United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should award the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Michael J. Smith, Francis R. Scobee, Ronald E. McNair, Ellison S. Onizuka, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Gregory B. Jarvis, and Judith A. Resnik, all of whom died in the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1986
Authorizes the L-5 Society to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor America's astronauts, especially those astronauts who gave their lives in pursuit of knowledge for all mankind. Requires the L-5 Society to select, subject to the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, the site, design, and plans for the memorial. Terminates the authority to establish the memorial if its construction is not begun within five years with non-Federal funds sufficient to ensure its completion.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1986
Prohibits any benefits payable from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, including cost-of-living increases, during calendar year 1987 from being subject to reduction or suspension by statute or presidential order.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1986
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exempt cost-of-living increases in Federal retirement and disability programs from reduction under the President's sequestration order for FY 1986. Provides for reducing the outlays of each agency to offset the increased costs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1986
Summer Youth Employment, Training, and Education Act of 1986 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to require the addition of an education component to the summer youth employment and training programs under part B of title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) of JTPA. Requires that each service delivery area (SDA) be allotted an amount equal to at least 90 percent of the amount available to such area for the summer youth program in the preceding fiscal year. Requires ratable reductions in the allocation to each SDA if appropriations are not sufficient to provide such amount to each SDA. Requires that allotments to States and allocations to SDAs be: (1) made in accordance with provisions for prompt allocation of funds; and (2) available for planning purposes before the beginning of the summer months for which allotted and allocated. Requires that summer youth program funds be used so that participants spend a portion of their time on individualized, self-paced, remedial and basic academic and functional competency development and achieve specified types of performance standards established and developed in each SDA. Requires that the portion of a participant's time spent on such competency development be in addition to, and not in place of, regular employment under the summer youth program. Prohibits summer youth program funds from being used to provide employment to any individual who fails to comply with attendance standards established by the SDA with respect to such education components. Prohibits summer youth program funds from being used to compensate or reward participants for attendance at such education components, except under specified provisions which require that a portion of matching funds be used to provide bonuses to participants for achievement of academic and functional competence. Specifies that planning for summer youth programs does not have to be conducted during the summer months. Sets forth matching fund requirements for summer youth programs. Requires each private industry council (PIC), for each program year beginning after June 30, 1987, to make available from non-Federal sources an amount for use in such programs equal to at least one and one-half percent of the amount made available under JTPA for such programs in that SDA for the applicable program year. Limits, for any program year beginning after June 30, 1987, such matching amounts to not less than $20,000 and not more than $100,000 per SDA. Requires each PIC to notify the State of the PIC's matching amount by April 1 of the preceding program year. Requires each State, for program years beginning after June 30, 1987, to reserve three percent of its allotment under part A (Adult and Youth Programs) of title II of JTPA for allocation among PICs in proportion to the matching amounts made available by such PICS for such program years. Requires that such matching amounts be used to: (1) support the education and training components of the summer youth programs; (2) provide bonuses to participants for achievement of academic and functional competence; and (3) after complying with (1) and (2), create additional employment opportunities under the summer youth programs. Allows matching amounts to be in cash or in-kind, but requires that in-kind matching amounts be in the form of state-of-the-art basic and remedial education materials and equipment suitable for use for summer youth programs for the applicable program year. Requires each SDA to maintain complete records on the improvements in academic and functional competency attained by participants in the summer youth programs. Requires that such records be compiled by reference to State and locally determined general education diploma and basic education competency requirements. Requires each SDA to submit summaries of such records to the State. Requires States to submit annual reports on such summaries to the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Secretary to include an analysis of such reports in the Secretary's annual report to the Congress on employment and training programs. Provides that a specified portion of the State allotment under JTPA which is currently available for State education programs shall also be available to carry out matching requirements for summer youth programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1986
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the termination date of the residential energy tax credit for solar property from December 31, 1985, to July 31, 1986. Sets forth definitions and special rules for solar property during such extension period. Extends the energy investment tax credit for solar energy property from December 31, 1985, to July 31, 1986. Sets forth special rules for solar property eligible for such credit during such extension period.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1986
Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics. Designates the 14th day of June 1986 as Baltic Freedom Day. Authorizes and requests the President to submit the issue of Baltic self-determination to the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1986
