United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1986
Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the sale, delivery, or importation of nonmetal firearms. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of airport security devices with respect to the detection of nonmetal firearms.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1986
Amends the Federal criminal code to increase the penalties for mail fraud. Raises the maximum fine from $1,000 to $10,000 and raises the maximum term of imprisonment from five to 15 years. Provides for the criminal forfeiture of all property constituting or derived from the profits or proceeds of such an offense or property used to facilitate certain violations. Authorizes the civil forfeiture of property constituting the profits or proceeds of certain violations or used to facilitate such violations. Permits the Attorney General and the Postal Service to retain, transfer, or sell forfeited property.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture and importation of any firearm that is not readily detectable as a firearm by standard airport security equipment and readily identifiable as a firearm. Exempts specified firearms from such manufacturing prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Requires all economic and military aid allocated for the Philippines to be withheld until the President certifies to the Congress that a president has been installed in the Philippines pursuant to a fair election which is recognized as legitimate by a majority of the population of the Philippines.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Full Credit Card Cost Disclosure Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require that any credit card solicitation include information regarding finance charge conditions, interest rates, and other related charges and fees. Requires such information, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, to be prominently displayed and in table form.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Expresses the House of Representatives' support for the democratic aspirations of the Haitian people and calls upon the Government of Haiti to establish an electoral process culminating in free elections not later than six months after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1986
Prohibits the President's sequestration order for FY 1986 under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) from taking effect until the U.S. Supreme Court issues its final order on the appeal of the judgment of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Civil Actions 85-3945 and 85-4106 providing that the sequestration procedure is unconstitutional.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Age Discrimination in Employment Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to remove the existing 70-year upper age limit of the class to which the discrimination prohibitions apply, thus extending coverage to all individuals who are at least 40 years of age. Removes the 69-year upper age limit for group health plan coverage. Delays the effect of this Act for employees under a collective bargaining contract until January 1, 1990, or the termination of such contract, if earlier.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Drug Abuse Education Act of 1986 - Requires the Secretary of Education to establish a program of grants to States for drug abuse education in elementary and secondary schools. Lists the State and local educational agency uses of such funds. Restricts the amount States may use for administrative costs. Provides for: (1) the allotment of such grant funds to States; (2) State application for such grant funds; (3) allocations to local educational agencies; and (4) local application to State educational agencies. Provides for the equitable participation of children enrolled in private nonprofit elementary and secondary schools in such program. Requires the Secretary to: (1) collect and disseminate program-related information to State and local educational agencies; (2) provide technical assistance; and (3) identify research and development priorities. Authorizes appropriations for such activities. Provides that the use of such grant funds is to supplement and not supplant other Federal funds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
General Aviation Tort Reform Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to provide uniform rules for negligence and products liability claims arising from general aviation accidents. Allows any person claiming damages from such an accident to bring a products liability action against the general aviation manufacturer if: (1) the product was defective when it left the control of the manufacturer; (2) the defective condition was the proximate cause of the harm; (3) the condition would not have been corrected by actions described in directives issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the manufacturer; and (4) the aircraft was being used for a purpose and in a manner for which it was manufactured. Provides an alternative method to establish manufacturer liability where the manufacturer failed to provide reasonable warnings (unless such warnings would not have affected the conduct of the product user). Provides a third method to establish manufacturer liability where: (1) the manufacturer made an express warranty with respect to the product; (2) the warranty related to that aspect of the product which caused the harm; (3) the product failed to conform to the warranty; and (4) such failure was the proximate cause of the harm. States that all actions for damages arising from a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Provides that defendants in such actions are severally but not jointly liable for damages (except that manufacturers of airframes and systems or components of aircraft may be jointly and severally liable under certain circumstances). Provides a 12-year limitation on liability of manufacturers. States that express warranties running for a longer period of time and the duty to provide additional warnings shall not be affected by such limitations. Allows awards of punitive damages. Prescribes a statute of limitations for such actions. Preempts State laws to the extent that this Act establishes applicable rules or procedures. Grants Federal district courts (concurrently with State courts) original jurisdiction (without regard to the amount in controversy) in all civil actions for damages arising out of a general aviation accident. Allows the removal of State actions to an appropriate Federal district court by any defendant. Prescribes venue restrictions. Expresses the intent of the Congress that orders to pay reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, be enforced.