United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Narcotics Importation, Manufacture, and Control Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the criminal penalties for: (1) importing or exporting controlled substances; (2) bringing or possessing on board a vessel, aircraft, or vehicle a controlled substance; and (3) manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance. Prohibits granting a suspended or probationary sentence for persons convicted of such offenses. Denies such persons eligibility for parole. Permits imposing criminal penalties for attempts or conspiracies to commit such offenses. Requires such penalties to be imposed in the same manner and to the same extent as is prescribed for actually committing the offenses involved. Prohibits granting a suspended or probationary sentence for persons convicted of such attempts or conspiracies and denies such persons eligibility for parole if such sentences and parole are precluded for actually committing the offenses involved. Requires that any person who manufactures a controlled substance shall be imprisoned for the entire maximum term of imprisonment for such violation. Prohibits granting a suspended or probationary sentence and denies such persons eligibility for parole.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Agriculture Act of 1985 - Title I: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set milk price support levels at 90 percent of the previous three year average. Provides for: (1) automatic price support revisions on April 1 and October 1 of 1986 through 1989; and (2) additional adjustments based on Government purchase levels. Extends authority through 1989 for: (1) the dairy indemnity program; and (2) the program of dairy product transfers to the military and veterans' hospitals. Amends specified milk marketing order provisions. Title II: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the wool program through 1989. Title III: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 wheat crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if carryover stocks exceed four percent of annual world utilization. Suspends specified marketing quota and producer certificate provisions. Title IV: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 corn crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets loans and purchase levels for grain sorghum, barley, oats, and rye in relation to corn levels. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if carryover stocks exceed four percent of annual world utilization. Title V: Cotton - Suspends specified base acreage allotment and marketing quota provisions for the 1986 through 1989 upland cotton crops. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set upland cotton loan rates at the lower of: (1) 85 percent of the average U.S. spot market price (weighted by market and month) for the preceding five years, excluding the high and low years; or (2) 90 percent of the average of comparable cotton prices, quoted C.I.F. northern Europe. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the same average market price used to determine loan rates. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Directs the President to establish a special limited global import quota for upland cotton if average spot prices exceed specified levels. Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if upland cotton carryover stocks exceed normal supply by more than 15 percent. Title VI: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 rice crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if rice carryover stocks exceed normal supply by more than 15 percent. Title VII: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish the national poundage quota for the 1986 through 1989 peanut crops at the level of the previous three-year average of domestic edible and seed use. Authorizes modifications of up to five percent. Extends price support provisions for the 1986 through 1989 peanut crops. Permits changes in support levels based upon changes in the price paid index. Title VIII: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 soybean crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Stipulates that such level may not be less than $5.02 per bushel. Limits annual support reductions to not more than ten percent or below $4.50 per bushel. Title IX: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan levels for the 1986 through 1989 sugarcane crops at 18 cents per pound. Bases sugar beet support levels on sugarcane prices. Title X: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Advance Diversion Payments - States that if the secretary makes land diversion payments to assist in adjusting acreage for the 1986 through 1989 crops of wheat, feed grains, cotton, or rice, at least 50 percent of such payment shall be made available as soon as possible after program signup. Subtitle B: Grain Reserves - Terminates the producer-owned reserve storage program. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Limits annual deficiency payments to $50,000 per person for the 1986 through 1989 crop years. Subtitle D: General Provisions - Extends the special grazing and hay program through 1989. Title XI: Agricultural Export and Public Law 480 - Subtitle A: Export Provisions - Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to extend authority through 1989 for the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund. Exempts export sales financed or guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) from cargo preference laws. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to exempt the special standby export subsidy program from cargo preference laws. Directs the Secretary to use bonus commodities from CCC to offset the adverse effects of competing countries' subsidies and currency exchanges. Exempts such exports from cargo preference laws. Subtitle B: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to increase minimum export tonnage levels. Exempts such exports from cargo preference laws. Extends such programs through 1989. Title XII: Resource Conservation - Subtitle A: Conservation Reserve - Directs the Secretary to establish a conservation reserve program to convert cropland and highly erodible land to less intensive use. Subtitle B: Program Eligibility on Highly Erodible Land - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible for price support and other agricultural loans and benefits. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations. Title XIII: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment, unless otherwise so provided.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Soviet Union should be condemned for the murder of Major Arthur D. Nicholson, Jr., and actions inconsistent with the 1947 Military Liaison Missions Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Provides that, for taxable years prior to 1985, rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of the deduction for the use of their automobile in performing services involving the collection and delivery of mail on a rural route by: (1) using the amount received as equipment maintenance allowances from the United States Postal Service; or (2) using the form entitled "Worksheet for Use of Rural Carrier in Reporting Equipment Allowance and Claiming Transportation Expense Deduction." Provides that, for taxable years beginning after 1984, rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of their deduction for use of their automobile in performing such services: (1) by using a standard mileage rate for all such miles of such use equal to 150 percent of the basic standard rate; or (2) by calculating the equipment allowance deduction equal to the operating expenses. Removes the 50 percent of business use limitation contained in the Internal Revenue Code for rural letter carriers who claim the investment tax credit and the depreciation deduction for their automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Limits the percentage of the U.S. monetary contribution to the United Nations and its affiliated agencies to a percentage that is no greater than the percentage of the U.S. nationals employed by the United Nations and such affiliated agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Prohibits interstate and foreign commerce in any article of fur derived from an animal trapped in a steel jaw leghold trap. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reward nongovernment informers for information leading to a conviction under this Act. Makes the Secretary, with the assistance of appropriate Federal or State personnel, responsible for enforcing this Act. Empowers enforcement officials to detain, search, and seize suspected merchandise or documents and to make arrests with and without warrants. Subjects seized merchandise to forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that transportation may be excluded from gross income as a no-additional-cost fringe benefit without regard to whether such service is offered for sale to customers. (Current law excludes employer-provided transportation only if such service is offered for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.) Sets forth special rules for the valuation of employer-provided transportation only if such service is offered for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. Sets forth special rules for the valuation of employer-provided transportation if the value of a flight on an employer-provided aircraft is includible in the gross income of the employees.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1986 - Title I: NASA Authorization - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for specified activities relating to: (1) research and development; (2) space flight, control and data communications; (3) construction of facilities; and (4) research and program management. Permits appropriations for research and development and for space flight, control, and data communications to be used for any items of a capital nature (other than acquisition of land) which may be required at locations other than NASA installations for the performance of research and development contracts, and for grants to nonprofit institutions of higher education, or to nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific research, for purchase or construction of additional research facilities. Requires the Administrator of NASA (the Administrator) to notify specified congressional officers and committees whenever the cost of a facility exceeds a specified amount. Permits funds appropriated for research and development, for space flight, control and data communications, or for construction of facilities to remain available without fiscal year limitation. Permits appropriations for research and program management to be used for scientific contributions or extraordinary expenses upon the approval of the Administrator. Permits the funds for construction of any of specified facilities: (1) in the discretion of the Administrator, to be varied upward ten percent; or (2) following a report by the Administrator to specified congressional committees, to be varied upward 25 percent to meet unusual cost variations. Permits one-half of one percent of the funds appropriated for research and development or for space flight, control, and data communications to be transferred to the appropriation for construction of facilities. Authorizes the expenditure of such transferred funds, together with a specified amount of the funds appropriated for construction of facilities, to construct, expand, or modify laboratories and other installations. Requires the Administrator, 30 days before expending such funds, to notify specified congressional officers and committees of the nature, cost and necessity of such construction. Prohibits, until 30 days pass after congressional receipt of a full explanation by the Administrator, the use of funds appropriated pursuant to this Act for any program: (1) deleted by the Congress; (2) in excess of the amount actually authorized for the particular program under provisions for research and development, space flight, control and data communications, and research and program management; or (3) which has not been presented to either of the specified congressional committees. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that it is in the national interest that consideration be given to geographical distribution of Federal research funds whenever feasible, and that NASA should explore ways of doing so. Authorizes the Inspector General of NASA to administer to or take from any person an oath, affirmation, or affidavit whenever necessary in performing functions assigned by the Inspector General Act of 1978, and to designate investigators or other employees to do so. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to provide that any invention made or used in outer space, after the effective date of this Act, on a space vehicle under U.S. jurisdiction or control shall be considered made or used in the United States for purposes of Federal law relating to patents and inventions. Provides that the authorization for the space shuttle includes provision for: (1) production of a fleet of four space shuttle orbiters, including structural and component spares; and (2) production readiness for a fifth orbiter vehicle. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1985 to extend by six months the deadline for submission, to the President and specified congressional committees by the National Commission on Space, of a long range plan for U.S. civilian space activity. Directs the Administrator, within 90 days of the enactment of this Act, to: (1) review recommendations of the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control; and (2) submit a report to specified congressional officers and committees on the implementation status of each of such recommendations which affect NASA and are within the Administrator's authority and control. Directs the Administrator to initiate an immediate feasibility study and such planning efforts as may be necessary to ensure a timely flight opportunity for a physically disabled American. Title II: Shuttle Pricing Policy for Commercial and Foreign Users - Directs the Administrator to charge each commercial or foreign user of the Space Transportation System (STS), as reimbursement, a pro rata portion of an amount equal to the sum of the average additive cost of a flight, plus a capital recovery charge for a flight. Provides that such amount shall not exceed the average operating cost of a dedicated commercial flight of STS. Authorizes the Administrator to reduce such charge for any such user (but not below that user's pro rata portion of the average additive cost of a flight) as necessary to achieve: (1) preservation of U.S. leadership in space research, technology, and development; (2) efficient use of STS; (3) a long-range great increase in commercial space activities; and (4) enhancement of the U.S. position in international competition in providing space transportation services and capabilities. Directs the Administrator, for purposes of this title, to assume 24 flights per year of STS. Authorizes the Administrator to set a lower charge or provide no-cost flights for any such user who is involved in research and development programs with NASA. Provides that this title shall apply to STS flights during FY 1989 through 1991. Title III: Office of Commercial Space Transportation - Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1986 to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out such Act (which provides for licensing and liability insurance requirements for commercial space launches).
