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Official portrait of Rep. Boehlert, Sherwood [R-NY-24]

Rep. Boehlert, Sherwood [R-NY-24]

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3,988 records where Rep. Boehlert, Sherwood [R-NY-24] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· HRH.R. 2554 (99th)open

Defense Procurement Conflict of Interest Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985

Defense Procurement Conflict of Interest Act - Prohibits a former officer or employee of the Department of Defense (DOD) or former retired member of the uniformed services from accepting compensation from a Government contractor for two years following the individual's separation from Government service if, during the two years preceding separation from service, such individual had significant responsibilities for a procurement function with respect to that Government contractor. Specifies penalties for violations of this prohibition. Requires defense contractors to include in defense contracts a provision stating that the contractor agrees not to compensate an individual who falls under such category. Specifies penalties for a contractor's violation of this requirement. Requires contractors subject to such a contract term to issue an annual report listing specified information concerning individuals who had significant responsibilities for a procurement function, left Government within the previous two years, and were compensated by that contractor after leaving Government service. Requires a copy of each such report to be sent to the Inspector General of DOD. Requires the Inspector General to assess such reports and report any possible violations to the Attorney General. Provides penalties for those contractors failing to file such reports. Requires the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to have access to such reports and to submit an annual report to the Congress concerning such reports. Excludes from application of these sections those contracts for an amount less than $100,000. Requires the Secretary of Defense, not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, to delineate the procurement functions covered by these sections and provide a list of such functions to the Congress. Allows an individual who is offered compensation which might be in violation of this Act to apply to the Director of the Office of Government Ethics for advice on the applicability of this Act to the acceptance of such compensation. Requires such application to be made jointly by the individual and the contractor proposing the compensation. Outlines information to be included in such application for advice. Requires the Director to publish notice of the application in the Federal Register.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 154 (99th)referred

A concurrent resolution to revise the congressional budget for the United States Government for the fiscal year 1985 and setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for the fiscal years 1986, 1987, and 1988.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985

Revises the concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1985 and sets forth the first concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1986 and the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1987 and 1988. Recommends levels of Federal revenues of $736,200,000,000 for FY 1985, $794,200,000,000 for FY 1986, $866,000,000,000 for FY 1987, and $954,200,000,000 for FY 1988. Sets the amounts by which the aggregate levels of Federal revenues should be increased at zero for FY 1985, $1,500,000,000 for FY 1986, $1,700,000,000 for FY 1987, and $1,700,000,000 for FY 1988. Sets the amounts for Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) revenues for hospital insurance within the recommended levels of Federal revenues at $44,800,000,000 for FY 1985, $50,900,000,000 for FY 1986, $56,100,000,000 for FY 1987, and $61,200,000,000 for FY 1988. Sets the amount for FICA revenues for old-age, survivors and disability insurance within the recommended levels of Federal revenues at $186,200,000,000 for FY 1985, $200,400,000,000 for FY 1986, $216,800,000,000 for FY 1987, and $248,000,000,000 for FY 1988. Sets the appropriate levels of total new budget authority at $1,055,500,000,000 for FY 1985, $1,060,000,000,000 for FY 1986, $1,129,100,000,000 for FY 1987, and $1,209,300,000,000 for FY 1988. States that the appropriate levels of total budget outlays are $949,300,000,000 for FY 1985, $970,800,000,000 for FY 1986, $1,021,600,000,000 for FY 1987, and $1,074,400,000,000 for FY 1988. Sets the amounts of the deficits in the budget which are appropriate in the light of economic conditions and all other relevant factors at $213,100,000,000 for FY 1985, $176,600,000,000 for FY 1986, $155,600,000,000 for FY 1987, and $120,200,000,000 for FY 1988. States that appropriate levels of the public debt are $1,857,400,000,000 for FY 1985, $2,089,700,000,000 for FY 1986, $2,320,700,000,000 for FY 1987, and $2,536,500,000,000 for FY 1988. Sets the amounts by which the statutory limits on such limit should be increased at $33,600,000,000 for FY 1985, and $232,300,000,000 for FY 1986, $231,000,000,000 for FY 1987, and $215,800,000,000 for FY 1988. Sets forth the appropriate levels of total Federal credit activity as follows: (1) $51,937,223,000 for new direct loan obligations, $68,805,405,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments, and $41,251,600,000 for new secondary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1985; (2) $34,258,541,000 for new direct loan obligations, $74,036,605,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments, and $43,107,900,000 for new secondary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1986; (3) $34,376,759,000 for new direct loan obligations, $76,966,574,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments, and $44,904,200,000 for new secondary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1987; and (4) $34,172,944,000 for new direct loan obligations, $81,175,571,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments, and $46,861,800,000 for new secondary loan guarantee commitments, for FY 1988. Sets forth the levels of budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new loan guarantee commitments for each major functional category for FY 1985 through 1988. Requires certain House and Senate committees to report changes in laws within their jurisdictions sufficient to achieve savings of specified amounts of budget authority and outlays in FY 1986. Specifies changes in budget authority and outlays under laws within such committees' jurisdictions which the Congress finds necessary in FY 1987 and 1988 to achieve budget levels under this resolution. Requires such House committees to submit their recommendations to the House Budget Committee not later than 30 days after adoption of jurisdiction. Requires the House Budget Committee to report a reconciliation bill carrying out such recommendations without any substantive revision. Declares that, effective October 1, 1985, this concurrent resolution shall be deemed to be the second concurrent budget resolution for FY 1986 required to be reported under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Permits the enrollment of any bill or resolution providing new discretionary budget authority or new spending authority for FY 1986 if it would not cause the appropriate allocation for a committee to be exceeded. Terminates such provisions when the Congress completes action on a subsequent concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1986. Prohibits the House of Representatives from considering any measure providing new budget authority, new entitlement authority, or new credit activity for FY 1986 within the jurisdiction of a committee until such committee makes the allocations or subdivisions required by the Congressional Budget Act. Declares that such prohibition shall not apply until 21 days of continuous session after the Congress completes action on this concurrent resolution.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 173 (99th)referred

A resolution providing for accelerated release for public use of certain records of the former Select Committee on Assassinations.

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985

Permits the Archivist of the United States to make available for public use all records of the Select Committee on Assassinations of the 94th and 95th Congresses other than those voted to be kept secret or confidential. Requires the guidelines governing disclosure of such records to be those used by the General Services Administration for the records of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy.

