United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Requires the Secretary of Defense, through the Secretaries of the military departments, to conduct an experimental program aimed at increasing the efficiency of the management structure of major defense acquisition programs by reducing reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary of each military department to designate two such programs for participation in the experimental program. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue guidelines governing the management of major defense acquisition programs designated for participation in the experimental program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Designates August 13, 1986, the 25th anniversary of the construction of the Berlin Wall, as Berlin Freedom Day. Urges the East German Government to dismantle the Berlin Wall.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Prohibits the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to specified proposed sales of Sidewinder, Stinger, and Harpoon missiles and services to Saudi Arabia, as described in the April 8, 1986, certifications from the President to the Congress under the Arms Export Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Prohibits the proposed sale of integrated avionics system kits (and related defense articles and defense services) to China as contained in a specified certification transmitted by the President pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act to the Congress unless the United States sells advanced aircraft to Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1986
Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act - Makes permanent provisions which provide benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment. Removes SSI limitations for the first two months of an individual's stay in a health facility if such individual was eligible for the benefits made permanent by this Act during the month preceding admission to the facility. Requires the district offices of the Social Security Administration to each designate a staff member to implement the program providing benefits to individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite severe medical impairment. Revises the eligibility requirements for such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and implement procedures which provide that whenever an individual is formally notified of his or her SSI eligibility, such individual will also be notified of the availability of assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act. Directs the Secretary, when any individual receives SSI benefits on the basis of a disability, to notify such individual of his or her potential eligibility for the SSI benefits available for those performing substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the operation of the SSI section which provides benefits for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment, with the particular objective of evaluating the work incentive provisions of such section. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress the findings of such study. Provides that when an individual becomes ineligible for SSI benefits upon entitlement to child's insurance benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act, such individual shall be treated for Medicaid purposes as continuing to receive SSI benefits so long as he or she would otherwise be eligible for such benefits. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects designed to assess the advantages and disadvantages of various work incentive programs under the OASDI and SSI programs. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1986
Directs the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Transportation (in conjunction with the State highway agencies of Pennsylvania and New Jersey) to repay Federal funds previously obligated for the Delaware Water Gap Bridge on Interstate 80. Requires the Commission and such States to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Transportation if the Commission and such States decide to operate an uncompleted bridge on Interstate 78 as a toll bridge. Grants congressional consent to a supplemental agreement between Pennsylvania and New Jersey which: (1) grants the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission authority to collect tolls and revenues for the use of Commission facilities and to expend such revenues for existing non-toll bridges over the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and (2) authorizes such States to construct a bridge across the Delaware River in the vicinity of Easton, Pennsylvania, and Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1986
Commends the people and the Government of Spain for their support of continued participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and their commitment to democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1986
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for amounts paid by or on behalf of an individual to an individual health services account. Limits the amount of the allowable deduction to any individual for any taxable year to $2,000. Defines "individual health services account" as a trust created or organized exclusively to pay qualified health expenses of the distributee. Sets forth various requirements for the trust. Defines "qualified health expenses" as amounts paid for: (1) care of the distributee at a skilled nursing facility; (2) care of the distributee at an intermediate care facility; (3) care at any other long-term facility which provides nursing or custodial care; (4) home health care of the distributee prescribed by, and under the supervision of, a qualified physician; (5) Medicare supplemental policies for the distributee; or (6) health services supplemental policies for the distributee. Defines a "health services supplemental policy" as a health insurance policy or other health benefit plan offered by a private entity to an individual which provides reimbursement for expenses incurred, or services for, catastrophic and long-term care. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish minimum requirements and standards for the certification of health services supplemental policies and procedures for the Secretary to certify policies submitted to the Secretary. Requires any amount distributed from an individual health services account to be included in the gross income of the distributee for the taxable year in which the distribution is received. Imposes a ten percent penalty on distributions which are not used exclusively for qualified health expenses. Permits the exclusion of ten percent of a distribution from an individual health services account where the distribution is used exclusively to pay qualified health expenses of the distributee, if the distributee has attained the age of 59 and one-half. Provides that only 80 percent of any distribution used exclusively to pay for Medicare supplemental policies or health services supplemental policies shall be included in income of the distributee, regardless of the age of the distributee. Provides that an individual health services account will be exempt from taxation unless the distributee engages in prohibited transactions with the account. Treats as a distribution from the account any portion of the account used as security for a loan. Provides that the individual health services account will terminate on the death of the distributee. Allows the deduction for amounts paid to a health services savings account to be taken in arriving at adjusted gross income. Imposes a tax penalty on excess contributions to an individual health services account, on prohibited transactions, and on failure to file certain information reports. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with various interested groups, to report to the Congress, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, on a regulatory program to provide for the application of minimum standards with respect to health services supplemental policies. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare benefits for catastrophic care. Provides that each individual enrolled under Medicare shall be deemed to have elected this coverage unless the individual files a notice that such coverage is not wanted. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees for the catastrophic coverage option. Provides that the monthly premiums for each individual covered under this month shall be the amount equal to the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Postmaster General should issue a postage stamp honoring American servicemen and civilians still unaccounted for as a result of the conflict in Indochina.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the aspirations of the Angolan people deserve U.S. support; (2) the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and its leader, Dr. Jonas Malheiro Savimbi, have the right to play a role in the political life of Angola; and (3) the Marxist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has violated the rights of the Angolan people. Declares that the MPLA should agree to negotiations which will include UNITA, end the presence of Soviet and Cuban forces in Angola, result in national reconciliation within Angola, and facilitate the independence of Namibia. Urges the President to provide assistance to UNITA in order to promote a political solution and withdrawal of outside forces, and to help UNITA deter and resist continued Soviet, Cuban, and MPLA military escalation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1986
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations for asbestos hazard abatement in the schools. Directs the Administrator to develop a model accreditation plan for States to give accreditation to individuals who inspect, manage, abate, and analyze asbestos problems. Makes the use of accredited personnel a condition for receiving financial assistance under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Requires each State Governor to establish administrative procedures for the certification of school asbestos inspection and abatement programs and for asbestos management plans, all to be carried forward by the local educational agency. Requires warning labels on any asbestos still in routine maintenance areas of a school building. Makes any local educational agency which fails to comply with this Act liable for civil penalties, including injunctive action. Requires the Administrator or appropriate Governor to investigate citizen complaints Authorizes the Administrator or the appropriate State Governor to take necessary response measures where asbestos in a school building may be hazardous and adequate local measures have not been taken. Sets forth the relationship of pollution liability insurance risk retention groups to State law, including securities law. Establishes the Asbestos Trust Fund in the Treasury to carry out the Asbestos Hazards Abatement Assistance Program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1986
Military Department Reorganization Act of 1986 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to reorganize the executive part of each of the military departments, following specified reorganization policies. Defines the executive part of the military department. Outlines the functions of the Assistant Secretaries of a military department as reorganized under this Act. Limits to 30 the size of the personal staff of the Secretary of a military department. Limits also the size of the staff of each military department to 85 percent of the size of such staff before the reorganization. Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide that operation and planning responsibilities that are duplicated by the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall be shifted to that staff. Requires the Secretary, as well as the Secretaries of the military departments, to provide that functions able to be performed by commands outside the Washington, D.C. area shall be reassigned to those commands. Directs the Secretary of Defense to complete implementation of this Act no later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, and to report to the Congress on such implementation 30 days after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1986
Declares that the Ukrainian and Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republics should not be represented in the United Nations until they are granted their independence by the Soviet Union. Declares that the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations should file a protest with respect to such representation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1986
Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the sale, delivery, or importation of nonmetal firearms. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of airport security devices with respect to the detection of nonmetal firearms.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the manufacture and importation of any firearm that is not readily detectable as a firearm by standard airport security equipment and readily identifiable as a firearm. Exempts specified firearms from such manufacturing prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Authorizes and requests the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, gold medals to Anatoly and Avital Shcharansky in recognition of their supreme dedication and total commitment to human rights and freedoms. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to determine the design of the medals. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to sell bronze duplicates of the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State should consider the issuance of a travel advisory to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers to travel in any country in which such citizens are attacked by terrorists supported by Libya if the government of that country fails to close Libyan official missions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
