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United States · Official source
2,130 records where Rep. DeLay, Tom [R-TX-22] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Designates July 19, 1985, as National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Amerasian Children Relief Act of 1985 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the admission of certain children fathered by U.S. citizens in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, or Kampuchea who have: (1) been released by their mothers for adoption and emigration; and (2) been adopted or will be adopted by U.S. citizens (including certain single parents).
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Family Education Assistance Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the education expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) at an institution of higher education or a vocational school of a child of the taxpayer, of a child of a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister of the taxpayer, of an individual for whom the taxpayer has been appointed as guardian, or of a descendant of a child of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of such deduction to $1,500 (adjusted for inflation) for each account per calendar year. Provides that no account may have more than one beneficiary and that no individual may be a beneficiary of more than one account. Disallows any deduction for contributions to an education savings account for any beneficiary who has attained the age of 19. Requires any balance in an education savings account to be distributed after the individual for whose benefit the account is established attains age 30. Includes the distributions from an education savings account in the gross income of the payee or distributee except for those amounts distributed or used to pay educational expenses incurred by the individual for whose benefit the account is established. Provides that an education savings account is exempt from taxation except for the tax on unrelated business income. Revokes the tax exemption of the account where the individual for whose benefit the account is established engages in certain prohibited transactions with the account. Imposes a ten percent penalty tax on distributions which are not used for educational expenses. Requires the trustee of an education savings account to file reports with the Secretary of the Treasury on the maintenance of the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to file any required report. Extends the deduction for contributions to an education savings account to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions. Provides that distributions from an education savings account shall not be taken into account in determining support to the extent such distribution is excluded from gross income of the individual for whose benefit the account has been established.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Department of Defense Competitive Procurement Act of 1985 - Prohibits the amount of competitive defense procurements made during a fiscal year from being less than: (1) the applicable percentage for that year; and (2) the amount of all applicable procurements made by the Department of Defense during that year. Prohibits the obligation of funds for the purchase of goods or services in an other-than-competitive procedure if in any fiscal year the amount of competitive defense procurements is less than that required. Defines "competitive defense procurements," "applicable percentage," and "applicable procurements" for purposes of such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Tax Fairness for Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of the deduction allowed for the personal exemption from the current amount of $1,000 to $2,000.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Designates the month of June 1985 as Youth Suicide Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Small Business Administration Sunset Act of 1985 - Title I: Findings - Sets forth the findings of this Act. Title II: Transfers to the Department of Commerce - Transfers to the Secretary of Commerce all functions, powers, and duties of the Small Business Administration (SBA) under specified provisions of the Small Business Act and the White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act. Transfers from the SBA to the Department of Commerce the Office of Advocacy. Title III: Transfers to the Department of the Treasury - Transfers to the Secretary of the Treasury all rights, outstanding obligations, and assets of the SBA with respect to guaranteed loans and debentures and other specified guarantees made by the SBA to small businesses under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Company Act of 1958. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase from the Federal Financing Bank all notes, bonds, debentures, or other obligations held by such bank that are guaranteed by the SBA. Transfers to the Secretary of the Treasury the regulatory authorities of the SBA with respect to small business investment companies and minority enterprise small business investment companies under the Small Business Investment Company Act of 1958. Terminates such authorities upon the disposition of specified loans, debentures, or equity securities by the Secretary of the Treasury or by March 31, 1987, whichever occurs first. Title IV: Termination of Functions Under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Company Act of 1958 - Terminates on October 1, 1985, various provisions of the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Company Act of 1958. Title V: Miscellaneous Amendments and Repeals of Other Laws - Makes various conforming amendments and repeals specified provisions of Federal law relating to the SBA and the provisions of this Act. Title VI: General Administrative Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Treasury to exercise and, where, appropriate to delegate any authority that is transferred from the SBA to them by this Act. Establishes in the Department of Commerce the Administration for Enterprise Development and Opportunity, which shall be headed by an Under Secretary of Commerce for Enterprise Development and Opportunity. