United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1986
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to repeal provisions relating to emergency powers to eliminate deficits exceeding maximum deficit amounts. Repeals provisions prescribing such amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1986
Prohibits any benefits payable from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, including cost-of-living increases, during calendar year 1987 from being subject to reduction or suspension by statute or presidential order.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1985
Permits the reappointment of a specified number of air traffic controllers who were separated from service for participation in a strike initiated on August 3, 1981. Requires such reappointments to be made in FY 1986 and 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1985
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the transportation of any high level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel without a license granted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission). Sets forth the details of such license application, including emergency procedures in the event of a potential release of radioactive waste. Directs the Commission to prepare an environmental assessment detailing the basis of its decision to issue a nuclear waste transportation license prior to the issuance of such license. Sets forth the details of such assessment. Directs the Commission to impose shipping restrictions (based upon such environmental assessment) which will either minimize risk or enhance the potential for containment and cleanup in the event of accidental radioactive waste release. Directs the Department of Energy, the Commission, the Department of Transportation, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to: (1) determine the emergency response capabilities of those States and Indian tribes whose territory is traversed by radioactive waste transportation routes; and (2) develop and exercise with such States and tribes an emergency response and mitigation plan within 12 months of a transportation license issuance date. Prohibits any shipments unless such plans are developed and periodically exercised. States that no Federal regulation shall preempt States and Indian tribes from imposing certain nuclear waste transportation regulations. Makes certain nuclear waste transportation restrictions inapplicable if the Commission certifies that compelling safety or national security reasons necessitate immediate nuclear waste transportation to another site.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1985
National Groundwater Contamination Research Act - Requires the Director of the Geological Survey to establish and conduct a national water quality assessment program to assess groundwater and surface water resources, both current and projected. Requires the program to identify contaminated and uncontaminated but vulnerable groundwater. Requires the program to conduct synoptic surface water quality studies. Requires the Director to conduct an expanded toxic substances hydrology program to determine the movement and transformation of toxic substances in water. Authorizes Federal grants for such research out of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 on a matching basis for FY 1986 through 1989. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1985
Calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development to work in a global effort to provide universal access to childhood immunization by 1990 by: (1) assisting in the delivery, distribution, and use of vaccines; and (2) performing and supporting research and development activities that will be targeted at developing new vaccines and at modifying existing vaccines to make them more appropriate for use in developing countries. Declares that the President should appeal to the public to provide the necessary resources to achieve universal access to childhood immunization by 1990. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the authorization of appropriations for FY 1987 for the Child Survival Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take measures to encourage the Government of Indonesia to: (1) allow and maintain access into East Timor for humanitarian organizations, journalists, church delegations, and human rights groups; (2) guarantee freedom of expression for the Roman Catholic Church in East Timor; (3) allow an impartial international examination of population limitation measures and the conditions that exist in areas where East Timorese have been resettled by Indonesian authorities; (4) allow qualified international observers to be present at the trials of East Timorese political prisoners; and (5) work with the U.S. and Portuguese governments to develop peace initiatives for East Timor.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Ground Water Protection Act of 1985 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish criteria for groundwater quality, including an analysis of the contaminants and the risks they pose to human and environmental health. Sets a timetable for the establishment of such criteria. Requires the Administrator to appoint an advisory panel. Requires each State to establish numerical standards for contaminants found in the ambient groundwater. Permits separate standards for special systems. Requires each State to use Federal criteria in establishing such standards. Requires each State to assess the groundwater resources within such State and to develop a management strategy and monitoring program for such resources. Requires the Director of the United States Geological Survey to make grants to States for such assessments. Directs the Administrator to make grants to assist States in meeting the other requirements of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Telecommunications Equipment and Information Services Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Bell operating companies to provide information services (excluding electronic publishing) and to manufacture telecommunications equipment, subject to such regulations as the Federal Communications Commission may prescribe. Conditions such authority on the Commission's determination that no Bell operating company could impede competition in the information services or telecommunications equipment manufacturing businesses. Requires the Commission to include in its annual report to the Congress an assessment, providing for public comment, of the impact of this Act on employment in such businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an additional excise tax on gasoline and gasoline mixed with alcohol. Sets the amount of such tax at: (1) ten cents during 1986; (2) 20 cents during 1987; (3) 30 cents during 1988; (4) 40 cents during 1989; (5) 50 cents during 1990; and (6) ten cents after 1990. Allows for a higher rate during 1991 if a Federal deficit exists. Establishes in the Treasury a Deficit Reduction Trust Fund. Appropriates to such trust fund the revenues raised by such excise tax. Sets forth requirements for the expenditure of funds from such trust fund.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Designates May 25, 1986, as Hands Across America Day. Authorizes and requests the President to commend: (1) United Support of Artists for Africa for their Hands Across America project; and (2) the American people for their commitment to helping people help themselves.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1985
Small Contribution Tax Credit Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the income tax credit for contributions to presidential, state, and local candidates, political action committees, and newsletter fund contributions. Allows an income tax credit for congressional candidate contributions. Limits the amount of such credit to $100 for a taxable year ($200 in the case of a joint return).
