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United States · Official source
3,969 records where Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [R-AL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Grants the Congress power to provide procedures for the impeachment of Article III judges.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Administrative Law Judge Corps Act - Amends Federal law to establish, in Washington, D.C., an Administrative Law Judge Corps (the Corps) comprised of all current administrative law judges. States that the chief administrative law judge shall be the chief administrative officer of the Corps as well as its presiding judge. Specifies the qualifications for chief judge. States that such judge shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the chief judge to submit a written report to the President and the Congress at the end of each fiscal year concerning the business of the Corps during the preceding fiscal year. Establishes between four and ten divisions within the Corps, with each division headed by a division chief judge appointed initially by the President, with the consent of the Senate. Identifies initial divisions and their respective areas of jurisdiction. Specifies qualifications required for division chief judges. States that the Corps' policymaking body shall be the Council of the Corps (the Council) comprised of the chief judge and the division chief judges. Authorizes the Council to: (1) assign judges to divisions and to transfer or reassign judges from one division to another; (2) create or abolish divisions of the corps; (3) appoint persons as administrative law judges and members of the Corps; (4) file charges against an administrative law judge; (5) prescribe certain rules of practice and procedure for proceedings before the Corps; (6) issue rules and regulations for the efficient conduct of the Corps; and (7) perform other administrative functions. Establishes a Judicial Nomination Commission (the Commission) to submit a list of qualified nominees for positions of chief judge and division chief judges. Specifies officials who shall appoint a member to the Commission. Sets the terms of initial Corps appointments and the procedure for filling vacancies. Prescribes a procedure for recommending appointments to the President. Directs the Council to appoint new judges from a register maintained by the Office of Personnel Management. Confers jurisdiction upon members of the Corps to adjudicate cases under specified sections of the Administrative Procedure Act. Requires cases arising under such sections to be referred to the Corps. Directs the Council to issue regulations for assigning such cases. Requires guidelines for the removal and discipline of administrative law judges. Establishes a Complaints Resolution Board within the Corps to recommend action upon complaints against the official conduct of judges. Details the membership of such Board and the procedures to be followed. Declares Board proceedings and the contents of complaints to be privileged and confidential. Exempts documents and reports considered by the Board from the disclosure and publication requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts the Board from compliance with the public meeting requirements of specified Federal law. Directs the Corps' chief administrative law judge to study the various types of agency review to which decisions of administrative law judges are subject. Sets guidelines for such studies and directs the Council to report the findings of such studies to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to provide certain guidelines with respect to the examination of prospective jurors.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Amends the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to provide certain guidelines with respect to the examination of prospective jurors.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Designates the week beginning October 4, 1987, as National School Yearbook Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1987
Designates the month of November in 1987 and 1988 as National Hospice Month.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, as appropriate, to take such actions as are necessary to protect cave resources on Federal lands, including: (1) restricting the use of such resources; (2) entering into volunteer management agreements with the caving community; and (3) appointing advisory committees. Restricts the release of information concerning cave location to protect the resource, requiring the Governor of a State in which a cave resource is located or a bona fide research institution to request location information in writing along with a commitment to protect the confidentiality of such information. Establishes a permit program for the collection or removal of natural resources from caves on Federal lands. Requires a permittee to post a bond or cash deposit to offset potential damage. Revokes permits for violations of this Act or permit conditions. Excludes Federal cave resources within the National Park or Wildlife Refuge Systems from this program. Imposes criminal penalties for the alteration of a cave or interference with cave resources, including the sale or exchange of cave resources removed without permission. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act or permit conditions. Authorizes appropriations. Places permit fees and fines in a special fund in the Treasury for cave resource management.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the importance of protecting the equity of Farm Credit System borrowers and of ensuring the continued availability of competitive borrower credit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1987
Encourages State and local governments and local educational agencies to provide quality daily physical education programs for all children from kindergarten through grade 12.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1987
