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United States · Official source
3,007 records where Rep. Kolter, Joseph P. [D-PA-4] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Recognizes the pause for the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the celebration of National Flag Day and urges all Americans to participate by reciting the Pledge in unison at a specified time on that day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of January 1986 as National Eye Health Care Month.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Condemns the use of plastic and rubber bullets in Northern Ireland. Calls upon the Government of the United Kingdom to ban the use of plastic and rubber bullets against civilians.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Federal Employee Age Discrimination Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Foreign Service Act of 1980, the Coast and Geodetic Survey Commissioned Officers' Act of 1948, the Public Health Service Act, the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act of 1964 for Certain Employees, and other Federal laws to remove maximum hiring ages and mandatory retirement ages for the following civil servants: U.S. Park Police; air traffic controllers; Panama Canal employees; Department of Justice law enforcement personnel; Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel; the District of Columbia firefighters; the U.S. Forest Service firefighters; Foreign Service Officers; Commissioned Officers of Public Health Services; Tax Court judges; Coast and Geodetic Survey officers; Lighthouse Service officers; Central Intelligence Agency employees; the Comptroller General; the Chief Judge of the District Court of the Virgin Islands; and the Director of the Federal Judicial Center.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Nuclear Waste Transportation Safety Act of 1985 - Prohibits the transportation of any high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel from the site at which it is located or generated to any site other than a repository or test and evaluation facility. Exempts from such restrictions high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel that is to be transported by or under contract with the Department of Energy if the Secretary of Energy certifies: (1) compelling reasons of public health, safety, or national security require immediate removal of the waste or spent fuel to another site; (2) receipt of written approval of the appropriate official of each State through which, and the governing body of each Indian tribe through whose reservation, the waste or spent fuel is to be transported; and (3) adequate financial protection or indemnification to cover any public liability arising out of such transportation. Exempts from such restrictions waste or spent fuel to be transported by any person or governmental entity not under contract with the Department of Energy if the Nuclear Regulatory Commission certifies that such conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Authorizes any State or local governments to negotiate reductions in their regulatory burdens by demonstrating to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget that it will invest: (1) in all distressed areas within its jurisdiction (ten percent more than the previous year); or (2) in any one distressed area within its jurisdiction (50 percent more than the previous fiscal year without reducing its investment in any other distressed area). Counts the expenditure of funds from sources other than government funds as an increased expenditure if the government can demonstrate that such expenditures would not have been made but for action taken by the government. Allows the Director to negotiate with respect to any Federal regulation that the State or local government can demonstrate is unduly burdensome, duplicative, or unnecessary to the attainment of its statutory objectives. Prohibits a State or local government from negotiating with respect to a Federal regulation unless it also can demonstrate that it has a record of compliance with the objectives of such regulation. Prohibits the Director from allowing any regulatory relief which would: (1) directly violate certain statutory requirements (including those under the Fair Labor Standards Act); or (2) create a significant risk to the public health (including environmental and occupational health and safety). Requires all negotiations under this Act to be open to the public. Directs the Director to publish in the Federal Register any agreements providing for regulatory relief under this Act. Directs Federal agencies to waive or modify any regulation subject to an agreement negotiated under this Act. Makes any such agreement, waiver, or modification a final agency action for judicial review purposes. Entitles any person aggrieved by an agreement, waiver, or modification to bring an action for judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute to extend the Act's coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Authorizes a civil suit for treble damages for any person injured personally or in their business or property.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Designates the week of July 25 through July 31, 1985, as National Disability in Entertainment Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Designates July 19, 1985, as National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Designates the week of April 14 through April 20, 1985, as National Medical Laboratory Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Grants a Federal charter to the Franco-American War Veterans, Incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Elder Abuse Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an office known as the National Center on Elder Abuse to: (1) compile an annual summary of recently conducted research on elder abuse; (2) develop and maintain an information clearinghouse on all programs for the prevention and treatment of such abuse; (3) compile training materials for personnel engaged in elder abuse prevention; (4) provide technical assistance for the planning and implementing of programs relating to the problems of elder abuse; and (5) investigate the causes and national incidence of elder abuse. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to or enter into contracts with public agencies or nonprofit organizations for demonstration projects designed to prevent and treat elder abuse. Sets forth the terms and conditions for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for the development and implementation of elder abuse prevention and treatment programs. Requires such States to have in effect a State elder abuse law with mandatory reporting provisions. Sets forth other requirements for eligibility. Prohibits the use of assistance for construction of facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria to achieve equitable distribution of assistance among the States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to compute, and recompute biannually, for each diagnosis-related group a coefficient of variation which reflects the relative statistical distribution, from the mean, of the costs of discharges within that group among different hospitals located throughout the United States. Provides for a prospective payment rate utilizing a blend of national and individual hospital rates based on such coefficient of variation. Eliminates the distinction between rural and urban hospitals recognized under the prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose restrictions on the distribution, dispensing, and administration of a prescription drug if such drug poses significant risks to health without such restrictions. Directs the Secretary to require the informed consent of a patient before such patient uses such a drug if it would involve a risk of serious illness or injury. Requires the Secretary to review restrictions every two years to determine if they are still necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to continue to require information from an applicant for a new drug, including its effects on individuals and other clinical experience. Requires the manufacturers of nonprescription drugs to collect, maintain, and report to the Secretary on information on the effects on individuals and other clinical experience with such drugs. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Food and Drug Administration a National Center for Drug Surveillance to maintain the information submitted to it by the drug manufacturers. Grants the Secretary enforcement power concerning the collection and maintenance of such information. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress the information acquired concerning adverse reactions to drugs and the actions taken by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, through the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, to establish and implement a program to encourage physicians, institutional health care providers, and patients to report adverse drug reactions to the Center.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Hazardous Materials Manufacturing Safety Act of 1985 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to include releases into the air from an underground storage tank. Reduces from 36 to 18 months after the enactment of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (November 8, 1984) the time within which new underground tank performance standards become effective. Reduces from 48 to 24 months after such date the effective date of certain regulations covering underground storage tanks containing regulated substances. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to include pesticides within chemical substances under such Act only when the manufacturing and processing is completed and the pesticide is distributed. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act by adding a new title II concerning the communities' right to know, emergency planning, and liability. Requires each covered manufacturer, distributor, user, and importer of a covered hazardous substance (potential releasors) to prepare and update a fact sheet for such substance for distribution to local police, fire, and health officials. Requires the fact sheet to include the name, physical properties of, and hazards posed by the substance, including potential routes of human exposure to such substance, symptoms of such exposure, and appropriate emergency and first aid procedures. Requires status sheets on the same basis as fact sheets, with each status sheet to include the maximum inventory and method of storage of the substance, the quantity of its emission into the environment, and the quantity and method for disposal. Requires the releasor of a covered hazardous substance in an emergency situation to provide an emergency bulletin to the State and local police and other local officials. Requires the bulletin to identify the name and amount of the substance released, potential hazards from the release, and the response actions taken. Requires fact and status sheets and emergency bulletins to be made available for public inspection with public notice of such availability at a local government location or possibly, in the case of emergency bulletins, at the location of a potential releasor as well. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish a uniform format for fact and status sheets. Authorizes a State's Governor to identify local officials to receive and make available to the public covered hazardous substance release information, with the Administrator doing so in the absence of the Governor's identification. Requires the potential releasors to maintain records of information required by this Act. Requires manufacturers or importers to transmit fact sheets to covered distributors or users upon shipping of a covered hazardous substance. Exempts certain small businesses and research, medical, and household uses from coverage under this Act. Provides protection for trade secrets while continuing to make necessary information available to the appropriate persons. Excludes listed or possible carcinogens from such protection. Sets forth application and substantiation procedures for trade secret claims. Permits government officials to compel disclosure of nonsubstantiated trade secrets through the Federal courts. Authorizes the Administrator to grant exemptions from the basic notification requirements of this Act through specified procedures open to the public, based upon a cost-benefits analysis where there is no reasonable likelihood of harm. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months of enactment of this Act, to develop uniform national mandatory labeling requirements for pipes, storage tanks, or containers not otherwise required to be labeled which could reasonably be presumed to release a covered hazardous substance. Requires the label to indicate the appropriate response to a release. Directs the Administrator to designate covered major manufacturers for emergency response purposes within one year of enactment of this Act. Limits the designation to those whose substances would pose an imminent and substantial danger to health and the environment if released in significant quantities. Includes all persons covered under this Act in lieu of such designations. Includes Federal departments as potential covered major manufacturers. Renders the manufacturer or processor strictly liable for damages caused by accidental or abnormal releases, excluding acts of God or war. Covers medical, burial, and economic losses as well as pain and suffering (to a limited extent). Includes specified analysis and scientific evidence and studies among the evidence which may be introduced to establish causation. Establishes a three-year statute of limitations from the date of enactment of this Act or the date of realization of injury for causes of action for injury from the release of a covered hazardous substance, whichever is later. Provides that this Act does not preempt State or other law in the area of liability for damages. Requires entitled individuals to receive compensation for injuries sustained from a hazardous substance release from workers' compensation rather than under this Act. Sets forth categories of substances to be considered covered hazardous substances and procedures for adding additional substances. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to compile and update a digest of all such substances. Exempts certain substances for this Act's purposes, based upon the form, amount, and other regulation of such substance. Establishes civil and criminal penalties, limiting criminal penalties to the knowing violation of emergency requirements. Authorizes citizens' suits to enforce this Act. Permits States to adopt more stringent right-to-know standards in the workplace context and emergency response requirements. Permits State and local governments to impose fees upon potential releasors to cover administrative costs. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to permit States to adopt more stringent right-to-know standards for employees concerning hazardous substances to which they may be exposed in the course of their employment than are provided under such Act. Requires compliance with both the State and OSHA standards to the degree possible with the State standard preempting the OSHA standard in case of a conflict. Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for FY 1986 through 1991 for training of government personnel in hazard mitigation and disaster response with a special emphasis on emergencies associated with hazardous chemicals and for administering support programs to State and local governments to improve emergency preparedness and response, especially in hazardous chemical situations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Requires diet drugs containing phenylpropanolamine to be dispensed only in accordance with the prescription drug requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements concerning the mailing of taxpayer information statements relating to interest, dividends, or patronage dividends to allow such information statements to be included with normal business mailings. (Current law requires a separate mailing for such information statements.)
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Family Education Assistance Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the education expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) at an institution of higher education or a vocational school of a child of the taxpayer, of a child of a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister of the taxpayer, of an individual for whom the taxpayer has been appointed as guardian, or of a descendant of a child of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of such deduction to $1,500 (adjusted for inflation) for each account per calendar year. Provides that no account may have more than one beneficiary and that no individual may be a beneficiary of more than one account. Disallows any deduction for contributions to an education savings account for any beneficiary who has attained the age of 19. Requires any balance in an education savings account to be distributed after the individual for whose benefit the account is established attains age 30. Includes the distributions from an education savings account in the gross income of the payee or distributee except for those amounts distributed or used to pay educational expenses incurred by the individual for whose benefit the account is established. Provides that an education savings account is exempt from taxation except for the tax on unrelated business income. Revokes the tax exemption of the account where the individual for whose benefit the account is established engages in certain prohibited transactions with the account. Imposes a ten percent penalty tax on distributions which are not used for educational expenses. Requires the trustee of an education savings account to file reports with the Secretary of the Treasury on the maintenance of the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to file any required report. Extends the deduction for contributions to an education savings account to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions. Provides that distributions from an education savings account shall not be taken into account in determining support to the extent such distribution is excluded from gross income of the individual for whose benefit the account has been established.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
National Endowment for the Homeless Act - Authorizes the establishment of a nonprofit corporation to be known as the National Endowment for the Homeless. States the purposes of the Endowment to be to: (1) provide shelter, food, and supportive services for the homeless; (2) promote greater cooperation between the public and private sectors in providing services for the homeless; and (3) provide funds for innovative local programs for the homeless. States that the Endowment may only fund programs undertaken by nonprofit organizations and units of local government, and that such assistance shall be in addition to, rather than a substitute for, financial support otherwise available for the homeless. Sets forth grant distribution and operating provisions. Establishes within the Endowment a National Council of Shelter, Food, and Service Providers. Requires an annual report to the President for transmittal to the Congress. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations including additional matching amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Designates the month of October 1985 as National Head Injury Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Commemorates May 18, 1985, as the 20th anniversary of the Head Start Program. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Head Start Program has been cost-effective and successful; and (2) congressional commitment to such program is reaffirmed.