The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Rep. Ford, Harold E. [D-TN-9]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000261_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
3,346 records where Rep. Ford, Harold E. [D-TN-9] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Authorizes expenditures by the House Committee on Hunger for the first session of the 99th Congress, including the procurement of consultant services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1985
Handgun Crime Control Act of 1985 - Title I: Amendments to Chapter 44 of Title 18, United States Code - Amends the Federal criminal code to direct the Attorney General to approve for manufacture, assembly, importation, sale, or transfer any approved handgun model which is used for lawful sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any licensed manufacturer, importer, dealer, or collector to manufacture, assemble, sell, deliver, or transfer any handgun (other than a curio or relic) which is not an approved model. Makes it unlawful for any non-licensee to sell or transfer any handgun (other than curio or relic) unless such person knows or has reasonable cause to believe such handgun is an approved model. Prohibits a pawnbroker from being licensed as a dealer in handguns or handgun ammunition. Directs the Attorney General to review State laws providing for permits to carry and purchase handguns and certify those meeting specified standards. Allows an individual possessing a permit under a certified State law to purchase a handgun if certain requirements are met. Makes it unlawful for a licensed dealer to transfer a handgun to a person not holding a permit under a certified State law unless certain procedures are followed. Requires in any such case that the transferee appear in person at the dealer's business premises. Requires the dealer, before delivery of the handgun, to forward a copy of a sworn statement by the transferee to the chief local law enforcement officer of the transferee's place of residence and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for an identity and record check. Prohibits delivery until 21 days after submission of the sworn statement. Makes it unlawful for any licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector to sell to the same person, or for any non-licensee to purchase, three or more handguns during a period of one year without the prior approval of the Attorney General. Makes it unlawful for any person to fail to report the loss, theft, or disappearance of a handgun in his possession to the authorities within 24 hours after discovering such loss. Requires all licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers to maintain accurate records of all handgun transfers. Makes any person who negligently transfers a handgun in violation of this Act civilly liable for the death or injury of an individual as a result of the use of such handgun by the transferee during commission of an offense. Makes it unlawful for any person to transport any firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce if such transportation violates a State law in a place through which the firearm is shipped or an ordinance at the place of sale, delivery, or other disposition. Increases the license fee for handgun dealers from $10 to $500 and for manufacturers and importers from $50 to $5,000. Makes it unlawful for any illegal alien, dishonorably discharged member of the armed forces, or U.S. citizen who has renounced such citizenship to possess, transport, or receive any firearm or ammunition. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control Act to allow the court to abate the penalties for using or carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony if certain mitigating factors are present. Title II: Gun Control Functions Transferred to the Attorney General - Transfers to the Attorney General all functions of the Secretary of the Treasury under the Gun Control Act of 1968. Establishes the Firearms Safety and Abuse Control Administration within the Department of Justice. Requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the activities of the Administration. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, in consultation with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, to report on the intergovernmental problems involved in controlling illicit handgun traffic and the effectiveness of the Gun Control Act of 1968.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1985
Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from demilitarizing any chemical munitions under his or her jurisdiction except at the military installation at which the munitions are stored. Prohibits the Secretary from transporting chemical munitions to or from any U.S. military installation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1985
Sale of Conrail Act of 1985 - Declares it is the purpose of the Congress to return the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) to the private sector by implementing the Plan of the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) to sell the Federal interest in Conrail common stock. Title I: Amendments to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 and the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 - Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to terminate the authority of the United States Railway Association (the Association) to purchase Conrail securities when the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock has been consummated. Makes the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 inapplicable to Conrail after the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock has been consummated. Makes specified provisions of such Act still applicable to Conrail under certain conditions. Directs the Secretary to implement the plan to sell Conrail common stock to the Norfolk Southern Corporation. States that such implementation, and the coordinated operation of Conrail's properties with those of Norfolk Southern Corporation and its affiliates as a single rail system, is deemed approved by Interstate Commerce Commission. Directs the Secretary to implement the Secretary's Plan by performing specified Definitive Agreements which shall conform substantially with the Memorandum of Intent between the United States and Norfolk Southern Corporation signed February 8, 1985. Repeals provisions which allow the sale of Conrail common stock to other railroads or to certain railroad employees. Authorizes the Secretary to recapitalize Conrail in such a way that the Federal interest in any debt or preferred stock is cancelled and contributed to the Corporation's capital. Sets forth guidelines under which the Norfolk Southern Corporation may bring suit against the United States for breach of specified representations. Provides protective labor conditions under specified arbitration provisions to certain personnel whose employment is adversely affected by the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock. Amends the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 to confer jurisdiction upon a special Federal district court (established by the judicial panel on multi-district litigation) to hear civil actions relating to the: (1) Sale of Conrail Act of 1985; (2) enforcement of the Secretary's Plan or the Definitive Agreements (pertaining to the Conrail sale); and (3) the value of the interest in Conrail Equity Corporation preferred stock of the Conrail Employees Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and related trusts. Provides that, with certain exceptions, no persons connected with the Conrail ESOP shall be subject to any fiduciary obligation or fiduciary civil liability for actions pertaining to the Secretary's Plan or disposition of Conrail Equity Corporation assets. Deems as qualified under the Internal Revenue Code any Conrail ESOP maintained or adopted in implementing the Secretary's Plan. States that the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (including State laws and certain Federal approval requirements) shall not apply to implementation of the Secretary's Plan through: (1) the sale or contribution of securities by Norfolk Southern Corporation to fulfill arrangements with Conrail employees; or (2) the distribution of shares from Conrail employee stock ownership plans. Title II: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to various laws affected by this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - States that Conrail's status as a common carrier is not affected by the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1985
