United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the President to enter into agreements establishing reciprocal arrangements between Medicare programs and the program of any foreign country providing similar services to individuals either directly or by insurance payments. Requires that any such agreement specify: (1) the nature and extent of payment to be made to, or on behalf of, the individuals entitled to benefits; (2) limitations on the nature and duration of health services and on entitlement of individuals to benefits on a reciprocal basis; and (3) the methods by which the cost of providing health services on a reciprocal basis shall be shared by the United States and the foreign country. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make rules and regulations and establish procedures necessary to implement and administer such agreements. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into interim arrangements with any hospital in a foreign country which is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals or such other hospitals as the Secretary finds meet specified health and safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Amends the Steel Import Stabilization Act to require the Secretary of Commerce to find out how many non-covered steel products were imported from each country during the four calendar quarters preceding October 1, 1984. Defines non-covered steel products as steel products exported to the United States from a country which on September 30, 1985, is not a party to a bilateral arrangement covering steel products. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request from the Secretary of Commerce, to ensure that the quarterly tonnage of each non-covered steel product imported from a foreign country does not exceed 70 percent of the average quarterly tonnage of each such non-covered steel product from that country during the four calendar quarters immediately preceding October 1, 1984. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to make such request whenever the Secretary determines that such imports from a foreign country exceed that 70 percent level.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Establishes the National Commission on POWs and MIAs to investigate and make recommendations concerning the status of members of the armed forces who are officially recorded as being prisoners of war or missing in action. Directs the Commission to report annually to the President and to the Congress its findings, conclusions, and recommendations with respect to the status of those listed as prisoners of war or missing in action. Continues such Commission until terminated by an Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1985
Bicentennial of the Constitution Coins and Medals Act - Title I: Bicentennial of the United States Constitution Commemorative Coins - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a specified number of five dollar gold coins and one dollar silver coins emblematic of the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their sale and issuance. Terminates the minting of such coins after December 31, 1987. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from sale of such coins, to be used to reduce the national debt. Title II: Bicentennial of the United States Constitution Commemorative Medals - Directs the Secretary to strike and deliver to the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution a specified number of gold, silver, and bronze medals commemorating the Bicentennial. Authorizes the Commission to dispose of such medals at a premium. Terminates the striking of such medals after December 31, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Establishes the Disability Advisory Council (the Council), whose members shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to conduct studies and make recommendations regarding the medical and vocational aspects of disability under titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Provides that in addition to the above duties of the Council, the Secretary shall appoint a special panel to conduct studies with respect to the so-called "notch problem" for determining primary insurance amounts under title II of the Act. Requires the special panel to report its findings and recommendations to the Council. Requires the Council to report to the Secretary, and such report to be sent to the Congress and to the Board of Trustees of the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. Terminates the Council following submission of its report.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
National Schoolbus Safety Act of 1985 - Limits the amount of financial assistance which the Secretary of Education may provide to any State or local educational agency in a State or locality that does not impose certain requirements for inspecting school buses and equipping them with safety belts. Sets forth the initial form of such requirements as follows: (1) equipping those school buses first placed in service after the effective date of this Act with safety belts; and (2) annual safety inspection of all school buses. Limits the amount of financial assistance in cases of noncompliance to not more than: (1) 95 percent of the allocated amount for the first fiscal year beginning after the effective date of this Act; (2) 90 percent for the second such fiscal year; and (3) 85 percent for any subsequent fiscal year. Sets forth final requirements which must be effective on or before January 1, 1995, as follows: (1) equipping all school buses with safety belts; and (2) annual inspections of all school buses. Prohibits any financial assistance to any State or local educational agency in a State or locality which does not have such requirements in effect by such date. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to annually provide the Secretary of Education with information necessary to determine whether a State or local government has in effect the requirements referred to under this Act, if there is an approved highway safety program for pupil transportation safety in effect for such State or local government. Requires the State or local government to provide such information when such a program is not in effect. Makes this Act effective beginning one year after its date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Gifted and Talented Children and Youth Education Act of 1985 - Establishes a Federal gifted and talented education (GTE) program to improve the capability of State and local education agencies (SEAs and LEAs) and private nonprofit schools to: (1) identify gifted and talented children and youth; and (2) provide those children and youth with appropriate educational opportunities. Directs the Secretary of Education from specified sums appropriated under this Act and after consultation with the advisory committee established by this Act to make grants to or contracts with SEAs, LEAs, institutions of higher education, or other public and private agencies to assist them in carrying out authorized GTE programs or projects, including personnel or supervisory training. Sets forth authorized GTE programs and projects, including: (1) preservice and inservice training (including fellowships) for GTE personnel (including leadership personnel); (2) model projects and exemplary programs for identification and education, including summer programs and cooperative programs involving business, industry, and education; (3) strengthening SEA and higher education institutions' capability to provide leadership and assistance to LEAs and nonprofit private schools in planning, operating, and improving such programs; (4) technical assistance and information dissemination; (5) research on methods and techniques for identifying and teaching gifted and talented children and youth; (6) conducting program evaluations and surveys; and (7) developing information and analysis. Establishes the National Center for Research and Development in the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth (the National Center) through grants or contracts with one or more higher education institutions or SEAs, or a consortium or combination of such institutions and agencies, to carry out clauses (5), (6), and (7) of the preceding paragraph. Requires the Director of the National Center to carry out such National Center functions as may be agreed upon through arrangements with other higher education institutions, SEAs, LEAs, or other public or private agencies and organizations. Limits to 30 percent of the funds for authorized programs and projects that portion which may be used to conduct activities pursuant to provisions relating to the National Center and its research, evaluation, and information functions. Directs the Secretary and the advisory committee established by this Act, in administering this Act, to give highest priority to programs for: (1) identifying and educating gifted and talented children and youth who may not be identified through traditional assessment measures (such as the limited-English speaking, economically disadvantaged, handicapped, and women); and (2) developing or improving the capability of schools in an entire State or region of the Nation, through cooperative efforts and participation of SEAs, LEAs, higher education institutions, and other public and private agencies and organizations (including business, industry, and labor) to identify and educate gifted and talented children and youth. Sets forth provisions relating to participation of private school children and teachers in programs under this Act. Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee on GTE, with members representative of State education agencies, teacher education institutions, researchers, teachers, and parents. Directs the Secretary to establish or designate an administrative unit within the Department of Education to: (1) administer the programs authorized by this Act; (2) coordinate all GTE programs that the Department administers; and (3) serve as a focal point for national leadership and information on the educational needs of gifted and talented children and youth and the availability of services and programs to meet those needs. Requires that such administrative unit be headed by a person of recognized professional qualifications and experience in GTE. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Trade Reorganization Act of 1985 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the congressional findings and purposes of this Act. Title II: Department of Commerce and Trade - Establishes the Department of Commerce and Trade to be administered by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade (the Secretary). Sets forth the functions of the Secretary including: (1) exercising responsibility for international trade matters, except for responsibilities delegated to the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) analyzing economic and sectoral trends; (3) developing and implementing commercial policies to expand U.S. business and employment opportunities; (4) promoting new opportunities for U.S. products and services to compete in the world marketplace; (5) assisting small businesses in developing export markets; and (6) administering U.S. laws relating to trade. Requires the Secretary to be Deputy Chair of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Agriculture on all matters which potentially involve international trade in agricultural products. Authorizes the Secretary to assign the head of a Federal agency the responsibility for an international trade negotiation if the subject of the negotiation is related to the functions of the agency. Provides for three Deputy Secretaries of Commerce and Trade and two Under Secretaries of Commerce and Trade. Limits the number of Assistant Secretaries of Commerce and Trade to eight. Provides for a General Counsel, Inspector General, Chief Negotiator for Textile Matters, Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, and Agricultural Adviser. Sets forth their functions. Transfers to the Secretary: (1) all functions of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; and (2) specified functions of the Department of Commerce. Sets forth administrative provisions governing the Department of Commerce and Trade. Provides for delegation of the Secretary's authority and succession of officers of the Department of Commerce and Trade. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) reorganize the Department, under certain conditions; (2) prescribe regulations; (3) establish a working capital fund; (4) transfer funds, subject to certain limitations, within the Department; (5) make contracts and payments; (6) accept gifts and bequests, under certain circumstances; and (7) issue publications. Provides for: (1) the Secretary's use of public and private resources; (2) departmental field offices; and (3) travel expenses. Authorizes other entities to use the resources of the Department under certain conditions. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President on the activities of the Department. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President an Office of the Assistant to the President for International Trade who shall provide the President with policy options on international trade matters and, in cooperation with the Trade Policy Committee, coordinate those policies and activities affecting international trade that are carried out by Federal agencies. Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to establish in the Executive Office of the President a Trade Policy Committee to assist the President in carrying out certain trade functions. Directs the Trade Policy Committee to pay particular attention to expanding the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture in matters affecting international trade. Sets forth the membership of the Trade Policy Committee. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to change the membership of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank to include a Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Trade. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to give the Secretary authority to give policy guidance to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Directs OPIC to carry out a specified trade development program. Makes an Under Secretary of Commerce and Trade the Vice Chairman of OPIC's Board of Directors, ex officio. Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to direct the U.S. executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to consult with the Secretary on matters under consideration by the IMF which relate to trade. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to agricultural trade matters, to: (1) report directly to the President and the Congress; (2) keep the advisers to U.S. delegations to trade conferences informed on U.S. negotiating objectives, the status of negotiations, and the nature of any recommended changes in domestic law or regulations; and (3) consult with State and local governments and other interested parties concerning international agricultural trade matters. Makes certain technical and conforming amendments, repeals certain authority and makes certain terminations. Title III: Transitional, Savings and Conforming Provisions - Makes certain transitional, savings, and conforming amendments. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Sets forth definitions and effective dates. Provides for interim appointments and compliance with the budget. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code with regard to the ban on mailing dangerous items to include martial arts weapons within the prohibition. Prohibits mail-order sales to States which have banned the manufacturing, selling, carrying, and possession of such weapons. Authorizes the Postal Service to prescribe regulations for mailing otherwise nonmailable martial arts weapons to certain military, State, or municipal procurement officers or employees, as well as certain bona fide manufacturers or dealers. Exempts knives, swords, and other ceremonial or collector weapons that are otherwise mailable under the prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1985
Enterprise Zone Development and Employment Act of 1985 - Title I: Designation of Enterprize Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Provides that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the designation of enterprise zones to 100 nominated areas, by the later of a 24 month period or July 1, 1985 (one-fourth of which must be in rural areas). Limits the period during which such deisgnation shall remain in effect. Provides that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (with a population of at least 50,000) or 1,500 otherwise, or is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area, permitting State and local income tax deductions for fees for services performed by a nongovernmental entity formerly performed by a governmental entity, giving special preference to contractors owned and operated by members of a minority, and giving of surplus land in the enterprise zone to neighborhood organizations agreeing to operate a business on the land. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress every four years a report on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Treats any area designated as an enterprise zone as a labor surplus area under Federal law. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for increased employment expenditures and employment of the disadvantaged. Allows a three-year carryback and a 15-year carryover of such credit. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of the increase in payroll (taking into account a maximum of $17,500 in wages per year per employee) plus 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such economically disadvantaged credit. Disallows a deduction for the portion of the wages or salaries taken into account for such credit. Requires that where there is an early termination of employment by an employer in the case of qualified economically disadvantaged individuals, the tax for that taxable year in which the termination occurred must be increased by the tax credits allowed for such employees. Allows employees located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to five percent of qualified wages earned per year (taking into account a maximum of $10,500 in wages per year). Phases out such credit. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investments made in certain enterprise zone construction property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to ten percent for new enterprise zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be located in an enterprise zone, be predominantly used in the zone, be either constructed, reconstructed, renovated, etc. during the period of zone designation or acquired during such period, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon the early disposition of the property. Provides for a phase-out of the enterprise zone tax credit as the enterprise zone ends. Provides for an adjustment to the basis of the enterprise zone construction property to reflect the enterprise zone tax credit. Subtitle C: Nonrecognition of Qualified Enterprise Zone Capital Gain Where Acquisition of Enterprise Zone Business Property - Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of property where within the one-year period beginning on the date of such sale qualified replacement property is acquired by the taxpayer, to the extent the gain from the sale does not exceed the cost of the replacement property. Defines "qualified replacement property" as any personal property used predominantly in an enterprise zone in the active conduct of a trade or business within the enterprise zone, any real property located in the enterprise zone used in the active conduct of a trade or business, or any corporation, partnership, or other entity if, for the three most recent taxable years of such entity ending before the date of the purchase of such interest, such entity was a qualified business. Sets forth special rules for the operation of this provision. Requires the basis of the replacement property to be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of gain not recognized on the sale of such other property. Extends the period for the statute of limitations relating to the assessment of tax with respect to the sale of property involving the nonrecognition provisions. Provides that the holding period for the qualified replacement property shall include the period for which the property sold or exchanged had been held as of the date of the sale or exchange. Subtitle D: Deduction for Purchase of Enterprise Stock - Allows a taxpayer to deduct the aggregate amount paid during the taxable year for the purchase of enterprise stock on the original issue of such stock by a qualified issuer. Limits the maximum amount of such deduction to $100,000 a year. Requires that the $100,000 limit must be allocated among the members of a controlled group. Requires the pro rata allocation of the $100,000 limit among the stock purchased where the aggregate amount of stock purchased exceeds the $100,000 limitation. Requires that the gain from the disposition of the stock shall be treated as ordinary income. Provides a formula for calculating such gain. Provides that interest is charged on the disposition of such stock if such disposition occurs before the end of the three-year period beginning on the date the stock was purchased. Provides that where an issuer ceases to be a qualified issuer of enterprise stock before the close of the fifth taxable year after the date the stock was issued, the taxpayer must include in income the amount of the deduction allowed with respect to such stock plus interest on the aggregate decrease in tax of the taxpayer resulting from the deduction allowed with respect to such stock. Sets forth special rules with respect to such stock. Requires the basis of such stock to be reduced by the amount of the deduction allowed with respect to such stock. Subtitle E: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that limitations on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt industrial development bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property. Provides that the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to industrial development bonds the proceeds of which are used to finance facilities in such enterprise zones. Subtitle F: Ordinary Loss Deduction for Securities of Enterprise Zone Business Which Become Worthless - Permits an ordinary loss deduction for securities of enterprise zone businesses which become worthless during the taxable year. Subtitle G: Increase in Research Credit for Research Conducted in Enterprise Zones - Increases the tax credit for increasing research activities to 37 and one-half percent. (currently, 25 percent for research conducted in enterprise zones). Subtitle H: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Subtitle I: Regulations - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act not later than six months after the date of enactment. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified businesses (as defined in Title II of this Act) and governments and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of a rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that, to the maximum extent practicable, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow members of the armed forces serving on active duty or on full-time National Guard duty to bring claims for damages against the United States for personal injury or death arising out of medical or dental care furnished by a medical treatment facility operated by the military or the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Higher Education Disclosure Act - Requires any institution of higher education which is a direct or indirect recipient of Federal financial assistance to disclose grants from or contracts with a foreign source when such grants and contracts total over $100,000 during any 12-month period. Sets forth procedures and requirements relating to the contents of such disclosure reports to the Secretary of Education. Makes such reports accessible to the public. Allows civil actions to be brought to request restraining orders or injunctions commanding compliance with the requirements of this Act. Requires institutions which knowingly or willfully fail to comply with such requirements to pay the full costs to the United States of obtaining compliance, including all associated costs of investigation and enforcement. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to promulgate regulations to carry out the ministerial duties imposed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
American Scientists Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, during each of the five years following enactment of this Act, to issue one dollar silver coins and ten dollar gold coins commemorating outstanding American scientists. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation, to select the scientists to be pictured on the coins. Directs that a different scientist is to be commemorated on the gold and silver coins each year. Specifies the respective size, weight, and design of the silver and gold coins. Provides for the sale of such coins at a price sufficient to cover costs and allow for the collection of specified surcharges. Directs the Secretary to announce the number of gold and silver coins to be produced in a given year and to issue no more than the number announced.