United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) increase dollar limits on personal contributions to candidates and their authorized political committees; and (2) decrease the amount one multicandidate political committee may contribute to any other political committee. Limits to $100,000 ($125,000 where two or more candidates qualify for the ballot) the aggregate amount which all multicandidate political committees may contribute to a candidate for the House of Representatives in a general or special election, including any primary election, convention, or caucus relating to such general or special election. Limits to $25,000 the aggregate amount allowed for multicandidate political committee contributions in a runoff election for the office of Representative. Establishes a formula for multicandidate political committee contributions to candidates for the Senate based upon State populations and limited to an aggregate total of $750,000. Requires multicandidate political committees which make independent expenditures for advertisements connected with a candidate's campaign to disclose such information within the advertisement. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require any station licensee which allows a person to broadcast material endorsing or opposing a candidate to provide the candidate opposing the endorsed candidate, or to the candidate opposed by the material, the opportunity to use the same amount of broadcasting time, without charge, during the same period of the day.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1985
Foreign Agents Compulsory Ethics in Trade Act of 1985 - Prohibits former high-level Federal civilian officers or employees or high-ranking officers of the uniformed services from representing or advising foreign principals during the ten-year period beginning on the last day of such a person's Federal employment or service. Authorizes the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to jointly determine a longer prohibitive period in the interest of national security. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Defines and lists employee positions to which this Act applies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1985
Social Security Trust Fund Protection Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue public debt obligations to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, Railroad Retirement Account, Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, and Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund for such terms and at such interest rates as will ensure a projected annual interest income to such funds equivalent to the income which would have been earned by those funds from public debt obligations which: (1) were redeemed on or after September 1, 1985, and on or before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) would not have been redeemed had the public debt limit been raised pursuant to a specified resolution of the House of Representatives. Directs the Secretary to pay to the funds the interest which would have accrued to the funds but for such non-investments, redemptions, and disinvestments. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require the Managing Trustee of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance trust fund (OASDI trust funds) to submit an advance report to the Board of Trustees of such trust funds and to each House of the Congress of the effects on the OASDI trust funds of reaching the public debt limit. Authorizes the Managing Trustee to disinvest either trust fund only to the extent necessary to prevent a shortfall in amounts available for benefit payments. Restricts the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer specified tax revenues to the OASDI trust funds by requiring the Secretary to first determine that the balance in either trust fund would otherwise be insufficient to permit full payment of benefits for any month.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1985
Declares that the Congress: (1) condemns all acts of terrorism (specifically the hijacking of the Achille Lauro and the murder of Leon Klinghoffer); (2) commends the President and members of the U.S. armed forces who apprehended such hijackers and murderers; and (3) calls on all governments who have jurisdiction over such incident to insure that such perpetrators are prosecuted and punished. Declares that the Congress recommends that the President review the options and authorities under existing law for combating terrorism. Provides that, in order to increase the effectiveness of the U.S. counterterrorism efforts, the President should establish a unified policy to combat terrorism. Declares that the Congress urges the President: (1) to raise international public awareness with respect to terrorism by proposing to place this matter on the agenda of the Geneva Summit between the President and Mikhail Gorbachev, the 40th U.N. General Assembly, the International Maritime Organization, and other subsequent international meetings; and (2) to seek the acceptance by all governments that terrorism is an international crime. Urges the President to seek to establish an international coordinating committee on terrorism. Sets forth what such committee should be charged with in regard to handling such terrorism. Urges the President to propose to the Congress ways (including those proposed by the Inman Advisory Panel on Overseas Security) to improve the security of U.S. citizens abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Designates 1986 as Save for the U.S.A. Year. Requests the President to initiate a nationwide campaign, to be known as the Buy Back America campaign, to encourage the people of the United States to buy U.S. savings bonds and certificates and thereby reduce borrowings from foreign sources. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enhance the marketability of such bonds and certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1985