Income and Jobs Action Act of 1985 - Declares that every adult American able and willing to earn a living has the right to a choice among opportunities for paid employment (part- or full-time) at decent wages or for self-employment. Directs all Federal agencies to plan and carry out their policies and programs so all adult Americans may exercise this right. Prohibits the Federal Reserve System or any other Federal agency from promoting recession, stagnation, or involuntary unemployment as a means of reducing wages and salaries or inflation. Declares that every adult American unable to work for pay has the right to an adequate standard of living that rises with increases in the wealth and productivity of the society. Provides that no adult American shall be judged unable to work merely because of the unavailability of suitable paid employment opportunities at a given time or place or because of the lack of previous employment. Requires, in the absence of such opportunities and until such opportunities can be provided, that an adult American able and willing to work for pay shall be provided with whatever income is required to maintain a moderate level of living, as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Directs the President, in the first annual message at the beginning of the first session of the Congress after the enactment of this Act, to include specific proposals for a Conversion Planning Fund, to be administered by agencies determined by the President. Provides that such Fund shall promote short- and long-term plans for coping with declines in civilian or military activities by developing specific policies, programs, and projects (including feasibility studies, education, on-the-job training, and inducements for necessary and desirable labor mobility) for the expansion of economic activities in sectors where additional or improved goods or services are needed. Requires, in addition to such other funds as may be authorized, that such Fund include no less than one percent of the amount appropriated for military purposes during each subsequent year. Directs the President, within six months after the enactment of this Act and thereafter in each annual economic report and budget message, to transmit to Congress a staged program to create conditions under which the rights set forth in this Act may be enjoyed and to describe how the Conversion Planning Fund may be most productively used. Sets forth requirements for the design of such program, including provisions for locally based over-all planning. Directs the President, as part of such annual program, to transmit to Congress a short- and long-range schedule for implementing the purposes of the Act. Requires that such schedule include reductions in: (1) the military budget; (2) wasteful tax expenditures and loopholes; and (3) interest rates and Federal deficits. Requires that such schedule include: (1) recommendations for the appropriate use and direction of public and private pension funds; (2) the creation or promotion of private and public development banks, particularly in neighborhoods and other areas of high unemployment and poverty; (3) the promotion of educational activities within each State in accordance with locally-based overall planning, with special attention to educational processes that promote and use the creative abilities of businesses, labor unions, nonprofit voluntary and cooperative organizations, and the unemployed; and (4) timetables for developing the conditions for progress in attaining the policy goals of this Act. Requires that any outlays proposed under such plan and program be presented in terms not only of gross outlays, but also of net outlays, computed with a full estimation of specified factors.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1985
Family Farmer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1985 - Defines a "family farmer" for purposes of Federal bankruptcy law as a person who received more than 50 percent of gross income from farming operations, including a person that is a corporation that issues stock: (1) which is not publicly traded; and (2) the majority of which is held by one family. Allows a family farmer that owes secured and unsecured debts totaling less than $1,000,000 to qualify as a debtor under bankruptcy provisions providing for the adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income. Authorizes a plan filed under such provisions to modify the rights of holders of claims secured only by a security interest in real property which is a family farmer's principal residence and which such family farmer uses for farming operations. Prohibits the court from granting a discharge of any debt for payment on a claim if the rights of the claim holder are so modified. Permits the court to approve a plan providing for payment over a period of up to ten years in the case of a debtor who is a family farmer. Provides for the confirmation of a family farmer's plan with respect to allowed secured claims on a basis similar to that provided under bankruptcy reorganization provisions. Allows a family farmer up to 270 days after such a plan is filed to commence making payments proposed by the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate May 1985 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should express to the Soviet Union the U.S. opposition to the Soviet Union's slave labor policies by all possible means, including refusing to permit imports of products made by such labor. Requests the President to end the delay in enforcing the restriction against importing goods produced by forced labor.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Declares that the United States: (1) shall initiate a dialogue with the participants in the Contadora process to develop a common strategy for regional stability; (2) should assist efforts to implement specified objectives by offering such advisory services as may be requested and by exerting vigorous diplomatic efforts to persuade other governments involved in Central America to observe these conditions; and (3) should announce its willingness to pursue multilateral negotiations with the Central American countries. Requires the United States to communicate to Nicaragua its desire to resume negotiations to: (1) further the aims of the Contadora Act for Peace and Cooperation in Central America; and (2) promote the normalization of relations between the United States and Nicaragua. Declares that for the 90 days following enactment of this Act: (1) the United States shall suspend certain military assistance and arms sales to Central American countries except for medical facilities or supplies; (2) the United States shall suspend construction of military facilities in Central American countries; (3) the United States shall not participate in training exercises in or off shores of Central American countries; (4) the number of members of U.S. armed forces in any Central American country may not exceed the number in that country on the date of enactment of this Act unless needed to protect U.S. citizens; (5) the United States shall suspend all air reconnaissance flights for armed forces of any Central American country; and (6) there shall be no obligation or expenditure of Central Intelligence Agency funds, Defense Department funds, or any other U.S. funds to support military or paramilitary operations in Nicaragua by any nation, group, organization, movement, or individual. Requires the President to report to the Congress within 90 days of enactment of this Act on the results of U.S. policy in Central America.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide that ERISA does not preempt State laws: (1) which protect the freedom of choice of an individual under an employee benefit plan to select any licensed health practitioner to perform health services covered by such plan; or (2) which require surety bonds, cash or security deposits, or other financial guarantees or assurances to protect employee benefit plans from insolvency.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that a divorced spouse or a surviving divorced spouse can qualify for benefits based on an insured's wage record if the marriage lasted for at least a year. (Current law requires the marriage to have lasted ten years.) Provides that such benefits shall be reduced to an amount equal to ten percent of such benefit, as otherwise determined, multiplied by the number of ten years of the marriage.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the excise taxes on gasoline and diesel and special motor fuels any such fuels sold for use in a taxicab. Makes permanent existing provisions for the refund of taxes paid on the sale of fuel for taxicabs. (Present law terminates such provisions after September 30, 1985.)
