United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Integrity in Post Employment Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions regarding former Federal employees attempting to influence the Government. Makes it unlawful, within one year after employment or service has ceased, for: (1) former senior officials to lobby their former employing agency; (2) former top level officials (Cabinet Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries) to lobby any executive or independent agency or any Member of Congress; and (3) former Members of Congress to lobby any entity of the legislative branch or any top level official of the executive branch. Prohibits any senior or top level official, within 18 months after employment has ceased, from being employed by, representing, or advising a foreign entity for compensation, financial gain, or other remuneration. Prohibits any person from acting as an agent and communicating on behalf of such former officials and Members of Congress. Includes as exceptions to such prohibitions: (1) any person who is engaging solely in the solicitation or collection of funds and contributions within the United States to be used only for medical assistance, food, or clothing to relieve human suffering; or (2) any person who is providing a statement based on that person's special knowledge, provided that no compensation is received for such statement other than that regularly provided by law for witnesses. Increases the criminal and civil penalties for violations of this Act. Prohibits the partner of a Member, officer, or employee of the legislative branch in a partnership for the provision of professional services from acting as an agent or attorney for, or otherwise representing, any other person other than the United States in lobbying activities in either House of Congress. Provides for the imposition of penalties upon any Member of Congress who: (1) affiliates with a firm, partnership, association, or corporation for the purpose of providing professional services for compensation; (2) permits the use of the Member's name by such firm, partnership, association, or corporation; or (3) practices a profession for compensation. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit Members of Congress from converting excess campaign funds to their personal use. Title II: Fairness in Personal Campaign Expenditures - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any candidate for Federal office who makes expenditures from personal funds or the personal funds of the candidate's immediate family to the candidate's campaign committee, or makes a loan from such funds to such committee, from using any other contributions made after the election to such candidate or committee to repay such expenditure or loan.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Federal Employees Long-Term Care Insurance Act of 1989 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management to arrange for the optional conversion of a portion of a Government employee's life insurance policy to long-term care insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Intellectual Property Antitrust Protection Act of 1989 - Provides that an intellectual property right shall not be presumed to define a market or to establish market power or monopoly power in any action in which the right holder is alleged to have violated antitrust laws in marketing or distributing a protected product or service.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Pay Equity Technical Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to develop and implement a continuing program of information dissemination, research, and technical assistance to public and private entities with respect to correction of wage-setting practices, and a reduction or elimination of wage disparities, to the extent that they are based on the sex, race, or national origin of the employee, rather than on the work performed and other appropriate factors.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax exclusion of amounts paid under employee educational assistance programs. (Under current law the exclusion expires as of tax year 1989.)
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Designates the Arctic Coastal Plain Wilderness within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Chemical and Biological Weapons Control Act - Declares that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) discourage the proliferation of the material and technology necessary to produce or deliver chemical or biological weapons; (2) discourage Communist-bloc countries from aiding and abetting any states from acquiring such material or technology; (3) implement a U.S. control regime for U.S. materials, equipment, and technology that would assist the ability of a foreign country to produce or deliver chemical or biological weapons; (4) discourage private companies in non-Communist countries from aiding and abetting any states in acquiring such material and technology; (5) pursue multilateral efforts to control such weapons; and (6) take unilateral actions, where necessary, to pursue these objectives. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to require the Secretary of Commerce to maintain lists of: (1) goods or technology that would assist a country in acquiring the ability to produce or deliver chemical or biological weapons; and (2) those foreign countries which are pursuing or expanding such ability, as determined by the President. Directs the Secretary to require a validated license for any export of listed goods or technology. Requires the denial of any application for such a license if there is reason to believe that the goods or technology will be used by a listed country in producing or delivering chemical or biological weapons. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of State (and with the Secretary of Defense in the case of military items) prior to the approval or denial of an application for the export of such goods or technology. Requires the President to submit a report to the Congress every 180 days on the efforts of all foreign countries to acquire the material and technology to produce and deliver chemical and biological weapons, together with an assessment of their present and future capability to produce and deliver such weapons and to what degree any Communist-bloc country has aided or abetted any foreign country in its efforts to acquire such material or technology. Directs the President to apply sanctions to any foreign company which has assisted, or which continues to assist, any listed country in acquiring goods or technology used in producing or delivering chemical or biological weapons. Specifies such sanctions as prohibitions on: (1) the contracting with, or procuring goods or services from, any such foreign company by the