Reaffirms congressional support for the Medicare Program and for the right of all Medicare beneficiaries to receive accurate and timely information regarding their benefits. Urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene a group of program participants to draft a simple statement of the rights and responsibilities of Medicare patients; and (2) transmit copies of the statement to all Members of Congress and hospitals and physicians participating in the program; and (3) urge participating hospitals to distribute copies of the statement to Medicare beneficiaries upon their hospitalization and to their families upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Interstate Compact - Grants the consent of the Congress to the Southern States Energy Compact regarding coordination among specified States for the development, production, and use of energy. Declares the following States eligible parties to such compact: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Declares any State contiguous to the foregoing States an eligible party to the Compact. Repeals the Act of July 31, 1962 granting the consent of the Congress to the Southern Interstate Nuclear Compact.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Establishes the United States Commission on Improving the Effectiveness of the United Nations to examine and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the United Nations and to submit to the President recommendations on ways to improve its effectiveness and the role of the United States in such organization. Sets forth specified items which the Commission should focus on in carrying out its duties. Requires the Commission to transmit to the President and to the Congress a report containing a detailed statement of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Authorizes appropriations and private contributions for the Commission. Terminates the Commission 60 days after the submission of its report.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Congressional Foreign Travel Accountability Act of 1985 - Prohibits the use of Federal funds for the expenses of foreign travel by Members of Congress or congressional officers or employees unless such expenses are paid out of a specific appropriation included in the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act or any supplement thereto. Requires such travel to be accomplished by the most economical means possible. Requires congressional committees to establish guidelines to avoid duplicative and unnecessary travel and to file quarterly reports on such travel for public inspection. Sets forth civil penalties for persons who use such reports for unlawful, commercial, or solicitation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Extends the sympathy of the United States to Mexico on the earthquake tragedy. Declares that: (1) the President should provide appropriate relief and rehabilitation assistance to prevent further suffering and safeguard the public health; and (2) the United States is prepared to cooperate with Mexico in long term efforts to recover from the effects of the earthquake.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Congressional Foreign Travel Accountability Act of 1985 - Prohibits the use of Federal funds for the expenses of foreign travel by Members of Congress or congressional officers or employees unless such expenses are paid out of a specific appropriation included in the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act or any supplement thereto. Requires such travel to be accomplished by the most economical means possible. Requires congressional committees to establish guidelines to avoid duplicative and unnecessary travel and to file quarterly reports on such travel for public inspection. Sets forth civil penalties for persons who use such reports for unlawful, commercial, or solicitation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for services performed by a physician assistant under the supervision of a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow members of the armed forces serving on active duty or on full-time National Guard duty to bring claims for damages against the United States for personal injury or death arising out of medical or dental care furnished by a medical treatment facility operated by the military or the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
National Motor Carrier Productivity and Safety Improvement Act of 1985 - Restricts the Interstate Commerce Commission's (the Commission) jurisdiction over motor carriers of passengers (buses) and of household goods, including regulation of rates, tariffs, classification, and rules or practices. Retains the exemption of motor common carriers of household goods from certain antitrust laws. Sets forth guidelines under which the Commission shall issue certificates and permits to motor common carriers of household goods authorizing them to provide transportation. Grants the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) jurisdiction over: (1) motor carrier safety and productivity; and (2) interstate and intrastate transportation provided by National motor carriers of property and National private carriers of property (National carriers). Exempts from such jurisdiction motor carriers of household goods. Requires a National carrier to serve three or more contiguous States. Directs the Secretary to administer safety and insurance functions regarding certain U.S. domiciled carriers of property and foreign motor carriers of property. Prohibits any State or interstate agency from enacting provisions regarding intrastate or interstate rates, routes, or services of motor carriers of property, including National carriers, with the exception of household goods carriers or motor private carriers. Establishes in the Department of Transportation