United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require that tariffs levied on the imports of textile machinery shall be allocated to a Textile Machinery Modernization Fund to finance research projects for the modernization of the U.S. textile machinery industry.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should negotiate a treaty with other democratic nations to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. Provides that such treaty should incorporate: (1) an operative definition of terrorism; (2) integrated intelligence operations; (3) joint counterterrorist efforts; and (4) uniform laws on asylum, extradition and punishment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to permit specified domestic entities, before the 75th day after either the filing of a petition for import relief regarding a perishable commodity or the beginning of an investigation regarding a perishable commodity, to file a request with the International Trade Commission (the Commission) for interim import relief for the domestic industry producing a competitive commodity. Requires the Commission, within 45 days after receiving a request for interim import relief to make its decision and recommend, if relief is to be granted, the form of relief. Directs the Commission to recommend interim import relief if it has reason to believe that: (1) the domestic industry producing the competitive perishable commodity is likely to be irreparably harmed if relief is not granted; and (2) the imports are of such a quantity as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat thereof, to the domestic industry. Directs the Commission, if it recommends import relief, to recommend to the President interim relief in the form of: (1) an increased duty on the perishable commodity; (2) a tariff-rate quota on the commodity; or (3) such other relief as is necessary to prevent irreparable harm. Requires the President, within seven days after receiving a recommendation from the Commission, to decide whether or not to provide relief. Gives the President the option, under certain circumstances, to proclaim import relief in the form of quantitative restrictions. Provides that the interim import relief shall terminate the day on which either: (1) the Commission notifies the Commissioner of Customs that the Commission did not find, pursuant to its investigation, a serious injury or threat to the domestic industry concerned; or (2) the President, after receiving a report from the Commission, determines not to provide import relief. Lists the perishable commodities covered by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1985
Comprehensive Trade Law Reform Act of 1985 - Title I: Countervailing and Antidumping Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to add requirements for a country to be considered a "country under the Agreement" (the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures) for purposes of the countervailing duty provisions of such Act. Requires such a country to have made a commitment under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to: (1) eliminate its export subsidies within one year (five for least developed countries); (2) not increase, extend, or add export subsidies; and (3) eliminate immediately export subsidies on those products in which such country is competitive. Requires the International Trade Commission (ITC), upon request, to investigate whether the merchandise is already competitive in the U.S. market and whether the merchandise would be competitive in the absence of export subsidies. Directs the administering authority to review the status of, and compliance with, specified trade agreements at least once during each 12 month period. Directs the administering authority to publish such determinations. Imposes penalties for failure of a foreign country to honor any term of such agreements, including withdrawing designation of a country as a "country under the Agreement," suspension of liquidation of imports, and initiation of a countervailing duty investigation. Directs the administering authority, if there is an affirmative determination, based upon allegations in a petition for relief of the existence of a subsidy which requires the imposition of a countervailing duty and the petition alleges that the subsidy is inconsistent with the Agreement or if the administering authority initiates a countervailing duty investigation and the administering authority has reason to believe that a subsidy is inconsistent with the Agreement, to: (1) notify the U.S. Customs Service and direct customs officials to collect and forward to the administering authority information on the imports of the merchandise which is the subject of the investigation; (2) order the suspension of liquidation of all entries of such merchandise; and (3) begin monitoring the volume of imports of such merchandise to determine whether the volume of such imports has significantly increased. Prohibits making any determination on whether the volume of such imports has significantly increased until 60 days after the date the investigation began. Terminates any suspension of liquidation of such imports if the administering authority makes a preliminary determination that a subsidy does not exist. Directs the administering authority to order the posting of security for, and the application of a suspension of liquidation of, unliquidated imports which were imported 90 days before the date on which the preliminary determination is published if there is a determination that the volume of imports has surged, the alleged subsidy is inconsistent with the Agreement, and there have been massive imports of the merchandise subject to the countervailing duty investigation in a relatively short period. Directs the administering authority to terminate any suspension of liquidation of imports and to release any posted security requirement if a countervailing duty investigation is terminated. Requires the final determination of the administering authority in a countervailing duty investigation, if there is a final determination that a subsidy exists and if there is a finding that the volume of the investigated imports has increased significantly, to contain a finding on whether the alleged subsidy is inconsistent with the Agreement and whether there have been massive imports of the merchandise being investigated over a relatively short period of time. (Such finding is a finding of critical circumstances.) Requires the final determination of the ITC, if such determination is that there is no material