United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Deplores and condemns the Soviet action of September 1, 1983 (the destruction of Korean Airlines Flight 007), and calls on the Soviet Union to apologize for this act of aggression. Calls upon the President not to negotiate any agreement with the Soviet Union reinstating Soviet landing rights in the United States until it apologizes for its actions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the current Government of Guatemala is to be commended for its perseverance and determination to return to civilian rule.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1985
Bicentennial of the Constitution Coins and Medals Act - Title I: Bicentennial of the United States Constitution Commemorative Coins - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of five dollar gold coins and one dollar silver coins emblematic of the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their sale and issuance. Terminates the minting of such coins after December 31, 1987. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from sale of such coins, to be used to reduce the national debt. Title II: Bicentennial of the United States Constitution Commemorative Medals - Directs the Secretary to strike and deliver to the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution a specified number of gold, silver, and bronze medals commemorating the Bicentennial. Authorizes the Commission to dispose of such medals at a premium. Terminates the striking of such medals after December 31, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
California Outer Continental Shelf Protection and Development Act - Permits oil and gas leasing under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act for specified submerged lands of the California Outer Continental Shelf. Requires such activities to be carried out in a manner which minimizes their environmental, economic, and social impacts. Authorizes the conduct of one Continental Off-Structure Stratigraphic Test in specified areas. Permits exploration or development activities on specified lands only under emergency conditions of a severe energy supply interruption. Terminates such activities unless the President renews his findings of emergency conditions. Terminates this Act after 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Covert Agent Disclosure Federal Pension Forfeiture Act - Requires the forfeiture of Federal employee retirement benefits upon conviction of the felony of the unauthorized disclosure of the identity of a covert agent.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Methanol Energy Policy Act of 1985 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) ensure that of the total number of passenger automobiles and light duty trucks acquired for Federal use during FY 1987 through 1990, at least 5,000 shall be methanol-powered vehicles; and (2) conduct studies related to methanol-powered vehicles in cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (the Administrator). Sets guidelines for such studies. Requires that methanol be offered for sale to the public at locations where Federal vehicles are supplied with methanol. Terminates such requirement as of September 30, 1990. Requires the Secretary to provide methanol-powered vehicles to any requesting Federal agency. Requires such agencies to cooperate with the Secretary in studies about such vehicles. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the Federal use of methanol-powered vehicles. Exempts such vehicles from: (1) inclusion in any Fleet Average Fuel Economy calculation under specified law; and (2) any limitation on the maximum cost of individual vehicles obtained by the United States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through FY 1990. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a demonstration program for the operation of methanol-fueled diesel trucks on a long-haul, high density interstate truck route; and (2) report to the Congress regarding such program. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1987 through FY 1990. Requires the Administrator to: (1) purchase a minimum of five methanol-powered buses during FY 1987 for use in urban settings to determine emissions and fuel economy tests; and (2) report to the Congress regarding such tests. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through FY 1990. Requires any State which receives Federal mass transportation assistance after January 1, 1991, for the acquisition of motor vehicles transporting 30 or more persons in a nonattainment area to acquire methanol-powered buses with such assistance. Directs the Secretary to provide such States with supplemental grants to cover the amount by which methanol-powered buses exceed the costs of comparable diesel-powered buses. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through FY 1993. Establishes the Interagency Commission on Methanol to develop and coordinate implementation of a national methanol energy policy. Requires the Commission to: (1) perform various studies with respect to the production, use, and promotion of methanol as a fuel; (2) develop a plan for the commercialization of methanol; (3) develop a public-awareness program on methanol as a transportation fuel; (4) coordinate Federal efforts with respect to methanol research and commercialization; and (5) ensure communication between Federal agencies involved in methanol demonstration projects and establish an information clearinghouse for parties working with or interested in methanol and related projects. Requires the Chairman of the Commission to establish a private sector advisory panel to inform the Commission about methanol-related matters. Sets forth reporting requirements which apply to the Commission. Terminates the Commission upon the submission of its last report. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding a study of the comparative costs of methanol based on natural gas, coal, and other resources. Sets guidelines for such study. Directs the Administrator to prepare a comprehensive air quality and health study regarding specified aspects of methanol as a transportation fuel compared to existing gasoline and diesel fuels. Authorizes appropriations for both studies. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to set fuel economy determinations for methanol-powered automobiles. Requires all passenger automobiles and light-duty trucks acquired by the United States after October 1, 1986, to be suitable for operation on all fuels for which Environmental Protection Agency waivers are in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Contract Savings Act of 1985 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the procurement of property and services from the private sector when the costs are lower than those of providing such property and services by the Federal Government. Requires the Administrator of General Services to prescribe regulations for such cost comparisons. Makes greater reliance on private sector sources a part of Federal procurement policy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit using funds authorized for international organizations and programs for the U.S. proportionate share for programs for certain communist countries. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) review annually the budgets and accounts of all organizations receiving such funds; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees the amounts spent by such organizations for such communist country programs and the amount of the U.S. contribution to each such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Declares that the Congress will not appropriate additional funds for the U.S. contribution to the seventh replenishment of the resources of the International Development Association unless there is a full debate in the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Eliminates the requirement that individuals who are owner-employees with pension or profit-sharing plans (Keogh plans) must file a specified informational return (form 5500-c) in order to comply with certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe a simplified information return.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide that budget authority proposed to be rescinded or reserved in a special message transmitted to the Congress by the President shall be made available for obligation unless the Congress completes action within a specified period on a rescission bill disapproving the rescission of such authority.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1985
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude the employees of States and local governments from the provisions of that Act relating to maximum hours. Revises the definition of "employee" under that Act to exclude any volunteer for a State, local, or interstate public agency, even if such volunteer is paid expenses or a nominal fee to perform the voluntary services.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Code provisions dealing with the Puerto Rico and possession tax credit (allowing domestic corporations a tax credit if certain percentages of gross income are derived from sources within a possession or from the active conduct of a trade or business within a possession) should not be revised and should be allowed to continue to operate in their present form.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to: (1) establish regulations necessary to ensure access (currently, reasonable access) to telephone service by persons with impaired hearing; and (2) require that all telephones (currently, essential telephones) provide internal means for effective use with hearing aids specially designed for telephone use. Repeals a provision directing the Commission to consider the costs and benefits to all telephone users when making rules concerning telephone service for the disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Confirms title in specified lands in California and Nevada which were transferred to such States by the Federal Government, conveyed by such States to third parties, and were determined in a border dispute resolution to be a part of a State other than the State which conveyed the title.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Judicial Survivors' Annuities Amendments Act - Amends the Judicial Code to increase the amount that a judicial official has withheld from his or her salary for purposes of the Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund. Requires funding in amounts necessary to reduce to zero the unfunded liability of such fund. Increases the amount of the annuity received by a surviving widow or widower with children. Increases the amount of the annuity received by the surviving children of a judicial official leaving no widow or widower. Revises the formula used to determine the amount of the annuity given a widow or widower of a judicial official. Makes survivors of the Deputy Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts eligible for annuities under such Act. Makes the benefits conferred by this Act available to any eligible individual. Permits a judicial officer who has participated in the present annuity program to withdraw, in writing, according to specified procedures. Allows such officer, if eligible, to subsequently join the judicial survivors' annuities program created by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax of 16 cents an ounce on smokeless tobacco manufactured in or imported into the United States. Appropriates to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Social Security Act) the revenues raised by such tax.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1985
Amends the joint resolution designating Captive Nations Week to add Russia, South Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Nicaragua, and Mozambique to the list of captive nations. Replaces language referring to "Communist imperialism" with language referring to "Soviet expansionism."
