United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Renewable Energy/Fuel Cell Systems Integration Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement a research program regarding: (1) fuel cell use of methane gas generated from biomass forms; (2) technologies using renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar energy) to produce hydrogen for fuel cell use; and (3) fuel cell technology for electric power production as backup spinning reserve components to renewable power systems in rural and isolated areas. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, private research laboratories. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the fuel cell research program by September 30, 1992. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Fuel Cells Energy Utilization Act of 1989 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to redefine the term "domestic renewable energy industry" to include industries using fuel cell technology (thus bringing fuel cells systems technology within the ambit of Federal energy legislation). Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare guidelines for cities and municipalities specifying environmental and safety standards for the use of fuel cell technology. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress regarding the export market potential for integrated systems of fuel cells with renewable power technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Authorizes the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to establish a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., in the District of Columbia and its environs. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1989
Designates the week of July 24 to July 30, 1989, as National Week of Recognition and Remembrance for Those Who Served in the Korean War. Authorizes and requests the President to urge that the American flag be flown at half staff on July 27, 1989, in honor of those Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
National Affordable Housing Act - Title I: General Provisions and Policies - Sets forth a national housing goal and the objectives of a national housing policy. Requires State and local entities receiving direct assistance to submit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development a comprehensive housing affordability strategy. Title II: Homeownership - Amends the National Housing Act to base Federal Housing Administration (FHA) first-time homebuyer loan ceilings on regional median home prices. Authorizes the insurance of industry accepted mortgages under specified conditions. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding mortgage insurance categories. Title III: Investment in Affordable Housing - HOME Corporation Act - Establishes the Government National HOME Corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations for activities under this title. Subtitle A: Housing Opportunity Partnerships (HOP) - Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the HOME Corporation, to make funds available for investment in order to expand the affordable housing supply. Directs the HOME Corporation to develop model programs designed to carry out the purposes of this title. Requires participating jurisdictions to target housing for very low- and low-income families. Sets forth affordable housing qualification provisions. Allocates resources by a housing need-based formula and by incentives. Directs the HOME Corporation to establish a housing investment trust fund for each participating jurisdiction. Requires participant matching funds. Sets aside funds for nonprofit community organization housing. Provides penalties for misuse of funds. Subtitle B: Mortgage Credit Enhancement - Authorizes the HOME Corporation to guarantee affordable housing mortgage loan pools. Subtitle C: Other Support for State and Local Housing Strategies - Directs the HOME Corporation to develop the capacity of State and local agencies and profit and nonprofit entities to identify and meet the needs for increased affordable housing, including related housing research. Subtitle D: General Authority of the HOME Corporation - Sets forth operating and authority provisions for the HOME Corporation. Subtitle E: Sets forth administrative provisions for the HOME Corporation. Title IV: Affordable Rental Housing - Subtitle A: Preservation of Affordable Rental Housing - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in HUD an Office of Affordable Housing Preservation. Subtitle B: Low-Income Rental Assistance - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise the section 8 rental assistance program. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for such assistance. Title V: Housing For Persons With Special Needs - Subtitle A: Assistant Secretary for Supportive Housing - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in HUD a position of Assistant Secretary for Supportive Housing to administer programs serving elderly, handicapped, or homeless persons, or others with special housing needs. Subtitle B: Supportive Housing for the Elderly - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize assistance to expand the supply of supportive housing for the elderly. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Authorizes assistance to adopt federally assisted housing for the elderly to better meet the needs of frail elderly, handicapped, or temporarily disabled residents. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Subtitle C: Supportive Housing for the Handicapped - Authorizes assistance to expand the supply of supportive housing for the handicapped. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Subtitle D: Supportive Housing for the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to authorize grants to States and local government units for homeless housing assistance. Sets forth grant allocation provisions. Permits States and local units to use such assistance for approved activities. Requires grantees to provide matching funds. Authorizes FY 1991 and 1992 appropriations. Requires an annual report to the Congress. Sets forth the following approved activities: (1) emergency shelter; (2) transitional housing for the homeless; (3) permanent housing for the handicapped homeless; and (4) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for the section 8 single room occupancy program. Title VI: Public and Indian Housing - Subtitle A: Public Housing Development - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the development of new and replacement public housing. Subtitle B: Authorization - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize FY 1990 and 1991 public housing appropriations. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for rental rehabilitation and development grants. Obligates FY 1990 and 1991 funds for: (1) Indian housing; and (2) the comprehensive improvement assistance program. Subtitle C: Project Independence - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide public housing residents with greater access to employment, day care, educational, and other services. Obligates FY 1990 and 1991 funds for such purposes. Subtitle D: National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing - Establishes the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing to identify severely distressed public housing projects, evaluate strategies to eliminate unfit housing conditions, and develop a national plan to achieve such objectives. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Title VII: Rural Housing - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to reauthorize through FY 1991: (1) rural housing insured or guaranteed loans; (2) rental assistance payment contract authority; (3) rental housing loan authority; and (4) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Authorizes deferred mortgage repayments under specified conditions. Sets aside FY 1990 and 1991 funds for targeted underserved areas. Title VIII: Repeals and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth specified conforming and other related amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Stafford Student Loan Default Prevention and Management Act of 1989 - Title I: Default Management - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (the Act) to require default management plans to be developed and carried out by certain guaranty agencies, eligible lenders, and eligible institutions with high default rates under part B (the Robert T. Stafford Student Loan Program, formerly known as the Guaranteed Student Loan Program) of title IV (Student Assistance) of the Act. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to determine the default rates for guaranty agencies, eligible lenders, and eligible institutions. Requires those guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions with default rates in excess of 25 percent to develop and carry out default management plans. Subjects guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions with high volume default rates in the highest five percent by volume of defaulted student loans to program reviews by the Secretary (in the case of guaranty agencies) or by the State guaranty agency (in the case of lenders or institutions). Directs the Secretary (or the State guaranty agency, as the case may be) to develop and implement a default management plan for such guaranty agencies, lenders, or institutions if it is determined that their management practices substantially contribute to the high volume default. Title II: Improved Stafford Student Loan Collection Provisions - Requires each eligible institution to transmit financial aid transcripts (necessary for loan need determination statements) within 30 days of receiving a request from another such institution. Requires lenders or holders of the loan to notify the borrower, within 180 days after the student borrower leaves the eligible institution, of the month in which the repayment period begins, for both federally-insured student loans (FISL loans) and guaranteed student loans under the Stafford program (Stafford loans). Requires lenders of Stafford loans to notify the guaranty agency (and the borrower, if the loan is to be paid at a new address) of any sale or transfer of the loan to another holder, and the address and phone number through which to contact such other holder concerning loan repayment, within 60 days of such sale or transfer. Prohibits guaranty agencies from selling lists of student borrowers under the Stafford Student Loan program Authorizes guaranty agencies, when the location of a student borrower is unknown or unavailable to them, to enter into agreements for the appropriate State licensing board to provide that information. Eliminates loan repayment deferments that are based on the status of the child rather than the parent, under the parent loan (PLUS) program. Requires lenders to obtain a credit check of applicants for PLUS loans. Allows the lender to charge the applicant for the actual cost of such credit check, up to $25. Requires applicants with negative credit histories to obtain credit-worthy cosigners. Requires an administrative fee, not to exceed five percent of the principal, to be charged to the borrower and paid to the Secretary by the lender, under the Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) and PLUS loan programs. Requires that the amount to be consolidated be greater than $7,500, in order for a borrower to consolidate loans borrowed for an enrollment period of 12 months or less. Requires multiple disbursement of student loans under the Stafford Student Loan program. Requires that any such loan for $1,000 or more for an enrollment period ending more than 180 days or six months after the disbursement date, be disbursed in two or more installments, none of which exceeds one-half of the loan. Prohibits endorsement of the first installment to a new student borrower entering the first undergraduate year until 30 days after the borrower begins a course of study, but allows such installment to be delivered to the eligible institution prior to the end of the 30-day period. Prohibits disbursement of loans to any other student more than 30 days before the beginning of the enrollment period. Sets forth requirements for methods of multiple disbursement. Requires the lender or escrow agent to withhold a second or succeeding installment if the borrower has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Provides that all loans issued for the same enrollment period shall be considered a single loan for specified purposes. Excludes from such additional disbursement requirements parent (PLUS) loans, consolidation loans, and loans to cover study at an institution outside the United States. Establishes an extended collection demonstration program under the Stafford Student Loan program. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with guaranty agencies to establish up to three demonstration programs for extended efforts to reduce defaults on delinquent Stafford student loans. Terminates the demonstration program on September 30, 1993. Directs the Secretary, guaranty agency, eligible lender, or subsequent holder to disclose to credit bureau organizations any information concerning the date a delinquency began and the repayment status of any loan that has been delinquent for 90 days. Requires that the borrower be informed that such organizations will be notified of such delinquency. Requires eligible lenders to furnish appropriate eligible institutions and guaranty agencies with lists of delinquent Stafford loan borrowers within 120 days of the date on which a loan is delinquent. Requires each eligible institution to make available to prospective students, at or before the time of application, relevant State licensing requirements for any job for which the course of instruction is designed. Requires institutions, under student aid program participating agreements, to withhold academic transcripts of student borrowers in default on any title IV loan unless this will prevent the borrower from obtaining employment and repaying the loan. Prohibits institutions, under student aid program participation agreements, from using any independent contractor or anyone other than a salaried employee, except in specified circumstances, to conduct any canvassing, surveying, recruiting, or similar activities, or to make final determinations that an individual meets the institution's admissions or financial aid eligibility requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the limitation, suspension (up to 60 days), or termination of eligibility of an individual or organization to administer any aspect of an institution's student assistance program. Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) conduct a study relating to the discharge of student loan indebtedness in bankruptcy proceedings; and (2) report the results of such study to the Congress within three years after enactment of this Act. Title III: Federal Responsibilities - Directs the Secretary to develop and publish an annual default report to the Congress, beginning on September 30, 1988, which includes: (1) the annual default rate for the Stafford Student Loan program; (2) a summary of the default rates for guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined under default management plan positions; and (3) the net dollar volume in default for each such entity. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prepare a list of guaranty agencies, a list of eligible lenders, and a list of eligible institutions in the order of the volume of Stafford student loans in default for each such entity; and (2) identify the highest five percent of entities on each such list. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan, to be published in the Federal Register for public comment, for conducting program reviews of all guaranty agencies, eligible lenders, and eligible institutions; (2) report annually to the Congress on the results of such reviews; and (3) give priority to conducting program reviews of guaranty agencies and eligible institutions with the highest default rates and the highest dollar value of loans in default. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out limitation, suspension, or termination proceedings against an institution if it: (1) withdraws from an accrediting agency or association during a show cause or suspension proceeding; or (2) is denied institutional accreditation. Directs the Secretary to contract for, or establish, and publicize a toll-free telephone number as a consumer hotline for use by the public, to permit students to inform the Department of alleged fraud or unfair practices by eligible institutions. Requires the Secretary to establish the National Student Loan Data System, and to assure that such computerized System is operable by October 1, 1989. (Such system is currently authorized but not mandated.) Requires guaranty agencies to: (1) furnish the Department with information to be used in the System about each loan under the Stafford Student Loan program; (2) expand and standardize the confirmation reports to assure information at least bimonthly on delinquencies, defaults, and borrower status changes; and (3) provide the Secretary with complete and accurate data for the System on a quarterly basis. Authorizes the Secretary to require an institution to refund the student's tuition and fees in cases of violation, failure, or misrepresentation under title IV of the Act. Title IV: Amendments to the Needs Analysis Provisions - Modifies need analysis provisions under title IV of the Act for the computation of parents, students', and spouses' contributions to require a family member to be enrolled at an eligible institution in a postsecondary education program meeting specified requirements in order for that member to be counted as in college. Reduces from 70 percent to 50 percent the amount of student income considered for purposes of expected contribution by a dependent student. Prohibits double-counting of income in the conduct of Pell Grant and general need analysis for student assistance programs under the Act. Provides that nothing in title IV limits the authority of student financial aid administrators to: (1) make necessary adjustments to the cost of attendance and expected student and/or parent contribution under special circumstances; or (2) use supplementary information about the financial status or personal circumstance of eligible applicants in selecting recipients and determining award amounts under specified student assistance programs. Repeals specified provisions of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1989 which had repealed such provisions for such administrator discretion. Allows the costs of food and shelter for dependent care to be included in the cost of attendance, in the case of independent students with dependents and with incomes less than the Standard Maintenance Allowance. Allows projected income for the award year to be considered instead of income reported for the preceding tax year. Allows the exclusion of certain assets from the calculation of expected family contribution in the case of dislocated workers or homemakers. Includes a student's total veterans' education benefits in determinations of need. Excludes certain assets of families with annual adjusted gross incomes of $30,000 or below. Title V: Other Higher Education Amendments - Revises the period of eligibility for Pell Grants to limit it to the full-time equivalent of: (1) the number of academic years that the undergraduate degree normally requires, plus one academic year; or (2) six academic years in the case of a degree or certificate program normally requiring more than four academic years. Revises College Work-Study program eligibility standards to require that only need-based employment (employment that directly offsets educational expenses) be monitored. Makes individuals serving in a medical internship or residency program leading to a degree or certificate eligible for certain two-year deferments from student loan repayment (but ineligible for certain others) under the FISL, Stafford Student Loan, and Direct Student Loan programs. Student Loan Marketing Association Amendments of 1989 - Revises the corporate organization of the Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae). Revises requirements concerning the common Federal student aid application and its processing. Directs the Secretary, in reallocating returned funds under the supplemental educational opportunity grants program, to give special consideration to institutions located in major natural disaster areas. Requires each State guaranty agency to ensure that there is a lender of last resort in its State. Revises the formula for determining an institution's eligible amount under the direct student loan (Perkins loan) program. Requires that institutional and financial assistance information be provided to students concerning terms and conditions for repayment deferments (and in the case of Federal volunteer programs, partial cancellations of amounts owed) for service under the Peace Corps Act and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (VISTA) or for comparable full-time volunteer service for a tax-exempt organization. Revises part B (Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowships) of title IX (Graduate Education) of the Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants to consortia of institutions of higher education which include historically Black colleges for programs to provide supplemental need-based financial aid to students and faculty from historically Black colleges who are pursuing doctoral studies. Sets the Federal share of such program costs at 66 2/3 percent. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1990 and 1991. Amends the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) to no longer exclude programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 from GEPA audit provisions. Title VI: Effective Dates - Sets forth effective dates for various provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
