United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1989
Satellite Security Act of 1989 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should conduct good faith negotiations with the Soviet Union toward achieving an agreement that provides for: (1) the strictest possible limitations on the development, testing, production, and deployment of antisatellite weapons by the United States and the Soviet Union; (2) the dismantling of existing Soviet antisatellite weapons; and (3) verification of compliance with the agreement. Prohibits funds made available under any Act of Congress from being obligated or expended to test any antisatellite weapons until the President certifies to the Congress: (1) that the Soviet Union has conducted such a test since August 1982; (2) that the President has requested and the Soviet Union has refused to permit the United States to verify antisatellite weapons testing at Soviet laser testing sites; or (3) that the President has attempted and the Soviet Union has refused to negotiate concerning limitations on antisatellite weapons. Requires the President to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the capabilities of the United States to survive antisatellite attacks; and (2) the capabilities of the United States to monitor and verify Soviet development, testing, production, and deployment of such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1989
Comprehensive Illiteracy Elimination Act of 1989 - Title I: Literacy Coordination - Literacy Coordination, Research, and Dissemination Act of 1989 - Establishes the Cabinet Council for Literacy Coordination. Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish in the Department of Education an Office on Literacy, to be administered by a Director. Requires the Director to: (1) coordinate the administration of literacy programs within the Department; and (2) work with the Cabinet Council for Literacy to coordinate the related programs of other Federal agencies. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary), through the Office on Literacy, to make a grant to establish and operate a nonprofit National Center for Literacy, with a Director of the Center. Requires such grant to be awarded on a competitive basis, and to be limited to not more than five years (renewable). Allows the Center to use such grant funds for: (1) basic and applied research; (2) technical assistance; (3) an information clearinghouse; (4) policy analysis and program evaluation; and (5) a model demonstrative program of remedial training and placement. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to advise the Secretary and the Director of the Center on policy issues and on Center selection and operation of major research and demonstration projects. Requires the Director of the Center to report annually to the Congress and the Cabinet Council. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995 for the Center, limiting the amount which may be used for its model demonstration program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to pay the Federal share of costs of establishing and operating State literacy resource centers. Limits the amount and duration of such grants. Allows each State to contract on a competitive basis with a volunteer or community-based or other nonprofit organization to operate such a State center. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995 for such purpose. Title II: Workforce Literacy - Workforce Literacy Act of 1989 - Amends the Adult Education Act (AEA) to authorize appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995. Earmarks funds to train professional teachers, volunteers, and administrators, emphasizing minority teacher training and training of teachers to recognize and better serve illiterate individuals with learning disabilities and low-level reading abilities. Provides that, if a majority of the illiterate population assisted under basic program provisions of AEA has been served, the authorization of appropriations for each of the succeeding fiscal years during FY 1991 through 1995 shall be equal to that for the fiscal year in which such determination is made. Provides that adult education programs for which AEA grants have been made to States shall be carried out by public or private nonprofit entities only if the applicable local educational agency has been consulted and has had an opportunity to comment on the application. Requires State educational agencies receiving such basic State grants to assure direct and equitable access to Federal funds to local educational agencies, public or private nonprofit agencies, community-based organizations, and institutions which serve educationally disadvantaged adults. Grants preference to those organizations which will serve adults with a reading ability below the fifth grade level. Raises from 20 percent to 25 percent the limit on the portion of a State's grant allotment earmarked for high school equivalency certificate programs. Requires that at least ten percent of funds received under provisions for business, industry, labor, and education partnerships for workplace literacy be used for research, teacher training (including learning disabled identification and teaching), and technical assistance. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such provisions through FY 1995. Directs the Comptroller General to update, within 18 months, a 1975 study of the adult basic education program. Title III: Families for Literacy - Families for Literacy Act of 1989 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to extend through FY 1995 the authorization of appropriations for Even Start programs operated by local educational agencies. Establishes a Families for Literacy program under which the Secretary may make ten demonstration grants to nonprofit entities (or consortia of businesses, nonprofit entities, and local educational agencies) to pay 80 percent of the cost of establishing intergenerational learning programs (emphasizing literacy skills) for children aged three and under and their parents. Directs the Secretary to give priority to applicants whose programs serve hard-to-serve populations. Sets forth program requirements for staff teams and community advisory councils. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Corporation for Public broadcasting to produce and disseminate a family literacy program to assist parents in improving their knowledge and skills regarding early childhood education, language development, and literacy. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) FY 1991 through 1995 for the Family Literacy Program demonstration grants; and (2) FY 1991 for the family literacy program public broadcasting contract. Title IV: Books for Families - Books for Families Literacy Act of 1989 - Amends ESEA provisions for the inexpensive book distribution program for reading motivation to require the contractor (the Reading Is Fundamental organization), beginning in FY 1990 and thereafter, to: (1) give priority to programs which target rural and urban areas with large concentrations of economically disadvantaged children and students; and (2) report annually to the Department of Education on the number and description of such individuals. Amends the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) to extend through FY 1995 the authorization of appropriations for making specified grants under title VI (Library Literacy Programs) of LSCA. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995 to make grants for model library literacy centers and for the inexpensive book distribution program. Authorizes the Secretary, under LSCA, to make grants to State and local public libraries to establish model library literacy centers. Requires the Secretary to establish a peer review panel to assist in establishing criteria for awarding such grants. Authorizes the Secretary, under LSCA, to contract with the Reading Is Fundamental organization to promote the establishment of reading motivation programs which include the distribution of inexpensive books. Requires such contract to provide for: (1) giving priority to programs which target rural and urban areas with large concentrations of economically disadvantaged children and students; (2) increasing access to children's books for parents of newborns through children aged five; and (3) developing motivational materials to reach parents most disconnected from the education community, by making children's books available in specified types of places. Title V: Students for Literacy - Students for Literacy Act of 1986 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend through FY 1995 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the Student Literacy Corps; and (2) College Work-Study (CWS) programs. Exempts literacy training programs and the creation and placement of literacy jobs for students from specified caps on CWS funds. Sets the Federal share of the compensation of students employed in literacy work-study training programs at 100 percent. Title VI: Volunteers for Literacy - Volunteers for Literacy Act of 1989 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to provide that, whenever they do not exceed a specified amount the funds for the VISTA Literacy Corps shall supplement and not supplant specified VISTA services provided in FY 1989 to address the problem of illiteracy. Establishes service-learning