United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Federal Equitable Pay Practices Act of 1985 - Establishes the Commission on Equitable Pay Practices to determine whether the Government's position-classification system and prevailing rate system are designed and administered in accordance with the general policy that sex, race, and ethnicity should not be among factors considered in determining pay rates. Requires the Commission to conduct, by contract with a consultant selected under this Act, a study under which job-content analysis and economic analysis shall be applied to a representative sample of occupations in which: (1) either sex is numerically predominant; (2) any race is disproportionately represented; or (3) any ethnic group is disproportionately represented. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress and the President on the results of such study not later than 18 months after the Commission's date of establishment. Make sums appropriated to the Office of Personnel Management for general operating expenses available to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Prohibits the importation of certain species of kangaroos and kangaroo products (currently allowed to be imported under an administrative exception to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if in accordance with the management plans of Australian states).
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Education Act - Requires specified warning labels on all smokeless tobacco products and advertisements. Declares that the failure to comply with provisions of this Act shall be in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Grants district courts of the United States jurisdiction and injunctive powers to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate regulations to implement this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to report to the Congress annually on the use and health effects of smokeless tobacco products.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Community and Family Living Amendments of 1985 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a State plan to provide a severely disabled individual who is entitled to medical assistance and who is residing in a family home or community living facility with an array of community and family support services which will provide for the health, safety, and effective habilitation or rehabilitation of such individual. Includes community and family support services for severely disabled individuals as "medical assistance" under Medicaid. Permits the inclusion of such services as medical assistance only if: (1) such services are provided to a severely disabled individual residing in a family home or in a community living facility; (2) such services are provided in accordance with an individually written habilitation or rehabilitation plan; and (3) the total amount of funds spent by the State from non-Federal funds for such services equals at least a specified base amount. Specifies services included and excluded as community and family living services. Requires a State, in order to receive payment for community or family support services provided, to: (1) enter into a community and family living implementation agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and (2) submit required reports to the Secretary. Requires a community and family living implementation agreement to include, among others, the following provisions: (1) community living facilities will not be unduly concentrated in any residential area; (2) all the staff of each facility must have appropriate training; (3) parents of the severely disabled will have training available; (4) case management; (5) an individual will reside as close to his or her family as possible; (6) hearing procedures for individuals who feel they have been inappropriately placed; and (7) suitable State supplementary payments as authorized under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires such agreement to include other specified provisions with respect to severely disabled individuals living in residential facilities which are not family homes or community living facilities. Requires the agreement to include descriptions of methods to be used to achieve the following objectives: (1) to advise severely disabled individuals of alternative arrangements and services available to them, of their right to choose providers, and of their right to a fair hearing; (2) to assure fair and equitable provisions to protect the interests of public employees who will be affected by the transfer of severely disabled individuals from public institutions to community or family living facilities under the agreement; (3) to assure application of fair employment standards and equitable compensation to workers in facilities offering care and services for which payments are made under this Act; and (4) to assure timely submission of any reports required by the Secretary; and (5) to assure opportunities for participation by interested citizens in the development of the implementation plan or agreement. Sets forth provisions providing for: (1) auditing a State's compliance with this Act; (2) noncompliance; and (3) review by the Comptroller General. Includes, under Medicaid, within the definition of "intermediate care facilities" services in an institution for mentally retarded persons or persons with related conditions if: (1) the individual needs of each newly admitted individual are ascertained by an interdisciplinary team within 30 days; (2) the institution, if not operated by the State, has a written agreement with an appropriate State agency to cooperate in the implementation of the agreement. Limits, effective FY 2000, the amounts payable under Medicaid to any State for skilled nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services furnished to severely disabled individuals under age 65 in facilities having not more than 15 beds. Provides that such limitations shall not apply, if: (1) payments are for services for individuals in a facility which meets the size and location requirements for a community living facility; (2) payments are for services for individuals in a facility which was in operation on September 30, 1985, which has not increased the number of beds since September 30, 1985, and which has no more than 15 beds; (3) payments are for services for individuals in a cluster home; or (4) payments are for necessary therapeutic services which are not available in a family home or community living facility in the States. Reduces, effective FY 1988, the Federal medical assistance percentage for skilled nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services furnished to any severely disabled individual under age 65. Requires a State, in order to receive any payments for furnishing community and family support services, to have in effect a system to protect and advocate the rights of eligible severely disabled individuals which is in addition to any provided by the Federal Government as of September 1985. Permits an individual injured or adversely affected or aggrieved by a violation of the Community and Family Living Amendments of 1985 to bring an action to enjoin such violation. Requires a State's Medicaid plan to provide for the payment of community and family support services for severely disabled individuals through the use of rates which are reasonable and adequate to assure the provision of services of adequate quality. Permits a State to provide for the eligibility of any severely disabled individual for community and family support services if such individual spends at least five percent of his or her adjusted gross income for necessary medical care and for community and family support services. Provides that whenever an individual is receiving benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act on the basis of a disability which began before such individual attained the age of 22, and but for those benefits would be eligible under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of such Act for either SSI or State supplementary payments then such individual shall be deemed, for Medicaid purposes only, to be receiving SSI or State supplementary payments. Provides for the Medicaid eligibility of a severely disabled individual under age 65 who would otherwise be denied assistance because of earnings if termination of such eligibility would seriously inhibit the individual's ability to continue employment or effectively limit the individual's ability to live in a family home or community living facility and such earnings are not sufficient to provide benefits equivalent to SSI and Medicaid. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make assessments, conduct a study, and report to the Congress; and (2) issue regulations. Sets forth the effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to prohibit the purchase, lease, or acquisition of control in any manner of a substantial portion of an air carrier by the following persons: (1) any air carrier which is a debtor; (2) any person who is a debtor and controls an air carrier; (3) any person controlling an air carrier which is a debtor; or (4) any person who is a debtor and is substantially engaged in the business of aeronautics.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1985
Gay Head Wampanoag Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1985 - Establishes the Gay Head Indian Claims Settlement Fund in the Treasury. Authorizes appropriations for such fund. Provides that any transfer before the enactment of this Act of lands located anywhere in the United States or within the town of Gay Head, Massachusetts, on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribal Council, Gay Head Indians, or any other Indian tribe shall be deemed to have been made: (1) in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the United States that are applicable to such transfers; and (2) with the consent of the Congress. Provides for the extinguishment of: (1) any aboriginal title held by the Wampanoag Tribal Council, Gay Head Indians, or any other Indian tribe to such lands; and (2) any claim by such groups against the United States which is based on the transfer of such lands or any aboriginal title to such lands. Provides that personal claims to such lands shall not be affected. Sets forth specified conditions that must be met before the Secretary of the Interior can purchase such lands on behalf of the Gay Head Indians. Requires the Secretary, within 60 days of the enactment of this Act, to enter into negotiation for the survey and purchase of such lands on behalf of the tribe at a fair market value. Requires arbitration to take place if the Secretary and any owner of such lands are unable to agree on such value. Requires the Secretary to purchase such lands within a specified time after the price and other terms have been determined. Requires all rights, title, and interest in lands purchased by the Secretary to be transferred to the Wampanoag Tribal Council. Authorizes the Secretary to commence condemnation proceedings to acquire or perfect title to such lands. Sets forth specified conditions and limitations with respect to the alienation of such lands. Provides that the United States shall have no duties or liabilities with respect to the Council or lands after the Secretary has completed his duties under this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect the right of any Gay Head Indian entity to petition for Federal recognition or to receive benefits under such recognition. Subjects the Indian lands to the civil and criminal laws of Massachusetts. Sets a statute of limitations upon actions to contest the constitutionality of this Act. Vests exclusive jurisdiction over such actions in the U.S. District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