National Plumbing Products Efficiency Act of 1989 - Title I: Water Use Standards for Plumbing Products - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to prescribe test procedures for classified products. Directs the Secretary to establish water use performance standards for plumbing products classified as covered products. Requires such standards to be designed to achieve the maximum water efficiency which the Secretary determines is technologically feasible and economically justified. Sets forth maximum water use standards for the following products: (1) water closets; (2) urinals; (3) showerheads; and (4) faucets. Directs the Secretary to prescribe water use standards for any product that is classified as a covered product and manufactured and sold on or after the date that is three years after such product receives its classification. Describes the procedure for prescribing water use standards. Directs the Secretary to reevaluate such standards at the end of each five-year period after the date of enactment of this title. Requires the Secretary to publish the existing water use standards in the Federal Register and to allow a specified period for comment by interested persons. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling and marking rules for each classified product. Directs the Secretary to study the feasibility of determining coverage for additional consumer products. Establishes a procedure for testing plumbing products and for maintaining test data. Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to assist the Secretary as necessary. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe rules for any covered product offered for importation. Sets forth provisions for prohibited acts, enforcement procedures, and the commencement of civil actions under this title. Declares that standards, procedures, or rules under this title supersede State or river basin commission regulations. Provides for a waiver of Federal preemption over such State or river basin commission regulations. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an advisory committee to report annually to the Congress on the implementation of this title by the Secretary and the Commission. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress and the President on activities under this title. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994. Title II: Water Use Standards for Dishwashers and Clothes Washers - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide for the establishment of standards for water use by dishwashers and clothes washers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Marine Research Act of 1989 - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to authorize the establishment of regional marine research programs (Programs) to coordinate, plan, and support research, monitoring, and assessment activities concerned with the environmental quality of marine and coastal waters. Authorizes the Governors of a majority of States in a marine research region to develop and submit for approval to the Regional Marine Research Oversight Board (Board) a combined, interstate proposal for a Program which identifies the research organizations which will participate in the Program and the goals of such Program. Requires proposals for a Program to be developed by a Regional Marine Research Organizing Committee consisting of the Director of the Sea Grant Program in each State in the region. Identifies the marine research regions as the Gulf of Maine region, Greater New York Bight region, Mid-Atlantic region, South Atlantic Bight region, Tropical region, Gulf of Mexico region, California region, North Pacific region, Gulf of Alaska, Bering and Arctic Seas region, and Insular Pacific region. Requires each Program to develop and submit for the Board's approval a three-year marine research and assessment plan which: (1) identifies research needs and priorities in the region over the next ten years, with emphasis on the upcoming three-to-five year period; (2) lists and describes research and assessment projects in the region which are expected to receive public or private funding; (3) describes the research and assessment projects to be given priority for funding under this Act; (4) reviews and discusses the coordination of projects addressing issues common to neighboring regions; and (5) lists the equipment and supplies used commonly for research projects in the region. Requires that the plan be updated and resubmitted to the Board at least once every three years. Authorizes each Program which has an approved research plan to submit an application to the Board for annual administrative, research, and equipment grants. Sets forth reporting requirements. Requires each Program to support baseline monitoring of fundamental marine environmental conditions and prepare periodic assessments of marine environmental quality and resources in their region. Requires that such assessments be made available to the public as well as to local, State, and Federal agencies, the Board, and State Governors. Authorizes the establishment of the Regional Marine Research Oversight Board at the Federal level to manage and coordinate the efforts of the Programs and report periodically to the Congress on the activities and findings of such Programs. Authorizes and allocates appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
National Affordable Housing Act - Title I: General Provisions and Policies - Sets forth a national housing goal and the objectives of a national housing policy. Requires State and local entities receiving direct assistance to submit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development a comprehensive housing affordability strategy. Title II: Homeownership - Subtitle A: FHA Amendments - Amends the National Housing Act to base Federal Housing Administration (FHA) first-time homebuyer loan ceilings on regional median home prices. Authorizes the insurance of industry accepted mortgages under specified conditions. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress regarding mortgage insurance categories. Subtitle B: Savings for a Downpayment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) authorize certain retirement plans (401(k) plans) to make equity investments in a participant's principal residence; and (2) authorize individual retirement account funds to be used as loans to purchase a home by a first-time homebuyer. Title III: Investment in Affordable Housing - HOME Corporation Act - Establishes the Government National HOME Corporation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations for activities under this title. Subtitle A: Housing Opportunity Partnerships (HOP) - Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the HOME Corporation, to make funds available for investment in order to expand the affordable housing supply. Directs the HOME Corporation to develop model programs designed to carry out the purposes of this title. Requires participating jurisdictions to target housing for very low- and low-income families. Sets forth affordable housing qualification provisions. Allocates resources by a housing need-based formula and by incentives. Directs the HOME Corporation to establish a housing investment trust fund for each participating jurisdiction. Requires participant matching funds. Sets aside funds for nonprofit community organization housing. Provides penalties for misuse of funds. Subtitle B: Mortgage Credit Enhancement - Authorizes the HOME Corporation to guarantee affordable housing mortgage loan pools. Subtitle C: Other Support for State and Local Housing Strategies - Directs the HOME Corporation to develop the capacity of State and local agencies and profit and nonprofit entities to identify and meet the needs for increased affordable housing, including related housing research. Subtitle D: General Authority of the HOME Corporation - Sets forth operating and authority provisions for the HOME Corporation. Subtitle E: General Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions for the HOME Corporation. Title IV: Affordable Rental Housing - Subtitle A: Preservation of Affordable Rental Housing - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in HUD an Office of Affordable Housing Preservation. Subtitle B: Low-Income Rental Assistance - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise the section 8 rental assistance program. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for such assistance. Title V: Housing For Persons With Special Needs - Subtitle A: Assistant Secretary for Supportive Housing - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in HUD a position of Assistant Secretary for Supportive Housing to administer programs serving elderly, handicapped, or homeless persons, or others with special housing needs. Subtitle B: Supportive Housing for the Elderly - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize assistance to expand the supply of supportive housing for the elderly. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Authorizes assistance to adapt federally assisted housing for the elderly to better meet the needs of frail elderly, handicapped, or temporarily disabled residents. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Subtitle C: Supportive Housing for the Handicapped - Authorizes assistance to expand the supply of supportive housing for the handicapped. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Subtitle D: Supportive Housing for the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to authorize grants to States and local government units for homeless housing assistance. Sets forth grant allocation provisions. Permits States and local units to use such assistance for approved activities. Requires grantees to provide matching funds. Authorizes FY 1991 and 1992 appropriations. Requires an annual report to the Congress. Sets forth the following approved activities: (1) emergency shelter; (2) transitional housing for the homeless; (3) permanent housing for the handicapped homeless; and (4) supplemental assistance for facilities to assist the homeless. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for the section 8 single room occupancy program. Title VI: Public and Indian Housing - Subtitle A: Public Housing Development - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the development of new and replacement public housing. Subtitle B: Authorization - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize FY 1990 and 1991 public housing appropriations. Increases FY 1990 and 1991 budget authority for rental rehabilitation and development grants. Obligates FY 1990 and 1991 funds for: (1) Indian housing; and (2) the comprehensive improvement assistance program. Subtitle C: Project Independence - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide public housing residents with greater access to employment, day care, educational, and other services. Obligates FY 1990 and 1991 funds for such purposes. Subtitle D: National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing - Establishes the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing to identify severely distressed public housing projects, evaluate strategies to eliminate unfit housing conditions, and develop a national plan to achieve such objectives. Authorizes FY 1990 and 1991 appropriations. Title VII: Rural Housing - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to reauthorize through FY 1991: (1) rural housing insured or guaranteed loans; (2) rental assistance payment contract authority; (3) rental housing loan authority; and (4) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Authorizes deferred mortgage repayments under specified conditions. Sets aside FY 1990 and 1991 funds for targeted underserved areas. Title VIII: Amendment to the Internal Revenue Code - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the low-income housing credit ceiling. Title IX: Repeals and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth specified conforming and other related amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Condemns hostage taking by individuals, groups, or governments. Calls upon all nations to condemn hostage taking and to work for the release of all hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1989
Commends the cable television industry on the tenth anniversary of the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN) for its contribution toward informing and educating U.S. citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1989
Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act to require one of the six Assistant Secretaries of Veterans Affairs to be responsible for monitoring and promoting the access of minority veterans to services and benefits furnished by the Department. Defines "minority veterans" to include blacks, Native Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Asian-Pacific Islander Americans, and women veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1989
Permits certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive reduced retired pay concurrently with veterans' disability compensation. Provides that the amount of the retired pay reduction shall be 100 percent of the veterans' disability compensation paid less the percentage of the veteran's disability rating.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take specified actions with respect to the International Space Year (ISY), including directing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to continue to develop ISY activities, with certain emphasis, through the Space Agency Forum on ISY.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1989
