United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that an activity relating to the distribution of low cost articles (any article which has a cost not in excess of five dollars to the organization which distributes such item) by certain nonprofit organizations and veterans' organizations in connection with the solicitation of charitable contributions does not constitute an unrelated trade or business of such organization. Provides for a yearly inflation adjustment to the cost of the low cost articles which may be distributed.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration should be designated by the President as a member of the Cabinet and as the principal advisor on small business matters. Upgrades such position to level I of the Executive Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Major Export Market Trade Equity Act of 1985 - Extends to an otherwise ineligible nonmarket economy country nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) during any market year after 1985 if the President determines that: (1) the country either has the potential to become a major export market for U.S. products which nondiscriminatory treatment will enhance, or is already such a market; (2) during the corresponding calendar year that country will not receive nondiscriminatory treatment for its products under any other U.S. law; and (3) during the preceding calendar year that country had a negative trade balance with the United States. Requires the President to determine those nonmarket economy countries eligible for such treatment before the start of each market year after 1985 and to publish a list of such countries in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Agricultural Tax Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the amount of the investment tax credit for farm property of a taxpayer not primarily engaged in farming. Excludes from the minimum tax any gain realized on the sale of farm property sold to satisfy the indebtedness of an insolvent farmer. Treats losses attributable to the trade or business of farming as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Disallows an investment tax credit for a single purpose agricultural structure. Disallows capital gains treatment for any gain realized on the sale of a single purpose agricultural structure. Repeals the income tax deduction for expenditures by farmers for clearing land. Allows an additional investment tax credit for soil or water conservation expenses incurred for irrigation property and conservation improvements by a taxpayer engaged in the business of farming. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of such expenses (in addition to the regular percentage allowed for the investment tax credit).
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Allowable Cost Reform Act - Requires that a contract with the Department of Defense for an amount more than $25,000 that is flexibly priced or for which certain cost or pricing data is required must: (1) disallow certain costs; and (2) impose a penalty on a contractor who submits a claim for reimbursement of such a cost. Provides that the following costs are disallowed under such a contract: (1) costs of amusement and social activities; (2) costs incurred to influence action on legislation or appropriation matters pending before the Congress; (3) costs of the defense of any fraud proceeding; (4) fines and penalties imposed for noncompliance with Federal, State, or local laws and regulatons; (5) costs of memberships in any social or dining club or organization; (6) alcoholic beverages; (7) contributions or donations; (8) advertising; and (9) models, gifts, souvenirs, or other memorabilia. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations concerning the allowability of contractor costs. Requires the Secretary to submit to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees a report identifying: (1) the nature of the proposed changes to be made to current cost principles; and (2) the potential effect of such changes on future requests for reimbursement of contractor costs. Requires the Secretary to allow resolution of challenged expenses by negotiation and settlement. Requires the Secretaries of the military departments and the Directors of the Defense Agencies to prescribe regulations to limit to five years the duty assignment for certain contracting officials to any particular contractor.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1985
States that the Congress joins with the Agency for International Development (AID) in expressing outrage at the forced evacuation of the Ibnet feeding camp in Ethiopia and urges other nations to join in the condemnation of the actions of the local Administrator of the Gondar Region. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Ethiopian Government, the United Nations, and AID take specified actions with respect to the famine victims.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Congress joins with the Agency for International Development (AID) in expressing its outrage and urges other nations to join in condemning the forced evacuation of famine victims in Ethiopia; (2) the Ethiopian Government should take steps to ensure that such evacuation and destruction of refugee facilities never happens again and to assist those victims; and (3) the United Nations and AID should take specified actions with respect to such victims.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985
States that the Congress joins with the Agency for International Development (AID) in expressing outrage at the forced evacuation of the Ibnet feeding camp in Ethiopia and urges other nations to join in the condemnation of the Ethiopian Government. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Ethiopian Government, the United Nations, and AID take specified measures with respect to the famine victims. Urges the President to convey U.S. concerns regarding Ethiopia's actions toward those victims.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1985
Designates the week beginning on April 13, 1986, as National Garden Week. Urges the wearing of garden flowers during that week as a symbol of appreciation for the contributions of the Nation's gardeners.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985
States that on the occasion of President Jose Napoleon Duarte's trip to the United States, the House of Representatives applauds him and the Government of El Salvador and expresses its appreciation for his leadership in the campaign to immunize the children of El Salvador.
