United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Indian Health Care Amendments of 1987 - Title I: Indian Health Manpower - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize appropriations for specified Indian health programs for FY 1988 through 1991, including scholarship programs and continuing education allowances. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) from denying scholarship assistance solely on the basis of an applicant's scholastic achievement if such applicant has been admitted to, or maintained good standing at, an accredited health professions institution. Directs the Secretary to grant Indian Health Scholarships to Indians enrolled full-time in certain schools for health professionals. States that the active duty service requirements of the Public Health Service Act can be met by service: (1) in the Indian Health Service (Service); (2) in a program conducted under a contract entered into under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act; (3) in a program assisted under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act; or (4) in the private practice of a health professional if such practice is in a health professional shortage area and addresses the health care needs of a substantial number of Indians. Repeals the Indian Health Scholarship Program under the Public Health Service Act. Amends the Public Health Service Act to make Native Hawaiians, subject to available appropriations, eligible for scholarships under the Indian Health Scholarship Program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988, and for each fiscal year thereafter. Directs the Secretary to maintain a Community Health Representative program to provide for the training and the use of Indians as health paraprofessionals to Indian communities. Title II: Health Services - Enumerates the health services for which the Secretary is authorized to expend funds for the improvement of the health of Indians. Prohibits the use of such funds to offset or limit appropriations made under other Acts. Conditions the allocation of such funds upon the health resource deficiency level of the affected Indian tribes. Permits the allocation of such funds on a service unit basis. Directs the Secretary to establish a review mechanism for tribal petitions regarding the health resource deficiency level of a tribe. Makes programs administered by tribal organizations under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act eligible for specified funds on an equal basis with programs administered directly by the Indian Health Service. Provides that any portion of funds from the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund that are used for contracts under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act may be used for health planning, training, technical assistance, and other administrative support functions. Requires at least one percent of the Fund's appropriation to be expended for research. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a current health services priority system report, including the methodology for determining tribal health resources deficiencies, and the funds needed to raise all tribes to a zero level deficiency. Requires the Secretary to annually provide an update of tribal specific health plans. Directs the President to include with the submission of the budget a separate statement which specifies the amounts obligated to implement enumerated health services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991 for specified health services. Designates such appropriations the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund. Establishes an Indian Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund to meet the extraordinary medical costs for victims of disasters or catastrophic illness. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits the use of such funds to offset or limit appropriations made under other Acts. Requires the Secretary to provide health promotion and disease prevention services to Indians. Requires the Secretary to include in each health services priority system report an evaluation of the health promotion and disease prevention needs of Indians and the resources that are currently available to meet such needs. Requires each Indian tribe to include within any tribal specific health plan that such tribe is required to submit to the Secretary a comprehensive plan developed by such tribe for health promotion and disease prevention among its members. Requires the Secretary to develop from such plans a comprehensive plan for the provision by the Service of health promotion and disease prevention services to Indians and a schedule for the provision of such services. Requires the Secretary to establish at least one demonstration project (but no more than four) to determine the most effective and cost-efficient means of providing health promotion and disease prevention services and training to Indians. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with, or make grants to, schools of medicine or osteopathy to carry out such demonstration projects. Terminates such projects 30 months after enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish in the State of Hawaii, as a demonstration project, a Native Hawaiian Program for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention to meet the unique health care needs of Native Hawaiians. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with Native Hawaiian organizations to assist the Secretary in providing health care services under the Native Hawaiian demonstration project. Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract with a Native Hawaiian organization to: (1) conduct a study to determine the incidence of diabetes among Native Hawaiians and ways to reduce its incidence; and (2) prepare an inventory of health care programs within Hawaii that are available for the treatment, prevention, or control of diabetes among Native Hawaiians. Requires such organization to prepare and transmit a report to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to submit such report to the Congress. Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with a Native Hawaiian organization to: (1) establish a diabetes control program; (2) promote coordination between all health care providers in the delivery of diabetes related services to Native Hawaiians; (3) establish a model diabetes program to serve Native Hawaiians in Hawaii; (4) develop an outreach program to assure the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diabetes among Native Hawaiians; (5) develop a standardized system to collect, analyze, and report diabetes data among Native Hawaiians; and (6) conduct diabetes research and coordinate such research with State agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary to submit certain reports to the Congress. Requires the Secretary to: (1) include in contracts with Native Hawaiian organizations such conditions to ensure that the objectives of such contracts are achieved; (2) develop procedures to evaluate compliance with, and performance of, contracts entered into by Native Hawaiian organizations; and (3) conduct an annual onsite evaluation of each Native Hawaiian organization. Sets forth specified actions the Secretary may take if a Native Hawaiian organization does not comply with the conditions of a contract. Permits the Secretary, at the request or consent of a Native Hawaiian organization, to amend contracts entered into with such organizations. Requires each Native Hawaiian organization to submit to the Secretary a quarterly report of its activities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1992. Provides that the United States shall have the right to recover reasonable expenses incurred by the Secretary in the provision of health services, through the Service, to individuals. Requires all funds reimbursed to the United States by reason of the provision of such services to be credited to the account of the Service in the Treasury. Title III: Health Facilities - Requires the Secretary to consult with any Indian tribe that might be affected by an expenditure for health facilities before the Secretary makes a commitment for such an expenditure. Conditions the closure of any health care facility upon the Secretary's submission to the Congress of an impact assessment one year prior to the contemplated closing. Directs the President to include with the budgets submitted for FY 1989 through 1991 program information documents for the construction of ten Indian health facilities. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a report relating to the current health facility priority system. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance for the operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities, utility organizations, and emergency repairs of sanitation facilities. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to transfer funds from the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to the Secretary for the provision of sanitation facilities and services to Indians. Directs the Secretary to implement a ten-year plan to provide safe water and sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal facilities to Indian homes and communities. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a report with respect to current Indian sanitation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Permits tribes, subject to acceptance by the Secretary, to expend certain non-Indian Health Service funds for the renovation of Indian Health Service facilities, subject to specified conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to exchange certain real property with the Bethel Native Corporation (Alaska). Title IV: Access to Health Services - Extends the authorization for specified appropriations for grants and contracts with tribal organizations from FY 1989 through 1991. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to make certain providers of the Indian Health Service eligible for Medicare and Medicaid payments. Directs the Secretary to ensure that each service unit of the Indian Health Service receives at least half of the amounts to which its facilities are entitled if such amounts are necessary to bring the facilities into compliance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project in which certain Indian (and Alaska Native) health organizations which provide health care services shall bill for Medicare and Medicaid payments directly. Requires the Secretary to monitor such organizations and to require quarterly reports on their operations. Sets forth eligibility and participation guidelines for such health service facilities. Requires a final report to the Congress by the end of FY 1994. Title V: Urban Indian Health Services - Directs the Secretary to contract with urban Indian organizations to administer health services programs in urban areas. Sets forth specified requirements to be included in such contracts. Lists criteria for the selection of such organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with urban Indian organizations to determine the health status and unmet health care needs of urban Indians in affected urban areas. Delineates the requirements of such contracts. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop evaluation procedures for the performance of the contracts entered into under this title; and (2) conduct annual onsite evaluations of each contracting urban Indian organization. Prescribes guidelines for the renewal of health care or referral services contracts. Prohibits renewal of contracts for determination of unmet health needs if such an organization's performance has been noncompliant or otherwise unsatisfactory and problems cannot be resolved. Sets forth other specified contract requirements. Requires urban Indian organizations to submit a quarterly report to the Secretary. Redefines "urban Indian organization" to mean a nonprofit corporate body situated in an urban center and governed by an urban Indian controlled board of directors. Title VI: Organizational Improvements - Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish an automated management information system for the Indian Health Service; and (2) provide Indian tribes and tribal organizations that provide health services under contracts with the Service with such systems. Directs the Secretary to reimburse each tribe and tribal organization for the cost of the operation of such system that is used for the treatment of Service patients. Requires the Secretary to provide such systems. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into legal agreements with Indian tribes or tribal organizations in order to provide compensation for facility space costs associated with the administration and delivery of health services by the Indian Health Service tribally operated programs. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary to enter into an agreement to coordinate the efforts of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services in health promotion, disease prevention, and health education among Indian youth. Extends to FY 1990 the time during which Arizona is designated as a contract health service delivery area. Extends eligibility for health services to specified Indians in the State of California through FY 1988. Establishes eligibility guidelines for such medical benefits. Designates the State of California as a contract health service delivery area. Lists programs eligible for Service funds. Restricts circumstances under which the Secretary may remove a member of the National Health Service Corps who is performing obligated service in a health facility operated by or under the Service. Authorizes the Secretary under certain circumstances to provide medical care or benefits by the Service to otherwise ineligible persons. Sets a deadline by which the Secretary must develop and implement a plan to reduce Indian infant, maternal, and fetal alcohol syndrome mortality rates to a certain level or that of the general population. Directs the Secretary to provide contract health services to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians who reside in the Trenton Service Area of specified counties in the States of North Dakota and Montana. Requires the Secretary to examine the feasibility of the sharing of medical facilities and services between the Service and the Veterans Administration. Requires the Secretary to provide health care services for Indians in Montana. Title VIII: Diabetes Prevention and Control - Requires the Secretary to determine: (1) the incidence of diabetes among Indians; (2) activities the Indian Health Service should take to reduce such incidence, to provide guidance in the prevention, treatment, and control of diabetes, to provide early diagnosis, and to ensure proper health care to those Indians who are diagnosed as diabetic; and (3) the fiscal impact to the Federal Government of treating diabetes among such people. Requires the Secretary to prepare an inventory of all health care programs and resources within the United States that are available for the treatment, prevention, or control of diabetes among Indians. Requires the Secretary to transmit to the President and the Congress a report containing his determinations and research activities among Indians. Requires the Secretary to: (1) implement a program to strengthen and expand the diabetes program of the Indian Health Service; (2) screen recipients of diabetes services from the Service; (3) enable the Service to treat such disease effectively; and (4) conduct, for Federal, tribal, and other Indian health care providers, training programs with respect to the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Requires the Secretary to: (1) maintain specified model diabetes clinics; and (2) establish such clinics at additional specified locations. Requires the Secretary to develop specified programs with respect to data collection and analysis and research relating to diabetes among Native Americans. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Severability Provision - Provides that any invalidation of the provisions of this Act shall not affect the remaining provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Directs the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Interior, through the United States Geological Survey, and the Director of the National Science Foundation to implement the policies of the proposed Continental Scientific Drilling Program of the United States relating to earth science research and technological development. Prescribes guidelines for such implementation, including: (1) taking action to assure an effective cooperative effort in furtherance of the Program; (2) taking administrative and financial measures to assure the effective functioning of the Interagency Accord on Continental Scientific Drilling; (3) assuring the continuing operation of the Interagency Coordinating Group; and (4) assuring that the Interagency Coordinating Group receives appropriate Federal agency cooperation. Requires a report to the Congress within 180 days of enactment describing: (1) policy objectives; (2) projected schedules of scientific and engineering events that would advance Program objectives; (3) resources and funding levels needed for projected schedules of events and Program policy objectives; and (4) cooperation with the international community.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Service-Disabled Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1987 - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, beginning on December 1, 1987, to increase the rates of veterans' disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation paid by the Veterans Administration (VA). Requires such increases to be published in the Federal Register. Increases, as of October 1, 1987, the: (1) maximum grants to veterans for specially-adapted housing; and (2) maximum burial and funeral expenses award to families of veterans as a service-connected death benefit. Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to provide for the tolling of the ten-year delimiting period for educational and rehabilitative assistance to veterans when an alcohol or drug dependence or abuse condition exists and the veteran is under recognized treatment for such condition. Outlines limits to the extension of such delimiting period. Makes similar extensions of such tolling period for alcohol or drug dependence or abuse conditions recognized and treated in connection with the following programs: (1) rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities; (2) educational assistance for post-Vietnam era veterans; (3) educational assistance for Vietnam-era veterans; and (4) educational assistance for veterans' survivors and dependents. Outlines limits to the extension of the delimiting period in each case. Increases: (1) the maximum amount of home loan to a veteran which is guaranteed by the VA; and (2) the maximum allowance by the VA to a veteran for the purchase of an automobile. Continues indefinitely (currently limited to FY 1987) the exemption of the following programs from any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act): (1) assistance and services relating to training and rehabilitation for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities; and (2) benefits relating to educational assistance for survivors and dependents of certain veterans with service-connected disabilities. Adds benefits relating to housing and small business loans for certain veterans and for the spouses and surviving spouses of certain veterans to the list of such exempted programs. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to implement such provisions and report to the appropriate congressional committees within 60 days after the enactment of this Act concerning such implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Mount Rushmore Improvements Act of 1987 - Directs the National Park Service to develop by the end of FY 1987 a comprehensive design and plan for upgrading and expanding the facilities at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
New GI Bill Continuation Act - Extends indefinitely (currently ends on June 30, 1988) the required date of entry into the armed forces for eligibility for basic educational assistance entitlement for veterans (both of active and Selected Reserve duty) of the All-Volunteer Force.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Makes foreign nationals (including foreign-controlled corporations) ineligible for agricultural price supports, loans, crop insurance, and disaster payments. Prohibits all producers from producing nonprogram crops on set-aside acreage. States that for purposes of agricultural payment limitations a corporation stockholder with more than a 20 percent ownership interest shall not be considered a separate person from such corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Water Quality Act of 1987 - Title I: Amendments to Title I - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the Clean Water Act) to authorize appropriations for FY 1983 through 1990 for: (1) specified research, investigation, and training programs in water pollution control; (2) State and interstate pollution control programs; (3) undergraduate programs in water quality control; (4) grants for developing waste treatment management plans for areas with substantial water quality control problems; (5) water pollution control programs in agricultural areas; (6) agreements among Government agencies providing for maximum use of existing programs for water quality control; (7) grants to States for lake pollution control; and (8) carrying out the Clean Water Act generally. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award an annual grant to support a National Clearinghouse on small flows (of sewage) and innovative or alternative technologies information. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to continue the Chesapeake Bay Program and establish such an Office within EPA to: (1) collect and disseminate research and other information on the environmental quality of the Bay; (2) coordinate Federal research efforts; (3) conduct research on sediment deposition in the Bay; and (4) conduct research on how environmental changes effect the living resources of the Bay, with particular emphasis on the impact of pollutant loading. Directs the Administrator to make a grant to a State affected by the interstate management plan developed under the Bay Program to implement management mechanisms in the plan if the State has approved and is committed to implementing all or substantially all aspects of the plan. Requires a State or combination of the States, in order to qualify for such grants, to submit a plan of proposed abatement actions to reduce Bay pollution and meet applicable water quality standards and of estimated costs for the approval of the Administrator. Limits such grants to 50 percent of the plan implementation costs. Limits administrative costs. Requires States to submit progress reports biennially to the Administrator for transmittal to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990. Establishes the already existing Great Lakes National Program Office within EPA. Requires such Office to be located in a Great Lakes State. Requires such Office to carry out the responsibilities of the United States under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, monitor the water quality of the Great Lakes, and serve as a liaison with the International Joint Commission Canadian members. Directs the Office to develop a five-year plan for reducing the amount of nutrients introduced into the Lakes and a five-year study and demonstration project program for the control and removal of toxic pollutants. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on Great Lakes water quality. Establishes, within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Great Lakes Research Office to develop, coordinate, and report on research on issues related to the Great Lakes resources. Require such Office to be located in a Great Lakes State. Requires the Program and Research Offices to prepare annually a joint research plan. Requires interagency cooperation and reporting with respect to such program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991, earmarking funds for specified purposes. Directs the Administrator to research the harmful effects on the health and welfare of persons caused by pollutants in water, especially the bioaccumulation of these pollutants in aquatic species and any reduction in the value of aquatic industries. Title II: Construction Grants Amendments - Sets a time limit on resolving treatment works construction contract disputes. Limits the 75 percent Federal share of treatment works construction costs to grants made by a State before FY 1991. Makes the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority project eligible for grants of 75 percent of construction costs. Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant to fund all the costs of modifying or replacing bio disc equipment (rotating biological contractors) in any publicly owned treatment works if deficiencies are not attributable to negligence. Deems the activated bio-filter feature of the project for treatment works of Little Falls, Minnesota, an innovative wastewater process and technique entitled to an 85 percent grant. Permits the use of Farmers Home Administration funds for the nonfederal share of construction costs for publicly owned treatment works under this Act. Directs the Administrator to make preconstruction agreements with grant applicants for treatment work construction assistance to specify which costs are eligible for Federal payments. Sets forth contract terms and conditions concerning design approval and payments including interest payments. Qualifies for purposes of treatment works grants a system of user charges imposing lower charges for low-income residential users. Requires the Administrator to reallot to States treatment works construction grants for FY 1987 through 1990. Extends through FY 1990 the authorization of appropriations for minimum allotments to States and specified U.S. territories and possessions. Increases the allotment for specified U.S. territories and possessions. Extends through FY 1994 the reservation of certain amounts from State allotments for State administrative expenses. Extends through FY 1990 the use of funds to control pollutants from storm sewers. Increases the mandatory set-aside for rural States and other States to up to seven and one-half percent. Extends through FY 1990 specified provisions relating to minimum expenditures for increasing the Federal share of grants for construction of treatment works utilizing innovative processes and techniques. Requires a State to allocate at least 40 percent of its water quality management planning grant to regional and interstate public comprehensive organizations if it would significantly assist in encouraging such organizations' participation