United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1984
Conrail Sale Rail Infrastructure Fund Act - Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to establish a revolving fund through which proceeds from the sale of Conrail shall be used for rail-related infrastructure capital improvements. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to allocate money in the fund among the States in accordance with a survey of improvement needs. Requires the Secretary to conduct such survey within six months of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) consider appointing a high level official as the President's personal representative in seeking a solution to the Cyprus conflict and the differences between Greece and Turkey with regard to the control of the Aegean Sea; (2) call upon Turkey to withdraw its forces and colonists from Cyprus; and (3) pursue every appropriate avenue to seek a prompt resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1984
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the appointment of Anne M. Burford as Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere, and urges the President to withdraw her appointment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1984
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1984 - Title I: Public Water Systems - Amends the Safe Drinking Water (the Act) to revise provisions for national primary drinking water regulations. Provides that, effective on the date of enactment of this Act, each national interim primary drinking water regulation promulgated before such date shall be deemed to be a national primary drinking water regulation. Provides that no such regulation shall be required to comply with specified standards under this Act unless such regulation is amended to establish a different maximum contaminant level after the date of enactment of such amendments. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), within specified time periods for certain contaminants, to: (1) simultaneously propose maximum contaminant level goals and national primary drinking water regulations; and (2) after opportunity for public comment, simultaneously publish maximum contaminant level goals and promulgate national water regulations. Directs the Administrator to do so: (1) within 18 months after the enactment date of this Act, for the 14 contaminants listed in the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in a specified issue of the Federal Register; and (2) within 36 months after such enactment date, for each of the contaminats listed in the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in a specified later issue of the Federal Register. Requires the Administrator, if such goals and regulations for a particular contaminant are not to be proposed and published by such deadlines, to make and publish a determination in the Federal Register that such a regulation is not necessary because the levels of such contaminant currently found in public water systems do not represent a threat of a known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons. Directs the Administrator to publish maximum contaminant level goals and simultaneously promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for each substance (other than those contaminants referred to in the previous paragraph) which, in the Administrator's judgment, may have an adverse effect on the health of persons. Requires the Administrator on January 1, 1988, and at annual intervals thereafter, to publish a list establishing priorities for the review of substances which may require regulation under the Act to prevent known or anticipated adverse effects on the health of persons. Requires the Administrator's consideration, in establishing such priorities, to include substances regulated as toxic water pollutants under the Clean Water Act and substances registered as pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Directs the Administrator, within three years of each contaminant's being listed on such priority list, to either: (1) simultaneously publish a maximum contaminant level goal and promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation; or (2) make and publish a determination in the Federal Register that such a regulation is not necessary for such contaminant because its levels in public water systems do not represent a threat of a known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons. Requires that each maximum contaminant level goal established under this Act be set at the level which, in the Administrator's judgment, no known or anticipated adverse effects on the health of persons occur and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Requires that each national primary drinking water regulation for a contaminant for which such a goal is established specify a maximum level which is as close to the goal as is feasible. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation that requires the use of a treatment technique in lieu of establishing a maximum contaminant level, upon a finding of overriding economic and technological constraints on monitoring. Requires the Administrator, in such case, to identify those treatment techniques which, in the Administrator's judgment, would prevent known or anticipated adverse effects on the health of persons to the extent feasible. Requires that such regulations specify each treatment technique known to the Administrator which meets such requirements, but authorizes the Administrator to grant a variance from any such specified treatment technique. Requires that the specified regulatory deadlines for certain contaminants be complied with in the promulgation of any such treatment technique use requirement for any such contaminant. Directs the Administrator to propose and promulgate regulations requiring: (1) filtration as a treatment technique for all public water systems supplied by surface raw water sources; and (2) disinfection as a treatment technique for all public water systems. Authorizes the Administrator to grant variances from these requirements. Authorizes the Administrator, after opportunity for public comment, to change maximum contaminant level goals or the list of treatment techniques. Requires the Administrator, simultaneously with such change, to amend the national primary drinking water regulations concerned accordingly. Defines "feasible," for purposes of the establishment of maximum contaminant levels or treatment technique requirements. Directs the Administrator to provide the Science Advisory Board an opportunity to comment prior to proposal of a maximum contaiminant level goal and national primary drinking water regulation. Adds provisions for monitoring unregulated contaminants. Authorizes the Administrator to take into consideration the size of a public water system and the contaminants likely to be found in its drinking water in requiring a system to monitor for unregulated contaminants. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, to promulgate regulations for every public water system to conduct a monitoring program for unregulated contaminants. Provides that such regulations shall: (1) require monitoring of drinking water supplied by the system; and (2) vary the frequency and schedule of monitoring requirements for systems based on the number of persons served and the contaminants likely to be found, but requires each system to monitor surface sources and representative supply wells at least once within five years after the effective date of the Administrator's regulations. Requires such regulations to list the unregulated contaminants which the systems may be required to monitor, but allows each State with primary enforcement authority to add or delete contaminants for individual systems on the basis of approved assessments. Requires each such State to submit to the Administrator an assessment which shall be treated as approved on the date 30 days after its submission, unless disapproved by the Administrator within such 30-day period. Requires that notification of the availability of the results of such monitoring (or of monitoring by a system which is given a waiver) be given to the persons served by the system and the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to waive the monitoring requirements for a system which has conducted a monitoring program after January 1, 1983, upon determination that the program has been consistent with regulations promulgated under specified provisions for records and inspections. Provides that any system supplying less than 150 service connections shall be treated as complying with such monitoring requirements if such system supplies appropriate water samples to the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to arrange for analysis of such samples. Revises provisions for enforcement of national primary drinking water regulations. Directs the Administrator to notify the public water system involved, as well as the State, in cases of noncompliance with regulations under the Act. Directs the Administrator, if the State has not commenced appropriate enforcement action within 30 days of the notification of noncompliance, or if the State does not have primary enforcement responsibility, to either: (1) issue an order requiring the public water system to comply with the regulation or requirement; or (2) commence a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court to require such compliance. Sets forth provisions for compliance orders by the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to issue such orders in any case in which the Administrator is authorized to bring a civil action for compliance with respect to any regulation under the Act. Provides for notice and opportunity for public hearing, and an opportunity to confer with the Administrator for any State with primary enforcement responsibility, before such an order takes effect. Requires that copies of any such order issued to a corporation be issued to appropriate corporate officers. Sets forth civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day for violation of such orders. Authorizes the Administrator to assess such penalties of up to $5,000 per day, but requires that such penalties above $5,000 per day be assessed by the appropriate U.S. district court. Directs the Administrator, within 12 months after the enactment date of this Act, to amend regulations relating to public notification of such violations of regulations to provide for different types and frequencies of notice based on differences between intermittent or infrequent violations and those which are continuous or