United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes immigration procedures for the status adjustment to permanent resident of certain aliens who: (1) have received Cuban/Haitian entrant designation; or (2) are Cuban or Haitian nationals who arrived in the United States before January 1, 1982, and who (with the exception of asylum applicants who filed before such date) were not admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants. Requires such adjustment applications to be filed within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
African Famine Relief and Recovery Act of 1985 - Title I: Authorizations of Appropriations - Authorizes supplemental appropriations for FY 1985 for famine relief in Africa for: (1) agricultural development programs; (2) international disaster assistance programs; (3) development program operating expenses; and (4) the Migration and Refugee Assistance account of the State Department. Title II: Appropriations - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 1985 to: (1) the Department of Agriculture for Public Law 480; (2) the Agency for International Development for specified agriculture, rural development, and nutrition programs, for international disaster assistance, and for operating expenses; and (3) the Department of State for migration and refugee assistance. Declares that funds appropriated for Public Law 480, for agriculture, rural development, and nutrition programs (other than funds for rehabilitation and recovery projects), and for international disaster assistance shall be available only for those African countries which suffer from exceptional food supply problems in 1985 due to drought and other calamities. Permits the use of Public Law 480 funds to reimburse certain ongoing famine relief programs. Declares that funds for rehabilitation and recovery projects and for migration and refugee assistance shall be available only to those African countries which have suffered in the last two years from exceptional food supply problems due to drought and other calamities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Prohibits the expenditure of funds for the production of lethal binary chemical munitions after the enactment of this Act. Defines lethal binary chemical munitions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should begin negotiations with the Soviet Union for a mutual, verifiable ban on chemical weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to enable an insured individual's spouse who has attained the age of 50 and is not entitled to any other monthly benefits to obtain a transition benefit for four months upon the death of the insured individual. Establishes the amount of such transition benefit at 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the insured individual or, if it is higher, 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Social Security Modernization Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple which are attributable to the period of their marriage shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Provides that this Act shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to restore the minimum monthly social security benefit with respect to benefits for months after December 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that an individual's "years of coverage" for purposes of computing such individual's primary insurance amount under title II shall include those years (up to a specified maximum) during which such individual had a child age six or under in his or her care for more than six months.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide full benefits for disabled widows and widowers without regard to age.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent be reduced by the amount such spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receives in monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
States that the President should, at the earliest possible date: (1) request Senate advice and consent to ratification of the Threshold Test Ban and Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaties; and (2) propose to the Soviet Union the resumption of negotiations toward conclusion of a verifiable comprehensive test ban treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the appointment of electors to represent the insular areas constituting the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Declares it to be the policy of the United States to: (1) renounce the first use of all nuclear weapons; and (2) conclude treaties with all nations renouncing the first use of such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should contribute to the goal of preventing outer space from becoming an area of military confrontation. Urges the President to enter into negotiations with the Soviet Union and other states for a verifiable treaty banning the testing, production, deployment, and use of space-based weapons and of certain ground-based or air-based weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Hunger to conduct a continuing comprehensive study of the problems of hunger and malnutrition. Requires an annual report from such committee, including a summary of its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a comprehensive study and review of the problems of children, youth, and families.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1984
Amends the Equal Access to Justice Act to extend through 1985 the provisions with regard to the payment of costs to a prevailing party in an action against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1984