in developing wastewater treatment programs. Increases the amount of additional funds which the Administrator shall have available for addressing water quality problems of marine bays and estuaries subject to lower levels of water quality due to the impact of discharges from combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for the construction grant program. Adds a new title VI: Grants for Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds to the Clean Water Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1994 for capitalization grants to States which establish Water Pollution Control Revolving Funds which would gradually take over the Federal program. Requires a participating State to: (1) enter into agreements with the Administrator; (2) establish the required Fund; (3) deposit in its Fund from State monies an amount equal to 20 percent of the capitalization grant; (4) make loan commitments for publicly owned waste treatment plants within one year which commit all of the Fund; (5) submit required annual and intended use reports; and (6) comply with generally accepted procedures and standards. Sets forth permitted uses of the Fund. Authorizes the Administrator to reallot a noncomplying State's capitalization grant. Sets forth required accounting procedures. Directs the Administrator to review annually each State plan and report for using the Fund. Authorizes a State to use Federal grant funds to set up a Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund upon request. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress by February 10, 1990, on the operation of the State Funds. Directs the Administrator to make grants for treatment works improvement programs for: (1) Avalon, California; (2) Walker and Smithfield Townships, Pennsylvania; (3) Taylor Mill, Kentucky; and (4) Watsonville, California. Directs the Administrator to make a grant to the State of California for the construction of a collection system for specified areas of Nevada County. Directs the Administrator to make grants to the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewage Authority, New Jersey, for the construction of treatment works of a specified capacity. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of construction costs. Directs the Administrator to make grants to Lena, Illinois, for the construction of a replacement moving bed filter press for the treatment works. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of construction costs. Requires Pennsylvania to give Federal funding priority to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority secondary treatment project and to a project for wastewater treatment for Altoona, Pennsylvania. Authorizes the Chicago tunnel and reservoir project to receive grants without regard to allocation limitation if the Administrator determines that such project is cost-effective without redesign or reconstruction and the Governor of Illinois demonstrates the water quality benefits accruing from such project. Permits the towns of Hampton and Nashua, New Hampshire, to continue using an ad valorem tax user charge system for collecting the costs of operation and maintenance of sewage treatment works in satisfaction of specified requirements for grants for treatment works. Requires the Administrator to review such system for compliance with other requirements. Title III: Standards and Enforcements - Extends the compliance date for specified priority toxic pollutants, all other toxic pollutants, and the application of best practicable technology for all other pollutants to no later than three years after effluent limitations are established or by March 31, 1989, whichever is earlier. Directs the Administrator of EPA to promulgate final regulations by the end of 1986 establishing effluent limitations for direct dischargers and limitations requiring pretreatment for all the priority toxic pollutants which are discharged from certain categories of point sources in accordance with a specified schedule. Permits the Administrator to modify the effluent limitations for nonconventional pollutants such as ammonia, chlorine, color, iron, and total phenols. Permits the Administrator to add or delete from the list of pollutants for which such modification is permitted as indicated by current evidence or the lack of it. Requires that such modifications not interfere, alone or in combination, with the prescribed water quality standard. Requires as new conditions for the modification of treatment requirements with respect to the discharges of pollutants from a publicly owned treatment works that an applicant for such modification demonstrate that: (1) in the case of a treatment works serving a population of 50,000 or more, there is in effect a specified pretreatment program for toxic pollutants introduced into such works for which there is no pretreatment requirement in effect; and (2) the effluent which is discharged from such works is receiving primary treatment and meets the criteria for water established by the Administrator. Prohibits the discharge of a pollutant into saline estuarine waters that do not support fish and wildlife or whose quality is below applicable standards. Prohibits dumping in the New York Bight Apex. Extends the filing deadline for treatment works modification. Extends the innovative technology compliance deadlines for direct dischargers. Permits variances from an otherwise applicable effluent limitation or pretreatment standard if an applicant can demonstrate during the rulemaking (or did not have an opportunity to demonstrate) that factors relating the facilities, equipment, and processes of such person are fundamentally different from the factors considered in the rulemaking. Requires the Administrator to assess and collect fees for variance applications. Requires the Administrator to report biannually to the appropriate congressional committees on the status of variance applications. Permits the modifications of ph levels and the amount of iron and manganese in discharges from remined areas of coal remining operations if such operations provide potential for water quality improvement and use the best available technology (BAT). Requires States within two years to identify bodies of water within or adjacent to them which will not meet State water quality standards because of toxic pollutants after the implementation of BAT. Requires each State to develop an individual control for each such body to achieve the applicable standard within three years. Requires that Administrator, within nine months of this Act's enactment, to develop guidelines for such identification and for measuring water quality criteria for toxic pollutants on other than pollutant-by-pollutant criteria, using biomonitoring and assessment techniques. Directs the States to establish numerical criteria, based on EPA's national water quality criteria, for toxic pollutants which could otherwise interfere with designated water uses. Permits such criteria to include the use of biological monitoring or assessment methods. Permits the Administrator, with State concurrence, to modify effluent limitations: (1) if a non-toxic polluter demonstrates that complete compliance does not satisfy a reasonable cost-benefit analysis; or (2) for five years if a toxic polluter demonstrates that a modified maximum limitation within the polluter's economic means will result in reasonable progress to post-BAT water quality standards. Directs the Administrator, within one year of this Act's enactment and then biennially, to publish guidelines for effluent limitations for toxic pollutants for industrial categories currently without such guidelines and to establish a schedule for the review, revision, and promulgation of other effluent guidelines. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on water quality improvements achieved through the application of BAT economically achievable. Authorizes a two-year extension for a treatment works to comply with a categorical pretreatment standard if it uses an innovative treatment system which has potential for industry-wide application and the treatment works can still comply with the terms of its permit. Establishes criminal penalties for the knowing disclosure of confidential information gained by authorized personnel in the course of inspection of treatment facilities. Permits a State to adopt more stringent standards for marine sanitation devices on a houseboat than those required under Federal law. Increases criminal and civil penalties. Adds administrative civil penalties for specified violations. Establishes criminal penalties for the knowing endangerment of a person through violations of specified provisions. Requires the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator to each report to the Congress by December 1, 1988, on the enforcement mechanisms available and on improving enforcement. Directs each State to report biennially to the Administrator on the water quality of the publicly owned lakes. Requires the Administrator to then report such information to the appropriate congressional committees, including an evaluation of methods and procedures used. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct lake water quality demonstration programs at: (1) Lake Houston, Texas; (2) Beaver Lake, Arkansas; (3) Greenwood Lake and Belcher Creek, New Jersey; (4) Deal Lake, New Jersey, (5) Alcyon Lake, New Jersey; (6) Gorton's Pond, Rhode Island; (7) Lake Washington, Rhode Island; (8) Lake Bomoseen, Vermont; (9) Sauk Lake, Minnesota; and (10) Lake Worth, Texas. Directs the Administrator to publish within one year of enactment and update biennially a lake restoration guidance manual. Directs the Governor of each State to submit to the Administrator for approval a report: (1) identifying navigable waters not meeting applicable water quality standards because of pollution from nonpoint sources (e.g., rainfall runoff as opposed to identifiable pipes); (2) identifying categories of significantly polluting nonpoint sources; (3) identifying State and local programs for controlling such pollution and improving the water quality of the navigable waters; and (4) describing administrative measures to be taken. Requires each Governor to develop Administrator-approved nonpoint source pollution management programs identifying: (1) the best management practices to institute; (2) an implementation schedule; (3) any additional State authorities necessary for the program including an implementation schedule for acquiring such authorities; (4) available financial assistances; and (5) the effect of existing Federal programs on such program. Provides for resubmission of rejected programs which are subsequently modified. Directs the Administrator to develop a program for any State which fails to do so and report on such actions to the Congress. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance to a local agency to develop a four-year plan if a State fails to submit a satisfactory plan and the local agency is of sufficient geographical size. Treats such local agency as a State agency for implementation assistance purposes after such plan has been approved. Directs the Administrator to convene a management conference of the affected States when any State is unable to meet its applicable water quality standards because of pollution from nonpoint sources in another State. Requires the offending State to modify its management program to reflect an agreement reached in such conference. Directs the Administrator to provide grants to States to assist in the implementation of approved four-year plans. Limits the Federal share to a maximum of 60 percent of costs. Sets forth other terms and conditions for such grants, including reporting and administrative requirements. Limits each grant per State to a maximum of 15 percent of total authorizations. Authorizes the Administrator to give priority in making grants to States with management programs with particularly difficult nonpoint pollution problems, innovative technologies, or which address essential groundwater quality protection problems. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991. Directs the Administrator to transmit to the Office of Management and Budget and the appropriate Federal departments and agencies a list of those assistance programs and development projects identified by States for which individual assistance applications and projects will be reviewed. Requires each Federal department and agency to modify existing regulations to allow States to conduct such review and accommodate the concerns of the State regarding the consistency of such applications or projects with the State program. Directs the Administrator to collect and make available information pertaining to management practices and implementation methods. Directs the Administrator to report annually, and finally by January 1, 1990, to the Congress on the State management programs and the grants. Earmarks funds for such programs. Authorizes the Governor of any State to nominate to the Administrator an estuary within the State's jurisdiction which is of national significance and to request a management conference to develop a comprehensive management plan. Directs the Administrator to convene such conference if the need for it is sufficiently documented. Gives priority to: (1) Long Island Sound, New York and Connecticut; (2) Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island; (3) Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts; (4) Puget Sound; Washington; (5) New York-New Jersey Harbor, New York and New Jersey; (6) Delaware Bay, Delaware and New Jersey; (7) Albemarle Sound, North Carolina; (8) Sarasota Bay, Florida; (9) San Francisco Bay, California; and (10) Galveston Bay, Texas. Prohibits convening such a conference before a final adjudication has been made in any pending State boundary dispute involving such estuary. Requires a management conference to assess the relevant ecological data and develop a comprehensive conservation and management plan which recommends priority corrective actions and compliance schedules and coordinates intergovernmental efforts. Requires each conference to include the Administrator and affected governmental and private interests. Limits the terms of a conference to five years. Requires Administrator approval of any plan. Permits the use of construction grant or State revolving fund monies for implementation approval of any plan. Authorizes the Administrator to provide up to 75 percent of research and study costs through State grants. Requires such State to report to the Administrator biennially. Earmarks funds for the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to coordinate and implement an assessment, research, and water quality sampling program for pollutants and ecosystems to determine when an estuarine management conference should be called. Requires the Administrators to report to the Congress biennially on estuarine health and research. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991. Prohibits the location or placing of a landfill, surface impoundment, waste pile, injection well, or land treatment facility, or the placement of solid waste in any of these if they are located over the Unconsolidated Quarternary Aquifer, or the recharge zone of such aquifer in the Rockaway River Basin, New Jersey. Title IV: Permits and Licenses - Exempts from permit requirements and effluent limitations certain stormwater runoff discharges from mining operations or oil or gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations. Requires exempted run-offs to be a product of precipitation flows or systems designed to collect or convey such water. Requires that such run-offs be uncontaminated (as determined by the Administrator). Prohibits the Administrator from requiring additional pretreatment by a discharger of conventional pollutants when its publicly owned treatment works is not meeting NPDES permit requirements because of inadequate design or operation. Authorizes a partial NPDES permit program covering a portion of the discharges into the navigable waters in such State if it covers administration of a major category of such discharges or a major component of the State's NPDES permit program. Provides that a State may return, or the Administrator may withdraw approval of, delegated NPDES permit program responsibilities. Sets forth anti-backsliding requirements relating to renewal or reissuance of NPDES permits. Permits limited exceptions. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress within two years on the extent to which States have modified water quality standards or NPDES permits should be modifiable to permit less stringent effluent limitations. States that prior to FY 1993 no permit shall be required for discharges composed entirely of stormwater other than: (1) those associated with industrial activity or municipal separate storm sewers; or (2) those which are determined to be in violation of a water quality standard or contribute significantly to water pollution. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on the nature of most stormwater discharges and which classes of such discharges should have permits. Revises the sewage sludge disposal timetable. Directs the Administrator to identify in two stages those toxic pollutants which may be present in sewage sludge in concentrations which may adversely affect public health or the environment. Directs the Administrator to publish regulations specifying acceptable management practices and establishing numerical limitations for each such pollutant and requiring compliance within 12 months after publication. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate a design, equipment, management practice, or operational standard for certain pollutants if a numerical limitation is not feasible and the same protection can be achieved. Requires NPDES permits to include requirements for the use and disposal of sludge, and provides for implementing such regulations. Authorizes the Administrator to issue a permit to implement such regulations to a facility not subject to NPDES. Authorizes the Administrator to initiate studies and projects to promote the safe and beneficial use of sewage sludge. Authorizes appropriations. Stays the decision of Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concerning revised pretreatment requirements for certain publicly owned treatment works. Prohibits the authorization of removal credits until final regulations are issued. Permits the merger of permit requirements for log transfer facilities subject to both EPA's and the Army's jurisdiction so long as certain requirements are satisfied. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Permits the Administrator to enter into noncompetitive procurement contracts with State audit organizations for audits of recipients of Federal assistance under this Act. Includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands within the definition of "State." Excludes agricultural stormwater discharges from the definition of "point source" pollution. Requires that the Attorney General and the Administrator receive notice of any citizen suits or proposed consent judgments. Revises venue provisions to permit an applicant for judicial review of certain Administrator actions to bring suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal district in which such applicant has its principal place of business or where such applicant transacts the business which is directly affected by the action in question. Increases the appeal period. Provides a random selection procedure to determine the forum when reviews of a particular EPA action have been filed in more than one court. Empowers the court to award attorney's fees to a prevailing or substantially prevailing party. Directs the Administrator to assess the sewage treatment needs of Indian tribes, reporting to the Congress within one year. Authorizes the Administrator to reserve one-half of one percent of specified funds for Indian needs after FY 1986. Authorizes the Administrator to treat Indian tribes specially or as States as required to meet such tribes' sewage treatment needs. Defines "point source" to include a landfill leachate collection system. Amends the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to prohibit the issuance of any new permit to non-eligible authorities now presently permitted to use the New York Bight Apex to dump or transport municipal sludge. Prohibits anyone but an eligible authority from dumping or transporting municipal sludge within the 106-mile Ocean Waste Dump Site. Authorizes the Administrator to issue a research permit to the Orange County, California, Sanitation Districts for the discharge of preconditioned municipal sewage sludge into the ocean to analyze the effects of disposing of such sludge by way of pipelines. Limits such permit to five years. Limits the amount of sludge which may be discharged. Requires such districts to report to the Congress on the results of such program. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to the State of California, for construction of a project consisting of publicly owned treatment works in San Diego to provide primary or advanced treatment of municipal sewage and industrial waste for the city of Tijuana, Mexico, and for San Diego. Requires the Administrator to make additional grants for defensive treatment works in case of breakdown. Authorizes the Administrator to permit ocean discharge of certain specially-treated pollutants. Imposes a cap on raw sewage discharges from the drainage areas of the North River Plant, Manhattan, New York, and the Red Hook Plant, Brooklyn, New York, into navigable waters (the Hudson-Raritan Estuary) if New York City fails to meet the deadlines for achieving advanced preliminary treatment contained in the consent decree of December 30, 1982 (August 1, 1986, for the North River plant; August 1, 1987, for the Red Hook Plant). Permits the Administrator to raise such cap for seasonal variation or natural disasters, or other circumstances beyond the control of the city of New York. States that violations of this Act shall be considered violations of the Clean Water Act, as well as of the consent decree. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator should not agree to any further modification of the advanced preliminary treatment schedule in the consent decree. Directs the Administrator to implement monitoring activities for both plans and commence enforcement actions in the event of unexcused violations. Directs the Administrator to pay, in the same proportion as the Federal share of other project costs, all expenses for the relocation of facilities for the distribution of natural gas with respect to the entire waste water treatment works known as Oakwood Beach and Red Hook projects, New York. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to make grants of up to 75 percent of costs to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority for the construction of necessary secondary waste water treatment works to improve the water quality of Boston Harbor and adjacent waters. Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant up to 85 percent of costs to the San Diego Water Reclamation Agency, California, to demonstrate innovations in wastewater reclamation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant of 75 percent of construction costs to the city of Des Moines, Iowa, for construction of the Central Sewage Treatment Plant. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to study the feasibility and desirability of eliminating the regulation of de minimus discharges of pollutants into navigable waters. Directs the Administrator to report on such study to specified congressional committees within one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to study the effectiveness of specified innovative and alternative wastewater treatment processes and techniques which have been used in treatment works constructed under the Clean Water Act. Directs the Administrator to report within one year on such study to specified congressional committees. Directs the Administrator to study the testing procedures for analysis of pollutants established under specified provisions of such Act. Directs the Administrator to report on such study to specified congressional committees within one year after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to study the pretreatment of toxic pollutants and report to the appropriate congressional committees within four years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to study methods for controlling point and nonpoint sources of pollution in specified groundwater systems and aquifers, including: (1) the Upper Santa Cruz Basin and the Avra-Altar Basin of Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona; (2) the Spokane-Rathdrum Valley Aquifer, Washington and Idaho; (3) the Nassau and Suffolk Counties Aquifer, New York; (4) the Whidbey Island Aquifer, Washington; (5) the Unconsolidated Quarternary Aquifer, Rockaway River area, New Jersey; and (6) groundwater in Litchfield, Hartford, Fairfield, Tolland, and New Haven Counties, Connecticut; and (7) the Sparta Aquifer, Arkansas. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress within two years on the final status of such studies and plans. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to undertake a study on consumptive uses of Great Lakes water, focussing on control measures which would reduce the quantity of water consumed without adversely affecting the projected growth of the region. Requires that such study include an analysis of both existing and new technology, including assessments of water quality assessment methodologies, the economic and environmental affects of manufacturing uses, and regulation of such uses. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to study the problem of the corrosive effects of sulfides in collection and treatment systems, the extent to which the uniform imposition of categorical pretreatment standards will exacerbate this problem, and the range of available options to deal with the effects. Requires that such study be conducted in consultation with the Los Angeles City and County sanitation agencies which have observed examples of corrosion probably caused by sulfides. Directs the Administrator to report on such study to specified congressional committees within one year after enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress within one year on the problems of rainfall induced infiltration into wastewater treatment sewer systems. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on the effects of dams on water quality and the performance of State revolving loan funds. Directs the Administrator to conduct and report to the Congress on a comprehensive study of pollution in Lake Pend Oreille, Montana and Idaho, and the Clark Fork River, Idaho, Montana, and Washington.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for psychologists' services under the supplementary medical insurance program (part B of title XVIII).