U.S. Government; and (2) the importation into the United States of any products produced by such a foreign company. States that such sanctions shall remain in effect for two years after the President certifies that: (1) the foreign company has ceased to aid or abet foreign countries; and (2) it would be in the national interest of the United States to contract with, or procure goods or services from, such foreign company. Allows certain exceptions to such sanctions. Requires a review of the full range of U.S. security, political, and commercial relations with any country named in the presidential report required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) funding for Amtrak should be continued at a level that will enable it to continue to operate a national railway system and to improve its financial performance and service levels; and (2) the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration should work with Amtrak management to lower Amtrak's dependence on public funding and to assign the highest priority possible to safety.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1989
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President's 1990 budget proposals for municipal sewage treatment should be rejected and that the Congress should assure the appropriation of the amount authorized for such program by the Water Quality Act of 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1988
Commends the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, Majority Leader of the Senate, for his dedication to the ideals of representative democracy and for his outstanding service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1988
Federal Crop Insurance Commission Act of 1988 - States that the purpose of this Act is: (1) to ensure the review of the Federal crop insurance program; and (2) to recommend changes necessary to lessen or eliminate the need for additional disaster payment programs in order to reduce Federal costs and provide farmers with equitable and predictable natural disaster protection. Establishes the Commission for the Improvement of the Federal Crop Insurance Program. Sets forth membership and operating provisions. Directs the Commission to: (1) determine why crop insurance program participation is lower than anticipated; (2) identify States and commodities with low participation; and (3) recommend program improvements. Sets forth particular areas to be examined, including: (1) program insurance coverage; (2) use of crop field information; (3) related government subsidies; (4) sales commission rates; (5) claims adjustment services; (6) information collection; (7) compliance efforts; and (8) premium pools. Requires the Commission to submit: (1) an interim report to the appropriate congressional committees by April 1, 1989; (2) a final report to such committees by July 1, 1989; and (3) monthly reports to such committees from the period beginning July 1, 1989, through December 31, 1990. Terminates the Commission as of December 31, 1990, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may extend the Commission's life beyond such date. Directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to make specified FY 1989 funds available to the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988
Amends the United States Institute of Peace Act to provide a permanent authorization of appropriations for the United States Institute of Peace. Repeals a provision prohibiting the use of Federal funds to pay for private fringe benefit programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1988
Anti-Corruption Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon anyone who uses any facility of, or affects, interstate or foreign commerce to deprive or defraud the inhabitants of a State or political subdivision of: (1) the honest services of a government official or employee; or (2) a fair and impartially conducted election process through the use of fraudulent ballots or voter registration forms or the filing of fraudulent campaign reports. Imposes criminal penalties upon anyone who deprives or defrauds the inhabitants of the United States of the honest services of a public official. Imposes criminal penalties upon any official who, in order to carry out or conceal any scheme or artifice to defraud, discriminates, harasses, or takes adverse action against any employee or official of the United States or any State or political subdivision. Authorizes such an adversely affected employee or official to obtain relief through a civil action, provided such person did not participate in the scheme or artifice. Amends mail fraud provisions to: (1) include within the definition of a "scheme or artifice to defraud" any scheme or artifice to deprive an organization of the intangible rights of honest services in which the defendant received or attempted to receive anything of value or in which the defendant intended loss or harm to the organization; and (2) prohibit use of any facility of interstate or foreign commerce in the execution of a scheme or artifice to defraud.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1988
Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday Commission Extension Act - Extends the termination date of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission to April 20, 1994. Makes the term of Commission members one year, except for Coretta Scott King (life term) and members of the family surviving Martin Luther King, Jr. (at the discretion of the family). Replaces provisions requiring all expenditures of the Commission to be from donated funds with provisions authorizing appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993. Makes payment of expenses for Commission members and staff salary subject to the availability of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1988
Congratulates Israel and Egypt for a decade of peace based upon the Camp David accords. Calls upon other Arab states and Palestinians to join in the peace process, renounce the state of war and acts of violence, and enter into direct negotiations with Israel to achieve a lasting peace.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1988