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Child Abuse Victims Rights Act of 1986 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Statute to extend its coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Authorizes a civil suit for treble damages for any persons injured personally or in their business or property by violations of RICO relating to the sexual exploitation of children. Amends the Federal criminal code to provide a mandatory life sentence for any person who kidnaps an individual under the age of 18. Imposes the death penalty in any case where such victim dies as a result of the kidnapping. Increases the penalties for offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. Provides for a mandatory minimum sentence for second offenders. Extends the statute of limitations for certain offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. Requires the Attorney General, within one year, to submit a report to the Congress recommending possible changes in the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and other courtroom prosecutorial and investigative procedures which would facilitate the participation of child witnesses in cases involving child abuse and sexual exploitation. Specifies a list of considerations including: (1) the use of closed-circuit cameras, two-way mirrors, and other out-of-court statements; (2) the use of judicial discretion to circumscribe the use of harassment or confusing questions; (3) the use of videotape in investigations; (4) the possibility of streamlining investigative procedures; and (5) improved training of prosecutorial and investigative staff in the special problems of child witnesses. Requires the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information Center in its Interstate Identification Index, and by the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children, to include the age of the victim and the relationship of the victim to the offender. Requires such classification to use a uniform definition of a child.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Mary Lasker in recognition of her humanitarian contributions in medical research and education, urban beautification, and the fine arts. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Disapproves a proposed deferral (number 86-48) of $500,000,000 of budget authority for the community development block grant program, as set forth in the President's message to the Congress on February 5, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Declares that the proposed rescission of budget authority (R86-55) for the urban development action grant program should not be approved in any rescission bill. Requires that such program be resumed not later than the date of enactment of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that President Jean Claude Duvalier should resign as President of Haiti and allow the people of that country to choose his successor in a democratic election.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should urge the Government of South Africa to indicate its willingness to negotiate with the black majority by: (1) granting unconditional freedom to Nelson Mandela; (2) recognizing the African National Congress; and (3) establishing a framework for political talks.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1986
Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1986 - Amends specified Acts to rename them the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Act. Amends the Fair Housing Act to make it unlawful to: (1) refuse to sell or rent a dwelling to an individual because that individual, or someone associated with that individual, is handicapped; (2) discriminate against a handicapped individual in the conditions of sale or rental, or in the provision of a related service or facility; (3) refuse to permit reasonable modifications to permit access to the premises (provided the renter agrees to restore the premises to their original condition); or (4) make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, or services to afford handicapped individuals equal use and enjoyment of a dwelling. Makes it unlawful for anyone engaged in residential real estate-related transactions to discriminate in the provision or terms of a transaction because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. States that nothing in this Act limits the applicability of any reasonable local, State, or Federal restrictions on the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling unit. States that nothing in this Act regarding familial status applies to any State or Federal program aimed at assisting the elderly. Establishes new administrative enforcement authority in addition to existing enforcement provisions. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to transmit an annual report to the Congress on the progress made in eliminating discriminatory housing practices. Allows an aggrieved person to file a complaint with the Secretary alleging a discriminatory housing practice. Allows the Secretary to file such a complaint on his own initiative or investigate a housing practice to determine whether such a complaint should be brought. Requires the Secretary to attempt to correct the discriminatory practice by informal methods of conciliation. Requires the Secretary to refer matters to the Attorney General, recommending that civil actions be filed, where a respondent has failed to comply with conciliation agreements. Allows the Secretary to refer matters to the Attorney General for prompt judicial action when necessary. Makes certain changes in the current requirements for referring charges to State or local agencies for investigation and enforcement. Specifies the elements of "substantial equivalency" which permit certification and referrals of discrimination charges. Permits the Secretary to file an administrative complaint or refer the matter to the Attorney General for civil action if the investigation supports a finding of reasonable cause, except with respect to matters involving land use control, which must be referred. Specifies the hearing procedures to be utilized if an administrative complaint is issued. Permits criminal penalties of up to a $100,000 fine and/or imprisonment for not more than one year for noncompliance with subpoenas or other lawful orders. Permits the administrative law judge to award appropriate relief, including punitive damages. Permits the filing of a petition for review of a final order in an appropriate court of appeals within 30 days of service of such order. Permits any prevailing party to be awarded reasonable attorney's fees. Makes certain revisions in the private right of action for aggrieved persons. Extends the statute of limitations from 180 days to two years. Disallows simultaneous administrative and judicial proceedings involving the same charge. Allows the Attorney General to intervene upon certification that the civil action is of general public importance. Continues the authority of the Attorney General to initiate civil actions where there is reasonable cause to believe that a pattern or practice of resistance to fair housing rights has occurred. Permits the Attorney General to commence a civil action for appropriate temporary or preliminary relief pending final disposition of the complaint. Describes the types of relief which may be granted in civil actions under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1986