Technology Competitiveness Act of 1987 - Title I: National Institute of Technology - Establishes in the Department of Commerce the National Institute of Technology, a science and technology laboratory to replace the National Bureau of Standards and take over its role of developing, maintaining, and retaining custody of the national standards of measurement as well as developing new generic technologies necessary to improve manufacturing and overcome scientific and technical barriers to commercialization of scientific discoveries. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, among other things, to: (1) contribute to U.S. industrial capacity by cooperating with and advising industry; (2) assure the compatibility of U.S. standards with foreign standards; (3) invent and promote transfer to the private sector of devices to serve special national needs; (4) study industrial quality control techniques; and (5) perform computer and computer security research. Requires the Director of the Institute to periodically contract with the National Academies of Engineering and of Sciences for advice and studies. Title II: Cooperative Centers for the Transfer of Research in Manufacturing - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the Director, to assist in the creation and support of regional Cooperative Centers for the Transfer of Research in Manufacturing. Requires such Centers, affiliated with universities and other nonprofit organizations, to transfer technologies and information developed at the Institute to manufacturing industries. Limits the Federal share to 50 percent of costs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Title III: Productivity and Technology Administration - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish in the Department of Commerce a Productivity and Technology Administration which encompasses: (1) the Institute; (2) an Office of Productivity, Technology, and Innovation; (3) the National Technical Information Service; and (4) other agencies and activities as specified. Requires such Administration to conduct policy analyses and propose public and private actions to improve U.S. industrial productivity, technology, and innovation. Title IV: Assistance of Commercialization and Manufacturing - Requires the Secretary to establish an awards program to assist small businesses in commercializing new scientific discoveries of great potential economic and competitive value. Encourages joint research ventures to create generic technology necessary to such commercialization. Establishes in the Treasury a Small Business Technology Leaseback Fund to purchase and lease to small businesses advanced automated manufacturing equipment. Title V: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1988 for the activities of the Institute. Title VI: Miscellaneous and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1987
Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to permit Rural Electrification Administration borrowers to prepay Federal Financing Bank loans without penalties if: (1) private capital is used to replace such loans; and (2) any savings will be used to avoid future rate increases, passed on to customers, or used to improve the borrower's financial strength.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1987
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of April as Fair Housing Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1987
Declares that: (1) U.S. policy should be to support public access to the files of the U.N. War Crimes Commission deposited in the archives of the United Nations; (2) the permanent representatives of the United States to the United Nations should advise the Secretary General of the United Nations of such policy; and (3) appropriate steps should be taken to persuade former member states of the U.N. War Crimes Commission to adopt such policy.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1987
Extends for six months, from May 15, 1987, to November 15, 1987, the authority of a bankruptcy trustee to pay benefits to retired employees under a plan, fund, or program maintained or established by the debtor (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for the purpose of providing medical, surgical, or hospital care benefits or benefits in the event of sickness, accident, disability, or death.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1987
Recognizes the Disabled American Veterans Vietnam Veterans National Memorial near Eagle Nest, New Mexico, as a memorial of national significance. Requests the President to issue a proclamation commemorating the occasion of this recognition.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1987
Satellite Television Fair Marketing Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the encrypting of satellite programming from the Public Broadcasting Service and the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. Requires anyone who encrypts satellite delivered programming for private viewing to: (1) make it available for private viewing by home satellite antenna users; (2) establish reasonable character and financial criteria for distributors of satellite delivered programming and to not discriminate in price, terms, or conditions among distributors offering similar distribution services; and (3) conduct such encryption according to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-approved standards designed to comply with specified criteria. Requires the FCC-approved standards to provide the public interest benefits of a universal encryption system permitting decryption by cable television subscribers and home satellite users. Authorizes aggrieved persons to commence civil actions to enforce this Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a study of pricing and distribution terms of satellite television programming to determine whether the programming market is developing competitively. Authorizes the FTC to establish remedies necessary to produce adequate competition. Requires the FCC to begin a rulemaking proceeding on improving access to network signals for rural Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1987
Clean Coal Technology Deployment Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a Clean Coal Technology Assistance Program; and (2) provide financial assistance to commercial-sized projects using innovative clean coal technologies which require such assistance in order to encourage their commercial deployment. Outlines the criteria for such assistance. Mandates that such assistance be in the form of grants-in-aid. Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year in the ten-fiscal-year period which begins after the date of enactment of this Act. Presents guidelines under which clean coal technologies are subject to regulatory treatment. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to consult and coordinate designated clean coal technologies with State authorities. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations implementing this Act within six months after its date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1987