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Amends the veterans' educational assistance program to extend the delimiting period for use of educational benefits by Vietnam veterans from ten to 20 years, through December 31, 1995, at the latest.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Designates the week beginning on October 6, 1985, as Mental Illness Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
High Risk Occupational Disease Notification and Prevention Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research into improving the means of: (1) surveillance of employees exposed to occupational health hazards; and (2) medical monitoring and treatment of employees exposed to occupational hazards. Provides that such research shall be conducted primarily through the occupational and environmental health centers established under this Act. Lists areas such research is to include (among which are: studying the etiology and development of such diseases; developing means of medical surveillance of exposed employees; and developing educational programs). Directs the Secretary to undertake or sponsor additional epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory research to identify and define additional employee populations at risk of occupational disease. Provides that: (1) this expanded research shall be conducted or sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); and (2) in conducting such research, NIOSH shall have access to prior and current employment, occupational, and health-related data and information maintained by Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out such research, to employ experts and consultants. Establishes a Risk Assessment Board, within NIOSH, to: (1) review current medical and other scientific studies and reports concerning the incidence of disease associated with employment; (2) report to the Secretary on the state of current research on such diseases; and (3) designate, from such review, employee populations at risk of disease associated with hazardous occupational exposures. Sets forth factors which the Board must consider in identifying such populations at risk. Directs the Board, within ten days of making a finding that a class or category of workers is a population at increased risk (30 percent greater incidence of disease than a comparable worker population not exposed to the hazardous occupational exposure) or a population at high risk (100 percent greater incidence than the comparable worker population not exposed), to recommend to the Secretary that individuals within such populations be notified and, in cases of high risk, be eligible for services and information under this Act. Gives priority for Board review to those employee populations exposed to hazardous occupational exposures for which there already exists a permanent standard under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Requires the Board to transmit to the Secretary its findings and recommendations on these employee populations within one year after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary, upon determination that a given class or category of employee is a population at risk of occupational disease, to notify each individual within such population at risk. Sets forth the required contents of such notification, including counseling information. Directs the Secretary to establish a telephone "hot line" for the personal physicians of employees who have received such notification, to provide additional medical and scientific information concerning the nature of the risk and its associated disease. Directs the Secretary to prepare and distribute other medical and health promotion material and information on any risk subject to such notification requirements and its associated disease as the Secretary deems appropriate. Provides that, in carrying out such notification responsibilities, the Secretary shall have access to information and data contained in any Federal agency records, solely for the purpose of obtaining names, addresses, and work histories of employees subject to such notification. Directs the Secretary to establish and certify occupational and environmental health centers. Provides that such centers shall be selected from: (1) educational resource centers of NIOSH and similar centers of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences; and (2) at a later date, existing health care facilities, in an appropriate number to obtain even regional distribution of such centers throughout the United States. Sets forth criteria for selection of such centers. Requires such centers to be capable of providing research resources, diagnosis, treatment, medical monitoring, and family services for employees notified under this Act who are at high risk of occupational disease. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop criteria governing the most appropriate type of medical monitoring; and (2) develop a program for training of existing personnel and procuring specialized equipment required under criteria for certification of such centers. Prohibits discrimination by any employer, insurance carrier, or any other person against any employee on the basis that the employee has been notified by the Secretary of being at risk of any occupational disease. Requires that the employee retain the same rates of pay, benefits and seniority as in the former job if, based upon sound medical advice or monitoring initiated under this Act, it is determined that the employee should be transferred to a less hazardous or non-exposed job. Prohibits any health care financing system from discriminating against an employee who has been notified by the Secretary under this Act in the payment of the costs associated with a medical monitoring program, or any subsequent treatment, including treatment required by a medical monitoring examination or the onset of disease. Sets forth procedures for review of discrimination complaints. Provides for reinstatement and specified compensation for employees who are discriminated against in violation of this Act. Sets forth civil penalties for persons or institutions that violate such discrimination prohibitions. Provides for injunctive relief against violations of this Act or any rule or regulation promulgated under this Act. Requires each health care financing system (including public and private health insurance programs, and the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and disability benefits under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program) to provide appropriate testing, evaluation, and medical monitoring services to employees as required under this Act. Requires that the cost of testing, evaluation, and medical monitoring required by an employee as a result of hazardous occupational exposure and notification under this Act be included as a covered item in any health care financing system available to such employees through their employment or as individual purchasers of health insurance. Provides that any treatment provided by a health care financing system to an employee for a subsequent disease that was subject to a notification under this Act may constitute an insurance subrogation claim against a workers' compensation program or insurance carrier. Provides that notification of risk to an employee under this Act and subsequent medical evaluation and monitoring shall not constitute a workers' compensation claim, nor shall such notice toll any statute of limitations with respect to such a claim, except as specifically provided by law under a workers' compensation statute. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
