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Official portrait of Rep. McGrath, Raymond J. [R-NY-5]

Rep. McGrath, Raymond J. [R-NY-5]

United States · Official source

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2,516 records where Rep. McGrath, Raymond J. [R-NY-5] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 2116 (99th)referred

A bill to amend title XX of the Social Security Act to require, as a condition of Federal assistance to any State for the provision of child care services thereunder, that such State establish, monitor, and enforce appropriate child care standards.

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985

Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to prohibit using title XX grants for any child care services unless: (1) the State has established and is enforcing appropriate out-of-home child care standards; and (2) such services meet the standards so established. Sets forth specific areas of concern that a State's standards must address.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 122 (99th)referred

A concurrent resolution condemning the actions of the Nicaraguan Government that hinder freedom of religion.

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985

States that the Congress condemns: (1) Nicaraguan actions that hinder freedom of religion; and (2) the association of the Nicaraguan Government with international terrorist organizations, including the Palestine Liberation Organization. Calls upon the President, in communications with Nicaragua, to raise the issues of religious persecution of and compensation for members of the Jewish, Miskito, and other communities who have been forced to leave because of interference with freedom of religion.

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.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 241 (99th)referred

A joint resolution directing the President to ensure that Soviet Government personnel in the United States are subject to the same requirements as are United States Government personnel in the Soviet Union.

United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985

Directs the President to take steps to ensure: (1) substantial equivalence between the number, status, and privileges and immunities of Soviet officers or employees in the United States and the number, status, and privileges and immunities of U.S. officers and employees in the Soviet Union; and (2) that comparable restrictions regarding travel, accommodations and facilities are imposed on Soviet officers and employees living in the United States as are imposed on U.S. officers and employees living in the Soviet Union. Requires the President to report to the Congress on actions taken to carry out this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 1997 (99th)open

A bill to make certain technical and conforming amendments to the Library Service and Construction Act, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985

Amends the Library Services and Construction Act (the Act) to revise the definitions of "long-range program" and "Indian tribe." Makes specified requirements for maintenance of funding levels for public library systems applicable to Hawaiian native programs. Provides that, for purposes of basic State plan requirements, "limited English-speaking proficiency" shall be determined according to its definition under the Bilingual Education Act. Specifies that certain references under provisions relating to administrative costs are to titles I, II, and III of the Act. Excludes the amount made available for Indian tribes and Hawaiian natives from certain determinations for purposes of reservation of portions of State allotments for major urban resource libraries. Makes inapplicable in the case of Indian tribes and Indians in California, Oklahoma, and Alaska any provisions of title IV (Library Services for Indian Tribes) which require that services be provided on or near Indian reservations, or to only those Indians who live on or near Indian reservations. Amends the General Education Provision Act to authorize appropriations for the Minority Institutions Science Improvement Program for FY 1985 and 1986. Amends the Harry S Truman Memorial Scholarship Act to remove the dollar limitation on stipends paid under such Act. Authorizes the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation to prescribe regulations governing the amount of such stipends.

Bill· HRH.R. 2016 (99th)referred

Children's Defense Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985

Children's Defense Act of 1985 - Prohibits a youth-oriented organization from utilizing the services of any individual which includes direct contact with children until such organization has inquired through the appropriate State agency and received an indication that such individual has no prior conviction of a sexual offense involving a child. Prohibits Federal agencies from extending Federal financial assistance to any youth-oriented organization which does not comply with this Act. Allows the chief legal officer of each State to establish a plan for the function of a State funneling agency to permit youth-oriented organizations to comply with this Act. Permits such plan to be submitted to the Department of Justice for the approval of the Attorney General. Establishes guidelines for State funneling agencies to receive records and information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sets forth security procedures for the records and information acquired and maintained by the State. Requires States to have in effect criminal and civil penalties and remedies for any security violation or unauthorized disclosure of records or information. Requires State and local governments to promptly report to the Department of Justice convictions for sexual offenses involving children.

Bill· HRH.R. 1972 (99th)open

Children's Justice Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985

Children's Justice Reform Act - Amends the Child Abuse Amendments of 1984 to authorize a Children's Justice Grant Program. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make additional grants to States under specified provisions of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act for identification, treatment, and prevention of sexual abuse. Makes a State eligible for such assistance if the Secretary determines that the State, within one year after the enactment of this Act, has enacted specified legal and administrative changes with respect to the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases. Requires a State, to be eligible for such assistance, to have in effect a child sexual abuse program which includes at least one statute or administrative procedure to carry out the following categories of reforms: (1) handling such cases so as to reduce the trauma to the child victim; (2) improving the chances of successful prosecution or legal action against child molesters; and (3) improving procedures to protect children from sexual abuse. Directs the Secretary to issue necessary regulations for such assistance program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987.