injury but that there is a threat of material injury, to include a finding as to whether material injury by reason of subsidized imports would have been found but for any suspension of liquidation of such imports. (Deletes the provision requiring the ITC to include in its final determination findings as to whether there is material injury which will be difficult to repair and whether the material injury was caused by massive imports of subsidized merchandise over a relatively short period of time.) Requires the administering authority, if the administering authority makes a final determination that critical circumstances do not exist or if the ITC determines that there is no material injury but that there is a threat of material injury or that the establishment of a U.S. industry is materially retarded, to: (1) terminate any suspension of liquidation of imports ordered under a countervailing duty investigation; and (2) release any security and refund any cash deposit required with respect to such imports. Permits determinations of whether critical circumstances exist with respect to imports of articles that are not duty-free. Directs the administering authority, if the preliminary determination in an antidumping investigation is affirmative or if the investigation is initiated by the administering authority, to: (1) notify the U.S. Customs Service of such determination and direct customs officers to collect and forward information on the volume and value of imports of the merchandise subject to such investigation; and (2) begin monitoring the volume of such imports to determine whether the volume of such imports has significantly increased. Requires the administering authority to publish notice of a determination that the volume of such imports has significantly increased. Prohibits making such a determination until 60 days after the antidumping investigation has begun. Directs the administering authority to order the suspension of liquidation of all imports of the articles subject to the antidumping investigation 70 days after the date the investigation has begun. Terminates such suspension of liquidation if the preliminary determination under waiver of verification is negative. Directs the administering authority to determine whether critical circumstances exist if the administering authority determines that the volume of imports of the articles under investigation for dumping has significantly increased. (Current law requires the administering authority to determine whether critical circumstances exist if the petitioner alleges critical circumstances.) Requires the administering authority, if it determines that critical circumstances exist, to order the posting of security for, and require any suspension of liquidation to apply to, unliquidated entries of merchandise imported on or after the date that is 90 days before the date on which the affirmative preliminary determination is published. Terminates any suspension of liquidation of imports and releases any posted security if an antidumping investigation is terminated. Requires the final determination of the administering authority in an antidumping investigation, if it finds that the merchandise subject to the investigation is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value and the administering authority has found that the volume of imports of such merchandise has increased significantly, to contain a finding as to whether: (1) either there is a history of dumping in the United States or elsewhere of such merchandise that the importer knew or should have known that the exporter was selling such merchandise at less than its fair value; and (2) there have been massive imports of such merchandise over a relatively short period. (Current law requires such a finding to be included in the final determination if such critical circumstances have been alleged in the petition for relief.) Requires the final determination of the ITC, if such determination is that there is no material injury but that there is a threat of material injury, to include a finding as to whether material injury by reason of dumped imports would have been found but for any suspension of liquidation of such imports. Requires the administering authority, if the administering authority makes a specified final determination or the ITC determines that there is no material injury but that there is a threat of material injury or that the establishment of a U.S. industry is materially retarded, to: (1) terminate any suspension of liquidation of imports of such merchandise; and (2) release any security and refund any cash deposit required with respect to such imports. Declares that if the ITC has made an affirmative preliminary or final determination that countervailing or antidumping duties should be imposed with respect to merchandise that is the subject of a countervailing or antidumping duty investigation during the one-year period ending on the date on which such investigation is begun: (1) the ITC shall not be required to make another preliminary determination of injury; and (2) the preliminary determination of relief shall be applied without regard for the requirement that an affirmative injury determination be obtained. Authorizes the administering authority to suspend a countervailing duty investigation if the government of the country in which the subsidy practice is alleged to occur agrees, or exporters who account for substantially all of the imports of the merchandise agree, to: (1) eliminate the subsidy completely within six months; or (2) cease exports of such merchandise to the United States within six months. Deletes the provision authorizing suspension of such investigation if the subsidizing country agrees to offset the amount of the subsidy. Adds new conditions for the waiver of deposit of estimated antidumping duties. Authorizes such waiver if in addition to the current requirements: (1) the investigation has not been designated as extraordinarily complicated; (2) the final determination has not been postponed; (3) credible evidence is presented that the amount by which the foreign market value of the merchandise exceeds the U.S. price is significantly less than the amount of such excess specified in the antidumping duty order; and (4) the data concerning the foreign market value and the U.S. price apply to sales in the usual commercial quantities and in the ordinary course of trade and the number of such sales are sufficient to form an adequate basis for comparison. Requires the administering authority, before determining to allow such