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Urges the President to extend the voluntary restraint agreement with Japan concerning Japanese-built motor vehicles for an additional three years at a specified vehicles per year level except that the import level for each year of the restraint period will be increased by 15 percent of the previous year's level if: (1) the value of the U.S. farm commodities imported into Japan during that year exceeds by a specified dollar amount the level of such imports of the previous year's; and (2) the value of U.S. manufactured goods imported into Japan increases by a specified dollar amount during each year of the restraint period.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Mail Order Drug Paraphernalia Control Act - Makes it a Federal criminal offense for any person to use the U.S. Postal Service or any private parcel service in interstate commerce as part of a scheme to sell drug paraphernalia. Imposes a penalty of imprisonment for not more than three years and a fine of not more than $100,000. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of any paraphernalia involved in a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Fair Allocation of Government Fault Act - Directs a State court or a U.S. district court in any civil action brought by a Government employee (including a member of the U.S. armed forces or the National Guard) alleging liability of a Government contractor for harm concerning which the employee is entitled to receive Federal benefits: (1) at the request of any party, to make findings of fact as to the proportion of fault of the United States in causing such harm; and (2) to reduce any judgment of liability rendered against the contractor by the proportion of fault of the United States. Reduces the amount the United States is entitled to be reimbursed through right of subrogation for Federal benefits provided as a result of harm for which a contractor is liable by the proportion of fault of the United States. Prohibits any reduction of a judgment against a contractor in a civil action unless the contractor notifies the U.S. Attorney General, within 90 days after such civil action is filed, that the contractor intends to seek an equitable reduction of liability. Allows the United States 90 days after receipt of such notice to intervene as a party in such action. Sets forth factors to be considered by the court in determining the proportion of fault of the United States. Requires the United States to hold harmless and indemnify a contractor against any liability (for damages arising from personal injury, illness, or death or from damage to, or loss of use of, property) resulting from goods or services supplied pursuant to a Government contract to the extent such liability exceeds the amount of commercial insurance or qualified self-insurance protection the contractor is required to carry under the contract. Prohibits such indemnification of a contractor: (1) if the goods or services supplied under the contract are also sold by the contractor to nongovernmental purchasers for identical application or for nongovernmental use; (2) for liability caused by the gross negligence, willful misconduct, or lack of good faith of any of the directors, officers, or managing officials of the contractor; and (3) for liability resulting from any claim or action against the contractor unless the contractor notifies the contracting agency of such claim or action within a reasonable time. Permits the United States to control or assist in the settlement or defense of any such claim or action which can reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim for indemnification. Requires a contractor seeking indemnification to present a claim to the contracting agency. Allows a contractor aggrieved by the agency's determination to appeal such determination under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978. Permits the United States to discharge its indemnification obligation by making direct payments from specified funds to the contractor involved or the third persons to whom the contractor may be liable. Provides that the provisions of the Act shall not apply with respect to any risks against which indemnification may be obtained under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to create any liability of the Government to any person other than to contractors for indemnification.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Labor-Management Notification and Consultation Act of 1985 - Prohibits any employer (i.e. any business with 50 or more employees) from ordering a plant closing or permanent layoff until 90 days after the employer serves written notice of a proposal to issue such an order to: (1) the representative of the affected employees or, if none, to each affected employee; and (2) the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Provides for reduction of such notification period if the Service determines that unavoidable business circumstances prevent the employer from withholding such closing or layoff until the end of such period. Provides for extension of such notification period thus prohibiting the ordering of such closing or layoff while the employer is subject to an order to continue to consult. Prohibits an employer from ordering a plant closing or permanent layoff unless the employer has: (1) met with representatives of the affected employees with respect to a proposal to order such closing or layoff; and (2) consulted in good faith with such representative for the purpose of agreeing to a mutually satisfactory alternative to or modification of such proposal. Makes such obligation to consult commence on the date of notice and continue until the end of the 90-day notification period. Provides that such consultation period shall be extended if the Service determines that the employer has failed to comply with such consultation requirements. Authorizes the Service to renew any such extension imposed. Requires the employer to disclose to the affected employees' representative information necessary for thorough evaluation of: (1) the proposal to order the closing or layoff; and (2) any alternatives or modifications suggested to such proposal. Authorizes the Service to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of information which could compromise the employer's competitive position. Sets forth provisions for the administration and enforcement of requirements under this Act. Provides for: (1) assistance by the Service to employers, employee representatives, affected employees, State employment services, and other State and local officials; (2) investigations and injunctive actions by the Department of Labor; (3) civil actions against employers; and (4) civil actions against representatives of employees. Provides