internal research and services authorization, subject to certain limitations and requirements. Amends Federal law to establish within the Institute an Office of Industrial Technology Services to supervise: (1) the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology program; (2) the Institute's assistance to State technology programs; and (3) other activities or programs as the Secretary or the Director of the Institute may specify. Authorizes, in addition to sums otherwise authorized by this Act, appropriations for FY 1990 to the Secretary and loan guarantees for FY 1990 through 1992 by the Secretary to assist one or more industry-led joint ventures in advanced electronics, including advanced television, to create and test the generic enabling technologies necessary to develop a U.S. industry to produce advanced electronic products. Authorizes appropriations, in addition to sums otherwise authorized by this Act, for FY 1990 to the Secretary to carry out, through the Director of the Institute, further activities under existing provisions relating to the Advanced Technology Program, including: (1) assistance to industry-led joint ventures; (2) assistance to U.S. small businesses which have held Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I awards from other Federal agencies and which have promising technologies in economically important fields; and (3) program management, analyses, and workshops. Sets forth terms and conditions for aid to joint ventures, including: (1) that the venture be led by at least one North American company; (2) non-Federal matching funds; (3) a business plan; and (4) a research and development agenda and management team which have high technical merit. Prohibits participation by a foreign company or its subsidiary in a joint venture receiving financial assistance from the Secretary. Defines "foreign company" to mean a business entity in which majority ownership or control is held by individuals who are not citizens of the United States or Canada. Allows such a joint venture to grant licenses to companies, including foreign companies, that are not members of the joint venture, for use of intellectual property the joint venture developed, provided certain conditions are met. Requires and authorizes certain measures related to cooperation and coordination in Federal technology programs, including between the Departments of Commerce and Defense. Authorizes the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, and the Director of the Institute to: (1) organize industry advisory committees; (2) organize an Advanced Electronics Advisory Board to develop a plan for research and development in advanced electronics; and (3) commission studies by the National Research Council. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Director, to guarantee up to 90 percent of the interest and unpaid principal of private loans to fund a minority share of Advanced Technology Program joint ventures for up to five years. Sets forth conditions for the loan guarantees, including: (1) reasonable interest rates; and (2) full repayment within 30 years or the useful life of any physical asset financed by the loan, whichever is less. Prohibits revocation of a guarantee and makes it conclusive evidence of the: (1) full compliance of that guarantee with this Act; and (2) approval and legality of the principal amount, interest rate, and all other terms of the securities, obligations, or loans and of the guarantee. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) employ technical and professional personnel to manage the Advanced Technology Program without regard to provisions of Federal law relating to Government organization and employees; (2) appoint, on a limited or temporary basis, scientists, engineers, and other technical and professional personnel on leave from industrial, academic, research, or State institutions to work for the Program; and (3) travel and relocation expenses for the limited or temporary personnel. Provides for payment or reimbursement for certain retirement, life insurance, or health benefit plan contributions in certain circumstances. Authorizes appropriations, in addition to sums otherwise authorized by this Act, for FY 1990 to the Secretary to make adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits which may be provided for by law. Amends provisions of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 relating to the Technology Administration of the Department of Commerce to direct the Secretary of Commerce, through the Under Secretary for Technology, to submit an annual report to the Congress on the state of U.S. industrial technology. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress regarding: (1) the feasibility and advisability of establishing a Quality Institute and a privately funded foundation to support that Quality Institute, for stated purposes; and (2) the advantages and disadvantages of small U.S. manufacturing firms participating in new multicompany manufacturing centers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase the amount of monthly income which an individual who has attained retirement age may earn in 1990 without incurring a reduction in benefits. Reduces the benefits of an older worker by 25 percent of the first $5,000 of his or her excess earnings and 33 1/3 percent of additional excess earnings. (Currently, a 33 1/3 percent benefit reduction is applied against all excess earnings.) Provides beneficiaries with amounts due for past months by increasing their monthly benefit payments rather than making a lump-sum payment of such past-due amounts when such amounts result from a retroactive entitlement to benefits or a recomputation of benefits to account for recent earnings. Makes individuals who attained age 18 prior to being adopted by parents who were already entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits eligible for child's insurance benefits if they lived with or were dependent upon such parents for the year preceding their adoption. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide, upon request, beginning on October 1, 1990, a personal earnings and benefits statement to individuals who have a social security number, have wages or self-employment earnings, and have attained age 25 (hereinafter referred to as "eligible individuals"). Directs the Secretary to assure that eligible individuals are informed of the availability of the statement. Phases in the mandatory provision of such statement to each eligible individual for whom a mailing address can be determined. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Internal Revenue Service to disclose the mailing address of an eligible individual to the Social Security Administration. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress by October 1, 1996, on the implementation of this Act's requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Designates June 16, 1989, as Soweto Remembrance Day. Encourages Americans to participate in local activities designed to commemorate the victims of Soweto and to show solidarity with those who are fighting to end apartheid.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Declares that the Congress: (1) is prepared to support a presidential waiver of the Jackson-Vanik amendment of the Trade Act of 1974 (relating to most favored nation treatment) with respect to the Soviet Union at such time as the President has received appropriate assurances that the Soviet Government is firmly on course toward sustained high levels of emigration and the removal of unreasonable impediments to persons wishing to emigrate; and (2) will continue to monitor Soviet efforts to institutionalize its liberalized emigration policy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Condemns the brutal treatment of, and blatant discrimination against, the Turkish minority by the Government of Bulgaria. Calls upon the Bulgarian authorities to cease all such discriminatory practices, release all those imprisoned because of their participation in nonviolent political acts, and honor its obligations concerning the right of all Bulgarians to emigrate. Urges the President and Secretary of State to make strong diplomatic representations to Bulgaria protesting its treatment of its Turkish minority and to raise this issue in all appropriate international fora.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Child Care and Health Insurance Act of 1989 - Title I: Tax Credit for Certain Health Insurance Premiums and Child care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase by the credit percentage of qualified health insurance premiums the tax credit for expenses for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment. Makes the dependent care and health insurance premium credit refundable for low and moderate taxpayers. Requires employers to make advance payments of the dependent care credit to eligible employees. Increases the dependent care credit for low-income taxpayers. Declares that employment-related expenses or qualifying health insurance expenses that are subsidized by Federal, State, or local government are not eligible for the tax credit. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the appropriate congressional committees on a study of the effectiveness and complexity of the advance payment system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a taxpayer awareness program to inform the public of the availability of the credit for dependent care and health insurance premiums. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994 for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct demonstration projects to extend health insurance to children and their families who are not covered by public or private health programs. Title II: Employee Benefit Nondiscrimination Rules - Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to delay until 1990 the effective date of the nondiscrimination requirements for benefits provided under certain employee benefit plans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise such (section 89) nondiscrimination requirements by requiring the taxation of the excess health benefits of a highly compensated employee. Excludes from such requirements certain students, certain elderly, and prisoners. Imposes an excise tax on employers or employer plans if an employee benefit plan fails to satisfy certain administrative requirements. Restores prior law with respect to nondiscrimination requirements of group-term life insurance plans. Authorizes an employer to elect to use current nondiscrimination rules for years beginning 1990 or 1991 as they apply to health plans and dependent care assistance programs. Revises provisions relating to the nontaxable benefits of employers of leased employees, the dependent care assistance program, and group-term life insurance provided to highly compensated employees. Directs the United States Bipartisan Commission on Comprehensive Health Care to study the implementation and effectiveness of (section 89) nondiscrimination requirements. Title III: Other Revenue Provisions - Makes the telephone excise tax permanent. Specifies the time for the deposit of such taxes. Requires certain persons who are exempt from such tax to file a one-time exemption certificate. Requires an S corporation to make estimated tax payments if it has tax attributable to: (1) the recognition of certain built-in gains; (2) the realization of excess passive income; and (3) the recapture of certain investment tax credits.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for the Office of the United States Trade Representative for FY 1990. Amends the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement Implementation Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations for the Office of the United States Trade Representative for FY 1990 to pay the U.S. share of expenses for binational panels and extraordinary challenge committees convened pursuant to such Agreement. