United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1989
Prohibits the United States from making any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations or any of its affiliated organizations if such entity grants full membership as a state to any organization or group that does not have the internationally recognized attributes of statehood.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1989
Consumer Protection Against Price-Fixing Act of 1989 - Amends the Sherman Act to set forth evidentiary standards for price-fixing actions. Requires the court to allow the issue of concerted action to fix prices to be decided by the trier of fact if there is sufficient evidence from which a trier of fact could reasonably conclude that: (1) the supplier of a good or service received from a competitor of a reseller an express or implied suggestion, request, or demand that the supplier take steps to curtail or eliminate price competition; and (2) sales or supplies to the reseller were terminated by the supplier because of such communication. Prohibits the court from allowing the trier of fact to consider whether an individual and a competitor engaged in concerted action to set prices in violation of this Act if the court determines that the trier of fact could only find concerted action by making implausible inferences. Provides that the fact that a supplier and a reseller entered into an agreement to establish the resale price of a good or service shall be sufficient to constitute a price fixing violation, except when the agreement is to establish the maximum resale price of a good or service. Specifies that an agreement between the seller and the purchaser of a good or service to terminate another purchaser as a dealer or to refuse to supply such other purchaser because of that purchaser's pricing policies violates this Act, regardless of whether or not a specific price or price level is agreed upon.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1989
Declares that it is a shared responsibility of both the public and private sectors at the Federal, State, and local levels to take the necessary steps to remove existing barriers to access to quality health care for every child and pregnant woman.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1989
United States Coinage Reform Act of 1989 - Requires that one dollar coins be gold colored, be at least 90 percent copper, and be fabricated in the United States from natural deposits located in the United States. Redesigns the obverse side of the dollar coin to symbolize the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to place such coins into circulation within 18 months. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the advisability of phasing out production of the one-cent and 50-cent coins and of rounding cash sales to the nearest five cents.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) ASEAN first asylum countries (defined to include any country which is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and which is the first to receive an individual seeking asylum) should reinstate the practice of providing refuge for all Vietnamese asylum-seekers, while carrying out the screening of such individuals; (2) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees should be given early access to provide humane care to such asylum-seekers; (3) no repatriation of Vietnamese asylum-seekers should occur until an internationally approved mechanism is in place to guarantee that such individuals will not be subjected to persecution; (4) forced repatriation of refugees to Vietnam should not be considered a viable option; and (5) the United States should remain committed to, and urge its Western allies to implement or continue, a generous and humane Southeast Asian refugee resettlement policy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1989
PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 - Reiterates the U.S. policy that any dialogue with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) shall be contingent upon the PLO's recognition of Israel's right to exist, its acceptance of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, and its abstention from, and renunciation of, all acts of terrorism. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should seek the implementation of concrete steps by the PLO consistent with its commitments to move towards peace and recognition of Israel and away from terrorism and other violence, to include: (1) disbanding units which have been involved in terrorism; (2) publicly condemning all acts of terrorism for which they are not responsible and abstaining from committing such acts; (3) ceasing the intimidation of Palestinians seeking peace with Israel; (4) calling on the Arab states to recognize and end the economic boycott of Israel; and (5) amending the PLO's Covenant to remove provisions which undermine Israel's legitimacy and call for Israel's destruction. Requires the President, as long as the dialogue between the United States and the PLO continues, to report every 120 days to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the PLO's progress in achieving such goals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1989
Declares that the purpose of this Act is to implement the Bipartisan Accord on Central America of March 24, 1989. Authorizes the President to transfer to the Agency for International Development (AID) unobligated funds from specified defense appropriations accounts for: (1) humanitarian assistance (including transportation expenses) to the Nicaraguan Resistance to be available through February 28, 1990; and (2) operating expenses of AID. Limits the total amount of funds that may be transferred for such purposes. Requires the transportation of such assistance to be arranged solely by AID in a manner consistent with the Bipartisan Accord. Prohibits the transportation of any assistance not specified by this Act. Authorizes the President to transfer to AID an additional amount from the specified accounts for medical assistance for the civilian victims of Nicaraguan civil strife. Requires such assistance to be transported and administered by the Nicaraguan Catholic Church. Encourages the President to submit proposals for actions to: (1) provide additional economic assistance to the democratic countries of Central America; (2) facilitate the ability of Central American economies to grow through the development of infrastructure, expansion of exports, and increased investment opportunities; (3) provide a plan to assist Central American countries in managing debt; and (4) develop such initiatives in concert with Western Europe, Japan, and other democratic allies. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds available under this Act to assist the Nicaraguan Resistance in military or paramilitary operations. Prohibits providing assistance under this Act to any group including an individual who has been found to engage in: (1) gross violations of internationally recognized human rights; or (2) drug smuggling or significant misuse of funds. Grants congressional oversight for assistance under this Act to specified congressional committees. Applies provisions of a specified Act concerning management and delivery of assistance to the Nicaraguan Resistance to assistance under this Act. Prohibits additional assistance to the Nicaraguan Resistance unless authorized specifically by a subsequent Act. Repeals title IX (Assistance for the Nicaraguan Resistance) of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1989. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the Congress on progress in the peace and democratization process, including the use of assistance under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1989
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) determine the extent to which the assets of any Federal pension or annuity fund are invested in any U.S. corporation or its subsidiary which engages in business in Northern Ireland; (2) monitor the extent to which such corporations or subsidiaries adhere to the principles of nondiscrimination in employment practices and freedom of opportunity in the workplace established by Sean MacBride to assure employment opportunities for religious minorities; and (3) report his findings to the Congress annually. Requires the Executive Director of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to initiate and support shareholder petitions or initiatives requiring adherence by such corporations and subsidiaries which are not in full compliance with such principles. Requires each signatory to the MacBride principles to report annually to an independent monitoring agency on its progress in implementing such principles.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1989
Resolves that, in the event further talks are held with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO): (1) the top priority of the United States should be the prevention of terrorist and other violent activity by the PLO or its factions; and (2) the United States should obtain from the PLO a full accounting of specified violent activity which occurred after Yasser Arafat's commitment of December 14, 1988. Urges the Secretary of State to report to the Senate on such accounting.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs income tax credit through 1992. (Under current law the credit will expire after December 31, 1989.) Amends the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations through FY 1992 in connection with the targeted jobs credit. Raises from 23 years to 25 years the age limitation with respect to economically disadvantaged youth targeted for credit purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1989
Educational Excellence Act of 1989 - Title I: Improving Elementary and Secondary Education - Part A: Presidential Merit Schools - Presidential Merit Schools Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish the Presidential Merit Schools Program to recognize and reward public and private elementary and secondary schools that have made substantial progress in: (1) raising student educational achievement, especially in reading, writing, and mathematics; (2) creating a safe and alcohol- and drug-free school environment; and (3) reducing the dropout rate. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Authorizes State educational agencies (SEAs) to designate as a Merit School any public or private elementary or secondary school nominated through procedures established by the SEA. Sets forth requirements for selection criteria established by the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) and by SEAs. Provides that each Merit School will be awarded a Presidential Certificate of Merit, as well as funds to further its educational program. Prohibits Federal, State, or local reduction of other assistance to a school because it receives such an award. Part B: Magnet Schools of Excellence - Magnet Schools of Excellence Act of 1989 - Amends ESEA to establish the Magnet Schools of Excellence Program of grants to support public elementary or secondary schools that: (1) offer the highest quality instruction in an academic or vocational discipline or create a unique and effective learning environment; (2) are open to students from beyond the immediate school attendance area; and (3) are capable of attracting students from a variety of backgrounds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Sets forth criteria for selection of applications. Limits such grants to any one school to no more than two years and requires satisfactory progress in order to receive the grant for the second year. Prohibits Federal, State, or local reduction of assistance to a school because it receives such an award. Part C: Alternative Certification for Teachers and Principals - Alternative Certification of Teachers and Principals Assistance Act of 1989 - Amends ESEA to establish a program of assistance for Alternative Certification of Teachers and Principals. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990. Repeals this part as of October 1, 1990. Part D: Presidential Awards for Excellence in Education - Amends ESEA to establish the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Education Program to recognize and reward outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Makes any full-time public or private elementary or secondary school teacher of academic or vocational subjects eligible for such an award. Makes teachers of religion (other than religion as an academic discipline) ineligible. Allows various individuals, groups, or institutions to nominate teachers for such awards. Requires State panels to select award recipients using criteria approved by the Secretary. Sets the amount of such an award at $5,000, and allows the recipient to use it for any purpose. Part E: Effective Date - Sets the effective date of the amendments made by this title. Title II: National Science Scholars - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to establish the National Science Scholars Program to recognize student excellence and achievement in the physical, life, and computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Authorizes the Secretary to award scholarships to outstanding students selected as National Science Scholars by the President. Allows students who satisfy certain requirements to receive such scholarships for the first year of undergraduate study and, if they satisfy additional requirements, additional scholarships to cover the remaining undergraduate years. Directs the Secretary to appoint a panel of experts to recommend academic achievement criteria for use in the nomination of scholars. Sets forth requirements for initial and continuation awards. Sets the scholarship amount at $10,000 for an academic year, but reduces such amount based on cost of attendance and other grant or scholarship assistance, and adjusts for insufficient appropriations. Requires that scholarship recipients, to the extent they are otherwise qualified, be given priority consideration for federally financed summer employment in research and development centers. Title III: Other Programs - Amends the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 to establish a Drug-Free Schools Urban Emergency Grants program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Directs the Secretary to use program funds to award a small number of one-time grants to local educational agencies in urban areas with the most severe drug problems to assist them in developing and implementing comprehensive approaches to eliminating such problems. Amends HEA to authorize appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993 for special awards to historically Black colleges and universities. Makes institutions that receive such awards ineligible for other specified awards, and makes institutions that do not receive them eligible for those other awards.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1989
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prescribe minimum penalties that may be assessed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the discharge of oil or hazardous substances into U.S. waters. (Current law provides that such penalties shall not exceed such amounts.) Limits the penalties to specified amounts per barrel. Directs the EPA Administrator to report biennially to the Congress on the adequacy of the National Contingency Plan and any regulations concerning the discharge of oil.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1989
Requires the Commissioner of Customs to provide, as part of the Northern Border Enhancement Program, certain facilities and equipment at the port of entry at Trout River, New York.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for interest on any indebtedness incurred to pay the educational expenses, including reasonable living expenses, of the taxpayer, spouse, or dependent.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1989
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the President should appoint a special commission to investigate the events surrounding the destruction of Pan Am flight 103; and (2) the commission should submit to the President and to specified congressional committees a report concerning its findings and recommendations about the security of commercial air carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the number of refugees admitted into the United States and the related resettlement program appropriations should be increased; and (2) the Department of Justice should reestablish the presumption that Jews and other religious minorities emigrating from the Soviet Union qualify for refugee admission status.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Hydroelectric Fairness Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Power Act to prohibit the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from issuing a license for the operation of any existing hydroelectric project located on non-navigable waters and unimproved since August 26, 1935, to anyone but the project's owner.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Indian Federal Acknowledgment Administrative Procedures Act of 1989 - Establishes the Office of Federal Acknowledgment (Office) within the Department of the Interior. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to appoint experienced U.S. history and anthropology scholars to serve on Federal Acknowledgment Appeals Panels. Authorizes any Indian group which satisfies specific criteria set out in this Act to petition the Director of the Office for acknowledgment as an Indian tribe. Requires a petition to satisfy one of two sets of criteria, including requirements that: (1) the members of the petitioner have been identified from historical times to the present as Indians; (2) a substantial portion of the members form a community, as determined by social scientists; (3) the petitioner has maintained tribal political influence over its members as an autonomous entity from historical times to present; (4) at least 75 percent of the current members are descendants of members of the tribe on which the acknowledgment claim is based; and (5) the membership is composed principally of persons who are not enrolled members of any other tribe; or (6) at least 85 percent of the current members are descendants of members of the tribe on which the acknowledgment claim is based; (7) the membership is composed principally of persons who are not enrolled members of any other tribe; and (8) the petitioner was a party to a treaty, was identified