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Official portrait of Rep. Kostmayer, Peter H. [D-PA-8]

Rep. Kostmayer, Peter H. [D-PA-8]

United States · Official source

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3,099 records where Rep. Kostmayer, Peter H. [D-PA-8] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· HRH.R. 2607 (99th)referred

Fair Foreign Trade Practices Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985

Fair Foreign Trade Practices Act of 1985 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to make the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), subject to the President's approval, responsible for determining whether import relief actions should be taken. (Currently the President is responsible for such determinations.) Provides that injurious industrial targeting by a foreign country or instrumentality may trigger import relief actions. Defines injurious industrial targeting. Requires the USTR to take the following actions if the USTR makes specified determinations: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent the application of benefits of trade agreement concessions; (2) direct customs officers to assess duties or impose other import restrictions on the products of, and assess fees or impose restrictions on the services of, such foreign country or instrumentality; (3) negotiate agreements with foreign countries to fully offset the burden or restriction on U.S. commerce,; (4) submit to the President proposed administrative actions and legislation to restore or improve the international competitiveness of the industry that has been injured or threatened with injury; or (5) take any combination of such actions. (Current law authorizes but does not require the President to take certain actions.) Authorizes the USTR (currently the President) to take certain additional actions with respect to access of foreign entities to U.S. service sector markets . Requires the USTR, before taking any of the mandatory import relief actions, to: (1) publish its determination in the Federal Register; and (2) notify the President of any import relief determination and any action taken with respect to such determination. Provides for a 60 day waiting period during which the President may disapprove such determination thereby nullifying it. Requires the President to report to the Congress, within 15 days of disapproving such determination, the reasons for such disapproval. Requires the USTR, upon deciding to begin an import relief investigation, to publish notice of such intent in the Federal Register and request comments and information from other Federal agencies. Directs the USTR, in all investigations initiated pursuant to a petition, to present detailed questionnaires to the foreign governments or instrumentalities and the foreign enterprises concerned in order to develop information about the petitions' allegations. Requires the USTR to base its determination on the best information available, which may be the allegations in the petition. Authorizes the USTR to file with the International Trade Commission (ITC) a copy of the petition or equivalent document in a case alleging injurious industrial targeting and request the ITC to make a determination on such allegation. Grants the ITC 90 days to make such determination. Sets forth the time limitations and procedures for determinations and actions by the USTR. Authorizes the USTR to take actions to compensate a foreign country or instrumentality adversely affected by any import relief action which the United States takes if the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) disapprove such action. Directs the USTR to: (1) issue regulations governing import relief petitions, investigations, and hearings; (2) keep petitioners informed of all determinations and developments in their cases; and (3) report semiannually to the Congress on import relief petitions, and developments. Provides for an investigative staff for the USTR. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Foreign Industrial Targeting Information Agency (the Agency) within the Department of Commerce to collect information on and monitor foreign industrial targeting. Requires the Director of the Agency, if the Director has reason to believe that a foreign government has initiated or plans to initiate a program to promote the economic development of a particular industry and significant quantities of the products of that industry may be exported to the United States or compete with U.S. products internationally, to collect information on such policies and actions. Authorizes the Director to request information from other Federal agencies. Requires the Director to initiate a special surveillance program if the Director finds that: (1) the foreign government intervention in the industry is substantial; and (2) imports of that industry's merchandise are likely to have significant effects on the competing domestic industry. Requires the special surveillance program to: (1) seek information on the price at which the merchandise is being sold in its home market and other relevant information; (2) monitor import levels and prices of such merchandise and the effect of such imports on the competing U.S. industry; (3) collect and evaluate information on the potential adverse effects that the government intervention might have on the competing industry; and (4) publish quarterly reports on the information obtained through the surveillance program. Requires the Director to recommend to the Secretary that the Commerce Department or another Federal agency initiate a formal investigation of the imported merchandise if a surge of U.S. imports of such merchandise occurs or if such imports appear to be significantly suppressing U.S. prices of competing merchandise. Requires the Director to publish notice of the initiation of a special surveillance program in the Federal Register.

Bill· HRH.R. 2591 (99th)failed

A bill to award special congressional gold medals to Jan Scruggs, Robert Doubek, and Jack Wheeler.

