United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1986
Expresses the support of the Congress for the programs regarding the understanding of slavery of the National Council for Education and Economic Development, Incorporated, and for the program to raise an endowment to assure the permanent location of a commemorative structure within the National Park System dedicated to understanding, knowledge, opportunity, and equality for all people.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Assimilative Crimes Act Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that the criminal penalty for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol in a special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States shall be the punishment provided under the law of that State, Territory, or District. States that whoever operates a motor vehicle in such a jurisdiction consents to certain tests if arrested for driving under the influence of a drug or alcohol. States that any person refusing to submit to such tests shall be denied the privilege of driving for one year.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Declares that the Congress disapproves of The Prohibition of Discrimination in the Provision of Insurance Act of 1986, an Act passed by the District of Columbia Council and signed by the Mayor of the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Designates July 3, 1986, as Let Freedom Ring Day. Requests the President to encourage people to ring bells immediately following the relighting of the torch of the Statue of Liberty.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1986
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to authorize the Secretary of Defense, upon request of the head of the Federal law enforcement agency concerned, to assign personnel of the Department of Defense to assist that agency in law enforcement activities relating to: (1) illegal immigration into the United States; (2) smuggling of illegal drugs into the United States; and (3) terrorist activities inside the United States. Authorizes such personnel assistance to be provided by the Secretary only during a period during which the President has made a written certification to the Congress justifying such assistance on the basis of the national interest. Outlines the scope of assistance authorized, including: (1) direct participation in the interdiction of vessels and aircraft; and (2) arrests, searches, seizures, and other similar activities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1986
Amends the National Housing Act to extend authority through FY 1987 for: (1) title I financial institution insurance for housing renovation and modernization; (2) general mortgage insurance; (3) low and moderate income and displaced families mortgage insurance; (4) homeownership for lower income families including mortgage insurance authority and housing stimulus authority; (5) mortgage co-insurance, including rental rehabilitation and development projects; (6) graduated payment and indexed mortgage insurance; (7) the demonstration mortgage reinsurance program; (8) mortgage insurance for armed forces' civilian employees and defense housing for impacted areas; (9) mortgage insurance for land development; and (10) mortgage insurance for medical and dental group practice facilities. Sets forth specified limits on FY 1986 and 1987 insured housing loans and on FY 1987 guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend urban rehabilitation loan authority through FY 1987. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend Farmers Home Administration authority through FY 1987 for: (1) insured loans for rental and cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families in rural areas; (2) rural communities with 10,000 to 20,000 population to participate in rural housing programs; and (3) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend authority for national flood insurance, including emergency implementation and flood-risk zones through FY 1987. Amends the National Housing Act to extend authorities for the national crime insurance program and existing contracts through FY 1987. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to extend community development block grant entitlement authority for certain metropolitan city and urban county areas through FY 1987. Amends the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 to extend for 30 days the maximum interest rate limitation on loans for housing and related facilities for elderly or handicapped families through FY 1987. Extends the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act through FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Child Protection Act of 1986 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Statute to extend its coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Allows any person injured personally or in his business or property by such violations to bring a civil suit for treble damages. Amends the Federal criminal code to require a mandatory life sentence in kidnapping offenses involving the murder of a minor. Establishes mandatory minimum sentences for the sexual exploitation of minors. Provides that the period of any applicable limitation for the commencement of prosecution for certain offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children shall not begin until the child has reached the age of 18 years. Directs the Attorney General to submit a report to the Congress detailing possible changes in the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and other procedures which would facilitate the participation of child witnesses in cases involving child abuse and sexual exploitation. Directs the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information System and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children by: (1) including the age of the victim and the relationship of the victim to the offender; and (2) using a uniform definition of a child. Grants the Postal Service certain authority with respect to the seizure and forfeiture of materials used in, or depicting, the sexual exploitation of children. States that amounts received from such forfeitures shall be deposited in the Postal Service Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Director of the National Institutes of Health should transfer the Silver Spring Monkeys to the Primarily Primates, Inc., animal sanctuary in San Antonio, Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
