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United States · Official source
4,275 records where Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1989
Designates April 22, 1990, as Earth Day for public activities that promote global environmental preservation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1989
Designates December 7, 1989, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) take immediate steps to achieve a consensus among South Africa's major trading partners on effective economic, political, and diplomatic measures to end apartheid; (2) implement to the fullest extent all the provisions of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, and the recommendations of the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on South Africa; (3) take steps to bring about concerted multilateral pressure to dismantle apartheid; (4) instruct the permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations to offer a resolution in the Security Council that would impose selective mandatory sanctions against South Africa similar to those embodied in the Act for 12 months, and to vote for any resolution offered which would impose such sanctions; (5) strengthen the impact of the Act through diplomatic and political pressure; (6) direct specified executive agencies to monitor trade relations between South Africa and U.S. allies; and (7) take action against those countries benefiting from or taking advantage of U.S. sanctions against South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1989
Designates June 16, 1989, as Soweto Remembrance Day. Encourages Americans to participate in local activities designed to commemorate the victims of Soweto and to show solidarity with those who are fighting to end apartheid.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Marine Protection Act of 1989 - Title I: Water Quality Protection Programs - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, within 18 months of this Act's enactment and biennially thereafter, to designate all estuaries and coastal waters which are experiencing a general degradation of environmental conditions and do not support a balanced, indigenous population of fish and wildlife or allow for recreational activities in and on the water. Outlines elements to be considered in making such designations and requires the Administrator to conduct studies, research, and assessments, as necessary. Directs the Administrator to consider designations of specific estuaries and waterbodies. (All are currently listed as priority considerations under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, with the exception of Casco Bay, Maine.) Authorizes the Governor of any State to nominate to the Administrator an estuary or coastal waterbody within such State for designation. Requires the Chesapeake Bay to be treated as a designated coastal waterbody pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator or, under certain circumstances, an approved State to: (1) exercise authorities concerning discharges to coastal waters and a prohibition on discharges of sewage from vessels pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (2) issue permits for industrial and municipal discharges of storm water to such waters; (3) consider prohibiting the specification of a designated area as a disposal site; (4) require public treatment works discharging to such waters to develop and enforce facility specific programs for the pretreatment of industrial wastes; and (5) conduct an assessment and prepare a management program for the watershed of a designated waterbody for States without approved programs. Applies such requirements to estuaries and coastal waterbodies designated after January 1, 1989. Makes technical amendments to provisions concerning management conferences, grants, and reporting requirements for the National Estuary Program. Authorizes the Administrator to require any person whose alleged activities cause or contribute to pollution to file a report concerning pollution prevention or reduction practices with the Administrator. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1993. Requires penalties paid as a result of enforcement actions for violations of this Act to be deposited into the Estuaries Protection Fund. Directs the Administrator, in the case of any waterbody designated after January 1, 1989, to issue or renew a permit only if the applicant demonstrates: (1) a need to discharge to the designated waterbody based on a showing of the full utilization of waste minimization practices and the lack of alternative disposal options; and (2) that a proposed new discharge or an increase in volume or toxicity of an existing discharge will be offset by a decrease in other discharges and result in no net increase in pollutant loading to the waterbody. Applies such requirements to all new and existing discharges (except for existing discharges composed entirely of storm water). Authorizes the Administrator to modify such requirements, with respect to existing dischargers, if the owner or operator of a point source shows that such requirements will: (1) represent the maximum use of technology within the economic capability of the owner or operator; and (2) result in reasonable further progress toward the elimination of the discharge of pollutants. Requires applicants for Federal flood insurance for activities which may result in discharges or pollution to navigable waters to certify that such discharges will comply with applicable provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a national registry of coastal land; and (2) list such land in the registry based on submission of a completed application by the property owner. Provides that inclusion of land in the registry shall be at the sole discretion of the land owner. Directs the Administrator to operate a program to provide registrants of coastal land with informational and educational materials concerning: (1) land management and related practices to prevent water pollution and protect habitat; (2) activities and measures to protect aquatic life, wildlife, and significant natural features of land or natural resources; (3) the activities of Federal, State, and local agencies to protect coastal waters; and (4) the various requirements of Federal and State laws concerning land management, discharges to water, and other related activities. Permits the Administrator, at the request of a State Governor, to delegate operation of such program to a State agency. Requires the Administrator to publish periodically a National Coastal Registry document summarizing the listed land and to provide a copy to any applicant. Authorizes local public agencies or organizations, beginning on August 4, 1989, to take actions to implement a State management program for coastal waters without the State's approval if such State has failed to submit an approved program. Includes within the list of programs to receive priority consideration for grant assistance programs to control nonpoint source pollution of designated waters. Requires the Administrator to prohibit the discharge from a vessel of sewage into any designated waterbody. Directs the Administrator to: (1) study the availability of adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from vessels operating on coastal