literacy programs. Authorizes the Director of the ACTION Agency (the Director) to make grants to and contracts with public and private nonprofit entities to enable students in secondary schools, secondary vocational schools, and postsecondary schools to serve as volunteers in projects addressing illiteracy. Gives priority to projects using peer tutoring and involving partnerships to meet a wide range of needs. Requires the Director to make grants and contracts for a program of full-time volunteer service to be known as University Year for Literacy, which establishes and supports innovative ways to use full-time students enrolled in higher education institutions as volunteers: (1) in addressing the problems facing illiterate and functionally illiterate individuals; and (2) in assisting organizations which combat illiteracy and those problems. Gives priority to individuals pursuing a course of study related to a career in a field addressing the problem of illiteracy. Authorizes the Director to make grants and contracts to provide training and technical assistance to increase the effective use of full-time and part-time student volunteers to combat illiteracy. Authorizes the Director to provide technical and financial assistance to nonprofit organizations conducting operations in several areas or States that are engaged in, or wish to become involved in, activities to solve the problems of illiteracy. Authorizes the Director to provide technical assistance in obtaining, training, and integrating volunteers to employers who have established or wish to establish worksite literacy programs. Establishes a program of literacy challenge grants. Authorizes the Director to award such grants to eligible public agencies and private organizations for a portion of the costs of community or employee literacy programs that include use of volunteers. Establishes a Retired Senior Volunteer Literacy Program (which may be jointly administered with other Retired Senior Volunteer Programs). Authorizes the Director to make grants to establish such program to enhance the role of senior volunteers in addressing the problem of illiteracy. Extends through FY 1995 the authorization of appropriations for the VISTA Literacy Corps. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1995 for specified programs established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1989
Library Services and Construction Act Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Library Services and Construction Act (the Act) to revise its programs and extend the authorization of appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994 for grants (or activities) relating to: (1) library services; (2) public library and construction technology enhancement; (3) interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing; (4) library services for Indian tribes; (5) foreign language materials acquisition; (6) library literacy programs; and (7) evaluation and assessment. Revises allocations to Indian tribes and to Alaskan native villages, regional corporations, and village corporations. Provides for interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing under long-range State programs. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to: (1) coordinate specified programs; and (2) give the head of the State library administrative agency opportunity for comment on applications for foreign language and for library literacy grants before the award, to assure that the purposes of such grants are consistent with the long-range State program. Permits each State library agency, in FY 1990 and every fifth year thereafter, to review its expenditures under the programs from State and local sources and file with the Secretary a statement to establish a current, revised expenditure level to be used for measuring maintenance of effort. Requires library service programs to provide for assistance to libraries: (1) in developing intergenerational library programs matching older volunteers with libraries interested in developing after school literacy and reading skills programs for unsupervised school children; (2) in extending for mobile library services and programs to licensed or certified child-care providers or centers; (3) in establishing model library literacy centers to reduce the number of functionally illiterate individuals and help them reach full employment; and (4) in making effective use of technology to improve services. Authorizes a State, in carrying out its library services program, to make subgrants to library systems or networks which include libraries other than public libraries, if the purpose of the subgrant is to improve services for public library patrons. Allows States to ratably reduce payments to major urban resource libraries only under specified conditions. Revises services for institutionalized individuals under certain maintenance of effort requirements to make them services to handicapped individuals generally. Requires State library services programs to provide assistance to public libraries for technology enhancement to improve services. Provides for grants to develop the technological capacity of libraries for interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing. Requires that public library construction projects follow policies and procedures that will promote the preservation of library and information resources in such facilities. Requires that a statewide resource sharing plan be directed toward attaining compliance with specified provisions. Authorizes the State long-range interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing program to: (1) include a statewide preservation cooperation plan; and (2) identify the preservation objectives to be achieved during the period covered by the long-range plans. Authorizes: (1) the use of funds to carry out such preservation cooperation plan; and (2) part or all of such preservation program to be contracted to other agencies or institutions. Raises the maximum limit on the amount of a single Library Literacy Program grant from $25,000 to $35,000. Authorizes the Secretary, directly or by grants or contracts, to evaluate and assess programs under the Act. Retitles title I of the Act as Public Library Services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
Fair Employment Reinstatement Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to declare that an unlawful employment practice is established when a complaining party demonstrates that an employment practice, or a group of employment practices, results in a disparate impact on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and the respondent fails to demonstrate that such practice or practices are required by business necessity. Provides that: (1) if the complaining party shows that a group of practices results in disparate impact, the party need not show which practice or practices result in the disparate impact; and (2) if the respondent demonstrates that a specific practice does not contribute to the disparate impact, the respondent need not show that such practice is required by business necessity. Defines "required by business necessity" to mean essential to effective job performance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to elect to treat as ordinary income or loss certain capital gains and losses from the disposition of assets used in conducting business with or for patrons.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
United States Forces in Korea Realignment Act of 1989 - Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriated to the Department of Defense after FY 1992 for the support or maintenance of more than 21,000 U.S. Army personnel in South Korea. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should achieve required troop reductions through equal annual reductions beginning no later than October 1, 1990. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate discussions with South Korea regarding: (1) the phased-in annual reduction of U.S. troops there; and (2) the kinds and quantities of military equipment needed there after the reduction in U.S. troops. Directs the President to report to the Congress on such troop reduction. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to the security and territorial integrity of South Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
Urges the Government of Iran to extend to the Bahai community the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights accords. Calls upon the President to: (1) emphasize the need for improvements in Iran's treatment of the Bahais and other religious minorities as an important factor in the development of U.S.-Iranian relations; (2) encourage other governments to appeal to Iran concerning the situation of the Bahais; (3) cooperate with other governments and international organizations in appealing for the protection of the religious rights of the Bahais; and (4) provide, and urge others to provide, refugee and humanitarian assistance for the those Bahais fleeing their homelands because of religious repression.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that science, mathematics, and technology education should be a national priority (with emphasis on an educated citizenry, curriculum planning, teacher preparation, and service to traditionally underserved students, including those from inner cities and remote areas).
