United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1991
Declares that the Congress: (1) is firmly committed to reversing Iraq's occupation of Kuwait; and (2) supports the continued application of international sanctions and diplomatic efforts to pressure Iraq to leave Kuwait, but does not rule out declaring war or authorizing the use of force at a later time. Authorizes the use of American military force to enforce the United Nations economic embargo against Iraq, defend Saudi Arabia from direct Iraqi attack, and protect American forces in the region. Pledges continued support for sustaining the policy of increasing economic and diplomatic pressure against Iraq, maintaining U.S. military options, and seeking to increase the military and financial contributions made by allied nations. Declares that: (1) the Constitution vests all power to declare war in the Congress; and (2) the Congress will expeditiously consider any presidential request for a declaration of war or for authority to use military force against Iraq. Sets forth congressional priority procedures for consideration of a joint resolution declaring war or authorizing military force against Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1990
Declares that the fast track procedure under the Trade Act of 1974 shall not apply to the Senate's consideration of an implementing bill for the Uruguay Round on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1990
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should declare November 2, 1990, a national day of prayer for: (1) members of American military forces and American citizens stationed or held hostage in the Middle East, and for their families; and (2) American and Iraqi authorities to bring about a just resolution of the Persian Gulf crisis.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1990
Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 to transfer responsibility for all planning, acquisition, development, and administrative jurisdiction over all Federal lands, water, interests, and improvements within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee from the Secretary of the Army to the Secretary of the Interior. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to complete all acquisition and development activities in progress on the date of transfer. Modifies certain restrictions on motorized transportation in the gorge area. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make improvements to the Charity Creek Lodge, its associated facilities, and historic structures determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1990
Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for the export, or the licensing for export, to South Korea of technology for the coproduction of F/A-18 aircraft until at least 30 days after the Congress has received a specified memorandum of understanding. Provides for an extension of the congressional review period until the President transmits such memorandum to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1990
Title I: Short Title - Airport Capacity Act of 1990 - Sets forth congressional findings with respect to: (1) airport noise policy; (2) passenger facility charges; and (3) airport slots. Title II: Authorization of Appropriations - Amends the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 to authorize appropriations for FY 1991 and 1992 for: (1) air navigation facilities; (2) specified research, engineering and development, and demonstration projects; and (3) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations. Increases the authorization of appropriations for FY 1992 for airport development and airport planning programs. Extends such programs through September 30, 1992. Title III: National Aviation Noise Policy - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop a National Aviation Noise Policy that establishes: (1) a date for the phasing out of stage two technology aircraft as a part of a national noise management scheme; and (2) a program for the mandatory review and approval of existing or proposed local airport noise or access restrictions by the FAA. Requires the Federal Government, in the event of a disapproval of a restriction, to assume liability for noise damages to the extent that a taking has occurred as a result of such disapproval. Prohibits any airport from receiving airport development funds under the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 or imposing a passenger facility charge, unless the Administrator of the FAA has approved a noise or access restriction at such airport. Prohibits the approval of a passenger facility charge if the airport has not conducted an airport noise compatibility program pursuant to the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979. Title IV: Passenger Facility Charges - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to establish by regulation a program for the imposition of approved passenger facility charges by airports to finance eligible projects. Sets forth requirements with respect to the use and imposition of such fees. Amends the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 to require, as a condition to approval of a passenger facility charge project, that there will be no unjust discrimination at such facility. Subjects such projects to: (1) the approval of construction work by the Secretary of Transportation; (2) minimum wage rates; and (3) veterans preference requirements. Title V: Purchase, Sale, Lease, and Other Transfer of Slots Definitions - Prohibits the transfer of airport slots, with specified exceptions. Directs the Administrator of the FAA to establish by rule a pool of air carrier slots for new entrant carriers at high density traffic airports. Declares that specified high density traffic airport rules shall cease to have effect 18 months after enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to the Congress on the extent to which shuttle service operating between LaGuardia National Airport and Boston and Washington National Airport is of significant public interest to the northeastern United States. Title VI: University Air Transportation Centers - Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to make grants to nonprofit educational institutions to establish one university air transportation center in each of the ten Federal regions of the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System. Sets forth the responsibilities of such centers, among them: (1) research in airspace and airport planning and design; (2) airport capacity enhancement techniques; (3) human performance in the air transportation environment; (4) aviation safety and security; and (5) the supply of trained air transportation personnel including pilots and mechanics. Requires the research advisory committee of the FAA to coordinate the research and training conducted by such centers. Requires the Administrator of the FAA to undertake or supervise research programs for developing and maintaining a safe air transportation system. