United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the excise tax on diesel and aviation fuels. Declares the tax inapplicable in connection with sales of these fuels for use on a farm for farming purposes. (Although fuel sold for these purposes is tax-exempt under current law, provisions of the Revenue Act of 1987 require purchasers to pay the tax and subsequently apply for a refund based on nontaxable uses of the fuel.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 December 1987
Thanks the Honorable John C. Stennis, President pro tempore, for the manner in which he presided over the Senate during the first session of the 100th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States Trade Representative should initiate an unfair trade practice investigation with respect to the subsidization of European Community soybean products; and (2) the President should use his authority to enforce trade agreements under the Trade Act of 1974 to restore the benefits due to the U.S. soybean industry as a result of the European Community agreement to provide duty-free treatment to U.S. soybean products.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the amount of a qualified artistic charitable contribution for income tax deduction purposes shall be the fair market value of the property contributed (determined at the time of such contribution). Defines "qualified artistic charitable contribution" as the contribution of any literary, music, artistic, or scholarly composition, letter or memorandum, or similar property, but only if: (1) such property was created by the personal efforts of the taxpayer making the contribution no less than one year prior to the contribution; (2) there is included with the tax return a written appraisal of the fair market value of the property; and (3) the use of such property by the donee is related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for the donee's tax exemption. Limits the amount of qualified artistic charitable contributions available to a taxpayer in any taxable year to the taxpayer's artistic adjusted gross income, as defined in this Act. Prohibits public officials from taking a deduction for the donation of their papers if the papers were generated as the work product of such individuals while employed as officers or employees of the United States or of any State. Provides that alternative tax itemized deductions shall be determined without regard to the deduction for qualified artistic charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Corporation for Small Business Investment Charter Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to give a licensee in good standing three months from the date the Small Business Administration receives notice that it is ready to conduct business to qualify for conducting business with the Corporation for Small Business Investment and a special-purpose trust established by this Act. Requires the Administration, within six months after receiving notice that a licensee is ready to conduct business, to promulgate regulations to effect the termination of operations of any licensee which has not qualified for conducting business with the Corporation for Small Business Investment and the Trust. Sets forth the requirements for the final regulations for termination of the operations of any licensee and directs the Administration to furnish to the Corporation all books and records necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Establishes the Corporation for Small Business Investment and requires it to maintain its principal office in the District of Columbia. Requires the President to appoint an interim board of directors for the Corporation. Sets forth procedures for selecting the Corporation's permanent board of directors. Requires the board to determine the Corporation's general policies and to select persons to fill the offices provided for in the bylaws. Describes the Corporation's stock structure. Authorizes any depository institution to: (1) make payments to the Corporation of capital contributions; (2) receive the Corporation's stock as evidence of capital contributions; and (3) dispose of such stock. Authorizes the Corporation to issue nonvoting preferred stock. Sets forth limitations on obligations and securities issued by the Corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase obligations issued by the Corporation. Sets forth limitations on the amount and yield of such purchases and requires advance approval of the Congress. Makes all obligations issued by the Corporation acceptable as security for all fiduciary, trust, and public funds controlled by the United States. Authorizes the Corporation to issue commitments or otherwise deal in small business investment securities after the permanent board has been duly constituted. Sets forth the procedure for perfecting a security or ownership interest in small business investment securities created by the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to guarantee specified securities. Sets forth criteria for the qualifications of small business investment companies to conduct business with the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to enter into agreements with small business investment companies. Authorizes such companies to provide equity capital and loans to small-business concerns. Limits small business investment companies to activities contemplated by this Act and sets forth procedures for eliminating conflicts of interest. Requires the Corporation to adopt a rule prohibiting small business investment companies from assuming control over small-business concerns except on a temporary basis. Sets forth restrictions on the financing of small business investment companies, including a limitation on the aggregate amount of obligations and securities acquired for such companies and a prohibition on providing financing for relending and purchasing or guaranteeing securities that would exceed a specified percentage of the Corporation's assets. Provides that loans from small business investment companies to small business concerns are exempt from the provisions of the Constitution or State laws that limit the terms of such loan, unless the exemption is overriden by a State. Requires the Corporation to adopt criteria for making investments in disadvantaged small business concerns. Establishes a special-purpose trust which shall operate in accordance with a trust agreement between the trust and the Corporation. Sets forth procedures for appointing the trustees. Requires the trust to establish separate accounting for all preferred securities, debentures, loss reserves, and other funds acquired and to make an annual accounting of the trust's operations to the Secretary of the Treasury. Sets forth the powers of the trustees. Requires the Administration, within 30 days after receiving notice from the Corporation that it is prepared to conduct business, to convey to the Corporation all of the right, title, and interest to all securities and outstanding debentures issued by small business investment companies which are not in liquidation. Requires the trust to apply all of the funds held in trust and income to: (1) cover any losses realized on debentures purchased or guaranteed by the Corporation; (2) reduce the interest rate on debentures issued by special small business investment companies; (3) purchase preferred securities issued by special small business investment companies; and (4) cover the operating costs of administering the trust. Authorizes the trustees of the trust to purchase preferred securities and the Corporation to purchase or guarantee the payment of principal and interest on debentures issued by special small business investment companies. Sets forth the terms and conditions for small purchases. Authorizes a special small business investment company to request the Corporation to purchase or guarantee debentures issued by such company. Provides that such debentures shall be subordinate to any other obligations of such companies. Provides that if the Corporation purchases or guarantees debentures issued by special small business investment companies, in addition to such debentures acquired in lieu of the trust purchasing nonvoting stock, they shall be subordinate to any other obligations unless the Corporation determines otherwise. Sets forth restrictions on the interest rate on and total amount of such debentures. Provides that all outstanding preferred securities purchased by the trust from special small business investment companies shall be redeemed and transferred to the U.S. Treasury 50 years after the effective date of this Act. Gives the Administration review authority over the Corporation. Authorizes the Administration to examine the Corporation's books and records. Requires that the corporation's books be audited annually and that a report of each such audit be made by the Secretary of the Treasury to the President and to the Congress' small business committees. Provides that the Corporation's books and records shall be subject to audit by the General Accounting Office at the request of either of the Congress' small business committees and by the Administration's Office of Inspector General while specified debentures remain outstanding. Requires the Corporation to transmit to the President and the Congress' small business committees an annual report. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to sell to the Corporation on September 30, 1988, its interest in small business investment company securities guaranteed by the Administration and held by the Federal Financing Bank, providing such securities are due in FY 1989 or any subsequent year and are not in default. Sets an upper limit on the purchase price. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, within ten days of receiving notice that the Corporation is ready to conduct business, to propose the sale price for the securities which the Corporation is to purchase. Sets forth procedures for determining the purchase price if the board finds the Secretary's proposal unacceptable. Requires the Corporation to submit a report, within 30 days of the completion of the purchase of the securities, to the Committee on Small Business of the House and of the Senate setting forth the activities of the Secretary, the Corporation, and their representatives under this Act. Prohibits the Administration from making any payments to the Department of the Treasury on debentures guaranteed under the Small Business Investment Act after they are sold to the Corporation. Prohibits the Administration from selling or encumbering loans or debentures it has made or issued, except as specified in this Act. Requires the General Accounting Office, by January 1, 1993, to prepare a report for the House and Senate Small Business Committees on the Corporation's impact in achieving the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Recommends that a one-year across the board freeze of all Federal spending and existing Federal tax rates be adopted at the earliest possible date to help restore national and international confidence in the U.S. economy. Urges that such freeze encompass: (1) all appropriated accounts for defense and nondefense discretionary spending with spending maintained at FY 1987 budget authority levels; (2) inflation adjustments for all Federal entitlement beneficiaries limited to two percent, except for supplemental security income; and (3) existing Federal tax rates for individuals and corporations. Provides for the automatic implementation of inflation adjustments and tax rate reductions immediately following the one-year freeze. Urges that such a one-year freeze be considered as the minimum acceptable step toward deficit reduction and that asset sales, improved tax compliance, and other deficit reduction measures be seriously considered.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1987
