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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 3402 (101st)

Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

4 October 1989

Last action

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Status

Became Public Law No: 101-179.

Sponsors

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Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

21 July 2025

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Summary

Polish and Hungarian Democracy Initiative of 1989 - Title I: Structural Adjustment - Requires the U.S. Government, to the extent that Poland and Hungary continue to evolve toward pluralism and democracy and develop and implement comprehensive economic reform programs, to: (1) take the leadership in mobilizing international financial institutions to provide timely and appropriate resources to help Poland and Hungary; (2) use the Exchange Stabilization Fund to support the implementation of a plan of the Polish Government to attack hyperinflation and other structural economic problems, address pressing social problems, and carry out comprehensive economic reform; (3) urge all members of the Paris Club of creditor governments and other creditor governments to adopt a generous and early rescheduling program for debts owed by the Polish Government, and reschedule payments due on the debt owed by such Government to the U.S. Government that is payable during FY 1990 through 1994; and (4) make available to Poland U.S. agricultural assistance and encourage parallel efforts by the European Community and other agricultural surplus nations. Sets a minimum level of agricultural assistance to Poland for FY 1990. Requires the President to submit a report to the Congress: (1) describing the steps taken by the U.S. Government under this Act; (2) assessing Poland's requirements for additional agricultural assistance during FY 1990 and for assistance during FY 1991 through 1992; and (3) specifying how much agricultural assistance the President proposes be provided by the United States to meet those requirements. Directs the President to provide to the Congress revised assessments of Poland's requirements for agricultural assistance during FY 1991 through 1992, as additional information becomes available. Title II: Private Sector Development - Authorizes appropriations for the three-year period beginning October 1, 1989, to support the Polish-American Enterprise Fund and the Hungarian-American Enterprise Funds (Enterprise Funds). Authorizes the President to designate two private, nonprofit organizations as eligible to receive funds and support (the Enterprise Funds). Sets forth provisions with respect to the management and administration of such funds, audits, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. Requires each Enterprise Fund to take into account such considerations as internationally recognized worker and human rights, environmental factors, U.S. economic and employment effects, and the likelihood of commercial viability of the activity receiving assistance from the Enterprise Fund. Requires the Secretary of Labor to provide technical assistance to Poland and Hungary for the implementation of labor market reforms and to facilitate adjustment during the period of economic transition and reform. Specifies types of technical assistance authorized, including assistance pertaining to job training and retraining, labor-management relations, and worker rights. Requires the President to develop and implement a program for extending basic agribusiness, commercial, entrepreneurial, financial, scientific, and technical skills to the people of Poland and Hungary to enable them to better meet their needs and develop a market economy, including management training and agricultural extension activities. Specifies agencies, programs, and organizations participating in such program. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations to carry out programs in Poland and Hungary under the Peace Corps Act. Directs that a portion of specified agricultural commodities be made available and sold or bartered to generate local currencies to be used to complement the assistance for Poland authorized by this Act. Title III: Trade and Investment - Amends: (1) the Trade Act of 1974 to make Poland eligible for the Generalized System of Preferences; and (2) the Foreign Assistance Act to make Poland and Hungary eligible for Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) programs. Directs the OPIC to support projects in Poland and Hungary which will result in enhancement of the nongovernmental sector and reduction of State involvement in the economy. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to remove Poland and Hungary from a list of Marxist-Leninist countries. Directs the Export-Import Bank and the Agency for International Development (AID) to work with certain international financial intermediaries which will facilitate trade between the United States and Poland which is eligible for financing from such Bank. Authorizes the President to provide guarantees to the Bank for liabilities incurred in connection with guarantees or insurance provided under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 for financing for transactions involving the export of goods and services for the use of the private sector in Poland and Hungary. Limits such guarantees to short-term guarantees and insurance extended by the Banks which shall be repayable within one year from the date of arrival at the port of importation of the goods and services covered by such guarantees or insurance. Provides that such guarantees or insurance shall: (1) be by the Administrator of AID and the Bank; and (2) provide for the establishment of a reserve fund by the administering agency. Sets forth provisions with respect to funding, the discharge of liabilities, reporting requirements, administrative and technical assistance, fees and premiums charged by the Bank, and congressional reporting requirements in connection with guarantees of insurance guaranteed by the administering agency. Authorizes appropriations. Urges the President to seek bilateral investment treaties with Poland and Hungary to establish a more stable legal framework for U.S. investment in those countries. Title IV: Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Activities - Urges the United States to: (1) expand its participation in educational and cultural exchange activities with Poland and Hungary; and (2) establish binational Fulbright commissions with Poland and Hungary to facilitate and enhance academic and scholarly exchanges with those countries. Encourages the establishment of "sister institution" programs between American and Polish, and American and Hungarian, organizations. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to establish and administer a program to provide scholarships to enable students from Poland and Hungary to study in the United States. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States to provide scholarship assistance for undergraduate or graduate degree programs, and training programs of one year or longer, in study areas related to the critical development needs of Poland and Hungary. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of State to continue to implement the 1987 U.S.-Polish science and technology agreement for FY 1990 through 1992. Title V: Other Assistance - Authorizes appropriations to support democratic institutions and activities in Poland and Hungary. Authorizes appropriations to undertake such action (including educational, research, and technical and financial assistance) as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deems appropriate in protecting the environment in Poland and Hungary. Authorizes the Administrator to cooperate with Polish officials and experts to: (1) establish an air quality monitoring network in the Krakow metropolitan area as part of Poland's national air monitoring network; and (2) improve both water quality and the availability of drinking water in such area. Requires the Administrator to work with the United States and Hungarian officials and private parties to establish a regional center in Budapest for facilitating cooperative environmental activities between governmental experts and public and private organizations from the United States and Europe. Authorizes appropriations for EPA activities for FY 1990 through 1992. Directs the Secretary of Energy to cooperate with Polish officials and experts to: (1) retrofit a coal-fired commercial powerplant in Krakow, Poland, with advanced clean coal technology; and (2) assess and develop the capability within Poland to manufacture boilers or other equipment that will enable industrial facilities within Poland to burn fossil fuels cleanly. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for medical supplies, hospital equipment, and training of Polish medical personnel. Title VI: Other Provisions - Requires: (1) the President to submit a report to the Congress on actions taken pursuant to this Act; and (2) the Secretary of State to coordinate the assistance for Poland and Hungary provided for in this Act.

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