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop a system of manned auxiliary flight service stations. Declares that the Congress finds that special emphasis should be placed on the conversion of former military air bases to civil use and on the identification and improvement of additional joint-use facilities. Requires a set-aside of not less than one half of one percent of airport development and airport planning funds for FY 1991 and 1992 to be distributed to sponsors of current or former military airports to develop them to improve the capacity of the national air transportation system. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to designate not more than five current or former military airports for participation in the set-aside program. Directs the Administrator of the FAA to: (1) issue an environmental impact statement on the effects of changes in aircraft flight patterns over the States of New York and New Jersey as a result of the expanded East Coast Plan; (2) investigate the effects on air safety over such States as a result of the Plan; (3) report to the Congress on the results of the environmental impact statement and of the investigation; and (4) implement any appropriate plan modifications. Declares that the Congress finds that airport and airway programs should be administered in a manner that prevents unjust and discriminatory practices as they may be applied between category and class of aircraft. Declares that the Congress finds that artificial restrictions on airport capacity should not unjustly discriminate between categories and classes of aircraft. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to require that carrier flight deck crew-members whose seniority rights have been affected by the purchase or acquisition of an air carrier by another air carrier be afforded the protections provided by the Civil Aeronautics Board in the Tiger International-Seaboard Acquisition Case to ensure that seniority lists are integrated in an equitable manner. Transfers specified aviation safety functions of the Secretary of Transportation to the Administrator of the FAA.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1990
Environmental Research Geographic Location Information Act - Directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to periodically identify at least 35 environmental research journals, conference proceedings, or other reference sources in which scientific research or engineering studies related to air, water, or soil quality or pollution or other environmental issues are published. Requires the review of at least 50 journals or proceedings. Directs the EPA to review such materials annually and to publish an index of the articles by geographic location. Requires the EPA to review the list of references at least biennially and to revise the list of sources, as appropriate. Provides that all reports resulting from EPA research projects shall indicate the specific location to which the research pertains. Requires all U.S. Government documents relating to the environment that are submitted to the National Technical Information Service to identify the location to which the document pertains. Directs the Service to submit to the Congress an annual bibliography of publications by geographic location. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1990
Disaster Assistance Act of 1990 - Title I: Annual Crops - Extends disaster crop loss assistance through the 1990 crop year for wheat, feed grains, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, tobacco, soybeans, and other nonprogram crops. Extends crop quality reduction disaster assistance through the 1990 crop year. Reduces disaster assistance payments in relation to Federal crop insurance payments. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to announce within a specified time the conditions for establishing a 1990 farm yield for forage-use crops. Limits to $100,000 assistance received under this Act or in combination with emergency livestock assistance under the Agriculture Act of 1949. Authorizes the substitution of crop insurance program yields for assigned farm yields for 1990 disaster assistance eligibility purposes. Title II: Orchards - Extends disaster assistance (up to $25,000 or an equivalent value in seedlings) to commercial orchardists who suffered 1990 weather-caused tree losses in excess of 45 percent. Title III: Forest Crops - Extends disaster assistance (up to $25,000 or an equivalent value in seedlings) to commercial tree farmers who suffered 1990 weather-caused losses in excess of 45 percent. Title IV: Additional Assistance - Prohibits the Secretary from reducing rental payments to an owner or operator who hays or grazes livestock during the 1989 crop year on land subject to a conservation reserve program contract to the extent that such owner or operator carries out and pays for specified additional conservation practices. Title V: Administrative Provisions - Requires assistance applications to be made by April 30, 1991, or such later date as the Secretary may prescribe. Title VI: Crop Insurance - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to exclude a 1990 crop's yield from the calculation of Federal crop insurance yields if such crop is eligible for assistance under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1990