General Aviation Tort Reform Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to provide uniform rules for negligence and products liability claims arising from general aviation accidents. Allows any person claiming damages from such an accident to bring a products liability action against the general aviation manufacturer if: (1) the product was defective when it left the control of the manufacturer; (2) the defective condition was the proximate cause of the harm; (3) the condition would not have been corrected by actions described in directives issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the manufacturer; and (4) the aircraft was being used for a purpose and in a manner for which it was manufactured. Provides an alternative method to establish manufacturer liability where the manufacturer failed to provide reasonable warnings (unless such warnings would not have affected the conduct of the product user). Provides a third method to establish manufacturer liability where: (1) the manufacturer made an express warranty with respect to the product; (2) the warranty related to that aspect of the product which caused the harm; (3) the product failed to conform to the warranty; and (4) such failure was the proximate cause of the harm. States that all actions for damages arising from a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Provides that defendants in such actions are severally but not jointly liable for damages (except that manufacturers of airframes and systems or components of aircraft may be jointly and severally liable under certain circumstances). Provides a 12-year limitation on liability of manufacturers. States that express warranties running for a longer period of time and the duty to provide additional warnings shall not be affected by such limitations. Allows awards of punitive damages. Prescribes a statute of limitations for such actions. Preempts State laws to the extent that this Act establishes applicable rules or procedures. Grants Federal district courts (concurrently with State courts) original jurisdiction (without regard to the amount in controversy) in all civil actions for damages arising out of a general aviation accident. Allows the removal of State actions to an appropriate Federal district court by any defendant. Prescribes venue restrictions. Expresses the intent of the Congress that orders to pay reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, be enforced.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to prohibit the Export-Import Bank from guaranteeing, insuring, or extending credit in connection with any export of goods or services to Angola until the President certifies to the Congress that no Cuban military personnel or military personnel from any other controlled country remain in Angola.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Mary Lasker in recognition of her humanitarian contributions in medical research and education, urban beautification, and the fine arts. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1986
Terrorist Prosecution Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code to punish anyone who in an act of international terrorism kills or attempts to kill any national of the United States in any foreign country or in international waters or airspace. Requires any such person who is found guilty of murder in the first degree to be sentenced to imprisonment for life and anyone found guilty of attempted murder to be imprisoned for not more than 20 years. Makes it an offense for any person in an act of international terrorism to assault, wound, strike, imprison, endanger, or make any other violent attack upon the person or liberty of any U.S. national in any foreign country or in international waters or airspace (or make violent attack on his or her premises, private accommodations, or means of transport). Provides for a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than three years. Increases the fine to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for ten years if a deadly or dangerous weapon is used. Makes it an offense punishable by up to life imprisonment to: (1) conspire to murder a U.S. national who is in a foreign country or in international waters or airspace; or (2) conspire, while outside the United States, to murder a U.S. national within the United States. Authorizes the Attorney General to receive assistance of any Federal, State, or local agency (including the military) in enforcing this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1986
Promotion of Democracy in Ethiopia Act of 1986 - Declares U.S. policy: (1) regarding human rights and opportunities; (2) condemning the resettlement program and human rights abuses in Ethiopia; (3) calling for human and civil rights and for free elections in Ethiopia; and (4) supporting non-communist resistance forces in Ethiopia. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to add Ethiopia to the list of communist countries. Prohibits Ethiopia from receiving nondiscriminatory (most-favored-nation) trade treatment. Prohibits the importation of coffee, coffee extract, essence, or concentrate from Ethiopia. Prohibits the Federal Government and any U.S. person from making a loan or extending credit to Ethiopia or to any organization owned or controlled by Ethiopia. Exempts from such prohibition any loan or extension of credit agreed upon before enactment of this Act. Directs the President, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, to issue regulations prohibiting any U.S. person from making any investment in Ethiopia. Excludes from such prohibition certain loans, investments in established Ethiopian businesses, and stock purchases of Ethiopian businesses. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director to each of the relevant international financial institutions to oppose furnishing aid to Ethiopia. Requires such sanctions against Ethiopia to terminate if the President certifies to the Congress that Ethiopia: (1) respects the human rights of its people; (2) has granted basic civil rights to its people; (3) has terminated and dismantled its resettlement program; (4) has established a legal system that assures the participation of all its people; (5) has held free and fair elections; and (6) no longer is host to troops from communist countries. Directs the President to report to the Congress every six months on the progress made by Ethiopia in meeting such objectives. Provides for enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1986
Abolishes the Defense Logistics Agency and the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Transfers the functions of each agency to the Secretaries of the military departments concerned. Prohibits any personnel increases related to such transfers, and prohibits any further transfer of functions other than by law.
![Official portrait of Rep. Courter, Jim [R-NJ-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000809_200.jpg)