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize appropriations for FY 1990 for the United States International Trade Commission. Amends the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations for FY 1990 for the United States Customs Service for: (1) noncommercial and commercial operations; and (2) the air interdiction program. Abolishes the current position of Commissioner of Customs. Declares that the newly created Commissioner of Customs shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to authorize the U.S. Customs Service to collect user fees for the operation of foreign trade zones at certain small airports that are not ports-of-entry. Amends the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 to declare that customs services provided at such a zone shall also be considered provided at such an airport. Requires the Commissioner to provide the facilities to make the port-of-entry at Chateaugay, New York, a commercial center under the Northern Border Enhancement Program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Designates June 23, 1989, as United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Day. Authorizes the President to: (1) issue a proclamation commemorating the 50 years of Coast Guard volunteer service to enhance the safety of water-related activities; and (2) call for the observation of such day with appropriate ceremonies, educational activities, and boating safety achievement programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Boot Camp Prison Demonstration Program Act of 1989 - Directs the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, to establish four military-style boot camp prisons within the Federal prison system. Requires the Attorney General to ensure that such prisons provide educational and counseling programs as part of the inmates' confinement. Amends the Federal criminal code to provide such prisons as a sentencing option and an alternative to conventional prisons for defendants who: (1) are sentenced to 12 to 16 months in prison; (2) are under 25 years of age; (3) are able-bodied; (4) have been convicted of a serious but nonviolent offense; (5) have no serious prior criminal history; and (6) consent to such confinement. Credits an inmate placed in a prison boot camp with four days toward completion of the sentence for each day served in such camp. Terminates such prisons five years after this Act's enactment. Directs the Attorney General to evaluate such prisons and report to the Congress within four and one-half years with respect to the efficacy of such prisons with an assessment of: (1) recidivism rates of defendants sentenced to boot camp prisons as compared to similar defendants not sentenced to such prisons; and (2) the cost effectiveness of such prisons as compared to conventional prisons. Authorizes the Attorney General, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to use closed military facilities for such prisons. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Designates the week beginning on the second Sunday in May 1990 as National Tourism Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Honors the U.S. Customs Service on the 200th anniversary of its establishment.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Designates October 22 through October 28, 1989, and the last full week of October in following years as National Adult Immunization Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to delay until 1990 the effective date of the nondiscrimination requirements for benefits provided under certain employee benefit plans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise such nondiscrimination requirements by requiring the taxation of the excess health benefits of a highly compensated employee. Excludes from such requirements certain students, certain elderly, and prisoners. Imposes an excise tax on employers or employer plans if an employee benefit plan fails to satisfy certain administrative requirements. Restores prior law with respect to nondiscrimination requirements of group-term life insurance plans. Authorizes an employer to elect to use current nondiscrimination rules for years beginning 1990 or 1991 as they apply to health plans and dependent care assistance programs. Revises provisions relating to the nontaxable benefits of employers of leased employees, dependent care assistance, and group-term life insurance provided to highly compensated employees.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
United States Coast Guard Bicentennial Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design, strike, and sell a medal in commemoration of the bicentennial of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1990. Requires the design of the medal to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Commission of Fine Arts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
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 or prepay such loans; and (2) any savings will be used to mitigate future rate increases, passed on to customers, or used to improve the borrower's financial strength. Permits such borrowers to refinance outstanding long-term Federal Financing Bank loans for a specified fee. Requires the borrower to obtain a change in the interest rate on such loan from its present level to the rate then in effect for new Federal Financing Bank loans.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1989
Designates the week of December 10 through December 16, 1989, as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1989
Designates the week of September 24, 1989, as Religious Freedom Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