Provides the following services or benefits for members of the armed forces serving under arduous conditions (as determined by the Secretary of Defense) pursuant to a temporary deployment for an operational emergency: (1) the deposit of pay and other allowances as part of a savings program for overseas personnel; (2) special pay relating to imminent danger; (3) exemption from payment for military meals sold at mess to personnel and their dependents; (4) mailing privileges; and (5) a basic allowance for subsistence. Authorizes the provision of a variable housing allowance for members of the reserves called to active duty for a period of less than 140 days under specific conditions other than during a war or national emergency. Removes the limitation on the payment allowed for unused accrued leave in the case of members, reserve members, or retired members called to active duty under specific conditions other than during a war or national emergency. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments received for active military service during any part of which such member: (1) served in a dangerous foreign area; or (2) was hospitalized as a result of wounds, a disease, or an injury incurred while serving in a dangerous foreign area. States that such exclusion shall not apply to compensation exceeding $2,000 received by a commissioned officer in any month.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1990
El Salvador Military Aid Reduction and Restrictions Act of 1990 - Limits the amount of military assistance for El Salvador for FY 1991. Prohibits the provision of such assistance if the President reports to the Congress that: (1) the Salvadoran Government has declined to participate in negotiations for a permanent settlement and cease-fire to the armed conflict; (2) the Salvadoran Government has failed to support an active role for the United Nations Secretary General in mediating such settlement; (3) the Salvadoran Government has failed to conduct an investigation into, and prosecution of those responsible for, the murders at the University of Central America; (4) the Salvadoran military and security forces are engaging in violent acts against civilians or are failing to control such activities by elements subject to their control; or (5) the Salvadoran Government's representatives are not negotiating in good faith in the United Nations-sponsored negotiations with the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN). Provides for the resumption of such assistance pursuant to a law enacted by the Congress. Withholds 50 percent of military assistance allocated for FY 1990 and 1991 and of unobligated assistance for prior fiscal years. Releases such assistance only if: (1) the FMLN have declined to participate in settlement negotiations or have refused to accept the Secretary General's role in such settlement; (2) the survival of the Salvadoran Government is being jeopardized by FMLN actions; (3) proof exists that the FMLN is continuing to acquire significant shipments of lethal military assistance from outside El Salvador; (4) the FMLN is engaging in violent acts against civilians or is failing to control such activities by elements subject to its control; or (5) the FMLN representatives are not negotiating in good faith in the United Nations-sponsored negotiations with the Salvadoran Government. Prohibits U.S. assistance to El Salvador if the elected head of the government is deposed by military coup or decree. Provides for the resumption of such assistance pursuant to a law enacted by the Congress. Establishes the Demobilization and Transition Fund to assist in monitoring a settlement of the conflict and in demobilizing combatants in such conflict and aiding their transition to peaceful pursuits. Makes amounts in the Fund available only if the President notifies the Congress that a permanent settlement of the conflict has been reached. Transfers withheld military assistance to the Fund on the date of such notification or on September 30, 1991, if no notification has occurred. Authorizes the delivery of U.S. military assistance to the Salvadoran armed forces only with the prior approval of the elected president of El Salvador. Directs the Secretary of State, through agreement with the National Endowment for Democracy or other qualified organizations, to establish a program to strengthen democratic political and legal institutions in El Salvador. Makes available economic support fund assistance for such program. Earmarks a specified amount for elections monitoring. Withholds a specified amount of military assistance for El Salvador until the President reports to the Committees on Appropriations that the Salvadoran Government has pursued all legal avenues to bring to trial those responsible for the murders of certain land reformers, peasants, priests, and unionists.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1990
Commends the President for his initial actions with respect to Iraq. Urges the President to seek the full and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait and to impose: (1) against Iraq unilateral sanctions applicable to countries which engage in a consistent pattern of human rights violations; and (2) a sustained freeze of Iraqi assets and a ban on U.S. exports to Iraq. Urges the President to achieve collective international sanctions against Iraq, to include: (1) a cessation of all arms shipments and military technology to Iraq; (2) a cessation of trade with Iraq and a worldwide freeze on Iraqi and Kuwaiti assets; (3) a suspension of all economic development activities within Iraq; (4) the imposition of a full economic blockade under the United Nations Charter; and (5) additional multilateral actions involving air, sea, or land forces as necessary to maintain or restore international peace or security.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1990
Commemorates the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Rail Passenger Service Act establishing the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1990
