United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985
Authorizes election agencies to mail voter registration forms, absentee ballots, and certain related materials free of postage. Declares that this Act does not apply to mail matter transmitted under the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 or the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985
Commission on Merchant Marine and Defense Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985 to authorize the use of funds appropriated for operations and maintenance of the Navy to pay for expenses of the Commission on Merchant Marine and Defense. Extends the time for submission of certain reports by the Commission.
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 · 23 April 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal honoring George Gershwin to his sister, Frances Gershwin Godowsky, and a gold medal honoring Ira Gershwin to his widow, Lenore Gershwin. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
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 · 18 April 1985
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a stamp commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Blue Angels. Specifies the design and denomination of the stamp. Establishes the dates within which the stamp shall be issued and directs that it be sold for a period set by the Postmaster General.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Cocaine and Health Report Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transmit a report to the Congress, by September 30, 1986, regarding: (1) the health consequences of cocaine use; (2) the number of cocaine users; (3) specified consequences and effects of cocaine use; and (4) appropriate recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Requires the initial report of the National Drug Enforcement Policy Board to include: (1) a comprehensive assessment of the current and potential contribution of synthetic narcotic analogs (designer drugs) to the illegal narcotics problem in the United States; (2) proposals for illegal drug law enforcement strategies to prevent the manufacture and distribution of synthetic narcotic analogs; and (3) recommendations to the Congress for necessary legislation to eliminate the manufacture and distribution of illegal synthetic narcotic analogs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Narcotics Importation, Manufacture, and Control Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the criminal penalties for: (1) importing or exporting controlled substances; (2) bringing or possessing on board a vessel, aircraft, or vehicle a controlled substance; and (3) manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance. Prohibits granting a suspended or probationary sentence for persons convicted of such offenses. Denies such persons eligibility for parole. Permits imposing criminal penalties for attempts or conspiracies to commit such offenses. Requires such penalties to be imposed in the same manner and to the same extent as is prescribed for actually committing the offenses involved. Prohibits granting a suspended or probationary sentence for persons convicted of such attempts or conspiracies and denies such persons eligibility for parole if such sentences and parole are precluded for actually committing the offenses involved. Requires that any person who manufactures a controlled substance shall be imprisoned for the entire maximum term of imprisonment for such violation. Prohibits granting a suspended or probationary sentence and denies such persons eligibility for parole.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Defense Environmental Restoration Act of 1985 - Subjects facilities under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense to the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) (Superfund). Exempts the Secretary from the financial responsibility requirements. Prohibits the delegation to the Secretary of any response authority under such Act, requiring such authority to remain with the President or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as appropriate. Permits the designation of the Secretary and other Department of Defense (DOD) officials as natural resources trustees under such Act. Authorizes the Administrator to delegate other authorities to the Secretary or DOD officials if it would be cost-effective except the authority to approve remedial action at a site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in a nonemergency situation. Authorizes the President to issue response action orders as necessary to protect the national security. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Office of the Secretary an office to implement the Defense Environmental Restoration Program which includes investigating and cleaning up contamination from hazardous substances and correcting environmental damage. Directs the Secretary to carry out response actions with respect to releases of hazardous substances from sites and vessels under the Secretary's jurisdiction. Excludes response actions which do not result in a new facility from military construction requirements. Permits removal or remedial action by another responsible party. Directs the Secretary to pay all fees and charges imposed by State and local authorities for storage and/or disposal of hazardous substances on lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to implement the administrative abatement authorities where there may be an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or the environment from a DOD controlled facility. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 to carry out the restoration program. Makes available to the Secretary amounts recovered from responsible parties for response actions of the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to settle claims under CERCLA up to a specified amount. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for emergency removal actions where the release or threatened release of any hazardous substance presents an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health or environment. Limits the per-site expenditure unless the Secretary and the Administrator agree that continued response actions are required in an emergency-type situation. Requires each emergency removal action to be completed within six months if possible or within 18 months at the outside. Requires the Secretary to notify the Congress within 15 days of obligating emergency funds. Authorizes the Secretary to use facility maintenance funds for response actions, including emergency actions. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize the services of any other Government agency on a reimbursable basis to carry out this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a research, development, and demonstration program regarding hazardous waste management, including cost-effective strategies and technological innovation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Directs the Secretary to notify the Administrator of the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) within one year of this Act's enactment of the 25 hazardous substances most frequently used at DOD facilities for which no standard or water quality criteria are in effect under the other Federal environmental and water quality statutes. Requires ATSDR to prepare profiles on such substances within one year of receiving the funds to do so. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to keep the regional EPA offices and the appropriate State and local authorities informed about any hazardous substance releases or proposed response actions occurring at a DOD site within their area. Requires that such notice be made prior to taking a response action in nonemergency situations. Directs the Secretary to establish a Technical Review Committee of such authorities whenever possible to review and comment on DOD proposals. Requires the Secretary to provide an opportunity for public participation before adopting a plan for remedial action at any DOD site on the NPL. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the implementation of this Act, including a statement for each site and its hazardous substances, the response actions taken or proposed, and the costs involved. Directs the Secretary to provide the Congress with information on military construction projects in the budget attributable to environmental restoration programs. Requires military construction authorizations to separately set forth the amount requested for environmental restoration for each military department and defense agency. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out otherwise unauthorized emergency construction for hazardous substance response actions up to a specified amount and after congressional notification.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Reduction of Unlawful Drug Distribution Act of 1985 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to require the death penalty for continuing criminal enterprise (a continuous series of felony violations under such Act) and for dangerous special drug offender offenses (two or more controlled substances offense convictions or a felonious violation as part of a pattern of dealing in or in furtherance of a conspiracy to deal in controlled substances).
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
Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to accept gifts and bequests of personal property and money for the benefit of the Capitol Buildings Art Collection. Directs the Architect to act as curator for such Collection and submit an annual report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Youth Suicide Prevention Act of 1985 - Title I: Commission for the Study of Youth Suicide - Establishes the Commission for the Study of Youth Suicide. Directs the Commission to conduct a study that will: (1) examine the causes of suicide among children and youth; (2) identify the most promising strategies for intervening in and preventing suicide; and (3) analyze the options available for assisting States and communities in implementing youth suicide prevention programs. Directs the Commission to prepare both a short- and long-range national plan for the prevention of youth suicide. Directs the Commission, within 15 months after the date of its initial meeting, to transmit to the President and the Congress a report containing a detailed statement of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study. Provides for the membership of the Commission, including the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and of Education, or their delegates, and citizen leaders including some chosen from lists submitted by the American Association of Suicidology, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Psychiatric Association. Provides for a Commission Director and staff and for Commission powers. Terminates the Commission 90 days after its report is transmitted. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title for FY 1986 and 1987. Title II: Grants for Programs to Prevent Suicide among Children and Youth - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary), in cooperation with the Secretary of Education, to make grants for establishment and operation of youth suicide prevention projects to each applicant whose application is approved. Provides a list of the types of such projects which may be eligible for such grants (including youth school programs, community resources (such as 24-hour "teen hot-lines"), educational materials and public service announcements, and national and international conferences on youth suicide prevention. Requires that such grants be made under terms and conditions prescribed by the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Education. Limits the amount of such grant award to any one applicant to not more than: (1) a total of $500,000 for FY 1986 through 1988; and (2) 50 percent of the estimated cost of the project for any fiscal year. Makes States, local governments, and private nonprofit agencies eligible to apply for such grants. Directs the Secretary to approve an application if the applicant qualifies under specified provisions and meets such other requirements as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation. Requires that applications contain such information and assurances as the Secretary considers necessary. Sets forth qualification requirements for grant applicants. Requires an applicant that is a State or local government to have in effect and be implementing a primary suicide prevention program directed at children and youth. Requires an applicant that is a private nonprofit agency to demonstrate, in a manner prescribed by regulation by the Secretary, that the agency is cooperating with other private agencies and with Federal, State, and local governments to help prevent suicide among children and youth. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to submit to the President and the Congress an annual report evaluating the types and effectiveness of programs and activities assisted under this Act during the preceding fiscal year. Requires that the last such report transmitted contain recommendations on the desirability of continuing such grants. Sets forth auditing provisions. Terminates the grants program established by this title three years after the first grant is awarded. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for grants under this title in specified limited amounts for FY 1986 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Amends the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and the Walsh-Healey Act to require overtime compensation only for hours of employment in excess of 40 hours in a workweek for employees of Federal Government contractors or subcontractors.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the benefit disparities caused by the 1977 changes in the social security benefit formula. Directs the Secretary to report the results of the study to the Congress and the Congressional Budget Office. Directs the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to report to the Congress that Office's conclusions and recommendations regarding the Secretary's report.