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1985
Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor native American members of the U.S. armed forces who served during periods of war or national conflict. Subjects the selected design and plans for the memorial to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select a site for the memorial and to be responsible for its maintenance upon construction. Prohibits the Secretary from permitting construction to commence until sufficient funds are available for completion of the memorial. Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to receive and then to disburse for the erection of the memorial funds received only from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after September 30, 1986, for the establishment of the memorial. Directs any excess amount collected for the establishment of the memorial to offset appropriated funds. Terminates the authority to establish the memorial five years after the enactment of this Act, unless construction has begun during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1985
Declares that: (1) the people around the world desire a world free from the threat of war; (2) it is the hope of all citizens that the President and General Secretary Gorbachev will reach an arms control agreement which significantly cuts nuclear stockpiles and halts the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union; and (3) in order to express this hope, all citizens are invited to light candles from dusk to dawn on November 19 and 20, 1985, while the President and Gorbachev meet in summit.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide that funds made available for family planning programs may only be used for programs: (1) in which there is not any element of coercion of individuals to practice family planning or to accept any particular method of contraception; (2) which include an accurate description of the effectiveness and risks of all major methods of family planning; and (3) which include an agreement to provide either other family planning methods if requested or referral to programs offering other methods as appropriate.
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 · 24 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
States that a person shall be considered an American national if such person completes 15 years of lawful continuous residence in the United States or American Samoa, and one of his or her parents was a national of the United States and a resident of the United States or American Samoa at the time of that person's birth.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Declares that the Congress calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development (AID) to work in a global effort to provide support toward achieving the goal of universal access to childhood immunization by the year 1990. Sets forth specified actions to be taken by AID, in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in reaching such goal. Urges the President to seek both private and public assistance in the United States to achieve universal access to childhood immunization.
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 · 1 October 1985
Amends the copyright law to make permanent the prohibition against importing certain English language books not manufactured in the United States and Canada, denying copyright protection to books imported in violation of this restriction (the manufacturing clause).