Bill· HRH.R. 2472 (99th)open

Economic Equity Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1985

Economic Equity Act of 1985 - Title I: Retirement - Pension Vesting, Integration, and Portability Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to maximum age conditions under pension plans to provide for continued coverage for certain workers over the normal retirement age. Provides that pension plans may only exclude from participation, on the basis of age, an employee who has attained the normal retirement age under the plan if: (1) the plan is a defined benefit plan or a target benefit plan (as under current law); and (2) the employee's accrued benefit under the plan is greater than the normal retirement benefit to which the employee would be entitled at the normal retirement age if the employee commenced participation at the earliest possible entry age under the plan and served continuously until attaining the normal retirement age under the plan. Revises provisions relating to minimum vesting standards to reduce, from ten years to five years, the number of years of service which a pension plan participant must complete in order to earn a nonforfeitable right to 100 percent of the participant's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions. Permits multiemployer pension plans to retain the ten-year minimum vesting standard if such plans meet certain conditions, including complete reciprocity for workers who move from one regional pension plan to another within the same industry. Repeals a certain "class year plan" rule. Permits participants with three (currently five) years of service to elect, within a specified period to have their nonforfeitable percentage computed under the plan without regard to any plan amendment changing the vesting schedule. Revises minimum participation standards, minimum vesting standards, and benefit accrual requirements to provide for pension plan coverage of part-time workers. Revises the definition of "year of service," for purposes of minimum participation and vesting standards, to treat 500 to 1,000 hours of service per year by a part-time employee as one-half of a year of service. Provides that the date on which such employee completes such one-half of one year of service shall be the latest date until which the plan participation of such employee may be delayed. Includes service of at least 500 (currently 1,000) hours in determinations of years of plan participation for purposes of benefit accrual requirements. Establishes minimum benefit rules for integrated pension plans. Requires such plans to offer a minimum benefit without taking into account contributions or benefits under specified provisions of the Social Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code, or any other Federal or State law. Sets forth formulas, based on specified percentages of employee compensation, for determining such minimum benefit in the case of: (1) an integrated defined benefit plan; and (2) an integrated defined contribution plan or an integrated simplified employee pension. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe necessary or appropriate regulations to carry out the purposes of such minimum benefit rules for integrated plans in any case in which the employer has two or more plans. Provides for distributions of accrued benefits of less than $7,000 to portable pension accounts (individual retirement accounts or individual retirement annuities). Requires a pension plan to distribute a participant's nonforfeitable benefit to a portable pension account if: (1) the plan is a defined benefit plan, or an individual account plan subject to specified funding standards; (2) the present value, as of the date of separation from service, of such benefit is less than $7,000; and (3) the participant elects in writing, after receiving a required notice, to have such benefit distributed to such portable pension account in a distribution which is excluded from gross income under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe by regulation the manner and form in which such election is to be made. Requires the plan administrator, upon being informed by a participant that the participant wishes to make an election pursuant to these provisions, to provide notice to the participant of: (1) the present value, as of the date of separation, of the participant's nonforfeitable benefit (with such present value to be deemed equal to the actuarial equivalent, as of such date, of the normal form of benefit under the plan); (2) the amount of the participant's benefit on the date of the participant's retirement payable under the pension plan at normal retirement age expressed in the form of a single life annuity under a defined benefit plan or in the normal form of payment under an individual account plan; and (3) the additional tax (under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions as revised by this Act) on distributions from, or disqualification, of the portable pension account before the date on which the participant attains age 59 1/2. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions relating to pension plans. Makes such revisions similar to those made to ERISA by title I of this Act with respect to: (1) continued coverage for certain workers over the normal retirement age; (2) a minimum vesting standard of five years of service (reduced from ten years), with the exception of multiemployer plans meeting certain conditions (including reciprocity); (3) repeal of the class year plan rule; (4) protection from changes in the vesting schedule for participants with three years of service; (5) coverage for part-time workers under minimum participation standards, minimum vesting standards, and benefit accrual requirements; (6) establishment of minimum benefit rules for integrated plans; and (7) distributions of accrued benefits to portable pension accounts. Revises provisions relating to additional tax on certain amounts included in gross income before age 59 1/2. Requires, in cases of early distributions or disqualification involving portable pension accounts to which accrued benefits from a pension plan have been distributed as provided under this Act, that the additional tax (for the taxable year in which the early distribution is received or the disqualification occurs) shall be equal to the amount of the early distribution, or of the disqualification, which is includible in gross income for such taxable year. Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) conduct a study of the feasibility and ramifications of requiring private employee pension benefit plans to provide cost-of-living adjustments to benefits payable under such plans; (2) compile data and analyze the effect inflation is having and may be expected to have on retirement benefits provided under such plans; and (3) submit study results, with recommendations, within two years after enactment of this Act. Social Security Modernization Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple which are attributable to the period of their marriage shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Provides that this Act shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits. Provides full benefits for disabled widows and widowers without regard to age. Enables an insured individual's spouse who has attained the age of 50 and is not entitled to any other monthly benefits to obtain a transition benefit for four months upon the death of the insured individual. Establishes the amount of such transition benefit at 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the insured individual or, if it is higher, 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the spouse. Repeals the separate definition of disability applicable to widows and widowers. Permits the months of a widow's or widower's entitlement to Supplemental Security Income benefits (title XVI of the Social Security Act) on the basis of a disability to be counted towards the 24 months needed to become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) on that basis. Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Equity Act - Provides that a former spouse of a member of the uniformed services shall be entitled, unless expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order, to an annuity: (1) equal to 50 percent of the retired or retainer pay of the member if married to the member throughout the creditable service of the member; or (2) equal to a pro rata share of 50 percent of such pay if not married to the member throughout the entire creditable service of the member. Requires that an election by a member not to participate, or to participate at a reduced level, in the Survivor Benefit Plan or to provide an annuity for a dependent child only must be made jointly with the member's spouse. Provides that such an election must be in writing. Allows a member who has a former spouse to jointly elect a spousal agreement with such former spouse or as provided under a court order to provide a survivor to the former spouse or to waive such an annuity. Treats a former spouse as a spouse for purposes of eligibility as a beneficiary, computation of annuities, and reductions in retired or retainer pay under the Survivor Benefit Plan if the member elects such treatment. (Present law treats a former spouse as a person with an "insurable interest" subject to certain restrictions and requiring larger reductions in retired or retainer pay.) Establishes a 24 month period during which members who were already divorced before the effective date of this Act may elect to have a former spouse covered under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Provides that a former spouse's share of retired or retainer pay shall be based on the gross amount of such pay. (Present law bases such share on the net amount of such pay after specified deductions.) Social Services and Child Care Assistance Act of 1985 - Title II: Dependent Care - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to set allotment amounts for FY 1984, 1985, and 1986 and each succeeding fiscal year. Allocates, from the allotment set for FY 1986 and available for any fiscal year, specified amounts for: (1) funding for a National Resource Center on Family Day Care; (2) grants to States which fulfill certain conditions with respect to the licensing, regulation, and monitoring of child care services; and (3) the provision of services in accordance with title XX. Provides that, of the amounts allotted for the provision of services, specified amounts shall be used: (1) for the training and retraining of human services personnel; (2) for the training and retraining in the prevention of child abuse of licensed child care operators; and (3) for the provision of child day care services to children who are abused or neglected, who are members of families receiving aid under title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of such Act, or children who are members of specified low-income groups. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new title XII, School-Based Child Care Programs. (Redesignates the current title XII as title XIII.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) construction, reconstruction, and renovation of facilities, located at such institutions, to be used to provide child care services (free for students from families with incomes less than 150 percent of the poverty level, and with a sliding-scale of fees based on income for other students participating); (2) child care services through vouchers for disadvantaged college students (with two-thirds of the participants to be low-income students who are first generation college students, and the remainder to be either low-income or first generation college students); and (3) child care personnel work-experience programs (which provide experience for students by arranging part-time employment for them in licensed child care programs). Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants to public housing authorities to assist them in providing child care services for lower income families. Requires a program report to the Congress within three years. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations. Title III: Insurance - Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Prohibits any insurer from establishing auto insurance rates for women or any particular group of women which are higher or lower in relation to the rates offered men or any similarly situated group of men, except for non-gender related risk-based reasons. Grants to States having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce the prohibitions of this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer if the State has terminated all proceedings under State law. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Authorizes the Court to: (1) order the defendant to amend any relevant contract to comply with the provisions of this Act; (2) require the defendant to pay punitive damages in addition to actual damages; and (3) award the aggrieved person reasonable attorneys' fees. Continued Access to Group Health Insurance Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require continuation coverage under group health plans for certain spouses, former spouses, and dependent children of employees insured under such plans. Makes such continuation coverage a requirement for the allowance of a tax deduction for employer contributions to group health plans. Provides that the spouse and dependent children of an insured employee may be entitled to five years of continuation coverage under a group health plan if the insured employee: (1) dies; (2) becomes separated or divorced from his or her spouse; or (3) becomes entitled to Medicare. Makes such coverage available only if it is elected within a specified period by or on behalf of the spouse or child to be covered. Sets forth notification requirements. Sets forth a special rule relating to collective bargaining agreements. Title IV: Employment - Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to: (1) conduct research for identifying and measuring wage discrimination; (2) assist any public or private entity in eliminating discriminatory pay practices; and (3) implement policies and procedures to prohibit employment discrimination. Requires the Commission to determine the number and nature of all charges filed under the Civil Rights Act of 1954 and to report to the Congress with a summary prepared pursuant to this Act. Requires the Commission to conduct a study in consultation with organizations representing Federal employees and analyze: (1) the procedures established by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish classifications of positions in the competitive service; and (2) the actual practices of the Director and the heads of Federal agencies in complying with the principle of equal pay for work of equal value when establishing job classifications for employees. Requires the Commission to report to the President and the Congress on its findings and provide a copy to the Director of OPM. Directs the Director to submit his comments on the report to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, to report to the President and the Congress on actions taken to enforce the prohibitions contained in Executive Order Numbered 11246 against discrimination by Federal contractors. Requires the Attorney General, acting through the Office of Civil Rights, to report to the President and the Congress on actions taken to enforce the prohibitions against sex discrimination in compensation contained in title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order Numbered 11246, and other Federal laws. Requires Federal agencies responsible for submitting equal employment opportunity plans to include in such plans: (1) a review and identification of any discriminatory pay practices and any violation of the principle of equal pay for jobs of equal value; and (2) a plan for eliminating any such practices and remedying any such violation. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide, by contract with a consultant, for a report on discriminatory wage-setting practices and discriminatory wage differentials within the Federal position classification system and the prevailing rate (job grading) system. Defines "discriminatory wage-setting practices" as a practice resulting from lower rates of pay for female employees doing work comparable to that of higher-paid males. Requires OPM, within one month of receiving such report, to transmit a copy to the President and specified congressional committees, with written comments. Requires the consultant to submit such report to OPM and the Pay Equity Study Council (established by this Act) within six months after entering into its contract. Requires OPM, within ten days after the effective date of this Act, to establish a Pay Equity Study Council to assist in the selection of a consultant and comment on the final report. Requires that Council membership consist predominantly of representatives of labor organizations representing Federal female employees. Terminates the Council after it submits comments on the final report. Establishes a Commission on Employment Discrimination in the Legislative Branch. Directs the Commission to: (1) employ a nongovernmental consultant to study the compensation paid to Library of Congress personnel and analyze personnel policies of the Library; (2) evaluate the compensation system of the Library for compliance with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make any recommendations needed to achieve compliance; (3) develop a plan for the application of title VII through the legislative branch; and (4) make recommendations to the Congress for improvement of personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to the Congress 18 months after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to invite each State having an approved plan under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to submit an application to establish and conduct a demonstration project for the purpose of testing whether the provision of mandatory education or vocational training (or both) for the caretaker parents of dependent children under six years of age in families receiving AFDC would enable such families to leave the AFDC rolls quickly and assist such parents in securing long-term gainful employment at earnings levels sufficient to maintain their families without public assistance. Requires any State desiring to establish and conduct such a demonstration project to submit an application to the Secretary within six months after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to approve ten of the proposed projects. Requires six of the approved projects to be located in urban areas and four to be located in predominantly rural areas. Prohibits the approval of a project unless: (1) it is of sufficient size and scope to demonstrate program and cost effectiveness and to permit the drawing of valid inferences for evaluation and policy recommendations; (2) it will be conducted for a period of not less than three nor more than five years; (3) it covers all caretaker parents in families which are eligible for aid under the applicable State plan and which include one or more children under six years of age; (4) it provides for participation by caretaker parents on a voluntary basis; and (5) it complies fully with all other requirements and will contribute to the purposes of this Act. Defines "caretaker parent". Directs a State, in conducting an approved demonstration project, to: (1) offer each caretaker parent in a jurisdiction involved an opportunity to participate in the project; (2) establish an individualized program for the education or vocational training of each participating caretaker parent; (3) permit such parent to receive education or training under the program so established (from the time the youngest child in the care of such parent is six months old, or earlier with a physician's written permission) until either the parent is employed and self-sufficient, the parent is no longer a caretaker parent, or the family has become ineligible for aid; and (4) require the project to maintain support services, including child care, transportation, and health care services for each participant. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved demonstration project 90 percent of the costs incurred by the State in establishing and carrying out such project. Requires the remainder of the costs incurred to be paid from non-Federal sources. Requires the education or training for caretaker parents in such program to meet the following requirements: (1) for caretaker parents without a high school diploma the education must lead to such diploma; (2) after receipt of such diploma (or in the case of an individual already having a high school diploma or better), the caretaker parent must participate in an approved post-secondary education program, an approved vocational education program, or a program of employment and training under auspices of the Job Training Partnership Act; (3) the award of an academic scholarship to a caretaker parent shall not result in any loss of eligibility or benefits under AFDC or any other public assistance program, so long as the scholarship payments are made directly to the appropriate educational institution; (4) the education and training must include instruction in family management and life skills, employment and job search training, career counseling, and community-supported recreational activities; (5) appropriate English language and adjustment training must be provided for caretaker parents from immigrant groups who have language or cultural adjustment difficulties; (6) special training must be provided for physically handicapped participants; (7) education and training for each participant in the project must be provided for at least 20 hours per week and must be coordinated with available child care services; and (8) any caretaker parent who has completed all of the education and training required by this Act shall remain a participant in the project for 20 hours a week of job search and placement assistance (with coordinated child care) until either the parent is employed and self-sufficient or the family has become ineligible for AFDC. Provides that in the case of a caretaker parent who ceases to be a participant in the project because he or she has completed all of the education and training required by this Act and has become employed: (1) the parent will be provided with child care services, as necessary, without charge for a six-month period, and thereafter for a certain period subject to the payment of a gradually increasing portion of the cost of such services; and (2) the parent shall be considered for a 15-month period to be still a project participant for purposes of receiving Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) and shall thereafter be similarly considered to still be a participant for such purposes but subject to stated conditions. Requires all of the child care and transportation which is necessary for a caretaker parent to participate in a demonstration project to be included, without charge to the caretaker parent, as a part of the project. Requires each approved project to be designed so as to provide an effective demonstration of: (1) the planning and design of quality and cost-effective approaches to child and infant care; (2) the cost-effective utilization of existing publicly-funded educational, vocational, and other training programs; (3) coordination with other community service providers, including job developers; and (4) cost-effective and creative approaches to the utilization of transportation facilities. Prohibits participation in an approved project by a caretaker parent from resulting in any loss of eligibility or benefits under AFDC or any other public assistance program. Permits a State to make participation mandatory if: (1) it is necessary to operate a project in a cost-effective manner; (2) participants would not be disadvantaged financially or otherwise; and (3) children in need of assistance would not be disadvantaged. Provides that if any caretaker parent who is required to participate in a project refuses to undergo any education or training required by this Act or otherwise fails to participate in an approved demonstration project, without a reasonable basis for such refusal or failure as determined on medical, psychological, psychiatric, or other grounds by an appropriate licensed practitioner in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary (subject to a State being granted a waiver): (1) such parent's needs shall not be taken into account in determining need under AFDC with respect to the parent's family; and (2) any AFDC payments shall be made in the form of protective payments. Requires each approved demonstration project to have a voluntary advisory group to assist in developing the program and in monitoring the project. Sets forth reporting requirements (including reports to the Congress). Requires each State in which a demonstration project is located to submit to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require concerning a project. Women's Business Ownership Act of 1985 - Establishes the National Commission on Women's Business Ownership to review: (1) the status of women-owned small businesses nationwide; (2) the role of the Federal Government in aid to and the promotion of women-owned small businesses; (3) data collection procedures and the availability of data relating to women-owned businesses, women-owned small businesses, and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women; (4) other Federal initiatives relating to women-owned small businesses, including those relating to Federal procurements; and (5) special impediments suffered by small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women. Directs the Commission to recommend: (1) new private sector initiatives which would provide management and technical assistance to women-owned small businesses; (2) ways to promote greater access to financing and procurement opportunities for such businesses; and (3) other measures relating to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women. Terminates the Commission on the date that it transmits its final report to the President and to each House of the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Tax Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the zero amount for heads of households shall be the same as the zero bracket amount for joint returns and surviving spouses. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit from 11 percent to 16 percent of the first $5,000 of earned income. Provides for a phaseout of such credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes between $11,000 and $16,000. Provides that governmental payments shall be disregarded for purposes of determining support and maintenance of a household. Provides that any refund of Federal income taxes or advance payment made to an individual by reason of the earned income credit shall not be taken into account as income for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits or assistance under any Federal program or any State or local program financed in whole or part with Federal funds. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments for the amount of the earned income credit and the phase-out thresholds of such credit beginning in 1987. Allows a refundable income tax credit for: (1) employment related dependent care expenses; plus (2) expenses for the respite care of a dependent. Sets the amount of such credit at 50 percent of the sum of such expenses. Reduces such percentage (but not below 20 percent) by one percent for each full $2,000 amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $11,000. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such adjusted gross income amount. Limits the amount of employment-related expenses and respite care expenses which may be taken into account for purposes of such credit. Allows such credit for expenses incurred for the care of: (1) a dependent of the taxpayer who is under the age of 15; (2) a dependent of the taxpayer who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself; or (3) a spouse who is incapable of caring for himself. Repeals present provisions relating to the income tax credit for dependent care expenses necessary for gainful employment. Increases the amount individuals may contribute on behalf of their spouses for purposes of the deduction for retirement savings. Provides that no deduction from gross income shall be allowed to a taxpayer for entertainment expenses for food, beverages, lodging, or entertainment incurred in connection with a facility which discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Exempts facilities operated by a religious organization where access is limited to members of a particular religion. Treats dues and fees paid to discriminatory facilities as nondeductible expenses. Requires the submission of a statement to the Secretary of the Treasury that a facility not open to the public does not discriminate in order for amounts paid to such facility to qualify for the entertainment expense deduction. Requires the posting of a public notice in the facility stating the nondiscriminatory policy. Permits the Secretary to revoke the acceptance of the statement of nondiscrimination. Requires the taxpayer to report on his or her income tax return any amounts paid or incurred for food, beverages, lodging, or entertainment in any facility which is not open to the public or does not serve the public in order to deduct such amounts from gross income.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 146 (99th)referred