in an Act of Congress, was the beneficiary of certain lands, was organized under, and voted on, a specified Act, or was the subject of a Federal statute. Provides that petitions which satisfy such criteria create a rebuttable presumption that a petitioner was previously acknowledged as an Indian tribe and shall be acknowledged under this Act. Authorizes the Director to waive the percentage requirements of the petition criteria under specified conditions. Sets forth review and appeal procedures. Provides for expedited review procedures for petitions submitted under the second set of criteria. Requires the Director to report to the Congress on the status of all pending petitions. Sets forth additional reporting requirements for annual reports to the Committees on Indian Affairs and Interior and Insular Affairs. Outlines an administrative procedure, to be established by the Director, for the reconciliation of disagreements of fact or law at the option of the petitioner. Sets forth an order of priority for the consideration of petitions. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans of the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to enable Indian groups seeking acknowledgment to: (1) conduct research to substantiate petitions under this Act; and (2) maintain tribal governmental functions while such petitions are under consideration. Provides for the transfer of all petitions to the Director. Permits petitioners to modify transferred petitions to satisfy this Act's requirements. Sets forth review procedures, during the two-year transitional period, for petitions under, or awaiting, active consideration. Allows Indian groups denied acknowledgment prior to this Act's enactment to apply directly to the Panel for reconsideration. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Designates the week of July 24 to July 30, 1989, as National Week of Recognition and Remembrance for Those Who Served in the Korean War. Authorizes and requests the President to urge that the American flag be flown at half staff on July 27, 1989, in honor of those Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Disapproves the President's certification for U.S. assistance to Mexico under provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 relating to countries that fail to take adequate measures to prevent narcotic drugs and other controlled substances from being sold illegally within the jurisdiction of such country to U.S. Government personnel or from entering the United States unlawfully.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Pollution Prevention Act of 1989 - Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an office to promote pollution prevention through source reduction. Requires the EPA Administrator to develop and implement a source reduction strategy which: (1) establishes standard methods for measuring source reduction; (2) coordinates and promotes source reduction activities and techniques in Federal agencies, businesses, and educational curricula; (3) coordinates and streamlines data collection requirements under existing environmental statutes and identifies data gaps with respect to the measurement of hazardous substances, pollution, or contamination generation and management practices; (4) makes recommendations to the Congress to eliminate barriers to source reduction including the use of incentives; (5) develops and disseminates model source reduction auditing procedures designed to highlight source reduction opportunities; and (6) promotes source reduction for nonhazardous wastes. Directs the Administrator to make matching grants to States for programs to promote source reduction by businesses. Sets forth criteria to be evaluated in the awarding of such grants. Limits the percentage of funds for such programs that may be Federal funds to 75 percent in FY 1990 and 1991, 62.5 percent in FY 1992 and 1993, and 50 percent in FY 1994. Requires the Administrator to establish a Source Reduction Clearinghouse to compile a computer data base which contains information on management, technical, and operational approaches to source reduction. Directs the Administrator to make such information available to the public. Directs owners or operators of facilities required to file annual toxic chemical release forms under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) to include with each such filing a toxic chemical source reduction and pollution control report. Sets forth items to be included in such reports, including: (1) the quantity of each chemical entering any waste stream prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal during the reporting year, and the two years thereafter, and the percentage change from the previous year; (2) the source reduction practices used with respect to such chemicals; (3) a ratio of production in the reporting year to production in the previous year; (4) the total volume of each such chemical that was recycled, treated, or disposed during the reporting year; and (5) the amount of any hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants released which resulted from remedial action and not from current production processes. Directs the Administrator to collect certain waste stream information from a sample of facilities drawn from classifications producing the highest volume of toxic chemicals entering the waste stream. Makes provisions of SARA applicable to the reporting requirements of this Act. Directs the Administrator to make data collected under this Act publicly available in the same manner as data collected under SARA. Establishes the National Pollution Prevention Award. Directs the President or the Administrator to make the award to companies or organizations which have benefited the economic or social well-being of the United States through reduction in the generation of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, or nonhazardous solid waste. Authorizes organizations which receive such award and agree to help other American organizations improve source reduction to publicize such award. Makes such organizations ineligible to receive another award in the same category for a period of five years. Authorizes the Administrator to establish categories to make such awards and sets forth application and qualification criteria. Authorizes the Administrator to seek and accept gifts from private and public sources to carry out such program. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress by September 30, 1991, and biennially thereafter on actions and results of the source reduction strategy. Authorizes and allocates appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