Intelligence Activities Oversight Improvement Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal provisions prohibiting the use of funds by or on behalf of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for covert action ("special activities") in the absence of a presidential finding that such action is important for national security. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to prohibit the initiation of any special activity by any U.S. department, agency, or entity, or any private entity acting on behalf of the United States, unless and until the activity has been approved by the President and the President has made a written finding that: (1) such activity is essential to the national defense or the conduct of U.S. foreign policy; (2) such activity is consistent with, and in support of, the publicly avowed foreign policy of the United States; (3) the anticipated benefits of such activity justify the risks and consequences of its disclosure to a foreign power; (4) overt or less sensitive alternatives would not be likely to achieve the intended objectives; and (5) the circumstances require the use of extraordinary means. Requires such finding to designate the entity which is to carry out the special activity and to specify the authorized duration (not to exceed one year) of the special activity. (Current law does not require a written finding, or that a designated entity be specifically authorized to carry out the special activity.) Requires the President to submit, before a major special activity is commenced, a report to the intelligence committees of Congress containing the written finding and a description of the nature, scope, and specific objectives of the activity. Allows the President, upon a finding that there exist extraordinary circumstances affecting vital U.S. interests and that time is of the essence in initiating such activity, to limit the prior notice required under this Act to the chairmen and ranking minority members of the intelligence committees, the Speaker and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, but not beyond 48 hours after the written finding. Requires that, in such cases, the President provide a statement of the reasons for not giving prior notice to the intelligence committees. Requires the President to provide any additional information that either intelligence committee might require about special activities reported. Makes the National Security Council responsible for the supervision of each such activity and for ensuring that the activity remains consistent with the nature, scope, and objectives authorized by the President. Allows the President to authorize special activities not involving elements of high risk, major resources, or serious political consequences by category rather than as individual projects where he finds such activities important to U.S. national security, and where he reports, before any action is commenced, to the intelligence committees. Defines special activity to mean any activity conducted in support of national foreign policy objectives abroad which are planned and executed so that the role of the United States is not apparent or acknowledged publicly. Prohibits the National Security Council from engaging in or carrying out special activities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1987
Domestic Corporation Taxation Equality Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit, with specified exceptions, the States from imposing tax on corporate taxpayers on a worldwide unitary basis unless a taxpayer unconditionally elects to be taxed on such a basis. Includes an express prohibition against the unitary method with respect to a domestic corporation whose average U.S. payroll, property, and sales represent less than 20 percent of its total payroll, property, and sales. Permits a State to tax dividends received by domestic corporations from their foreign affiliates only to the extent that the State excludes from the tax base of the U.S. corporation: (1) at least 85 percent of such dividends; or (2) the portion of such dividends that effectively bears no Federal income tax after application of the foreign tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1987
Targeted Revenue Assistance to Fiscally Distressed Local Governments Act - Establishes a program to provide financial assistance to fiscally distressed units of local government. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Provides that a local government unit qualifies for an assistance payment for an entitlement period only after satisfying specified criteria, including that: (1) if at least 25 percent of the pay of a public employee is paid out of such payment, such individual will receive pay at least equal to the prevailing rate of pay for individuals employed in similar public employee occupations by the government; (2) if at least 25 percent of the costs of a construction project are paid out of such payment, laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on the project will receive pay at least equal to the prevailing rate of pay for similar construction in the locality; and (3) the government will use specified accounting, audit, and fiscal procedure guidelines. Imposes sanctions for noncompliance. Makes allocations of special entitlements for Indian tribes, Alaskan Native villages, and the District of Columbia, based on population to be determined by a specified formula. Allocates funds to States according to a specified formula, which takes into account the "need factor" (based on the number of unemployed individuals in the State during the 36-month period immediately preceding the entitlement period) and the "relative fiscal capacity" (based on the taxable resources of the State). Sets forth the method to be used to determine the entitlement allocations for units of general local government. Sets limits on payments to local governments. Provides for reallocation of any funds not paid out. Requires the Secretary to use the most recent available information provided by the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Labor before the beginning of the entitlement period to determine an allocation under this Act. Requires the Secretary to determine population on the same basis that the Secretary of Commerce determines resident population for general statistical purposes. Sets additional limitations on the use of data for entitlement allocation purposes. Requires that each unit of general local government expending payments under this Act hold at least one public hearing on the proposed use of the payment in relation to its entire budget. Requires pre-hearing disclosure of information. Requires that following adoption of the budget, the government make available to the public a summary of the budget, including the proposed use of the payment. Allows the Secretary to waive a requirement under this Act under specified conditions. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations for applying the Act to local governments that do not adopt budgets. Prohibits discrimination by local governments receiving payments under this Act. States that such prohibitions shall not apply where the government shows that a payment received under this Act is not used to pay for any part of the program or activity with respect to which the allegation of discrimination is made. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the heads of Federal and State agencies, if possible, to investigate alleged violations of the non-discrimination provisions of this Act. Requires the Secretary, after making a finding of discrimination about a unit of general local government, to submit a notice of non-compliance to that unit of government. Establishes procedures for the informal presentation of evidence by that unit of government. Allows the Secretary to suspend payments to the government under this Act, unless the government: (1) makes a compliance agreement; or (2) requests an administrative review. Establishes procedures for the administrative review of the Secretary's determination. Sets forth conditions for the suspension and termination of payments in discrimination proceedings, for the lifting of such suspensions and terminations, and for resumption of payments upon attaining compliance (which may include restitution to the injured party). Delineates the types of compliance agreements and their contents. Requires the Secretary to submit a copy of the agreement to each person who filed a complaint. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action against local governments engaging in a pattern or practice in violation of this Act's anti-discrimination provisions. Specifies remedies that the court may grant. Provides for a private right of action, after the affected individual has exhausted specified administrative remedies. Allows the Attorney General to intervene in an action of general public importance. Allows a local governmental unit receiving notice from the Secretary about withholding, suspending, or terminating payments to apply for review by filing a petition with the U.S. court of appeals for the circuit in which the government is located. Allows review of that decision only by the U.S. Supreme Court. Establishes audit requirements for local governmental units which receive payments, with provisions for waiver under specified conditions. Provides for the public disclosure of the local audit. Directs the Secretary to maintain regulations providing reasonable and specific time limits for the Secretary to carry out an investigation, carry out audits and reviews, and advise a complainant of the status of such audit, investigation, or review. Directs the Comptroller General to carry out reviews as necessary for the Congress to evaluate compliance and operations under this Act. Sets forth reporting requirements by the Secretary to the Congress, and by units of general local government to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, and the Secretary of Commerce, to undertake studies of targeted revenue payments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1987
Poultry Producers Financial Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to remove live poultry handlers from marketing practices' regulation under such Act. Establishes a statutory trust for the benefit of unpaid cash sellers or poultry growers which consists of the assets of live poultry dealers with average annual live poultry sales, or average annual value of poultry obtained by purchase or growing arrangement, greater than $100,000. States that a dishonored payment instrument shall not be considered as payment. Provides that an unpaid cash seller or poultry grower shall lose such trust benefit if he or she fails to give written notice of nonpayment or dishonored payment within specified time periods to the poultry dealers. States that the trust is preserved by giving written notice to the dealer and filing such notice with the Secretary of Agriculture. Provides a cause of action for violations under such Act with respect to poultry sales, purchases, or growing arrangements. Eliminates poultry handler recordkeeping provisions. States that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shall have power and jurisdiction over all (marketing) transactions in commerce of poultry products. States that the Secretary may exercise jurisdiction over poultry products in prompt payment or trust proceedings (as established by this Act) in order to avoid impairment of the Secretary's jurisdiction. Requires the Secretary to: (1) notify the FTC of any intended action; and (2) not proceed further if notified within ten days that an FTC proceeding involving the same subject matter is pending. Authorizes the Secretary to seek injunctive relief for nonpayment of live poultry transactions, including growing arrangements. Requires poultry dealers to pay poultry producers within the following time limits: (1) for a cash sale, full payment by the close of business on the day after the sale; and (2) for a growing arrangement, full payment within 15 days after the week of slaughter. States that a payment delay or attempted delay shall be considered an "unfair practice" violation under such Act. Directs the Secretary, whenever he has reason to believe that a poultry dealer has violated the prompt payment or trust provisions created by this Act, to issue a written complaint and hold a hearing at least 30 days after service of the complaint. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a cease and desist order, and also to assess a civil penalty of up to $20,000 per violation, if he finds the dealer in violation of such provisions. Makes the Secretary's order final unless a poultry dealer files an appeal with the appropriate court of appeals within 30 days after service. Subjects a poultry dealer or his agents to fines of between $1,000 and $20,000 for failure to comply with the Secretary's order. Declares that this Act shall not be construed to limit or otherwise affect the power of the Federal Trade Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act to prevent, with respect to poultry products, the use of unfair methods of competition, and unfair deceptive act or practices. Repeals title V of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Designates January 28, 1988, as National Challenger Center Day. (The Challenger Center is an institution offering children and teachers activities and information derived from American space research.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1987