University Research Facilities Revitalization Act of 1985 - Requires each of the major Federal research and development agencies to establish and carry out a new university research laboratory modernization program, under which an amount equal to a specified portion of the funds available to the agency involved for research and development awards to institutions of higher education will be reserved for the replacement or modernization of such institutions' obsolete laboratories and other research facilities. Requires that funds under such program be awarded in response to specific proposals submitted by universities and colleges, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the head of the agency involved. Requires that such regulations provide that funds to carry out the program be awarded on a competitive basis and in an amount not exceeding 50 percent of the cost of the replacement or modernization involved. Sets forth required criteria for the award of such funds. Defines the "major Federal research and development agencies" as: (1) the National Science Foundation; (2) the Department of Health and Human Services; (3) the Department of Defense; (4) the Department of Energy; (5) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and (6) the Department of Agriculture. Title I: Identification and Assessment of University and College Research Facility Needs; Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the National Science Foundation - Authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to design, establish, and maintain a data collection and analysis capability to identify and assess the research facilities needs of universities and colleges. Directs NSF, in conjunction with other appropriate Federal agencies, to: (1) conduct biennial surveys for such identification and assessment purposes; and (2) report the results to the Congress, with the first such report to be due on September 1, 1986. Directs the NSF, when conducting such surveys and reporting to the Congress, to also collect and assess data on the implementation of the university research laboratory modernization programs being carried out under this Act. Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in NSF. (Note: The following provisions are similar to those for such program funding in the other "major Federal research and development agencies" which are set forth in titles II, III, IV, V, and VI of this Act.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to NSF to implement and carry out the new university research laboratory modernization program. Requires that a specified minimum amount (equal to a portion, as determined by certain formulas, of the total amount which is appropriated to NSF for FY 1988 through 1996 and which is available for obligation by NSF for research and development awards to universities and colleges) be reserved for purposes of this Act and used only to carry out NSF's university research modernization program. Permits such funds to be used for such program either as a part of awards made to universities and colleges involved for activities carried out under the authority of other laws or through separate awards made for purposes of this Act. Requires that such funds be used only on the basis of proposals submitted by such universities and colleges. Requires that a specified minimum portion of such funds be available only for awards to universities and colleges that received less than $10,000,000 in total Federal obligations for research and development in each of the two preceding years. Title II: Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the Department of Health and Human Services - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the Department of Health and Human Services. (Note: These provisions are similar to the program funding provisions under title I.) Title III: Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the Department of Defense - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the Department of Defense. (Note: These provisions are similar to the program funding provisions under title I.) Title IV: Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the Department of Energy - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the Department of Energy. (Note: These provisions are similar to the program funding provisions under title I.) Title V: Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (Note: these provisions are similar to the program funding provisions under title I.) Title VI; Funding for the University Research Laboratory Modernization Program in the Department of Agriculture - Sets forth provisions for the funding for the university research laboratory modernization program in the Department of Agriculture. (Note: these provisions are similar to the program funding provision under title I.)
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that procurement of the new U.S. weather radar system, NEXRAD, continue on schedule and according to the established minimum requirements agreed to by the National Weather Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Fair Insurance Coverage Act - Prohibits any insurer from discriminating in an insurance contract against any person because of blindness. Includes within the prohibition refusing to make or negotiate a contract for insurance or giving different treatment with respect to terms, conditions, rates, or benefits because of blindness. Establishes a preference for State actions prior to judicial enforcement under this Act. Authorizes any aggrieved person, in the absence of State actions or jurisdiction, to bring an action under this Act for individual relief. Authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to bring an action for injunctive relief whenever there is reasonable cause to believe a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination or when an individual is aggrieved and an issue of general public importance is raised. Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction of such actions regardless of the amount in controversy. Allows a court to order monetary, equitable, or other appropriate relief, including punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Older Workers' Pension Rights Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to require pension plans to allow: (1) participation by employees nearing retirement age; and (2) benefit accrual by participants to continue past normal retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Designates the period of October 1, 1985, through September 30, 1986, as the time to reflect on the achievements of the Peace Corps during its 25 years and on ways such programs might be used in the future. Authorizes and requests the President to proclaim this period as a time to honor Peace Corps volunteers and reaffirm the Nation's commitment to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Declares that Aleksandr Shatravka should be released from imprisonment by the Soviet Union and should be accorded his full rights under international law, including freedom of the workplace and freedom of travel. Urges the Secretary of State to raise this case at appropriate world forums, including the U.N. General Assembly and review meetings of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal study committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal areas and animal facilities at the research facility; (2) file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility; (3) notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies; and (4) notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency if such deficiencies remain uncorrected. Requires each research facility to provide for annual training in the humane treatment of animals for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) employee training; (2) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation; (3) reducing or replacing animal use; and (4) minimizing pain and distress. Requires funding Federal agencies to revoke Federal support for a project if it is determined that conditions of animal care, treatment, or practice in a particular project have not been in compliance with standards promulgated under this Act. Requires the Secretary to inspect each research facility at least once each year. Requires such follow-up inspections as may be necessary until all deficiencies which may be found are corrected. Imposes penalties for the release of any confidential information or trade secrets by any member of an institutional animal committee. Increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Designates August 14, 1985, as Social Security Day and the week of August 11 through August 17, 1985, as Social Security Week. Authorizes and requests the President to commemorate August 14, 1985, as the 50th anniversary of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Fair Foreign Trade Practices Act of 1985 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to make the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), subject to the President's approval, responsible for determining whether import relief actions should be taken. (Currently the President is responsible for such determinations.) Provides that injurious industrial targeting by a foreign country or instrumentality may trigger import relief actions. Defines injurious industrial targeting. Requires the USTR to take the following actions if the USTR makes specified determinations: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent the application of benefits of trade agreement concessions; (2) direct customs officers to assess duties or impose other import restrictions on the products of, and assess fees or impose restrictions on the services of, such foreign country or instrumentality; (3) negotiate agreements with foreign countries to fully offset the burden or restriction on U.S. commerce,; (4) submit to the President proposed administrative actions and legislation to restore or improve the international competitiveness of the industry that has been injured or threatened with injury; or (5) take any combination of such actions. (Current law authorizes but does not require the President to take certain actions.) Authorizes the USTR (currently the President) to take certain additional actions with respect to access of foreign entities to U.S. service sector markets . Requires the USTR, before taking any of the mandatory import relief actions, to: (1) publish its determination in the Federal Register; and (2) notify the President of any import relief determination and any action taken with respect to such determination. Provides for a 60 day waiting period during which the President may disapprove such determination thereby nullifying it. Requires the President to report to the Congress, within 15 days of disapproving such determination, the reasons for such disapproval. Requires the USTR, upon deciding to begin an import relief investigation, to publish notice of such intent in the Federal Register and request comments and information from other Federal agencies. Directs the USTR, in all investigations initiated pursuant to a petition, to present detailed questionnaires to the foreign governments or instrumentalities and the foreign enterprises concerned in order to develop information about the petitions' allegations. Requires the USTR to base its determination on the best information available, which may be the allegations in the petition. Authorizes the USTR to file with the International Trade Commission (ITC) a copy of the petition or equivalent document in a case alleging injurious industrial targeting and request the ITC to make a determination on such allegation. Grants the ITC 90 days to make such determination. Sets forth the time limitations and procedures for determinations and actions by the USTR. Authorizes the USTR to take actions to compensate a foreign country or instrumentality adversely affected by any import relief action which the United States takes if the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) disapprove such action. Directs the USTR to: (1) issue regulations governing import relief petitions, investigations, and hearings; (2) keep petitioners informed of all determinations and developments in their cases; and (3) report semiannually to the Congress on import relief petitions, and developments. Provides for an investigative staff for the USTR. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Foreign Industrial Targeting Information Agency (the Agency) within the Department of Commerce to collect information on and monitor foreign industrial targeting. Requires the Director of the Agency, if the Director has reason to believe that a foreign government has initiated or plans to initiate a program to promote the economic development of a particular industry and significant quantities of the products of that industry may be exported to the United States or compete with U.S. products internationally, to collect information on such policies and actions. Authorizes the Director to request information from other Federal agencies. Requires the Director to initiate a special surveillance program if the Director finds that: (1) the foreign government intervention in the industry is substantial; and (2) imports of that industry's merchandise are likely to have significant effects on the competing domestic industry. Requires the special surveillance program to: (1) seek information on the price at which the merchandise is being sold in its home market and other relevant information; (2) monitor import levels and prices of such merchandise and the effect of such imports on the competing U.S. industry; (3) collect and evaluate information on the potential adverse effects that the government intervention might have on the competing industry; and (4) publish quarterly reports on the information obtained through the surveillance program. Requires the Director to recommend to the Secretary that the Commerce Department or another Federal agency initiate a formal investigation of the imported merchandise if a surge of U.S. imports of such merchandise occurs or if such imports appear to be significantly suppressing U.S. prices of competing merchandise. Requires the Director to publish notice of the initiation of a special surveillance program in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present gold medals to Jan Scruggs, Robert Doubek, and Jack Wheeler, in recognition of their tireless efforts to give the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Nation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Federal Pesticide Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to require a person defined as a "certified applicator" to have undergone pesticide safety training. Requires pesticide ingredient statements to list inert as well as active ingredients. Eliminates from the definition of "misbranded" the provision relating to an unregistered pesticide manufactured in the United States solely for export. Defines "data gap" and "adverse reproductive effect" for purposes of this Act. Requires the registration of pesticides intended for export. Permits public access to pesticide application information before a final registration decision has been reached. Prohibits the registration of a pesticide having an adverse reproductive effect. Restricts the use of conditional registration. Requires public access to supporting data for any such registration. Repeals the interim administrative review provision which required a validated test or other significant evidence of adverse effect before initiation of a formal agency review. Establishes a timetable for the registration of pesticides which have not been reregistered since September 30, 1978, and which: (1) are used on food crops or remain as residues in potable ground water; (2) have significant data gaps; or (3) cause mutagenic effects. Requires specified additional data on inert ingredients. Prohibits registration of a pesticide containing an inert element which either by itself or in combination causes harmful environmental effects. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a comprehensive plan for evaluating inert ingredients. Subjects information concerning the toxicity of inert ingredients to specified disclosure provisions. Requires a registrant to disclose EPA information regarding any adverse effects (human or environmental) of a pesticide. (Currently the disclosure standard is unreasonable environmental effects.) Directs the Administrator to initiate a cancellation hearing if materially false, misleading, or inaccurate supporting information has been submitted on behalf of a pesticide registration or residue tolerance. Directs the Administrator to issue a notice of intent to cancel, or to hold a cancellation hearing, based upon a pesticide's substantial question of safety. Permits any member of the public to initiate a cancellation hearing. Revises cancellation hearing provisions, including: (1) giving the parties a right to participate; and (2) setting specific time limits for hearing dates and determinations. Prohibits the reregistration of canceled, suspended, or withdrawn pesticides under conditional registration, experimental use, or special local need categories unless: (1) there is no available alternative; (2) there is a threat of significant infestation damage; and (3) data is available supporting the pesticide's effectiveness against such infestation. Sets forth additional health and safety information for the Administrator to collect and make public regarding pesticide manufacturing plants. Subjects pesticide exporters to recordkeeping requirements under such Act. Provides for the disclosure of pesticide intermediary chemicals. Repeals the prohibition on disclosure of health and safety information to foreign or multinational producers. Requires commercial applicators to maintain pesticide spraying records. Requires specified activities to reduce pesticide drift. Prohibits the use in foreign countries of U.S.-submitted registration or licensing data. Makes it unlawful to: (1) fail to disclose findings of additional risk; and (2) violate EPA regulations. Repeals the provisions requiring Federal indemnification of holders of canceled or suspended pesticides. Provides a private right of action for violations of such Act. Prohibits the export of a pesticide whose U.S. registration has been canceled or withdrawn unless: (1) the exporter notifies the Administrator regarding quantity and destination; and (2) the Administrator has received a request for such pesticide from such country (after having provided such country with the appropriate data regarding the pesticide's cancellation). Prohibits the importation of agricultural commodities with detectable residues of U.S.-prohibited pesticides. Authorizes the Administrator to provide foreign countries with technical assistance to develop pesticide research and regulatory programs. States that in exercising any authority under such Act, the Administrator shall not be preempting Department of Labor authority under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Places additional requirements on applications for special local needs registrations. Authorizes EPA to establish and enforce standards for indoor pesticide residues. Authorizes the Administrator to change pesticide use classifications or package labeling. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a worker health and safety program; (2) establish within EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs a separate administrative unit responsible for pesticide workers' health and safety; and (3) issue pesticide worker safety regulations. Directs the Administrator: (1) upon detection of pesticide groundwater contamination to notify the affected State and each registrant of such pesticide; and (2) to issue a notice of intent to cancel such pesticide's use registration unless the affected State acts to control further contamination or the registrant amends such use. Requires the imposition of registration fees sufficient to run the registration program. Protects employees from being dismissed or penalized for reporting violations of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new title XII, University-High School Partnerships. (Redesignates the current title XII as title XIII.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for the new title XII, to encourage partnerships between institutions of higher education and secondary schools serving low-income students in order to support programs that: (1) improve the academic skills of secondary school students; (2) increase their opportunity to continue a program of education after high school; and (3) improve their prospects of employment after high school. Requires, for purposes of eligibility for a title XII grant, an institution of higher education and a local education agency to enter into a written partnership agreement. Allows the partnership to include businesses, labor organizations, professional associations, community-based organizations, or other private or public agencies or associations. Requires all partners to sign the agreement. Requires the agreement to include a listing of all participants in the partnership, a description of their responsibilities, and a listing of the resources to be contributed by them. Directs the Secretary of Education to reserve 65 percent of title XII funds for programs operating during the regular school year and 35 percent for summer programs. Limits the amount of such a grant to between $250,000 to $1,000,000. Allows the partnership to use the grant for programs that use college students to tutor high school students and that improve high school students' basic academic skills, their understanding of specified subjects, opportunity to continue a program of education after graduation, and their prospects for employment after graduation. Directs the Secretary, in making such grants, to give preference to: (1) programs which will serve predominantly low-income communities; (2) partnerships which will run programs during the regular school year and the summer; and (3) programs which will serve educationally disadvantaged students, potential dropouts, pregnant adolescent and teen parents, or the gifted and talented. Sets forth grant application requirements. Limits the Federal share of the cost of the project to no more than 70 percent in the first year, 60 percent in the second year, and 50 percent in the third year and any subsequent year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Revenue Enhancement and Protection Program Tax Act of 1985 - Title I: Amnesty from Criminal and Civil Penalties - Provides for a one-time amnesty from criminal and civil tax penalties for taxpayers who: (1) file a written statement with specified information concerning any underpayment of tax; (2) pay the amount of such underpayment when filing the statement; and (3) within 30 days of notification of the amount of interest payable on any tax delinquent amount, pay the full amount of such interest or deliquency. Permits installment payments of tax due in certain cases. Provides that where the taxpayer fails to pay the full amount of such interest or deliquency. Permits installment payments pays any installment that is due under the agreement pursuant to these provisions, the balance shall be due immediately. Disallows an amnesty period for a taxpayer who has made any representation in seeking amnesty which is false or fraudulent in any material respect or to which a Justice Department referral is in effect as of the time the statement for amnesty is filed. Specifies that the amnesty period shall be a three month consecutive period during 1986 chosen by the Secretary of the Treasury. Grants the amnesty treatment only to underpayments of Federal tax for taxable periods ending before January 1, 1984. Provides that no information disclosed to the Secretary of the Treasury in seeking amnesty may be disclosed or open to inspection to any State agency, body, or commission. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Treasury to provide publicity about the amnesty program. Title II: Compliance Provisions - Subtitle A: Increase in Compliance Personnel - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Treasury for revenue enforcement and compliance programs an amount equal to ten percent of the revenue attributable to the amnesty program. Authorizes appropriations for an additional 2,500 compliance personnel for the Internal Revenue Service. Subtitle B: Denial of Federal Contracts, Licenses, Etc. to Taxpayers With Tax Delinquent Accounts - Prohibits the award of any Federal contract to any person who has a tax delinquent account. Provides that no Federal business license may be issued with respect to any person who has a tax delinquent account. Requires the revocation of the Federal business license who has a tax delinquent account. Provides an exception to this rule for public health business licenses or business licenses specified in regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury. Subtitle C: Use of Private Collection Agencies - Permits the collection of taxes by private collection agencies. Subtitle D: Revision of Penalties - Imposes a tax penalty for: (1) failure to file information returns; (2) failure to file information statements; (3) failure to furnish required data; (4) failure to supply information on a return; and (5) filing false statements. Provides that the penalty for intentional disregard of any of the above requirements shall be ten percent of the gross proceeds or other amount required to be reported or $500, whichever is greater. Exempts the taxpayer from these penalties if the failure to comply with the provisions is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. Subtitle E: Publicity on IRS Enforcement - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publicize the risks and consequences of noncompliance with the internal revenue laws, including seizures with respect to taxpayers owing large amounts of tax in such a way as to publicize such risks and consequences.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1985