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 · 22 April 1985
Prohibits imports of beef, bananas, or sugar from Nicaragua until the President finds that the policies of the Nicaraguan Government regarding opposition to the resistance forces and a democratic government are consistent with its obligations under the terms of the Nicaraguan revolution and the promises made to the Organization of American States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Vietnam Property Liquidation Act - Directs the President to liquidate as much of the assets of the Government of Vietnam or of any national of Vietnam as may be necessary to pay the certified awards made by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States to U.S. nationals under the provisions of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 dealing with claims against Vietnam. Requires the amount received from the liquidation of such assets to be deposited in the Claims Fund established pursuant to such provisions of such Act. Declares that any surplus shall be deemed to be assets of the Government of Vietnam or of any national of Vietnam.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Amends the Act of August 6, 1956 to rename it the Small Reclamation Project Act of 1956. Establishes a new formula for determining the interest rate for loans made under such Act. Requires a minimum local share to be financed by any non-Indian organization submitting a proposal under such Act. Sets forth a formula for determining such share. Authorizes appropriations as of October 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Multilateral Development Bank Act of 1985 - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to authorize the U.S. Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to vote for an increase in the authorized capital stock of the Bank and to subscribe on behalf of the United States to a specified number of additional shares of such stock. Authorizes appropriations to pay for such shares. Amends the International Finance Corporation Act to authorize the U.S. Governor of the International Finance Corporation to vote for an increase in the authorized capital stock of the Corporation and to subscribe on behalf of the United States to a specified number of additional shares of such stock. Authorizes appropriations to pay for such shares. Amends the African Development Fund Act to authorize the U.S. Governor of the African Development Fund to contribute a specified amount to the Fund. Authorizes appropriations to pay for such contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Merchant Marine Support and Equity Act of 1985 - Requires at least 50 percent of the tonnage of all agricultural commodities imported into the United States, for which an adequate production capacity exists within the United States, to be shipped in private U.S. vessels. Waives such requirement whenever the President or the Congress declares that an emergency exists that justifies such waiver. Limits such waiver to no longer than six months. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to annually determine and publish in the Federal Register a list of the commodities and products to be shipped under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Soviet Union should be condemned for the murder of Major Arthur D. Nicholson, Jr., and actions inconsistent with the 1947 Military Liaison Missions Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Provides that, for taxable years prior to 1985, rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of the deduction for the use of their automobile in performing services involving the collection and delivery of mail on a rural route by: (1) using the amount received as equipment maintenance allowances from the United States Postal Service; or (2) using the form entitled "Worksheet for Use of Rural Carrier in Reporting Equipment Allowance and Claiming Transportation Expense Deduction." Provides that, for taxable years beginning after 1984, rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of their deduction for use of their automobile in performing such services: (1) by using a standard mileage rate for all such miles of such use equal to 150 percent of the basic standard rate; or (2) by calculating the equipment allowance deduction equal to the operating expenses. Removes the 50 percent of business use limitation contained in the Internal Revenue Code for rural letter carriers who claim the investment tax credit and the depreciation deduction for their automobiles.
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 · 28 March 1985
Satellite Television Viewing Rights Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow any person to receive encrypted satellite cable programming decoded for private viewing upon compliance with prices, terms, and conditions established in the marketplace or by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Prohibits any person from: (1) denying the availability of such programming for private viewing; (2) substantially restricting the availability of such programming for private viewing through pricing or other terms or conditions; (3) discriminating in price between different distributors offering comparable distribution services; or (4) requiring a person to purchase or lease decoding equipment from a specific source in order to receive such programming. Directs the FCC, if petitioned, to establish reasonable prices, terms, and conditions for the private viewing of such programming in a market by any person who: (1) has been denied viewing rights for at least ten days; (2) has been offered such rights on terms or conditions which substantially restrict the availability of programming; (3) resides in the franchised area of a cable television system where the operator is the sole source of such programming; or (4) resides outside of the franchised area of a cable system where the price for viewing rights is higher than the price paid by subscribers within the market. Sets forth factors to be considered by the FCC in establishing prices.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Prohibits ending the voluntary restraint on imports of Japanese autos until U.S. exports to Japan are substantially increased and the U.S. trade deficit with Japan is substantially reduced.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