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1985
Disapproves the President's recommendation to extend the President's authority to waive the freedom of emigration requirements under the Trade Act of 1974 in order to extend the most-favored nation status of Romania.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Children's Justice Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make additional grants to States for developing, operating, or implementing programs for: (1) handling child abuse cases in a manner to reduce trauma to the child (especially in sexual abuse cases); (2) successful prosecution or legal action against child abusers; and (3) protection of children from abuse. Makes a State eligible for such assistance if it establishes a multidisciplinary task force and adopts reforms recommended by such task force. Requires the task force to be comprised of professionals experienced in the criminal justice system. Requires a State to adopt reforms recommended by the task force in each of the three stipulated categories or submit a detailed explanation of the reasons for not carrying out such recommendations. Requires the Secretary, through the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, to: (1) compile, publish, and disseminate evaluations of the approaches utilized with respect to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases; (2) develop and disseminate model training materials and procedures to help insure that law enforcement, legal, judicial, and child welfare personnel are adequately trained to deal with child abuse victims; and (3) provide for support of research projects to assist in identifying effective approaches to achieving successful investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases. Directs the Secretary, within two years, to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the activities carried out with the funds made available under this Act and report the results to the Congress. Requires the evaluation to be made available to State officials within 180 days after enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Education, and any other agency or department head designated by the President, to meet regularly to coordinate and prevent the overlap of programs that address child abuse. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress on the coordination of Federal programs. Requires the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information Center in its Interstate Identification Index, and by the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in its Criminal File and its Uniform Crime Reporting System, with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. Amends the Public Health Service Act with regard to the confidentiality of patient records to provide that nothing in such section shall supersede any State or local requirement for the reporting of incidents of suspected child abuse to authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO) to allow a civil action to be brought by a plaintiff only when the private suit rests on an injury caused by conduct that led to the defendant's conviction of one of the predicate offenses listed in the statute or of a criminal violation of RICO itself. Requires the plaintiff to bring such action within one year of the defendant's conviction.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Narcoterrorism Information Rewards Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Attorney General to reward any individual who furnishes information leading to the arrest or conviction of any individual who killed or kidnapped, or conspired to do so, any U.S. officer or employee (or family member) on account of his or her official duty involving drug enforcement. Grants a reward to any individual who furnishes information leading to the prevention or frustration of such a kidnapping or killing. Authorizes the Attorney General to determine the amount of such reward. Allows the Attorney General to protect the identity of a recipient, if necessary. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Coal Pipeline Act of 1985 - Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to grant rights-of-way over Federal lands to certain persons for coal pipeline purposes. Proscribes the granting of any right-of-way through Federal land which is part of a historic site of national, State, or local significance unless there is no reasonable alternative and reasonable planning is made to minimize the harm to such site. Prohibits any person or entity (including the United States) from claiming any right or interest in water within any State for a coal pipeline unless such claim takes places under the law of the affected State. Delegates to the States all power regarding water rights for a coal pipeline in spite of any otherwise impermissible burden which may thereby be imposed upon interstate commerce. States that this Act does not: (1) impair the validity of any State law (or interstate compact) regarding any claim to water rights; (2) alter the rights of any State to its apportioned share of water under past or future allocation or interstate compact; (3) affect any Indian water rights; or (4) preempt or otherwise affect any State or Federal law or interstate compact regarding water quality or disposal. Prohibits any State acting under authority of this Act from restricting the movement through such State of water acquired in another State and within a coal pipeline. Authorizes certain persons who have received a certification from the Secretary that it is in the national interest to operate or extend a coal pipeline to acquire rights-of-way through private lands by the power of eminent domain. States this Act shall not be construed to permit any person (including the United States) to acquire any water rights through the power of eminent domain. Prohibits the acquisition of any right-of-way through the power of eminent domain if such right-of-way is upon land which is part of a historic site of national, State, or local significance, unless there is no prudent alternative and reasonable planning is made to minimize harm to such site. Sets forth certification guidelines under which the Secretary shall determine whether construction, operation, or extension of a coal pipeline is in the national interest. Requires each pipeline carrier for which a certification has been issued to provide service on reasonable request. Prohibits such carriers from unreasonably discriminating or refusing to enter into contracts with coal shippers under similar conditions in a contemporaneous period. Requires the Secretary to publish notice of coal pipeline certifications in the Federal Register. States that this Act shall not be construed to modify or preempt the ratemaking authority of any State utility regulatory agency. Requires the Secretary to establish uniform Federal standards for coal pipeline safety. Establishes penalties for failure to comply with such safety standards.