Job Training Partnership Act Youth Employment Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to authorize appropriations for FY 1990 for specified programs under title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) and title IV (Federally Administered Programs). Provides for increased funding for the title II part A (renamed Adult Programs) and part B (renamed Youth Employment and Training Programs) (IIA and IIB programs). Revises provisions for the composition of private industry councils (PICs) to require that specified minimum percentages of PIC membership be composed of representatives of organized labor, community-based organizations, public service agencies, and all educational agencies in the service delivery area (SDA). Adds to allowable performance standards for adult training programs the acquisition of basic skills and workplace competencies, as well as of a high school or general equivalency diploma. Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to develop separate performance standards for: (1) hard-to-serve individuals, including the handicapped; and (2) in-school and out-of-school youth programs. Prohibits performance standards which penalize SDAs for using funds for support services. Allows an additional ten percent of the funds available to an SDA for title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) part A (Adult and Youth Programs) to be expended for long-term support services under specified conditions. Allows SDAs to enter contracts with one another to share education, training, placement, and support services costs. Adds provisions for carryover of funds, SDA reallocations, and State reallotments. Revises the formulas for allotments to States and within-State SDA allocations under title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) part A (Adult Programs) (the IIA program). Prohibits States or SDAs from receiving more than 110 percent of their previous year allotment unless the Secretary or the Governor, as appropriate, waives such limitation. Allows the PIC in each SDA to reserve up to ten percent of IIA funds for experimental programming for groups with special needs to serve hard-to-serve eligible individuals (such as long-term recipients under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program). Exempts such funds from performance standards. Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate experimental programs, and to report to the appropriate congressional committees within two years. Changes the set-aside for State-level education from eight to five percent of the State allotment, but provides that the three percent difference be forwarded to SDAs for long-term training, basic skills, and educational services. Requires matching funds from other Federal, State, local,or private sources before the State set-aside may be expended. Increases from six to eight percent the portion of the State allotment which the Governor may award in incentive grants to SDAs, and adds criteria for such awards. Directs SDAs to give special emphasis to providing services to hard-to-serve populations or individuals most-in-need of basic skills and employment training services. Requires SDAs to review an applicant's employment history and test a participant's reading and math skills. Allows an increased percentage of individuals who are not economically disadvantaged but who are included in two or more specified categories to be eligible for IIA program services if specified conditions are met. Defines adult as an individual 25 years or older, for purposes of IIA programs. Directs the Comptroller General to study how many and what percentage of adults assisted under IIA programs remain for at least nine months in a job in which they were placed through such programs, and to report to the appropriate congressional committees within two years. Renames title II part A as Adult Programs (IIA programs) and title II part B as Youth Employment and Training Programs (IIB programs). Revises IIB program formulas for State allotments and within-State SDA allocations. Prohibits States or SDAs from receiving more than 110 percent of their previous year allotment unless the Secretary or the Governor, as appropriate, waives such limitation. Adds to authorized uses of IIB program funds: (1) needs-based payments necessary for program participation; and (2) compensation in the form of work experience wages. Allows IIB funds to also be used to provide specified services to: (1) in-school, dropout prone youth; and (2) school dropouts and out-of-school youth. Allows IIB programs to be conducted during the summer months or on a year-round full-time basis. Requires IIB programs to give special consideration to those economically disadvantaged youth who experience severe disadvantages. Allows an increased percentage of individuals who are not economically disadvantaged but who are included in two or more specified categories to be eligible for IIB program services if specified conditions are met. Gives priority in IIB summer programs to those who do not meet established levels of academic achievement and who plan to enter the full-time labor market upon leaving school. Sets forth individual eligibility requirements for IIB year-round programs. Sets forth program requirements for IIB year-round programs. Requires SDAs with year-round IIB programs to establish linkages with local educational agencies. Authorizes PICs with year-round IIB programs to establish linkages with various groups, including IIA programs. Sets forth provisions under IIB for exemplary youth programs, including programs for: (1) basic skills for employment; (2) preemployment skills training; (3) entry employment experience; and (4) school-to-work transition assistance. Sets forth provisions for replication of successful IIB programs. Directs the Secretary to make grants for development and operation of model programs. Establishes, as a new part H of title IV of JTPA, the Fair Chance Youth Opportunity Challenge Grant program. Requires States, in awarding matching challenge grants, to give priority to consortia serving demonstration target areas with high proportions of economically disadvantaged youth, school dropouts, students with limited English proficiency, juvenile offenders, and specified others. Directs the Secretary to provide for participation by the Secretary of Education in promulgating regulations for such program. Prohibits challenge grant funds from being used: (1) by local education agencies to provide educational services for secondary school students during regular school hours; or (2) for student financial assistance, except in certain circumstances. Directs the Secretary to provide for an independent evaluation of such program, and to report to the President and the Congress by December 31, 1994. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994 for the challenge grant program. Eliminates the National Commission for Employment Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1989
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay specified sums, plus interest, to two named individuals in full settlement of claims for injuries sustained and loss of society as a result of an incompatible blood transfusion in a military hospital.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1989
Confers jurisdiction, notwithstanding time limitations, upon the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii to hear, determine, and render judgment upon the claims of two named individuals arising out of injuries allegedly suffered by one of them as the result of the failure of the Navy to provide proper medical diagnosis or treatment on or about November 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1989
