United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Rural Partnerships Act of 1989 - Title I: Rural Business and Job Creation - Subtitle A: Rural Partnerships Investment Board - Establishes a Rural Partnerships Investment Board to provide lines of credit through local revolving funds for rural business expansion. Terminates the Board five years after enactment of this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Rural Business Investment Fund to provide funds for such purpose. Limits an entity's credit line to $750,000. Stipulates that a State agency may receive up to $1,250,000. Requires a participating entity to: (1) provide matching funds at least equal to the line of credit; and (2) demonstrate financial institution participation. Requires only 50 percent matching funds in areas with per capita income levels below specified levels. Limits the maximum amount of Federal contributions to each State's revolving funds to $100,000. Obligates a specified amount of appropriated funds for businesses serving very distressed rural areas or providing specified rural services, including health care, elderly and handicapped services, educational services, or transportation. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1992 appropriations. Requires each participating entity to establish a local revolving fund to: (1) make loans, investments, or loan guarantees; and (2) pay for various training and related programs. Requires local revolving funds to enter into 50 percent matching loan or investment partnerships with banks and other financial institutions. Limits a fund's annual investments in any one business to $250,000. Sets forth compliance and enforcement provisions, including: (1) grounds for revocation of a line of credit; (2) investigatory authority of the Board; (3) unlawful acts of officers, directors, employees, or agents; (4) penalties; and (5) Board authority to bring an action in district court. Subtitle B: Rural Economic Development Promoted by the Rural Electrification Administration - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) to appoint an Assistant Administrator for Economic Development to carry out REA programs concerning the involvement of rural electric and telephone systems in community and economic development. Directs the Administrator to establish a technical assistance unit to assist borrowers with respect to community and economic development activities. Permits a borrower to defer loan repayments (five or ten years, depending on the project) for amounts invested in community or economic development projects. Limits such deferment to 50 percent of a project's cost. Authorizes and limits water and waste facility loans to the lesser of $40,000,000 or ten percent of fiscal year REA insured loan authority. Sets forth loan priority provisions. Requires private sector assistance under specified circumstances. Targets electrification borrower investments in: (1) the Incubation Fund established by this Act or other business incubators; and (2) community, business, or economic development projects. Expands the scope of REA rural economic development functions. Establishes in the Treasury a Rural Business Incubation Fund to make grants and reduced interest loans to electric and telephone borrowers in order to promote business incubation programs or to create rural business incubators. Requires such incubators to: (1) be operated on a not-for-profit basis; and (2) assist businesses to become viable business entities. Provides for funding of such incubators by assisted businesses, REA borrowers, and the Treasury. Deems investments by REA telephone borrowers in rural telecommunication or other rural development projects not to be dividends or capital distributions. Title II: Enhancing Human Resources - Establishes a grant program to increase rural educational opportunities through the use of telecommunications and related technologies. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Requires grantee partnerships to consist of: (1) REA borrowers; (2) specified national telecommunication organizations; and (3) educational institutions. Establishes the Rural Educational Opportunities Board to advise grant recipients, evaluate programs and technology, serve as a liaison with REA and the Secretary of Education, and review and make grant application recommendations. Requires REA and the Secretary of Agriculture to make an annual program report to the appropriate congressional committees. Provides for expedited REA telephone loans. Establishes: (1) a rural medical link telecommunications grant program; and (2) a rural business link telecommunications grant program. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations for such programs. Title III: Focus on Rural America by the Department of Agriculture - Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary to establish an Extension Service rural economic and business program to permit State or county extension services to hire business development and related telecommunications specialists. Authorizes appropriations beginning with FY 1990. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to study economically distressed rural counties; (2) evaluate the nature and availability of assistance needed by such counties; and (3) report to the appropriate congressional committees in each of FY 1990 through 1993. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a rural development assistance information program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees by September 1, 1989, concerning the coordination of Department of Agriculture rural development activities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to the Department's data processing functions and whether they can be performed more economically in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Rural Business and Employment Assistance - Directs the Secretary to make technical assistance grants for rural business development, including business support centers. Prohibits the use of such funds for political activity or business relocation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants for rural technology assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to make rural emergency assistance loans to communities of less than 20,000 persons. Limits such loans to two-year periods, with a maximum of $50,000 to any one borrower. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse - Directs the Secretary to establish within the National Agricultural Library a National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Title VI: Water and Sewer Assistance - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for small community water and waste facility grants. Directs the Secretary to establish an emergency water assistance grant program for rural and small communities (less than 3000 population, median household income below State nonmetropolitan level) with significant water shortages, or to enable such communities to comply with the requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Safe Drinking Water Act. Limits grants to: (1) $75,000 for existing system repairs; and (2) $500,000 for water shortage areas. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to base loan rates for health care and related facilities solely on the income of the area to be served. Directs the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration to establish a national rural waste water circuit rider program modeled after the existing National Rural Water Association rural water circuit rider program. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Directs the Census Bureau to: (1) expand data collection efforts to gather data on the changing economic conditions of rural America, including employment, poverty and income, and the labor force; and (2) employ rural residents for such efforts in FY 1990. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish regulations regarding projects funded under this Act with respect to the preservation of historic properties and historical and archaeological data. Authorizes certain Farm Credit System banks to make small community water and waste system loans. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to permit a State to designate State areas where the food stamp program (program) employment and training requirements shall be voluntary. Includes self-employment within the scope of such requirements. Increases rural program accessibility for people engaged in certain employment and training programs. Exempts from household financial resources for purposes of program eligibility the value of a vehicle used in rural areas to haul fuel or water. Amends Federal law to increase the amount of annual funds available to the Reforestation Trust Fund. Authorizes Fund use for economic diversification assistance to communities that are economically dependent upon the Forest Service. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of loan restructuring for distressed rural hospitals and health care facilities. Title VIII: Effective Date and Implementation - Makes this Act effective as of October 1, 1989, unless otherwise provided for. Sets forth the effective dates for specified implementing regulations under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1989 - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to add, with regard to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, specified program objectives, research elements, and mitigation elements. Requires maintenance of a National Seismic Network data base. Specifies the elements which must be included in the areas of public education and earthquake planning and response, including development of postulated earthquake scenarios in U.S. risk areas. Establishes the Office for the International Exchange of Earthquake Information in the U.S. Geological Survey to: (1) promote information exchange between the United States and other nations; (2) maintain a library of information produced by the Program; and (3) handle foreign requests for information on American earthquake research and preparedness.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to authorize appropriations for the Federal Election Commission for FY 1990. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to delete the Commission as an agency in which an Office of Inspector General shall be established.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Amends the American Folklife Preservation Act to authorize appropriations for the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress for FY 1990 through 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Authorizes the President, notwithstanding other provisions of law and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint Admiral James B. Busey to the Office of Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Declares that the appointment shall in no way affect his status which he shall hold as an officer on the retired list of the U.S. Navy, except to the extent that Federal dual pay and dual employment provisions affect the amount of retired pay.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Aviation Security and Terrorism Commission Act of 1989 - Establishes the Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism to investigate events leading up to and surrounding the destruction of Pan American World Airways flight 103 on December 21, 1988, and the destruction of Korean Air Lines flight 007 on August 31, 1983. Terminates the Commission 30 days after it makes required reports.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Cable Competition Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize a State or cable television franchising authority to regulate the rates that a cable operator may charge for the provision of lifeline television services for any franchising area which is not provided with cable service by two or more cable operators. Defines "lifeline television service" as the provision of: (1) channels of the three major networks; (2) a public television channel; and (3) one channel carrying each independent local television station. Repeals a provision of such Act which prohibits a telephone company from providing video programming in its telephone service area. Allows a telephone company to: (1) provide video programming directly to subscribers; or (2) provide rental arrangements to any entity which is owned or controlled by, or under common control with, such telephone company for the provision of such video programming. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to ensure that: (1) the economic risks of video programming business of a telephone company are not borne by telephone service ratepayers in any way; and (2) a common carrier providing video services allocates costs in a manner which protects basic telephone ratepayers from subsidizing the provision of cable video programming. Prohibits a telephone company from providing video programming services if prohibited from doing so by Federal antitrust laws. Requires a cable operator to: (1) provide cable system access to any program service, except under specified conditions; (2) provide cable system access to any unaffiliated program service under the same rates, terms, and conditions as provided to an affiliated program; and (3) comply with regulations prescribed by the FCC which ensure such access. States that any regulations prescribed by the FCC shall not relieve a common carrier who provides cable service from any regulations under the Communications Act or any other regulations concerning open network architecture plans and related requirements. Makes it unlawful for any person affiliated with a cable operator who provides programming to any cable operator to engage in any unjust or unreasonable discrimination in charges, practices, regulations, facilities, or services against any person seeking to obtain such programming for distribution over another cable system or over any other medium capable of making the programming available for private viewing. Directs the FCC to initiate a proceeding to investigate: (1) the extent to which affiliated persons are engaged in producing and distributing video programming for carriage on cable television systems; (2) the degree to which such operations result in higher rates for television service or unfair or anticompetitive acts or practices with respect to such programming; and (3) the extent to which multiple-system operators of cable franchises have engaged in acquisitions of cable systems at excessive prices, where rate increases have failed to produce increased benefits, or where accelerated turnover of franchises has created an upward spiral of basic rate increases as franchises are sold. Directs the FCC to report to the Congress on the results of such investigation within one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the FCC to initiate a proceeding to investigate: (1) the extent to which video programming is being delivered to residents of rural areas by means of cable television systems and other media; and (2) methods which might be used to improve and extend the delivery of such programming by such media. Directs the FCC to report the results of such investigation to the Congress within one year after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Specifies those allowed to purchase the Senate flag as two for each: (1) Senator or former Senator; (2) Senate committee; and (3) officer of the Senate (currently only Senators or former Senators).
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Directs that a collection of the rules of the committees of the Senate be printed as a Senate document. Provides for 600 additional copies of such document for the Committee on Rules and Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1989
Rural Progress Monitoring and Historic Preservation Act of 1989 - Requires the Director of the Bureau of the Census to expand the data collection efforts of the Bureau in order to collect statistically significant data concerning the changing economic condition of rural counties and communities in the United States. Requires the Bureau to employ residents of nonmetropolitan counties for the expanded rural data collection operations conducted in FY 1990. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe and implement regulations concerning projects receiving funding from the Department of Agriculture and their relationship with the provisions of specified Federal laws: (1) establishing a program for the preservation of additional historic properties throughout the Nation; and (2) providing for the preservation of historical and archaeological data (including relics and specimens) which might otherwise be lost as a result of the construction of a dam.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1989
Rural Investment Fund Act of 1989 - Establishes the Rural Partnerships Investment Board (Board) to provide qualifying nonprofit private entities, State and local agencies, and Indian tribes and organizations with lines of credit to form revolving loan funds for rural business development. Establishes in the Treasury the Rural Business Investment Fund to provide funds for the Board. Limits lines of credit to $750,000, except for specified State agencies which may receive up to $1,250,000. Requires qualifying entities to provide matching funds. Requires funding in at least 45 States. Limits total funds to any one State to $10,000,000. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1992 appropriations. Prohibits the use of funds to relocate or refinance businesses. Requires each qualifying entity to establish a local revolving fund. Authorizes the use of such funds to: (1) provide debt or equity capital or loan guarantees; (2) pay for training or technical assistance; (3) provide for return of capital to non-Federal investors in the fund; and (4) cover operating or capital expenses or other charges. Requires banks or other financial institutions to provide at least a 50 percent match of each investment or loan made to a business applicant. Limits: (1) annual assistance to a business applicant to $500,000; and (2) eligible businesses to those with fewer than 100 employees. Requires the revocation of a line of credit and refund for specified false statements or violations of this Act. Sets forth civil penalties for failure to file reports required under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1989
Law Enforcement Cooperation Act of 1989 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to require the Attorney General to assure that any forfeited property transferred to a State or local law enforcement agency will serve to encourage further cooperation between the recipient State or local agency and Federal law enforcement agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Clean Campaign Act of 1989 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require that, if any legally qualified candidate for any Federal elective office uses a broadcast station to refer to another legally qualified candidate, such reference shall be made in person. Requires any licensee that permits a broadcasting station to be used in a manner not in accordance with such requirement to provide to the candidate to whom the reference was made the opportunity to use, without charge, an equal amount of time. Requires any licensee that permits a person to use a broadcasting station to endorse or oppose a candidate for any Federal elective office to provide equal time to the opposing candidate. Makes this Act equally applicable in the case of an authorized committee speaking on behalf of or against a legally qualified candidate.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Health Link Improvements Act of 1989 - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration to maintain a subaccount within the Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund to provide grants and reduced interest loans to eligible entities to improve telecommunication links, patient transportation facilities, and other cooperative activities between rural hospitals or physicians, teaching hospitals or major medical hospitals, and rural electric or telephone borrowers. Sets forth eligibility criteria. Requires the grants and loans to be used to improve: (1) the transmission of medical information through the telecommunications linking of hospitals and physicians in rural counties with teaching hospitals or medical centers; and (2) patient access to medical services by developing patient transportation such as helicopter landing sites, patient shuttle services, and mobile medical clinics. Directs the Administrator to maintain a subaccount to provide grants and reduced interest loans to fund demonstration projects to improve telecommunication links between rural hospitals or physicians, teaching hospitals or major medical hospitals, and rural electric or telephone borrowers. Prohibits use of funds under these provisions for certain telecommunications facilities if: (1) a local exchange carrier providing telephone service agrees to provide such facilities; and (2) other conditions are met. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