waiver, to: (1) make all confidential information supplied to the administering authority available under a protective order to all interested parties; and (2) afford all interested parties an opportunity to comment on whether the waiver should be permitted. Amends the definition of "subsidy" for purposes of the countervailing duty provisions to include the provision of capital, loans, loan guarantees, goods, or services at preferential rates or on terms inconsistent with commercial considerations. Amends the definition of "interested party" to include a U.S. manufacturer, producer, or wholesaler, or a union, trade or business association, or another association which represents manufacturers, producers or wholesalers of a like product of major parts, materials, components, or assemblies or subassemblies which are irrevocably destined for incorporation into the like product. Defines "diversionary dumping" as the purchase by a manufacturer or producer of any material or component at less than the foreign market value of such material or component which is incorporated into the merchandise under investigation and which has been the subject of a previous antidumping investigation. Sets forth the method of determining the adjustment amounts for determining foreign market value, sales at less than the cost of production, and the constructed value of components and materials. Includes subsidies provided under the authority of a statute, regulation, policy, or practice of a customs union within the definition of upstream subsidies. Creates a presumption of competitive benefit if: (1) a countervailing duty order is in effect with respect to an input product or an input product is subject to an import restriction agreement; (2) a subsidy continues to be paid on such input product after the countervailing duty order was issued or after the agreement took effect; and (3) the administering authority determines that an increase in imports of merchandise under a countervaling duty investigation has occurred. Requires (currently authorizes) the administering authority and the ITC to make confidential information submitted to an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation available upon receipt of a request which describes in general terms (currently with particularity) the type of information sought and the reasons for the request, unless the person who submitted such information establishes that substantial harm to the business operations of such person would result from such disclosure. Sets forth additional limits on disclosure of such information, including a time limit on making the determination of whether to disclose information. Title II: Relief from Injury Caused by Import Competition - Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions following import relief investigations by the ITC. Authorizes a petition for import relief to include within its statement of reasons for requesting import relief the desire to facilitate the orderly transfer of resources to enhance competitiveness. Changes the scope of the ITC's import relief investigation to include determining whether an article is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a cause (currently substantial cause) of serious injury or threat of serious injury to any domestic industry that produces an article like or directly competitive with the imported article or that produces materials, parts, components, or subassemblies irrevocably destined for incorporation in an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. Changes one of the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to serious injury in order to cover the inability of a significant number of firms to operate domestic production facilities at a reasonable profit. (Current law refers to the inability of firms to operate at a reasonable profit.) Changes the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to the threat of serious injury in order to cover: (1) a decline in sales or market share in the domestic industry; (2) a higher and growing inventory in the domestic industry; (3) a downward trend in production, profits, wages, or employment (or increasing underemployment) in the domestic industry; (4) any combination of coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof the effect of which is to assist the beneficiary to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise and that causes or threatens to cause serious injury to the domestic industry; (5) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of the article concerned because of restraints on exports of such article to, or imports of such articles into, third country markets; (6) in the case of an industry that has developed an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy, the inability of producers in the domestic industry to generate adequate capital to finance the modernization of plant and equipment or to otherwise enhance competitiveness. Requires (currently authorizes) the ITC to make certain determinations with respect to determining the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an imported article. Defines "cause" for purposes of determining whether imports are a cause of injury to mean a cause which is important. Declares that a cause may be important even though other causes are of equal or greater importance. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury or the threat of serious injury exists for a domestic industry, to: (1) find the amount of the increase in, or imposition of, any duty or import restriction necessary to prevent or remedy such injury; and (currently or) (2) if it determines that adjustment assistance can assist in remedying such injury, recommend the provision of such assistance. Directs the Administering Authority, if during an important relief investigation it finds that critical circumstances exist, to impose provisional measures (increase in tariff, tariff-rate quotas, quantitative restrictions, orderly marketing agreements or a combination of such actions). Requires such measures to remain in effect until the later of the date: (1) on which the President revokes such measures; (2) on which the ITC makes a negative determination of injury; or (3) which is 60 days after the date on which the ITC makes an affirmative determination of injury. Declares that critical circumstances exist if a significant increase in imports over a short time has led to circumstances in which delay in relief would cause damage that would be difficult to repair. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury has resulted from imports, to determine: (1) whether trade in the article concerned has been affected by coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group and that assist the beneficiary in becoming more competitive in exporting a class or kind of merchandise; and (2) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of such article because of restraints on exports of such article to, or on imports of such article into, third country markets. Directs the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and the ITC has found that trade in the article has been affected by such coordinated government actions, to consult and negotiate with other countries that produce or consume such article to seek the establishment of a multilateral framework to maintain and develop fair, equitable, and nondisruptive patterns of trade in such article. Directs the Administering Authority, after the ITC begins an import relief investigation based on a petition, to establish, upon request, an industry advisory group. Requires such advisory group to prepare for the industry concerned an assessment of current problems and a strategy to enhance competitiveness. Directs the Administering Authority to try to obtain, on a confidential basis, information from the individual members of such advisory group on: (1) how such members intend to act upon the recommendations in such assessment and strategy; and (2) any other actions such members intend to take which will foster the objectives of the strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, the ITC, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Commerce to consider such assessment and strategy in making any import relief determination or taking any import relief actions. Requires the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and if an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy was submitted to the Administering Authority, to publish notice of the availability of, and a summary of, such assessment and strategy. Requires a review committee, if such summary is published, to: (1) monitor actions taken by the petitioners to improve the competitive position of the industry; (2) make recommendations for administrative action; and (3) submit recommended legislation to the Congress. Requires the review committee to consult with the advisory group members if the review committee determines that the firms or workers are not implementing or are implementing unsatisfactorily: (1) the recommended objectives and actions in the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy; or (2) the actions declared in the confidential information obtained by the advisory group. Requires the Administering Authority to request the ITC to issue a report on the probable economic effect on the industry of import relief if, after consultations with the advisory group members, the review committee determines that the failure to implement or failure to implement satisfactorily such actions is not justified by changed circumstances and has adversely affected overall implementation of the objectives of the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, if it decides to provide import relief, to consult with petitioners and representatives of workers and firms in the affected industry on the advisability and desirability of taking appropriate action under countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 or under title III of the Trade Act of 1974 if the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government or firm is engaged in any action or practice for which such relief is available. Title III: Relief from Injurious Industrial Targeting and Unfair Trade Practices - Provides that injurious industrial targeting may trigger import relief actions. Defines injurious industrial targeting to mean any combination of coordinated government actions: (1) which are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof; (2) which assist such enterprise, industry, or group to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise; and (3) which cause or threaten to cause material injury. Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements and to respond to certain foreign trade practices. Authorizes the Administering Authority to: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent application of the benefit of trade agreement concessions with the foreign country or instrumentality involved; (2) direct customs officers to assess duties or impose other import restrictions on the products of such country or instrumentality or to assess fees or impose restrictions on the services of such country or instrumentality for such time in such amount, and to such degree as the Administering Authority deems appropriate; (3) negotiate agreements to offset the burden or restrictions on U.S. commerce; (4) submit proposed administrative actions and legislation to implement any other government action which would restore or improve the international competitive position of the injured or threatened industry; (5) recommend to the President action respecting service sector authorization; or (6) any combination of such actions. Transfers to the Administering Authority from the President the authority to impose certain limits on service sector access authorizations (authorizations that permit a foreign supplier of services access to the U.S. market). Deletes the provision authorizing the President to take action to enforce U.S. trade rights even though no petition for relief has been filed. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with representatives of domestic firms and workers that may be affected by any import relief investigation which is initiated by petition filed with the Administering Authority regarding any determination which is required to be made by the Administering Authority. Directs the Administering Authority, upon written request, to make confidential business information obtained by it in connection with an import relief investigation available under a protective order. Prohibits release of information classified for national security reasons. Requires the Administering Authority to act upon requests for such information within ten days of the request. Requires the Administering Authority, in conducting an import relief investigation initiated by petition to the Administering Authority, to present detailed questionnaires to the foreign government or enterprise involved in order to obtain information concerning the allegations in the petition. Directs the Administering Authority to verify any such information which the Administering Authority relied upon in making any determinations. Provides for relying on the best information available, which may be the information contained in the petition, if the foreign government fails to provide information or provides insufficient or unsatisfactory information. Requires the Administering Authority to make a preliminary determination within five months of the start of such an import relief investigation on whether there is reason to believe that import relief is warranted. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take certain actions based on the preliminary finding. Requires the final determination to be made within 11 months of the start of the investigation. Requires the Administering Authority to determine what actions to take if the final determination is that import relief is warranted, except that specific actions are required if injurious industrial targeting is found to exist. Requires the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and representatives of the affected domestic firms and workers if the final determination is affirmative. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress if the final determination is affirmative and the Administering Authority declines to take any action. Terminates any preliminary import relief if the final determination is negative. Requires publication in the Federal Register of such preliminary and final determinations. Requires the Administering Authority, if it makes a preliminary finding that injurious industrial targeting exists, to: (1) establish an advisory committee; and (2) formulate, in consultation with such advisory committee, proposals which would restore or improve the competitive position of affected domestic industries. Requires the Administering Authority to notify the ITC when it initiates an investigation of injurious industrial targeting. Requires the ITC to make a preliminary determination within 60 days of receiving such notice of whether there is a reasonable indication that because of sales or likely sales of the merchandise which is the subject of the investigation: (1) an industry in the United States is materially injured or is threatened with material injury; or (2) the establishment or growth of an industry in the United States is materially retarded. Requires the ITC to make a final determination of whether such circumstances exist by: (1) 45 days after the affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is affirmative; or (2) 75 days after an affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is negative. Makes the ITC's determination subject to review by the U.S. Court of International Trade if such determination was made under the countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Defines material injury and threat of material injury. Requires the Administering Authority, pending conclusion of the investigation, to take at least one of several provisional actions in order to prevent further injury or threat of injury from injurious industrial targeting. Requires the Administering Authority, after a final determination of injury has been made, to take at least one of several actions to fully offset the material injury or threat of material injury from injurious industrial targeting. Directs the Administering Authority to submit to the President any proposed administrative action and any proposed legislation to restore or improve the competitive position of the injured industry if the preliminary and final determinations are that injurious industrial targeting has occurred. Provides for expedited consideration of such legislation. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress on the actions the Administering Authority will take to offset the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting. Authorizes the Administering Authority to enter into a settlement agreement with the foreign country or entity involved in lieu of taking other actions if: (1) such agreement completely eliminates the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting; and (2) such agreement is approved by the petitioner if the investigation began because of a petition. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take actions to compensate a foreign country or entity if the contracting parties to the General Agreement Tariffs and Trade (GATT) disapprove of actions taken in response to injurious industrial targeting. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and the representatives of affected domestic firms and workers if, in the course of an investigation, the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government engaged in dumping or other actions for which relief is available under specified provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Title IV: Negotiating Objectives - Declares that the principal U.S. negotiating objectives shall be to: (1) obtain and preserve maximum access to international markets for U.S. manufactured products; (2) obtain the elimination of foreign barriers to market access; (3) obtain internationally accepted rules to evaluate and respond to the maintenance and operation of government-controlled enterprises that engage in international trade; and (4) establish procedures governing such enterprises.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Fair Insurance Coverage Act - Prohibits any insurer from discriminating in an insurance contract against any person because of blindness. Includes within the prohibition refusing to make or negotiate a contract for insurance or giving different treatment with respect to terms, conditions, rates, or benefits because of blindness. Establishes a preference for State actions prior to judicial enforcement under this Act. Authorizes any aggrieved person, in the absence of State actions or jurisdiction, to bring an action under this Act for individual relief. Authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to bring an action for injunctive relief whenever there is reasonable cause to believe a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination or when an individual is aggrieved and an issue of general public importance is raised. Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction of such actions regardless of the amount in controversy. Allows a court to order monetary, equitable, or other appropriate relief, including punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Antitrust Damages Clarification Act of 1985 - Provides that no damages, costs, or attorney's fees shall be awarded under an antitrust suit with respect to the establishment or use of any rate, charge, or premium filed with a State insurance department or authorized, approved, or permitted to become effective pursuant to State insurance laws. Applies this Act to pending cases.