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United States · Official source
1,073 records where Rep. Coleman, E. Thomas [R-MO-6] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1986
Designates the week beginning on April 20, 1986, as National Reading is Fun Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1986
Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the U.S.S.R. to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics. Designates the 14th day of June 1986 as Baltic Freedom Day. Authorizes and requests the President to submit the issue of Baltic self-determination to the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1985
Removes the prohibition on withholding, without the employees' consent, city or county taxes from the pay of an employee who is not a resident of, or whose regular place of Federal employment is not within, the State in which such city or county is located.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1985
Designates the first Friday of May of each year, commencing with May 2, 1986, as National Teachers Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1985
Agricultural Patent Reform Act - Amends the patent laws to extend the terms of patents which encompass specified products or methods for using a product, including methods of manufacturing which primarily use recombinant DNA technology, any of which are subject to certain nonpatent regulatory review periods. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such extension, including a five-year limitation on the extension and a 25-year maximum patent term for the earliest filing. Directs the Commissioner of Patents to notify the appropriate Federal agency upon receipt from the product sponsor of a notice of extension to determine the applicable regulatory review period and whether, within that period, the sponsor acted with due diligence. Provides for notice and informal hearings for persons interested in such determinations. Permits the setting of fees to cover the costs of review. Directs the Commissioner, upon a final determination of the applicable regulatory review period, to issue to the owner of record of a patent a certificate of extension stating the fact and length of the extension and identifying the product and the use and the claim to which such extension is applicable. Makes such certificate a part of the original patent. Limits the application of such patent term extension to patents for: (1) any new animal drug or antibiotic subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; (2) any veterinary biological product subject to regulation under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act; (3) any pesticide subject to regulation under the Federal Insecticide Act; and (4) any chemical substance or mixture subject to regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1985
Designates the month of May 1986 as Better Hearing and Speech Month.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1985
Designates the week of April 27 through May 3, 1986, as National Arts in the Schools Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1985
Designates September 17, 1987, as Constitution Day. Requires such day to be treated as a legal public holiday.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to limit the export of oil produced from Cook Inlet, Alaska.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Telecommunications Equipment and Information Services Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Bell operating companies to provide information services (excluding electronic publishing) and to manufacture telecommunications equipment, subject to such regulations as the Federal Communications Commission may prescribe. Conditions such authority on the Commission's determination that no Bell operating company could impede competition in the information services or telecommunications equipment manufacturing businesses. Requires the Commission to include in its annual report to the Congress an assessment, providing for public comment, of the impact of this Act on employment in such businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Farm Credit Act Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Provisions to Strengthen the Operation of Farm Credit System Lending Institutions - Amends Part A of title IV of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to merge specified revolving funds and make such funds available to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) for the purchase on behalf of the United States of stock in the Farm Credit System Capital Corporation (established by this Act). Replaces existing debt-to-capital provisions with authority to maintain adequate capital in Farm Credit System (FCS) institutions. Empowers the FCA to appoint a receiver or conservator for an FCS institution in situations of: (1) insolvency; (2) substantial asset dissipation; (3) unsound conditions; (4) willful violation of a final lease and desist order; or (5) concealment of records. Provides for the charter of a new Farm Credit System Capital Corporation (Corporation) within 60 days. Makes such Corporation a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States and an FCS institution. Directs the Corporation to provide financial and technical assistance to financially-troubled FCS institutions. Sets forth related operating and administrative provisions. States that the Corporation shall assume all assets and debts of the predecessor Corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, upon FCA certification of need, to purchase Corporation obligations in order to assist FCS institutions. Provides initial capitalization through institution contributions. Title II: Regulation of Farm Credit System - Amends Part B of title V of the Farm Credit Act to state that the FCA shall be an independent executive agency. Vests management in a Farm Credit Administration Board. Sets forth related operating and administrative provisions, including authority to establish advisory committees. Requires: (1) at least annual examinations of FCS institutions; and (2) each institution to make an annual audit report. Authorizes the FCA to publish reports of such examinations under specified circumstances. Authorizes the FCA to: (1) initiate cease-and-desist and temporary cease-and-desist proceedings against FCS institutions on persons; and (2) initiate proceedings to remove an individual from office or suspend an officer or director in an FCS institution. Sets forth hearing, judicial review, and penalty provisions. Title III: Protection for Farmers and Other Farm Credit System Borrowers - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to set forth loan disclosure (interest rates, variable loan rates, stock purchases) and access to information provisions (borrower document copies). Provides for a credit review committee. Requires, in cases of voluntary or involuntary association liquidation, that the supervising bank minimize the adverse effects on borrowers whose loans are purchased by other FCS institutions. Title IV: Implementation Procedures - Makes titles I through III of this Act effective 30 days after their enactment. States that the Governor of the FCA shall perform the functions of the Chairman of the Farm Credit Administration Board until his appointment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the needs of the U.S. agriculture industry require implementation of this Act as soon as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit certain rural hospitals located within 75 miles of an urban area to request increased payments for inpatient hospital services so that the portion of such services paid for by Medicare approximates the portion covered for hospitals in the nearest urban area. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to require hospitals making a request for increased payments to submit an audit of its costs. Entitles the hospital to an evidentiary hearing before an appeals board if the Secretary disapproves the hospital's request. Requires the Secretary to appoint an appeals board composed of specified members of the health care community. Specifies the board's powers and duties of review. Sets deadlines for the publication of, comment on, and finalization of regulations implementing this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1985
Designates September 19, 1986, as National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1985
Designates the week of January 19 through January 25, 1986, as National Jaycee Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1985
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to adjust census figures as necessary so that illegal aliens shall not be counted for purposes of the apportionment of Representatives in the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1985