National American Indian Museum Act - Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a memorial to Native Americans to be known as the National Museum of the American Indian to provide for the study, research, collection, and exhibition of Native Americans and their culture. Designates specified areas in the District of Columbia and New York City as the sites of facilities for the Museum. Requires establishment of a facility for the conservation and storage of Museum collections at the Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland. Authorizes the Smithsonian to: (1) provide for the transfer of certain assets of the Heye Foundation for the benefit and use of the Museum; (2) construct such facilities; (3) provide for acquisition of Native American objects and artifacts from museums or private collections; and (4) maintain or loan objects and artifacts in the Museum collection. Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Museum. Directs the Board to: (1) recommend annual budgets for the Museum; and (2) assist the Board of Regents on matters relating to the Museum. Grants the Trustees sole authority to: (1) dispose of and acquire additional Museum property; and (2) establish policy with respect to the utilization of the Museum collections. Grants the Trustees authority to: (1) establish policy with respect to restoration, preservation, and maintenance of Museum collections; (2) solicit funds for the Museum; (3) approve expenditures from the Museum's endowment; (4) advise the Museum's Director; (5) provide for the exhibition of Native American objects and artifacts; and (6) conduct research and evaluation and educational programs with respect to the Museum collections. Requires the Trustees to submit annual reports to the Board of Regents and the Congress. Requires the Foundation's employees serving at the time of the transfer to be offered employment by the Smithsonian. Authorizes the Board of Regents to: (1) designate affiliate museums of the Museum in certain U.S. regions and in Alaska and Hawaii; and (2) establish an advisory council within each such region or State to oversee Museum curation and acquisitions and to provide necessary technical assistance for such affiliate museums. Directs the Board of Regents to: (1) identify the geographic and tribal origins of the skeletal remains of Indians and Alaska Natives in the Smithsonian; (2) conduct a study and make recommendations as to the final disposition of such remains; (3) consult with Native American traditional religious leaders in making such recommendations; and (4) report to the Congress within three years after this Act's enactment on the identity of such skeletal remains and the findings and recommendation of such study. Pledges that the United States will provide the funds needed to maintain and operate the Museum. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Low-Income Housing Credit Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the low-income housing income tax credit (under current law the credit will expire after tax year 1989). Permits States a one-year carryover of unused credit authority. Assigns carryovers to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allocate to eligible States applying for excess credit. Allows the credit only if an extended low-income housing commitment (beyond the current 15-year period) is in effect with respect to any building for the relevant taxable year. Describes procedures to effect transition to a non-low-income use in connection with such extensions. Permits the credit in connection with the acquisition of an existing building only if the taxpayer incurs rehabilitation expenditures of at least $3,000 per unit. Revises rent restrictions to: (1) declare unnecessary a required rent reduction below the initial rent if the median gross income of the area decreases; (2) permit higher rent if units are occupied by higher income individuals and the project has an operating deficit; (3) base income limitations on the number of bedrooms in a unit; and (4) use State median gross income in certain low-income housing status determinations. Broadens categories of existing buildings eligible for a waiver of the ten-year requirement for the low-income housing credit. Revises credit provisions relating to single-room occupancy units and special needs housing. Revises restrictions that limit credit benefits in connection with buildings financed with tax-exempt bonds and below market loans. Permits the credit to be allocated: (1) on a project basis; and (2) in connection with owner-occupied buildings of four units or less if a development plan is submitted. Directs housing credit agencies to adopt plans for allocating credit amounts among projects, prohibiting the credit with respect to any building not included in such a plan. Modifies at-risk rules in connection with buildings subject to the historic rehabilitation credit and those associated with financing provided by certain nonprofit organizations. Sets the tax credit rate on a semiannual basis rather than monthly. Increases the credit in connection with buildings in high cost areas (low-income census tracts or difficult development areas). Establishes special rules for determining the eligible basis and applying at-risk rules in connection with qualified buildings acquired in foreclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989