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Simultaneous Nuclear Test-Ban Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, before January 1, 1986, should declare that the United States will stop testing nuclear warheads and will invite the Soviet Union to meet with the United States to enter into negotiations for the conclusion of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty at the earliest possible date. Declares that the United States should continue the cessation of the testing of nuclear warheads so long as the Soviet Union refrains from the testing of nuclear warheads and substantive Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty negotiations are in progress. Expresses the sense of the Congress that during such cessation the President should seek resumption of the comprehensive test ban talks between the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Prohibits the United States from obligating or spending any money for testing nuclear warheads during the six-month period beginning on January 1, 1986, if the President does not declare such a cessation of nuclear testing. Authorizes such spending if the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union on or after January 1, 1986, tested a nuclear warhead. Requires the President to include in any such certification: (1) an unclassified report summarizing the basis for the certification; and (2) a classified report describing the Soviet activities that are the basis for the certification. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on: (1) the progress in nuclear arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union; and (2) whether the President believes that continuation of the cessation of nuclear testing is in the U.S. national security interest.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the antitrust enforcement policy guidelines stated in "Vertical Restraints Guidelines" published by the Department of Justice on January 23, 1985, are not an accurate expression of the Federal antitrust laws or of congressional intent for the application of such laws to vertical restraints of trade, should not be accorded any force of law or be treated by U.S. courts as binding or persuasive, should be recalled by the Attorney General, and should not be reissued before providing for public participation in their formulation; and (2) any antitrust enforcement policy guidelines of the Department of Justice do not have the force of law and cannot modify or supersede the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives condemning the human rights abuses in El Salvador, including the indiscriminate attacks against Salvadoran civilians by the El Salvadoran armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Superfund Expansion and Protection Act of 1985 - Title I: Provisions Relating Primarily to Response and Liability - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)(Superfund) to include among hazardous substances subject to such Act any petroleum released from an underground storage tank. Includes community relocation and business and employment protection costs within removal costs. Includes pollutants and contaminants under Superfund, defining them as any substance which after release into the environment causes disease or abnormalities upon exposure or assimilation, either directly or through the food chain. Excludes petroleum and natural gas, except as otherwise indicated under such Act. Redefines "release" to include the abandonment of containers containing hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish reportable quantities for all noncarcinogenic hazardous substances within six months of this Act's enactment and for all other hazardous substances by October 1, 1986. Increases criminal penalties for failure to notify the Government of a hazardous substance release. Requires the Administrator to consider long-range effects when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of offsite remedial actions. Authorizes the Administrator to undertake any response action when faced with a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance unless the Administrator determines the responsible party will take appropriate action. Requires the Administrator to assess the health effects associated with such release or potential release. Directs the Administrator to publish a cleanup schedule, granting priority to releases affecting principal drinking water sources, for releases or threatened releases for which no cleanup agreement with responsible parties has been reached. Requires a State to pay at least 50 percent of the cleanup costs only if the State both owned and operated the polluting facility. Credits States with cleanup costs already dispersed as specified. Requires the Administrator to choose remedial actions which are: (1) consistent with the National Contingency Plan (NCP); (2) cost-effective; and (3) permanent whenever possible. Places facilities for which no permanent solution is technologically feasible on an interim National Priorities List (NPL), such list to be reviewed every five years to determine if a permanent solution has become feasible. Eliminates the requirement that pollutant levels be such as to protect human welfare, leaving the requirement that such levels protect human health and the environment. Requires pollutant levels to comply with the other Federal standards applicable. Specifies under what conditions removal actions must comply with the requirements of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Entitles Federal and State environmental officials to access to the information and premises of any person who generates, treats, or disposes of hazardous substances for purposes of determining the need for a response action. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to prepare toxicological profiles on the most frequently found or threatening hazardous substances. Permits individuals to petition the Administrator for a health effects study where hazardous substances have been removed if warranted by a preliminary assessment. Entitles the public to participate in the selection of a plan for remedial action. Authorizes the Administrator to provide grants for technical assistance to groups which may be affected by a release from a facility on the NPL. Establishes a schedule for the commencement of remedial investigations and feasibility studies for all facilities on the NPL. Provides for the listing of additional facilities at regular intervals. Requires the commencement of remedial actions starting at the rate of 200 facilities per year within three years of enactment. Requires the Administrator to complete preliminary assessments of all facilities on the Emergency and Remedial Response Information System list by the start of 1987. Requires completion of remedial action for facilities currently on the NPL within five years or an explanation of nonperformance. Requires the Administrator to revise the NCP, consistent with these provisions. Permits an individual to petition the Administrator for a preliminary assessment of a release. Includes damage to the food chain and the ambient air among the factors determining a facility or site ranking under the NCP. Makes abatement action decisions nonreviewable. Prohibits subsequent storage or treatment of hazardous waste at a facility where an abatement action has been taken involving the relocation of individuals, a specified density of population, and other factors. Includes additional Federal cleanup or abatement activities for which a responsible party would be liable. Makes liability strict, joint, and several under this Act for damages and costs resulting from the release and cleanup of hazardous substances. Exempts State and local officials from liability for nonnegligent emergency response actions. Requires each Federal agency which may be a defendant under this Act to provide its own counsel rather than the Attorney General. Entitles a defendant to prove damages are divisible and to seek contribution. Sets forth authorized uses of Superfund, including emergency relief, health studies, toxicological profiles, and petition-prompted investigations. Earmarks funds for FY 1986 through 1990 for petroleum released from an underground storage tank. Requires an annual audit of the conduct of Superfund, including comparative reports of actions taken in earlier fiscal years. Establishes a statute of limitations of six years after the completion of the response action, regardless of the date of discovery of the loss. Permits a State to require contributions for response costs compensated under this Act. Requires each Federal agency and department to notify the Administrator, within six months of this Act's enactment, of any hazardous substance treated, stored, or disposed of at Federal facilities under its control. Requires such agencies and departments to make annual reports to the Administrator on all facilities not on the initial notice. Requires such initial notice to describe the location, nature, toxicity, contamination, response actions, and cleanup techniques for the hazardous substances. Directs the Administrator to establish a public Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket (Compliance Docket) to record each listed facility and subsequent actions taken. Requires preliminary assessment of each facility for possible evaluation under the NCP and inclusion on the NPL. Requires Federal agencies or departments responsible for facilities placed on the NPL to commence a remedial investigation and feasibility study for such facility and enter into an interagency agreement with the Administrator to conduct remedial action. Requires continuous, substantial onsite response within six months of the agreement. Requires that such agreements: (1) review alternative remedial actions and construction design selection by the Administrator; (2) schedule completion of remedial actions; and (3) arrange for long-term operation and maintenance of the facility. Requires completion of remedial actions within two years of the agreement to the extent practicable. Requires explanations of noncompletion to be included on the Compliance Docket and in the agency's or department's annual report to the Congress on its progress on reaching and implementing interagency agreements. Requires such annual report to also include cost information and public comments. Makes Federal facility cleanup actions ineligible for Superfund monies. Provides that the Administrator shall retain the authority to enforce this Act. Includes Federal facilities within CERCLA guidelines for preliminary assessments, NCP evaluations, and inclusion on the NPL. Permits the Administrator to bring an action under CERCLA against any Federal agency or department and prohibits the Attorney General from representing such agencies or departments in such actions. Authorizes a State to require a solid waste disposal facility to charge more for disposal or storage of out-of-State waste than the State of origin would have charged. Exempts response action contractors from liability for nonnegligent response activities. Permits the Administrator to enter into a consent agreement with a responsible party who will properly carryout cleanup activities. Authorizes $250,000,000 for each of FY 1986 through 1990 plus additional amounts as specified for the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund (Superfund). Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Permits citizen action lawsuits against any party, including the Government, involved with hazardous substances in such a way as may present an imminent and substantial danger to health or the environment or against the Administrator for failure to perform a required duty. Requires potential plaintiffs to give 60 days notice to the appropriate Federal and State officials as well as the alleged violator before commencing an action. Prohibits such action if the Administrator or the State has commenced and is prosecuting a court action already or a settlement has been reached. Permits intervention, as a matter of right. Prohibits citizen actions for the siting or issuance of permit to a hazardous waste disposal facility. Authorizes the Federal district court to award costs to any substantially prevailing party. Permits Federal intervention as a matter of right. Requires the Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations requiring shippers to notify transporters whenever hazardous substances are offered for transportation. Requires Federal agencies to notify buyers or transferees of Federal land where hazardous substances were disposed of or stored. Title III: Community Right to Know and Emergency Planning - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act by adding a new title II concerning communities' right-to-know and emergency planning. Requires each covered manufacturer or processor of a covered hazardous substance (potential release) to prepare and update a fact sheet for such substance for distribution to local police, fire, and health officials. Requires the fact sheet to include the name, physical properties of, and hazards posed by the substance, including potential routes of human exposure to such substance, symptoms of such exposure, and appropriate emergency and first aid procedures. Requires status sheets on the same basis as fact sheets, with each status sheet to include the maximum inventory and method of storage of the substance, the quantity of its emission into the environment, and the quantity and method for disposal. Requires the Administrator to establish a toll-free hotline for such information. Requires the releaser of a covered hazardous substance in an emergency situation to provide an emergency bulletin to the State and local police and other local officials. Requires the bulletin to identify the name and amount of the substance released and the response actions taken. Requires fact and status sheets and emergency bulletins to be made available for public inspection with public notice of such availability at the facility of the potential releaser. Requires the Administrator to publish a uniform format for fact and status sheets. Authorizes a State's governor to identify local officials to receive covered hazardous substance release information, with the Administrator doing so in the absence of the Governor's identification. Requires the potential releasers to maintain records of information required by this Act. Requires manufacturers or processors to transmit fact sheets to covered distributors or users upon shipping of a covered hazardous substance. Provides protection for trade secrets while continuing to make necessary information available to the appropriate persons. Excludes listed or possible carcinogens from such protection. Sets forth application and substantiation procedures for trade secret claims. Permits affected citizens or government officials to compel disclosure of nonsubstantiated trade secrets through the Federal courts. Authorizes the Administrator to grant exemptions from the basic notification requirements of this Act through specified procedures open to the public, based upon a cost-benefits analysis where there is no reasonable likelihood of harm. Directs each covered major manufacturer to develop within two years of enactment of this Act a comprehensive evacuation and emergency response plan which addresses the health and safety issues applicable to such manufacturer's particular situation. Requires the plan to include designations of the appropriate government officials to be notified, mitigation measures, evacuation routes, notification plans, and evaluation of community support services. Authorizes each governor to designate emergency response districts within 18 months of enactment of this Act or the Administrator will do so. Permits each governor to appoint an Emergency Response Committee per district or the Administrator will be treated as such Committee. Requires such Committees to review the manufacturers' plans, revising them where necessary. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months of enactment of this Act, to develop uniform national mandatory labeling requirements for pipes, storage tanks, or containers for any covered hazardous substance not otherwise required to be labeled. Requires the label to indicate the appropriate response to a release. Sets forth categories of substances to be considered covered hazardous substances and procedures for adding additional substances. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to compile and update a digest of all such substances. Exempts certain substances for this Act's purposes, based upon the form, amount, and other regulation of such substances. Establishes civil and criminal penalties, limiting criminal penalties to the knowing violation of emergency requirements. Authorizes citizens' suits to enforce this Act. Permits States to adopt more stringent right-to-know standards. Title IV: Internal Revenue Code Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase and extend through FY 1990 the environmental excise taxes sufficient to reach $1,770,000,000 per year. Title V: Federal Cause of Action - Entitles individuals injured by the disposal of a hazardous substance to recover damages from the responsible parties who will be held strictly, jointly, and severally liable. Entitles such individuals to compensation for expenses related to personal injury, economic injury, and limited pain and suffering. States that this Federal cause of action does not preempt State law regarding liability for damages in connection with any hazardous substance. Establishes a three year statute of limitations, running from the date of knowledge of the injury or the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits dual recovery through workers' compensation or actions filed in a State court and this Act. Permits additional recovery against the source of the disposal for later manifested injuries.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