Bill· HRH.R. 1950 (99th)open

Trade Law Modernization Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985

Trade Law Modernization Act of 1985 - Title I: National Trade Policy and Negotiating Objectives; Negotiation Authority - Sets forth national trade policy objectives that shall guide U.S. trade policy and domestic economic policy. Directs the Administering Authority (the U.S. Trade Representative) to submit by March 1 of each year to specified congressional committees a statement of the actions the Administering Authority proposes to take during such year to achieve such objectives. Requires the committees to hold hearings on such proposals and to advise the Administering Authority on such proposals. Declares that U.S. objectives in any trade negotiations shall be: (1) to obtain more open and equitable market access abroad for U.S. products and services, the reduction and elimination of the adverse effects of certain foreign trade practices, and improved effectiveness of the rules governing international trade; (2) to develop internationally accepted rules which meet certain needs; and (3) to promote international cooperation in trade and monetary policies. Directs the Administering Authority to seek to obtain fair and equitable market opportunities through consultations on negotiations with foreign countries or instrumentalities in order to remedy the harmful efforts on U.S. trade of discriminatory procurement practices and regulatory requirements of such countries or instrumentalities. Authorizes the Administering Authority to: (1) suspend or withdraw benefits under any trade agreement with such countries or instrumentalities; (2) direct customs officers to impose import restrictions on the goods of such countries or instrumentalities and to impose fees or restrictions on the services of such countries or instrumentalities; (3) make available analysis and information to other U.S. agencies and courts for the purpose of ensuring consideration by such agencies and courts of the competitive impact of pending administrative or judicial decisions of such agencies or courts that could significantly enlarge the access of foreign products and services to the U.S. market; and (4) recommend action to the President with respect to service sector access authorization (a Federal authorization that gives a foreign supplier of services access to U.S. markets). Directs the Administering Authority, if there is a significant denial of market opportunities in a foreign country for U.S. products and services in an economic sector where the United States has increased market opportunities for such country's products and services, to: (1) act to obtain fair and equitable market opportunities in the markets of such foreign country; and (2) pending achievement of such opportunities, impose equivalent conditions of market access. Authorizes action to be taken under this Act upon motion of the Administering Authority or after investigation upon the filing of a petition. Title II: Transfer of Authority to Administering Authority; Amendments to Title I of Trade Act of 1974 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to transfer from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to: (1) take action in cases of market disruption; and (2) extend tariff preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to make the final review of actions to prevent unfair practices in the importation of articles into the United States. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to evaluate the industrial and trade policies of other countries and the effects of such policies on U.S. industries, trade, and employment. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress annually on such program. Directs the Secretary in conjunction with the U.S. Trade Representative, to establish special industry sector advisory panels to assess the actual or potential dislocation, challenge, or opportunity for the industry sectors involved and to formulate recommendations for responses by business, government, and labor. Requires the industry and labor advisory committees established by the Trade Act of 1974 to hold joint meetings at the call of the respective committee chairs and to meet at the call of the Administering Authority before and during trade negotiations to provide policy and technical advice and advice on any other factors relevant to U.S. positions in such trade negotiations. Authorizes the President to impose a temporary import surcharge at a level which the President determines to be necessary to assist in restoring equilibrium in the balance of payments in certain circumstances. (Currently such surcharge may not exceed 15 percent.) Limits the duration of such surcharge or limits imposed on imports to improve the balance of payments to one year. (Currently such measures may be imposed for only 150 days.) Deletes certain restrictions on imposing import limitations for such purposes. Authorizes one year extensions of such measures. Title III: Relief from Injury Caused by Import Competition - Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions following import relief investigations by the International Trade Commission (ITC). Authorizes a petition for import relief to include within its statement of reasons for requesting import relief the desire to facilitate the orderly transfer of resources to enhance competitiveness. Changes the scope of the ITC's import relief investigation to include determining whether an article is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a cause (currently substantial cause) of serious injury or threat of serious injury to any domestic industry that produces an article like or directly competitive with the imported article or that produces materials, parts, components, or subassemblies irrevocably destined for incorporation in an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. Changes one of the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to serious injury in order to cover the inability of a significant number of firms to operate domestic production facilities at a reasonable profit. (Current law refers to the inability of firms to operate at a reasonable profit.) Changes the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to the threat of serious injury in order to cover: (1) a decline in sales or market share in the domestic industry; (2) a higher and growing inventory in the domestic industry; (3) a downward trend in production, profits, wages, or employment (or increasing under employment) in the domestic industry; (4) any combination of coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof the effect of which is to assist the beneficiary to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise and that causes or threatens to cause serious injury to the domestic industry; (5) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of the article concerned because of restraints on exports of such article to, or imports of such articles into, third country markets; and (6) in the case of an industry that has developed an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy, the inability of producers in the domestic industry to generate adequate capital to finance the modernization of plant and equipment or to otherwise enhance competitiveness. Requires (currently authorizes) the ITC to make certain determinations with respect to determining the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an imported article. Defines "cause" for purposes of determining whether imports are a cause of injury to mean a cause which is important. Declares that a cause may be important even though other causes are of equal or greater importance. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury or the threat of serious injury exists for a domestic industry, to: (1) find the amount of the increase in, or imposition of, any duty or import restriction necessary to prevent or remedy such injury; and (2) if it determines that adjustment assistance can assist in remedying such injury, recommend the provision of such assistance. Directs the Administering Authority, if during an import relief investigation it finds that critical circumstances exist, to impose provisional measures (increase in tariff, tariff-rate quotas, quantitative restrictions, orderly marketing agreements or a combination of such actions). Requires such measures to remain in effect until the later of the date: (1) on which the President revokes such measures; (2) on which the ITC makes a negative determination of injury; or (3) which is 60 days after the date on which the ITC makes an affirmative determination of injury. Declares that critical circumstances exist if a significant increase in imports over a short time has led to circumstances in which delay in relief would cause damage that would be difficult to repair. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury has resulted from imports, to determine: (1) whether trade in the article concerned has been affected by coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group and that assist the beneficiary in becoming more competitive in exporting a class or kind of merchandise; and (2) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of such article because of restraints on exports of such article to, or on imports of such article into, third country markets. Directs the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and the ITC has found that trade in the article has been affected by such coordinated government actions, to consult and negotiate with other countries that produce or consume such article to seek the establishment of a multilateral framework to maintain and develop fair, equitable, and nondisruptive patterns of trade in such article. Directs the Administering Authority, after the ITC begins an import relief investigation based on a petition, to establish, upon request, an industry advisory group. Requires such an advisory group to prepare for the industry concerned an assessment of current problems and a strategy to enhance competitiveness. Directs the Administering Authority to try to obtain, on a confidential basis, information from the individual members of such advisory group on: (1) how such members intend to act upon the recommendations in such assessment and strategy; and (2) any other actions such members intend to take which will foster the objectives of the strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, the ITC, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Commerce to consider such assessment and strategy in making any import relief determination or taking any import relief actions. Requires the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and if an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy was submitted to the Administering Authority, to publish notice of the availability of, and a summary of, such assessment and strategy. Requires a review committee, if such summary is published, to: (1) monitor actions taken by the petitioners to improve the competitive position of the industry; (2) make recommendations for administrative action; and (3) submit recommended legislation to the Congress. Requires the review committee to consult with the advisory group members if the review committee determines that the firms or workers are not implementing or are implementing unsatisfactorily: (1) the recommended objectives and actions in the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy; or (2) the actions declared in the confidential information obtained by the advisory group. Requires the Administering Authority to request the ITC to issue a report on the probable economic effect on the industry of import relief if, after consultations with the advisory group members, the review committee determines that the failure to implement or failure to implement satisfactorily such actions is not justified by changed circumstances and has adversely affected overall implementation of the objectives of the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, if it decides to provide import relief, to consult with petitioners and representatives of workers and firms in the affected industry on the advisability and desirability of taking appropriate action under countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 or under title III of the Trade Act of 1974 if the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government or firm is engaged in any action or practice for which such relief is available. Title IV: Relief from Injurious Industrial Targeting and Unfair Trade Practices - Provides that injurious industrial targeting may trigger import relief actions. Defines injurious industrial targeting to mean any combination of coordinated government actions: (1) which are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof; (2) which assist such enterprise, industry, or group to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise; and (3) which cause or threaten to cause material injury. Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements and to respond to certain foreign trade practices. Authorizes the Administering Authority to: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent application of the benefit of trade agreement concessions with the foreign country or instrumentality involved; (2) direct customs officers to assess duties or impose other import restrictions on the products of such country or instrumentality or to assess fees or impose restrictions on the services of such country or instrumentality for such time, in such amount, and to such degree as the Administering Authority deems appropriate; (3) negotiate agreements to offset the burden or restrictions on U.S. commerce; (4) submit proposed administrative actions and legislation to implement any other government action which would restore or improve the international competitive position of the injured or threatened industry; (5) recommend action by the President; or (6) any combination of such actions. Transfers to the Administering Authority from the President the authority to impose certain limits on service sector access authorizations (authorizations that permit a foreign supplier of services access to the U.S. market). Authorizes the President, upon recommendation of the Administering Authority, to: (1) restrict the terms and conditions of any service sector access authorization; or (2) deny the issuance of any such authorization. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with representatives of domestic firms and workers that may be affected by any import relief investigation which is initiated by petition filed with the Administering Authority regarding any determination which is required to be made by the Administering Authority. Directs the Administering Authority, upon written request, to make confidential business information obtained by it in connection with an import relief investigation available under a protective order. Prohibits release of information classified for national security reasons. Requires the Administering Authority to act upon requests for such information within ten days of the request. Requires the Administering Authority, in conducting an import relief investigation initiated by petition to the Administering Authority, to present detailed questionnaires to the foreign government or enterprise involved in order to obtain information concerning the allegations in the petition. Directs the Administering Authority to verify any such information which the Administering Authority relied upon in making any determinations. Provides for relying on the best information available, which may be the information contained in the petition, if the foreign government fails to provide information or provides insufficient or unsatisfactory information. Requires the Administering Authority to make a preliminary determination within five months of the start of such an import relief investigation on whether there is reason to believe that import relief is warranted. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take certain actions based on the preliminary finding. Requires the final determination to be made within 11 months of the start of the investigation. Requires the Administering Authority to determine what actions to take if the final determination is that import relief is warranted except that specific actions are required if injurious industrial targeting is found to exist. Requires the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and representatives of the affected domestic firms and workers if the final determination is affirmative. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress if the final determination is affirmative and the Administering Authority declines to take any action. Terminates any preliminary import relief if the final determination is negative. Requires publication in the Federal Register of such preliminary and final determinations. Requires the Administering Authority, if it makes a preliminary finding that injurious industrial targeting exists, to: (1) establish an advisory committee; and (2) formulate, in consultation with such advisory committee, proposals which would restore or improve the competitive position of affected domestic industries. Requires the Administering Authority to notify the ITC when it initiates an investigation of injurious industrial targeting. Requires the ITC to make a preliminary determination within 60 days of receiving such notice of whether there is a reasonable indication that because of sales or likely sales of the merchandise which is the subject of the investigation: (1) an industry in the United States is materially injured or is threatened with material injury; or (2) the establishment or growth of an industry in the United States is materially retarded. Requires the ITC to make a final determination of whether such circumstances exist by: (1) 45 days after the affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is affirmative; or (2) 75 days after an affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is negative. Makes the ITC's determination subject to review by the U.S. Court of International Trade if such determinations were made under the countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Defines material injury and threat of material injury. Requires the Administering Authority to submit to the President any proposed administrative action and any proposed legislation to restore or improve the competitive position of the injured industry if the preliminary and final determinations are that injurious industrial targeting has occurred. Provides for expedited consideration of such legislation. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress on the actions the Administering Authority will take to offset the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting. Authorizes the Administering Authority to enter into a settlement agreement with the foreign country or entity involved in lieu of taking other actions if: (1) such agreement completely eliminates the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting; and (2) such agreement is approved by the petitioner if the investigation began because of a petition. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take actions to compensate a foreign country or entity if the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) disapprove of actions taken in response to injurious industrial targeting. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and the representatives of affected domestic firms and workers if, in the course of an investigation, the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government engaged in dumping or other actions for which relief is available under specified provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Title V: Countervailing and Antidumping Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to add requirements for a country to be considered a "country under the Agreement" for purposes of the countervailing duty provisions of such Act. Requires such a country to have made a commitment under the GATT to: (1) eliminate its export subsidies within one year (five for least developed countries); (2) not increase, extend, or add export subsidies; and (3) eliminate immediately export subsidies on those products in which such country is competitive. Requires the ITC, upon request, to investigate whether the merchandise is already competitive in the U.S. market and whether the merchandise would be competitive in the absence of export subsidies. Directs the Administering authority to review the status of, and compliance with, specified agreements at least once during each 12-month period. Directs the Administering Authority to publish such determinations. Imposes penalties for failure of a foreign country to honor any term of such agreements. Includes natural resource subsidies within the definition of subsidy for purposes of such Act. Declares that a natural resource subsidy exists if: (1) a natural resource product is provided or sold by a government-controlled entity within a country for use in the manufacture or production in such country of merchandise which is the subject of a countervailing duty investigation at a domestic price that is lower than the fair market value of the natural resource product in such country and that is not freely available to U.S. producers for purchase of that product for export to the United States; and (2) such natural resource product would, if sold at the fair market value, constitute a significant portion of the total cost of the manufacture or production of such merchandise. Changes the definition of foreign market value for purposes of countervailing duty investigations. Requires the Administering Authority to include in calculating the cost of producing the merchandise the value of any benefit the producer or manufacturer has received from government research and development programs. Requires sales made at less than cost of production to be disregarded in the determination of foreign market value if such sales were made over an extended period of time and in substantial quantities. Sets forth a special rule for determining cost of production and constructed value if imports of the merchandise into the home market have been unreasonably restrained. Requires the ITC, in determining whether a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury because of imports, to consider: (1) any combination of coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof the effect of which is to assist the beneficiary to become more competitive in the export of any merchandise and to cause or threaten to cause material injury to the United States; and (2) the extent to which the United States is the focal point for exports of the merchandise by reason of restraints on exports of the merchandise to, or on imports of the merchandise into, third country markets.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 125 (99th)passed

