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United States · Official source
1,386 records where Rep. Brooks, Jack B. [D-TX-9] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes the position of Director of the Office of Management and Budget as a cabinet position at level I of the Executive Schedule. Upgrades the Deputy Director position to level II of the Executive Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1985 - Provides that the United States asserts title to any abandoned shipwreck that is: (1) substantially buried in submerged lands of a State; (2) in coralline formations protected by a State on its submerged lands; or (3) on submerged lands of a State when such shipwreck is included or eligibile for inclusion in the National Register, and the public is given adequate notice of the location of the shipwreck. Declares that any title to abandoned shipwrecks asserted under such conditions is transferred to the State in or on whose submerged lands the shipwreck is located. States that any abandoned shipwreck in or on the public lands of the United States (except the Outer Continental Shelf) is the property of the United States. Directs the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to publish, within six months after the enactment of this Act, advisory guidelines for the protection of shipwrecks and properties.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Title I: National Development Investment - National Development Investment Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to cite such Act as the National Development Investment Act and to revise the emphasis of such Act from primary Federal initiative to coordination of investments between the public and the private sectors. Sets forth the findings of the Congress. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, upon the application of an eligible State, economic development district, distressed local government (with a population under 50,000 and located outside an economic development district), Indian tribe, or nonprofit economic development organization, to make a grant for a portion of the cost of projects submitted in a development investment strategy. Sets forth activities eligible for such development investment assistance, including: (1) construction and repair of public facilities; (2) revolving loan funds to promote small business; (3) feasibility studies to enhance the investment climate; and (4) development activities which prevent economic dislocation and promote employee ownership organizations. Sets forth specific eligibility criteria for applicants for such assistance. Requires an application for a grant under this Act to include: (1) a certification that the area concerned meets certain distress requirements; (2) a certification of any responsibilities which the Secretary has agreed to perform; and (3) a development investment strategy prepared in accordance with this Act. Requires the Secretary to consider specified purposes of this Act in approving applications. Lists as criteria any one of which an area must meet in order to be eligible for a grant under this Act: (1) a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average; (2) an unemployment rate one percent above the national average for the most recent 24-month period for which statistics are available; or (3) a sudden economic dislocation resulting in job losses. Sets forth the information to be contained in a grant applicant's development investment strategy. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to establish a revolving loan fund for making or guaranteeing loans to small businesses for initial or working capital, or for the purchase of facilities or equipment. Limits to $1,000,000 the amount of any such grant. Limits the amount of any grant under this Act to a maximum of 50 percent of the cost of completing the project as determined at the time of the grant application. Permits the Secretary to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of a project in the case of an Indian tribe. Limits expenditures in any one State to a maximum of 15 percent of the appropriations made pursuant to this Act, except for expenditures to Indian tribes. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating more than $2,000,000 in any fiscal year to any person, other than grants for employee ownership organizations. Requires the Secretary, each fiscal year, to obligate minimum amounts of funds for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make economic development planning grants to States, economic development districts, Indian tribes, distressed counties, and distressed units of local governments with populations over 50,000 (if located outside an economic development district). Earmarks such grants for coordination of investment for community facilities, economic development, manpower training, and transportation services. Authorizes the Secretary to evaluate Federal, State, and local development investment efforts. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct any demonstration program to test the feasibility of new ways to increase productivity, foster innovative technology, match labor force with labor markets, or encourage economic diversity and regional balance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to colleges, universities, and other nonprofit educational and research organizations. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine financing needs for the construction and repair of public facilities. Requires the Secretary to submit to each House of the Congress a detailed statement, including findings and recommendations, concerning such financing needs. Limits the amount of any such grant to not more than 75 percent of the cost of economic development planning or of investment strategy preparation. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988. Declares that the Secretary of Commerce shall administer this Act with the assistance of a specified Assistant Secretary of Commerce. Authorizes the Secretary to consult with other persons and agencies. Prohibits the approval of any grant unless the Secretary is satisfied that the project concerned will be properly and efficiently administered, operated, and maintained. Sets forth the powers of the Secretary under this Act. Permits the Secretary to discharge responsibilities relative to a project by accepting a certification of the grant applicant's performance of such responsibilities. Requires the Secretary to make comprehensive annual reports to the Congress detailing operations under this Act. Requires all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on projects assisted under this Act to be paid the prevailing rate of wage. Requires the Secretary to maintain records of approved applications available for public inspection. Requires each recipient of a grant to maintain certain specified records. Allows the Secretary and the Comptroller General access to all records of such recipients. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988. Title II: Appalachian Regional Development - Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to declare that investments under such Act shall also be made in severely distressed and underdeveloped counties lacking resources for basic services. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990 for the administrative expenses of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Authorizes the Commission to lease office space through FY 1988. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1992 for the Appalachian development highway system. Increases from 70 to 80 percent the subsequent Federal share of an Appalachian development highway segment when a participating State proceeds to construct a segment of such a highway without the aid of Federal funds. Applies such increase to projects approved after March 31, 1979. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to States and public and nonprofit entities for projects which will: (1) assist in the creation or retention of permanent private sector jobs, the upgrading of the region's manpower, or the attraction of private investment; (2) provide special assistance to severely distressed and underdeveloped counties which lack financial resources for improving basic services; (3) assist in achieving the goal of making primary health care accessible in the region; or (4) otherwise serve the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the authorization of any financial assistance to enable plant subcontractors to undertake work previously performed in another area by other subcontractors or contractors. Prohibits grants with funds authorized after October 1, 1985, from exceeding 50 percent of the costs of any approved project. Permits such grants to increase the Federal contribution to any project to such percentage as the Commission determines within specified limitations. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990. Extends the termination date of such Act from 1982 to October 1, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
American Conservation Corps Act of 1985 - Establishes an American Conservation Corps within the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture. Directs the Secretaries of both departments to establish and administer a conservation and rehabilitation program on Federal public and Indian lands. Directs the Secretary of the Interior alone to establish and administer such a program on non-Federal public lands. Directs the Secretaries to assist program agencies (any Federal, State, or Indian agency responsible for the management of public lands) in establishing and operating residential and nonresidential American Conservation Corps Centers. Describes the types of projects which will receive program preference. Limits program projects to those on public lands or Indian lands, except where projects on nonpublic lands provide documented public benefits. Sets forth requirements for establishing conservation centers and eligibility criteria for enrollees in the program. Requires that preference be given to economically, socially, physically, and educationally disadvantaged youth and youth residing in areas having substantial unemployment. Requires program agencies to provide services, facilities, supplies, and equipment for conservation centers as the Secretary deems necessary. States under what conditions and for what purposes an enrollee/volunteer shall be deemed a Federal or State employee. Permits the Tennessee Valley Authority to utilize such volunteers. Sets forth compensation and reimbursement provisions for volunteers and their upkeep. Directs the Secretaries to assist program agencies in securing certification or credit for skills acquired by volunteers during their participation and to conduct cost-benefit analysis and evaluations of the program. Permits the Secretaries to conduct pilot programs for alternative approaches. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to the Congress within the year on a study of Civilian Conservation Corps sites suitable for a commemoration of such Corps. Sets forth study opportunities and limitations for program volunteers, including a requirement that program agencies provide job guidance and placement assistance. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to report at least annually to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make available appropriate labor market information. Sets forth employee appeal rights for workers displaced by American Conservation Corps volunteers. Sets forth funding limitations. Requires participating program agencies to certify that their programs will not displace workers. Sets forth procedures whereby State shares go to local governments when no State program agency exists. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of the Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole be granted.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Reform Act of 1985 - Revises the formula for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to the surviving spouses of veterans who die on active duty. Adds a formula for postservice DIC based on the percentage of service-connected disability (at time of death) of the person upon whose death entitlement is predicated. Adds a formula of inservice DIC based upon the amount of active duty served by the person now deceased. Provides for the election of the revised DIC for those persons awarded DIC effective before December 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Federal Polygraph Limitation and Anti-Censorship Act of 1984 - Prohibits a Federal agency from: (1) requiring or, except as specified, requesting any employee or applicant to take a polygraph test; or (2) taking any adverse action, or failing to take any beneficial action, toward an employee or applicant either for refusing to take a polygraph test or on the basis of the results of such a test. Authorizes an agency to request that an employee take a polygraph test voluntarily if: (1) the test is administered as part of a specific investigation into alleged criminal conduct after all other reasonable investigative means have been completed, solely to develop information essential to the investigation; (2) the individual is reasonably believed to have knowledge of the matter under investigation; and (3) the alleged criminal conduct constitutes an offense punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Prohibits