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 · 23 May 1985
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to extend the income and eligibility verification system so as to require an applicant or benefit recipient, as a condition of eligibility for or receipt of benefits under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of such Act, title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of such Act, title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act, the food stamp program, or the unemployment insurance compensation program, to declare in writing whether or not he or she is a U.S. citizen, and, if a U.S. citizen his or her immigration status and file number. Requires the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to implement a verification system of immigration status to be made available to all States by October 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Deplores and condemns the murder of Major Arthur D. Nicholson, Jr., and calls on the Soviet Union to apologize for his murder and to indemnify his family. Calls on the President to rename Checkpoint Charlie in honor of Major Nicholson.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Young Astronaut Program Medal Act - Commemorates the Young Astronaut Program by directing the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and deliver to the Young Astronaut Council no more than 750,000 medals with emblems, devices, and inscriptions determined by the Secretary. Authorizes the Council to dispose of the medals at a premium and to have them delivered as required in quantities of no less than 2,000. Directs that no medals be struck after December 31, 1987. Directs the Secretary to set the price of the medals at no less than the manufacturing cost plus a surcharge of ten percent of such cost. Requires the furnishing of security sufficient to fully indemnify the United States for such costs. Directs that the medals be struck in gold, silver, and bronze and in such size or sizes as determined by the Secretary. Gives the U.S. Comptroller General the right to examine the records of the Council which are related to the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Product Liability Act of 1985 - Sets forth uniform national standards for products liability cases. Preempts inconsistent Federal and State laws. Permits action under this Act to be brought in State court or Federal court if the United States is a party or diversity jurisdiction exists. Prohibits recovery for other than commercial loss or damage to the product itself, except as otherwise provided in this Act. Sets forth basic standards of responsibility for manufacturers and product sellers other than manufacturers including wholesalers, distributors, retailers, lessors, packagers, and repairers. Establishes rules relating to proof in products liability cases with respect to Federal Government standards and contract specifications. Prohibits admission of postmanufacturing improvements except for the purpose of impeaching a witness for the product seller who denies the feasibility of such improvements. Allows a manufacturer to introduce certain precautionary measures. Provides that all product liability actions shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Specifies the manner in which damages are to be apportioned. Provides that comparative damages apply only to compensatory damages. Requires the reduction of any damage award by the amount of workers' compensation benefits which are paid. Makes a product seller who acted with flagrant indifference to consumer safety, where the act was an extreme departure from accepted practice, liable for punitive damages. Establishes a two-year statute of limitations and a ten-year statute of repose.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to declare that contributions, gifts, or payments by union members to a separate fund which is used by the union for political purposes must be voluntary and unrelated to monies required as a condition of employment. Declares it to be unlawful to use monies paid to an organization as a condition of employment for any type of election or campaign activity by such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Children's Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute to extend the Act's coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Authorizes a civil suit for treble damages for any person injured personally or in his or her business or property. Amends the Federal criminal code with regard to the sexual exploitation of children. Makes it a Federal offense to print or publish any statement or advertisement to receive, buy, produce, display, photograph, film, print or publish any statement or advertisement to receive, buy, produce, display, photograph, film, print or record any visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Prohibits offering participation in sexually explicit conduct with a minor. Lists factors that may be considered in determining whether a person engaged in such conduct has attained the age of 18. Provides that the Government need not establish the identify of the alleged minor in a prosecution under this section. Increases the penalties for offenses involving the transportation of minors for prohibited sexual conduct.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. national security policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength. Sets forth the principles and goals of such policy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to add Afghanistan to the list of communist countries the imports from which are subject to the column two rate of duty. Prohibits granting nondiscriminatory (most-favored-nation) treatment to the products of Afghanistan. Prohibits entering into a commercial agreement with Afghanistan pursuant to the Trade Act of 1974. Prohibits Afghanistan from participating in any program under which the United States extends credit, credit guarantees, or investment guarantees.
![Official portrait of Rep. Badham, Robert E. [R-CA-40]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000024_200.jpg)