United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1985
Permits the reappointment of a specified number of air traffic controllers who were separated from service for participation in a strike initiated on August 3, 1981. Requires such reappointments to be made in FY 1986 and 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1985
Amends Federal provisions concerning death benefits payable to military dependents to increase such benefit to $3,000 plus an amount equal to two months' housing allowance in effect at the time of the member's death. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide survivors of a deceased member who are occupying Government quarters at the time of the member's death a reasonable period of time before being required to vacate such quarters.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1985
Consumer Bank Act of 1985 - Title I: Regulation of Consumer Banks - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to exclude as a "bank" subject to the restrictions of such Act any consumer bank or any industrial bank, Morris Plan bank, industrial loan company or similar institution which operates as authorized by State law and which does not both make commercial loans and accept demand deposits. Lists the requirements of a "consumer bank" which include: (1) a prohibition against making commercial loans; (2) a requirement to maintain investments in specified types of consumer loans; and (3) a requirement to make available in a State an aggregate amount of loans equal to 65 percent of the consumer deposits held by such institution which were received in such State. Defines a "commercial loan" as any loan or extension of credit for commercial, agricultural, or cultural purposes. Applies tying arrangement provisions of such Act to consumer banks and consumer bank holding companies. Applies the Community Reinvestment Act to consumer banks. Permits a consumer bank and its subsidiaries to enter into a transaction with an affiliate only if the terms and conditions are substantially the same, or at least as beneficial to the bank or subsidiary, as those prevailing for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies. Prohibits a consumer bank from being held responsible, or from stating that it will assume responsibility, for the obligations of its affiliates. Permits a consumer bank to offer or sell only those products and services that a national bank may offer or sell. Allows a consumer bank's nonbanking affiliates to offer or sell other products and services in the consumer bank's facility, but prohibits the bank or any bank employee or agent from publicly assisting the affiliates in selling their products. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, after providing notice and a hearing, to issue to the parent company of a consumer bank an order to cease and desist an activity or the ownership or control of a nonbank subsidiary which constitutes a serious actual risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of the consumer bank and which is inconsistent with sound banking principles. Declares that no State may prohibit the affiliation of a bank with a consumer bank. Title II: Consumer Bank Truth in Savings - Consumer Bank Truth in Savings Act - Requires any consumer bank announcement regarding the rate of interest payable on any deposit to state, and give equal prominence to, the annual percentage yield (and the method of compounding interest) followed by the annual rate of simple interest (including the period such rate will be in effect).
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1985
Federal Incentives for State Health Care Professional Liability Reform Act of 1985 - Establishes a program to provide development and incentive grants to States for enacting medical malpractice liability reforms. Describes the reforms which must be in effect for States to receive incentive grants, including: (1) the manner of payment of damage awards exceeding $100,000; (2) a $250,000 limit on noneconomic losses; (3) the method for determining attorneys' fees; and (4) certain requirements regarding health care professional liability insurance. Requires each State receiving an incentive grant to prepare and transmit a report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services every two years describing: (1) State liability reforms enacted, adopted, or in effect; (2) activities conducted by the State with grants received under this Act; and (3) any current problems with respect to health care professional liability or health care professional liability insurance. Requires the Secretary to transmit periodic reports to the Congress summarizing the information provided by the States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1985
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing a permit for ocean incineration of hazardous wastes off the coast of Maryland until a hazardous waste reduction and management feasibility report has been completed and a plan based on such report has been submitted to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Urges the President to convene a conference to develop an international seaport security agreement among the United States, its allies, other nations, and the private sector. Provides that such agreement would establish seaport and passenger vessel security standards (including seaport screening of cargo and baggage, restricting access to cargo and vessels to authorized personnel, additional security onboard passenger vessels, international criminal sanctions against terrorists who seize such vessels, and certification of compliance with such security standards).
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to add to such Act a new title, "Title XIV-Build and Charter," which establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Ship Revolving Fund. Provides that moneys for such Fund shall be derived from: (1) all moneys appropriated to the Fund; (2) all moneys received for the charter or sale of merchant vessels constructed under this Act; and (3) any other moneys made available for the Fund. Provides that moneys from such Fund shall be used for the construction in private U.S. shipyards of merchant vessels capable of serving as naval and military auxiliaries in time of war or national emergency. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to administer the Fund and to award contracts to private U.S. shipyards for vessel construction under this Act. Directs the Secretary to charter or sell any naval vessel constructed under this Act to a citizen of the United States for operation in the foreign commerce of the United States. Outlines information concerning the price to be charged by the Secretary for the sale or charter of such vessels. Provides that a citizen who charters or purchases a vessel under this Act shall not be eligible to receive an operating-differential subsidy for the operation of any such vessel. Prohibits the Secretary from chartering or selling any vessel constructed under this Act for operation in the transpacific or transatlantic general dry cargo service unless the Secretary makes certain findings concerning the need for such vessel, including the finding that such charter or sale is in the interest of national security. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1985
Small Contribution Tax Credit Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the income tax credit for contributions to presidential, state, and local candidates, political action committees, and newsletter fund contributions. Allows an income tax credit for congressional candidate contributions. Limits the amount of such credit to $100 for a taxable year ($200 in the case of a joint return).