Amends the Small Business Act to require any procurement requirement which is not suitable for the award of Government contracts to small businesses to be set aside for exclusive competition among small businesses if the Government procurement officer has a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two responsible small businesses that offer products of different small business concerns and that such awards will be made at reasonable prices.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1986
Medicare Beneficiary Access Protection Act of 1986 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in determining whether payments to a home health agency should be denied under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, to apply a presumption of compliance until 12 months after certain regional intermediaries have begun to service such agencies. Requires the Secretary to apply a similar presumption of compliance to skilled nursing facilities for 30 months following enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1986
Authorizes the L-5 Society to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor America's astronauts, especially those astronauts who gave their lives in pursuit of knowledge for all mankind. Requires the L-5 Society to select, subject to the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, the site, design, and plans for the memorial. Terminates the authority to establish the memorial if its construction is not begun within five years with non-Federal funds sufficient to ensure its completion.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1986
Revises the boundary of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Redefines the term "improved property" for Lakeshore purposes. Increases the authorization of appropriations for such Lakeshore. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to the Congress within two years of enactment on the feasibility of establishing U.S. Highway 12 as the Indiana Dunes Parkway. Increases the authorization of appropriations for the development of the Lakeshore.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1986
Expresses the opposition of the Congress to the Department of Transportation proposal to consolidate Federal highway aid and mass transit aid into a single urban mobility block grant. Urges that such highway and mass transit aid remain separate.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1986
Declares that the Congress notes the pledge of President Marcos for free and fair elections in the Philippines and, in determining our future relationship with that country, including aid levels, will take into account the administration of such elections with foreign observers present to survey them.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1986
Student Chemical Substance Abuse Prevention Act of 1986 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to State and local educational agencies for demonstration projects designed to develop and expand drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs in public elementary and secondary schools. Sets forth demonstration program elements, application approval criteria, and reporting and evaluation requirements for such grants program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1986
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exempt cost-of-living increases in civil service retirement and disability programs (including the Central Intelligence Agency retirement and disabilty system, the Comptroller General retirement system, the Foreign Service retirement and disability system, the judicial survivors' annuities system, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration retirement system, the Coast Guard retirement system, the Public Health Service commissioned officers retirement system, and the Tax Court judges survivors' retirement system), military retirement benefits, and certain railroad retirement benefits from reduction under the President's sequestration order.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1986
Repeals the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), except for specified provisions concerning: (1) the budget treatment of, and restoration of funds to, social security trust funds; and (2) the restoration of funds to other Government trust funds.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should grant pardons to Rabbis Leonard Cahan, David Oler, Bruce Kahn, Mark Levine, and H. Steven Bayar, who were sentenced to prison for demonstrating at the Embassy of the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1985
National Groundwater Contamination Research Act - Requires the Director of the Geological Survey to establish and conduct a national water quality assessment program to assess groundwater and surface water resources, both current and projected. Requires the program to identify contaminated and uncontaminated but vulnerable groundwater. Requires the program to conduct synoptic surface water quality studies. Requires the Director to conduct an expanded toxic substances hydrology program to determine the movement and transformation of toxic substances in water. Authorizes Federal grants for such research out of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 on a matching basis for FY 1986 through 1989. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1985