that the rights and remedies provided to employees by this Act are in addition to any other contractual, statutory, or other legal rights and remedies of the employees. Expresses the sense of the Congress that employers who, because affected employees do not have a representative, are not required to comply with the consultation and disclosure requirements under this Act should consult with and disclose information to such employees in order to reach a mutually satisfactory alternative or modification of the proposal to order the closing or layoff. Establishes a National Commission on Plant Closings and Worker Dislocation. Requires the Commission to report to the President and the Congress within 12 months of the appointment of members. Terminates the Commission 30 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations for the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Asbestos Workers' Recovery Act - Title I: Supplemental Benefits - Establishes a Federal supplemental benefit program for death or disability caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. Provides guidelines for: (1) the calculation of benefits in proportion to disability; (2) payment methods; and (3) payment priorities. Exempts such supplemental benefits from: (1) any tax or legal process; and (2) any offset for administrative benefits under State or Federal law. Sets guidelines for the offset of supplemental benefits where reorganization or liquidation proceedings occur under Federal bankruptcy laws. Makes supplemental benefits payable only out of the Asbestos-Related Disease Trust Fund established by this Act. Conditions eligibility for supplemental benefits upon such benefits' being the exclusive remedy of an individual for occupational exposure to asbestos. Prescribes guidelines for the filing and payment of asbestos-related disease claims. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to apply by analogy specified portions of the Social Security Act when making determinations of: (1) entitlement to benefits; (2) review of claims; and (3) delegations of authority to State agencies. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary, in determining eligibility for a supplemental benefit under this Act, to determine annually the average weekly wage for manufacturing workers in each State. Requires such determinations to govern decisions regarding all claims filed in the following calendar year. Requires the Secretary to rely upon: (1) prior court decisions regarding a claimant; and (2) prior determinations by the appropriate workers' compensation program regarding specified eligibility criteria. Specifies exceptions. Requires the Secretary to apply the appropriate workers' compensation law when reviewing supplemental benefit claims. Creates within the Department of Health and Human Services the National Medical Panel on Asbestos-Related Diseases to: (1) decide which diseases belong to the list of asbestos-related diseases; (2) review claims to determine whether a person's disease was caused by asbestos exposure; and (3) publish certain Medical Assessment Guidance Documents. Provides guidelines for the appointment of medical scientists to the Panel from certain organizations. Directs the Panel to promulgate a list of asbestos-related diseases and to provide explanations of any decisions to include or omit a disease from such list. Outlines conditions under which the Panel shall review claims for asbestos-related diseases which do not appear on the panel's list of diseases. Requires the Panel to determine within a specified time whether the disease in the referred claim should be included on such list. Requires the Panel to publish Medical Assessment Guidance Documents including specific medical diagnostic criteria to aid parties and decisionmakers determine whether a death or disability was caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. Title II: Finance - Prescribes guidelines under which: (1) assessments are imposed against each asbestos defendant; (2) assessment allocating factors are assigned to asbestos defendants; (3) assessments are imposed against asbestos insurance policies; and (4) assessments are imposed against companies undergoing Federal bankruptcy proceedings. Sets the aggregate semiannual assessment on defendants on June 30 and December 31 of 1985 and 1986 at $150,000,000. Sets forth formulas for determining the aggregate semiannual assessment on each assessment due date in 1987 and thereafter. Imposes interest upon assessments not paid by the due date. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) conduct studies determining assessment allocation factor amounts and assessment apportionment ratios; and (2) promulgate compliance regulations. States that assessment payments do not prejudice the right to recover or challenge such payments. Treats asbestos-related disease assessments imposed upon either an asbestos defendant or an asbestos insurance policy, for Federal income tax purposes, as ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in carrying on the trade or business, on the one hand, and insurance contract losses, on the other. Treats asbestos-related disease assessments as miscellaneous excise taxes. Establishes in the Treasury the Asbestos-Related Disease Trust Fund (the Trust Fund). Details the manner in which such Trust Fund shall be funded and administered. Makes the Secretary of the Treasury the Managing Trustee, and delineates trustee functions. Provides for repayable initial advances and repayable cash flow advances to the Trust Fund during specified periods of FY 1985. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years for the Trust Fund. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury the Asbestos-Related Disease Trust Fund Conservation Committee (the Committee) comprised of the Managing Trustee and five public members appointed by the President. Includes among the consultation and review functions of such Committee: (1) claim disposition; (2) grant and contract awards; and (3) claims and assessments analysis. Directs the Committee to submit an annual report to the Congress regarding the performance of its responsibilities. Authorizes the Committee, with the advice and assistance of the Secretary of Labor, to instruct the Managing Trustee to award grants and contracts to specified organizations for the purpose of: (1) improving State workers' compensation programs; (2) assuring the availability of medical specialists to assist government agencies; (3) establishing medical evaluation units to determine occupational sources of asbestos-related diseases; and (4) medical treatment research. Title III: Miscellaneous - Makes the supplemental benefits under this Act and the applicable workers' compensation programs the exclusive remedy for occupational exposure to asbestos. Exempts certain persons from liability for occupational exposure to asbestos. Removes jurisdiction from State or Federal tribunals to adjudicate any claim of liability for occupational exposure to asbestos after enactment of this Act. Confers jurisdiction for judicial review of administrative acts under this Act only upon the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Confers jurisdiction for questions of assessments and constitutionality under this Act only upon a special three-judge district court established in the District Court for the District of Columbia. Requires all administrative costs and expenses of this Act to be paid out of the Trust Fund. Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury, and the Attorney General to submit an analysis and certification of their respective costs under this Act to the Managing Trustee for reimbursement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Dislocated Workers Act of 1985 - Title I: Employment Impact of Federal Programs - Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish and maintain the capacity to estimate the employment and unemployment impact of Federal programs, and the termination of Federal programs, including programs of financial assistance. Requires that the impact reports be established and maintained on an individual program-by-program basis, with separate estimates in a State and sub-State level. Requires that such estimates include both the direct and indirect employment effects of Federal expenditures. Title II: Dislocated Workers - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to direct the Secretary of Education to disregard, in any case in which a student is a certified dislocated worker under title III of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), all equity in a single principal place of residence and the amount of unemployment benefits, for purposes of computation of assets and income for the proposed family contribution schedule for determination of Pell grants. Authorizes appropriations to cover such additional entitlements, but prohibits payment of such entitlements unless funds are provided for in an appropriation Act. Amends HEA to provide that, in the case of any such dislocated worker identified under JTPA, determinations of need for purposes of the Guaranteed Student Loan program shall be based on current income. Authorizes the Private Industry Council in every service delivery area (SDA) established under JTPA to provide information on training opportunities in the SDA, as well as the opportunities provided by this Act, to all individuals seeking training and retraining. Provides that acceptance of such training or retraining, and enrollment in a secondary institution with assistance made available pursuant to this title, shall be deemed to be acceptance of training with the approval of the State within the meaning of any other provision of Federal law relating to unemployment insurance. Excludes funds used for such purposes from specified cost limitations under JTPA. Title III: Procurement Targeting in Labor Surplus Areas - Directs the head of each Federal agency which procures supplies and equipment at a rate in excess of $1,000,000,000 in FY 1982 to set targets, in each fiscal year, for such procurement within labor surplus areas, as defined by the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the amount and percentage of contracts awarded by each Federal agency in labor surplus areas; (2) the impact of such contracts on the area unemployment rate; and (3) whether such contracts could be increased without adverse impact on Federal procurement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a defined contribution retirement plan of a rural electric cooperative to include a qualified cash or deferred arrangement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Designates the week of October 20 through October 26, 1985, as Lupus Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Textile and Apparel Trade Enforcement Act of 1985 - Limits the total quantity of 1985 imports of textiles and textile products from a major exporting country to the lesser of an amount equal to 101 percent: (1) of the total quantity of textile products imported from such country if the total had increased by six percent annually (one percent annually for wool products) during 1981 through 1984; or (2) if the United States has an agreement with such country providing for an annual growth rate of less than six percent, of the total quantity of such products from such country imported during 1984. Limits the total quantity of 1985 imports of textiles and textile products from an exporting country to an amount equal to the total quantity of such products imported from such country during 1984 plus: (1) 15 percent of such quantity in the case of a category that is not an import sensitive category; or (2) one percent in the case of an import sensitive category. Provides for changing the classification of a country, except for a Caribbean country, from an exporting country to a major exporting country if the total textile imports from such country equals or exceeds one and one-quarter percent of all textiles imported into the United States. Sets forth a formula for adjusting the growth of textile imports annually. Sets forth certain minimum quantities of textile imports that all countries shall be allowed to export to the United States. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to enforce this Act. Directs the Secretary, within six months of enactment of this Act, to establish an import licensing system under which an importer of textiles will be required to present an import permit as a condition of entry of such textiles. Directs the President to report to the Congress annually on the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Agricultural Export Act of 1985 - Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to authorize the donation of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) surpluses to U.S. exporters, processors, and foreign purchasers in order to neutralize the effects of foreign export subsidy programs. Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to provide intermediate credit for agricultural exports. Requires the CCC to make specified funds available in FY 1986 for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to provide that a buyer in the ordinary course of business who buys farm products from a seller engaged in farming operations shall take free of any seller-created security interest even though the buyer knows of its existence, unless within 12 months before the sale the buyer: (1) received notice of the security interest and of any payment obligations imposed by the secured party as conditions for waiver or release of the security interest and (2) has failed to perform such obligations. Sets forth parallel provisions for commission merchants or selling agents.