Employee Benefits Simplification Act - Title I: Nondiscrimination Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to employee benefit plans. Redefines the term "highly compensated employee" for pension, profit sharing, and stock bonus plans, etc., purposes. Makes such employee one who is a five-percent owner or who has compensation from the employer in excess of $50,000. Provides a special rule where no employees are treated as highly compensated. Redefines "compensation" to mean, in general, the amount of wages shown on the W-2 form for the calendar year. Allows self-employed individuals to use their earned income amount. Includes the following deferrals as those which an employer may elect to take into account when determining salary reduction contributions: (1) deferred compensation plans of State and local government and tax-exempt organizations; (2) contributions to an employee trust; and (3) trusts for benefit payments funded by employer contributions. Permits an employer to elect to use base pay for all purposes, other than indentifying highly compensated employees, in lieu of W-2 compensation. Provides that the cost of living adjustment with respect to any calendar year is based on the increase in the applicable index as of the close of the calendar quarter ending September 30 of the preceding calendar year. Requires the rounding of such amounts to the nearest $1,000, except that elective deferrals and elective contributions to simplified employee pensions are to be rounded to the nearest $100. Provides that the minimum participation rule applies only to defined benefit pension plans. Requires such plans to benefit not less than 25 employees, or the greater of 40 percent of all employees or two employees (or if there is only one employee, such employee). Sets forth alternative methods of meeting nondiscrimination requirements for cash or deferred arrangements, including specified contribution and notice requirements. Sets forth alternative methods of satisfying the nondiscrimination test for matching contributions. Revises the method for distributing excess contributions to highly compensated employees. Title II: Distributions - Allows distributions from qualified pension plans to be rolled over tax-free to an individual retirement account or another qualified plan or annuity. Eliminates five-year forward averaging for lump-sum distributions from qualified plans. Requires certain tax-free distributions to be made in the form of a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to an eligible individual retirement plan. Sets forth administrative requirements in making such distributions. Requires distributions to be made from qualified plans by April 1 of the calendar year following the later of: (1) the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70; or (2) the calendar year in which the employee retires. (Present law requires such distributions no later than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70 1/2.) Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Revises the definition of a leased employee to include one whose services are performed under the control of a service recipient, instead of one whose services are historically performed by employees. Replaces the 59 1/2- and 70 1/2-year age requirement with 59- and 70-year age requirements for specified pension plans. Eliminates the special aggregation rules that apply to plans maintained by owner-employees that do not apply to other qualified plans. Makes the 150 percent current liability limitation on the deduction allowed for employer contributions to qualified pension plans inapplicable to multi-employer plans. Repeals the present law annual valuation requirement for such plans and applies the prior law requirement that valuations be performed at least every three years. Sets forth affiliation requirements for employers jointly maintaining a voluntary employees' beneficiary association. Makes the following limitations inapplicable to plans maintained by State and local governments and certain tax-exempt organizations: (1) excess benefit limitations; (2) compensation limitation on benefits; (3) limitations on disability and survivor benefits; and (4) the limitation on benefits exceeding 100 percent of the participant's average compensation. Modifies provisions relating to simplified employee pensions. Increases the number of allowable participants for salary reduction arrangements from 25 to 100. Allows participation after one year of service (currently, three years of service is required). Repeals the requirement that at least 50 percent of eligible employees participate in a salary reduction arrangement. Eliminates certain requirements regarding contributions on behalf of disabled employees. Allows rural cooperative plans which include cash or deferred arrangements to make distributions to participants after attainment of age 59. Includes reports of pension and annuity payments in information returns and payee statements. Eliminates reports of designated distributions from the scope of the $25 per day penalty. Provides a $10 reporting threshold for designated distributions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1990
