United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include as a tax-excludible fringe benefit qualified employer-provided commuter services between an employee's residence and workplace. Includes as qualified services: (1) transportation furnished in a commuter highway vehicle (such as a van); and (2) transportation paid for or reimbursed by the employer on public buses, trains, or subways that run along regular routes according to a schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1987
Recognizes the accomplishments of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in enhancing, during the past 50 years, the knowledge, conservation, management, and habitat of U.S. wildlife resources, as well as hunter education. Commends hunters and shooters for their contributions to such Act's success.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1987
United States Coinage Reform Act of 1987 - Requires that one dollar coins be gold colored, be at least 90 percent copper, and be fabricated in the United States from natural deposits located in the United States. Redesigns the obverse side of the dollar coin to symbolize the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to place such coins into circulation within 18 months. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the advisability of phasing out production of the one-cent and 50-cent coins and of rounding cash sales to the nearest five cents.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1987
Youth Employment Services Act of 1987 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to establish a demonstration program for employment opportunities for severely disadvantaged youth. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to carry out such programs with specified funds. Defines an eligible severely disadvantaged youth as one who: (1) is between 16 and 20 years old; (2) is economically disadvantaged; (3) has dropped out of elementary or secondary school, or has received a secondary school degree but has both reading and mathematics skills below the eighth grade level; (4) has not participated in an education or training program in the nine months preceding the month in which he or she enrolls in the program under this Act; and (5) has less than 150 hours work experience in a specified nine-month period. Requires program grant applicants to form eligible partnerships, which shall include a public agency or private nonprofit organization and a business concern or association. Allows program funds to be used for: (1) individual assessment; (2) intensive basic skills training combined with vocational training and/or work experience; (3) support services; (4) job development and placement services; (5) a monitoring period after program completion, with support services to assist in retaining employment or advancing toward an educational degree; and (6) other appropriate services to further job placement. Sets forth provisions relating to the allocation and number of demonstration grants. Set forth program agreement requirements. Sets forth provisions for program payments and the Federal share of program costs. Directs the Secretary to evaluate services provided by eligible partnerships funded under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on such evaluation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1987
Establishes a National Bipartisan Commission on International Debt to develop recommendations for resolving the Third World debt crisis. Directs the Commission to: (1) document and analyze the consequences of the debt crisis on the Third World and the United States; (2) review proposals for addressing Third World debt problems; (3) develop concrete recommendations for resolving the debt crisis; and (4) submit a report to the President and the Congress concerning its findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1987
Declares that the Congress: (1) expresses its solidarity with the citizens of Iran and extends its wish that the people of Iran will soon enjoy an end to the Iran-Iraq war and to internal repression; (2) supports an official U. S. policy of completely halting the shipment of arms to the Government of Iran; (3) urges the President to cooperate with the United Nations to bring about an end to government-sponsored torture in Iranian prisons and to pressure Iran to permit inspection of Iranian prisons by an international delegation; and (4) expresses support for all efforts made through the U.N. Security Council to pressure the Khomeini Government to end the Iran-Iraq war.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1987
Medicaid Home and Community Quality Services Act of 1987 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to provide Medicaid coverage of community and family support services for severely disabled individuals who became disabled before age 22 and are living in a family home, foster family home, or community living facility. Requires that such services be provided in accordance with a written habilitation plan developed by an interdisciplinary team on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the individual's strengths and the services and support necessary to: (1) enable such individual to attain or retain capabilities for independence or self-care; (2) promote interaction between disabled and nondisabled individuals within the community; and (3) enable disabled individuals who are over age 18 to engage in paid employment. Increases the age at which newly disabled individuals will be eligible for this Act's coverage so that eventually individuals who become disabled between age 22 and 50 will be covered. Lists the services which may comprise community and family support services, requiring that such services include at a minimum: (1) case management services; (2) individual and family support services; (3) specialized vocational services; and (4) protective intervention services. Excludes from such services: (1) room and board, other than room and board provided for less than six consecutive weeks and less than 12 weeks per year; (2) cash payments as a service; (3) aversive behavior intervention, management, or therapies; (4) services provided to a disabled individual living in a hospital, or skilled nursing or intermediate care facility; (5) educational services which the State makes generally available to its residents without cost and without regard to their income; and (6) services for which payment is made under title XVIII (Medicare), or part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) or B (Child Welfare Services) of title IV of the Act. Requires each State to make certain assurances regarding their provision of community and family support services and submit an implementation strategy to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires that such implementation strategies: (1) describe the extent and scope of community and family support services provided to the severely disabled and the extent and scope of services provided to the severely disabled who are institutionalized; (2) set forth the objectives and a five-year strategy for expanding community and family support services for the severely disabled; (3) include certain procedures for transferring severely disabled, institutionalized individuals to family homes, foster family homes, or community living facilities; (4) set forth standards for the provision of community and family support services and a program for licensing and certifying all facilities and programs providing such services; (5) provide for assessments of the provision and affect of community and family support services and the correction of service deficiencies; (6) provide the public with an adequate opportunity to comment on the strategies; (7) set forth methods ensuring that the personnel providing community and family support services receive adequate training and are competent to provide such services; (8) provide that the State has in effect a management information system capable of collecting, storing, and retrieving data on the severely disabled who receive community and family support services; (9) provide an opportunity for an appeal and hearing before a hearing officer to individuals who believe themselves to be inappropriately served or denied an appropriate service, or who are being scheduled for an involuntary transfer from one living arrangement to another; (10) describe the methods to be used in administering community and family support services; and (11) set forth procedures to protect the interests of public employees who will be affected by the transfer of the severely disabled from public institutions. Allows States to provide any new community and family support service for up to three years without meeting the Medicaid requirements that it provide a service on a statewide basis and that the service be comparable in all parts of the State. Requires that intermediate care facility services for the mentally retarded include the ascertainment of the individual needs of each newly admitted individual by an interdisciplinary team within 30 days and the development of a written habilitation plan for each individual. Limits Medicaid payments to States for skilled nursing and intermediate care facility services furnished to individuals under age 65 who became disabled before age 22 to the amount payable for such services in the fiscal year ending after the enactment of this Act, increased if and by the extent to which the percentage increase in the consumer price index exceeds six percent. Makes such limitation inapplicable to facilities which have less than 16 beds or meet the size and location requirements for a community living facility. Requires States to have in effect a system to protect and advocate those rights of the severely disabled who are eligible for medical assistance which relate to the provision of such assistance. Provides Federal Medicaid matching funds for such system. Gives individuals who are adversely affected by a violation of this Act's requirements the right to bring an action to enjoin such violation. Allows States to set payment rates for community and family support services for the severely disabled. Authorizes States to treat severely disabled individuals under age 19 who are not in a medical institution as receiving benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Act for Medicaid eligibility purposes if they would be eligible for SSI benefits if institutionalized. Requires States to establish a uniform income standard for the severely disabled regardless of whether or not they are in a medical institution. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage of disabled spouses and children who, except for the resources deemed to them, would be eligible for SSI benefits. Removes certain limitations on the Secretary's approval of reduction and correction plans for deficient intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded. Makes individuals who are severely disabled and receiving or deemed to be receiving SSI benefits eligible for Medicaid as long as such qualifications continue to be satisfied. Directs the Secretary to establish, within the Health Care Financing Administration, a Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services responsible for administering Medicaid programs for the severely disabled. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop standards and a program for training Federal and State personnel who perform surveys of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities to determine whether such facilities meet Medicaid participation requirements; and (2) periodically conduct studies of the reliability of such surveys and make the changes necessary to improve such reliability. Directs the Secretary to support the development of: (1) instruments to assess outcomes in the provision of this Act's services; and (2) competency-based personnel standards for agencies and organizations providing services to the severely disabled pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct an annual assessment of each State's compliance with this Act's requirements; and (2) issue final regulations regarding this Act's amendments prior to the first fiscal year beginning after this Act's enactment. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Designates the week of May 2 through May 8, 1988, as National Drinking Water Week to enhance awareness of drinking water issues and recognition of the difference that drinking water makes to health, safety, and quality of life.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Designates October 15, 1987, as National Safety Belt Use Day. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people to wear safety belts and have their children use child safety seats, and encouraging public safety and law enforcement agencies to promote these devices.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Senate and its agent political committees must adhere to a code of conduct of the highest standard, avoiding the appearance of improper, unethical, or illegal activity; (2) candidates and their party committees should engage in positive and constructive campaigns, avoiding negative attacks calculated to impugn the character, integrity, or patriotism of a candidate; and (3) the Senate, the political committees, and candidates must renew their commitment and dedication to winning not only the votes of the citizenry, but the trust and confidence of the citizenry as well.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Declares that the Congress strongly urges that the Free Trade Area Agreement being negotiated by the United States and Canada not contain any changes in the maritime policy and laws of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress: (1) expressing the hope that a new era of good will and cooperation among nations of the region will result from the July 29, 1987, agreement between Sri Lanka and India concerning the Sri Lankan civil war; (2) urging the President to convey to President Jayewardene of Sri Lanka and Prime Minister Gandhi of India the congratulations of the American people as they proceed to implement the agreement; (3) commending those Sinhalese and Tamil leaders who have agreed to abide by the principles set forth in the agreement; and (4) applauding the agreement which makes possible the resolving of humanitarian issues. Declares that the United States should work with other nations to establish an international fund or other multilateral effort to provide additional resources for rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Federal Aviation Administration Independent Establishment Act of 1987 - Establishes the Federal Aviation Administration as an independent Federal agency to succeed the Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of Transportation. Transfers to such independent agency all functions vested in the Federal Aviation Administration currently in the Department of Transportation, and all functions vested in such Department which are administered through the Federal Aviation Administration or are related to it. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Prohibits any U.S. assistance for Panama unless the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) the Government of Panama has demonstrated substantial progress in efforts to assure civilian control of the armed forces and that the Panama Defense Forces and its leaders have been removed from nonmilitary activities and institutions; (2) the Government of Panama has established an independent investigation into allegations of illegal actions by members of the Panama Defense Forces; (3) a nonmilitary transitional government is in power in Panama; and (4) freedom of the press and all other constitutional guarantees to the Panamanian people are restored. Exempts from such prohibition: (1) assistance provided through private and voluntary organizations; (2) the donation of food or medicine; (3) disaster relief assistance; (4) refugee assistance; (5) assistance under the Inter-American Foundation Act; and (6) educational assistance for Panamanians in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 1987 - Reauthorizes and revises Federal law relating to impact aid payments to local educational agencies affected by Federal activity. Revises the policy declaration to use the term "reimbursement" (rather than "assistance"). Extends the authorization of specified provisions under the Act through FY 1993. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993. Revises formulas for determining the amount of payments to local educational agencies. Provides that certain increases in such payments shall be sufficient to allow the school district to have an operating cost no greater than: (1) the average of comparable school districts in the State; or (2) if there are no comparable school districts, the State average operational cost. Provides that a reasonable tax effort has been made if the agency's tax effort is at least equal to 80 percent of the average taxes levied for operational purposes by not more than three comparable school districts for that year. Reduces certain payments to an agency by the percentage that the average operational tax rate of the comparable school districts (or, if none, the State average operational tax rate) exceeds the actual tax levied by the agency's school district. Provides that, for FY 1988 and for each fiscal year thereafter, the local contribution rate for agencies whose school district boundaries are coterminous with the boundaries of a military installation shall be not less than 70 percent of the average per pupil expenditure in all States during the second preceding year prior to the current fiscal year. Provides that any agency eligible for an increase under certain provisions shall receive 100 percent of the amount to which it is entitled under other specified provisions. Provides for rounding of payments to the nearest whole dollar. Revises provisions for adjustments where necessitated by appropriations to change the formulas determining how the Secretary of Education shall allocate additional amounts among various categories of local educational agencies. Revises provisions relating to State treatment of Federal impact aid payments in determining a local educational agency's eligibility for, and the amount of, State aid. Requires that the State formula ensure that the local agency will have sufficient funds available to expand at or above the State average per pupil expenditure or the average per pupil expenditure for comparable districts, whichever is greater. Provides that specified types of impact aid shall not be taken into consideration as local resources by the State. Directs the Secretary, for any fiscal year after FY 1987, to allocate to any local educational agency which received a payment under specified provisions in FY 1987 an amount which is not less than the product of 100 percent of the per pupil amount paid to such agency in FY 1987 and the number of children in average daily attendance for the fiscal year for which the determination is made. Permits a local educational agency receiving impact aid funds also to receive funds under provisions for education of children where local agencies cannot supply facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish regional panels to review proposed regulations before their publication. Provides that such panels shall be composed of Federal, State, and local education administrators, parents of elementary and secondary students, elementary and secondary teachers, and members of local educational agencies involved with implementing programs under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue emergency regulations without such review, but requires the Secretary to convene regional panels immediately thereafter to review such emergency regulations prior to issuing them in final form.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Honors the late Portuguese diplomat, Dr. Aristides de Sousa Mendes do Amaral e Abranches, for his extraordinary acts of mercy and justice during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1987
