United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should initiate, in cooperation with our Western allies, the negotiation of a multinational agreement to establish an allied strategy to respond to international terrorism, procedures to provide and to disseminate intelligence information relating to such terrorism, and a multinational unit to resolve terrorist incidents; and (2) the United States should adopt as a national policy the termination of U.S. foreign assistance to nations that assist or fail to prosecute international terrorists.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Government of Poland should comply with basic human rights agreements to which it is a signatory, including the Helsinki accords, and initiate a policy of National Reconciliation; (2) the prosecution of those responsible for the death of Father Jerzy Popieluszko should be supported by Poland; (3) human rights monitoring committees in Poland should be supported; (4) the free flow of information on the activities of such committees can improve human rights policies in Poland and the continued improvement of human rights there would better relations between the United States and Poland; and (5) the President should convey Congress' concerns to Polish officials and to U.S. allies.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1985
Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow State, local, or interstate governmental agencies to provide compensatory time in lieu of overtime compensation. Requires that such compensatory time be one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required. Allows such compensatory time only if it is a collective bargaining agreement, memorandum of understanding or other agreement or understanding entered into by the public agency and its employees or their recognized representatives before the work for which the compensatory time is to be provided. Limits the amount of such compensatory time which public employees may accrue to 180 hours, or 480 hours in the case of work which included a public safety activity, an emergency response activity, or a seasonal activity. Requires that public employees who have accrued such compensatory time and requested its use be permitted to use it within a reasonable period after making such request if its use does not unduly disrupt the operations of the public agency. Requires that, upon termination of employment, a public employee who has accrued such compensatory time be paid for unused compensatory time at a rate not less than the average rate received by such employee during the last three years of the employees' employment. Provides that, if a public agency had in effect on April 15, 1986, a pattern or practice of providing its employees compensatory time off in lieu of overtime compensation, that pattern or practice shall constitute an agreement or understanding which meets specified requirements. Provides that a collective bargaining agreement in effect on April 15, 1986, which permits overtime compensation in the form of compensatory time off at a rate of less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required shall remain in effect until its expiration date unless otherwise modified, except that compensatory time shall be provided after April 14, 1986, at the one and one-half hour rate. Provides that States, local governments, and interstate governmental agencies shall not be liable for specified overtime and related paperwork violations which occur before April 15, 1986, with respect to employees who would not have been covered under the Secretary of Labor's special enforcement policy in effect on January 1, 1985. Permits States, local governments, or interstate governmental agencies to defer until August 1, 1986, the payment of overtime compensation for hours of employment after April 14, 1986. Adds provisions relating to special detail work for fire protection and law enforcement (including prison security) employees of State, local, or intergovernmental agencies. Provides that those hours on special detail work for a separate or independent employer shall be excluded by the public agency in the calculation of overtime compensation, if the employee agrees, solely at the employee's option, to perform such special detail work. Provides that an employee's hours of part-time employment with a public agency in a substantially different capacity from the employee's regular full-time employment with such agency shall be excluded from the calculation of overtime compensation, if such part-time employment is undertaken on an occasional and sporadic basis and solely at the employee's option. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue, by March 15, 1986, regulations: (1) defining when employment is done on an occasional or sporadic basis; and (2) prescribing a standard for determining if employment is in a substantially different capacity than other employment. Permits employees of States, local governments, and interstate governmental agencies to volunteer to perform services for any other such agency, including one with which the employing agency has a mutual aid agreement. Adds provisions relating to substitution work by and for fire protection and law enforcement (including prison security) employees of State, local, and intergovernmental agencies. Provides that those hours of substitution during scheduled work hours for a fellow employee shall be excluded by the public agency in the calculation of the substituting employee's overtime compensation, if such employee agrees to perform such substitute work with the public agency's approval and solely at the employee's option. Provides that the employer may not be required to keep a record of the hours of such substitute work under certain overtime recordkeeping requirements. Revises the definition of "employee" to exclude any volunteer for a State, local, or interstate governmental agency who volunteers to perform such services without compensation or for a nominal fee, expenses, or reasonable benefits or for any combination of such fee, expenses, or benefits. Provides that employees of such agencies shall still be considered employees if they volunteer to perform the same type of service for those agencies for which they are employed. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue, by March 15, 1986, regulations to define nominal fees and reasonable benefits. Provides that, if before April 15, 1986, a public agency's practice was to treat certain persons as volunteers then such persons shall be considered volunteers and not employees until April 15, 1986. Provides that no State, local government, or interstate governmental agency shall be liable for a violation of minimum wage requirements occurring before April 15, 1986, with respect to services performed for the public agency by any individual who performed such services as a volunteer. Revises the definition of "employee" to exclude from coverage under the Act State and local legislative employees who are not legislative library employees. Makes the amendments made by this Act effective on April 15, 1986, but authorizes the Secretary of Labor to promulgate before such date regulations to implement such amendments. Prohibits construing such amendments as affecting whether a State, local government, or interstate governmental agency is liable under penalty provisions of the Act for violations of minimum wage, overtime, or paperwork requirements occurring before April 15, 1986, with respect to any employee who would have been covered by by the Act under the Secretary of Labor's special enforcement policy in effect on January 1, 1985. Requires that a State, local government, or interstate governmental agency be held to have violated specified provisions if it discriminates or has discriminated against an employee with respect to wages or other terms or conditions of employment because on or after February 19, 1985, the employee asserted coverage under overtime provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Bank Bribery Amendments Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to bribery. Provides that any person who gives or offers anything of value to an officer, director, employee, agent, or attorney of a financial institution with the intent to influence official action shall be fined not more than $5,000 (or three times the value of the bribe, whichever is greater) or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. Provides that where the value of the thing offered or accepted does not exceed $100, the fine shall be not more than $1,000 and imprisonment shall be for not more than one year, or both. Prohibits any person from soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept anything of value for the above purposes. Applies the same penalties to such offenses. Defines "financial institution" as including federally insured banks, savings and loan institutions, credit unions, Federal home loan banks, Federal land banks, small business investment companies, bank holding companies, and savings and loan holding companies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1985
Federal Government Easy Access Act - Requires Federal agency correspondence outside the executive branch to include the name, phone number, and mailing address of individuals to whom responses and inquiries may be made.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1985
Anti-Smuggling Act of 1985 - Title I: Amendments to the Tariff Act of 1930 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to include monetary instruments within the meaning of "merchandise." Requires any vessel which has visited any hovering vessel, or has received merchandise while such vessel is in customs waters beyond the territorial sea, or has received merchandise on the high seas, to be treated as having arrived from a foreign port or place. Requires the owner of any vessel from a foreign port or place, any foreign vessel from a domestic port or place, or any U.S. vessel carrying bonded merchandise or foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made, to immediately report such vessels's arrival (currently within 24 hours after the arrival of such vessel) at a U.S. or Virgin Islands port or place to the nearest customs facility or to such other place as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations which provide the manner in which arrivals are to be reported and which extend the time (not beyond 24 hours) after the arrival of any vessel in which to report such arrival. Restricts the arrival of vehicles in the United States at border crossing points designated by the Secretary. Requires a person in charge of such vehicle (immediately upon the arrival of such vehicle in the United States) to report such arrival to, and present such vehicle, and all persons and merchandise (including baggage) on board such vehicle, for inspection to the customs officer at the customs facility. Requires the pilot of any aircraft arriving in the United States from a foreign airport or place to comply with such advance notification, arrival reporting, and landing requirements as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. Authorizes any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft which has arrived in the United States to depart from the port, airport, or place of arrival and from any custom facility designated to serve such places and discharge passengers and merchandise (including baggage), only in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe. Requires any owner of a ship, person in charge of a vehicle, or pilot of an aircraft which arrives in the United States to present to the appropriate customs officer such documents, papers, and manifests as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of such arrival, reporting, and entry requirements. Increases the fine from $500 to $5,000 (and $10,000 for each subsequent violation) for persons in charge of a vessel or vehicle who fail to make a report or entry to the appropriate customs officials before departure from any collection district. Increases the fine from $500 to $1,000 (for the first passenger and $500 for each additional) for such persons who permit the unloading of passengers from such vessels or vehicles without a special license or permit issued by the appropriate customs officer. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for persons in charge of a vessel or vehicle (arriving in the United States from a contiguous country) who: (1) depart from a designated customs facility without appropriate authorization; or (2) present a forged, altered or false manifest, document, or paper to a customs officer. Increases the fines for persons in charge of any vehicle who: (1) lack or falsify a manifest; or (2) transport specified controlled substances. Increases both the civil and criminal penalties for such persons who allow any merchandise (including sea stores) to be illegally unladen within the customs waters of the United States. Prohibits: (1) any U.S. citizen on board any aircraft to manufacture or distribute, or possess with the intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance (including the introduction of such substances into the United States, any of its territories or possessions, or within a 12 mile distance of the U.S. coast); and (2) any person from transferring any controlled substances, spirits, wines, or other alcoholic liquors between an aircraft, or vessel (that is owned by a U.S. citizen, or is registered in the United States) on the high seas or U.S. customs waters, or regardless of the nationality of such vessel or aircraft. Prohibits any such transfer with the intent to introduce such substances into the United States. Sets forth civil penalties. Provides for the seizure, forfeiture, and sale of merchandise (that is involved in a conveyance) whenever any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft, or the owner, driver, or pilot of such vessel has violated the customs laws of the United States. Prohibits any conveyance used by a person as a common carrier (in the transaction of business as a common carrier) from being subject to seizure or forfeiture under the customs laws for violations relating to merchandise that is contained in baggage belonging to a legally transported passenger, or that is in the conveyance's cargo, if such cargo is listed on the carrier's manifest. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of any controlled substance (on board a conveyance that is used as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier) which is not manifested, or whose markings disagree with such manifest, or is found concealed in or on the conveyance (but not in the cargo). Permits a person authorized to make searches and seizures (in any dwelling house or building) to apply for a warrant from the appropriate authorities if such person suspects the presence of any property that is subject to forfeiture under the customs laws or any documents, containers, or other articles which evidence violations of such laws. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of merchandise that is or has been introduced, or attempted to be introduced, into the United States contrary to law. Sets forth specified procedures with respect to the disposition of property forfeited under the customs laws. Sets the compensation of informers who report violations of such laws to not more than 25 percent (currently 25 percent). Provides that such compensation shall be paid from the net amount recovered before such net amount is deposited in the general fund of the Treasury or the Customs Forfeiture Fund (currently it is paid out of any appropriations available for the collection of the revenues from customs). Provides (with respect to the tolling of the statute of limitations) that an action to recover a pecuniary penalty is deemed to have been commenced when the appropriate customs officer issues a penalty notice. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations that authorize customs officers to exchange information with foreign customs agencies and law enforcement agencies with respect to the enforcement of the customs laws. Provides, when authorized by treaty or executive agreement, that the Secretary may station customs personnel in foreign countries. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to provide a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment not to exceed two years, or both, of persons (owners of aircraft) who operate an aircraft: (1) that is not registered; (2) during any period the aircraft certificate or registration has been suspended or revoked by the Secretary of Transportation; (3) without a valid airman certificate; (4) without navigation and/or anticollision lights; and (5) with an illegal fuel tank or system installation aboard such aircraft. Subjects any unlawful fuel taken, or system installation, and aircraft to seizure and forfeiture. Increases the fine from $500 to $5,000 for any person who violates specified entry requirements relating to civil aircraft and vessels. Subjects owners of aircraft who transport any controlled substances to specified penalties. Requires any person having an ownership interest in an aircraft for which a certificate of registration has been issued to, upon the sale, transfer, or conveyance of such interest, file within 15 days such notice as the Secretary of the Treasury may provide. Amends Federal law to subject all pleasure vessels, including all persons aboard, to applicable customs regulations under the Tariff Act of 1930. Replaces specified provisions (regarding the smuggling of controlled substances) with provisions relating to the importation or exportation of merchandise, the reporting or transportation of monetary instruments, or the enforcement of the Bank Secrecy Act. Requires every customs officer, in the exercise of his duties, to: (1) make known his character as a customs officer; and (2) have the authority to demand assistance in executing any arrest, search, or seizure. Increases the fine to $1,000 (currently $200, not less than $5) for persons who refuse, without reasonable excuse, to assist a customs officer. Provides that any person (other than an officer or employer of the United States) who renders assistance in good faith shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of rendering such assistance (provided such person acts as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person). Permits funds appropriated for the U.S. Customs Service to be used for the leasing of space (within the United States) to carry out undercover investigative operations for the detection and prosecution of offenses against the United States that are within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Amends the copyright law to make permanent the prohibition against importing certain English language books not manufactured in the United States and Canada, denying copyright protection to books imported in violation of this restriction (the manufacturing clause).