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Designates the period of September 16 through October 9, 1989, as Coastweeks '89, recognizing the importance of coastal zones. Designates September 16, 1989, as National Estuaries Day and September 23, 1989, as National Beach Cleanup Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the Congress and the States have the power to prohibit the desecrating, mutilating, defacing, defiling, or burning of the U.S. flag.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1989
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses its disappointment that the Texas statute prohibiting the desecration of the flag was found to be unconstitutional; (2) expresses its commitment to preserving the honor and integrity of the flag; (3) intends to make a study of the impact of the Supreme Court decision on Federal and State laws and to seek ways to restore sanctions against such conduct; and (4) urges the American people to continue to display proudly the American flag.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Amends the District of Columbia Code to set a 12-month limit on the term of imprisonment which may be imposed for contempt in child custody cases. Requires the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to hear an appeal from an order of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia holding an individual in contempt and imposing imprisonment on such individual in the course of a child custody case within 60 days after such individual requests such appeal.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1989
Veterans' Agent Orange Exposure and Vietnam Service Benefits Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly disability or death benefit to a veteran or his or her survivors for any disability or death of a veteran who served in the active forces in Vietnam during the Vietnam era and who suffered from non-Hodgkins lymphoma or a soft-tissue sarcoma. Provides an exception to the payment of such benefits when there is affirmative evidence that such disease was not incurred during such service in Vietnam or that there was an intervening disease since such service. Provides the rates for the payment of such disability or death benefit. Prohibits such payments when other disability compensation is being paid for such disability. Provides that such disabilities shall be treated as service-connected for the purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department). Terminates such payments as of April 15, 1992, unless extended by a joint resolution of the Congress. Outlines congressional procedures for the consideration of such joint resolution. Requires the Secretary to take all reasonable actions necessary to notify veterans and their survivors of the availability of such payments. Requires the Secretary to inform such recipients of the temporary nature of such payments. Provides that the disease of chloracne in Vietnam veterans shall be considered to have been service-connected if such disease became manifest to a ten percent degree of disability or more within one year after the last date on which the veteran performed such service in Vietnam. Provides a presumption of service-connection in the case of a Vietnam veteran suffering from a disease associated with effects of exposure to certain dioxins or other herbicide agents during such service in Vietnam. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations listing a positive association between any disease and the biological effects of exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam. Requires the Secretary to update such list continually. Requires the Secretary, in prescribing and revising such list, to obtain by contract the determinations and estimates of a contract scientific organization. Requires such organization to: (1) determine which diseases have any degree of association with the biological effects of exposure to an herbicide agent; and (2) estimate the extent of association between each such disease and each such biological effects. Requires the organization to determine such association specifically with respect to non-Hodgkins lymphoma, each soft-tissue sarcoma, lung cancer, and each other cancer. Outlines contract provisions required in such agreements between the Secretary and the scientific organization, including surveys, evaluations, and periodic determinations. Requires such scientific organizations to provide reports to the Secretary and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees regarding its determinations and evaluations. Requires such organization to determine, in the event of a positive association, whether there is a reasonable basis for concluding that a Vietnam veteran with the highest level of exposure to that herbicide agent in Vietnam was exposed to such agent under the circumstances necessary for such biological effects. Requires a report from the organization to the Secretary and the veterans' committees when there is no such reasonable basis found. Requires the Secretary to make certain determinations and follow-up reports after receiving such reports from the contract scientific organization, including the issuance of a report to the veterans' committees and the promulgation of positive association regulations, if necessary. Requires benefits to be continued even though a disease is removed from the regulations listing diseases having positive associations. Terminates such contracting authority ten years after the first day of the fiscal year in which a scientific organization transmits its first report to the Secretary. Provides interim regulations and special effective dates. Directs the Secretary to compile and analyze all clinical data that: (1) are obtained by the Department in connection with examinations and treatment of veterans for disabilities related to exposure to certain herbicides or to service in Vietnam; and (2) are likely to be scientifically useful in determining the association, if any, between the disabilities of such veterans and their exposure to such herbicides and other toxic substances. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the veterans' committees concerning such analysis and its results. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) before compiling and analyzing such information. Requires the Director of OTA to review each annual report submitted by the Secretary and transmit to the Secretary an evaluation of the contents of each report. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a system for the collection and storage of voluntarily contributed samples of blood and tissue of veterans who performed active service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Outlines provisions concerning the security and authorized uses of such specimens, as well as limitations on the acceptance of such samples. Requires the Secretary to consult with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to the extent that an agreement has been reached with the NAS serving as the contract scientific organization for the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Director of OTA in the event of no agreement with NAS. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide for the conduct of studies of the feasibility of conducting additional scientific research on health hazards resulting from: (1) exposure to dioxin; (2) exposure to other toxic agents in herbicides used in support of U.S. and allied military operations in Vietnam during the Vietnam era; and (3) active military, naval, or air service there. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees on the results of such studies. Requires the Secretary to consult with the NAS before undertaking such studies and requires the NAS to review such studies and report recommendations to the Secretary and the veterans' committees to the extent provided under any agreement between the Secretary and NAS. Amends the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1988 to require the Secretary to annually furnish updated information to affected veterans on health risks resulting from exposure to dioxin or other toxic agents in herbicides as a result of service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the veterans' committees on the research being conducted to develop treatments for physiological absorption of dioxin and other toxic agents used in herbicides by the United States in Vietnam, including research relating to exposure to dioxin and other toxic agents outside Vietnam. Extends through December 31, 1993, the eligibility for hospital and nursing home care for veterans exposed to toxic substances in Vietnam. Amends the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1988 to authorize direct consultation between the Ranch Hand Advisory Committee and Department of the Air Force scientists conducting the Ranch Hand Study (a study of the long-term health effects of exposure to phenoxy herbicides and contaminants). Requires the preparation and submission of annual reports and a final report in connection with such study.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Designates August 1, 1989, as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Requests the President to: (1) reassert American commitment to the Helsinki Accords; (2) raise the issue of noncompliance with such Accords with any signatory nation which may be in violation, in particular, the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania; (3) convey to all signatories of such Accords that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is vital to progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and (4) convey to U.S. allies the necessity of unity regarding such Accords.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to delay until 1990 the effective date of the nondiscrimination requirements for benefits provided under certain employee benefit plans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise such nondiscrimination requirements by requiring the taxation of the excess health benefits of a highly compensated employee. Excludes from such requirements certain students, certain elderly, and prisoners. Imposes an excise tax on employers or employer plans if an employee benefit plan fails to satisfy certain administrative requirements. Restores prior law with respect to nondiscrimination requirements of group-term life insurance plans. Authorizes an employer to elect to use current nondiscrimination rules for years beginning 1990 or 1991 as they apply to health plans and dependent care assistance programs. Revises provisions relating to the nontaxable benefits of employers of leased employees, dependent care assistance, and group-term life insurance provided to highly compensated employees.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
