United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Civil Liberties Act of 1985 - Title I: Recognition of Injustice and an Apology on Behalf of the Nation - States that the Congress recognizes that a grave injustice was done to both citizens and resident aliens of Japanese ancestry by the evacuation, relocation, and internment of civilians during World War II. Title II: United States Citizens of Japanese Ancestry and Resident Japanese Aliens - Requests the President to offer pardons of those convicted of violating laws during the internment period whose violation was based on a refusal to accept racially discriminatory treatment. Provides that Federal departments and agencies that review applications for restitution of positions, status, or entitlement lost during the internment period shall review such applications giving full consideration to the findings of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. Establishes within the Treasury a Civil Liberties Public Education Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. Requires the Attorney General to pay $20,000 from the Fund to each surviving internee. Establishes a Board of Directors which shall be responsible for making disbursement from the Fund. Provides that disbursement from the Fund shall be used to: (1) sponsor research and public educational activities dealing with the internment; (2) fund studies of similar civil liberties abuses; (3) prepare and distribute hearings and findings of the Commission; and (4) promote the general welfare of the ethnic Japanese community in the United States. Title III: Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution - Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Act - Establishes within the Treasury the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Fund. Directs the Administrator of the Fund (the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Association) to make restitution for certain Aleut losses sustained in World War II. Requires the Administrator to establish a trust of $5,000,000 and to distribute the interest of such trust for: (1) the benefit of the elderly, disabled, or seriously ill; (2) students in need of scholarship assistance; (3) preservation of Aleut cultural heritage and historical records; (4) the improvement of community centers of affected Aleut villages; and (5) other purposes to improve Aleut life. Authorizes the Administrator to rebuild and restore churches and church property damaged or destroyed in Aleut villages during World War II. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments of $12,000 from the fund to each eligible Aleut for any uncompensated personal property loss. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to implement a program for the removal and disposal of live ammunition, obsolete buildings, abandoned machinery, and other hazardous debris remaining in populated areas of the lower Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Aleut Corporation all right, title, and interest of the United States in Attu Island, Alaska. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that all documents, personal testimony, and other material collected by the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians shall be deposited in the National Archives of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
In-Flight Medical Emergencies Act - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue final rules requiring passenger-carrying aircraft to carry medical supplies and equipment for the treatment of in-flight emergencies. Provides relief from State or Federal civil liability for any licensed medical personnel or air carrier employee who renders emergency medical aid on an airplane or who continues such aid until arrival at a medical facility. Extends such relief to an airplane's crew and owner or operator for providing on-board emergency medical supplies. Makes such relief from liability inapplicable if the actions were done recklessly or with gross negligence.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to construct a navigation project on the Sacramento River Deep Water Ship Channel, California, at an estimated Federal cost of $77,800,000. States that there shall be no requirement for a State share and that the non-Federal recreational interest shall be credited with the replacement value of existing recreation facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to apportion for expenditure on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways: (1) one-half of the sums authorized to be appropriated in accordance with the interstate cost estimate for FY 1985; and (2) the sums authorized to be appropriated in accordance with the interstate cost estimate for FY 1986. Directs the Secretary to apportion: (1) one-half of the sums to be apportioned for FY 1984 for expenditure on substitute highway and public mass transit projects; and (2) the sums to be apportioned for FY 1985 for expenditure on substitute highway and public mass transit projects. Specifies apportionment factors.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
School Lunch and Child Nutrition Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the National School Lunch Act to authorize FY 1985 through 1988 appropriations for: (1) the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC); (2) State administrative expenses; (3) the nutrition education training (NET) program; (4) the childrens' summer food service program; and (5) the commodity distribution program. Increases NET authorizations. Reduces the student cost of a reduced price lunch from 40 cents to 25 cents and of a reduced price breakfast from 30 cents to 15 cents. Increases reduced meal income eligibility limits from 185 percent to 195 percent of the poverty level. Provides an additional six cents per breakfast to increase the nutritional quality of such program. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate related nutritional improvement regulations. Extends the lunch program "offer versus serve" provision to the breakfast program. Permits a child to refuse one breakfast item if such refusal option is permitted by the local school food authority. Raises the program tuition limit under such Act for private schools from $1,500 to $2,500. Requires annual inflation adjustments. Increases the number of reimbursable meals and snacks under the child care food program. Excludes certain medical expenses from household income for program eligibility purposes. Eliminates the requirement that free meal eligibility be the same as that required for food stamp eligibility. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring school lunch program income verification unless the direct cost of such verification is appropriated. Makes kindergartens in specified schools eligible for the special milk program. Establishes a tiered-payment system for the child care food program. Obligates specified food service equipment appropriations for low-income area schools. States that school food facilities and personnel may be used for nonprofit nutrition programs for the elderly. Prohibits the Secretary, through FY 1986, from reducing child nutrition benefit eligibility unless legislatively directed. Qualifies children participating in the food stamp or aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) programs for free breakfasts and lunches. Makes specified nonprofit private sponsors eligible for the summer feeding program. Increases FY 1984 WIC authorizations. Extends administrative fund allocation provisions through 1988. Directs the Secretary to apportion funds so as to insure that at least 70 percent of each fiscal year's amounts have been obligated or used by the beginning of such year's fourth quarter. Provides that such requirement shall not apply to supplemental appropriations enacted after January 1 of a fiscal year or to any reallocated funds. Prohibits States from using more than two and one-half percent of a current fiscal year's WIC appropriations for a preceding year's expenditures. Permits administrative funds to be used for technical assistance to improve State administrative systems. Includes AFDC among the programs to be coordinated with the child nutrition programs. Provides for a reduction in program paperwork. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the feasibility of a universal school lunch program; and (2) report to the Congress by January 1, 1988. Extends, subject to fund availability, the alternative (cash) assistance school lunch pilot study through the school year ending June 30, 1986. Requires the Secretary, subject to fund availability and upon request, to provide financial assistance to participating school districts that sustained losses due to the methodology change for the school year ending June 30, 1983. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the State administrative expense allocation formula and procedures, including the merits of a State matching requirement; and (2) report to the Congress by January 31, 1986. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the effect on families of the child nutrition programs authorized under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; and (2) report to the Congress by January 1, 1987. Prohibits a contract between a school food authority and a food service company to provide a la carte food service unless such company provides free and reduced price meals to eligible children.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify displaced homemakers for the targeted jobs income tax credit. Defines "displaced homemaker" as an individual who: (1) has not worked in the labor force for a substantial number of years but has, during those years, worked in the home providing unpaid services for family members; and (2) has been dependent on public assistance or on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income or is receiving public assistance on account of dependent children in the home.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a new license to an existing licensee for a hydroelectric project authorized under such Act if the United States does not, upon the expiration of the existing license, exercise its right to take over, maintain, and operate such licensee's project, unless the Commission determines that such licensee's project will not meet the licensing standards under such Act. Provides that if the Commission determines that such licensee's project does not meet such standards, the Commission is authorized to issue a new license to a new licensee which may cover the existing licensee's project provided that the new licensee pays just compensation determined by the Commission and enters into any contracts required under the Federal Power Act. (Under current law, the Commission is authorized to issue a new license to the original licensee or a new license to a new licensee if the United States does not exercise its rights with respect to an expired license.)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promote the establishment of family support groups to assist individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder and their family members and to provide for a national coordinating network of such groups. Requires a report to the Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Commemorative Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of: (1) five dollar gold coins, emblematic of the centennial of the Statue of Liberty; (2) one dollar silver coins, emblematic of the use of Ellis Island; and (3) half dollar coins, emblematic of the contributions of immigrants to America. Sets forth certain features of such coins; and provides for their sale and issuance. Provides for the distribution and use of such sale funds to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. Terminates the minting of such coins on December 31, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of the Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole be granted.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with specified agencies, to conduct at least ten demonstration projects to determine the feasibility of providing for alternative Medicare benefits for individuals entitled to Medicare benefits who are diagnosed as suffering from Alzheimer's disease or a related memory disorder. Directs the Secretary, in conducting such projects, to consider: (1) alternative benefits that encompass a range of outpatient services; and (2) providing alternative benefits in a manner that is analogous to the manner in which benefits for hospice care are made available under Medicare. Limits the cost of each such project. Provides for the paying for such projects.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Allows the President an item veto of appropriations bills. Requires the President, in signing such a bill, to designate the provisions disapproved and return the bill to the House in which it originated. Subjects such bills to the same proceedings as other bills disapproved by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement of receipts and outlays for that year in which total outlays are not greater than total receipts. Permits the Congress in such statement to provide for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a three-fifths vote directed solely to that subject. Requires the President and the Congress to ensure that actual outlays do not exceed the outlays set forth in such statement. Prohibits total receipts for any fiscal year set forth in such statement from increasing by a rate greater than the rate of increase in national income in the last calendar year ending before such fiscal year, unless the Congress passes by a three-fifths vote a bill directed solely to approving specific additional receipts and such bill has become law. Requires the President, prior to each fiscal year, to transmit to the Congress a proposed statement of receipts and outlays for that year consistent with the provisions of this article. Permits the Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Declares that total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States, except those derived from borrowing and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States except those for repayment of debt principal.