Higher Education Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Amendment to Title I of the Act - Amends title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) regarding post-secondary programs for non-traditional students and the establishment and awarding of educational program and planning grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose. Amends provisions of HEA concerning the responsibilities of the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) in the evaluation of national education programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose. Title II: Amendments to Title II of the Act - Redesignates title II of HEA as: Title II: Academic Library and Information Technology Enhancement. Authorizes appropriations for programs under such title for FY 1987 through 1991. Authorizes the making of grants for the enhancement of college library resources. Repeals provisions concerning the making of special purpose grants. Establishes a grant program for supporting college library technology and developmental cooperation. Title III: Amendment to Title III of the Act - Amends title III of HEA in the area of institutional aid through grants and in increasing financial assistance to historically black colleges and universities. Authorizes the Secretary to award challenge grants to certain qualifying institutions. Reserves a specified sum of previously appropriated funds for the use of eligible institutions serving a high percentage of Hispanic, Black, and Native American students. Outlines application requirements for institutions requesting financial assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 to carry out programs under title III. Title IV: Revisions to Title IV of the Act - Part A: Revision of Part A of Title IV - Amends Part A (Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education) of title IV (Student Assistance) of HEA to authorize the making of basic educational opportunity grants (Pell grants) to students in attendance at institutions of higher education. Sets out the amount of such grants for each qualifying individual. Authorizes a program of supplemental educational opportunity grants to qualified students demonstrating financial need. Authorizes appropriations for the making of such grants for FY 1987 through 1991. Outlines selection procedures for the awarding of such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the purpose of awarding grants to States to enable States to provide grants or State work-study jobs to eligible students attending institutions of higher education. Outlines application procedures for States applying for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to provide special programs for students from disadvantaged backgrounds (including talent search, upward bound, student support services, educational opportunity centers, and staff development activities). Authorizes appropriations for 1987 through 1991 for such programs. Authorizes the establishment of a National Center for Postsecondary Opportunity to ensure the adequate availability of financial aid information. Maintains and expands secondary and postsecondary high school equivalency program and college assistance migrant program projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose. Establishes a Federal Merit Scholarship program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for such program. Authorizes cost-of-education payments to institutions of higher education. Provides a formula for determining the amounts of such payments. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the establishment of a veterans education outreach program which would authorize payments to institutions for each veteran enrolled at such institution and receiving veterans' educational assistance. Outlines provisions concerning eligibility for such payments. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to provide special child care services to disadvantaged college students. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose. Part B: Revision of Part B of Title IV: - Amends part B (Federal, State, and Private Programs of Low-Interest Insured Loans to Students in Institutions of Higher Education) of title IV to replace it with a new part B (Guaranteed Student Loan Program). Prohibits discrimination by creditors lending credit under the guaranteed student loan program. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the student loan insurance fund; (2) Federal payments to reduce student interest costs; (3) certain State and nonprofit private loan insurance programs; and (4) repayment of loans of bankrupt, deceased, or disabled borrowers. Outlines provisions concerning payments by the Secretary to the States of advanced funds for the establishment of State and nonprofit private loan insurance programs. Sets forth provisions concerning Federal loan insurance. Authorizes the payment of Federal interest subsidies to reduce student loan interest costs. Outlines qualifications for students receiving such subsidies. Authorizes payments by the Secretary for the provision of lender referral services for students. Authorizes appropriations for the making of such payments for such referral services. Authorizes the provision of supplemental loans to students and loans to parents of students. Authorizes the provision of consolidation loans to students for consolidation of all student loans made. Outlines qualifications for students receiving such consolidation loans. Provides procedures in the event of default by a student on any loan covered under the Federal loan insurance program. Directs the Secretary to exchange information with credit bureaus and institutions of higher learning for the purpose of promoting responsible repayment of loans under the Federal loan insurance program. Establishes a student loan insurance fund for use by the Secretary in making payments on defaulted loans under the Federal loan insurance program. Requires lenders who provide loans under the loan insurance program to provide thorough and accurate loan information concerning such loan to the borrower. Authorizes Federal credit unions to participate in Federal, State, and private student loan insurance programs. Authorizes the government of the District of Columbia to establish a student loan insurance program. Authorizes repayment by the Secretary of loans of bankrupt, deceased, or disabled borrowers. Establishes the Student Loan Marketing Association (the Association) to serve as a secondary market and warehousing facility for student loans. Authorizes appropriations to establish the Association. Outlines organizational rules, powers, and authorities of the Association, as well as actions to be taken by the Association in securing student loans. Requires certain studies of: (1) multiple-year lines of credit; and (2) multiple disbursement. Part C: College Work-Study Amendment - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the provision of work-study programs for students at eligible institutions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible institutions for the operation of such work-study programs. Provides for the establishment of work-study programs whereby students perform community services specifically designed to aid low-income individuals and families. Part E: Perkins Loans - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 and directs the Secretary to carry out a program for the making of low-interest, direct loans (Perkins loans) to students in order to pursue their courses. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1991 through 1996 to enable students to continue or complete their studies. Allocates appropriated funds among fiscal years. Provides procedures for determining an institution's need for the services of Perkins loans. Outlines provisions to be included in agreements with institutions of higher learning for the payment of Federal capital contributions to student loan programs. Requires institutions to provide adequate loan information on any loans made to borrowers under such program. Outlines the terms of such loans. Authorizes the cancellation of loans for certain public service performed (e.g., teaching, or as a member of the armed forces). Provides for the collection of defaulted loans by the Secretary. Part F: Need Analysis - Adds a new part F to title IV relating to need analysis (i.e. an analysis of the amount of financial assistance needed by students in order to attend institutions of higher education). Provides for the determination of the expected family contribution to a dependent student's educational costs, based on available income. Provides various tables to assist in the determination of available income. Provides a computation of the family contribution for independent students without dependents, and for such students with dependents. Provides adjustments to such need analysis for purposes of the Pell grant program. Part G: Revision of General Provisions - Defines "institution of higher education" for purposes of eligibility under certain aforementioned grant programs. Provides a master calendar containing deadline dates for applications, forms, and fund distributions required under the various grant programs. Outlines student eligibility requirements for receiving grants, loans, or work-study assistance. Requires participating institutions of higher education to disseminate information concerning the institution and all financial assistance available. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts to provide training in the administration of financial aid and student support services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1991 for such purposes. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance to provide advice and counsel to the Congress on student financial aid matters. Directs the Secretary to survey student aid recipients for the purpose of collecting and disseminating certain student aid information. Title V: Amendment to Title V of the Act - Amends title V (Teacher Corps and Teacher Training Programs) of HEA to replace it with a new title V (Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Development). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for and establishes programs in: (1) excellence in teacher education programs; (2) school, college, and university partnerships; (3) professional development and leadership programs; (4) teacher scholarships and fellowships; and (5) research and data collection. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to provide institutional support for teacher education programs. Outlines the requirements for such program. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for midcareer teacher training. Outlines the requirements for such program. Authorizes the making of partnership agreements between eligible institutions of higher education and local education agencies in order to receive grants from the Secretary for the purpose of enhancing local academia. Outlines application requirements for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to award four grants for pilot community college partnership projects. Outlines requirements. Establishes teaching academy demonstration projects in order to provide more effective instruction and guidance in the development of teaching skills through the creation of internships for beginning teachers. Outlines requirements for grant recipients. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to establish professional development resource centers for teachers. Outlines grant requirements. Requires each such center to be planned and operated by a professional development policy board. Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts for the establishment and operation of technical assistance training centers in each State. Outlines general criteria for such contracts. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State educational agencies to enable such agencies to support a fellowship program for teachers to be trained to provide special education for handicapped children. Sets out application requirements and other conditions of such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate grants to each State for the purpose of awarding Congressional Teacher Scholarships to high school students in such State. Outlines application requirements and selection criteria. Authorizes the Secretary to award one national talented teacher fellowship to a public or private school teacher in each congressional district of each State, and one in each of the territories and possessions of the United States. Outlines application requirements and selection criteria. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize specified legislative authority to assess annually the current and future supply and demand for teachers. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to institutions of higher education for the conduct of research consistent with the collection of such information. Requires institutions of higher education or other entities in any State, in order to be eligible for teacher training assistance under HEA for any fiscal year after FY 1986, to establish a State task force on teacher training. Outlines organizational rules, powers, and functions of such task forces. Extends through October 1, 1991, the authorization of appropriations for the making of grants to the Robert A. Taft Institute of Government in New York. Title VI: Amendments to Title VI of the Act - Amends title VI (International Education Programs) of HEA to replace it with a new title VI to authorize the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for the purpose of paying stipends to individuals undergoing advanced training in foreign language training programs or foreign studies programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the establishment, operation, and strengthening of foreign language resource centers. Outlines activities to be carried out by such centers. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to establish intensive summer language institutes. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the making of grants by the Secretary to educational institutions or libraries for the purpose of acquiring periodicals published outside the United States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for certain business and international education programs. Directs the Secretary, at least two times each year, to convene an advisory board on the conduct of programs under Title VI of the Act. Title VII: Amendment to Title VII of the Act - Directs the Secretary to carry out programs of financial assistance to institutions of higher education and to higher education building agencies for the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of academic facilities in order to bring such facilities in conformity with specified housing and environmental laws and regulations. Requires States, in order to receive grants for the construction, reconstruction, or conversion of undergraduate academic facilities, to submit annually to the Secretary a State plan containing specified standards and procedures to be followed concerning the allocation of grant funds received by the States. Outlines criteria and allotment procedures. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to make grants to graduate institutions of higher education which meet application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purposes. Directs the Secretary to make and insure loans to institutions of higher education and to higher education building agencies for the construction, reconstruction, and renovation of academic facilities. Provides the terms for such loans. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving loan fund for the purpose of making and insuring such loans. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual interest grants to institutions of higher education and higher education building agencies to reduce the cost of borrowing from other sources for construction, reconstruction, and renovation projects. Sets limits and requirements for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, for the purpose of the renovation and restoration of Welch Hall. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, to pay the Federal share of the cost of construction of a specified facility. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Shaw University of Raleigh, North Carolina, for the purpose of the renovation and restoration of Estey Hall. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for recovery by the United States of payments made for the cost of construction, reconstruction, and renovation of academic facilities. Title VIII: Amendment to Title VIII of the Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 to enable the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for the planning, establishment, and expansion of cooperative education programs. Outlines application procedures for such grants, and sets forth grant limitations. Title IX: Amendment to Title IX of the Act - Directs the Secretary to make grants to public and private, nonprofit higher education institutions for the purpose of enabling under-represented minorities to participate in graduate studies. Outlines application requirements. Directs the Secretary to award a one-year graduate fellowship to each student (known as a Patricia Roberts Harris Fellow) who completes a specified undergraduate internship program. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to enable such institutions to offer grant programs of post-baccalaureate study leading to a graduate or professional degree. Outlines grant requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to award not more than 450 national graduate fellowships per year in accordance with specified guidelines. Directs the President to appoint a National Graduate Fellows Program Fellowship Board to establish the policies of such program and select the fellowship recipients. Outlines organizational rules for such Board. Directs the Secretary to make grants to academic departments and programs that provide courses of study leading to a graduate degree in areas of national need. Sets out eligibility and application requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts with public and private agencies and organizations in order to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake training for the legal profession. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into grants or contracts with accredited law schools for the purpose of paying up to 90 percent of the cost of legal clinical experience programs at such law schools. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the aforementioned programs under Title IX of the Act. Title X: Amendment to Title X of the Act - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to and contracts with institutions of postsecondary education in order to improve postsecondary educational opportunities by taking specified actions. Establishes a National Board of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education to act in an advisory capacity in the determination of postsecondary education grant recipients. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the purpose of making such grants. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education that are designed to effect long-range improvement in science and engineering education at predominantly minority institutions and to increase the participation of underrepresented ethnic minorities in scientific and technological careers. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the establishment of programs in: (1) minority support in science and engineering; and (2) special service projects. Outlines eligibility and application requirements. Establishes an Advisory Board for the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Programs to act as an advisory group to such programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991. Title XI: Amendment to Title XI of the Act - Amends title XI (Urban Grant University Program) of HEA to replace it with new title XI (Community Partnerships and Economic Development) to direct the Secretary to make grants to urban universities to pay the Federal share of the cost of programs designed to address urban issues. Outlines grant application requirements and grant limitations. Authorizes Federal assistance in the areas of higher education and economic development through the use of planning and research, resource exchange, and certain authorized special projects. Outlines eligibility and application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for carrying out the purposes of this title. Provides assistance to the City University of New York to establish an institute devoted to the study of urban public policy, to be known as the Robert F. Wagner, Sr. Institute of Urban Public Policy. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Title XII: Amendments to Title XII of the Act - Revises provisions concerning the treatment of U.S. territories and student assistance to such territories. Extends from 1986 to 1992 the National Advisory Committee on Accreditation and Institutional Eligibility. Revises provisions concerning the disclosure by educational institutions of any foreign gifts or grants received. Requires educational institutions to take steps to guarantee the future payment of tuition and fees to such institution by students who are foreign nationals (and not admitted to permanent residence in the United States).