Military Whistle Blowers Protection Act - Amends Federal law concerning the armed forces to prohibit any civilian officer or employee or any member of the armed forces from taking action against a member as a reprisal for such member's complaint or disclosure of information to a Member of Congress concerning possible violations of law, mismanagement of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Amends Federal law concerning the correction of military records to grant an immediate hearing to members of the armed forces who believe they are victims of reprisals by their superiors. Requires a final decision regarding such a claim within six months of the date on which the claim is presented. Allows the member to bring a civil suit if such claim is not decided within such period. Directs the board considering such a claim to refer the matter to the Secretary concerned and the Inspector General of the Department of Defense if the board finds reason to believe that such a reprisal has occurred. Directs the Inspector General to investigate any matter so referred and submit a report, including recommendations for proposed action, to the Secretary concerned. Directs the Secretary concerned to then take appropriate action. Directs the Inspector General, at the same time a report is submitted to the Secretary concerned, to submit copies of such report to specified congressional committees. Permits the claimant to seek judicial review of any final decision made.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1985
Consumer Bank Act of 1985 - Title I: Regulation of Consumer Banks - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to exclude as a "bank" subject to the restrictions of such Act any consumer bank or any industrial bank, Morris Plan bank, industrial loan company or similar institution which operates as authorized by State law and which does not both make commercial loans and accept demand deposits. Lists the requirements of a "consumer bank" which include: (1) a prohibition against making commercial loans; (2) a requirement to maintain investments in specified types of consumer loans; and (3) a requirement to make available in a State an aggregate amount of loans equal to 65 percent of the consumer deposits held by such institution which were received in such State. Defines a "commercial loan" as any loan or extension of credit for commercial, agricultural, or cultural purposes. Applies tying arrangement provisions of such Act to consumer banks and consumer bank holding companies. Applies the Community Reinvestment Act to consumer banks. Permits a consumer bank and its subsidiaries to enter into a transaction with an affiliate only if the terms and conditions are substantially the same, or at least as beneficial to the bank or subsidiary, as those prevailing for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies. Prohibits a consumer bank from being held responsible, or from stating that it will assume responsibility, for the obligations of its affiliates. Permits a consumer bank to offer or sell only those products and services that a national bank may offer or sell. Allows a consumer bank's nonbanking affiliates to offer or sell other products and services in the consumer bank's facility, but prohibits the bank or any bank employee or agent from publicly assisting the affiliates in selling their products. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, after providing notice and a hearing, to issue to the parent company of a consumer bank an order to cease and desist an activity or the ownership or control of a nonbank subsidiary which constitutes a serious actual risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of the consumer bank and which is inconsistent with sound banking principles. Declares that no State may prohibit the affiliation of a bank with a consumer bank. Title II: Consumer Bank Truth in Savings - Consumer Bank Truth in Savings Act - Requires any consumer bank announcement regarding the rate of interest payable on any deposit to state, and give equal prominence to, the annual percentage yield (and the method of compounding interest) followed by the annual rate of simple interest (including the period such rate will be in effect).
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government of the Republic of South Africa should: (1) immediately release Nelson Mandela from prison and revoke Winnie Mandela's banning order; and (2) negotiate with Nelson Mandela and other black leaders of South Africa to bring a peaceful end to apartheid and achieve political equality for all the people of that country.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1985
Requires each State to: (1) establish parking privileges for handicapped persons (whether drivers or passengers); (2) grant handicapped non-residents the same parking privileges as handicapped residents; (3) establish the international access symbol as the exclusive identifier for handicapped parking and vehicles; and (4) certify to the Secretary of Transportation by a specified date that parking privileges for the handicapped are being enforced. Prohibits the Secretary from approving the State highway department project plans of any State which has failed to establish handicapped parking privileges under this Act. Requires the Secretary to withhold certain Federal-aid highway funds from a non-compliant State.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1985
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing a permit for ocean incineration of hazardous wastes off the coast of Maryland until a hazardous waste reduction and management feasibility report has been completed and a plan based on such report has been submitted to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1985
National Conference on Cities and Towns Act - Directs the President to conduct a National Conference on Cities and Towns not earlier than December 1, 1986, and not later than December 1, 1987. Sets forth the purposes of such Conference concerning: (1) relations between cities and towns and the Federal system; and (2) present and future problems facing cities and towns. Encourages each State Governor to conduct a State-level conference to prepare for the National Conference. Sets forth the method of selecting delegates to such Conference. Requires all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to provide assistance as necessary to facilitate the planning of the Conference. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance as necessary for the organization and conduct of State conferences. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Directors of the Congressional Research Service and the Congressional Budget Office to provide background materials for the use of participants in the National Conference and State conferences. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to reimburse the expenses of participants to the National Conference. Authorizes the President to appoint an executive director and other directors and personnel as necessary for the Conference. Authorizes the detailing of Federal and military personnel in planning and administering such Conference. Requires a final report of findings and recommendations to the President and the Congress within six months after the date the Conference is convened. Requires that such report be distributed to delegates, alternates, and State Governors and be available for sale to the public. Authorizes appropriations.