waters; and (2) report and make recommendations to the Congress on such study to assure that such facilities are reasonably available. Requires States in which a municipality discharges overflows from combined storm water and sanitary sewers into coastal waters to submit biennially to the Administrator an inventory of such discharges which shall: (1) identify the location of each discharge and the affected waterbody; (2) identify the municipal entity responsible for the discharge; (3) identify the estimated volume and pollutant loading of the discharge over a one-year period; (4) assess the proportion of the volume of the combined discharge to the volume capacity of the appropriate treatment works over a specified time period; (5) assess the potential to eliminate the discharge through flow reduction methods; and (6) identify the nature and status of any existing programs to eliminate discharges. Directs such municipalities to submit to the Administrator a program for the elimination of such discharges. Outlines program requirements and procedures for approval and modification. Makes municipalities which fail to implement such programs subject to penalties. Directs the Administrator to modify or issue permits for discharges of combined storm water and sanitary sewers by such municipalities to set forth a schedule for treatment. Requires the Administrator to publish guidance describing best management practices and other measures for the elimination of combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows. Provides for the establishment of a water pollution control revolving fund for States which implement a combined storm water and sanitary sewer elimination program. Requires certain assistance to be provided only for development of such programs. Directs the Administrator, in allocating such assistance, to give priority to municipalities discharging into coastal waters. Limits the amount of Federal funding for such programs to 75 percent of the total cost of a project. Directs the Administrator to promulgate numeric coastal water and sediment quality standards for pollutants for which certain criteria have been published under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Authorizes any person to petition the Administrator for the development of additional criteria. Provides that State standards shall take precedence over Federal standards, unless the Federal standard pursuant to this Act is more stringent or protective of human health and the environment. Authorizes State Governors to petition the Administrator for lower numerical standards if proven that such standards will assure an equal degree of protection of human health and the environment and are appropriate because of significant differences in the biological, physical, and chemical characteristics of the waters in question and U.S. coastal waters. Permits the Administrator to comply with requirements to establish sediment quality standards by establishing a scientific method, to be approved by the EPA Science Advisory Board, to convert numerical water quality standards to numerical sediment quality standards. Prohibits the issuance of permits for discharges into the territorial sea, the waters of the contiguous zone, the oceans, or coastal waters if the Administrator determines that a discharge will: (1) prevent the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of fish and wildlife and will not provide for recreation in and on the water; or (2) prevent the attainment of standards established pursuant to this Act. Deems regulations creating exemptions to ocean discharge requirements to be invalid. Title II: Marine Sediment Contamination - Requires the Administrator to provide that criteria for any pollutant address coastal sediment to an extent adequate for the development of sediment standards. Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act to set forth permit requirements for contaminated dredge material. Directs the Administrator to publish a description of best management practices for the dredging, transport, and disposal of contaminated dredge material. Prohibits the issuance of a general permit for such material. Permits States to adopt criteria and regulations relating to ocean dumping if such criteria and regulations are more stringent and protective of waters than those issued pursuant to such Act. Directs the Administrator to develop and implement site management plans for designated ocean dumping sites. Provides for: (1) the review and redesignation, if necessary, of such sites every five years; and (2) public comment on such designations. Revises general permit provisions for ocean dumping. Limits general permits to a period of two years. Directs the Administrator to revise guidelines to require permit applicants to dispose of dredge or fill material in coastal waters to establish whether such material contains pollutants in excess of concentrations established in sediment standards. Directs the Secretary of the Army to deny any such permit if such material is contaminated and the disposal site is located within an area designated as a priority estuary or coastal waterbody pursuant to this Act. Title III: Other Provisions - Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on the extent and seriousness of airborne disposition of contaminants in coastal waters. Directs the Administrator to: (1) conduct research and monitoring, as necessary, to identify currently unregulated pollutants in the estuarine zone and coastal waters not addressed under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and (2) report and provide a plan to the Congress for controls of such pollutants. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on the potential use of microorganisms to degrade organic materials or chemical pollutants in municipal or industrial wastes both before and after disposal in the marine environment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Comprehensive Ocean Assessment and Strategy (Coast) Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate marine areas which are in need of protection. Sets forth criteria to be considered in such designations, including: (1) the status and effects of pollutants and floatables found in the water and marine resources; (2) loss of coastal habitat; and (3) anticipated increases in pollutants and floatables in the area. Requires the Administrator to designate as a marine area in need of protection: (1) any area of the marine environment for which a State's most recent Water Quality Inventory, prepared pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, reported that the waters did not meet water, sediment, and living marine resource biological quality standards; (2) any estuary for which a management conference has been convened pursuant to the National Estuary Program. Directs the Administrator, in designating any area, to: (1) specify the reason for, and sources of, pollution resulting in the designation; and (2) submit to the Congress an analysis of each designated area which assesses trends, identifies research and monitoring needs, and describes actions and strategies. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require States to submit to the Administrator individual management strategies for designated areas. Requires such strategies to include water quality effluent limitations, nonpoint source management, and monitoring programs for permittees. Directs the Administrator to develop plans for States that fail to do so. Requires the Administrator to convene management conferences for estuaries which are designated as marine protection areas and are located in more than one State. Directs the Administrator to submit to the Congress a Marine Environment Toxics Release Inventory Assessment and Strategy to: (1) analyze industrial categories of sources and receiving waters of toxic discharges into the marine environment and into publicly owned treatment works which discharge into such environment; and (2) identify sources which discharge the greatest amount of toxic chemicals on the Inventory, and the greatest amount of the most toxic chemical; and (3) identify the geographical areas receiving the greatest amount of discharges from such chemicals. Provides that the Strategy shall contain the Administrator's plan for using Assessment information to improve the EPA's marine environment programs. Includes criteria for marine water, sediment, and resource biological quality within criteria required to be published for water quality standards under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Directs the Administrator to: (1) submit a schedule for the development of such criteria to specified congressional committees; and (2) develop or revise criteria for specified pollutants. Requires States to establish numerical standards for pollutants to prevent degradation of the marine environment. Directs the Administrator to establish such standards for States which fail to do so. Prohibits the issuance of permits for discharges into the marine environment if found that such discharges can be expected to result in the degradation of the environment or are likely to prevent the attainment of standards pursuant to this Act. Requires the Administrator to revise guidelines for determining degradation of waters. Includes within the list of programs to receive priority consideration for grant assistance programs to control nonpoint source pollution of waters designated under this Act. Directs the Administrator to: (1) provide technical assistance to the Secretary of Agriculture in utilizing the Secretary's authorities to reduce cropland sources of nonpoint source pollution of the marine environment; (2) identify those lands which, if enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, would contribute to protection of water quality and the marine environment by reducing such pollution; and (3) furnish a list of such lands to the Secretary for establishing priorities for expenditures under the Program. Requires the Secretary to provide the Administrator with actions in response to such list. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish regulations to eliminate marine combined sewer overflows; and (2) publish guidance on additional measures to bring such overflows into compliance with this Act. Requires such guidance to identify monitoring standards designed to characterize and evaluate water quality impacts of discharges and determine compliance with permit requirements. Directs States with such overflows to submit biennially to the Administrator an inventory of discharges which shall: (1) identify the location of each discharge and the receiving waterbody; (2) identify the entities which operate the overflow system; and (3) determine whether each discharge point is permitted and in compliance with this Act. Requires permitting authorities to: (1) establish a schedule to bring each discharge point into compliance with this Act; and (2) establish priorities for issuing permits and controlling discharges. Directs municipalities or publicy owned treatment works to submit to the Administrator or, under certain circumstances, a State a permit program for the elimination of such discharges. Outlines program requirements and approval procedures. Makes owners or operators of sewer operators without permits subject to penalties. Directs the Administrator or a State, when determined that a publicly owned treatment works discharges toxic pollutants contributing to the degradation of the marine environment or in violation of marine water, sediment, or resource standards, to require the treatment works to establish or revise a pretreatment program to eliminate pollutants contributing to such degradation. Requires the Administrator to: (1) develop and test guidelines for treatment works to identify the sources of toxics in waste waters; and (2) establish a data base of identified sources. Directs the Administrator and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to: (1) implement a joint program of research and monitoring to determine the effects of atmospheric pollutants on degradation of the marine environment; and (2) report biennially to specified congressional committees on such program. Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish a nationwide system for monitoring and quantifying the accumulation of floatables along coastal shorelines and waterways and the costs of cleanup of floatables; and (2) report annually to the Congress on such program. Directs the Administrator to promulgate protocols for monitoring water, sediments, and living marine resources in the marine environment. Provides for the use of whole effluent biological toxicity testing in such monitoring. Directs the Under Secretary to study the nature of any relationship between contact with pollutants in the marine environment and shellfish consumption with the incidence of human illnesses. Requires the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees on such study. Directs the Under Secretary to study and report to the Congress on: (1) a quantification of economic impacts caused by marine degradation; and (2) the impact that enhanced nitrogen levels in the marine environment may have on stimulating toxic algal blooms. Requires the Under Secretary to establish a Marine Environment Information Center to compile, analyze, and disseminate information on marine degradation and protection. Directs the Administrator and the Under Secretary to study and report to the Congress on activities of Federal agencies that may result in degradation of the marine environment, along with recommendations to reduce such degradation. Requires Federal agencies to take actions to minimize such degradation and to evaluate the potential effects of any actions on the marine environment. Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to require fines under the Federal criminal code (currently, fines up to $50,000) or imprisonment of up to five (currently, one) years, or both, for ocean dumping violations. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the amount of grants to any State for the implementation of management strategies under this Act to 50 percent of the total cost of the program. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for the establishment of a water pollution control revolving fund for States for implementing management strategies under this Act and marine combined sewer overflow correction programs. Requires certain assistance to be used only for implementation of approved marine combined sewer overflow elimination permits. Directs the Administrator to give priority for assistance to municipalities discharging into marine areas designated under this Act. Limits such grants to 50 percent of the total cost of a project.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1989