A concurrent resolution to express the sense of the Congress that the executive branch should expeditiously release the remaining money appropriated by Congress under Public Law 98-473 for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the executive branch should release appropriations for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Bill· HRH.R. 2443 (99th)passed

Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation and Financial Regulations Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985

Expedited Funds Availability Act - Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to begin to develop a system to provide that: (1) funds deposited by checks drawn on a local depository institution shall be available for withdrawal the next business day following the day of deposit; and (2) for all other checks, not more than three business days shall pass between the day of deposit and the day on which the funds become available. Requires such system to be implemented no later than five years after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Board, not later than six months after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter until such goal is achieved, to report to the Congress concerning the actions it has taken. Sets forth time standards for expedited check clearing in any case in which funds are deposited by check in an account at a depository institution. Requires cash deposits to be available on the next business day. Makes exceptions to such standards with respect to: (1) checks drawn on a depository institution or an office of a depository institution located outside of the United States; (2) deposits of checks aggregating more than $5,000 in any account on any business day, excluding cashier's and certified checks beginning two years after enactment of this Act; (3) deposits made by new depositors within the first 30 days after opening an account, excluding cashier's and certified checks beginning two years after enactment of this Act; (4) any account that is overdrawn three times in six months; and (5) emergencies beyond the control of the depository institution. Permits a State to require, or a depository institution to provide for, shorter time periods for deposit availability. Requires interest to accrue on funds deposited in interest-bearing accounts beginning on the business day of deposit. Requires a depository institution to meet specified disclosure requirements concerning its general policy on the availability for withdrawal of funds deposited by check. Authorizes the Board to publish model disclosure forms and clauses for common transactions. Directs the Board to establish a Payments System Advisory Council to advise and consult with it in the exercise of its functions under this Act. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) the administrative enforcement of this Act; and (2) the civil liability of institutions that fail to comply with this title.