A resolution condemning the government of the Soviet Union for the murder of Major Arthur D. Nicholson, Jr. and actions clearly inconsistent with the 1947 Military Liaison Missions Agreement.

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 1913 (99th)open

Federal Drug Law Enforcement Agent Protection Act of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Federal Drug Law Enforcement Agent Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to authorize awards of up to $100,000 to any individual who provides original information which leads to the arrest and conviction of a person who kidnaps or kills a Federal drug law enforcement agent. Provides that the money for such rewards be taken from the forfeiture proceeds within the Department of Justice.

Bill· HRH.R. 1868 (99th)open

Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1986

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1985 - Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to exclude from participation in programs under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act any individual or entity: (1) convicted of a criminal offense related to the delivery of an item or service under title XVIII or under titles XIX (Medicaid), V (Maternal and Child Health Block Grant), or XX (Block Grants to states for Social Services) of such Act; or (2) convicted of a criminal offense related to neglect or abuse of patients in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude from Medicare participation any individual or entity: (1) convicted of fraud with respect to any Federal, State, or locally financed health care program; (2) convicted of interferring with the investigation of health care fraud; (3) convicted of manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance; (4) whose health care license has been suspended or revoked; (5) suspended or excluded from participation in a Federal health care program; (6) claiming excessive charges or providing unnecessary services; (7) committing certain acts prohibited under title XI; (8) owned or controlled by an individual convicted of health care related crimes, fined for health care abuses, or excluded from Medicare or a State health care program; and (9) failing to supply certain information. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude any hospital failing to comply with corrective action required under title XVIII. Sets forth provisions relating to notice requirements, judicial review, and period of exclusion. Directs the Secretary to promptly notify each appropriate State agency administering or supervising the administration of a State health care program of each exclusion and the period of exclusion. Permits an excluded individual or entity to apply, following a period exclusion, to the Secretary for reinstatement. Sets forth provisions providing for civil and criminal penalties for acts involving Medicare or State health care programs abuse, including penalties for physician misrepresentations. Requires a State, as a condition of Medicaid plan approval, to provide for the following: (1) a system of reporting any type of adverse action concluded against any health care practitioner or entity by the State or a local licensing authority; and (2) such access to documents as may be necessary by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to provide suitable safeguards for the confidentiality of such information. Requires any health care provider providing health care services for which payment may be made under the Act to assure that services or items furnished: (1) will be provided economically and only when, and to the extent, medically necessary; (2) will be quality services which meet professionally recognized standards of health care; and (3) will be supported by evidence of medical necessity and quality in such form and fashion and at such time as may reasonably be required by a reviewing peer review organization in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities. Permits a State to exclude from Medicaid participation any individual or entity excluded under Medicare pursuant to the patient and program protection provisions. Requires a State in order to receive Federal payments with respect to a health maintenance organization (HMO) to exclude any HMO that: (1) could be excluded because of the conviction of the owners or managers of certain crimes; or (2) contracts with any individual or entity convicted of such crimes. Prohibits Federal payments with respect to any amount expended for items or services furnished with respect to any individual or entity excluded from Medicaid participation because of the patient and program protection provisions. Prohibits a State under title V from making payments to any individual or entity excluded from participation pursuant to the patient and program protection provisions. Prohibits Federal payments with respect to any amount expended for items or services furnished with respect to any individual or entity excluded from Medicare because of the patient and program protection provisions of part A of title XI. Prohibits using a grant under title XX for payment for any item or service furnished by a person excluded from title XX participation because of the patient and program protection provisions of title XI. Revises disclosure requirements under part A of title XI. Revises Medicare provisions concerning agreements with providers. Modifies the Medicaid moratorium provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 to consider a State's Medicaid plan to include any plan change submitted to the Secretary either before or after the enactment of that Act and whether or not approved or disapproved by the Secretary. Sets forth effective date provisions.