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985

Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present gold medals to Jan Scruggs, Robert Doubek, and Jack Wheeler, in recognition of their tireless efforts to give the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Nation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· HRH.R. 2582 (99th)open

Foreign Investment Disclosure and Reciprocity Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985

Foreign Investment Disclosure and Reciprocity Act - Requires registration of an investment by a foreign person if the investment results in acquisition, ownership, or control by the foreign person of a cumulative interest of: (1) five percent or more in a U.S. person or in other property in the United States; (2) $10,000 or more in a bank deposit; or (3) $10,000 or more in U.S. securities. Prohibits a foreign person from making such an investment unless the foreign person first registers the investment with the Secretary of Commerce. Sets forth information to be provided in the registration, including a certification by the foreign person that it would be possible for the Federal Government, a U.S. citizen or a U.S. resident to make an investment of the same type and size in the same industry in the country or countries where the owners of the foreign person are located. Requires foreign persons who, at the time of enactment of this Act, hold such investments in the United States to register those investments within 180 days and to include the date on which such investments were made. Declares that certification need not be made for such investments, but prohibits increasing the cumulative interest of such investments unless the foreign person makes such certification. Requires foreign persons to report certain information to the Secretary if they transfer interest in such investments. Requires a foreign persons who have investments in the United States to report certain information to the Secretary if another person acquires a cumulative interest of five percent or more in such foreign person. Requires registration if they have certain investments in the United States, by persons who become foreign persons and by foreign persons who become foreign persons of other countries. Requires foreign persons to give annual updates of their registration information to the Secretary. Sets forth the method of determining whether a person acquires indirectly a cumulative interest of five percent or more in another person. Authorizes a person who is unable to make the required certification to make an investment in the United States only if: (1) the President determines that the investment is in the national interest; (2) the President submits a report containing specified information on the investment and investor to the Congress; and (3) the proposed investment is approved by an enactment of the Congress. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to monitor compliance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out this Act. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress and the President on: (1) the extent and effects of foreign investment in the United States; (2) the effectiveness and efficiency of the registration and reporting requirements of this Act; and (3) the progress in removing the restrictions imposed by foreign countries on investments made by U.S. persons in those countries. Directs the Secretary to compile an inventory of foreign investments in the United States which shall be available to the public.

Bill· HRH.R. 2578 (99th)passed

Young Astronaut Program Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985

Young Astronaut Program Medal Act - Commemorates the Young Astronaut Program by directing the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and deliver to the Young Astronaut Council no more than 750,000 medals with emblems, devices, and inscriptions determined by the Secretary. Authorizes the Council to dispose of the medals at a premium and to have them delivered as required in quantities of no less than 2,000. Directs that no medals be struck after December 31, 1987. Directs the Secretary to set the price of the medals at no less than the manufacturing cost plus a surcharge of ten percent of such cost. Requires the furnishing of security sufficient to fully indemnify the United States for such costs. Directs that the medals be struck in gold, silver, and bronze and in such size or sizes as determined by the Secretary. Gives the U.S. Comptroller General the right to examine the records of the Council which are related to the medals.

Bill· HRH.R. 2567 (99th)reported

A bill to prohibit Smithsonian Institution loans and investments in the Republic of South Africa, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985

Prohibits the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution from using any Smithsonian Institution funds to make, directly or indirectly: (1) any extension of credit to the Government of South Africa; (2) any extension of credit to, or investment in, any corporation or other business enterprise that is owned (in whole or part) or controlled by the Government of South Africa; and (3) any extension of credit or investment in South Africa. Requires the Board, within one year after the effective date of this Act, to liquidate any such extensions of credit or investments which are in existence on such date. Makes such requirement inapplicable to any extension of credit or investment for which a contract or other legally binding agreement is entered into before the effective date of this Act. Terminates such prohibition and requirements imposed by this Act upon approval by law of any report submitted to the Congress by the Board which contains a determination that the abolition of apartheid has taken place in South Africa and the reasons for such determination.

Bill· HRH.R. 2522 (99th)open

A bill to amend the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to allow certain grants to be used for the overhaul of rolling stock and for reconstruction of equipment and materials on rolling stock, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985

Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to redefine the term "construction" to include a project for the overhaul of rolling stock, whether or not such overhaul increases the useful life of such stock. Redefines "associated capital maintenance items" (for which block grants are available) to mean any equipment and materials each of which costs no less than one-half of one percent of the current fair market value of comparable rolling stock. States that a project for the reconstruction of any equipment and materials, each of which will have a fair market value no less than one-half of one percent of the current fair market value of comparable rolling stock, will be considered a project for construction of an associated capital maintenance item. Provides that removal and installation activities involved in any project for acquisition or construction of an associated capital maintenance item will be considered eligible for block grant assistance. Provides that the Federal grant for the acquisition or construction of an associated capital maintenance item shall be 80 percent of the net project cost of such project. Prohibits Federal grants or loans for urban mass transportation unless the Secretary of Transportation determines that the applicant has sufficient capabilities to maintain the facilities and equipment, and will do so.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 166 (99th)passed

A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to ratification of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Declares that the House will act expeditiously to implement this legislation.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 146 (99th)referred

A concurrent resolution to express the sense of the Congress that the executive branch should expeditiously release the remaining money appropriated by Congress under Public Law 98-473 for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the executive branch should release appropriations for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Bill· HRH.R. 2443 (99th)passed

Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation and Financial Regulations Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985

Expedited Funds Availability Act - Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to begin to develop a system to provide that: (1) funds deposited by checks drawn on a local depository institution shall be available for withdrawal the next business day following the day of deposit; and (2) for all other checks, not more than three business days shall pass between the day of deposit and the day on which the funds become available. Requires such system to be implemented no later than five years after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Board, not later than six months after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter until such goal is achieved, to report to the Congress concerning the actions it has taken. Sets forth time standards for expedited check clearing in any case in which funds are deposited by check in an account at a depository institution. Requires cash deposits to be available on the next business day. Makes exceptions to such standards with respect to: (1) checks drawn on a depository institution or an office of a depository institution located outside of the United States; (2) deposits of checks aggregating more than $5,000 in any account on any business day, excluding cashier's and certified checks beginning two years after enactment of this Act; (3) deposits made by new depositors within the first 30 days after opening an account, excluding cashier's and certified checks beginning two years after enactment of this Act; (4) any account that is overdrawn three times in six months; and (5) emergencies beyond the control of the depository institution. Permits a State to require, or a depository institution to provide for, shorter time periods for deposit availability. Requires interest to accrue on funds deposited in interest-bearing accounts beginning on the business day of deposit. Requires a depository institution to meet specified disclosure requirements concerning its general policy on the availability for withdrawal of funds deposited by check. Authorizes the Board to publish model disclosure forms and clauses for common transactions. Directs the Board to establish a Payments System Advisory Council to advise and consult with it in the exercise of its functions under this Act. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) the administrative enforcement of this Act; and (2) the civil liability of institutions that fail to comply with this title.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 165 (99th)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the House that the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund be administered as required by law.

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the administration should comply with the automatic appropriation and earmarking provisions of the Wallop/Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund. States that funds owed to the States from such Fund should not be withheld or delayed.

Bill· HRH.R. 2401 (99th)open

Field Office Closing Justification Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985

Field Office Closing Justification Act - Requires executive agencies (except the General Accounting Office and the Department of Defense) to report to the Congress prior to any personnel action respecting an employee assigned to any field office which is incidental to a reorganization of such field office. Describes such personnel action as removal, reduction in grade or pay, involuntary reassignment, or furlough.

Bill· HRH.R. 2397 (99th)open

Allowable Cost Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985

Allowable Cost Reform Act - Requires that a contract with the Department of Defense for an amount more than $25,000 that is flexibly priced or for which certain cost or pricing data is required must: (1) disallow certain costs; and (2) impose a penalty on a contractor who submits a claim for reimbursement of such a cost. Provides that the following costs are disallowed under such a contract: (1) costs of amusement and social activities; (2) costs incurred to influence action on legislation or appropriation matters pending before the Congress; (3) costs of the defense of any fraud proceeding; (4) fines and penalties imposed for noncompliance with Federal, State, or local laws and regulatons; (5) costs of memberships in any social or dining club or organization; (6) alcoholic beverages; (7) contributions or donations; (8) advertising; and (9) models, gifts, souvenirs, or other memorabilia. Requires the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations concerning the allowability of contractor costs. Requires the Secretary to submit to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees a report identifying: (1) the nature of the proposed changes to be made to current cost principles; and (2) the potential effect of such changes on future requests for reimbursement of contractor costs. Requires the Secretary to allow resolution of challenged expenses by negotiation and settlement. Requires the Secretaries of the military departments and the Directors of the Defense Agencies to prescribe regulations to limit to five years the duty assignment for certain contracting officials to any particular contractor.

Bill· HRH.R. 2390 (99th)referred

Food, Trade, and Development Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985