Product Liability Uniform Standards and Reform Act - Title I - States that this Act governs any civil action brought against a manufacturer or product seller for personal injury or property damage caused by a product. Preempts State law regarding recovery for injury or damage caused by a product to the extent that an applicable rule of law regarding recovery is established. Establishes record retention requirements for: (1) manufacturers of products for which recovery may be sought under this Act; and (2) any party to a civil action governed by this Act. Establishes civil penalties for the willful destruction of such records. Allows the court to establish a rebuttable presumption adverse to a party who has allowed such records to be destroyed nonwillfully. Requires any attorney contacted by a client inquiring about rights of recovery for harm caused by a product to provide such client with certain information. Allows a client to bring an action against an attorney who fails to make such disclosures. Allows the delivery of the summons and complaint by certified mail upon the defendant in any action brought under this Act. Provides that evidence that a manufacturer or product seller admitted liability or made payment to a claimant for harm caused by a product shall not be admissible in any action brought under this Act or otherwise. States that expert scientific or medical opinion is not sufficient evidence to establish any fact for the purposes of this Act unless such opinion has support in peer-reviewed studies. Provides that subsequent remedial action taken by the manufacturer or product seller shall not be admissible to prove liability. Requires any manufacturer not incorporated or registered to do business under the laws of a State to appoint an agent for service of process in the United States. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to maintain a registry of such agents. Provides civil penalties for manufacturers who fail to comply with such provisions. Title II - Allows a person who has suffered harm caused by a product to submit an expedited claim. Provides that payment of an expedited claim shall not bar an action for associated physical damage to property. Sets forth the procedures for the submission of an expedited claim. States that the manufacturer shall be liable for the net economic loss of the claimant, as defined in this Act, if: (1) the product, when it left the control of the manufacturer, was unreasonably dangerous; and (2) the unreasonably dangerous aspect of the product was the proximate cause of the claimant's harm while the product was being used in a manner reasonably anticipated by the manufacturer. Provides for the payment of net economic losses, or other mutually acceptable disposition, where the manufacturer does not contest liability. Imposes binding arbitration where the manufacturer has declined to make full payment of an expedited claim solely because of a dispute over the amount of economic loss. Allows a claimant to bring a civil action for an order enforcing his rights where the manufacturer has denied liability. Directs a court to award exemplary damages where there is a finding that the manufacturer had no good cause to: (1) deny liability; or (2) fail to respond to a claim as required by this Act. Requires the claimant to pay the costs of investigating and defending such a claim when the court finds that there was no good cause for bringing such action. Provides a 25-year limitation on liability for non-toxic harm caused by a product which is a capital good. Allows a manufacturer who has paid an expedited claim to seek contribution, reimbursement, or indemnity on the basis of comparative responsibility. Permits the collective processing of claims by manufacturers. Title III - States that any person who brings a civil action against a product manufacturer or seller pursuant to an applicable State or Federal law waives all rights to recovery for the same harm under the expedited claim procedure of this Act. Establishes uniform standards of manufacturer liability for such civil actions. Provides that a manufacturer will be liable to a claimant only if the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) an individual product unit manufactured by the manufacturer was the proximate cause of the harm; and (2) the manufacturer was negligent in constructing, designing, or providing warnings regarding a danger connected with the product, or that the product did not conform to an express warranty made by the manufacturer. Establishes uniform standards of product seller liability. Provides that a product seller will be liable to a claimant only if the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the individual product unit which allegedly caused the harm was sold by the defendant; (2) the product seller failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the product; and (3) such failure to provide reasonable care was a proximate cause of the claimant's harm. Provides an alternative method to establish seller liability where: (1) the product seller made an express warranty as to the product; (2) the product failed to conform to the warranty; and (3) failure of the product to conform to the warranty caused the claimant's harm. Provides that the principles of comparative responsibility shall govern all claims brought under this Act. States that joint and several liability and contribution among tortfeasors shall be determined in accordance with applicable State law (except that the basis for contribution shall be each tortfeasor's percentage of responsibility). States that proof of noncompliance with applicable mandatory Federal, State, or local governmental contract specifications shall satisfy the necessary proof requirements. Requires that damages in any product liability claim be offset by any amount paid as workers' compensation benefits. Allows awards of punitive damages. Prescribes a statute of limitations for such actions. States that payments for future economic damages may be made periodically. Title IV - Amends the Product Liability Risk Retention Act to include liability for the payment of expedited claims within the definition of "Product Liability" for risk retention.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1986
Designates the school year of September 1986 through May 1987 as National Year of the Teacher and January 28, 1987, as National Teacher Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1986