the Motor Carrier Administration to be administered by an Administrator who shall report directly to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to: (1) promptly inspect the safety compliance record of persons applying for authority to provide transportation of passengers or household goods; (2) establish safety fitness requirements; (3) maintain safety compliance records to determine the continued safety fitness of interstate owners and operators of commercials motor vehicles, interstate motor carriers of property, and National carriers; and (4) enforce compliance and issue orders against imminent hazards to safety. Grants the Secretary safety jurisdiction over the commercial operations of National carriers. Transfers to the Secretary all Commission functions regarding motor carriers of property, with the exception of household goods carriers, private carriers of property, and National carriers. Prohibits a common carrier, in an agreement for damages limitation, from providing for specific amounts to be deducted from any claim presented by a shipper for loss or damage. Establishes in the Department of Transportation a working group composed of State officials representing agencies with expertise in vehicle registration, fuel tax, and certain other tax practices affecting the truck industry. Authorizes such group to develop standards for uniform State regulation of interstate motor carriers regarding vehicle registration, fuel tax, and certain other tax requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations implementing such standards. Prohibits States from imposing administrative requirements in excess of such standards. Authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to institute civil actions to enforce State compliance. Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit a comprehensive report to the President and the Congress regarding owner-operator productivity and safety; (2) establish within the National Driver Register a separate recording system on drivers of commercial motor vehicles used to transport property; (3) assign to each such driver a unique identifier which shall be made available to State chief driver licensing officials; (4) implement a plan to consolidate and coordinate all activities within the Department of Transportation regarding the safety of motor carrier drivers, vehicles and operations; and (5) report the results of such coordination to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Overseas Private Investment Corporation Amendments Act of 1985 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to change the per capita income requirements for countries receiving Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) projects and investments from 1979 dollars to 1983 dollars. Requires OPIC, in determining whether to provide insurance, financing, or reinsurance for a project, to ensure that the project is consistent with the provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 relating to the environment and natural resources of, and biological diversity in, developing countries. Requires OPIC to refuse to insure, reinsure, guarantee, or finance any investment in connection with a project that will pose an unreasonable or major environmental, health, or safety hazard or will result in significant degradation of protected areas. Authorizes OPIC to insure, reinsure, guarantee, or finance a project only if the country in which the project is undertaken is taking steps to extend internationally recognized worker rights to workers in that country. Provides for annual hearings on such questions. Authorizes OPIC to insure against loss due to business interruption caused by: (1) inability to convert into U.S. dollars other currencies; (2) an act of expropriation or confiscation by a foreign government; and (3) war, revolution, insurrection, or civil strife. Requires OPIC before issuing insurance for the first time for loss due to business interruption to submit to the Congress an explanation of the underwriting basis upon which the insurance is to be offered. Increases the percentage of the maximum contingent liability of OPIC's investment guaranties that may be issued to a single investor. Authorizes OPIC to enter into pooling or other risk-sharing arrangements with multilateral insurance or financing agencies or groups of such agencies. Directs OPIC to establish, within one year of enactment of this Act, a pilot program of facultative insurance providing reinsurance for insurers who issue insurance for new investments by eligible investors in excess of limits which OPIC would otherwise normally apply for its exposure to such investments. Limits OPIC's exposure under such program. Directs OPIC to establish a group to advise OPIC on the development and implementation of the program of facultative reinsurance. Requires OPIC to report to the Congress within 18 months of enactment of this Act on the implementation of the facultative reinsurance program. Extends OPIC's authority to issue investment insurance through September 30, 1989. Authorizes OPIC to determine the basis for computing loss due to business interruption. Directs OPIC, before finally providing insurance, guarantees, or financing for any environmentally sensitive investment, to notify the country where the investment project is located of: (1) certain guidelines relating to the public health or safety or the environment which are applicable to the project; and (2) any U.S. health, safety, or environmental restrictions that would apply to the project if the project were undertaken in the United States. Provides for an independent audit of OPIC at least once every three years. Makes certain requirements relating to environmental impact statements and assessments applicable to any investment which OPIC insures, reinsurers, guarantees, or finances. Exempts OPIC from all taxation. Directs OPIC to publish and make available to applicants for OPIC assistance OPIC's policy guidelines. Deletes the provision requiring OPIC to return to the Treasury funds appropriated to OPIC before January 1, 1975. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the use of the words "Overseas Private Investment," "Overseas Private Investment Corporation," or "OPIC" as part of a private business.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Internal Revenue Service to reimburse State and local law enforcement agencies that provide information which substantially contributes to the recovery of Federal taxes. Limits the amount of such reimbursement to ten percent of the sum ultimately recovered.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Amends the copyright law to redefine the local service area of a primary transmitter in the case of a low power television station for secondary transmission purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Elderly Crime Prevention and Victim Assistance Act of 1985 - Establishes in the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice the National Resource Office Relating to Crimes Against Older Individuals. Provides for the appointment of an administrator from the employees of the Department of Justice to head such office. Requires the administrator to coordinate activities of the Department of Justice relating to training of law enforcement officers, financial assistance for older victims, compilation of statistical information, and research with regard to crimes committed against the elderly. Requires the administrator to: (1) establish a liaison with all Federal departments and agencies involved with programs for older persons who are or may become victims of crimes; (2) disseminate information regarding such programs and assistance; and (3) provide technical assistance to reduce or prevent the committing of crime against older individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1985
Regional Conservation and Electric Power Planning and Regulatory Coordination Act of 1985 - Title I: Granting of Consent to Any Two or More States to Enter Into Multistate Compacts - Grants congressional consent to any two or more States to enter into compacts to develop, adopt, and publish: (1) standards for ratemaking treatment of any costs incurred by electric utilities that are unrelated to resource acquisition; (2) methodologies to assess cost-effective resources to meet electric energy demand; (3) plans to mitigate the adverse effects of unforecasted, emergency electric power outages or shortages; and (4) a long-run conservation and electric power plan for resource acquisition to meet the total electric energy demand in the geographic region covered by the compact at least system cost. Sets forth requirements with respect to the membership and functioning of a multistate compact. Requires that public hearings be held prior to the adoption of any standard, methodology, or plan. Authorizes the governing agency of a multistate compact to encourage resource acquisition by electric utilities and their customers and consumers according to the long-term conservation and electric power plan developed under the compact. Requires that an opportunity for public comment and review be provided prior to certification of the need for any resource. Permits the governing agency of a multistate compact, where authorized by the compact establishing it, to: (1) intervene and participate as a matter of right in any proceeding held by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and (2) apply to the Commission for an order compelling one or more electric utilities to provide or modify transmission services where appropriate for purposes of implementing a long-run conservation and electric power plan. Sets forth judicial review procedures which shall apply to actions under this Act. Title II: Authority of the States to Regulate the Rates for Certain Wholesale Electricity Transactions - Permits a State regulatory authority, with the Governor's approval and after a public hearing, to submit to the Commission for its approval a plan for the regulation by such authority of some or all of the rates for the sale of electricity at wholesale by electric utilities which are subject to the Commission's regulatory jurisdiction. Specifies the contents of such a plan. Requires the Commission to approve or disapprove it within 180 days after its receipt. Permits amendments to such a plan by the State. Sets forth procedures for Commission review of the implementation of such a plan. Title III: Amendments to the Federal Power Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to conform to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Trade Emergency and Export Promotion Act - Declares that actions by the President, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) pursuant to this Act shall not be reviewable by any court, except for abuse of discretion. Title I: International Trade Actions and Agreements - Declares that a national emergency exists because of distortions and imbalances in trade and instability in exchange rates and that such emergency requires extraordinary measures, including action to: (1) restore the value of the dollar; and (2) either eliminate foreign unfair trade barriers or prohibit countries which employ such barriers from enjoying trade surpluses with the United States or increasing shares of world export markets. Authorizes the President to negotiate and enter into with any foreign country or entity agreements limiting the export from such country or entity, and the importation into the United States, of any article. Directs the USTR to initiate proceedings against Japan before appropriate international bodies in order to obtain authorization to take trade actions against Japan on the grounds that: (1) Japan has failed to comply with trade agreements entered into with the United States; and (2) Japan has adopted numerous domestic policies and practices that impair and violate such trade agreements and impede achievement of their objectives. Directs the USTR, with the cooperation of the Secretary of Agriculture, to initiate actions under all international trade agreements to which the United States is a party in order to take appropriate countermeasures against agricultural export subsidies provided by the European Communities and other countries which will be used to prevent: (1) injury to U.S. agricultural producers; (2) nullification or impairment of such trade agreements; and (3) serious prejudice to the United States. Authorizes the USTR to initiate actions against each foreign country (except Japan and the European Communities) or entity that was an excess worldwide trade surplus country or an excess bilateral trade surplus country for 1984 under all applicable U.S. laws and international agreements in order to: (1) enforce the rights of the United States under such international agreements; and (2) obtain the elimination of certain trade acts, policies, and practices of such countries or entities. Directs the USTR to explain in proceedings initiated under this title that the United States finds it necessary to take the actions provided in title II of this Act as interim measures pending the outcome of such proceedings in order to protect vital U.S. interests. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a plan to reduce fluctuations between currencies on foreign currency exchange markets. Sets forth characteristics of such plan. Title II: Interim Domestic Trade Actions to Respond to the Trade Emergency - Subtitle A: Stand-by Duties - Directs the ITC to determine annually each major exporting country's: (1) worldwide nonpetroleum export percentage; (2) bilateral nonpetroleum export percentage; (3) worldwide nonpetroleum trade surplus; (4) bilateral nonpetroleum trade surplus; (5) worldwide trade surplus limitation; and (6) bilateral trade surplus limitation. Requires the ITC to report annually to the President on: (1) the determinations on the trade of such major exporting countries; (2) the identity of each foreign country which was an excess worldwide trade surplus country or excess bilateral trade surplus country during the preceding year; and (3) whether or not standby duties should be imposed on imports from such countries. Requires the President, within 15 days of receiving such report to determine, with respect to each country identified as an excess worldwide trade surplus country or excess bilateral trade surplus country: (1) whether such country unfairly restricts or limits the access of imports to its markets; and (2) if the President determines that such country does restrict access to its markets, whether such restriction contributes to that country's trade surplus. Requires the President, if both such determinations are positive, to impose stand-by duties on all imports from such countries. Prohibits making such determinations or imposing such duties if the U.S. trade deficit divided by the U.S. gross national product is less than one and one-half percent. Requires the President to report to the Congress, within 15 days of receiving the reports on worldwide and bilateral trade, on the determinations made with respect to imposing stand-by duties. Declares that the rate of a stand-by duty shall be 25 percent ad valorem and that such duty shall be in addition to any other duties. Provides for the implementation of such duties. Requires all revenues from such stand-by duties to be allocated to the Public Debt Reduction Account in the Treasury. Expresses the sense of the Congress that all funds in such Account be used only to reduce the Federal debt. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on the revenue derived from such stand-by duties. Prohibits imposing stand-by duties on articles imported after April 30, 1992. Prohibits requiring reports and determinations on trade surpluses after April 1991. Subtitle B: Reports - Directs the President to report annually to specified congressional committees on the operation of this Act. Title III: Trade Law Reform - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to transfer to the USTR from the President the authority to order import relief and the authority to extend tariff preferences. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer to the USTR from the President the authority to approve or disapprove ITC actions to prevent unfair practices in import trade.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to erect a monument, given as a gift from Morocco in recognition of mutual friendship, on Federal land within the District of Columbia. Directs the Secretary, with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select a design and site for the monument. Directs the Secretary to maintain the monument. Makes the authority to erect the monument contingent on construction beginning within five years. Directs that U.S. funds may not be used to build the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Conrail Public Sale Act of 1985 - Title I: Amendments to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 and the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 - Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to terminate the authority of the United States Railway Association (the Association) to purchase certain Conrail stock. Releases any Conrail director from liability for implementing in good faith the sale of the Federal interest in Conrail common stock . Directs the Secretary of Transportation to execute and deliver Purchase Agreements on behalf of the United States no later than ten days following the date of enactment of this Act. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the sale of Conrail; (2) the cancellation of Conrail debt and preferred stock; (3) public interest covenants; and (4) accounting determinations. Makes Conrail responsible for funding all labor protection benefits after the closing date, and absolves the United States from any liability for such benefits after that date. Title II: Technical and Conforming Amendments and Repeals - Defines "Purchasers" to mean the investor group organized by Morgan Stanley and Company, Inc., to purchase the Federal interest in Conrail common stock as identified in the Shareholders Agreement. Defines "Shareholders' Agreement" as the agreement among the Purchasers, Conrail, and Morgan Stanley and Company, Inc. in the form filed with the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. Title III: Revenue Provisions - Provides guidelines for the tax treatment of Conrail after the closing date. Specifies the earnings and profits which Conrail shall be deemed to have accumulated as of the closing date. Closes the Conrail taxable year upon the closing date. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Retains the common carrier status of Conrail after the sale. Provides that purchase of Conrail stock shall not be the sole basis of a determination that a purchaser has become a common carrier by railroad under Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
International Airport Security Cooperation Act - Directs the Secretary of State (the Secretary) to determine: (1) which countries are high terrorist threats; (2) which international airports in such countries are serviced by United States air carriers or frequently used by United States citizens; and (3) which of these airports do not comply with minimum international airport security standards. Requires the Secretary, within six months after the date of enactment of this Act, to publish in the Federal Register a list of the airports identified as especially vulnerable to terrorist threats, and to update such list at least every six months. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register and to publicize widely a travel advisory regarding such airports. States that with respect to international airports which fail to meet minimum security standards, the President shall prohibit: (1) U.S. air carriers from landing at such an airport; (2) all air carriers of the country in which the airport is located from landing at U.S. airports; and (3) the air carriers of all other countries from making direct flights between that airport and the United States. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions if a national security or humanitarian emergency requires such waiver. Directs the President to suspend assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act to any countries which are the sites of international airports which are officially listed as especially vulnerable to terrorist threats and have not met minimum international airport security standards. Permits the President to lift the travel advisory and sanctions only if the minimum international airport security standards have been met. Precludes the lifting of any sanction until 15 days after the Congress has been notified. Requires the Secretary to call for an immediate meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization to: (1) discuss international airport compliance with existing international security standards; (2) upgrade security standards for international airports; and (3) call on the member countries of the International Civil Aviation Organization to enforce such Organization's existing standards and impose a moratorium on the use of any international airport which does not comply with such standards. Directs the Secretary immediately to seek to renegotiate existing treaties regarding enforcement procedures with respect to aircraft hijacking and to establish an international sky marshal program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Fair Insurance Coverage Act - Prohibits any insurer from discriminating in an insurance contract against any person because of blindness. Includes within the prohibition refusing to make or negotiate a contract for insurance or giving different treatment with respect to terms, conditions, rates, or benefits because of blindness. Establishes a preference for State actions prior to judicial enforcement under this Act. Authorizes any aggrieved person, in the absence of State actions or jurisdiction, to bring an action under this Act for individual relief. Authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to bring an action for injunctive relief whenever there is reasonable cause to believe a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination or when an individual is aggrieved and an issue of general public importance is raised. Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction of such actions regardless of the amount in controversy. Allows a court to order monetary, equitable, or other appropriate relief, including punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Plan Termination and Reversion Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to revise provisions relating to terminations of single-employer plans and reversions to employers resulting from such terminations. Prohibits mergers and consolidations of pension plans and transfers of plan assets or liabilities if any act or failure to act in accomplishing the merger, consolidation, or transfer violates the fiduciary duty of the employer under specified provisions (which provide that the assets of a plan shall never inure to the benefit of any employer and shall be held for the exclusive purposes of providing benefits to plan participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable administrative expenses of the plan). Sets forth provisions for fiduciary responsibility: (1) for meeting specified requirements relating to distribution of residual assets upon termination of a single-employer plan; and (2) in connection with related plans following single-employer plan terminations. Makes