Volunteer Protection Act of 1989 - Prescribes circumstances under which volunteers working for nonprofit organizations or government entities shall be immune from personal financial liability for acts on behalf of the organization or entity. Sets forth exceptions to and conditions on the granting of such immunity that a State may impose. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase by one percent the fiscal year allotment which would otherwise be made to a State to carry out the Social Services Block Grant Program under title XX of the Social Security Act if such State has, within two years, certified to the Secretary that it has enacted a State law which provides such immunity. Provides for the continuation of such increase based on an annual recertification.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1989
Amends Federal law to extend the immediate retirement provisions applicable to Federal law enforcement officers to: (1) revenue officers for the Internal Revenue Service; (2) customs inspectors for the U.S. Customs Service; (3) customs canine enforcement officers for the U.S. Customs Service; and (4) inspectors for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to issue a prisoner-of-war medal to any person who was held captive under circumstances comparable to those under which persons have been held captive by enemy governments during periods of war.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1989
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 - Sets forth specified national goals for the wind, photovoltaics, and solar thermal energy programs. Requires the President's budget requests for FY 1991 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 1991 through 1993 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 energy program. 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 1991 and 1992 to include the Secretary's recommendations of amounts to be set aside for energy efficiency research and development and demonstration initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for specified energy efficiency research and development programs for FY 1991 through 1993. 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 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology; (2) Advisory Subcommittee on Photovoltaic Energy Technology; (3) Advisory Subcommittee on Wind Energy Technology; (4) Advisory Subcommittee on Solar Thermal Energy Technology; (5) Advisory Subcommittee on Energy Performance in Factory-Made Housing; (6) Advisory Subcommittee on Advanced District Cooling Technology; and (7) Advisory Subcommittee on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Exports. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1993 for such joint ventures. Requires the Committee on Renewable Energy, Commerce, and Trade to report annually to the Congress regarding renewable energy technology exports. Authorizes appropriations for such Committee activities for FY 1991 through 1993. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to direct the Secretary to establish an information dissemination program for Federal procurement and loan officers on the benefits of solar heating and cooling technology, including site visits and technical briefings. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to include among its special projects incentives, grants, and studies for renewable energy and other small business activities. 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 · 28 February 1989
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover services performed by a physician assistant regardless of the setting or geographical location in which such services are rendered.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1989
Title I: General Accounting Office Investigation and Report Investigation - Requires the Comptroller General to begin an investigation, within 60 days after enactment of this Act, concerning displaced nationals of El Salvador and Nicaragua. Requires a report to the Congress within one year after initiation of such study. Title II: Congressional Review - Provides for the referral of such report to the appropriate congressional committees for committee hearings and committee reports. Title III: Temporary Stay of Deportation - Provides for a temporary stay of detention and deportation for certain nationals of El Salvador and Nicaragua. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - States that during such temporary stay of deportation period an alien: (1) shall not be considered to be permanently residing in the United States; (2) shall not be eligible for Federal public assistance; and (3) may be deemed ineligible for State assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1989
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (a private nonprofit organization) for research and development relating to teacher assessment and certification procedures. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992. Requires the Board to: (1) establish a Research and Development Advisory Committee; and (2) consult with the Secretary and other specified entities in appointing the ten Committee members (with the Secretary selecting two of those). Requires funds under this Act to be used only for research and development of teacher assessment and certification procedures for elementary and secondary school teachers. Requires that priority be given to activities relating to teaching: (1) the subject areas of mathematics, the sciences, foreign languages, and literacy (including reading, writing, and analytical ability); and (2) special educational populations, including limited English proficient children, gifted and talented children, handicapped children, and economically and educationally disadvantaged children. Sets the Federal share of the cost of such Board activities at 50 percent. Requires the Board to report annually to the appropriate committees of Congress. Requires the Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the National Research Council to review and comment on the Board's report and to report to such committees on the Board's compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1989
Employee Health and Safety Whistleblower Protection Act - Sets forth uniform Federal procedures to protect employees who engage in whistleblowing with respect to employer activities which endanger employee or public health and safety. Prohibits employers from discharging or discriminating against any employee who: (1) discloses (or demonstrates an intent to disclose) an activity, policy, or practice that the employee believes is a violation of a Federal health or safety law; (2) initiates, assists, or participates (or demonstrates an intent to do so) in a proceeding with respect to an activity, policy, or practice that the employee believes is a violation of Federal health or safety law, or with respect to enactment, adoption, promulgation, issuance, or amendment of such a law, or with respect to administration or enforcement of such a law or of this Act; or (3) refuses to participate in an activity, policy, or practice that violates Federal health or safety law or that the employee reasonably believes poses a bona fide danger to the health or safety of the employee, other employees, or the public (and the employee sought and was unable to obtain a correction before refusing to participate). Voids as contrary to public