Establishes the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains, Georgia. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands as specified. Establishes the Jimmy Carter National Preservation District, which includes the historic site and other specified lands. Authorizes the Secretary to assist in the interpretation of properties within such district. Requires the Secretary to administer the historic site and preservation district. Requires the Secretary to convene historians 25 years after enactment of this Act to examine the life of President Carter and to make recommendations on the interpretations and preservation of the areas. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory commission to advise on the interpretation of the site. Requires the Secretary to develop and submit to the Congress within three years a general management plan. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the State of Georgia and the town of Plains for specified purposes. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the use of appropriated funds for restoring Plains High School.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Requires U.S. coins to be redesigned, at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, over the next six years. Requires the reverse side of the first coin redesigned to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution for a two-year period. Requires that any profits from the sale of uncirculated and proof sets of U.S. coins be deposited in the Treasury and used solely to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Omnibus Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Directs the Secretary to transmit drafts of such statement to specified congressional committees and to distribute the final statement to all taxpayers receiving annual tax filing forms from the IRS. Requires the IRS, upon taxpayer request, to conduct any interview regarding the determination or collection of any tax at a reasonable time and place convenient to the taxpayer and to the IRS, and to permit the taxpayer, at his or her own expense, to record the interview. Authorizes the IRS interviewer to record such interview if the taxpayer has been given prior notice and is provided, upon request and payment of reproduction costs, with a transcript of the recording. Requires the interviewer to explain to the taxpayer the audit process, including the taxpayer's rights with respect to the process. Requires the Secretary to abate any penalty or interest imposed on any deficiency attributable to erroneous advice in writing given to a taxpayer by an IRS officer or employee in response to such taxpayer's specific inquiry. Authorizes the IRS Ombudsman, upon application filed by a taxpayer, to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Ombudsman: (1) the taxpayer is suffering or is about to suffer from an unusual or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary has failed to carry out any of his or her duties or has violated any provision of law. Allows the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary to release property of the taxpayer levied upon or to cease or refrain from certain actions. Requires the Secretary to obey any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued by the Ombudsman. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations with respect to Taxpayer Assistance Orders, including provisions to assure full, fair, and impartial due process for affected taxpayers. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to establish within the Department of the Treasury an Office of Inspector General. Transfers to such Office the existing audit and investigation units of the Department. Sets forth criteria with respect to: (1) the authority of the Inspector General to conduct an investigation; and (2) the authority of the Secretary in cases of audits or investigations requiring access to information of a sensitive or confidential nature. Allows the Secretary to prohibit investigations under specified circumstances. Restricts disclosure by the Inspector General of tax returns and return information. Prohibits records of tax enforcement results from being used to evaluate certain IRS personnel or to impose or suggest production quotas. Requires district directors to certify compliance with this mandate on a monthly basis. Requires the Secretary to certify that a rule proposed by the IRS is substantially the only alternative that meets the mandate of the relevant statute in order for the rule to be considered an interpretative rule (and thereby not subject to analyses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act). Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require regulatory flexibility analyses to include consideration of both the direct and indirect beneficial and negative effects of a proposed or final rule. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary, with limited exceptions, to send a preliminary letter of deficiency to a taxpayer prior to the mailing of a deficiency notice. Specifies required contents for tax due notices and deficiency notices, including the basis of the deficiency and a breakdown of the total amount into tax, interest, and penalty. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations requiring all IRS personnel to explain and support their position in assessing any penalties or additions to tax. Requires the Comptroller General to study IRS procedures with respect to such assessments and to present findings to specified congressional committees no later than December 31, 1988. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a binding agreement with a taxpayer under which the taxpayer may pay tax liability in installments if the Secretary determines that such an agreement will facilitate collection of the liability. Permits the Secretary, after proper notice and a hearing, to modify or annul the agreement upon the finding that the financial condition of the affected taxpayer has significantly changed. Renders such an agreement nonbinding if the taxpayer fails to pay any installment or any other tax liability when due. Extends from ten to 30 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Specifies information that must be incorporated in such notice, including possible alternative actions and the appropriate appeals procedures. Adds to the circumstances triggering termination of such a levy: (1) an agreement between the taxpayer and the Secretary for payment of the liability; and (2) the Secretary's determination that the taxpayer's financial condition precludes enforceability of the liability. Revises the list of property exempt from levy to: (1) increase the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages; (2) add an exemption for certain deposits in qualified institutions; and (3) provide an express exemption, except under limited circumstances specified in this Act, for the taxpayer's principal residence, a motor vehicle used by the taxpayer as the primary means of transportation to work, and any tangible personal property essential to the operation of the taxpayer's business in cases when a levy would prevent the taxpayer from carrrying on such business. Prohibits a levy on any property when levy and sales expenses would exceed either the liability for which the levy is made or the fair market value of the levied property. Permits the Secretary to demand surrender of bank accounts only after 21 days in escrow have passed since service of the notice of levy on the accounts. Sets forth situations in which the Secretary must release a levy. Applies to jeopardy levies the administrative and judicial review procedures currently applicable to jeopardy assessments. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action against the United States in the Tax Court for judicial review of jeopardy levies and assessments. (Under current law an action for judicial review of jeopardy assessments may be filed only in district court.) Increases the time during which a taxpayer may petition for such review. Describes the jurisdictional requirements to be applied to such actions. Allows an administrative appeal of tax liens. Grants to the Tax Court exclusive jurisdiction to enjoin premature assessments if the taxpayer has filed a timely petition for review. Provides for review of such injunctive orders by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to enforce payment by the Secretary of refunds of overpayment and interest to taxpayers. Places on the Secretary the burden of proof of justifying any failure to refund, credit, or offset relevant amounts with respect to a taxpayer. Entitles a prevailing taxpayer to: (1) an interest rate of 120 percent of the overpayment rate with respect to refunds; and (2) reasonable litigation costs. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to: (1) review jeopardy assessment sales of assets; and (2) redetermine interest under certain circumstances when a taxpayer claims an overpayment of the interest. Vests in the Tax Court original jurisdiction over any civil action against the Secretary for the recovery of any tax, additions to tax, and penalties with respect to income, estate, gift, and certain excise taxes. Authorizes an award of reasonable litigation costs to the prevailing party in proceedings by taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action in district court for actual damages resulting from the failure of any Federal officer or employee to release a tax lien on the taxpayer's property. Permits a civil cause of action in district court for damages resulting from the careless, reckless, or intentional disregard of internal revenue laws by any Federal officer or employee. Denies damage awards in cases of contributory negligence. Authorizes a damage award, to a $10,000 maximum, to the United States in cases of frivolous or groundless claims by a taxpayer. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation or surveillance authorized or conducted by an officer or employee of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws that inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Establishes in the Internal Revenue Service the Office for Taxpayers Services, under the supervision of an Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Directs this Assistant Commissioner to: (1) be responsible for telephone, walk-in, and educational services, and for the design and production of tax and information forms; and (2) prepare annually, for presentation to specified congressional committees, a joint report (with the Chief Problem Resolution Officer for the IRS) on the quality of taxpayer services.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1987
Rural Economy Act of 1987 - Title I: General Provisions - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture a Rural Development Financing Authority, headed by an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes appropriations for the Authority for FY 1988 and subsequent fiscal years. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and subsequent fiscal years for: (1) the Rural Development Financing Authority; (2) the Rural Development Loan Fund; (3) rural infrastructure grants; (4) basic community facility needs grants; (5) local capacity building grants; (6) rural technology development; (7) one-stop rural financial and technical assistance centers; and (8) State incentive grants. Title II: Business Development - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Directs the Assistant Secretary to develop a program to provide interest rate subsidies to lenders for loans to private business enterprises in rural areas. Prescribes eligibility requirements for such subsidies. Sets forth a program of rural industrialization assistance, including: (1) direct and insured loans for private business enterprises encompassing economic and environmental improvement, aquaculture, and solar energy systems; (2) joint loans for such enterprises from specified Federal departments and agencies, State agencies, and private and quasi-public financial institutions; and (3) insured and guaranteed loans for the construction or improvement of subterminal facilities. Subtitle B: Rural Development Loan Fund - Establishes in the Treasury a Rural Development Loan Fund as a revolving fund to be used for making rural development loans and rural opportunity grants. Title III: Community Development Assistance for Smaller Communities - Subtitle A: Rural Infrastructure Grants - Directs the Assistant Secretary to make grants to States, territories, and Indian tribes to provide funds for the development of local infrastructure in eligible rural communities. Sets forth allocation and program requirements. Subtitle B: Basic Community Facility Needs Grants - Directs the Assistant Secretary, in cooperation with the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration, to make grants to specified associations to test cost-effective methods of meeting the basic needs of residents of rural areas who do not have and cannot afford safe drinking water and wastewater disposal. Title IV: Capacity Building for Local Development - Directs the Assistant Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private institutions: (1) to stimulate local businesses in rural areas affected by recent declines or chronic underdevelopment in basic economic sectors like agriculture; (2) to establish and operate centers of rural technology development in order to promote new processes and products that can be produced in rural areas; and (3) to establish three one-stop rural financial and technical assistance centers. Title V: State Incentive Grants - Directs the Assistant Secretary to make grants to States to fund the Federal matching contribution for State programs to promote rural development. Title VI: Administration - Sets forth nondiscrimination provisions and procedures for ensuring compliance and sanctioning noncompliance (including civil actions by the Attorney General). Sets forth remedies for noncompliance with any provision of this Act, including civil actions by the Attorney General. Provides for judicial review of any termination, reduction, or limitation of payments under this Act. Requires annual reports to the Congress on progress made in carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1987
Acknowledges the historical debt of the United States to the Iroquois Confederacy and other Indian nations for their demonstration of democratic principles and their example of a free association of independent Indian nations. Reaffirms the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Indian tribes. Reaffirms the trust responsibility and obligation of the Government to Indian tribes, including Alaska Natives. Acknowledges the need to exercise good faith in upholding treaties with the various tribes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1987