National Environmental Education Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an Office of Environmental Education within the Office of External Affairs to carry out this Act. Establishes an Environmental Education and Training Program to train educational professionals in the development and delivery of environmental education and training programs and studies. Directs the Administrator to make an annual grant to an institution of higher education or nonprofit research institution to establish and operate such program. Sets forth application and eligibility requirements and criteria to be considered in awarding such grants. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements or provide grants to support projects to design, demonstrate, and disseminate practices related to environmental education and training. Outlines activities eligible for grant support and priorities in awarding such grants. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual solicitation for environmental education grants. Authorizes local education agencies, colleges or universities, State education or environmental agencies, or nonprofit agencies to apply for such grants. Limits Federal funds for demonstration projects to 75 percent of the total cost, except in specified instances. Limits such grants to $100,000 and requires 25 percent of all funds obligated to be for grants of no more than $5,000. Requires the Administrator to provide for internships by postsecondary students with Federal agencies involved in environmental issues. Directs the Administrator, to the extent practicable, to support at least 150 internships annually. Makes eligible for participation in such program students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities who have successfully completed at least four courses or the equivalent in environmental sciences. Requires the Administrator to provide for a series of national awards recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental education to include: (1) the Theodore Roosevelt Award for environmental teaching or administration; (2) the Henry David Thoreau Award for literature on the environment and pollution problems; and (3) the Rachel Carson Award for film or print media for public education and information on environmental issues or problems. Provides that recipients of such awards shall be nominated by the Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the regional administrator of each EPA office to present an "Outstanding Environmental Educator Award" annually to a teacher or faculty member from a local education agency, college or university, or nonprofit organization in recognition of an outstanding contribution to environmental education. Establishes a National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the Council to report biennially to the Congress on: (1) the extent and quality of environmental education in the Nation's schools; (2) activities conducted pursuant to this Act; (3) obstacles to improving environmental education; and (4) training and skills needed to respond to environmental problems. Establishes the Environmental Education Trust Fund to carry out this Act. Allocates funding for this Act's activities and authorizes 50 percent of penalties received under specified environmental Acts to be appropriated to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Rural Partnerships Act of 1989 - Title I: Rural Business and Job Creation - Subtitle A: Rural Partnerships Investment Board - Establishes a Rural Partnerships Investment Board to provide lines of credit through local revolving funds for rural business expansion. Terminates the Board five years after enactment of this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Rural Business Investment Fund to provide funds for such purpose. Limits an entity's credit line to $750,000. Stipulates that a State agency may receive up to $1,250,000. Requires a participating entity to: (1) provide matching funds at least equal to the line of credit; and (2) demonstrate financial institution participation. Requires only 50 percent matching funds in areas with per capita income levels below specified levels. Limits the maximum amount of Federal contributions to each State's revolving funds to $100,000. Obligates a specified amount of appropriated funds for businesses serving very distressed rural areas or providing specified rural services, including health care, elderly and handicapped services, educational services, or transportation. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1992 appropriations. Requires each participating entity to establish a local revolving fund to: (1) make loans, investments, or loan guarantees; and (2) pay for various training and related programs. Requires local revolving funds to enter into 50 percent matching loan or investment partnerships with banks and other financial institutions. Limits a fund's annual investments in any one business to $250,000. Sets forth compliance and enforcement provisions, including: (1) grounds for revocation of a line of credit; (2) investigatory authority of the Board; (3) unlawful acts of officers, directors, employees, or agents; (4) penalties; and (5) Board authority to bring an action in district court. Subtitle B: Rural Economic Development Promoted by the Rural Electrification Administration - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) to appoint an Assistant Administrator for Economic Development to carry out REA programs concerning the involvement of rural electric and telephone systems in community and economic development. Directs the Administrator to establish a technical assistance unit to assist borrowers with respect to community and economic development activities. Permits a borrower to defer loan repayments (five or ten years, depending on the project) for amounts invested in community or economic development projects. Limits such deferment to 50 percent of a project's cost. Authorizes and limits water and waste facility loans to the lesser of $40,000,000 or ten percent of fiscal year REA insured loan authority. Sets forth loan priority provisions. Requires private sector assistance under specified circumstances. Targets electrification borrower investments in: (1) the Incubation Fund established by this Act or other business incubators; and (2) community, business, or economic development projects. Expands the scope of REA rural economic development functions. Establishes in the Treasury a Rural Business Incubation Fund to make grants and reduced interest loans to electric and telephone borrowers in order to promote business incubation programs or to create rural business incubators. Requires such incubators to: (1) be operated on a not-for-profit basis; and (2) assist businesses to become viable business entities. Provides for funding of such incubators by assisted businesses, REA borrowers, and the Treasury. Deems investments by REA telephone borrowers in rural telecommunication or other rural development projects not to be dividends or capital distributions. Title II: Enhancing Human Resources - Establishes a grant program to increase rural educational opportunities through the use of telecommunications and related technologies. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Requires grantee partnerships to consist of: (1) REA borrowers; (2) specified national telecommunication organizations; and (3) educational institutions. Establishes the Rural Educational Opportunities Board to advise grant recipients, evaluate programs and technology, serve as a liaison with REA and the Secretary of Education, and review and make grant application recommendations. Requires REA and the Secretary of Agriculture to make an annual program report to the appropriate congressional committees. Provides for expedited REA telephone loans. Establishes: (1) a rural medical link telecommunications grant program; and (2) a rural business link telecommunications grant program. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations for such programs. Title III: Focus on Rural America by the Department of Agriculture - Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary to establish an Extension Service rural economic and business program to permit State or county extension services to hire business development and related telecommunications specialists. Authorizes appropriations beginning with FY 1990. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to study economically distressed rural counties; (2) evaluate the nature and availability of assistance needed by such counties; and (3) report to the appropriate congressional committees in each of FY 1990 through 1993. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a rural development assistance information program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees by September 1, 1989, concerning the coordination of Department of Agriculture rural development activities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to the Department's data processing functions and whether they can be performed more economically in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Rural Business and Employment Assistance - Directs the Secretary to make technical assistance grants for rural business development, including business support centers. Prohibits the use of such funds for political activity or business relocation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants for rural technology assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to make rural emergency assistance loans to communities of less than 20,000 persons. Limits such loans to two-year periods, with a maximum of $50,000 to any one borrower. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse - Directs the Secretary to establish within the National Agricultural Library a National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Title VI: Water and Sewer Assistance - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for small community water and waste facility grants. Directs the Secretary to establish an emergency water assistance grant program for rural and small communities (less than 3000 population, median household income below State nonmetropolitan level) with significant water shortages, or to enable such communities to comply with the requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Safe Drinking Water Act. Limits grants to: (1) $75,000 for existing system repairs; and (2) $500,000 for water shortage areas. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to base loan rates for health care and related facilities solely on the income of the area to be served. Directs the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration to establish a national rural waste water circuit rider program modeled after the existing National Rural Water Association rural water circuit rider program. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Directs the Census Bureau to: (1) expand data collection efforts to gather data on the changing economic conditions of rural America, including employment, poverty and income, and the labor force; and (2) employ rural residents for such efforts in FY 1990. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish regulations regarding projects funded under this Act with respect to the preservation of historic properties and historical and archaeological data. Authorizes certain Farm Credit System banks to make small community water and waste system loans. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to permit a State to designate State areas where the food stamp program (program) employment and training requirements shall be voluntary. Includes self-employment within the scope of such requirements. Increases rural program accessibility for people engaged in certain employment and training programs. Exempts from household financial resources for purposes of program eligibility the value of a vehicle used in rural areas to haul fuel or water. Amends Federal law to increase the amount of annual funds available to the Reforestation Trust Fund. Authorizes Fund use for economic diversification assistance to communities that are economically dependent upon the Forest Service. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of loan restructuring for distressed rural hospitals and health care facilities. Title VIII: Effective Date and Implementation - Makes this Act effective as of October 1, 1989, unless otherwise provided for. Sets forth the effective dates for specified implementing regulations under such Act.