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior for the planning and construction of the West River and Lyman Jones County Rural Water Development Projects, South Dakota.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits Federal outlays from exceeding Federal receipts in any fiscal year, unless the Congress provides for a specific excess by a three-fifths vote of both Houses. Prohibits a bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of the whole number of both Houses of Congress by roll call vote. Authorizes the Congress to waive this article for any year in which a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement for that year in which total outlays are not greater than total receipts. Permits the Congress, by a three-fifths vote of each House, to provide for a specific excess of outlays over receipts in such statement. Prohibits actual outlays from exceeding the outlays set forth in such statement. Prohibits total receipts in such statement from increasing by a rate greater than the increase in national income in the previous year, unless a bill directed solely to approving specific additional receipts is enacted. Permits the Congress to waive the provisions of this Act for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics. Designates June 14, 1987, as Baltic Freedom Day.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Disapproves the recommendations of the President relating to pay rates of Members of Congress, Federal judges, and Federal officials under the Executive Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate multilateral negotiations with all major agricultural commodity exporting nations to establish an international agricultural conservation reserve to reduce worldwide grain surpluses and control soil erosion. States that the basis for such reserve should be: (1) all signatory nations shall agree to bring virgin land into cropland production and return a certain percentage of cropland to its natural state; (2) an emergency provision to allow a portion of the cropland of all signatory nations to be put back in production if emergency food reserves are depleted or if production did not meet domestic consumption; and (3) a coordinated international food aid program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1986
Declares that the United States extends its sympathies to the people and Government of El Salvador with regard to the recent earthquake. Urges the President to provide appropriate relief to help prevent further loss of life in El Salvador. Declares that the United States is prepared to cooperate with El Salvador in long-term efforts to recover from the effects of the earthquake.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1986
Declares that the Senate: (1) offers its support and best wishes to the President as he prepares for his meetings with General Secretary Gorbachev in Reykjavik; and (2) endorses and specifically encourages the President to pursue the major issues relating to arms control, Soviet recognition of international human rights, and the removal of soviet combat forces from Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1986
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Services Research Act of 1986 - Title I: Council on Alzheimer's Disease - Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services the Council on Alzheimer's Disease to: (1) coordinate research conducted by or through the Department on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; (2) establish a mechanism for the sharing of information among employees of the Department involved in programs serving the elderly; (3) identify the most promising areas of research; (4) establish mechanisms to use the results of Alzheimer's disease research; and (5) assist in developing and coordinating research plans. Requires the Council to transmit specified reports to the Congress. Title II: Advisory Panel on Alzheimer's Disease - Establishes the Advisory Panel on Alzheimer's Disease to assist the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Council in identifying priorities and emerging issues with respect to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991. Title III: Awards for Leadership and Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias - Authorizes the Director of the National Institute on Aging to make awards to researchers who have made distinguished achievements in areas relating to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991. Title IV: Research Relating to Services for Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Their Families - Part A: Responsibilities of the National Institute on Aging - Requires the Director to conduct research relevant to appropriate services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their families. Requires the Director to prepare and transmit to the Chairman of the Council a plan for such research. Requires the Director to disseminate the results of such research to appropriate professional entities and the public. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991. Part B: Responsibilities of the National Institute of Mental Health - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct research relevant to appropriate services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their families. Requires the Director to prepare and transmit to the Chairman of the Council a plan for such research. Requires the Director to disseminate the results of such research to appropriate professional entities and the public. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991. Part C: Responsibilities of the National Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology Assessment - Requires the Director of the National Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology Assessment to conduct research relevant to appropriate services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their families. Requires the Director to prepare and transmit to the Chairman of the Council a plan for such research. Requires the Director to disseminate the results of such research to appropriate professional entities and the public. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991. Title V: Dissemination - Requires the Director of the National Institute on Aging to establish the Clearinghouse on Alzheimer's Disease to disseminate information concerning services available for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their families. Requires the Director to make a grant to a national organization representing individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias to: (1) establish a central computerized information system to compile, translate, and disseminate information concerning initiatives regarding services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; and (2) establish a national toll-free telephone line to make such information available. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991. Title VI: Educational Activities - Requires the Secretary to develop a mechanism to ensure that information concerning Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is provided to the Commissioner of Social Security. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Aging to conduct education and information dissemination activities concerning: (1) the special problems of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families; and (2) Alzheimer's disease and related dementias for personnel involved in ensuring the public safety and providing public transportation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Motion Picture Association of America should incorporate a subcategory "D" rating in its voluntary movie rating system to identify films which depict drug use in a benign or favorable light.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1986
General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1986 - Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding liability for general aviation accidents. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for general aviation accidents. States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 20 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of a general aviation accident. Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees. Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 1986