National Affordable Housing Act - Title I: General Provisions and Policies - Sets forth a national housing goal and the objectives of a national housing policy. Requires State and local entities receiving direct assistance to submit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development a comprehensive housing affordability strategy. Title II: Homeownership - Amends the National Housing Act to base Federal Housing Administration (FHA) first-time homebuyer loan ceilings on regional median home prices. Authorizes the insurance of industry accepted mortgages under specified conditions. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding mortgage insurance categories. Title III: Investment in Affordable Housing - HOME Corporation Act - Establishes the Government National HOME Corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations for activities under this title. Subtitle A: Housing Opportunity Partnerships (HOP) - Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the HOME Corporation, to make funds available for investment in order to expand the affordable housing supply. Directs the HOME Corporation to develop model programs designed to carry out the purposes of this title. Requires participating jurisdictions to target housing for very low- and low-income families. Sets forth affordable housing qualification provisions. Allocates resources by a housing need-based formula and by incentives. Directs the HOME Corporation to establish a housing investment trust fund for each participating jurisdiction. Requires participant matching funds. Sets aside funds for nonprofit community organization housing. Provides penalties for misuse of funds. Subtitle B: Mortgage Credit Enhancement - Authorizes the HOME Corporation to guarantee affordable housing mortgage loan pools. Subtitle C: Other Support for State and Local Housing Strategies - Directs the HOME Corporation to develop the capacity of State and local agencies and profit and nonprofit entities to identify and meet the needs for increased affordable housing, including related housing research. Subtitle D: General Authority of the HOME Corporation - Sets forth operating and authority provisions for the HOME Corporation. Subtitle E: Sets forth administrative provisions for the HOME Corporation. Title IV: Affordable Rental Housing - Subtitle A: Preservation of Affordable Rental Housing - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in HUD an Office of Affordable Housing Preservation. Subtitle B: Low-Income Rental Assistance - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise the section 8 rental assistance program. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for such assistance. Title V: Housing For Persons With Special Needs - Subtitle A: Assistant Secretary for Supportive Housing - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in HUD a position of Assistant Secretary for Supportive Housing to administer programs serving elderly, handicapped, or homeless persons, or others with special housing needs. Subtitle B: Supportive Housing for the Elderly - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize assistance to expand the supply of supportive housing for the elderly. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Authorizes assistance to adopt federally assisted housing for the elderly to better meet the needs of frail elderly, handicapped, or temporarily disabled residents. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Subtitle C: Supportive Housing for the Handicapped - Authorizes assistance to expand the supply of supportive housing for the handicapped. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Subtitle D: Supportive Housing for the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to authorize grants to States and local government units for homeless housing assistance. Sets forth grant allocation provisions. Permits States and local units to use such assistance for approved activities. Requires grantees to provide matching funds. Authorizes FY 1991 and 1992 appropriations. Requires an annual report to the Congress. Sets forth the following approved activities: (1) emergency shelter; (2) transitional housing for the homeless; (3) permanent housing for the handicapped homeless; and (4) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for the section 8 single room occupancy program. Title VI: Public and Indian Housing - Subtitle A: Public Housing Development - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the development of new and replacement public housing. Subtitle B: Authorization - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize FY 1990 and 1991 public housing appropriations. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for rental rehabilitation and development grants. Obligates FY 1990 and 1991 funds for: (1) Indian housing; and (2) the comprehensive improvement assistance program. Subtitle C: Project Independence - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide public housing residents with greater access to employment, day care, educational, and other services. Obligates FY 1990 and 1991 funds for such purposes. Subtitle D: National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing - Establishes the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing to identify severely distressed public housing projects, evaluate strategies to eliminate unfit housing conditions, and develop a national plan to achieve such objectives. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Title VII: Rural Housing - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to reauthorize through FY 1991: (1) rural housing insured or guaranteed loans; (2) rental assistance payment contract authority; (3) rental housing loan authority; and (4) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Authorizes deferred mortgage repayments under specified conditions. Sets aside FY 1990 and 1991 funds for targeted underserved areas. Title VIII: Repeals and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth specified conforming and other related amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Amends the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act of 1976 and other Federal civil rights law to provide that a judicial official (includes both State and Federal judges) shall not be liable for any costs, including attorney fees, or injunctive relief in any proceeding brought against the official for an act or omission committed in his or her judicial capacity. Creates an exception if the action was clearly in excess of the official's jurisdiction or, in the case of injunctive relief, if a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Marine Research Act of 1989 - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to authorize the establishment of regional marine research programs (Programs) to coordinate, plan, and support research, monitoring, and assessment activities concerned with the environmental quality of marine and coastal waters. Authorizes the Governors of a majority of States in a marine research region to develop and submit for approval to the Regional Marine Research Oversight Board (Board) a combined, interstate proposal for a Program which identifies the research organizations which will participate in the Program and the goals of such Program. Requires proposals for a Program to be developed by a Regional Marine Research Organizing Committee consisting of the Director of the Sea Grant Program in each State in the region. Identifies the marine research regions as the Gulf of Maine region, Greater New York Bight region, Mid-Atlantic region, South Atlantic Bight region, Tropical region, Gulf of Mexico region, California region, North Pacific region, Gulf of Alaska, Bering and Arctic Seas region, and Insular Pacific region. Requires each Program to develop and submit for the Board's approval a three-year marine research and assessment plan which: (1) identifies research needs and priorities in the region over the next ten years, with emphasis on the upcoming three-to-five year period; (2) lists and describes research and assessment projects in the region which are expected to receive public or private funding; (3) describes the research and assessment projects to be given priority for funding under this Act; (4) reviews and discusses the coordination of projects addressing issues common to neighboring regions; and (5) lists the equipment and supplies used commonly for research projects in the region. Requires that the plan be updated and resubmitted to the Board at least once every three years. Authorizes each Program which has an approved research plan to submit an application to the Board for annual administrative, research, and equipment grants. Sets forth reporting requirements. Requires each Program to support baseline monitoring of fundamental marine environmental conditions and prepare periodic assessments of marine environmental quality and resources in their region. Requires that such assessments be made available to the public as well as to local, State, and Federal agencies, the Board, and State Governors. Authorizes the establishment of the Regional Marine Research Oversight Board at the Federal level to manage and coordinate the efforts of the Programs and report periodically to the Congress on the activities and findings of such Programs. Authorizes and allocates appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer a refundable income tax credit of 14 percent of up to $7,143 of earned income (maximum credit of $1,000 per child) for each dependent under age four. Decreases the credit amount for taxpayers with adjusted gross income over $8,000. Indexes amounts related to the credit. Makes this credit and the employment-related dependent care credit mutually exclusive. Authorizes employers to make advance payments of credit amounts in accordance with regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
National Affordable Housing Act - Title I: General Provisions and Policies - Sets forth a national housing goal and the objectives of a national housing policy. Requires State and local entities receiving direct assistance to submit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development a comprehensive housing affordability strategy. Title II: Homeownership - Subtitle A: FHA Amendments - Amends the National Housing Act to base Federal Housing Administration (FHA) first-time homebuyer loan ceilings on regional median home prices. Authorizes the insurance of industry accepted mortgages under specified conditions. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding mortgage insurance categories. Subtitle B: Savings for a Downpayment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) authorize certain retirement plans (401(k) plans) to make equity investments in a participant's principal residence; and (2) authorize individual retirement account funds to be used as loans to purchase a home by a first-time homebuyer. Title III: Investment in Affordable Housing - HOME Corporation Act - Establishes the Government National HOME Corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations for activities under this title. Subtitle A: Housing Opportunity Partnerships (HOP) - Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the HOME Corporation, to make funds available for investment in order to expand the affordable housing supply. Directs the HOME Corporation to develop model programs designed to carry out the purposes of this title. Requires participating jurisdictions to target housing for very low- and low-income families. Sets forth affordable housing qualification provisions. Allocates resources by a housing need-based formula and by incentives. Directs the HOME Corporation to establish a housing investment trust fund for each participating jurisdiction. Requires participant matching funds. Sets aside funds for nonprofit community organization housing. Provides penalties for misuse of funds. Subtitle B: Mortgage Credit