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Provides for the transfer of personnel to the appropriate agency with respect to any functions or authority transferred from the SBA by this Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Administrator of the SBA, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of the Treasury, to make such determinations as may be necessary with regard to the functions transferred by this Act. Provides that all orders, determinations, regulations, and licenses that have been issued or granted by the President or an Administration official in the performance of functions that were transferred under this Act and that are in effect on October 1, 1985, shall continue in effect until modified or revoked in accordance with law. Authorizes the SBA from October 1, 1985, to December 31, 1985, to operate for the purpose of winding up its affairs and advising the Departments of Commerce and the Treasury. Prohibits the SBA from conducting any program activities during such period. Terminates the SBA on December 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Designates the month of April 1985 as Fair Housing Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1985
Sale of Conrail Act of 1985 - Declares it is the purpose of the Congress to return the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) to the private sector by implementing the Plan of the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) to sell the Federal interest in Conrail common stock. Title I: Amendments to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 and the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 - Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to terminate the authority of the United States Railway Association (the Association) to purchase Conrail securities when the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock has been consummated. Makes the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 inapplicable to Conrail after the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock has been consummated. Makes specified provisions of such Act still applicable to Conrail under certain conditions. Directs the Secretary to implement the plan to sell Conrail common stock to the Norfolk Southern Corporation. States that such implementation, and the coordinated operation of Conrail's properties with those of Norfolk Southern Corporation and its affiliates as a single rail system, is deemed approved by Interstate Commerce Commission. Directs the Secretary to implement the Secretary's Plan by performing specified Definitive Agreements which shall conform substantially with the Memorandum of Intent between the United States and Norfolk Southern Corporation signed February 8, 1985. Repeals provisions which allow the sale of Conrail common stock to other railroads or to certain railroad employees. Authorizes the Secretary to recapitalize Conrail in such a way that the Federal interest in any debt or preferred stock is cancelled and contributed to the Corporation's capital. Sets forth guidelines under which the Norfolk Southern Corporation may bring suit against the United States for breach of specified representations. Provides protective labor conditions under specified arbitration provisions to certain personnel whose employment is adversely affected by the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock. Amends the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 to confer jurisdiction upon a special Federal district court (established by the judicial panel on multi-district litigation) to hear civil actions relating to the: (1) Sale of Conrail Act of 1985; (2) enforcement of the Secretary's Plan or the Definitive Agreements (pertaining to the Conrail sale); and (3) the value of the interest in Conrail Equity Corporation preferred stock of the Conrail Employees Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and related trusts. Provides that, with certain exceptions, no persons connected with the Conrail ESOP shall be subject to any fiduciary obligation or fiduciary civil liability for actions pertaining to the Secretary's Plan or disposition of Conrail Equity Corporation assets. Deems as qualified under the Internal Revenue Code any Conrail ESOP maintained or adopted in implementing the Secretary's Plan. States that the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (including State laws and certain Federal approval requirements) shall not apply to implementation of the Secretary's Plan through: (1) the sale or contribution of securities by Norfolk Southern Corporation to fulfill arrangements with Conrail employees; or (2) the distribution of shares from Conrail employee stock ownership plans. Title II: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to various laws affected by