United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Atomic Energy Law Enforcement Act of 1988 - Specifies that the proposed Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States and the Government of Japan Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy shall not become effective unless: (1) the President resubmits the Agreement to the Congress pursuant to procedures required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 with an exemption from the requirements of the Act concerning nuclear safeguards; and (2) the Congress enacts a joint resolution stating that it favors the Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1988
Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics. Designates June 14, 1988, as Baltic Freedom Day. Authorizes and requests the President to submit the issue of the Baltic Republics to the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1988
Commends the President, Secretary of State, and Administrator of the Agency for International Development for their response to the drought and food emergency in Ethiopia and other nations of sub-Saharan Africa, and urges them to continue efforts to preclude the onset of famine and to ensure the timely delivery of medical and other emergency relief supplies. Declares that: (1) the Government response to these food emergencies should include initiatives to prevent the dislocation of large numbers of persons across national borders and/or into relief camps; and (2) the plight of the refugees or displaced should be addressed by emphasizing the provision of basic human needs, such as food, water, and shelter.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1988
Hate Crime Statistics Act - Directs the Attorney General to include within the Uniform Crime Reports for calendar years 1988 through 1992 the incidence of criminal acts that manifest prejudice based on race, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 December 1987
Thanks the Honorable John C. Stennis, President pro tempore, for the manner in which he presided over the Senate during the first session of the 100th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1987
Minority Business Development Program Reform Act of 1987 - Title I: Congressional Findings and Program Purposes - Expresses congressional findings and purposes with respect to improving the Small Business Administration's minority small business and capital ownership development program (Program). Title II: Program Organization, Eligibility, and Participation - Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Office of Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development a Division of Minority Small Business Certification to analyze and process applications and make on-site visits to determine minority status. Authorizes the Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development to certify as Program participants eligible small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Provides that a certified Program participant shall not be eligible to participate in the Program for a period in excess of eight years, commencing on the date of the award of its first contract under the Program. Sets forth eligibility and certification requirements. States that a Program participant shall be graduated: (1) upon successful completion of the Program; (2) upon exceeding the applicable size standard established by the Small Business Administration (SBA); (3) if it is no longer owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; or (4) if it elects to graduate prior to the expiration of its Program participation term. Sets forth circumstances under which a participant is terminated from the Program and provisions for challenging the eligibility of a participant. Title III: Enhancing the Program's Business Development Aspects - Requires a Program participant to submit a business plan for review by its assigned Business Opportunity Specialist. Requires that the plan be approved by the SBA prior to the participant's being awarded a contract under the Program. Specifies provisions to be included in the plan. Requires annual plan review and modifications as appropriate. Establishes in the Treasury the Bid and Proposal Cost Fund for the award of financial assistance to help defray the costs incurred in the preparation of offers necessary to compete for the award of Government and commercial contracts. Requires recipients of such assistance to repay the Fund 50 percent of the amount received if they are awarded a contract. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund for FY 1989 through 1991. Requires the Program to: (1) establish a training program for small business concerns to be delivered at the regional level to instruct participants in preparing effective proposals to competitive solicitations issued by Federal agencies; and (2) conduct seminars to assist participants to develop business plans which will enhance the concern's potential for operating profitably upon graduation. Provides for the Administrator of the SBA to approve any agreement for a joint venture between a small business concern eligible under the Program and any other business concern. Authorizes the SBA to make loans for the purchase of equipment, facilities, materials, supplies, or other necessary production or technical assets and for working capital directly to small business concerns under the Program, or under the minority small business program. Sets forth limitations for such assistance. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving fund for financing such loans. Authorizes appropriations to the fund. Title IV: Business Development Through Federal Contracting Opportunities - Prohibits the SBA from awarding to a Program participant a contract under the minority small business concern provisions, unless the participant certifies that the aggregate dollar amount of all contracts awarded to it by the SBA does not exceed a specified schedule of total sales. Sets forth the circumstances under which the SBA may award such contracts notwithstanding such schedule. Requires certain Federal agencies to prepare a forecast of expected contracting opportunities or classes of contracting opportunities for the next and succeeding fiscal years considered to be suitable for award to minority small business concerns. Requires each Program participant to annually forecast its needs for contract awards for the next Program year and the succeeding Program year during the review of its business plan. Requires the SBA to award non-competitive contracts to the minority business concern that identifies the contract opportunity if: (1) the Program participant is determined to be a responsible contractor; (2) the award of contract would be consistent with the participant's business plan; and (3) the award of the contract would not result in the participant's exceeding the requirements of the schedule of total sales. Authorizes the Administrator to consider the geographical distribution of contracts and to direct the award of any contract to achieve an equitable distribution among the various regions and among Program participants. Sets forth administrative provisions and limitations with respect to the award of such contracts. Requires a small business concern which is awarded a contract under the Program to complete performance of the contract, even if the period of contract performance extends beyond the firm's graduation from the Program. Requires the Government contracting officer to limit contract modifications to those necessary to attain contract performance when the contract is being performed by: (1) a contractor who has been terminated for cause from the Program; or (2) a contractor who is unable to meet Program requirements. Sets forth the circumstances under which a socially and economically disadvantaged small business concern may transfer a contract to another business concern. Provides for appeals of agency decisions regarding minority small business contract opportunities. Title V: Improved Program Management and Congressional Oversight - Requires that the Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development be a career appointee in the competitive service or in the Senior Executive Service. Provides for the position of Business Opportunity Specialist in each SBA field office to be responsible for assisting one or more Program participants. Sets forth conflict of interest provisions