Enhancement - Authorizes the HOME Corporation to guarantee affordable housing mortgage loan pools. Subtitle C: Other Support for State and Local Housing Strategies - Directs the HOME Corporation to develop the capacity of State and local agencies and profit and nonprofit entities to identify and meet the needs for increased affordable housing, including related housing research. Subtitle D: General Authority of the HOME Corporation - Sets forth operating and authority provisions for the HOME Corporation. Subtitle E: General Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions for the HOME Corporation. Title IV: Affordable Rental Housing - Subtitle A: Preservation of Affordable Rental Housing - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in HUD an Office of Affordable Housing Preservation. Subtitle B: Low-Income Rental Assistance - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise the section 8 rental assistance program. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for such assistance. Title V: Housing For Persons With Special Needs - Subtitle A: Assistant Secretary for Supportive Housing - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in HUD a position of Assistant Secretary for Supportive Housing to administer programs serving elderly, handicapped, or homeless persons, or others with special housing needs. Subtitle B: Supportive Housing for the Elderly - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize assistance to expand the supply of supportive housing for the elderly. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Authorizes assistance to adapt federally assisted housing for the elderly to better meet the needs of frail elderly, handicapped, or temporarily disabled residents. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Subtitle C: Supportive Housing for the Handicapped - Authorizes assistance to expand the supply of supportive housing for the handicapped. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Subtitle D: Supportive Housing for the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to authorize grants to States and local government units for homeless housing assistance. Sets forth grant allocation provisions. Permits States and local units to use such assistance for approved activities. Requires grantees to provide matching funds. Authorizes FY 1991 and 1992 appropriations. Requires an annual report to the Congress. Sets forth the following approved activities: (1) emergency shelter; (2) transitional housing for the homeless; (3) permanent housing for the handicapped homeless; and (4) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for the section 8 single room occupancy program. Title VI: Public and Indian Housing - Subtitle A: Public Housing Development - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the development of new and replacement public housing. Subtitle B: Authorization - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize FY 1990 and 1991 public housing appropriations. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for rental rehabilitation and development grants. Obligates FY 1990 and 1991 funds for: (1) Indian housing; and (2) the comprehensive improvement assistance program. Subtitle C: Project Independence - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide public housing residents with greater access to employment, day care, educational, and other services. Obligates FY 1990 and 1991 funds for such purposes. Subtitle D: National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing - Establishes the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing to identify severely distressed public housing projects, evaluate strategies to eliminate unfit housing conditions, and develop a national plan to achieve such objectives. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Title VII: Rural Housing - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to reauthorize through FY 1991: (1) rural housing insured or guaranteed loans; (2) rental assistance payment contract authority; (3) rental housing loan authority; and (4) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Authorizes deferred mortgage repayments under specified conditions. Sets aside FY 1990 and 1991 funds for targeted underserved areas. Title VIII: Amendment to the Internal Revenue Code - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the low-income housing credit ceiling. Title IX: Repeals and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth specified conforming and other related amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Requires the Secretary of Transportation, within 60 days after enactment of this Act, to: (1) establish a system for evaluating threats to the safety of international commercial airline travel; (2) establish a 24-hour toll-free consumer hotline to inform the public of such threats; and (3) issue regulations requiring any commercial air carrier to cancel any international flight with respect to which the Secretary determines a serious threat exists.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Directs the Secretary of Defense, in the negotiation, renegotiation, and implementation of memoranda of understanding and other agreements with foreign countries relating to research, development, or production of defense equipment, to solicit and consider comments and recommendations of the Secretary of Commerce with respect to the commercial implications of such agreements and the potential impact on the U.S. international competitive position. Prohibits the implementation of any such memoranda if the President determines that implementation would have a significant adverse impact on the U.S. position. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to request a review of any existing memoranda or agreement that may have such an adverse impact. Directs the Secretary, after such review, to recommend to the President any appropriate modifications to such memorandum or agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Commends the cable television industry on the tenth anniversary of the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN) for its contribution toward informing and educating U.S. citizens.