an agency from: (1) requesting or requiring an employee or applicant to enter into any agreement providing for agency review of an employee's information before the employee may disclose the information to the public outside of his or her official capacity; (2) taking any adverse action, or failing to take any beneficial action, toward an employee or applicant for refusing to enter into, or to comply with, such a prepublication review agreement; or (3) establishing or enforcing any other requirement in order to compel prepublication review. Authorizes any person aggrieved by a violation of this Act to bring a civil action against the United States for equitable or monetary relief, or both, in the appropriate U.S. district court, provided: (1) such action is commenced within two years after the violation occurred; and (2) such person chooses to commence such civil action in lieu of any available remedial action under agency administrative procedures. Exempts the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency from applicability of this Act. Rescinds the provisions of any existing prepublication review agreement. Directs the head of each agency concerned to notify each individual who was a party to such an agreement of its rescission.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Designates: (1) the week beginning January 19, 1987, as Shays' Rebellion Week; and (2) Sunday, January 25, 1987, as Shays' Rebellion Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the period from Mother's Day to Father's Day, May 12 to June 16, 1985, as Family Reunion Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Designates the week beginning June 2, 1985, as National Theatre Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Designates the week of May 1 through May 7, 1985, as National Osteoporosis Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Designates the week of September 8 through September 14, 1985, as National Child Safety Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Designates the week beginning March 3, 1985, as Women's History Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Limits the presidential and vice presidential terms of office to six years. Prohibits any person from being elected to either office more than once. Repeals the 22d amendment to the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States and the District of Columbia shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for congressional electors from that State, except that for electors of President and Vice President the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and the Congress may establish uniform residence and age qualifications. Provides that the persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number be at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast. Provides that if no person has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the persons who received the highest number of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by the Congress. Requires the Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Requires each elector to cast a single vote jointly applicable to President and Vice President. Allows the Congress to provide for the case of the death of any candidate for President or Vice President before the day on which the President-elect or Vice President-elect has been chosen, and for the case of a tie in any election.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Designates the month of February 1985 as National Black History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a comprehensive study and review of the problems of children, youth, and families.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1984
Amends the Clayton Act to permit any person liable for damages for price-fixing to claim contribution from co-conspirators for the share of such damages attributable to their sales or purchases of goods and services. Declares that a release or covenant not to sue or enforce a judgment received in settlement by one conspirator shall not discharge any co-conspirators from liability, unless expressly provided. Directs the court to reduce the claim against the co-conspirators subject to liability by the greatest of: (1) the amount stipulated by such release or covenant; (2) the amount paid in settlement; or (3) treble the actual damages attributable to the settling person's sales or purchases of goods or services. Declares that a settlement shall release the recipient from liability from contribution, unless it is not consummated.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1984
Ratifies all effective executive reorganization plans as a matter of law.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning October 7, 1984, as National Port Week.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1984
Designates the week beginning on October 7, 1984, as Mental Illness Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Tax Status of Space Act - Provides that activities performed in space for U.S. persons on any spacecraft owned by U.S. persons and articles produced in space primarily for sale or use within the United States shall be treated as activities performed within and articles produced within the United States for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code and the Tariff Schedules of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Designates November 1984 as National Hospice Month.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Designates September 7, 1984, as National Buddy Holly Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Record Rental Amendment of 1984 - Amends the copyright law to prohibit the unauthorized rental of a phonorecord by its owner for commercial advantage. Deems such unauthorized use an infringement and subject to civil penalties. Includes within the scope of a compulsory license to make and distribute phonorecords the right to rent them. Requires the licensee to pay a royalty for each rental. Terminates such restrictions on rental after five years.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Designates the week of September 10 through September 16, 1984, as Teenage Alcohol Abuse Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole granted.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1984
Designates January 27, 1985, as National Jerome Kern Day.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1984
