United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1990
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the accession of Taiwan to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is in the best interest of the United States and of the world trading system and should be achieved prior to the end of the Uruguay Round; and (2) the United States should take the necessary steps to assure such country's membership in the GATT.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for travel, food, lodging, transportation, and uniform expenses paid or incurred in connection with the taxpayer's performance of services as a member of the armed forces reserves or the National Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for travel, food, and lodging paid or incurred in connection with the taxpayer's performance of services as a member of the armed forces reserves or the National Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1990
Declares that: (1) the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) continues to be of benefit to the United States and the international community; (2) all states which have not yet adhered to the NPT should do so promptly to strengthen the international non-proliferation regime; and (3) the parties to the NPT are encouraged to undertake a fair and balanced review of the NPT at the upcoming NPT Review Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1990
Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 1990 - Waives the naturalization English language requirement for certain aliens who served with special guerilla units in Laos in support of the United States. Provides for U.S. naturalization based upon such service.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1990
Designates the week of June 17 through June 23, 1990, as National Week to Commemorate the Victims of the Famine in Ukraine, 1932-1933. Condemns the disregard for human rights characterized by the Soviet Union during the famine and expresses sympathy for victims of the famine. Requests the President to call attention to Soviet policies that caused the famine and have suppressed Ukrainian human rights and the expression of cultural and social heritage. Recognizes the reforms underway in the Ukraine and urges the Soviet Government to: (1) move forward toward democratization and restructuring; and (2) provide a framework for the realization of the rights and aspirations of the Ukrainian people.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1990
Designates September 21, 1990, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Recognizes the National League of Families POW/MIA flag as the official symbol of the United States' commitment to resolving the fates of Americans still prisoner or missing in action in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1990
Authorizes and requests the President to call on the people to observe May 26, 1990, as the bicentennial of "An Act for the government of the territory of the United States, south of the river Ohio" (from which Tennessee was formed).
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1990
Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to extend through FY 1992: (1) special refugee categories for certain Soviet and Indochinese nationals; and (2) status adjustment for certain Soviet and Indochinese parolees.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should immediately call for a 1991 White House Conference on Aging and begin planning and implementing such a conference without delay.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1990
Extends the congratulations of the Congress to the National Federation of the Blind on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, November 16, 1990, and notes with appreciation the significant contributions made by it in improving the quality of life, the public image, and increasing public understanding of the blind.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1990
Mississippi River Corridor Study Commission Act of 1990- Establishes the Mississippi River Corridor Study Commission to study and make recommendations regarding: (1) the creation of a Mississippi River National Heritage Corridor through the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin; and (2) preservation of the Corridor.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1990
Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1990 - Title I: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Subtitle A: Elimination of Political Action Committees from Federal Election Activities - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) revise the definition of a "political committee" to delete references to any separate segregated fund and any committee, club, association, or group which receives contributions or makes expenditures annually totaling over $1,000 and to include any national, State, or district committee of a political party, including any subordinate committee thereof, and any committee jointly established by such committees or by any local committee as defined under current law for joint fundraising activities; (2) repeal provisions excluding nonpartisan registration and get-out-the-vote campaigns and the establishment of, and solicitation of contributions for, a separate segregated fund from the definition of a "contribution or expenditure" by a national bank, corporation, or labor organization; and (3) prohibit making, soliciting, or receiving contributions or making expenditures to influence a Federal election by any person other than an individual or a political committee. Specifies that if such prohibition is not in effect: (1) it and the other amendments made by this Act to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 regarding such definitions shall not be in effect and prior law will be reinstated; and (2) political action committees not connected to corporations, labor organizations, or trade associations will be subject to a $1,000 contribution limit. Deems any political committee