Bill· HRH.R. 1917 (99th)open

A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to restore and protect the benefit levels of workers reaching age 65 in or after 1982 (and their widows and widowers) by eliminating the "notch" between those levels and the corresponding benefit levels of persons who reached age 65 before 1982.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the benefit disparity between those born before 1916 and those born after 1916 which was effected by the enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to recompute the primary insurance amount so as to take into account the amendments made by this Act and to pay to any individual so entitled any additional lump sum amount to which such individual is entitled by reason of this Act. Prohibits the recomputation from reducing any individual's benefit.

Bill· HRH.R. 1884 (99th)open

A bill to provide rules for computing the amount of the deductions allowed to rural mail carriers for use of their automobiles.

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.

Law· HRH.R. 1869 (99th)enacted

A bill to repeal the contemporaneous recordkeeping requirements added by the Tax Reform Act of 1984, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement that contemporaneous records be kept to substantiate deductions for certain travel expenses, including automobile expenses, business entertainment expenses, and expenses for gifts. Repeals the requirement that tax return preparers inform the taxpayer of such recordkeeping requirements. Repeals the special negligence penalty for failure to have written confirmation from the taxpayer that records exist. Repeals any regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury to implement the contemporaneous recordkeeping requirements. Provides that there must be sufficient written evidence substantiating the taxpayer's own statement as to such business deductions. Excludes from the recordkeeping requirements any qualified nonpersonal use vehicle. Defines "qualified nonpersonal use vehicle" as any vehicle which, by reason of its nature, is not likely to be used more than a de minimis amount for personal purposes. Provides that an employer may elect to not withhold any tax with respect to any vehicle fringe benefit provided to an employee if the employee is notified that the employer is making such election. Requires the vehicle fringe benefit to be included on the employee's withholding statement. Reduces the amount of the limitation on the investment tax credit for an automobile from $1,000 to $675. Reduces the annual depreciation deductions that are allowed for an automobile to: (1) $3,600 depreciation in the first year (currently the limit is $4,000); and (2) $5,400 depreciation in any subsequent year. (Currently the limit is $6,000.) Provides for a one-year deferral of the annual inflation adjustment of these limits. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations by October 1, 1985, to carry out these provisions.

Bill· HRH.R. 1906 (99th)referred

A bill to amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to limit participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to States in which State or local sales taxes are not collected on purchases of food under such program.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to limit participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to States in which State or local sales taxes are not collected on purchases of food under such program.

Bill· HRH.R. 1908 (99th)referred

A bill to reduce the percentage of the United States monetary contribution to the United Nations and its affiliated agencies to a percentage that is no greater than the percentage of United States nationals employed by the United Nations and its affiliated agencies.

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 1916 (99th)referred

A bill to provide for a study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop recommendations for correcting the disparities in the computation of social security benefits (commonly referred to as the "notch problem") which were caused by the enactment (in 1977) of the present formula for computing primary insurance amounts under title II of the Social Security Act.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the benefit disparities caused by the 1977 changes in the social security benefit formula. Directs the Secretary to report the results of the study to the Congress and the Congressional Budget Office. Directs the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to report to the Congress that Office's conclusions and recommendations regarding the Secretary's report.

Bill· HRH.R. 1918 (99th)referred

World War I Veterans' Service Pension Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

World War I Veterans' Service Pension Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly pension of $150 to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements. Requires such veteran, if receiving another pension administered by the Veterans Administration (VA), to elect which pension he will receive. Provides for the payment of a monthly pension of $100 to surviving spouses of World War I veterans who meet certain marriage requirements. Requires such surviving spouses to choose between pensions if they are currently receiving another pension through the VA.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 107 (99th)open

A concurrent resolution to express the sense of the Congress that the President take action to reduce the growing United States merchandise trade deficit and that he take action to respond to unfair international trade practices of Japan.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President shall take appropriate action to: (1) develop a plan for reducing the trade deficit by attacking its causes; and (2) secure the elimination of Japanese acts and policies which are inconsistent with or deny the United States the benefits of trade agreements to which Japan is a party and which are unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory. Directs the President, within specified times, to: (1) determine whether Japan has taken sufficient action to assure the elimination of such acts and policies; (2) report such determination to specified congressional committees; and (3) if Japan has not taken sufficient action, take action to eliminate such acts and policies by more aggressive use of existing customs laws and other trade laws. Requires the President's action to be sufficient to "insure that access to the Japanese market is fair and equitable, as measured by increased sales of competitive products from the United States and elsewhere, and verified by affirmation from the United States business community." Permits modification or revocation of the President's action only if the President determines that the objectives set forth in this resolution have been achieved.