Designates the week of October 14 through October 20, 1984, as Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Federal Courts Civil Priorities Act - Requires each Federal court to formulate its own rules of priority regarding the order in which civil actions shall be heard. Specifies exceptions. Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to modify such rules to establish consistency.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Supreme Court Mandatory Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Act of 1984 - Repeals the provision of the judicial code authorizing any party (in a proceeding to which the United States is a party) to appeal directly to the Supreme Court from a Federal court order which declares an Act of Congress unconstitutional. Repeals Supreme Court mandatory jurisdiction to hear appeals from a Federal appellate court decision holding a State statute unconstitutional. Repeals Supreme Court mandatory jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions of the highest court of a State (including Puerto Rico) which hold that: (1) a Federal treaty or statute is invalid; or (2) a State law is valid. Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Designates the week beginning on October 7, 1984, as National Neighborhood Housing Services Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1984
Designates June 18, 1984, as National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1984
Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984 - Extends copyright protection to original mask works fixed in semiconductor chip products. Defines a mask work as the two- and three-dimensional features of shape, pattern, and configuration of the surface of the layers of a semiconductor chip product which portray the appearance of a product or convey information. Requires as a condition of protection that: (1) the owner of the mask work be a resident or citizen of the United States or of a country which is party to a protection treaty to which the United States is also a party on the date the work is first commercially exploited or registered; (2) the work is first commercially exploited in the United States; or (3) the mask work comes within the scope of a presidential proclamation extending reciprocal protection to the works of foreign citizens or residents. Vests exclusive rights in the mask work in the owner who may transfer, convey, or bequeath such interest. Recognizes the first registered transfer in case of a conflict. Sets the copyright term for mask works at ten years from the date of registration or first commercial exploitation, whichever comes first. Sets forth the exclusive rights of the owner of such a copyright, including the rights to: (1) reproduce the mask; (2) import or distribute a semiconductor chip product in which the mask work is embodied; and (3) cause another to perform such acts. Excludes from the applicability of an owner's exclusive rights a mask work used for educational purposes or an innocent purchaser of a semiconductor chip product. Protects works registered within two years of the date of their first commercial exploitation. Sets forth administrative procedures for the Register of Copyrights. Permits the owner of the mask work to place a notice of copyright on such works which includes the words 'mask work' or M in a circle, the year the work was first fixed in a semiconductor chip product, and the name of the owner of the work. Entitles the owner of a mask work whose protection has been infringed or whose registration of such work has been refused to institute a civil action. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Postal Service to issue regulations for the enforcement of the right to import mask works. Permits the impoundment and seizure of mask works imported in violation of the owner's exclusive rights. Sets forth remedies for infringement, including temporary and permanent injunctive relief, actual damages, and the award of the infringer's profits to the owner. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1984
Designates July 20, 1984, as Space Exploration Day.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Civil Rights Act of 1984 - Amends the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination by any recipient of Federal financial assistance. (Currently, discrimination is prohibited only in a program or activity receiving Federal assistance.) Defines the term "recipient" to extend comprehensive coverage for purposes of the four Acts to any State or local governmental unit, any public or private agency or entity, and any subunit, successor, assignee, or transfereee of any such unit, agency, or entity.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to prohibit all employee benefit plans (not just pension plans, as at present) from merging or transferring their assets or liabilities unless each plan participant receives benefits after such transfer which are either equal to or greater than the benefits received before such transfer. Applies this Act to mergers and transfers occurring after April 12, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Designates the week beginning on November 11, 1984, as National Blood Pressure Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Designates the week of May 13 through May 19, 1984, as Smokey Bear Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1984
Designates the week of November 19 through November 25, 1984, as National Adoption Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1984
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit certain credit transactions for the acquisition of securities of United States corporations by either United States or non-United States persons where such a transaction is financed by either United States or non-United States lenders if such a transaction is or would be prohibited if it had been made or the transaction had otherwise occurred in a lender's office or other place of business in a State. Permits the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to exempt any class of persons from the application of such regulation. Sets forth the private right of action for violations of such margin requirements. Applies the provisions of this Act to any purchase or carrying of securities which occurs on or after March 27, 1984, if the loan or extension of credit involved originated, or if the loan proceeds used were disbursed, on or after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Designates the week beginning November 25, 1984, as National Home Care Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1984
Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to prescribe procedures for soliciting and evaluating bids and proposals for, and awarding of, Government contracts. Requires any executive agency to comply with such Act in conducting any procurement activity. Requires each executive agency, except as specified, to: (1) use full and open competition in making contracts for property or services; (2) use advance procurement planning and market research in all procurements; (3) use the competitive practices or combinations best suited to the circumstances; and (4) solicit bids or proposals and state requirements in a manner designed to achieve full and open competition. Directs an agency, when using competitive practices for other than small purchases (purchases not exceeding $25,000), to solicit sealed bids if: (1) the award will be made on price-related factors; (2) it is not necessary to conduct discussions with responding sources about their bids; and (3) there is a reasonable expectation of receiving more than one bid. Requires an agency to request competitive proposals when sealed bids are not required. Allows an agency to use procurement practices that are less rigorous than full and open competition only when: (1) the agency's need for the property or services is of such unusual and compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured by soliciting bids or proposals from all qualified sources; (2) excluding a source from competition is necessary to establish or maintain alternative sources of supply; (3) such action is necessary to meet the goals of programs for small businesses or the socially and economically disadvantaged; or (4) disclosure of the agency's requirements to all qualified sources would compromise the national security. Requires that the use of such practices be justified by the agency's contracting officer and approved by a higher level official. Allows an agency to use noncompetitive procurement practices only when: (1) the property or services required are available from only one source; (2) such action is necessary to maintain a source or achieve industrial mobilization in the event of a national emergency or to maintain an essential research capability; (3) an international agreement or treaty or written instructions from a foreign government require such procedures; or (4) a statute requires procurement from a specified source. Requires that the use of such practices be justified by the agency's contracting officer and approved by a higher level official. Specifies the contents of the justification statement which shall include planned agency actions to remove or overcome any barrier to competition before any subsequent procurement for the same requirements. Prohibits any agency from using noncompetitive procedures on the basis of a lack of planning or concerns related to the amount of funds available for agency procurement. Requires that any justification, certification, or approval and any related record of any less rigorous or noncompetitive practices be made available for public inspection upon request, except to the extent it contains information authorized to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy. Requires agencies to use simplified practices and forms to facilitate and promote competition in small purchases. Prohibits any agency from: (1) procuring goods or services from another agency unless such other agency has procured such goods or services in compliance with the requirements of this Act; or (2) refusing to include a product of a responsible source on a qualified products list without referring the matter to the agency's advocate for competition. Authorizes an agency to reimburse a small business for the costs of qualifying a product for a qualified products list if: (1) there is only one product on such list; (2) competitive procurement would lead to significant savings for the Government; and (3) the small business would not otherwise have the resources to qualify a product for such list. Directs each agency to develop requirements for the procurement of spare parts so as to maximize competition and to insure that small and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses are not precluded from performing as prime contractors and subcontractors. Requires each agency to furnish for publication by the Secretary of Commerce a notice announcing: (1) its intention to solicit bids or proposals for a contract for property or services at a price expected to exceed $10,000; and (2) the award of such a contract if there is likely to be a subcontract. Directs an agency not to: (1) issue a solicitation earlier than 15 days after such solicitation notice is published; or (2) provide less than 30 days after such notice is published for the submission of bids. Requires that such notice include: (1) an accurate description of the property or service to be procured; (2) the name, business address, phone number, and title of the agency employee or officer to contact to obtain a copy of the solicitation; (3) a statement that all qualified sources may submit a bid or proposal; and (4) a justification of any use of noncompetitive practices. Declares that such solicitation notice requirements shall not apply: (1) if such notice would disclose agency requirements the disclosure of which would compromise national security; (2) to a proposed noncompetitive procurement that would result from an unsolicited research proposal that demonstrates a unique or innovative research proposal; or (3) to a procurement of unusual and compelling urgency for which less rigorous procurement practices are authorized. Establishes a procurement protest system under which the Comptroller General shall decide any protest concerning alleged violations of the procurement laws submitted to the General Accounting Office by an interested party, an agency, or a U.S. court. Directs the Comptroller General to notify an agency within one working day of the receipt of a protest concerning a procurement by such agency. Requires the agency to submit a report on such procurement within a specified period. Prohibits any contract from being awarded or, if awarded within the preceding 30 days, performed after a notice of protest has been received and while the protest is pending. Authorizes the head of the agency to authorize the award or performance of a contract notwithstanding a protest after notifying the Comptroller General that compelling, urgent circumstances affecting vital interests of the United States will not permit awaiting the Comptroller General's decision. Directs the Comptroller General, upon determining that a protested solicitation, proposed award, or award does not comply with procurement law, to recommend that the agency: (1) refrain from exercising any of its options under the contract; (2) repeat competitive procedures for such contract immediately; (3) issue a new solicitation; (4) terminate the contract; (5) award a contract consistent with procurement law; or (6) comply with such recommendations as the Comptroller General determines to be necessary to comply with procurement law. Authorizes the Comptroller General, upon making such determination, to require the agency to reimburse the appropriate party for the costs of: (1) filing and pursuing the protest; and (2) preparing the contract bid or proposal. Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) provide for the inexpensive and expeditious resolution of such protests; and (2) establish an express option for deciding protests suitable for resolution within 45 days. Requires an agency to provide an interested party any nonpriveleged documents relevant to a protested procurement action. Authorizes the Comptroller General to dismiss frivilous or invalid protests. Permits any adversely affected party to obtain judicial review of an agency's action or failure to act on a contract solicitation or award. Directs the General Services Administration Board of Contract Appeals to review any determination of a contracting officer concerning the procurement of automatic data processing equipment that is alleged to violate procurement law. Directs the Board, when a request for such a review is filed, to: (1) promptly hold a hearing to determine whether to suspend the delegation of procurement authority for the challeged procurement pending the Board's decision; and (2) suspend such authority unless the affected agency shows that compelling, exigent circumstances affecting vital U.S. interests will not permit awaiting such decision. Authorizes the Board, upon determining that the challenged agency action violates procurement law or the conditions of any delegation of procurement authority, to suspend, revoke, or revise the delegation of authority applicable to the challenged procurement. Authorizes any interested party to appeal the Board's decision according to the provisions of the Contract Disputes Act. Declares that if the Board revokes or suspends a delegation of procurement authority after a contract has been awarded, the affected contract shall not be considered void ab initio but shall be presumed valid as to all goods or services delivered and accepted prior to such suspension or revocation. Provides that when two or more actions involving the same procurement are filed before the Board and one or more courts: (1) all the action first filed shall proceed and the other actions shall be stayed; and (2) the filing of a protest with the General Accounting Office shall not affect an interested party's rights to file and pursue actions involving Federal procurements in the courts and before the Board. Directs the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to modify the Government-wide procurement regulations prescribed under the Office of Federal Procurement Act to conform with the requirements of this Act. Requires the head of each executive agency to designate a senior officer or employee (other than the senior procurement executive) as an advocate for competition who shall be responsible for removing barriers to, and promoting, full and open competition in agency procurement. Directs the advocate to: (1) report to the agency head on opportunities to achieve full and open competition, on solicitations with unnecessarily restrictive specifications, and on other conditions, which reduce competition; (2) advise the senior procurement executive on the validity of proposed procurements; (3) submit annual reports to the agency head on such advocate's activities, initiatives to increase competition, and barriers to competition that the advocate was unable to remove; (4) set goals for increasing competition on a fiscal year basis; (5) develop a system of personal and organizational accountability for competition; and (6) emphasize competition in procurement training and research. Requires each agency head to establish and maintain for five years a computerized file containing records of all procurements other than small purchases during each fiscal year. Requires the record of a procurement which used practices which were less rigorous than full and open competition or noncompetitive to include information identifying the reason for the use of such practices and the employees who approved such practices. Requires the information in such file to be included in the Federal Procurement Data System. Requires each agency head to submit to specified congressional committees for FY 1985 through 1987 an annual report summarizing the activities of the agency advocate for competition and describing actions the agency intends to take to increase competition for agency contracts and to reduce the number and dollar value of noncompetitive contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1984
Designates April 13, 1984, the birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement, as Education Day, U.S.A.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984
Amends the Bankruptcy Code to prohibit a trustee in bankruptcy from avoiding a transfer of the debtor's property to or for the benefit of a creditor in payment of a debt which was evidenced by a note issued by the debtor before the commencement of the case and the payment of which was supported by an irrevocable letter of credit, commitment to lend funds, or bond of indemnity issued by a credit guarantor in the ordinary course of its business. Requires such a transfer to be made without regard to whether it gives rise to a secured or unsecured claim against the debtor in favor of the transferor.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Fair Trade in Steel Act of 1984 - Declares that it is the policy of Congress that access to the U.S. market for foreign-produced carbon, alloy, and specialty steel mill products should be on an equitable basis to safeguard national security, insure orderly trade in steel mill products, reduce unfair trade in steel mill products, and alleviate U.S. balance-of-payments problems. Expresses the intent of Congress to: (1) expand the economic viability of the U.S. steel industry and the jobs of its workers; (2) prevent the further decline of the domestic steel industry; and (3) temper the economic hardships resulting from unemployment in steel industry communities by encouraging reinvestment in existing steelmaking facilities. Limits annual imports of specified steel mill product categories to specified percentages of the apparent domestic supply which are based on adjusted average import penetration levels for each such product category for the years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to allocate global product limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries, or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocations. Requires the Secretary to make an annual determination of the expected apparent domestic supply in each steel mill product category. Requires