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Amends the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act to express the intent of the Congress that: (1) the National Defense Stockpile be used to serve the interest of national defense only and not for economic or budgetary purposes; and (2) the quantities of materials stored should be sufficient to sustain the United States for a period of not less than three years in the event of a national emergency. Provides that such strategic materials, together with their quantity and quality and the form in which they are to be acquired and stored, shall be established by law and shall be known as the National Defense Stockpile. Provides that certain functions of the President under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (such as stockpile management, disposal authority, the creation of advisory committees, and reports to the Congress) may be delegated only to the Secretary of Defense. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an interagency agreement with the head of any other department or agency for the performance of such functions. Provides that appropriations for the operation of the Stockpile and for acquisitions through the Stockpile Transaction Fund shall be made to the Department of Defense as part of the appropriations for military functions of the Department.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1985
Designates a pedestrian walkway located in Washington County, Maryland, and Jefferson County, West Virginia, and crossing the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, as the Goodloe E. Byron Memorial Pedestrian Walkway.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1985
Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to deem all vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf in support of resources exploration or development as within the jurisdiction and laws of the United States. Provides that any artificial islands, installations, vessels, or other devices on the Outer Continental Shelf may receive supplies or cargo only from U.S. ports. Excepts four named vessels from the provisions of this Act until after December 31, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike bronze medals commemorating the 100th Congress. Specifies the size of the medals, leaving their quantity and design to the Secretary's determination. Authorizes appropriations which are to be reimbursed out of proceeds from sales of the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1985
Civil Service Supplemental Retirement System Act of 1985 - Title I: Civil Service Supplemental Retirement System - Establishes a Civil Service Supplemental Retirement Plan for Federal employees, postal employees, and Members of Congress who began service after December 31, 1983. Sets forth provisions for the benefit plan including: (1) eligibility for an annuity after five years of creditable service; (2) entitlements to retirement based on age and years of service; (3) the formulas for computing an annuity; (4) survivor election reductions; and (5) funding. Sets forth provisions for mandatory retirement for air traffic controllers, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. Establishes a Thrift Savings Plan under which participants may contribute up to 10 percent of their annual basic pay. Requires employing agencies to contribute the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of amounts contributed by the employee; or (2) three percent of such employee's basic pay. Provides for the payment of benefits, lump sum or annuity, at the employee's separation from service. Establishes in the Treasury the Thrift Savings Fund for the deposit and accounting of amounts under the Plan. Prescribes how money in such Fund shall be invested. Describes survivor annuities under the supplemental retirement plan. Describes disability benefits for employees who have completed five years of creditable service. Sets forth general and administrative provisions. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to pay all benefits payable under the benefit plan and administer provisions not specifically assigned to another entity. Directs the Office to adjudicate all claims under provisions it administers. Provides for annual cost-of-living adjustments in basic pensions based upon an increase in the Consumer Price Index. Provides for withholding of State income taxes from retirement annuities. Declares that basic annuities, survivor annuities, and disability benefits are exempt from legal process (i.e. levy, attachment, garnishment) unless otherwise provided by Federal law. Establishes in the executive branch the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to be responsible for policies and regulations for, and review of, the investment and management of the Thrift Savings Fund. Directs the Board to establish an Employee Thrift Advisory Council to advise the Board on matters relating to investment policies for the Fund. Directs the Board to appoint an Executive Director to carry out its policies, invest and manage the fund, and administer provisions of the Thrift Savings Plan. Title II: Amendments to Chapter 83 of Title 5, United States Code - Provides for civil service retirement for certain employees excluded from the supplemental retirement plan. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Employees' Retirement Contribution Temporary Adjustment Act of 1983 to extend its provisions until January 1, 1987. Allows employees covered under such Act to elect participation in the supplemental retirement plan. Title IV: Effective Dates - Declares this Act in effect on January 1, 1987, with specified exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Postmaster General should issue a stamp, before October 1, 1986, commemorating the 100th Congress; and (2) the U.S. Postal Service should conduct a public competition for the design of the stamp.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Equitable Automobile Transportation Act of 1985 - Requires a person exporting Japanese motor vehicles to be imported into the United States to: (1) transport an equal number of such vehicles on U.S. - documented vessels as are transported on Japanese vessels; and (2) file an annual certification with the Department of the Treasury which contains specified assurances and information. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to enforce this Act. Provides penalties for the violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Authorizes the Francis Scott Key Park Foundation to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor Francis Scott Key, the author of the words to our national anthem. Subjects the selected site, design, and plans for the memorial to the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. Provides that only non-Federal funds may be used to establish the memorial and that these must be sufficient before construction begins. Terminates the authority provided by this Act if construction does not begin within five years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Designates 1986 as Save for the U.S.A. Year. Requests the President to initiate a nationwide campaign, to be known as the Buy Back America campaign, to encourage the people of the United States to buy U.S. savings bonds and certificates and thereby reduce borrowings from foreign sources. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enhance the marketability of such bonds and certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Joint Chiefs of Staff Reorganization Act of 1985 - Revises Federal provisions concerning the composition and function of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to define the Chairman of JCS as the principal military advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. Authorizes a member of JCS other than the Chairman to offer, to the Secretary of Defense and then to the President, a separate opinion in disagreement with that of the Chairman concerning military advice given. Directs that the Chairman of JCS shall supervise the commanders of the combatant commands and act as their spokesman. Extends the term of the Chairman of JCS from two to four years. Establishes the position of Deputy Chairman of JCS. Prohibits the Deputy Chairman and the Chairman from being a member of the same military branch, unless the Secretary of Defense waives such prohibition for a limited period. Sets the term of the Deputy Chairman at four years. Requires the Deputy Chairman to perform such duties as delegated by the Chairman with the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Directs the Deputy Chairman to act as Chairman if the latter position is vacated for any reason. Directs the Deputy Chairman to act as director of the Joint Staff, which performs such duties as the Chairman prescribes. Eliminates any maximum number of officers on the Joint Staff. Provides that the four-year term of a member of the Joint Staff may be extended with the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the Joint Staff is independently organized and operated in order to provide for the unified strategic direction of the combatant forces and their operation and integration into an efficient team of land, naval, and air forces. Requires the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to submit an evaluation to the President of any person for appointment to a grade above major general or rear admiral. Requires such evaluation to consider the performance of that officer as a member of the Joint Staff and in other assignments involving joint military experiences. Requires such evaluation to be submitted to the President at the same time as the submission of the recommendation for the appointment. Directs the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman of JCS to attend all meetings of the National Security Council and participate fully in its deliberations. Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than six months after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on plans for further changes in the administration of the military high commands of each of the armed forces. Outlines proposals to be developed in such report.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1985
1985 Act To Create the Death Penalty To Punish Terrorist Acts - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for a penalty of death or life imprisonment for the crime of hostage taking if the death of an individual results from the commission or attempted commission of the offense of hostage taking. Makes it a criminal offense to commit or attempt to commit an act of terrorism within the United States or outside the jurisdiction of the United States against a United States person (as defined by this Act). Provides for a penalty of: (1) imprisonment for any term of years; or (2) death or life imprisonment if the death of an individual results from the commission or attempted commission of the offense. Defines an "act of terrorism" as an activity that: (1) involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life that is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State; or (2) appears to be intended to either intimidate a civilian population, influence the policy of a government or to affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping. Defines a "United States person" as: (1) a national of the United States; (2) a resident alien admitted to the United States; (3) any person within the United States; (4) any employee or contractor of the United States regardless of nationality; (5) any proprietorship, partnership, company, or association composed principally of nationals of the United States; or (6) a corporation organized under the laws of the United States. Sets forth rules for the venue of a trial for the offenses of: (1) kidnapping; (2) receiving of ransom money; (3) hostage taking; and (4) commission of terrorist acts. Requires the Government, in cases where the death penalty is sought for the offenses of hostage taking and acts of terrorism, to file with the court and serve upon the defendant notice that the Government will seek the death penalty in the event of a conviction. Requires such notice to set forth the aggravating factors which the Government will seek to prove as the basis for the death penalty. Requires the court to conduct a separate sentencing hearing to determine the sentence to be imposed in such cases where the Government has filed notice of intent to seek the death penalty and where the defendant has been convicted or has entered a guilty plea. Sets forth standards and procedures for such hearings. Provides that no presentence report shall be prepared in such cases. Allows information to be presented as to any matter relevant to the sentence including matters relating to any aggravating or mitigating factors. Specifies certain aggravating and mitigating factors which may be considered. Requires the jury (or the court if there is no jury) to return special findings identifying any mitigating and aggravating factors. Requires the jury by unanimous vote (or the court if there is no jury) to return a finding as to whether a sentence of death is justified. Requires the court to sentence the defendant to death, upon a finding that a sentence of death is justified. Requires a court to instruct the jury that in its consideration as to whether the death penalty is justified it shall not consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant. Requires each juror to certify that such factors were not involved in reaching his or her individual decision. Allows the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of parole in such cases in which the death penalty is not sought or imposed. Allows for an appeal of a death sentence. Sets forth the standard of review for such appeals.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
States that a person shall be considered an American national if such person completes 15 years of lawful continuous residence in the United States or American Samoa, and one of his or her parents was a national of the United States and a resident of the United States or American Samoa at the time of that person's birth.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should initiate, in cooperation with our Western allies, the negotiation of a multinational agreement to establish an allied strategy to respond to international terrorism, procedures to provide and to disseminate intelligence information relating to such terrorism, and a multinational unit to resolve terrorist incidents; and (2) the United States should adopt as a national policy the termination of U.S. foreign assistance to nations that assist or fail to prosecute international terrorists.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Sargent Shriver, in recognition of his distinguished service as the first Director of the Peace Corps. Authorizes appropriations up to a specified amount. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of the medal bearing the Peace Corps' emblem and the likeness of Sargent Shriver.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1985