Economic Equity Act of 1985 - Title I: Retirement - Pension Vesting, Integration, and Portability Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to maximum age conditions under pension plans to provide for continued coverage for certain workers over the normal retirement age. Provides that pension plans may only exclude from participation, on the basis of age, an employee who has attained the normal retirement age under the plan if: (1) the plan is a defined benefit plan or a target benefit plan (as under current law); and (2) the employee's accrued benefit under the plan is greater than the normal retirement benefit to which the employee would be entitled at the normal retirement age if the employee commenced participation at the earliest possible entry age under the plan and served continuously until attaining the normal retirement age under the plan. Revises provisions relating to minimum vesting standards to reduce, from ten years to five years, the number of years of service which a pension plan participant must complete in order to earn a nonforfeitable right to 100 percent of the participant's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions. Permits multiemployer pension plans to retain the ten-year minimum vesting standard if such plans meet certain conditions, including complete reciprocity for workers who move from one regional pension plan to another within the same industry. Repeals a certain "class year plan" rule. Permits participants with three (currently five) years of service to elect, within a specified period to have their nonforfeitable percentage computed under the plan without regard to any plan amendment changing the vesting schedule. Revises minimum participation standards, minimum vesting standards, and benefit accrual requirements to provide for pension plan coverage of part-time workers. Revises the definition of "year of service," for purposes of minimum participation and vesting standards, to treat 500 to 1,000 hours of service per year by a part-time employee as one-half of a year of service. Provides that the date on which such employee completes such one-half of one year of service shall be the latest date until which the plan participation of such employee may be delayed. Includes service of at least 500 (currently 1,000) hours in determinations of years of plan participation for purposes of benefit accrual requirements. Establishes minimum benefit rules for integrated pension plans. Requires such plans to offer a minimum benefit without taking into account contributions or benefits under specified provisions of the Social Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code, or any other Federal or State law. Sets forth formulas, based on specified percentages of employee compensation, for determining such minimum benefit in the case of: (1) an integrated defined benefit plan; and (2) an integrated defined contribution plan or an integrated simplified employee pension. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe necessary or appropriate regulations to carry out the purposes of such minimum benefit rules for integrated plans in any case in which the employer has two or more plans. Provides for distributions of accrued benefits of less than $7,000 to portable pension accounts (individual retirement accounts or individual retirement annuities). Requires a pension plan to distribute a participant's nonforfeitable benefit to a portable pension account if: (1) the plan is a defined benefit plan, or an individual account plan subject to specified funding standards; (2) the present value, as of the date of separation from service, of such benefit is less than $7,000; and (3) the participant elects in writing, after receiving a required notice, to have such benefit distributed to such portable pension account in a distribution which is excluded from gross income under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe by regulation the manner and form in which such election is to be made. Requires the plan administrator, upon being informed by a participant that the participant wishes to make an election pursuant to these provisions, to provide notice to the participant of: (1) the present value, as of the date of separation, of the participant's nonforfeitable benefit (with such present value to be deemed equal to the actuarial equivalent, as of such date, of the normal form of benefit under the plan); (2) the amount of the participant's benefit on the date of the participant's retirement payable under the pension plan at normal retirement age expressed in the form of a single life annuity under a defined benefit plan or in the normal form of payment under an individual account plan; and (3) the additional tax (under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions as revised by this Act) on distributions from, or disqualification, of the portable pension account before the date on which the participant attains age 59 1/2. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions relating to pension plans. Makes such revisions similar to those made to ERISA by title I of this Act with respect to: (1) continued coverage for certain workers over the normal retirement age; (2) a minimum vesting standard of five years of service (reduced from ten years), with the exception of multiemployer plans meeting certain conditions (including reciprocity); (3) repeal of the class year plan rule; (4) protection from changes in the vesting schedule for participants with three years of service; (5) coverage for part-time workers under minimum participation standards, minimum vesting standards, and benefit accrual requirements; (6) establishment of minimum benefit rules for integrated plans; and (7) distributions of accrued benefits to portable pension accounts. Revises provisions relating to additional tax on certain amounts included in gross income before age 59 1/2. Requires, in cases of early distributions or disqualification involving portable pension accounts to which accrued benefits from a pension plan have been distributed as provided under this Act, that the additional tax (for the taxable year in which the early distribution is received or the disqualification occurs) shall be equal to the amount of the early distribution, or of the disqualification, which is includible in gross income for such taxable year. Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) conduct a study of the feasibility and ramifications of requiring private employee pension benefit plans to provide cost-of-living adjustments to benefits payable under such plans; (2) compile data and analyze the effect inflation is having and may be expected to have on retirement benefits provided under such plans; and (3) submit study results, with recommendations, within two years after enactment of this Act. Social Security Modernization Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple which are attributable to the period of their marriage shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Provides that this Act shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits. Provides full benefits for disabled widows and widowers without regard to age. Enables an insured individual's spouse who has attained the age of 50 and is not entitled to any other monthly benefits to obtain a transition benefit for four months upon the death of the insured individual. Establishes the amount of such transition benefit at 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the insured individual or, if it is higher, 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the spouse. Repeals the separate definition of disability applicable to widows and widowers. Permits the months of a widow's or widower's entitlement to Supplemental Security Income benefits (title XVI of the Social Security Act) on the basis of a disability to be counted towards the 24 months needed to become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) on that basis. Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Equity Act - Provides that a former spouse of a member of the uniformed services shall be entitled, unless expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order, to an annuity: (1) equal to 50 percent of the retired or retainer pay of the member if married to the member throughout the creditable service of the member; or (2) equal to a pro rata share of 50 percent of such pay if not married to the member throughout the entire creditable service of the member. Requires that an election by a member not to participate, or to participate at a reduced level, in the Survivor Benefit Plan or to provide an annuity for a dependent child only must be made jointly with the member's spouse. Provides that such an election must be in writing. Allows a member who has a former spouse to jointly elect a spousal agreement with such former spouse or as provided under a court order to provide a survivor to the former spouse or to waive such an annuity. Treats a former spouse as a spouse for purposes of eligibility as a beneficiary, computation of annuities, and reductions in retired or retainer pay under the Survivor Benefit Plan if the member elects such treatment. (Present law treats a former spouse as a person with an "insurable interest" subject to certain restrictions and requiring larger reductions in retired or retainer pay.) Establishes a 24 month period during which members who were already divorced before the effective date of this Act may elect to have a former spouse covered under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Provides that a former spouse's share of retired or retainer pay shall be based on the gross amount of such pay. (Present law bases such share on the net amount of such pay after specified deductions.) Social Services and Child Care Assistance Act of 1985 - Title II: Dependent Care - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to set allotment amounts for FY 1984, 1985, and 1986 and each succeeding fiscal year. Allocates, from the allotment set for FY 1986 and available for any fiscal year, specified amounts for: (1) funding for a National Resource Center on Family Day Care; (2) grants to States which fulfill certain conditions with respect to the licensing, regulation, and monitoring of child care services; and (3) the provision of services in accordance with title XX. Provides that, of the amounts allotted for the provision of services, specified amounts shall be used: (1) for the training and retraining of human services personnel; (2) for the training and retraining in the prevention of child abuse of licensed child care operators; and (3) for the provision of child day care services to children who are abused or neglected, who are members of families receiving aid under title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of such Act, or children who are members of specified low-income groups. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new title XII, School-Based Child Care Programs. (Redesignates the current title XII as title XIII.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) construction, reconstruction, and renovation of facilities, located at such institutions, to be used to provide child care services (free for students from families with incomes less than 150 percent of the poverty level, and with a sliding-scale of fees based on income for other students participating); (2) child care services through vouchers for disadvantaged college students (with two-thirds of the participants to be low-income students who are first generation college students, and the remainder to be either low-income or first generation college students); and (3) child care personnel work-experience programs (which provide experience for students by arranging part-time employment for them in licensed child care programs). Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants to public housing authorities to assist them in providing child care services for lower income families. Requires a program report to the Congress within three years. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations. Title III: Insurance - Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Prohibits any insurer from establishing auto insurance rates for women or any particular group of women which are higher or lower in relation to the rates offered men or any similarly situated group of men, except for non-gender related risk-based reasons. Grants to States having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce the prohibitions of this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer if the State has terminated all proceedings under State law. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Authorizes the Court to: (1) order the defendant to amend any relevant contract to comply with the provisions of this Act; (2) require the defendant to pay punitive damages in addition to actual damages; and (3) award the aggrieved person reasonable attorneys' fees. Continued Access to Group Health Insurance Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require continuation coverage under group health plans for certain spouses, former spouses, and dependent children of employees insured under such plans. Makes such continuation coverage a requirement for the allowance of a tax deduction for employer contributions to group health plans. Provides that the spouse and dependent children of an insured employee may be entitled to five years of continuation coverage under a group health plan if the insured employee: (1) dies; (2) becomes separated or divorced from his or her spouse; or (3) becomes entitled to Medicare. Makes such coverage available only if it is elected within a specified period by or on behalf of the spouse or child to be covered. Sets forth notification requirements. Sets forth a special rule relating to collective bargaining agreements. Title IV: Employment - Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to: (1) conduct research for identifying and measuring wage discrimination; (2) assist any public or private entity in eliminating discriminatory pay practices; and (3) implement policies and procedures to prohibit employment discrimination. Requires the Commission to determine the number and nature of all charges filed under the Civil Rights Act of 1954 and to report to the Congress with a summary prepared pursuant to this Act. Requires the Commission to conduct a study in consultation with organizations representing Federal employees and analyze: (1) the procedures established by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish classifications of positions in the competitive service; and (2) the actual practices of the Director and the heads of Federal agencies in complying with the principle of equal pay for work of equal value when establishing job classifications for employees. Requires the Commission to report to the President and the Congress on its findings and provide a copy to the Director of OPM. Directs the Director to submit his comments on the report to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, to report to the President and the Congress on actions taken to enforce the prohibitions contained in Executive Order Numbered 11246 against discrimination by Federal contractors. Requires the Attorney General, acting through the Office of Civil Rights, to report to the President and the Congress on actions taken to enforce the prohibitions against sex discrimination in compensation contained in title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order Numbered 11246, and other Federal laws. Requires Federal agencies responsible for submitting equal employment opportunity plans to include in such plans: (1) a review and identification of any discriminatory pay practices and any violation of the principle of equal pay for jobs of equal value; and (2) a plan for eliminating any such practices and remedying any such violation. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide, by contract with a consultant, for a report on discriminatory wage-setting practices and discriminatory wage differentials within the Federal position classification system and the prevailing rate (job grading) system. Defines "discriminatory wage-setting practices" as a practice resulting from lower rates of pay for female employees doing work comparable to that of higher-paid males. Requires OPM, within one month of receiving such report, to transmit a copy to the President and specified congressional committees, with written comments. Requires the consultant to submit such report to OPM and the Pay Equity Study Council (established by this Act) within six months after entering into its contract. Requires OPM, within ten days after the effective date of this Act, to establish a Pay Equity Study Council to assist in the selection of a consultant and comment on the final report. Requires that Council membership consist predominantly of representatives of labor organizations representing Federal female employees. Terminates the Council after it submits comments on the final report. Establishes a Commission on Employment Discrimination in the Legislative Branch. Directs the Commission to: (1) employ a nongovernmental consultant to study the compensation paid to Library of Congress personnel and analyze personnel policies of the Library; (2) evaluate the compensation system of the Library for compliance with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make any recommendations needed to achieve compliance; (3) develop a plan for the application of title VII through the legislative branch; and (4) make recommendations to the Congress for improvement of personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to the Congress 18 months after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to invite each State having an approved plan under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to submit an application to establish and conduct a demonstration project for the purpose of testing whether the provision of mandatory education or vocational training (or both) for the caretaker parents of dependent children under six years of age in families receiving AFDC would enable such families to leave the AFDC rolls quickly and assist such parents in securing long-term gainful employment at earnings levels sufficient to maintain their families without public assistance. Requires any State desiring to establish and conduct such a demonstration project to submit an application to the Secretary within six months after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to approve ten of the proposed projects. Requires six of the approved projects to be located in urban areas and four to be located in predominantly rural areas. Prohibits the approval of a project unless: (1) it is of sufficient size and scope to demonstrate program and cost effectiveness and to permit the drawing of valid inferences for evaluation and policy recommendations; (2) it will be conducted for a period of not less than three nor more than five years; (3) it covers all caretaker parents in families which are eligible for aid under the applicable State plan and which include one or more children under six years of age; (4) it provides for participation by caretaker parents on a voluntary basis; and (5) it complies fully with all other requirements and will contribute to the purposes of this Act. Defines "caretaker parent". Directs a State, in conducting an approved demonstration project, to: (1) offer each caretaker parent in a jurisdiction involved an opportunity to participate in the project; (2) establish an individualized program for the education or vocational training of each participating caretaker parent; (3) permit such parent to receive education or training under the program so established (from the time the youngest child in the care of such parent is six months old, or earlier with a physician's written permission) until either the parent is employed and self-sufficient, the parent is no longer a caretaker parent, or the family has become ineligible for aid; and (4) require the project to maintain support services, including child care, transportation, and health care services for each participant. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved demonstration project 90 percent of the costs incurred by the State in establishing and carrying out such project. Requires the remainder of the costs incurred to be paid from non-Federal sources. Requires the education or training for caretaker parents in such program to meet the following requirements: (1) for caretaker parents without a high school diploma the education must lead to such diploma; (2) after receipt of such diploma (or in the case of an individual already having a high school diploma or better), the caretaker parent must participate in an approved post-secondary education program, an approved vocational education program, or a program of employment and training under auspices of the Job Training Partnership Act; (3) the award of an academic scholarship to a caretaker parent shall not result in any loss of eligibility or benefits under AFDC or any other public assistance program, so long as the scholarship payments are made directly to the appropriate educational institution; (4) the education and training must include instruction in family management and life skills, employment and job search training, career counseling, and community-supported recreational activities; (5) appropriate English language and adjustment training must be provided for caretaker parents from immigrant groups who have language or cultural adjustment difficulties; (6) special training must be provided for physically handicapped participants; (7) education and training for each participant in the project must be provided for at least 20 hours per week and must be coordinated with available child care services; and (8) any caretaker parent who has completed all of the education and training required by this Act shall remain a participant in the project for 20 hours a week of job search and placement assistance (with coordinated child care) until either the parent is employed and self-sufficient or the family has become ineligible for AFDC. Provides that in the case of a caretaker parent who ceases to be a participant in the project because he or she has completed all of the education and training required by this Act and has become employed: (1) the parent will be provided with child care services, as necessary, without charge for a six-month period, and thereafter for a certain period subject to the payment of a gradually increasing portion of the cost of such services; and (2) the parent shall be considered for a 15-month period to be still a project participant for purposes of receiving Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) and