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal study committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal areas and animal facilities at the research facility; (2) file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility; (3) notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies; and (4) notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency if such deficiencies remain uncorrected. Requires each research facility to provide for annual training in the humane treatment of animals for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) employee training; (2) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation; (3) reducing or replacing animal use; and (4) minimizing pain and distress. Requires funding Federal agencies to revoke Federal support for a project if it is determined that conditions of animal care, treatment, or practice in a particular project have not been in compliance with standards promulgated under this Act. Requires the Secretary to inspect each research facility at least once each year. Requires such follow-up inspections as may be necessary until all deficiencies which may be found are corrected. Imposes penalties for the release of any confidential information or trade secrets by any member of an institutional animal committee. Increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to extend the income and eligibility verification system so as to require an applicant or benefit recipient, as a condition of eligibility for or receipt of benefits under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of such Act, title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of such Act, title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act, the food stamp program, or the unemployment insurance compensation program, to declare in writing whether or not he or she is a U.S. citizen, and, if a U.S. citizen his or her immigration status and file number. Requires the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to implement a verification system of immigration status to be made available to all States by October 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to require the Secretary of Transportation to establish regulatory requirements by a certain date in order to ensure that imported motor vehicles are brought into compliance with Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Prescribes guidelines for such requirements. Sets forth a specific time-frame within which the Secretary is required to report to the Congress regarding the efficacy of such regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present gold medals to Jan Scruggs, Robert Doubek, and Jack Wheeler, in recognition of their tireless efforts to give the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Nation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the administration should comply with the automatic appropriation and earmarking provisions of the Wallop/Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund. States that funds owed to the States from such Fund should not be withheld or delayed.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the period for making tax-free rollovers of certain distributions from employee benefit plans from 60 days to 90 days.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that nothing in the Constitution shall abridge the right of persons to participate in voluntary prayer in public schools or institutions. States that no person shall be required by the United States or by any State to participate in prayer. Prohibits the United States or any State from composing words of prayer to be said in the public schools.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1985
Distilled Spirits Tax Payment Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the transfer in bond between bonded premises of distilled spirits on which tax has not been paid or determined. Allows a bonded dealer to establish a distilled spirits plant. Sets forth requirements for the operation of a distilled spirits plant by a bonded dealer. Defines "bonded dealer" as any wholesale dealer who has elected to establish a distilled spirits plant and engages in the business of purchasing distilled spirits from the primary source of supply for resale exclusively at wholesale to independent retail dealers or other wholesale dealers. Provides that every proprietor or possesser and every person interested in the premises of a distilled spirits plant shall be jointly and severally liable for the taxes imposed on distilled spirits. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make an assessment for tax on distilled spirits not accounted for by a bonded dealer. (Present law limits such requirement to a distiller.) Provides that the credit for wine content and for flavors content shall be determined and allowable as a reduction in the rate of tax on the payment of tax by the proprietor of a distilled spirits plant, bonded dealer, or other taxpayer liable for the payment of the excise tax on such products. Allows a State or political subdivision which engages in the sale of distilled spirits to file monthly returns of taxes (rather than semimonthly). Provides that the exemption from the occupational tax shall not apply to a proprietor of a distilled spirits plant whose premises are used for operations of a bonded dealer. Sets forth certain transitional rules. Provides that no domestically produced or bottled spirits in the inventory of a bonded dealer on the effective date of this Act on which the Federal excise tax has been paid shall be subject to the filing of an excise tax return and the payment of excise tax.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1985
Designates the week beginning on April 13, 1986, as National Garden Week. Urges the wearing of garden flowers during that week as a symbol of appreciation for the contributions of the Nation's gardeners.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the Congress from providing for aggregate expenditures exceeding aggregate receipts for any fiscal period. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Provides for the phased implementation of such prohibition over five fiscal periods.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Rural Electrification Program must continue to provide financing and technical assistance at reasonable cost; and (2) the people of the United States and Federal and State governmental agencies should commemorate the Rural Electrification Administration on its 50th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985