Food, Trade, and Development Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to change the requirements for providing surplus commodities for famine relief assistance under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480). Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to furnish eligible commodities for carrying out such famine relief programs. Defines "eligible commodities" to mean certain dairy products, grains, and oilseeds acquired through price support operations and such other agricultural commodities as may be acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation and made available for distribution. Prohibits reducing the amounts of commodities that traditionally are made available through donations to domestic feeding programs or agencies. Declares that the requirements of Public Law 480 relating to availability of adequate storage facilities, noninterference with local production and marketing, and safeguarding of usual marketing shall apply with respect to furnishing commodities for famine relief. Authorizes making agreements to provide commodities in installments over an extended period of time. Requires using expedited procedures to implement the provision of such commodities. Declares that the provision of Public Law 480 relating to payment of transportation costs shall apply to commodities furnished for famine relief. Requires that the cost of commodities furnished under this Act shall be in addition to the level of assistance programmed under Public Law 480 and shall not be considered expenditures for international affairs and finance. Authorizes certain sales and barter of such commodities, including certain sales by nonprofit voluntary agencies. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to furnish to nonprofit voluntary agencies and the World Food Program not less than five percent of the amount of each eligible commodity in each fiscal year for distribution. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirement under certain circumstances. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to authorize the President to negotiate agreements to sell agricultural commodities to friendly developing countries with a per capita gross national product of $650 or less for foreign currencies on credit terms. Requires that a certain volume of agricultural commodities shall be sold to such countries under such terms during FY 1986. Directs the President to propose to the Congress by February 15, 1986, appropriate volume levels for such sales for FY 1987 through 1989. Sets forth the ways foreign currencies received in such sales shall be used. Sets forth the minimum and subminimum distribution levels for famine relief programs for FY 1986 and each fiscal year thereafter. Prohibits undertaking famine assistance programs during any fiscal year which calls for more than $1,200,000,000 to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for such programs, unless the President determines that additional funding for famine relief programs is necessary to meet emergency food needs. Authorizes an agreement with a nonprofit voluntary agency for nonemergency food relief programs to provide, upon request of such agency, for the use by that agency of certain foreign currency proceeds for specified purposes (including certain health projects and immunization projects). Limits the level of use of such foreign currency proceeds. Authorizes an agreement with such an agency, upon request of the agency, to provide that a specified percentage of the dollar amount of the agreement will be provided to the agency in monetary form (rather than in agricultural commodities) for specified purposes if the agency provides at least an equal amount of money for such purposes. Directs the President to invite representatives of nonprofit voluntary agencies and to designate certain Federal officials to participate in a task force on food assistance to the most nutritionally needy. Sets the deadline for the report of such task force to the Congress. Urges the President to approve, upon request, multiyear commitments to make farm commodities available to nonprofit voluntary agencies for nonemergency food relief, except under certain circumstances. Declares that a nonprofit voluntary agency shall not be required, in carrying out a multiyear agreement, to obtain annual approval from the Government to continue its assistance program pursuant to such agreement unless exceptional or unforeseen circumstances require such approval. Authorizes agreements with nonprofit voluntary agencies to authorize those agencies to establish local food reserves. Sets forth the reasons for an agency to deposit farm commodities in such food reserves. Limits the percentage of farm commodities made available each fiscal year for nonemergency programs that may be fortified or processed food. Sets forth information that a nonprofit voluntary agency must include in request for a nonemergency food assistance agreement. Amends the Food Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980 to extend the Food Security Wheat Reserve through FY 1989.

Bill· HRH.R. 2361 (99th)open

Immigration Exclusion and Deportation Amendments of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1985

Immigration Exclusion and Deportation Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make only the following classes of aliens ineligible to receive visas and be permitted admission into the United States: (1) any alien with a communicable disease of public health significance; (2) any alien with a record of behavior or mental impairment that poses a threat to property or safety; (3) any alien convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, with specified exceptions; (4) any alien convicted of two or more offenses for which the aggregate sentences actually imposed were five years or more; (5) any alien convicted of specified drug violations; (6) any alien who has engaged in terrorist activity against the United States or against a citizen of the United States; (7) any alien who participated in Nazi persecutions; (8) any alien deemed by the Attorney General as a probable security risk for certain specified reasons, including terrorist activity; (9) any alien who is likely to become a public economic burden; (10) any alien seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of performing skilled or unskilled labor, with certain qualified exceptions; (11) any alien who is a graduate of a medical school not accredited by a body approved for such purpose by the Secretary of Education, with certain exceptions; (12) any excluded or deported alien who seeks readmission within one year of the event, unless such readmission is consented to by the Attorney General; (13) any alien seeking to enter the United States by fraud or the willful misrepresentation of a material fact; (14) any stowaway alien; (15) any alien who aids any other alien in illegal entry; (16) any immigrant not in possession of a valid immigrant visa and passport at the time of admission; (17) any nonimmigrant not in possession of a valid passport authorizing the alien to return to the country from which he or she came; and (18) any alien ineligible for U.S. citizenship, including a person who left or remained outside the United States to avoid U.S. military service in time of war or national emergency. Repeals provisions dealing with bond and conditions for admission for permanent residence for retarded, tubercular, and mentally ill aliens. Makes deportable by the Attorney General only those aliens within one of the following classes: (1) any alien who at the time of entry was within one or more of the classes of aliens excludable by then existing law; (2) any alien entering the United States without inspection or at a time and place other than as designated by the Attorney General; (3) any alien admitted as a nonimmigrant who has failed to maintain such status; (4) any alien arriving from a foreign contiguous territory or adjacent islands who has not resided in such territory or islands for at least two years prior to such arrival; (5) any alien convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within five years from the date of entry and who is either sentenced or confined for a term of one year or longer; (6) any alien who at any time after entry is convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude; (7) any alien who at any time after entry is convicted of a violation of certain drug laws; (8) any alien who at any time after entry is convicted under weapons-possession laws; (9) any alien who at any time is convicted on any of various specified loyalty laws (e.g. sabotage, treason and sedition, selective service, etc.); (10) any alien who fails to comply with alien registration laws or foreign agent registration laws; (11) any alien convicted of fraud or misuse of visas or other entry documents; (12) any alien engaging in activity which endangers the public safety or national security, including terrorist activity; (13) any alien who within five years after entry has become a public economic burden; (14) any alien who has engaged in terrorist activity against the United States or against a citizen of the United States; or (15) any alien who participated in Nazi persecutions.