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to oppose the admittance of Poland as a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) until the Secretary determines that the Government of Poland, with participation of the Solidarity movement, has formulated an economic program that determines how IMF funds will: (1) provide the basis for correcting Poland's balance of payments deficits; (2) reduce the severe constraints on Polish labor and capital mobility; and (3) establish social, political, and economic freedom in Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1986
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) condemns the Soviet Union's failure to provide notification and information about the nuclear accident at Chernobyl; and (2) calls upon the Soviet Union to permit outside nuclear experts to assist with the accident and to allow the international press corps to cover the situation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1986
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to direct the Secretary of the military department concerned to conduct an independent operational test and evaluation with respect to a major defense acquisition program under which a major system is to be acquired. Requires such test and evaluation to be conducted before the program may proceed into the production stage. Requires side-by-side testing as part of such test and evaluation. Requires the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation to independently analyze the results of each such operational test and evaluation, and to report such analyses to the Secretary of Defense. Prohibits the operational testing to be conducted until the Director approves in writing the adequacy of the plans for such operational test and evaluation. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary concerned to contract for low-rate initial production of a program only for the purpose of acquiring items for use in operational tests and evaluations. Prohibits a final decision from being made to proceed with full production of a program until 30 days after the congressional defense committees have received the report of the Director. Authorizes the President to suspend any provision of this Act in time of a declared war.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Anti-Terrorism Act of 1986 - Declares that any person who organizes, attempts, commits, procures, or supports acts of terrorism shall be considered to have committed an act of aggression against the United States and may be pursued with deadly force. Defines terrorism to mean activity directed against U.S. persons which: (1) is committed by a non-U.S. national or permanent resident alien; (2) involves violent or dangerous acts which would be crimes in the United States; and (3) is intended to intimidate a civilian population, to influence government policy, or to affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping. Authorizes the President, subject to the provisions of the Constitution, to protect U.S. persons from terrorism through the use of all antiterrorism and counterterrorism measures that the President deems necessary. Requires the President's authority to apply: (1) to all terrorists wherever they may be; and (2) until the President determines that no terrorist poses a threat to U.S. persons. Prohibits this Act from being construed as granting any authority to use deadly force within the United States which would not exist in the absence of this Act. Requires the President to report to the Congress within ten days of taking any action under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1986
Natural Gas Policy Act Amendments of 1986 - Title I: Open Access to Transportation - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the Commission) to: (1) allow any pipeline to transport natural gas on behalf of any person; (2) require pipelines to transport gas without discrimination; and (3) require pipelines which receive gas to provide nondiscriminatory transportation services. Requires the Commission (upon request by any person) to direct an interstate pipeline to provide transportation service (without discrimination) unless such pipeline demonstrates to the Commission that it is incapable of providing such service. Title II: Removal of Wellhead Price Controls and Repeal of Jurisdiction Over First Sales - Removes wellhead price controls over all natural gas first sales beginning April 1, 1987. Removes such control for certain gas sales contracts executed after March 1, 1986. Removes Commission jurisdiction over first sales of natural gas committed or dedicated as of the day before enactment of this Act. Repeals Commission authority to specify the minimum duration of certain natural gas contracts (thus removing all non-price regulation of first sales of natural gas). Declares that, with respect to ceiling prices of certain natural gas sales, the last price paid for such gas shall be considered a federally established rate for purposes of an area rate clause. Title III: Repeal of Certain Restrictions on the Use of Natural Gas and Petroleum Use and Pricing - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to: (1) repeal the prohibitions against the use by electric powerplants and major fuel-burning installations of petroleum and natural gas as primary energy sources; (2) remove the restrictions placed upon Federal major fuel-burning installations against the use of natural gas and petroleum as primary energy sources; and (3) repeal the guidelines for the emergency use of natural gas or petroleum as a primary energy source by any person operating a peakload powerplant or a major fuel-burning installation. Revokes the authority of the Secretary of Energy to require any major fuel-burning installation to furnish certain information regarding the use of primary energy sources of fuel. Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to repeal the natural gas incremental pricing provisions. States that incremental pricing rules promulgated by the Commission shall continue in effect only with respect to the flow-through of costs incurred before enactment of this Act, including any surcharges based on such costs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1986
Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to specify the State allotment formula which the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to use when implementing a presidential order requiring the sequestration (through the application of a reduction percentage) of budget authority provided for FY 1986 or any fiscal year thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1986
Designates May 21, 1986, as National Andrei Sakharov Day. Authorizes and requests the President to urge the Soviet Union to permit Andrei Sakharov and Elena Bonner to freely choose their place of residence.