Superconductivity Competition Act of 1987 - Directs the President to appoint a National Commission on Commercial and National Defense Applications of Superconductors to report to the Congress and the President on recommendations to enhance the development of improved superconductors and commercial and national defense applications of superconductors. Requires the Commission to address several issues, including: (1) U.S. competitiveness in superconductor development; (2) methods to improve and coordinate information, funding, and applications; (3) private sector incentives to develop superconductors; and (4) the impact on U.S. security of relying on foreign producers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Grants a Federal charter to the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Rural Area Revitalization Act of 1987 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize FY 1988 through 1992 appropriations for Rural Development Loan Fund intermediate borrowers. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make 1988 through 1992 grants for: (1) rural business, employment, and infrastructure development; and (2) stimulation of growth and diversification in rural communities affected by chronic underemployment in basic economic sectors, such as agriculture. Limits: (1) Federal cost sharing to 75 percent, unless waived by the Secretary; and (2) grant eligibility to projects serving communities with populations of not more than 20,000 people. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize grants for rural drinking water projects. Directs the Secretary to establish an office in the Farmers Home Administration of the Department of Agriculture whose primary purpose shall be to encourage different approaches to economic and community development in rural areas.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1987
Designates the week of May 31 through June 6, 1987, as National Intelligence Community Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States, so long as Soviet and Cuban military forces occupy Angola, should encourage peace and national reconciliation in Angola through a negotiated settlement to the military conflict and stress the holding of free elections as outlined in the 1975 Alvor Agreement through: (1) support for Soviet and Cuban withdrawal and a negotiated peaceful settlement; and (2) consistent efforts by the President and the Secretary of State to convey to the Soviets that their continued presence in Angola hinders future U.S.-Soviet relations. Requests the President to use his authorities under the Export Administration Act to block U.S. business transactions which conflict with U.S. security interests in Angola. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of State should: (1) review U.S. policy with respect to the U.S. refusal to recognize the Marxist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the human rights record of the MPLA, and the worst 1985 voting record supporting U.S. interests in the United Nations; and (2) transmit to the Congress a report on the U.S. policy review, together with a determination on the current U.S. trade and business policy with respect to Angola.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1987
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the enforcement provisions. Changes from mandatory to discretionary the requirement for the Federal Election Commission to attempt informally to prevent or correct a violation of this Act. Reduces the period for making such attempt from 90 to 45 days. Makes optional the requirement to make such an attempt for a period of at most 15 days, if the violation occurs during the 45 days prior to an election. Requires the conciliation agreement settling a violation to carry a civil penalty of a specified amount. Requires the Commission to refer a knowing and willful violation to the Attorney General and mandates the civil penalty for such violation. Expedites from 120 days to 60 days the time which an aggrieved party must wait before seeking judicial redress because the Commission dismissed, or failed to reasonably pursue, a complaint filed by such party. Allows the aggrieved party to file an action in any U.S. district court having jurisdiction. Revises the procedure for filing an action in the name of the complainant. Provides that any monetary award under such action be paid to the United States. Provides for a mandatory award of attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Excellence in Minority Health Education and Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to empower the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to: (1) Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee; (2) Xavier University College of Pharmacy, New Orleans, Louisiana; (3) Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee, Alabama; and (4) Meharry College of Dentistry, Nashville, Tennessee. Requires each institution to use such grants to establish, in the pertinent health care discipline, a Center of Excellence, which shall: (1) improve the recruitment of minority students and high calibre minority faculty to the institution; (2) develop effective techniques for training minorities who will serve minority populations; and (3) establish scholarship programs to attract promising individuals to the Center's programs. Directs each Center to engage in specified activities appropriate to the subject matter expertise of the institution it represents, including: (1) maintenance of a communications network to disseminate information concerning health promotion among minorities; (2) development of patient educational materials tailored to the needs of minority populations; (3) establishment of a research program focusing on the needs of minority women and teenagers; (4) study of alternative models for health care delivery systems; and (5) consultation and assistance by the recipient institutions to other medical schools to aid the latter in effecting more