which is established, financed, maintained, or controlled by any candidate or Federal officeholder to be an authorized committee of such candidate or officeholder for purposes of limitations on contributions to a candidate's committees. Subtitle B: Ban on Soft Money in Federal Elections - Bans the use of soft money (any amount raised or contributed outside of source restrictions, contribution limits, and disclosure requirements of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971) to influence any Federal election. Requires the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to issue regulations providing a method for allocating the contributions and expenditures for any mixed activity between Federal and non-Federal accounts. Sets forth guidelines for such allocation which include the establishment of minimum percentages of Federal funds for activities designed to contact voters in connection with elections for Federal and non-Federal office. Requires each treasurer of a political committee to keep an account of, and file reports disclosing, each account maintained by such committee. Includes political committees among those entities eligible to receive contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations, or labor organizations. Permits a labor organization, upon reinstatement of prior law regarding certain political activities not considered to be contributions or expenditures, to make political communications and establish and solicit contributions for a separate segregated political fund if it: (1) provides the employees it represents with written notification of specified information at least once annually; (2) provides such employees with an annual examination by an independent certified public accountant of its financial statements which verify its costs for representation services; and (3) maintains certain procedures regarding the cost of such representation. Requires a labor organization which does not follow such requirements to finance those communications expressly advocating the election or defeat of any clearly identified candidate for elective public office as well as the other political activities not considered to be contributions or expenditures with funds legally collected under this Act for its separate segregated fund. Imposes Federal limits on contributions to political organizations maintained by a candidate for Federal office which are not political committees of a national, State, or local party. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny tax-exempt status for an organization: (1) which devotes any of its operating budget to voter registration, get-out-the-vote campaigns, or participation in political campaign activities; (2) on whose behalf a candidate or an authorized committee thereof solicits contributions; or (3) which intervenes or participates in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for Federal office. Subtitle C: Other Activities - Reduces from $1,000 to $500 the maximum contribution allowed to any candidate for Federal office (other than a candidate for President or Vice President) by a person residing outside the State with respect to which such candidate seeks Federal office. Maintains the current $1,000 limitation for contributions to any candidate for President or Vice President or to any candidate for Federal office by a person residing within the State with respect to which such candidate seeks Federal office. Provides for periodic indexing of such limitations according to the consumer price index. Excludes costs of campaign materials and general research activities paid by national committees of a political party from the definition of "expenditure and contribution" under the same conditions currently provided for such payments by State or local committees of a political party. Exempts contributions to political party committees from the $25,000 annual limit. Prohibits: (1) any intermediary or conduit from delivering or arranging to have delivered contributions from more than two persons who are employees of the same employer or members of the same labor organization; and (2) lobbyists from acting as an intermediary or conduit with respect to a contribution to a candidate for Federal office. Sets forth disclosure requirements for independent expenditures through broadcast communications on any radio or television station. Provides that an expenditure is not an independent expenditure where the person making an expenditure is in coordination, consultation, or concert with a candidate. Requires the FEC to provide a hearing within three days after receiving a complaint alleging that an independent expenditure was made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with a candidate. Provides for expedited judicial review for any matter relating to the making of an independent expenditure. Title II: Increase of Competition in Politics - Allows the congressional campaign committee or the senatorial campaign committee of a national political party to make contributions to a candidate for Federal office (other than President or Vice President) who does not hold Federal office which in the aggregate do not exceed the lesser of: (1) $100,000; or (2) the aggregate contributions made during the election cycle preceding the primary election by an individual who, at the time such contributions are made, is a resident of the State in which the election with respect to which such contributions are made is to be held. Prohibits such a contribution from being treated as an expenditure by a national committee, State committee, or subordinate committee of a State committee in connection with the general election campaign of a candidate for Federal office. Prohibits a holder of Federal office from transferring any amounts received as contributions or other campaign funds to any account maintained for purposes of defraying ordinary and necessary expenses in connection with the duties of such office. Requires a candidate, within 15 days of qualifying for a primary election ballot, to