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the appointment of electors to represent the insular areas constituting the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes the Joint Committee on Intelligence. Declares that such committee has exclusive legislative jurisdiction with respect to any intelligence activity of the Federal Government and authorizations for appropriations for specified agencies and intelligence-related activities. Directs the joint committee to classify its information and records and to establish guidelines for their maintenance, use, and availability. Sets forth procedures for the disclosure of such information. Directs the joint committee to establish and carry out rules and procedures necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information. Makes conforming amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives, including abolishing the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the National Security Act of 1947.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control to conduct continuing oversight and review of the problems of narcotics, drug, and polydrug abuse and control.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Hunger to conduct a continuing comprehensive study of the problems of hunger and malnutrition. Requires an annual report from such committee, including a summary of its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a comprehensive study and review of the problems of children, youth, and families.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Constitution provides that all citizens have the right to keep and bear arms and that such right supersedes the power and authority of any government.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1984
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should direct appropriate members of the administration to: (1) pursue discussions with Canada directed toward resolving problems relating to U.S. imports of Canadian pork; and (2) use all available authorities to protect the economic viability of the U.S. pork industry and to promote free and fair trade.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1984
Declares three named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1984
Establishes a Commission on Employment Discrimination in the Legislative Branch. Directs the Commission to: (1) employ a nongovernmental consultant to study the compensation paid to Library of Congress personnel and analyze personnel policies of the Library; (2) evaluate the compensation system of the Library for compliance with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make any recommendations needed to achieve compliance; (3) develop a plan for the application of title VII through the legislative branch; and (4) make recommendations to Congress for improvement of personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to Congress 18 months after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal rules relating to the determination of the issue price of certain debt instruments issued for property. Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1984 to repeal the revisions made to rules for the imputation of interest on certain deferred payments. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such revisions had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
State and Local Narcotics Control Assistance Act of 1984 - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States to assist States and local governments to increase their drug enforcement activities. Requires such grants to be based on the relative needs of the States, taking into consideration the severity of drug trafficking and abuse and the availability of State and local resources to resolve such problems. Establishes a procedure for grant applications. Requires such an application to include a State-wide strategy for the enforcement of State drug laws. Imposes limitations on the use of such grants, including a maximum ten percent allocation for administrative purposes. Requires each State which receives a grant to submit a yearly report to the Attorney General, who shall in turn report to Congress with respect to such grants. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States for developing more effective drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programs. Establishes a procedure for grant applications. Authorizes appropriations for both grant programs for FY 1986 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1984
Title I: Supplemental Benefits - Establishes a Federal supplemental benefit program for death or disability caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. Provides guidelines for: (1) the calculation of benefits in proportion to disability; (2) payment methods; and (3) payment priorities. Exempts such supplemental benefits from: (1) any tax or legal process; and (2) any offset for administrative benefits under State or Federal law. Sets guidelines for the offset of supplemental benefits where reorganization or liquidation proceedings occur under Federal bankruptcy laws. Makes supplemental benefits payable only out of the Asbestos-Related Disease Trust Fund established by this Act. Conditions eligibility for supplemental benefits upon such benefits' being the exclusive remedy of an individual for occupational exposure to asbestos. Prescribes guidelines for the filing and payment of asbestos-related disease claims. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to apply by analogy specified portions of the Social Security Act when making determinations of: (1) entitlement to benefits; (2) review of claims; and (3) delegations of authority to State agencies. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to determine annually the average weekly wage for manufacturing workers in each State. Requires such determinations to govern decisions regarding all claims filed in the following calendar year. Requires the Secretary to rely upon: (1) prior court decisions regarding a claimant; (2) prior determinations by the appropriate workers' compensation program regarding specified eligibility criteria. Specifies exceptions. Requires the Secretary to apply the appropriate workers' compensation law when reviewing supplemental benefit claims. Creates within the Department of Health and Human Services the National Medical Panel on Asbestos-Related Diseases to: (1) decide which diseases belong to the list of asbestos-related diseases; (2) review claims to determine whether a person's disease was caused by asbestos exposure; and (3) publish certain Medical Assessment Guidance Documents. Provides guidelines for the appointment of medical scientists to the Panel from certain organizations. Directs the Panel to promulgate a list of asbestos-related diseases and to provide explanations of any decisions to include or omit a disease from such list. Outlines conditions under which the Panel shall review claims for asbestos-related diseases which do not appear on the panel's list of diseases. Requires the Panel to determine within a specified time whether the disease in the referred claim should be included on such list. Requires the Panel to publish Medical Assessment Guidance Documents including specific medical diagnostic criteria to aid parties and decisionmakers determine whether a death or disability was caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. Title II: Finance - Prescribes guidelines under which: (1) assessments are imposed against each asbestos defendant; (2) assessment allocation factors are assigned to asbestos defendants; (3) assessments are imposed against asbestos insurance policies; and (4) assessments are imposed against companies undergoing Federal bankruptcy proceedings. Sets the aggregate semiannual assessment on defendants in 1985 and 1986 at $150,000,000. Imposes interest upon assessments not paid by the due date. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) conduct studies determining assessment allocation factor amounts and assessment apportionment ratios; and (2) promulgate compliance regulations. States that assessment payments do not prejudice the right to recover or challenge such payments. Treats asbestos-related disease assessments imposed upon either an asbestos defendant or an asbestos insurance policy, for Federal income tax purposes, as ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in carrying on the trade or business, on the one hand, and insurance contract losses, on the other. Treats asbestos-related disease assessments as miscellaneous excise taxes. Establishes in the Treasury the Asbestos-Related Disease Trust Fund (the Trust Fund). Details the manner in which such Trust Fund shall be funded and administered. Makes the Secretary of the Treasury the Managing Trustee, and delineates trustee functions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and subsequent years. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury the Asbestos-Related Disease Trust Fund Conservation Committee (the Committee) comprised of the Managing Trustee and five public members appointed by the President. Includes among the consultation and review functions of such Committee: (1) claim disposition; (2) grant and contract awards; and (3) claims and assessments analysis. Directs the Committee to submit an annual report to the Congress regarding the performance of its responsibilities. Authorizes the Committee, with the advice and assistance of the Secretary of Labor, to instruct the Managing Trustee to award grants and contracts to specified organizations for the purpose of: (1) improving State workers' compensation programs; (2) assuring the availability of medical specialists to assist government agencies; (3) establishing medical evaluation units to determine occupational sources of asbestos-related diseases; and (4) medical treatment research. Title III: Miscellaneous - Makes the supplemental benefits under this Act and the applicable workers' compensation programs the exclusive remedy for occupational exposure to asbestos. Exempts certain persons from liability for occupational exposure to asbestos. Removes jurisdiction from State or Federal tribunals to adjudicate any claim of liability for occupational exposure to asbestos after enactment of this Act. Confers jurisdiction for judicial review of administrative acts under this Act only upon the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Confers jurisdiction for questions of assessments and constitutionality under this Act only upon a special three-judge district court established in the District Court for the District of Columbia. Requires all administrative costs and expenses of this Act to be paid out of the Trust Fund. Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, of Labor, of the Treasury, and the Attorney General to submit an analysis and certification of their respective costs under this Act to the Managing Trustee for reimbursement.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Repeals the Service Contract Act of 1965. Provides that any provision of law requiring the payment of wages and benefits at rates determined by reference to determinations of the Secretary of Labor under such Act shall cease to be effective on the enactment date of this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect rights and duties under contracts entered into prior to such enactment date.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1984
Agricultural Trade and Export Policy Commission Act - Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to establish a National Commission on Agriculture Trade and Export Policy (Commission) to conduct a study of the agriculture-related trade and export policies and programs of the United States and the international and domestic factors affecting such policies and programs, including U.S. intergovernmental activities that affect the formulation of policies. Requires the Commission to be composed of ex officio congressional members, plus 23 members appointed by the President. Requires the Commission to submit to the President and the Congress: (1) a report containing its initial findings and recommendations by March 31, 1985; (2) additional interim reports on its work as may be requested by the chairmen of specified congressional committees; and (3) a report containing the final results of its study and recommendations by July 1, 1986. Authorizes Federal and public support to the Commission. Exempts the Commission from specified provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and guidelines relating to the performance appraisals of Federal employees. Terminates the Commission 60 days after the transmission of its final report to the President and the Congress.
![Official portrait of Rep. Chappie, Eugene A. [R-CA-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000322_200.jpg)