for former employees engaged in activities with respect to Program participants for one year after the end of such employment. Increases penalties for misrepresentation as a small business or minority concern. Requires a Program participant to report to the assigned Business Opportunity Specialist at least once every three months: (1) a listing of parties receiving compensation to assist in obtaining a Federal contract for the participant; and (2) the amount of compensation received by such persons during the relevant reporting period and a description of the activities performed for such compensation. Requires the Administrator to report the names of concerns that fail to submit such reports to the congressional Small Business committees. Directs the Administrator to develop and implement a process for the systematic collection of data on the benefits derived by the economy of the United States and by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals as a result of the operation of the Program. Requires the Administrator to report annually to its congressional Small Business Committees, beginning on April 30, 1990, on the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Program. Prescribes report contents. Title VI: Other Amendments - Requires the President to annually establish specified goals for procurement contracts awarded to small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Prescribes minimum participation goals. Requires the SBA to report to the President annually on the attainment of goals for participation by small business concerns. Directs the President to include the information in the annual report to the Congress on the State of Small Business. Requires that Federal prime contracts that contain subcontracting goals for small businesses and disadvantaged businesses to provide for liquidated damages if the prime contractor fails to make a good faith effort to comply with the goals. Requires agencies to ensure that the implementation of contract goals for minority small business concerns does not alter or change the procurement process used to implement other procurement programs. Authorizes FY 1988 appropriations as necessary to hire additional personnel to carry out specified provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to discrimination in health insurance coverage for adopted children. Calls upon State legislatures to encourage health insurers to cover adopted children on the same basis as other dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1987
Raoul Wallenberg Monument Resolution - Authorizes the Raoul Wallenberg Tribute Committee to establish a monument to honor Raoul Wallenberg on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of the establishment of the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1987
Delays the imposition of sanctions under the Clean Air Act for eight months (until August 31, 1988). Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to designate nonattainment areas by such date.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1987
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to extend for one year the operation of provisions continuing disability insurance benefit payments during administrative appeal of terminations of such benefits. (Currently, such payments are not to be made for months succeeding May 1988.)
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Corporation for Small Business Investment Charter Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to give a licensee in good standing three months from the date the Small Business Administration receives notice that it is ready to conduct business to qualify for conducting business with the Corporation for Small Business Investment and a special-purpose trust established by this Act. Requires the Administration, within six months after receiving notice that a licensee is ready to conduct business, to promulgate regulations to effect the termination of operations of any licensee which has not qualified for conducting business with the Corporation for Small Business Investment and the Trust. Sets forth the requirements for the final regulations for termination of the operations of any licensee and directs the Administration to furnish to the Corporation all books and records necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Establishes the Corporation for Small Business Investment and requires it to maintain its principal office in the District of Columbia. Requires the President to appoint an interim board of directors for the Corporation. Sets forth procedures for selecting the Corporation's permanent board of directors. Requires the board to determine the Corporation's general policies and to select persons to fill the offices provided for in the bylaws. Describes the Corporation's stock structure. Authorizes any depository institution to: (1) make payments to the Corporation of capital contributions; (2) receive the Corporation's stock as evidence of capital contributions; and (3) dispose of such stock. Authorizes the Corporation to issue nonvoting preferred stock. Sets forth limitations on obligations and securities issued by the Corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase obligations issued by the Corporation. Sets forth limitations on the amount and yield of such purchases and requires advance approval of the Congress. Makes all obligations issued by the Corporation acceptable as security for all fiduciary, trust, and public funds controlled by the United States. Authorizes the Corporation to issue commitments or otherwise deal in small business investment securities after the permanent board has been duly constituted. Sets forth the procedure for perfecting a security or ownership interest in small business investment securities created by the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to guarantee specified securities. Sets forth criteria for the qualifications of small business investment companies to conduct business with the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to enter into agreements with small business investment companies. Authorizes such companies to provide equity capital and loans to small-business concerns. Limits small business investment companies to activities contemplated by this Act and sets forth procedures for eliminating conflicts of interest. Requires the Corporation to adopt a rule prohibiting small business investment companies from assuming control over small-business concerns except on a temporary basis. Sets forth restrictions on the financing of small business investment companies, including a limitation on the aggregate amount of obligations and securities acquired for such companies and a prohibition on providing financing for relending and purchasing or guaranteeing securities that would exceed a specified percentage of the Corporation's assets. Provides that loans from small business investment companies to small business concerns are exempt from the provisions of the Constitution or State laws that limit the terms of such loan, unless the exemption is overriden by a State. Requires the Corporation to adopt criteria for making investments in disadvantaged small business concerns. Establishes a special-purpose trust which shall operate in accordance with a trust agreement between the trust and the Corporation. Sets forth procedures for appointing the trustees. Requires the trust to establish separate accounting for all preferred securities, debentures, loss reserves, and other funds acquired and to make an annual accounting of the trust's operations to the Secretary of the Treasury. Sets forth the powers of the trustees. Requires the Administration, within 30 days after receiving notice from the Corporation that it is prepared to conduct business, to convey to the Corporation all of the right, title, and interest to all securities and outstanding debentures issued by small business investment companies which are not in liquidation. Requires the trust to apply all of the funds held in trust and income to: (1) cover any losses realized on debentures purchased or guaranteed by the Corporation; (2) reduce the interest rate on debentures issued by special small business investment companies; (3) purchase preferred securities issued by special small business investment companies; and (4) cover the operating costs of administering the trust. Authorizes the trustees of the trust to