United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to provide that no provisions of law requiring the transportation of U.S. agricultural commodities in U.S.-flag vessels shall apply to agricultural commodities exported by or through the Commodity Credit Corporation if such exports are covered by commercial credit guarantees that are blended with direct interest-free credit from the Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should investigate the activities of Dr. Josef Mengele; (2) Federal agencies should cooperate in collecting information concerning him; (3) the United States should request that specified nations in which Dr. Mengele is reported to have resided commence internal investigations relating to his residence; (4) the Attorney General should report to the Congress on the progress of the Mengele investigation; and (5) the United States, in conjunction with the Federal Republic of Germany and Israel, should establish an international task force to support such investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President direct the Drug Enforcement Agency to dispatch ten additional drug enforcement agents to Mexico, that he redouble U.S. drug enforcement efforts, and that the heroic efforts of agent Enrique Salazar be commemorated.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal bank regulatory agencies shall: (1) ensure that Federal bank examiners remain objective and consistent in evaluating the credit standards applied by bankers to farm loans; (2) encourage banks to exercise forebearance and to work with farmers and small business borrowers who are experiencing temporary difficulties; and (3) ensure that examiners exercise restraint in making adverse classifications with respect to agricultural loans. Requires examiners to give due consideration to factors such as loan collateral and ultimate repayment ability with respect to agricultural borrowers. Requires the Chairmen of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve Board and the Comptroller of the Currency to report to the Congress on their actions to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1985
Indian Health Care Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Indian Health Manpower - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize appropriations for specified Indian health programs for FY 1986 through 1989, including scholarship programs and continuing education allowances. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) from denying scholarship assistance solely on the basis of an applicant's scholastic achievement if such applicant has been admitted to, or maintained good standing at, an accredited health professions institution. Directs the Secretary to grant Indian Health Scholarships to Indians enrolled full-time in certain schools for health professionals. States that the active duty service requirements of the Public Health Service can be met by specified services, including: (1) service under a contract pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act; and (2) the private practice of a health professional if such practice is in a health professional shortage area and addresses the health care needs of a substantial number of Indians. Title II: Health Services - Enumerates the health services for which the Secretary is authorized to expend Indian Health Care Improvement Fund appropriations. Prohibits the use of such funds to offset or limit appropriations made under other Acts. Conditions the allocation of such funds upon the health resource deficiency level of the affected Indian tribes. Allocates such funds on a service unit basis. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a current health services priority system report, including the methodology for determining tribal health resources deficiencies, and the funds needed to raise all service units to a zero level deficiency. Directs the Secretary to establish a review mechanism for tribal petitions regarding the health resource deficiency level of a tribe. Requires the Secretary to provide a current update of tribal specific health plans. Requires at least one percent of the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund appropriation to be expended for research. Makes programs administered by tribal organizations under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act eligible for specified funds on an equal basis with programs administered directly by the Indian Health Service. Directs the President to include with the submission of the budget a separate statement which specifies the amounts obligated to implement enumerated health services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 for specified health services. Designates such appropriations the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund. Establishes an Indian Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund to meet extraordinary medical costs for victims of disasters or catastrophic illness. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the competitive procurement requirements for health services upon certification by the responsible Chief Medical Officer that such requirements would compromise the quality of health services. Title III: Health Facilities - Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a health facilities priority system report regarding the construction or renovation needs of the ten top priority inpatient and ambulatory care facilities. Requires the Secretary to consult with any Indian tribe that might be affected by an expenditure for health facilities before the Secretary makes a commitment for such an expenditure. Conditions the closure of any health care facility upon the Secretary's submission to the Congress of an impact assessment one year prior to the contemplated closing. Enumerates the data to be included in such assessment. Directs the Secretary to implement a ten-year plan to provide safe water and sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal facilities to Indian homes and communities. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the Indian Health Service's current Indian sanitation facility priority system and the funds needed to raise all communities or tribes to a zero level of deficiency. Authorizes specified appropriations to provide sanitation facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance for the operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities, utility organizations, and emergency repairs of sanitation facilities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989. Authorizes tribes to expend certain non-Indian Health Service funds for the renovation of Indian health facilities, subject to specified conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to exchange certain real property with the Bethel Native Corporation (Alaska). Specifies conditions under which the Secretary is required to negotiate an agreement to sell to such corporation a specified Service hospital and appurtenant facilities. Conditions such sale upon a lease-purchase agreement whereby the Corporation shall purchase the hospital and its facilities and the Service shall lease and operate such hospital and its facilities. Title IV: Access to Health Services - Extends the authorization for specified appropriations for grants and contracts with tribal organizations from FY 1986 through 1989. Title V: Urban Indian Health Services - Directs the Secretary to contract with urban Indian organizations to administer health services programs in urban areas. Sets forth specified requirements to be included in such contracts. Details eligibility criteria for the selection of such organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with urban Indian organizations to determine the health status and unmet health care needs of urban Indians in affected urban areas. Delineates the requirements of such contracts. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop evaluation procedures for the performance of such contracts; and (2) conduct annual onsite evaluations of each contracting urban Indian organization. Prescribes guidelines for the renewal of health care or referral services contracts. Prohibits renewal of contracts for determination of unmet health needs if their performance has been non-compliant or otherwise unsatisfactory and problems cannot be resolved. Requires certain reports to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 for purposes of carrying out such contracts. Title VI: Organizational Improvements - Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services the Office of Indian Health Service to administer all Indian health programs and authorities assigned to the Secretary or the Surgeon General, including such programs and authorities under this Act and other specified Acts. Places the Office of Indian Health Service under the direction of an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health who shall be responsible for the conduct and operation of Indian health matters. Transfers the Indian Health Service to the Office of Indian Health Service (thus terminating the Indian Health Service as part of the Health Resources and Services Administration). Provides that the assignment of commissioned corps personnel to service within the Office of Indian Health Service shall not be affected except as specifically provided in this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish an automated management information system for the Indian Health Service. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into legal agreements with Indian tribes or tribal organizations in order to provide compensation for facility space costs associated with the administration and delivery of health services by the Indian Health Service or tribally operated programs. Directs the Secretary to coordinate efforts with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Education to develop programs to combat alcohol and drug abuse among Indian juveniles, including preventive education programs in schools operated by or under the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse within the Indian Health Service. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989. Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences, in consultation with the Office of Technology Assessment, to conduct a study of health hazards faced by Indians and Indian miners exposed to nuclear resource developments on or near Indian communities. Directs the Secretary and the Indian Health Service to develop a health care plan which addresses the results of such study. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress both the health hazard study and the ensuing health care plan, within certain times. Authorizes appropriations for such study. Extends from FY 1984 to 1989 the time during which Arizona is designated as a contract health service delivery area. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989. Extends eligibility for health services of specified Indians in the State of California from FY 1984 through 1988. Establishes eligibility guidelines for certain California Indian and for certain persons who are otherwise ineligible for medical benefits provided by either the Indian Health Service or by tribes contracting with the Service. Designates the State of California as a contract health service delivery area. Lists programs eligible for Indian Health Service funds. Restricts circumstances under which the Secretary may remove a member of the National Health Service Corps who is performing obligated service in a health facility operated by or under the Indian Health Service. Sets a deadline by which the Secretary must develop and implement a plan to reduce Indian infant and maternal mortality rates to that of the general population. Directs the Secretary to provide contract health services to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians who reside in the Trenton Service Area of specified counties in the States of North Dakota and Montana.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1985
Congressional Pay Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to specify that pay adjustments for Members of Congress shall become effective on March 1 following the beginning of the next Congress after the Congress during which such adjustment is approved. Amends the Federal Salary Act to require the President to transmit to the Congress within a specified time period, recommendations for rates of pay of Members of Congress legislative and judicial employees. (Currently such recommendations are included in the Federal budget.) Prohibits the House of Representatives and the Senate from considering any bill or joint resolution carrying an appropriation for compensation of Members of Congress for any fiscal year if such bill or joint resolution carries an appropriation, or a limitation of appropriations, for any other purpose. Requires a recorded vote on such bill or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Regulatory Oversight and Control Act of 1985 - Title I: Agency Rulemaking Improvements - Requires each executive agency and each independent regulatory agency to include in the notice of a proposed rule an explanation of the agency's determination as to whether the rule is a major rule. Directs each agency, before or upon publishing notice of a proposed rulemaking proceeding for a major rule, to issue statements concerning: (1) the need for the rule; (2) the reasonable alternative approaches; (3) regional differences; (4) the benefits, costs, and effectiveness of the proposed rule and alternatives; (5) the advantages and disadvantages of adopting performance standards rather than design standards; (6) the technical information the agency will rely on in making the rule; and (7) the statutory authority of the agency to regulate any areas previously regulated only by State law. Requires that each agency issue additional statements upon providing notice of the promulgation of a major rule, including a statement of its determination that the benefits of the rule will justify the costs of the rules and that the rule will achieve rulemaking objectives in a more cost effective manner than the alternatives. Directs each agency to: (1) include in the notice of each proposed and final major rule, instructions on how the public may obtain copies of agency statements on such rule; (2) send a copy of all statements required at the notice and publication of a major rule to the President; and (3) include such