Whistleblower Protection Act of 1986 - Separates the Office of Special Counsel from the Merit Systems Protection Board. Empowers the Special Counsel to represent and act as legal counsel on behalf of employees alleging prohibited personnel practices, especially whistleblowers. Revises current law with respect to the Special Counsel to reflect its advocate status. Authorizes the Special Counsel to file a petition to the Board against an official for: (1) committing prohibited personnel practices; (2) violating a law within the jurisdiction of the Special Counsel; or (3) failing to comply with an order of the Board. Sets forth disciplinary actions for such officials. Requires the Special Counsel to report annually to the Congress on its activities. Authorizes employees who have been adversely affected by a prohibited personnel practice to bring an action before the Board (instead of or in addition to taking such action to the Special Counsel). Authorizes such employees to obtain judicial review of the Board's decision in the appropriate U.S. district court. Authorizes appropriations for the Merit Systems Protection Board for 1987 through 1991 and for the Office of Special Counsel for FY 1987 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1986
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exempt cost-of-living increases in civil service retirement and disability programs (including the Central Intelligence Agency retirement and disabilty system, the Comptroller General retirement system, the Foreign Service retirement and disability system, the judicial survivors' annuities system, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration retirement system, the Coast Guard retirement system, the Public Health Service commissioned officers retirement system, and the Tax Court judges survivors' retirement system), military retirement benefits, and certain railroad retirement benefits from reduction under the President's sequestration order.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1986
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exempt for FY 1986 and partially exempt for FY 1987 through 1991 certain portions of cost-of-living increases in Federal retirement and disability programs from reduction under the President's sequestration order.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1985
Amends rule XV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the House from passing or adopting any bill or joint resolution making appropriations or providing revenue except by a rollcall vote.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1985
States that the Congress declares that the primary purpose of U.S. assistance to the Republic of Korea shall be to promote the return to democracy in that country and to that end it places the highest priority on: (1) the replacement of the current climate of intimidation and abuses of human rights with dialog between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the democratic opposition; (2) restoration of the political rights of Kim Dae Jung and others; and (3) the peaceful democratic transfer of the Presidency of the Republic of Korea in 1988 elections that will be open to all who are committed to democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1985
San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act - Provides for the settlement of water rights claims between the United States and the La Jolla, Rincon, San Pasqual, Pauma, and Pala Bands of Mission Indians (California). Requires the Secretary of the Interior, upon the settlement of all water rights claims, to deliver water to the Indian Water Authority in the vicinity of the Pala Indian Reservation. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from being obligated to construct any new facilities. Permits the Secretary of the Interior to utilize non-Federal facilities to deliver such water. Requires the Secretary of Energy to provide electric power to deliver water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the Pala Indian Reservation. Sets forth specified limitations on the uses of such power. Requires the Indian Water Authority to reimburse the United States for the cost of providing such power at a specified rate. Requires the Secretary of Energy to ensure that no additional costs to project customers will result from the delivery of electric power. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy to each enter into such contracts to: (1) fulfill any obligations of such Secretary in the delivery of water and electric power; and (2) continue to provide such services. Establishes the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority. Provides that the Authority, upon the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, may lease, sell, and manage any water or power resource on or off the Reservations of the Bands. Delegates to the Secretary of the Interior exclusive authority to lease, grant rights-of-way across, or transfer title to any Indian tribal or allotted land which is used to divert, convey, and store the waters of the San Luis Rey River for the Escondido communities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow an income tax deduction for any tobacco and tobacco product sale promotion expenses. Defines "tobacco and tobacco products" as any small cigarette, large cigarette, cigar, or smokeless tobacco product, including snuff and chewing tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1985
Military Whistle Blowers Protection Act - Amends Federal law concerning the armed forces to prohibit any civilian officer or employee or any member of the armed forces from taking action against a member as a reprisal for such member's complaint or disclosure of information to a Member of Congress concerning possible violations of law, mismanagement of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Amends Federal law concerning the correction of military records to grant an immediate hearing to members of the armed forces who believe they are victims of reprisals by their superiors. Requires a final decision regarding such a claim within six months of the date on which the claim is presented. Allows the member to bring a civil suit if such claim is not decided within such period. Directs the board considering such a claim to refer the matter to the Secretary concerned and the Inspector General of the Department of Defense if the board finds reason to believe that such a reprisal has occurred. Directs the Inspector General to investigate any matter so referred and submit a report, including recommendations for proposed action, to the Secretary concerned. Directs the Secretary concerned to then take appropriate action. Directs the Inspector General, at the same time a report is submitted to the Secretary concerned, to submit copies of such report to specified congressional committees. Permits the claimant to seek judicial review of any final decision made.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1985
Calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development to work in a global effort to provide universal access to childhood immunization by 1990 by: (1) assisting in the delivery, distribution, and use of vaccines; and (2) performing and supporting research and development activities that will be targeted at developing new vaccines and at modifying existing vaccines to make them more appropriate for use in developing countries. Declares that the President should appeal to the public to provide the necessary resources to achieve universal access to childhood immunization by 1990. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the authorization of appropriations for FY 1987 for the Child Survival Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1985