Bill· HRH.R. 2436 (99th)open

National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985

National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1985 - Title I: Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research - Establishes a ten-year coordinated program, to be known as the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program, which will be implemented by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Establishes an Intergovernmental Science Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to facilitate the management and implementation of such program. Directs the Secretary to appoint an Administrator of Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program to coordinate such program. Sets forth the functions of the Secretary with respect to such program including: (1) establishing a National Science Foundation administered matching grant program for specified nutritional and dietary purposes; and (2) submitting an annual report to the President and the Congress. Requires the Secretary to prepare and implement a comprehensive National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Plan which shall: (1) assess and report on U.S. nutritional and dietary trends; (2) assess and report on low-income food and household expenditures; (3) sponsor and conduct research; and (4) develop and update a national dietary and nutritional status data bank; (5) assist State and local agencies in developing procedures and networks for nutrition monitoring and surveillance; and (6) focus the activities of Federal agencies. Requires the plan to allocate the project functions and activities among the various Federal agencies and offices involved. Requires the Secretary to provide for and coordinate such scientific research and development as may be necessary to support the coordinated program and comprehensive plan. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council - Establishes a 15-member Advisory Council to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice on the development and implementation of all components of the coordinated program and the comprehensive plan; (2) evaluate such program and plan; and (3) submit an annual report to the Secretary.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 165 (99th)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the House that the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund be administered as required by law.

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the administration should comply with the automatic appropriation and earmarking provisions of the Wallop/Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund. States that funds owed to the States from such Fund should not be withheld or delayed.

Bill· HRH.R. 2337 (99th)open

Metropolitan Washington Airports Transfer Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985

Metropolitan Washington Airports Transfer Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to transfer all authority over the Metropolitan Washington Airports (Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, including all airport employees) to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (Airports Authority) under the terms of a 35-year lease and operations agreement set forth in this Act. Defines the Airports Authority as a single, independent airport authority to be created by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia for the purpose of operating the Metropolitan Washington Airports. Declares that the Secretary's authority to enter into a lease and agreement for such transfer shall lapse two years after enactment of this Act. Requires that basic lease and acquisition payments be sufficient to repay to the United States the hypothetical indebtedness of the Metropolitan Washington Airports to the Treasury, as determined by the Federal Aviation Administration. Requires the Airports Authority to pay to the Treasury, for deposit to the credit of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, certain costs incurred by such Fund due to the transfer of authorities under this Act. Requires that the lease of real property constituting Washington Metropolitan Airports comply with the operation and development of the Washington Metropolitan Airports as a unit and as primary airports serving the Metropolitan Washington area. Requires the Airports Authority to be a public corporate body with powers conferred upon it jointly by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia under specified guidelines which include: (1) operation of Metropolitan Washington Airports for public purposes; (2) independence from the State and local governments of Virginia and the District of Columbia; (3) authority to issue bonds; (4) acquisition of real and personal property; (5) power of eminent domain within the Commonwealth of Virginia; (6) a corporation constituted solely to operate both Metropolitan Washington Airports as primary airports serving the Metropolitan Washington area; and (7) authority to levy fees and enter into agreements. Prescribes the membership and terms of the Airport Authority's board of governors, including the appointment of: (1) five members by the Governor of Virginia; (2) three members by the Mayor of the District of Columbia; (3) two members by the Governor of Maryland; and (4) one member by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Prescribes the terms and conditions of the lease, including the continued applicability of airport regulations that: (1) the High Density Rule for Washington National Airport may only be amended for safety considerations; and (2) current nighttime noise limitation standards may not be amended. Transfers all rights, liabilities and obligations of the Metropolitan Washington Airports to the Airports Authority. Retains the responsibility of the Federal Aviation Administration to reimburse the Employees Compensation Fund. Authorizes the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct periodic audits of the Airports Authority's activities. Grants jurisdiction upon the United States district court to compel compliance with the lease terms. Sets forth guidelines for the protection of Federal employee interests during the two-year period starting on the date of transfer, including: (1) retention of employees; (2) adoption of pre-transfer labor agreements; (3) credit for accrued annual and sick leave and seniority rights; (4) life and health insurance benefits; and (5) retention of pre-transfer retirement benefits. Confers upon the Airports Authority during the 35-year lease the same proprietary powers and restrictions with respect to Federal law as any other airport. Declares that the Metropolitan Washington Airports qualify as a "public airport" eligible for Federal assistance on the same basis as any comparable public airport operated by a regional authority. Grants the Commonwealth of Virginia concurrent police power authority over the Metropolitan Washington Airports, and grants the Virginia courts jurisdiction over airport land. Makes the authority of the National Capital Planning Commission inapplicable to the Airports Authority, but requires the Airports Authority to consult with such Commission and with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation before undertaking actions which would materially alter either the exterior of the Dulles Terminal, or the skyline of Washington National Airport. Provides that title to all real property shall pass to the Airports Authority upon conclusion of the 35-year lease and that at the end of such lease the United States shall relinquish all jurisdiction over the Metropolitan Washington Airports to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Repeals upon lease expiration certain Acts relating to the administration and maintenance of a public airport in the vicinity of the District of Columbia.

Bill· HRH.R. 2353 (99th)open

National Advanced Technician Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985

National Advanced Technician Training Act - Directs the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to carry out a three-year national advanced technician training program under which accredited community and technical colleges, using matching non-Federal funds, will provide training in technical competencies in strategic fields. Requires such program to include emphasis on-the-job training intermixed with technical occupational training. Requires such program to place special recruiting emphasis on: (1) those who need retraining or upgrading to retain their jobs; (2) those who are unemployed, especially workers dislocated by plant closings and technological change; and (3) those who have recently completed high school or left high school prior to graduation. Requires the Director, in carrying out such program, to: (1) award grants on a competitive basis to accredited community and technical colleges which possess the demonstrated ability to provide competency-based occupational training; and (2) work with the Nation's network of community and technical colleges to establish and maintain, at NSF or by contract, a readily accessible inventory of advanced technician training programs which are serving public and private employers and addressing the changing workforce demands of emerging technology. Requires each community or technical college which is awarded such a grant to provide an associate degree training program in designated advanced-technology occupational fields. Sets the maximum grant award at $500,000 per year. Requires the Director, in order to assure that the program is consistent with the needs of industries, to appoint a 15-year National Advisory Council on Advanced Technician Training, which shall advise the Director on program goals and implementation, review program effectiveness, and report annually to the Director and the Congress. Requires the Council and the Director to submit to the Congress an annual report on the program, together with: (1) a program evaluation; (2) a catalog of the community and technical college programs identified by the required inventory; and (3) a recommendation on the feasibility of program expansion. Requires the national program to give special emphasis to those associate degree advanced-technician training programs which: (1) include flexibility in scheduling in order to accommodate working people and parents; and (2) take steps to meets the adaptive and training needs of handicapped young people and adults. Requires that funds appropriated under this Act be used to establish, strengthen, and expand the advanced technician training capabilities of community and technical colleges. Includes among the uses of such funds: (1) associate degree and short-cycle training program developments; (2) faculty development; (3) the development of instructional materials; (4) the lease or purchase of state-of-the-art instrumentation; (5) personnel exchanges among such colleges, the private sector, and government; (6) the development of cooperative training programs with business, industry, labor, and government; and (7) the promotion of private sector contributions to program costs, training sites, and work experience opportunities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 136 (99th)open

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should augment his efforts to resolve trade differences with Canada, with the objective of securing agreements with Canada that would permit fair competition.