Nuclear Power Plant Safety Act of 1989 - Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to promulgate regulations in the Federal Register setting out procedures for permitting the restarting of nuclear power plants shut down for safety reasons. Prescribes minimum criteria for such regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1989
Designates June 23, 1989, as United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Day. Authorizes the President to: (1) issue a proclamation commemorating the 50 years of Coast Guard volunteer service to enhance the safety of water-related activities; and (2) call for the observation of such day with appropriate ceremonies, educational activities, and boating safety achievement programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Federal Facility Compliance Act of 1989 - Requires Federal agencies to perform assessments of hazardous substance releases from solid waste management units at each hazardous substance treatment, storage, or disposal facility owned or operated by such agencies after November 19, 1980. Requires such assessments to indicate whether such facilities are in compliance with specified environmental laws and to be provided to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to States in which such facilities are located. Directs the EPA Administrator to inspect such facilities annually to ensure compliance with such laws. Requires such inspections to include an analysis of groundwater monitoring. Makes inspection records available to the public. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to waive sovereign immunity for Federal agencies with respect to certain requirements under such Act. Makes Federal employees subject to criminal sanctions under Federal or State solid or hazardous waste laws. Authorizes the Administrator to commence enforcement actions against Federal agencies pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1989
Designates August 1, 1989, 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 any signatory nation which may be in violation, in particular, the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania; (3) convey to all signatories of such Accords that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is vital to progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; and (4) convey to U.S. allies the necessity of unity regarding such Accords.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to delay until 1990 the effective date of the nondiscrimination requirements for benefits provided under certain employee benefit plans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise such nondiscrimination requirements by requiring the taxation of the excess health benefits of a highly compensated employee. Excludes from such requirements certain students, certain elderly, and prisoners. Imposes an excise tax on employers or employer plans if an employee benefit plan fails to satisfy certain administrative requirements. Restores prior law with respect to nondiscrimination requirements of group-term life insurance plans. Authorizes an employer to elect to use current nondiscrimination rules for years beginning 1990 or 1991 as they apply to health plans and dependent care assistance programs. Revises provisions relating to the nontaxable benefits of employers of leased employees, dependent care assistance, and group-term life insurance provided to highly compensated employees.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1989
Condemns the use of force by the People's Republic of China against unarmed advocates of democracy and human rights in China. Supports the President's actions, including suspension of all Government sales and commercial exports of arms to China. Praises the actions of American diplomatic personnel in China in seeking to insure the safety of American citizens there. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) certain Chinese students studying in the United States should be granted permission to extend their stay; (2) applications to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for the protection of investments in China and to the U.S. Export-Import Bank for the financing of trade with China should be reviewed; (3) U.S. departments charged with and considering liberalization of regulations relating to export licenses for sales to China should take into account the current situation; (4) the President should consult major U.S. allies to determine whether multilateral sanctions are necessary; (5) the President should inform the Congress of the results of his planned review of U.S.-Chinese relations and consult with the Congress on further actions to be taken; and (6) the Voice of America should increase its broadcasts to China.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1989
Designates the week of October 8 through October 14, 1989, as National Job Skills Week.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1989
United States Coast Guard Bicentennial Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design, strike, and sell a medal in commemoration of the bicentennial of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1990. Requires the design of the medal to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Commission of Fine Arts.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1989
Designates the week of December 10 through December 16, 1989, as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1989
Designates the week of September 24, 1989, as Religious Freedom Week.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1989
Designates June 6, 1989, as National D-Day Remembrance Day.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
National Environmental Education Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an Office of Environmental Education within the Office of External Affairs to carry out this Act. Establishes an Environmental Education and Training Program to train educational professionals in the development and delivery of environmental education and training programs and studies. Directs the Administrator to make an annual grant to an institution of higher education or nonprofit research institution to establish and operate such program. Sets forth application and eligibility requirements and criteria to be considered in awarding such grants. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements or provide grants to support projects to design, demonstrate, and disseminate practices related to environmental education and training. Outlines activities eligible for grant support and priorities in awarding such grants. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual solicitation for environmental education grants. Authorizes local education agencies, colleges or universities, State education or environmental agencies, or nonprofit agencies to apply for such grants. Limits Federal funds for demonstration projects to 75 percent of the total cost, except in specified instances. Limits such grants to $100,000 and requires 25 percent of all funds obligated to be for grants of no more than $5,000. Requires the Administrator to provide for internships by postsecondary students with Federal agencies involved in environmental issues. Directs the Administrator, to the extent practicable, to support at least 150 internships annually. Makes eligible for participation in such program students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities who have successfully completed at least four courses or the equivalent in environmental sciences. Requires the Administrator to provide for a series of national awards recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental education to include: (1) the Theodore Roosevelt Award for environmental teaching or administration; (2) the Henry David Thoreau Award for literature on the environment and pollution problems; and (3) the Rachel Carson Award for film or print media for public education and information on environmental issues or problems. Provides that recipients of such awards shall be nominated by the Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the regional administrator of each EPA office to present an "Outstanding Environmental Educator Award" annually to a teacher or faculty member from a local education agency, college or university, or nonprofit organization in recognition of an outstanding contribution to environmental education. Establishes a National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires the Council to report biennially to the Congress on: (1) the extent and quality of environmental education in the Nation's schools; (2) activities conducted pursuant to this Act; (3) obstacles to improving environmental education; and (4) training and skills needed to respond to environmental problems. Establishes the Environmental Education Trust Fund to carry out this Act. Allocates funding for this Act's activities and authorizes 50 percent of penalties received under specified environmental Acts to be appropriated to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Rural Partnerships Act of 1989 - Title I: Rural Business and Job Creation - Subtitle A: Rural Partnerships Investment Board - Establishes a Rural Partnerships Investment Board to provide lines of credit through local revolving funds for rural business expansion. Terminates the Board five years after enactment of this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Rural Business Investment Fund to provide funds for such purpose. Limits an entity's credit line to $750,000. Stipulates that a State agency may receive up to $1,250,000. Requires a participating entity to: (1) provide matching funds at least equal to the line of credit; and (2) demonstrate financial institution participation. Requires only 50 percent matching funds in areas with per capita income levels below specified levels. Limits the maximum amount of Federal contributions to each State's revolving funds to $100,000. Obligates a specified amount of appropriated funds for businesses serving very distressed rural areas or providing specified rural services, including health care, elderly and handicapped services, educational services, or transportation. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1992 appropriations. Requires each participating entity to establish a local revolving fund to: (1) make loans, investments, or loan guarantees; and (2) pay for various training and related programs. Requires local revolving funds to enter into 50 percent matching loan or investment partnerships with banks and other financial institutions. Limits a fund's annual investments in any one business to $250,000. Sets forth compliance and enforcement provisions, including: (1) grounds for revocation of a line of credit; (2) investigatory authority of the Board; (3) unlawful acts of officers, directors, employees, or agents; (4) penalties; and (5) Board authority to bring an action in district court. Subtitle B: Rural Economic Development Promoted by the Rural Electrification Administration - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) to appoint an Assistant Administrator for Economic Development to carry out REA programs concerning the involvement of rural electric and telephone systems in community and economic development. Directs the Administrator to establish a technical assistance unit to assist borrowers with respect to community and economic development activities. Permits a borrower to defer loan repayments (five or ten years, depending on the project) for amounts invested in community or economic development projects. Limits such deferment to 50 percent of a project's cost. Authorizes and limits water and waste facility loans to the lesser of $40,000,000 or ten percent of fiscal year REA insured loan authority. Sets forth loan priority provisions. Requires private sector assistance under specified circumstances. Targets electrification borrower investments in: (1) the Incubation Fund established by this Act or other business incubators; and (2) community, business, or economic development projects. Expands the scope of REA rural economic development functions. Establishes in the Treasury a Rural Business Incubation Fund to make grants and reduced interest loans to electric and telephone borrowers in order to promote business incubation programs or to create rural business incubators. Requires such incubators to: (1) be operated on a not-for-profit basis; and (2) assist businesses to become viable business entities. Provides for funding of such incubators by assisted businesses, REA borrowers, and the Treasury. Deems investments by REA telephone borrowers in rural telecommunication or other rural development projects not to be dividends or capital distributions. Title II: Enhancing Human Resources - Establishes a grant program to increase rural educational opportunities through the use of telecommunications and related technologies. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Requires grantee partnerships to consist of: (1) REA borrowers; (2) specified national telecommunication organizations; and (3) educational institutions. Establishes the Rural Educational Opportunities Board to advise grant recipients, evaluate programs and technology, serve as a liaison with REA and the Secretary of Education, and review and make grant application recommendations. Requires REA and the Secretary of Agriculture to make an annual program report to the appropriate congressional committees. Provides for expedited REA telephone loans. Establishes: (1) a rural medical link telecommunications grant program; and (2) a rural business link telecommunications grant program. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations for such programs. Title III: Focus on Rural America by the Department of Agriculture - Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary to establish an Extension Service rural economic and business program to permit State or county extension services to hire business development and related telecommunications specialists. Authorizes appropriations beginning with FY 1990. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to study economically distressed rural counties; (2) evaluate the nature and availability of assistance needed by such counties; and (3) report to the appropriate congressional committees in each of FY 1990 through 1993. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish a rural development assistance information program. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees by September 1, 1989, concerning the coordination of Department of Agriculture rural development activities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to the Department's data processing functions and whether they can be performed more economically in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Rural Business and Employment Assistance - Directs the Secretary to make technical assistance grants for rural business development, including business support centers. Prohibits the use of such funds for political activity or business relocation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make grants for rural technology assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to make rural emergency assistance loans to communities of less than 20,000 persons. Limits such loans to two-year periods, with a maximum of $50,000 to any one borrower. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse - Directs the Secretary to establish within the National Agricultural Library a National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse. Authorizes FY 1990 through 1994 appropriations. Title VI: Water and Sewer Assistance - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for small community water and waste facility grants. Directs the Secretary to establish an emergency water assistance grant program for rural and small communities (less than 3000 population, median household income below State nonmetropolitan level) with significant water shortages, or to enable such communities to comply with the requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Safe Drinking Water Act. Limits grants to: (1) $75,000 for existing system repairs; and (2) $500,000 for water shortage areas. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to base loan rates for health care and related facilities solely on the income of the area to be served. Directs the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration to establish a national rural waste water circuit rider program modeled after the existing National Rural Water Association rural water circuit rider program. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Directs the Census Bureau to: (1) expand data collection efforts to gather data on the changing economic conditions of rural America, including employment, poverty and income, and the labor force; and (2) employ rural residents for such efforts in FY 1990. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish regulations regarding projects funded under this Act with respect to the preservation of historic properties and historical and archaeological data. Authorizes certain Farm Credit System banks to make small community water and waste system loans. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to permit a State to designate State areas where the food stamp program (program) employment and training requirements shall be voluntary. Includes self-employment within the scope of such requirements. Increases rural program accessibility for people engaged in certain employment and training programs. Exempts from household financial resources for purposes of program eligibility the value of a vehicle used in rural areas to haul fuel or water. Amends Federal law to increase the amount of annual funds available to the Reforestation Trust Fund. Authorizes Fund use for economic diversification assistance to communities that are economically dependent upon the Forest Service. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of loan restructuring for distressed rural hospitals and health care facilities. Title VIII: Effective Date and Implementation - Makes this Act effective as of October 1, 1989, unless otherwise provided for. Sets forth the effective dates for specified implementing regulations under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Designates October 16, 1989, and October 16, 1990, as World Food Day.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989
Designates June 21, 1989, as Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner Day. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has helped to fulfill the promise of democracy in this Nation. Reaffirms the goal of removing remaining barriers to full voter participation in this Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Designates the month of November 1989 as National Diabetes Month.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Designates September 1989 as National Alcohol and Drug Treatment Month.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1989
Designates the week of February 11 through February 17, 1990, as Vocational-Technical Education Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Low-Income Housing Credit Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the low-income housing income tax credit (under current law the credit will expire after tax year 1989). Permits States a one-year carryover of unused credit authority. Assigns carryovers to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allocate to eligible States applying for excess credit. Allows the credit only if an extended low-income housing commitment (beyond the current 15-year period) is in effect with respect to any building for the relevant taxable year. Describes procedures to effect transition to a non-low-income use in connection with such extensions. Permits the credit in connection with the acquisition of an existing building only if the taxpayer incurs rehabilitation expenditures of at least $3,000 per unit. Revises rent restrictions to: (1) declare unnecessary a required rent reduction below the initial rent if the median gross income of the area decreases; (2) permit higher rent if units are occupied by higher income individuals and the project has an operating deficit; (3) base income limitations on the number of bedrooms in a unit; and (4) use State median gross income in certain low-income housing status determinations. Broadens categories of existing buildings eligible for a waiver of the ten-year requirement for the low-income housing credit. Revises credit provisions relating to single-room occupancy units and special needs housing. Revises restrictions that limit credit benefits in connection with buildings financed with tax-exempt bonds and below market loans. Permits the credit to be allocated: (1) on a project basis; and (2) in connection with owner-occupied buildings of four units or less if a development plan is submitted. Directs housing credit agencies to adopt plans for allocating credit amounts among projects, prohibiting the credit with respect to any building not included in such a plan. Modifies at-risk rules in connection with buildings subject to the historic rehabilitation credit and those associated with financing provided by certain nonprofit organizations. Sets the tax credit rate on a semiannual basis rather than monthly. Increases the credit in connection with buildings in high cost areas (low-income census tracts or difficult development areas). Establishes special rules for determining the eligible basis and applying at-risk rules in connection with qualified buildings acquired in foreclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989