policy any waiver or modification of employee rights under this Act, except under certain settlements or dispute resolutions. Makes this Act inapplicable to employees who, acting without direction from the employer, deliberately cause a violation of Federal law. Sets forth procedures for remedy of violations under this Act. Provides that the statute of limitations for filing a complaint pursuant to this Act or an existing Federal whistleblower protection law shall be 180 days after the later of the date: (1) an alleged violation occurs; (2) the discharge or other discrimination has taken effect; or (3) the employee first learns or reasonably should have learned of the violation. Provides for filing complaints with the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary). Directs the Secretary to create or designate an identifiable office or unit within the Department of Labor to investigate such complaints and to issue orders providing relief where appropriate. Provides for administrative law hearings upon request when such orders are not issued, or are questioned. Requires the investigation office, if it determines there has been a violation of this Act, to intervene on behalf of the complainant in such hearings. Provides for an administrative appeal procedure. Makes the decision of the administrative law judge the final order of the Secretary (subject to specified judicial review), unless there is a petition or order for review by the Secretary within a specified period. Directs the Secretary to issue a final order after such review within a specified period. Sets forth provisions for remedies. Provides for orders of abatement, reinstatement, compensatory damages, exemplary damages, other equitable relief, and legal cost payments. Sets forth a private right of action when no final administrative order is issued within a specified period. Allows complainants, under such circumstances, to file civil actions for damages and equitable relief in U.S. district court. Directs the Secretary to notify complainants of the opportunity to file such civil actions on expiration of such period. Directs the court to assess legal costs against violators. Provides for judicial review of orders. Provides for settlements or alternative dispute resolutions. Requires employers to post specified information about this Act. Sets forth provisions for enforcement of orders under this Act by the Secretary and by the parties in U.S. district court. Provides for complaint referral by directing the Secretary to send copies of final orders (including settlement orders) to each Federal agency with jurisdiction over the activity, policy, or practice alleged in the complaint. Directs such agency to take appropriate action and report on such action to the Secretary, the parties, and the relevant congressional committees. Provides that such provisions do not limit any Federal agency authority under any other law. Declares that rights and remedies under this Act: (1) are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided under a contract or State law; and (2) supersede existing Federal whistleblower protection laws only insofar as such laws provide a statute of limitations for filing complaints that is less than 180 days and do not authorize subpoena power for the Secretary as provided under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Hate Crime Statistics Act - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) acquire data, for 1990 through 1994, about crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, including murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, assault, arson, and vandalism; and (2) establish guidelines for the collection of such data, including the necessary evidence and criteria for a finding of manifest prejudice. Prohibits: (1) the use of data acquired under this Act other than for research or statistical purposes; and (2) such data from containing any information that may reveal the identity of an individual victim of a crime. Directs the Attorney General to publish an annual summary of such data. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday Commission Extension Act - Extends the termination date of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission to April 20, 1994. Makes the term of Commission members one year, except for Coretta Scott King (life term) and members of the family surviving Martin Luther King, Jr. (at the discretion of the family). Replaces provisions requiring all expenditures of the Commission to be from donated funds with provisions authorizing appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993. Makes payment of expenses for Commission members and staff salary subject to the availability of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Federal Retirees' Fairness Act of 1989 - Requires Federal agencies to ensure that employee personnel files include information concerning all Federal employment for retirement purposes within 180 days after an employee begins service with an agency. Requires an agency, if an employee gives at least four months to one year's notice of intent to retire, to: (1) inform such employee (or, if deceased, the employee's survivors) of any retirement counseling and applicable services; and (2) begin processing disability retirement applications not later than 30 days after the date of the application. Sets forth a schedule for processing applications for retirement deduction refunds and death benefits. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to compile quarterly information on the number of retirement applications submitted by agencies and their timeliness and accuracy. Requires the agency retirement counselor to conduct seminars at least twice a year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Forgotten Widows and Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 1989 - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1989 to direct the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to the qualified spouse (a surviving spouse who has not remarried) of a member of the armed forces who became entitled to retired or retainer pay by November 1, 1953, who did not elect to provide his or her surviving spouse with an annuity, and who died before March 31, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to cover outreach activities designed to identify Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and children and encourage and assist them in securing Medicaid benefits. Sets the Federal share of the costs of such activities at 75 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1989
COLA Equity Act of 1989 - Provides for all Federal civilian and military retirees to receive the full cost-of-living adjustments in annuities payable under Federal retirement systems for FY 1990 and 1991. (Includes benefits payable under the Civil Service Retirement and Disability System, military retirement and survivor benefit programs, the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and railroad retirement programs.) Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exempt railroad retirement supplemental annuities from sequestration.
![Official portrait of Sen. Matsunaga, Spark M. [D-HI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000250_200.jpg)