Electronic Surveillance Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal criminal code to extend the definition of "intercept" for purposes of the interception of communications to allow non-aural acquisition of the contents of such communications. Extends the prohibition against the use of certain evidence secured by intercepted wire or oral communications to cover the contents of communications intercepted in violation of the minimization rule and as part of a pattern of intentional illegality. Authorizes interceptions for the investigation of offenses involving tampering with or retaliating against a witness, victim, or informant. Requires that applications for authorizations for interceptions include a statement of the investigative objectives, the specific targets of the interceptions, and specific reasons why other investigative procedures are not adequate. Permits an ex parte court order to authorize interceptions outside the court's jurisdiction by a motile interception device, if such device is installed within the jurisdiction. Requires, when a court issues an order allowing interception, that: (1) at least one of the parties to such communication be identified in the order; and (2) the court has found probable cause that virtually all the users of the designated facility or telephone are doing so for the object of the investigation, or for monitoring voices as part of such investigation. Allows the order to authorize physical entry to install an electronic, mechanical, or other device in situations where there is no other less intrusive means of effecting interception. Requires reports every two weeks to the judge who issued the order showing progress made toward achievement of the authorized objective. Prohibits any person acting under the authority of the United States from installing or using a pen register or engaging in video surveillance except as authorized by the criminal code with regard to interceptions of oral communications.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1984
Rules Enabling Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal judicial code with respect to the U.S. Supreme Court's power to prescribe Federal rules of civil procedure (including bankruptcy rules). Empowers the Supreme Court to prescribe rules of evidence. (Currently, it only has power to prescribe amendments to such rules, which are promulgated by Congress.) Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to make recommendations to the Court regarding such prescribed rules. Authorizes the Conference to appoint committees comprised of judges and attorneys who will recommend the rules to be prescribed for Federal practice and procedure. Mandates the appointment of a standing committee on rules of practice and procedure whose function is to review all committee recommendations for consistency with one another. Provides for public notice of committee meetings for the transaction of business. Specifies exceptions. Requires that recommendations or prescriptions for rules of practice and procedure be accompanied by: (1) a proposed rule; (2) an explanatory note on the rule; and (3) a written explanation of the recommending body's action including minority or separate views. Requires the Supreme Court to transmit proposed rules of civil practice and procedure to the Congress by May 1 of the year in which such rules are to become effective. Sets December 1 of such year as the effective date for such rules. Amends the Judicial Code to provide for a periodic compilation by the Judicial Conference of procedural rules prescribed by courts other than the Supreme Court in order to provide a current record of such rules. Requires the Conference to periodically review such rules for consistency with the Conference's rules of practice and procedure. Authorizes the Conference to modify or abrogate inconsistent rules. Provides that rules prescribed by district courts for the conduct of their business require public notice and opportunity for comment before they are made or amended. Amends the Criminal Code to rescind the power of the Supreme Court to prescribe rules of criminal practice and procedure for: (1) trials held by magistrates; and (2) taking and hearing appeals to district court judges from magistrate-held trials. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands and to the Organic Act of Guam.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1984
Patent Law Amendments Act of 1984 - Title I: Patent Improvement Provisions - Amends the patent laws to make it an infringement of patent to import or sell in the United States without authority a product made in another country by a process patented in the United States. Makes it an infringement of patent to supply without authority in or from the United States the material components of a patented invention in such a manner as to actively induce their combination outside the United States if their combination in this country would constitute an infringement. Makes it an infringement to supply without authority in or from the United States any component of a patented invention especially adapted for use in that invention and not a staple of commerce suitable for noninfringing uses, knowing that such component will be combined outside the United States in a manner which would constitute infringement were it to occur inside the United States. Authorizes the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to publish a statutory invention registration containing the specifications and drawings of a regularly filed application for a patent without examination if the applicant waives the right to receive a patent on the invention within a prescribed period and pays established fees. Makes such registration effective upon publication. Endows such registration with all the attributes of a patent except the right to compensation for Government-ordered secrecy and for infringement. Modifies the procedure for filing a patent application in a foreign country to eliminate the need for a license for modifications of explanatory information transmitted to or filed in a foreign country for patents on which no secrecy order has been issued. Eliminates criminal penalties for the failure to obtain a license for a patent application that is not subject to a secrecy order. Excludes from prior art (knowledge held by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of the patent applies) unpublished information developed by a person other than the applicant when the subject matter and invention claimed were owned by the same person or entity at the time the invention was made. (Subject matter deemed prior art is non-patentable.) States that when joint inventors jointly apply for a patent they need not have made a contribution to each claim contained in the application. Permits arbitration of issues arising when a patent application is made which would interfere with any pending or unexpired patent (patent interference). Title II: Patent and Trademark Office Procedures - Merges the Board of Appeals and the Board of Patent Interferences into the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. Title III: National Commission on Innovation and Productivity - Establishes a National Commission on Innovation and Productivity to review and study the level of innovation and productivity of employed inventors. Requires that the study include an analysis of methods available from domestic and foreign sources to stimulate individual and corporate innovation and productivity. Sets forth terms and conditions of Commission membership and operation. Authorizes the Commission and the Federal agencies to cooperate in the gathering of information. Directs the Commission to report to the President and Congress on an interim basis, with a final report due within two years after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission within a specified period after the final report is filed. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Permits the basic fee portion of an international fee to be paid within one month of filing rather than upon filing. States that the designation of the United States as the country in which patent is sought in an international patent filed under the patent cooperation treaty shall continue to have effect until the international application is withdrawn, if a claim for the benefit of a prior filing date is made before such application is ultimately withdrawn. Renders permissible (rather than mandatory as under current law) the receipt from the International Bureau of all international applications and search reports for international applications designating the United States. Permits the Commissioner to fix a later time for the completion of certain requirements than the commencement of the national stage of an international application. States that failure to submit a copy of the application by commencement and lack of compliance with other specified requirements shall be regarded as abandonment of the application. Permits the Commissioner to receive a verification of the translation of an international application. (Under current law such receipt is mandatory.) Permits a surcharge to be levied as a condition for accepting the national fee or the oath or declaration if these requirements are not met by the commencement of the national stage. Eliminates the special fee and restoration of patent provisions for claims not searched in the international stage and later found not to comply with the requirement for unity of invention under the treaty. Prohibits the collection of fees for maintaining a plant patent in force. Sets the rate of compensation for members of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the Patent and Trademark Office.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1984
Trademark Amendments Act of 1984 - Amends the Lanham Trademark Act to state that the exclusive test for determining whether a registered trademark has become a common descriptive name (generic) and therefore cancellable is whether the relevant public understands that the trademark is functioning as a mark rather than as generic.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1984
Amends the Federal criminal code to permit Federal and District of Columbia employees to provide pro bono representation for persons prosecuting certain claims against the United States or the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1984
Comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Freeze and Arms Reduction Act of 1984 - Provides for the establishment of a comprehensive freeze by the United States and the Soviet Union on the testing, production, and deployment of any nuclear weapon, delivery system, or any subsystem or component for a nuclear warhead, weapon, or delivery system (the comprehensive freeze). Directs the House and Senate Select Intelligence Committees to begin oversight hearings on verification procedures for the comprehensive freeze. Requires such committees to report to their respective Houses within 90 days of enactment of this Act on the adequacy of U.S. verification procedures. Sets forth information to be included in the report. Requires the Director of the Arms Control Disarmament Agency to begin preparing an operational plan for U.S. implementation of the comprehensive freeze within 120 days of enactment of this Act. Directs the Director to submit the plan to specified congressional committees within 60 days of enactment of this Act. Declares that the President should: (1) invite the Soviet Union to participate in a comprehensive bilateral and verifiable nuclear weapons freeze; and (2) encourage the Soviet Union to write to the United States whether it intends to implement the comprehensive freeze. Requires the President, 120 days after enactment of this Act, to direct the implementation by the United States of the comprehensive freeze which shall continue so long and to the extent that the Soviet Union acts in a reciprocal mannner. Requires the President to certify to the Congress the nature of Soviet noncompliance with the freeze, all relevant evidence, and his recommendations for the U.S. response if the President finds evidence that the Soviet Union is not acting in a reciprocal mannner. Requires the appropriate congressional committees to report a bill setting forth the extent to which the United States should modify its participation in the comprehensive freeze. Declares that the United States and the Soviet Union should begin nuclear arms reduction negotiations as soon as the comprehensive freeze is implemented.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1984
Federal District Court Organization Act of 1984 - Amends the judicial code to provide that court for the Eastern District of New York shall be held at Hauppauge in addition to Brooklyn and Hempstead. Places DeKalb and McHenry counties in the Western Division of the Northern District of Illinois. Adds Champaign-Urbana as a site for Federal district court in the Central District of Illinois. Adds a seventh division to the Southern District Court of Texas. Establishes the McAllen Division in the Southern District, comprising the counties of Hidalgo and Starr. States that court for the McAllen Division shall be held at McAllen. Places Fannin, Gilmer, and Pickens counties in the Gainesville Division of the Northern District of Georgia. Designates Statesboro instead of Swainsboro as the sixth division in the Southern District of Georgia. Adds Bennington to the sites of Federal district courts in Vermont. Adds Boulder to the sites of Federal district court in Colorado.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1984