productive education and service programs for minority populations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Amends the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 to deny the use of funds provided under such Act for projects using products or services of foreign countries which are listed by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as not offering reciprocal opportunities for American firms. Requires the USTR to: (1) determine whether each foreign country denies fair and equitable market opportunities for U.S. products and suppliers in procurement, or fair and equitable market opportunities for United States bidders, for construction projects that cost more than $500,000 and are funded by the government of such foreign country; and (2) maintain and publish annually a list of countries for which an affirmative determination is made. Allows an exception to such a denial of funds if the Secretary of Transportation determines: (1) the denial of funds would not be in the public interest; (2) products of the same class or kind are not produced or offered in the United States or in any foreign country not listed by the USTR in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or (3) exclusion of such product or service from the project would increase the cost of the overall project contract by more than 20 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Designates the week of November 29 through December 5, 1987, as National Home Care Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Defense should not impose any charge for outpatient medical care provided in medical facilities of the uniformed services to retired members, their dependents, or to the dependents of members serving on active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Radon Mitigation Clarification Act of 1987 - Provides that, for purposes of the medical care expense tax deduction, amounts paid for necessary home improvements to mitigate measured harmful levels of radon gas exposure shall be treated as expenses paid for medical care and in the same manner as amounts paid for other home improvements which qualify as expenses paid for medical care.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act - Establishes within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) a national space grant college and fellowship program to provide financial and other assistance for the exploration and development of space resources. Requires such program to advise the Administrator of NASA and coordinate Federal efforts. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants or enter into contracts to assist any space grant and fellowship program for up to 66 percent of total cost except for special grants. Directs the Administrator to make grants or enter into contracts for up to 100 percent of costs for identified specific national needs and problems relating to space. Authorizes the Administrator to designate any institution of higher education as a space grant college if it maintains a balanced program in fields related to space and meets other qualifications. Authorizes the Administrator to designate an association or alliance as a space grant regional consortium if it is established to share research and facilities in any field related to space and meets other qualifications. Directs the Administrator to support a space grant fellowship program for educational and training assistance to graduate students in fields related to space. Directs the Administrator to establish the space grant review panel as an independent committee to advise the Administrator on implementing the program. Requires interagency cooperation among all Federal agencies with authority over matters relating to space, authorizing the sharing of personnel and facilities and requiring the sharing of information. Directs the Administrator to report biennially to the Congress and the President on the activities of the program, subject to the review of the Directors of the Office of Management and Budget and of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Designates October 1987 as National Down Syndrome Month.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Designates November 17, 1987, as National Community Education Day.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Designates the week of November 15 through November 21, 1987, as Geography Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1987
Designates the week beginning August 2 and ending August 8, 1987, as International Special Olympics Week and designates August 3, 1987, as International Special Olympics Day.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1987
Establishes the Motor Carrier Administration in the Department of Transportation, to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President who shall report directly to the Secretary of Transportation. Creates the position of Deputy Administrator, to be appointed by the Secretary. Confers upon the Administrator duties and powers related to motor carriers and motor carrier safety under specified law. States that a decision of the Administrator implementing duties involving notice and hearing requirements is administratively final. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding a review of those Interstate Commerce Commission activities affecting motor carrier transportation which could be more efficiently performed by the Motor Carrier Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Grants a Federal charter to the Montford Point Marine Association, Incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that specified minimum tax and accounting rules applicable to installment obligations shall not apply to obligations arising from sales of property by nondealers. Allows taxpayers to elect to have the amendments made by this Act regarding minimum tax not apply to dispositions made before January 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the targeted jobs income tax credit. (Present law terminates such credit for employees who begin work after December 31, 1988.) Makes permanent the authorization of appropriations with respect to the certification requirements of such tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1987
Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 to make permanent the authority of the Internal Revenue Service to offset tax refunds against defaulted Federal student loans.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Designates the week beginning August 2, 1987, as National Podiatric Medicine Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1987
Designates the month of May 1987 as National Cancer Institute Month.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Repeals provisions of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985 relating to the civil liability of Government contractors for injuries, property losses, or deaths arising out of nuclear weapons testing programs. Makes the period during which such provisions were in effect inapplicable for purposes of the tolling of any statute of limitations for claims.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Omnibus Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Directs the Secretary to transmit drafts of such statement to specified congressional committees and to distribute the final statement to all taxpayers with tax forms sent by the IRS. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to establish within the Department of the Treasury an Office of Inspector General. Transfers to such Office the existing audit and investigation units of the Department. Prohibits the Inspector from reviewing: (1) monetary, fiscal, and tax policy; and (2) the exercise of legal judgment in the investigation and litigation of cases. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) withhold from the Inspector requested information that the Secretary determines will jeopardize the success of an ongoing investigation or litigation, confidential sources, or the national security; and (2) prohibit the Inspector from undertaking or continuing an audit or investigation under limited circumstances described in this Act. Requires the IRS, upon taxpayer request, to conduct any interview regarding a deficiency assessment at a reasonable time and place convenient to the taxpayer and to the IRS, and to permit the taxpayer, at his or her own expense, to record the interview. Authorizes the IRS interviewer to record such interview if the taxpayer has been given prior notice and is provided, upon request and payment of reproduction costs, with a transcript of the recording. Requires the interviewer to warn the taxpayer that: (1) he or she has a right to remain silent; (2) any statement the taxpayer makes may be used against him or her; and (3) he or she has the right to the presence of an attorney, certified public accountant, enrolled agent, or enrolled actuary. Permits a waiver of such rights if voluntarily and knowingly made. Amends Federal law to require the Comptroller General of the General Accounting Office to: (1) conduct audits of the IRS with respect to the efficiency, uniformity, and equity of the internal revenue laws (current law specifies no particular focus for such audits); and (2) conduct special audits or investigations of internal revenue law administration upon the request of any congressional committee or Member of Congress. Requires the Comptroller's annual report to the Congress to include specified findings concerning IRS management, efficiency, procedures, and structure. Divests of its finality a vote of the Joint Committee on Taxation to disapprove a Comptroller audit of the IRS. Designates such vote as a recommendation to disapprove an audit and makes such recommendation subject to congressional approval. Prohibits evaluations of IRS personnel based on revenue collected from taxpayers as a result of audits or investigations involving such personnel. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by an officer or employee of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws that inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action in Federal court (regardless of the amount in controversy) for any taxpayer aggrieved by such prohibited investigation or recordkeeping. Authorizes both equitable remedies and awards of damages, including punitive damages, litigation costs, and reasonable attorney fees, in such cases. Extends from ten to 30 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Specifies information that must be incorporated in such notice, including possible alternative actions and the appropriate appeals procedures. Adds to the circumstances triggering termination of such a levy: (1) an agreement between the taxpayer and the Secretary for payment of the liability; and (2) the Secretary's determination that the taxpayer's financial condition precludes enforceability of the liability. Revises the list of property exempt from levy to: (1) increase the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages; (2) add an exemption for certain deposits in qualified institutions; and (3) provide an express exemption, except under limited circumstances specified in this Act, for the taxpayer's principal residence, a motor vehicle used by the taxpayer as the primary means of transportation to work, and any tangible personal property essential to the operation of the taxpayer's business in cases when a levy would prevent the taxpayer from carrying on such business. Prohibits a levy on any property when levy and sales expenses would exceed either the liability for which the levy is made or the fair market value of the levied property. Sets forth situations in which the Secretary must release a levy. Applies to jeopardy levies the administrative and judicial review procedures currently applicable to jeopardy assessments. Authorizes the Secretary, in certain cases, to enter into a binding agreement with a taxpayer under which such taxpayer may pay tax liability in installments. Requires the Secretary to offer in writing to enter such an agreement with any individual: (1) whose tax liability is $20,000 or less; and (2) who has not been delinquent in installment tax payments under similar agreements during a specified period. Permits the Secretary, after proper notice and a hearing, to modify or annul such an agreement upon the finding that the financial condition of the affected taxpayer has significantly changed. Requires the Secretary to abate in full any deficiency, including penalty or interest, completely attributable to erroneous advice in writing given to a taxpayer by an IRS officer or employee in response to such taxpayer's specific inquiry. Directs IRS officers and employees, when giving oral advice to a person, to inform such person that the contents of such communication are not binding on the IRS. Authorizes the IRS Ombudsman, upon application filed by a taxpayer, to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Ombudsman: (1) the taxpayer is suffering or is about to suffer from an unusual or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary has failed to carry out any of his or her duties or has violated any provision of law. Allows the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary to release property of the taxpayer levied upon or to cease or refrain from certain actions. Requires the Secretary to obey any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued by the Ombudsman. Allows an administrative appeal of tax liens. Revises the criteria according to which the Secretary determines a minimum sale price for property seized by levy and subject to a tax sale. Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing a class audit of taxpayers in a particular business or trade until each group member is given proper notice and the opportunity either to file an amended return or to challenge the Secretary's findings at a hearing. Places upon the IRS the burden of proof on all issues in all administrative and judicial proceedings between the IRS and a taxpayer. Applies the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act to all IRS rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Intergovernmental Regulatory Relief Act of 1987 - Title I: Review of Intergovernmental Regulations - Requires the President, within 30 days after submitting the annual Federal budget, to submit to the Congress a report specifying and evaluating the economic costs, noneconomic costs, and additional direct costs to State and local governments of complying with intergovernmental regulations during the most recently completed fiscal year, the fiscal year in progress, and the next two fiscal years. Defines an "intergovernmental regulation" as a Federal regulation that requires a State or local government to take certain actions or to comply with certain conditions in order to receive Federal assistance. Specifies the required contents of such report, which include: (1) an estimate of the economic and noneconomic benefits that will be provided to each State government and to all local governments in such State as a result of compliance with each such regulation during each fiscal year; and (2) proposals for legislation and administrative actions to change regulations in order to reduce compliance costs or to achieve a more favorable balance between costs incurred and benefits received. Directs the President to consider the potential for reducing State and local compliance costs by promulgating intergovernmental regulations using means such as performance standards, special provisions for small governments, marketable rights, economic incentives, compliance reforms, and simplified procedures to certify the compliance of Federal assistance recipients with Federal requirements. Authorizes the President to delegate the responsibility of preparing such report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget or the head of any other Federal agency. Directs the responsible official to prescribe standards to be used by agencies in estimating the compliance costs and benefits of intergovernmental regulations. Directs each agency to furnish such official with the information required in such report for the regulations administered by such agency. Title II: Compensation of State and Local Governments for Additional Direct Costs - Prohibits any Federal agency or U.S. court from requiring State or local governments, in any fiscal year, to comply with any intergovernmental regulation which takes effect on or after enactment of this Act and which is promulgated pursuant to a significant law, unless sufficient funds have been provided to reimburse such governments for the total amount of additional direct costs such governments will incur in complying with such regulation in such fiscal year as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Defines a "significant law" as any Federal law which is likely to result in total additional direct costs to all State and local governments of $25,000,000 or more in a fiscal year or to have exceptional fiscal consequences for a geographic region or a particular level of government. Declares that a Federal agency or U.S. court may require such compliance in any fiscal year in which the Congress passes a joint resolution which waives the requirement for reimbursement of direct costs. Requires the Director of the CBO to transmit to the President and the Congress by September 1 of each year a report specifying an estimate of the total amount of additional direct costs that will be incurred in the upcoming fiscal year and next succeeding fiscal year by State and local governments in complying with each intergovernmental regulation promulgated pursuant to a significant law. Directs the chairmen of the congressional committees having jurisdiction over any significant law under which an intergovernmental regulation is promulgated to propose, to a bill providing funds for each fiscal year in which such regulation will be in effect, an amendment to appropriate funds to reimburse State and local governments for the total amount or applicable percentage of additional direct costs they will incur in complying with such regulation. Sets forth the procedures for reimbursements of such additional direct costs by Federal agencies to States and by the States to local governments. Title III: Miscellaneous - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the definition of a "significant bill or resolution" by reducing the annual cost to State or local governments likely to result from such a bill or resolution from $200,000,000 to $100,000,000. (The Act requires the CBO to submit to each congressional committee reporting such a bill or resolution an estimate of the cost which would be incurred by State and local governments in complying with such bill or resolution in the fiscal year in which it is to become effective and in each of the four succeeding fiscal years.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Amends the National Housing Act to limit the Government National Mortgage Association mortgage guarantee fee to six basis points. Sets administrative fees at September 1, 1985, levels, except that they may be increased to cover increased administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Acknowledges the magnanimity of the Marshall plan and the efforts of the Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Virginia, to continue the values for which George C. Marshall stood, and asks all Americans to rededicate themselves to the ideals which George C. Marshall represented. Welcomes the publication on June 5, 1987, of the fourth volume of the official biography of George C. Marshall. Designates the month of June 1987 as George C. Marshall Month.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1987