frequent, and taking into account the seriousness of any potential adverse health effects. Requires that notice for violations designated by the Administrator as continuous or posing a serious potential adverse health effect: (1) be given no less frequently than every three months; and (2) include notice in a newspaper of general circulation serving the area served by the public water system (as determined by the Administrator). Provides that the regulations in effect on the enactment date of this Act shall remain in effect until such amendments are promulgated. Revises provisions for variances. Provides that a variance may only be issued to a public water system after a system's application of the best technology, treatment techniques, or other means, which the Administrator finds are available (taking cost into consideration). Directs the Administrator to propose and promulgate such findings at the time of proposal and promulgation of the maximum contaminant levels involved. Allows such finding to vary depending on the number of persons served by the system or for other physical conditions related to engineering feasibility and costs of compliance. Requires a State to prescribe a schedule for compliance and implementation of any additional control measures at the same time it grants a variance. (Current law gives the State one year to prescribe such schedule after granting a variance.) Revises provisions for exemptions. Requires a State to prescribe a schedule for compliance and implementation of control measures at the same time it grants an exemption. (Current law gives the State one year to prescribe such schedule after granting an exemption.) Requires that such schedules require compliance by the public water system with each contaminant level and treatment technique requirement with respect to which the exemption was granted as expeditiously as practicable but not later than: (1) 12 months after the enactment date of this Act, in the case of exemptions granted with respect to such a level or requirement prescribed by the national primary drinking water regulations promulgated before such enactment date; and (2) 12 months after the issuance date of the exemption, in the case of exemptions from such regulations promulgated after such enactment date. Authorizes States with primary enforcement responsibility, or the Administrator in any other case, of such compliance deadlines for a period not to exceed three years after the issuance date of the exemption, if the public water system establishes that it: (1) cannot meet the standard without capital improvements which cannot be completed within the exemption period; (2) has entered into an agreement to obtain necessary financial assistance for necessary improvements; or (3) has entered into an enforceable agreement to become a part of a regional public water system. Allows one or more additional two-year period renewals of such extensions of exemptions granted under specified provisions in the case of any system which does not serve more than 500 service connections, which needs financial assistance for the necessary improvements, and which establishes that it is taking all practicable steps to meet the standard. Adds new provisions relating to tampering with public water systems. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for such tampering and for attempts or threats to tamper. Adds new technical assistance provisions. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance to small public water systems to enable such systems to achieve and maintain compliance with national drinking water regulations. Permits such assistance to include "circuit-rider" programs, training, and preliminary engineering studies. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 for such technical assistance. Title II: Protection of Underground Sources of Drinking Water - Revises provisions for protection of underground sources of drinking water. Adds new provisions for restrictions on underground injection of hazardous waste. Prohibits disposal of any hazardous waste by underground injection above or into a formation which contains (within one-quarter mile of the injection well bore) a drinking water source. Authorizes the Administrator to allow injection of contaminated ground water into the aquifer from which it was withdrawn, upon determination (pursuant to specified approved procedures) that such injection is an appropriate and environmentally acceptable aspect of a cleanup, removal, or remedial action for the contaminated aquifer. Adds new provisions relating to the regulation of State programs. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, to revise regulations issued under the Act to require monitoring of underground injection wells so as to provide the earliest possible detection of fluid migration into or towards an underground source of drinking water. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with the States, to compile an inventory of all wells in the United States which inject hazardous wastes. Requires that such inventory be made available to the public within nine months after the enactment of this Act. Requires that the inventory include such information as the Administrator deems necessary to define the scope and nature of hazardous waste disposal in the United States through underground injection. Revises provisions for enforcement of State underground injection control programs. Directs the Administrator, if the State has not commenced appropriate enforcement action within 30 days of the notification of a violation by any person subject to a requirement of an applicable underground injection control program, or if the State does not have primary enforcement responsibility, to either: (1) issue an order requiring the person to comply with such requirement; or (2) commence a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court to require such compliance. Declares that such court has the jurisdiction to require such compliance with any requirement of an applicable underground injection program. Raises from $5,000 to $25,000 the amount of the civil penalty which may be imposed by such court for each day of such a violation. Shortens to 30 days (currently 60 days) the period after notification which must expire before imposition of such civil penalty may begin. Sets forth provisions for compliance orders by the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to also issue such orders in any case in which the Administrator is authorized to bring a civil action for compliance with respect to any requirement of an applicable underground injection program. Provides for notice and opportunity for public hearing, and an opportunity to confer with the Administrator for any State with primary enforcement responsibility, before such an order takes effect. Requires that copies of any such order issued to a corporation be issued to appropriate corporate officers. Sets forth civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day of violation of such orders. Authorizes the Administrator to assess such penalties of up to $5,000 per day of violation, but requires that such penalties above $5,000 per day be assessed by the appropriate U.S. district court. Adds new provisions for State plans to protect underground sources of drinking water. Requires each State, after notice and opportunity for public hearing and within 30 months after the enactment of this Act, to adopt and submit to the Administrator a State plan to protect underground sources of drinking water from contamination that may adversely affect the health of persons. Sets forth requirements for such plans. Sets forth procedures for approval of such plans. Prohibits any State from exercising primary enforcement responsibility for a State underground injection control program if that State has not complied with specified requirements for approval or if any portion of the plan has not been approved or treated as approved by the Administrator before the expiration of specified periods. Requires, in States where oil or natural gas exploration occurs, that such State plan, consistent with underground injection requirements, protect underground sources of drinking water from brine contamination which may adversely affect public health and which is associated with the recovery of oil or natural gas. Allows any State to provide special protections under such plan for any areas designated under specified provisions for interim regulation of underground injections. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to such States to implement such special protections. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, to establish criteria for areas to be so designated and eligible for such special protections. Requires such criteria to include aquifer use , vulnerability, water quality, and unavailability of alternative supplies of drinking water. Requires that such area designations made before the enactment of this Act be reviewed and reevaluated in accordance with such criteria. Title III: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 for the following programs under the Act: (1) research, technical assistance, information, and personnel training; (2) grants for State programs for supervision of public water systems; and (3) grants for State programs for underground water source protection. Provides that any need certifications or orders issued under provisions for assurances of availability of adequate supplies of water treatment chemicals shall remain in effect for up to one year. Directs the Administrator, upon the application of any State, to make grants to the State for 50 percent of the costs incurred by such State (as determined by the Administrator) in developing and implementing a State plan to protect underground sources of drinking water. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for FY 1986 through 1989. Reserves ten percent of such funds for grants to States for implementation of special protections for designated areas. Repeals specified provisions for grants to public water systems which are required under State law to meet drinking water turbidity standards more stringent than those in effect under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Title I: Amendment to Federal Trade Commission Act - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to make the sale, distribution or the production for sale or distribution of counterfeit goods or services an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice in or affecting commerce. Permits the Federal Trade Commission, on or after the date the Commission issues a complaint with respect to a sale, distribution, or production of counterfeit goods, to proceed against the counterfeit goods by process of libel for their seizure and condemnation in any district court within the jurisdiction of which such goods are found. Permits the Commission to order counterfeit goods detained for a certain period. Defines "counterfeit goods or services" with respect to trademark, patent, and copyright law. Title II: Amendments to the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act and the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 - Amends the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act and the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 to require a textile fiber or wool product processed or manufactured in the United States to be so identified. Requires the product, as well as the package in which it is contained, to be labeled as to country origin. Provides that this Act shall not be construed as requiring such labeling on each hosiery product contained in a package that is so labeled. Requires catalog sales descriptions and other advertisements for textile and wool products to contain country of origin information. Requires that the identification label or imported textile and wool products be affixed to the most conspicuous place on the inner side of the product.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to oppose the practice of torture by foreign governments through the implementation of laws and through public and private diplomacy. Requests the President to: (1) instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to continue to raise the issue of torture by such governments; and (2) continue to involve the U.S. Government in the formulation of international standards, particularly the draft Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Requests the Secretary of State to issue specified formal instructions to each U.S. mission chief regarding U.S. policy with respect to such torture. States that the Secretary of Commerce should continue to enforce the current restrictions on the export of crime control equipment pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the heads of U.S. departments that furnish military and law enforcement training to foreign personnel to include in such training instruction regarding international human rights standards with respect to torture.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Treatment Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate 20 centers for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Requires such centers to: (1) provide a central facility for diagnosis, evaluation, and counseling; (2) develop standards of treatment and methods of delivering cost-effective services; (3) train professionals and nonprofessionals in diagnosing and treating such disorders; and (4) develop a comprehensive acute and long-term treatment program. Authorizes FY 1985 through 1989 appropriations. Directs the Secretary to make $1,000,000 available to each center for each of at least five years for teaching, training, research, and staffing. Permits eligible persons to elect to receive benefits as provided for by this Act rather than under titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XX (Grants to States for Service) of the Social Security Act, or under the Older Americans Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1984
Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act - Requires each State and local government responsible for conducting elections to assure that all polling facilities for Federal elections are accessible to handicapped and elderly voters. Establishes limited exceptions in an emergency or if the chief election officer of the State determines that no accessible facilities are available and allows any handicapped or elderly voter to be assigned to the nearest accessible facility. Requires the chief election officer to report every two years to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on the number of accessible and inaccessible polling facilities. Requires the FEC to compile this information and transmit it to Congress. Requires each State or local government to provide a reasonable number of accessible permanent registration facilities except in the case where there is mail registration. Requires States to make available registration and voting aids for handicapped and elderly individuals in Federal elections. Authorizes the Attorney General or aggrieved persons to bring actions in Federal court for declaratory or injunctive relief to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1984
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the President from issuing a letter of offer to sell major defense equipment for $14,000,000 or more, or other defense articles or services for $50,000,000 or more to any country or international organization unless Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the sale. Exempts sales to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), member countries of that organization, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, or Israel from such requirement. Prohibits the President from issuing a letter of offer for such sales to such countries or NATO if Congress, within 15 days of receiving the certification with respect to the proposed sale, agrees to a joint resolution stating that the proposed sale is not authorized. Prohibits the President from issuing a letter of offer to sell design and construction services for $200,000,000 or more to any foreign country or international organization if the Congress, within 30 days of receiving the certification with respect to the proposed sale, agrees to a joint resolution stating that the proposed sale is not authorized. Prohibits the President from issuing letters of offer for arms sales until after Congress has had time to consider relevant joint resolutions. Exempts letters of offer for arms sales from the requirements for congressional authorization if the President states in the certification that an emergency exists which requires the proposed sale in the U.S. national security interests. Sets forth an expedited procedure for consideration of resolutions relating to such letters of offer. Prohibits the President from issuing a license to export such defense equipment, articles, or services unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the proposed export. Exempts from this requirement proposed exports to NATO, any member of NATO, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, or Israel. Prohibits issuing a license to export such defense equipment, articles, or services to NATO and such countries until 30 days after Congress receives the certification on such exports. Excludes proposed exports of such defense equipment, articles, or services from such requirements if the President states in the certification that an emergency exists which requires the proposed export in the interest of U.S. national security. Provides for expedited consideration of joint resolutions relating to such export licenses. Prohibits the President, unless Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing such action, from entering into or renewing an arms lease agreement, or military assistance loan to any foreign country or international organization for one year or longer of any defense articles which are either major defense equipment valued at $14,000,000 or more or other defense articles valued at $50,000,000 or more. Excludes from such requirement a lease or loan to NATO, any member country of NATO, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, or Israel. Provides for expedited consideration of such a joint resolution. Prohibits the President from consenting to a third-country arms transfer: (1) in the case of a proposed transfer to NATO, any member country of NATO, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, or Israel, if the Congress agrees, within 15 days after receiving the President's certification of the transfer, to a joint resolution stating that the President is not authorized to grant consent and that joint resolution is thereafter enacted; (2) in the case of any other such proposed transfer unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the President to grant his consent to the proposed transfer. Prohibits the President from consenting to such an arms transfer until after Congress has had time to consider a relevant joint resolution. Exempts third-country arms transfers from such requirements if the President states in the certification that an emergency exists which requires that consent to the proposed transfer become effective immediately in the interest of U.S. national security.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1984
Secondary School Basic Skills Act - Establishes a program of grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) having especially high concentrations of children from low-income families to enable such agencies to provide more effective instruction in basic skills for economically disadvantaged secondary school students. Defines "basic skills" to include reading, writing, and mathematics computational proficiency as well as comprehension and reasoning. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1990. Makes certain amounts of such appropriations available for specified activities and types of grants under this Act. Makes a secondary school eligible to receive assistance under this Act for program grants only if 20 percent or more of children aged 14 to 17, inclusive, who are enrolled in such school are counted under LEA basic grant provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as modified by the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 (ECIA). Requires that funds made available under this Act for program grants be used to develop new approaches to, and carry out, educational services and activities designed specifically to raise the basic skills of low achieving disadvantaged children. Authorizes the Secretary of Education, through the National Institute of Education (NIE) and from specified funds appropriated for program grants for FY 1985 through 1990, to make grants to LEAs, institutions of higher education, and other public agencies and nonprofit private organizations. Provides that such grants shall be made to such entities on behalf of and for the purpose of assisting eligible secondary schools to develop, implement, and carryout new approaches to achieving improved basic skills instruction of low- achieving economically disadvantaged secondary school students. Sets forth application requirements. Requires that the application be made on behalf of the eligible school by: (1) the LEA; or (2) an institution of higher education, public agency, or private nonprofit organization if such entity will provide educational services or conduct educational activities subject to the proposal. Requires applicants to assure their participation in a national evaluation. Requires that administrators and teachers in the eligible school participate in the preparation of the proposal. Requires that the appropriate State educational agency (SEA) review and comment on the application before submittal to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to assure that: (1) eligible applicants represent various geographic regions of the country, including both rural and urban secondary schools within those various geographic regions; and (2) at least one demonstration grant is made in each State in each fiscal year, unless no applications are received from a State. Requires each LEA which desires to receive program grants under this Act to file with the Secretary an application containing specified assurances. Provides that each LEA and each institution of higher education, public agency, and private nonprofit organization applying on behalf of an eligible secondary school may receive payments for any fiscal year in which it files an application with the SEA. Sets forth requirements for such applications. Requires consultation with parents and teachers of low-achieving economically disadvantaged secondary school students in program design and implementation. Establishes a National Secondary School Basic Skills Panel in NIE to: (1) identify successful model programs; and (2) advise the Secretary with respect to specified aspects of program grant applications and proposals. Directs the Secretary, through NIE, to annually conduct a national evaluation of the effectiveness and the implementation of program grants. Requires that such assessment results be submitted to Congress and disseminated to SEAs, LEAs, State legislatures, and Governors. Directs the Secretary, through NIE, to monitor grants and coordinate activities under this Act with other research activities conducted by NIE and through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement. Authorizes NIE, once program grants are awarded, to provide eligible recipients with technical assistance. Prohibits the Secretary from disapproving an LEA application without affording notice and opportunity for a hearing. Directs the Secretary to make payments as expeditiously as possible after approval of applications. Prohibits any grant from being made with respect to any eligible secondary school for more than two fiscal years unless there is: (1) an improved performance of the targeted secondary school students at the school on a State approved basic skills test; or (2) a decrease in the dropout rate at the school. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations relating to such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1984
States that the Congress: (1) adopts as an objective the release of all Americans still held captive in Southeast Asia and the full accounting of those still missing; (2) recognizes and supports the President's leadership with respect to those Americans; (3) supports his efforts in impressing upon the Southeast Asian nations the determination of the United States to resolve this issue; and (4) encourages him to continue to use all means to secure a full accounting of those Americans still missing and to inform the Congress of his progress regarding this matter.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1984
Veterans' Compensation Amendments for Fiscal Year 1985 - Title I: Disability Compensation and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation - Part A: Rate Increases - Increases the rates of: (1) veterans' disability compensation; (2) additional compensation for dependents; (3) the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans; and (4) dependency and indemnity compensation. Part B: Compensation Program Amendments - Includes lupus erythematosus systemic among the chronic diseases considered to be service-connected for purposes of veterans' benefits if it manifests itself to a degree of ten percent or more within one year of separation from service. Decreases from 50 to 30 percent the percentage of disability required to make a peacetime service-connected disabled veteran eligible to receive additional compensation for dependents. Title II: Other Veterans' Program Improvements - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to establish the Advisory Committee on Veterans Exposed to Ionizing Radiation to advise the Administrator on benefits provided, compensation needs of veterans, dependents, and survivors, and disabilities or disorders stemming from a veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during active military service. Requires the Committee to report to the Administrator by July 1, 1985, and biannually thereafter on activities of the Veterans Administration and recommendations for changes pertaining to veterans exposed to such radiation. Directs the Administrator to submit such report to Congress. Requires a permanently and totally disabled from a non-service-connected disability veteran under age 50 who applies for and receives a military pension to undergo a vocational evaluation. Allows any veteran who the Administrator of Veterans Affairs determines can achieve a vocational goal to undertake such training. Limits such training to 48 months. Suspends pension payment to any veteran failing to participate as required by the Administrator. Continues the drugs and medicine entitlement of housebound or regularly attended veterans who participate in vocational training without regard to income limitations. Increases the maximum amount of insurance available under the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance program. Increases the amount of automobile and adaptive equipment assistance the Administrator of Veterans Affairs may provide to an eligible person.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1984
American Passbook Savings Act of 1984 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $5,000 ($10,000 for joint returns) of the interest earned on a passbook savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1984
Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to report to Congress within 180 days on providing Federal benefits, such as health care and monetary compensation for dioxin exposure or other traumas, to eligible civilians serving in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1985. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to contract with a private entity for a supplemental reporting system and data center on the transportation of hazardous substances. Changes from May 1 to June 15 of each year the date for submission of the Secretary's annual report on the transportation of hazardous materials.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Superfund Expansion and Protection Act of 1984 - Title I: Provisions Relating Primarily to Response and Liability - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund) (CERCLA) (the Act) to revise the definition of "hazardous substance" to include petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) which: (1) is released from an underground storage tank (as defined in title IV of this title); or (2) may present a significant risk to human health. Transfers the definition of "pollutant or contaminant" from under provisions for response authorities under the Act to among the definitions for purposes of the entire Act. Provides that such term shall include petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) only in the case of a release from an underground storage tank as defined in title IV of this title. Adds references to "pollutants or contaminants" under specified provisions of the Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (the Administrator) to promulgate regulations, within six months after enactment of this Act, establishing that one single quantity shall be the reportable quantity of any hazardous substance regardless of the medium into which the hazardous substance is released. Increases the amount of criminal fines and the duration of criminal sentences for specified violations under the Act. Adds civil penalties for specified violations under the Act. Revises response authorities provisions to transfer from the President to the Administrator the authority to determine whether a response action will be done properly by the responsible party. Authorizes the Administrator, as well as the President, to undertake response actions. Requires that any removal action undertaken by the Administrator, or by any responsible party, be consistent, to the extent practicable, with any long term remedial action with respect to the release or threatened release. Directs the Administrator, to the maximum extent possible, to assess the risk to human health associated with the release or threatened release. Revises response authorities provisions relating to agreements with States. Requires States to make specified agreements with the Administrator, rather than with the President. Eliminates the requirement that a State assure all future maintenance of the removal and remedial actions provided for the expected life of such actions. Requires the State to pay ten percent of the costs of remedial action and ten percent of all future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial action. Requires a 50 percent or greater State share of response costs only in the case of facilities operated, as well as owned, by the State or local government at the time of hazardous waste disposal. Requires the State to also pay all future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial action at such State or locally owned and operated facilities. Provides for credits to any State which has paid more than a ten percent share of remedial costs at a facility owned, but not operated, by such State or local government. Provides that reasonable administrative expenses may be credited against a State's ten percent share. Sets forth mandatory cleanup standards. Directs the Administrator, rather than the President, to select appropriate cost-effective remedial actions determined to be necessary. Requires that such actions be in accordance with: (1) the National Contingency Plan, to the extent practicable; and (2) a required protection level. Directs the