United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1988
American Heritage Trust Act of 1988 - Title I: American Heritage Trust - Establishes the American Heritage Trust, comprised of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Historic Preservation Fund, to provide funding for the preservation of America's natural, historical, cultural, and outdoor recreational areas. Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to invest a portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund in public debt securities. Requires that the interest from such investments be used to provide for the preservation of the Nation's recreational areas. Sets forth a formula for the allocation of such interest income to the Federal Government and the States. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the apportionment of such income to local and State governments. Repeals a specified section concerning publicity and signing provisions. Title III: Historic Preservation Fund - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act to extend the Historic Preservation Fund through 2015. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to invest a portion of such Fund in public debt securities. Requires that the interest from such investments be used for the preservation of historic sites. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the owner of any site that benefits from moneys derived from the American Heritage Trust to install a sign indicating that fact.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1988
Emergency Assistance for the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance Act - Transfers to the President a specified sum of unobligated funds to provide humanitarian assistance to the Nicaraguan democratic resistance and transportation for such assistance. Earmarks a specified amount of such assistance for the purchase, repair, and transportation of communications equipment. Provides that such transferred funds shall remain available until March 31, 1989. Directs the Secretary of Defense to make available through March 31, 1989, passive air defense equipment to assure the safety of transportation provided under this Act. Provides that, after a ceasefire is negotiated between the Government of Nicaragua and the resistance, delivery of the remaining assistance shall be made in accordance with the terms of the ceasefire agreement. Welcomes proposals by the President to the Congress for bilateral and multilateral action to: (1) provide additional economic assistance to the democratic countries of Central America; (2) facilitate the growth of their economies; (3) provide a more realistic plan to assist such countries in managing their foreign debt; (4) develop these initiatives in concert with democratic allies; and (5) lift the embargo on trade and other transactions against Nicaragua, and include Nicaragua as eligible for assistance, if it is in compliance with the Guatemala Accords. Authorizes the President, after consulting with congressional leaders, to submit to the Congress requests for additional assistance to the resistance anytime within 12 months after enactment of this Act. Sets forth congressional priority procedures for taking up such requests.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1988
Declares that the Secretary of State should: (1) initiate negotiations with the Soviet Union on a bilateral agreement regarding establishment and enforcement of a moratorium on all fishing in the international waters of the Bering Sea known as the "Hole in the Donut" or the Donut; (2) initiate negotiations for a multilateral agreement regarding a fishery management regime and conservation and protection of the long term viability of fishery resources in the area; and (3) report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate regarding enforcement options for fishery management in the Bering Sea. Declares that both the bilateral and the multilateral agreements should include language indicating that their sole purpose is fishery conservation and that they in no way impose unlawful restrictions on the internationally recognized rights and freedoms of vessel transit.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1988
Motor Fuels Excise Tax Relief Act of 1988 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the gasoline excise tax any sale of gasoline to: (1) a State or local government (or to a purchaser for resale to such government) for its exclusive use; or (2) a nonprofit educational organization for its exclusive use. Permits wholesale distributors of gasoline who have registered with the Secretary of the Treasury and posted the required bond to pay the gasoline tax (in lieu of the person otherwise liable for the tax). Requires that the reduced gasoline tax rate (3.4 cents instead of 9.1 cents) be applied with respect to gasoline used to produce gasohol after the time of the relevant removal or sale. Prohibits the imposition of the excise tax on diesel and aviation fuels on the sale of these fuels to any purchaser (or purchaser for resale) for use in any off-highway business use. (Although fuel used for such purposes is generally 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 the nontaxable use of the fuel.) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to specified congressional committees concerning motor fuels excise tax collection procedures, in the interest of determining methods that will provide the least onerous treatment of tax-exempt entities and at the same time raise necessary revenue.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1988
Directs the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to request the Secretary of the Army to direct the Chief of Engineers to make a survey of the shores of South Carolina in the interest of beach erosion control, hurricane protection, and related purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1988
Designates the week of June 26 through July 2, 1988, as National Safety Belt Use Week. Authorizes and requests the President to: (1) urge the people to wear safety belts and use child safety seats; and (2) encourage State and local governments and concerned organizations and officials to promote greater use of these safety devices.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1988