Bill· HRH.R. 2342 (99th)open

Medicare Vision Reform Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985

Medicare Vision Reform Act of 1985 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for all services provided by a doctor of optometry. (Current law permits coverage for optometric services only if related to the condition of aphakia). Requires payment for optometric services to be made on the basis of an assignment.

Bill· HRH.R. 2317 (99th)referred

A bill for the relief of Rungrak Gnamrik.

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985

Declares a named individual to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 2282 (99th)open

Truth in Savings Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1985

Truth in Savings Act - Requires each advertisement, announcement, or solicitation made by any depository institution regarding the rate of interest payable on any account to: (1) state the annual percentage yield and the method of compounding interest; (2) state the annual rate of simple interest and the period such interest is in effect; (3) state the frequency of interest payments; (4) give equal prominence to all annual percentage yields and annual rates of simple interest; and (5) include specified statements explaining how fees and penalties could affect the annual yield and how the yield on accounts which mature in less than one year is determined on the basis of compounding for an entire year. Requires the annual percentage yield to be stated before the annual rate of simple interest. Requires an institution to give a person a written summary of such information concerning an offered account upon request. Requires each depository institution to maintain a written schedule of all fees, charges, and terms and conditions applicable to each type of account and service routinely offered. Requires that such schedule be disclosed to potential customers and requesting individuals and mailed to account holders. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe: (1) uniform terminology to be used by depository institutions to describe interest rates and other terms affecting account earnings; and (2) uniform methods of calculating annual rates of simple interest and annual percentage yields. Provides for the enforcement of this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 2280 (99th)referred

Comprehensive Alzheimer's Assistance, Research, and Education Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1985

Comprehensive Alzheimer's Assistance, Research, and Education Act of 1985 - Title I : Amendment to the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Alzheimer's Education Program to: (1) coordinate education and training programs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Veterans Administration, other Federal entities, State and local governments, and private organizations; (2) establish an information clearinghouse; (3) provide information to health care providers, organizations, patients, and the general public; and (4) provide technical assistance to States and public and private organizations in the collection and dissemination of information. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for such purposes. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to plan, establish, and operate programs to: (1) coordinate the development and operation of diagnostic, treatment, care management, respite care, legal counseling, and education services provided by public and private organizations within the State; (2) provide respite care to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (3) provide information to health care providers, organizations, and the general public on treatment and related services for patients and their families; (4) coordinate the development and operation of continuing education for health care providers on the diagnosis, treatment, and care management of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (5) review State policies on the financing and reimbursement of health care costs for such patients; (6) review State nursing home regulations as they apply to such patients; and (7) coordinate with the National Alzheimer's Education Program. Limits Federal grants for such programs to the lesser of one half the cost or $1,000,000. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Directs the Secretary to establish a plan for a research program for the study of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with public and private entities for ten to 20 Alzheimer's disease research centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Provides for the recovery from Alaska of Federal grants provided under the Public Health Service Act if within 20 years from the date of completion of a medical facility, such facility ceases to be a publicly owned facility operated for the care or treatment of patients under Alaska's mental health program. Title II: Medicare and Medicaid Research, Demonstrations, and Waivers - Directs the Secretary to conduct research, waiver, and demonstration projects under the Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act to determine the: (1) coverage of alternative methods of health care for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (2) coverage of nursing home care; and (3) appropriate reimbursement levels for nursing homes with such patients. Title III: Report - Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress within two years after the date of enactment.

Bill· HRH.R. 2231 (99th)referred

Electric Utility Transmission Reform Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985

Electric Utility Transmission Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to direct by order an electric utility to provide transmission services for an applicant electric utility or to increase the transmission capacity of any bulk power transmission facility which it owns or operates whenever the Commission, upon its own motion or upon application by a State commission or any electric utility, determines after public notice, notice to the State commission and electric utilities affected, and a hearing that such action is needed to conserve energy, promote the efficient use of facilities and resources, increase competition in the bulk power supply market, or protect the public interest. Provides that the Commission shall have no authority under this Act to: (1) compel the enlargement of generating facilities; (2) take any action which would significantly reduce the utility's ability to provide adequate service to its customers; or (3) order the transmission of electric energy to an ultimate customer. Provides that an electric utility which has been ordered by the Commission to increase its transmission capacity shall be reimbursed by the recipient utility services for all capital and operating costs related to such increase. Repeals the Commission's authority to prescribe in a final order requiring interconnection or wheeling any terms and conditions regarding transmission services if the parties cannot agree to such services within the time set by the Commission.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 144 (99th)passed

A resolution recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Rural Electrification Program.