Administrator, in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a remedial action, to consider permanent solutions and alternative treatment technologies to the maximum extent practicable. Requires that the remedial action provide for a level or standard of control necessary to protect human health and the environment. Requires that such level or standard be as stringent as the most stringent applicable standard under the Toxic Substances Control Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, or Clean Water Act (or water quality criteria under the Clean Water Act). Requires that any remedial action which provides for containment at the facility comply with standards applicable to facilities required to obtain hazardous waste management permits under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Authorizes the Administrator to waive the requirement of the most stringent applicable standard, or of the specified containment standard, and to select an alternative remedial action upon a finding that: (1) such alternative remedial action will provide substantially equivalent protection; or (2) compliance with such requirements at that facility will consume such a disproportionate share of the resources of the Hazardous Substances Trust Fund (the Fund) as to have the effect of deferring or preventing remedial action at other facilities which pose a significantly greater threat to human health and the environment. Prohibits permit requirements for any removal or remedial action undertaken pursuant to the Act at the location of the release or threatened release. Authorizes the Administrator to establish the exclusive administrative procedures for making any determination under provisions for required protection level. Revises provisions for information gathering and access authorities to refer to the Administrator, rather than the President. Applies specified information requirements to generators of hazardous wastes, even if such information is available at the facility where such waste is located. Provides for access to such facilities by duly designated Federal and State officers, whenever necessary to carry out any provision of the Act, at reasonable times and for a reasonable duration. Prohibits anyone from impeding or interfering with such entry. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to prepare toxicological profiles sufficient to establish the likely effect on human health of at least 100 hazardous substances which are most frequently found or which pose the most significant threat to human health at facilities listed on the National Priorities List prepared under the National Contingency Plan. Requires that the 100 profiles be completed 48 months after enactment of this Act (at 12-month intervals for four groups of 25 substances). Adds new provisions for public participation in remedial action planning. Sets forth mandatory remedial action schedules. Directs the Administrator (of EPA) to commence remedial investigations for all facilities which are listed, as of the enactment date of this Act, on the National Priorities List (NPL) in accordance with the following schedule: (1) one-third of such facilities within six months after such enactment date; (2) two-thirds within 12 months after such date; and (3) all within 18 months after such date. Directs the Administrator to list not fewer than 1,600 facilities on the NPL by January 1, 1988. Directs the Administrator to commence remedial actions and feasibility studies for each facility added to the NPL after the enactment date of this Act within six months after addition of such facility to the NPL. Directs the Administrator to ensure that substantial and continuous physical on-site remedial action commences at facilities on the NPL at a rate of not fewer than 150 facilities per year beginning on October 1, 1986. Directs the Administrator to complete by January 1, 1987, preliminary assessments of all sites listed, as of the enactment date of this Act, on the Emergency and Remedial Response Information System. Directs the Administrator to ensure that remedial action is completed, to the maximum extent feasible, for all facilities listed as of the date of enactment of this Act on the NPL within five years after such enactment date. Directs the Administrator to publish an explanation of why any such remedial action could not be completed within such period. Sets forth provisions for citizen petitions for health effects studies and for emergency relief. Allows any individual or group of individuals to submit a petition to the Administrator providing evidence which: (1) demonstrates that such individual or individuals are being exposed to any hazardous substance; and (2) provides an empirical analysis of the level of exposure. Directs the Administrator to initiate a health effects study upon determination that: (1) there is a reasonable likelihood that such substance is from a facility where such substance is or was treated, stored, recycled, or disposed of, on a regular basis, or where removal action is being or was taken under any provision of the Act; and (2) the exposure may present a significant risk to human health. Directs the Administrator (or the ATSDR Administrator if so designated by the Administrator), within 30 days after receipt of such petition, to: (1) initiate a health effects study; or (2) publish a written explanation of the determination which prevented initiation of the study. Requires that each such health effects study be completed within six months after the date the petition is filed and include specified information. Requires that steps be taken to eliminate any significant risk to human health which such study finds the exposure concerned presents. Provides that such steps may include provision of alternative drinking water supplies and relocation of individuals. Requires that the National Contingency Plan (NCP) be revised within 18 months after the enactment of this Act to reflect the amendments made by this Act. Requires that the portion of the NCP known as "the National Hazardous Substance Response Plan" be revised to provide procedures and standards for remedial actions consistent with protection level requirements under this title. Sets forth provisions for citizen petitions for site ranking. Directs the Administrator, within 12 months after receipt of a citizen petition, to complete a preliminary assessment of the hazards to public health and environment associated with any actual or threatened release of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant. Directs the Administrator, if such assessment indicates a significant threat, to make a prompt evaluation in accordance with the hazard ranking system referred to under specified provisions of the Act to determine the national priority of such release or threatened release. Requires that plan criteria for determining priorities among releases or threatened releases throughout the United States for purposes of taking remedial action shall also take into account: (1) the release-associated damage to natural resources which may affect the human food chain; and (2) the release-associated contamination or potential contamination of the ambient air. Sets forth provisions for abatement actions. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, and after consultation with the Attorney General, to revise and republish specified guidelines for using imminent hazard, enforcement, and emergency response authorities to effectuate the responsibilities and powers created by this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to establish administrative procedures regarding the opportunity for a person to object to an abatement order under this title. Provides that no court shall have jurisdiction to review any such abatement order in any action other than an action to: (1) enforce such order; (2) recover a penalty for a violation; or (3) recover punitive damages. Revises liability provisions to provide for liability for Federal or State costs of removal or remedial action with respect to a release or threatened release (whether or not such action is consistent with the NCP). Adds liability for Federal or State costs of information gathering with respect to a release or threatened release. Adds liability for the costs of any action taken by the Administrator, under specified citizens petition and emergency relief provisions of this Act, to eliminate a significant risk to human health presented by exposure to a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant and the costs of any health effects study carried out under such provisions with respect to such exposure. Provides that liability under the Act (CERCLA) shall be strict, joint, and several as construed and applied under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and under these CERCLA liability provisions. Provides that amounts recoverable shall include interest at a specified rate. Prohibits the Attorney General from representing any Federal agency (other than the EPA) in any civil action under title I (Hazardous Substances Releases, Liability, Compensation) of the Act (CERCLA). Authorizes the head of any such Federal agency to appoint agency attorneys or contract with non-Federal attorneys to represent the agency in any such action. Provides that, in any action under liability provisions of the Act, the results of laboratory tests conducted by the Administrator (or by a State) to determine what substances are present at the facility where a release or threatened release occurs may be introduced into evidence and shall be presumed to be accurate. Provides that such presumption shall be overcome if the defendant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that such test results lack a reasonable basis. Adds to authorized uses of the Fund the payment of any costs incurred under provisions of this Act: (1) relating to emergency relief and health effects studies; (2) by the ATSDR in preparing specified toxicological profiles; and (3) by the Administrator in evaluating facilities pursuant to petitions for preliminary assessments of hazards to public health. Eliminates a requirement that 85 percent of specified money credited to the Fund be available only for specified purposes. Limits to six percent of such money the amount available for payment of specified claims. Revises audit provisions to direct the Inspector General of the EPA, in each fiscal year, to: (1) conduct an annual audit of the Trust Fund; (2) report on the status of all remedial and enforcement actions taken during the prior fiscal year; and (3) estimate the amount of resources, including the number of work