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 · 28 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that National Guard and reserve members should be recognized for the essential role they play in the national defense. Urges and requests employers and supervisors to abide by Federal law and grant a leave of absence for military training to members of the Guard and reserves and provide such employees equal consideration for job benefits and promotions.
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 · 26 March 1985
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to the Bethune-Cookman College in Volusia County, Florida, to establish the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial Fine Arts Center. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
States that the United Support of Artists for Africa should be commended for aiding the African famine victims and for demonstrating that people can make a difference in relieving the plight of those victims.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Mail Order Drug Paraphernalia Control Act - Makes it a Federal criminal offense for any person to use the U.S. Postal Service or any private parcel service in interstate commerce as part of a scheme to sell drug paraphernalia. Imposes a penalty of imprisonment for not more than three years and a fine of not more than $100,000. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of any paraphernalia involved in a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Requires presidential primaries to be held during the period beginning the second Tuesday in March and ending on the second Tuesday in June in the year of the presidential election. Directs the Attorney General of the United States to seek compliance with this Act by civil action for equitable relief in Federal district court.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Readiness Enhancement of Air Force Reserve Special Operations Act of 1985 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 for the operation and maintenance of: (1) a Special Operations Wing of the Air Force Reserve; and (2) the Directorate of the Department of Defense Task Force on Drug Law Enforcement. Directs the Secretary of Defense, not later than September 30, 1985, to report to specified congressional committees concerning the expenditure of funds authorized by this Act. Outlines information to be included in such report.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Requires the Federal Communications Commission to conduct and take final action in a proceeding for the assignment of a particular channel in the citizens band radio service for use by neighborhood watch programs. Specifies matters to be considered and requires the opportunity for public comment in such proceeding.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Interstate Compact - Grants congressional approval to the Southeast Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, which provides for cooperation among the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia in the management of low-level radioactive waste on a continuing basis.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require, in order to establish and maintain improved AFDC quality control standards and procedures: (1) each State to collect and submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a statistically reliable sample of AFDC cases; (2) the Secretary to review the sample and notify the State of its error rate; and (3) the State to develop and submit to the Secretary a corrective plan for eliminating or reducing errors. Permits waivers if a State has had a consistently low error rate. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria for corrective action plans. Provides for financial sanctions for States with error rates exceeding certain levels. Permits waivers of the sanctions in certain instances. Defines "error rate" as the ratio of erroneous payments to total payments. Defines "erroneous payments" as: (1) payments to ineligible families; and (2) overpayments to eligible families. Directs the Secretary to study and to report to the Congress concerning: (1) the nature of AFDC client errors; (2) measures of a State's performance under the AFDC program which are broader than the current quality control system based on payment accuracy alone; (3) the desirability of including underpayments as "erroneous payments"; and (4) the cost effectiveness of error reduction. Provides, with respect to title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Act, for the continuation of certain regulations relating to Federal liability for error rates in State supplementation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Comprehensive Substance Abuse Education Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to establish a Comprehensive Substance Abuse Education Program to assist school districts in establishing and improving substance abuse education programs for elementary and secondary school students. Includes under such assistance the preparation and provision of instructional materials and assistance in the training for instructors for such programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to States for State personnel to implement this program. Directs the Secretary to report on such program to the Congress within one year after enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study of the military medical system and make recommendations thereon to the Congress within one year of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Provides that, in the event a revenue ruling disallowing a Federal income tax deduction for a personal residence to the extent that otherwise deductible amounts are allocable to housing allowances received by military personnel is applied to members of the armed forces, the President shall raise the basic allowance for quarters of each member to offset the reduction in their tax benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Requires the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health to develop and distribute suicide prevention information. Requires an annual report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Authorizes the Armored Force Monument Committee, the United States Armor Association, the World Wars Tank Corps Association, the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Association, the Tank Destroyer Association, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 16th Armored Division Associations, and the Council of Armored Division Associations to erect a memorial in or near Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, to honor and commemorate the American Armored Force. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select the site and approve the design and plans. Obligates the United States to expenses of maintenance only. Requires the commencement of the erection of the memorial within five years with a certification of sufficiency of funds necessary before commencement.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bennett, Charles E. [D-FL-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000371_200.jpg)