purchase preferred securities and the Corporation to purchase or guarantee the payment of principal and interest on debentures issued by special small business investment companies. Sets forth the terms and conditions for small purchases. Authorizes a special small business investment company to request the Corporation to purchase or guarantee debentures issued by such company. Provides that such debentures shall be subordinate to any other obligations of such companies. Provides that if the Corporation purchases or guarantees debentures issued by special small business investment companies, in addition to such debentures acquired in lieu of the trust purchasing nonvoting stock, they shall be subordinate to any other obligations unless the Corporation determines otherwise. Sets forth restrictions on the interest rate on and total amount of such debentures. Provides that all outstanding preferred securities purchased by the trust from special small business investment companies shall be redeemed and transferred to the U.S. Treasury 50 years after the effective date of this Act. Gives the Administration review authority over the Corporation. Authorizes the Administration to examine the Corporation's books and records. Requires that the corporation's books be audited annually and that a report of each such audit be made by the Secretary of the Treasury to the President and to the Congress' small business committees. Provides that the Corporation's books and records shall be subject to audit by the General Accounting Office at the request of either of the Congress' small business committees and by the Administration's Office of Inspector General while specified debentures remain outstanding. Requires the Corporation to transmit to the President and the Congress' small business committees an annual report. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to sell to the Corporation on September 30, 1988, its interest in small business investment company securities guaranteed by the Administration and held by the Federal Financing Bank, providing such securities are due in FY 1989 or any subsequent year and are not in default. Sets an upper limit on the purchase price. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, within ten days of receiving notice that the Corporation is ready to conduct business, to propose the sale price for the securities which the Corporation is to purchase. Sets forth procedures for determining the purchase price if the board finds the Secretary's proposal unacceptable. Requires the Corporation to submit a report, within 30 days of the completion of the purchase of the securities, to the Committee on Small Business of the House and of the Senate setting forth the activities of the Secretary, the Corporation, and their representatives under this Act. Prohibits the Administration from making any payments to the Department of the Treasury on debentures guaranteed under the Small Business Investment Act after they are sold to the Corporation. Prohibits the Administration from selling or encumbering loans or debentures it has made or issued, except as specified in this Act. Requires the General Accounting Office, by January 1, 1993, to prepare a report for the House and Senate Small Business Committees on the Corporation's impact in achieving the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1987
Deplores the failure of the Haitian interim Government to bring about democratic elections and to secure the safety of the Haitian people, international observers, and journalists. Condemns the disbanding of the Provisional Electoral Council, and holds the National Governing Council responsible for the attacks on civilians and disruption of the election process. Supports the U.S. Government's decision to suspend all nonhumanitarian aid to Haiti and to withdraw all military training personnel. Calls upon the U.S. Government and all nations to cut off all assistance and sales of arms to the Government of Haiti while providing humanitarian assistance to the people through nongovernmental organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 1987
Polygraph Protection Act of 1987 - Prohibits any employer from: (1) requiring or suggesting that an employee or prospective employee take a lie detector test; (2) using lie detector test results; or (3) taking employment action against an employee or prospective employee who refuses to take a lie detector test or institutes a proceeding under or related to this Act. Requires the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to prepare notices setting forth such prohibitions. Requires employers to post such notices. Provides civil penalties for violations of this Act. Grants the Secretary authority to restrain violations of this Act. Allows employees and prospective employees to bring civil actions against any employer who violates the provisions of this Act. Imposes a three-year statute of limitations for such actions. Exempts from coverage under this Act: (1) Federal, State, and local governments; (2) certain Federal contractors; and (3) tests conducted pursuant to the performance of intelligence or counterintelligence functions. Provides a limited exemption under which an employer may request certain employees to submit to a polygraph test if the test is administered in connection with an ongoing investigation involving economic loss or injury to the employer's business, including theft, embezzlement, misappropriation, or an act of unlawful industrial espionage or sabotage. Specifies reporting requirements of the employer under such circumstances. Requires the employer to comply with applicable State and local laws and any negotiated collective bargaining agreement that limits or prohibits the use of lie detector tests on employees. Declares that such limited exemption does not apply if an employee is discharged, dismissed, disciplined, or discriminated against in any manner on the basis of the results of one or more polygraph tests or the refusal to take a polygraph test, without additional supporting evidence. Sets forth the right of an examinee during the pretest phase, the actual testing phase, and the post-test phase. Specifies the qualifications of an examiner and directs the Secretary to promulgate standards for such individuals. Prohibits the disclosure of information obtained from a polygraph test, except as provided by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Clean Air Standards Attainment Act of 1987 - Title I: Requirement for Nonattainment Areas - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize States to submit a revised implementation plan for nonattainment areas unable to attain the national primary ambient air quality standard for photochemical oxidants (ozone) and/or carbon monoxide, requiring compliance no later than the end of 1992. Requires such revised plan to include: (1) a vehicle emission control inspection and maintenance program; (2) gasoline vapor recovery of hydrocarbon emissions in certain ozone nonattainment areas; (3) a schedule for implementing the use of alternative fuels or power sources; (4) emissions reductions through the adoption of reasonably available control technology in ozone nonattainment areas; and (5) compliance with the lowest achievable emission rate by new or modified major stationary sources. Requires States to develop an implementation plan for nonattainment areas where ozone exceeds the national primary ambient air quality standard by more than 50 percent and the extended compliance schedule cannot be met by the implementation of the additional requirements. Requires this implementation plan to require the identification and adoption of specific enforceable strategies and transportation control measures, including: (1) restricted vehicle use in emission concentration areas; (2) high occupancy vehicle limitations; (3) improved public transit; (4) the use of cleaner fuels by fleet vehicles; and (5) other traffic flow and ridesharing measures. Requires such ozone nonattainment areas to achieve a specified percent total emissions reduction annually, including major stationary sources. Permits a State to substitute a percentage that will achieve the national primary ambient air quality standard within ten years. Requires per ton fees and excess emissions penalties. Requires monies collected to be used to fund air pollution control programs under this Act. Requires compliance reports at least every three years. Requires offsetting emission reductions in such area to be at least twice as great as the amount of allowable emissions from proposed sources. Requires that the use of technology or emission reduction methods in nonattainment areas should reflect the highest ten percent achieved for the same class or category of source when meeting the lowest achievable emission rate for new or modified sources. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish and revise control technique guidelines for specified categories of sources, including wood furniture coating and hazardous waste facilities. Establishes ozone transport regions and commissions within each region to facilitate the attainment of the national air quality standard for ozone in nonattainment areas affected by emissions in other areas. Requires such commissions to identify controllable sources and other measures to attain the ozone air quality standard. Prohibits the construction or modification of a major stationary source or the award of certain Department of Transportation grants in any nonattainment area which remains a nonattainment area or which is not in compliance with plan implementation requirements. Prohibits the introduction of any pollutant into a publicly owned sewage treatment works with a Clean Water Act permit by a source not utilizing such treatment works prior to a plan implementation violation in a nonattainment area, except when the applicable implementation plan provides for an offset. Permits ozone nonattainment areas to delay compliance with the primary national ambient air quality standard for up to three years if all good faith efforts to attain such standard have been made. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to facilitate the implementation of revised standards and plans. Requires activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act performed on the Outer Continental Shelf to comply with the requirements of the Clean Air Act as they would apply to the adjacent State. Authorizes States to control emissions from vessels within their jurisdiction. Title II: Acid Deposition Control - Amends the Clean Air Act to require each State to adopt Administrator-approved enforceable measures to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in three stages between 1993 and 2000, and to reduce oxides of nitrogen emissions by 1996. Requires covered stationary sources in each State to certify the means of compliance and to be in compliance by specified dates. Prohibits emission increases from newer sources without a corresponding net reduction not otherwise required. Authorizes States with actual utility emissions at specified levels to substitute other standards and enforceable measures. Requires States to submit to the Administrator electric load forecasts and emission reduction contingency plans. Sets emissions limitations for States without enforceable measures. Sets forth methods which may be used, including: (1) energy conservation as the first priority; (2) least emissions dispatch; (3) source retirement; (4) trading of reduction requirements within State; and (5) precombustion cleaning of fuels. Prohibits interstate trading of emissions reductions except in areas served by a utility service territory in more than one State. Directs the Secretary of Energy, acting jointly with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to carry out a program of construction and operation of facilities to develop experience in the commercial deployment of clean coal technologies which significantly reduce air emissions of sulfur dioxide or oxides of nitrogen from the generation of electricity or industrial process steam. Includes within such program the solicitation, selection, supervision, monitoring, and dissemination of information about results of proposed projects to deploy such technologies. Requires project selection to be based on applicability to existing coal-fired sources of emission, reductions achievable, and cost-effectiveness, including the ability to use feedstock coal mined in the United States. Prohibits the application of reductions achieved through this program to reductions required under a State implementation plan. Limits Federal funds to 50 percent of costs over a two-year period. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to establish a Clean Coal Technologies Advisory Committee to select projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992. Requires primary nonferrous smelters to be in compliance with applicable emission standards by 1988. Directs the President to negotiate with Canada and Mexico to establish cooperative efforts in controlling transboundary air pollution, including uniform standards of performing to control air pollutant emissions. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on a system of tariffs on emissions to encourage reductions. Directs the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate and report to the Congress on research priorities for sources and the long-range transport of air emissions. Directs the Administrator to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the feasibility and effectiveness of acid deposition standards to protect sensitive and critically sensitive aquatic and terrestrial resources, including an identification of such resources and impediments to implementing such a control program. Title III: Mobile Source and Other Federal Controls - Sets emission standards for light-duty vehicles and engines: (1) for hydrocarbons after model year 1992; (2) for oxides of nitrogen after model year 1990; and (3) for particulates after model year 1989. Sets emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles and engines for oxides of nitrogen during and after model year 1991 and model year 1995. Sets standards for particulates from heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines for model years 1991 and 1994. Sets emission standards for light-duty trucks and engines during and after model year 1990 for oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, particulates, and carbon monoxide. Requires motorcycles and motorcycle engines to comply with the standards for light-duty vehicles during and after model year 1992. Requires onboard hydrocarbon control technology for light-duty vehicles during and after model year 1991. Requires the Administrator to regulate formaldehyde emissions. Directs the Administrator to prohibit the manufacture and sale of engines requiring leaded gas. Requires additional regulation of carbon monoxide emissions. Doubles the useful life of light-duty vehicles and engines for purposes of standards established by this Act. Requires each of a manufacturer's vehicles and engines, not the average, to meet each of the emission standards of this Act. Directs the Administrator to add an idle test mode to the Federal Test Procedure for light-duty vehicles. Requires certificates of conformity to be suspended or revoked if fewer than 90 percent of new vehicles or engines tested in a sampling period conform with applicable regulations. Requires the Administrator to use State information when making determinations of nonconformity. Requires the Administrator to establish a testing center for high altitude conditions. Prohibits the sale of devices designed to be installed in a motor vehicle to defeat pollution control and other devices required by this Act. Sets forth procedures for determining civil penalties. Requires States with vehicle inspection and maintenance programs to adopt quality control audits. Requires new vehicles to be labeled with pollution control warranty costs. Sets standards for sulfur content in diesel fuel after July 1, 1990. Sets standards for Reid vapor pressure of gasoline sold during warm weather months following April 1, 1990. Requires the sale of oxygenated fuels in nonattainment areas. Directs the Administrator to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the use of such fuels. Sets forth procedures for determining civil penalties. Prohibits the use of fuels or additives in a motor vehicle not designed for such fuels or additives. Requires the Administrator to establish emission limitations, or standards of performance, composition, or application for hydrocarbon emissions associated with specified categories of sources, including solvents, coatings, and pesticide application. Increases criminal penalties for the knowing violation of certain provisions of this Act, including provisions relating to applicable implementation plans, and for the making of false statements. Directs the Administrator to promulgate performance standards for emission of specified air pollutants, including particulate matter, oxides of sulfur, and lead, from new or modified municipal waste incineration units. Requires such standards to reflect the best level of emission limitation achieved in practice by similar units under optimal conditions. Makes available specified technologies, including dry and wet scrubbing, fabric filtration, and source reduction and source separation. Establishes specific, minimum requirements for degree of thermal destruction of combustibles, reductions of emissions of certain pollutants, and outlet gas concentrations of certain pollutants. Requires jurisdictions served by a municipal incineration unit to have an enforceable solid waste management plan before a State program may issue a permit for a new or modified unit. Requires such plan to reflect the operation of the new or modified unit. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring existing units to meet the emissions standards promulgated under this Act according to a timetable which requires compliance within six years. Requires the shutdown of units which fail to meet certain outlet gas concentration limitations by specified dates. Requires owners or operators of municipal waste incineration units to 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. Requires such owners or operators to 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. Requires such owners or operators to comply with certain reporting requirements under Superfund. Sets monitoring standards, including continuous and periodic monitoring. Requires unit permits to be reviewed every five years after their issuance for compliance with emissions and other requirements of this Act. Permits States to submit for Administrator approval a State program of enforcement, treating the State as an enforcing entity under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to withdraw such authority if the State is not adequately enforcing these requirements. Directs the Administrator to establish a model State program for the training and certification of municipal waste incinerator personnel. Requires operating personnel to pass such training or be certified by an authorized State program. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator to develop and promulgate criteria and testing procedures for managing municipal incinerator bottom and fly ash controlled by flue gas emissions control equipment which presents a substantial hazard to human health or the environment. Requires the installation of liners, a leachate collection system, and groundwater monitoring. Requires such criteria and procedures to determine leaching, total chemical analysis, respirability, and toxicity. Requires owners or operators of each such unit to separately test the bottom and fly ash, if possible. Authorizes corrective action for releases of hazardous constituents from such facilities, including post-closure monitoring. Title IV: Ambient Air Quality Standards - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator to periodically review and revise criteria and standards for each pollutant to reflect the latest available research. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on such review process. Directs the Administrator to promulgate additional national primary ambient air quality standards for ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, fine particles, and acid aerosols based upon concentrations over different time periods and different conditions. Authorizes a substitution of standards for particulate matter. Requires the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee to advise the Administrator on high-altitude concentrations of carbon monoxide. Title V: Hazardous Air Pollutants - Requires the Administrator to promulgate, review, and revise emission standards for listed categories of pollutants every three years. Provides for the addition and deletion of substances to and from such list. Directs the Administrator to list categories of sources emitting listed toxic pollutants. Requires emission standards for such pollutants from such sources to be at least equivalent to the most stringent levels achieved in practice. Directs the Administrator to promulgate leak detection and correction requirements to protect human health and the environment which may require annual audits and safety inspections. Sets forth a schedule for promulgating such emission standards based upon quantities and toxicity. Requires the Administrator to list and report to the Congress on categories of area sources of air pollutants subject to control under these requirements to require reductions of emissions according to a prescribed schedule. Revises the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants. Expands the scope of hazardous air pollutants to include air pollutants which may have adverse environmental as well as human health effects. Requires the Administrator's list of such pollutants to include categories of the source emitting such pollutants. Directs the Administrator to develop criteria to assess air pollutants or classes of pollutants for addition to such list. Requires that decisions to list or not to list a pollutant be subject to public comment. Requires a final determination within five years of an initial determination that insufficient information exists to judge a pollutant as hazardous or nonhazardous. States that the emitters of such pollutant may be required to finance the research to determine its status. Requires such standards to protect human health with an ample safety margin unless a more stringent standard is required to protect the environment. Prohibits consideration of cost and technological feasibility when setting such standards. Permits more stringent interim standards for suspected carcinogens. Grants existing sources up to three years to meet applicable standards (current law allows 90 days). Permits an exemption for up to eight years for a source emitting a pollutant for which there is no health effects threshold where the owners or operators would experience extraordinary economic hardship. Requires such sources to comply with an alternative emission limitation resulting from the application of the best available technology. Imposes emissions standards and other requirements for stationary sources through permits. Authorizes each State to develop and submit to the Administrator for approval programs for control of emissions of toxic and hazardous air pollutants from stationary sources or for the prevention and mitigation of releases of extremely hazardous air pollutants from facilities in such State. Authorizes States to assume the Administrator's authorities to control such pollutants, either in whole or in part. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance for such programs within one year. Includes procedures and standards for emissions control as well as registration of all facilities handling any listed extremely hazardous air pollutant. Directs the Administrator to establish an air toxics clearinghouse to provide information and assistance to States. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States to assist in program development. Offers States an opportunity to modify unapproved programs. Requires the Administrator to withdraw approval of any State program which is not administering or enforcing its program. Requires the Administrator to list extremely hazardous substances which may cause acute or chronic adverse human health effects as a result of non-sudden or episodic events. Requires owners or operators of facilities or devices where such releases might take place to carry out hazardous assessments. Establishes within EPA the Chemical Safety and Hazards Investigation Board, an independent safety board to investigate and report on chemical accidents, evaluate hazard assessment techniques, and make recommendations to the Administrator on the safety of chemical production, handling, and storage. Requires the Administrator to explain any refusal to implement such a recommendation. Authorizes the Board to hold hearings, secure data and written reports from any person handling chemicals, and conduct inspections where extremely hazardous substances are produced, handled, or stored. Grants the Board an independent budget. Requires that Board-collected information, other than trade secrets, be made available to the public. Requires the Board to report annually to the President and the Congress on accidents, recommendations, and priorities for research and investigations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate release prevention, detection, and correction requirements for extemely hazardous air pollutant facilities. Includes monitoring, recordkeeping, and other design, equipment, and operational practices. Authorizes the Administrator to secure injunctive or other relief when an extremely hazardous air pollutant from a facility poses an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health or welfare or the environment. Establishes per day civil penalties for violations of such orders. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance for the coordination of such authority with the relevant authorities under other Federal environmental laws. Authorizes the Administrator to require owners or operators of facilities emitting hazardous or toxic air pollutants or producing or handling extremely hazardous listed air pollutants to monitor emissions from the source and in the vicinity, maintaining records of the results. Directs the Administrator to assess and report to the Congress on hazards associated with emissions of hydrogen sulfide, benzene, and aromatic hydrocarbons.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) all parties in Haiti should refrain from violence and that the National Governing Council (NGC) should bring to justice those responsible for attacks against officials of the Provisional Electoral Council (PEC); (2) the NGC should cooperate fully with the PEC to assure a fair election, free from intimidation and fear; (3) the NGC should provide security and protection, as well as administrative and logistical support, to the PEC; and (4) the President should suspend all military assistance for the Government of Haiti if he determines that the NGC fails to take such steps to assure a free and fair election.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1987
Act for Better Child Care Services of 1987 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and such sums as necessary for FY 1989 through 1992 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Specifies the manner of making allotments for child care services. Requires the designation of a lead agency in each State which participates in the programs under this Act. Requires States to submit, in order to qualify for assistance under this Act, an application and plan to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires each plan to cover a five-year period and to meet specified requirements for providers of child care services. Authorizes the use of State allotments: (1) by contracts with or grants to eligible child care providers, or public or private nonprofit agencies, to enable such providers or agencies to operate programs directly or by subcontract; or (2) by distributing child care certificates that parents may use as payment for child care services. Requires that a percentage of funds be reserved to enable part-day programs to extend existing hours of operation and provide full-day child care services. Authorizes the Secretary to make planning grants to States which desire to participate under this Act but cannot fully satisfy the requirements of a State plan without financial assistance. Provides for a review of the operation of a State plan during the five-year period to determine the State's continued eligibility for funds. Requires the Governor of each participating State to establish: (1) a State interagency advisory committee on child care to assist the lead agency in carrying out its responsibilities; and (2) a State committee on licensing to review the licensing requirements, the law, and the policies regulating child care services and programs within State. Requires each participating State to recognize private nonprofit community-based organizations, or public organizations, as resources and referral agencies for particular geographic areas. Requires each participating State to require that all employed or self-employed persons providing licensed or regulated child care complete at least 15 hours per year of inservice, continuing education, or other training as described in this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services an Administrator of Child Care to carry out the provisions of this Act. Establishes enforcement provisions for review of State plans and monitoring of State compliance. Declares the Federal share of child care programs to be 80 percent and requires the State to demonstrate that the remaining 20 percent will be provided from other sources. Requires the Secretary to establish a National Advisory Committee on Child Care Standards to: (1) review Federal policies on child care services and such other data as appropriate; (2) submit to the Secretary proposed minimum standards for child care programs; and (3) develop and make available to lead agencies model regulations for resources and referral agencies. Terminates the committee 90 days after the date of publication of final minimum child care standards. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act for: (1) sectarian purposes or activities; (2) capital improvements to sectarian institutions; and (3) tuition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1987
Consumer Product Safety Commission Authorization Act of 1987 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require the President, when making appointments to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, to consider individuals with consumer product safety backgrounds. States that, at any time during FY 1988 through 1990 when there are two vacancies on the Commission, two Commission members shall constitute a quorum. Lists additional Commission personnel who must be appointed by the Commission Chairman with the approval of the Commission. Requires Commission approval for the removal of such personnel. Requires the Commission to establish an agenda and priorities for Commission actions at least 30 days before the beginning of each fiscal year. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act to permit any "interested party" to petition the Commission for review of any voluntary safety standard based upon a showing that: (1) the voluntary standard is inadequate to address a risk of injury associated with the product, substance, or material; or (2) the development of the voluntary standard is not proceeding in a timely manner. Makes certain procedural changes with respect to Commission reliance upon voluntary consumer product safety standards. Requires the Commission to issue proposed consumer product safety rules within 12 months after the publication of the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (unless the Commission determines that the proposed rule is not likely to eliminate or reduce the risk associated with the product). Directs the Commission to devise procedures to monitor compliance with any voluntary standards. Permits the disclosure of Commission-held information to Commission contractors. Repeals the Cellulose Insulation Safety Standards. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Repeals the safety standard for swimming pool slides issued by the Commission. Directs the Commission to enter into discussions with distributors of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) regarding corrective actions to reduce the risk of injury and death associated with ATVs. Directs the Commission, if an agreement is reached within 60 days after the enactment of this Act, to file an action in U.S. district court, together with the proposed agreement in settlement of the action. Requires the court to file an "imminent hazards" action in such court if agreement is not reached within such time. Directs the Commission to promulgate a final rule regarding ATVs within one year after enactment of this Act, addressing: (1) uniform user controls; (2) education and training of users; (3) warning labels; and (4) performance requirements. Requires the Commission to review its activities (to determine whether additional action or requirements are necessary) regarding: (1) indoor air pollutants; (2) sleepwear flammability; and (3) the sale of articles which present a choking, aspiration, or ingestion hazard to children. Directs the Commission to report the results of each to the Congress. Directs the Commission to revoke the current exemption which permits the sale of lawn darts for adult use, unless the Commission finds that such products do not have the potential for causing puncture wound injury.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1987