Medicaid Home and Community Quality Services Act of 1987 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to provide Medicaid coverage of community and family support services for severely disabled individuals who became disabled before age 22 and are living in a family home, foster family home, or community living facility. Requires that such services be provided in accordance with a written habilitation plan developed by an interdisciplinary team on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the individual's strengths and the services and support necessary to: (1) enable such individual to attain or retain capabilities for independence or self-care; (2) promote interaction between disabled and nondisabled individuals within the community; and (3) enable disabled individuals who are over age 18 to engage in paid employment. Increases the age at which newly disabled individuals will be eligible for this Act's coverage so that eventually individuals who become disabled between age 22 and 50 will be covered. Lists the services which may comprise community and family support services, requiring that such services include at a minimum: (1) case management services; (2) individual and family support services; (3) specialized vocational services; and (4) protective intervention services. Excludes from such services: (1) room and board, other than room and board provided for less than six consecutive weeks and less than 12 weeks per year; (2) cash payments as a service; (3) aversive behavior intervention, management, or therapies; (4) services provided to a disabled individual living in a hospital, or skilled nursing or intermediate care facility; (5) educational services which the State makes generally available to its residents without cost and without regard to their income; and (6) services for which payment is made under title XVIII (Medicare), or part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) or B (Child Welfare Services) of title IV of the Act. Requires each State to make certain assurances regarding their provision of community and family support services and submit an implementation strategy to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires that such implementation strategies: (1) describe the extent and scope of community and family support services provided to the severely disabled and the extent and scope of services provided to the severely disabled who are institutionalized; (2) set forth the objectives and a five-year strategy for expanding community and family support services for the severely disabled; (3) include certain procedures for transferring severely disabled, institutionalized individuals to family homes, foster family homes, or community living facilities; (4) set forth standards for the provision of community and family support services and a program for licensing and certifying all facilities and programs providing such services; (5) provide for assessments of the provision and affect of community and family support services and the correction of service deficiencies; (6) provide the public with an adequate opportunity to comment on the strategies; (7) set forth methods ensuring that the personnel providing community and family support services receive adequate training and are competent to provide such services; (8) provide that the State has in effect a management information system capable of collecting, storing, and retrieving data on the severely disabled who receive community and family support services; (9) provide an opportunity for an appeal and hearing before a hearing officer to individuals who believe themselves to be inappropriately served or denied an appropriate service, or who are being scheduled for an involuntary transfer from one living arrangement to another; (10) describe the methods to be used in administering community and family support services; and (11) set forth procedures to protect the interests of public employees who will be affected by the transfer of the severely disabled from public institutions. Allows States to provide any new community and family support service for up to three years without meeting the Medicaid requirements that it provide a service on a statewide basis and that the service be comparable in all parts of the State. Requires that intermediate care facility services for the mentally retarded include the ascertainment of the individual needs of each newly admitted individual by an interdisciplinary team within 30 days and the development of a written habilitation plan for each individual. Limits Medicaid payments to States for skilled nursing and intermediate care facility services furnished to individuals under age 65 who became disabled before age 22 to the amount payable for such services in the fiscal year ending after the enactment of this Act, increased if and by the extent to which the percentage increase in the consumer price index exceeds six percent. Makes such limitation inapplicable to facilities which have less than 16 beds or meet the size and location requirements for a community living facility. Requires States to have in effect a system to protect and advocate those rights of the severely disabled who are eligible for medical assistance which relate to the provision of such assistance. Provides Federal Medicaid matching funds for such system. Gives individuals who are adversely affected by a violation of this Act's requirements the right to bring an action to enjoin such violation. Allows States to set payment rates for community and family support services for the severely disabled. Authorizes States to treat severely disabled individuals under age 19 who are not in a medical institution as receiving benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Act for Medicaid eligibility purposes if they would be eligible for SSI benefits if institutionalized. Requires States to establish a uniform income standard for the severely disabled regardless of whether or not they are in a medical institution. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage of disabled spouses and children who, except for the resources deemed to them, would be eligible for SSI benefits. Removes certain limitations on the Secretary's approval of reduction and correction plans for deficient intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded. Makes individuals who are severely disabled and receiving or deemed to be receiving SSI benefits eligible for Medicaid as long as such qualifications continue to be satisfied. Directs the Secretary to establish, within the Health Care Financing Administration, a Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services responsible for administering Medicaid programs for the severely disabled. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop standards and a program for training Federal and State personnel who perform surveys of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities to determine whether such facilities meet Medicaid participation requirements; and (2) periodically conduct studies of the reliability of such surveys and make the changes necessary to improve such reliability. Directs the Secretary to support the development of: (1) instruments to assess outcomes in the provision of this Act's services; and (2) competency-based personnel standards for agencies and organizations providing services to the severely disabled pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct an annual assessment of each State's compliance with this Act's requirements; and (2) issue final regulations regarding this Act's amendments prior to the first fiscal year beginning after this Act's enactment. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Farm Credit Act of 1987 - Title I: Farm Credit Revolving Fund; Franchise Taxes; Purchase of Stock - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to repeal provisions governing: (1) the central reserve maintained by the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) for the Farm Credit System (FCS); (2) mergers of similar FCS banks; (3) the authority of the Secretary to purchase obligations issued by the Farm Credit System Capital Corporation (Capital Corporation); (4) the initial capitalization of the Capital Corporation; (5) the tax status of obligations issued jointly by the Capital Corporation and FCS banks; and (6) certain limitations on sales by FCS institutions of tracts of real estate. Directs the FCA to purchase stock to: (1) prevent impairment of FCS institution stock; (2) restore any impairment to such stock; or (3) provide collateral for obligations issued by an FCS bank to finance its lending operations. Identifies the resulting resource as the Farm Credit Revolving Fund. Requires the FCA, beginning in 1993, to mandate the retirement of such stock when the need for Government-owned stock is reduced or nonexistent. Mandates the availability of revolving fund monies to purchase obligations of the Farm Credit Banks Insurance Corporation and to make loans to the Loan Restructuring Corporation. Directs the FCA to make payments to holders of certain FCS associations placed in liquidation to ensure that they receive par value for the stock. Empowers the FCA, through the FCA Board, to make and issue non interest-bearing notes to the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to obtain funds for the revolving fund as necessary to permit the FCA to carry out required stock purchases, as well as loan and payment obligations. Requires the Secretary to purchase these notes, up to a maximum total of $6,000,000,000. Prohibits the issue of obligations to obtain funds to purchase stock of FCS institutions after 1992. Imposes a franchise tax, earmarked for the revolving fund, on each FCS bank and production credit association. Forgives such tax to the extent it would result in an impairment of the institution's stock. Imposes an additional franchise tax, effective in 1993, on FCS banks or associations in which the FCA holds stock. Reduces this tax to the extent of any amount the institution either paid to the United States for the retirement of any of its FCA-held stock or contributed to another FCS bank or association to permit it to retire FCA-held stock. Directs the FCA, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, to suspend the charter of any institution that fails to comply with franchise tax obligations. Permits the issuance of nonvoting Federal land bank stock to the FCA for this Act's purposes. Prohibits: (1) the payment of dividends on such FCA-held stock; and (2) patronage refunds in a year during which the FCA holds stock in the land bank. Applies corresponding prohibitions to Federal land bank associations. Fixes minimum funding requirements for reserves maintained by Federal land banks and Federal land bank associations. Establishes obligation contribution percentages with respect to these reserves. Grants to the FCA the first lien on stock and participation certificates it holds in Federal land banks and land bank associations. Permits the issuance of nonvoting Federal intermediate credit bank stock to the FCA for this Act's purposes. Prohibits: (1) the payment of dividends, unless authorized by the FCA Board, in any year when the FCA holds stock in the bank; and (2) the retirement of stock or of participation certificates if the FCA holds stock in the bank. Establishes a framework and procedures to govern: (1) the annual application of the net earnings of an intermediate credit bank in which the FCA holds stock; and (2) the absorption of its net losses. Includes provisions for the establishment of a reserve account. Exempts allocations to such an account from Federal income taxes. Prohibits a Federal intermediate credit bank from paying patronage refunds in a year when the FCA holds stock in the bank. Grants priority to FCA-owner stock (after liabilities are paid) for purposes of distribution of assets on liquidation. Permits the issuance to the FCA of nonvoting stock of a production credit association (PCA) for this Act's purposes. Prohibits: (1) the payment of dividends (other than preferred stock) in any year when the FCA holds stock in the PCA; and (2) patronage refunds in a year during which the FCA holds stock in the PCA. Grants to the FCA the first lien on stock and participation certificates it holds in a PCA. Grants a limited tax exemption to PCAs and their property, funds, and income. Permits the issuance to the FCA of nonvoting stock of banks for cooperatives for this Act's purposes. Grants to the FCA first lien on stock it holds in the bank. Establishes a framework and procedures to govern the annual application of the net earnings of a bank for cooperatives in which the FCA holds stock. Includes provision for the creation of a surplus account. Grants a limited tax exemption to banks for cooperatives, their property, funds, and income Empowers the FCA expressly to invest in the stock of FCS banks and associations out of the pertinent revolving fund and to require the stocks' retirement. Title II: Loan Restructuring - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to repeal the December 31, 1987, sunset review of the Farm Credit System Capital