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United States · Official source
4,936 records where Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1989
Designates May 1990 as Worldwide Bluegrass Music Month.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
Eliminates post-1968 service in the National Guard as a prerequisite to civil service retirement credit for former National Guard technicians. Amends the National Guard Technicians Act of 1968 to eliminate post-1968 service as a prerequisite for National Guard technicians for receipt of credit in the determination of length of Federal civil service for purposes of leave, Federal employees' death and disability compensation, group life and health insurance, severance pay, tenure, and status. Sets forth rules for applying provisions of this Act to affected individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1989
Designates March 11 through March 17, 1990, as Deaf Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1989
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow State Medicaid matching payments to include private funds donated by hospitals to the State and State taxes imposed with respect to the provision of Medicaid items and services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1989
Designates 1990 as the Bicentennial Anniversary of the Legacy of Benjamin Franklin.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1989
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide outpatient medical services to a former prisoner of war for any disability.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1989
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Laurance Spelman Rockefeller in recognition of his leadership on behalf of natural resource conservation and historic preservation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1989
Designates May 1990 as National Trauma Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1989
Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 to continue funding the operation and maintenance of the museum and archives at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, a national historic site in Washington, D.C., which acknowledges the contributions of Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and presidential advisor, and other African-American women to this country.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1989
Authorizes appropriations for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) acquire satellite space segment capacity and related equipment to provide communications services for former users of the ATS-1 satellite of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and (2) provide funds to the Pan-Pacific Educational and Cultural Experiments by Satellite Program to manage the operation of such services. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on a long-term solution to the communication needs of the Pacific Ocean region.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1989
Grants a Federal charter to the Supreme Court Historical Society, Incorporated, a nonprofit Corporation organized under the laws of the District of Columbia. Requires the Corporation to report annually to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Declares that no person who is a retired regular officer of the U.S. armed forces, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has served on active duty in Vietnam, and has been awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart shall be considered as holding a public office for purposes of provisions that require anyone who destroys public records to forfeit public office and be disqualified from holding office.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude the imposition of employer social security taxes on cash tips.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 1989 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the gradual transition, from 1992 through 1995, to the determination of Medicare payments for physician services pursuant to a fee schedule which takes into account the relative value of the work, overhead, and malpractice risks associated with each physician service. Allows for geographic variations in resource values. Sets Medicare payments for nonparticipating physicians' services at 95 percent of the fee schedule amount. Prohibits payments for the same physician service from varying on the basis of whether or not the physician is a specialist. Sets forth sumptuary provisions. Limits nonparticipating physicians' actual charges for unassigned claims. Requires that payments for physician services to Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act)-eligible Medicare beneficiaries be made on an assignment-related basis. Increases the incentive payment for physicians' services furnished in manpower shortage areas from five to ten percent of the payment for such services. Sets forth miscellaneous study and reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish: (1) a patient outcomes assessment research and education program focusing primarily on the study of the management of health conditions; and (2) a practice parameters development program providing health care professionals with information regarding the health care practices found to be most effective. Directs the Secretary to establish the Independent Advisory Committee on Managing Patient Outcomes and enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences for assistance in conducting such programs and reviewing outcomes research. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for such programs through FY 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1989
Designates the week of November 5 through November 11, 1989, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1989
Tourism Policy and Export Promotion Act of 1989 - Declares it to be the national goal to increase U.S. export earnings from U.S. tourism and transportation services with an eye toward: (1) the elimination of the travel and tourism export deficit of the United States and the U.S trade deficit; and (2) the achievement of a travel and tourism export surplus. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify foreign trade barriers to U.S. travel and tourism. Requires the USTR to submit the National Trade Estimate to the President and the Senate Committees on Finance and Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to require each annual tourism trade development plan to focus on those countries in which tourism trade development has the greatest potential for increasing travel and tourism export revenues. Declares that the Congress finds that increased efforts directed at the promotion of rural tourism will contribute to the economic development of rural America. Establishes the Rural Tourism Foundation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1989
Social Security Preservation Act - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to exclude, beginning with FY 1990, Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund receipts and outlays from Federal deficit determinations for purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Increases the permissible maximum deficit amounts for FY 1990 through 1992. Establishes allowable maximum deficits for FY 1993 and 1994, to reach zero with respect to FY 1995. Amends the Social Security Act to require the Board of Trustees of the Trust Funds to review methods of maximizing the investment return on the social security trust funds.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1989