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to the Bethune-Cookman College in Volusia County, Florida, to establish the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial Fine Arts Center. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to exempt from certain cargo preference requirements activities of the Commodity Credit Corporation or the Department of Agriculture that promote the export of agricultural commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Nuclear Decommissioning Tax Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a deduction for amounts which are to be used to decommission a nuclear powerplant if the amounts are either: (1) deposited in a Nuclear Decommissioning Reserve Fund; or (2) recorded in an unfunded reserve on the financial books of account of the taxpayer during the taxable year. Provides that the determination of whether the taxpayer uses the Reserve Fund or the unfunded reserve account shall be made by the applicable regulatory body that establishes the taxpayer's rates. Sets limits on the amounts which the taxpayer may pay into the fund or record in the unfunded reserve account. Requires the taxpayer to include in gross income any amount distributed from the Reserve Fund or any unused balance in the unfunded reserve account which is not distributed or used to pay the cost of nuclear decommissioning of a powerplant. Permits an additional deduction for any taxable year for the amount of the nuclear decommissioning costs with respect to which economic performance occurs during such taxable year. Requires the taxpayer to obtain a ruling as to the amount of the deduction allowed for the Reserve Fund or recorded in the unfunded reserve account. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to review, and revise if necessary, such amount at least once during the useful life of the nuclear powerplant. Sets forth rules for the establishment and operation of a Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund or an unfunded reserve account.
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
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 · 4 March 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that transportation may be excluded from gross income as a no-additional-cost fringe benefit without regard to whether such service is offered for sale to customers. (Present law excludes employer-provided transportation only if such service is offered for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business.)
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Directs the President to report quarterly to the Congress on all outstanding loans, loan guarantees, credits, and grants issued by the Federal Government or by a multilateral organization of which the United States is a member to the government of a Communist country or to any person on behalf of (or any entity controlled by) a Communist country. Specifies information to be included in the report.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Readiness Enhancement of Air Force Reserve Special Operations Act of 1985 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 for the operation and maintenance of: (1) a Special Operations Wing of the Air Force Reserve; and (2) the Directorate of the Department of Defense Task Force on Drug Law Enforcement. Directs the Secretary of Defense, not later than September 30, 1985, to report to specified congressional committees concerning the expenditure of funds authorized by this Act. Outlines information to be included in such report.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Interstate Compact - Grants congressional approval to the Southeast Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, which provides for cooperation among the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia in the management of low-level radioactive waste on a continuing basis.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the residential energy income tax credit for solar energy property for five years (from 1985 to 1990). Phases out the percentage of expenditures which may be taken into account for such credit between the years 1986 and 1990. Limits to $6,000 the maximum amount of expenditures for solar hot water systems which may be taken into account for purposes of such credit. Specifies additional standards which solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet in order to qualify for such credit. Increases and extends for five years (from 1985 to 1990) the energy investment tax credit for specified types of solar energy property.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) veterans' disability compensation payments should remain exempt from Federal income taxation; and (2) the President should reject any proposals to tax such payments.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Authorizes the Armored Force Monument Committee, the United States Armor Association, the World Wars Tank Corps Association, the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Association, the Tank Destroyer Association, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 16th Armored Division Associations, and the Council of Armored Division Associations to erect a memorial in or near Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, to honor and commemorate the American Armored Force. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select the site and approve the design and plans. Obligates the United States to expenses of maintenance only. Requires the commencement of the erection of the memorial within five years with a certification of sufficiency of funds necessary before commencement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Amends the RICO Statute (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) and the Controlled Substances Act to provide for the forfeiture of substitute property when, because of an act or omission of the defendant, the property subject to forfeiture: (1) is removed from the jurisdiction of the court or is otherwise unavailable for forfeiture; (2) is diminished in value; or (3) cannot reasonably be separated from property that is not subject to forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Liberty Double-Eagle Bullion Coin Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold double-eagle coins. Sets forth specifications for and the design of such coins. Makes such coins legal tender. Permits the sale of such coins at a price equal to the cost of minting and issuing such coins plus a surcharge equal to the amount by which the fair market value of gold bullion held by the United States and used in the minting of the coins exceeds the statutory maximum value of any gold certificates outstanding against the bullion. Requires the revenue from such surcharges to be used to reduce the national debt. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Consolidates the medical health care systems of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to be administered in policy and operation solely by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). Directs the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense to organize the DHA. States that the DHA shall be comprised of two offices, the Office of Policy and Operation and the Defense Readiness Office, to be administered by the Assistant Secretary and the Surgeons General of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, respectively. Outlines the functions of each such Office. Prohibits the employment by the United States of an individual as a physician unless certain licensing and education criteria have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to provide mortage protection life insurance to certain veterans unable to obtain commercial life insurance at a standard rate because of service-connected disabilities. Establishes guidelines for such insurance regarding: (1) amount of insurance; (2) premium rates; (3) payment of insurance; and (4) policy provisions.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lewis, Thomas F. [R-FL-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000295_200.jpg)