it unlawful for any individual who is a party in interest, as described under specified provisions, in connection with a single-employer plan to exert undue influence on or cause a material misrepresentation to a plan fiduciary, with the intent to initiate or facilitate a plan termination in order to entrench or otherwise protect the status of such individual. Authorizes the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the Corporation) to assess a civil penalty against any person who commits such a violation. Limits the maximum amount of such penalty to five percent of the amount of any distribution from the plan to the employer pursuant to specified provisions. Makes such person also personally liable to make good to any aggrieved participant or beneficiary their losses resulting from such violation. Makes liability for any such violation joint and several. Authorizes the Corporation to seek: (1) injunctions against any act or practice constituting such a violation; or (2) other appropriate equitable relief to redress such violations or to enforce such requirements. Places limitations on distributions of residual assets to employers after single-employer plan terminations. Provides that those residual assets of the plan which are attributable to employee contributions shall be equitably distributed to the employees who made such contributions (or their beneficiaries) in accordance with their rate of contributions, in a specified manner. Provides that the remaining residual assets be available for distribution as follows: (1) 50 percent to participants and beneficiaries as compensation for unpaid constructive cost-of-living increases; and (2) 50 percent to participants who are within five years of normal retirement age under the plan. Provides for adjustments to the amounts of residual assets distributable to participants and beneficiaries through: (1) proration of available assets; (2) reallocation of excess available assets; and (3) adjustment to ensure equitable distribution. Provides that, only after all of the above requirements for distribution of residual assets to participants and beneficiaries have been met, any remaining residual assets shall be distributed to the employer if: (1) such distribution does not contravene any applicable Federal or State law; and (2) the plan has, since its establishment, provided explicitly for such a distribution in these circumstances. Gives plans in effect on the date of enactment of this Act 60 days after such date to contain such an explicit provision. Requires such plans to notify in writing each employee or retiree who qualifies as an interested party of the proposed plan amendment incorporating such provision at least 30 days before its adoption. Sets forth a special rule for distributions to employers in cases of transfers of coverage to other plans. Requires that any other residual assets of the plan, which remain after the above requirements for distribution to participants and beneficiaries are met and which are not distributable to employers because of the above requirements, be distributed to participants and beneficiaries in a specified manner. Directs the Corporation to issue regulations for such distributions of residual assets, including provision of consideration of administrative costs to the plan. Authorizes the Corporation to waive any such requirements, individually or by class, upon its determination that such administrative costs reader the distribution impracticable. Provides for increased availability to employers of residual assets upon certification of business necessity. Provides that a plan termination is a business necessity if it meets the requirements of: (1) a special rule for certain terminations incident to the sale of a business for fair value to an unrelated party; or (2) certain distress requirements. Provides that such distress requirements are met if the plan termination meets the conditions set forth in at least one of the following categories: (1) recent funding waivers; (2) liquidation in bankruptcy proceedings; (3) inability to pay debts and continue in business; and (4) unreasonably burdensome pension costs caused by a declining workforce (but not in the case of substantial layoffs). Precludes a business necessity determination: (1) where the primary purpose is to finance corporate take-overs; or (2) in the case of recently established plans, i.e. plans which have not completed five years. Revises ERISA provisions relating to the termination of single-employer plans to require 60 days' advance written notice to the plan participants and their beneficiaries before the plan administrator files a notice with the Corporation that the plan is to be terminated on a proposed date. Revises IRC provisions relating to plan qualification to set forth a five-year disqualification rule for replacement plans where plan termination is not a business necessity. Makes exceptions to such rule for derivative or successor plans which meet certain conditions. Places various limitations on the availability, after various types of employer reversions (i.e. employer acceptance of residual assets of a terminated plan pursuant to various requirements of this Act), of: (1) funding waivers for replacement plans; and (2) extensions of amortization periods for comparable plans. Requires faster funding for replacement plans after employer reversions. Provides that an alternative minimum funding standard is not available while such plans are subject to such faster funding requirement. Revises IRC provisions (relating to excise taxes in connection with qualified pension, etc., plans) to add an excise tax on reversions to employers upon termination of single-employer plans. Requires the employer to pay such tax in the amount of ten percent of the fair market value of the residual assets so distributed to the employer. Revises ERISA requirements relating to employer securities