Low Income Treatment Assistance Program Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to make allotments to States, based on the number of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in each State, for FY 1990 through 1992, to provide assistance in the provision of therapeutics determined to prolong life or prevent the serious deterioration of health arising from AIDS or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease in eligible individuals. Describes eligible individuals as those having AIDS or related conditions and low incomes. Requires an initial report to the Congress and a follow-up efficacy report assessing the program established under this Act. Requires the National Commission on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome to recommend program improvements for long-term solutions to providing care of AIDS patients.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1989
Designates the period of December 3 through December 9, 1989, as National American Indian Heritage Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1989
Designates the week of November 12 through November 18, 1989, as Community Foundation Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1989
Patient Self Determination Act of 1989 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require health care providers to: (1) inform patients of their right to make decisions involving their medical care; (2) inquire as to whether a patient prepared a living will or written power of attorney; (3) document patient treatment wishes and periodically review such wishes with the patient; (4) ensure that legally valid living wills or written durable powers of attorney are implemented to the maximum extent permitted by State law; (5) arrange for the prompt and orderly transfer of a patient to the care of others when unable as a matter of conscience to implement the patient's wishes; and (6) implement an institutional ethics committee. Requires States to enact legislation recognizing the validity of living wills and written durable powers of attorney. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study and report to the Congress within four years after this Act's enactment assessing this Act's initiatives and further steps which may be taken to advance patient self-determination. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a national campaign within six months after this Act's enactment informing the public of their options in participating in and directing their medical care.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1989
Declares two named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1989
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 20, 1989, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1989
Hurricane Hugo Timber Tax Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax deduction for timber losses resulting from Hurricane Hugo. Increases the dollar limitation in the amortization of reforestation expenditures incurred after September 18, 1989, and before January 1, 1992, with respect to Hurricane Hugo property. Excludes any deduction for Hurricane Hugo timber damage assessment expenses as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. Provides for the nontaxable treatment of the sale or exchange of timber damaged by Hurricane Hugo and of the use of such proceeds for related mortgage payments. Exempts from late-filing penalties any taxpayer affected by Hurricane Hugo who fails to file a return during a specified period. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of passive timber activities under the passive loss rules, for losses suffered as a result of Hurricane Hugo.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1989
Hugo Forestry Restoration Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to assist private timber producers who suffered 1989 losses from Hurricane Hugo to reestablish their timber stands. Limits assistance to disaster-designated counties in South Carolina, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. Requires producers to: (1) develop forest management plans to qualify for such assistance; and (2) request assistance by December 31, 1995. Authorizes cost-sharing where appropriate. Limits assistance to: (1) 75 percent of costs for producers with 1,000 or fewer acres of timber; and (2) 50 percent for producers with more than 1,000 acres of timber. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1989
Designates October 9 through October 15, 1989, as National Morgan Horse Week.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1989
Designates the week of October 22 through October 29, 1989, as National Red Ribbon Week for a Drug-Free America. Recognizes and commends the hard work and dedication of certain individuals and organizations and urges activities that support community and alcohol education during such week. Encourages Americans to wear or display red ribbons during such Week to present and symbolize their commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, and to develop an attitude of intolerance to the use of drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of passive timber activities under the passive loss rules.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1989
Savings and Investment Incentive Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the ten percent penalty tax on early distributions from qualified retirement plans: (1) first-time homebuyer distributions; and (2) qualified higher education expenses. Allows a deduction for 50 percent of the contributions made to individual retirement plans.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1989
Small Business Disabilities Tax Credit Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a disability tax credit for qualified expenses to modify existing facilities, equipment, and materials to make them usable by individuals with disabilities and to make other accommodations for disabled persons. Allows a carry forward of excess qualified disability expenses. Repeals the treatment of expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly as an itemized deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1989
United Services Organization's 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of five dollar gold coins, one dollar silver coins, and half dollar clad coins to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Services Organizations (USO). Requires such coins to be emblematic of USO Services to military service personnel and families. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of such coins after February 4, 1991. Requires surcharges from the sale of such coins to be deposited in a coinage profit fund and used for USO programs and to reduce the national debt. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress semiannually through December 31, 1992, on activities under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend from December 31, 1989, until December 31, 1991, the exemption from the termination of small issue bonds for farm property and manufacturing facilities located in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1989
Torture Victim Protection Act of 1989 - Imposes civil liability on anyone who, under actual or apparent authority of a foreign nation, subjects any person to torture or extrajudicial killing.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1989