Designates September 15, 1989, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989
Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) encourage imports of products derived from sustainable uses of tropical rain forests; (2) work with and furnish assistance to nations owning such forests to ensure maintenance and sustainable uses of such forests; (3) encourage nongovernmental organizations to implement sustainable forest management programs for conservation of tropical forests and biological diversity; (4) support model demonstration projects for sustainable use and conservation and support increased research and training in forest ecology and management; and (5) establish bilateral agreements with interested nations to share technology, experience, training, and research in tropical forest conservation. Requires the President to report to the Congress on the progress made toward the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989
Recognizes the two centuries of service by the U.S. Coast Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1989 - Title I: General Prohibition Against Discrimination - Declares that it shall be discriminatory, on the basis of disability, to deny opportunities or to afford them unequally, to provide opportunities less effectively (or differently or separately, unless necessary for effectiveness), to assist an organization or individual that discriminates, or to otherwise limit opportunities enjoyed by others. Prohibits the use of standards, criteria, or administrative methods that have the purpose or effect of discrimination or perpetuate discrimination. Declares it discriminatory to deny equal opportunities because of the relationship or association of an individual with another individual with a disability. Allows as a defense to a charge of discrimination that an application of standards or criteria has been demonstrated to be both necessary and substantially related to the ability of an individual to take advantage of the essential components of the opportunity, and that the taking advantage cannot be accomplished by reasonable accommodations, modifications, or the provision of auxiliary aids or services. Title II: Employment - Prohibits discrimination by any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee against any qualified individual with a disability in job application procedures, hiring or discharge, compensation, advancement, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Makes the remedies set forth in specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other specified Federal law available to any individual who believes that he or she is being or is about to be subjected to discrimination in violation of this Act. Title III: Public Services - Declares that no qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination by a State, or by an agency, political subdivision, or other instrumentality of a State. Lists types of actions deemed, for purposes of this Act and specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to be discrimination with regard to public transportation. Makes the remedies and rights set forth in specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 available to any individual who believes that he or she is being or is about to be subjected to discrimination in violation of this Act. Title IV: Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the enjoyment of any place of public accommodation. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public transportation services provided by a private entity that is primarily engaged in transporting people, but that is not in the principal business of air transportation. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Makes specified provisions of the Fair Housing Act relating to enforcement available, subject to exception, to any aggrieved individual. Title V: Telecommunications Relay Services - Defines "telecommunications relay services" to mean services that enable simultaneous communication between individuals who use telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs) or other nonvoice terminal devices and individuals who do not use such devices. Declares it discriminatory for any common carrier that offers telephone services to the public to fail to provide interstate or intrastate telecommunication relay services that are equal to those provided to their customers who are able to use voice services, except in any State in which services are provided through an entity designated by the State. Declares it discrimination by a State that makes such a designation if the State fails to provide interstate or intrastate relay services that are equal to those provided to their voice customers. Makes specified provisions of the Fair Housing Act relating to enforcement available, subject to exception, to any aggrieved individual. Requires the Federal Communications Commission to enforce this title. Makes specified provisions of the Communication Act of 1934 apply with respect to the enforcement of this title. Provides for cease and desist orders by the Commission and for monetary penalties. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits retaliatory discrimination against any individual because of actions related to this Act. Declares that a State shall not be immune under the 11th Amendment to the Constitution from an action in Federal court for a violation of this Act. Requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to issue minimum guidelines to supplement the existing Minimum Guidelines and Requirements for Accessible Design. Allows the awarding of reasonable attorney's fees, in certain circumstances, in any action or proceeding under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Declares that: (1) it is the sense of the Senate that child survival and development programs are to be commended; (2) the Senate reaffirms the goal of improvement of the survival rates, health, and development of people in all countries and urges the President to adopt this as a major priority; (3) the Senate urges the President to propose to the Secretary General of the United Nations that the Secretary General establish an independent advisory commission with regard to programs in primary health care, nutrition, basic education, and environment by members of the Grand Alliance for Children; (4) the Senate endorses the call for a representative World Summit on Children to provide a forum for governmental leaders to commit to specified goals; (5) the Senate endorses the goals of Universal Childhood Immunization by 1990 and Health for All by the year 2000; and (6) the Senate encourages the President to take a leading role in ensuring the convening of a World Summit on Children.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