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Social Security Budget and Administrative Reorganization Act of 1985 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Commissioner of Social Security; (2) a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security; (3) a General Counsel; (4) an Inspector General; and (5) an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall represent the interests of beneficiaries under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income Program within the Administration. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a description of the activities of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan as established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to implement demonstration projects relating to personnel matters. Directs the Board and the Administrator of General Services to implement such projects relating to delegations from the Administrator. Specifies the authorities which are to be delegated to the Board from the Administrator and the Director. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees concerning such projects, including an evaluation of the Board's readiness to assume full and permanent authority. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Provides for the transfer to the Administration of all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth effective date and transitional rule provisions. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs which he or she administers. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program and an Advisory Council on Health and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation of the trust funds supporting the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Medicare program and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each Trust Fund. Sets forth the effective dates of this title. Title III: Budgetary Treatment of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program - Provides for off-budget treatment of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund beginning with FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse Act of 1985 - Amends title X (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Adoption Information Clearinghouse to: (1) collect and synthesize data and information concerning all aspects of infant adoption and adoption of children with special needs; (2) compile, maintain, and revise directories of information; and (3) disseminate information regarding adoption.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the antitrust enforcement policy guidelines stated in "Vertical Restraints Guidelines" published by the Department of Justice on January 23, 1985, are not an accurate expression of the Federal antitrust laws or of congressional intent for the application of such laws to vertical restraints of trade, should not be accorded any force of law or be treated by U.S. courts as binding or persuasive, should be recalled by the Attorney General, and should not be reissued before providing for public participation in their formulation; and (2) any antitrust enforcement policy guidelines of the Department of Justice do not have the force of law and cannot modify or supersede the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1985
Bicentennial of the Constitution Coins and Medals Act - Title I: Bicentennial of the United States Constitution Commemorative Coins - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of five dollar gold coins and one dollar silver coins emblematic of the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their sale and issuance. Terminates the minting of such coins after December 31, 1987. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from sale of such coins, to be used to reduce the national debt. Title II: Bicentennial of the United States Constitution Commemorative Medals - Directs the Secretary to strike and deliver to the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution a specified number of gold, silver, and bronze medals commemorating the Bicentennial. Authorizes the Commission to dispose of such medals at a premium. Terminates the striking of such medals after December 31, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Narcotics Control Trade Act - Directs the President to designate a country an uncooperative drug source nation if during any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1985, such country: (1) was a source of any illicit narcotic and psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances that is significantly affecting the United States; and (2) did not cooperate with the United States in preventing such drugs and substances from affecting the United States by taking specified actions. Directs the President to report to the Congress the name of each such country. Denies the products of each such country most-favored-nation treatment until the President notifies the Congress that such country has made significant progress and will continue to make progress in remedying those policies on which an uncooperative drug source nation designation was based.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, if the Government of Mexico requests such assistance, should: (1) use existing funds available to the Department of State and the Agency for International Development, including the "borrowing" authority under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to provide disaster relief for the victims of the earthquake in Mexico on September 19, 1985; and (2) submit a request to the Congress for the authorization and appropriation of such additional disaster assistance as may be necessary. Declares that the Congress will give expeditious consideration to any such request for disaster assistance to Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 to prohibit any Soviet citizen from being employed at U.S. missions in the Soviet Union after September 30, 1986. Expresses the willingness of the Congress to provide additional funds to the State Department to hire U.S. citizens to replace Soviet citizens at U.S. missions in the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Covert Agent Disclosure Federal Pension Forfeiture Act - Requires the forfeiture of Federal employee retirement benefits upon conviction of the felony of the unauthorized disclosure of the identity of a covert agent.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Methanol Energy Policy Act of 1985 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) ensure that of the total number of passenger automobiles and light duty trucks acquired for Federal use during FY 1987 through 1990, at least 5,000 shall be methanol-powered vehicles; and (2) conduct studies related to methanol-powered vehicles in cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (the Administrator). Sets guidelines for such studies. Requires that methanol be offered for sale to the public at locations where Federal vehicles are supplied with methanol. Terminates such requirement as of September 30, 1990. Requires the Secretary to provide methanol-powered vehicles to any requesting Federal agency. Requires such agencies to cooperate with the Secretary in studies about such vehicles. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the Federal use of methanol-powered vehicles. Exempts such vehicles from: (1) inclusion in any Fleet Average Fuel Economy calculation under specified law; and (2) any limitation on the maximum cost of individual vehicles obtained by the United States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through FY 1990. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a demonstration program for the operation of methanol-fueled diesel trucks on a long-haul, high density interstate truck route; and (2) report to the Congress regarding such program. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1987 through FY 1990. Requires the Administrator to: (1) purchase a minimum of five methanol-powered buses during FY 1987 for use in urban settings to determine emissions and fuel economy tests; and (2) report to the Congress regarding such tests. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through FY 1990. Requires any State which receives Federal mass transportation assistance after January 1, 1991, for the acquisition of motor vehicles transporting 30 or more persons in a nonattainment area to acquire methanol-powered buses with such assistance. Directs the Secretary to provide such States with supplemental grants to cover the amount by which methanol-powered buses exceed the costs of comparable diesel-powered buses. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through FY 1993. Establishes the Interagency Commission on Methanol to develop and coordinate implementation of a national methanol energy policy. Requires the Commission to: (1) perform various studies with respect to the production, use, and promotion of methanol as a fuel; (2) develop a plan for the commercialization of methanol; (3) develop a public-awareness program on methanol as a transportation fuel; (4) coordinate Federal efforts with respect to methanol research and commercialization; and (5) ensure communication between Federal agencies involved in methanol demonstration projects and establish an information clearinghouse for parties working with or interested in methanol and related projects. Requires the Chairman of the Commission to establish a private sector advisory panel to inform the Commission about methanol-related matters. Sets forth reporting requirements which apply to the Commission. Terminates the Commission upon the submission of its last report. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding a study of the comparative costs of methanol based on natural gas, coal, and other resources. Sets guidelines for such study. Directs the Administrator to prepare a comprehensive air quality and health study regarding specified aspects of methanol as a transportation fuel compared to existing gasoline and diesel fuels. Authorizes appropriations for both studies. Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to set fuel economy determinations for methanol-powered automobiles. Requires all passenger automobiles and light-duty trucks acquired by the United States after October 1, 1986, to be suitable for operation on all fuels for which Environmental Protection Agency waivers are in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Requires the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to arrange for an epidemiological study of any long-term adverse gender-specific health effects on women veterans of Vietnam as a result of exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange or to dioxins produced during the manufacture of such herbicides. Requires such study to be conducted in accordance with a protocol approved by the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment. Requires reports concerning such study by the Director to the appropriate congressional committees, at specified periods. Requires the Administrator, not later than 24 months after the date of approval of the protocol approved by the Director, to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning such study, together with recommendations. Requires the Administrator, within 90 days after the submission of each such report, to publish in the Federal Register any actions proposed by the Administrator with respect to programs administered by the Veterans Administration. Specifies that this Act does not authorize the enactment of new budget authority for a fiscal year before FY 1987. Outlines terms for a contract to carry out such study.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Children's Television Education Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require each television broadcasting station to broadcast a substantial amount of programming which: (1) serves the educational and informational needs of children who are 12 years old or younger; and (2) is reasonably scheduled throughout the week. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to designate for hearing any license renewal application by a television station if a petition for denial is filed alleging that the applicant has failed to broadcast a specific minimum amount of such programming. Provides that the burden shall be on the applicant to prove it has fulfilled its obligation to serve the child audience. Permits the Commission to dismiss a petition to deny an application for renewal only if it determines that the petition is frivolous. Requires the Commission's annual report to the Congress to: (1) list the television licensees whose licenses were renewed notwithstanding a failure to meet children's programming requirements, with an explanation of each such renewal; and (2) describe the implementation of this Act and its impact on children's programming. Directs the Commission to conduct and report to the Congress on an inquiry into program length commercials for which the primary audience is children who are 12 years old or younger.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Higher Education Disclosure Act - Requires any institution of higher education which is a direct or indirect recipient of Federal financial assistance to disclose grants from or contracts with a foreign source when such grants and contracts total over $100,000 during any 12-month period. Sets forth procedures and requirements relating to the contents of such disclosure reports to the Secretary of Education. Makes such reports accessible to the public. Allows civil actions to be brought to request restraining orders or injunctions commanding compliance with the requirements of this Act. Requires institutions which knowingly or willfully fail to comply with such requirements to pay the full costs to the United States of obtaining compliance, including all associated costs of investigation and enforcement. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to promulgate regulations to carry out the ministerial duties imposed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Public Broadcasting Authorization Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations, to match up to a specified amount of non-Federal contributions to public broadcasting entities, for the Public Broadcasting Fund for FY 1988 through 1990. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 to be used by the Secretary of Commerce to assist in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities. Repeals a provision that requires 75 percent of the funds appropriated for such purposes in a fiscal year to be available to extend delivery of public telecommunications services to areas not receiving such services. Repeals a provision that requires that a specified portion of the amount made available to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from the Public Broadcasting Fund be earmarked for expenses of research, training, technical assistance, engineering, instruction support, and the payment of interest on indebtedness. Repeals provisions requiring a public telecommunications entity to refund to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting an amount of Federal funds equal to the amount of any unrelated business income tax paid by such entity.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Proclaims October 23, 1985, as A Time of Remembrance for all victims of terrorism. Urges Americans to wear a purple ribbon in honor of the sacrifices made in pursuit of peace and freedom. Authorizes and requests the President to call upon U.S. departments, agencies, and other interested parties to fly U.S. flags at half staff.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Telecommunications Trade Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to initiate an investigation to identify those countries denying the United States equivalent access to a potentially substantial telecommunications market. Provides for public notice of, and participation in, the decision to initiate an investigation, including a petition process whereby persons may request the Secretary to make a finding regarding certain countries. Requires the Secretary to decide, within 45 days of receiving a petition, whether to initiate an investigation on the basis of the petition. Directs the Secretary, within 60 days of the initiation of an investigation, to: (1) make and explain the preliminary finding; (2) if affirmative, preliminarily recommend enforcement actions; and (3) invite interested parties to comment. Directs the Secretary, within 120 days of the decision to initiate an investigation, to give the President and the public notice of the final finding and, if the final finding is affirmative, the final recommendations. Specifies the factors the Secretary must assess in deciding whether a country is denying equivalent telecommunications market access. Requires the President, within 60 days of a final affirmative finding, to determine appropriate enforcement actions and direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement them, unless the President takes one or more specified actions under the Trade Act of 1974. Directs the President to inform the Congress and give public notice of the enforcement actions he or she deems appropriate, including the reasons for any actions differing from those recommended by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to determine annually whether the action taken effectuates the purposes of this Act and report to the President and the Congress. Authorizes the President to modify, suspend, or augment the enforcement actions. Directs the President to notify the Congress and the public of the results of the Secretary's review and explain steps taken regarding enforcement actions. Directs the Secretary to review annually the potential market for U.S. telecommunications in countries formerly excluded from investigation by their lack of a potentially substantial market. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize and direct the FCC to implement any enforcement actions which the President determines to be appropriate under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to impose a life sentence without eligibility for parole upon any person who engages in the sexual exploitation of a child for profit or through the use of force (or threat of force) that would likely result in serious bodily injury or death to the minor.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should reaffirm its commitment to the principles expressed in section seven of the Helsinki Accords; and (2) the President should urge Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to reaffirm the Soviet Union's commitment to such principles.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Aaron Copland in recognition of his contributions to American musical composition. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Directs the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force to prescribe regulations to ensure that National Guard technicians are protected from certain adverse employment actions (i.e. removal, suspension, grade reduction, or furlough) in the same manner as are Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Children's Justice Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make additional grants to States for developing, operating, or implementing programs for: (1) handling child abuse cases in a manner to reduce trauma to the child (especially in sexual abuse cases); (2) successful prosecution or legal action against child abusers; and (3) protection of children from abuse. Makes a State eligible for such assistance if it establishes a multidisciplinary task force and adopts reforms recommended by such task force. Requires the task force to be comprised of professionals experienced in the criminal justice system. Requires a State to adopt reforms recommended by the task force in each of the three stipulated categories or submit a detailed explanation of the reasons for not carrying out such recommendations. Requires the Secretary, through the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, to: (1) compile, publish, and disseminate evaluations of the approaches utilized with respect to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases; (2) develop and disseminate model training materials and procedures to help insure that law enforcement, legal, judicial, and child welfare personnel are adequately trained to deal with child abuse victims; and (3) provide for support of research projects to assist in identifying effective approaches to achieving successful investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases. Directs the Secretary, within two years, to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the activities carried out with the funds made available under this Act and report the results to the Congress. Requires the evaluation to be made available to State officials within 180 days after enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Education, and any other agency or department head designated by the President, to meet regularly to coordinate and prevent the overlap of programs that address child abuse. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress on the coordination of Federal programs. Requires the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information Center in its Interstate Identification Index, and by the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in its Criminal File and its Uniform Crime Reporting System, with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. Amends the Public Health Service Act with regard to the confidentiality of patient records to provide that nothing in such section shall supersede any State or local requirement for the reporting of incidents of suspected child abuse to authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Designates September 2, 1985, the 40th anniversary of the surrender of Japan to the allied powers at the end of World War II, as V-J Day Commemoration Day.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bryant, John W. [D-TX-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000997_200.jpg)