Civilian Energy Programs Authorization for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 - Title I: Research and Development - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 for Department of Energy civilian research and development programs relating to: (1) general science and research activities; (2) energy supply research and development; (3) the Geothermal Resources Development Fund; (4) fossil energy research and development; (5) energy conservation; (6) the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (7) the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Petroleum Account. Title II: Conservation, Regulation, and Information - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 for the following appropriations accounts: (1) energy conservation; (2) economic regulation; (3) emergency preparedness; (4) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and (5) Energy Information Administration. Title III: Power Marketing Administrations: - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 for the following appropriations accounts: (1) Alaska Power Administration; (2) Southeastern Power Administration; (3) Southwestern Power Administration; and (4) Western Area Power Administration. Title IV: Other Activities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 for: (1) uranium supply and enrichment activities; (2) departmental administration; (3) energy supply research and development; (4) energy conservation; (5) Isotope Production and Distribution Fund; (6) Office of the Inspector General; and (7) the Nuclear Waste Fund. Title V: Fiscal Year 1991 Authorization - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 to implement civilian energy programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
International Narcotics and Terrorism Control Act of 1989 - Authorizes the President to impose additional specified transportation, immigration, and customs sanctions on certain countries if he determines that to do so would contribute to the reduction in the importation into the United States of narcotics from such countries. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that the President's annual report to the Congress on U.S. policy with respect to an international strategy to prevent the cultivation and manufacture of, and traffic in, controlled substances include: (1) comments and recommendations regarding the war on drugs by the Departments of State, Justice, Defense, the Treasury, and Health and Human Services, the Agency for International Development, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Customs Service, and other enforcement agencies; and (2) the results of a review of the connections between international narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and international terrorism. Directs the Director of National Drug Control Policy to include in the National Drug Control Strategy to be submitted to the Congress on February 1, 1990: (1) a study of current Federal personnel practices affecting all persons engaged in the war on drugs; and (2) a determination as to whether adequate resources are being devoted to the hiring, training, promotion, and retention of Federal employees responsible for fighting drugs. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee not later than ten days after denying a request from a law enforcement agency for assistance by the Department of State, setting forth the reasons for such denial. Makes it unlawful for any person who was employed by the executive branch or by the Congress and who performed duties with respect to narcotics-related issues, to represent a foreign government on narcotics matters for three years after leaving such employment. Provides penalties for a violation. Requires the Secretary of State and any other officer or employee of the Department of State to submit the name of any individual or entity to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Customs Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their determination that such individual or entity is not under indictment or has not been convicted of any narcotics or narcotics-related offense before they may enter into a contract on behalf of the Department with such individual or entity. States that no funds made available for the Department may be available for payment on any contract entered into with an individual or entity listed by such agency. Provides that no funds made available to any element of the U.S. Government authorized to conduct intelligence activities may be available for payment to any individual who has been convicted of narcotics trafficking or money laundering, with an exception. States that it is not a defense to prosecution for certain offenses in the Federal criminal code related to foreign relations that an individual was acting pursuant to the authority or direction of any department, agency, or officer of the U.S. Government, unless: (1) such action was taken pursuant to the specific authority or direction of the Secretary of State; and (2) the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House and the Foreign Relations Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate were notified by the Secretary within 48 hours after the conferral of such authority or the giving of such direction.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Provides for the establishment of categories of aliens who are subject to persecution in the Soviet Union or in Vietnam and therefore admissible as refugees into the United States. (Deems Jews and Evangelical Christians in the Soviet Union and Vietnamese registered with the Orderly Departure Program to be such categories.) Provides for the adjustment of status to refugee status for certain Soviet and Vietnamese parolees residing in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1989
National Voter Registration Act of 1989 - Requires each State to establish procedures with respect to presidential and congressional elections to permit voter registration by: (1) application in person simultaneously with application for a motor vehicle driver's license; (2) mail application; or (3) application in person at designated Federal, State, and private sector locations. Declares that this Act does not apply to any State that has no voter registration requirement with respect to presidential and congressional elections. Requires each State to: (1) assure that any eligible applicant who submits his or her application 25 days before the election is registered to vote in the election; (2) require the appropriate State election official to notify each applicant of the disposition of the application; and (3) provide that the name of a voter may not be removed from the official list of eligible voters except by reason of death, criminal conviction, mental incapacity, change in residence, failure to vote in two consecutive elections, or voter request. Requires each State to designate a chief State election official to coordinate State functions under this Act. Provides a private right of action for an individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act.