this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - States that Conrail's status as a common carrier is not affected by the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Regulatory Oversight and Control Act of 1985 - Title I: Agency Rulemaking Improvements - Requires each executive agency and each independent regulatory agency to include in the notice of a proposed rule an explanation of the agency's determination as to whether the rule is a major rule. Directs each agency, before or upon publishing notice of a proposed rulemaking proceeding for a major rule, to issue statements concerning: (1) the need for the rule; (2) the reasonable alternative approaches; (3) regional differences; (4) the benefits, costs, and effectiveness of the proposed rule and alternatives; (5) the advantages and disadvantages of adopting performance standards rather than design standards; (6) the technical information the agency will rely on in making the rule; and (7) the statutory authority of the agency to regulate any areas previously regulated only by State law. Requires that each agency issue additional statements upon providing notice of the promulgation of a major rule, including a statement of its determination that the benefits of the rule will justify the costs of the rules and that the rule will achieve rulemaking objectives in a more cost effective manner than the alternatives. Directs each agency to: (1) include in the notice of each proposed and final major rule, instructions on how the public may obtain copies of agency statements on such rule; (2) send a copy of all statements required at the notice and publication of a major rule to the President; and (3) include such statements and any technical information considered in the rulemaking file. Requires agencies to provide for oral presentations at informal public hearings as part of the rulemaking proceedings for major rules. Directs agencies to allow cross-examination of persons presenting information if necessary to resolve significant issues of fact. Directs agencies to regulate such public hearings so as to ensure orderly and expeditious proceedings. Allows an agency to delay completing the rulemaking requirements of this Act if it publishes a finding that complying with such requirements before making the rule would be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Requires an agency to complete such requirements as soon as practicable after promulgating the rule unless the rule will expire within two years. Sets forth provisions governing the judicial review of agency compliance with rulemaking and rule review requirements of this Act and the President's compliance with oversight requirements. Directs the President to: (1) establish procedures for agency implementation of the requirements of this title; (2) afford the public an opportunity to comment on such procedures before adoption; and (3) monitor, review, and comment on agency compliance with such requirements. Permits the Comptroller General to review agency compliance with this Act. Requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register, semiannually, a regulatory agenda containing a list of all rules the agency expects to propose, promulgate, repeal, modify, or review in the next year and specified information concerning such rules. Requires publication of the agendas of all agencies in a single issue of the Federal Register. Directs each agency to publish for public comment a proposed schedule for the review of its existing major rules and other rules that may be added by the agency or the President. Declares that each such rule shall cease to be effective not more than ten years after the date the final schedule is published. Directs each agency to publish its responses to public comments upon publishing the final schedule. Requires an agency to include with the publication of a major rule the date, within ten years, on which the rule will expire and the date by which the rule must be reviewed. Directs each agency to: (1) publish a notice of the initiation of the review of a rule; (2) describe the costs, benefits, problems, and alternatives to the rule; (3) provide a period for public comment; and either (4) conduct a rulemaking proceeding to reissue or amend the rule; or (5) publish an explanation of its decision to allow the rule to expire. Allows agencies to alter review schedules if the President agrees. Eliminates the exemption of rules concerning loans, grants, and benefits from notice and comment rulemaking requirements. Requires that the notice of a proposed rulemaking include: (1) a statement of the objectives of the rule; (2) a statement that the agency seeks proposals from the public of alternative methods; and (3) a statement of where the file of the rulemaking proceeding may be inspected or how file copies may be obtained. Requires an agency to: (1) provide a period of at least 60 days after publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking for the public to submit comments on a proposed rule; and (2) include the agency's response to such comments in the statement published with the adopted rule. Prohibits an agency from relying on any material of central relevance in a rulemaking if the material is not included in the rulemaking file or the public has not had an opportunity to comment on the material. Directs each agency to maintain a public file on each rulemaking proceeding. Allows an agency to exclude from such file any material relied upon which is exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, if a statement of the basis for such