statements and any technical information considered in the rulemaking file. Requires agencies to provide for oral presentations at informal public hearings as part of the rulemaking proceedings for major rules. Directs agencies to allow cross-examination of persons presenting information if necessary to resolve significant issues of fact. Directs agencies to regulate such public hearings so as to ensure orderly and expeditious proceedings. Allows an agency to delay completing the rulemaking requirements of this Act if it publishes a finding that complying with such requirements before making the rule would be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Requires an agency to complete such requirements as soon as practicable after promulgating the rule unless the rule will expire within two years. Sets forth provisions governing the judicial review of agency compliance with rulemaking and rule review requirements of this Act and the President's compliance with oversight requirements. Directs the President to: (1) establish procedures for agency implementation of the requirements of this title; (2) afford the public an opportunity to comment on such procedures before adoption; and (3) monitor, review, and comment on agency compliance with such requirements. Permits the Comptroller General to review agency compliance with this Act. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, a regulatory agenda containing a list of all rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, repeal, modify, or review in the next year and specified information concerning such rules. Requires publication of the agendas of all agencies in a single issue of the Federal Register. Directs each agency to publish for public comment a proposed schedule for the review of its existing major rules and other rules that may be added by the agency or the President. Declares that each such rule shall cease to be effective not more than ten years after the date the final schedule is published. Directs each agency to publish its responses to public comments upon publishing the final schedule. Requires an agency to include with the publication of a major rule the date, within ten years, on which the rule will expire and the date by which the rule must be reviewed. Directs each agency to: (1) publish a notice of the initiation of the review of a rule; (2) describe the costs, benefits, problems, and alternatives to the rule; (3) provide a period for public comment; and either (4) conduct a rulemaking proceeding to reissue or amend the rule; or (5) publish an explanation of its decision to allow the rule to expire. Allows agencies to alter review schedules if the President agrees. Eliminates the exemption of rules concerning loans, grants, and benefits from notice and comment rulemaking requirements. Requires that the notice of a proposed rulemaking include: (1) a statement of the objectives of the rule; (2) a statement that the agency seeks proposals from the public of alternative methods; and (3) a statement of where the file of the rulemaking proceeding may be inspected or how file copies may be obtained. Requires an agency to: (1) provide a period of at least 60 days after publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking for the public to submit comments on a proposed rule; and (2) include the agency's response to such comments in the statement published with the adopted rule. Prohibits an agency from relying on any material of central relevance in a rulemaking if the material is not included in the rulemaking file or the public has not had an opportunity to comment on the material. Directs each agency to maintain a public file on each rulemaking proceeding. Allows an agency to exclude from such file any material relied upon which is exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, if a statement of the basis for such exclusion is included. Requires a court reviewing an agency action: (1) not to accord any presumption in favor of or against agency action; (2) in determining questions of law other than statutory jurisdiction, to give the agency's interpretation such weight as it warrants considering the agency's authority under law; (3) in making determinations concerning statutory jurisdiction, to determine whether the action is within the agency's jurisdiction on the basis of the statutory language or other indications of legislative intent; and (4) in determining whether the adoption of a rule is in accordance with law, to consider whether there is substantial support in the rulemaking file for the agency's factual determinations. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select, by a system of random selection, the court in which the record shall be filed. Authorizes the courts to postpone the effective date of the agency action as necessary to permit designation of the court of record. Prohibits agencies from paying expenses of persons participating or intervening in agency proceedings except as specifically authorized by statute. Title II: Congressional Review of Agency Rules - Requires each agency to transmit a copy of each rule it promulgates to the House of Representatives and the Senate. Declares that such rule shall be considered only as a recommendation of the agency to Congress. Prohibits a major rule from taking effect unless a joint resolution approving the rule is enacted within 90 days. Prohibits a rule other than a major rule from taking effect if a joint resolution disapproving the rule is enacted within 90 days. Prohibits an agency from promulgating a new rule that is substantially the same as a major rule that was not approved or any other rule that was disapproved. Directs the Comptroller General, at the request of a committee of either House which has primary legislative jurisdiction over a rule or on his or her own initiative, to inform such committee as to whether the rule is consistent with the statutory authority under which it was promulgated. Exempts an emergency rule from such congressional review requirements if the agency submits to the appropriate congressional committees a written notice of: (1) its determination that the rule is an emergency rule; (2) the time period (limited to 210 days) during which the rule will be effective; and (3) its intention to issue a final rule, if necessary, when such emergency rule expires. Sets forth House and Senate procedure for the consideration of such resolutions of approval or disapproval. Declares that: (1) congressional inaction on or rejection of a resolution disapproving a rule shall not be deemed an expression of approval of that rule; and (2) enactment of a resolution approving a major rule shall not be construed to create any presumption of validity with respect to such rule and shall not affect the judicial review of such rule. Title III: Regulatory Oversight and Control Amendments to House Rules - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a Regulatory Review Calendar to which all resolutions for the approval or disapproval of agency rules shall be referred. Provides for the consideration of the resolutions on such Calendar on the first and third Monday and the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Declares that it shall be in order during the reading