United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1989
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to reduce, through December 31, 1992, the duty on time-recorders that are battery or AC powered with opto-electronic display only.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1989
Designates October 29, 1989, as Fire Safety at Home--Change Your Clock, and Change Your Battery Day. Directs the President to issue a proclamation to urge people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they reset their clocks from daylight savings time.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss.
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
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to vest authority to promulgate regulations for food products with cheese and meat exclusively in the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Deems a food misbranded if it contains imitation or substitute cheese unless it is so labeled, prominently and contiguously to the product name, on the principal display panel.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1989
1989 Save America Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals to establish flexible individual retirement accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Limits contributions to $2,000 for taxable years before 1995 and $3,000 for taxable years thereafter. Provides that qualified distributions from such accounts, other than for general retirement purposes, include special purpose distributions made for the purchase of a first home and for medical or educational purposes. Prohibits special purpose distributions from being made during the first five years of the account. Allows a tax credit for low-income persons of 25 percent of the amount paid into a flexible individual retirement account for each taxable year. Increases the amount a spouse with no compensation may contribute to retirement savings.
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
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 · 21 June 1989
Social Security Notch Adjustment Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to establish a new alternative formula for computing the primary insurance amount (used in calculating the amount of OASDI benefits to which an individual is entitled) of workers born after 1916 and before 1927.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1989
Foreign Currency Agricultural Research Competitiveness Act of 1989 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (PL 480) to include agricultural, forestry, and aquacultural research within the scope of foreign currency use programs. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to consult with land grant and State colleges in carrying out research projects.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1989
Chinese Foreign Student and Exchange Visitor Relief Act - Grants U.S. permanent resident status to certain nonimmigrant (students and exchange visitors) nationals of the People's Republic of China.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1989
Visual Artists Rights Act of 1989 - Amends the copyright law to define a "work of visual art." Grants the author of a work of visual art the right to claim authorship of such work when publicly displayed, independent of other exclusive rights, and to disclaim such authorship because of substantial distortion or alteration that harms his or her reputation. Grants such an author the right to prevent any destruction, distortion, mutilation, or other modification of that work which would harm his or her reputation or honor. Grants the author who is not a copyright owner such rights only during his or her lifetime. Extends such rights 50 years beyond the author's death with respect to visual art works created as of the effective date of this Act. Waives artists' rights when a work cannot be removed from a building without distortion, mutilation, or alteration, unless such rights are expressly reserved by an instrument in writing. Directs the Register of Copyrights to establish a recordation system for authors of visual art works that have been incorporated into a building. Declares that this Act preempts equivalent rights under State law. Includes within the scope of copyright infringement violations the rights conferred by this Act. Declares that: (1) criminal infringement penalties do not apply to such violations; and (2) registration is not a prerequisite to copyright infringement actions for violations of this Act. Stipulates when a claim accrues for purposes of an action for copyright infringement by an author of a work of visual art. Directs the Register of Copyrights to report to the Congress the results of a feasibility study regarding new requirements enabling authors of works of visual art to participate in the commercial exploitation of their work after its first sale. Requires submission of such report within 18 months after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Democracy in Eastern Europe Act of 1989 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to remove Poland from the list of countries ineligible for designation as beneficiary developing countries. Requires the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to support projects in Poland and Hungary to enhance the nongovernmental sector and reduce state involvement in the economy. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 and 1991 to implement the 1987 United States-Polish science and technology agreement. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1990 and 1991 to carry out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to be available only for: (1) the provision of medical supplies and hospital equipment to Poland and for training of Polish medical personnel; and (2) unconditional support of democratic institutions in Poland and Hungary. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) encourage privately administered educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Poland and the United States and Hungary through the International Research and Exchanges Board, the National Academy of Sciences, the Fulbright Educational Exchange Program, and the United States Information Agency; (2) consider establishing reciprocal cultural centers in the United States and such countries to facilitate government and privately funded educational exchanges; and (3) consult with western allies and Japan on establishing a comprehensive economic recovery program in Hungary and Poland in the context of binding commitments by such countries to establish democracies and free economies.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Designates June 23, 1989, as United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Day. Authorizes the President to: (1) issue a proclamation commemorating the 50 years of Coast Guard volunteer service to enhance the safety of water-related activities; and (2) call for the observation of such day with appropriate ceremonies, educational activities, and boating safety achievement programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1989
Refuge Revenue Sharing Fund Act of 1989 - Provides for the payment by the Secretary of the Interior into the Refuge Revenue Sharing Fund of undedicated receipts equal to the Fund shortfall for a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Condemns the use of force by the People's Republic of China against unarmed advocates of democracy and human rights in China. Supports the President's actions, including suspension of all Government sales and commercial exports of arms to China. Praises the actions of American diplomatic personnel in China in seeking to insure the safety of American citizens there. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) certain Chinese students studying in the United States should be granted permission to extend their stay; (2) applications to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for the protection of investments in China and to the U.S. Export-Import Bank for the financing of trade with China should be reviewed; (3) U.S. departments charged with and considering liberalization of regulations relating to export licenses for sales to China should take into account the current situation; (4) the President should consult major U.S. allies to determine whether multilateral sanctions are necessary; (5) the President should inform the Congress of the results of his planned review of U.S.-Chinese relations and consult with the Congress on further actions to be taken; and (6) the Voice of America should increase its broadcasts to China.
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 · 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
Farm Debt Tax Reform Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $350,000 (lifetime total) of capital gain from the transfer of property in complete or partial satisfaction of qualified farm indebtedness of a taxpayer: (1) whose modified gross income is below the national median adjusted gross income median; (2) whose gross receipts for six of the preceding ten years are at least 50 percent attributable to farming; and (3) whose equity in all property held after the transfer in question is less than the greater of $25,000 or 150 percent of income tax liability. Applies a comparable exclusion with respect to the discharge of qualified farm indebtedness of solvent farmers who meet these requirements and whose indebtedness both before and after the relevant transfer equals at least 70 percent or more of equity. Permits both tax exclusions retroactively with respect to taxable years 1987 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Small Business Rural Revitalization Act of 1989 - Title I: Capital Formation - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to set forth: (1) the capital requirements for small business investment companies operating in designated rural areas; and (2) the maximum amount of Small Business Administration-guaranteed debentures that may be issued by a qualified, certified, rural area development company. Requires that funds obtained pursuant to such debentures be used to establish a revolving fund for specified loans to rural small businesses. Requires that at least 50 percent of a development company's paid-in capital shall be from private investors. Sets forth the maximum aggregate amount of debentures that may be guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Title II: Procurement Assistance - Prescribes guidelines under which Federal agencies which allocate funds to States and political subdivisions shall develop mechanisms to facilitate designated rural area participation in Federal procurement activities, Federal research projects, and federally funded construction projects. Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to direct the head of each executive agency to give equal consideration to designated rural areas when determining Federal construction activities. Title III: Business Development - Directs the SBA Administrator to make grants to State-chartered development agencies to acquire property in designated rural areas to be used to headquarter small business incubators. (An incubator is a facility fostering growth of new small businesses in which: (1) more than one business is located; (2) services and equipment are shared; and (3) access to professional, technical, and financial resources is provided.) Conditions such grant upon the: (1) provision of non-Federal matching funds; and (2) use by the small business incubator of SBA management and technical assistance resources. Requires that such grants be used to offset the interest charged in financing obtained to acquire property for use by a small business incubator. Title IV: Regulatory Simplification: Miscellaneous Amendments - Sets forth conditions under which, pursuant to an SBA written request, a regulatory agency may waive or modify its rules pertaining to community development or economic revitalization of a designated rural area. Requires the SBA Administrator to report to the Congress the results of a review of all Federal rural economic development programs and laws whose purpose is the promotion of rural area businesses, community development, and enhanced employment opportunities.