file with the FEC and each other qualifying candidate a declaration stating whether or not such candidate intends to expend for the primary and general election an amount exceeding $250,000 from: (1) personal funds; (2) family funds; and (3) personal loans incurred in connection with the campaign for election. Allows the opponents of such candidate to accept larger contribution amounts from individuals. Requires a candidate who files a declaration of intent not to expend more than $250,000 and who subsequently does exceed such amount, to file an amended declaration within 24 hours after exceeding such amount. Allows a candidate to repay any expenditure or personal loan incurred in connection with the candidate's election to Federal office from contributions made to such candidate or any authorized committee of such candidate. Prohibits: (1) repayment of any interest on the principal of such loan or the amount of such expenditure; and (2) repayment from any such contributions received after the general election to which the expenditure or loan relates. Prohibits franked mass mailings by: (1) Members of Congress during the year in which they are candidates for reelection; (2) Members of, or Members-elect to, the House during the year in which they are candidates for any other public office; or (3) Members of the Senate during the year in which they are candidates for any other public office. Requires Members of Congress using franked mass mailings to register such mailings annually with the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives who shall make such mailing available for public inspection along with a description of the persons to whom the mass mailing was mailed. Amends rule XL of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit the use of franked mass mail by a Senator or an individual who is a candidate for nomination to the Senate during the year in which the Senator is a candidate for public office or the individual is a candidate for the Senate. Revises provisions with respect to congressional reapportionment and redistricting so that the number of persons in congressional districts within each State shall be as nearly equal as practicable, as determined under the most recent decennial census. Prohibits congressional districts from being established with the intent and effect of diluting the voting strength of any persons or members of any political party. Requires district boundaries to avoid the division of counties and minimize the division of cities and other political subdivisions. Establishes expedited Federal judicial review procedures of the redistricting process, giving Federal district courts exclusive jurisdiction. Amends the Federal criminal code to prescribe criminal penalties to be imposed against 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 to secure the election of an official who, if elected, would have authority over the administration of funds derived from an Act of the Congress totalling $10,000 or more for a year before or after the election or offense. Prescribes criminal penalties to be imposed against anyone who deprives or defrauds the inhabitants of the United States of the honest services of a public official. Prescribes criminal penalties to be imposed upon any official who: (1) uses interstate commerce to deprive or defraud the inhabitants of any State or political subdivision of the right to have government affairs conducted on the basis of complete, true, and accurate information; or (2) 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, providing such person did not participate in the scheme or artifice. Amends mail fraud provisions to prohibit the use of any facility of interstate or foreign commerce in the execution of a scheme or artifice to defraud. Title III: Reduction of Campaign Costs - Sets forth congressional findings regarding discounts for political broadcasts. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) limit the cost to qualified candidates of broadcasting time for pre-election political advertising to the lowest rate charged for any time in the same period; and (2) prohibit any broadcast licensee from preempting the use of any such time purchased by a qualified candidate. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: Federal Election Commission Enforcement Authority - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the enforcement provisions. Changes the determination the FEC must make upon receiving a complaint, before notifying the person of an alleged violation. Authorizes the FEC to seek an injunction if: (1) it believes that there is a substantial likelihood that a violation of Federal election laws is occurring or about to occur; (2) the failure to act expeditiously will result in irreparable harm; (3) such expeditious action will not cause undue harm or prejudice to the interests of others; and (4) the public interest would be best served by such an injunction. Reduces the period provided for the FEC to attempt informally to prevent or correct a violation of such Act from 90 to 60 days. Requires the FEC to make such an attempt for a period of no more than 15 days, if the violation occurs within 45 days of an election. Provides greater penalties for knowing and willful violations committed within 15 days of any election. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the requirement that the FEC, upon an affirmative vote of four of its members, institute a civil action if it is unable to correct or prevent a violation of such Act. Requires a court in such civil action to grant a specified remedy upon a showing that the person involved has committed or is about to commit a violation of such Act. Provides a private right of action if, by a tie vote, the FEC does not vote to institute a civil action. Requires a court to impose a specified civil penalty for a knowing and willful violation of such Act. Expedites from 120 days to 60 days the time which an aggrieved party must wait before seeking judicial redress because the FEC dismissed, or failed to reasonably pursue, a complaint filed by such party. Allows the aggrieved party to file an action in any U.S. district court having jurisdiction. Requires that any monetary award under such action be paid to the United States. Provides for a mandatory award of attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party. Increases the penalties for violation of the confidentiality requirement with respect to any notification or investigation made under such Act. Removes the ceiling on the fine for any person who willfully and knowingly commits a violation of such Act which involves any contribution or expenditure aggregating $2,000 or more during a calendar year. Directs the FEC to establish time limitations for its investigation and to publish an index of all of its investigations. Establishes procedures for initial determinations and probable cause determinations by the FEC. Eliminates the en banc hearing requirement for constitutional questions regarding such Act. Subtitle B: Other Provisions - Requires each treasurer of a political committee to file reports disclosing for the reporting period the terms of any settlement agreement or any security or collateral agreement entered into with respect to a loan or other debt as evidenced by a copy of such agreement filed as part of the report. Includes any gift subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money made for the purpose of drafting a clearly identified individual as a candidate for Federal office or encouraging a clearly identified individual to become a candidate for Federal office within the definition of "contribution." Requires such a contribution to be treated, with respect to the individual involved, as a contribution to a candidate, whether or not the individual becomes a candidate for purposes of limitations on contributions and expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1990
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit individuals who do not itemize deductions a direct deduction from gross income of charitable deductions in excess of $100.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1990
Provides that actuarial assumptions used in determining funding limits for pension plans shall be treated as reasonable if they are within the guidelines set forth in the Actuarial Guidelines Handbook (an Internal Revenue Service manual).
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1990
Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) promote maximum conservation and protection of the world's whales; (2) work to continue the International Whaling Commission moratorium on the commercial killing of whales and maintain zero catch limits for all whale stocks for at least another decade; (3) work to strengthen the Commission and encourage it to carry out long-term, nonlethal research for all whale stocks on a global basis; and (4) in promoting protection, make use of diplomatic channels, domestic and international law, and all other means.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1990
Precursor Chemical Regulation Act of 1990 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to revise and expand the list of precursor chemicals, including transferring to such list hydriodic acid from the list of essential chemicals. Revises the definition of "regulated transaction" to include transfers of any amount of an essential listed precursor chemical, with exceptions. Requires each regulated person to report to the Attorney General on any regulated transaction involving any quantity of a listed essential chemical. Directs the Attorney General to cooperate with State authorities by providing information regarding regulated transaction in such chemicals that might be useful in the administration of State laws relating to precursor chemicals, controlled substances, and other illegal drugs. Makes it unlawful for any person to engage in a regulated transaction involving a listed precursor chemical or to manufacture, distribute, import, or export such a chemical without a license required under such Act. Requires the Attorney General to establish a program requiring licenses for regulated persons and regulated transactions involving listed precursor chemicals where such requirement will contribute to achievement of the purposes of such Act and to criminal drug law enforcement. Provides for fines and imprisonment of not more than four years for violations of the licensing requirement. Requires the Attorney General to provide for the audit and control of listed precursor chemical inventories of persons possessing a license under this Act. Prohibits a person possessing a listed chemical with the intent that it be used in the illegal manufacture of a controlled substance to manage the listed chemical or waste from such manufacture other than as required by regulations issued under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Provides for assessment of costs (of initial cleanup and disposal of the listed chemical and contaminated property and of restoring property damaged by exposure to a listed chemical) and imprisonment for violation of this requirement, in addition to a penalty imposed for the illegal manufacture, possession, or distribution of a listed chemical or waste of an illegal laboratory. Authorizes the Court to order that all or a portion of the earnings from work performed by a defendant in prison be withheld for payment of such costs. Amends the Federal bankruptcy code to provide that a discharge in bankruptcy does not discharge the debtor from any debt for such costs. Authorizes the Attorney General to direct that assets forfeited in connection with a prosecution under such Act be shared with State agencies that participated in the seizure or cleanup of a contaminated site.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1990