War Powers Act of 1984 - Amends the War Powers Resolution to rename the resolution the War Powers Act. Authorizes U.S. armed forces, in the absence of a congressional declaration of war, to be introduced into hostilities or into a situation where the imminent introduction of such forces into hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, only: (1) to repel an attack upon the United States, to take retaliatory actions in the event of such an attack, and to forestall the direct and imminent threat of such an attack; (2) to repel an attack against U.S. armed forces located outside the United States and to forestall the direct and imminent threat of such an attack; (3) to protect U.S. citizens while evacuating them from a country where they are being subject to a direct and imminent threat to their lives either sponsored by the country's government or beyond the power of such government to control, provided the President shall make every effort to terminate the threat without using U.S. armed forces and provided that the President shall, where possible, obtain the consent of the government before using U.S. armed forces; or (4) pursuant to specific statutory authorization. Requires the President to report to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate whenever U.S. armed forces are introduced into hostilities or into one of the other situations listed above. Requires the President to report to the Congress at least once every six months for as long as U.S. armed forces are engaged in hostilities outside the United States. Limits the length of time that U.S. armed forces may be used in hostilities or in such situations to 30 days unless the Congress enacts a law providing otherwise. Permits the Congress by law or joint resolution to terminate U.S. involvement before the expiration of the 30 days. Provides for expedited consideration of proposals to continue or terminate the use of U.S. armed forces in such situations. States that statutory authorization either for introducing U.S. armed forces into or for sustaining their use in hostilities or situations where imminent introduction of such forces into hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances shall not be inferred from: (1) any provision of law unless such provision specifically authorizes such introduction or use of the armed forces and states that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this Act; or (2) any treaty unless the treaty is implemented by a law specifically authorizing such introduction or use of such armed forces and stating that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this Act. Permits U.S. armed forces to participate jointly with members of military forces of other countries in high-level military commands that were established before enactment of this Act and pursuant to a treaty which was ratified before such enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Prohibits any U.S. person from making or holding any investment in South Africa. Provides for regulations to carry out this prohibition. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Makes this Act applicable to transactions made with intent to evade this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Designates October 16, 1985, as World Food Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the residential energy income tax credit for solar energy property for five years (from 1985 to 1990). Phases out the percentage of expenditures which may be taken into account for such credit between the years 1986 and 1990. Limits to $6,000 the maximum amount of expenditures for solar hot water systems which may be taken into account for purposes of such credit. Specifies additional standards which solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet in order to qualify for such credit. Increases and extends for five years (from 1985 to 1990) the energy investment tax credit for specified types of solar energy property.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) veterans' disability compensation payments should remain exempt from Federal income taxation; and (2) the President should reject any proposals to tax such payments.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Amends the Truth in Lending Act to limit the rate of interest which may be charged on credit card accounts to not more than five percentage points higher than the discount rate on 90-day commercial paper in effect at the Federal Reserve district in which the card issuer is located.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to the family of Harry Chapin in recognition of Harry Chapin's efforts to address issues of world hunger. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
National Training Incentives Act of 1985 - Declares that it is the policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to encourage cooperation between employers and employees to promote training programs which will assist employees, should they be displaced from the work force, in training for a trade or occupation for which present and future employment opportunities exist. Enumerates congressional findings with respect to the inadequacies of existing employment and training programs, the importance of such programs to the national security and economy, the current funding of such programs, the impact of foreign trade competition on the U.S. economy and job market, and the inadequacies of the unemployment compensation system. Title I: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Relating to Employee Training - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an employee training credit for employers. Adds such employee training credit to those credits which are included in the current year business credit for purposes of determining the general business income tax credit for a taxable year. (The Internal Revenue Code provisions for such general business income tax credit permit three-year carrybacks and 15-year carryforwards of unused credits, with specified limitations.) Makes such employee training credit for any taxable year equal to 25 percent of the excess, if any, of: (1) the qualified training expenses of the taxpayer for such taxable year, over (2) the base period training expenses of such taxpayer. Defines "qualified training expenses" as the aggregate amount of expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year in connection with the training of employees under approved training programs. Defines "base period training expenses" as the average of the qualified training expenses for each year in the base period. Defines "base period" as the five taxable years of the taxpayer immediately preceding the taxable year for which the determination is being made ("the determination year"). Sets forth transitional rules for the first four determination years beginning after December 31, 1984. Sets minimum base period training expenses by providing that, in the case of any determination year of the taxpayer for which the qualified training expenses exceed 200 percent of the base period training expenses, "50 percent of such qualified training expenses" shall be substituted for "the base period training expenses" in the formula to determine the amount of the credit. Defines "approved training program," for purposes of such employee training credit, to include: (1) any apprenticeship program registered or approved by Federal or State agencies; (2) any employer-designed or employer-sponsored training program which meets certain requirements prescribed by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary); (3) any cooperative education; (4) any training program designated by the Secretary which is carried out under the supervision of an institution of higher education; or (5) any other training program approved by the Secretary. Sets forth the special tax rules for the aggregation of qualified training expenses, allocations of such credits, and adjusted to such employee training credit amount for acquisitions and dispositions of a trade or business. Specifies that the employee training credit shall be in addition to any other deduction or credit allowed for the same expenses under the Federal tax law. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from any penalty tax early withdrawal from an individual retirement account or annuity (IRA) of a displaced worker if such withdrawals are made to pay training expenses, do not exceed the allowable amount, and are made in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Incorporates provisions of title II of this Act relating to the definition of displaced workers, training expenses, and allowable IRA distributions within the Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to individual retirement accounts and annuities. Title II: Withdrawals from Individual Retirement Accounts and Annuities for Job Training for Displaced Workers - Entitles a displaced worker to apply to the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) for certification of such individual's status as a displaced worker. Defines a "displaced worker" as any individual, as of the time of application for a certificate, who has at least 20 quarters of coverage under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, who has received employment counseling within the past year from an agency approved by the Secretary, and who is in one of the following categories: (1) receiving regular State unemployment compensation; (2) exhausted the right to receive such compensation; (3) unemployed, or received notification of termination of employment within six months, due to permanent closure of a plant or facility; or (4) unemployed for six months or more and with limited opportunity for employment in a similar trade or occupation within a reasonable commuting distance. Permits displaced workers to withdraw amounts from their individual retirement account or annuity (IRA) to pay the expense (tuition, fees, books, supplies, or required equipment) of an eligible training program. Limits the amounts of such IRA withdrawal to $4,000 per year (with cost-of-living adjustments), minus aggregate amounts distributed for training expense payments in the four immediately preceding taxable years. Requires withdrawals from an IRA for training expenses to be made only through the use of a voucher issued by the account trustee or insurance company custodian upon presentation to such trustee or custodian by the displaced worker of a displaced worker certificate and an invoice or statement evidencing that such worker has enrolled in an eligible training program. Sets forth requirements for the presentation and redemption of vouchers for payment of job training expenses. Prohibits depositary institutions from assessing any penalty against a displaced worker for early withdrawals from an IRA to pay such training expenses. Permits adjustments in the rate of return on certain investments when IRA funds are withdrawn to pay such training expenses. Provides that the participation of displaced workers in an eligible training program shall not disqualify such workers for unemployment compensation to which they are otherwise entitled. Defines "eligible training program" as a training program offered by an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, a proprietary institution of higher education, or any other institution approved by the Secretary which prepares students for gainful employment in a trade or occupation in which present and future employment opportunities exist. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations for: (1) the application of an educational institution for qualification of its training program; and (2) criteria for determining whether such a job training program qualified as an eligible training program under the terms of this Act. Directs the Secretary, for purposes of determining whether certain job training programs qualify as eligible training programs, to consider any determination relating to such programs made by: (1) the Administrator of Veterans Affairs or a State approving agency for veterans' educational programs; (2) a private industry council established under the Job Training Partnership Act or other official or group empowered to make determinations under such Act; (3) the Secretary of Education; (4) any State education agency; or (5) a nationally recognized accrediting agency which the Secretary determines to be reliable in evaluating the quality of job training programs. Sets forth nondiscrimination requirements for institutions offering such job training programs. Requires the Secretary to minimize the amount of paperwork and time necessary to certify any individual as a displaced worker or any training program as an eligible training program. Title III: State Employment Service Responsibilities - Directs the Secretary of Labor to allocate funds to States to reimburse administrative costs of public employment offices which provide certification for displaced workers, labor market and training information, and job search services. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for FY 1986 and thereafter. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to the Congress on a nationwide computerized job bank and matching program authorized under the Job Training and Partnership Act. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to direct the private industry councils established under such Act to make information on job training programs available throughout their service delivery areas. Exempts such councils from limitations on expenditures imposed by such Act in providing such information. Excludes from the computation of the amount of the expected family contribution to a student for Pell Grant purposes any unemployment compensation received by such student or any IRA distribution used to pay training expenses of such student, provided such student is certified as a displaced worker under the terms of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Requires Government procurement contracts to include provisions under which the contractor is prohibited from employing former Government officers or employees or former or retired members of the uniformed services who, during the five years preceding separation from Government service, had significant responsibilities for any procurement function with respect to such contracts. Declares such prohibition period to be that which ends five years after the end of the contract or the five-year period beginning on the date of the individual's separation from Government service. Sets forth the method of determining the liquidated damages to be paid by any contractor who violates such prohibition. Requires each contractor to send an annual report listing each former Government employee hired by that contractor within the previous five years to the agency by which each employee was last employed. Directs the Inspector General of each such agency to review the report to identify any violation of this Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to: (1) conduct an annual random survey of the reports to check for violations of this Act; and (2) report to the Congress annually on the operation of this Act. Makes this Act inapplicable to contracts for amounts less than $25,000.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Requires that every obligation of the United States be in registered form. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat any Government-backed security as a registration-required obligation for purposes of the income tax deduction for interest paid or accrued on indebtedness. Imposes a three percent excise tax on the issuer of registration-required U.S. Government-backed securities which are not issued in registered form. Provides that the issue price of any U.S. Government-backed security shall be treated as the principal amount of the obligation. Imposes a 30 percent withholding tax on interest received by non-resident aliens from U.S. Government-backed securities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the deduction for charitable contributions by taxpayers who do not itemize deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Designates March 22, 1985, as National Energy Education Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) finds that the Job Corps program has been a cost-effective and successful effort to assist disadvantaged young men and women in obtaining and holding employment; (2) reaffirms its commitment to the Job Corps program; and (3) will not make or accept any reduction in the level of funding for the Job Corps program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) call for negotiations under the auspices of the Organization of American States that are consistent with the Contadora process for the peaceful settlement of conflicts among the five Central American countries; (2) seek the establishment of a multilateral agency to provide economic and humanitarian support for the reform of the Central American economy; (3) initiate the establishment of a multinational development fund; and (4) recognize the need for international cooperation, disband unilateral military and nonmilitary efforts in Central America, and seek to stabilize and to develop the region following the principles of existing agreements such as the Rio Treaty with the assistance of specified groups.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow members of the armed forces to bring claims for damages against the United States for personal injury or death arising out of medical or dental care furnished by a Department of Defense hospital.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
South African Human Rights and Conditionality Act of 1985 - Chapter I: Imposition of Economic Sanctions - Prohibits U.S. persons from making any loans to South Africa or to any organization organized or controlled by South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition loans for educational, housing, or health facilities that are available to all persons on a nondiscriminatory basis and are located in areas accessible to all persons. Prohibits imports of gold or silver coins minted or sold by South Africa. Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to prohibit imports from South Africa of certain uranium compounds, coal, and uranium ore or metal. Prohibits any U.S. person from making any investment in South Africa. Authorizes the President to require U.S. persons who have branches or offices in South Africa or who control businesses in South Africa to submit periodic reports on such businesses. Prohibits cooperation of any kind provided for in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 with respect to South Africa. Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from authorizing exports of any nuclear material, production or utilization facility, technology, or of any item which has significance for nuclear explosive purposes. Prohibits using the authority of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to distribute any special nuclear material, source material, or byproduct material of South Africa. Prohibits U.S. agencies from entering into any subsequent arrangement under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 which would permit the transfer to or use by South Africa of any nuclear materials, equipment, or technology. Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from providing any authorization for any activity which would involve engaging in South Africa in specified nuclear production activities. Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from issuing any export license for the export to South Africa of any goods or technology: (1) which are intended for a nuclear related end use or end user; (2) which have been identified as items which could, if used for purposes other than those for which the export is intended, be of significance for nuclear explosive purposes; or (3) which are otherwise subject to specified procedures established pursuant to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to use the authorities contained in the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the export to South Africa of any goods and technology contained on lists prepared by the NRC, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of State pursuant to this Act. Prohibits any officer or employee of any U.S. agency from making available to South Africa any information which could increase South Africa's nuclear capability. Terminates any license or authority described in this Act which was issued before enactment of this Act. Prohibits exporting to South Africa or to any organization controlled by South Africa any goods or technology subject to export controls under the Export Administration Act of 1979, except for certain previously published technical data and for certain medicines, medical supplies, and equipment. Directs the President to carry out a research program to try to develop synthetic substitutes for those strategic and critical materials for which South Africa is a major source of supply to the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 2: Additional Sanctions - Directs the President to impose additional sanctions against South Africa if within 18 months after enactment of this Act the President has not submitted to the Congress a certification that South Africa has made substantial progress towards: (1) implementing measures to assure that all South Africans may participate in the political, economic, and social life of that country; (2) freeing all political prisoners; and (3) implementing fair labor practices in both the public and private sectors. Requires the additional sanctions to take effect 60 days after the President submits such certification to the Congress unless within that 60-day period a joint resolution is enacted approving the President's certification. Declares as additional sanctions: (1) the prohibition of an honorary consular officer from South Africa; (2) the denial of foreign tax credits and deductions; and (3) the prohibition of landing rights for South African air carriers except in emergencies. Requires, within four years of enactment of this Act, the divestiture of South African investments by U.S. persons and the expulsion of the South African diplomatic mission to the United States, unless before the end of three years after enactment of this Act the President submits to the Congress the certification relating to progress in the rights of South Africans and, within 60 days of its submission to the Congress, a joint resolution is enacted approving the President's certification. Provides for expedited congressional consideration of such a joint resolution. Directs the President to take appropriate steps to seek the cooperation of South Africa in attaining the objectives of: (1) protecting the rights of all South Africans; (2) freeing all political prisoners; and (3) implementing fair labor practices. Terminates any sanctions imposed pursuant to this Act after the enactment of a joint resolution approving the President's certification. Directs the President to prohibit imports of articles of a foreign person into the United States if, after a U.S. person divests itself of his South African investments, such foreign person invests in the same or a comparable South African market and the President determines that such foreign person's investments were made as a result of the U.S. person's