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Rural Electrification Program must continue to provide financing and technical assistance at reasonable cost; and (2) the people of the United States and Federal and State governmental agencies should commemorate the Rural Electrification Administration on its 50th anniversary.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 145 (99th)passed

A resolution to commend President Jose Napoleon Duarte and the participating international humanitarian organizations for their compassion, vision, and leadership in carrying out the recent vaccination campaign in El Salvador.

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985

States that on the occasion of President Jose Napoleon Duarte's trip to the United States, the House of Representatives applauds him and the Government of El Salvador and expresses its appreciation for his leadership in the campaign to immunize the children of El Salvador.

Law· HRH.R. 2205 (99th)enacted

Korean War Memorial Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985

Korean War Memorial Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to erect and maintain a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor members of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Korean War. Subjects the selected site, design, and plans for the construction of such memorial to the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 252 (99th)open

Space Weapons Treaty Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985

Space Weapons Treaty Act - Urges the President to seek the negotiation of: (1) a treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union with respect to mutual and verifiable limitations on the testing, production, deployment, and use of space directed or space based weapons systems; and (2) an agreement with the Soviet Union for a moratorium on the testing of anti-satellite weapons. Directs the President to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 129 (99th)open

A concurrent resolution to establish a Congressional Commission to be known as the "Perot Commission on Americans Missing in Southeast Asia" to determine whether or not U.S. POWs are being held in Southeast Asia and to report to Congress appropriate action to effect the release of any POWs found to be alive.

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985

Establishes in the legislative branch of the Government the Perot Commission on Americans Missing in Southeast Asia to conduct an investigation and report to the Congress its findings with respect to the existence and the release of prisoners of war in Southeast Asia. Sets forth specified administrative procedures and powers of the Commission. Requires the Commission to terminate 30 days after the filing of its report to the Congress or on January 3, 1987, whichever occurs first.

Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 251 (99th)enacted

A joint resolution to provide that a special gold medal honoring George Gershwin be presented to his sister, Frances Gershwin Godowsky, and a special gold medal honoring Ira Gershwin be presented to his widow, Lenore Gershwin, and to provide for the production of bronze duplicates of such medals for sale to the public.

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1985

Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal honoring George Gershwin to his sister, Frances Gershwin Godowsky, and a gold medal honoring Ira Gershwin to his widow, Lenore Gershwin. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· HRH.R. 2124 (99th)open

A bill to prohibit the production of lethal chemical weapons, to encourage the negotiation of an international agreement to stop the production, proliferation, and stockpiling of lethal chemical weapons, and to encourage the improvement of defenses against the effects of the use of lethal chemical weapons on the Armed Forces.

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985

Prohibits any agency of the government from obligating or appropriating funds for the production of lethal chemical weapons. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should intensify efforts to achieve agreement with the Soviet Union and other countries to stop the production, proliferation, and stockpiling of lethal chemical weapons; (2) the Department of Defense should protect the armed forces against the use of lethal chemical weapons in attacks; (3) an agreement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization must be concluded on the prepositioning of any new chemical weapons; and (4) funding of new lethal chemical weapons is unwarranted in light of the Federal budget deficit.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 244 (99th)open

A joint resolution to authorize and request the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services to be held not later than 1989, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985

Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services, to be held not later than 1989, to develop recommendations for improvement of such services and their public use. Requires that the Conference be planned and conducted by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Sciences. Authorizes the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the National Library of Medicine, and the Director of the National Agricultural Library, upon request, to detail personnel to the Commission. Requires the Conference to submit a final report to the President within 120 days following its close. Directs that the final report be made public, and within 90 days after receipt by the President, transmitted to the Congress with recommendations. Establishes an advisory committee to assist in planning and conducting the Conference. Includes among its appointed members the Secretary of Education and the Librarian of Congress. Authorizes appropriations as necessary.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 125 (99th)referred

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should not honor the memory of those responsible for the deaths of millions by visiting the Bitburg Cemetery in West Germany.

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should cancel his planned visit to the Bitburg Cemetery out of respect for the millions who suffered and died at the hands of the SS and the Nazis.