Swampbuster Improvement Act of 1990 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to exempt a producer on converted wetland from program ineligibility if: (1) production has minimal hydrological and biological wetland effect; or (2) such land has been traditionally cropped and the producer provides for mitigation on an acre-for-acre basis. Provides for graduated penalties for first-time violators who have made a good faith effort at compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
International Child Protection and Recovery Act of 1990 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the U.S. entry of an alien spouse or former spouse who withholds outside the United States a child having claim to U.S. citizenship from the U.S. citizen father or mother.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
National Technical Resource Service Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to create a Technology Research Service Pilot Program, to run for five years after enactment of this Act, to provide private businesses in selected States with improved access to Federal and federally-funded technology and expertise from States and other sources. Directs the Secretary, through the Director and using a competitive selection process, to select: (1) a non-Federal database contractor to create the Program's Federal database and network of experts and to manage them for the duration of the Program; and (2) up to five States for participation in the Program. Provides for fees to be charged to businesses using the Program in certain circumstances. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Small Business Act to allow any Small Business Development Center to apply for an additional grant to increase access by small businesses in its service area to on-line databases to facilitate technology transfer. Specifies ways in which a Center may seek to increase small business access. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1990
Congressional Recycling Act of 1990 - Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to purchase recycled paper and paper products for use to the greatest extent practicable in the operations of the House and the Senate. Directs the Public Printer to assure that the Government Printing Office uses recycled paper in providing services to the House.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1990
Tax Justice Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the award of costs and certain fees in administrative and court proceedings to the prevailing party.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1990
Mickey Leland Memorial Domestic Hunger Relief Act - Title I: Reducing Childhood Hunger - Subtitle A: Eliminating the Excess Shelter Deduction Cap - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to revise and increase the excess shelter expense deduction for FY 1991 and 1992. Subtitle B: Adequacy of Food Stamp Benefits - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust the basic benefit level upwards by specified increments at the beginning of each fiscal year from FY 1991 through 1995 until it reaches 105 percent of the cost of the thrifty food plan. Subtitle C: Protecting Households in Special Circumstances - Directs the Secretary to provide for emergency allotments to eligible households to replace food lost in a disaster. Excludes from the computation of household income any State allowance (provided at least annually) for obtaining school clothes for children in school or child care. Provides for allotment increases to cover State or local sales taxes for participants in demonstration projects. Authorizes a State, on or after April 1, 1992, and with the Secretary's approval, to implement an electronic food stamp benefit transfer system. Redefines "food" with regard to the homeless for purposes of such Act. Permits State agencies to develop standard estimates of the shelter and related expenses which homeless households may reasonably be expected to incur in order to certify such households based on reported expenses not exceeding such an estimate. Title II: Promoting Self-Sufficiency - Excludes the first $50 a month received as child support from consideration as income in determining the food stamp allotments of households also receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) benefits. Increases from $4,500 to $5,500 from January 1 through September 30, 1991, with annual cost-of-living adjustments to follow, the limit on the fair market value of vehicles that food stamp recipients may own. Directs the Secretary to conduct a sufficient number of demonstration projects to evaluate the effects of excluding from such vehicle calculation the value of: (1) any licensed vehicle used for certain income-producing, transportation, or shelter purposes; and (2) one licensed vehicle used for job-related or job-seeking purposes (including commuting), for pursuing education or training, or for securing food or food stamp benefits. Allows States to use their own agency-designed forms instead of forms approved by the Secretary. Allows four States to give priority in the provision of services to voluntary participants (including both exempt and nonexempt), so long as performance standards are maintained. Authorizes an employment and training program to contain programs designed to increase the self-sufficiency of recipients through self-employment. Excludes from the computation of household financial resources any nonliquid resources necessary to allow the household to carry out an approved plan for self-sufficiency. Increases the dependent care deduction for purposes of eligibility and benefit levels. Increases the limit for reimbursements to recipients for costs incurred in employment and training activities. Revises: (1) low-income student eligibility provisions; and (2) educational expense exclusions. Excludes from income computation housing assistance payments made to a third party on behalf of a household member residing in transitional housing for the homeless. Title III: Simplifying Program Administration - Requires parents and minor children who live together to apply for food stamps as a single household. Requires the Secretary to issue rules under