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) a specified U.S.-Canada trade declaration should be supported as a first step toward settling trade differences with Canada; (2) the President and his trade representative should augment their efforts to negotiate with Canada in order to achieve a reciprocal trade relationship between the United States and Canada; and (3) the United States and Canada should resolve the specific impediments to trade within one year of the trade declaration. Declares that the President should report to the Congress by March 18, 1986, on the steps taken to achieve a reciprocal fair trade relationship between the United States and Canada.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 152 (99th)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in opposition to any reduction in social security benefits and to any interference with social security cost-of-living increases.

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it will not allow any reduction in benefits under the Social Security Act by any method, or any downward adjustment, freeze, or delay in cost-of-living increases.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 144 (99th)passed

A resolution recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Rural Electrification Program.

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Rural Electrification Program must continue to provide financing and technical assistance at reasonable cost; and (2) the people of the United States and Federal and State governmental agencies should commemorate the Rural Electrification Administration on its 50th anniversary.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 129 (99th)open

A concurrent resolution to establish a Congressional Commission to be known as the "Perot Commission on Americans Missing in Southeast Asia" to determine whether or not U.S. POWs are being held in Southeast Asia and to report to Congress appropriate action to effect the release of any POWs found to be alive.

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 2186 (99th)open

A bill relating to the tariff classifications of certain silicone resins and materials.

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1985

Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to include all forms of silicone in the term "synthetic plastics materials." Imposes a duty on silicone resins and materials. Provides, under certain conditions, for the deletion of the Least Developed Developing Country rate on such silicone resins and materials.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 244 (99th)open

A joint resolution to authorize and request the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services to be held not later than 1989, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985

Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services, to be held not later than 1989, to develop recommendations for improvement of such services and their public use. Requires that the Conference be planned and conducted by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Sciences. Authorizes the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the National Library of Medicine, and the Director of the National Agricultural Library, upon request, to detail personnel to the Commission. Requires the Conference to submit a final report to the President within 120 days following its close. Directs that the final report be made public, and within 90 days after receipt by the President, transmitted to the Congress with recommendations. Establishes an advisory committee to assist in planning and conducting the Conference. Includes among its appointed members the Secretary of Education and the Librarian of Congress. Authorizes appropriations as necessary.

Bill· HRH.R. 2080 (99th)referred

Food Assistance and Africa Agriculture Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985

Food Assistance and Africa Agriculture Act of 1985 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for: (1) the International Fund for Agricultural Development; and (2) the International Fund for Agricultural Development for its Special Program for Sub-Saharan Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification for each of FY 1986 through 1989. Title II: Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1986 - Makes appropriations for FY 1986 for: (1) expenses for agricultural commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad pursuant to the famine relief provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; and (2) the U.S. contribution to the International Fund for Agricultural Development and for the Fund's Special Program for Sub-Saharan Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification.

Bill· HRH.R. 2018 (99th)open

Hazardous Waste Reduction Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985

Hazardous Waste Reduction Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the receipt of: (1) taxable hazardous waste in any qualified hazardous waste management unit; and (2) taxable hazardous waste for export or for disposal in the ocean pursuant to a permit. Provides that the tax rate for all forms of land and ocean waste disposal, except underground injection wells, shall be $20 for each ton of hazardous waste. Provides that the tax rate for each ton of hazardous waste placed in underground injection wells shall be five dollars per ton. Authorizes the Secretary of Treasury to increase the rates of tax on such hazardous waste where the tax revenue falls below projections for any year. Requires the tax to be paid by the owner or operator of the qualified waste management unit at which the taxable waste is received or by the person exporting the taxable hazardous waste or the person holding the permit for transport for ocean disposal. Requires the tax to be paid at the close of the calendar quarter during which the taxable hazardous waste became subject to tax. Imposes a tax of $20 per ton on hazardous waste placed in a facility other than a qualified hazardous waste management unit or pursuant to a permit for export or ocean dumping. Makes the person placing the hazardous material in the facility or location liable for the tax. Provides that such tax will not apply with respect to small quantity generator waste, or with respect to the placement of taxable hazardous waste in any facility, vehicle, or location if such placement is not required to comply with permit, interim status, or manifest requirement under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Provides that the tax does not apply to the placement of taxable hazardous waste in a vehicle which is required to transport such taxable hazardous waste. Exempts from the tax waste removed from a Superfund site or a closed interim status facility or waste required to be studied. Exempts from the tax qualified wastewater treatment facilities. Provides that the exemption for qualified wastewater treatment facilities shall not apply after November 8, 1988, unless the facility is in compliance with certain minimum technological requirements or meets certain interim status surface impoundments requirements. Permits a tax credit where the taxable hazardous waste is moved from one unit or facility to another. Provides that where the taxable waste is moved from a surface impoundment to an underground injection well, the credit is the difference between the tax on the surface impoundment and the tax on the underground injection. Permits a tax credit for all waste rendered nonhazardous by reason of treatment or conversion within 12 months of receipt at the unit or facility. Prohibits the tax credit for treatment or conversion at a qualified wastewater treatment facility. Prohibits the tax credit for land treatment. Provides that the tax credit will not apply to any treatment or conversion which violates any requirement of Federal or State law relating to the management of hazardous taxable waste. Provides that this tax shall apply for the period from January 1, 1986, through September 30, 1990. Requires every person subject to this tax to keep records, render such statements, make such returns, and comply with such rules and regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may require. Provides that the revenues from this tax shall be deposited in the Hazardous Substance Superfund. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make various reports to the Congress concerning different aspects of this tax on hazardous waste disposal.

Bill· HRH.R. 2001 (99th)referred

Renewable Energy and Conservation Transition Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985

Renewable Energy and Conservation Transition Act of 1985 - Title I: Extension of Business Energy Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the energy investment tax credit for solar energy property from 1985 to 1990. Sets the amount of such credit during such period at 15 percent for low temperature solar property and 25 percent for all other solar property. Extends the energy investment tax credit for wind property from 1985 to 1988. Sets the amount of such credit at: (1) ten percent during 1986 and 1987; and (2) five percent during 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for geothermal property and biomass property from 1985 to 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for ocean thermal property from 1985 to 1990. Revises the definition of "solar property" for purposes of such tax credit. Sets forth special rules for geothermal equipment to qualify for such credit. Title II: Affirmative Commitment Rule to Extend the Business Credit for Certain Long-Term Projects - Extends the time period during which an affirmative commitment must be made in order for long-term energy projects to be eligible for the energy investment tax credit. Allows such extension: (1) from 1990 to 1993 for solar energy property; (2) from 1988 to 1990 for geothermal energy property; and (3) from 1985 to 1990 for hydroelectric generating property. Title III: Extension of Residential Energy Credits - Extends the residential energy income tax credit for solar renewable energy property from 1985 to 1990. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Provides that solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet certain additional standards in order to qualify for such credit. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for wind renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for geothermal renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Revises the definition of geothermal deposits for purposes of such credit. Revises the definition of energy conservation expenditures for purposes of the residential energy income tax credit to limit the amounts taken into account to $700. Limits the energy conservation income tax credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $30,000. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 1950 (99th)open