National All Terrain Vehicle Safety Act of 1985 - Conditions Federal approval of a State's highway project plans upon enactment of State laws which: (1) set a minimum age of 16 for operators of all-terrain vehicles; (2) require an operator's license for all-terrain vehicles; (3) condition the issuance of an operator's license upon completion of a training course in the safe operation of all-terrain vehicles; and (4) prohibit the operation of all-terrain vehicles on roads and highways in the State.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to add a new title IV: State and Local Coordination of Emergency Response; Community Right to Know. Directs each Governor to appoint an emergency response commission to coordinate response planning in such State for hazardous substance emergencies. Directs these commissions to designate local emergency response committees to develop and implement emergency response plans in case of a hazardous substance emergency. Requires such plans to include emergency notification personnel and procedures, evacuation plans, and an assessment and use plan for local medical and police resources. Requires owners and operators of covered facilities which produce, use, or store hazardous substances to file with local committees a hazardous substance report setting forth the following information for each substance: type; amount; location; emergency and first aid procedures; routes and symptoms of exposure; and emergency personnel to contact. Requires the periodic updating of such reports. Directs the Administrator to publish and update a list of covered hazardous substances requiring such a report. Permits individuals or a local committee to petition the Administrator to add a substance to such list. Requires such owners and operators to submit to the Administrator and the committee and other State and local officials a material safety data sheet on each listed chemical which shall also be furnished with shipments of such substance. Excludes from coverage under these requirements certain small manufacturers, research laboratories, and consumer users. Requires such sheet to be updated and kept (for 30 years), and the information to be made available to the public via a toll-free telephone number. Permits other exemptions from these requirements as specified. Sets forth emergency notice and bulletin procedures a covered operator must follow in the case of any hazardous substance emergency, including notifying the appropriate government officials. Requires such bulletins to include a full description of the nature and scope of the emergency, together with any recommendations for action. Requires that all such plans, reports, data sheets, and bulletins be made available for public inspection. Requires that medical personnel be granted access to necessary information by any owner or operator required to file data sheets or reports. Requires such personnel to maintain the confidentiality of such information beyond health purposes. Permits owners and operators to withhold trade secret information from the data sheets and reports for all but health-related purposes. Sets forth standards for determining what constitutes a trade secret and requires the Administrator to establish procedures for citizen challenge of such a designation. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations of these information requirements. Permits citizen suits to enforce this Act. Permits States and local governments to also require the submission of hazardous chemicals information. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for training government personnel to cope with hazardous substance emergencies.
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
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
National Fish Hatchery System Act - Establishes a National Fish Hatchery System (System). Sets forth the objectives of the System, including: (1) mitigating the impacts on fishery resources that result from the construction or operation of Federal projects; (2) restoring certain fish stocks which the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) determines to be in need of restoration; (3) stocking waters to fulfill international or Indian treaty obligations; (4) carrying out fisheries research and development; and (5) implementing recovery plans for endangered species. Includes as secondary objectives the stocking of Federal waters and waters under the fishery management jurisdiction of Indian tribes if such stocking is not adverse to, or included among, the primary objectives. Makes a part of such System: (1) Federal agency installations; and (2) non-Federal installations to the extent they are fulfilling System objectives using Federal funding. Excludes moneys made available through specified Federal law from being considered as Federal funding. Requires the Secretary to administer the System. Requires fish hatcheries not operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to be operated in accordance with a cooperative agreement entered into with the Service. Prohibits fish production within the System four years after enactment of this Act for mitigation or restoration of a fishery resource unless the Secretary completes a mitigation or restoration plan for that resource. Specifies the required content of such plans and the parties to be consulted in formulating the plans. Permits the production of fish in Federal installations for use by a State in stocking its waters or for private use if System purposes are not hampered or private parties lack private domestic sources. Authorizes the administering authority to permit, by regulation, the use of a fish research installation, fish health center or fish technology center if the use is compatible with the purposes of the installation. Provides for the enforcement of such regulations. Provides for the reimbursement of fish production costs from: (1) water or power users benefiting from the mitigation of a Federal water project; (2) Federal agencies or Indian tribes requesting the stocking of waters under their jurisdiction; and (3) State agencies or persons requesting production for non-System objectives. Conditions such fish production upon receipt of such reimbursement. Requires the Secretary, before October 1, 1986, and within each three year period thereafter, to establish for each System installation the extent to which: (1) the fish production capability of that installation is expected to be utilized; and (2) the primary System objectives will be subject to reimbursement.
![Official portrait of Rep. Moody, Jim [D-WI-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000881_200.jpg)