National Childhood Vaccine-Injury Compensation Act of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Childhood Vaccine-Injury Compensation Program (Program). Prohibits the filing of a civil action for damages for vaccine-related injuries unless the procedures of this Act have been followed. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe rules governing the content of claims for vaccine-related injuries and procedures for filing such claims. Sets forth deadlines by which: (1) the Secretary must send the claimant and respondent lists of persons eligible to serve on hearing panels; (2) the respondent may join additional respondents; and (3) the claimant and respondent are to select persons for the hearing panel. Provides for the selection and replacement of additional hearing panel members. Permits each respondent to file a consent waiving his or her rights to a judge or jury trial. Allows the hearing panel to hear a claim if each respondent has filed consent. Allows the claimant to file an action for damages in a State or Federal court where none of the respondents have filed such consents. Permits the hearing panel to hear the claim against participating respondents where some, but not all, of the respondents filed consents. Allows the claimant to file an action in a State or Federal court against the nonparticipating respondents. Declares that such court action shall be stayed on any party's motion until the proceedings against the participating respondents are completed. Empowers the hearing panel to determine whether any alleged injuries are vaccine-related and, if appropriate, to award compensation. Sets an aggregate limit of $1,000,000 per person for such awards, including $100,000 for damages arising from pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Allows the claimant to reject the decision of the hearing panel by filing an objection within 60 days. Permits the respondent to appeal the decision of the hearing panel to a Federal district court within 30 days thereafter if no such objection is filed by the claimant. Directs the district court to affirm the hearing panel decision, unless: (1) the decision was procured by corruption or fraud; (2) the hearing panel exceeded its authority; or (3) the hearing panel denied a fair hearing to any party. Permits a claimant who has filed a timely objection to the hearing panel decision to maintain an action for damages in an appropriate State or Federal court. Permits the decision of the hearing panel to be admitted into evidence, unless: (1) the decision was procured by corruption or fraud; (2) the hearing panel exceeded its authority; or (3) the hearing panel denied a fair hearing to any party. Allows a plaintiff to recover a judgment for monetary damages to the full extent provided by State or Federal law where: (1) the respondent did not file a consent pursuant to this Act; or (2) the parties waived compliance with the procedures prescribed by this Act. Limits recovery to the extent provided by this Act where the respondent has filed a consent. Permits a respondent who has paid an award, judgment, or settlement to file a civil action in a U.S. district court seeking to recover all or part of it. Permits third-party impleaders and cross-claims. Allows a party to file an action for contribution or indemnification if that party: (1) did not file a consent pursuant to this Act or waived compliance; and (2) discharged a vaccine-injury claim. Declares that claims filed more than two years after the first manifestation of a vaccine-related injury shall be barred. Defines "covered vaccine" to include vaccines against diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella. Establishes an Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines to: (1) advise the Secretary on the implementation of the Program; (2) study and recommend ways to encourage the availability of safe and effective vaccines; (3) survey information gathering programs and advise the Secretary on how to obtain useful information; and (4) recommend research. Directs the Secretary to develop parent information materials within one year of enactment of this Act. Describes the information to be included in such materials. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage the development of vaccines that result in fewer major adverse reactions than those currently on the market; and (2) assure improvements in the vaccine industry to reduce the risks of major adverse reactions. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees biennially.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to exempt from the cargo preference requirements activities of the Commodity Credit Corporation or the Department of Agriculture that promote the export of agricultural commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 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 their business or property.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Amerasian Children Relief Act of 1985 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the admission of certain children fathered by U.S. citizens in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, or Kampuchea who have: (1) been released by their mothers for adoption and emigration; and (2) been adopted or will be adopted by U.S. citizens (including certain single parents).
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the value of lodging located in the proximity of an educational institution and rented by such institution to its employees at cost.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to exempt from certain cargo preference requirements activities of the Commodity Credit Corporation or the Department of Agriculture that promote the export of agricultural commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to provide a duty on certain ethyl alcohol that is used as a fuel. Provides, under specified circumstances, for a refund of additional duties paid on such alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to exclude ethyl alcohol and any mixture containing ethyl alcohol which is suitable as a fuel or for creating specified fuel mixtures from eligibility for duty-free treatment merely by its having been subjected to distillation or denaturing within a beneficiary country. Provides for a refund of duties paid on such alcohol or mixture upon proof that such alcohol or mixture was not and can no longer be used as a fuel or to produce the specified fuel mixtures. Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to establish refund procedures. Restricts application of this Act to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption after 15 days since this Act's enactment and before January 1, 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Reclamation Project Authorization Act of 1972 to increase the acreage to be irrigated by the O'Neill Unit of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin program, Nebraska. Describes the features the unit shall include. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Intergenerational Education Volunteer Network Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies (LEAs), or to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations applying jointly with one or more LEAs, to establish and operate intergenerational volunteer network programs, using senior citizen volunteers to help educationally disadvantaged children. Provides that such volunteers will tutor such children in their elementary and secondary schools and homes and will serve as liaisons between their schools and families. Provides that such funds may also be used to: (1) train volunteers, teachers, and other school personnel involved in such programs; (2) develop curricula materials; and (3) assist volunteers to pay for program-related expenses. Requires that each such grant shall be made to provide 90 percent of the cost of establishing and operating the program involved for a period of two to three years. Requires the remaining cost of such program to be provided from non-Federal sources. Provides that at least 90 percent of the amount appropriated to carry out this Act in any fiscal year may be used to make such grants. Limits to ten percent of such appropriations the amount which may be used by the Secretary for: (1) administrative