exclusion is included. Requires a court reviewing an agency action: (1) not to accord any presumption in favor of or against agency action; (2) in determining questions of law other than statutory jurisdiction, to give the agency's interpretation such weight as it warrants considering the agency's authority under law; (3) in making determinations concerning statutory jurisdiction, to determine whether the action is within the agency's jurisdiction on the basis of the statutory language or other indications of legislative intent; and (4) in determining whether the adoption of a rule is in accordance with law, to consider whether there is substantial support in the rulemaking file for the agency's factual determinations. Declares that when proceedings for review of the same agency action are instituted in two or more courts of appeals within ten days, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall select, by a system of random selection, the court in which the record shall be filed. Authorizes the courts to postpone the effective date of the agency action as necessary to permit designation of the court of record. Prohibits agencies from paying expenses of persons participating or intervening in agency proceedings except as specifically authorized by statute. Title II: Congressional Review of Agency Rules - Requires each agency to transmit a copy of each rule it promulgates to the House of Representatives and the Senate. Declares that such rule shall be considered only as a recommendation of the agency to Congress. Prohibits a major rule from taking effect unless a joint resolution approving the rule is enacted within 90 days. Prohibits a rule other than a major rule from taking effect if a joint resolution disapproving the rule is enacted within 90 days. Prohibits an agency from promulgating a new rule that is substantially the same as a major rule that was not approved or any other rule that was disapproved. Directs the Comptroller General, at the request of a committee of either House which has primary legislative jurisdiction over a rule or on his or her own initiative, to inform such committee as to whether the rule is consistent with the statutory authority under which it was promulgated. Exempts an emergency rule from such congressional review requirements if the agency submits to the appropriate congressional committees a written notice of: (1) its determination that the rule is an emergency rule; (2) the time period (limited to 210 days) during which the rule will be effective; and (3) its intention to issue a final rule, if necessary, when such emergency rule expires. Sets forth House and Senate procedure for the consideration of such resolutions of approval or disapproval. Declares that: (1) congressional inaction on or rejection of a resolution disapproving a rule shall not be deemed an expression of approval of that rule; and (2) enactment of a resolution approving a major rule shall not be construed to create any presumption of validity with respect to such rule and shall not affect the judicial review of such rule. Title III: Regulatory Oversight and Control Amendments to House Rules - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a Regulatory Review Calendar to which all resolutions for the approval or disapproval of agency rules shall be referred. Provides for the consideration of the resolutions on such Calendar on the first and third Monday and the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Declares that it shall be in order during the reading of a general appropriation bill to consider any germane amendment proposing a limitation restricting the implementation of an agency rule, other than a major rule, for which a resolution of disapproval has not been considered by the House, or has been passed by the House but not enacted, within the time required under this Act. Requires each standing committee of the House to consider and adopt its oversight plans in a meeting which is open to the public by March 1 of the first session of a Congress. Directs each such committee to: (1) consult with other congressional committees with jurisdiction over the same areas to assure that such areas are reviewed in the same Congress and that there is maximum coordination and cooperation between such committees in conducting such review; (2) give priority to the review of programs under permanent budget or statutory authority; and (3) attempt to ensure that all laws, programs, activities, and agencies within its jurisdiction are reviewed at least once every ten years. Requires each committee to submit its final plans to the Committee on Government Operations which shall report all such plans to Congress with recommendations to assure the effective coordination of such plans. Authorizes the Speaker of the House, with the approval of the House, to appoint special ad hoc committees to review specific matter within the jurisdiction of two or more standing committees. Requires each committee to include in its biennial report to the House separate sections summarizing the legislative and oversight activities of that committee. Declares that it shall not be in order in the House to consider a primary expense resolution for any committee that has not submitted its oversight plans to the Committee on Government Operations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Directs the President to report quarterly to the Congress on all outstanding loans, loan guarantees, credits, and grants issued by the Federal Government or by a multilateral organization of which the United States is a member to the government of a Communist country or to any person on behalf of (or any entity controlled by) a Communist country. Specifies information to be included in the report.