Directs the President to designate the month of May 1987 as Older Americans Month.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1987
Designates the week of April 5 through April 11, 1987, as National Know Your Cholesterol Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1987
Designates May 21, 1987, as National Flight of the Voyager Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Textile and Apparel Trade Act of 1987 - Limits the 1987 imports of textiles and textile products classified under a category to an amount equal to 101 percent of the total 1986 imports classified under such category. Limits the 1987 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under a nonrubber footwear category to an amount equal to: (1) the total 1986 imports of nonrubber footwear classified under such category; and (2) in the case of low priced nonrubber footwear, the total 1986 imports of low priced nonrubber footwear classified under such category. Provides for a one percent annual growth in the amount of permitted imports of textiles and textile products after 1987. Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into trade agreements to grant new concessions as compensation, to the extent required under U.S. trade agreements for the import limits imposed by this Act; and (2) proclaim such modification or continuance of any existing duty on textiles and textile products and on nonrubber footwear as necessary to carry out such agreements. Prohibits the President from reducing any rate of duty by more than ten percent. Requires the President, before entering into such trade agreements, to consider whether such country has violated trade concessions of benefit to the United States and such violation has not been adequately offset by U.S. action or by the action of such country. Sets forth requirements governing staged rate reductions in the tariffs of articles affected by this Act. Prohibits the President, except as authorized by this paragraph, from entering into trade negotiations with any country with respect to duties on textiles, textile products, and nonrubber footwear. Prohibits the President, except as provided in this paragraph, from decreasing or proposing a decrease in any such duty by any means, including an implementing bill or a proclamation. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the administration of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, ten years after enactment of this Act, to study and report to the Congress on the operation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Retiree Benefits Security Act of 1987 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to apply provisions governing the rejection of collective bargaining agreements in reorganization cases to collective bargaining agreement provisions relating to benefits for retired employees. Provides that bankruptcy claims for retiree benefits and claims arising under any collective bargaining agreement or rejection thereof shall not be limited to one year's compensation. Designates the labor organization which is the recognized exclusive collective bargaining representative in a collective bargaining agreement as the authorized representative of persons receiving retirement benefits under such agreement in bankruptcy proceedings. Directs the court to appoint a committee of retirees to serve as such representative if the labor organization elects not to serve or if the recipients of retiree benefits are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Requires the debtor in possession or trustee in a reorganization case to pay and not modify any retiree benefits under any program established or maintained by the debtor prior to filing a bankruptcy petition. Allows modification of such benefits: (1) by court order; or (2) as agreed to by the trustee and the authorized representative of benefit recipients. Treats such payments as administrative expenses. Permits the court to order a modification in retiree benefit payments only if: (1) with respect to benefits covered by a collective bargaining agreement, such agreement is rejected in bankruptcy; and (2) with respect to benefits whether covered or not, the court finds that modifications are necessary to permit the reorganization of the debtor and to assure that all creditors, the debtor, and all affected parties are treated fairly and equitably and that the balance of equities clearly favors the modification sought by the trustee. Permits the court, before issuing a final order, to authorize the trustee to implement interim changes in benefits not provided by a collective bargaining agreement, if essential to the continuation of the debtor's business, or in order to avoid irreparable damage to the estate. Provides that any retiree benefits paid between the filing of a petition and confirmation of a plan shall not be deducted from amounts calculated for claims for unpaid future retiree benefits or for any benefits not provided due to modifications, unless otherwise agreed by the debtor and the authorized representative. Requires a reorganization plan to place all claimants for retiree benefits in a separate class consisting only of such claimants. Requires that a plan, to be fair and equitable with respect to such claimants: (1) provide that each claim holder of such class receive property of a value equal to the allowed amount of such claim; or (2) provide that each claim holder of such class receive such value as found by the court to represent the minimum reduction in retiree benefits consistent with the ability of the debtor to provide such benefits after plan confirmation. Provides for the retroactive application of this Act.