divestiture. Chapter 3: General Provisions - Authorizes the President to issue regulations to carry out this Act. Provides for enforcement of this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Makes this Act applicable to attempts to evade this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Railroad Antimonopoly Act of 1985 - Amends the Sherman Act to prohibit any owner rail carrier from monopolizing a route by denying any shipper or other rail carrier the use, on reasonable terms, of a facility which is the sole facility over which bulk commodities must be moved to connect with the track of a competing rail carrier or to reach the destination of shipment. Bars any rate restriction under this Act if the owner rail carrier permits a competing carrier to use such sole facility. Specifies procedures for determining rates for the use of a sole facility if there is no competition. Prohibits an owner rail carrier from conditioning the use of a sole facility upon use of other facilities. Permits a shipper to elect to connect with a water carrier instead of, or in addition to, a competing rail carrier at the first connection point; provided that the cost of connecting with the water carrier is no greater than the cost of connecting with the competing rail carrier, or the owner rail carrier is reimbursed for the difference in cost. Entitles any person injured by a violation of this Act to bring an action to recover damages and to seek injunctive relief as provided under the Clayton Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Repeals the requirement added by the Tax Reform Act of 1984 relating to the maintenance of contemporaneous records with respect to: (1) business travel expenses, including automobile expenses; (2) business entertainment expenses; and (3) expenses for gifts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Liberty Double-Eagle Bullion Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold double-eagle coins. Sets forth specifications for and the design of such coins. Makes such coins legal tender. Permits the sale of such coins at a price equal to the cost of minting and issuing such coins plus a surcharge equal to the amount by which the fair market value of gold bullion held by the United States and used in the minting of the coins exceeds the statutory maximum value of any gold certificates outstanding against the bullion. Requires the revenue from such surcharges to be used to reduce the national debt. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Consolidates the medical health care systems of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to be administered in policy and operation solely by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). Directs the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense to organize the DHA. States that the DHA shall be comprised of two offices, the Office of Policy and Operation and the Defense Readiness Office, to be administered by the Assistant Secretary and the Surgeons General of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, respectively. Outlines the functions of each such Office. Prohibits the employment by the United States of an individual as a physician unless certain licensing and education criteria have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the foreign income tax credit for any tax paid or accrued to the Republic of South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Designates April 1985 as National School Library Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Designates 1985 as the Year of the Teacher.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Made in America Act - Limits the total number of new imported motor vehicles that may be introduced into interstate commerce for retail sale during any calendar year after 1985 to 15 percent of the aggregate number of new domestic and imported motor vehicles that were introduced into interstate commerce for retail sale during the base year. Defines the "base year" as the second calendar year preceding a calendar year for which such restrictions are established. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to allocate the number of new imported motor vehicles among foreign vehicle manufacturers on the basis of their respective shares of the U.S. market during the base year. Requires the Secretary to determine the limits for each calendar year at least four months before the beginning of the year. Requires the Secretary to publish the limits and the allocations for foreign manufacturers in the Federal Register. Imposes civil penalties for violations of the quantitative restrictions on imports. Requires each foreign vehicle manufacturer that produces more than 25,000 new imported vehicles that were introduced into interstate commerce for retail sales during any calendar year after 1982 to provide the Secretary with production, importation, distribution, and sales information. Terminates the quantitative limitations any time after December 31, 1990, if the Secretary finds that injury to the domestic industry has been prevented or remedied. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on actions taken under this Act and on the impact of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Summer Youth Employment, Training, and Education Act of 1985 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to require the addition of an education component to the summer youth employment and training programs under part B of title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) of JTPA. Requires that each service delivery area (SDA) be allotted an amount equal to at least 90 percent of the amount available to such area for the summer youth program in the preceding fiscal year. Requires ratable reductions in the allocation to each SDA if appropriations are not sufficient to provide such amount to each SDA. Requires that allotments to States and allocations to SDAs be: (1) made in accordance with provisions for prompt allocation of funds; and (2) available for planning purposes before the beginning of the summer months for which allotted and allocated. Requires that summer youth program funds be used so that participants spend a portion of their time on individualized, self-paced, remedial and basic academic and functional competency development and achieve specified types of performance standards established and developed in each SDA. Requires that the portion of a participant's time spent on such competency development be in addition to, and not in place of, regular employment under the summer youth program. Prohibits summer youth program funds from being used to provide employment to any individual who fails to comply with attendance standards established by the SDA with respect to such education components. Prohibits summer youth program funds from being used to compensate or reward participants for attendance at such education components, except under specified provisions which require that a portion of matching funds be used to provide bonuses to participants for achievement of academic and functional competence. Specifies that planning for summer youth programs does not have to be conducted during the summer months. Sets forth matching fund requirements for summer youth programs. Requires each private industry council (PIC), for each program year beginning after June 30, 1987, to make available from non-Federal sources an amount for use in such programs equal to at least one and one-half percent of the amount made available under JTPA for such programs in that SDA for the applicable program year. Allows each PIC, for program years beginning July 1, 1985, and July 1, 1986, to make available such matching amounts. Limits, for any program year beginning after June 30, 1987, such matching amounts