Court Interpreters Improvement Act of 1987 - Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to establish a program to facilitate the use of certified and otherwise qualified interpreters in judicial proceedings instituted by the United States. Requires the Director to certify interpreters for the hearing impaired and for at least eight additional languages. Requires the Director to establish criteria for the selection of otherwise qualified interpreters: (1) in languages for which no interpreters have been certified; and (2) where no certified interpreter is reasonably available. Requires the Director to maintain a list of all certified interpreters. Calls for periodic, rather than annual, reporting in connection with the use and performance of interpreters. Subjects their fees to periodic review. Requires the clerk or district executive of a court to secure the services of interpreters for proceedings initiated by the United States. Directs the presiding judicial official, upon the request of any party, to require judicial or grand jury proceedings in which interpreters are used to be electronically sound recorded. Authorizes appropriations for the establishment of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Authorizes the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc., to establish a statue of a woman Vietnam veteran within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to honor and recognize the women of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Vietnam war. Expresses the sense of the Congress that after the addition of such statue, no further additions to the site should be authorized or undertaken. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select a site for the statue within the Memorial. Makes the design proposal subject to the approval of the Secretary and the National Capital Planning Commission. Prohibits the United States or the District of Columbia from paying any expense of establishing the statue. Provides that authorization for the statue shall lapse unless: (1) the establishment of such statue is commenced within five years of the date of approval of this resolution; and (2) the Secretary certifies that sufficient funds to complete the statue are available prior to groundbreaking. Makes the Secretary responsible for the statue's maintenance and care. Exempts the Secretary from the requirement of seeking the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts in implementing this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should re-open its case under the Trade Act of 1974 against Brazilian trade and investment restrictions on U.S. participation in Brazil's informatics industry (computer software and related equipment and services).
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1987
Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish the criminal offense of genocide. Sets forth penalties to be imposed upon anyone who commits or attempts to commit any of the acts which constitute genocide (a fine of $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years, and life imprisonment if group members are killed). Sets forth criminal penalties (a fine of $500,000 and/or imprisonment for up to five years) for directly and publicly inciting an act of genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1987
Minority Business Development Act of 1987 - Redesignates the Minority Business Development Agency in the Department of Commerce as the Minority Business Development Administration. Requires the President to appoint an Administrator to head the Administration. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress on the organizational structure within the Administration and its organizational position in the Department of Commerce. Title I: Market Development - Empowers the Administration to: (1) assist disadvantaged businesses in penetrating domestic and foreign markets by making available to such businesses management and technological assistance, a skilled labor pool, and financial and marketing services; and (2) encourage disadvantaged firms to establish joint ventures and projects to increase their share of the market. Authorizes the Administration to provide financial assistance to public and private sector organizations to carry out this Act. Requires the Administration to consult with State and local governments for the purpose of leveraging local resources, and recommending local administrative and legislative initiatives, to promote the position of disadvantaged businesses. Authorizes the Administration to provide financial assistance to States and cities and to allocate such assistance on the basis of relative populations of disadvantaged individuals, numbers of disadvantaged businesses, and unemployment rates of disadvantaged individuals. Requires the Administration, at least 120 days before the beginning of each fiscal year, to publish in the Federal Register the actual or anticipated amount of financial assistance that will or may be available in the immediately succeeding fiscal year. Requires the Administrator, at least 60 days before the beginning of each fiscal year, to publish its response to comments received and any change in the allocation methodology. Title II: Capital Formation - Authorizes the Administration to defray all or part of the costs of pilot projects which are conducted by public or private organizations and designed to assist disadvantaged businesses in obtaining equity capital. Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to cooperate with the Administration to promote access to securities markets for disadvantaged businesses. Establishes within the Treasury a revolving fund to be available to the Administration to provide financial assistance to qualified disadvantaged businesses through the purchase of equity investments in such businesses. Permits the Administration to provide such assistance to qualified businesses only after determining that: (1) such assistance is unavailable on reasonable terms from other sources; (2) the assistance will permit a concern to operate profitably in a reasonable period of time; (3) the proceeds will be used in a reasonable period of time for plant construction, to finance the acquisition of equipment, or to supply working capital; (4) the terms under which the assistance is provided will not be breached by the business; and (5) salaries paid by the business are reasonable. Limits the amount of equity investments that may be purchased by the Administration and be outstanding at any one time. Title III: Management Educational Development - Requires the Administration to: (1) encourage universities, business leaders, and other public and private entities, to offer scholarships, sponsor seminars, and provide internships for the benefit of disadvantaged individuals; and (2) accelerate curriculum design in support of disadvantaged business development. Title IV: Research and Information - Requires the Administration to submit to the Congress a report describing the resources needed to advance and represent disadvantaged businesses in all levels of the economic system in numbers that would have existed were it not for past discrimination. Authorizes the Administration to: (1) provide financial assistance to public and private organizations to assist the Administration in collecting data on the causes for success and failure of disadvantaged businesses and in conducting research on how economic conditions affect the development of such businesses; (2) develop and maintain a data bank on disadvantaged businesses; and (3) establish an information clearinghouse for data pertinent to disadvantaged business. Title V: Administrative and Miscellaneous Powers of the Administration - Sets forth the administrative powers of the Administration. Permits the Administrator, the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce, and the Comptroller General to examine records of each recipient of assistance. Requires the Comptroller General to review and report to the Congress on programs authorized by this Act not later than July 1, 1988. Requires the Administrator to submit an annual report on the Administration's activities to the President and specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the ozone "hole" that forms over Antarctica poses a threat to public health and the world environment; (2) the United States should take steps toward ratification of the Montreal Protocol To Control Ozone Depleting Substances as soon as possible; (3) the President should immediately transmit the Protocol to the Senate for prompt ratification; and (4) the President should immediately call upon a sufficient number of countries to move toward ratification so that the Protocol will enter into force as soon as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1987
