United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1986
Amends Federal law relating to the transportation of military personnel and supplies to prohibit the use of an aircraft chartered by the Department of Defense (DOD) for transporting members of the armed forces unless an inspection of the aircraft and check of its operators has taken place within 48 hours prior to its flight. Requires the Secretary of Defense to receive a report on each inspection performed by Federal Aviation Administration personnel on aircraft used by a firm that contracts with DOD to provide transportation for members by charter. Requires the Secretary to exclude from contracting with DOD firms found to be using unsafe aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1985
Declares that, in order for the United States to defend itself and its allies, the United States asserts the right to: (1) provide economic and military assistance to any country in the Americas that is threatened covertly or overtly by Nicaraguan actions and to any Nicaraguan who is resisting the repressive policies of that country; and (2) continue such assistance until Nicaragua agrees to negotiate with the Nicaraguan democratic resistance for the purpose of reaching an internal reconciliation and agreement with the Americas. Provides that no provision of this Act may be construed to authorize U.S. armed forces to engage in combat against Nicaragua or to establish any country as a colony of the United States.
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 · 5 December 1985
Federal Incentives for State Health Care Professional Liability Reform Act of 1985 - Establishes a program to provide development and incentive grants to States for enacting medical malpractice liability reforms. Describes the reforms which must be in effect for States to receive incentive grants, including: (1) the manner of payment of damage awards exceeding $100,000; (2) a $250,000 limit on noneconomic losses; (3) the method for determining attorneys' fees; and (4) certain requirements regarding health care professional liability insurance. Requires each State receiving an incentive grant to prepare and transmit a report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services every two years describing: (1) State liability reforms enacted, adopted, or in effect; (2) activities conducted by the State with grants received under this Act; and (3) any current problems with respect to health care professional liability or health care professional liability insurance. Requires the Secretary to transmit periodic reports to the Congress summarizing the information provided by the States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) increase dollar limits on personal contributions to candidates and their authorized political committees; and (2) decrease the amount one multicandidate political committee may contribute to any other political committee. Limits to $100,000 ($125,000 where two or more candidates qualify for the ballot) the aggregate amount which all multicandidate political committees may contribute to a candidate for the House of Representatives in a general or special election, including any primary election, convention, or caucus relating to such general or special election. Limits to $25,000 the aggregate amount allowed for multicandidate political committee contributions in a runoff election for the office of Representative. Establishes a formula for multicandidate political committee contributions to candidates for the Senate based upon State populations and limited to an aggregate total of $750,000. Requires multicandidate political committees which make independent expenditures for advertisements connected with a candidate's campaign to disclose such information within the advertisement. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require any station licensee which allows a person to broadcast material endorsing or opposing a candidate to provide the candidate opposing the endorsed candidate, or to the candidate opposed by the material, the opportunity to use the same amount of broadcasting time, without charge, during the same period of the day.
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 · 14 November 1985
Prohibits the President from relinquishing or transferring to any country any land, U.S. territory, exclusive economic zone, fishery conservation zone, or any U.S. claim to such areas unless provided for in a treaty between the United States and such country. Declares that a boundary between the United States and any other country may be established only by treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Amends the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act to express the intent of the Congress that: (1) the National Defense Stockpile be used to serve the interest of national defense only and not for economic or budgetary purposes; and (2) the quantities of materials stored should be sufficient to sustain the United States for a period of not less than three years in the event of a national emergency. Provides that such strategic materials, together with their quantity and quality and the form in which they are to be acquired and stored, shall be established by law and shall be known as the National Defense Stockpile. Provides that certain functions of the President under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (such as stockpile management, disposal authority, the creation of advisory committees, and reports to the Congress) may be delegated only to the Secretary of Defense. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an interagency agreement with the head of any other department or agency for the performance of such functions. Provides that appropriations for the operation of the Stockpile and for acquisitions through the Stockpile Transaction Fund shall be made to the Department of Defense as part of the appropriations for military functions of the Department.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Establishes a field sanitation occupational health and safety standard with respect to agricultural employees engaged in hand-labor operations in the field. Provides that such standard shall be deemed to be an occupational health and safety standard promulgated, enforceable, and subject to penalties for violations under specified provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Prohibits modification, revocation, or challenge of such standard under specified provisions of OSHA. Provides that this Act shall not preempt any State occupational health and safety standard, or any provision thereof, which is more effective in providing sanitized potable drinking water and toilet and handwashing facilities for agricultural employees than the standard established under this Act. Specifies that such more effective State standards need not encompass other standards. Provides that, should there be any statutory restrictions on OSHA's ability to regulate certain agricultural employers, the States are not preempted from developing and enforcing field sanitation standards to apply to such employers.