years or personnel, which would be necessary for the Administrator to complete the implementation of all duties vested in the Administrator under this title. Requires that such audit and such status report: (1) include specified information; and (2) be reported annually by the Inspector General to the Congress. Prohibits any potentially liable person from seeking judicial review of any determination to incur any governmental response costs pursuant to response authorities provisions or to utilize the Fund for payment of such costs except in an action to recover such costs under liability provisions. Revises statute of limitations provisions under the Act. Prohibits, with specified exceptions for minors or incompetent persons, presentation of any claim or commencement of any action for damages, as defined under the Act, beyond three years after the later of: (1) the date of the discovery of the loss; (2) the date on which regulations are promulgated under specified provisions for the assessment of damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources resulting from a release of oil or hazardous substance for purposes of the Act and of specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; or (3) the date on which regulations are promulgated establishing procedures for the filing of such claims. Sets a statute of limitations of six years after the date of the completion of the response action for presentation of claims or commencement of actions for recovery of response costs in cases involving the responsible person's willful misconduct or willful negligence, violation of safety, construction, or operating standards or regulations, or failures or refusals to provide reasonable cooperation and assistance requested by public officials. Extends the deadline for promulgation of regulations for the assessment of damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources resulting from a release of oil or a hazardous substance for purposes of the Act and of specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the relationship of this Act to other law. Authorizes States to require any person to contribute to any fund to pay compensation for claims for any response costs or damages or claims which may be compensated under the Act. Title II: Federal Cause of Action - Subtitle A: Federal Cause of Action - Establishes a Federal cause of action for damages to an individual which result from harm caused by a release of a hazardous substance from specified facilities. Allows the individual or the individual's dependents to sue for compensable damages under this title. Makes liable for such damages: (1) the owner or operator of a vessel (otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United States) or a facility; (2) any person who at the time of disposal of any hazardous substance owned or operated any facility at which such hazardous substance was disposed of; (3) any person who by contract, agreement, or otherwise arranged for disposal or treatment, or arranged with a transporter for transport for disposal or treatment, of hazardous substances owned or possessed by such person, by any other party or entity, at any facility owned or operated by another party or entity and containing such hazardous substances; and (4) any person who accepts or accepted any hazardous substances for transport to disposal or treatment facilities or sites selected by such person. Makes such liability strict. Makes such liability joint and several, with specified exceptions. Sets forth defenses to such strict liability. Makes the following damages compensable under this title: (1) any medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, or burial expenses due to personal injury, illness, or death; (2) any loss of income or profits or any impairment or loss of earning capacity due to personal injury, illness, or death; (3) any pain or suffering which results from personal illness, injury, or death; and (4) any economic loss and any damages to property, including diminution in value. Provides for jurisdiction over such Federal cause of action in U.S. district courts. Provides that such Federal jurisdiction shall not affect the jurisdiction of any State court with respect to any action. Authorizes the court to award litigation costs where appropriate. Provides that nothing in this title shall be construed to preempt, or otherwise affect, any provision of State law regarding liability for damages in connection with any hazardous substance. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Sets forth a three-year statute of limitations, with specified exceptions for minors or incompetent persons, for actions under this title beginning on the later of: (1) the date the individual knew (or reasonably should have known) that the injury, illness, or death or other expense was caused by the hazardous substance concerned; or (2) the date of enactment of this title. Prohibits any person who is an employee covered by a State or Federal worker's compensation plan which compensates employees for an injury, illness, or death arising out of and in the course of employment (or pursuant to similar tests of work-relatedness) from recovering any amount under this title for such injury, illness, or death. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Eliminates provisions under the Act (CERCLA) relating to a legislative veto. Authorizes citizen lawsuits under the Act (CERCLA). Sets forth provisions relating to such citizen lawsuits. Title IV: Regulation of Underground Storage Tanks - Establishes a program for identification and regulation of underground storage tanks containing hazardous substances (including petroleum products), and for cleanup of leaks from such tanks. Defines "hazardous substance" for purposes of this title as: (1) any substance designated pursuant to specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (2) any element, compound, mixture, solution, or substance designated pursuant to the CERCLA definition of "pollutant or contaminant," as added by this Act; (3) any hazardous waste having the characteristics identified under or listed pursuant to hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (but not including any waste the regulation of which under such Act has been suspended by Act of Congress); (4) any toxic pollutant listed under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (5) any hazardous air pollutant listed under specified provisions of the Clean Air Act; (6) any imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture with respect to which the Administrator has taken action pursuant to specified provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act; and (7) any petroleum product or fraction thereof. Excludes from such term natural gas, natural gas liquids, propane, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel (or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas). Defines "underground storage tank" to include underground pipes connected to such a tank, and lists the following exclusions from this term: (1) farm or residential underground storage tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes; (2) underground storage tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored; (3) residential septic tanks; (4) pipelines regulated under the Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 1968; or (5) surface impoundments, pits, ponds, lagoons, or basins. Sets forth notification requirements applicable to any person who, during the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which this title was enacted, has supplied any hazardous substance to 100 or more sites where there is an underground storage tank which is or has been used for the storage of any hazardous substance. Requires such persons to notify a designated State or local agency of the existence of any such tank located at such a site. Directs the Administrator, within eight months after the enactment date of this Act, to promulgate regulations (taking into account the effect on small business) regarding the providing of notice to obtain information concerning any such tanks which are not located at such sites. Requires that the notice required of such persons supplying hazardous substances to 100 or more sites where such tanks are located be provided within 12 months after the enactment of this title. Requires that the notice required with respect to all other sites where such tanks are located be provided within 12 months after the promulgation of such regulations. Requires that specified information be contained in those notices required of the suppliers to 100 or more sites and in those notices required of owners or operators which install or bring into use an underground storage tank after the enactment of this Act. Sets forth other information requirements for notices required of the suppliers to 100 or more sites, and for notices required pursuant to regulations for tanks at other sites, in the case of any such tank used for such storage prior to the enactment of this Act but taken out of operation before such enactment date (but after January 1, 1974). Provides that notice shall not be required under this title in the case of any tank for which notice was given pursuant to specified provisions of CERCLA. Requires any owner or operator which installs or brings into use an underground storage tank after the enactment of this Act to notify the designated State or local agency within a specified period. Directs the Governor of each State, within 90 days of such enactment date, to designate the appropriate State or local agencies to receive such notifications. Directs the Administrator, within 180 days of such enactment date and in consultation with designated State and local officials, to prescribe in greater detail the form and content of such notifications. Provides that, if a Governor chooses not to designate a State or local agency for such purpose, such notifications shall be submitted to the Administrator. Requires the State, if such notifications are submitted to a designated State or local agency, to compile the submitted information into a comprehensive inventory and furnish such inventory to the Administrator within 18 months of such enactment date. Sets forth provisions for release detection, prevention, and correction regulations applicable to all owners and operators of underground storage tanks used for storing hazardous substances. Directs the Administrator to promulgate such regulations after opportunity for public comment and within 18 months after enactment of this title. Requires that such regulations include requirements