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1985
Designates the week of February 9 through February 15, 1986, as National Humanities Week, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1985
Designates the week of December 1 through December 7, 1985, as National Autism Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Designates July 2, 1986, as National Literacy Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Trade Partnership Act - Title I: International Trade - Directs the President to establish the Commission on Trade which shall: (1) evaluate existing U.S. trade laws and policies; (2) develop recommendations on monetary and fiscal policies for the United States and its chief trading partners; (3) evaluate the export financing practices of major trading partners and of international agencies; and (4) review existing trade agreements to assess their effect on U.S. long-term trading interests. Requires the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the President and to the Congress. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should evaluate such findings and recommendations and take into account the results of an international monetary conference to determine the propriety of convening a summit conference on international trade in order to develop changes in international trade and monetary practices. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should call for an international monetary conference to develop: (1) options for reforming institutional mechanisms in order to decrease the disparity among, and to prevent dramatic fluctuations in the value of, the currencies of the major economic powers; and (2) means for reducing interest rates, promoting national and world economic growth, assuring price stability, and promoting higher levels of international trade. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate multilateral trade negotiations under the auspices of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in order to: (1) resolve the issues not resolved in earlier negotiations; (2) develop multilateral disciplines in those areas where trade problems have emerged or are becoming more acute; (3) focus on improving the dispute settlement mechanisms of the GATT; (4) place a high priority on bringing developing countries into full participation in the international trading community; (5) ensure that all developed countries share equally the responsibility for advancing the economies of developing countries; and (6) increase efforts to bring countries now outside the GATT under accepted multilateral disciplines governing trade. Directs the President to begin negotiations immediately if Canada requests the negotiation of a trade agreement that provides for the elimination or reduction of any duty imposed by the United States. Directs the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to review the bilateral relationships between the United States and its major trading partners in order to determine those countries that offer the most potential for the establishment of free trade areas with the United States. Sets forth factors to be considered in making such review. Authorizes the President, during the year following enactment of this Act, to negotiate with Japan on a trade agreement under which the United States will permit the exportation to Japan of Alaskan petroleum and natural gas in return for substantial concessions by Japan regarding the importation into Japan of agricultural products, wood products, and other kinds of export products that are important to the United States. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to transfer to the USTR specified functions relating to import relief that are currently performed by the President. Directs the President to review the USTR's determination on whether to provide import relief and what form such relief should take. Requires the President to complete such review within 15 days of receiving the USTR's determination. Directs the President to notify the Congress of the President's decision and of the USTR's determination. Directs the USTR to take action to implement the import relief which the USTR decided to provide if the President concurs in the USTR's decision. Directs the USTR to take action to implement the President's decision on import relief if it differs from the USTR's decision and no joint resolution disapproving the President's decision is enacted. Directs the USTR to order the implementation of the import relief recommended by the International Trade Commission if the decision of the President differs from the decision of the USTR and a joint resolution disapproving the President's decision is enacted. Authorizes interim relief after a petition for import relief is filed if the USTR determines that: (1) it is likely that the article is being imported in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury or threat thereof to the competing domestic industry; and (2) the absence of such interim relief would result in irreparable harm to the domestic industry. Authorizes emergency relief from imports of perishable products (other than perishable products from a beneficiary country under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act) after a petition for such relief is filed if the USTR, after consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, decides that: (1) there is a reasonable indication that the perishable product is being imported in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat thereof, to the competing domestic industry; and (2) emergency action is warranted. Directs the USTR, upon deciding to grant interim relief or emergency relief, to: (1) determine the method and extent of such relief; (2) notify the President of such decision; and (3) unless the President decides within 15 days that such relief is not in the national economic interest, order the Commissioner of Customs to impose such relief. Declares that such relief may consist of tariff increases or import limitations. Provides for the termination of such relief. Directs the USTR to order the Commissioner of Customs to implement actions necessary to enforce U.S. rights under any trade agreement if: (1) the President and the USTR agree on the appropriate action; or (2) the President differs with the USTR on the appropriate action but a joint resolution disapproving such action is not enacted. Reduces the number of days from 21 to 15 between the President's receipt of the USTR's recommendation of appropriate action and the President's decision on what action is appropriate. Requires the President to determine during such 15 day period if: (1) the President concurs in the USTR's recommendation; or (2) it is in the national economic interest not to take any action or to take action different from the action determined by the USTR. Requires the President to notify the Congress of such decision. Provides that if 90 days after the Congress receives notice of such decision no joint resolution is enacted disapproving it then such decision shall take effect. Reduces the amount of time the USTR may take to make a recommendation on a petition for enforcement of U.S. trade rights. Sets forth the actions the USTR may recommend to the President based on such petition. Directs the USTR to include in the annual report to the Congress on foreign barriers to market access an analysis and assessment of the overall reciprocity accorded U.S. products, services, and investment by each of the major trading partners of the United States and the impact on major U.S. product sectors of the failure to provide reciprocity. Requires specified congressional committees, within 90 days of receiving such report, after consultation with the USTR and conducting public hearings, to issue a joint report on: (1) the priorities for negotiations regarding reducing or eliminating trade barriers; and (2) the committees' recommendations on actions to enforce U.S. trade rights. Directs the Secretary of Labor to pay to private firms 80 percent of the cost of providing job training if the training is certified as trade readjustment training and if the trainees are not charged for the training. Extends the job training, job search, and job relocation allowance provisions of the trade adjustment assistance programs through October 1, 1987. Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to set a one year deadline for the President to take action on the advice of the Secretary of Commerce on imports that are suspected of impairing national security. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to reduce the time limit for decisions by the International Trade Commission on allegations of unfair practices in import trade from one year (18 months in more complicated cases) to eight months (ten months in more complicated cases). Declares that the USTR should expedite the issuance of notices requesting the negotiation of periodic adjustments to the bilateral limitations on shipments of textiles and apparel contained in the Multi-Fiber Arrangement. Directs the Commissioner of Customs to: (1) increase the number of inspectors, import specialists, and customs patrol officers in the Customs Service by at least 800; (2) implement the Automated Commercial System at all ports of entry; and (3) implement a program for detecting, investigating, and prosecuting patent and copyright infringement cases. Requires the Commissioner to report quarterly to specified congressional committees on the operation and effect of the patent and copyright infringement program. Imposes a penalty for multiple customs law offenders who import or attempt to import merchandise during the three years following the date of the third of the offenders' convictions. Title II: Protection of Patents and Transfer of Technology - Part A: Protection of Patents - Amends the patent laws to make it an infringement of patent to use, sell, or import into the United States without authority a product produced by a patented process. Places the burden of proof upon the party asserting that a product was not produced with the patented process in an infringement action where the court finds a substantial likelihood that the product was so produced and the claimant has exhausted all means of discovery. Part B: Transfer of Technology - Federal Laboratory Technology Utilization Act of 1985 - Authorizes Federal agencies to permit their laboratories to enter into cooperative research and development arrangements with other Federal, State, and local agencies, universities, industrial organizations, or other persons including licensees of inventions owned by the Federal agency or general partners of research and development limited partnerships. Permits such laboratories to exchange funds, services, and property with collaborators, grant such collaborators patent licenses or assignments, waive Federal ownership of inventions made by a collaborator, and negotiate licensing agreements for federally owned inventions. Sets forth a formula for the distribution of royalties or other income received by such laboratories from the licensing of cooperatively produced inventions to Federal agency employee inventors, the laboratories themselves, and the Treasury. Requires affected Federal agencies to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the income from and distribution of royalties. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to provide procedures, training, and advice to Federal laboratories on recognizing the commercial potential of new technologies and inventions. Requires the Secretary to report biannually to the President and the Congress on Federal agency participation in this program. Makes it the policy of the Government to encourage the commercialization of inventions by Federal or former Federal employees made by them during their Federal employment and exempts such efforts from otherwise applicable violations. Permits such an employee to retain title to an invention (subject to retention by the Government of a nonexclusive license) unless the agency intends to file a patent application itself in order to promote commercialization. Sets forth other permissible conditions on such an inventor's title. Part C: Protection of Proprietary Information - Exempts commercial and financial information that is proprietary or sensitive from the sunshine provisions applied to Federal agencies if the proprietor is notified of the request for release of the information and given 60 days to present arguments on why the information should be exempt. Title III: Export Promotion - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to increase, from five percent to ten percent, the percentage of shares that: (1) a bank holding company may hold in an export trading company; and (2) an Edge Act corporation may hold in an export trading company from five to ten percent. Increases the amount of credit that a bank owning stock in a bank holding company with investments in an export trading company may extend to an export trading company. Amends the Export Trading Company Act of 1982 to direct the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank to try to insure that a "significant share" (currently a "major share") of any loan guarantees ultimately serves to promote exports from small, medium-size, and minority businesses or agricultural concerns. Requires the Board to report to the Congress on implementation of such requirement within one year of its effective date. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a program consisting of mixed credit financing for exports to compensate for the effects of subsidized financing by U.S. trading partners. Declares that the Export-Import Bank should expand its promotion programs for small- and medium-sized banks. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to give Edge Act corporations the same discount and borrowing privileges as Federal Reserve banks. Repeals the limitation on bank investments in Edge Act corporations. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to require periodic reports from every corporation of the total amount of capital stocks and paid up surplus of the corporation, the name of any stockholder who holds more than ten percent of the shares of the stock of such corporation, and the share holdings of such stockholder. Directs the U.S. Executive Director of each of the multilateral development banks to promote procurement opportunities relating to the assistance provided by such banks in recipient countries for U.S. firms. Sets forth actions the Executive Directors should take with respect to such opportunities. Declares that the Secretary of Commerce should continue to assign one foreign commercial service officer to the office of the U.S. Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to assign such an officer on a part-time basis to each of the offices of the U.S. Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the African Development Bank. Requires the U.S. Ambassadors to those countries that are important trading partners of the United States to report annually to the President and to the Congress on their efforts to help U.S. industries in expanding export sales to, and improving their market positions in, such countries. Authorizes the seven Bell operating companies, effective September 1, 1986, to manufacture telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment in the United States if specified conditions are met. Title IV: Foreign Corrupt Practices - Business Accounting and Foreign Trade Simplification Act - Changes the name of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) to the Business Practices and Records Act. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require securities issuers to maintain an internal accounting system that provides reasonable assurance that specified accountability and accuracy goals are met. Prohibits imposing criminal liability for failing to maintain such an accounting system. Prohibits imposing civil injunctive relief with respect to: (1) an issuer who fails to maintain the required accounting system if the issuer tried in good faith to meet the requirements; or (2) any person other than an issuer in connection with an issuer's failure to comply with such requirements, unless such person knowingly caused the issuer to fail to comply. Prohibits anyone from knowingly circumventing such an accounting system for a purpose inconsistent with the accountability and accuracy goals of such system. Requires only good faith efforts at ensuring compliance by issuers who hold 50 percent or less of the equity of domestic or foreign firms. Transfers from the Securities and Exchange Commission to the Department of Justice jurisdiction to enforce the bribery prohibitions of the FCPA with respect to issuers. Revises the prohibition against domestic concerns using any means of interstate commerce to further payments to obtain business with a foreign official. States that such a payment made "directly or indirectly" to a foreign official is illegal. Prohibits such payments that are made to: (1) influence a foreign official's act or induce such an official to violate a legal duty; or (2) induce a foreign official to affect a foreign government's act. Prohibits domestic concerns from using interstate commerce to direct or authorize an agent to further such a payment to a foreign official. Exempts from such prohibitions: (1) payments to foreign officials to expedite or to secure the performance of routine governmental action; (2) payments to such officials that are lawful under the foreign country's laws; (3) payments which constitute tokens of regard or esteem; (4) expenditures associated with selling, purchasing, or demonstrating goods; or (5) ordinary expenditures associated with performing a contract with a foreign government. Revises the fines and criminal penalties for violations of such Act. Empowers the Attorney General to undertake all civil investigations necessary to enforce the Act. Prohibits prosecution of a domestic concern or specified agents of such concern for violating the Federal mail or wire fraud provisions by making a payment to a foreign official if the prosecution is based on the theory that the official, by receiving the payment, violated a duty to or defrauded the foreign government or the citizens of a foreign country. Authorizes the Attorney General to issue guidelines specifying: (1) permissible conduct associated with common types of export sales arrangements; and (2) precautionary procedures which would create a rebuttable presumption of compliance. Provides for the establishment of a Business Practices and Records Act Review Procedure to answer specific inquiries concerning enforcement of such Act. Requires the Attorney General to issue opinions regarding compliance. Makes such opinions final and binding on all parties if the opinion states that the conduct does not involve a violation. Directs the Attorney General to protect the confidentiality of materials submitted in the review procedure. Requires annual reports to the Congress by: (1) the Attorney General concerning actions taken pursuant to such Act; and (2) the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning the reporting requirements. Title V: Related Tax Provisions - High Technology Research and Scientific Education Act of 1985 - Part A: The Credit for Increasing Research Activities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for research and development (R&D) expenditures. Modifies the definition of qualified research for purposes of the R&D credit to narrow the category of eligible activities for which the credit is allowable. Provides that in-house and contract research expenses paid or incurred by a regular corporation (not an S corporation, a personal holding company, or a service corporation) will constitute qualified research expenses for R&D credit purposes if the corporation undertakes the research with the intention to use the result thereof in the active conduct of a present or future trade or business. Provides that in the case of research being conducted in partnership form, research expenses will constitute qualified research expenses if they are incurred by the partnership in carrying on a trade or business as applied at the partnership level, and the credit is apportioned among the partners in accordance with general partnership rules. Provides exceptions to this general rule where: (1) there is a joint venture enterprise of regular corporations; or (2) not all of the members of the joint venture are regular corporations, but each member's own trade or business would satisfy the trade or business test with respect to the partnership's research expenditures. Provides that for these two exceptions the research expenses will flow through