Commends Sri Lankan President Jayewardene and Indian Prime Minister Gandhi for successfully negotiating the July 29, 1987, accord aimed at achieving a peaceful solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. Calls upon parties to the accord to adhere to its terms. Urges Tamil militants to settle their differences peacefully. Calls upon the Sri Lankan authorities to fulfill their responsibilities to ensure the protection of the human rights of all Sri Lankans. Calls upon the President to work with other nations toward the establishment of an international fund or other multinational effort to provide resources for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Sri Lanka.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1987
Declares that the Senate commends the organizers and participants of Justice For All Day and expresses gratitude to all persons who work to abolish poverty and ease the suffering of the poor.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1987
Education Savings Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an income tax exclusion to a taxpayer who transfers a qualified U.S. savings bond to an eligible institution of higher education or vocational school to pay the higher education expenses (tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment) of the taxpayer, spouse, or dependent. Excludes from gross income the lesser of: (1) the otherwise taxable amount involved in the transfer; or (2) the amount of the relevant higher education expenses. Phases out the permissible exclusion in the case of taxpayers having adjusted gross income of $75,000 or more, disallowing it entirely when income exceeds $150,000. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to advise the general public of the program established by this Act. Amends Federal law to permit: (1) the type of transfer of U.S. savings bonds that would be necessary to effect the tax exclusions described in this Act; and (2) redemption of such bonds by recipient institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1987
Expresses the Senate's: (1) support for democratic political institutions for the people of Fiji based upon free, fair, and openly contested elections; (2) opposition to the usurpation of democracy in Fiji; and (3) support for reconsideration of the Fijian sugar import quota by the U.S. Government as an expression of opposition to the violation of democratic principles and processes in Fiji.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1987
Designates the Arctic Coastal Plain Wilderness within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1987
Calls upon the Government of the Soviet Union to: (1) grant to all those who wish to join spouses in the United States permission to emigrate with their family members to the United States; and (2) give special consideration to such cases that have remained unresolved for many years.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1987
Veterans' Agent Orange Disabilities Act of 1987 - Creates a non-rebuttable presumption that, for the purposes of wartime disability compensation for Vietnam veterans, the following diseases shall be considered to have been incurred in, or aggravated by, active military, naval, or air service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era: (1) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; (2) lung cancer becoming manifest within 25 years of service; and (3) a disease that, in accordance with this Act, is determined to be reasonably associated with damage to or suppression of the immune system resulting from exposure to dioxin or any other toxic herbicide used in Vietnam and that is listed in regulations prescribed by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs. Requires the Administrator to enter into an agreement with an appropriate nonprofit private scientific organization to: (1) conduct a survey of all scientific studies of the effects of dioxin and other toxic herbicides used by the United States in Vietnam on humans or animals; and (2) determine what (if any) diseases are reasonably associated with damage to or suppression of the human immune system as a result of exposure to such herbicides. Designates the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as the appropriate nonprofit organization, unless: (1) the NAS does not enter into such an agreement with the Administrator; (2) the Administrator has notified the veterans' committees of an alternative organization; and (3) 90 days have elapsed since such notification. Requires that the scientific organization report to the Administrator and the veterans' committees on the name of each disease determined to be reasonably associated with human immune system damage or suppression within one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to prescribe regulations listing each such disease within 90 days of receipt of such report, unless a disease is specifically excluded by law. Directs the Administrator to periodically (but not less than annually) survey additional completed studies to determine whether any diseases should be added to the list. Requires that the Administrator: (1) compile and analyze, on a continuing basis, all clinical data obtained by the VA in connection with physical examinations and treatment furnished after November 3, 1981, to veterans who were exposed to dioxin or any other such toxic substance; and (2) submit to the Senate and House of Representatives' Committees on Veterans' Affairs a semiannual report containing such compilation and analysis, along with a discussion of the disabilities identified or treated by the VA, the Administrator's explanation for the incidence of such disabilities, and other reasonable explanations for the incidence of such disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1987
Congratulates Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez on being awarded the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize. Recognizes the signing of the August 7 Guatemala peace accord as an historic achievement and an opportunity for the Presidents of Central America to work together towards peace. Urges the parties to the accord to implement all of its provisions in good faith, and pledges the Congress' support and full cooperation with respect to such implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Amends the copyright law to extend the manufacturing clause, which prohibits the importation of certain English language books by American authors not manufactured in the United States or Canada. Suspends such clause unless the percentage of imports reaches or exceeds four times domestic printing production during calendar year 1986 in which case such clause will be imposed for one year or until the Secretary of Commerce certifies the percentage of imports has fallen below the requisite level.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Urges the German Democratic chief of state Erich Honecker to: (1) repeal the order directing East German border guards to shoot to kill anyone who attempts to cross the Berlin Wall; and (2) issue an order to tear down the Berlin Wall.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Requires U.S. coins to be redesigned, at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, over the next six years. Requires the reverse side of the first coin redesigned to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution for a two-year period. Requires that any profits from the sale of uncirculated and proof sets of U.S. coins be deposited in the Treasury and used solely to reduce the national debt.
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