respecting specified areas, including: (1) leak detection or inventory systems and tank testing; (2) records of such testing, inventory, or detection; (3) reporting releases and corrective actions; (4) standards of performance for new underground tanks, including specified requirements; (5) corrective actions; (6) closure to prevent future release; and (7) evidence of financial responsibility for taking corrective action and for bodily injury and property damage to third parties. Prohibits, until the effective date of such regulations and after 180 days from the enactment of this Act, any person from installing or beginning to use an underground storage tank to store hazardous substances unless such tank is cathodically protected against corrosion, constructed of a noncorrosive material, or contained in a manner designed to prevent the release into the environment of any stored hazardous substances. Sets forth provisions for the Administrator's review and approval of State programs for underground storage tank release detection, prevention, and correction. Requires the State to demonstrate that the State program is equivalent to the Federal program under this title and that it provides for adequate enforcement of compliance with program requirements. Requires that a State's new tank standards be no less stringent than the performance standards promulgated by the Administrator pursuant to this title. Provides for notice and opportunity for public comment before determinations concerning approval of State programs are made. Gives States with approved programs primary enforcement responsibility for requirements related to control of underground storage tanks used to store hazardous substances. Provides for withdrawal of approval upon the Administrator's determination, after public hearing, that a State is not administering and enforcing the program in accordance with specified requirements. Sets forth provisions relating to inspections, monitoring, and testing. Sets forth provisions for confidentiality of information, and criminal penalties for violations of such confidentiality. Requires that all information reported to, or otherwise obtained by, the EPA under this title be made available, upon written request, to any duly authorized committee of the Congress. Sets forth provisions for Federal enforcement of requirements under this title. Sets forth civil penalties for specified violations. Makes requirements under this title applicable to Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to grant exemptions from such requirements upon determination that it is in the paramount interest of the United States to do so. Requires the President to report annually to Congress on such exemptions and the reasons for granting them. Provides that nothing in this Act shall preclude or deny any State or local authority to regulate more stringently underground storage tanks used to store hazardous substances. Directs the Administrator, within 36 months after the enactment of this title, to study the following underground storage tanks exempted under the definition of "underground storage tanks": (1) farm or residential tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes; and (2) tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored. Requires that such study include estimates of the number and location of such tanks and an analysis of the extent to which there may be releases or threatened releases from such tanks into the environment. Directs the Administrator to report to the President and the Congress on the results of the study, with recommendations as to whether or not such tanks should be subject to regulation under this title. Title V: Amendments of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the environmental tax on petroleum from 0.79 cent to 4.5 cents a barrel, effective October 1, 1985. Extends the period before such tax is terminated until September 30, 1990. Repeals specified CERCLA sunset provisions relating to expiration of the authority conferred by CERCLA to collect environmental taxes. Repeals specified provisions of the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 relating to the Post-Closure Tax and Trust Fund, and the amendments made by such provisions. Repeals specified CERCLA provisions relating to the Post-Closure Liability Fund. Requires that all sums credited to the Post-Closure Liability Trust Fund established under the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 which have not been obligated prior to the date of enactment of this title shall be refunded to the persons who paid taxes under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires that such funds be made on a ratable basis in proportion to the total amount of such taxes which were paid by each such person. Adds provisions for a waste end tax, effective January 1, 1987, to Internal Revenue Code provisions for environmental taxes. Imposes such waste end tax on the disposal of any hazardous substance, if such disposal is required to be carried out in compliance with hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Sets the amount of such waste end tax in the case of: (1) any hazardous substance for which there is in effect under specified CERCLA regulations a reportable quantity of one pound or less, at $15 for each metric ton disposed of by underground injection and $30 for each metric ton not disposed of by such method; (2) all hazardous substances for which there is in effect under specified CERCLA regulations a reportable quantity of more than one pound, at $5 for each metric ton disposed of by underground injection and $10 for each metric ton not disposed of by such method. Provides that, in the cases of mixtures of hazardous substances with reportable quantities of one pound or less and those with reportable quantities more than one pound, the entire mixture shall be deemed to have a reportable quantity of one pound or less. Requires the owner or operator of the facility to pay such waste end tax with respect to the disposal of any hazardous substance at a facility for which a permit is in effect under the hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the person disposing of the hazardous substance to pay such waste end tax with respect to any other disposal of any hazardous substance. Provides that such waste end tax shall not apply after September 30, 1990. Sets forth exemptions from such waste end tax. Provides that such tax shall not apply to the disposal of: (1) any substance by incineration in accordance with the standards applicable to incineration facilities under hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (2) any substance by any person in the course of carrying out any removal and remedial action under CERCLA; or (3) any solid waste which is required to be studied under specified provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act unless, after the completion of the studies, a law is enacted subjecting such waste to the waste end tax. Sets forth definitions and special rules relating to such waste end tax, including rules treating waste as disposed of not later than one year after generation and as generated not earlier than the date such waste is identified as hazardous, and a rule imposing a fraction of the tax for a fraction of a metric ton of waste. Amends the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 to provide that revenues from such waste end tax shall be deposited in the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the environmental tax on certain chemicals (and metals). Increases the rate of such tax on most chemicals on the list (but decreases such tax rate for methane). Adds other chemicals (and metals) to such tax list. Eliminates the listings of zinc chloride and zinc sulfate, but adds zinc to the list for purposes of such tax. Revises the exemption for substances derived from coal from such tax on chemicals to provide that the following substances shall not be exempt from such tax: benzene, tolvene, xylene, naphthalene, tars, and light oils. Expands the exemption for substances used in the production of fertilizer from such tax on chemicals to include as qualified substances specified substances which are sold for resale by any purchaser for use or for resale for ultimate use in a qualified use. Makes such amendments relating to the tax on certain chemicals effective on October 1, 1985. Amends the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 to revise provisions relating to the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund (the Fund). Authorizes appropriations to the Fund for FY 1986 through 1990. Expands the scope of authorized expenditures from the Trust Fund by authorizing expenditures for other costs described under specified CERCLA provisions. Increases from 85 percent to 94 percent the Fund amounts reserved for expenditures for specified purposes. Revises provisions relating to the Fund's authority to borrow repayable advances. Extends through March 31, 1988, the period during which advances may be made for payment of response costs. Extends through September 30, 1990: (1) the period during which other advances may be made to the Fund; and (2) the deadline for final repayment of all advances to the Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