to the partners, with the trade or business test being applied at the partner level. Part B: Promotion of University Research and Scientific Investigation - Establishes a new income tax credit equal to 20 percent of that portion of a corporation's payments to universities (and other qualified non-profit tax-exempt organizations for basic research) which exceeds a fixed, historical "minimum university basic research" floor. Defines the "minimum university basic research" floor as one percent of the annual average of the corporate taxpayer's combined qualified in-house research expenses, contract research expenses, and university basic research payments for the base period composed of the period from 1981 through 1983. Provides that the amounts of research expenses which fall below the floor shall remain eligible for the present R&D credit and are included in the corporation's base period for purposes of calculating the present R&D credit. Treats the amounts which exceed the "minimum university basic research" floor as ineligible for the present R&D credit and excludes such amounts from the corporate taxpayer's base year research expenses for purposes of calculating the corporation's R&D credit under present law. Provides that a corporation's payments to universities for basic research that is eligible for the new tax credit shall be reduced to the extent that the corporation's general (i.e., not designated for research purposes) charitable giving to all universities falls below historical levels (the annual average of undesignated payments for three of the immediately preceding four years as selected by the taxpayer). Makes additions to the list of organizations to which corporate payments for basic research may be made and be eligible for the tax credit. Allows a corporation an income tax deduction for contributions of scientific or technical property to an institution of higher education. Defines scientific property to mean tangible personal property (including computer software) used in a trade or business, which is donated for the direct education of students or faculty, for research and experimentation, or for research training in the United States in mathematics, the physical, biological, or chemical sciences, engineering, or advanced computer sciences. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of the allowable deduction for contributions of scientific property. Provides for an income tax exclusion for the scholarships, fellowship grants, student loan forgiveness, or stipends of a graduate student in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences. Provides that such tax exclusion is not forfeited merely because the student is required, as a condition of the scholarship or fellowship, to perform future service in teaching or research.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to eliminate the second concurrent resolution on the budget and thus provide for annual adoption of a single concurrent resolution on the budget (budget resolution). Sets forth maximum Federal budget deficit amounts for each of fiscal years 1986 through 1991 providing for the incremental reduction of the deficit to zero by 1991. Requires Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) revenues and expenditures to be included in the calculation of such deficit amounts. Prohibits either House of Congress from considering or adopting a budget resolution or a revision thereof providing for budget outlays exceeding revenues by more than the prescribed maximum deficit amount. Requires the Congress to complete action on any reconciliation bill or resolution to: (1) an original budget resolution by June 15 of each year; or (2) a revised budget resolution within 30 days after the revision is adopted. Provides that no amendment that would increase specific budget outlays or reduce specific revenues set forth in a budget resolution or reconciliation bill shall be in order in the House or the Senate, unless such amendment provides for offsetting adjustments in other outlays and revenues to ensure that the deficit set forth in the budget resolution is not increased or exceeded. Requires each Senate and House committee to report its subdivisions of allocated budget outlays and new budget authority within ten days of session after the budget resolution is agreed to. Makes it out of order for the House or the Senate, after the Congress has completed action on the budget resolution for a fiscal year, to consider legislation that, if enacted, would: (1) provide for or require budget outlays or new budget authority in excess of the appropriate committee allocation reported in connection with such resolution, unless legislation is favorably reported by the Committee on Appropriations of the House involved with a certification that the appropriate committee will take actions necessary to assure that enactment of such legislation will not result in a deficit exceeding the maximum deficit amount applicable; or (2) provide for new budget authority or spending authority or reduce revenues so that the resulting deficit would exceed the level set forth in such budget resolution or the applicable maximum deficit amount. Permits a congressional committee to report alterations to its reported allocations of budget outlays and authority, provided that such alterations are consistent with any actions taken by its House on legislation within its jurisdiction. Requires the conference report on any legislation providing new budget authority or new or increased tax expenditures to disclose the information required to be disclosed in committee reports on such legislation. Requires the Federal budget transmitted to the Congress by the President each year, and revisions thereof, to set forth levels of outlays and revenues resulting in a deficit not in excess of the applicable maximum deficit amount. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office: (1) to estimate the levels of total revenues and budget levels for each fiscal year; (2) to estimate the rate of real economic growth during that year; (3) to determine whether the deficit for such year will exceed the applicable maximum deficit amount and whether such excess is statistically significant; and (4) to submit a report to the President and the Congress specifying the amount of any excess, whether it is statistically significant, the estimated rate of real economic growth for that year, and the percentages by which automatic spending increases (excluding increases in OASDI benefits) and relatively controllable expenditures shall be reduced during such year in order to eliminate such excess. Requires the President, upon receiving such a report which identifies a statistically significant excesss, to issue an order which eliminates one-half of such excess by suspending or uniformly reducing (not below zero) automatic spending increases under Federal law for such year, and which eliminates the other half by sequestering amounts of budget authority, obligation limitations, and loan limitations, and by adjusting Federal payments, to the extent necessary to reduce each relatively controllable expenditure by a uniform percentage. Directs the President to send a message to both Houses of Congress identifying: (1) the total amount and the percentage by which automatic spending increases are to be reduced; (2) the amount of budget authority, obligation limitations, and loan limitations to be sequestered and payments to be adjusted for all, and each, relatively controllable expenditure; and (3) the account, department, establishment, project, or function affected by such revision of expenditures. Prohibits such an order from eliminating any Federal program, project, or activity. Directs the President to issue such order: (1) within 14 days after receiving such report if the estimate for real economic growth for the fiscal year is zero or greater; or (2) within 30 days if the estimate for real economic growth is less than zero. Authorizes the President, during such 30-day period, to submit to the Congress a joint resolution to: (1) reduce the deficit to an amount not exceeding the applicable maximum deficit amount; or (2) suspend the requirements of this Act for such fiscal year. Permits the President's message to the Congress to include alternative ways to reduce the deficit to an amount not exceeding the maximum deficit amount. Permits the Committee on the Budget of the House or the Senate, within ten days after the President has issued such an order, to report a joint resolution superseding such order. Makes it out of order for the House or the Senate to consider or agree to any such resolution which, if enacted, would cause the fiscal year deficit to exceed the deficit set forth in the budget resolution most recently agreed to, or the applicable maximum deficit amount. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for consideration of such a resolution. Amends the Social Security Act to provide that OASDI revenues and expenditures shall be excluded from the Federal budget transmitted by the President to the Congress and from the congressional budget, and shall be exempt from general budget limitations imposed on Federal expenditures and net lending. Prohibits any law enacted after enactment of this Act from providing for payments between the Treasury and the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. Changes the date by which the President must submit to the Congress a supplemental summary of the budget for a fiscal year from July 16 to September 16. Waives specified provisions of this Act in any fiscal year for which a declaration of war has been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the important role that the legislation has played in the Nation's development. Reaffirms the historic partnership between the Federal Government and the colleges and universities toward the development of human resources required for an increasingly complex and technological society.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1985
Designates October 6 through October 10, 1986, as National Social Studies Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1985
Directs the President to designate February 16, 1986, as Lithuanian Independence Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the current Government of Guatemala is to be commended for its perseverance and determination to return to civilian rule.