Commends Gail D. Fosler for her service to the country and the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1989
Designates October 1989 as Country Music Month.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 1989
Commends the crew members of, and Federal Aviation Administration personnel involved with, United flight 232 for their efforts on behalf of the passengers of that flight.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1989
Grants honorary U.S. citizenship to Christopher Columbus.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Southeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Amendments Consent Act of 1989 - Grants congressional approval to amendments made by the party States to the Southeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Compact which provide for: (1) withdrawal from the Compact; and (2) the maximum length of time a party State is required to operate a regional facility.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Voluntary Reunion Registry within the Department of Health and Human Services under the direction of the Secretary's designee. Provides that the Registry shall facilitate, on a voluntary mutual request basis, the reunion of birth parents and adopted persons, and birth siblings or birth grandparents of adopted persons, through a centralized computer network. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on activities under this Act. Sets forth provisions for participation in the Registry and initiation of the matching process. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures to protect the confidentiality and privacy rights and interests of all participants. Provides for the collection of reasonable fees for Registry services. Allows the Registry to include similar State systems under specified conditions. Subjects individuals or entities found to have disclosed or used confidential information in violation of this Act to fines and imprisonment. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations that require the Registry to include referral to existing programs that provide counseling services. Requires, if the Secretary promulgates such regulations, that applicants to the Registry receive a referral list of licensed agencies, professionals, and adoption triad support groups that provide counseling services. Allows such services to include adoption peer support groups, community special service agencies, health professionals, and agencies providing family counseling. Directs the Secretary to issue interim and final regulations within specified periods. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for FY 1989 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish within the Social Security Administration (Administration) of the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge which shall be headed by a Chief Administrative Law Judge who has completed at least three years of employment as an administrative law judge (ALJ). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish in the Administration a Social Security Judicial Nomination Commission which shall: (1) be comprised of an Administrative Conference of the United States representative, an American Bar Association representative, and a Federal Bar Association representative; and (2) submit a list of three candidates to the Secretary from which the Secretary shall appoint a Chief Administrative Law Judge. Directs the Secretary to make all appointments of ALJs that conduct hearings or other administrative activities in the Administration. Requires ALJs who conduct a hearing in the Administration to make a decision on the record after such hearing. Requires that Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) hearings be conducted by ALJs serving in the Administration under procedures applied by the Secretary under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act. Directs the Secretary and the Comptroller General to each report to the Congress by July 1, 1992, with recommendations concerning the participation of Administration ALJs in Medicare hearings.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from 25 percent to 80 percent the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of a self-employed individual.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to allow the representative of a claimant in an administrative proceeding to collect the fee agreed upon between the claimant and such representative which is specified in a written agreement filed with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the Secretary to approve such fee if it does not exceed the lesser of: (1) $4,000; or (2) 25 percent of past-due benefits (including any interim benefits paid during appeal) or, in the absence of such benefits, the lesser of three times the basic monthly benefit amount or the monthly benefit amount. Directs the Secretary to review a fee upon receipt of a written request for such review from the claimant, representative, administrative law judge, or other decision maker. Calculates such fees before reducing past-due OASDI benefits by the amount of worker's compensation and SSI benefits which would not have been received were OASDI benefits paid when due.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Designates November 12 through November 18, 1989, as National Glaucoma Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Requests: (1) the Soviet Union to release the prison records of Raoul Wallenberg and account for his whereabouts; and (2) the President to pursue such release and accounting through diplomatic actions with the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1989
Urges the President to ensure that the United States does not submit a proposal to include maritime transportation in the forthcoming General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) discussions regarding trade-in-services industries and to oppose any proposals by foreign nations which are similar or which could result in a contraction of the U.S.-flag merchant marine.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1989
Older Workers Benefit Protection Act - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) to specify that it prohibits discrimination against older workers in all employee benefits except when age-based reductions in employee benefit plans are justified by significant cost considerations. Declares that, as used in ADEA, the phrase "compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment" encompasses all employee benefits, including those provided under a bona fide employee benefit plan. Requires that the actual amount of payment made or cost incurred on behalf of an older worker be no less than that made or incurred on behalf of a younger worker, for each benefit or benefit package, in order for an employee benefit plan not to violate ADEA. Places on the employer, employment agency, or labor organization the burden of proving, in any civil enforcement proceeding brought under ADEA, that specified actions are lawful. Requires a seniority system or employee benefit plan to comply with ADEA regardless of the date of adoption of such system or plan. Applies this Act to all actions or proceedings under ADEA that were brought after June 23, 1989, or that were pending on such date (which is the date on which the Supreme Court issued the decision in Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio V. Betts).