Requires that the economic assumptions pertaining to inflation that are used for major weapon system programs of the Department of Defense included in the annual budget transmitted by the President to the Congress be the same as those used for all other programs, projects, and activities included in such budget.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take measures to encourage the Government of Indonesia to: (1) allow and maintain access into East Timor for humanitarian organizations, journalists, church delegations, and human rights groups; (2) guarantee freedom of expression for the Roman Catholic Church in East Timor; (3) allow an impartial international examination of population limitation measures and the conditions that exist in areas where East Timorese have been resettled by Indonesian authorities; (4) allow qualified international observers to be present at the trials of East Timorese political prisoners; and (5) work with the U.S. and Portuguese governments to develop peace initiatives for East Timor.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Precursor and Essential Chemicals Review Act of 1985 - Directs the Attorney General to study and recommend methods to control the diversion of legitimate precursor and essential chemicals to the production of illegal drugs. Requires the Attorney General to report all findings to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require States to conduct inventories of solid waste disposal sites containing hazardous substances.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to add to such Act a new title, "Title XIV-Build and Charter," which establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Ship Revolving Fund. Provides that moneys for such Fund shall be derived from: (1) all moneys appropriated to the Fund; (2) all moneys received for the charter or sale of merchant vessels constructed under this Act; and (3) any other moneys made available for the Fund. Provides that moneys from such Fund shall be used for the construction in private U.S. shipyards of merchant vessels capable of serving as naval and military auxiliaries in time of war or national emergency. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to administer the Fund and to award contracts to private U.S. shipyards for vessel construction under this Act. Directs the Secretary to charter or sell any naval vessel constructed under this Act to a citizen of the United States for operation in the foreign commerce of the United States. Outlines information concerning the price to be charged by the Secretary for the sale or charter of such vessels. Provides that a citizen who charters or purchases a vessel under this Act shall not be eligible to receive an operating-differential subsidy for the operation of any such vessel. Prohibits the Secretary from chartering or selling any vessel constructed under this Act for operation in the transpacific or transatlantic general dry cargo service unless the Secretary makes certain findings concerning the need for such vessel, including the finding that such charter or sale is in the interest of national security. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Telecommunications Equipment and Information Services Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Bell operating companies to provide information services (excluding electronic publishing) and to manufacture telecommunications equipment, subject to such regulations as the Federal Communications Commission may prescribe. Conditions such authority on the Commission's determination that no Bell operating company could impede competition in the information services or telecommunications equipment manufacturing businesses. Requires the Commission to include in its annual report to the Congress an assessment, providing for public comment, of the impact of this Act on employment in such businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Designates May 25, 1986, as Hands Across America Day. Authorizes and requests the President to commend: (1) United Support of Artists for Africa for their Hands Across America project; and (2) the American people for their commitment to helping people help themselves.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1985
Small Contribution Tax Credit Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the income tax credit for contributions to presidential, state, and local candidates, political action committees, and newsletter fund contributions. Allows an income tax credit for congressional candidate contributions. Limits the amount of such credit to $100 for a taxable year ($200 in the case of a joint return).
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1985
Foreign Agents Compulsory Ethics in Trade Act of 1985 - Prohibits former high-level Federal civilian officers or employees or high-ranking officers of the uniformed services from representing or advising foreign principals during the ten-year period beginning on the last day of such a person's Federal employment or service. Authorizes the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to jointly determine a longer prohibitive period in the interest of national security. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Defines and lists employee positions to which this Act applies.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1985
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to hold a hearing on any application for the transfer of a radio license if: (1) such application includes a request for a waiver from a Commission rule on the ownership of communications properties; and (2) a petition to deny such waiver has been filed.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that interstate natural gas pipelines should transport natural gas for any person, including residential and commercial users, and should do so on a nondiscriminatory basis.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1985
Naval Investigations and Intelligence Reorganization Act of 1985 - Abolishes the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) within the Department of the Navy. Transfers the waste or fraud functions of NIS to the Inspector General of the Navy. Transfers the security and counterintelligence functions of NIS to the Security and Counterintelligence Command (established in this Act). Transfers the criminal investigation functions of NIS to the Criminal Investigations Command (established in this Act). Transfers any remaining functions of NIS to appropriate entities within the Department of the Navy. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to establish a Security and Counterintelligence Command to perform all security and counterintelligence functions within the Department. Directs the Secretary to establish a Criminal Investigations Command to perform all criminal investigation functions within the Department. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring a certain degree of severity before the Criminal Investigations Command will undertake an investigation. Directs the Criminal Investigations Command to prepare annual plans concerning fraud prevention activities. Provides that the Inspector General of the Navy shall be the only official within the Department responsible for waste or abuse investigations within the Navy. Directs the Secretary to report annually to appropriate committees of the Congress on the activities during the preceding year of the Inspector General of the Navy, the Security and Counterintelligence Command, and the Criminal Investigations Command.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1985