Law· HRH.R. 2068 (99th)enacted

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985

Title I: Department of State: - Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987 for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs; (2) international organizations and conferences; (3) international commissions; (4) migration and refugee assistance; (5) U.S. bilateral science and technology agreements; (6) the Asia Foundation; and (7) Soviet-East European research and training. Directs the Secretary of State to notify specified congressional committees whenever the Secretary submits to the Congress a request for appropriations pursuant to authorizations for certain nondiscretionary costs and for certain Foreign Service benefits. Authorizes the Secretary, to the extent funds are authorized and appropriated, to pay the U.S. share of the expenses of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the Middle East. (Current law authorizes such funds as may be necessary to make such payments to the Department of State.) Earmarks specified amounts of the authorization for administration of foreign affairs for: (1) the National Commission on Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Cooperation; and (2) special religious sensitivity instruction for Foreign Service officers to be assigned abroad. Earmarks specified amounts of the migration and refugee assistance funds for: (1) refugees resettling in Israel; (2) African refugee assistance; and (3) anti-piracy actions in the Gulf of Thailand. Prohibits using migration and refugee assistance funds to provide reception and placement grants which are conditioned on a grantee accepting the responsibility for meeting the basic food, clothing, or shelter needs of refugees or for transporting to job interviews or training of refugees during the refugees' first 90 days in the United States. Limits the amount of migration and refugee assistance funds that may be used for enhanced reception and placement services. Amends the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 to authorize the President to furnish aid under such Act notwithstanding any law which restricts aid to foreign countries. Increases the number of Assistant Secretaries of State. Provides that the Director General of the Foreign Service and the Inspector General of the Department of State and the Foreign Service shall be compensated at level IV of the Executive Pay Schedule. Amends the Department of State Appropriations Authorizations Act of 1973 to repeal the provision providing for reimbursement of the Department of State for personnel detailed to other agencies. Amends the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 to authorize using migration and refugee assistance to pay for contracting for personal services abroad. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the State Department to employ and compensate aliens for services abroad, except for purposes relating to compensation for work injuries and certain tort claims. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to change the limit on the total amount of performance pay awarded to members of the Senior Foreign Service. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to appoint an individual to a limited appointment in the Senior Foreign Service for a specific position abroad if: (1) no qualified career member of the Foreign Service is available; and (2) the individual appointed has unique qualifications for the specific position. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize special agents of the Department of State and the Foreign Service to: (1) conduct investigations concerning illegal passport or visa issuance or use; (2) serve search warrants, arrest warrants, subpoenas, and summonses to conduct such investigations; (3) protect heads of foreign states, distinguished visitors to the United States, the Secretary of State, foreign missions, and other specified persons; (4) carry firearms if qualified and authorized to do so; and (5) make arrests without warrants for specified offenses. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations, which shall be approved by the Attorney General, with respect to the use of firearms by special agents. Provides that the Secret Service is not affected by the provisions dealing with special agents. Requires the Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an interagency agreement with respect to their law enforcement functions. Directs the Secretary to transmit all the regulations governing such special agents to specified congressional committees 20 days before they go into effect. Authorizes the Secretary to provide extraordinary protective services for foreign missions to the extent necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to provide funds to a State or local authority for protective services only if the Secretary has determined that circumstances exist which require extraordinary security measures which exceed those which local law enforcement agencies can reasonably be expected to take. Authorizes obligating funds for such purposes only after regulations have been issued after consultation with the appropriate congressional committees. Limits the amount of such funds that may be obligated for protective services within any single State. Requires that at least 15 percent of such funds shall be kept in reserve for protective services provided by the Secretary or for expenditures in local jurisdictions not otherwise covered by an agreement for protective services. Limits an agreement with a State or local authority for the provision of protective services to 90 days subject to renewal. Directs the Secretary to consider matters relating to the protection of U.S. interests in determining the treatment to be accorded a foreign mission in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to require a foreign mission to forego the acceptance, use, or relation of a benefit. Authorizes the Secretary to require a foreign mission to divest itself of or forego the use of real property if the Secretary determines it is necessary to protect the interests of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to use funds available to the Secretary to pay for U.S. participation in arbitrations: (1) for the peaceful resolution of disputes under treaties or other international agreements; and (2) arising under contracts authorized by law for the performance of services or acquisition of property abroad. Directs the Secretary to establish the Consular and Passport Services Fund which shall be funded by fees collected for passport and consular services and which shall be available for specified expenses related to providing passport and consular services. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees at least twice a year on the management plans for using the Fund. Limits transfers of amounts out of the Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant from funds authorized for administration of foreign affairs to the American-Australian Bicentennial Foundation in support of its programs to prepare for U.S. participation in the Australian Bicentennial celebration. Expresses the sense of the Congress that it is imperative and in the national interest that each U.S. mission to a foreign country provide such support as may be necessary to U.S. citizens seeking to do business in that country. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress within 90 days of enactment of this Act on proposals to improve the staffing and personnel management in the Bureau of International Narcotics Matters, specifically whether a narcotics specialist personnel category in the Foreign Service is an appropriate mechanism. Requires the Department of State, in order to ensure that foreign narcotics traffickers are denied visas, to cooperate with U.S. law enforcement agencies in establishing a comprehensive information system on all drug arrests of foreign nationals in the United States so such information can be sent to the appropriate U.S. embassies. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration to agree on uniform guidelines which would permit the sharing of information on drug traffickers. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress, within six months of enactment of this Act, on steps taken to implement such information network. Directs the Secretary to increase U.S. efforts to negotiate updated extradition treaties relating to narcotics offenses with each major drug-producing country. Directs the Secretary to issue a travel advisory warning U.S. citizens of the dangers of traveling in Mexico. Requires the travel advisory to remain in effect until those responsible for the murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar have been brought to trial and a verdict has been obtained. Prohibits using any funds other than State Department funds to change the facilities of the Coordinating Committee on Export Controls. Prohibits any Federal employees other than State Department employees from: (1) being assigned as members of the U.S. delegation to the Coordinating Committee on Export Controls; or (2) being assigned to the Coordinating Committee as advisers to the U.S. delegation to the Coordinating Committee. Title II: United States Information Agency - United States Information Agency Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987 for the U.S. Information Agency (USIA). Earmarks specified portions of such authorization for essential modernization of the Voice of America. Requires an amount not less than the amount requested by the USIA in its presentation to the Congress for increases in TV WORLDNET to be used for increases in the world wide book program initiative and related support for the Educational and Cultural Exchange Bureau. Amends the National Endowment for Democracy Act to direct the National Endowment for Democracy to make its proposals, grant agreements, and other official documents available to the public upon request. Prohibits using Endowment funds to finance political campaigns. Prohibits using Endowment funds granted to political party institutes to finance activities of the Republican National Committee or the Democratic National Committee. Requires the Endowment to require its grantees to consult with the U.S. Chief of Mission to a foreign country before funds provided by the Endowment are made available by the grantee for a project in that country. Requires amounts made available by the Endowment in FY 1986 and 1987 to the institutes established by the Democrats and Republicans to be used, to the maximum extent feasible, for projects jointly implemented by those institutes. Earmarks specified amounts of the amounts made available to the Endowment for FY 1986 and 1987 to the Free Trade Union Institute and the Center for International Private Enterprise. Authorizes the USIA to audit the financial transactions of the Endowment under specified conditions. Title III: Board for International Broadcasting - Board for International Broadcasting Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations for the Board for International Broadcasting for FY 1986 and 1987. Earmarks a specified amount of such authorization for radio modernization. Expresses the sense of the Congress that Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Incorporated (RFE/RL) should: (1) reestablish the procedure the primary emphasis of which is the daily oversight of RFE/RL program content and quality; (2) strengthen pre- and post-broadcast review and controls; and (3) improve its personnel management system. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Board for International Broadcasting should: (1) periodically review and update the program policy guidelines of RFE/RL; and (2) ensure that the distinctions between the Board and RFE/RL remain clear and that these two entities continue to operate within the framework established by law.