Trade Law Modernization Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985

Trade Law Modernization Act of 1985 - Title I: National Trade Policy and Negotiating Objectives; Negotiation Authority - Sets forth national trade policy objectives that shall guide U.S. trade policy and domestic economic policy. Directs the Administering Authority (the U.S. Trade Representative) to submit by March 1 of each year to specified congressional committees a statement of the actions the Administering Authority proposes to take during such year to achieve such objectives. Requires the committees to hold hearings on such proposals and to advise the Administering Authority on such proposals. Declares that U.S. objectives in any trade negotiations shall be: (1) to obtain more open and equitable market access abroad for U.S. products and services, the reduction and elimination of the adverse effects of certain foreign trade practices, and improved effectiveness of the rules governing international trade; (2) to develop internationally accepted rules which meet certain needs; and (3) to promote international cooperation in trade and monetary policies. Directs the Administering Authority to seek to obtain fair and equitable market opportunities through consultations on negotiations with foreign countries or instrumentalities in order to remedy the harmful efforts on U.S. trade of discriminatory procurement practices and regulatory requirements of such countries or instrumentalities. Authorizes the Administering Authority to: (1) suspend or withdraw benefits under any trade agreement with such countries or instrumentalities; (2) direct customs officers to impose import restrictions on the goods of such countries or instrumentalities and to impose fees or restrictions on the services of such countries or instrumentalities; (3) make available analysis and information to other U.S. agencies and courts for the purpose of ensuring consideration by such agencies and courts of the competitive impact of pending administrative or judicial decisions of such agencies or courts that could significantly enlarge the access of foreign products and services to the U.S. market; and (4) recommend action to the President with respect to service sector access authorization (a Federal authorization that gives a foreign supplier of services access to U.S. markets). Directs the Administering Authority, if there is a significant denial of market opportunities in a foreign country for U.S. products and services in an economic sector where the United States has increased market opportunities for such country's products and services, to: (1) act to obtain fair and equitable market opportunities in the markets of such foreign country; and (2) pending achievement of such opportunities, impose equivalent conditions of market access. Authorizes action to be taken under this Act upon motion of the Administering Authority or after investigation upon the filing of a petition. Title II: Transfer of Authority to Administering Authority; Amendments to Title I of Trade Act of 1974 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to transfer from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to: (1) take action in cases of market disruption; and (2) extend tariff preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to make the final review of actions to prevent unfair practices in the importation of articles into the United States. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to evaluate the industrial and trade policies of other countries and the effects of such policies on U.S. industries, trade, and employment. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress annually on such program. Directs the Secretary in conjunction with the U.S. Trade Representative, to establish special industry sector advisory panels to assess the actual or potential dislocation, challenge, or opportunity for the industry sectors involved and to formulate recommendations for responses by business, government, and labor. Requires the industry and labor advisory committees established by the Trade Act of 1974 to hold joint meetings at the call of the respective committee chairs and to meet at the call of the Administering Authority before and during trade negotiations to provide policy and technical advice and advice on any other factors relevant to U.S. positions in such trade negotiations. Authorizes the President to impose a temporary import surcharge at a level which the President determines to be necessary to assist in restoring equilibrium in the balance of payments in certain circumstances. (Currently such surcharge may not exceed 15 percent.) Limits the duration of such surcharge or limits imposed on imports to improve the balance of payments to one year. (Currently such measures may be imposed for only 150 days.) Deletes certain restrictions on imposing import limitations for such purposes. Authorizes one year extensions of such measures. Title III: Relief from Injury Caused by Import Competition - Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions following import relief investigations by the International Trade Commission (ITC). Authorizes a petition for import relief to include within its statement of reasons for requesting import relief the desire to facilitate the orderly transfer of resources to enhance competitiveness. Changes the scope of the ITC's import relief investigation to include determining whether an article is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a cause (currently substantial cause) of serious injury or threat of serious injury to any domestic industry that produces an article like or directly competitive with the imported article or that produces materials, parts, components, or subassemblies irrevocably destined for incorporation in an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. Changes one of the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to serious injury in order to cover the inability of a significant number of firms to operate domestic production facilities at a reasonable profit. (Current law refers to the inability of firms to operate at a reasonable profit.) Changes the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to the threat of serious injury in order to cover: (1) a decline in sales or market share in the domestic industry; (2) a higher and growing inventory in the domestic industry; (3) a downward trend in production, profits, wages, or employment (or increasing under employment) in the domestic industry; (4) any combination of coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof the effect of which is to assist the beneficiary to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise and that causes or threatens to cause serious injury to the domestic industry; (5) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of the article concerned because of restraints on exports of such article to, or imports of such articles into, third country markets; and (6) in the case of an industry that has developed an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy, the inability of producers in the domestic industry to generate adequate capital to finance the modernization of plant and equipment or to otherwise enhance competitiveness. Requires (currently authorizes) the ITC to make certain determinations with respect to determining the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an imported article. Defines "cause" for purposes of determining whether imports are a cause of injury to mean a cause which is important. Declares that a cause may be important even though other causes are of equal or greater importance. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury or the threat of serious injury exists for a domestic industry, to: (1) find the amount of the increase in, or imposition of, any duty or import restriction necessary to prevent or remedy such injury; and (2) if it determines that adjustment assistance can assist in remedying such injury, recommend the provision of such assistance. Directs the Administering Authority, if during an import relief investigation it finds that critical circumstances exist, to impose provisional measures (increase in tariff, tariff-rate quotas, quantitative restrictions, orderly marketing agreements or a combination of such actions). Requires such measures to remain in effect until the later of the date: (1) on which the President revokes such measures; (2) on which the ITC makes a negative determination of injury; or (3) which is 60 days after the date on which the ITC makes an affirmative determination of injury. Declares that critical circumstances exist if a significant increase in imports over a short time has led to circumstances in which delay in relief would cause damage that would be difficult to repair. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury has resulted from imports, to determine: (1) whether trade in the article concerned has been affected by coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group and that assist the beneficiary in becoming more competitive in exporting a class or kind of merchandise; and (2) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of such article because of restraints on exports of such article to, or on imports of such article into, third country markets. Directs the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and the ITC has found that trade in the article has been affected by such coordinated government actions, to consult and negotiate with other countries that produce or consume such article to seek the establishment of a multilateral framework to maintain and develop fair, equitable, and nondisruptive patterns of trade in such article. Directs the Administering Authority, after the ITC begins an import relief investigation based on a petition, to establish, upon request, an industry advisory group. Requires such an advisory group to prepare for the industry concerned an assessment of current problems and a strategy to enhance competitiveness. Directs the Administering Authority to try to obtain, on a confidential basis, information from the individual members of such advisory group on: (1) how such members intend to act upon the recommendations in such assessment and strategy; and (2) any other actions such members intend to take which will foster the objectives of the strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, the ITC, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Commerce to consider such assessment and strategy in making any import relief determination or taking any import relief actions. Requires the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and if an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy was submitted to the Administering Authority, to publish notice of the availability of, and a summary of, such assessment and strategy. Requires a review committee, if such summary is published, to: (1) monitor actions taken by the petitioners to improve the competitive position of the industry; (2) make recommendations for administrative action; and (3) submit recommended legislation to the Congress. Requires the review committee to consult with the advisory group members if the review committee determines that the firms or workers are not implementing or are implementing unsatisfactorily: (1) the recommended objectives and actions in the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy; or (2) the actions declared in the confidential information obtained by the advisory group. Requires the Administering Authority to request the ITC to issue a report on the probable economic effect on the industry of import relief if, after consultations with the advisory group members, the review committee determines that the failure to implement or failure to implement satisfactorily such actions is not justified by changed circumstances and has adversely affected overall implementation of the objectives of the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, if it decides to provide import relief, to consult with petitioners and representatives of workers and firms in the affected industry on the advisability and desirability of taking appropriate action under countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 or under title III of the Trade Act of 1974 if the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government or firm is engaged in any action or practice for which such relief is available. Title IV: Relief from Injurious Industrial Targeting and Unfair Trade Practices - Provides that injurious industrial targeting may trigger import relief actions. Defines injurious industrial targeting to mean any combination of coordinated government actions: (1) which are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof; (2) which assist such enterprise, industry, or group to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise; and (3) which cause or threaten to cause material injury. Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements and to respond to certain foreign trade practices. Authorizes the Administering Authority to: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent application of the benefit of trade agreement concessions with the foreign country or instrumentality involved; (2) direct customs officers to assess duties or impose other import restrictions on the products of such country or instrumentality or to assess fees or impose restrictions on the services of such country or instrumentality for such time, in such amount, and to such degree as the Administering Authority deems appropriate; (3) negotiate agreements to offset the burden or restrictions on U.S. commerce; (4) submit proposed administrative actions and legislation to implement any other government action which would restore or improve the international competitive position of the injured or threatened industry; (5) recommend action by the President; or (6) any combination of such actions. Transfers to the Administering Authority from the President the authority to impose certain limits on service sector access authorizations (authorizations that permit a foreign supplier of services access to the U.S. market). Authorizes the President, upon recommendation of the Administering Authority, to: (1) restrict the terms and conditions of any service sector access authorization; or (2) deny the issuance of any such authorization. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with representatives of domestic firms and workers that may be affected by any import relief investigation which is initiated by petition filed with the Administering Authority regarding any determination which is required to be made by the Administering Authority. Directs the Administering Authority, upon written request, to make confidential business information obtained by it in connection with an import relief investigation available under a protective order. Prohibits release of information classified for national security reasons. Requires the Administering Authority to act upon requests for such information within ten days of the request. Requires the Administering Authority, in conducting an import relief investigation initiated by petition to the Administering Authority, to present detailed questionnaires to the foreign government or enterprise involved in order to obtain information concerning the allegations in the petition. Directs the Administering Authority to verify any such information which the Administering Authority relied upon in making any determinations. Provides for relying on the best information available, which may be the information contained in the petition, if the foreign government fails to provide information or provides insufficient or unsatisfactory information. Requires the Administering Authority to make a preliminary determination within five months of the start of such an import relief investigation on whether there is reason to believe that import relief is warranted. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take certain actions based on the preliminary finding. Requires the final determination to be made within 11 months of the start of the investigation. Requires the Administering Authority to determine what actions to take if the final determination is that import relief is warranted except that specific actions are required if injurious industrial targeting is found to exist. Requires the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and representatives of the affected domestic firms and workers if the final determination is affirmative. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress if the final determination is affirmative and the Administering Authority declines to take any action. Terminates any preliminary import relief if the final determination is negative. Requires publication in the Federal Register of such preliminary and final determinations. Requires the Administering Authority, if it makes a preliminary finding that injurious industrial targeting exists, to: (1) establish an advisory committee; and (2) formulate, in consultation with such advisory committee, proposals which would restore or improve the competitive position of affected domestic industries. Requires the Administering Authority to notify the ITC when it initiates an investigation of injurious industrial targeting. Requires the ITC to make a preliminary determination within 60 days of receiving such notice of whether there is a reasonable indication that because of sales or likely sales of the merchandise which is the subject of the investigation: (1) an industry in the United States is materially injured or is threatened with material injury; or (2) the establishment or growth of an industry in the United States is materially retarded. Requires the ITC to make a final determination of whether such circumstances exist by: (1) 45 days after the affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is affirmative; or (2) 75 days after an affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is negative. Makes the ITC's determination subject to review by the U.S. Court of International Trade if such determinations were made under the countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Defines material injury and threat of material injury. Requires the Administering Authority to submit to the President any proposed administrative action and any proposed legislation to restore or improve the competitive position of the injured industry if the preliminary and final determinations are that injurious industrial targeting has occurred. Provides for expedited consideration of such legislation. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress on the actions the Administering Authority will take to offset the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting. Authorizes the Administering Authority to enter into a settlement agreement with the foreign country or entity involved in lieu of taking other actions if: (1) such agreement completely eliminates the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting; and (2) such agreement is approved by the petitioner if the investigation began because of a petition. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take actions to compensate a foreign country or entity if the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) disapprove of actions taken in response to injurious industrial targeting. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and the representatives of affected domestic firms and workers if, in the course of an investigation, the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government engaged in dumping or other actions for which relief is available under specified provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Title V: Countervailing and Antidumping Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to add requirements for a country to be considered a "country under the Agreement" for purposes of the countervailing duty provisions of such Act. Requires such a country to have made a commitment under the GATT to: (1) eliminate its export subsidies within one year (five for least developed countries); (2) not increase, extend, or add export subsidies; and (3) eliminate immediately export subsidies on those products in which such country is competitive. Requires the ITC, upon request, to investigate whether the merchandise is already competitive in the U.S. market and whether the merchandise would be competitive in the absence of export subsidies. Directs the Administering authority to review the status of, and compliance with, specified agreements at least once during each 12-month period. Directs the Administering Authority to publish such determinations. Imposes penalties for failure of a foreign country to honor any term of such agreements. Includes natural resource subsidies within the definition of subsidy for purposes of such Act. Declares that a natural resource subsidy exists if: (1) a natural resource product is provided or sold by a government-controlled entity within a country for use in the manufacture or production in such country of merchandise which is the subject of a countervailing duty investigation at a domestic price that is lower than the fair market value of the natural resource product in such country and that is not freely available to U.S. producers for purchase of that product for export to the United States; and (2) such natural resource product would, if sold at the fair market value, constitute a significant portion of the total cost of the manufacture or production of such merchandise. Changes the definition of foreign market value for purposes of countervailing duty investigations. Requires the Administering Authority to include in calculating the cost of producing the merchandise the value of any benefit the producer or manufacturer has received from government research and development programs. Requires sales made at less than cost of production to be disregarded in the determination of foreign market value if such sales were made over an extended period of time and in substantial quantities. Sets forth a special rule for determining cost of production and constructed value if imports of the merchandise into the home market have been unreasonably restrained. Requires the ITC, in determining whether a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury because of imports, to consider: (1) any combination of coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof the effect of which is to assist the beneficiary to become more competitive in the export of any merchandise and to cause or threaten to cause material injury to the United States; and (2) the extent to which the United States is the focal point for exports of the merchandise by reason of restraints on exports of the merchandise to, or on imports of the merchandise into, third country markets.