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Expansion Act of 1987 - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to set forth the method for calculating duty-free treatment status for articles imported from East Caribbean beneficiary countries. Sets forth such countries. Provides that duty-free treatment provided under this Act shall not apply to: (1) certain textile and apparel articles; (2) certain footwear, handbags, luggage, flat goods, work gloves, and leather wearing apparel; (3) tuna in airtight containers; (4) petroleum or petroleum products; or (5) certain watches and watch parts. Requires the President to establish categories of such articles not accorded duty-free treatment. Requires the President to provide duty-free treatment to articles under such categories if the International Trade Commission (ITC) determines that: (1) such articles are either not produced in the United States, or not produced in the United States in quantities sufficient to meet domestic demand; and (2) no directly competitive articles are produced in the United States. Permits a person to file a petition with the ITC requesting the granting or withdrawal of duty-free treatment with respect to such articles. Requires the President to withdraw the duty-free treatment provided to articles within a category if the ITC determines, after the filing of a petition, that such category is no longer eligible for such treatment. Limits the aggregate quantity of articles, in a category to which a duty-free quota applies and produced in all beneficiary countries, that may be entered duty-free during any calendar year after 1987 to an amount equal to five percent of the aggregate quanity of such articles imported during that year from all beneficiary countries. Requires the President to provide duty-free treatment to articles of a beneficiary country imported after such calendar year before the total quantity imported during that year equals or exceeds the duty-free quota for such articles for such country for that year. Requires each beneficiary country to submit a specified report to the President. Authorizes the President to suspend the provision of duty-free treatment if such beneficiary country fails to submit such report. Provides that no duty-free treatment extended to a beneficiary country shall remain in effect after September 30, 2007. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to prohibit application of quantitative import restrictions to articles manufactured in a beneficiary country (as defined for purposes of the Generalized System of Preferences) in whole of U.S. materials. Grants duty-free treatment to such articles. Grants duty-free treatment to articles (not over $600 in value) acquired in a beneficiary country. Increases (from $800 to $1000) the personal exemption from customs duties of articles acquired in the U.S. insular possessions and from other countries. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the ITC when making determinations as to material injury with respect to antidumping and countervailing duty cases to cumulatively assess the volume and effect of imports from a country designated as a beneficiary country under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act with respect to imports of like products that are the product of one or more other countries designated as beneficiary countries. Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to exempt from the prohibition against imports being considered eligible for exemption from duties certain ethyl alcohol imported during 1987 and 1988 if it was produced in a certain type of facility in: (1) an U.S. insular possession if such facility was in operation on January 1, 1986; or (2) a beneficiary country if such facility was in operation on January 1, 1987. Limits the aggregate quantity of imported sugar from a country designated a beneficiary country under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act for any year after December 31, 1987, to the allocation of such country for the period beginning on September 26, 1983, and ending September 30, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1987
Technology to Educate Children With Handicaps Act - Amends the Education of the Handicapped Act to add provisions for assistive device resource centers. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to States to pay the Federal share of the cost of establishing assistive device resources centers. Directs the Secretary to make State allotments based on the number of handicapped children. Sets forth a minimum State allotment. Requires that each center serve: (1) severely handicapped infants and toddlers; (2) severely handicapped children and youth; and (3) severely handicapped individuals who have attained 21 years of age if the State plan prescribes a targeted population of such individuals. Requires each center to: (1) train and assist specialists in local educational agencies and nonprofit community organizations to evaluate a handicapped student's potential to benefit from assistive devices; (2) instruct teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, parents, and handicapped students in the appropriate use of assistive devices; (3) provide follow-up services and collect data to determine the effectiveness of the services provided; (4) develop a statewide service delivery system for severely handicapped children; (5) be able to assist in the development of assistive devices to meet the needs of handicapped individuals; (6) disseminate information to local educational agencies and nonprofit community organizations; and (7) provide in-service training to specialists, teachers, parents, and others on the benefits of assistive devices to promote improved educational performance and increased interaction between handicapped and nonhandicapped individuals. Requires each State to assure priority of services for handicapped children from birth through age 21. States that nothing in this Act precludes the provision of center services to handicapped individuals who are no longer eligible for services under the Education of the Handicapped Act. Requires each center to establish an Advisory Committee. Prohibits Federal funds from being used for the operations of such Committee. Sets forth required contents of State allotment applications. Allows any public agency or private nonprofit organization or institution to apply to a State for a grant to establish a center. Makes the Federal share of the cost 70 percent in FY 1988, 65 percent in FY 1989, and 60 percent in FY 1990. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1987
Recognizes the contributions of Rachel Carson to public awareness and understanding of environmental issues on the 25th anniversary of her book, "Silent Spring."
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1987
AIDS Federal Policy Act of 1987 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new title on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, to make grants for counseling and testing regarding the etiologic agent for AIDS. Specifies eligibility requirements for grants. Directs the Secretary, in making the grants, to give preference to applicants who will provide the counseling and testing in any geographic area with a significant incidence of AIDS. Prohibits the Secretary from making a grant unless the applicant submits an application containing agreements in accordance with specified provisions of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from making a grant unless the applicant agrees to: (1) ensure the confidentiality of information and records; (2) test individuals only after obtaining informed consent; (3) provide counseling regarding certain matters before testing any individual; (4) provide counseling both for individuals testing negative and for individuals testing positive; (5) offer, to the extent permitted under State law, opportunities for an individual to undergo counseling and testing without the individual being required either to provide information regarding the individual's identity or using a pseudonym; (6) not require the individual to undergo testing as a condition of receiving health services, unless the testing is medically necessary in the provision of the health services; (7) use funds from the grant to significantly increase the availability of counseling and testing above the level previously provided by the applicant; (8) provide the counseling and testing without regard to the ability of the individual to pay charges imposed by the applicant, if any; (9) establish fiscal control and fund accounting regarding the grant; and (10) expend not more than ten percent of the amounts received for administering the grant. Authorizes the Secretary, on request of a grantee, to provide supplies and services in lieu of grant funds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Prohibits, except as provided in this Act, disclosure of identifying information with respect to a protected individual or a contact of such individual. Describes persons subject to such prohibition. Provides for civil and criminal penalties for violation of the prohibition, and for injunctive relief. Authorizes disclosure of identifying information regarding a protected individual and a contact of the individual with consent of the protected individual. Authorizes certain persons subject to prohibition of disclosure to disclose identifying information without consent of the protected individual, in certain circumstances and for certain purposes, to: (1) health care professionals and providers; (2) the protected individual; (3) State public health officers; (4) medical facilities receiving blood, semen, breast milk, or an organ from the individual; and (5) others, as medically necessary. Authorizes redisclosure by recipients of information disclosed under the same terms and conditions as the original disclosure. Authorizes a court of competent jurisdiction to order disclosure of identifying information if the court determines, after due process, that the disclosure is necessary to prevent a clear and imminent danger of transmission of the etiologic agent for AIDS. Provides for confidentiality of court records. Authorizes physicians or professional counselors to disclose identifying information with respect to a protected individual to the individual's spouse or sexual partner, if the physician or counselor believes the disclosure is medically appropriate and that the protected individual will not inform the spouse of sexual contact with regard to the identifying information involved. Requires any person who discloses identifying information permitted by this Act, subject to exception, to: (1) accompany disclosure with a statement declaring that subsequent disclosure of the information may be prohibited by law; and (2) notify a living protected individual of the disclosure. Prohibits discrimination against an otherwise qualified individual, solely by reason of the fact that the individual is, or is regarded as being, infected with the etiologic agent for AIDS: (1) in employment, housing, public accommodations, or governmental services; and (2) in the provision of benefits under any program or activity that receives or benefits from Federal financial assistance. Provides guidelines for the construction of the term "otherwise qualified individual." Provides for civil penalties for violation of the prohibition against discrimination, and for injunctive relief. States that the prohibition of discrimination shall not be construed to prohibit life or health insurance organizations from requiring applicants for insurance to undergo testing for the purpose of determining whether the applicant is infected with such etiologic agent.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) supporting the President's efforts to gain Pakistan's compliance with its past commitments not to produce weapon-grade nuclear material; (2) urging the President to inform Pakistan that its verifiable compliance with such past commitments is vital to any further U.S. military assistance; and (3) urging the President to pursue an agreement by India and Pakistan to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, accept International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, allow mutual inspection of one another's nuclear installations, renounce nuclear weapons through a joint declaration, and establish a nuclear weapons free zone in the Subcontinent.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1987