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (a private non-profit organization) for research and development relating to teacher assessment and certification procedures. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991 for such purpose. Sets forth terms and conditions for such assistance. Requires the Board to: (1) establish a Research and Development Advisory Committee; and (2) consult with the Secretary and other specified entities in appointing the ten Committee members (with the Secretary selecting two of those). Requires funds under this Act to be used only for research and development of teacher assessment and certification procedures for elementary and secondary school teachers. Requires that priority be given to activities relating to teaching: (1) the subject areas of mathematics, the sciences, foreign languages, and literacy (including reading, writing, and analytical ability); and (2) special educational populations, including limited English proficient children, gifted and talented children, handicapped children, and economically and educationally disadvantaged children. Sets forth application requirements. Sets the Federal share of the cost of such Board activities at 50 percent. Requires the Board to report annually to the appropriate committees of Congress. Requires the Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the National Research Council to review and comment on the Board's report and to report to such committees on the Board's compliance with this Act. Sets forth auditing provisions. Sets forth limitations on the ways this Act may be construed.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1988
Veterans' Agent Orange and Vietnam Service Disabilities Act of 1988 - Title I: Agent Orange Presumptions, Research, and Outreach Matters - Creates a presumption that, for the purposes of wartime disability compensation for Vietnam veterans, the following diseases shall be considered to have been incurred in, or aggravated by, active military, naval, or air service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era: (1) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; (2) soft-tissue sarcoma; and (3) a disease that is determined by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to be reasonably associated with the known biological effects of dioxin or other toxic herbicides used in Vietnam and that is listed in regulations which the Administrator of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe for purposes of this Act. Provides that Vietnam veterans who have diseases that are associated with such herbicides shall be presumed to have been exposed during such service unless: (1) the results of credible laboratory tests indicate that the level of dioxin or other toxic agent in the veteran's serum is within the range of levels considered normal for veterans who served during the Vietnam era but did not serve in Vietnam; and (2) the service records of any such veteran indicate that the veteran did not participate extensively in tactical operations in Vietnam. Provides that such presumption is otherwise non-rebuttable. Authorizes the Administrator, for purposes of this Act, to require a veteran to submit to a blood test to determine the level of dioxin or other toxic agent in such veteran's serum. Directs the Administrator to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) or another appropriate nonprofit private scientific organization to determine the normal range of serum dioxin or other toxic agent levels. Authorizes the Administrator to apply the presumption that diseases associated with toxic agents in veterans who were exposed to such agents in Vietnam were incurred or aggravated by such service, to veterans who served actively outside of Vietnam during the Vietnam era and were exposed to such agents. Requires the Administrator to enter into an agreement with an appropriate nonprofit private scientific organization to: (1) conduct a survey of all scientific studies of the effects of dioxin and other toxic agents in herbicides used by the United States in Vietnam on humans or animals; and (2) determine which (if any) diseases are reasonably associated with the known biological effects of exposure to dioxin or other such agents on humans and appropriate animal models. Designates the NAS as the appropriate nonprofit organization, unless: (1) the NAS does not enter into such an agreement with the Administrator; (2) the Administrator has notified the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees of an alternative organization; and (3) 90 days have elapsed since such notification. Directs such organization, within one year after enactment of this Act, to report to the Administrator and the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees the name of each disease reasonably associated with the known biological effects of exposure to dioxin and other such agents and the biological basis for the association of such disease with such effects. Requires the Administrator, within 90 days of receipt of such report, to determine which diseases (if any) are associated with such exposure and to prescribe regulations listing each such disease. Directs the Administrator to periodically (but not less than annually) survey additional completed studies and to enter into an agreement with such organization to conduct a survey to determine whether any of the previous determinations regarding such diseases should be modified and whether any diseases should be added to the list. Requires that the Administrator: (1) compile and analyze, on a continuing basis, all clinical data obtained by the VA in connection with physical examinations and treatment furnished after November 3, 1981, to veterans who were exposed to dioxin or any other such toxic substance; and (2) submit to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees a semiannual report containing such compilation and analysis, along with a discussion of the disabilities identified or treated by the VA, the Administrator's explanation for the incidence of such disabilities, and other reasonable explanations for the incidence of such disabilities. Directs the Administrator to establish and maintain a system for the collection and frozen storage of voluntarily contributed samples of blood and tissue of veterans who performed active service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Authorizes the Administrator to make such tissue available for studies of the feasibility of conducting research on: (1) health hazards resulting from exposure to dioxin and other toxic agents in herbicides used by the United States in Vietnam; and (2) health hazards resulting from active service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Requires the Administrator to: (1) award contracts or furnish financial assistance to non-Government entities to carry out such studies; and (2) report the results of such studies to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. Directs the Administrator to: (1) conduct an outreach program for furnishing to veterans of active service in Vietnam services and information relating to health risks resulting from exposure to dioxin or other toxic agents used in herbicides during the Vietnam era; (2) update information on veterans contained in the Veterans Administration Agent Orange Registry; and (3) organize the information in such registry to enable the Administrator promptly to notify a veteran of any increased health risk resulting from such exposure. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, within 180 days after enactment of this Act, to report to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on the research being conducted to develop treatments for physiological absorption of dioxin and other toxic agents used in herbicides by the United States in Vietnam, including research relating exposure to dioxin and other toxic agents outside Vietnam. Makes funds appropriated for the Centers for Disease Control available to carry out this Act. Title II: Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants - Requires at least one-third of the members of the Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants to be individuals selected by the Secretary from scientists recommended by veterans organizations. Prohibits any Federal officer or employee from serving as Chairman of the Committee. Requires the Secretary of Defense, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to transmit to specified House and Senate committees a schedule of reports on the Ranch Hand study and other studies conducted by the Department of Defense. Provides that each schedule shall require at least two progress reports each year and a final report. Directs the Secretary to submit such reports to such committees.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1988
Dedicates a marker in Potomac Park, Washington, D.C., to Matt W. Ransom for his efforts to preserve such park. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide for the erection and maintenance of a memorial to Matt W. Ransom in such Park.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1988
Title I: Minor and Technical Criminal Law Amendments Act of 1988 - Minor and Technical Criminal Law Amendments Act of 1988 - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Federal criminal code. Increases criminal penalties imposed in cases when bodily injury results during the commission of the crime of deprivation of rights under color of law. Grants the Associate Attorney General authority to: (1) approve certain civil rights prosecutions; (2) approve prosecutions for flight to avoid service of process; (3) summon special grand juries; (4) request a judicial grant of immunity; and (5) object to the disclosure of classified information under the Classified Information Procedures Act. Grants specially designated Assistant Attorneys General authority to approve certain civil rights prosecutions. Grants the Deputy Assistant Attorney General authority to request judicial grants of immunity. Permits the transmission of information on sports betting from a State where such betting is legal to a foreign country where such betting is legal. Permits prosecutions for certain obstruction of justice offenses: (1) to be brought in the district where the official proceeding was intended to be effected or in the district in which the conduct constituting the alleged offense occurred; and (2) where the culpable conduct is "corrupt persuasion." Authorizes governmental access to records concerning electronic communication service or remote computing service through the issuance of a trial subpoena. (Current law provides for such access only through the issuance of an administrative or grand jury subpoena.) Amends the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 to raise the maximum prison term for class B felonies from 20 to 25 years. Amends the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 to establish conditions for the temporary release (furlough) of persons hospitalized following an acquittal by reason of insanity. Requires copies of certain periodic reports prepared by directors of psychiatric hospitals concerning persons hospitalized for threatening the President, the Vice President, or certain other persons protected by the Secret Service, to be submitted to the Director of the U.S. Secret Service. Extends the power to conduct certain psychiatric and psychological examinations under the Federal criminal code to all psychologists. (Current law extends such power to psychiatrists and clinical psychologists). Makes conforming amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure permitting courts to designate psychologists to conduct mental examinations of parties in civil proceedings. Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to create three additional RICO predicates: (1) murder-for-hire; (2) sexual exploitation of children; and (3) fraud in connection with access devices (i.e., credit cards, electronic banking cards, etc.). Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to subject all personal property used to facilitate a drug offense to forfeiture. (Currently, only certain types of personal property are subject to forfeiture.) Directs the Attorney General to ensure the equitable transfer of any forfeited property to the appropriate State or local law enforcement agency to reflect the contribution of such agency in the actions which led to the forfeiture. Specifies that a decision by the Attorney General under this authority is not subject to judicial review. Authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to: (1) investigate money laundering offenses where the offenses giving rise to the proceeds to be laundered are within the jurisdiction of the Service; and (2) conduct civil forfeiture proceedings in connection with such offenses. Provides that the Attorney General shall have sole responsibility for disposing of petitions for remission or mitigation with respect to property involved in a judicial forfeiture proceeding and that the authority of the Service shall apply only to property that has been administratively forfeited. Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated (Corporation) to issue its obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase such obligations. Allows the Secretary to: (1) sell such obligations as public debt transactions; and (2) upon the request of the Corporation, invest excess monies from the Prison Industries Fund. Permits Corporation funds to be used to acquire industrial buildings and equipment for corporate operations. Prohibits the use of corporate funds for the construction or acquisition of penal or correctional institutions or camps. Requires the board of directors of the Corporation to include in its annual report to the Congress: (1) a statement of the amount of obligations issued during the fiscal year; and (2) an estimate of the amount of obligations that will be issued in the following fiscal year. Requires the board of directors to employ the greatest possible number of inmates in U.S. penal institutions who are eligible to work. Directs the Corporation to: (1) produce products on an economic basis, but avoid capturing a reasonable share of the market among Federal departments; (2) concentrate on providing to the Federal Government only those products which permit