Copyright Royalty Tribunal and Cable Television Reform Act of 1984 - Title I: Copyright Royalty Tribunal - Amends the copyright law to reduce the membership on the Copyright Royalty Tribunal from five to three commissioners. Requires the Tribunal to appoint a general counsel and chief economist. States that review of Tribunal decisions by the U.S. Court of Appeals remains unaffected by the creation of the Tribunal in the legislative branch. Requires the Tribunal, in adjusting copyright royalty rates for the carriage of television broadcast signals by cable systems, to also consider: (1) the extent to which television broadcast stations compensate copyright owners for the secondary transmission of their signals by cable systems located outside their respective local service areas; (2) the extent to which the value of additional distant signals decreases as such signals are carried by the systems; (3) the impact of the rates on cable subscribers as to the availability and cost of receiving copyrighted materials; and (4) the impact of the rates on competition with television broadcast stations. Title II: Cable Television - Excludes from a specified adjustment in royalty rates the first two distant independent television broadcast signals carried by any cable system. Revises the royalty computation formula for secondary transmissions by a cable system to redefine gross receipts based upon the type of service offered.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Amends the Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1985 to require that: (1) at least five percent of the funds earmarked for the Agency for International Development shall be available only for the delivery of primary health care services and basic health education, training for health care workers, and medical supplies and equipment for primary health care, with such assistance to be provided through private and voluntary organizations and international organizations wherever appropriate; (2) not more than one-third of the amount allocated for such services may be used in any one country; and (3) funds allocated to carry out these provisions shall remain available until September 30, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1984
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 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 Congress enacts a law providing otherwise. Permits 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 provisions 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 · 31 July 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Taiwan should continue and accelerate progress toward a democratic system by ending martial law and by releasing political prisoners and otherwise guaranteeing and protecting the rights of the Taiwan people.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1984
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the appointment of Anne M. Burford as Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere, and urges the President to withdraw her appointment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Record Rental Amendment of 1984 - Amends the copyright law to prohibit the unauthorized rental of a phonorecord by its owner for commercial advantage. Deems such unauthorized use an infringement and subject to civil penalties. Includes within the scope of a compulsory license to make and distribute phonorecords the right to rent them. Requires the licensee to pay a royalty for each rental. Terminates such restrictions on rental after five years.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to oppose the practice of torture by foreign governments through the implementation of laws and through public and private diplomacy. Requests the President to: (1) instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to continue to raise the issue of torture by such governments; and (2) continue to involve the U.S. Government in the formulation of international standards, particularly the draft Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Requests the Secretary of State to issue specified formal instructions to each U.S. mission chief regarding U.S. policy with respect to such torture. States that the Secretary of Commerce should continue to enforce the current restrictions on the export of crime control equipment pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the heads of U.S. departments that furnish military and law enforcement training to foreign personnel to include in such training instruction regarding international human rights standards with respect to torture.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1984
Allows the State of Wisconsin to use the proceeds of tax-exempt veterans' mortgage bonds for the purpose of acquiring or replacing mortgages of veterans who were unable to obtain veterans' bond financing because of a court challenge to the constitutionality of such State's borrowing power.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1984
States that the President should: (1) reaffirm the commitment of the United States to the valuable work and service provided by private and voluntary organizations; and (2) reinstate funding by the Agency for International Development of those organizations which have development assistance programs in Nicaragua.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984
Synthetic Fuels Reform and Budget Reduction Act - Provides that, except as provided below, all funds in the Energy Security Reserve shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall not be available for obligation with respect to synthetic fuels projects. Sets aside $500,000,000 of the funds in the Reserve to be made available to the Secretary of Energy to carry out a five-year program for the advanced research and development of coal utilization technologies. Provides that $2,500,000,000 which shall be available for obligations by the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation in accordance with this Act and with the Energy Security Act, plus the funds necessary to meet obligations with respect to binding commitments entered into before enactment of this Act and still in effect, shall be retained in the Reserve. Requires the Corporation to submit for congressional approval a proposed comprehensive strategy to achieve the national synthetic production goal established under the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation Act of 1980. Requires that such strategy be submitted within a specified time period. Requires that such strategy include a financial or investment prospectus justifying the proposed obligation of amounts retained in the Reserve for synthetic fuels projects. Permits such obligations only after the proposed strategy has been approved by joint resolution. Amends