Regulatory Fairness Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to order a public utility to refund those amounts determined by the Commission to be in excess of just and reasonable rates or charges.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1987
Implements the provisions of Annex V to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, relating to the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations accordingly.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1987
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Technology Competitiveness Act of 1987 - Sets forth specified national goals for the current wind, photovoltaics, and solar thermal energy programs. Requires the President's budget requests for FY 1989 to contain the recommendations of the Secretary of Energy for specified Department of Energy research and development programs for 1995, including biofuels energy systems, solar buildings energy systems, ocean energy systems, and geothermal energy. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 for: (1) the wind energy research program; (2) the photovoltaic energy systems program; (3) the solar thermal energy systems program; (4) the biofuels energy systems program; (5) the solar buildings energy systems program; (6) the ocean energy systems program; and (7) the geothermal program. Mandates that the President's budget requests for FY 1990 include the Secretary's recommendations or proof of concept proposals for certain renewable energy projects. Requires the Secretary to submit an options analysis to the Congress regarding the accelerated commercialization of specified renewable energy technologies. Requires the President's budget requests for FY 1989 and 1990 to include the Secretary's recommendations of amounts to be set aside for energy conservation research and development initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for specified energy conservation research and development programs for FY 1988 through 1990. Directs the Secretary to establish joint research and development ventures in specified energy technologies and to report to the Congress on the implementation of such plans. Directs the Secretary to establish the following advisory bodies: (1) Advisory Committee on Photovoltaic Village Energy Systems; (2) Advisory Committee on Wind Energy Village Energy Systems; (3) Advisory Committee on Solar Thermal Community Total Energy Systems; (4) Advisory Committee on Energy Performance in Factory-Made Housing; (5) Advisory Committee on Advanced District Cooling Technology; (6) Advisory Committee on Integrated Renewable Energy Systems; (7) Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Technology Exports; and (8) Federal Energy Analysis Team. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1993 for such joint ventures. Requires the Secretary to evaluate and report to the Congress on the efforts of the Committee on Renewable Energy, Commerce and Trade to promote renewable energy technology exports. Authorizes appropriations for such Committee activities for FY 1988 through 1990. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to the Congress regarding the research programs and ventures under this Act. Requires each annual submission of the National Energy Policy Plan to be accompanied by a three-year strategic plan for energy technology research, development, and demonstration, including energy conservation and renewable energy technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1987
National Economic Commission Act - Establishes the National Economic Commission. Specifies the membership of such Commission. Requires the Commission to conduct a study of: (1) the elements of domestic fiscal, monetary, and trade policies and their effect on employment, real interest rates, national savings, capital formation and investment, labor productivity, the exchange rate value of the dollar, the U.S. balance of trade in goods and services, the U.S. international investment position, and the viability of economic growth in the United States and the world; (2) the elements of the fiscal, monetary, and trade policies of major U.S. trading partners and their effect on the U.S. balance of trade in goods and services and U.S. employment; and (3) the debt burden of developing countries and its effect on the U.S. balances of trade in goods and services and U.S. employment. Specifies that such study shall include consideration of recommendations regarding the coordination of domestic fiscal, monetary, and trade policies with the policies of other countries to achieve vigorous economic growth. Requires the Commission to specifically address: (1) the goal of promoting employment, low real interest rates, national savings, capital formation and investment, labor productivity, balance in U.S. trade of goods and services, and economic growth in the United States and the world; (2) a means of ensuring that the burden of achieving such goals is equitably distributed among nations; (3) the current and prospective economic factors and developments that should be taken into account in making policy to achieve these goals; and (4) the institutional arrangements required to achieve the appropriate coordination, within the United States and among foreign nations, for the making and implementation of economic policy. Requires the Commission to submit a final report concerning the results of such study to the President and the Congress no later than November 30, 1988. Sets forth administrative provisions concerning the operation of the Commission and the compensation of its members. Terminates the Commission 60 days after the day the Commission's final report is submitted. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1987
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses its full support for General John Vessey in negotiations with Vietnam to determine the fate of Americans missing in action in Southeast Asia, to facilitate the return of the remains of those deceased missing in action, and to discuss humanitarian issues; and (2) calls on Vietnam to respond positively to the concerns of the American people in a humanitarian context.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 1992 the period during which qualified mortgage bonds and mortgage credit certificates may be issued. (Under current law, authority for these programs is due to expire as of 1989.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations to urge the Secretary General and Security Council to: (1) permit nonbelligerent ships in the Persian Gulf to fly the United Nations flag if such ships submit to inspection by United Nations observers to guarantee that no war material is being carried; (2) authorize United Nations peacekeeping vessels to escort such ships; and (3) determine what enforcement action should be taken in the event of an attack on ships under the United Nations flag. States that any such escort vessels and their crews should be provided by countries other than the Soviet Union and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Methanol and Alternative Fuels Promotion Act of 1987 - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to revise the dual fuel passenger automobile driving range for automobiles operating on certain ethanol or methanol mixtures. Provides that for any ten consecutive model years between 1993 and 2005, a dual fuel passenger automobile manufacturer shall receive an average fuel economy increase according to specified guidelines. Declares that if a manufacturer makes methanol- or ethanol-powered or dual fuel passenger automobiles, the fuel economy of an automobile shall be based on the fuel content of the methanol or ethanol mixture used to operate it. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding ethanol and methanol promotion. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that the determination of tax to be imposed regarding methanol-, ethanol-, or natural gas-powered or dual fuel passenger automobiles shall be based on the fuel economy rating established under the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Family Security Act of 1987 - Replaces the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) (part A of title IV of the Social Security Act) program with the Child Support Supplement (CSS) program. Title I: Child Support and Establishment of Paternity - Subtitle A: Child Support - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require the withholding of child support payments from the non-custodial parent's wages upon the issuance or modification of a child support order. Waives such withholding requirement when both parents agree to an alternative arrangement or the State finds good cause to rely on an alternative arrangement. Amends part A of title IV of the Act to exclude the first $50 of child support payments which were due for a prior month from the determination of a family's need for CSS payments in the month during which such payments were received. Amends part D of title IV of the Act to require States to review State guidelines for child support award amounts at least once every five years. Makes such guidelines binding upon judges or other State officials unless the judge or official, pursuant to criteria established by the State, finds good cause to ignore such guidelines. Requires that child support awards established under such guidelines be reviewed at least once every two years. Requires the review of a child support award which was not established under such guidelines to adjust it in accordance with such guidelines if either parent requests such review and the State determines that the award should be reviewed. Gives parents at least 30 days notice of pending review or adjustment of a child support award. Subtitle B: Establishment of Paternity - Establishes State performance standards for the establishment of paternity which require the State's paternity establishment percentage for a fiscal year to be: (1) at least 50 percent; (2) the State's percentage for FY 1987 increased by three percentage points for each fiscal year after FY 1988; or (3) equal to or greater than the average percentage for all States. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to modify such requirements to take into account variables which may affect a State's ability to meet such requirements. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding the data upon which State paternity establishment percentages are based and the performance of States in establishing paternity. Raises the Federal matching rate to 90 percent (from 68 percent in FY 1988) for laboratory costs incurred in determining paternity. Subtitle C: Improved Procedures for Child Support Enforcement and Establishment of Paternity - Requires the Secretary to establish time limits within which a State must accept and respond to requests for assistance in establishing and enforcing child support orders. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee, composed of State officials involved in the Child Support Enforcement program, with which the Secretary must consult before issuing regulations regarding such time limits. Requires the issuance of final regulations by the first day of the seventh month after this Act's enactment. Requires States to establish automatic data processing and information retrieval systems to assist in the administration of the Child Support Enforcement program within ten years of the State's submittal (by October 1, 1989) of an advance planning document for such system to the Secretary, or, if earlier, by the date specified by the State in such document. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the Act's requirements for such documents and systems if the State has an alternative system which is in substantial compliance with the Act's requirements. Sets the Federal share of establishing such a system at 90 percent so long as time limits have not been exceeded. Directs the Secretary of Labor to give the Secretary prompt access to wage and unemployment compensation claims information and data maintained by the Department of Labor and State employment security agencies. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act to require States to collect the social security numbers of both parents when their child is born for use by State agencies administering Child Support Enforcement programs unless the State finds good cause for not requiring such numbers. Establishes the Commission on Interstate Child Support which, by October 1, 1988, must hold one or more national conferences on reform of interstate child support procedures. Directs the Commission to submit a report to the Congress by October 1, 1989, containing recommendations for improving the interstate establishment and enforcement of child support and for revising the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act. Terminates the Commission on October 2, 1989. Authorizes appropriations for such Commission. Title II: Joint Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program - Amends part A of title IV of the Act to require States to establish, within three years of this Act's enactment, a job opportunities and basic skills training program (Program) which helps needy children and parents avoid long-term welfare dependence. Requires private sector involvement in planning and Program design to assure that participants are trained for jobs that will actually be available in the community. Requires non-exempt CSS recipients to participate in such Program if State resources permit such level of participation and necessary child care is available to participants. Allows exempt CSS recipients to participate on a voluntary basis. Authorizes States to require or allow absent fathers who are unemployed and unable to meet child support obligations to participate in the Program. Exempts from Program participation an individual who: (1) is ill, incapacitated, or of advanced age; (2) is needed in the home because of the illness or incapacity of another member of the household; (3) is a parent or relative of a child under age three or, at the State's option, less than age three but not less than age one (such exception applies to only one parent in a two-parent family and may be made inapplicable to both parents if the State provides the family with child care); (4) works more than 30 hours or more per week; (5) is a child under age 16 or attending elementary, secondary, or vocational school full time; (6) is a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy; or (7) resides in an area of the State where the Program is not available. Prohibits the requirement that the parent or a relative of a child under age six who is not the principal earner participate in the Program for more than 24 hours a week. Provides that if an individual is attending a school or a course of vocational or technical training designed to lead to employment when he or she would otherwise commence participation in the Program, such attendance may constitute satisfactory participation in the Program, though the costs of such schooling or training shall not be covered by the CSS program. Requires States to make an initial assessment of the education and employment skills of each Program participant and on that basis develop an employability plan for each participant which, to the maximum extent possible, reflects the participant's preferences. Authorizes the State to: (1) require each participant to then negotiate a contract with the State which specifies the duration of his or her participation as well as the activities the State will conduct and services it will provide in the course of such participation; and (2) assign to each participating family a case manager who is responsible for obtaining, on the family's behalf, any other services which may assure the family's effective participation. Requires State Programs to provide a broad range of services and activities, including: (1) high school or equivalent education; (2) remedial education to achieve basic literacy and instruction in English as a second language; (3) post-secondary education as appropriate; (4) work supplementation programs; (5) community work experience programs; (6) job search, training, and placement services; and (7) other employment, education, and training activities as determined by the State and allowed by the Secretary. Requires non-exempt custodial parents who have not attained age 22 or successfully completed a high school education to participate in high school or equivalent education, or literacy or English language education. Authorizes States to require such parents to participate in training or work activities if they fail to make good progress in educational activities or if their participation in such activities is inappropriate. Requires each work assignment to be consistent with the physical capacity, skills, experience, health, family responsibilities, and place of residence of each participant and not involve unreasonable travel. Gives participants the opportunity for a fair hearing in the event of a dispute involving his or her work assignment. Prohibits: (1) wage rates for work assignments from being set at less than the greater of the Federal or State minimum wage; and (2) work assignments which displace a currently employed worker or position, impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements, or fill the job of a worker who has been laid off or fired. Prohibits States from requiring participants to accept a job which would result in a loss of income to the participant's family unless the State maintains the family's income level through supplementary payments. Requires that Program activities be coordinated with Job Training Partnership Act programs and any other relevant employment, training, and education programs available in the State. Authorizes any State to institute a work supplementation program under which such State reserves sums which would otherwise be payable to program participants as child support supplements and uses such sums instead to subsidize jobs for such participants. Authorizes any State to establish a community work experience program to provide experience and training for individuals not otherwise able to obtain employment. Limits such programs to projects which serve a useful public purpose, utilizing, if possible, the participant's prior training, experience, and skills. Requires that other Program activities be coordinated with the community work program so that job placement has priority over participation in such program. Authorizes States to require individuals to participate in job search activities for up to eight weeks after applying for child support supplements and for up to eight weeks in any 12-month period thereafter. Subjects the families of individuals who are required to participate in the Program and fail to do so without good cause to the reduction or elimination of child support supplements. Continues sanctions for a minimum of three months if such individual failed to participate on a previous occasion and for six months if such noncompliance has occurred more than one time previously. Requires the State to notify recipients of any failure to comply with work or training requirements and the actions which must be taken to terminate the sanction. Sets the Federal matching rate for Program costs at 90 percent up to a specified dollar amount and 60 percent thereafter. Sets such rate for administrative costs (for needs assessments, case management services, and agency-client contracts) at 50 percent. Reduces the rate of Federal reimbursement for non-administrative Program expenditures to 50 percent if: (1) more than 40 percent of the non-Federal share of such expenditures is contributed in-kind; or (2) less than 60 percent of such expenditures is targeted at individuals who have received child support supplements for 30 of the preceding 60 months, are custodial parents under age 22 who have not completed and are not enrolled in high school, or are parents in families that are eligible for supplements by reason of the unemployment of the principal earner. Requires States to provide child care (or day care for an incapacitated individual living in the home of a dependent child) for families to the extent that it is necessary to an individual's participation in work, education, and training activities. Provides coverage for certain transportation and other work-related expenses. Sets forth technical and conforming amendments. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish final Program regulations within one year of this Act's enactment; (2) submit recommended Program performance standards to the Congress within five years of this Act's enactment; (3) study State implementation of the Program; and (4) select five States to participate in three-year demonstration projects to study the relative cost-effectiveness of different approaches for assisting long-term CSS recipients under the Program. Sets forth cost-effectiveness study reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the State implementation study for FY 1988 through 1990 and for the cost-effectiveness study for FY 1988 through 1992. Title III: Transitional Assistance for Families After Loss of CSS Eligibility - Provides a family which loses CSS eligibility due to an increase of earned income with nine months of transitional child care if the State determines such assistance to be necessary for continuing employment and the family has received child support supplements for three of the preceding six months. Terminates transitional child care if the family ceases to include a dependent child or the caretaker relative engages in certain conduct prohibited under the CSS program. Requires families to contribute to the costs of such care on the basis of their ability to pay for such care. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act to require a State to continue a family's Medicaid eligibility for four months after the family loses CSS eligibility because of increased earnings if the family has received supplement payments for three of the preceding six months, and for an optional five additional months if the family has received the entire four months of extended Medicaid coverage. Terminates extended Medicaid coverage if the family ceases to include a dependent child or the caretaker relative engaged in certain conduct prohibited under the CSS program. Authorizes States to provide the extended Medicaid coverage by paying a family's expenses for health insurance offered by the caretaker relative's employer (or, if more cost-effective, by the absent parent's employer) or a family's expenses, during the five-month extension period, for enrollment in a group health plan offered to the caretaker relative, a group health plan offered by the State to its employees, or a health maintenance organization. Denies a family the five-month extension period if its earnings exceed 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Requires States to impose a premium on families receiving the five months of extended coverage, but prohibits its exceeding ten percent of the amount by which a family's monthly earnings exceed $581 (as adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living). Title IV: Family Living Arrangements - Amends part A of title IV of the Act to condition an unmarried minor parent's receipt of CSS payments on his or her residence with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative, or in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement. Makes such requirement inapplicable if: (1) such individual has no living parent or legal guardian or is not allowed to live with such parent or legal guardian; (2) the health and safety of the child or minor parent would be jeopardized if such individual lived with the parent or legal guardian; (3) such individual has not lived at home for at least one year prior to the child's birth or making a claim for CSS payments; or (4) the State otherwise finds good cause for waiving the requirement. Requires that (where possible) CSS payments be made to the parent or legal guardian on behalf of the minor parent and child. Authorizes States to require minor parents who have not graduated from high school to attend school (and parent-training classes when available) on at least a part-time basis as a condition of their receipt of CSS payments. Alters the definition of a "dependent child" to include a child who is poor because of the unemployment of the principal earner in the family. Authorizes States to increase the number of hours which an individual who received a CSS payment in the preceding month may work and remain eligible for such payments. (Currently, an individual must work less than 100 hours per month to maintain such eligibility.) Authorizes States to count for up to four of the six quarters of work required of a parent in the 13 quarters preceding application for CSS payments such parent's: (1) full-time attendance as an elementary or secondary school student; (2) full-time attendance in a vocational or technical training course; and (3) participation in a Job Training Partnership Act education or training program. Title V: Benefit Structure Improvements - Requires each State to make scheduled reevaluations of its need and payment standards for CSS benefits at least once every five years and report to the Secretary and the Congress regarding the results of the reevaluations. Title VI: Demonstration Projects - Authorizes the Secretary to approve, as alternatives to the CSS program, five-year demonstration projects testing: (1) New York State's Child Support Supplement Program; and (2) Washington State's Family Independence Program. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with four States, by April 1, 1988, for the conduct of two-year demonstration projects testing and evaluating model procedures for reviewing child support award amounts. Provides Federal coverage for 90 percent of the costs of such projects. Requires the Secretary to report the results of such projects to the Congress within six months after completion of all such projects. Amends part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to establish a program providing grants to States selected to conduct demonstration projects testing whether CSS housing costs can be reduced by constructing and rehabilitating permanent housing for rental to CSS recipients who would otherwise require CSS emergency assistance in the form of temporary housing. Provides that, to be eligible for selection as one of two States authorized to conduct such a project, a State must: (1) be currently providing CSS emergency housing assistance; (2) have an acute need for Federal assistance by virtue of the large number of homeless CSS families, and shortages of low-income housing, in the jurisdiction(s) where such project would be conducted; and (3) submit a plan to achieve significant cost savings over a ten-year period through the conduct of such project. Requires that such grants be used to provide permanent housing which is: (1) owned by the State, an instrumentality of the State, or a nonprofit organization; (2) available to families who have been unable to find decent housing at rents that can be paid with CSS aid for shelter; and (3) located in jurisdictions experiencing a critical shortage of such housing. Requires that: (1) the most costly temporary housing be retired from use in the emergency assistance program as permanent housing becomes available for occupancy, unless temporary housing is demonstrably needed; and (2) the costs of providing permanent housing be lower than costs which would be incurred if, instead, the State made CSS emergency assistance payments providing temporary housing. Sets the State contribution to the cost of constructing or rehabilitating such housing at at least the current State CSS share increased by ten percent. Authorizes appropriations for the grant program for each of the first five fiscal years following FY 1987. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants to States for one- to five-year demonstration projects for CSS children testing financial incentives and alternative approaches to reducing school dropouts, encouraging skill development, and avoiding welfare dependence. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for demonstration projects designed to increase compliance with child access provisions of court orders. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and 1989. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of such projects by July 1990. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for three-year demonstration projects testing innovative methods for providing suitable foster care arrangements and other necessary social and medical services for infants abandoned by their parents or removed from their parents' custody and placed in a hospital's care. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Directs the Secretary to make grants to between five and ten States for three-year demonstration projects increasing the availability of child care in communities by the acquisition or renovation of child care facilities, and the provision of child care transportation services. Favors States that propose to conduct the project primarily in communities having fewer than 50,000 inhabitants. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding such projects by October 1, 1991. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to up to five States for demonstration projects testing whether the employment of parents of dependent children receiving child support supplements as day care providers will facilitate the conduct of the Program and afford a significant number of families a realistic opportunity to avoid welfare dependence. Title VII: Payments to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands - Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act to include American Samoa in the CSS program. Limits Federal funding for American Samoa's program to $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. Increases the total amount of Federal payments which may be made to Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands in any fiscal year under titles I (Grants to States for Old-Age Assistance for the Aged), X (Grants to States for Aid to the Blind), XIV (Grants to States for Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled), XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled), and parts A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) and E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Act. Title VIII: Waiver Authority - Amends title IV of the Act to add a new "Part F: Waiver Authority," which sets forth the required content of State applications to the Secretary for the approval of demonstration projects experimenting with methods to more effectively assist the poor and reduce their welfare dependence. Prohibits the Secretary from approving the conduct of more than ten projects under part F at any one time. Permits applications to include within their proposed projects: (1) title IV programs; (2) social service block grants under title XX of the Act; and (3) any non-Federal public program within the State which is designed to alleviate poverty. Protects individuals and families included in a project from having their benefits reduced below what they would have been in the absence of the project. Requires State applications for projects involving work, education, or training activities to contain specified assurances, including assurances that: (1) mandatory participants in such activities be provided with child care; and (2) work assignments will not displace current employees or impair existing contracts or collective bargaining agreements. Prohibits the Federal share of project funding from being greater than the Federal share in the absence of such project under the programs included in the project. Authorizes the Secretary to approve projects replacing current entitlement programs with new entitlement programs provided such replacement does not cause a large increase or decrease in Federal funding. Requires the Secretary to notify a State of the approval or disapproval of its project within four months of the submission of the application. Sets forth reporting requirements. Provides that such projects shall terminate after five years unless the State Governor or Secretary terminates the project sooner. Title IX: Technical and Conforming Amendments Relating to Replacement of AFDC Program by Child Support Supplement Program - Sets forth technical and conforming amendments relating to the replacement of the AFDC Program by the CSS program. Title X: Reorganization and Redesignation of Title IV; General Conforming Amendment Relating to Such Reorganization and Redesignation - Reorganizes and redesignates the parts of title IV of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Authorizes and requests the President to present a gold medal to Lawrence Eugene Doby and posthumously to Jack Roosevelt Robinson in recognition of their achievements in baseball and their contributions to the advancement of civil rights. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to cause bronze duplicates of the gold medals to be coined and sold at a price sufficient to cover the cost of such duplicates and gold medals.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Comprehensive Agent Orange Scientific Evidence Review Act of 1987 - Direct the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, within 60 days after the enactment of this Act, to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (the Academy) under which the Academy will conduct a review of all scientific evidence, studies, and literature pertaining to the human health effects of exposure to agent orange and its component compounds and prepare the comprehensive report described later in this Act. Directs the Administrator to enter into a similar arrangement with another nonprofit scientific entity if the Academy is not willing to conduct such review and prepare the required report. Prohibits the Administrator from obligating any funds for use by another nonprofit scientific entity until specifically authorized to do so by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator, no later than October 1, 1988, to transmit to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees a report prepared by the Academy or other appropriate entity describing the review conducted under this Act and containing a statement of their conclusions as to the human health effects of exposure to agent orange and its compounds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a partnership, S corporation, or personal service corporation, unless it is part of a tiered structure, to elect to have a taxable year other than the required one, but generally only if the deferral period of the taxable year elected is three months or less. (Current law requires partnerships, S corporations, and personal service corporations, in most cases, to conform their taxable years to the calendar years used by their owners.) Subjects the principals of a partnership or S corporation electing to change taxable years to additional estimated tax requirements to offset any tax deferral resulting from such election. Imposes deduction limitations on a personal service corporation that changes taxable years. Provides that an election with respect to taxable year shall be made by the partnership, S corporation, or personal service corporation and shall be binding on all partners and shareholders. Sets forth the formula for determining the additional tax requirement when a taxpayer: (1) is a partner or shareholder in at least one such entity during any applicable election years of the entity that end within the taxpayer's taxable year; and (2) has an aggregate deferred tax exceeding $200 with respect to the entity. Describes payment procedures. Requires the inclusion of specified information on returns filed by partnerships and S corporations that elect to use a non-required taxable year. Limits the tax deduction permitted to a personal service corporation for amounts paid or incurred with respect to employee-owners when such a corporation: (1) elects to have a taxable year other than the required one; and (2) fails to meet certain minimum distribution requirements regarding non-dividend amounts paid to owners.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1987
Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Counseling Program Preservation Act of 1987 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions concerning administrative reorganizations within the Veterans Administration (VA) to disallow in any fiscal year the transfer or termination of 25 or more full-time equivalent employees providing readjustment counseling services, unless the Administrator of Veterans Affairs (the Administrator) first submits to appropriate congressional committees a report containing a detailed plan and justification for such reorganization. Expands the eligibility for readjustment counseling and related mental health services (currently available only to Vietnam veterans) to include as eligible for such assistance any veteran or person who served on active-duty after May 7, 1975, in an area during a period in which hostilities occurred. Authorizes such services, upon request, to any veteran who served on active-duty during World War II or the Korean Conflict. Requires such assistance to include an assessment of whether the person or veteran has mental or psychological problems associated with such individual's active service. Directs that professional, paraprofessional, and lay personnel trained to provide readjustment counseling services for veterans, who complete two years of continuous employment in such training program, shall be converted by the Administrator to a career-conditional or career employment status within a specified period after the completion of such training. Directs the Administrator, no later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act, to submit to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees (the veterans' committees) a report on the implementation of such requirement. Prohibits any Vet Center in existence on July 1, 1987, from being closed or relocated unless the Chief Medical Director of the VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery (the Chief Medical Director): (1) determines that such closure or relocation will not adversely affect readjustment counseling services provided to eligible persons in the geographical area served by such Center; (2) in case of such a move, certifies to the Veterans' Committees in a detailed plan and justification that the average annual budget and personnel ceiling provided to such Center in each of the three fiscal years prior to such move will remain available to furnish readjustment counseling services for three full fiscal years following such move; (3) certifies in such plan that the number of personnel affected by such closure or move, together with the number of personnel affected by all other closures or moves or administrative reorganizations within the VA, will total 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees within the same fiscal year; and (4) provides the Veterans' Committees, at least 60 days prior to any such closure or move, a detailed plan and justification which have given full consideration to certain specified factors, including the distribution of veterans in areas served by such Centers, distances required for travel to such Centers, acceptability to personnel of such closures, and the availability of other entities to provide such services. Extends until April 1, 1988, the due date of a report from the Administrator to the Veterans' Committees on the effectiveness of providing sufficient readjustment counseling services to Vietnam-era veterans. Authorizes the Vet Centers, in addition to providing readjustment counseling services, to provide other assistance (such as benefits application assistance) that the Administrator is authorized to furnish to such veterans. Defines "Vet Centers" as facilities operated by the VA and situated apart from VA general health-care facilities. Amends the Veterans' Health Care Amendments of 1983 to extend until October 1, 1987, the due date of a report from the Administrator to the Veterans' Committees concerning a study of post-traumatic stress disorder and other post-war psychological problems experienced by Vietnam veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1987