Department of Energy Science and Education Enhancement Act - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to authorize use of the facilities, equipment, personnel, and other resources of the Department of Energy (the Department) to the fullest extent possible to enhance educational opportunities in science, mathematics, and engineering for U.S. students and educators to improve U.S. scientific literacy and competitiveness. Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary), to the extent appropriate, to establish programs to be operated at or through the support of each Department facility that will use fully the unique scientific resources of the Department to promote: (1) transfers of federally owned or originated technology to State and local governments, private industry, and universities, or other nonprofit organizations, to enhance prospects for commercialization of such technology; (2) activities enhancing the quality of mathematics, science, and engineering education throughout the Nation; and (3) research, development, and other activities to enhance the health and quality of life, particularly in areas pertaining to environmental improvement and biomedical research. Requires such programs to supplement and to be coordinated with, but not to supplant, current activities of the Department. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to develop Department-originated technologies, directed at the stage of technology development beyond basic research, that have significant promise for commercial and public benefit to the Nation, to the point where private industry will undertake further scientific and commercial development. Authorizes the Secretary to require, as a condition for supporting specific projects, a private sector commitment to future, wholly non-Federal funding of commercial development of particular technologies. Requires all technology development programs of the Department to be coordinated. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to establish Laboratory Cooperative Science Centers at national laboratories operating under the Department's authority. Requires the Centers to coordinate both laboratory-based and offsite programs to advance the purposes of this Act. Sets forth required activities of the Center. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to coordinate and sponsor university-based programs directed at encouraging more students, particularly women and minority students, to pursue energy-related scientific and technical careers. Requires such programs to include a pre-freshman engineering program in which middle-school students attend summer workshops on mathematics, science, and engineering conducted by universities on their campuses. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1990
Airline Competition Equity Act of 1990 - Prohibits the purchase, sale, lease, or transfer of slots at airports on or after July 12, 1990, except that one slot may be exchanged for another if there is no other consideration associated with the exchange. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish by rulemaking a pool of slots for new entrant air carriers at high density traffic airports. Terminates such rule (as well as the existing "buy-sell rule") 18 months after enactment of this Act. Requires the Administrator to provide a specified certification to the Congress if after such rule ceases to be effective the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator decides to issue a new rule for the allocation of such slots.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1990
Support for Democracy and Human Rights in China Act of 1990 - Prohibits most-favored-nation treatment for Chinese products. Terminates such prohibition upon the President's certification to the Congress that China: (1) has ceased committing violations of internationally recognized human rights; (2) has ceased persecution of pro-democracy movement members; (3) permits unrestricted emigration; and (4) has ceased religious persecution in China and Tibet.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1990
Communications Competitiveness and Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1990 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a telephone company from providing video programming in its telephone exchange service area unless such video programming is provided through a subsidiary that is separate from such carrier and that: (1) maintains separate books and accounts; (2) carries out directly its own marketing and sales; and (3) does not own real or personal property in common with the parent telephone company. Requires any contract between a telephone company and its video programming subsidiary to be regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and be without cost to ratepayers of the telephone company involved. Allows such requirement to be waived by the FCC in the public interest. Prohibits a carrier which provides telephone exchange service from subsidizing directly or indirectly its separate video program subsidiary, subject to divestiture by the FCC. Prohibits a video program packager from providing affiliated video programming services in excess of one-fourth of the total number of video program services simultaneously available for customer selection. Requires the FCC to evaluate and, if necessary, modify such prohibition. Requires any carrier which provides telephone exchange service and video program service of a subsidiary over an integrated broadband distribution system in its telephone service exchange area to establish a video gateway (a service which enables a subscriber to select from multiple video programming services simultaneously available). Requires the FCC to establish terms and conditions for access to such gateway. Prohibits a carrier which provides telephone exchange service, or an entity owned by or controlled by such carrier, from purchasing or obtaining control over any cable system which is located within its exchange area and owned by an unaffiliated person, except for a noncontrolling interest purchase through a joint venture or other means. Authorizes the FCC to waive such prohibition upon a showing by the carrier that the cable facilities will be upgraded and the services will be expanded, the acquisition is in the public interest, and the local franchising authority approves. Requires a carrier attempting to provide both telephone exchange service and video program service to provide to unaffiliated cable operators attachment rights to poles, ducts, conduits, and other rights-of-way within the carrier's telephone exchange service area. Prohibits the employee of a telephone exchange service provider from marketing or selling video program services to such carrier's telephone exchange service customers. Requires the FCC to convene a Federal-State Board to establish practices, classifications, and regulations to ensure proper jurisdictional separation and allocation of the costs of providing broadband services, including video transport services. Prohibits a video programming subsidiary of a telephone exchange service carrier from charging a local broadcast station for making its signal available to subscribers. Prohibits a Federal agency or State from regulating the rates for basic cable service charged by a carrier providing both telephone exchange and video program service in a rural area unless the rates are increased by more than five percent per year or more than ten percent of such customers have filed a formal complaint. Prohibits any cable operator which is owned or controlled by a carrier that provides telephone exchange service and seeks to provide cable service over a cable system from providing cable service without a franchise. Sets forth franchising awarding and second refusal procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1990