shall thereafter be similarly considered to still be a participant for such purposes but subject to stated conditions. Requires all of the child care and transportation which is necessary for a caretaker parent to participate in a demonstration project to be included, without charge to the caretaker parent, as a part of the project. Requires each approved project to be designed so as to provide an effective demonstration of: (1) the planning and design of quality and cost-effective approaches to child and infant care; (2) the cost-effective utilization of existing publicly-funded educational, vocational, and other training programs; (3) coordination with other community service providers, including job developers; and (4) cost-effective and creative approaches to the utilization of transportation facilities. Prohibits participation in an approved project by a caretaker parent from resulting in any loss of eligibility or benefits under AFDC or any other public assistance program. Permits a State to make participation mandatory if: (1) it is necessary to operate a project in a cost-effective manner; (2) participants would not be disadvantaged financially or otherwise; and (3) children in need of assistance would not be disadvantaged. Provides that if any caretaker parent who is required to participate in a project refuses to undergo any education or training required by this Act or otherwise fails to participate in an approved demonstration project, without a reasonable basis for such refusal or failure as determined on medical, psychological, psychiatric, or other grounds by an appropriate licensed practitioner in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary (subject to a State being granted a waiver): (1) such parent's needs shall not be taken into account in determining need under AFDC with respect to the parent's family; and (2) any AFDC payments shall be made in the form of protective payments. Requires each approved demonstration project to have a voluntary advisory group to assist in developing the program and in monitoring the project. Sets forth reporting requirements (including reports to the Congress). Requires each State in which a demonstration project is located to submit to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require concerning a project. Women's Business Ownership Act of 1985 - Establishes the National Commission on Women's Business Ownership to review: (1) the status of women-owned small businesses nationwide; (2) the role of the Federal Government in aid to and the promotion of women-owned small businesses; (3) data collection procedures and the availability of data relating to women-owned businesses, women-owned small businesses, and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women; (4) other Federal initiatives relating to women-owned small businesses, including those relating to Federal procurements; and (5) special impediments suffered by small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women. Directs the Commission to recommend: (1) new private sector initiatives which would provide management and technical assistance to women-owned small businesses; (2) ways to promote greater access to financing and procurement opportunities for such businesses; and (3) other measures relating to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women. Terminates the Commission on the date that it transmits its final report to the President and to each House of the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Tax Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the zero amount for heads of households shall be the same as the zero bracket amount for joint returns and surviving spouses. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit from 11 percent to 16 percent of the first $5,000 of earned income. Provides for a phaseout of such credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes between $11,000 and $16,000. Provides that governmental payments shall be disregarded for purposes of determining support and maintenance of a household. Provides that any refund of Federal income taxes or advance payment made to an individual by reason of the earned income credit shall not be taken into account as income for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits or assistance under any Federal program or any State or local program financed in whole or part with Federal funds. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments for the amount of the earned income credit and the phase-out thresholds of such credit beginning in 1987. Allows a refundable income tax credit for: (1) employment related dependent care expenses; plus (2) expenses for the respite care of a dependent. Sets the amount of such credit at 50 percent of the sum of such expenses. Reduces such percentage (but not below 20 percent) by one percent for each full $2,000 amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $11,000. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such adjusted gross income amount. Limits the amount of employment-related expenses and respite care expenses which may be taken into account for purposes of such credit. Allows such credit for expenses incurred for the care of: (1) a dependent of the taxpayer who is under the age of 15; (2) a dependent of the taxpayer who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself; or (3) a spouse who is incapable of caring for himself. Repeals present provisions relating to the income tax credit for dependent care expenses necessary for gainful employment. Increases the amount individuals may contribute on behalf of their spouses for purposes of the deduction for retirement savings. Provides that no deduction from gross income shall be allowed to a taxpayer for entertainment expenses for food, beverages, lodging, or entertainment incurred in connection with a facility which discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Exempts facilities operated by a religious organization where access is limited to members of a particular religion. Treats dues and fees paid to discriminatory facilities as nondeductible expenses. Requires the submission of a statement to the Secretary of the Treasury that a facility not open to the public does not discriminate in order for amounts paid to such facility to qualify for the entertainment expense deduction. Requires the posting of a public notice in the facility stating the nondiscriminatory policy. Permits the Secretary to revoke the acceptance of the statement of nondiscrimination. Requires the taxpayer to report on his or her income tax return any amounts paid or incurred for food, beverages, lodging, or entertainment in any facility which is not open to the public or does not serve the public in order to deduct such amounts from gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Improvement Act of 1985 - Title I: Food Stamp and Related Provisions - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to make homeless persons eligible to participate in the food stamp program (program). Requires State agencies to develop related certification and issuance procedures. Changes the four-person thrifty food plan adult age range from 20 to 54 years old to 20 to 50 years old. Requires the thrifty food plan to be adjusted annually each October 1 to reflect: (1) food price changes through the preceding June; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture's projection of food price changes through the following September. Revises the definition of "disabled" to include certain persons receiving benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act or persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disabled benefits. Prohibits the collection of State and local taxes on food stamp purchases. Removes provisions which prohibited the distribution of federally donated foods in jurisdictions where the food stamp program is operated. Makes households each of whose members receive SSI or Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) categorically eligible for program participation. States that denial of eligibility or termination of benefits from such programs cannot be a basis for denial of food stamp eligibility or termination of benefits. Excludes loan origination fee payments and insurance premiums from "household income" under the program. Includes as such income any income from Federal educational grants not used for tuition and fees, from the program definition of "income." Requires that certain AFDC payments and State assistance made to third parties on behalf of food stamp households be treated as money paid directly to such households. Declares that earnings attributable to the Job Training Partnership Act shall be considered earned income. Increases the earned income deduction from 18 to 20 percent. Separates (presently combined) dependent care and excess shelter expense deductions. Provides for an educational deduction and an energy assistance deduction. Grants States the option of calculating income either prospectively or retrospectively. Authorizes the Food Stamp Disaster Task Force to assist States in implementing and operating the regular food stamp program in a disaster area. Increases the resources limitation from $1500 to $2500, and from $3000 to $3500 for the elderly and disabled. Increases the threshold for accounting a vehicle's value against resources from $4500 to $5500. Requires the disqualification of a household if the head of household fails to fulfill work requirements. (Current law disqualifies a household where any eligible member of such household fails to fulfill work requirements.) Exempts students under the Job Training Partnership Act from certain disqualification provisions and removes the exception for certain students who are parents. Requires each State agency to implement an employment program as set forth under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for such program. Directs the Secretary to report by January 1, 1989, to the appropriate congressional committees on the effectiveness of such programs. Permits States to stagger coupon issuance. Permits the disclosure of information submitted by retail stores to State agencies that administer the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Permits federally insured credit unions which have wholesale or retail grocers in their membership to redeem food stamps. Prohibits financial institutions from collecting charges for the redemption of coupons, other than charges relating to the cancellation of such coupons. Directs State agencies to periodically assess the need to keep food stamp offices open during weekend or evening hours. Requires the Secretary to encourage State agencies to disseminate program information. Imposes a civil penalty on the transferor of a disqualified retail food store. Prohibits any new owner from accepting food stamps until such penalty has been paid. Authorizes the Secretary to sue in district court to collect such penalty. Authorizes the Secretary, at the request of a State agency, to waive payment of a portion of any claim asserted against the State for its error rate, if the State shows that it will devote the waived portion to administrative efforts to reduce its payment error rate. Directs the Secretary to develop a model plan for computerization of the information systems under the food stamp program by October 1, 1986. Requires a report to the Congress by April 1, 1987, on the sufficiency of each State's computerized system. Extends the authority to conduct pilot projects intended to improve the efficiency of the program until October 1, 1990. (Currently, such authority expires October 1, 1985.) Authorizes the Secretary to continue any project beyond any established term if such project has a beneficial effect on administrative costs and error rates. Authorizes appropriations for the food stamp program for FY 1986 through 1990. Revises the Puerto Rico block grant program to: (1) make permanent the existing temporary (through September 30, 1985) suspension for the non-cash program requirement; (2) repeal the provision requiring Puerto Rico to pay 50 percent of administrative costs; and (3) repeal the requirement of a single administering agency. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1986 through 1990. (Currently, such authorization is a fixed amount and open-ended.) Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend the commodity distribution program for FY 1986 through FY 1990 and the commodity supplemental food program from FY 1986 through 1989. (Currently, such programs expire in FY 1985.) Allows the continued distribution of agricultural commodities to low-income elderly under certain pilot projects. Title II: Amendments to the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 and Other Commodity Distribution Provisions - Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to declare emergency feeding organizations as eligible commodity recipients. Defines such organizations as those including charitable institutions, food banks, hunger centers, soup kitchens, and similar nonprofit agencies. Repeals provisions which: (1) authorize the use of wheat provided under the Food Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980; and (2) relate to agreements for reprocessing commodities into end-use food products. Authorizes State agencies to enter into cooperative agreements for the provision of commodities to an emergency feeding organization. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987 for the costs associated with the distribution of commodities by emergency feeding organizations. Sets forth conditions associated with such funding. Requires the Secretary to publish regulations regarding the commodity distribution program for FY 1986 and 1987. Requires such regulations to include provisions that set standards of liability for commodity losses. Terminates the temporary emergency food program on September 30, 1987. (Currently, such program terminates September 30, 1985.) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the activities under such program by April 1, 1987. Amends the Agricultural and Food Act of 1981 to require the Secretary to encourage consumption of products made available without charge or credit through agreements with private companies for the reprocessing of such products. Title III: Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Education - Directs the Department of Agriculture, through its Extension Service, to coordinate a program where by State cooperative extension services provide food, nutrition, and consumer education services to low-income persons. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1986 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1985
Long Term Care Insurance Promotion and Protection Act of 1985 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with Federal and State regulatory agencies, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, private insurers, organizations representing consumers and the aged, and providers of long-term health care services, to establish model standards for the regulation of long-term health care insurance policies offered by private entities. Requires such standards to be designed to: (1) limit marketing and agent abuse; (2) assure the dissemination of such information to Medicare beneficiaries as is necessary to permit informed choice; (3) promote policies which provide reasonable economic benefits to such beneficiaries; (4) reduce the purchase of unnecessary duplicative coverage; and (5) improve price competition. Provides that such standards shall apply to long-term health care insurance policies in the same manner as they apply to Medicare supplemental policies. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1985
Comprehensive Alzheimer's Assistance, Research, and Education Act of 1985 - Title I : Amendment to the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Alzheimer's Education Program to: (1) coordinate education and training programs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Veterans Administration, other Federal entities, State and local governments, and private organizations; (2) establish an information clearinghouse; (3) provide information to health care providers, organizations, patients, and the general public; and (4) provide technical assistance to States and public and private organizations in the collection and dissemination of information. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for such purposes. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to plan, establish, and operate programs to: (1) coordinate the development and operation of diagnostic, treatment, care management, respite care, legal counseling, and education services provided by public and private organizations within the State; (2) provide respite care to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (3) provide information to health care providers, organizations, and the general public on treatment and related services for patients and their families; (4) coordinate the development and operation of continuing education for health care providers on the diagnosis, treatment, and care management of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (5) review State policies on the financing and reimbursement of health care costs for such patients; (6) review State nursing home regulations as they apply to such patients; and (7) coordinate with the National Alzheimer's Education Program. Limits Federal grants for such programs to the lesser of one half the cost or $1,000,000. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Directs the Secretary to establish a plan for a research program for the study of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with public and private entities for ten to 20 Alzheimer's disease research centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Provides for the recovery from Alaska of Federal grants provided under the Public Health Service Act if within 20 years from the date of completion of a medical facility, such facility ceases to be a publicly owned facility operated for the care or treatment of patients under Alaska's mental health program. Title II: Medicare and Medicaid Research, Demonstrations, and Waivers - Directs the Secretary to conduct research, waiver, and demonstration projects under the Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act to determine the: (1) coverage of alternative methods of health care for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (2) coverage of nursing home care; and (3) appropriate reimbursement levels for nursing homes with such patients. Title III: Report - Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress within two years after the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985
Establishes in the legislative branch of the Government the Perot Commission on Americans Missing in Southeast Asia to conduct an investigation and report to the Congress its findings with respect to the existence and the release of prisoners of war in Southeast Asia. Sets forth specified administrative procedures and powers of the Commission. Requires the Commission to terminate 30 days after the filing of its report to the Congress or on January 3, 1987, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services, to be held not later than 1989, to develop recommendations for improvement of such services and their public use. Requires that the Conference be planned and conducted by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Sciences. Authorizes the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the National Library of Medicine, and the Director of the National Agricultural Library, upon request, to detail personnel to the Commission. Requires the Conference to submit a final report to the President within 120 days following its close. Directs that the final report be made public, and within 90 days after receipt by the President, transmitted to the Congress with recommendations. Establishes an advisory committee to assist in planning and conducting the Conference. Includes among its appointed members the Secretary of Education and the Librarian of Congress. Authorizes appropriations as necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Renewable Energy and Conservation Transition Act of 1985 - Title I: Extension of Business Energy Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the energy investment tax credit for solar energy property from 1985 to 1990. Sets the amount of such credit during such period at 15 percent for low temperature solar property and 25 percent for all other solar property. Extends the energy investment tax credit for wind property from 1985 to 1988. Sets the amount of such credit at: (1) ten percent during 1986 and 1987; and (2) five percent during 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for geothermal property and biomass property from 1985 to 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for ocean thermal property from 1985 to 1990. Revises the definition of "solar property" for purposes of such tax credit. Sets forth special rules for geothermal equipment to qualify for such credit. Title II: Affirmative Commitment Rule to Extend the Business Credit for Certain Long-Term Projects - Extends the time period during which an affirmative commitment must be made in order for long-term energy projects to be eligible for the energy investment tax credit. Allows such extension: (1) from 1990 to 1993 for solar energy property; (2) from 1988 to 1990 for geothermal energy property; and (3) from 1985 to 1990 for hydroelectric generating property. Title III: Extension of Residential Energy Credits - Extends the residential energy income tax credit for solar renewable energy property from 1985 to 1990. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Provides that solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet certain additional standards in order to qualify for such credit. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for wind renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for geothermal renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Revises the definition of geothermal deposits for purposes of such credit. Revises the definition of energy conservation expenditures for purposes of the residential energy income tax credit to limit the amounts taken into account to $700. Limits the energy conservation income tax credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $30,000. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
American Footwear Industry Recovery Act of 1985 - Limits the imports of nonrubber footwear into the United States to 450,000,000 pairs per 12 month period for eight years. Directs the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to allocate the import limitations among foreign countries, taking into consideration: (1) average levels of imports for the period 1978 through 1982; (2) findings of unfair trade practices with respect to nonrubber footwear products; (3) recent market trends; and (4) such other considerations as the Secretary deems appropriate. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to take all necessary actions to enforce this Act. Authorizes the Secretaries to issue such implementing regulations as necessary to effect the purposes of this Act and to enforce its provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the benefit disparity between those born before 1916 and those born after 1916 which was effected by the enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to recompute the primary insurance amount so as to take into account the amendments made by this Act and to pay to any individual so entitled any additional lump sum amount to which such individual is entitled by reason of this Act. Prohibits the recomputation from reducing any individual's benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Humane Product Testing Act of 1985 - Requires Federal departments and agencies to promote nonanimal alternatives to the LD50 test used in the testing of products. Phases out the use of such test to the degree possible within one year of this Act's enactment. (LD50 is a procedure whereby toxicity is measured in terms of the median dose which will kill 50 percent of the test animals within a specified period.)