employment of the greatest number of inmates; and (3) diversify products so that sales are broadly distributed among industries. Requires any decision to produce a new product or expand production significantly to be made by the board of directors. Directs the Corporation, before such decision is made, to prepare a written analysis of the plan's impact on industry and free labor. Requires the Corporation to provide notice of such plans to potentially affected private vendors or trade associations, allowing such parties to submit comments. Directs the Corporation to provide to the board of directors the analysis, comments, and recommendations for action. Requires the Corporation to publish the final decision of the board of directors and, after each six-month period, a list of sales by the Corporation. Amends the CSA and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to provide that all the penalties applicable to an underlying drug offense also apply to an attempt or conspiracy to commit such offense. Specifies that a provision providing for the forfeiture of property found within the United States that is derived from drug offenses that occur overseas applies to both real and personal property and to property derived from or traceable to the proceeds of an offense, as well as the proceeds themselves. Provides a mandatory minimum penalty for trafficking in a substantial quantity of methamphetamine and salts and isomers thereof. Subjects to a fine and imprisonment anyone who conducts a financial transaction involving the proceeds of criminal activity with intent to violate the tax laws. Establishes a misdemeanor penalty in connection with the criminal escape of a person being detained for the purpose of exclusion or deportation under the immigration laws. Authorizes the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate killings of State or local law enforcement officers upon the request of the head of the agency employing such an officer. Increases the maximum prison term in connection with specified crimes of sexual abuse, murder for hire, involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder, being an accessory after the fact, and certain types of racketeering offenses. Increases the penalty for possessing an explosive in a Federal building. Expands such offense to include airports that are subject to the regulatory authority of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) even though not owned by, or leased to, the United States. Amends the Interstate Agreement on Detainers Act to revise provisions applicable to transfers involving the United States when it obtains custody of a State prisoner on Federal charges. Revises the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require a Federal district court to advise a defendant concerning the effects of supervised release terms on the possible penalty before the court accepts a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. Permits the United States to bring an action to enjoin various types of fraud against the Government. Imposes criminal penalties for obstructing Federal audits and for using the term "Secret Service" without authorization. Amends Federal criminal code provisions governing the time for refiling an indictment or information after it is dismissed because it was found to be defective. Amends the Speedy Trial Act of 1974 to extend or restart the 70-day trial "clock" when the defendant absconds on the eve of trial. (Present law suspends such period during the time that the defendant is a fugitive.) Authorizes the Government to refund bail which has been erroneously forfeited. Provides that special assessments shall not be imposed for any offense for which local rules or other Federal law allow a defendant to post collateral in lieu of appearance in court. Authorizes a court to impose conditions alternative to fines, restitution, or community service as conditions of probation for felons. Authorizes a judge or magistrate of the District of Columbia to issue an arrest warrant for a foreign fugitive whose location is unknown. Revises the definition of "petty offense" for purposes of the Federal criminal code, the Rules of Procedure for the Trial of Misdemeanors before United States Magistrates, and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Imposes criminal penalties on persons who mail locksmithing devices. Amends the Assimilative Crimes Act (which authorizes Federal judges to apply State criminal statutes for acts or omissions taking place within a State but on a Federal enclave) to define the various State-enacted sanctions as "punishments" in cases of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (thus allowing the imposition of non-jail term sanctions). Provides that refusal to consent to a chemical test following arrest for driving under the influence on a Federal enclave would result in suspension of driving privileges for one year and would be admissible as evidence in court. Amends provisions with respect to the setting of bail pending appeal. Authorizes the emergency installation of pen registers and trap and trace devices under specified circumstances. Title II: Ancillary Debt Collection Amendments Act of 1988 - Ancillary Debt Collection Amendments Act of 1988 - Increases from 15 to 25 percent the maximum amount of money that can be administratively offset against a Federal employee's salary, before judgment by a Federal agency, to satisfy a debt owed to the United States. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the immunity from liability against taxpayer suits of a person on whom an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) levy has been served as a result of honoring the levy to cover suits by any other third party; and (2) provide that an IRS levy may be used to collect any taxes for which a timely suit was brought by the United States for as long as the taxes remain unsatisfied and are still enforceable. Authorizes an agency head to compromise a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (currently, $20,000). Revises the provision granting U.S. claims priority outside of the bankruptcy setting to delete the "acts of bankruptcy" test for determining insolvency. Allows the head of an agency to bid on the personal property of the debtor, as well as the real property, at an execution sale, and to bid the amount of the judgment as a credit against the sale price. Amends the Medical Care Recovery Act to expand the Government's right of subrogation with respect to third party liability claims. Authorizes: (1) the removal of such actions from State courts to Federal district courts; and (2) the Government to bring a claim recovery action against the affected insurance company and to recover treble damages if the insurance companies fail to settle the claim in a reasonable manner. Provides that: (1) members