Amends the United States Institute of Peace Act (the Act) to authorize the U.S. Institute of Peace, through its Board of Directors, to award an annual Spark M. Matsunaga Medal of Peace and a cash award to a person or persons who have contributed in extraordinary ways to peace among the nations and peoples of the world, giving special attention to contributions advancing society's knowledge and skill in peacemaking and conflict management. Directs the Board to establish an advisory panel to advise in selection of award recipients. Requires the Institute to report to specified congressional committees on selection procedures. Authorizes the Institute, acting through the Board, to establish the Spark M. Matsunaga Scholars Program, which shall include the provision of scholarships and educational programs in international peace and conflict management and related fields for outstanding high school students, as well as scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students. Revises provisions relating to private gifts and contributions. Increases the amount authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year. Directs the Secretary of Education to make a grant to the Spark M. Matsunaga Peace Foundation for scholarships, grants, and endowed professorships to individuals and organizations pursuing peace studies and the application of conflict resolution techniques. Authorizes appropriations. Allows such Foundation to retain interest on such grant.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1990
Limits the amounts that may be incurred by a Senate office for official mail costs (OMCs) for non-election fiscal years and election fiscal years to the amounts allocated by the Committee on Rules and Administration. Requires the Committee to determine: (1) the amount appropriated for OMCs of the Senate for each fiscal year; (2) the amount necessary for OMCs of Senate offices other than Senators for each fiscal year; (3) the amount necessary to be reserved for contingencies; (4) for each non-election fiscal year, the amount for Senators to send one postal patron mailing per Senator; (5) for each election fiscal year, the amounts necessary for OMCs of Senators-elect, newly elected Senators, and Senators whose service will end on January 3 of such fiscal year; and (6) for all other Senators in an election year, the amounts for one postal patron mailing per Senator. Directs the Committee to make allocations to: (1) each Senate office (other than a Senator-elect) for each fiscal year; and (2) each Senator-elect, newly elected Senator, Senator whose service will end on January 3 of an election fiscal year, and all other Senators for each fiscal year according to a specified formula based on the number of addresses in the State represented by the Senator. Provides that a Senator elected from a State with one at-large Representative in the House shall be allocated from the contingency fund additional funds equivalent to the cost of a one State-wide postal patron mailing. Sets limitations on the distribution of amounts reserved for contingencies. Provides for the distribution of contingency funds remaining unused at the end of a fiscal year in accordance with the regular OMC allocation formula, or retention of such balances in the contingency fund. Requires the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to send: (1) to each Senator an itemized statement of the cost of postage and paper and of the other operating expenses incurred as a result of mass mailings processed during each calendar quarter, including the total cost per capita in the State represented by the Senator; and (2) to the Committee a compilation of all such statements. Prohibits mass mailings by Senators from exceeding two sheets of legal size paper (or the equivalent). Requires the Committee to: (1) monitor all expenditures for official mail by all Senate offices; and (2) promulgate regulations to assure compliance by each Senate office with the allocations, allowances, and restrictions provided for in this Act, including regulations prescribing a procedure for the transfer of portions of an allocation from one Senate office to another. Requires all mass mailings by Senate offices to be printed, prepared, and mailed by the Senate Service Department and mailed under the frank, unless an exception is granted by the Committee on Rules and Administration. Sets forth additional provisions regarding: (1) limitations on the number of pieces of mass mail allowed as franked mail during any fiscal year; and (2) the amount of paper and envelopes provided to Senators and specified committees and offices. Limits the actual amount of mass mailing by the Senator or his office to the availability of appropriated funds. States that, should there be a reduction in the amount appropriated for Senate OMCs for a fiscal year as a result of a sequester pursuant to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act, the amount allocated to each Senate office pursuant to this Act shall be equally reduced.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1990
Amends rule XL of the Standing Rules of the Senate to exempt candidates in uncontested Senate elections from the 60-day pre-election moratorium on use of the frank for mass mailings and use of the Senate or House radio and television studios.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1990