of a general appropriation bill to consider any germane amendment proposing a limitation restricting the implementation of an agency rule, other than a major rule, for which a resolution of disapproval has not been considered by the House, or has been passed by the House but not enacted, within the time required under this Act. Requires each standing committee of the House to consider and adopt its oversight plans in a meeting which is open to the public by March 1 of the first session of a Congress. Directs each such committee to: (1) consult with other congressional committees with jurisdiction over the same areas to assure that such areas are reviewed in the same Congress and that there is maximum coordination and cooperation between such committees in conducting such review; (2) give priority to the review of programs under permanent budget or statutory authority; and (3) attempt to ensure that all laws, programs, activities, and agencies within its jurisdiction are reviewed at least once every ten years. Requires each committee to submit its final plans to the Committee on Government Operations which shall report all such plans to Congress with recommendations to assure the effective coordination of such plans. Authorizes the Speaker of the House, with the approval of the House, to appoint special ad hoc committees to review specific matter within the jurisdiction of two or more standing committees. Requires each committee to include in its biennial report to the House separate sections summarizing the legislative and oversight activities of that committee. Declares that it shall not be in order in the House to consider a primary expense resolution for any committee that has not submitted its oversight plans to the Committee on Government Operations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the residential energy income tax credit for solar energy property for five years (from 1985 to 1990). Phases out the percentage of expenditures which may be taken into account for such credit between the years 1986 and 1990. Limits to $6,000 the maximum amount of expenditures for solar hot water systems which may be taken into account for purposes of such credit. Specifies additional standards which solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet in order to qualify for such credit. Increases and extends for five years (from 1985 to 1990) the energy investment tax credit for specified types of solar energy property.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Provides that each item of any general or special appropriation bill and any bill or joint resolution making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing appropriations that is agreed to in the same form by both Houses of the Congress shall be enrolled as a separate bill or joint resolution for presentation to the President (line-item veto).
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to the family of Harry Chapin in recognition of Harry Chapin's efforts to address issues of world hunger. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
National Training Incentives Act of 1985 - Declares that it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to encourage cooperation between employers and employees to promote training programs which will assist employees, should they be displaced from the work force, in training for a trade or occupation for which present and future employment opportunities exist. Enumerates congressional findings with respect to the inadequacies of existing employment and training programs, the importance of such programs to the national security and economy, the current funding of such programs, the impact of foreign trade competition on the U.S. economy and job market, and the inadequacies of the unemployment compensation system. Title I: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Relating to Employee Training - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an employee training credit for employers. Adds such employee training credit to those credits which are included in the current year business credit for purposes of determining the general business income tax credit for a taxable year. (The Internal Revenue Code provisions for such general business income tax credit permit three-year carrybacks and 15-year carryforwards of unused credits, with specified limitations.) Makes such employee training credit for any taxable year equal to 25 percent of the excess, if any, of: (1) the qualified training expenses of the taxpayer for such taxable year, over (2) the base period training expenses of such taxpayer. Defines "qualified training expenses" as the aggregate amount of expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year in connection with the training of employees under approved training programs. Defines "base period training expenses" as the average of the qualified training expenses for each year in the base period. Defines "base period" as the five taxable years of the taxpayer immediately preceding the taxable year for which the determination is being made ("the determination year"). Sets forth transitional rules for the first four determination years beginning after December 31, 1984. Sets minimum base period training expenses by providing that, in the case of any determination year of the taxpayer for which the qualified training expenses exceed 200 percent of the base period training expenses, "50 percent of such qualified training expenses" shall be substituted for "the base period training expenses" in the formula to determine the amount of the credit. Defines "approved training program," for purposes of such employee training credit, to include: (1) any apprenticeship program registered or approved by Federal or State agencies; (2) any employer-designed or employer-sponsored training program which meets certain requirements prescribed by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary); (3) any cooperative education; (4) any training program designated by the Secretary which is carried out under the supervision of an institution of higher education; or (5) any other training program approved by the Secretary. Sets forth the special tax rules for the aggregation of qualified training expenses, allocations of such credits, and adjusted to such employee training credit amount for acquisitions and dispositions of a trade or business. Specifies that the employee training credit shall be in addition to any other deduction or credit allowed for the same expenses under the Federal tax law. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from any penalty tax early withdrawal from an individual retirement account or annuity (IRA) of a displaced worker if such withdrawals are made to pay training expenses, do not exceed the allowable amount, and are made in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Incorporates provisions of title II of this Act relating to the definition of displaced workers, training expenses, and allowable IRA distributions within the Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to individual retirement accounts and annuities. Title II: Withdrawals from Individual Retirement Accounts and Annuities for Job Training for Displaced Workers - Entitles a displaced worker to apply to the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) for certification of such individual's status as a displaced worker. Defines a "displaced worker" as any individual, as of the time of application for a certificate, who has at least 20 quarters of coverage under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, who has received employment counseling within the past year from an agency approved by the Secretary, and who is in one of the following categories: (1) receiving regular State unemployment compensation; (2) exhausted the right to receive such compensation; (3) unemployed, or received notification of termination of employment within six months, due to permanent closure of a plant or facility; or (4) unemployed for six months or more and with limited opportunity for employment in a similar trade or occupation within a reasonable commuting distance. Permits displaced workers to withdraw amounts from their individual retirement account or annuity (IRA) to pay the expense (tuition, fees, books, supplies, or required equipment) of an eligible training program. Limits the amounts of such IRA withdrawal to $4,000 per year (with cost-of-living adjustments), minus aggregate amounts distributed for training expense payments in the four immediately preceding taxable years. Requires withdrawals from an IRA for training expenses to be made only through the use of a voucher issued by the account trustee or insurance company custodian upon presentation to such trustee or custodian by the displaced worker of a displaced worker certificate and an invoice or statement evidencing that such worker has enrolled in an eligible training program. Sets forth requirements for the presentation and redemption of vouchers for payment of job training expenses. Prohibits depositary institutions from assessing any penalty against a displaced worker for early withdrawals from an IRA to pay such training expenses. Permits adjustments in the rate of return on certain investments when IRA funds are withdrawn to pay such training expenses. Provides that the participation of displaced workers in an eligible training program shall not disqualify such workers for unemployment compensation to which they are otherwise entitled. Defines "eligible training program" as a training program offered by an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, a proprietary institution of higher education, or any other institution approved by the Secretary which prepares students for gainful employment in a trade or occupation in which present and future employment opportunities exist. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations for: (1) the application of an educational institution for qualification of its training program; and (2) criteria for determining whether such a job training program qualified as an eligible training program under the terms of this Act. Directs the Secretary, for purposes of determining whether certain job training programs qualify as eligible training programs, to consider any determination relating to such programs made by: (1) the Administrator of Veterans Affairs or a State approving agency for veterans' educational programs; (2) a private industry council established under the Job Training Partnership Act or other official or group empowered to make determinations under such Act; (3) the Secretary of Education; (4) any State education agency; or (5) a nationally recognized accrediting agency which the Secretary determines to be reliable in evaluating the quality of job training programs. Sets forth nondiscrimination requirements for institutions offering such job training programs. Requires the Secretary to minimize the amount of paperwork and time necessary to certify any individual as a displaced worker or any training program as an eligible training program. Title III: State Employment Service Responsibilities - Directs the Secretary of Labor to allocate funds to States to reimburse administrative costs of public employment offices which provide certification for displaced workers, labor market and training information, and job search services. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for FY 1986 and thereafter. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to the Congress on a nationwide computerized job bank and matching program authorized under the Job Training and Partnership Act. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to direct the private industry councils established under such Act to make information on job training programs available throughout their service delivery areas. Exempts such councils from limitations on expenditures imposed by such Act in providing such information. Excludes from the computation of the amount of the expected family contribution to a student for Pell Grant purposes any unemployment compensation received by such student or any IRA distribution used to pay training expenses of such student, provided such student is certified as a displaced worker under the terms of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
High Technology Research and Scientific Education Act of 1985 - Title I: The Credit for Increasing Research Activities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for research and development (R&D) expenditures. Modifies the definition of qualified research for purposes of the R&D credit to narrow the category of eligible activities for which the credit is allowable. Provides that in-house and contract research expenses paid or incurred by a regular corporation (not an S corporation, a personal holding company, or a service corporation) will constitute qualified research expenses for R&D credit purposes if the corporation undertakes the research with the intention to use the result thereof in the active conduct of a present or future trade or business. Provides that in the case of research being conducted in partnership form, research expenses will constitute qualified research expenses if they are incurred by the partnership in carrying on a trade or business as applied at the partnership level, and the credit is apportioned among the partners in accordance with general partnership rules. Provides exceptions to this general rule where: (1) there is a joint venture enterprise of regular corporations; or (2) not all of the members of the joint venture are regular corporations, but each member's own trade or business would satisfy the trade or business test with respect to the partnership's research expenditures. Provides that for these two exceptions the research expenses will flow through to the partners, with the trade or business test being applied at the partner level. Title II: Promotion of University Research and Scientific Investigation - Establishes a new income tax credit equal to 20 percent of that portion of a corporation's payments to universities (and other qualified non-profit tax-exempt organizations for basic research) which exceeds a fixed, historical "minimum university basic research" floor. Defines the "minimum university basic research" floor as one percent of the annual average of the corporate taxpayer's combined qualified in-house research expenses, contract research expenses and university basic research payments for the base