acquired or held by plans. Provides that, by specified dates and under certain conditions, a plan may not hold: (1) any employer security which is not qualifying employer stock; or (2) any qualifying employer stock to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of employer securities held by the plan exceeds five percent (currently ten percent) of the plan's assets. Provides for regulations requiring plans to divest themselves of 50 percent of their holdings of employer securities and employer real property by a specified deadline (in order to comply with the five percent limitation). Defines "qualifying employer stock" as an employer security which: (1) is stock in the employer; (2) does not constitute, and is not acquired subject to, any bond, debenture, note, or certificate or other evidence of indebtedness; and (3) is not subject to any restriction on marketability or voting power applicable by reason of its acquisition by a plan. Directs the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries to conduct a study of the reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods, for each of the various types of pension plans, which are appropriate for use by enrolled actuaries and others under ERISA and IRC in determining the actuarial status and funding requirements of such plans. Requires the Joint Board, within two years after enactment of this Act, to: (1) complete such study and report, with recommendations, to specified congressional committees; and (2) prescribe by regulation appropriate procedures for determining, for each type of plan, such appropriate actuarial assumptions and methods; and (3) determine such actuarial assumptions and methods for each type of pension plan in accordance with such procedures and publish such assumptions and methods in the Federal Register. Authorizes the Joint Board to: (1) revise by regulation the prescribed procedures; and (2) publish revised reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods for each type of plan. Requires the termination of enrollment of enrolled actuaries if they fail to use such prescribed assumptions and methods. Set forth requirements relating to the voting rights of participants in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to which assets are transferred upon plan termination, under IRC tax qualification requirements and under ERISA transaction rules applicable irrespective of tax qualification status. Allows such transfer of assets only if: (1) the transfer is approved in advance in writing by a majority of the participants in the terminated plan; (2) the assets allocated to each participant are immediately deposited to an account under the ESOP for such participant; and (3) the voting ratio under the ESOP of each participant is not less than the participant's asset ratio under the plan. Makes the amendments made by this Act applicable (except as otherwise provided in this Act) to pension plan terminations with respect to which notices are filed with the Corporation, pursuant to specified ERISA provisions, on or after January 1, 1984. Treats any such notice filed before the date of the enactment of this Act as filed on such date for purposes of specified amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Critical Trends Assessment Act - Establishes the Office of Critical Trends Analysis (OCTA) in the Executive Office of the President. Authorizes appropriations. Directs OCTA to prepare for publication an Executive Branch Report on Critical Trends and Alternative Futures every four years beginning in 1990. Lists the contents of such report, including: (1) an identification and analysis of critical trends and alternative futures for the next 20 years; and (2) an evaluation of the effects of Government policies on such trends. Requires the Director of OCTA to make draft copies of the report available to interested persons for review and comment. Directs the President to submit such report, to the Congress. Requires that such report be made available as a public document. Makes OCTA responsible for advising the President of the potential effects of Government policies on critical trends and alternative futures. Requires OCTA to: (1) insure that the Government agencies responsible for areas of policy being considered are provided an opportunity to comment on such effects; and (2) include such comments in any reports provided to the President. Directs OCTA to establish an Advisory Commission on Critical Trends Analysis to advise OCTA and to promote the public discussion of critical trends and the use of analyses of such trends to create alternative futures. Requires the Joint Economic Committee, by the end of 1989 and each second year thereafter, to prepare for publication a Legislative Branch Report on Critical Trends and Alternative Futures. Directs certain legislative agencies to provide any necessary information. Requires that such report: (1) be submitted to each House of the Congress after being approved by the Committee; and (2) be made available as a public document.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Designates the period of October 1, 1985, through September 30, 1986, as the time to reflect on the achievements of the Peace Corps during its 25 years and on ways such programs might be used in the future. Authorizes and requests the President to proclaim this period as a time to honor Peace Corps volunteers and reaffirm the Nation's commitment to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Designates August 14, 1985, as Social Security Day and the week of August 11 through August 17, 1985, as Social Security Week. Authorizes and requests the President to commemorate August 14, 1985, as the 50th anniversary of the Social Security Act.
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.
![Official portrait of Rep. MacKay, Buddy [D-FL-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000023_200.jpg)