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Proclaims October 23, 1985, as A Time of Remembrance for all victims of terrorism. Urges Americans to wear a purple ribbon in honor of the sacrifices made in pursuit of peace and freedom. Authorizes and requests the President to call upon U.S. departments, agencies, and other interested parties to fly U.S. flags at half staff.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Amends the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an annual contest to select the design for the duck hunting stamp to be issued each year. Requires proceeds received from contest entry fees to be deposited in the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund established under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to: (1) establish regulations necessary to ensure access (currently, reasonable access) to telephone service by persons with impaired hearing; and (2) require that all telephones (currently, essential telephones) provide internal means for effective use with hearing aids specially designed for telephone use. Repeals a provision directing the Commission to consider the costs and benefits to all telephone users when making rules concerning telephone service for the disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should reaffirm its commitment to the principles expressed in section seven of the Helsinki Accords; and (2) the President should urge Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to reaffirm the Soviet Union's commitment to such principles.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the amount of a qualified artistic charitable contribution shall be the fair market value of the property contributed (determined at the time of such contribution). Defines "qualified artistic charitable contribution" as the contribution of any literary, music, artistic, or scholarly composition, any letter or memorandum, or similar property, but only if: (1) such property was created by the personal efforts of the taxpayer making such contribution no less than one year prior to such contribution; (2) there is a written appraisal of the fair market value of the property included with the tax return; and (3) the use of such property by the donee is related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for the donee's tax exemption. Limits the amount of the qualified artistic charitable contributions for any taxable year to the artistic adjusted gross income for the taxpayer for such taxable year. Defines "artistic adjusted gross income." Prohibits public officials from taking a deduction for donation of their papers if the papers were produced while the officials were officers or employees of the United States or any State, or if the papers were created out of the performance of any duties as officers or employees of the government. Provides that alternative tax itemized deductions shall be determined without regard to the deduction for qualified artistic charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1985
Expresses the Congress' concern about Doctor Yury Orlov and calls upon the Soviet Union to release him from exile and allow him and his wife to emigrate. Urges the President to instruct the Secretary of State to raise this issue with the Soviet Union and at specified forums.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Aaron Copland in recognition of his contributions to American musical composition. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Trade Emergency and Export Promotion Act - Declares that actions by the President, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) pursuant to this Act shall not be reviewable by any court, except for abuse of discretion. Title I: International Trade Actions and Agreements - Declares that a national emergency exists because of distortions and imbalances in trade and instability in exchange rates and that such emergency requires extraordinary measures, including action to: (1) restore the value of the dollar; and (2) either eliminate foreign unfair trade barriers or prohibit countries which employ such barriers from enjoying trade surpluses with the United States or increasing shares of world export markets. Authorizes the President to negotiate and enter into with any foreign country or entity agreements limiting the export from such country or entity, and the importation into the United States, of any article. Directs the USTR to initiate proceedings against Japan before appropriate international bodies in order to obtain authorization to take trade actions against Japan on the grounds that: (1) Japan has failed to comply with trade agreements entered into with the United States; and (2) Japan has adopted numerous domestic policies and practices that impair and violate such trade agreements and impede achievement of their objectives. Directs the USTR, with the cooperation of the Secretary of Agriculture, to initiate actions under all international trade agreements to which the United States is a party in order to take appropriate countermeasures against agricultural export subsidies provided by the European Communities and other countries which will be used to prevent: (1) injury to U.S. agricultural producers; (2) nullification or impairment of such trade agreements; and (3) serious prejudice to the United States. Authorizes the USTR to initiate actions against each foreign country (except Japan and the European Communities) or entity that was an excess worldwide trade surplus country or an excess bilateral trade surplus country for 1984 under all applicable U.S. laws and international agreements in order to: (1) enforce the rights of the United States under such international agreements; and (2) obtain the elimination of certain trade acts, policies, and practices of such countries or entities. Directs the USTR to explain in proceedings initiated under this title that the United States finds it necessary to take the actions provided in title II of this Act as interim measures pending the outcome of such proceedings in order to protect vital U.S. interests. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a plan to reduce fluctuations between currencies on foreign currency exchange markets. Sets forth characteristics of such plan. Title II: Interim Domestic Trade Actions to Respond to the Trade Emergency - Subtitle A: Stand-by Duties - Directs the ITC to determine annually each major exporting country's: (1) worldwide nonpetroleum export percentage; (2) bilateral nonpetroleum export percentage; (3) worldwide nonpetroleum trade surplus; (4) bilateral nonpetroleum trade surplus; (5) worldwide trade surplus limitation; and (6) bilateral trade surplus limitation. Requires the ITC to report annually to the President on: (1) the determinations on the trade of such major exporting countries; (2) the identity of each foreign country which was an excess worldwide trade surplus country or excess bilateral trade surplus country during the preceding year; and (3) whether or not standby duties should be imposed on imports from such countries. Requires the President, within 15 days of receiving such report to determine, with respect to each country identified as an excess worldwide trade surplus country or excess bilateral trade surplus country: (1) whether such country unfairly restricts or limits the access of imports to its markets; and (2) if the President determines that such country does restrict access to its markets, whether such restriction contributes to that country's trade surplus. Requires the President, if both such determinations are positive, to impose stand-by duties on all imports from such countries. Prohibits making such determinations or imposing such duties if the U.S. trade deficit divided by the U.S. gross national product is less than one and one-half percent. Requires the President to report to the Congress, within 15 days of receiving the reports on worldwide and bilateral trade, on the determinations made with respect to imposing stand-by duties. Declares that the rate of a stand-by duty shall be 25 percent ad valorem and that such duty shall be in addition to any other duties. Provides for the implementation of such duties. Requires all revenues from such stand-by duties to be allocated to the Public Debt Reduction Account in the Treasury. Expresses the sense of the Congress that all funds in such Account be used only to reduce the Federal debt. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on the revenue derived from such stand-by duties. Prohibits imposing stand-by duties on articles imported after April 30, 1992. Prohibits requiring reports and determinations on trade surpluses after April 1991. Subtitle B: Reports - Directs the President to report annually to specified congressional committees on the operation of this Act. Title III: Trade Law Reform - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to transfer to the USTR from the President the authority to order import relief and the authority to extend tariff preferences. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer to the USTR from the President the authority to approve or disapprove ITC actions to prevent unfair practices in import trade.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Directs the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force to prescribe regulations to ensure that National Guard technicians are protected from certain adverse employment actions (i.e. removal, suspension, grade reduction, or furlough) in the same manner as are Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Entitles individuals who performed service as National Guard technicians before January 1, 1969, to credit for such service when determining length of service for purposes of civil service retirement, leave, employee death and disability compensation, group life and health insurance, severance pay, tenure, and status.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Federal Equitable Pay Practices Act of 1985 - Establishes the Commission on Equitable Pay Practices to determine whether the Government's position-classification system and prevailing rate system are designed and administered in accordance with the general policy that sex, race, and ethnicity should not be among factors considered in determining pay rates. Requires the Commission to conduct, by contract with a consultant selected under this Act, a study under which job-content analysis and economic analysis shall be applied to a representative sample of occupations in which: (1) either sex is numerically predominant; (2) any race is disproportionately represented; or (3) any ethnic group is disproportionately represented. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress and the President on the results of such study not later than 18 months after the Commission's date of establishment. Make sums appropriated to the Office of Personnel Management for general operating expenses available to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
'Designer Drug' Enforcement Act of 1985 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish criminal penalties for the manufacture or possession with intent to distribute or the distribution of unregulated drugs with a chemical structure or effect substantially similar to that of a controlled substance.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the: (1) local field office structure of the Social Security Administration should be maintained, strengthened, and fully staffed; and (2) proper amount of administrative costs of such offices should approximate 1.5 percent of the costs of the social security benefit programs serviced by such offices.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Reagan administration should fulfill its promise to renovate the homeless facility at 425 Second Street N.W., in the District of Columbia, into the "model physical shelter" promised, and find ways to resolve the growing problem of homeless persons in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO) to allow a civil action to be brought by a plaintiff only when the private suit rests on an injury caused by conduct that led to the defendant's conviction of one of the predicate offenses listed in the statute or of a criminal violation of RICO itself. Requires the plaintiff to bring such action within one year of the defendant's conviction.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Education Act - Requires specified warning labels on all smokeless tobacco products and advertisements. Declares that the failure to comply with provisions of this Act shall be in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Grants district courts of the United States jurisdiction and injunctive powers to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate regulations to implement this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to report to the Congress annually on the use and health effects of smokeless tobacco products.
![Official portrait of Rep. Frost, Martin [D-TX-24]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000392_200.jpg)