Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction
of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Budget ReconciliationSeveral committees are considering measures to cut spending on programs in their jurisdiction under the 1990 budget resolution. The House Education and Labor Committee approved a measure last month that would bar students in their first year of postsecondary education from receiving federal supplemental loans, while the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee voted to delay disbursement of supplemental loans for 30 days after enrollment. The House Ways and Means Committee approved modifications to Section 89, the tax provision that seeks to stop discrimination in fringe benefits between different pay levels of employees. It has also approved the restoration, through 1991, of a tax break that allows workers to exclude from their taxable income up to $5,250 in tuition benefits.
Child CareThe House Education and Labor Committee voted last week to add the child-care
S 5bill it had approved in June to the House budget-reconciliation measure. The House Ways and Means Committee on July 19 adopted a separate package of child-care tax credits and grants for inclusion in the reconciliation proposal. On June 23, the Senate approved a bill to provide funds for child-care subsidies, improvements in child-care training and standards, and tax credits.
Child NutritionThe House July 18 passed a bill providing $3.1 billion for school-lunch subsidies and
HR 2883, HR 24$560.9 million for the school-breakfast program. The House Education and Labor Committee July 13 approved a bill to extend child-nutrition programs.
Copyright LiabilityHouse and Senate subcommittees last week approved legislation making states and
HR 1131, S 497school districts liable for copyright-infringement suits in federal court.
Disability RightsThe House Subcommittee on Select Education and the House Subcommittee on
HR 2273, S 933Employment held a joint hearing July 18 on legislation aimed at protecting the civil rights of the disabled. A Senate panel is to consider the measure this week.
Education FundingThe House Appropriations Committee last week approved a bill providing more
HR 2990than $23.8 billion for the Education Department in fiscal 1990.
Education InitiativesThe Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee July 20 approved legislation
S 695that includes revised versions of some of President Bush’s education proposals, as well as provisions authorizing federal funding for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and modifying student-loan programs. The House Education and Labor Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the bill this week.
Indian-EducationBoth chambers have approved Interior Department appropriations bills, the House
AppropriationsJuly 12 and the Senate last week. The bills provide $74.1 million for the Education
HR 2788Department’s Indian-education programs in fiscal 1990.
Job TrainingThe Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee last week approved a bill
Partnership Actamending the Job Training Partnership Act to expand summer youth programs
S 543to year-round activities and to target resources on the disadvantaged.
Library ProgramsHouse and Senate committees have approved legislation to extend programs
HR 2742, S 1291under the Library Services and Construction Act without major changes. They rejected an Education Department proposal, first advanced two years ago, to replace the current programs with a smaller one targeted at disadvantaged populations.
N.S.FThe House July 20 approved a bill providing $210 million for the National Science
AppropriationsFoundation’s precollegiate-education programs. The bill also includes $47.5 million
FY 1990Environmental Protection Agency aid to schools for asbestos abatement and
HR 2916$1 million for radon testing in schools.
Teaching StandardsThe House Postsecondary Education Subcommittee last week held a hearing on
Boardproposals to authorize federal funding for the National Board for Professional
S 695Teaching Standards. The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee had previously attached a similar measure to S 695, which is based on an education package proposed by the Bush Administration.
Vocational EducationThe Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee last week concluded hearings
S 1109, HR 7on the reauthorization of federal vocational-education programs.
In the Education Department
Bilingual EducationThe Education Department has published final regulations for a special, $2-million
Special Competitionbilingual-education grant competition. The regulations in the July 6 Federal Regis-
Final Regulationster set an August 7 deadline for applications.
Byrd ScholarshipsThe Education Department on July 20 published regulations for the Robert C. Byrd
Final RegulationsScholarship program, which provides $1,500 scholarships to outstanding high-school graduates through state grants.
Handicapped InfantsThe Education Department has published final regulations for the new federal
and Toddlersgrant program for handicapped infants and toddlers, which was established by 1986
Final Regulationslegislation. The rules appeared in the June 22 Federal Register.
Impact-Aid EligibilityThe Education Department published in the July 18 Federal Register regulations
Final Regulationsclarifying its intent to prohibit consolidated school districts from qualifying for Section 2 impact aid on the basis of a pre-consolidation district’s boundaries.
Neglected andThe Education Department has published final regulations revising rules for the
Delinquent StudentsChapter 1 program aiding state agencies responsible for the education of neglected
Final Regulationsand delinquent children in institutions. The rules, which clarify eligibility requirements, appeared in the July 18 Federal Register.
Talent SearchThe Education Department announced in the July 18 Federal Register a special
Special Competitioncompetition that will devote $2.9 million in Talent Search money to programs
Final Priorityaimed at 7th and 8th graders.