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
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that employee benefits should not be taxed.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to treat processed agricultural products as like products for purposes of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Designates September 22, 1986, as American Business Women's Day.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1985
Designates December 5, 1985, as Walt Disney Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Designates March 16, 1986, as Freedom of Information Day.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Urges the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative stamp in 1986 in honor of the 350th anniversary of the National Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Elderly Crime Prevention and Victim Assistance Act of 1985 - Establishes in the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice the National Resource Office Relating to Crimes Against Older Individuals. Provides for the appointment of an administrator from the employees of the Department of Justice to head such office. Requires the administrator to coordinate activities of the Department of Justice relating to training of law enforcement officers, financial assistance for older victims, compilation of statistical information, and research with regard to crimes committed against the elderly. Requires the administrator to: (1) establish a liaison with all Federal departments and agencies involved with programs for older persons who are or may become victims of crimes; (2) disseminate information regarding such programs and assistance; and (3) provide technical assistance to reduce or prevent the committing of crime against older individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1985
Designates the week of October 6 through October 13, 1985, as National Housing Week.
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
Foreign Language Assistance for National Security Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies to fund model programs, designed and operated by local educational agencies, for the improvement and expansion of foreign language study for children aged five through 17 who reside within their school districts. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount of such grants based on State population. Sets forth provisions relating to the availability of such funds. Sets forth grant application requirements for State educational agencies, including provisions for periodic student proficiency evaluation. Provides for program participation by private school children. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State agencies to fund model foreign language programs designed and operated at community and junior colleges. Bases the amount of such grants on State population. Sets forth grant application requirements, including periodic student proficiency evaluation. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to cover part of the costs of undergraduate foreign language instruction. Sets forth formulas to determine whether an institution is eligible for such grants, based on the percentage of its student body enrolled in qualified postsecondary language courses. Provides that to be eligible for such grants an institution must require that: (1) each entering student have successfully completed at least two years of secondary school foreign language instruction; or (2) each graduating student have earned two years postsecondary credit in a foreign language (or have demonstrated equivalent competence in a foreign language). Authorizes the Secretary to establish standards, including reporting requirements, for programs assisted by such grants. Sets forth formulas for determining the amounts of such grants, based on numbers of undergraduate students enrolled in such courses. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, in each Federal region for summer intensive language training institutes for exceptional secondary school students. Bases the amount of each grant on the number of students (up to a limited number) enrolled in such institute. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Directs the Secretary to encourage, to the extent possible, diversity in the languages taught in summer institutes. Bases awarding of such grants on the excellence of the proposed program, taking specified elements into consideration. Permits such grant funds to be used to cover costs associated with enrollment in an institute. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, in each Federal region for summer language training institutes for the professional development of the proficiency of elementary and secondary school language teachers. Bases the amount of each grant on the number of students (up to a limited number) enrolled in such institute. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Bases awarding of such grants on the excellence of the proposed program, taking specified elements into consideration. Permits such grant funds to be used to cover costs associated with enrollment in an institute. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Directs the Secretary to make matching grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, to assist advanced foreign language students to develop their language skills and knowledge of foreign cultures and societies through study abroad. Allows such study abroad to be combined with an internship in an international business enterprise. Requires such program to provide the opportunity for language-proficient students with majors in various other fields to combine language study with studies in those fields. Sets forth a range of world regions and languages which such programs may include. Limits the amount of each grant to one-half the cost of providing such assistance. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Permits grant funds to be used to cover costs associated with enrollment in an institute. Requires ratable reduction of such grants when appropriations are insufficient. Prohibits any grant or contract under this Act except to such extent, or in such amounts, as may be provided in appropriation Acts. Defines "foreign language" as any language other than English, except that with respect to programs and activities conducted under this Act in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico such term includes English. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 to carry out grant programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Grants a Federal charter to the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit a hospital to furnish extended care services if the hospital: (1) is located in a rural area and has at least 50 beds and not more than 150 beds; and (2) the hospital certifies that the average daily census in any year of individuals receiving such extended care services does not exceed 40 individuals. Prohibits Medicare payments for extended care services furnished to an extended care patient in a hospital after the end of the five day period beginning on which such patient could be in a skilled nursing facility.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1985
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Agriculture to jointly conduct a study of the use of unleaded fuel in agricultural machinery and to report to the Congress on such study. Prohibits any reduction in the permitted lead level in gasoline below a specified level until after the Congress receives such report. Authorizes appropriations
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Designates the month of November 1985 as National Diabetes Month.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning October 20, 1985, as The Lessons of Grenada Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Designates the period of October 1, 1985, through September 30, 1986, as the time to reflect on the achievements of the Peace Corps during its 25 years and on ways such programs might be used in the future. Authorizes and requests the President to proclaim this period as a time to honor Peace Corps volunteers and reaffirm the Nation's commitment to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Expresses the Senate's commendation of the Soil Conservation Service on its 50th anniversary, and the Senate's commitment to vigorous soil and water conservation efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Recognizes Camp Fire, Incorporated for its 75 years of service to our Nation.