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
Repeals estate tax provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987 and the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 with respect to the inclusion in the gross estate of the value of certain types of transfers with a retained life estate.
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 · 13 April 1989
Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989 - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to declare that the price guidelines for the first sale of natural gas do not apply to: (1) expired (and expiring) or terminated (and terminating) contracts and any contracts executed after enactment of this Act; and (2) certain renegotiated contracts. Repeals wellhead price controls as of January 1, 1993.
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
Establishes the Senate Official Mail Costs Account within the contingent fund of the Senate and the House Official Mail Costs Account within the contingent fund of the House of Representatives. Requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards to prescribe rules and regulations governing franked mail. Requires a Member of Congress to repay postage costs in excess of the amount allocated to such Member. Sets forth a formula for determining mass mailing limitations. Requires quarterly reports to Members on expenses incurred by them for mass mail. Requires a separate appropriation for the House and the Senate for franked mailings.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1989
Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to reauthorize the grant program for water resources research and technology institutes on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis for FY 1989 through 1993. Requires that such funds be used only for the reimbursement of direct cost expenditures incurred for the conduct of the water resources research program. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an evaluation of each institute every five years to determine if it qualifies for further support. (Currently the Secretary must make such determination every four years.) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the grant program from FY 1989 through 1993. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993 only for the reimbursement of the direct cost expenses of additional research by institutes which focuses on water problems and issues of a regional or interstate nature beyond those of concern only to a single State and which relates to specific program priorities identified jointly by the Secretary and the institutes. Requires such funds when appropriated to be matched on a not less than dollar-for-dollar basis by non-Federal sources. Extends the authorization of appropriations from FY 1989 through 1993 for the matching grant research program concerning any aspect of a water resource-related problem which the Secretary deems to be in the national interest. Authorizes appropriations to extend the technology grant program from FY 1989 through 1993. Requires rules and regulations issued prior to the date of enactment of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to remain in effect until superseded by new rules and regulations promulgated under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1989
Section 89 Simplification Act - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the new nondiscrimination requirements for coverage and benefits under certain statutory employee benefit plans to: (1) prescribe criteria for simplified health arrangements which, if offered by an employer, will be treated as meeting the nondiscrimination requirements of Internal Revenue Section 89; (2) increase from 17 1/2 hours to 25 hours per week (30 hours in 1989, 27 1/2 hours in 1990) the threshold number of work hours triggering requirements with respect to part-time employees; (3) apply noncompliance penalties (taxation of benefits) only with respect to highly compensated employees rather than with respect to all employees; (4) exempt the plans of entities with no highly compensated employees; and (5) revise rules relating to plan testing, aggregation of plans, and coverage valuation.
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 · 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
General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1989 - Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding liability for general aviation accidents. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for general aviation accidents. States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 20 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of a general aviation accident. Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees. Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Provides procedures for removal from State to Federal district courts of such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Natural Gas Regulatory Reform Act of 1989 - Title I: Decontrol of Natural Gas - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to repeal wellhead price controls on natural gas sales. Exempts the first sales of natural gas from the provisions of the Natural Gas Act. Makes such deregulation effective January 1, 1993. Title II: Transitional Provisions - Eliminates price controls for certain natural gas sales contracts that: (1) are executed after this Act's enactment; (2) are renegotiated after this Act's enactment; or (3) will end or have ended after this Act's enactment.