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Provides that individuals who live in the Eighth Congressional District of Indiana shall not be required to pay Federal income tax for any period during which they are without representation in the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $4,000 the maximum deduction for contributions to retirement savings plans and to allow married individuals to compute the amount of their income tax deduction for contributions to retirement savings plans on the basis of the earnings of their spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) veterans' disability compensation payments should remain exempt from Federal income taxation; and (2) the President should reject any proposals to tax such payments.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to apportion for expenditure on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways: (1) the remaining sums authorized to be appropriated in accordance with the interstate cost estimate for FY 1985; and (2) the sums authorized to be appropriated in accordance with the interstate cost estimate for FY 1986. Directs the Secretary to apportion: (1) the remaining sums to be apportioned for FY 1984 for expenditure on substitute highway and transit projects; and (2) the sums to be apportioned for FY 1985 for expenditure on substitute highway and transit projects.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Defense Cost Reduction Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide for the development, use, and joint use of standard equipment, including systems, components, parts, weapons, and automated data processing systems, throughout the Department of Defense. Requires the Secretary to consider cost, performance, reliability, and field maintainability. Directs the Secretary to review and adjust equipment specifications and to require defense contracts to specify functional or performance characteristics rather than method-of-manufacture or design. Directs the Secretary to simplify procurement procedures by replacing regulations with policy guidelines, simplifying contract language, limiting contractor to subcontractor flow down of terms, training procurement personnel, and centralizing procurement. Directs the Secretary to modernize and standardize existing automated data processing systems used for inventory management and control, including changes which would improve the readiness of the armed forces. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress by December 1 of every year after 1984 on the progress of equipment standardization, procurement simplification, and inventory and management, including information on which equipment has been standardized and training improvements. Revises the commencement dates of military pensions for certain members of the uniformed services. Sets forth a formula for the computation of the military pension of a person who first became a member of a uniformed service after the enactment of this Act. Reduces the amount of such pension for a person who has completed fewer than 30 years of service and elects to receive such pension on the first day of entitlement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Provides that each item of any general or special appropriation bill and any bill or joint resolution making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing appropriations that is agreed to in the same form by both Houses of the Congress shall be enrolled as a separate bill or joint resolution for presentation to the President (line-item veto).
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Authorizes the Armored Force Monument Committee, the United States Armor Association, the World Wars Tank Corps Association, the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Association, the Tank Destroyer Association, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 16th Armored Division Associations, and the Council of Armored Division Associations to erect a memorial in or near Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, to honor and commemorate the American Armored Force. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select the site and approve the design and plans. Obligates the United States to expenses of maintenance only. Requires the commencement of the erection of the memorial within five years with a certification of sufficiency of funds necessary before commencement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the exile of Igor Ogurtsov; and (2) urge the Soviet Union to provide Igor Ogurtsov with medical care, grant his release from exile, and accept his application for an exit visa and allow him to emigrate without forcing him to renounce his views.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should express to the Soviet Union U.S. opposition with respect to the harassment and arrests of Hebrew teachers and Jewish activists in the Soviet Union; and (2) the Soviet Union should comply with its commitments under specified international human rights agreements and cease its persecution of individuals on the basis of their Jewish faith.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to David Phillip Vetter, of Spring, Texas, to be presented to his family in his memory (as the oldest survivor of congenital severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)).