Product Liability Reform Act - Title I: States that this Act governs any civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller for harm caused by a product. Supersedes any inconsistent State law regarding recovery in such actions. States that U.S. district courts shall not have jurisdiction over civil actions pursuant to this Act. Title II: Establishes procedures by which any party may serve upon any other party offers to settle claims. Precludes a claimant or defendant from bringing or maintaining a civil action once an offer of settlement has been accepted. Holds a defendant who rejects a settlement offer and fails to substantially prevail in the action liable for the claimant's attorney's fees and costs. Limits the recovery of a claimant who has rejected a defendant's settlement offer: (1) for economic loss, to the claimant's net economic loss; and (2) for noneconomic loss, other than punitive damages, to $250,000 (if the court finds that recovery for dignitary loss is appropriate; otherwise two times the economic loss or $50,000, whichever is less). Allows payment for economic loss to be made by periodic payment or according to a settlement agreement. Requires the court to approve a settlement agreement if the value of the economic loss is $10,000 or more. Permits any defendant who has entered into a settlement agreement to seek reimbursement, contribution, or subrogation on the basis of comparative responsibility. Title III: Allows any person seeking recovery for harm caused by a product to bring a civil action against the product's manufacturer or seller. Establishes uniform standards of product seller liability. Subjects a product seller to liability if the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the product seller did not exercise reasonable care with respect to the product; or (2) the product failed to conform to an express warranty made by the product seller. Treats a product seller as a manufacturer where: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to service of process under the laws of any State in which the action might be brought; or (2) the court determines that the claimant would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Allows punitive damages to be awarded, if permitted by applicable law, where the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of conduct manifesting the manufacturer's or seller's conscious, flagrant indifference to the safety of those who might be harmed by the product. Provides that punitive damages may not be awarded where: (1) a drug or medical device was approved or is generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration; or (2) an aircraft was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Establishes uniform statutes of limitation and repose for product liability actions. Subjects an attorney to pecuniary sanctions for certain conduct. Imposes penalties for the destruction or concealment of material relevant to product liability actions. Requires any damage award to be reduced by the amount of workers' compensation benefits paid. States that the liability of each defendant for noneconomic damages shall be several and not joint. Establishes a forum non conveniens rule that creates a presumption that when a foreign plaintiff suffers a product-related injury overseas, that claim should be brought in another State or foreign country. Sets forth certain rules regarding the admissibility of evidence. Limits the use of evidence regarding subsequent remedial measures taken by product manufacturers. Bars recovery where the claimant in a product liability action is under the influence of alcohol or any drug and more than 50 percent responsible for the harm. Title IV: Requires the Secretary of Commerce to provide the Congress with an annual report analyzing the impact of this Act on product liability insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1986
Rural Enterprise Zone Act of 1986 - Title I: Designation of Rural Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Specifies that States and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits to 45 the total number of areas which may be designated as enterprise zones. Limits the period during which such designations shall remain in effect to a maximum of 15 years. Specifies that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the nominating local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 1,000 or is entirely within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, and providing job training to residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate rural enterprise zones on January 1, 1987, or three years after the publication of regulations pertaining to such zones. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every three years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that the designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Provides that the designation of a rural enterprise zone shall not constitute a Federal action for purposes of applying the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act or other provisions of Federal law relating to the protection of the environment. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers - Allows employers located in rural enterprise zones an income tax credit for increased employment expenditures. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of the increase in payroll. Limits the dollar amount of wages taken into account with respect to any employee to an amount equal to the lower living standard for a family of four as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Disallows an income tax deduction for the portion of wages taken into account for such credit. Subtitle B: Deferrals of Gain or Loss With Respect to Investment in Tangible Property in Rural Enterprise Zones - Allows the nonrecognition of gain or loss on the sale or exchange of rural enterprise zone property if the proceeds realized from such sale or exchange are used by the taxpayer to acquire rural enterprise zone property within one year. Subtitle C: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Exempts rural enterprise zone property from the limitation of the accelerated cost recovery deduction on property financed with tax-exempt bonds. Provides that the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to industrial development bonds the proceeds of which are used to finance facilities in such enterprise zones. Modifies certain small issue volume limitations with respect to rural enterprise zone facilities. Requires that five percent of the industrial development bond volume cap for a State which has one or more rural enterprise zones shall be set aside for use only in such rural enterprise zones in such State. Subtitle D: Sense of the Congress With Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterpise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of a rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Rural Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that, to the maximum extent practicable, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1986
Designates August 1, 1986, the 11th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Accords, as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Requests the President to: (1) reassert American commitment to the Helsinki Accords; (2) raise the issue of noncompliance with such Accords with the U.S.S.R. and the Warsaw Pact nations; and (3) convey to U.S. allies the necessity of unity on these points.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to authorize the establishment of local disaster assistance centers which shall: (1) gather and disseminate information regarding Federal, State, and local assistance programs; (2) accept applications; and (3) provide program counseling. Provides for the removal of debris (including dying trees) from private property that is within 200 feet of a residence situated on such property. Requires that at least two 60-day offers of temporary housing assistance be made to qualifying persons in a disaster area. Increases aggregate individual and family grant amounts. Sets a 60-day deadline for payment of approved work under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to establish a cost-sharing formula for certain Federal disaster assistance programs. Declares the Federal share of assistance to be 75 percent for the repair of damaged public facilities and debris removal on the condition that remaining costs are paid by a State or local government. Declares the Federal share of assistance to be 100 percent for: (1) unemployment assistance; (2) temporary housing assistance; and (3) crisis counseling assistance and training. Declares that no State shall be ruled ineligible for assistance under this Act by virtue of an arithmetic formula based on income or population if such State has qualified for Federal disaster assistance within the past 24 months.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1986
Declares that the United States: (1) reaffirms its support for the struggle of the Afghan people; and (2) welcomes the Islamic Unity of Afghan Mujahideen delegation led by its spokesman Burhanuddin Rabbani to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1986
Encourages State and local governments and local educational agencies to require quality daily physical education programs for all children from kindergarten through grade 12.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
Repeals provisions of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985 which: (1) provide a remedy against the United States for loss of property, personal injury, or death due to exposure to radiation based on acts or omissions by a contractor conducting atomic weapons tests under a contract with the United States; and (2) preclude any other civil action by individuals against a contractor for the purpose of determining civil liability from acts or omissions of such contractor. Makes the period during which such provision was in effect inapplicable for purposes of the tolling of any statute of limitations for claims.
![Official portrait of Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000513_200.jpg)