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 · 31 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Postmaster General should issue a stamp, before October 1, 1986, commemorating the 100th Congress; and (2) the U.S. Postal Service should conduct a public competition for the design of the stamp.
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
National Commission on Classified Information and Security Clearance Procedures - Establishes the National Commission on Classified Information and Security Clearance Procedures to investigate: (1) standards and procedures used by Federal authorities to issue security clearances and classify information; (2) procedures used to ensure that persons with a security clearance continue to meet required standards; (3) the extent to which current standards and procedures cause the classification of more information than required by national security; and (4) the dangers to national security by the growth in the number of persons holding security clearances. Directs the Commission to recommend to each branch of the Federal Government uniform standards and procedures for issuing security clearances, classifying documents, and ensuring that a security clearance continues to meet required standards. Makes provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act inapplicable to the Commission. Requires the Commission to make a final report to the President, the Congress, and the Supreme Court not later than one year after appropriations are first made for the Commission. Allows the restriction of public access to Commission documents. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final 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 · 11 October 1985
Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1985 - Provides that the United States asserts title to any abandoned shipwreck that is: (1) substantially buried in submerged lands of a State; (2) in coralline formations protected by a State on its submerged lands; or (3) on submerged lands of a State when such shipwreck is included or eligible for inclusion in the National Register, and the public is given adequate notice of the location of the shipwreck. Declares that any title to abandoned shipwrecks asserted under such conditions is transferred to the State in or on whose submerged lands the shipwreck is located. States that any abandoned shipwreck in or on the public lands of the United States (except the Outer Continental Shelf) is the property of the United States. Directs the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to publish, within six months after enactment of this Act, advisory guidelines for the protection of shipwrecks and properties.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1985
Commends the President for his decision to order the interception of the Egyptian airliner that was transporting the terrorists who hijacked the Achille Lauro and killed Leon Klinghoffer. Encourages the President to continue to pressure the Government of Italy to extradite those terrorists to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
States that a person shall be considered an American national if such person completes 15 years of lawful continuous residence in the United States or American Samoa, and one of his or her parents was a national of the United States and a resident of the United States or American Samoa at the time of that person's birth.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should initiate, in cooperation with our Western allies, the negotiation of a multinational agreement to establish an allied strategy to respond to international terrorism, procedures to provide and to disseminate intelligence information relating to such terrorism, and a multinational unit to resolve terrorist incidents; and (2) the United States should adopt as a national policy the termination of U.S. foreign assistance to nations that assist or fail to prosecute international terrorists.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1985
Anti-Smuggling Act of 1985 - Title I: Amendments to the Tariff Act of 1930 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to include monetary instruments within the meaning of "merchandise." Requires any vessel which has visited any hovering vessel, or has received merchandise while such vessel is in customs waters beyond the territorial sea, or has received merchandise on the high seas, to be treated as having arrived from a foreign port or place. Requires the owner of any vessel from a foreign port or place, any foreign vessel from a domestic port or place, or any U.S. vessel carrying bonded merchandise or foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made, to immediately report such vessels's arrival (currently within 24 hours after the arrival of such vessel) at a U.S. or Virgin Islands port or place to the nearest customs facility or to such other place as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations which provide the manner in which arrivals are to be reported and which extend the time (not beyond 24 hours) after the arrival of any vessel in which to report such arrival. Restricts the arrival of vehicles in the United States at border crossing points designated by the Secretary. Requires a person in charge of such vehicle (immediately upon the arrival of such vehicle in the United States) to report such arrival to, and present such vehicle, and all persons and merchandise (including baggage) on board such vehicle, for inspection to the customs officer at the customs facility. Requires the pilot of any aircraft arriving in the United States from a foreign airport or place to comply with such advance notification, arrival reporting, and landing requirements as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. Authorizes any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft which has arrived in the United States to depart from the port, airport, or place of arrival and from any custom facility designated to serve such places and discharge passengers and merchandise (including baggage), only in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe. Requires any owner of a ship, person in charge of a vehicle, or pilot of an aircraft which arrives in the United States to present to the appropriate customs officer such documents, papers, and manifests as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of such arrival, reporting, and entry requirements. Increases the fine from $500 to $5,000 (and $10,000 for each subsequent violation) for persons in charge of a vessel or vehicle who fail to make a report or entry to the appropriate customs officials before departure from any collection district. Increases the fine from $500 to $1,000 (for the first passenger and $500 for each additional) for such persons who permit the unloading of passengers from such vessels or vehicles without a special license or permit issued by the appropriate customs officer. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for persons in charge of a vessel or vehicle (arriving in the United States from a contiguous country) who: (1) depart from a designated customs facility without appropriate authorization; or (2) present a forged, altered or false manifest, document, or paper to a customs officer. Increases the fines for persons in charge of any vehicle who: (1) lack or falsify a manifest; or (2) transport specified controlled substances. Increases both the civil and criminal penalties for such persons who allow any merchandise (including sea stores) to be illegally unladen within the customs waters of the United States. Prohibits: (1) any U.S. citizen on board any aircraft to manufacture or distribute, or possess with the intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance (including the introduction of such substances into the United States, any of its territories or possessions, or within a 12 mile distance of the U.S. coast); and (2) any person from transferring any controlled substances, spirits, wines, or other alcoholic liquors between an aircraft, or vessel (that is owned by a U.S. citizen, or is registered in the United States) on the high seas or U.S. customs waters, or regardless of the nationality of such vessel or aircraft. Prohibits any such transfer with the intent to introduce such substances into the United States. Sets forth civil penalties. Provides for the seizure, forfeiture, and sale of merchandise (that is involved in a conveyance) whenever any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft, or the owner, driver, or pilot of such vessel has violated the customs laws of the United States. Prohibits any conveyance used by a person as a common carrier (in the transaction of business as a common carrier) from being subject to seizure or forfeiture under the customs laws for violations relating to merchandise that is contained in baggage belonging to a legally transported passenger, or that is in the conveyance's cargo, if such cargo is listed on the carrier's manifest. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of any controlled substance (on board a conveyance that is used as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier) which is not manifested, or whose markings disagree with such manifest, or is found concealed in or on the conveyance (but not in the cargo). Permits a person authorized to make searches and seizures (in any dwelling house or building) to apply for a warrant from the appropriate authorities if such person suspects the presence of any property that is subject to forfeiture under the customs laws or any documents, containers, or other articles which evidence violations of such laws. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of merchandise that is or has been introduced, or attempted to be introduced, into the United States contrary to law. Sets forth specified procedures with respect to the disposition of property forfeited under the customs laws. Sets the compensation of informers who report violations of such laws to not more than 25 percent (currently 25 percent). Provides that such compensation shall be paid from the net amount recovered before such net amount is deposited in the general fund of the Treasury or the Customs Forfeiture Fund (currently it is paid out of any appropriations available for the collection of the revenues from customs). Provides (with respect to the tolling of the statute of limitations) that an action to recover a pecuniary penalty is deemed to have been commenced when the appropriate customs officer issues a penalty notice. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations that authorize customs officers to exchange information with foreign customs agencies and law enforcement agencies with respect to the enforcement of the customs laws. Provides, when authorized by treaty or executive agreement, that the Secretary may station customs personnel in foreign countries. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to provide a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment not to exceed two years, or both, of persons (owners of aircraft) who operate an aircraft: (1) that is not registered; (2) during any period the aircraft certificate or registration has been suspended or revoked by the Secretary of Transportation; (3) without a valid airman certificate; (4) without navigation and/or anticollision lights; and (5) with an illegal fuel tank or system installation aboard such aircraft. Subjects any unlawful fuel taken, or system installation, and aircraft to seizure and forfeiture. Increases the fine from $500 to $5,000 for any person who violates specified entry requirements relating to civil aircraft and vessels. Subjects owners of aircraft who transport any controlled substances to specified penalties. Requires any person having an ownership interest in an aircraft for which a certificate of registration has been issued to, upon the sale, transfer, or conveyance of such interest, file within 15 days such notice as the Secretary of the Treasury may provide. Amends Federal law to subject all pleasure vessels, including all persons aboard, to applicable customs regulations under the Tariff Act of 1930. Replaces specified provisions (regarding the smuggling of controlled substances) with provisions relating to the importation or exportation of merchandise, the reporting or transportation of monetary instruments, or the enforcement of the Bank Secrecy Act. Requires every customs officer, in the exercise of his duties, to: (1) make known his character as a customs officer; and (2) have the authority to demand assistance in executing any arrest, search, or seizure. Increases the fine to $1,000 (currently $200, not less than $5) for persons who refuse, without reasonable excuse, to assist a customs officer. Provides that any person (other than an officer or employer of the United States) who renders assistance in good faith shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of rendering such assistance (provided such person acts as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person). Permits funds appropriated for the U.S. Customs Service to be used for the leasing of space (within the United States) to carry out undercover investigative operations for the detection and prosecution of offenses against the United States that are within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to a named individual to reimburse him for medical expenses he incurred for his son before he became eligible for medical insurance under the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973.