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to replace provisions setting forth the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. Gives the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the primary responsibility for planning and coordinating the Program. Sets forth the administrative and program duties of the Director of FEMA in carrying out Program responsibilities. Prohibits grants to States under the Program from requiring cost sharing at a level greater than 50 percent (in certain circumstances, not greater than 25 percent). Requires the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct research necessary to characterize and identify earthquake hazards, assess earthquake risks, monitor seismic activity, and improve earthquake predictions. Sets forth duties of the Director of the USGS with regard to earthquakes, including: (1) issuing earthquake predictions or other earthquake advisories; (2) establishing, using existing facilities, a Center for the International Exchange of Earthquake Information; and (3) operating a National Seismic Network. Makes the National Science Foundation responsible for funding research on earth sciences to improve the understanding of the causes and behavior of earthquakes, on earthquake engineering, and on human response to earthquakes. Makes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) responsible for carrying out research and development to improve building codes and standards and practices for structures and lifelines. Defines lifelines to mean public works and utilities, including those relating to transportation, power, communications, water,and sewage. Replaces provisions directing the President to make an annual report to congressional committees with provisions requiring the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to report to specified congressional committees regarding the role of the Office in interagency coordination, planning, and operation of the Program. Establishes the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Advisory Committee. Directs the President to adopt standards for assessing and enhancing the seismic safety of existing buildings constructed for or leased by the Federal Government which were constructed without adequate seismic standards. Requires that the standards be developed by the Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction. Requires the Director of NIST to submit to the Congress a plan for developing and adopting design and construction standards for lifelines. Authorizes the FEMA Director to accept gifts in furtherance of this Act. Prohibits a grant under the Act from FEMA that is made with funds appropriated under a specified continuing appropriations Joint Resolution from requiring cost sharing greater than 25 percent. Establishes within the USGS an earthquake investigations program, as an activity of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, to investigate major earthquakes to learn lessons to reduce the loss of lives and property in future earthquakes. Increases and extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out the Act, including the authorizations to specified agencies to enable them to carry out their responsibilities under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1990
Iraq Sanctions Act of 1990 - Prohibits any funds, credits, guarantees, or insurance made available for FY 1990 or thereafter from being used to support any U.S. financial or commercial operation involving the Iraqi Government. Instructs the Department of Commerce to include Iraq within the Country Group S list of the Export Administration Regulations. Makes persons violating the prohibition subject to penalties under the Export Administration Act of 1979. Considers Iraq to be a supporter of international terrorism for purposes of applying prohibitions or restrictions under foreign assistance statutes. Prohibits the President from using the waiver authority under such statutes with respect to Iraq. Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to prohibit Export-Import Bank assistance to Iraq under any circumstances. (Current law permits a waiver of such prohibition if it is in U.S. national interest.) Directs the President to study and report to the Appropriations Committees on: (1) the sale, export, and third party transfer or development of nuclear, biological, chemical, and ballistic missile technology to or with Iraq; and (2) Iraq's offensive military capability and its effect on the Middle East balance of power. Requires the President to report to such committees on steps taken by other nations to curtail exports to Iraq which might contribute to Iraq's nuclear, biological, chemical, and ballistic missile capability. Directs the President to encourage other nations to adopt sanctions toward Iraq similar to those under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1990
Designates August 1, 1990, as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Authorizes and requests the President to: (1) reassert American commitment to the Helsinki Accords; (2) raise the issue of noncompliance with such Accords with any signatory nation which may be in violation; (3)convey to all signatories of such Accords that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is vital to progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and (4) develop new proposals to advance the human rights objectives of the Helsinki process, including the self-determination of peoples.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1990
Designates as South African Freedom Week the week in 1990 coinciding with the first visit of Nelson Mandela to the United States after his release from prison in South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1990
Designates July 1, 1990, as Imported Oil Dependence Day. Requires the Secretary of Energy to report to the Congress, annually, on July 1, of the extent of the reliance of the United States on imported oil during the previous year, and the extent of its projected reliance for the coming year.