Amends the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act to extend through FY 1995 the authorization of appropriations for programs and activities under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
United States Coast Guard Bicentennial Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design, strike, and sell a medal in commemoration of the bicentennial of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1990. Requires the design of the medal to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Commission of Fine Arts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
Waste Minimization and Control Act of 1989 - Title I: General Amendments - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to establish a waste prevention and management policy that gives priority in the following order to: (1) source reduction; (2) recycling; (3) energy recovery; (4) waste treatment; and (5) contained disposal. Establishes as a national goal the recycling of waste to the maximum extent consistent with market demand for recycled materials and the creation and expansion of markets for recycled materials. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993 for purposes of carrying out this Act. Title II: Solid Waste Management - Requires that State solid waste management plans: (1) identify the amount of wastes by type that are expected to be generated within the State or accepted from another State during the ensuing 20-year period; (2) identify waste management capacity needs for the same period; (3) require the development of new solid waste management facilities to satisfy such capacity needs and a process for siting such facilities; (4) identify and provide for the collection of recyclable materials, including the development and stabilization of markets for such recyclables; and (5) establish solid waste management practices, based on the State's environmental and economic conditions, which are consistent with this Act's waste reduction and recycling goals. Provides for the loss of Federal financial assistance for failure to submit an approved State plan. Sets forth a schedule for the reduction of such assistance. Prohibits the storage, treatment, disposal, or transportation of solid waste one year after this Act's enactment except in accordance with a permit issued by a State or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Sets forth requirements for interim status permits. Requires the EPA to issue or deny such permits unless a State certifies that its laws provide the regulatory authority and personnel necessary to implement a permit program. Prohibits the issuance of permits by an agency or person (other than a Governor) responsible for the design, construction, or operation of a unit. Requires that such permits be issued for a fixed term not to exceed ten years and contain conditions that will assure compliance with solid waste management guidelines to be developed by the EPA Administrator. Requires such guidelines to be developed for the management of: (1) municipal solid waste; (2) municipal waste combustion ash; (3) emissions from municipal waste incineration facilities; (4) medical wastes; (5) mining wastes; (6) specified industrial solid wastes; (7) oil, gas, and geothermal wastes; and (8) other solid wastes. Requires such guidelines to include requirements regarding: (1) the siting of solid waste sources; (2) construction quality assurance with respect to the installation of sources; (3) the licensing and training of persons who install or operate sources; (4) the design, operation, and maintenance of sources; (5) the monitoring of releases to air, soil, and surface and ground water; (6) the separation or treatment of sources prior to disposal or incineration; (7) corrective action in response to such releases; (8) closure and postclosure care; (9) the maintenance of records of a leak detection, sampling, or monitoring system; and (10) the maintenance of evidence of financial responsibility. Sets forth minimum guidelines for each category of solid waste. Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator to promulgate performance standards to control emissions of particulate matter, opacity, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, lead, cadmium, mercury, halogenated organic compounds, dioxins, and dibenzofurans from new or modified municipal waste incineration units and from units which begin operation after July 1, 1989, with specified exceptions. Requires that such standards reflect the greatest degree of emission limitation achievable through application of the best available control technologies and practices, unless the Administrator determines that such degree will not be achievable by units for reasons that are unique to the units or locations of such units. Deems specified practices and control technologies to be available. Requires that such standards be promulgated within 18 months of this Act's enactment, take effect within six months of promulgation, and be reviewed and, if necessary, revised within five years of promulgation and every five years thereafter. Extends the effective date for such standards for units which require the installation of an acid gas scrubber to comply with such standards. Requires existing units to comply with such standards within four years of promulgation. Prohibits the issuance of permits to any unit unless a permit pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act for the treatment, storage, or disposal of municipal waste combustion ash has been issued. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations and emission control standards requiring existing units and units which are substantially completed before January 1, 1989, to meet such standards within at least six years. Establishes specific, minimum emission limitations for carbon monoxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen chloride emissions from such units. Requires owners or operators of municipal incinerators to: (1) monitor emissions at the point such emissions move into the ambient air and at other points as necessary to protect human health and the environment; (2) monitor other parameters relating to the operation of the unit and its pollution control technology; and (3) report the results of such monitoring. Sets monitoring standards, including ones for continuous and periodic monitoring. Authorizes the Administrator to require unit owners or operators to establish and operate or pay for a program to detect impacts of the unit on humans or the environment, including the testing for and reporting of significant levels of contaminants. Authorizes the Administrator or States to request the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to conduct health assessments, studies, or surveillance when exposure to municipal waste incinerator unit emissions may pose a potential health risk. Sets a 20-year limit on unit permits. Provides for the termination of such a permit if: (1) the unit is not in compliance with permit terms and conditions; (2) compliance with additional conditions will impose minimal costs on the unit owner or operator and reduce air emissions below levels specified in the permit; or (3) capacity to treat or dispose of the ash from such unit for a five-year period has not been demonstrated. Requires permits to be reviewed at least once every five years. Authorizes concurrent State enforcement of unit emission standards, provided such enforcement is equivalent to Federal enforcement under this Act. Requires that civil penalties imposed against municipalities pursuant to this Act be applied in support of public programs and activities that enhance the protection of the health and environment of their residents. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines identifying items or materials that should be removed from municipal waste prior to incineration. Requires unit operators to establish contractual requirements or notification and inspection procedures to assure that units do not receive such items or materials. Directs the Administrator to establish a model State program for the training and certification of municipal waste incinerator operators. Requires operators to pass such training and be certified by an authorized State program. Includes as major emitting facilities under the Clean Air Act municipal incinerators capable of charging more than 50 tons of refuse per day. (Currently, only incinerators charging more than 250 tons per day are included.) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize the Administrator to assess civil penalties and/or issue a compliance order, or commence a civil action against violators of permits or solid waste management guidelines, if a State fails to take action. Authorizes the imposition of civil and/or criminal penalties. Prohibits the export of solid waste for disposal, incineration, or recycling except where there is an agreement between the United States and the receiving country that establishes notice, export, and enforcement procedures and standards protective of human health and the environment for the transportation and management of such wastes. Prohibits the export to Canada of solid waste, 24 months after this Act's enactment, unless the United States and Canada have entered into such an agreement. Authorizes the Administrator to prohibit such exports when there is reason to believe that the handling of such waste may threaten human health or the environment. Requires exporters of solid waste to register with and submit specified export information to the Administrator who shall report annually to the Congress on such information. Authorizes appropriations for grants to States and rural communities for the development and implementation of solid waste reduction and recycling plans. Authorizes and directs the Administrator to make grants to all States with a population density of ten persons or less per square mile to conduct feasibility studies or operate recycling demonstration programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Waste Reduction and Recycling Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) a national performance efficiency standard concerning the release of hazardous substances; (2) a national goal for each State of 25 percent municipal solid waste recycling within four years, 50 percent within ten years, and a ten percent municipal solid waste reduction within four years; (3) responsibility within the EPA for the provision of waste reduction and recycling outreach and technical assistance to States and the industrial and educational communities; (4) the requirement that the responsible office for waste reduction and recycling activities review and sign-off on EPA actions; and (5) a national packaging institute to develop voluntary packaging standards that encourage waste reduction and recycling and programs of consumer education regarding packaging. Directs the Administrator to establish within the Office of the Administrator a multimedia Office of Waste Minimization with a separate section solely responsible for waste reduction activities. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States to assist States in developing and implementing programs to promote the use of waste reduction and recycling techniques by businesses, local governments, or regional waste management authorities. Limits the Federal share of program funding to 50 percent. Directs the Administrator to establish a waste reduction clearinghouse to compile information generated by grant recipient States on management, technical, and operational approaches to waste reduction and recycling. Prohibits persons who are required to file a toxic chemical release form under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 from releasing into the environment more than five percent of production throughput of hazardous substances. Authorizes the Administrator or a State to waive such standard on a plant by plant basis if meeting it is not technically feasible, the plant has installed and is operating continuous monitoring, has adopted all available waste minimization procedures, and all releases are in the form of managed waste or in compliance with applicable clean water or clean air permits. Requires plant owners or operators to submit to the State or Administrator plans to quantify and report on the manner in which each hazardous substance is consumed, used, or released. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on waste efficiency rates by manufacturing category or process, the efficiency levels that each industry can reasonably be expected to achieve within five years, and the extent to which technical assistance may be needed. Deems manufacturers to be in compliance with such standard if they have continuous emission and environmental monitoring equipment installed within 48 months of this Act's enactment, continue to comply with appropriate environmental permits, and report monitoring data to local, State, and Federal regulatory agencies. Requires that persons who are required to file the toxic chemical release form and are unable to account for a hazardous substance as product or permitted discharge or emissions or as managed waste to install, operate, and maintain continuous monitoring technology within one year of such failure. Requires such persons who release toxic chemicals in violation of any clean air, NPDES, or waste management permit to be required to install, operate, and maintain continuous monitoring technology as part of any enforcement action. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress: (1) by September 30, 1990, and biennially thereafter on actions taken to implement waste reduction and recycling goals; (2) within two years of this Act's enactment, on the EPA's program to insure the consideration of multi-media impacts in EPA policies, regulations, and guidance, with recommendations for a permanent location of an office of waste minimization and recycling; and (3) within 36 months after this Act's enactment, on an evaluation of the capacity of industry to reduce waste volume and toxicity. Authorizes the Administrator to charter a National Packaging Institute which shall promote packaging standards and practices which minimize the quantity of packaging materials that are consumed, reduce litter, and do not adversely affect human health and the environment. Permits the Institute to design and license the use of a seal or symbol which may be employed by the licensed users on packages which satisfy Institute standards. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct a program of public information and education on the impact of packaging on natural resource consumption and the Nation's solid waste management system, and the benefits of implementing the Institute's standards. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1993 for grants to the Institute. Authorizes any person to petition a Federal agency to undertake a waste reduction action if such action would bring about at least a ten percent increase in recycling of the petitioned item, reduce by at least ten percent the total volume or toxic constituents of a waste described in the petition, or would bring about a net savings in true cost to the Federal Government or be neutral in effect or cost. Requires each Federal agency to designate a waste reduction officer to oversee compliance with Federal agency waste reduction requirements, prepare agency waste reduction plans, and report annually to the EPA on the implementation of such plans. Requires Federal contractors to use recycled material in performance of any contract for $1,000,000 or more, unless the contractor certifies that recycled material is not available or not available at a cost of not more than ten percent more than non-recycled materials. Directs the Administrator to publish and submit to the Congress a list of at least ten products which identifies hazardous substances most frequently found in such products which present a risk to human health and the environment when incinerated or disposed. Provides for regulation of the disposal or incineration of such products. Prohibits the land disposal and incineration of lead-acid and mercury batteries. Directs the Administrator to promulgate performance standards and other requirements necessary to protect the public health and the environment from hazards associated with recycled lead-acid and mercury batteries. Exempts transporters of lead-acid and mercury batteries from certain liability provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act if such batteries are not mixed with other hazardous substances and are managed in compliance with standards promulgated under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the Federal procurement of recycled materials if the recycled materials are available at no more than ten percent of the price of alternative items. Requires the EPA to reissue its paper procurement guidelines to ensure that they are consistent with such requirement and to promulgate final procurement guidelines requiring the use of recycled lead in lead-acid batteries, used tire fragments in road cover, compost from yard waste and sewage sludge, recycled plastic from discarded bottles, recycled steel from discarded cans, recycled glass from discarded containers, and recycled aluminum from discarded cans.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
Municipal Solid Waste Source Reduction and Recycling Act of 1989 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to establish as national goals: (1) a ten percent reduction in municipal solid waste by 1993 as a result of source reduction; (2) a 25 percent reduction in such waste by 1993 as a result of recycling; and (3) a 50 percent reduction in such waste by 1999 as a result of recycling. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promote source reduction and recycling methods and opportunities by providing technical assistance to States, local governments, and the business, industry, and educational communities; (2) promote public understanding of and participation in source reduction and recycling programs; and (3) propose strategies to reduce toxic constituents in consumer products. Requires the Administrator to establish an Office of Waste Reduction to carry out responsibilities under this Act. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations to carry out this Act to include requirements for: (1) a standardized methodology for calculating costs of solid waste management; (2) decisionmaking models to assist State and local governments in the selection and integration of waste management services; (3) criteria for use of a standardized, national recycling seal or symbol; (4) a standardized label identifying the plastic resin used in products; and (5) specified national packaging standards. Requires the Administrator to: (1) implement an education and information program to foster an understanding of the benefits of source reduction and recycling; and (2) establish a source reduction clearinghouse to collect, evaluate, and disseminate information on the effectiveness of source reduction and recycling techniques. Prohibits the use of: (1) cadmium as a pigment and the importation of products containing cadmium as a pigment; and (2) cadmium for all other nonessential purposes and the importation of products containing cadmium for such purposes. Deems the use of cadmium to be nonessential where alternative substances which present less of a threat to human health and the environment are available. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations concerning the production, distribution, or disposal of any product (including products containing lead, mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals) which, on the basis of its constituents, disposal, or incineration, presents a threat to human health or the environment. Prohibits: (1) the placement of lead-acid batteries in landfills and the incineration of such batteries; (2) the placement of used lead-acid batteries in mixed municipal solid waste or the disposal of such batteries except by delivery to automotive battery retailers or wholesalers, permitted secondary lead smelters, or State-approved collection or recycling facilities; and (3) the disposal of such batteries by battery retailers or wholesalers except by delivery to permitted secondary lead smelters, State-approved collection or recycling facilities, battery manufacturers or, in the case of a retailer, agents of battery wholesalers. Provides that each improperly-disposed battery shall constitute a separate violation of this Act. Requires persons selling lead-acid batteries to accept from customers used batteries of the type and quantity equal to the number of new batteries purchased, if offered. Directs retailers of such batteries to post notices in public areas of retail establishments that: (1) state that it is illegal to throw away motor vehicle or lead-acid batteries and that Federal law requires an exchange of used batteries for new batteries purchased; and (2) encourage recycling of used batteries. Prohibits the sale of any lead-acid battery after 1989 unless such battery bears a label containing such language. Requires the Administrator to establish a Products and Packaging Advisory Board. Directs the Board to report to the Administrator on a program to: (1) minimize the quantity of packaging and other material in the waste stream; (2) minimize the consumption of scarce natural resources in production and use of packaging; (3) eliminate the use of toxic constituents in packaging; (4) maximize packaging recycling and reduce litter; (5) assure that human health and the environment will not be affected adversely by the use and disposal of packaging; and (6) include use of recycling seals for consumer information, mandatory labeling for plastic containers, and national packaging standards. Requires the Administrator to prepare guidelines for Federal agency procurement of glass, metals, plastic, compost, and rubber from ground tires. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to report annually to the Congress on items procured by Federal agencies and include an analysis of the procurement of products containing recycled materials and obstacles to obtaining such materials. Requires Federal agencies to develop waste reduction plans to facilitate: (1) dual-sided copying; (2) paper waste reduction; (3) the purchase of products that contain recycled materials or can be recycled; (4) the purchase of nonhazardous products; and (5) the replacement of plastic food utensils with washable or recyclable tableware. Authorizes any person to petition a Federal agency to undertake a waste reduction action if such action would bring about at least a ten percent increase in recycling of the petitioned item, reduce by at least ten percent the total volume or toxic constituents of a waste described in the petition, or would bring about a net savings in true cost to the Federal Government or be neutral in effect or cost. Directs Federal contractors to use recycled material in performance of any contract for $1,000,000 or more, unless the contractor certifies that recycled material is not available or not available at a cost of not more than ten percent more than non-recycled materials. Requires State solid waste management plans to: (1) identify the amounts and types of municipal solid wastes and industrial wastes that are expected to be generated within the State or accepted from another State during the ensuing 20-year period; (2) include projections of State capacity to manage such wastes; (3) include estimates of the volumes of such wastes that will not require management in landfills or incinerators; (4) establish a hierarchy for solid waste management practices; (5) include provisions for the removal from the waste stream and safe management of any product designated to be a threat to human health or the environment; (6) inform taxpayers of the nature of waste management services and the amount of taxes attributable to such services; (7) identify and promote markets for recyclable materials; (8) list all municipal solid waste landfills at which the recovery of methane gas is economically and technically feasible; (9) describe current and proposed programs to promote source reduction and recycling; and (10) facilitate the siting of environmentally sound facilities for the transportation, separation, and processing of recyclable materials. Prohibits the Federal financing or the issuance of any permit under this Act, the Clean Water Act, or the Clean Air Act for any new or modified municipal waste incineration unit: (1) if the EPA Administrator determines that the State does not have an approved plan in accordance with this Act or has not taken reasonable steps to achieve the goals of this Act; and (2) unless, in the case of new units, the State or other entity designing, constructing, or operating the unit certifies that no more than 50 percent of the waste generated annually by such unit will be incinerated annually. Sets forth additional required State plan provisions (unless the State demonstrates that such provisions are not practicable) to include: (1) a policy requiring the State and political subdivisions of the State to procure products made with recycled materials whenever such products do not exceed by more than ten percent the cost of similar products using nonrecyclable materials; (2) a program to encourage composting of yard waste; (3) a system for curbside pickup of source-separated materials or separation at recycling facilities, or both; and (4) a policy requiring recyclable materials in solid waste to be separated prior to deposition in municipal landfills, waste-to-energy facilities, or waste treatment facilities and a surcharge on tipping fees for any such waste from commercial establishments or office buildings that is delivered to such facilities without being separated. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress: (1) biennially on actions taken to implement this Act; and (2) five years after this Act's enactment on procurement requirements under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Authorizes the Administrator to issue grants to States for encouraging source reduction and recycling. Provides that such grants shall be funded by the Source Reduction and Recycling Trust Fund. Makes ineligible to receive such grants States which do not have approved plans (or have not taken steps to implement plans) within five years of this Act's enactment. Allocates Fund moneys as follows: (1) 35 percent for annual recycling grants to States; (2) five percent for source reduction grants to States, counties, localities, and businesses to promote innovations in source reduction; (3) 30 percent for source reduction grants to States to assist in low-interest loans or guarantees to businesses and industries for implementing source reduction measures or manufacturing recyclable products; (4) ten percent for research grants to universities, businesses, and other institutions for research on source reduction, recycling, or disposal of recyclable materials; (5) five percent for rural assistance grants to States to assist rural areas in complying with State plans; and (6) 15 percent to be appropriated to the Administrator for carrying out this Act. Limits specified grants to 50 percent of the total cost of a project. Prohibits assistance from being used for the acquisition of land or interest in land. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report biennially to the Congress on progress in implementing this Act, including recommendations on the need to continue or revise loan programs under this Act. Directs the Secretary to give priority to assisting exporters of recyclable materials and products containing such materials in identifying foreign markets and securing favorable financial terms for such exports. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on national and international markets for recyclable materials and include a methodology for market analysis to be made available to States. Authorizes the Administrator to assess civil penalties, issue compliance orders, or commence civil actions for violations of this Act. Prescribes criminal penalties for certain knowing violations. Provides for judicial review of final actions and citizen lawsuits.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
National Environmental Education Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an Office of Environmental Education within the Office of External Affairs to carry out this Act. Establishes an Environmental Education and Training Program to train educational professionals in the development and delivery of environmental education and training programs and studies. Directs the Administrator to make an annual grant to an institution of higher education or nonprofit research institution to establish and operate such program. Sets forth application and eligibility requirements and criteria to be considered in awarding such grants. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements or provide grants to support projects to design, demonstrate, and disseminate practices related to environmental education and training. Outlines activities eligible for grant support and priorities in awarding such grants. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual solicitation for environmental education grants. Authorizes local education agencies, colleges or universities, State education or environmental agencies, or nonprofit agencies to apply for such grants. Limits Federal funds for demonstration projects to 75 percent of the total cost, except in specified instances. Limits such grants to $100,000 and requires 25 percent of all funds obligated to be for grants of no more than $5,000. Requires the Administrator to provide for internships by postsecondary students with Federal agencies involved in environmental issues. Directs the Administrator, to the extent practicable, to support at least 150 internships annually. Makes eligible for participation in such program students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities who have successfully completed at least four courses or the equivalent in environmental sciences. Requires the Administrator to provide for a series of national awards recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental education to include: (1) the Theodore Roosevelt Award for environmental teaching or administration; (2) the Henry David Thoreau Award for literature on the environment and pollution problems; and (3) the Rachel Carson Award for film or print media for public education and information on environmental issues or problems. Provides that recipients of such awards shall be nominated by the Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the regional administrator of each EPA office to present an "Outstanding Environmental Educator Award" annually to a teacher or faculty member from a local education agency, college or university, or nonprofit organization in recognition of an outstanding contribution to environmental education. Establishes a National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the Council to report biennially to the Congress on: (1) the extent and quality of environmental education in the Nation's schools; (2) activities conducted pursuant to this Act; (3) obstacles to improving environmental education; and (4) training and skills needed to respond to environmental problems. Establishes the Environmental Education Trust Fund to carry out this Act. Allocates funding for this Act's activities and authorizes 50 percent of penalties received under specified environmental Acts to be appropriated to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