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1989
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1989 - Title I: Authorizations for Coast Guard Authorization of Funds for Fiscal Year 1990 - Authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard for FY 1990 and 1991 for: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement for aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, and aircraft; (3) research, development, test, and evaluation; and (4) retirement pay and benefits. Authorizes the end strength for active-duty personnel of the Coast Guard for FY 1990 and 1991. Specifies the authorized average military training student load for the Coast Guard for FY 1990 and 1991. Amends Federal law providing for continuity of grade for Coast Guard vice admirals when reappointed to another position as vice admiral to include reappointment of a vice admiral as an admiral. Amends Federal law relating to appointment of Coast Guard personnel to state that the advice and consent of the Senate is not required for appointments in the grade of lieutenant (junior grade) or lieutenant. Directs the Secretary to furnish the board that recommends continuation of captains on active duty with the number of officers that may be so recommended, which number must be no less than 50 percent (currently 75 percent) of the number considered. Authorizes the Commandant of the Coast Guard to involuntarily retire enlisted personnel who have 20 years of service. (Current law allows such action by the Commandant on a recommendation by a Coast Guard Enlisted Personnel Board.) Provides that, subject to any memorandum of understanding entered into between the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of Transportation, when the Coast Guard transfers to and operates in its entirety as a service in the Navy, the appropriations, funding, functions, powers, and duties relating to the Coast Guard are also transferred to the Secretary of the Navy. Authorizes those Secretaries to provide, by memorandum of understanding, for the transfer of additional functions, powers, and duties. Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to require reception facilities to meet the requirements of Annex I and Annex II (currently, Annex V) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 in order for the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue a certificate to that effect. Authorizes the Secretary to inspect a ship for possible violations of the Act as well as for possible violations of Annex I or Annex II of the Convention, and to undertake enforcement action for a violation of the Act as well as for a violation of the MARPOL Protocol. Makes it unlawful for any master, operator, or person in charge of a vessel, with regard to lawful actions and orders by the Coast Guard, to: (1) fail to allow boarding; (2) fail to comply with an order; (3) impede or obstruct a boarding or arrest; or (4) provide certain types of false information. Provides for criminal and civil penalties, seizure and forfeiture of vessels, and withholding or revocation of clearance. Amends Federal law to increase the maximum civil penalty for violating provisions relating to the use of a pilot in certain circumstances during operation of a vessel in the Great Lakes. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to upgrade the ground segment of the Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System (SARSAT). Directs the Secretary to establish at least five SARSAT ground stations to provide adequate coverage of the U.S. area of search and rescue for which it has responsibility under the COSPAS-SARSAT program. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to administer the SARSAT ground stations, in consultation with the Secretaries of Transportation and of Defense. Authorizes appropriations for upgrading and establishing the ground stations. Title II: Bridge Administration Transfer - Bridge Administration Transfer Act - Transfers from the Secretary of Transportation to the Secretary of the Army, with specified exceptions, the administration of bridges and causeways over navigable waters, including all related authority, functions, and duties. Makes such transfer effective within one year of this Act's enactment. Makes conforming amendments to the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899, the Bridge Act of 1906, the Truman-Hobbs Act, the General Bridge Act of 1946, and the International Bridge Act of 1972. Directs the Secretary of the Army to submit to the Congress a compilation of Federal laws relating to waterway structure administration.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1989
Designates the week of March 1 through March 7, 1990, as National Quarter Horse Week.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1989
Oil Tanker Navigation Safety Act of 1989 - Title I: Provisions Applicable Nationally - Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to require each affected oil tanker transiting pilotage waters, except when a qualified State licensed pilot provides the pilotage, to have a specified number of personnel on its navigation bridge. Amends the National Driver Register Act of 1982 to permit an individual who has applied for or received a mariner's document, certificate of registry, or license to operate a commercial vessel to request the chief driver licensing official of a State to transmit certain information regarding such individual to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Sets forth specified requirements relating to access to such information. Provides for suspension and revocation of such mariner's document, certificate of registry, or license. Requires the Commandant to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to require each individual who has applied for or received such a document, certificate, or license to: (1) request the chief driver licensing official of each State in which he or she has within five years applied for or held a motor vehicle operator's license to provide the Commandant with certain driving record