of the armed forces are included as employees whose salaries may be offset for the repayment of debts owed to the United States; and (2) retirement pay is subject to one hundred percent of the offset. Title III: Sentencing Amendments - Subtitle A: Prisoners Transferred to the United States - Amends the Sentencing Act of 1987 to require that the Attorney General assign to the United States Parole Commission for supervision any offender on parole from a foreign country who is transferred to the United States. Requires such offender to serve a term of imprisonment applicable under U.S. sentencing guidelines and to serve any remainder of the term imposed by the foreign country under release supervised by the appropriate district court. Subtitle B: Sentencing Amendments - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to the standard of appellate review of sentences. Authorizes the United States Sentencing Commission to: (1) retain private attorneys to advise it; and (2) grant incentive awards to its employees. Requires a court to consider the need to protect the public from future crimes of a defendant when terminating or modifying conditions of supervised release. Amends the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure with respect to the time for filing a notice of appeal of a sentence.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1988
Parental and Medical Leave Act of 1988 - Title I: General Requirements for Parental and Medical Leave - Entitles employees to unpaid parental and temporary medical leave. Makes this Act applicable to: (1) employers who employ 20 or more employees at any one worksite for each working day during each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year; and (2) employees who have been employed by such an employer for at least 12 months and for 900 hours of service during the previous 12-month period. Entitles employees to parental leave for ten workweeks during any 24-month period in cases involving the birth, adoption, or serious health condition of a child. Entitles employees to temporary medical leave for 13 workweeks during any 12-month period in cases involving inability to work because of a serious health condition. Sets forth conditions for certification for such types of leave. Provides that such leave may be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave to cover part of such leave period. Requires the employee, in any case in which the necessity for such leave is foreseeable based on planned medical treatment or supervision, to: (1) make a reasonable effort to schedule the treatment or supervision so as not to disrupt unduly the employer's operations; and (2) provide prior notice in a reasonable and practicable manner. Sets forth employment and benefits protections relating to such leave. Provides for administrative enforcement of this title by the Secretary of Labor, as well as enforcement by civil action. Sets forth provisions for injunctive relief, monetary relief, and attorneys' fees. Requires employers to post notice of the pertinent provisions of this title. Title II: Parental Leave and Temporary Medical Leave for Civil Service Employees - Amends specified Federal law to entitle civil service employees to: (1) parental leave for ten workweeks during any 24-month period; and (2) temporary medical leave for 13 workweeks during any 12-month period. Provides that such leave will be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave for part of such leave. Requires the employee, in any case in which the necessity for such leave is foreseeable based on planned medical treatment or supervision, to: (1) make a reasonable effort to schedule the treatment or supervision so as not to disrupt unduly the employer's operations; and (2) provide prior notice in a reasonable and practicable manner. Sets forth protection for job position and health insurance benefits of employees using such leave. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to prescribe regulations for administration of this title which are consistent with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under title I of this Act. Title III: Commission on Parental and Medical Leave - Establishes the Commission on Parental and Medical Leave. Requires the Commission to report on its study of parental and medical leave to the Congress within two years after the Commission first meets. Terminates the Commission 30 days after its final report. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effect of this Act on existing laws and existing employment benefits. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to discourage employers from adopting more generous leave policies. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations to carry out title I of this Act, within 60 days after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1988
Immigration Technical Corrections Act of 1988 - Makes technical amendments to provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as amended by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) with respect to: (1) employer sanctions in connection with control of unlawful employment of aliens; (2) unfair immigration-related employment practices; (3) unlawful transportation of aliens to the United States; and (4) restrictions on adjustment of status. Makes an immigration-related technical correction in the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to educational assistance. Makes technical corrections of the INA with respect to the legalization of alien status, including amendments to: (1) include developmentally disabled individuals as eligible for waivers from basic citizenship skill requirements; and (2) permit exceptions to confidentiality requirements for specified Government reporting purposes. Makes technical amendments to the IRCA to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to waive misrepresentation of a relevant material fact as a reason to exclude Cuban-Haitian aliens from admission into the United States; and (2) make World War II Nazis ineligible for a record of lawful admission for permanent residence. Amends provisions relating to: (1) State legalization impact-assistance grants in connection with special agricultural workers; and (2) temporary agricultural workers under the H-2A program. Amends INA provisions relating to G-1V special immigrants. Makes technical amendments of ICRA provisions concerning the visa waiver pilot program for certain visitors. Amends the IRCA to limit to one percent the portion of funds appropriated for the Commission for the Study of International Migration and Cooperative Economic Development that may be spent on official entertainment. Makes technical amendments of the INA with respect to: (1) visa waivers for nonimmigrant visitors to Guam; and (2) the nationality of certain American Samoans. Makes technical revisions and corrections of INA provisions amended by the Department of Justice Appropriation Act, 1987, the Narcotics Traffickers Deportation Act, and the Refugee Assistance Extension Act of 1986. Makes technical amendments of the Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986, including a limitation on adjustment of status petitions of alien fiance(e)s of U.S. citizens ("K" nonimmigrants). Makes technical amendments of the Immigation and Nationality Act Amendments of 1986, including amendments in connection with effective dates of various provisions affecting the nationality of children born out of wedlock to at least one American parent. Makes various other technical amendments and corrections of the INA.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1988