National High-Performance Computer Technology Act of 1989 - Title I: National High-Performance Computer Technology Program - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to direct the President, through the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (Council), to develop and implement a National High-Performance Computer Technology Plan, to be submitted to the Congress within one year of this title's enactment and revised at least biennially. Requires the plan to recommend a five-year proposal of goals and priorities for a Federal high-performance computer technology program. Describes required plan contents, including funding requirements and suggested roles for various Federal agencies. Designates the Council as the lead entity responsible for development and implementation of the plan, directing it to coordinate related activities among the agencies, review budget estimates, and work with the National Research Council and other researchers and potential users of the research. Suggests responsibilities appropriate to specified Federal agencies. Directs each Federal entity involved in high-performance computing to submit, as part of its annual budget request, a report to the Office of Management and Budget on the role of its activities with regard to the plan and relevant budget requests. Instructs the Chairman of the Council to submit to the President and to the Congress, by March 1 annually, a report on plan achievements and progress. Title II: National Research and Education Network - Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide for the establishment of a three gigabit-per-second computer network, to be known as the National Research and Education Network, with provisions for certain user charges, to link government, industry, and higher education. Requires the Council to: (1) establish a National Network Advisory Committee; (2) submit a report to the Congress evaluating effective mechanisms for providing operating funds for the long-term maintenance and use of the Network; and (3) allow Federal research grant recipients to use grant moneys to pay for computer networking and other telecommunications expenses. Requires the Department of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, to be responsible for research and development of needed advanced fiber optics technology, switches, and protocols. Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (formerly the National Bureau of Standards) to develop common standards for network activities to provide interoperability, common user interfaces to systems, and enhanced security. Directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to determine the effect of current telecommunications regulations on private industry participation in the data transmission field and to report its findings to the Congress within one year of this Act's enactment. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Title III: National Information Infrastructure - Directs the NSF to coordinate the development of a national science and technology information infrastructure of data bases and knowledge banks accessible through the Network. Title IV: Software - Requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to oversee the cooperative efforts of Federal departments and agencies in the research and development of high-performance computer software. Requires the NSF to: (1) establish clearinghouses to validate and distribute unclassified software developed by federally funded researchers and other software in the public domain; and (2) place special emphasis on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and establish joint research programs among government, industry, and higher education to develop AI applications. Requires the NIST to develop standards for software programs purchased or developed by the Federal Government that promote development of interoperable software systems. Requires procurement regulations of departments and agencies to be changed so that contractors providing software to the Government are no longer required to forfeit the proprietary software development tools that they used to develop the software. Authorizes appropriations to the OSTP for distribution to relevant agencies for computer software research and development for FY 1990 through 1994. Title V: Computer Systems - Requires the NSF to ensure that the national supercomputer centers in the United States continue to have the most advanced, commercially available supercomputers produced by U.S. manufacturers. Requires Federal agencies to procure prototype or early production models of new high-performance computer systems and subsystems to stimulate development in the American high-performance computer industry. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, to review and report to the Congress on export controls that hinder the development of foreign markets for U.S. supercomputer and other high-performance computer technology manufacturers. Authorizes appropriations to the OSTP, for distribution as specified in the Plan, for research in computational science and engineering for FY 1990 through 1994. Title VI: Basic Research and Education - Requires the OSTP to: (1) support basic computer technology research; (2) create technology transfer mechanisms to make basic research results readily available to U.S. industry; (3) promote basic research in computer science, computational science, electrical engineering, and material science; and (4) educate more researchers in computer science and computational science. Authorizes appropriations to the NSF to support basic research and training of scientists and engineers in specified fields for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
National Environmental Policy on International Financing Act of 1989 - Amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to require that before casting the U.S. vote on a proposed action by an international financial institution significantly affecting the quality of the environment, the appropriate Federal official request such institution to furnish an environmental impact statement. Requires such official to identify: (1) any minimum criteria not met; and (2) any pertinent information absent from the statement but available elsewhere. Requires such official to: (1) inform the management of such institutions of the expected nature of such statements; and (2) begin negotiations with their personnel to facilitate the conduct of environmental impact assessments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) make Federal personnel available upon request to assist an institution in making such assessments; (2) take steps with both donor and borrower nations to expand international consensus on environmental needs; and (3) file a detailed status report with specified congressional committees on the institution's implementation of procedures for systematically assessing the environmental impact of its activities. Directs the Council on Environmental Quality to report to certain congressional committees on the efficacy of U.S. efforts to encourage timely environmental impact assessment within international financial institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Stratospheric Ozone Layer Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations prohibiting the installation, maintenance, and repair of motor vehicle air conditioners after 1990, unless equipment certified as meeting standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers for the extraction and reclamation of refrigerants is used. Requires service entities to document the number of air conditioners serviced and the amount of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) purchased and sold by such entities. Prohibits, after FY 1989, the sale of a CFC coolant in containers containing less than 15 pounds of such coolant if such container does not have a warning label indicating the danger such coolant poses to the stratospheric ozone layer. Prohibits, after 1990, the sale of any CFC coolant for use in a motor vehicle air conditioner: (1) other than for commercial or industrial use; and (2) in a container containing less than 15 pounds of such coolant. Prohibits the sale in, or export from, the United States of any motor vehicle manufactured after model year 1992 which contains an air conditioner using CFCs. Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on the use of ozone-depleting chemicals, substitutes for such chemicals, and opportunities for recycling and recovery of such chemicals. Directs the Administrator, no later than January 15, 1991, to study and report to the Congress on ways to accomplish the systematic retrieval, storage, and reuse of CFCs from refrigerators, air conditioners, and motor vehicles facing immediate disposal. Directs the Administrator, no later than January 15, 1992, to study and report to the Congress on current information concerning ozone depletion and the development of motor vehicles which employ air conditioners using refrigerants other than CFCs. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to consult with motor vehicle dealers and other appropriate business entities to publicize this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Designates June 21, 1989, as Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner Day. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has helped to fulfill the promise of democracy in this Nation. Reaffirms the goal of removing remaining barriers to full voter participation in this Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the President and the Congress concerning the establishment, as a domestically based industry within the United States, of a high definition television enterprise, together with ancillary products and services. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