Designates the week beginning November 15, 1987, as African American Education Week. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling upon: (1) the Department of Education and State and local governments to support activities observing such week; (2) schools and communities with African Americans to demonstrate their commitment to the education of African Americans; and (3) community organizations to intensify their support of academic excellence by African Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the prohibition against indirect income tax deductions through pass-through entities shall not apply to any regulated investment company whose shares are: (1) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering; (2) regularly traded on an established securities market; or (3) held by or for at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the President should continue to make clear the support of the United States for the Haitian people's efforts to establish a democracy; (2) Haiti's National Council of Government should respect and abide by decisions made by the Provisional Election Council in conducting elections called for under the new Haitian constitution; (3) the Haitian armed forces should respect human rights and exercise restraint in carrying out their duties; and (4) all Haitians need to work to avoid further violence and allow the democratic transition to proceed in a peaceful atmosphere.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should not provide any support for military or paramilitary operations in Angola until the President has informed the Congress and the public that such support is important to the national security and the Congress has approved such support. Authorizes any U.S. agency, during FY 1987 and 1988, to use its funds to conduct military or paramilitary operations in Angola or to provide aid to any group engaged in such operations only if such use of such funds is the openly acknowledged U.S. policy. Provides that such policy is considered openly acknowledged only if: (1) the President determines that U.S. support for such operations is important to national security and requests the Congress to approve support for such operations; and (2) the Congress enacts a joint resolution approving support for such operations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1987
Declares that the Congress encourages all Americans to read the Constitution within one year of its 200th anniversary and strongly encourages Members of Congress, Federal judges, and officials of the executive branch to set the example in studying this cornerstone of democratic government.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 1987
Authorizes the Director of the U.S. Information Agency to: (1) provide for educational exchanges between U.S. and Soviet youths under 21; and (2) award higher education scholarships to exceptional students under 25 who are studying in the Soviet Union in programs approved by their own higher education institutions and maintaining satisfactory proficiency. Earmarks specified funds for FY 1988 and 1989 to carry out this Act. Refers to the activities specified in this Act as the Samantha Smith Memorial Exchange Program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Veterans' Beneficiary Travel Reimbursement Restoration Act of 1987 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions relating to the payment of travel expenses for veterans traveling to a Veterans Administration (VA) health care center for treatment to direct the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, in exercising the authority to make such payments, to make such payments to the following persons: (1) a person receiving veterans' benefits for or in connection with a service-connected disability; (2) a veteran receiving veterans' pension benefits; (3) a veteran whose annual income does not exceed the annual veterans' pension rate or who is unable to defray the expenses of such travel; (4) a person whose travel to a VA facility was incident to a scheduled compensation and pension examination; and (5) a veteran whose travel to a VA facility was required to be performed by a special mode of travel which was either authorized beforehand by the Administrator, or was in connection with a medical emergency. Authorizes the Administrator to deduct from the amount otherwise payable an amount equal to $3.75 for each trip to or from a VA facility. Provides a maximum amount authorized to be so deducted from the reimbursed expenses of veterans making six or more one-way trips during the following calendar month or months. Authorizes the Administrator to increase proportionately the amount permitted to be deducted whenever the amount of the reimbursement itself is increased. Directs the Administrator, with respect to any fiscal year in which he or she exercises the authority to make such payments, to make an allocation to each VA facility, before October 1 of each year, to enable the head of such facility to make such payments to veterans using such facility and authorized to receive such payments. Directs the head of each such facility to use such funds solely for such payments. Directs the Chief Medical Director of the VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery, when it is determined that insufficient payments have been made at any such facility, to authorize payments to be made for the proper amounts, unless the Chief Medical Director determines that making such payments at such lesser level would be in the best interests of furnishing care and services to eligible veterans at such facility. Permits any funds authorized for the making of such payments, but unexpended, to be used by the head of any such facility for support of other authorized direct-health care purposes. Directs the Administrator to take all appropriate steps to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of a program under which organizations or individuals who are volunteering their services to the VA would take responsibility for the transportation of such veterans, without reimbursement from the VA, primarily those residing in those areas which are geographically accessible to such facilities, who seek services or benefits from such VA facilities. Directs the Administrator, no later than six months after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committee on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1987
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to establish a presumption of service-connection (for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits) for former prisoners of war suffering from the following conditions after active service: (1) peripheral neuropathy; (2) spastic colon; and (3) peptic or duodenal ulcers. Decreases from six months to 90 days the amount of time a former prisoner of war must have been incarcerated in order to be eligible for outpatient dental services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1987
Wampanoag Tribal Council of Gay Head, Inc., Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1987 - Establishes the Wampanoag Tribal Council of Gay Head, Inc. Claims Settlement Fund in the Treasury. Authorizes appropriations for such fund. Requires the State of Massachusetts to contribute an amount equal to the U.S. contribution to such fund before any part of it can be spent. Provides that any transfer of lands within the United States made by or on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribal Council of Gay Head or any land transfer made within the town of Gay Head by any Indian or Indian tribe shall be deemed to have been made: (1) in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States; and (2) with the consent of the Congress. Provides for the extinguishment of: (1) any aboriginal title to such transferred lands held by the Council or any other entity known as the Gay Head Indians; and (2) any Indian claim which is based on the transfer of such lands or on any aboriginal title to such lands. Provides that certain personal claims shall not be affected. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from purchasing or transferring lands to be held in trust for the Council pursuant to a settlement agreement between the Council and interested parties in Massachusetts until: (1) Massachusetts enacts legislation authorizing the town of Gay Head to convey certain lands to the Secretary for the Council and giving the Council authority to regulate any hunting by Indians on the settlement lands conducted by means other than firearms or crossbow; and (2) the town of Gay Head has authorized the conveyance of the certain lands to the Secretary for the Council. Authorizes the Secretary to expend a specified amount to acquire the private settlement lands under such agreement. Requires the Secretary to obtain a survey of public settlement lands within 60 days after acquiring such lands and to provide reimbursement for a previous appraisal of private settlement lands. Requires the Secretary to expend any remaining funds to acquire for the Council additional lands that are contiguous to the private settlement lands. Authorizes the Secretary to commence condemnation proceedings necessary to: (1) acquire title in any private settlement land; and (2) condemn any interest adverse to any ostensible owner of such land. Prohibits any Indian tribe from exercising any form of jurisdiction over any part of the settlement lands, except as provided by this Act, the applicable State implementing Act, or the settlement agreement. Provides that subsequent holders of settlement lands shall be bound by the terms and conditions applicable to the Council. Provides that the settlement lands will be subject to: (1) any authority to impose a lien or seizure of lands as provided in the State implementing Act; (2) the Secretary's authority to approve leases; and (3) the Council's legal capacity to transfer the settlement lands to a tribal entity which may be a successor in interest. Provides that land held by the Secretary will be exempt from State or local taxation or other assessment to the extent provided in the settlement agreement. Subjects Indian lands in Gay Head to the civil and criminal laws of Massachusetts and the town. Sets a statute of limitations upon actions to contest the constitutionality of this Act. Vests exclusive jurisdiction over such actions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
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