information. Amends Federal law to require the Secretary to issue a final rule to require periodic, as well as post-accident, testing for use of alcohol by individuals who, pursuant to licenses or merchant mariner's documents, perform safety sensitive functions on affected oil tankers. Requires the Secretary to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to determine whether to require that the Coast Guard be informed whenever an individual who has applied for or received a license or merchant mariner's document to perform such safety sensitive functions is undergoing treatment in an alcohol rehabilitation program. Directs the Secretary to temporarily suspend and take possession of the license or merchant mariner's document pending a hearing if there is probable cause to believe that such individual: (1) has served in such capacity while impaired by or under the influence of alcohol; (2) has been denied or has had any cancellation, revocation, or suspension of a motor vehicle operator's license by a State for cause within the previous five years; or (3) has been convicted of specified offenses within the previous five years. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees a list of U.S. ports that need improved Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) systems. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a system for the collection of payments by users of such VTS systems in such ports. Requires the Secretary to complete a rulemaking proceeding to determine whether to require that electronic means of vessel position-reporting and identification be carried on board affected oil tankers. Requires the Secretary to complete a rulemaking proceeding to require all newly constructed oil tankers to be equipped with double hulls and double bottoms, except to the extent such requirements will not enhance oil tanker navigation safety. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the size of each affected oil tanker. Requires the Secretary to issue final regulations requiring operators of such tankers to submit to the Secretary for approval a contingency plan for the prevention and cleanup of oilspills from their oil tankers. Specifies items to be included in such plans. Provides for: (1) regular inspection of such oil tankers; (2) approval of contingency plans; (3) the legal effect of such plans; (4) public awareness and practice drills with respect to such plans; (5) guidelines for maximum probable oilspills; and (6) action by the Secretary in the event of an oilspill. Requires the Secretary to develop and periodically update an international inventory of oilspill equipment and personnel available to the United States in the event of an oil spill within U.S. waters. Declares that the Secretary shall require any person with which the Coast Guard contracts for the containment or cleanup of an oilspill to report to the Coast Guard information for such inventory. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Council on Oilspill Technology Research and Development to conduct a study of governmental and nongovernmental research on oilspill containment and cleanup. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to make an oilspill a major disaster for disaster assistance purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to deny the right to enter U.S. waters to affected oil tankers that operate in violation of this Act. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a report on the need, if any, to impose fees upon operators of affected oil tankers or other persons to offset additional costs of implementing this Act. Title II: Provisions Applicable With Respect to Alaska Pilotage at Port of Valdez - Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to require that all oil tankers entering and departing the Port of Valdez, Alaska, embark and disembark a pilot licensed in Alaska at locations that will ensure that pilotage of such tankers in certain areas is provided by such State pilots. Requires the Secretary to install an automated navigation light on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Directs the Secretary to: (1) install additional radar equipment and train such personnel with respect to the VTS system at the Port of Valdez; and (2) submit to specified congressional committees a report on instituting Coast Guard control on oil tanker movements in Prince William Sound with the use of such system. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Prince William Sound Oilspill Recovery Institute, to be administered by the Secretary of Commerce through the University of Alaska Institute of Marine Studies. Requires the Institute to conduct research and educational and demonstration projects with respect to the effects of oilspills on the environment and ways to deal with their cleanup. Declares that the policies of the Institute shall be determined by an Advisory Board composed of specified representatives from State and Federal agencies, with the Secretary of Commerce as Chairman. Directs the Advisory Board to establish a Scientific and Technical Committee composed of specialists in oilspill containment and cleanup technology from the University of Alaska and elsewhere. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1999. Amends the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act to raise the limit on strict liability claims against the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund for oil spills from $100,000,000 to $750,000,000. Increases the joint and several liability of vessel owners from $14,000,000 to $70,000,000. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to such Fund. Title III: Provisions Applicable to Mississippi River Radio Communications on Mississippi River - Requires the Secretary to issue regulations to ensure that vessels transiting the Mississippi River shall have specified safety navigation capabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1989
Designates the periods of November 26 through December 2, 1989, and November 28 through December 2, 1990, as National Home Care Week.