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
Authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to pay a specified sum from its contingent fund in total satisfaction of all remaining claims against a named individual.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1990
Aid for Trade Act of 1990 - Title I: Use of Foreign Assistance Funds - Allocates, on a percentage basis, bilateral economic assistance for FY 1992 through 1996 for the construction, design, or servicing of capital projects. Limits the use of such assistance to the procurement of U.S. goods and services. Sets specified percentage limits on cash transfers with respect to such economic assistance and Economic Support Funds for FY 1992 through 1996. Requires the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress a study of cash transfer assistance. Declares that nothing in this Act is intended to reduce the amount of bilateral economic assistance (including grants) for any fiscal year for least-developed beneficiary developing countries. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the Administrator of each agency, in determining the geographic code for the purchase of goods and services, not to grant any waivers from Geographic Codes 000 (United States only) or 941 (United States and least-developed countries) except for specified reasons. Requires the Administrator of the Agency for International Development to report annually to the Congress on such waivers. Title II: Increase in Credit Authority - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to direct the Export-Import Bank to increase its direct loans for FY 1992 through 1996 by 15 percent per year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 to the Tied Aid Credit Fund. Amends the Trade and Development Enhancement Act of 1983 to authorize appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 to finance a tied aid credit activity. Title III: Eastern Europe Recovery Program - Establishes the Eastern European Loan Guarantee Program to be administered through the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to provide guarantees to U.S. lenders and exporters for projects which provide for the export of U.S.-made products and services to Eastern Europe. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to extend the authority of the Bank to make interest subsidy payments to lenders who provide loans in support of U.S. exports through October 1, 1993. Authorizes appropriations to the Bank for FY 1992 and 1993 with respect to such payments for use in Eastern Europe only. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the amount of direct investment loans that the Corporation must make each fiscal year. Earmarks a specified amount of such loans to promote the activities of U.S. small businesses in Eastern Europe. Title IV: General Provisions - Defines "bilateral economic assistance."
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1990
Solid Waste Treatment and Disposition Fee Act of 1990 - Authorizes States to collect fees for the disposal or treatment of solid waste. Permits such fees to be imposed: (1) on waste generated outside the boundaries of a State; and (2) against landfill operators, solid waste treatment facilities, or persons shipping or transporting solid waste for treatment or disposal. Allows States to delegate such authority to political subdivisions. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to require persons transporting or shipping solid waste in excess of 100 pounds in interstate commerce to submit annual registration statements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1990
Authorizes the States to waive application of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to vehicles used either for transporting farm supplies from retail dealers to or from a farm, or for custom harvesting, regardless of whether or not they are controlled or operated by a farmer.
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 · 11 May 1990
Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen-Fueled Aircraft Research and Development Act of 1990 - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive five-year management plan for a research and development program for a domestic hydrogen-fueled aircraft capability within the shortest time practicable. Establishes a Hydrogen-Fueled Aircraft Advisory Committee to advise the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1990
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve the pursuit of flight training for an individual entitled to post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance if: (1) such training is necessary for the attainment of the individual's vocational objective; (2) the individual possesses a valid pilot's license and meets all medical requirements necessary for a commercial pilot's license; and (3) the flight school courses are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the State. Sets forth the amount of assistance and other conditions for such flight training, including receipt by the Secretary of a certificate from the individual and institution involved of the flight training completed and the tuition and other fees.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1990
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to extend the civil penalty assessment demonstration program for a three-month period. Amends the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 to authorize Hawaii to use certain excess funds generated in off-airport locations in the State from the sale of duty-free merchandise for highway construction aimed at facilitating access to its airports. Authorizes such use for revenues generated on sales through December 31, 1994. Prohibits the State, if any such revenues are used in a calendar year for airport facility improvement purposes, from receiving Federal grants for airport development, planning, or noise compatibility programs.
![Official portrait of Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000268_200.jpg)