Corporation. Changes the name of the Capital Corporation to the Loan Restructuring Corporation (LRC). Requires the FCA board to revoke the charter of the LRC on December 31, 1990, unless it unanimously adopts a one-year extension. Directs the LRC to: (1) hold, restructure, collect, sell, and otherwise administer nonperforming assets participated in or acquired from other FCS institutions; and (2) provide technical assistance to FCS institutions in connection with borrower loan restructing activities. Provides for an LRC Board of Directors. Transfers generally the corporate powers of the Capital Corporation to the LRC. Adds the power to: (1) carry out a loan restructuring program; and (2) grant forbearance on, restructure, or liquidate any loan participated in or acquired from an FCS institution. Repeals a number of powers relating to the issuance and sale of obligations, the administration of financial assistance, the purchase of nonaccrual loans and assets, and the purchase of certain assets from associations undergoing liquidation. Rescinds any required Capital Corporation purchase or assessment taken between July 31, 1986, and the date of this Act's enactment. Orders a refund of such funds, as well as contributions under loss-sharing agreements, to contributor institutions. Requires the LRC and each farm credit district to have in place within 60 days of this Act's enactment a policy that includes: (1) a case-by-case review of nonaccrual loans to determine whether they should be considered for forbearance, restructuring, or liquidation; and (2) a case-by-case review of all high-risk loans to determine appropriate measures to prevent them from becoming nonaccrual loans. Describes required policy contents, including mandatory provisions indicating that forbearance will be granted to the maximum extent possible to avoid losses to the institution, and that restructuring will be effected in ways that would enable borrower repayments without impairing the borrower's standard of living if specified conditions are met. Requires each farm credit district board to establish a Special Credit Team to help the district's banks and associations in dealing with nonaccrual and high-risk loans. Mandates that each district plan establish an appeals procedure with respect to loans determined to be ineligible for restructuring. Describes criteria to be met by the appeal process. Prohibits an FCS institution from requiring a borrower to provide additional collateral or from foreclosing certain loans as a result of the borrower's failure to do so. Permits a borrower, upon application, to retain possession and occupancy of qualified homestead property for between three and five years, in certain cases of foreclosure, bankruptcy, or involuntary liquidation. Describes the eligibility requirements to be met by affected borrowers. Grants to the borrower the right of first refusal with respect to the homestead property at the end of the prescribed occupancy period. Makes homestead provisions inapplicable in cases when appraisal indicates that the value of the acquired real estate prior to the separation of the homestead would exceed the sum of the values of each component property. Prohibits an FCS institution from: (1) selling any agricultural land acquired as a result of loan foreclosure, bankruptcy, or voluntary loan liquidation if the sale would have a substantial adverse effect on the agricultural land values in the area where the real estate in question is located; or (2) combining for sale or lease acquired real estate tracts when the size of the resulting tract substantially exceeds that of an average farming or ranching operation in the area where the tracts are located. Requires FCS institutions to subdivide tracts that are larger than the average family farming or ranching operation before offering them for sale or lease. Mandates that: (1) offers to sell or lease property acquired by an FCS institution (other than offers to another FCS institution) be public offers; and (2) the sale or lease of such property be based on competitive bidding. Directs the FCA to issue regulations to govern such bidding, including provisions to ensure: (1) actual notice to the previous owner of the availability of the property; and (2) sale or lease to the highest bidder, subject to the previous owner's right of first refusal. Sets forth similar but distinct provisions to govern leases of property for terms of between five and ten years to family farmers or ranchers. Requires that each of these leases contain an option to buy the property when the lease term expires. Requires persons (beginning in 1990) who enter into installment sales agreements or similar financing arrangements, to purchase FCS acquired property to buy stock or participation certificates in the pertinent institution. Requires each FCS institution holding acquired property on the date of this Act's enactment to sell or lease the property within four years. Applies the same four-year requirement to subsequently acquired property, with the reference date being that on which the institution acquires the property. Transfers the functions and role of the Federal Farm Credit Capital Corporation to the Loan Restructuring Corporation. Lists documents and information that FCS institutions must provide to borrowers, including interest rate data and corporate materials. States that any person who suffers legal wrong or who is aggrieved or adversely affected by the violation in question has the right to sue: (1) an FCS institution for violations of duty, standard, or limitation or of corollary FCA orders; or (2) the FCA for failure to perform duties. Grants jurisdiction in such cases to Federal district courts, without regard to the amount in controversy. Title III: Insurance of Obligations of Farm Credit Banks; Liability of Banks on Obligations - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to create a Farm Credit Banks Insurance Corporation, under the direction of the FCA Board, having as its duty to insure the notes, bonds, and similar obligations of eligible FCS banks. Enumerates corporate powers. Requires each FCS bank to apply for insurance within 90 days of this Act's enactment. Describes required contents for such applications. Directs the Corporation to reject the application of any bank having unsafe financial policies or management. Prescribes: (1) the extent of insurance to be provided; (2) the assessment of premiums to be paid (not to exceed two-tenths of one percent of the proceeds of the obligation); (3) the establishment of a reserve; (4) procedures for terminating insurance; and (5) actions to be taken against banks that violate duties or engage in unsafe or unsound practices. Mandates that, beginning in 1993, any minimum capital adequacy requirement in connection with the aggregate obligations of a bank or banks be established at a level to reduce, to the extent practicable, the risk of loss to the Corporation. Prohibits a bank from participating in a joint issuance of obligations due and payable after 1992 unless it is insured by the Corporation. Sets forth the order of liability of affected banks with respect to certain consolidated or system-wide obligations issued between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 1992. Title IV: Real Estate Lending; Interest Rates - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to prohibit Federal land banks from making agricultural real estate mortgage loans to persons who are not bona fide farmers or ranchers, an defined by this Act. Requires each Federal land bank to make available to eligible borrowers long-term real estate mortgage loans having terms of at least 15 years at a fixed interest rate. Caps the permissible interest rate on such loans at two percent above the average interest rate on the bank's obligations of comparable maturities during the preceding 12 months. Provides for differential interest rate programs for loans of Federal land bank association members. Caps the permissible interest rate on all the agricultural loans of a bank at two percent above the average interest rate on obligations issued by the bank during the preceding 12 months. Permits the FCA to authorize a higher interest rate under certain circumstances. Restricts loans to no more than 75 percent of the appraised value to the real estate security (the current general restrictions is 85 percent). Permits an 85 percent limitation in case of young or beginning farmers or ranchers. Sets standards for determining appraised value. Directs each Federal land bank to: (1) require borrower financial statements at least triennially; (2) establish a future payment plan into which participating borrowers could pay amounts to be offset against indebtedness. Caps the permissible interest rate on short- and intermediate-term loans of production credit associations at two percent above their discount rate. Allows a differential interest rate program for member loans only upon stockholder approval. Requires FCA approval for certain loans. Title V: Service Organizations - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to direct the FCA to revoke the charter issued to the Farm Credit Corporation of America as of FY 1990, unless a majority of the members of the boards of directors of each Federal land bank association, production credit association, farm credit district, and the Central Bank for Cooperatives votes to permit its continuation. Bars from the charter of the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation (Funding Corporation) provisions that would permit the Funding Corporation to set policy or otherwise assume responsibilities of other FCS institutions with regard to member-borrower services. Directs the FCA, within 30 days of this Act's enactment, to amend the charter of the Funding Corporation to provide for a board of directors. Requires the Funding Corporation to report annually to each FCS bank and association and to specified congressional committees detailing its bond placements, budget, costs, and expenses. Prohibits the FCA from issuing a charter to any new service corporation unless specifically authorized by an Act of Congress. Title VI: Mergers - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 with respect to mergers of various FCS institutions. Provides for a mandatory 60-day cooling off period before a voluntary merger of FCS associations becomes effective. Requires association seeking voluntary merger: (1) to notify stockholders of the meeting date before any meeting at which they will vote on the merger; and (2) to provide a statement of the advantages and disadvantages associated with the merger. Conditions mergers of similar FCS banks on the unanimous approval of the FCA Board. Shifts from the FCA to the FCA Board the responsibility for assuring nondiscriminatory treatment of associations that disapprove mergers. Directs the FCA to issue regulations to provide for and govern reconsideration by stockholders of voluntary mergers of associations between January 1, 1986, and the date of this Act's enactment. Title VII: Boards of Directors - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to revise membership provisions with respect to the boards of directors of Federal land bank associations, production credit associations, the Central Bank for Cooperatives, and farm credit districts. Permits outside directors for the first two entities and requires them for the latter two. Establishes procedures by which FCS bank stockholders may establish or abolish a separate board of directors. Sets forth membership requirements applicable to such a board. Title VIII: Amendments to Title V of the Farm Credit Act of 1971; Miscellaneous - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to limit the annual compensation of a farm credit district director to $15,000. Revises membership provisions applicable to the FCA Board, as well as provisions relating to its internal operation and to the responsibilities of the Chairman. Subjects certain of the Chairman's personnel appointments and the Chairman's establishment of advisory committees to Board approval. Grants to the Board additional powers with regard to bank mergers and the salary scale or rate of compensation of certain FCS institution employees. Empowers the FCA to appoint a farm credit appraiser for each farm credit district. Shifts: (1) from the Chairman of the FCA board to the Board itself various determinations affecting examinations of FCS institutions; and (2) from the FCA to the FCA Board certain decision and appointments in connection with receiverships or conservatorships of FCS institutions. Prohibits any farm credit district board, bank board, or bank officer or employee from removing any director or officer of any production credit association or Federal land bank association. Sets forth provisions with respect to FCA examinations of Federal land bank associations, requiring them at least once every five years. Prohibits FCS institutions from contracting for an independent audit of FCS institutions or certain other financial institutions unless the agreement covers no more than two years and is entered into under competitive bidding procedures. Directs each Federal land bank financing all or part of the stock of a Federal land bank association to charge a loan origination fee, to a maximum of two percent of the loan amount, in connection with loans made by a bank to a borrower. Prohibits the financing of such a fee. Prohibits the requirement of Federal land bank association stock prior to full payment of the loan. Excepts loans in default from this prohibition. Requires that Federal land bank or production credit association loan applications clearly state specified information concerning the amount of stock required to be purchased and its retirement. Title IX: Farmers Home Administration Loan Restructuring - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) implement within 60 days of this Act's enactment a policy under which all nonaccrual farm ownership and operating loans held by the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) and loans made by a Federal or State chartered bank, savings and loan association, or other legally organized lending agency that have been guaranteed by the Secretary are to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they should be considered for forbearance, restructuring, or liquidation; and (2) provide for a case-by-case review of all high-risk loans held by the FmHA to determine appropriate measures to prevent such loans from becoming nonaccrual loans. Authorizes the Secretary to pursue to final connection all loan-related claims against third parties assigned to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to: (1) grant forbearance on nonaccrual and high-risk loans to the maximum extent possible to avoid FmHA losses; and (2) to restructure loans in ways that would enable borrower repayments without impairing the borrower's standard of living if specified conditions are met. Requires that the Secretary establish an appeals procedure with respect to loans determined to be ineligible for restructuring. Describes criteria to be met by the appeal process. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring any borrower to provide additional collateral or from foreclosing certain loans as a result of the borrower's failure to do so. Permits a borrower, upon application, to retain possession and occupancy of qualified homestead property for between three and five years in certain cases of foreclosure, bankruptcy, or involuntary liquidation. Describes the eligibility requirements to be met by affected borrowers. Grants to the borrower the right of first refusal with respect to the homestead property at the end of the prescribed occupancy period. Directs the Secretary to permit a borrower to redeem real property acquired through legal process during the year following the date of judgment or the period prescribed under State law, whichever is longer. Applies State law to the redemption process. Fixes priorities as to borrower preference for redemption purchases. Revises farmland disposition provisions to give previous owners or operators the right of first refusal with respect to a lease of a property and preference with respect to the awarding to management contracts governing the property. Authorizes the Secretary to sign a contract to lease land to its owner before the Secretary actually acquires the property. Requires that previous owners be given written notice of the potential sale or lease of property. Applies appeals procedures to denials of applications or disputes with respect to leases or purchase agreements. Directs the Secretary to release from the sale of any loan-securing property an amount sufficient both to assure the borrower's family a reasonable standard of living and to pay all necessary farm operating expenses. Title X: State Mediation Program - Establishes guidelines for State farm loan mediation programs. Enumerates criteria to be met by a State in order to qualify for the matching grant program instituted in this title. Lists the requirements to be met by the farm loan mediation program of a State, including provisions with respect to mediator training and duties and applications for mediation. Creates a program of matching grants to the States under which the Secretary must provide financial assistance to a qualifying State for the operation and administration of its farm loan mediation program. Limits the amount of such a grant to: (1) no more than 50 percent of the costs of the operation and administration of the State's program; and (2) $1,000,000 per year per State. Directs the Secretary to prescribe rules requiring each guarantee or insurance program under the Secretary's jurisdiction to: (1) cooperate in good faith with requests for information or for analysis; and (2) present and explore debt restructuring proposals advanced during the course of any farm loan mediation program. Mandates corresponding rulemaking by the FCA with respect to FCS institutions. Authorizes FY 1988 through 1991 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Designates October 15, 1987, as National Safety Belt Use Day. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people to wear safety belts and have their children use child safety seats, and encouraging public safety and law enforcement agencies to promote these devices.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Federal Aviation Administration Independent Establishment Act of 1987 - Establishes the Federal Aviation Administration as an independent Federal agency to succeed the Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of Transportation. Transfers to such independent agency all functions vested in the Federal Aviation Administration currently in the Department of Transportation, and all functions vested in such Department which are administered through the Federal Aviation Administration or are related to it. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1987
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a research program that includes: (1) developing technology for the rapid identification of infectious agents and toxins on farms and within the processing and distribution chain; (2) establishing a statistical framework for purposes of health risk assessment related to contamination of the animal product food chain by these infectious agents and toxins; (3) analyzing the animal product food chain to determine the most effective point for preventive intervention; and (4) developing techniques to monitor the production, processing, and distribution of food animals and their food product derivatives in order to detect potential microbiological or chemical agents. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants for the funding of projects to decrease the susceptibility of food products of animal origin to infectious or toxic agents. Identifies entities eligible for such grants. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1987
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Technology Competitiveness Act of 1987 - Sets forth specified national goals for the current wind, photovoltaics, and solar thermal energy programs. Requires the President's budget requests for FY 1989 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 1988 through 1990 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 program. Mandates that the President's budget requests for FY 1990 include the Secretary's recommendations or proof of concept proposals for certain renewable energy projects. 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 1989 and 1990 to include the Secretary's recommendations of amounts to be set aside for energy conservation research and development initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for specified energy conservation research and development programs for FY 1988 through 1990. 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 Photovoltaic Village Energy Systems; (2) Advisory Committee on Wind Energy Village Energy Systems; (3) Advisory Committee on Solar Thermal Community Total Energy Systems; (4) Advisory Committee on Energy Performance in Factory-Made Housing; (5) Advisory Committee on Advanced District Cooling Technology; (6) Advisory Committee on Integrated Renewable Energy Systems; (7) Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Technology Exports; and (8) Federal Energy Analysis Team. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1993 for such joint ventures. Requires the Secretary to evaluate and report to the Congress on the efforts of the Committee on Renewable Energy, Commerce and Trade to promote renewable energy technology exports. Authorizes appropriations for such Committee activities for FY 1988 through 1990. 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 · 24 July 1987
National Trails System Improvements Act of 1987 - Amends the National Trails System Act to retain to the United States interests in abandoned railroad rights-of-way. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage such lands unless they can be incorporated into a conservation system unit or a national forest. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such lands under the Secretary's management to qualified entities for public recreational purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to sell such lands which are not adjacent to public lands after offering State or local governments an opportunity to purchase such lands. Requires sale proceeds to be deposited in the Trails Fund established in the Treasury to be used for trail maintenance and loans to State or local agencies or other organizations for the acquisition of new trails. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and the Treasury to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on such Fund. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992 for administration. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund for FY 1988 and 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1987
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to expand progressively the conservation reserve program to 65,000,000 acres by the end of the 1990 crop year. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to report to specified congressional committees by January 1, 1988, on the inclusion in the program of lands other than highly erodible lands. Authorizes cash and in-kind conservation reserve incentives. Directs the Secretary to expand the quantity of land eligible for conservation reserve programs for acreage devoted to trees. Provides for commercial use of conservation reserve acreage under certain conditions. Revises the ownership/operation requirements related to contracts under the conservation reserve program. Requires the Secretary, in determining the acceptability of contract offers, to consider the land's fair market and rental values. Extends through FY 1990 the authority of the Secretary to use the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the conservation reserve program. Directs the Secretary, not later than July 1, 1988, to formulate and implement a groundwater pilot program to assist owners and operators of eligible land in conserving and improving the soil and water resources of their farms or ranches. Makes eligible for such program land: (1) that is irrigated for certain crops in an area identified as subject to the overdraft of groundwater; or (2) that is associated with an aquifer adversely affected by such irrigation. Amends the Agricultural Programs Adjustment Act of 1984 to require the Secretary to implement a program for the reamortization of certain loans based on future revenue from softwood timber crops. (Under current law, the program is discretionary.) Increases from 50,000 acres to 200,000 acres the amount of land that may be placed in such a program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 1992 the period during which qualified mortgage bonds and mortgage credit certificates may be issued. (Under current law, authority for these programs is due to expire as of 1989.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1987