Bill· HRH.R. 1802 (99th)open

A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to establish certain requirements for the procurement by contract of certain services that are reserved for performance by preference eligibles in the competitive service.

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985

Prohibits a Federal agency from procuring by contract any services performed by Federal employees in the competitive service positions of guards, elevator operators, messengers, and custodians if such procurement would: (1) cause the involuntary separation of a preference eligible from any such position; or (2) preclude the performance of any such service by a qualified preference eligible. Provides that neither an involuntary reassignment within the same agency nor an involuntary transfer to another agency shall be considered to be an involuntary separation if such reassignment or transfer is to a vacant position which is the same type, at the same or higher pay, within the same commuting area, and for which the preference eligible is qualified. Allows the procurement of such services by contract: (1) when qualified preference eligibles are not available; and (2) for positions held by employees other than preference eligibles. Requires that any such procurement be conducted in accordance with applicable Federal procurement laws, including specified provisions requiring certain procurements of services from qualified nonprofit agencies for the blind and for other severely handicapped.

Bill· HRH.R. 1809 (99th)referred

A bill to end the use of steel jaw leghold traps on animals in the United States.

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 1805 (99th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to eliminate duplicative mailings by State and local governments by allowing the statement of State and local income tax refunds paid during a calendar year to be furnished before January of the following calendar year.

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit States and local governments to provide statements of tax refunds, credits, and offsets to individuals at any time during the calendar year for which such governments make a return, but not later than January 31 of the year following the year of the return. (Current law requires such statements to be furnished in January of the year following the year of the return.)

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 219 (99th)referred

A joint resolution to reaffirm U.S. solidarity with the aspirations of captive nations in Central and Eastern Europe by repudiating the consequences of the 1945 Yalta executive agreements.

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985

States that the United States does not recognize any spheres of influence in Europe and repudiates the negative consequences of the Yalta agreements of 1945. Proclaims hope for the self-determination of people subjected to Soviet despotism and expresses solidarity with the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe.

Bill· HRH.R. 1704 (99th)referred

A bill to include the offenses relating to sexual exploitation of children under the provisions of RICO and authorize civil suits on behalf of victims of child pornography and prostitution.

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985

Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute to extend the Act's coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Authorizes a civil suit for treble damages for any person injured personally or in their business or property.