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
Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1989 - Expresses the findings of the Congress that the Fairness Doctrine: (1) fairly reflects the statutory obligations of broadcasters; (2) received statutory approval from the Congress in 1959; and (3) reasonably balances first amendment rights. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require broadcast licensees to provide a reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance. Requires enforcement and application of such requirement to be consistent with the rules and policies of the Federal Communications Commission in effect on January 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish Federal motor vehicle safety standards requiring that school buses be equipped with a system of mirrors to provide the driver with a clear, unobstructed view of the ground area in front of the front tires, along both sides, and directly under the front bumper. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the number of school buses manufactured before April 1, 1977, that are being used as school buses as of the date of the report.
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 · 9 March 1989
Requires the printing as a Senate document of a collection of the inaugural addresses of the Presidents of the United States compiled by the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1989
Amends Federal law to extend the immediate retirement provisions applicable to Federal law enforcement officers to: (1) revenue officers for the Internal Revenue Service; (2) customs inspectors for the U.S. Customs Service; (3) customs canine enforcement officers for the U.S. Customs Service; and (4) inspectors for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 - Sets forth specified national goals for the wind, photovoltaics, and solar thermal energy programs. Requires the President's budget requests for FY 1991 to contain the recommendations of the Secretary of Energy for specified Department of Energy research and development programs for 1995, including biofuels energy systems, solar buildings energy systems, ocean energy systems, and geothermal energy. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1993 for: (1) the wind energy research program; (2) the photovoltaic energy systems program; (3) the solar thermal energy systems program; (4) the biofuels energy systems program; (5) the solar buildings energy systems program; (6) the ocean energy systems program; and (7) the geothermal energy program. Requires the Secretary to submit an options analysis to the Congress regarding the accelerated commercialization of specified renewable energy technologies. Requires the President's budget requests for FY 1991 and 1992 to include the Secretary's recommendations of amounts to be set aside for energy efficiency research and development and demonstration initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for specified energy efficiency research and development programs for FY 1991 through 1993. Directs the Secretary to establish joint research and development ventures in specified energy technologies and to report to the Congress on the implementation of such plans. Directs the Secretary to establish the following advisory bodies: (1) Advisory Committee on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology; (2) Advisory Subcommittee on Photovoltaic Energy Technology; (3) Advisory Subcommittee on Wind Energy Technology; (4) Advisory Subcommittee on Solar Thermal Energy Technology; (5) Advisory Subcommittee on Energy Performance in Factory-Made Housing; (6) Advisory Subcommittee on Advanced District Cooling Technology; and (7) Advisory Subcommittee on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Exports. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1993 for such joint ventures. Requires the Committee on Renewable Energy, Commerce, and Trade to report annually to the Congress regarding renewable energy technology exports. Authorizes appropriations for such Committee activities for FY 1991 through 1993. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to direct the Secretary to establish an information dissemination program for Federal procurement and loan officers on the benefits of solar heating and cooling technology, including site visits and technical briefings. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to include among its special projects incentives, grants, and studies for renewable energy and other small business activities. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to the Congress regarding the research programs and ventures under this Act. Requires each annual submission of the National Energy Policy Plan to be accompanied by a three-year strategic plan for energy technology research, development, and demonstration, including energy conservation and renewable energy technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1989
Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to include as a purpose of such Act public investment in severely distressed and underdeveloped counties or areas lacking resources for basic services. Authorizes appropriations for the Appalachian Regional Commission for FY 1990 through 1994. Permits the Commission to lease office space through FY 1994. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994 for construction of the Appalachian development highway system and local access roads. Increases from 70 percent to 80 percent the maximum Federal share of such highway construction costs. Allows Federal supplements to the Federal grant-in-aid programs to continue through FY 1994. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994 to carry out such Act. Terminates specified provisions of such Act on October 1, 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1989
Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994 for the Appalachian development highway system. Directs the Appalachian Regional Commission to allocate funds appropriated under this Act among the States within the Appalachian region according to a specified formula.
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