which State agencies must develop standards for identifying (for exclusion as inaccessible resources) those kinds of resources the household is unlikely to sell for any significant return because its interest is so slight or the cost of selling would be so great. Provides that a food stamp office need not consider any resources that the AFDC or supplemental security income benefit programs have already determined to be exempt. Directs State agencies to require only one adult representative of a household to sign all declarations required in the application process on behalf of the household. Makes recipients of State or local general assistance programs categorically eligible for food stamps. Changes from mandatory to discretionary aggregate allotments for households applying for benefits after the 15th day of the month. Title IV: Hunger in Rural America - Requires State agencies to designate rural project areas where low-income persons face substantial difficulties in getting transportation. Requires issuance of coupons by mail in such areas, except where households experience mail losses exceeding certain levels. Title V: Promoting Access for the Elderly and Disabled - Declares that State agencies, with respect to the excess medical deduction for the elderly and the disabled, shall not require further verification of a change in medical expenses if the change has been anticipated for the verification period. Requires annual adjustments to the value of the minimum food stamp benefit. Permits State agencies to establish a procedure allowing households whose regular food stamp benefits do not exceed $20 per month to receive up to $60 worth for intervals of up to three months. Requires that any applicant for or recipient of supplemental security income benefits be informed of the availability of food stamp benefits. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make grants in FY 1991 through 1993 for demonstration projects to improve food stamp participation among homeless persons and families, low-income working families with children, and elderly and disabled persons; and (2) conduct pilot projects in FY 1994 and 1995 to test new food stamp procedures aimed at increasing rural participation. Title VI: Program Administration by State Agencies - Prohibits the application of disallowances for erroneous issuances or similar actions to any State for a fiscal year before FY 1991. Title VII: Program Integrity - Prohibits a wholesale-retail food concern from redeeming food stamps as a retail store unless: (1) it does a substantial level of retail food business; or (2) the Secretary determines that failure to so authorize the store would cause hardship to food stamp households. Requires applicant wholesale or retail food stores or concerns to provide the social security numbers of their owners, officers, and on-site managers. Increases fines for food stamp trafficking. Disqualifies a food store or concern permanently for selling guns, explosives, or controlled substances for food stamps, except that a fine may be imposed in lieu of disqualification under specified circumstances. Authorizes fines for: (1) food stores or concerns that accept loose coupons; and (2) unauthorized third-party food stamp acceptance. Reduces the election period during which a household required to repay a food stamp overissuance must decide whether to make such repayment through cash refund or allotment reduction. Title VIII: Reauthorization of Programs - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to make food stamp program authorization of appropriations permanent. Repeals allotment reduction and limitation on value provisions. Authorizes fund allocations through FY 1995 for food stamp job training. Extends through FY 1995 food stamp pilot program authority. Reauthorizes through FY 1995: (1) the nutrition assistance program for Puerto Rico; (2) the temporary emergency food assistance program under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983; (3) the soup kitchen and food bank programs under the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988; (4) the commodity distribution and supplemental food programs under the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973; (5) the distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition projects under the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981; and (6) the nutrition education program under the Food Security Act of 1985. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Amends the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 to: (1) make the food bank demonstration project permanent; and (2) authorize State option contracts (with reimbursement by a State distribution agency) for commodity distribution programs. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on the feasibility of providing food stamp allotments to elderly and disabled residents of board and care homes. Increases the amount and variety of food available under the Indian reservation food distribution program. Authorizes nutrition education grants. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 with regard to the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to: (1) establish a specified FY 1991 authorization of appropriations; and (2) make WIC authorizations permanent. Title X: Indian Nutrition Gardening Program - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an Indian (including Native Alaskan) gardening grant program to establish gardening operations on Indian reservations. Directs the Extension Service to provide training and technical assistance. Authorizes FY 1991 through 1994 appropriations. Title XI: Effective Dates - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1990