to not less than $20,000 and not more than $100,000 per SDA. Requires each PIC to notify the State of the PIC's matching amount by April 1 of the preceding program year. Requires each State, for program years beginning after June 30, 1987, to provide to each PIC an amount equal to the PIC matching amount. Allows States to provide such State matching amount from non-Federal sources or to use funds available to them under part A (Adult and Youth Programs) of title II of JTPA and under chapter 2 (Consolidation of Federal Programs for Elementary and Secondary Education) of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981. Requires each State, for program years beginning July 1, 1985, and July 1, 1986, to reserve one and one-half percent of its State allotment under part A, to be allocated to PICs in proportion to the matching amounts made available by such PICs for such program years. Requires that such matching amounts be used to: (1) support the education and training components of the summer youth programs; (2) provide bonuses to participants for achievement of academic and functional competence; and (3) after complying with (1) and (2), create additional employment opportunities under the summer youth programs. Allows matching amounts to be in cash or in-kind, but requires that in-kind matching amounts be in the form of state-of-the-art basic and remedial education materials and equipment suitable for use for summer youth programs for the applicable program year. Requires each SDA to maintain complete records on the improvements in academic and functional competency attained by participants in the summer youth programs. Requires that such records be compiled by reference to State and locally determined general education diploma and basic education competency requirements. Requires each SDA to submit summaries of such records to the State. Requires States to submit annual reports on such summaries to the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Secretary to include an analysis of such reports in the Secretary's annual report to the Congress on employment and training programs. Provides that a specified portion of the State allotment under JTPA which is currently available for State education programs shall also be available to carry out matching requirements for summer youth programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Economic Conversion Act - Title I: Prenotification of Base Closures and Defense-Related Contract Cancellations - Directs the Secretary of Defense, through the Economic Adjustment Committee, to notify State and local governments and regional organizations within a specified period of time of a proposed realignment or closure of a military installation or of the cancellation or termination of a defense contract or failure to proceed with an approved major weapon system program. Title II: Economic Conversion Pilot Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for job retraining programs and planning for alternative production required by cancellation of defense contracts during FY 1986 through 1990. Permits one grant for each defense contract cancellation or reduction. Requires the administration of such grants at the local level by a capable unit of general local government or, through default, by the collective bargaining agents of affected employees. Directs the Secretary to make weekly assistance payments to such employees affected by a cancellation or reduction of a contract valued at $10,000,000 or more during FY 1986 through 1990. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of such assistance, making allowances for unemployment compensation or public assistance received and health insurance coverage needed. Sets forth assistance application procedures and notification requirements. Makes available for such grants the amount of previously appropriated funds which the United States will save as a result of the cancellation or reduction of a defense contract.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Authorizes the Director of the Smithsonian Institution to make a grant to the Director of the Folger Theatre. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Revises Federal procedures regarding the establishment of interstate cost estimates to direct the Secretary of Transportation to apportion such estimates for construction funds and substitute highway and urban transit projects on October 1 of 1985-1988 if the Congress has not approved such estimates by that time.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to assist States and localities in establishing and carrying out programs designed to help pregnant individuals and mothers of young children to become self-sufficient. States that it shall be the objective of each program to help achieve self-sufficiency for individuals under the age of 25 who are eligible for AFDC, who are pregnant, or who are mothers with children under the age of six, and who voluntarily elect to participate in the program by: (1) requiring such individuals to seek a high school diploma or take part in appropriate training; (2) providing each participant with academic or vocational training and job placement; (3) coordinating services available to participants; and (4) providing each participant with other services and assistance designed to meet such objective. Requires a program to meet certain requirements, including the provision of child care services, necessary transportation, and an outreach program designed to attract individuals who would be eligible for the program. Limits the size of a grant for such program to: (1) in FY 1985 and 1986, two percent of the State's AFDC Federal payment; (2) in FY 1987, three percent of such payment; and (3) in FY 1988 or any subsequent fiscal year, four percent of such payment. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the States, to establish a systematic reporting system capable of yielding comprehensive data on which service figures and program evaluations shall be based. Directs the Secretary to annually report to the Congress, and the States to annually report to the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Authorizes the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor the courageous slaves and free black persons who gave of themselves during the American Revolution. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select the site, approve the design and plans, and provide for maintenance. Prohibits the use of any Federal funds for the memorial's construction. Terminates the Foundation's authority to establish such memorial within five years from the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of May 12 through May 18, 1985, as Senior Center Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Designates the week of April 21 through April 27, 1985, as National DES Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Board of Trustees of Amherst College should reconsider their decision to cease operations of the Folger Theatre.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Prohibits any U.S. person from making or holding any investment in South Africa. Prohibits importing any article grown or produced in South Africa. Prohibits exporting to South Africa goods, technology, or other information subject to U.S. jurisdiction, except for certain medicine and medical supplies. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit landing rights for South African aircraft, except in emergencies. Prohibits importing gold coins minted in or sold by South Africa. Prohibits tax credits or deductions for any income, war profits, or excess profits taxes paid or accrued to South Africa. Directs the President to provide for enforcement of this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.