the Secretary to revise such determination periodically during the year. Directs the Secretary to determine, within 90 days after the effective date of this Act, whether the steel industry companies have plans to use substantially all of the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and the modernization of the steel sector. Prohibits the import restrictions from taking effect until the Secretary determines that the steel companies have such plans. Directs the Secretary to monitor steel sector investments made and announced by the steel industry and to consult with steel industry representatives and employees in the course of such monitoring. Directs the Secretary to determine annually whether steel companies are using substantially all the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Directs the Secretary to modify or suspend the relevant import restrictions if the Secretary determines that substantially less than all the cash flow from the steel sector is being used for such reinvestment and modernization and that the level of investment is not demonstrably justified by adverse financial conditions within the industry. Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) each annual determination and its rationale; and (2) the total amount of cash flow from the steel sector and the total amount used for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Requires the steel companies to provide the Secretary with the information necessary for making such determinations. Directs the Secretary to examine the supply and demand situation in the United States for a specified steel product category if requested by affected steel consumers. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor imports of fabricated steel mill products. Sets forth the method of investigating whether imports of fabricated steel products are rendering ineffective or materially interfering with the objectives of this Act. Limits the quantity of iron ore that may be entered from all sources during any calendar year after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate global iron ore limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocation. Directs the Secretary, in making such allocations, to attempt first to accommodate the requirements of individual steel mills which have been traditionally dependent on ocean sourced foreign iron ore and the requirements of contractual obligations incurred before January 1, 1984. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the import restrictions on iron ore if necessary to meet the needs of such individual steel mills. Provides for the enforcement and implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of May 1984 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1984
Joint Research and Development Act of 1984 - Declares that no joint research and development program shall be deemed illegal per se under the Federal antitrust laws or under any similar State law. Excludes from the term "joint research and development program" any activity in which two or more participating parties: (1) exchange information regarding the sales, marketing, or distribution of any product, process, or service; or (2) restrict or require the participation by any party in another research and development program, the production, marketing, or other commercial application by any party of any product, process, or service, or the sale, licensing, or sharing by any party of any invention not jointly developed under the program. Permits any party to a joint research and development program to file with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) a written notice disclosing: (1) the parties to such program; (2) the nature, objectives, and duration of the program; and (3) the agreements made by the parties under the program. Directs the Attorney General or the FTC, within 60 days after receiving such notice, to publish in the Federal Register a notice identifying the parties to such program and the general nature and duration of such program. Exempts material submitted as part of such notices from public disclosure. Limits the amount that may be recovered in an action brought by a person or by a State on behalf of its residents for an injury to business or property sustained as a result of a violation of a State or Federal antitrust law, to the amount of the actual damages sustained, interest thereon, and the cost of the suit, if: (1) the action is based on conduct under a joint research and development program that is described in the program notice filed with the Attorney General and the FTC; and (2) such action is filed after the notice of such program is published in the Federal Register. Directs the court to award the prevailing party in such action a reasonable attorney's fee. Provides that such recovery limitation shall not apply to any conduct that occurs after an order granting a permanent injunction has been issued against such conduct as a result of an action under Federal or State antitrust law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1984
Antifraudulent Adoption Practices Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal offense for any person to knowingly and willfully make any false statement or conceal any material fact in connection with an adoption or the placement of a child in a home for permanent free care. Makes it unlawful for any person to solicit or receive money for arranging for an adoption or for a placement for permanent free care. Provides for the following exceptions: (1) licensed agencies; (2) fees received for professional legal or medical services; and (3) the person soliciting or receiving a fee is the natural parent of a child or the prospective adoptive parent. Provides for imprisonment for not more than five years and/or a fine of not more than $10,000. Makes it a Federal offense for any person to use force or duress to cause any other individual to travel in interstate or foreign commerce in connection with an adoption. Provides for imprisonment for not more than ten years and/or a fine of not more than $20,000. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) review model adoption legislation and procedures and propose necessary changes to insure against fraudulent practices; (2) coordinate with national, State, and volunteer organizations to improve State adoption legislation; and (3) assist States in the development of improved procedures for controlling illegal adoption practices. Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction to hear any civil action involving fraudulent adoption practices regardless of the amount in controversy.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of January 1985 as National Cerebral Palsy Month.