Bill· HRH.R. 2069 (99th)open

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to make permanent the rules relating to imputed interest and assumption of loans, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an applicable test rate of nine percent for determining whether there is imputed interest in the case of seller-financed property. Permits a lower test interest rate of 80 percent of the Federal Treasury rate where such rates are lower than the nine percent test rate. Provides for a blended test rate for instances where the loan amount exceeds $4,000,000. Provides that in determining whether wraparound financing meets such testing rate, the test shall be applied to the net rate of interest on the seller's equity in the financing after deducting the existing third party financing. Authorizes the imputation of interest in seller-financed property sales of $4,000,000 or less of ten percent or 90 percent of the Federal Treasury rates, whichever is less, where the test interest rates have not been met. Allows for a blended imputed interest rate where the debt amount exceeds $4,000,000. Requires that all loan amounts from a single transaction or series of related transactions be aggregated for purposes of determining the loan amount. Provides that the imputed interest rules will not apply to assumptions of loans unless the terms and conditions of such debt obligations are modified in connection with the assumption. Repeals the provisions of the Code limiting the amount of interest expense a purchaser of personal use property may deduct for tax purposes. Excepts debt instruments arising from the sale or exchange of a residence from the imputed interest provisions where the obligor of the instrument uses the property as his other residence. Provides that the imputed interest rules shall not apply in the case of sales or exchanges of property where the borrowed amount does not exceed $4,000,000. Requires the interest on the obligation issued in connection with such sales or exchanges to be taken into account by both the buyer and the seller on the cash receipts and disbursement method of accounting unless both buyer and seller agree to use the accrual receipts and disbursement method of accounting.