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 · 16 May 1985
Even Start Act - Establishes a pilot program to combine adult basic education for parents and school readiness training for children into a single educational program. Requires that funds made available to a grant recipient under this Act be used to provide a program of adult literacy training which includes as a major component involving parents and children together to enhance the likelihood of educational achievement. Requires that each such program receiving a grant include the following elements: (1) identifying and recruiting eligible participants; (2) screening and preparing parents and children for participation (including testing, referral to necessary counseling, and related services); (3) designing programs and providing support services to suit the participants' work and other responsibilities (including child care, transportation, and scheduling and locating services to allow joint participation by parents and children); (4) establishing instruction programs that promote adult literacy, equip parents to support the education and growth of their children, and prepare children for success in regular school program; and (5) providing and monitoring integrated instructional services to participants through home-based programs. Makes eligible for participation in such programs families that: (1) include a parent eligible to participate in an adult basic education program under the Adult Education Act; and (2) reside, with a child aged four or five, in a school attendance area designated for receipt of funds under chapter 1 (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Disadvantaged Children) of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 (ECIA). Makes eligible to apply for such program grants any agency, organization, or institution that operates an adult basic education program under the Adult Education Act and that serves an area: (1) in which the unemployment rate exceeds the national average; and (2) at least 75 percent of which is comprised of school attendance areas designated for receipt of funds under chapter 1 of ECIA. Sets forth grant application requirements, including: (1) a demonstration that the applicant can coordinate programs under the Adult Education Act with program under chapter 1 of ECIA, with other related programs such as health care, nutrition, child abuse, and substance abuse control and with State and local educational agencies; (2) a statement of methods to be used to provide program services for those most in need of them and for special populations, such as the handicapped and those with limited English proficiency; and (3) a demonstration that the applicant has qualified personnel to provide staff training and preparation. Directs the Secretary of Education to select 15 to 20 applications for final review, with two-thirds of these from urban areas and one-third from rural areas. Provides that three of these applications shall be selected for receipt of funds by a review panel composed of the Secretary, and specified members of State and local directors of programs under chapter 1 of ECIA and the Adult Education Act, chief State school officers, and representatives from a local Parent-Teacher Association and from institutions of higher education with training, respectively, in early childhood education and in adult literacy training. Sets forth program agreement requirements, including: (1) participant enrollment for at least 12 months; and (2) grant recipient provision of at least 25 percent of program costs for the third year of operation, 50 percent for the fourth year, and continued program operation after the expiration of assistance under this Act, if the program has been demonstrated to be effective. Sets forth requirements for evaluation and dissemination of results of such pilot projects. Requires that the results of such evaluation be submitted by the end of FY 1992 to the national diffusion network for possible dissemination. Directs the Secretary, in order to carry out this Act, to reserve specified amounts from FY 1987 through 1991 funds which would otherwise be available for: (1) grants to States for adult basic education and adult education programs to be carried out by local educational agencies and private nonprofit agencies; and (2) evaluation and studies under chapter 1 of ECIA. Provides that such requirement shall not apply to funds appropriated before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. national security policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength. Sets forth the principles and goals of such policy.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Arts and Humanities Amendments of 1985 - Amends the National Foundation on Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to delete the finding and declaration that museums are vital to the preservation of our cultural heritage and should be supported in their role as curator of our national consciousness. Revises the definition of "project" to include, under specified conditions, the construction of facilities for humanistic purposes with the approval of the National Council on the Humanities. Terminates the Institute of Museum Services. Deletes a provision which declares that a purpose of the National Foundation of the Arts and Humanities shall be to establish a national policy of support for institutions which preserve the cultural heritage of the United States. Raises the maximum monetary amount which an application may involve for purposes of certain unilateral action which the Chairman of the National Council on the Arts may take pursuant to a delegation of authority from the Council. Revises provisions relating to State designation of an agency to administer the State plan for humanities grants. Deletes references to the Institute of Museum Services and the Director of such Institute under provisions relating to the Federal Council on Arts and the Humanities. Deletes provisions relating to studies and reports by such Council which were due on December 4, 1981, concerning: (1) artistic employment opportunities; and (2) arts and artifacts indemnification. Deletes provisions relating to studies and reports which were due on December 4, 1982, concerning endowment uses of donations, bequests, and devises. Authorizes appropriations for specified purposes in FY 1986 through 1990 for: (1) the National Endowment for the Arts; and (2) the National Endowment for the Humanities. Limits the maximum amount of combined appropriations authorized for specified purposes for each of such National Endowments. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 to such Endowments for administrative expenses. Removes a limitation on the maximum amount of such administrative expense funds which may be used for official reception and representation expenses. Amends the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act to provide that, for purposes of such Act, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the Director of the National Gallery of Art, the member designated by the Chairman of the Senate Commission of Art and Antiquities, and the member designated by the Speaker of the House shall not serve as members of the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities. Increases the aggregate of loss or damage covered at any one time by indemnity agreements made under such Act. Appropriates up to $1,000,000 annually to pay certified claims of up to $100,000 each under such Act. Provides that the authorization of appropriations to pay certified claims under such Act applies only to the payment of certified claims which are in excess of such appropriated amounts. Repeals the Museum Services Act, effective October 1, 1986. Limits the authorization of appropriations under such Act to FY 1986. Limits the National Museum Service Board established under such Act to one meeting during FY 1986.
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
Amends title IX (Graduate Programs) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (the Act) to create a new part D program of graduate assistance in areas of national need. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to academic departments and programs and other academic units of institutions of higher education for graduate fellowships in selected areas of study for graduate students who: (1) demonstrate financial need and academic ability; (2) plan teaching or research careers; and (3) pursue the highest degree available in their area of study. Makes the principal criterion for the allocation of such grant awards the relative quality of the graduate programs in competing applications. Directs the Secretary, consistent with such principal criterion for allocation, to promote an equitable distribution of such awards among geographic areas and among eligible public and private institutions. Directs the Secretary to approve such a grant recipient for a three-year period. Limits the amount per fiscal year of such a grant to any academic department or program of an institution of higher education to a minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $500,000. Provides for reallotment of grant funds. Provides for new awards under this Act only to the extent that each previous grant recipient has received the required continued funding. Provides for ratable reductions of amounts required to be awarded to the extent that appropriations are insufficient. Sets forth institutional eligibility provisions. Permits grant applications by any academic department or program of an institution of higher education which offers a program of post-baccalaureate study leading to a graduate degree in an area of national need (as designated through procedures set forth in this Act). Requires a department or program to be in existence for at least four years, in order to be eligible for such a grant. Directs the Secretary, after consulting with specified agencies and organizations, to designate areas of national need. (Lists, as examples of areas which might receive such designation, physical or life sciences, mathematics, engineering, computer science, foreign languages, or area studies.) Directs the Secretary, in making such designations, to take into account the extent to which the interest is compelling and the extent to which other Federal programs support post-baccalaureate study in the area concerned. Sets forth criteria for grant applications, including a requirement of at least 25 percent non-Federal matching funds, for purposes of the fellowship program under this Act. Requires that the institution make such fellowship awards to individuals having financial need who: (1) plan teaching or research careers; (2) plan to pursue the highest possible degree available in their course of study; (3) are from traditionally underrepresented groups undertaking graduate study, as determined by the Secretary; and (4) have compiled excellent academic records in their previous programs of study. Sets forth requirements relating to awards to graduate students. Provides that at least 80 percent of the grant to the academic department or program shall be used for such awards. Limits the period of such award to no longer than five years for any individual. Provides that such fellowships shall consist of payment of tuition and fees and a stipend. Limits the maximum individual annual stipend to $10,000 or the demonstrated level of need, whichever is less. Sets forth other conditions for receipt of such award. Sets forth provisions for assistance to the graduate program. Provides that up to 20 percent of the grant to the institution may be used to conduct activities to improve the quality of the academic program offered at the department, including improvement of library resources and of laboratory and instructional equipment, and support for research projects and academic papers. Prohibits such funds from being used for the general operational overhead of the institution. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990.