Postal Service Budgetary Treatment Act of 1988 - Declares that the receipts and disbursements of the Postal Service Fund: (1) shall not be included in the totals of the Federal budget or the congressional budget; (2) shall be exempt from Federal budget limitations on expenditures and net lending; and (3) shall not be counted for purposes of calculating the Federal deficit. Makes the U.S. Postal Service an off-budget Federal entity.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1988
Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the Kosciuszko Trail, extending from Vermont to South Carolina, for study for inclusion in such System.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the low-income housing credit through 1990. (Under current law the credit will expire on December 31, 1989.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1988
American Heritage Trust Act of 1988 - Title I: American Heritage Trust - Establishes the American Heritage Trust, comprised of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Historic Preservation Fund, to provide funding for the preservation of America's natural, historical, cultural, and outdoor recreational areas. Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to invest a portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund in public debt securities. Requires that the interest from such investments be used to provide for the preservation of the Nation's recreational areas. Sets forth a formula for the allocation of such interest income to the Federal Government and the States. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the apportionment of such income to local and State governments. Repeals a specified section concerning publicity and signing provisions. Title III: Historic Preservation Fund - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act to extend the Historic Preservation Fund through 2015. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to invest a portion of such Fund in public debt securities. Requires that the interest from such investments be used for the preservation of historic sites. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the owner of any site that benefits from moneys derived from the American Heritage Trust to install a sign indicating that fact.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1988
Medicaid Infant Mortality Amendments of 1988 - Title I: Medicaid Coverage of Pregnant Women, Infants and Young Children - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to cover pregnant women and children under age four who were born after 1987 if their family income is below the Federal poverty level. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage to children from the age of four through seven who were born after 1987. Prohibits States from: (1) imposing a resource eligibility test on pregnant women and children under age four which is more restrictive than a resource eligibility test imposed under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Act; or (2) reducing payment levels under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Act below the levels in effect on July 1, 1987. Requires that eligible pregnant women continue to receive Medicaid coverage through the month in which the 60th day following the end of pregnancy falls without regard to changes in family income. Title II: Promoting Medicaid Coverage of Pregnant Women, Infants and Young Children - Reimburses States, at the Federal Medicaid assistance percentage, for outreach services identifying Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and children and assisting them in applying for Medicaid coverage. Requires that States make ambulatory prenatal care available to pregnant women during a presumptive eligibility period. Alters the rules for determining when such period ends. Makes clarification amendments regarding the qualifications of providers of covered ambulatory prenatal care. Title III: Assuring Provison of Necessary Services for Pregnant Women and Infants - Requires States to submit information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, by April 1 of each year, pertaining to the supply of and demand for obstetrical services and proposed Medicaid payment rates for such services so that the Secretary may determine whether such rates are sufficient to ensure that obstetrical services will be at least as available to Medicaid beneficiaries as they are to the general population. Requires States to immediately revise rates determined to be insufficient. Directs States to: (1) establish exceptions to durational limits on Medicaid coverage of medically necessary inpatient hospital services furnished to infants in disproportionate share hospitals; and (2) adjust payments to such hospitals to take into account exceptionally costly and lengthy inpatient hospital services for infants. Title IV: Medicaid Relationship with Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) - Requires States to: (1) coordinate Medicaid services with WIC program services under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; and (2) notify Medicaid-eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum women, and children under age five of WIC program benefits. Allows States to provide Medicaid coverage of supplemental foods furnished by the WIC program to Medicaid beneficiaries who are certified to participate in the WIC program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to permit States to cover Medicaid recipients under the WIC program without regard to WIC income eligibility standards.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1988