costs; (2) the preparation of a biennial report to the Congress on such programs; (3) leadership training for project directors and other designated project personnel; and (4) ongoing technical assistance for such programs. Limits to ten percent that portion of such a grant which may be used by the grantee for administrative costs. Prohibits any part of such a grant from being used to: (1) pay the cost of any program established before the enactment of this Act; or (2) supplant any funds that would be available to the grantee in the absence of such grant. Requires that eligible applicants submit grant applications which describe the program and which provide assurances that: (1) local senior citizen groups and parent groups, and State agencies on education and on aging, are involved in program design; (2) local senior citizen groups and parent groups are involved in program operation; (3) good faith efforts will be made to locate for program participation senior citizen volunteers through programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973; and (4) only elementary and secondary schools and families eligible for assistance under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 may receive assistance under this Act. Directs the Secretary, before approving any such application, to transmit a copy of it to the Director of the ACTION Agency for review or recommendation. Prohibits the Secretary from approving such application until: (1) receipt of the Director's recommendation; or (2) 30 days after such application is so transmitted. Directs the Secretary, in approving such applications, to assure equitable distribution of such grants among the States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Department of Defense Competitive Procurement Act of 1985 - Prohibits the amount of competitive defense procurements made during a fiscal year from being less than: (1) the applicable percentage for that year; and (2) the amount of all applicable procurements made by the Department of Defense during that year. Prohibits the obligation of funds for the purchase of goods or services in an other-than-competitive procedure if in any fiscal year the amount of competitive defense procurements is less than that required. Defines "competitive defense procurements," "applicable percentage," and "applicable procurements" for purposes of such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Depositor Protection Act of 1985 - Title I: Required Deposit Insurance - Part A: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Amendments - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require the deposits of all State banks (including institutions which receive trust funds) to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or an approved State program. Provides that any State bank that applies and is rejected for FDIC insurance shall be an interim insured bank for purposes of such Act. Limits to $10,000 the maximum amount of deposits such a bank may insure for any depositor. Requires such limitation to be prominently displayed. Requires the FDIC Board of Directors to inform each interim insured bank of the reasons for denying its insurance application. Allows such a bank five years to remedy such reasons or have its interim insured status terminated. Prohibits an insured bank from terminating its insured status unless it ceases to engage in the business of receiving deposits or its insured status is terminated by the FDIC Board. Terminates a bank's authority to receive deposits two years after its insured status is terminated. Part B: Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation Amendments - Amends the National Housing Act to require the accounts of all building and loan, savings and loan, and homestead associations and cooperative banks to be insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) or an approved State program. Provides for limited interim insurance and termination of the insured status and business of such entities as provided under Part A for State banks. Part C: Credit Unions - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to require all credit union accounts to be insured by the National Credit Union Administration Board (NCUAB) or an approved State program. Provides for limited interim insurance and termination of the insured status and business of a credit union as provided for a State bank under Part A. Title II: State Insurance Funds - Directs the FDIC Board, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, and the NCUAB to establish minimum standards for State insurance programs. Requires each State program to register with the appropriate Federal agency in order to become an approved State program and to comply with such minimum standards within two years in order to remain an approved program. Requires the appropriate Federal agency to examine and certify each program annually. Prohibits any institution insured by a State program from including in any advertisement, announcement, or solicitation any statement that its accounts are insured by a federally approved program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Agricultural Bank Capital Assistance Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to direct the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to use its authority under the Net Worth Certificate Act to purchase net worth certificates of certain qualified financial institutions which have made more than 20 percent of their loans for agricultural purposes. Revises capital to adjusted total asset ratio requirements for such qualified institutions. Amends the Garn-St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 to extend the Net Worth Certificate Act by three years.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to prohibit the use of Commodity Credit Corporation funds to finance ocean freight charges for the export of farm commodities to the extent such charges are higher than they otherwise would be because of a requirement that the commodities be transported in U.S.-flag vessels. Directs the Department of Defense to pay such increased charges. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Agricultural Export Expansion Act of 1985 - Prohibits the cargo preference laws from applying to export activities of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) or the Department of Agriculture under which: (1) stocks of farm commodities or the products thereof acquired by the CCC are made available to U.S. exporters, users, or foreign purchasers for the maintenance or expansion of export markets for U.S. farm commodities; (2) commercial credit guarantees are blended with direct interest-free credits from the CCC to reduce the interest rate on export sales of U.S. farm commodities; or (3) the CCC or the Department of Agriculture promotes the export of U.S. farm commodities on a commercial basis.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to prohibit the use of Commodity Credit Corporation funds to finance ocean freight charges for the export of farm commodities to the extent such charges are higher than they otherwise would be because of a requirement that the commodities be transported in U.S.-flag vessels. Directs the Maritime Administration to pay such increased charges. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000403_200.jpg)