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Intergenerational Education Volunteer Network Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies (LEAs), or to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations applying jointly with one or more LEAs, to establish and operate intergenerational volunteer network programs, using senior citizen volunteers to help educationally disadvantaged children. Provides that such volunteers will tutor such children in their elementary and secondary schools and homes and will serve as liaisons between their schools and families. Provides that such funds may also be used to: (1) train volunteers, teachers, and other school personnel involved in such programs; (2) develop curricula materials; and (3) assist volunteers to pay for program-related expenses. Requires that each such grant shall be made to provide 90 percent of the cost of establishing and operating the program involved for a period of two to three years. Requires the remaining cost of such program to be provided from non-Federal sources. Provides that at least 90 percent of the amount appropriated to carry out this Act in any fiscal year may be used to make such grants. Limits to ten percent of such appropriations the amount which may be used by the Secretary for: (1) administrative costs; (2) the preparation of a biennial report to the Congress on such programs; (3) leadership training for project directors and other designated project personnel; and (4) ongoing technical assistance for such programs. Limits to ten percent that portion of such a grant which may be used by the grantee for administrative costs. Prohibits any part of such a grant from being used to: (1) pay the cost of any program established before the enactment of this Act; or (2) supplant any funds that would be available to the grantee in the absence of such grant. Requires that eligible applicants submit grant applications which describe the program and which provide assurances that: (1) local senior citizen groups and parent groups, and State agencies on education and on aging, are involved in program design; (2) local senior citizen groups and parent groups are involved in program operation; (3) good faith efforts will be made to locate for program participation senior citizen volunteers through programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973; and (4) only elementary and secondary schools and families eligible for assistance under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 may receive assistance under this Act. Directs the Secretary, before approving any such application, to transmit a copy of it to the Director of the ACTION Agency for review or recommendation. Prohibits the Secretary from approving such application until: (1) receipt of the Director's recommendation; or (2) 30 days after such application is so transmitted. Directs the Secretary, in approving such applications, to assure equitable distribution of such grants among the States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Department of Defense Competitive Procurement Act of 1985 - Prohibits the amount of competitive defense procurements made during a fiscal year from being less than: (1) the applicable percentage for that year; and (2) the amount of all applicable procurements made by the Department of Defense during that year. Prohibits the obligation of funds for the purchase of goods or services in an other-than-competitive procedure if in any fiscal year the amount of competitive defense procurements is less than that required. Defines "competitive defense procurements," "applicable percentage," and "applicable procurements" for purposes of such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit a State plan for medical assistance to provide assistance for outpatient prescribed drugs and other items for individuals who are 65 or older and who are either resident U.S. citizens or resident aliens and who have incomes below a certain level and are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the State medical plan, if: (1) the State has in effect a law permitting a licensed pharmacist to substitute a less expensive bioequivalent drug for another drug unless a licensed physician states that such a substitution is medically inappropriate; (2) the State plan provides that the amount of payment will not exceed the cost of the least expensive bioequivalent drug; and (3) the State has in effect a program of utilization review for such drugs. Sets forth requirements governing amounts of payments and copayments. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for informing individuals who are 65 or older and who are entitled to Medicare (title XVIII of such Act) benefits of the benefits available under this Act in States which have elected to have a program of pharmaceutical assistance for the aged pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary to promulgate final regulations by September 1, 1985, to provide for State implementation of this Act. Provides that this Act shall apply to medical assistance furnished with respect to outpatient prescribed drugs furnished on or after October 1, 1985. Directs the Secretary to maintain statistical records on State programs of pharmaceutical assistance to the aged to determine the effectiveness and impact of such programs. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the programs when the FY 1987 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services is transmitted to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