American Property Rights Protection Act of 1984 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize a domestic firm, an association representing domestic firms that produce like U.S. products, or a certified union of workers in such firms to file a petition with the Secretary of Commerce requesting that a beneficiary developing country be designated as an offending country regarding the U.S. product or products produced by that firm or firms. Directs the Secretary to decide, within 20 days of the filing of the petition, whether or not the allegations in the petition reasonably indicate that the beneficiary developing country is an offending country. Provides that an offending country is a beneficiary developing country within which: (1) U.S. patents, copyrights, or trademarks were violated during the 18 months preceding the filing of the petition or thereafter; (2) the patent, copyright, or trademark violations caused material injury to the petitioner or threaten to cause material injury to the petitioner; and (3) actions have not been taken or are not being taken that are reasonably likely to eliminate the patent, copyright, or trademark violations. Requires the Secretary, if the Secretary finds that the petition reasonably indicates that the country is an offending country, to publish the text of the petition in the Federal Register and to begin an investigation. Requires the Secretary, if the Secretary finds that the petition does not reasonably indicate that the country is an offending country, to inform the petitioner of the reason for such finding and to publish notice of the decision in the Federal Register. Sets forth procedures to be followed in carrying out an investigation, including providing for a public hearing, and prohibiting disclosure of certain data provided by the petitioner and the country. Requires the Secretary to conclude each investigation and make a determination on the investigation within six months of the filing of the petition. Requires the Secretary to designate a beneficiary developing country as an offending country if the Secretary finds that the country meets that definition and to determine the amount of material injury or threat of material injury to the petitioner and any party permitted to intervene in the investigation. Requires the Secretary to designate a country as an offending country if the investigation cannot be concluded because the country fails to provide its export data and other information that is relevant to the investigation. Directs the Secretary to monitor annually the implementation and effect of actions that a beneficiary developing country has taken or is taking to eliminate violations of U.S. patents, copyrights, or trademarks within such country if the Secretary finds that such violations do occur within such country and have caused or threaten to cause material injury to the petitioner but that the country has taken or is taking actions to eliminate such violations. Directs the Secretary to designate the country as an offending country if the country has not continued to implement those actions in good faith or the actions are not eliminating the violations. Requires the Secretary to report the results of the monitoring to Congress and to publish the results in the Federal Register. Provides that if for reasons other than failure to provide information necessary for an investigation, a country is designated an offending country the President: (1) shall for each 12 month period during which a penalty is imposed suspend duty-free treatment with respect to eligible articles that are a product of that country and that are valued, for customs purposes, at three times the amount of the injury or threat of injury to the petitioner; or (2) may, with respect to each such 12 month period, suspend duty-free treatment with respect to all eligible articles that are the product of that country. Requires the President to suspend duty-free treatment for each such 12 month period with respect to all eligible articles that are products of a country which is designated an offending country because it fails to provide information necessary for an investigation. Requires that the sanctions against a country designated as an offending country shall cease to apply to such country if the President considers and notifies both Houses of Congress that: (1) the country has eliminated the violations or the actions being taken by the country to eliminate the violations are reasonably likely to eliminate the violations; or (2) if the offending country designation was made because the country failed to provide information necessary for an investigation, the country provides the necessary information. Sets forth information that must be included in the notification to Congress and factors that shall be considered in determining whether a country is taking or has taken actions that are reasonably likely to eliminate offending practices.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1984
Veterans' Health Care and Facilities Improvement Act of 1984 - Revises the requirements concerning the special policemen who protect Veterans Administration (VA) property. Increases the maximum fines for violations of regulations governing such property. Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to appoint a chief inspector to supervise VA police officers. Sets forth requirements concerning police uniform design and cost reimbursement. Directs the Administrator to report to the Veterans' Affairs Committees within 90 days on the implementation of these provisions and the number and salary of officers proposed to be assigned to such facilities. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to furnish medical treatment to veterans of the Vietnam era who served in Southeast Asia and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Limits treatment of such disorder to specified VA medical facilities. Directs the Administrator to compile and publish research results concerning the causes and treatment of such disorder. Terminates such assistance after FY 1988. Modifies the due date of the Comptroller General's report on the compliance of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget with certain statutory requirements relating to funded personnel ceilings for the VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery. Directs the Administrator to make an annual rather than a triennial report to Congress on the adequacy of per diem rates for payments made to States providing domiciliary, nursing home, and hospital care to veterans. Makes the first report due June 30, 1985 (currently, due June 30, 1986). Extends from FY 1984 to FY 1985 the authority of the Administrator to contract for hospital care or medical services in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands without reference to patient loads or incidence of provision of medical services for veterans treated by the Veterans Administration in the contiguous 48 States. Expands the amount of authorizations available for the research and education activities of Veterans Administration geriatric centers. Authorizes the Administrator to provide States with funds for the acquisition as well as the construction of State home facilities for veterans. Entitles veterans receiving service-connected disability compensation who are housebound or in need of regular aid to VA furnished drugs and medicines.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1984
Increases the adapted housing benefit ceiling for veterans with specified permanent and total service-connected disabilities. Increases the maximum home loan guaranty available to eligible veterans generally and for the purchase of a manufactured home. Amends the national cemeteries and memorials provisions of Federal law to require that each grave marker in a national cemetery be upright.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1984
Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, to issue a final rule or regulation to ensure the prevention of alcohol and drug use in railroad operations. Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to direct the Secretary, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, to issue such rules, regulations, orders, and standards as necessary to: (1) ensure the safe maintenance, inspection, and testing of signal systems at rail-highway crossings; and (2) define qualification standards for employees who conduct railroad power brake and freight car inspections. Requires the National Railroad Adjustment Board to resolve any dispute, grievance, or claim within 180 days after its filing with such Board. Authorizes the Board to award an aggrieved employee compensation equivalent to one year's pay, if the violation is a certain form of discrimination. Authorizes a railroad employee to commence a civil action to compel the Secretary to perform an act related to enforcement under the Federal railroad safety laws, if such act is not discretionary, and if the failure to perform such act creates a danger of serious injury or death to such employee. Requires such action to be brought in the U.S. district court for the District of Columbia, or the U.S. district court for the judicial district where the alleged violation occurred. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for: (1) Federal railroad safety provisions; (2) State safety programs; (3) research and development activities; and (4) rail planning for Toledo, Ohio. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the employee assistance program related to drug and alcohol abuse operated by the Consolidated Rail Corporation and report to Congress on its effectiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should reaffirm and continue its policy of nonrecognition of South Africa's illegal occupation of Namibia; (2) the Republic of South Africa should comply with the U.N. Charter and other specified international agreements, the sole bases upon which South Africa may detain individuals; (3) the Republic of South Africa should move to release all detainees at the Mariental camp, or revoke the order that terminated a specified court proceeding and permit a full hearing on the lawfulness of the detention of the Cassinga detainees; and (4) the President should convey to the Republic of South Africa the concerns of Congress regarding this matter, including at any negotiations between the United States and the Republic of South Africa on the independence of Namibia and on other specified issues.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1984
States that the United States joins in recognizing the anniversaries of the Warsaw uprising and the Polish resistance to the World War II invasion of Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1984
Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission those practices regulated by the Civil Aeronautics Board with respect to denied boarding compensation, baggage handling, charter trips, conditions of carriage, computer reservation systems, smoking on aircraft, and discrimination against the handicapped. Declares that existing regulations of the Civil Aeronautics Board shall, after January 1, 1985, be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission as if they were regulations promulgated by the Commission. Declares that each such regulation to be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission during the period ending December 31, 1985, shall continue in effect without change unless set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction. Grants the Federal Trade Commission, after the expiration of such period, the same authority to amend or repeal any such regulation and to issue new regulations as the Civil Aeronautics Board was authorized to exercise as of January 1, 1984.
![Official portrait of Rep. Florio, James J. [D-NJ-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/dfda094a48c87dccd97fd47288d44ac3_200.jpg)