Declares that: (1) the people around the world desire a world free from the threat of war; (2) it is the hope of all citizens that the President and General Secretary Gorbachev will reach an arms control agreement which significantly cuts nuclear stockpiles and halts the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union; and (3) in order to express this hope, all citizens are invited to light candles from dusk to dawn on November 19 and 20, 1985, while the President and Gorbachev meet in summit.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Authorizes the Francis Scott Key Park Foundation to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor Francis Scott Key, the author of the words to our national anthem. Subjects the selected site, design, and plans for the memorial to the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. Provides that only non-Federal funds may be used to establish the memorial and that these must be sufficient before construction begins. Terminates the authority provided by this Act if construction does not begin within five years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Designates 1986 as Save for the U.S.A. Year. Requests the President to initiate a nationwide campaign, to be known as the Buy Back America campaign, to encourage the people of the United States to buy U.S. savings bonds and certificates and thereby reduce borrowings from foreign sources. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enhance the marketability of such bonds and certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Joint Chiefs of Staff Reorganization Act of 1985 - Revises Federal provisions concerning the composition and function of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to define the Chairman of JCS as the principal military advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. Authorizes a member of JCS other than the Chairman to offer, to the Secretary of Defense and then to the President, a separate opinion in disagreement with that of the Chairman concerning military advice given. Directs that the Chairman of JCS shall supervise the commanders of the combatant commands and act as their spokesman. Extends the term of the Chairman of JCS from two to four years. Establishes the position of Deputy Chairman of JCS. Prohibits the Deputy Chairman and the Chairman from being a member of the same military branch, unless the Secretary of Defense waives such prohibition for a limited period. Sets the term of the Deputy Chairman at four years. Requires the Deputy Chairman to perform such duties as delegated by the Chairman with the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Directs the Deputy Chairman to act as Chairman if the latter position is vacated for any reason. Directs the Deputy Chairman to act as director of the Joint Staff, which performs such duties as the Chairman prescribes. Eliminates any maximum number of officers on the Joint Staff. Provides that the four-year term of a member of the Joint Staff may be extended with the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the Joint Staff is independently organized and operated in order to provide for the unified strategic direction of the combatant forces and their operation and integration into an efficient team of land, naval, and air forces. Requires the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to submit an evaluation to the President of any person for appointment to a grade above major general or rear admiral. Requires such evaluation to consider the performance of that officer as a member of the Joint Staff and in other assignments involving joint military experiences. Requires such evaluation to be submitted to the President at the same time as the submission of the recommendation for the appointment. Directs the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman of JCS to attend all meetings of the National Security Council and participate fully in its deliberations. Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than six months after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on plans for further changes in the administration of the military high commands of each of the armed forces. Outlines proposals to be developed in such report.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate 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 · 10 October 1985
Declares that the Congress calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development (AID) to work in a global effort to provide support toward achieving the goal of universal access to childhood immunization by the year 1990. Sets forth specified actions to be taken by AID, in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in reaching such goal. Urges the President to seek both private and public assistance in the United States to achieve universal access to childhood immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Amends the copyright law to prohibit a copyright holder from conveying the right to publicly perform an audiovisual work on non-network commercial television without simultaneously conveying the right to perform in synchronization any copyrighted music which accompanies such work.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Establishes uniform regional poll closing times for presidential elections as follows: (1) 9:00 p.m., eastern standard time, for polling places in the eastern, central, and mountain time zones; and (2) 10:00 p.m., eastern standard time, for polling places in the Pacific time zone.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Establishes the United States Commission on Improving the Effectiveness of the United Nations to examine and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the United Nations and to submit to the President recommendations on ways to improve its effectiveness and the role of the United States in such organization. Sets forth specified items which the Commission should focus on in carrying out its duties. Requires the Commission to transmit to the President and to the Congress a report containing a detailed statement of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Authorizes appropriations and private contributions for the Commission. Terminates the Commission 60 days after the submission of its report.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Expresses the disapproval of the Congress regarding the deferral of certain proposed budget authority for financial assistance for urban mass transportation needs in San Diego, California, set forth in a special message of the President (D86-21) transmitted to the Congress on October 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1985
Federal Government Easy Access Act - Requires Federal agency correspondence outside the executive branch to include the name, phone number, and mailing address of individuals to whom responses and inquiries may be made.