Antiterrorism Act of 1990 - Amends the Federal criminal code to define the term "international terrorism" to include activities that: (1) involve violent acts that are a violation of Federal or State laws, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State; (2) appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping; and (3) occur primarily outside U.S. territorial jurisdiction or transcend national boundaries. Authorizes any U.S. national injured in his person, property, or business by reason of an act of international terrorism to bring a civil action in U.S. district court and recover treble damages and the cost of the suit, including attorney's fees. Specifies that a final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the United States in certain classes of criminal proceedings (such as those involving the murder of a foreign official, kidnapping, hostage taking, killing of a U.S. national, or an aircraft piracy-related offense) or in favor of any foreign state in a criminal proceeding to the extent that such judgment or decree may be accorded full faith and credit under U.S. law shall stop the defendant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal offense in a subsequent civil proceeding under this Act. Sets forth provisions with respect to jurisdiction and venue for and limitation of, such civil actions. Amends the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to make an exception to the jurisdictional immunity of a foreign State in any case in which damages are sought for injuries sustained from terrorist acts or any other violation of international law which was perpetrated or aided by such State or any official or employee acting within the scope of his office or employment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1990
Tire Recycling Incentives Act of 1990 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require tire producers or importers to recycle an amount of scrap tires equal to at least the amount determined by multiplying the amount of tires produced or imported that year by the recycling percentage established by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Authorizes compliance by: (1) recycling scrap tires through reintroducing the reclaimed rubber into a manufacturing process to produce new tires or retread old tire casings; or (2) purchasing recycling credits under this Act. Requires such individuals to report annually to the Administrator on the amount of tires produced or imported. Directs the Administrator to establish a recycling percentage that is five percentage points higher than the existing recycling rate for tires. Provides for increases in such percentage of five points annually in the ten years following the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations allowing recyclers to create credits for tire recycling and tire producers or importers to purchase such credits. Sets forth: (1) specified recordkeeping requirements for owners or operators of tire sale and installation facilities and tire producers and importers; and (2) the amount of credits allowed for scrap tires. Directs the Attorney General to determine the effects of the credit system on competition within the tire and scrap tire recycling industries and to report annually to the Congress. Sets the recycling percentage at 60 percent if the Administrator fails to promulgate regulations. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish in the Federal Register minimum requirements for State scrap tire management and procedures under which such requirements shall be incorporated into state solid waste management plans; (2) provide for expedited review of State plans which include specified scrap tire recycling measures; and (3) establish standards to minimize health and environmental damages from the improper disposal and storage of tires. Requires such standards to provide for: (1) bans on the disposal of tires in land disposal facilities; (2) State inventories of scrap tire collection facilities, tire advisory boards, and scrap tire abatement plans; (3) agreements between facilities which distribute more than 1,000 tires annually and licensed tire haulers for the exclusive hauling of scrap tires by licensed haulers; and (4) prohibitions on the transportation of scrap tires by transporters without transportation identification numbers, with specified exceptions. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines for States for the issuance of permits to scrap tire storage, processing, transfer, and recycling facilities. Provides for: (1) limits on the size of scrap tire piles at such facilities; (2) bans on open burning within 50 feet of a scrap tire pile; (3) regulations on vegetation, rodent, and mosquito control at such facilities; and (4) different requirements for collection and storage facilities located in 100-year flood plains or other areas where water resources are critical. Requires the Administrator to promulgate guidelines for States for facility emergency plans. Directs facility owners or operators to maintain and update emergency preparedness manuals. Requires facility operators to notify the State immediately in the event of an emergency with potential offsite impacts. Sets forth specified emergency and operational recordkeeping, reporting, and inspection requirements. Requires all regulated facilities to have appropriate financial responsibility or insurance to maintain the facility for at least five years after closure. Exempts specified persons from permitting requirements. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, together with the heads of agencies responsible for public lands or military installations, to implement a plan to remediate tire piles. Applies plan requirements to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Directs the Administrator to develop a guideline for procuring goods that make use of scrap or used tires. Permits States to: (1) enter into consent orders with owners and operators of scrap tire collection facilities for proper management and abatement of scrap tires; and (2) levy fines on facilities for noncompliance. Imposes fines on tire facilities and landfills for specified violations of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Boschwitz, Rudy [R-MN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000647_200.jpg)