period composed of the period from 1981 through 1983. Provides that the amounts of research expenses which fall below the floor shall remain eligible for the present R&D credit and are included in the corporation's base period for purposes of calculating the present R&D credit. Treats the amounts which exceed the "minimum university basic research" floor as ineligible for the present R&D credit and excludes such amounts from the corporate taxpayer's base year research expenses for purposes of calculating the corporations R&D credit under present law. Provides that a corporation's payments to universities for basic research that is eligible for the new tax credit shall be reduced to the extent that the corporation's general (i.e., not designated for research purposes) charitable giving to all universities falls below historical levels (the annual average of undesignated payments for three of the immediately preceding four years as selected by the taxpayer). Makes additions to the list of organizations to which corporate payments for basic research may be made and be eligible for the tax credit. Allows a corporation an income tax deduction for contributions of scientific or technical property to an institution of higher education. Defines scientific property to mean tangible personal property (including computer software) used in a trade or business, which is donated for the direct education of students or faculty, for research and experimentation, or for research training in the United States in mathematics, the physical, biological, or chemical sciences, engineering, or advanced computer sciences. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of the allowable deduction for contributions of scientific property. Provides for an income tax exclusion for the scholarships, fellowship grants, student loan forgiveness, or stipends of a graduate student in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences. Provides that such tax exclusion is not forfeited merely because the student is required, as a condition of the scholarship or fellowship, to perform future service in teaching or research.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Indian Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Act - Title I: Inter-Departmental Agreement - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to agree to coordinate specified efforts of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Bureau) and the Indian Health Service relating to alcohol and drug abuse programs for Indian youth. Provides for the biannual review of such agreement by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires certain officials of the Bureau and the Indian Health Service to agree, upon a tribe's request, to coordinate resources and services related to alcohol and drug abuse with any Indian tribe. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Indian Health Service, to bear equal responsibility for the implementation of this Act in cooperation with Indian tribes. Title II: Education - Amends the Indian Elementary and Secondary School Assistance Act, the Indian Education Act, and the Adult Education Act, respectively, to provide for: (1) grants for the training of alcohol and drug abuse counselors in Indian elementary and secondary schools; (2) a specified percentage of fellowships to be awarded to persons specializing in guidance counseling for alcohol and drug abuse; and (3) grants to support adult education projects which provide alcohol and drug abuse counseling services. Requires Bureau schools and schools operated under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to provide instruction on alcohol and drug abuse to students in kindergarten and grades one through 12. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) establish summer recreation and counseling programs, coordinated with other similar Indian summer programs, for Indian youth on reservations; (2) require Bureau schools and schools operated under the Indian Self-determination and Education Assistance Act to remain open during the summer months of each year to provide adequate facilities (including use of public and private facilities) for such programs; and (3) provide, as needed, salaried coordinators for such programs. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to publish, on a quarterly basis, an alcohol and drug abuse newsletter and to circulate it to specified Government agencies that provide such alcohol and drug abuse-related services to Indian people. Title III: Family and Social Services - Requires any training program for community health representatives funded under the Bureau to include not less than two weeks of training on the problems of alcohol and drug abuse, including instruction in crisis intervention, family relations, and the causes and effects of fetal alcohol syndrome. Requires the Director of the Indian Health Service to provide training in alcohol and drug abuse to specified schools, Indian Health Service personnel, and others. Provides for the certification, by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, of any person who completes such training for purposes of obtaining academic credit or certification at any post-secondary school. Title IV: Law Enforcement - Requires the Director of the Bureau to provide education on alcohol and drug abuse among Indian youth to Bureau law enforcement personnel. Provides for the detention, in lieu of incarceration, of Indian juveniles in temporary emergency shelters (Indian households) if their offenses are related to the use or possession of drugs or alcohol. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate, in consultation with the U.S. Attorney General, guidelines under which a law enforcement officer may place an Indian youth arrested for drug or alcohol abuse in a facility other than an emergency shelter. Provides that in instances where a State exercises criminal jurisdiction over any part of Indian country that such State is urged to require its law enforcement officers to place any Indian juvenile arrested for alcohol or drug abuse-related offenses in a temporary emergency shelter (Indian household) or community-based alcohol or drug abuse treatment facility in lieu of incarceration. Provides for the compensation and licensing of Indian households that are used as emergency shelters. Title V: Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation - Requires the Director of the Indian Health Service to conduct a study to determine: (1) the size of the Indian population in need of residential alcohol and drug abuse treatment; (2) where facilities to provide such treatment are or should be located; and (3) the cost of providing such treatment. Requires the Director of the Indian Health Service to provide alcohol and drug abuse treatment services, including detoxification and counseling services, and follow-up care in Indian Health Service facilities and in facilities operated under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to Indian juveniles and adults. Requires the Director to report to the Congress on the progress of such treatment to Indian juveniles and adults. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Indian Health Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to identify and utilize federally owned structures for use as residential alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers for Indian juveniles. Title VI: Definitions, Effective Date, and Authorization of Appropriations - Sets forth definitions and the effective date. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Agricultural Loan Guarantee and Debt Restructuring Act - Title I: Agricultural Loan Guarantees - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide agricultural lenders with a 90 percent Federal guarantee in exchange for restructuring outstanding agricultural loans through FY 1992. Sets the Farmers Home Administration loan cash flow requirement at 100 percent. Requires annual loan reviews. Gives priority to borrowers with a positive cash flow who are unable to obtain financing elsewhere and who had loans with failed lenders. Makes borrowers eligible for debt set-asides if they can show that such a deferral will result in a positive cash flow providing 100 percent of the amount needed to repay indebtedness. Authorizes additional appropriations for guarantees. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that: (1) personnel and resources are made available to process loan applications; and (2) "approved lender" applications are reviewed within 15 days. Title II: Non-Physical Disaster Loans Relating to the Payment-in-kind Program - Amends the Small Business Act to make certain small businesses (including specified agricultural cooperatives) which have suffered operations losses due to the payment-in-kind program eligible for non-physical disaster loans. Increases authorizations of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
African Famine Relief and Recovery Act of 1985 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide assistance for famine relief, rehabilitation, and recovery in Africa. Requires that not less than 80 percent of the funds appropriated for such relief shall be used for grants to private and voluntary organizations and international organizations. Requires that at least 18 percent of funds appropriated for such relief shall be used for emergency health projects. Requires that a specified amount of funds appropriated for such relief shall be transferred to the operating expenses of the Agency for International Development for management support activities relating to emergency food assistance for Africa. Authorizes supplemental appropriations for FY 1985 for such relief. Authorizes supplemental appropriations for FY 1985 to the Department of State for migration and refugee assistance in Africa. Requires that not less than 54 percent of the funds appropriated for such assistance shall be made available to the United Nations Development Program Trust Fund for refugee assistance in Africa. Requires the remaining amount to be used by the Bureau for Refugee Programs of the Department of State for emergency relief and recovery efforts in Africa. Requires that amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act shall be available only for aid in those African countries that have suffered during 1984 and 1985 from exceptional food supply problems due to drought and other calamities. Requires such assistance to be provided without regard to the prohibition against aid to countries which have nationalized or expropriated property of U.S. citizens. Requires that the President shall ensure that such assistance is provided to the famine victims for whom it is intended. Requires the President to report to the Congress by June 30, 1985, on: (1) the emergency needs for African famine assistance; and (2) the projected FY 1985 contribution by the United States to meet an appropriate share of such needs. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should submit a request for supplemental funding for emergency African famine assistance if available funding is insufficient to meet the projected contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in an area, from: (1) entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State; or (2) limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in such area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Liberty Double-Eagle Bullion Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold double-eagle coins. Sets forth specifications for and the design of such coins. Makes such coins legal tender. Permits the sale of such coins at a price equal to the cost of minting and issuing such coins plus a surcharge equal to the amount by which the fair market value of gold bullion held by the United States and used in the minting of the coins exceeds the statutory maximum value of any gold certificates outstanding against the bullion. Requires the revenue from such surcharges to be used to reduce the national debt. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Urges the United States and the People's Republic of China to begin talks aimed at creating a jointly administered United States-People's Republic of China Student Exchange for Understanding Program. Sets forth certain aspects of such exchange program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Amends the patent laws to make it an infringement of patent to use, sell, or import into the United States without authority a product produced by a patented process. Places the burden of proof upon the party asserting that a product was not produced with the patented process in an infringement action where the court finds a substantial likelihood that the product was so produced and the claimant has exhausted all means of discovery.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Summer Youth Employment, Training, and Education Act of 1985 - 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. Allows each PIC, for program years beginning July 1, 1985, and July 1, 1986, to make available such matching amounts. 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 provide to each PIC an amount equal to the PIC matching amount. Allows States to provide such State matching amount from non-Federal sources or to use funds available to them under part A (Adult and Youth Programs) of title II of JTPA and under chapter 2 (Consolidation of Federal Programs for Elementary and Secondary Education) of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981. Requires each State, for program years beginning July 1, 1985, and July 1, 1986, to reserve one and one-half percent of its State allotment under part A, to be allocated to 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 · 7 February 1985
Revises Federal procedures regarding the establishment of interstate cost estimates to direct the Secretary of Transportation to apportion such estimates for construction funds and substitute highway and urban transit projects on October 1 of 1985-1988 if the Congress has not approved such estimates by that time.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Emergency Agricultural Credit Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to guarantee (75 percent of the principal) agricultural production loans made in 1985. Limits such aggregate guaranteed principal to $3,000,000,000. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary to make production loans through 1987 (at a reduced interest rate).