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Amends the law regarding the maximum national speed limit to direct the Secretary of Transportation to disapprove State highway projects seeking Federal proportional contribution if the applicant State permits: (1) a maximum speed limit exceeding 55 miles per hour on any public highway portion lying within a traffic-congested area; (2) a maximum speed limit exceeding 70 miles per hour on any public highway portion lying outside a traffic-congested area; or (3) speed limits which are not uniformly applied to all motor vehicles on any other portion of public highway if such portion had a uniformly applicable speed limit on November 1, 1973. Directs the Secretary to establish standards for the determination of traffic-congested areas within 180 days after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Designates 1985 as the 75th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Liberty Double-Eagle Bullion Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold double-eagle coins. Sets forth specifications for and the design of such coins. Makes such coins legal tender. Permits the sale of such coins at a price equal to the cost of minting and issuing such coins plus a surcharge equal to the amount by which the fair market value of gold bullion held by the United States and used in the minting of the coins exceeds the statutory maximum value of any gold certificates outstanding against the bullion. Requires the revenue from such surcharges to be used to reduce the national debt. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each standing committee to review, on a continuing basis and when considering public bills or resolutions, those portions of the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control (Grace Commission report) pertaining to such committee's jurisdiction. Amends rule XI to require each committee report on a public bill or resolution to contain: (1) an identification of each recommendation of the Survey to be implemented and the resulting estimated program cost savings or revenue enhancement; and (2) a statement setting forth the disposition of each recommendation pertaining to such bill or resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Revises Federal procedures regarding the establishment of interstate cost estimates to direct the Secretary of Transportation to apportion such estimates for construction funds and substitute highway and urban transit projects on October 1 of 1985-1988 if the Congress has not approved such estimates by that time.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Proclaims March 20, 1985, as National Agriculture Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Designates the month of October 1985 as National Foster Grandparent Month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Controlled Substances Penalties Act of 1985 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the penalties for offenses involving: (1) a kilogram or more of cocaine; (2) two or more kilograms of any other narcotic drug in schedule I or II; (3) a kilogram or more of phencyclidine (PCP); or (4) 25 grams or more of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Provides for a fine of not more than $500,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 years. Prohibits any person from being released on bail pending trial for or appeal with respect to an offense under such Act. Requires first offenders to serve at least one half of their sentences before they become eligible for parole. Makes second drug offenders subject to the imposition of the death penalty or life imprisonment. Limits imposition of the death penalty to defendants who resisted arrest or were armed with dangerous weapons at the time of arrest.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to allocate takeoff and landing rights by sale to air carriers and commuter air carriers at Washington National Airport. Directs the Administrator to promulgate, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, rules for the sale of takeoff and landing rights at such Airport. Establishes two categories for the sale of takeoff and landing rights: (1) commuter air carriers; and (2) air carriers other than commuter air carriers. Prohibits the transfer of air carrier rights from one category to the other, but permits the transfer of such rights within the same air carrier category. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress regarding the allocation of takeoff and landing rights by sale.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Firearms Owners' Protection Act - Title I: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition. Adds a new definition, "engaged in the business," with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Defines as a manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals in a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit. Excludes as dealers persons making occasional sales or repairs of firearms. Eliminates certain activities involving ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Allows for the sale or delivery of any firearm to a resident of a State other than a State in which the licensee's place of business is located if such sale or delivery complies with the laws of both States. Presumes a licensee to have actual knowledge of the published laws of the State. Requires such transfer to be face to face. Revises the current prohibition against certain classes of persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition. Includes as additional categories illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged members of the armed forces, and U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Declares that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements, under specific circumstances. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke a license only where the holder "willfully" violates a provision of the Act. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Allows the Government to voluntarily dismiss criminal charges prior to trial and still proceed with revocation. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Requires a warrant to be issued for such search. Restricts the kind of firearms information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Establishes a "willful" scienter (knowledge) requirement with respect to general violations of the Act. Makes it a defense to a prosecution under this section that the conduct constituting the offense consisted of simple carelessness. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Gun Control Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Directs the court to award attorney fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in a proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Requires the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was without foundation or was initiated in bad faith. Limits seizure to firearms individually identified as involved in the violation. Revises the current procedure allowing persons who have been convicted of a crime to apply to the Secretary for relief from the firearms prohibitions by allowing such a person to appeal a denial to the U.S. district court. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Declares any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to Title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of June 16 through June 22, 1985, as National Safety in the Workplace Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Designates the month of October 1985 as National High-Tech Month.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1985