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
Fair Labor Standards Act Amendment of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Labor and the Administrator of Wage and Hours Division of the Department of Labor to retain and continue to enforce specified regulations issued on December 21, 1979, from February 19, 1985, until such time as the Congress and the President have had an opportunity to consider the scope of the coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 for employees of non-Federal public agencies and have given further direction to the Secretary and the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Establishes a field sanitation occupational health and safety standard with respect to agricultural employees engaged in hand-labor operations in the field. Provides that such standard shall be deemed to be an occupational health and safety standard promulgated, enforceable, and subject to penalties for violations under specified provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA). Prohibits modification, revocation, or challenge of such standard under specified provisions of OSHA. Provides that this Act shall not preempt any State occupational health and safety standard, or any provision thereof, which is more effective in providing sanitized potable drinking water and toilet and handwashing facilities for agricultural employees than the standard established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Gifted and Talented Children and Youth Education Act of 1985 - Establishes a Federal gifted and talented education (GTE) program to improve the capability of State and local education agencies (SEAs and LEAs) and private nonprofit schools to: (1) identify gifted and talented children and youth; and (2) provide those children and youth with appropriate educational opportunities. Directs the Secretary of Education from specified sums appropriated under this Act and after consultation with the advisory committee established by this Act to make grants to or contracts with SEAs, LEAs, institutions of higher education, or other public and private agencies to assist them in carrying out authorized GTE programs or projects, including personnel or supervisory training. Sets forth authorized GTE programs and projects, including: (1) preservice and inservice training (including fellowships) for GTE personnel (including leadership personnel); (2) model projects and exemplary programs for identification and education, including summer programs and cooperative programs involving business, industry, and education; (3) strengthening SEA and higher education institutions' capability to provide leadership and assistance to LEAs and nonprofit private schools in planning, operating, and improving such programs; (4) technical assistance and information dissemination; (5) research on methods and techniques for identifying and teaching gifted and talented children and youth; (6) conducting program evaluations and surveys; and (7) developing information and analysis. Establishes the National Center for Research and Development in the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth (the National Center) through grants or contracts with one or more higher education institutions or SEAs, or a consortium or combination of such institutions and agencies, to carry out clauses (5), (6), and (7) of the preceding paragraph. Requires the Director of the National Center to carry out such National Center functions as may be agreed upon through arrangements with other higher education institutions, SEAs, LEAs, or other public or private agencies and organizations. Limits to 30 percent of the funds for authorized programs and projects that portion which may be used to conduct activities pursuant to provisions relating to the National Center and its research, evaluation, and information functions. Directs the Secretary and the advisory committee established by this Act, in administering this Act, to give highest priority to programs for: (1) identifying and educating gifted and talented children and youth who may not be identified through traditional assessment measures (such as the limited-English speaking, economically disadvantaged, handicapped, and women); and (2) developing or improving the capability of schools in an entire State or region of the Nation, through cooperative efforts and participation of SEAs, LEAs, higher education institutions, and other public and private agencies and organizations (including business, industry, and labor) to identify and educate gifted and talented children and youth. Sets forth provisions relating to participation of private school children and teachers in programs under this Act. Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee on GTE, with members representative of State education agencies, teacher education institutions, researchers, teachers, and parents. Directs the Secretary to establish or designate an administrative unit within the Department of Education to: (1) administer the programs authorized by this Act; (2) coordinate all GTE programs that the Department administers; and (3) serve as a focal point for national leadership and information on the educational needs of gifted and talented children and youth and the availability of services and programs to meet those needs. Requires that such administrative unit be headed by a person of recognized professional qualifications and experience in GTE. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, in consultation with the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution (the Commission), to develop exhibits and programs depicting and explaining democratic philosophy and practices throughout history. Requires that these exhibits be housed in a Smithsonian Institution building from January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1997, in a location to be designated as Democracy Hall. Directs the Librarian of Congress to establish, for this same period of time, a room in the Library of Congress containing information on the history of democracy. Directs the Commission to make recommendation to the Congress on: (1) which of the exhibits and facilities should continue beyond 1997; (2) their permanent location; and (3) potential sources of financial support for these exhibits and facilities and for a permanent building to house Democracy Hall after 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for services performed by a physician assistant under the supervision of a physician.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bennett, Charles E. [D-FL-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000371_200.jpg)