Immigration Act of 1988 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a three-year, two-tiered immigration level of 590,000 annual entries made up of 440,000 "family connection" immigrants and 150,000 "independent" (employment-related) immigrants. Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor, State, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to report annually, beginning in FY 1993, to the President and to the appropriate congressional committees on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of immigration. Requires the President, at three-year intervals beginning in March 1992, to submit to the Congress a determination to maintain or change immigration levels. Provides that: (1) if the determination contains a change of less than five percent, such change shall become effective unless the Congress objects within a specified time; and (2) if the determination contains a change of five percent or more, the Congress must take specified affirmative approval action. Limits annual "family connection" visas from each foreign country to seven percent (or two percent in the case of a dependent area) of the annual total of such visas. Revises the immigration admissions preference system. Allocates "family connection" preferences as follows: (1) parents and unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; (2) spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident aliens; (3) certain married sons and daughters or brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens; and (4) never married brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. Allocates "independent" preferences as follows: (1) special immigrants; (2) aliens who are members of the professions with advanced degrees or aliens of exceptional ability; (3) skilled workers; (4) employer-commercial investors; and (5) selected immigrants chosen on a point system basis. Sets forth the following point system criteria: (1) age; (2) education; (3) English language ability; (4) U.S. occupational demand; and (5) occupational training and work experience. Directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretaries of Labor and Education, to establish such point system. States that all such preference visas shall be issued in the order in which they were filed. Amends petitioning procedure provisions. Permits special immigrant petitions to be filed with the Attorney General, except for former overseas U.S. employees who must file with the Secretary of State. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations regarding selected immigrant status. Amends labor certification provisions to exclude certain classes of immigrants unless the Secretary of Labor certifies that there are not sufficient qualified U.S. workers and that employment of aliens in such positions will not adversely affect U.S. workers' wages and conditions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the labor certification process and report to the appropriate congressional committees by March 31, 1992. Establishes a two-year conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entrepreneurs and their families. Authorizes the Attorney General to terminate such status and institute deportation proceedings upon a finding that the qualifying enterprise was not genuine. Establishes criminal penalties for such violations. Provides for selected immigrant visa fees. Amends Federal law to credit to a Department of State account up to $20,000,000 from fees collected by consular officers to pay expenses for research, development, equipment, and automation of visa and passport functions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1988
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) funding for Amtrak should be continued at a level that will enable it to continue to operate a national railway system and to continue to improve its financial performances and service levels; and (2) the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration should work with Amtrak management to lower Amtrak's dependence on public funding and to assign the highest priority possible to safety.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations exempting the following from the excise tax on diesel and aviation fuels: (1) diesel fuel for use in a diesel-powered train (to the extent of 15 cents per gallon); (2) aviation fuel for use in commercial aviation; (3) fuel used other than as motor fuel; (4) fuel for use by a State or local government; and (5) fuel for use on a farm for farming purposes. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to issue such regulations with respect to all but the last item. Although fuel sold for farm use is already tax-exempt, provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987 require purchasers to pay the tax and subsequently apply for a refund.)
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1988
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act of require States to extend Medicaid coverage to all pregnant women and infants up to age one whose family income falls below the Federal poverty level.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Ocean Dumping Reform Act of 1988 - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act to outlaw the disposal of sewage sludge into the ocean at the 106-mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Dumpsite (Dumpsite) after 1991. Directs each State in which a municipal sewage treatment authority permitted to dump sewage sludge at the Dumpsite is located to submit a report to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in each of the three years following this Act's enactment which: (1) sets forth a schedule for the identification and development of alternatives to sewage sludge dumping at the Dumpsite; (2) identifies the steps being taken to implement programs which facilitate the beneficial uses of sewage sludge; and (3) describes the financial assessments and plans needed to assure the implementation of alternative sewage sludge options prior to 1992. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress: (1) within three months of the State reports, on the development of alternative sewage sludge disposal options prior to 1992; and (2) within six months of this Act's enactment, on the progress made in monitoring and preventing municipal sludge dumping outside the Dumpsite by vessels en route to such site.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Atomic Energy Law Enforcement Act of 1988 - Specifies that the proposed Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States and the Government of Japan Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy shall not become effective unless: (1) the President resubmits the Agreement to the Congress pursuant to procedures required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 with an exemption from the requirements of the Act concerning nuclear safeguards; and (2) the Congress enacts a joint resolution stating that it favors the Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics. Designates June 14, 1988, as Baltic Freedom Day. Authorizes and requests the President to submit the issue of the Baltic Republics to the United Nations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000444_200.jpg)