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Prohibits interstate and foreign commerce in any article of fur derived from an animal trapped in a steel jaw leghold trap. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reward nongovernment informers for information leading to a conviction under this Act. Makes the Secretary, with the assistance of appropriate Federal or State personnel, responsible for enforcing this Act. Empowers enforcement officials to detain, search, and seize suspected merchandise or documents and to make arrests with and without warrants. Subjects seized merchandise to forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
National Infrastructure Act - Establishes in the Treasury the National Infrastructure Fund. Authorizes appropriations for each of FY 1986 through 1995. Directs amounts in the Fund to be made available to the Secretary of the Treasury to make interest-free repayable grants to States. Establishes within the Fund a separate account to be known as the Sinking Fund Account for deposits by States of grant obligations. Requires the Secretary to invest amounts in the Account in interest-bearing obligations of the United States. Requires the Secretary to maintain separate records of funds in the Account with respect to each grant made under this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress each year from FY 1987 through 2016 on the financial conditions of the Account. Entitles each State to repayable grants, according to a specified population ratio, for FY 1986 through 1995. Specifies terms for payments to States by the Secretary and repayments by States to the Secretary of such grants. Allows the Secretary to adjust the amount of any payment if deemed necessary. Allows States 20 years for repayment of grants, with adjustments made to the Account for each State at such time. Sets forth qualifications for States receiving such grants, including: (1) a contractual agreement by the State that it will establish an infrastructure revolving fund in its treasury to deposit and maintain records of grants received and make interest-free loans to various departments and agencies within the State; (2) terms and length of repayment; (3) specified uses to which grant funds may be applied; and (4) specified prohibited uses of grant funds. Requires a State to make available to the Secretary and the Comptroller General for inspection such records as either may require. Requires annual independent financial audits of grant-participating States to determine compliance with this Act. Allows States to waive such audit requirement in specified circumstances. Allows the Secretary to waive such audit requirement in certain cases. Requires any audits done to be made available to the public within 30 days after being received by the Secretary. Directs the Comptroller General to review the activities of the Secretary and the States to determine compliance under this Act. Requires a State making an interest-free loan under this Act to hold at least one public hearing on the proposed loan, with adequate notice to the public. Requires the Secretary, before June 2 of each year ending before January 1, 1997, to report to the Congress on: (1) the status and operation of the Fund during the prior fiscal year; (2) the amounts made available for each such purpose during the prior fiscal year; and (3) the administration of this Act. Requires, at the end of each fiscal year for which repayable grants are made under this Act, each State government receiving such a grant to submit a report to the Secretary on the amount, purposes, and uses of such grant. Requires the Secretary to determine population (used as a statistic in awarding grants) on the same basis that the Secretary of Commerce determines resident population for general statistical purposes. Requires the Secretary to use population estimates provided by the Secretary of Commerce to determine amounts of repayable grants for each fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Health Insurance Availability Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a ten percent excise tax on the amount of employee health expenses paid or incurred by a large employer who is not a member of a qualified State pooling association. Defines a "qualified pooling association" as an organization which: (1) is a nonprofit corporation established pursuant to and regulated by State law; (2) has specified types of insurers and other health financing entities as participating members; (3) makes available specified levels of health insurance to all residents of the State not eligible for Medicare; (4) charges a specified pool premium rate; and (5) assesses losses of the pool equitably among all participating members.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that travel by Members of Congress to the Soviet Union and travel by Soviet leaders to the United States serves the interests of the two nations and that such travel is encouraged.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Directs the Postal Service to establish a program under which change-of-address forms may be transmitted to appropriate State election authorities for voter registration purposes. Directs the Postal Service to prescribe regulations under which a State may participate in such program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Requires the President to include with the annual Federal budget submitted to the Congress another budget prepared by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System showing estimated receipts and expenditures for itself and all Federal Reserve banks for the next three fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Military Family Act of 1985 - Title I: Department of Defense Family Support Programs - Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Defense an Office of Family Policy to coordinate programs and activities of the military departments as they relate to military families. Transfers the Military Family Resources Center within the Department of Defense. Makes travel and transportation allowances the same for members of the armed forces as those applicable to civilian employees. Requires temporary lodging expenses to be paid to such military members transferred within the United States or to a duty station outside the United States other than Hawaii or Alaska. Authorizes the payment of a transportation allowance to student dependents of military members assigned a permanent duty station in Alaska or Hawaii. Prohibits such transportation allowance when the dependent child is attending a school in Alaska or Hawaii. Requires the Secretary of Defense to allow members of the Selected Reserve and their dependents to use commissary and exchange stores for one day for each day of training duty performed by the member. Requires the Secretary of each military department to establish a program to provide relocation services to armed forces members who make a permanent change of station. Directs the Secretary concerned to enter into contracts with outside entities for the provision of such services. Establishes at each training installation a youth sponsorship program to facilitate the adaptation of transferred members' children to new surroundings. Directs the Secretary of Defense to allow limited commercial activities to be carried out from military family housing units by members and their dependents. Requires the Secretary to provide child-care facilities on military installations on a 24-hour-a-day basis when needed. Requires the Secretary, within one year of enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on ways for spouses of military members to obtain employment at child-care facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to establish dental benefit plans for spouses and children of military members who are on active duty for more than 30 days. Requires the member to pay a part of the plan's cost, as determined by the Secretary, to be deducted from the member's basic pay. Outlines the dental benefits to be included in such plan. Title II: Assistance to Military Families - Provides, for Federal income tax purposes, for the deductibility of amounts attributable to tax-free housing allowances. Provides that the Secretary shall require that all Department of Defense non-appropriated fund activities give preference in hiring to dependents of military members. Provides the same hiring preference in Department of Defense civil service positions for spouses of such military members. Outlines conditions for such preference. Repeals Federal law which transferred overseas defense dependents schools to the Department of Education. Provides that, as a condition for States to receive grant assistance to carry out child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment programs, such States must provide the Secretary of Defense with reports of suspected child abuse and neglect where the person having care of the child is a member (or spouse of a member) of the armed forces. Title III: Reports - Requires the Secretary of Defense, within one year of enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on the availability and affordability of off-base housing for military members. Requires the Secretary, on the same date, to also report to the Congress on recommendations to facilitate the smooth transition between schools with differing graduation requirements of dependent children of military members making a permanent change of station. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Commemorates May 18, 1985, as the 20th anniversary of the Head Start Program. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Head Start Program has been cost-effective and successful; and (2) congressional commitment to such program is reaffirmed.
![Official portrait of Rep. Atkins, Chester G. [D-MA-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/a000226_200.jpg)