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
Urges the President to initiate consultations for a trade agreement with Taiwan establishing a U.S.-Taiwan free trade area. Sets forth the negotiating objectives of such agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
Natural Resources Equity Act of 1989 - Provides for the interpretation of certain provisions of the 1837 and 1842 treaties with the Chippewa Indians in a manner which would result in an Indian tribal beneficiary of such treaties not being allocated over ten percent of the safe harvest from any lake or other discrete fishery of Wisconsin. Provides that to the extent the application of such provisions results in a reduced safe harvest allocation, it shall represent a taking of such right. Requires the cost of such right to be determined pursuant to U.S. Claims Court proceedings and borne equally between the State of Wisconsin and the U.S. Government.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue an order (subject to producer referendum) creating a soybean promotion, research, and consumer education program. Requires any such order to provide for the establishment of a: (1) United Soybean Board; and (2) Soybean Program Coordinating Committee. Funds such program through producer assessments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Rural Health Improvement Act of 1989 - Title I: Medicare Program Changes - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to update Medicare payments for inpatient hospital services for FY 1990 by the percentage recommended by the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission with respect to all hospitals located in the respective type of area. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report recommendations to the Congress, within one year of this Act's enactment: (1) for adjusting Medicare payments for inpatient hospital services so that they reflect differences in the severity of illnesses that are classified within the same diagnosis-related group; (2) to modify hospital area wage factors to reflect, in the case of rural hospitals, wages for professional personnel on a regional, rather than strictly rural, basis and take into account the differential impact of contract labor costs and non-contract labor costs on rural hospitals; (3) to recalculate standardized Medicare payments for inpatient hospital services using the most current information on hospital costs; and (4) regarding the exclusion from the calculation of a hospital's wage index of wages paid to hospital employees who are assigned or allocated to an attached, but distinct, long-term care facility. Requires the Secretary to annually update area wage factors used in determining what portion of a hospital's costs are attributable to wages. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress, within six months of this Act's enactment, on alternative Medicare reimbursement systems for small rural hospitals. Requires the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission to submit a written review of the preceding reports to the Congress within 60 days of their transmittal to the Congress. Provides additional payments to Medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals up to FY 1992 (when the transition to a single average standardized Medicare payment rate is required to begin), ensuring the coverage of such hospitals' reasonable operating costs for Medicare inpatient hospital services. Requires the recomputation of Medicare sole community hospital payment rates using the most recent information on hospital-specific costs per case and, if greater, national rather than regional prospective payment rates. Includes, in the Secretary's determination as to whether a hospital is a sole community hospital, consideration of the travel time to the nearest alternative source of inpatient care and the number of patients who seek health services which are unavailable in the hospital's area. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to require that the Secretary give special attention to grants for demonstration projects establishing new cooperative models for rural health care delivery as part of the grant program assisting small rural hospitals and their communities to adjust to changes in the need for their services. Extends the regional referral center classification of hospitals so classified as of September 30, 1989, and the payment rates applicable to such hospitals under the Medicare program, through FY 1991. Amends title VII (Administration) of the Act to place the Office of Rural Health Care in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Requires the Director of the Office of Rural Health Care to establish a program to set policy and make grants with respect to agricultural health and safety. Requires such Director and the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to establish a liaison to coordinate policies concerning rural health under the Social Security Act and under the Public Health Service Act. Title II: Public Health Service Act Programs - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to give special emphasis to the health manpower needs of rural areas when assigning National Health Service Corps members to health manpower shortage areas. Requires the Secretary to set aside at least 50 percent of the amounts appropriated for National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs for individuals attending nurse practitioner education programs and agreeing to serve in a nurse practitioner health manpower shortage area. Directs the Secretary to establish an agricultural health and safety education and training program. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress, within one year of this Act's enactment, on a model State law providing health insurance to individuals who lack adequate health insurance. Directs the Secretary to make grants to medical colleges which meet certain eligibility criteria for the establishment of model regional health care cost-containment quality assurance networks (Health Information Technology Centers).
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the weeks of November 19 through November 25, 1989, and November 18 through November 24, 1990, as National Family Week.