the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation Act of 1980 to provide that the Administrative Procedure Act, the Freedom of Information Act, the Government in the Sunshine Act, and Federal law relating to disclosure of confidential information shall apply to the Corporation as if it were a Federal agency. Requires the Board of Directors of the Corporation to fix the compensation of Corporation officers and other employee categories in accordance with the Executive Schedule and the General Schedule. (Under current law, the Board must take the Executive and General Schedules into consideration in fixing such compensation.) Requires the Board of Directors, the Secretary of Energy, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to agree on a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a program for monitoring and accumulating data with respect to the technical performance, environmental and socioeconomic impacts, and economic viability of projects funded by the Corporation. Provides that contracts for financial assistance shall require the financial assistance recipient to develop a plan ensuring full cooperation with such program. Changes the date on which the Corporation shall terminate from September 30, 1997, to June 30, 1987. Provides that the liquidation of the Corporation and the winding up of its affairs shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Energy, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency jointly in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding agreed to by them if the Board of Directors of the Corporation has not completed the termination of the Corporation's affairs and its liquidation by the termination date. (Under current law, such duties are to be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury only.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1984
Copyright Royalty Tribunal and Cable Television Reform Act of 1984 - Title I: Copyright Royalty Tribunal - Amends the copyright law to reduce the membership on the Copyright Royalty Tribunal from five to three commissioners. Requires the Tribunal to appoint a general counsel and chief economist. States that review of Tribunal decisions by the U.S. Court of Appeals remains unaffected by the creation of the Tribunal in the legislative branch. Requires the Tribunal in adjusting copyright royalty rates for the carriage of television broadcast signals by cable systems to also consider: (1) the extent to which television broadcast stations compensate copyright owners for the secondary transmission of their signals by cable systems located outside their respective local service areas; (2) the extent to which the value of additional distant signals decreases as such signals are carried by the systems; and (3) the impact of the rates on cable subscribers as to the availability and cost of receiving copyrighted materials. Title II: Cable Televisions - Excludes from a specified adjustment in royalty rates: (1) the first three distant independent television broadcast signals carried by any cable system which does not carry any local independent television broadcast signals; or (2) the first two distant independent television broadcast signals carried by any cable system which carries any local independent television broadcast signals. Revises the royalty computation formula for secondary transmissions by a cable system to redefine gross receipts based upon the type of service offered.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1984
Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole granted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1984
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to include Federal agencies which use animals for research or experimentation as research facilities for purposes of such Act. Revises the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards for research facilities with respect to animal care and treatment and practice in experimental procedures to ensure that animal pain and distress are minimized. Directs the Secretary to require research facilities to report at least annually that such standards are being followed. Specifies those items which must be included in a research facility's statement of compliance with such standards. Provides that a research facility shall be required to establish an animal research committee which shall inspect all animal study areas and facilities of the research facility at least semiannually and file an inspection certification report at the research facility. Requires that such report include any violations by the research facility of the standards promulgated by the Secretary. Provides that the research facility shall be given an opportunity to correct any such violations. Requires the committee to notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture and the Federal agency funding the research facility if the research facility fails to correct conditions. Provides that the committee report shall be maintained by the research facility for at least three years and shall be made available for inspection by the Secretary, the funding Federal agency, and the Department of Agriculture inspectors. Requires a research facility to provide annual instruction for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel in humane animal maintenance and experimentation and animal research and testing methods. Requires that employees of a research facility be told to report any violations of this Act by the research facility to the committee. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural Library which shall provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation. Requires a funding Federal agency to suspend or revoke Federal support for any project where animal care, treatment, and practices are not in compliance with applicable standards despite notification to the research facility involved. Provides that no rules or regulations promulgated by the Secretary may require a research facility to disclose trade secrets or privileged or confidential commercial or financial information. Makes it unlawful for any member of an animal research committee to release or use to his or her advantage any confidential information of a research facility. Sets forth criminal penalties for any such violations. Permits any person injured by such a violation to recover all damages, court costs, and attorney's fees.
![Official portrait of Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000020_200.jpg)