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) in order to encourage private investment in developing countries, it is necessary to encourage the private sector to be involved with other nations in efforts to alleviate hunger; and (2) American institutions in the public and private sectors should jointly develop commitments and a plan to end world hunger.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President and the Secretary of State should take all diplomatic and legal means possible to achieve worldwide compliance with the International Whaling Commission moratorium on commercial whaling.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Increases the membership of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations by adding: (1) one elected official of a township; and (2) one elected school board member.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1985
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 regarding urban development action grant criteria to require at least one-half of aggregate grant amounts to be made solely on the basis of specified criteria, of which job creation, especially for low-income persons and minorities, shall be given priority. Requires a report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1985
Social Security Benefit Termination Reform Act of 1985 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that monthly insurance benefits shall be paid for the month in which a beneficiary dies. Requires that the amount of such benefits be proportionate to the number of days of such month preceding the date of the beneficiary's death.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1985
Establishes in the Treasury the Vietnam Humanitarian Remittances Fund. Authorizes any person who is subject to U.S. jurisdiction to transfer up to $300 during any 30-day period to an individual national of Vietnam if such person makes an equal payment to the Fund together with a written request for transfer of such payment to the designated Vietnamese national. Lists information that must be included in such request. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue notes to the designated individual and drawn on amounts held in the Fund and redeemable only by Vietnam in favor of the designated recipient. Prohibits such note from being redeemed unless it is accompanied by a declaration signed by the designated recipient and the appropriate officer of a financial institution of Vietnam which makes specified attestations. Imposes penalties for transfers of currency or of precious metal or stone to Vietnam except as provided in this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should try to reach agreement with Vietnam: (1) to provide for random monitoring by inspectors in Vietnam of the procedures used by Vietnam in connection with the signing of declarations described in this Act; and (2) to establish time limits to expedite the transfer of funds in accordance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to submit a quarterly report to the Congress setting forth the findings of such inspection team. Terminates the Fund within three days of the receipt of any such report which indicates a pattern or practice of abuse of the procedures relating to the transfer of funds by Vietnam. Declares that currency or other cash items sent or attempted to be sent by a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction to a national of Vietnam shall be deemed to be property of a U.S. national for purposes of the provisions of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 dealing with claims against Vietnam.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1985
Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Indochina nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of captive Americans and the return of the remains of those American servicemen and civilians who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Federal Food Irradiation Development and Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to delete "sources of radiation" from the definition of "food additive". Defines "food irradiation treatment" as a food process. Applies specified food additive regulatory provisions to food irradiation treatments. Declares it to be the express intent of the Congress to require national uniformity in the regulation of food irradiation treatment. Prohibits States or their political subdivisions from establishing food irradiation requirements different from, or in addition to, Federal requirements. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to state that the Department of Energy may lease at fair market rates nuclear byproduct material for commercial food irradiation purposes. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Joint Operating Commission for Food Irradiation Treatment. Includes within such Commission's functions: (1) research and information exchange coordination; (2) encouragement of private enterprise in the development of food irradiation treatment; and (3) an annual report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Federal Laboratory Technology Utilization Act of 1985 - Authorizes Federal agencies to permit their laboratories to enter into cooperative research and development arrangements with other Federal, State, and local agencies, universities, industrial organizations, or other persons including licensees of inventions owned by the Federal agency or general partners of research and development limited partnerships. Permits such laboratories to exchange funds, services, and property with collaborators, grant such collaborators patent licenses or assignments, waive Federal ownership of inventions made by a collaborator, and negotiate licensing agreements for federally owned inventions. Sets forth a formula for the distribution of royalties or other income received by such laboratories from the licensing of cooperatively produced inventions to Federal agency employee inventors, the laboratories themselves, and the Treasury. Requires affected Federal agencies to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the income from and distribution of royalties. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to provide procedures, training, and advice to Federal laboratories on recognizing the commercial potential of new technologies and inventions. Requires the Secretary to report biannually to the President and the Congress on Federal agency participation in this program. Makes it the policy of the Government to encourage the commercialization of inventions by Federal or former Federal employees made by them during their Federal employment and exempts such efforts from otherwise applicable violations. Permits such an employee to retain title to an invention (subject to retention by the Government of a nonexclusive license) unless the agency intends to file a patent application itself in order to promote commercialization. Sets forth other permissible conditions on such an inventor's title.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Proclaims the English language to be the official language of the United States. Prohibits the United States or any State from requiring the use of any other language. States that this article shall not prohibit educational instruction in a language other than English for the purpose of making students proficient in English. Authorizes the Congress and the States to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) ensure that U.S. officials carry out the pledge to resolve the issue of the Americans still missing and unaccounted for in Indochina; (2) work for the immediate release of any Americans still held captive and the return of the remains of those who died in Southeast Asia; and (3) make every effort to secure the further cooperation of Laos and Vietnam in resolving this issue.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000403_200.jpg)