Recognizes the importance of the agricultural export enhancement program established under the Food Security Act of 1985. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should assure that sufficient FY 1987 through 1990 funding be available for such program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Methanol and Alternative Fuels Promotion Act of 1987 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to revise the dual fuel passenger automobile driving range for automobiles operating on certain ethanol or methanol mixtures. Provides that for any ten consecutive model years between 1993 and 2005, a dual fuel passenger automobile manufacturer shall receive an average fuel economy increase according to specified guidelines. Declares that if a manufacturer makes methanol- or ethanol-powered or dual fuel passenger automobiles, the fuel economy of an automobile shall be based on the fuel content of the methanol or ethanol mixture used to operate it. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding ethanol and methanol promotion. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that the determination of tax to be imposed regarding methanol-, ethanol-, or natural gas-powered or dual fuel passenger automobiles shall be based on the fuel economy rating established under the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Family Security Act of 1987 - Replaces the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) (part A of title IV of the Social Security Act) program with the Child Support Supplement (CSS) program. Title I: Child Support and Establishment of Paternity - Subtitle A: Child Support - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require the withholding of child support payments from the non-custodial parent's wages upon the issuance or modification of a child support order. Waives such withholding requirement when both parents agree to an alternative arrangement or the State finds good cause to rely on an alternative arrangement. Amends part A of title IV of the Act to exclude the first $50 of child support payments which were due for a prior month from the determination of a family's need for CSS payments in the month during which such payments were received. Amends part D of title IV of the Act to require States to review State guidelines for child support award amounts at least once every five years. Makes such guidelines binding upon judges or other State officials unless the judge or official, pursuant to criteria established by the State, finds good cause to ignore such guidelines. Requires that child support awards established under such guidelines be reviewed at least once every two years. Requires the review of a child support award which was not established under such guidelines to adjust it in accordance with such guidelines if either parent requests such review and the State determines that the award should be reviewed. Gives parents at least 30 days notice of pending review or adjustment of a child support award. Subtitle B: Establishment of Paternity - Establishes State performance standards for the establishment of paternity which require the State's paternity establishment percentage for a fiscal year to be: (1) at least 50 percent; (2) the State's percentage for FY 1987 increased by three percentage points for each fiscal year after FY 1988; or (3) equal to or greater than the average percentage for all States. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to modify such requirements to take into account variables which may affect a State's ability to meet such requirements. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding the data upon which State paternity establishment percentages are based and the performance of States in establishing paternity. Raises the Federal matching rate to 90 percent (from 68 percent in FY 1988) for laboratory costs incurred in determining paternity. Subtitle C: Improved Procedures for Child Support Enforcement and Establishment of Paternity - Requires the Secretary to establish time limits within which a State must accept and respond to requests for assistance in establishing and enforcing child support orders. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee, composed of State officials involved in the Child Support Enforcement program, with which the Secretary must consult before issuing regulations regarding such time limits. Requires the issuance of final regulations by the first day of the seventh month after this Act's enactment. Requires States to establish automatic data processing and information retrieval systems to assist in the administration of the Child Support Enforcement program within ten years of the State's submittal (by October 1, 1989) of an advance planning document for such system to the Secretary, or, if earlier, by the date specified by the State in such document. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the Act's requirements for such documents and systems if the State has an alternative system which is in substantial compliance with the Act's requirements. Sets the Federal share of establishing such a system at 90 percent so long as time limits have not been exceeded. Directs the Secretary of Labor to give the Secretary prompt access to wage and unemployment compensation claims information and data maintained by the Department of Labor and State employment security agencies. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act to require States to collect the social security numbers of both parents when their child is born for use by State agencies administering Child Support Enforcement programs unless the State finds good cause for not requiring such numbers. Establishes the Commission on Interstate Child Support which, by October 1, 1988, must hold one or more national conferences on reform of interstate child support procedures. Directs the Commission to submit a report to the Congress by October 1, 1989, containing recommendations for improving the interstate establishment and enforcement of child support and for revising the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act. Terminates the Commission on October 2, 1989. Authorizes appropriations for such Commission. Title II: Joint Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program - Amends part A of title IV of the Act to require States to establish, within three years of this Act's enactment, a job opportunities and basic skills training program (Program) which helps needy children and parents avoid long-term welfare dependence. Requires private sector involvement in planning and Program design to assure that participants are trained for jobs that will actually be available in the community. Requires non-exempt CSS recipients to participate in such Program if State resources permit such level of participation and necessary child care is available to participants. Allows exempt CSS recipients to participate on a voluntary basis. Authorizes States to require or allow absent fathers who are unemployed and unable to meet child support obligations to participate in the Program. Exempts from Program participation an individual who: (1) is ill, incapacitated, or of advanced age; (2) is needed in the home because of the illness or incapacity of another member of the household; (3) is a parent or relative of a child under age three or, at the State's option, less than age three but not less than age one (such exception applies to only one parent in a two-parent family and may be made inapplicable to both parents if the State provides the family with child care); (4) works more than 30 hours or more per week; (5) is a child under age 16 or attending elementary, secondary, or vocational school full time; (6) is a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy; or (7) resides in an area of the State where the Program is not available. Prohibits the requirement that the parent or a relative of a child under age six who is not the principal earner participate in the Program for more than 24 hours a week. Provides that if an individual is attending a school or a course of vocational or technical training designed to lead to employment when he or she would otherwise commence participation in the Program, such attendance may constitute satisfactory participation in the Program, though the costs of such schooling or training shall not be covered by the CSS program. Requires States to make an initial assessment of the education and employment skills of each Program participant and on that basis develop an employability plan for each participant which, to the maximum extent possible, reflects the participant's preferences. Authorizes the State to: (1) require each participant to then negotiate a contract with the State which specifies the duration of his or her participation as well as the activities the State will conduct and services it will provide in the course of such participation; and (2) assign to each participating family a case manager who is responsible for obtaining, on the family's behalf, any other services which may assure the family's effective participation. Requires State Programs to provide a broad range of services and activities, including: (1) high school or equivalent education; (2) remedial education to achieve basic literacy and instruction in English as a second language; (3) post-secondary education as appropriate; (4) work supplementation programs; (5) community work experience programs; (6) job search, training, and placement services; and (7) other employment, education, and training activities as determined by the State and allowed by the Secretary. Requires non-exempt custodial parents who have not attained age 22 or successfully completed a high school education to participate in high school or equivalent education, or literacy or English language education. Authorizes States to require such parents to participate in training or work activities if they fail to make good progress in educational activities or if their participation in such activities is inappropriate. Requires each work assignment to be consistent with the physical capacity, skills, experience, health, family responsibilities, and place of residence of each participant and not involve unreasonable travel. Gives participants the opportunity for a fair hearing in the event of a dispute involving his or her work assignment. Prohibits: (1) wage rates for work assignments from being set at less than the greater of the Federal or State minimum wage; and (2) work assignments which displace a currently employed worker or position, impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements, or fill the job of a worker who has been laid off or fired. Prohibits States from requiring participants to accept a job which would result in a loss of income to the participant's family unless the State maintains the family's income level through supplementary payments. Requires that Program activities be coordinated with Job Training Partnership Act programs and any other relevant employment, training, and education programs available in the State. Authorizes any State to institute a work supplementation program under which such State reserves sums which would otherwise be payable to program participants as child support supplements and uses such sums instead to subsidize jobs for such participants. Authorizes any State to establish a community work experience program to provide experience and training for individuals not otherwise able to obtain employment. Limits such programs to projects which serve a useful public purpose, utilizing, if possible, the participant's prior training, experience, and skills. Requires that other Program activities be coordinated with the community work program so that job placement has priority over participation in such program. Authorizes States to require individuals to participate in job search activities for up to eight weeks after applying for child support supplements and for up to eight weeks in any 12-month period thereafter. Subjects the families of individuals who are required to participate in the Program and fail to do so without good cause to the reduction or elimination of child support supplements. Continues sanctions for a minimum of three months if such individual failed to participate on a previous occasion and for six months if such noncompliance has occurred more than one time previously. Requires the State to notify recipients of any failure to comply with work or training requirements and the actions which must be taken to terminate the sanction. Sets the Federal matching rate for Program costs at 90 percent up to a specified dollar amount and 60 percent thereafter. Sets such rate for administrative costs (for needs assessments, case management services, and agency-client contracts) at 50 percent. Reduces the rate of Federal reimbursement for non-administrative Program expenditures to 50 percent if: (1) more than 40 percent of the non-Federal share of such expenditures is contributed in-kind; or (2) less than 60 percent of such expenditures is targeted at individuals who have received child support supplements for 30 of the preceding 60 months, are custodial parents under age 22 who have not completed and are not enrolled in high school, or are parents in families that are eligible for supplements by reason of the unemployment of the principal earner. Requires States to provide child care (or day care for an incapacitated individual living in the home of a dependent child) for families to the extent that it is necessary to an individual's participation in work, education, and training activities. Provides coverage for certain transportation and other work-related expenses. Sets forth technical and conforming amendments. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish final Program regulations within one year of this Act's enactment; (2) submit recommended Program performance standards to the Congress within five years of this Act's enactment; (3) study State implementation of the Program; and (4) select five States to participate in three-year demonstration projects to study the relative cost-effectiveness of different approaches for assisting long-term CSS recipients under the Program. Sets forth cost-effectiveness study reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the State implementation study for FY 1988 through 1990 and for the cost-effectiveness study for FY 1988 through 1992. Title III: Transitional Assistance for Families After Loss of CSS Eligibility - Provides a family which loses CSS eligibility due to an increase of earned income with nine months of transitional child care if the State determines such assistance to be necessary for continuing employment and the family has received child support supplements for three of the preceding six months. Terminates transitional child care if the family ceases to include a dependent child or the caretaker relative engages in certain conduct prohibited under the CSS program. Requires families to contribute to the costs of such care on the basis of their ability to pay for such care. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act to require a State to continue a family's Medicaid eligibility for four months after the family loses CSS eligibility because of increased earnings if the family has received supplement payments for three of the preceding six months, and for an optional five additional months if the family has received the entire four months of extended Medicaid coverage. Terminates extended Medicaid coverage if the family ceases to include a dependent child or the caretaker relative engaged in certain conduct prohibited under the CSS program. Authorizes States to provide the extended Medicaid coverage by paying a family's expenses for health insurance offered by the caretaker relative's employer (or, if more cost-effective, by the absent parent's employer) or a family's expenses, during the five-month extension period, for enrollment in a group health plan offered to the caretaker relative, a group health plan offered by the State to its employees, or a health maintenance organization. Denies a family the five-month extension period if its earnings exceed 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Requires States to impose a premium on families receiving the five months of extended coverage, but prohibits its exceeding ten percent of the amount by which a family's monthly earnings exceed $581 (as adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living). Title IV: Family Living Arrangements - Amends part A of title IV of the Act to condition an unmarried minor parent's receipt of CSS payments on his or her residence with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative, or in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement. Makes such requirement inapplicable if: (1) such individual has no living parent or legal guardian or is not allowed to live with such parent or legal guardian; (2) the health and safety of the child or minor parent would be jeopardized if such individual lived with the parent or legal guardian; (3) such individual has not lived at home for at least one year prior to the child's birth or making a claim for CSS payments; or (4) the State otherwise finds good cause for waiving the requirement. Requires that (where possible) CSS payments be made to the parent or legal guardian on behalf of the minor parent and child. Authorizes States to require minor parents who have not graduated from high school to attend school (and parent-training classes when available) on at least a part-time basis as a condition of their receipt of CSS payments. Alters the definition of a "dependent child" to include a child who is poor because of the unemployment of the principal earner in the family. Authorizes States to increase the number of hours which an individual who received a CSS payment in the preceding month may work and remain eligible for such payments. (Currently, an individual must work less than 100 hours per month to maintain such eligibility.) Authorizes States to count for up to four of the six quarters of work required of a parent in the 13 quarters preceding application for CSS payments such parent's: (1) full-time attendance as an elementary or secondary school student; (2) full-time attendance in a vocational or technical training course; and (3) participation in a Job Training Partnership Act education or training program. Title V: Benefit Structure Improvements - Requires each State to make scheduled reevaluations of its need and payment standards for CSS benefits at least once every five years and report to the Secretary and the Congress regarding the results of the reevaluations. Title VI: Demonstration Projects - Authorizes the Secretary to approve, as alternatives to the CSS program, five-year demonstration projects testing: (1) New York State's Child Support Supplement Program; and (2) Washington State's Family Independence Program. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with four States, by April 1, 1988, for the conduct of two-year demonstration projects testing and evaluating model procedures for reviewing child support award amounts. Provides Federal coverage for 90 percent of the costs of such projects. Requires the Secretary to report the results of such projects to the Congress within six months after completion of all such projects. Amends part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a program providing grants to States selected to conduct demonstration projects testing whether CSS housing costs can be reduced by constructing and rehabilitating permanent housing for rental to CSS recipients who would otherwise require CSS emergency assistance in the form of temporary housing. Provides that, to be eligible for selection as one of two States authorized to conduct such a project, a State must: (1) be currently providing CSS emergency housing assistance; (2) have an acute need for Federal assistance by virtue of the large number of homeless CSS families, and shortages of low-income housing, in the jurisdiction(s) where such project would be conducted; and (3) submit a plan to achieve significant cost savings over a ten-year period through the conduct of such project. Requires that such grants be used to provide permanent housing which is: (1) owned by the State, an instrumentality of the State, or a nonprofit organization; (2) available to families who have been unable to find decent housing at rents that can be paid with CSS aid for shelter; and (3) located in jurisdictions experiencing a critical shortage of such housing. Requires that: (1) the most costly temporary housing be retired from use in the emergency assistance program as permanent housing becomes available for occupancy, unless temporary housing is demonstrably needed; and (2) the costs of providing permanent housing be lower than costs which would be incurred if, instead, the State made CSS emergency assistance payments providing temporary housing. Sets the State contribution to the cost of constructing or rehabilitating such housing at at least the current State CSS share increased by ten percent. Authorizes appropriations for the grant program for each of the first five fiscal years following FY 1987. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants to States for one- to five-year demonstration projects for CSS children testing financial incentives and alternative approaches to reducing school dropouts, encouraging skill development, and avoiding welfare dependence. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for demonstration projects designed to increase compliance with child access provisions of court orders. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and 1989. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of such projects by July 1990. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for three-year demonstration projects testing innovative methods for providing suitable foster care arrangements and other necessary social and medical services for infants abandoned by their parents or removed from their parents' custody and placed in a hospital's care. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Directs the Secretary to make grants to between five and ten States for three-year demonstration projects increasing the availability of child care in communities by the acquisition or renovation of child care facilities, and the provision of child care transportation services. Favors States that propose to conduct the project primarily in communities having fewer than 50,000 inhabitants. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding such projects by October 1, 1991. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to up to five States for demonstration projects testing whether the employment of parents of dependent children receiving child support supplements as day care providers will facilitate the conduct of the Program and afford a significant number of families a realistic opportunity to avoid welfare dependence. Title VII: Payments to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands - Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to include American Samoa in the CSS program. Limits Federal funding for American Samoa's program to $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. Increases the total amount of Federal payments which may be made to Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands in any fiscal year under titles I (Grants to States for Old-Age Assistance for the Aged), X (Grants to States for Aid to the Blind), XIV (Grants to States for Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled), XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled), and parts A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) and E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Act. Title VIII: Waiver Authority - Amends title IV of the Act to add a new "Part F: Waiver Authority," which sets forth the required content of State applications to the Secretary for the approval of demonstration projects experimenting with methods to more effectively assist the poor and reduce their welfare dependence. Prohibits the Secretary from approving the conduct of more than ten projects under part F at any one time. Permits applications to include within their proposed projects: (1) title IV programs; (2) social service block grants under title XX of the Act; and (3) any non-Federal public program within the State which is designed to alleviate poverty. Protects individuals and families included in a project from having their benefits reduced below what they would have been in the absence of the project. Requires State applications for projects involving work, education, or training activities to contain specified assurances, including assurances that: (1) mandatory participants in such activities be provided with child care; and (2) work assignments will not displace current employees or impair existing contracts or collective bargaining agreements. Prohibits the Federal share of project funding from being greater than the Federal share in the absence of such project under the programs included in the project. Authorizes the Secretary to approve projects replacing current entitlement programs with new entitlement programs provided such replacement does not cause a large increase or decrease in Federal funding. Requires the Secretary to notify a State of the approval or disapproval of its project within four months of the submission of the application. Sets forth reporting requirements. Provides that such projects shall terminate after five years unless the State Governor or Secretary terminates the project sooner. Title IX: Technical and Conforming Amendments Relating to Replacement of AFDC Program by Child Support Supplement Program - Sets forth technical and conforming amendments relating to the replacement of the AFDC Program by the CSS program. Title X: Reorganization and Redesignation of Title IV; General Conforming Amendment Relating to Such Reorganization and Redesignation - Reorganizes and redesignates the parts of title IV of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Authorizes and requests the President to present a gold medal to Lawrence Eugene Doby and posthumously to Jack Roosevelt Robinson in recognition of their achievements in baseball and their contributions to the advancement of civil rights. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to cause bronze duplicates of the gold medals to be coined and sold at a price sufficient to cover the cost of such duplicates and gold medals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the prohibition against indirect income tax deductions through pass-through entities shall not apply to any regulated investment company whose shares are: (1) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering; (2) regularly traded on an established securities market; or (3) held by or for at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1987
Declares that the Congress encourages all Americans to read the Constitution within one year of its 200th anniversary and strongly encourages Members of Congress, Federal judges, and officials of the executive branch to set the example in studying this cornerstone of democratic government.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1987
Quality Control Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend the moratorium on the reduction of payments to States for high erroneous payment rates under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act through FY 1988. (Currently, such moratorium is set to expire at the close of June 1988.) Includes payments to States under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act within such moratorium. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to place a moratorium on penalties for high erroneous payment rates under the Food Stamp program through FY 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1987
Authorizes and requests the President to declare June 27, 1987, as National Sokol Day in the United States, commemorating the Sokol, an association of Americans of Czech ancestry dedicated to gymnastics and democracy.
![Official portrait of Sen. Fowler, Wyche, Jr. [D-GA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000329_200.jpg)