Bill· HRH.R. 1650 (99th)open

Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1985

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985

Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Public Water Systems - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to make existing national interim primary drinking water regulations final. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), within varying time periods for specified contaminants, to simultaneously propose and then publish either maximum contaminant level goals and national primary drinking water regulations or else a determination that such regulations are not justified because the levels of such contaminant in the public water systems do not represent a threat. Directs the Administrator to publish maximum contaminant level goals and simultaneously promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for each other substance which may have an adverse effect on human health. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual list establishing priorities for the review of such substances, considering substances regulated as toxic water pollutants under the Clean Water Act and substances registered as pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Directs the Administrator, within three years of each contaminant's being listed on such priority list, to simultaneously propose and then publish either maximum contaminant level goals and national primary drinking water regulations or else a determination that such regulations are not justified. Requires that each maximum contaminant level goal allow an adequate margin of safety and that each national primary drinking water regulation specify a maximum level which is as close to the goal as is feasible. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation that requires the use of an acceptable treatment technique in lieu of establishing a maximum contaminant level if it is not economically or technologically feasible to establish such a level. Directs the Administrator to propose and promulgate primary drinking water regulations specifying when public water systems using surface water as a source of supply must use filtration. Directs the Administrator to promulgate disinfection regulations applicable to all public water systems, including variances and technical assistance. Directs the Administrator to provide the Science Advisory Board an opportunity to comment prior to the proposal of a maximum contaminant level goal and national primary drinking water regulation. Authorizes the Administrator to take into consideration the size of a public water system and the contaminants likely to be found in its drinking water in requiring a system to monitor for unregulated contaminants. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring every public water system to conduct a monitoring program for unregulated contaminants at least once every five years, unless the number of persons served or the likely contaminants require greater frequency. Authorizes the primary State enforcement authority to delete contaminants for an individual system after Administrator approval of the assessment. Permits the waiver of such monitoring requirement for certain systems which have recently concluded such a program and for certain systems supplying fewer than 150 service connections. Authorizes the Administrator to issue compliance orders as well as bring civil suits to enforce these provisions. Directs the Administrator to amend regulations to provide for varying types and frequencies of public notice of violations by a public water system, depending upon their frequency and seriousness. Requires a State to prescribe within one year a schedule of compliance and implementation of control measures at the same time it grants an exemption. Permits the primary enforcing authority (State or Administrator in the case of four States and the District of Columbia) to extend the exemption for up to three years after the issue date if a system in good faith cannot meet the standard without capital improvements or financial assistance or has agreed to become part of a regional public water system. Permits exemption renewals for systems with 500 or fewer service connections. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for tampering with a public water system. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance to small public water systems to enable them to comply with national drinking water standards. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989. Title II: Protection of Underground Sources of Drinking Water - Prohibits the disposal of hazardous waste by underground injection above or into a formation which contains an underground source of drinking water unless such injection is part of a required corrective or response action. Directs the Administrator to require groundwater monitoring at appropriate locations to detect fluid migration into underground drinking water sources from injection wells. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress within nine months of this Act's enactment on State surveys of disposal wells which discharge nonhazardous waste into or above underground sources of drinking water. Directs the Administrator to issue a compliance order or commence a civil action if a State does not enforce violations of the underground injection control program. Quintuples the maximum per day penalty for violations. Revises other provisions relating to the imposition of civil penalties. Requires each State to adopt and submit to the Administrator for approval a comprehensive State plan to protect underground sources of drinking water from unhealthful contamination. Requires such plans to: (1) identify the implementing agency; (2) identify each underground water source, its quality, patterns, and contamination potential; (3) identify the types of human development and their effects for each such source; (4) set forth regulations, including establishing best management practices for potential contamination activities; and (5) guarantee alternative drinking water supplies when an underground source becomes unhealthful to persons. Sets forth submission and resubmission procedures. Requires State compliance with these requirements as a condition of receiving funds for a State underground injection program. Extends to natural gas storage operations specified limitations on regulation of underground injection of brine or other fluids which are brought to the surface in connection with oil or natural gas production. Limits the use of funds authorized for such purposes to these purposes. Requires each State to implement its plan within two years of its adoption if possible, submitting a progress report to the Administrator within that time regarding implementation. Requires Federal agencies involved in activities affecting a critical recharge area identified in an approved State plan to act in a manner consistent with such plan. Authorizes municipalities within a sole source area to petition the Governor to designate part of such area as a "special protection area." Requires the Governor, if approving the petition, to: (1) designate or establish an entity to develop a comprehensive management plan; (2) assure and encourage public participation; and (3) submit to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency the proposed boundaries of the area and a description of the planning entity. Authorizes the Administrator, if approving the Governor's submission, to provide such State with a 50 percent matching grant for the costs of preparing the petition and developing and implementing the plan. Increases the Federal share to 60 percent for aquifers serving populations of 10,000 or less. Requires the plan to maintain the quality of the ground water recharged through the special protection area by maintenance, to the maximum extent possible, of the natural vegetative and hydrological conditions. Permits the resubmission of modified plans if earlier submissions to the Governor or Administrator are rejected. Authorizes the Administrator or a State with primary enforcing responsibility to order certain contaminators of a sole or principal source aquifer which supplies a public water system to provide potable water to affected persons. Establishes civil penalties for violations. Directs the Administrator to establish criteria for sole or principal source areas. Title III: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989.

Bill· HRH.R. 1652 (99th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, concerning the requirement for separate mailings of IRS 1099 statements.

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements concerning the mailing of taxpayer information statements relating to interest, dividends, or patronage dividends to allow such information statements to be included with normal business mailings. (Current law requires a separate mailing for such information statements.)

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 95 (99th)passed

A concurrent resolution commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Head Start.

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985

Commemorates May 18, 1985, as the 20th anniversary of the Head Start Program. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Head Start Program has been cost-effective and successful; and (2) congressional commitment to such program is reaffirmed.

Bill· HRH.R. 1625 (99th)open

Mail Order Drug Paraphernalia Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985

Mail Order Drug Paraphernalia Control Act - Makes it a Federal criminal offense for any person to use the U.S. Postal Service or any private parcel service in interstate commerce as part of a scheme to sell drug paraphernalia. Imposes a penalty of imprisonment for not more than three years and a fine of not more than $100,000. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of any paraphernalia involved in a violation of this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 1619 (99th)referred

Nuclear Decommissioning Tax Act of 1985

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.

Bill· HRH.R. 1562 (99th)failed

Textile and Apparel Trade Enforcement Act of 1985

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.