United States · United States Congress · 6 March 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 · 6 March 1987
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to limit annual imports of milk protein products (casein) to 50 percent of the average annual amount imported during the period 1981 through 1985. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a preferential import licensing system for such products based on the availability of domestic substitutes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1987
Small Community Air Service Improvement Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to enter into contracts with air carriers to assure that air service will be provided to certain small communities for which a determination of essential air transportation has been made under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Prescribes guidelines for such contracts. Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to repeal the requirement that the Civil Aeronautics Board establish, by rulemaking, objective criteria for designating eligible points for air transportation to small communities. Extends from ten years to 12 years the duration of the small community air service program. Declares that this Act ceases to be in effect ten years after the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1984 with respect to the tax treatment of life insurance subsidiaries of mutual property and casualty insurance companies. Revises the effect on such subsidiaries of an election by the parent company to treat individual noncancellable accident and health contracts as cancellable. Repeals the mandatory treatment of a stock life insurance company, in such a situation, as though it were a mutual life insurance company. Limits the amount of taxable income an electing parent may take into account when determining the small life insurance company deduction of any controlled group which includes a mutual company which made such an election. Requires that the amount of taxable income of the electing parent taken into account be adjusted, under regulations, so that the revenue losses to the Treasury generated by the election shall not exceed $300,000 during any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1986. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow depositors in bankrupt or insolvent financial institutions to elect to treat their deposits as ordinary loss, provided such deposits: (1) are not federally insured; and (2) do not exceed $20,000 ($10,000 for a separate return by a married person) per taxpayer per institution. Reduces such limit by any amount insured under State law. Provides for revocation of the election to treat as ordinary loss only with the consent of the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Traffic Safety for Handicapped Individuals Act of 1987 - Amends Federal law to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) from approving certain highway safety programs that do not provide for a uniform system for handicapped parking to promote safety. Directs the Secretary to promulgate uniform standards applicable to such a system. Details the criteria for such a system. Directs the Secretary to undertake an annual evaluation of State compliance with this Act and to report the results to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a farmer an income tax deduction for specified agricultural products donated to a State for the care of individuals adversely affected by a major natural disaster. Sets the amount of such deduction at the fair market value of the charitable contribution minus production costs for which the taxpayer has taken a deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the administration should: (1) oppose the establishment of a tax on vegetable and marine fats and oils in the European Community; (2) continue its efforts to ensure that such a tax is not established; and (3) notify the European Community that the United States will view establishment of such a tax as inconsistent with the European Community's obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and as an action that will result in the adoption of strong and immediate countermeasures.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Amends the Food Security Act to 1985 to exempt from the ineligibility (for agricultural price supports and other related benefits) provisions of the highly erodible land conservation program persons who grew alfalfa and other multiyear grasses and legumes during the 1981 through 1985 crop years in a rotation practice approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) no Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) physician payment methodology should be implemented which is based on hospital discharge classifications or requires mandatory assignment; and (2) no drastic change in the Medicare physician payment methodology should be undertaken without the receipt of reports required by legislation enacted in the 99th Congress and a detailed analysis of the long-range impact of such change on the provision of health care.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1987
General Aviation Accident Liability Standards Act of 1987 - Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding liability for general aviation accidents. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for general aviation accidents. States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 20 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of a general aviation accident. Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees. Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Provides procedures for removal from State to Federal district courts of such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1987
Gives special recognition to the achievements of wilderness ecologist Aldo Leopold. Urges Federal land management agencies to model their activities after the conservation ethic he inspired.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Provides that each item of any joint resolution making continuing appropriations that is agreed to in the same form by both Houses of the Congress shall be enrolled as a separate bill or joint resolution for presentation to the President (line-item veto).