Public Telecommunications Facilities Act of 1988 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize FY 1989 through 1991 appropriations for planning and constructing public telecommunications facilities. Authorizes FY 1991 through 1993 appropriations for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Establishes in the Treasury and authorizes appropriations to the Public Broadcasting Satellite Interconnection Fund for use by noncommercial educational television stations to replace, refurbish, or upgrade their national satellite interconnection systems.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1988
Air Travel Rights for Blind Individuals Act - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to preclude an air carrier from establishing aircraft seating restrictions based upon a passenger's visual acuity or use of a white cane or dog guide or other such means of assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1988
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands for the establishment of the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, South Carolina. Requires the Secretary to report, within three years, to the appropriate congressional committees a general management plan for such site. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1988
Universal Voter Registration Act of 1988 - Entitles any eligible individual to register for any Federal election by mail, in person, or at the appropriate polling place on the day of an election. Declares that such individual may register in person at: (1) a designated place for such individual's current address; (2) any Federal, State, county, or municipal agency that serves the public directly; or (3) any private agency that voluntarily agrees to register voters. Provides that where a State maintains a system of voter registration, such State shall allow an individual to register to vote for elections held on the date of Federal elections, in the manner provided by an approved State plan. Requires such plan to include: (1) the voter registration form to be used for mail registration; (2) provisions for distribution of such forms; (3) election day voter registration; (4) voter registration in agencies which serve the public directly and at private agencies that voluntarily agree to register voters; (5) provisions for prompt notification of registration acceptance; (6) provisions to inform registrants about voting places and times; (7) registration confirmation to insure accurate, inclusive, and uniform voter registration lists; (8) provisions with respect to registration challenges; and (9) a description of State efforts to actively increase voter registration. Requires each State to submit to the Federal Election Commission for approval a voter registration form which allows registration in person or by mail. Allows the form to be similar or identical to postcard application forms under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. Specifies requirements for such form, including that it provide for postage paid return delivery to the appropriate State or local official. Requires agencies subject to this Act to provide for year-round registration services. Requires State and local election officials to provide for the availability of sufficient quantities of registration forms. Requires the chief election official of a State to establish a program to confirm voter registration. Sets forth requirements for such program, including: (1) notification systems concerning deaths and changes of address; (2) non-removal from a voter registration list unless a voter has died, changed residence to another jurisdiction, been convicted of a criminal offense, institutionalized for mental incapacity, or requested removal; and (3) voter registration lists comprised of eligible voters, voters whose registration cannot be confirmed and whose eligibility may be challenged on election day, and individuals who have been removed from such list not more than four years before the date of the election. Sets forth provisions for challenging election votes, including the use of an affidavit ballot for the challenged voter. Declares that voter registration requirements shall not apply to any State which: (1) provides for voter registration procedures which meet or exceed the standards for State plans; (2) does not require voter registration; or (3) adopts the Federal postcard application form. Requires individuals who register to vote on an election day to establish their identity, place of residence, and qualifications at the time of such registration. Requires each polling place to provide a means of processing such registrants separately from other voters. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to administer this Act and to provide advice and technical assistance to States. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress every two years on: (1) the effectiveness of efforts to establish and maintain voter registration procedures; (2) the administration of voter registration programs; and (3) recommendations on national voter registration standards. Declares any order of the Commission under this Act to be reviewable by the appropriate United States court of appeals. Provides that the appellee shall not be liable for costs. Directs the Commission to make grants to the chief election official of a State which has an approved plan for establishing voter registration programs. Requires such grants to be made to enable and encourage States to computerize voter registration lists and to undertake alternative methods of voter registration. Authorizes the Commission to establish an advisory council of State and local election officials to advise States about voter registration systems. Requires the Commission to develop a formula for the allocation of funds to States and to allocate or reallocate such funds. Requires a State to submit a plan for voter registration to the Commission within two years of enactment of this Act. Requires the Commission to publish proposed regulations for an implementation plan, or portion thereof, for any State which fails to submit a plan or for any State plan determined not to meet the requirements under this Act. Establishes Federal enforcement procedures and penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the people of the United States should purchase U.S. products and services whenever possible. Urges the President, the State Governors, and the mayors of municipalities to issue proclamations calling upon the people to promote this policy with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Requests that leaders of civic and consumer organizations, and of the mass media, assist in: (1) promoting awareness of the importance of selecting U.S. goods and services; and (2) identifying such American goods and services, and the merchants from whom they may be acquired. Requests and encourages U.S. producers and manufacturers to make every effort to label and advertise the U.S. origin of such goods.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1988
Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1988 - Title I: Child Pornography - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it illegal to use a computer to transport information in interstate or foreign commerce concerning the visual depiction of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct (child pornography). Establishes criminal penalties for buying, selling, or transferring the custody of a minor: (1) knowing that, as a consequence of the sale or transfer, the minor will be used in child pornography; or (2) with the intent to promote child pornography. States that such sale or transfer must involve: (1) the minor or other actor traveling in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) communications in interstate or foreign commerce; or (3) conduct in a territory or possession of the United States. Requires any person who produces a book, magazine, periodical, film, videotape, or other matter which contains any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct (which is shipped or intended for shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, or contains material shipped in interstate or foreign commerce) to maintain certain records regarding the performers portrayed in such conduct. Directs the Attorney General to issue regulations regarding the maintenance and availability of such records. Includes the sexual exploitation of children as a predicate offense to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute. Title II: Obscenity - Makes it a Federal criminal offense to receive or possess, with the intent to distribute, obscene matter which has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Makes it a Federal criminal offense to knowingly use a facility or means of commerce to sell or distribute obscene matter in interstate or foreign commerce. Establishes a rebuttable presumption, with respect to Federal criminal offenses involving obscene matter, that obscene matter produced in one State (or outside the United States) which is subsequently located in another State (or in the United States) was transported, shipped, or carried in interstate (or foreign) commerce. Establishes criminal and civil forfeiture procedures with respect to Federal offenses involving obscene material and child pornography. Includes communications by means of cable or subscription television within the prohibition against broadcasting obscene language. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to modify the penalty provisions of such Act with respect to obscene telephone communications. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for the possession or sale of obscene matter on Federal property. Adds obscenity offenses to the list of crimes for which the Government may obtain wiretaps.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1988
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $45,000,000 to $60,000,000 the amount permissible in the Boat Safety Account in the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund without triggering a prohibition of transfers into the Account from the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1988 and thereafter. Extends from April 1, 1989, to October 1, 1999, the date before which expenditures may be made from the Boat Safety Account for recreational boating safety programs. Grants the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating liquidating contract authority with respect to State recreational boating safety programs in an amount equal to one-half (currently two-thirds) of the amount of motorboat fuel taxes transferred to the Boat Safety Account in FY 1988 and thereafter. Increases from one-third to one-half the portion of such funds available for Coast Guard services in connection with recreational boating safety services. Prohibits fiscal year expenditures for Coast Guard expenses from exceeding those for State boating safety programs generally. Amends Federal law to permit a State to use contributions of funds, materials, lands, and services to carry out certain fish restoration and management projects in lieu of paying its share of the activity.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1988
Congaree Swamp National Monument Expansion and Wilderness Act - Title I: Wilderness Designation - Designates specified lands within the Congaree Swamp National Monument, South Carolina, as wilderness. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to administer the areas designated as wilderness in accordance with the provisions of the Wilderness Act. Title II: Additions to the Congaree Swamp National Monument - Increases the acreage of the Monument to include an area known as the "Citizens Boundary Proposal for the Monument." Provides additional funds for the acquisition of additional lands for such Monument. Title III: Authorization of Appropriations for National Monument Development - Authorizes appropriations for construction and development within the Monument.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1988
Approves the additional authority and assistance for the Nicaraguan resistance that the President requested pursuant to the Act making continuing appropriations for FY 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1988
Authorizes the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, from March 1, 1988, through February 28, 1989, to: (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund; (2) employ personnel; (3) utilize, on a reimbursable basis, the services of department or agency personnel; (4) procure consultant services; and (5) train professional staff.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1988
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Voluntary Reunion Registry system to facilitate, on a voluntary mutual request basis, the reunion of biological parents and adoptees, biological siblings, or other biological relatives of adoptees through a centralized computer network. Authorizes the Secretary to establish such system by contract with public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations. 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. Allows the Registry to include referral to existing programs that provide counseling services. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for FY 1988 through 1990.