Designates the week of November 12 through November 18, 1989, as Geography Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the weeks of November 19 through November 25, 1989, and November 18 through November 24, 1990, as National Family Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Designates October 6, 1989, as German-American Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Japan has not lived up to the terms of the 1986 agreement regarding the Japanese semiconductor market; (2) the administration should convey this message to Japan; (3) the President, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Commerce should seek full access to the Japanese market for semiconductors; and (4) the President and the USTR should take measures to achieve compliance with such agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Provides for the establishment of categories of aliens who are subject to persecution in the Soviet Union or in Vietnam and therefore admissible as refugees into the United States. (Deems Jews and Evangelical Christians in the Soviet Union and Vietnamese registered with the Orderly Departure Program to be such categories.) Provides for the adjustment of status to refugee status for certain Soviet and Vietnamese parolees residing in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Congratulates the United Jewish Appeal on its 50th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1989
Prohibits the United States from making any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations or any of its affiliated organizations if such entity grants full membership as a state to any organization or group that does not have the internationally recognized attributes of statehood.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1989
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to the Washington Research Library Consortium for a facility in Prince Georges County, Maryland, that would link by computer eight university libraries in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia). Authorizes appropriations. Makes specified funds under the Higher Education Act of 1965 available for expenditure under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1989
Designates the period commencing September 11, 1989, and ending September 15, 1989, as National Historically Black Colleges Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1989
Designates the week of October 8 through October 14, 1989, as National Week of Commitment to Helping the Homeless.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1989
Designates October 5, 1989, as Raoul Wallenberg Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1989
Designates October 3, 1989, as National Teacher Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1989
Recognizes the Patuxent River as a national demonstration river and declares that it is an appropriate site for water quality demonstration projects. Declares that: (1) Federal agencies responsible for the administration of such projects should coordinate activities with State and local governments and regional agencies to facilitate the achievement of water quality goals for the Patuxent River; and (2) the Environmental Protection Agency should ensure that commitments to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are fulfilled in the most cost-effective manner by demonstrating the effectiveness of water quality strategies in the Patuxent River.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1989
Declares that it is a shared responsibility of both the public and private sectors at the Federal, State, and local levels to take the necessary steps to remove existing barriers to access to quality health care for every child and pregnant woman.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) ASEAN first asylum countries (defined to include any country which is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and which is the first to receive an individual seeking asylum) should reinstate the practice of providing refuge for all Vietnamese asylum-seekers, while carrying out the screening of such individuals; (2) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees should be given early access to provide humane care to such asylum-seekers; (3) no repatriation of Vietnamese asylum-seekers should occur until an internationally approved mechanism is in place to guarantee that such individuals will not be subjected to persecution; (4) forced repatriation of refugees to Vietnam should not be considered a viable option; and (5) the United States should remain committed to, and urge its Western allies to implement or continue, a generous and humane Southeast Asian refugee resettlement policy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1989
Federal Crop Insurance Revitalization Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to adjust the methods of calculating price elections and yields for purposes of Federal crop insurance assistance. Provides for: (1) training and certification of crop insurance agents and brokers; and (2) crop insurance information availability through local Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service offices.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs income tax credit through 1992. (Under current law the credit will expire after December 31, 1989.) Amends the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations through FY 1992 in connection with the targeted jobs credit. Raises from 23 years to 25 years the age limitation with respect to economically disadvantaged youth targeted for credit purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1989
Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to reauthorize the grant program for water resources research and technology institutes on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis for FY 1989 through 1993. Requires that such funds be used only for the reimbursement of direct cost expenditures incurred for the conduct of the water resources research program. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an evaluation of each institute every five years to determine if it qualifies for further support. (Currently the Secretary must make such determination every four years.) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the grant program from FY 1989 through 1993. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993 only for the reimbursement of the direct cost expenses of additional research by institutes which focuses on water problems and issues of a regional or interstate nature beyond those of concern only to a single State and which relates to specific program priorities identified jointly by the Secretary and the institutes. Requires such funds when appropriated to be matched on a not less than dollar-for-dollar basis by non-Federal sources. Extends the authorization of appropriations from FY 1989 through 1993 for the matching grant research program concerning any aspect of a water resource-related problem which the Secretary deems to be in the national interest. Authorizes appropriations to extend the technology grant program from FY 1989 through 1993. Requires rules and regulations issued prior to the date of enactment of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to remain in effect until superseded by new rules and regulations promulgated under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1989
Expresses the Senate's confidence, hope, and trust for those who will serve in the Senate during its third century.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1989
Social Services Block Grant Restoration Act of 1989 - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to authorize increased appropriations under such title from FY 1990 through 1992.