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Reinstates the originally authorized cost-sharing rules of the Missouri National Recreation River, Nebraska and South Dakota. Requires cost-sharing ambiguities to be resolved according to National Park Service policies as applied to units of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1987
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to antidumping and countervailing duty investigations to require the producers or growers of agricultural products to be considered part of the industry that produces processed agricultural products if such products are produced from the raw agricultural product through a single continuous line of production and there is a substantial coincidence of economic interest between the producers of the raw agricultural product and the producers of the processed agricultural product based upon certain economic factors. Sets forth specified factors, for purposes of this Act, to be considered to determine: (1) when a processed agricultural product shall be deemed to be processed from a raw agricultural product through a single continuous line of production; and (2) questions of coincidence of economic interest. Defines "raw agricultural product" for purposes of this Act. Requires the International Trade Commission, with respect to whether imports (or sales for importation) of both a raw agricultural product and a product processed from such raw agricultural product threaten material injury to a U.S. industry, to consider, in addition to other relevant economic factors, the likelihood that an affirmative determination by the International Trade Commission with respect to either products (but not both) would result in an increase in the imports of the other agricultural product to an injurious level. Includes U.S. manufacturers, producers, or wholesalers engaged in the production of processed agricultural products as "interested parties" with respect to antidumping and countervailing duty investigations involving such products.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1987
Bilingual Education Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Bilingual Education Act (the Act) to add to the statement of policy the declaration that, regardless of the method of instruction, programs which serve children of limited English proficiency have the equally important goals of developing both academic achievement and English proficiency. Removes a requirement that the Secretary of Education reserve limited portions of funds under the Act for special alternative instructional programs and related activities. Removes a requirement that the Secretary reserve at least 75 percent of funds under part A (Financial Assistance for Bilingual Education Programs) of the Act for transitional bilingual education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1987
Unborn Children's Civil Rights Act - Prohibits the use of Federal funds to perform, promote, or do research on any procedure to take the life of an unborn child (except for medical procedures required to prevent the death of either the pregnant women or her unborn child). Prohibits the Federal Government from entering into any contract for insurance which provides for payment or reimbursement for abortion services. States that no institution receiving Federal financial assistance shall: (1) discriminate against any employee, applicant, or student on the basis of that person's opposition to abortion; or (2) require any employee or student to participate in abortion procedures. States that attorney's fees shall not be allowed in any civil action involving a law prohibiting or restricting abortions. Provides for Supreme Court review of lower court decisions which declare State and local anti-abortion statutes unconstitutional.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the right to life is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person. Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. States that nothing in this article shall prohibit a law allowing medical procedures required to prevent the death of either the pregnant woman or the unborn offspring.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. Exempts from applicability of this amendment laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1987
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to allow a retired railroad worker to be employed in any non-railroad employment and still qualify for an annuity, subject to specified deductions, including reduction of certain benefits by $1 for every $2 earned from the last non-railroad employment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1987
Prompt Payment Act Amendments of 1987 - Revises Federal law to deem the head of a Federal agency to have received an invoice on the later of: (1) the date on which the designated office or employee of an agency actually receives it; or (2) the fifth day after the date on which a property is actually delivered, or final performance of a service is actually completed, unless the contract specifies otherwise. Makes Federal prompt payment provisions applicable to the United States Postal Service. Makes the Postmaster General responsible for issuing procurement regulations, solicitation provisions, and contract clauses. Reduces the 15-day grace period for payment of interest penalties to eight days for solicitations (other than meat products and agricultural commodities) issued before October 1, 1990. Eliminates such grace period for procurement solicitations issued on or after October 1, 1990. Requires an agency to pay a double interest penalty if: (1) the agency owes the interest penalty; (2) the interest penalty is not paid to the business concern on or after the date the penalty is due; (3) the agency does not pay the penalty within ten days after such payment is made; and (4) a written demand is made within 40 days after such payment is made. Requires regulations on interest penalties, in the case of construction contracts, to provide for the payment of interest on: (1) progress payments due for more than seven days, or a longer period if the prevailing practice in private construction contracts is to provide such longer period; and (2) amounts retained during the performance of a contract, if such amounts are not paid by the required payment date. Requires regulations on interest penalties to provide for periodic payments in the case of supply or service contracts upon: (1) the submission of an invoice for supplies delivered or services performed; and (2) acceptance of supplies or services by an authorized employee or certification of performance by such an employee. Requires Government construction contractors to include a payment provision in their agreements with their subcontractors which provides for payment in accordance with prevailing industry standards. Requires the contractor to pay a late payment interest penalty to the subcontractor at the rate applicable between the prime contractor and the Government. Declares that a prime contractor's obligation to pay an interest penalty to a subcontractor may not be construed to be an obligation of the United States. Specifies the calculation of time for interest penalties on discount payments. Revises agency reporting requirements on interest penalty payments to include a description of agency payment practices. Requires the modification of the Federal acquisition regulation to implement Federal prompt payment provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1987
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require any person whose acquisition results in ownership of more than five percent of an issuer's equity securities to file specified information with the issuer, appropriate exchanges, and the Securities and Exchange Commission within 24 hours (currently, ten days).