Establishes in the legislative branch of the Government the Perot Commission on Americans Missing in Southeast Asia to conduct an investigation and report to the Congress its findings with respect to the existence and the release of prisoners of war in Southeast Asia. Sets forth specified administrative procedures and powers of the Commission. Requires the Commission to terminate 30 days after the filing of its report to the Congress or on January 3, 1987, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services, to be held not later than 1989, to develop recommendations for improvement of such services and their public use. Requires that the Conference be planned and conducted by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Sciences. Authorizes the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the National Library of Medicine, and the Director of the National Agricultural Library, upon request, to detail personnel to the Commission. Requires the Conference to submit a final report to the President within 120 days following its close. Directs that the final report be made public, and within 90 days after receipt by the President, transmitted to the Congress with recommendations. Establishes an advisory committee to assist in planning and conducting the Conference. Includes among its appointed members the Secretary of Education and the Librarian of Congress. Authorizes appropriations as necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an applicable test rate of nine percent for determining whether there is imputed interest in the case of seller-financed property. Permits a lower test interest rate of 80 percent of the Federal Treasury rate where such rates are lower than the nine percent test rate. Provides for a blended test rate for instances where the loan amount exceeds $4,000,000. Provides that in determining whether wraparound financing meets such testing rate, the test shall be applied to the net rate of interest on the seller's equity in the financing after deducting the existing third party financing. Authorizes the imputation of interest in seller-financed property sales of $4,000,000 or less of ten percent or 90 percent of the Federal Treasury rates, whichever is less, where the test interest rates have not been met. Allows for a blended imputed interest rate where the debt amount exceeds $4,000,000. Requires that all loan amounts from a single transaction or series of related transactions be aggregated for purposes of determining the loan amount. Provides that the imputed interest rules will not apply to assumptions of loans unless the terms and conditions of such debt obligations are modified in connection with the assumption. Repeals the provisions of the Code limiting the amount of interest expense a purchaser of personal use property may deduct for tax purposes. Excepts debt instruments arising from the sale or exchange of a residence from the imputed interest provisions where the obligor of the instrument uses the property as his other residence. Provides that the imputed interest rules shall not apply in the case of sales or exchanges of property where the borrowed amount does not exceed $4,000,000. Requires the interest on the obligation issued in connection with such sales or exchanges to be taken into account by both the buyer and the seller on the cash receipts and disbursement method of accounting unless both buyer and seller agree to use the accrual receipts and disbursement method of accounting.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1985
Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act - Title I: SSI Work Incentive Provisions - Makes permanent provisions which provide benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment. Revises the eligibility requirements for such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and implement procedures which provide that whenever an individual is formally notified of his or her SSI eligibility, such individual will also be notified of the availability of assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act. Directs the Secretary, when any individual receives SSI benefits on the basis of a disability, to notify such individual of his or her potential eligibility for the SSI benefits available for those performing substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the operation of the SSI section which provides benefits for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment, with the particular objective of evaluating the work incentive provisions of such section. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress the findings of such study. Title II: Disabled Workers Demonstration Program - Amends the Rehabilitation Act to direct the Secretary of Education to establish grant programs to: (1) assist employers to plan, implement, operate, expand, and evaluate retention and reemployment demonstration programs for disabled workers; (2) assist employers to develop plans for the initiation or substantial expansion of a comprehensive retention and reemployment program for disabled workers; (3) assist employers to implement or substantially expand a comprehensive retention and reemployment program for disabled workers; and (4) assist employers in evaluating the effectiveness of any retention and reemployment program for disabled workers. Requires any employer requesting a grant to apply to the Secretary in such form, and at such times, as the Secretary may request. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1992. Title III: Employment Opportunities Demonstration Program for SSI and Disability Insurance Recipients - Directs to Secretary to establish a grant program to assist the States in establishing and operating demonstration programs to promote, identify, secure, and evaluate employment opportunities for individuals receiving SSI on the basis of blindness or disability, and individuals receiving disability insurance benefits or child's insurance benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires any State requesting a grant to apply to the Secretary in such form, and at such times, as the Secretary may require. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the benefit disparity between those born before 1916 and those born after 1916 which was effected by the enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to recompute the primary insurance amount so as to take into account the amendments made by this Act and to pay to any individual so entitled any additional lump sum amount to which such individual is entitled by reason of this Act. Prohibits the recomputation from reducing any individual's benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Provides that, for taxable years prior to 1985, rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of the deduction for the use of their automobile in performing services involving the collection and delivery of mail on a rural route by: (1) using the amount received as equipment maintenance allowances from the United States Postal Service; or (2) using the form entitled "Worksheet for Use of Rural Carrier in Reporting Equipment Allowance and Claiming Transportation Expense Deduction." Provides that, for taxable years beginning after 1984, rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of their deduction for use of their automobile in performing such services: (1) by using a standard mileage rate for all such miles of such use equal to 150 percent of the basic standard rate; or (2) by calculating the equipment allowance deduction equal to the operating expenses. Removes the 50 percent of business use limitation contained in the Internal Revenue Code for rural letter carriers who claim the investment tax credit and the depreciation deduction for their automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement that contemporaneous records be kept to substantiate deductions for certain travel expenses, including automobile expenses, business entertainment expenses, and expenses for gifts. Repeals the requirement that tax return preparers inform the taxpayer of such recordkeeping requirements. Repeals the special negligence penalty for failure to have written confirmation from the taxpayer that records exist. Repeals any regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury to implement the contemporaneous recordkeeping requirements. Provides that there must be sufficient written evidence substantiating the taxpayer's own statement as to such business deductions. Excludes from the recordkeeping requirements any qualified nonpersonal use vehicle. Defines "qualified nonpersonal use vehicle" as any vehicle which, by reason of its nature, is not likely to be used more than a de minimis amount for personal purposes. Provides that an employer may elect to not withhold any tax with respect to any vehicle fringe benefit provided to an employee if the employee is notified that the employer is making such election. Requires the vehicle fringe benefit to be included on the employee's withholding statement. Reduces the amount of the limitation on the investment tax credit for an automobile from $1,000 to $675. Reduces the annual depreciation deductions that are allowed for an automobile to: (1) $3,600 depreciation in the first year (currently the limit is $4,000); and (2) $5,400 depreciation in any subsequent year. (Currently the limit is $6,000.) Provides for a one-year deferral of the annual inflation adjustment of these limits. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations by October 1, 1985, to carry out these provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the benefit disparities caused by the 1977 changes in the social security benefit formula. Directs the Secretary to report the results of the study to the Congress and the Congressional Budget Office. Directs the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to report to the Congress that Office's conclusions and recommendations regarding the Secretary's report.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Amends the Federal Supplemental Compensation Act of 1982 to provide for a phase out, rather than an immediate termination, of the Federal supplemental unemployment compensation program by providing that individuals who are eligible for compensation in the last week of the current program shall receive the full number of weeks of compensation without regard to the termination date of the program. (Current law terminates all compensation payments as of April 6, 1985, the end of the week beginning March 31, 1985.) Provides for modification of agreements with States to conform to the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
World War I Veterans' Service Pension Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly pension of $150 to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements. Requires such veteran, if receiving another pension administered by the Veterans Administration (VA), to elect which pension he will receive. Provides for the payment of a monthly pension of $100 to surviving spouses of World War I veterans who meet certain marriage requirements. Requires such surviving spouses to choose between pensions if they are currently receiving another pension through the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President shall take appropriate action to: (1) develop a plan for reducing the trade deficit by attacking its causes; and (2) secure the elimination of Japanese acts and policies which are inconsistent with or deny the United States the benefits of trade agreements to which Japan is a party and which are unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory. Directs the President, within specified times, to: (1) determine whether Japan has taken sufficient action to assure the elimination of such acts and policies; (2) report such determination to specified congressional committees; and (3) if Japan has not taken sufficient action, take action to eliminate such acts and policies by more aggressive use of existing customs laws and other trade laws. Requires the President's action to be sufficient to "insure that access to the Japanese market is fair and equitable, as measured by increased sales of competitive products from the United States and elsewhere, and verified by affirmation from the United States business community." Permits modification or revocation of the President's action only if the President determines that the objectives set forth in this resolution have been achieved.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute to extend the Act's coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Authorizes a civil suit for treble damages for any person injured personally or in their business or property.
![Official portrait of Rep. Campbell, Carroll A., Jr. [R-SC-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000079_200.jpg)