Bill· HRH.R. 1965 (99th)open

Agriculture Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985

Agriculture Act of 1985 - Title I: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set milk price support levels at 90 percent of the previous three year average. Provides for: (1) automatic price support revisions on April 1 and October 1 of 1986 through 1989; and (2) additional adjustments based on Government purchase levels. Extends authority through 1989 for: (1) the dairy indemnity program; and (2) the program of dairy product transfers to the military and veterans' hospitals. Amends specified milk marketing order provisions. Title II: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the wool program through 1989. Title III: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 wheat crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if carryover stocks exceed four percent of annual world utilization. Suspends specified marketing quota and producer certificate provisions. Title IV: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 corn crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets loans and purchase levels for grain sorghum, barley, oats, and rye in relation to corn levels. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if carryover stocks exceed four percent of annual world utilization. Title V: Cotton - Suspends specified base acreage allotment and marketing quota provisions for the 1986 through 1989 upland cotton crops. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set upland cotton loan rates at the lower of: (1) 85 percent of the average U.S. spot market price (weighted by market and month) for the preceding five years, excluding the high and low years; or (2) 90 percent of the average of comparable cotton prices, quoted C.I.F. northern Europe. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the same average market price used to determine loan rates. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Directs the President to establish a special limited global import quota for upland cotton if average spot prices exceed specified levels. Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if upland cotton carryover stocks exceed normal supply by more than 15 percent. Title VI: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 rice crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if rice carryover stocks exceed normal supply by more than 15 percent. Title VII: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish the national poundage quota for the 1986 through 1989 peanut crops at the level of the previous three-year average of domestic edible and seed use. Authorizes modifications of up to five percent. Extends price support provisions for the 1986 through 1989 peanut crops. Permits changes in support levels based upon changes in the price paid index. Title VIII: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 soybean crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Stipulates that such level may not be less than $5.02 per bushel. Limits annual support reductions to not more than ten percent or below $4.50 per bushel. Title IX: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan levels for the 1986 through 1989 sugarcane crops at 18 cents per pound. Bases sugar beet support levels on sugarcane prices. Title X: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Advance Diversion Payments - States that if the secretary makes land diversion payments to assist in adjusting acreage for the 1986 through 1989 crops of wheat, feed grains, cotton, or rice, at least 50 percent of such payment shall be made available as soon as possible after program signup. Subtitle B: Grain Reserves - Terminates the producer-owned reserve storage program. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Limits annual deficiency payments to $50,000 per person for the 1986 through 1989 crop years. Subtitle D: General Provisions - Extends the special grazing and hay program through 1989. Title XI: Agricultural Export and Public Law 480 - Subtitle A: Export Provisions - Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to extend authority through 1989 for the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund. Exempts export sales financed or guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) from cargo preference laws. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to exempt the special standby export subsidy program from cargo preference laws. Directs the Secretary to use bonus commodities from CCC to offset the adverse effects of competing countries' subsidies and currency exchanges. Exempts such exports from cargo preference laws. Subtitle B: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to increase minimum export tonnage levels. Exempts such exports from cargo preference laws. Extends such programs through 1989. Title XII: Resource Conservation - Subtitle A: Conservation Reserve - Directs the Secretary to establish a conservation reserve program to convert cropland and highly erodible land to less intensive use. Subtitle B: Program Eligibility on Highly Erodible Land - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible for price support and other agricultural loans and benefits. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations. Title XIII: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment, unless otherwise so provided.

Bill· HRH.R. 1959 (99th)open

Hydroelectric Facility Relicensing Amendments of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985

Hydroelectric Facility Relicensing Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Federal Power Act to provide that if the United States does not exercise its right to take over a hydroelectric project upon expiration of its license, then the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is directed to issue a new license to the applicant whose plans FERC determines are best adapted to serve the public interest. Prescribes guidelines for FERC to make such determination. Directs FERC to give preference to the existing licensee if its application and those of competing applicants equally meet FERC guidelines. Directs FERC to issue an annual license to an existing licensee under the terms of the existing license if the United States does not exercise the right to take over a project or issue a new license for such project. Amends the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to make the cogeneration and small power production provisions of such Act inapplicable to a hydroelectric generation facility if such facility impounds or diverts water of a natural watercourse other than by means of an existing dam or diversion.

Bill· HRH.R. 1973 (99th)referred

American Footwear Industry Recovery Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985

American Footwear Industry Recovery Act of 1985 - Limits the imports of nonrubber footwear into the United States to 450,000,000 pairs per 12 month period for eight years. Directs the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to allocate the import limitations among foreign countries, taking into consideration: (1) average levels of imports for the period 1978 through 1982; (2) findings of unfair trade practices with respect to nonrubber footwear products; (3) recent market trends; and (4) such other considerations as the Secretary deems appropriate. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to take all necessary actions to enforce this Act. Authorizes the Secretaries to issue such implementing regulations as necessary to effect the purposes of this Act and to enforce its provisions.

Bill· HRH.R. 1947 (99th)referred

A bill to promote training programs for individuals receiving unemployment compensation.