Synthetic Fuels Corporation Fiscal Responsibility Act - Amends the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation Act of 1980 to terminate the authority of the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation (the Corporation) to enter into any awards or commitments for financial assistance. Directs the Corporation's Board of Directors to submit a final report to the Congress regarding the status of the Corporation within 60 days after enactment of this Act. Prohibits the Corporation from expending any funds or acting in furtherance of any commitment made after February 5, 1985, unless a joint resolution approving such transaction is enacted. Requires the Secretaries of Energy and of the Treasury and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to agree on a Memorandum of Understanding which includes a plan for: (1) the abolition of the Corporation; and (2) for the administration of synthetic fuels projects which will continue after the abolition of the Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1985
Hunters' Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal offense to obstruct or impede the participation of any person in a lawful hunt or hunting season. Provides for a fine of not more than $500 and/or imprisonment for not longer than 60 days or if violence or the destruction of property occurs a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than five years.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of April 21 through April 27, 1985, as National Organ Donation Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1985
Repeals the requirement added by the Tax Reform Act of 1984 relating to the maintenance of contemporaneous records with respect to: (1) business travel expenses, including automobile expenses; (2) business entertainment expenses; and (3) expenses for gifts.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals to compute the amount of the deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the compensation of the spouse. Phases this deduction in over a period of six years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1985
Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Indochina nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of captive Americans and the return of the remains of those American servicemen and civilians who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Ethiopia: (1) should be condemned for failing to ameliorate its drought and famine conditions; (2) allocate more of its resources toward the development of its agrarian system; (3) support its human rights monitoring groups; and (4) initiate a policy of national reconciliation. States that continued human rights improvement in Ethiopia would better relations with the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1985
Makes inapplicable after the enactment of this Act provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that require ballots and other election materials to be available in a language other than English.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Merchant Marine Defense Service Recognition and Medals Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to award decorations and insignia to members of the U.S. Merchant Marine performing meritorious acts or distinguished service. Permits such honors to be of the same design as other comparable military honors. Authorizes the Secretary to cite any U.S. ship for outstanding or gallant acts. Permits the awarding of plaques for the ships and ribbons to the personnel. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a flag and grave markers for merchant mariners who served the United States or its allies in periods of conflict. Establishes criminal penalties for the unauthorized manufacture or display of these awards or decorations. Repeals the Merchant Marine Medals Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criteria for the imposition of the death penalty for treason and espionage. Requires the Government, for an offense punishable by death, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea that it intends to seek the death penalty, as well as notice of the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury or the court upon motion by the defendant when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Provides that no presentence report shall be prepared in such cases. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading of the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the information and aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Sets forth special aggravating factors with respect to the crimes of treason and espionage. Includes among the mitigating factors that the defendant was less than 18 years old at the time of the crime. Conditions imposition of the death penalty on a unanimous finding by the jury that: (1) some aggravating factor exists in addition to a threshold factor; and (2) the aggravating factor sufficiently outweighs any mitigating factor found to exist. Directs the court to impose the death penalty upon a finding that such sentence is justified. Requires the court to instruct the jury not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant in its consideration of the death sentence. Limits the circumstances under which the offense of delivering defense information to aid foreign governments is punishable by death. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the court of appeals, upon considering the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, and any special finding, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the finding of aggravating factors or the absence of mitigating factors. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Grants a Federal charter to the 82d Airborne Division Association, Incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Designates the week beginning May 5, 1985, as National Correctional Officers Week.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Proclaims the English language to be the official language of the United States. Prohibits the United States or any State from requiring the use of any other language. States that this article shall not prohibit educational instruction in a language other than English for the purpose of making students proficient in English. Authorizes the Congress and the States to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - States that the right to life is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person. Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purposes of the right to life guarantee. Makes such amendment inapplicable to laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the right to life vests in a human being from the moment of fertilization.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
States that the Congress supports the President's commitment to arms control policies that provide for substantial reductions in strategic nuclear weapons and their delivery systems; the elimination of such weapons; and the development and deployment of nonnuclear defensive technologies that would ensure the safety of the United States and its allies and that would neutralize a terrorist nuclear missile attack. States that the Congress supports the President in the negotiation of new arms control agreements with the Soviet Union under which compliance is verifiable, which offset reductions in offensive weapons with sufficient defensive weapons, and which eliminate nuclear weapons from the arsenals of all nations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Upper White Oak Bayou Flood Control Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to construct the project for flood control and recreation in the Upper White Oak Bayou area, Texas.