Health Care Savings Account Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit individuals (employees or self-employed individuals) and employers to contribute to health care savings accounts. Limits the amount which may be contributed to a health care savings account each year to no greater than the combined amount of employee and employer hospital insurance (Medicare) payroll tax paid during that year. Provides that the employee or self-employed individual and the employer will each receive a 60 percent tax credit for their respective portion of their hospital insurance payroll tax paid. Provides that a health care savings account shall be exempt from income taxes, except for the tax on certain unrelated business income, and except where such account: (1) engages in prohibited transactions; or (2) is used to pledge as security for a loan. Excludes from gross income of the distributee amounts distributed from a health care savings account provided that these funds are used for eligible medical expenses while the individual is eligible for Medicare. Permits the tax-free rollover of contributions from one health care savings account to another for the benefit of the distributee. Imposes a penalty of ten percent of the amount of any early distributions from a health care savings account. Provides that no amount distributed out of a health care savings account may be taken as a medical expense deduction. Imposes a tax on any excess contributions to such accounts. Imposes a penalty tax on prohibited transactions involving a health care savings account. Imposes a five percent tax on distributions from a health care savings account in the taxable year which reduces the level of all such accounts with respect to the distributee below the total value of health care savings account tax credits for the distributee. Provides exceptions for certain distributions. Imposes a 100 percent tax on such distributions if the distributions are not corrected within the taxable period. Imposes a 50 percent excise tax on the difference between the value of a decedent's health care savings accounts at the time of death and the amount contributed into the spouse's health care savings account at the time of, and on account of, such death. Establishes certain penalties for failure to file required reports with respect to health care savings accounts. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that in the case of an individual who has established a health care savings account, the total amount of any Medicare benefits which will be paid with respect to the individual will be reduced by a health care savings account-related deductible for the year. Provides that this deductible amount will be equal to 60 percent of the amount of medical-related expenditures that could be reasonably underwritten (by an insurance company) for the average Medicare beneficiary assuming that the annual premium will equal the health care savings account annuity. Provides special rules for individuals who cannot obtain insurance to cover their added deductible at the standard premium rates. Provides that these high cost insurance beneficiaries' added deductible is reduced by a proportion reflecting 80 percent of the excess premium required above the standard rate, except that the deductible may not drop below 120 percent of the individual's health care savings account annuity amount. Provides that the health care savings account-related deductible and the annuity amount shall be recalculated upon the qualification of a younger spouse for Medicare. Establishes catastrophic health care expense protection for certain individuals qualifying for Medicare protection. Requires such individuals to have contributed at least one-third of the maximum amount possible over the course of their careers into a health care savings account and at least $100 (indexed for inflation) or 50 percent of the maximum contribution per year, whichever is greater, in ten individual years. Treats surviving spouses without a separate health care savings account as eligible for the catastrophic coverage if the deceased spouse was formerly eligible for catastrophic coverage and the surviving spouse rolls 100 percent of the health care savings account of the deceased spouse into a health care savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Amends the copyright law to make permanent the prohibition against importing certain English language books not manufactured in the United States and Canada, denying copyright protection to books imported in violation of this restriction (the manufacturing clause).
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Social Security Budget and Administrative Reorganization Act of 1985 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Commissioner of Social Security; (2) a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security; (3) a General Counsel; (4) an Inspector General; and (5) an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall represent the interests of beneficiaries under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income Program within the Administration. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a description of the activities of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan as established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to implement demonstration projects relating to personnel matters. Directs the Board and the Administrator of General Services to implement such projects relating to delegations from the Administrator. Specifies the authorities which are to be delegated to the Board from the Administrator and the Director. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees concerning such projects, including an evaluation of the Board's readiness to assume full and permanent authority. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Provides for the transfer to the Administration of all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth effective date and transitional rule provisions. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs which he or she administers. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program and an Advisory Council on Health and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation of the trust funds supporting the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Medicare program and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each Trust Fund. Sets forth the effective dates of this title. Title III: Budgetary Treatment of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program - Provides for off-budget treatment of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund beginning with FY 1987.