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 · 21 December 1987
New School Childcare Demonstration Projects Act of 1987 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to make grants to States to pay the Federal share of the cost of childcare demonstration projects conducted in existing public elementary and secondary school buildings. Reserves specified portions of funds for evaluation and for special demonstration projects. Allots the remainder of funds to States on the basis of population of children under 16 years old. Provides for allotment adjustments and reallotments. Directs the Secretary to provide, through grants and contracts, for continuing evaluation of State and Federal demonstration projects under this Act. Directs the Secretary to publish summaries and results of evaluative research. Directs the Secretary to submit to the appropriate congressional committees copies of all such research studies and evaluation summaries. Sets forth application requirements for demonstration grants and rules for membership of advisory committees to monitor and evaluate such projects. Requires that specified reserved funds be used for grants to public and nonprofit private entities for special demonstration projects to be awarded at the discretion of the Secretary. Sets forth problem areas for the focus of such grants. Sets the Federal share of the demonstration grants to States at 90 percent of the cost of project activities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1987
Raoul Wallenberg Monument Resolution - Authorizes the Raoul Wallenberg Tribute Committee to establish a monument to honor Raoul Wallenberg on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of the establishment of the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1987
Communications Transfer Fee Act of 1987 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission, prior to the transfer of a construction permit or broadcast station license, to assess and collect from the transferor a charge of two percent of the selling price or of the fair market value, whichever is greater. Increases the charge to three percent if the transferor has violated the Fairness Doctrine. Increases such charge to four percent (five percent if the transferor has violated the Fairness Doctrine) if the Commission finds that the transferor has not operated the station for more than three years, unless: (1) the application involves only an FM translator station or FM booster station; (2) the application involves a pro forma assignment or transfer of control; (3) the transferor has made an affirmative factual showing that because of materially changed circumstances subsequent to the acquisition of the license or permit, a change in ownership will serve the public interest; or (4) the disposal of the permit or license was authorized in accordance with regulations concerning minority ownership of broadcast stations. Prohibits the Commission from waiving or deferring such charge. Provides that moneys received from such charge shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury until September 30, 1989, and thereafter in the Public Broadcasting Trust Fund, to be established by the Secretary of the Treasury. Provides that such Fund shall be used solely: (1) by the Secretary of Commerce for the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities; and (2) for the Public Broadcasting Fund to provide financial support for public broadcasting. Requires the Commission, in establishing the fair market value of a construction permit or license that is disposed of, to include the price of the permit or license and all items of value disposed of, without regard to whether the disposition of such items occurs between the same persons or in the same transaction. Authorizes appropriations of a specified amount for FY 1989, and of a specified percentage of the Public Broadcasting Trust Fund for fiscal years after FY 1989, for the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities. Limits to a specified portion of the Public Broadcasting Trust Fund the appropriations authorized for the Public Broadcasting Fund for fiscal years after FY 1990. Requires broadcast licensees to provide reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance, consistent with the Commission's rules in effect on January 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1987
Declares that, in celebration of Law Day U.S.A., special emphasis should be given by grateful people to all law enforcement personnel for their service in preserving domestic tranquility and guaranteeing rights under law.
![Official portrait of Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000725_200.jpg)