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1987
School Dropout Demonstration Assistance Act of 1987 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 for grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for demonstration programs of dropout prevention, reentry, and information. Allots specified percentages of such funds to various categories of LEAs. Limits the Federal share of project cost to no more than 90 percent in the first fiscal year, 80 percent in the second, and 70 percent in the third. Sets forth grant application requirements, including plans for dropout information collection and reporting systems. Sets forth authorized activities for which such grants may be used. Requires that: (1) at least 30 percent of grant funds be used for dropout prevention activities; (2) at least 30 percent of grant funds be used for dropout reentry persuasion and assistance activities; and (3) not more than 15 percent of any grant be used for administrative costs. Requires that grants be used to supplement other funds. Requires grant recipients to cooperate with the coordination and dissemination efforts of the National Diffusion Network and State educational agencies. Directs the Secretary of Education to report annually to the appropriate committees of the Congress on the activities under this Act. Sets forth provisions for auditing and withholding payments. Directs the Secretary to use a specified amount to conduct a one-year study of the nature and extent of the dropout problem.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1987
Agricultural Export Enhancement Act of 1987 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the President from imposing national security export controls on agricultural exports if the exports are being made pursuant to a contract entered into before a specified date or if the exports are being made pursuant to an authorization issued under such Act unless and until the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) the controls are imposed in connection with a national emergency declared under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; or (2) the United States has terminated diplomatic relations with the foreign country to which exports are to be controlled. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish an agricultural export enhancement program under which the Secretary of Agriculture will provide to U.S. exporters, users, and processors, and to foreign purchasers, agricultural commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation in order to encourage the export of targeted commodities to targeted countries. Requires the Secretary to provide such commodities to such persons at no cost. Defines targeted commodity to include farm commodities that are in surplus supply. Requires the Secretary to issue annually for each targeted commodity a list of foreign countries that have shown the largest increase in the U.S. market share of the commodity. Directs the Secretary to allocate the targeted commodities in the form of bonuses to the maximum possible number of countries on such list. Declares that a country is eligible for a bonus if the country: (1) is a traditional buyer of a targeted commodity; (2) during a specified time period, has a U.S. market share for the targeted commodity for which the country would receive a bonus of at least ten percent; (3) maintains a trading relationship with the United States; and (4) during a specified time period, imports at least as much of the targeted commodity from the United States as the country imported from the United States during the preceding fiscal year. Provides a transitional bonus for a country that is not targeted to receive a bonus if the bonus is necessary to: (1) open a major new market; (2) counter an unfair trade practice of another country; or (3) reward good traditional customer countries in which the U.S. market share is too high to allow significant market share improvement. Sets forth the manner of determining U.S. market share of a targeted commodity in cases involving countries that have received shipments of food aid. Requires the amount of a bonus, except in specified cases, to equal one-third of the value of all imports of the commodity by the country from the United States during a specified time period. Imposes a limitation on the amount of any transitional bonus provided during FY 1988. Requires the bonus to be distributed over the course of one fiscal year, unless extended. Authorizes the Secretary to reduce or eliminate a bonus provided to promote the export of a targeted commodity to a targeted country under certain conditions. Provides for administration of the programs. Authorizes the Secretary to provide to otherwise ineligible countries farm commodities to the extent necessary to help such countries meet the eligible qualifications in future years. Provides for annual reviews of the amount of commodities provided to such countries. Authorizes the Secretary to make green dollar export certificates available to commercial exporters of U.S. farm commodities. Makes such certificates redeemable for commodities owned by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Provides that the amount of such certificates made available to an exporter may be determined: (1) on the basis of competitive bids submitted by exporters; or (2) by announcement of the Secretary. Provides for administration of the certificate program. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees annually on the effects of the operation of the bonus program and the allocations made under the program. Imposes minimum and maximum levels on the amount of agricultural commodities used in the export enhancement program during each fiscal year. Terminates the authority for the export enhancement program on September 30, 1990. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, the Secretary of Agriculture, and other appropriate members of the executive branch use their authority under specified Acts to promote and expand exports of U.S. agricultural commodities. Requires the Secretary and the Director of the Agency for International Development to report to specified congressional committees and to the President within one year of enactment of this Act on the potential to expand the use of specified statutory authorities to promote the export of agricultural commodities to countries that are traditional major recipients of food aid and agriculture export credit. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide to bona fide overseas market development cooperator organizations agricultural commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation to be used to expand overseas purchases and market development for U.S. agricultural commodities and value-added products; and (2) supplement certain other commodities provided under trade agreements with an additional bonus of commodities owned by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Requires the commodities provided under (1) to be in addition to current appropriations supporting market development activities carried out by such cooperator organizations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) each food, economic, and development assistance program should involve a greater proportion of food aid; (2) the proportion of food aid in each such program should be increased until it is equal to at least 33 percent of the total amount of aid except when such action would replace private U.S. agricultural sales; and (3) the President should report annually to the Congress on the extent to which foreign assistance programs meet such criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the use of the cash method of accounting for all corporations engaged in farm product processing with gross receipts in excess of $100,000,000. (Present law allows corporations with gross receipts of $1,000,000 or less to use the cash method of accounting.)
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Exclusionary Rule Limitation Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that evidence obtained by a search or seizure shall not be excluded in a Federal proceeding if the search or seizure was undertaken in an objectively reasonable belief that it was in conformity with the fourth amendment to the U.S. Constitution. States that evidence obtained pursuant to and within the scope of a warrant constitutes prima facie evidence of such a reasonable belief (unless the warrant was obtained through intentional and material misrepresentation). States that, except as provided by statute or a rule of procedure, evidence which is otherwise admissible shall not be excluded on the ground that the evidence was obtained in violation of a law, rule, or regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that none of the funds available to the Bureau of Prisons shall be used to perform abortions, except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1987
Service Contract Reform Act of 1987 - Amends the Service Contract Act of 1965 to raise from $2,500 to $200,000 the minimum size of a private service contract with the Federal Government subject to such Act. Declares that such Act applies only to contracts whose principal purpose is to furnish services. Revises provisions regarding predecessor contracts. Provides that a successor contractor shall not be required to pay the wages and fringe benefits of a predecessor contractor unless the Secretary of Labor establishes that wages and fringe benefits under the successor contract are less than prevailing wages and fringe benefits in the locality in which the work is to be performed. Directs the Secretary to make wage and fringe benefit determinations for service contracts under which 25 or more service employees are to be employed. (Current law requires such determinations for five or more service employees.)
![Official portrait of Sen. Zorinsky, Edward [D-NE]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/z000013_200.jpg)