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985

Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to: (1) develop model criteria that States can use in approving training programs for individuals receiving unemployment compensation and in approving individuals to participate in such programs; (2) provide technical assistance to States in developing and implementing such criteria; and (3) make available information concerning State laws and regulations with respect to such programs. Sets forth the responsibilities of State Governors for the approval of such training programs and the approval of individuals' participation in such training. Directs Governors, in connection with the State unemployment compensation program, to designate State agencies for such purposes. Requires the designated State agency to approve any training program offered by an accredited training or educational institution, and to approve an individual's participation in an approved training program, unless the agency determines that the training is entirely unrelated to employment or is for a vocation for which employment opportunities do not exist and are unlikely to become available. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to evaluate the implementation of such provisions for Federal assistance and State responsibilities with respect to such training programs for individuals receiving unemployment compensation. Requires that such study be conducted over a 12-month period and involve at least five States, at least three of which are actively involved in such implementation. Sets forth considerations to be included in such study. Directs the Secretary to transmit such study to the Congress by October 1, 1988. Amends title XII (Advances to State Unemployment Funds) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to annually credit to a State's Unemployment Trust Fund account the amount paid by the State as unemployment compensation to individuals who, while receiving such compensation, were in an approved training program. Provides that any such amount so credited shall be used to reduce the interest owed on the balance of advances made to the State's Unemployment Trust Fund account. Amends title III (Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation Administration) of the Act to require a State's annual report to the Secretary to include certain information concerning unemployment compensation paid to individuals in approved training programs. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress annually concerning unemployment compensation paid to individuals in training. Provides that the provisions of this Act and activities carried out pursuant to such provisions shall not be taken into consideration in determining whether there has been a net decrease in the solvency of any State unemployment compensation system.

Bill· HRH.R. 1868 (99th)open

Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1985 - Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to exclude from participation in programs under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act any individual or entity: (1) convicted of a criminal offense related to the delivery of an item or service under title XVIII or under titles XIX (Medicaid), V (Maternal and Child Health Block Grant), or XX (Block Grants to states for Social Services) of such Act; or (2) convicted of a criminal offense related to neglect or abuse of patients in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude from Medicare participation any individual or entity: (1) convicted of fraud with respect to any Federal, State, or locally financed health care program; (2) convicted of interferring with the investigation of health care fraud; (3) convicted of manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance; (4) whose health care license has been suspended or revoked; (5) suspended or excluded from participation in a Federal health care program; (6) claiming excessive charges or providing unnecessary services; (7) committing certain acts prohibited under title XI; (8) owned or controlled by an individual convicted of health care related crimes, fined for health care abuses, or excluded from Medicare or a State health care program; and (9) failing to supply certain information. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude any hospital failing to comply with corrective action required under title XVIII. Sets forth provisions relating to notice requirements, judicial review, and period of exclusion. Directs the Secretary to promptly notify each appropriate State agency administering or supervising the administration of a State health care program of each exclusion and the period of exclusion. Permits an excluded individual or entity to apply, following a period exclusion, to the Secretary for reinstatement. Sets forth provisions providing for civil and criminal penalties for acts involving Medicare or State health care programs abuse, including penalties for physician misrepresentations. Requires a State, as a condition of Medicaid plan approval, to provide for the following: (1) a system of reporting any type of adverse action concluded against any health care practitioner or entity by the State or a local licensing authority; and (2) such access to documents as may be necessary by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to provide suitable safeguards for the confidentiality of such information. Requires any health care provider providing health care services for which payment may be made under the Act to assure that services or items furnished: (1) will be provided economically and only when, and to the extent, medically necessary; (2) will be quality services which meet professionally recognized standards of health care; and (3) will be supported by evidence of medical necessity and quality in such form and fashion and at such time as may reasonably be required by a reviewing peer review organization in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities. Permits a State to exclude from Medicaid participation any individual or entity excluded under Medicare pursuant to the patient and program protection provisions. Requires a State in order to receive Federal payments with respect to a health maintenance organization (HMO) to exclude any HMO that: (1) could be excluded because of the conviction of the owners or managers of certain crimes; or (2) contracts with any individual or entity convicted of such crimes. Prohibits Federal payments with respect to any amount expended for items or services furnished with respect to any individual or entity excluded from Medicaid participation because of the patient and program protection provisions. Prohibits a State under title V from making payments to any individual or entity excluded from participation pursuant to the patient and program protection provisions. Prohibits Federal payments with respect to any amount expended for items or services furnished with respect to any individual or entity excluded from Medicare because of the patient and program protection provisions of part A of title XI. Prohibits using a grant under title XX for payment for any item or service furnished by a person excluded from title XX participation because of the patient and program protection provisions of title XI. Revises disclosure requirements under part A of title XI. Revises Medicare provisions concerning agreements with providers. Modifies the Medicaid moratorium provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 to consider a State's Medicaid plan to include any plan change submitted to the Secretary either before or after the enactment of that Act and whether or not approved or disapproved by the Secretary. Sets forth effective date provisions.

Bill· HRH.R. 1917 (99th)open

A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to restore and protect the benefit levels of workers reaching age 65 in or after 1982 (and their widows and widowers) by eliminating the "notch" between those levels and the corresponding benefit levels of persons who reached age 65 before 1982.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the benefit disparity between those born before 1916 and those born after 1916 which was effected by the enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to recompute the primary insurance amount so as to take into account the amendments made by this Act and to pay to any individual so entitled any additional lump sum amount to which such individual is entitled by reason of this Act. Prohibits the recomputation from reducing any individual's benefit.

Bill· HRH.R. 1884 (99th)open

A bill to provide rules for computing the amount of the deductions allowed to rural mail carriers for use of their automobiles.

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 1875 (99th)open

Military Chaplains Faith Balance Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Military Chaplains Faith Balance Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to increase the representation of underrepresented religious faiths among armed forces chaplains.

Bill· HRH.R. 1893 (99th)referred

A bill to amend the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and the Walsh-Healey Act to permit employees, to whom such Acts apply, to work any combination of hours in a forty-hour workweek.

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 1906 (99th)referred

A bill to amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to limit participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to States in which State or local sales taxes are not collected on purchases of food under such program.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to limit participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to States in which State or local sales taxes are not collected on purchases of food under such program.

Bill· HRH.R. 1916 (99th)referred

A bill to provide for a study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop recommendations for correcting the disparities in the computation of social security benefits (commonly referred to as the "notch problem") which were caused by the enactment (in 1977) of the present formula for computing primary insurance amounts under title II of the Social Security Act.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the benefit disparities caused by the 1977 changes in the social security benefit formula. Directs the Secretary to report the results of the study to the Congress and the Congressional Budget Office. Directs the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to report to the Congress that Office's conclusions and recommendations regarding the Secretary's report.

Bill· HRH.R. 1877 (99th)referred

Humane Product Testing Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Humane Product Testing Act of 1985 - Requires Federal departments and agencies to promote nonanimal alternatives to the LD50 test used in the testing of products. Phases out the use of such test to the degree possible within one year of this Act's enactment. (LD50 is a procedure whereby toxicity is measured in terms of the median dose which will kill 50 percent of the test animals within a specified period.)

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 112 (99th)referred

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should enter into a joint high-level scientific study with the Soviet Union to determine the long-term climatic and environmental effects of a nuclear exchange.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States and the Soviet Union should enter into a joint high-level scientific study to determine the long-term climatic and environmental effects of a nuclear exchange. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in order to develop data for such study, to prepare an analysis of the consequences of a nuclear explosion on the environment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the climatic and environmental effects of a nuclear exchange should be included in any analysis of the consequences of nuclear war and should also be considered in the nuclear weapons, arms control, and civil defense policies of both nations.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 106 (99th)referred

A concurrent resolution to express the sense of the Congress that the President respond to those trade practices of Japan that are adversely affecting the interstate commerce of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take appropriate action to: (1) enforce U.S. rights under international agreements to which Japan is a party; and (2) obtain the elimination of Japanese acts and policies which deny benefits to the United States under such international agreements and which burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Directs the President, within a specified time, to: (1) report to the Congress and give notice of the actions the President has decided to take to accomplish such objectives; and (2) implement all such actions. Declares that such actions should at least negate the cumulative impact that the elimination or relaxation of the voluntary restraints on Japanese automobile imports will have on the merchandise balance of trade between Japan and the United States. Declares that action taken to accomplish this objective should be directed against competitive Japanese exports, including automobiles, telecommunication products, optical fibers, textiles, and electronic products. Declares action taken to accomplish the major objectives of the resolution should be modified or revoked only if the President determines that such minimum objective has been achieved.

Bill· HRH.R. 1816 (99th)open

Hotline for Help Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985

Hotline for Help Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans with toll free telephone access to the Veterans Administration for the purpose of obtaining: (1) information on services and benefits; and (2) crisis counseling. Requires the Administrator to provide appropriate professional personnel to carry out such crisis counseling.

Bill· HRH.R. 1780 (99th)open

National Childhood Vaccine-Injury Compensation Act of 1985

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 1769 (99th)open

Satellite Television Viewing Amendments

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985

Satellite Television Viewing Amendments - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the encryption of satellite cable programming for two years after enactment of this Act.