First Things First Credit Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow an income tax deduction for interest paid or incurred on any loan which is used to acquire control of a corporation which has more than $250,000,000 in gross receipts for the year preceding the year of the acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Designates the month of June 1985 as Youth Suicide Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Directs the President to designate May 1985 as Older Americans Month.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Polygraph Protection Act of 1985 - Prohibits any employer from using any lie detector test or examination in the work place, for both pre-employment testing and testing in the course of employment. Requires the Secretary of Labor to prepare and have printed notices setting forth this prohibition. Requires employers to post these notices. Provides for remedies for violations of this Act as found in the Fair Labor Standards Act. Exempts Federal, State, and local employees from the Act's coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Anti-Apartheid Act of 1985 - Prohibits any U.S. person from making any loan to South Africa or to any organization owned or controlled by South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition a loan for any educational, housing, or health facility which: (1) is available to everyone on a nondiscriminatory basis; and (2) is located in an area accessible to all population groups. Declares that such prohibition shall not apply to loans for which an agreement is entered into before enactment of this Act. Directs the President to issue regulations prohibiting U.S. persons from making any investment (including bank loans) in South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition: (1) an investment which consists of earnings derived from a business enterprise in South Africa established before enactment of this Act and which is made in that business enterprise; or (2) the purchase of certain securities in such business enterprises. Prohibits any person, including U.S. banks, from importing into the United States any gold coin minted in or offered for sale by South Africa. Authorizes the President to waive the prohibitions against investments in South African businesses and against importing South African gold coins if: (1) the Government of South Africa meets at least one of seven conditions; (2) the President submits to the Congress a determination that such conditions are met; and (3) a joint resolution is enacted approving such determination. Authorizes the President to extend the waivers. Provides for expedited consideration of such joint resolution. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit exporting computers, computer software, or goods or technology intended to service computers to or for use by South Africa or any organization owned or controlled by South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition donations of computers to primary and secondary schools. Declares that certain termination provisions of the Export Administration Act of 1979 shall not apply to such prohibition. Provides for enforcement of this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the President to attempt to persuade through negotiations other countries to adopt restrictions on new investment in South Africa, on bank loans and computer sales to South Africa, and on the importation of krugerrands. Directs the President to submit annual reports to the Congress on the status of negotiations. Terminates the provisions of this Act and all the regulations issued to carry out this Act upon enactment of a joint resolution approving a determination submitted by the President to the Congress that apartheid in South Africa has been abolished.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Amends the Clayton Act to specify factors to be considered by a court in determining whether an acquisition of the stocks, share capital, or assets of one person engaged in commerce by another such person substantially lessens competition.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the meaning of least restrictive setting for the mentally ill for purposes of community mental health grants. Requires States to have plans in effect governing the release of individuals from inpatient mental health facilities in order to receive such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Homeless Emergency Relief Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Office of Community Services, to provide grants to local governments or nonprofit organizations for the provision of emergency services (shelter, food, and outpatient care) to homeless persons and families. Limits: (1) Federal amounts to 75 percent of project costs; and (2) individual grants to $5,000,000. Establishes in such Office the Emergency Shelter Grants Review Board which shall review applications and recommend grant recipients to the Secretary. Authorizes FY 1986 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Veterans Organization Charitable Contributions Tax Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow income tax and gift tax deductions for contributions to any veterans organization (currently permissible only for contributions to a war veterans organization).
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Requires each State to provide for voter registration by mail for Federal elections. Requires such registration to be carried out by a post card application form approved by the Attorney General. Prohibits any State from denying any person the right to vote on the grounds such person is not registered to vote if such person has complied with the requirements of post card registration. Requires the Postmaster General, the Commissioner of Social Security, and the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the Attorney General and the Chief election officer of each State, to facilitate distribution of post card registration forms in Federal facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to authorize the Secretary of Labor to prohibit the awarding of Federal contracts to persons who have violated certain judicial orders or orders issued by the National Labor Relations Board. Limits the period of such ban to not more than three years after the Secretary has certified the identity of such person to the Comptroller General. Permits the awarding of Federal contracts to such person during the period of the ban if the Federal agency or department, after notice and opportunity for hearing to all interested parties, certifies to the Secretary that there is no other source for the material or services furnished by such person.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend to January 1, 1992, the termination date for the deduction for expenses incurred in connection with the elimination of architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Directs States to conduct voter registration: (1) during regular business hours and days; (2) during voting hours at polling places on election days; and (3) at other times prescribed by State law. Prohibits any State from denying any individual the right to vote in any Federal election because such individual is not registered to vote if such State does not conduct registration as required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Designates: (1) the week of April 1 through April 7, 1985, as World Health Week; and (2) April 7, 1985, as World Health Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Designates April 2, 1985, as Education Day, U.S.A.