National Cooperative Research Act Extension of 1989 - Amends the National Cooperative Research Act of 1984 to include a joint manufacturing venture within the scope of such Act as an activity that shall not be deemed illegal per se under the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1989
Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 1989 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to increase the corporate average fuel economy standard by increments from 27.5 miles per gallon in model year 1989 to 34 miles per gallon in model year 1996. Sets forth (anti-backsliding) penalties for any manufacturer which fails to achieve for any model year beginning on 1991 an average fuel economy at least equal to that in at least one of the two preceding model years. Raises the civil penalty for noncompliance with average fuel economy standards from $5 per tenth mile to $10 per tenth mile. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to double the otherwise applicable penalty for any manufacturer which exhibits a pattern of noncompliance, beginning with model year 1990. Directs the Secretaries of Transportation and of Energy to report to the Congress on the availability of existing fuel-saving technologies and the potential for developing such technologies by the year 2000 for light duty passenger vehicles. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to report to the Congress on the accuracy and reliability of its fuel economy testing procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Low-Income Housing Credit Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the low-income housing income tax credit (under current law the credit will expire after tax year 1989). Permits States a one-year carryover of unused credit authority. Assigns carryovers to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allocate to eligible States applying for excess credit. Allows the credit only if an extended low-income housing commitment (beyond the current 15-year period) is in effect with respect to any building for the relevant taxable year. Describes procedures to effect transition to a non-low-income use in connection with such extensions. Permits the credit in connection with the acquisition of an existing building only if the taxpayer incurs rehabilitation expenditures of at least $3,000 per unit. Revises rent restrictions to: (1) declare unnecessary a required rent reduction below the initial rent if the median gross income of the area decreases; (2) permit higher rent if units are occupied by higher income individuals and the project has an operating deficit; (3) base income limitations on the number of bedrooms in a unit; and (4) use State median gross income in certain low-income housing status determinations. Broadens categories of existing buildings eligible for a waiver of the ten-year requirement for the low-income housing credit. Revises credit provisions relating to single-room occupancy units and special needs housing. Revises restrictions that limit credit benefits in connection with buildings financed with tax-exempt bonds and below market loans. Permits the credit to be allocated: (1) on a project basis; and (2) in connection with owner-occupied buildings of four units or less if a development plan is submitted. Directs housing credit agencies to adopt plans for allocating credit amounts among projects, prohibiting the credit with respect to any building not included in such a plan. Modifies at-risk rules in connection with buildings subject to the historic rehabilitation credit and those associated with financing provided by certain nonprofit organizations. Sets the tax credit rate on a semiannual basis rather than monthly. Increases the credit in connection with buildings in high cost areas (low-income census tracts or difficult development areas). Establishes special rules for determining the eligible basis and applying at-risk rules in connection with qualified buildings acquired in foreclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1989 - Title I: General Prohibition Against Discrimination - Declares that it shall be discriminatory, on the basis of disability, to deny opportunities or to afford them unequally, to provide opportunities less effectively (or differently or separately, unless necessary for effectiveness), to assist an organization or individual that discriminates, or to otherwise limit opportunities enjoyed by others. Prohibits the use of standards, criteria, or administrative methods that have the purpose or effect of discrimination or perpetuate discrimination. Declares it discriminatory to deny equal opportunities because of the relationship or association of an individual with another individual with a disability. Allows as a defense to a charge of discrimination that an application of standards or criteria has been demonstrated to be both necessary and substantially related to the ability of an individual to take advantage of the essential components of the opportunity, and that the taking advantage cannot be accomplished by reasonable accommodations, modifications, or the provision of auxiliary aids or services. Title II: Employment - Prohibits discrimination by any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee against any qualified individual with a disability in job application procedures, hiring or discharge, compensation, advancement, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Makes the remedies set forth in specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other specified Federal law available to any individual who believes that he or she is being or is about to be subjected to discrimination in violation of this Act. Title III: Public Services - Declares that no qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination by a State, or by an agency, political subdivision, or other instrumentality of a State. Lists types of actions deemed, for purposes of this Act and specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to be discrimination with regard to public transportation. Makes the remedies and rights set forth in specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 available to any individual who believes that he or she is being or is about to be subjected to discrimination in violation of this Act. Title IV: Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the enjoyment of any place of public accommodation. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public transportation services provided by a private entity that is primarily engaged in transporting people, but that is not in the principal business of air transportation. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Makes specified provisions of the Fair Housing Act relating to enforcement available, subject to exception, to any aggrieved individual. Title V: Telecommunications Relay Services - Defines "telecommunications relay services" to mean services that enable simultaneous communication between individuals who use telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs) or other nonvoice terminal devices and individuals who do not use such devices. Declares it discriminatory for any common carrier that offers telephone services to the public to fail to provide interstate or intrastate telecommunication relay services that are equal to those provided to their customers who are able to use voice services, except in any State in which services are provided through an entity designated by the State. Declares it discrimination by a State that makes such a designation if the State fails to provide interstate or intrastate relay services that are equal to those provided to their voice customers. Makes specified provisions of the Fair Housing Act relating to enforcement available, subject to exception, to any aggrieved individual. Requires the Federal Communications Commission to enforce this title. Makes specified provisions of the Communication Act of 1934 apply with respect to the enforcement of this title. Provides for cease and desist orders by the Commission and for monetary penalties. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits retaliatory discrimination against any individual because of actions related to this Act. Declares that a State shall not be immune under the 11th Amendment to the Constitution from an action in Federal court for a violation of this Act. Requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to issue minimum guidelines to supplement the existing Minimum Guidelines and Requirements for Accessible Design. Allows the awarding of reasonable attorney's fees, in certain circumstances, in any action or proceeding under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to set forth the Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act. Prohibits the sale of beer, mineral water, soda water, or carbonated soft drinks in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of not less than five cents. Requires that retailers and distributors pay the refund on returned containers of brands sold by such retailers or distributors. Directs the General Accounting Office to study the feasibility of establishing a handler's fee to reflect costs to retailers or redemption centers of handling returned containers. Directs the Administrator, after an opportunity for public comment, to determine whether such fee should be paid, the amount of such fee, and the means by which moneys to pay such fee will be generated. Permits retailers, redemption centers, or distributors to refuse to accept beverage containers without the printed refund value. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate rules and regulations establishing the rights of: (1) retailers to restrict the number of containers redeemed; and (2) distributors to determine the form and condition in which such containers are to be returned to such distributors from retailers or redemption centers. Prohibits distributors and retailers from selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings. Preempts inconsistent State or local laws. Prohibits State and local governments from imposing any tax on the collection or return of refund values. Imposes penalties of up to $1,000 for violations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Jeffords, James M. [I-VT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000072_200.jpg)