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 · 20 March 1986
San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act - Provides for the settlement of water rights claims between the United States and the La Jolla, Rincon, San Pasqual, Pauma, and Pala Bands of Mission Indians (California). Requires the Secretary of the Interior, upon the settlement of all water rights claims, to deliver water to the Indian Water Authority in the vicinity of the Bands' Reservations. Requires the Indian Water Authority to reimburse the United States for operational and maintenance costs (except construction costs) incurred in the delivery of such water. Requires the Indian Water Authority to pay costs associated with the conveyance of such water through non-Federal facilities. Prohibits the Secretary from being obligated to deliver such water if: (1) such delivery would require the construction of new Federal facilities; (2) consent is denied for the use of non-Federal facilities; or (3) necessary contracts have not been executed. Requires the Secretary to use project use power from the Central Valley Project to deliver water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the Indian Water Authority. Requires the Indian Water Authority to reimburse the United States at the project use rate for irrigation water for the operation and maintenance costs incurred in providing power for the delivery of water. Sets forth limitations on the costs of providing such power. Establishes the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority. Provides that the Authority, upon the approval of the Secretary, may lease, sell, and manage any water or power resource on or off the Reservations of the Bands. Authorizes the Secretary to lease, grant rights-of-way across, or transfer title to any Indian tribal or allotted land which is used to divert, convey, and store the waters of the San Luis Rey River for the local entities, including the Rincon and Bear Valley powerplants.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1986
Sets forth the concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1987 and the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 1988 and 1989. Recommends levels of Federal revenues of $630,600,000,000 for FY 1987, $678,200,000,000 for FY 1988, and $727,300,000,000 for FY 1989. Sets the amounts by which the aggregate levels of Federal revenues should be increased at zero for FY 1987 through 1989. Sets the appropriate levels of total new budget authority at $871,764,000,000 for FY 1987, $859,330,000,000 for FY 1988, and $913,196,000,000 for FY 1989. States that the appropriate levels of total budget outlays are $771,136,000,000 for FY 1987, $752,463,000,000 for FY 1988, and $799,228,000,000 for FY 1989. Sets the amounts of the deficits in the budget which are appropriate in light of economic conditions and all other relevant factors at $140,536,000,000 for FY 1987, $74,263,000,000 for FY 1988, and $71,928,000,000 for FY 1989. Specifies the appropriate levels of total new budget authority, budget outlays, Federal revenues, and deficits, including receipts and disbursements of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors' Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, for FY 1987 through 1989 for purposes of the maximum deficit amount mandated by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 only. States that appropriate levels of the public debt are $2,281,000,000,000 for FY 1987, $2,361,000,000,000 for FY 1988, and $2,421,000,000,000 for FY 1989. Sets forth the appropriate levels of total Federal credit activity as follows: (1) $30,510,000,000 for new direct loan obligations, $79,765,000,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments, and $55,357,000,000 for new secondary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1987; (2) $27,961,000,000 for new direct loan obligations, $81,701,000,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments, and $51,875,000,000 for new secondary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1988; and (3) $24,746,000,000 for new direct loan obligations, $83,340,000,000 for new primary loan guarantee commitments, and $52,632,000,000 for new secondary loan guarantee commitments for FY 1989. Sets forth the levels of budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new loan guarantee commitments for each major functional category for FY 1987 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Federal excise taxes and tariffs when incurred by business in the production of income should remain deductible for Federal income tax purposes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Dannemeyer, William E. [R-CA-39]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000044_200.jpg)