United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1985
Amends the Steel Import Stabilization Act to direct the U.S. Trade Representative, in negotiating with Japan and South Korea on steel products import limits, to negotiate the apportionment of the aggregate limit among specified subcategories of steel products. Directs the U.S. Trade Representative to apportion the aggregate limit if such negotiations are not successfully concluded within 30 days of the enactment of this Act. Sets forth such subcategories.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Title I: National Development Investment - National Development Investment Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to cite such Act as the National Development Investment Act and to revise the emphasis of such Act from primary Federal initiative to coordination of investments between the public and the private sectors. Sets forth the findings of the Congress. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, upon the application of an eligible State, economic development district, distressed local government (with a population under 50,000 and located outside an economic development district), Indian tribe, or nonprofit economic development organization, to make a grant for a portion of the cost of projects submitted in a development investment strategy. Sets forth activities eligible for such development investment assistance, including: (1) construction and repair of public facilities; (2) revolving loan funds to promote small business; (3) feasibility studies to enhance the investment climate; and (4) development activities which prevent economic dislocation and promote employee ownership organizations. Sets forth specific eligibility criteria for applicants for such assistance. Requires an application for a grant under this Act to include: (1) a certification that the area concerned meets certain distress requirements; (2) a certification of any responsibilities which the Secretary has agreed to perform; and (3) a development investment strategy prepared in accordance with this Act. Requires the Secretary to consider specified purposes of this Act in approving applications. Lists as criteria any one of which an area must meet in order to be eligible for a grant under this Act: (1) a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average; (2) an unemployment rate one percent above the national average for the most recent 24-month period for which statistics are available; or (3) a sudden economic dislocation resulting in job losses. Sets forth the information to be contained in a grant applicant's development investment strategy. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to establish a revolving loan fund for making or guaranteeing loans to small businesses for initial or working capital, or for the purchase of facilities or equipment. Limits to $1,000,000 the amount of any such grant. Limits the amount of any grant under this Act to a maximum of 50 percent of the cost of completing the project as determined at the time of the grant application. Permits the Secretary to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of a project in the case of an Indian tribe. Limits expenditures in any one State to a maximum of 15 percent of the appropriations made pursuant to this Act, except for expenditures to Indian tribes. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating more than $2,000,000 in any fiscal year to any person, other than grants for employee ownership organizations. Requires the Secretary, each fiscal year, to obligate minimum amounts of funds for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make economic development planning grants to States, economic development districts, Indian tribes, distressed counties, and distressed units of local governments with populations over 50,000 (if located outside an economic development district). Earmarks such grants for coordination of investment for community facilities, economic development, manpower training, and transportation services. Authorizes the Secretary to evaluate Federal, State, and local development investment efforts. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct any demonstration program to test the feasibility of new ways to increase productivity, foster innovative technology, match labor force with labor markets, or encourage economic diversity and regional balance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to colleges, universities, and other nonprofit educational and research organizations. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine financing needs for the construction and repair of public facilities. Requires the Secretary to submit to each House of the Congress a detailed statement, including findings and recommendations, concerning such financing needs. Limits the amount of any such grant to not more than 75 percent of the cost of economic development planning or of investment strategy preparation. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988. Declares that the Secretary of Commerce shall administer this Act with the assistance of a specified Assistant Secretary of Commerce. Authorizes the Secretary to consult with other persons and agencies. Prohibits the approval of any grant unless the Secretary is satisfied that the project concerned will be properly and efficiently administered, operated, and maintained. Sets forth the powers of the Secretary under this Act. Permits the Secretary to discharge responsibilities relative to a project by accepting a certification of the grant applicant's performance of such responsibilities. Requires the Secretary to make comprehensive annual reports to the Congress detailing operations under this Act. Requires all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on projects assisted under this Act to be paid the prevailing rate of wage. Requires the Secretary to maintain records of approved applications available for public inspection. Requires each recipient of a grant to maintain certain specified records. Allows the Secretary and the Comptroller General access to all records of such recipients. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988. Title II: Appalachian Regional Development - Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to declare that investments under such Act shall also be made in severely distressed and underdeveloped counties lacking resources for basic services. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990 for the administrative expenses of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Authorizes the Commission to lease office space through FY 1988. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1992 for the Appalachian development highway system. Increases from 70 to 80 percent the subsequent Federal share of an Appalachian development highway segment when a participating State proceeds to construct a segment of such a highway without the aid of Federal funds. Applies such increase to projects approved after March 31, 1979. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to States and public and nonprofit entities for projects which will: (1) assist in the creation or retention of permanent private sector jobs, the upgrading of the region's manpower, or the attraction of private investment; (2) provide special assistance to severely distressed and underdeveloped counties which lack financial resources for improving basic services; (3) assist in achieving the goal of making primary health care accessible in the region; or (4) otherwise serve the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the authorization of any financial assistance to enable plant subcontractors to undertake work previously performed in another area by other subcontractors or contractors. Prohibits grants with funds authorized after October 1, 1985, from exceeding 50 percent of the costs of any approved project. Permits such grants to increase the Federal contribution to any project to such percentage as the Commission determines within specified limitations. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990. Extends the termination date of such Act from 1982 to October 1, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
American Conservation Corps Act of 1985 - Establishes an American Conservation Corps within the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture. Directs the Secretaries of both departments to establish and administer a conservation and rehabilitation program on Federal public and Indian lands. Directs the Secretary of the Interior alone to establish and administer such a program on non-Federal public lands. Directs the Secretaries to assist program agencies (any Federal, State, or Indian agency responsible for the management of public lands) in establishing and operating residential and nonresidential American Conservation Corps Centers. Describes the types of projects which will receive program preference. Limits program projects to those on public lands or Indian lands, except where projects on nonpublic lands provide documented public benefits. Sets forth requirements for establishing conservation centers and eligibility criteria for enrollees in the program. Requires that preference be given to economically, socially, physically, and educationally disadvantaged youth and youth residing in areas having substantial unemployment. Requires program agencies to provide services, facilities, supplies, and equipment for conservation centers as the Secretary deems necessary. States under what conditions and for what purposes an enrollee/volunteer shall be deemed a Federal or State employee. Permits the Tennessee Valley Authority to utilize such volunteers. Sets forth compensation and reimbursement provisions for volunteers and their upkeep. Directs the Secretaries to assist program agencies in securing certification or credit for skills acquired by volunteers during their participation and to conduct cost-benefit analysis and evaluations of the program. Permits the Secretaries to conduct pilot programs for alternative approaches. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to the Congress within the year on a study of Civilian Conservation Corps sites suitable for a commemoration of such Corps. Sets forth study opportunities and limitations for program volunteers, including a requirement that program agencies provide job guidance and placement assistance. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to report at least annually to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make available appropriate labor market information. Sets forth employee appeal rights for workers displaced by American Conservation Corps volunteers. Sets forth funding limitations. Requires participating program agencies to certify that their programs will not displace workers. Sets forth procedures whereby State shares go to local governments when no State program agency exists. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that one-half of the cost of insurance paid by a self-employed taxpayer for medical care during the taxable year will be allowed as a business deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the appointment of electors to represent the insular areas constituting the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Hunger to conduct a continuing comprehensive study of the problems of hunger and malnutrition. Requires an annual report from such committee, including a summary of its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a comprehensive study and review of the problems of children, youth, and families.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1984
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1985 - Makes appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for FY 1985. Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriation Act, 1985 - Makes appropriations for FY 1985 to the Department of Labor for the following agencies and purposes: (1) the Employment and Training Administration for program administration, employment and training assistance, Federal unemployment benefits and allowances, and grants to States for unemployment insurance and employment services; (2) the Labor-Management Services Administration for salaries and expenses and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (3) the Employment Standards Administration for salaries and expenses, special benefits, and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (4) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for salaries and expenses; (5) the Mine Safety and Health Administration for salaries and expenses; (6) the Bureau of Labor Statistics for salaries and expenses; (7) departmental management, salaries and expenses; (8) veterans' employment and training assistance; (9) the special foreign currency program; and (10) Office of the Inspector General. Makes such appropriations which are available for salaries and expenses available for supplies, services, and rental of conference space within the District of Columbia, as deemed necessary for the settlement of labor-management disputes. Prohibits such funds from being used to grant variances, interim orders, or letters of clarification to employers which will allow exposure of workers to workplace hazards in excess of existing Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards for the purpose of conducting experiments on worker health or safety. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriation Act, 1985 - Makes appropriations for FY 1985 to the Department of Health and Human Services for the following agencies: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration for the Medical Facilities Guarantee and Loan Fund and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (2) the Centers for Disease Control for disease control; (3) the National Institutes of Health for the National Cancer Institute, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institute of Dental Research, the National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Eye Institute, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institute on Aging, and Research Resources, the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences, the National Library of Medicine, buildings and facilities, and the Office of the Director; (4) the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health and Saint Elizabeths Hospital; (5) the Office of Assistant Secretary for retirement pay and medical benefits for commissioned officers of the Public Health Service; (6) the Health Care Financing Administration for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, and program management; (7) the Social Security Administration for payments to Social Security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, supplemental security income program, assistance payments program, child support enforcement; (8) the Office of Human Development Services for social services block grants, family social services, and work incentives; (9) the Office of Community Services for community services block grants; (10) departmental management; (11) the Office of the Inspector General; (12) the Office for Civil Rights; and (13) policy research. Prohibits any of the funds appropriated for grants-in-aid of State agencies from being withheld from the agencies of any State which have established a merit system and classification and compensation plan covering their employees because of any disapproval of the manner of their selection or the rates of pay. Prohibits the use of any of the funds appropriated by this Act to pay any recipient of a research grant an amount equal to the full cost of such research. Makes specified funds available for expenses for active commissioned officers in the Public Health Service Reserve Corps and for a limited number of commissioned officers in the Regular Corps. Makes such funds also available for specified activities of the Corps. Prohibits the use of funds provided by this Act to perform abortions except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term. Makes funds advanced to the National Institutes of Health Management Fund from appropriations in this Act available for the expenses of sharing medical care facilities and resources under the Public Health Service Act. Makes funds appropriated in this title for the Social Security Administration and the Office of Child Support Enforcement available for official reception and representation expenses related to income maintenance or child support enforcement activities. Makes funds appropriated by this title for the Health Care Financing Administration available for official reception and representation expenses. Prohibits the use of any funds for basic pay, special pay, basic allowances for subsistence and basic allowances for quarters of the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service above a specified level. Prohibits the use of any funds to transfer the general administration of programs authorized under the Native American Programs Act from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of the Interior. Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriation Act, 1985 - Makes appropriations for FY 1985 to the Department of Education for the following purposes: (1) compensatory education for the disadvantaged; (2) special programs; (3) bilingual education; (4) education for the handicapped, rehabilitation services and handicapped research; (5) vocational and adult education; (6) student financial assistance; (7) guaranteed student loans; (8) higher education; (9) higher education facilities loans and insurance; (10) college housing loans; (11) educational research and statistics; (12) libraries; (13) Special Institutions for the American Printing House for the Blind, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Gallaudet College, and Howard University; and (14) departmental management for salaries and expenses, the Office for Civil Rights, and the Office of Inspector General. Prohibits withholding of funds appropriated by this title for grants-in-aid to cover State agency operating expenses because of any disapproval of their personnel or manner of personnel selection if a merit system and classification and compensation plan is in operation. Subjects the funds appropriated in this Act to the American Printing House for the Blind, Howard University, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and Gallaudet College to an audit by the Secretary of Education. Prohibits the use of any funds provided by this Act to pay any recipient of a research grant an amount equal to as much as the entire cost of such research. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to: (1) force any school or school district which is desegregated to take any action to force the busing of students, to force on account of race, creed, or color the abolishment of any such school, or to force the transfer or assignment of any student attending such a school to or from a particular school over the protest of the student's parents; (2) transport students or teachers in order to overcome racial imbalance or to carry out a plan of racial desegregation of any school or school system; or (3) transport any student to a school other than the school which is nearest the student's home. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in the public schools. Amends the Housing Act of 1950 to permit a discount (in the best financial interest of the Government) on the prepayment in full of a loan for educational institution housing and facilities if: (1) the prepayment is made from non-Federal sources; (2) the Secretary has received assurances that the housing or other facilities financed with such loan will continue to be used for related purposes; and (3) prepayment is made prior to October 1, 1985. Prohibits the withholding of any funds appropriated to the Department of Education for FY 1983 and 1985 from distribution to grantees because of the provisions of the order entered by the United States District Court for Northern District of Illinois on June 30, 1983, provided that the court's decree shall remain in full force and effect. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 1985 to: (1) ACTION for operating expenses; (2) the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for salaries and expenses; (3) the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission for salaries and expenses; (4) the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science for salaries and expenses; (5) the National Council on the Handicapped for salaries and expenses. (6) the National Labor Relations Board for salaries and expenses; (7) the National Mediation Board for salaries and expenses; (8) the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission for salaries and expenses; (9) Prospective Payment Assessment Commission; (10) the Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account; and (11) the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home for operation and maintenance and capital outlay. Title V: General Provisions - Limits the expenditure of any appropriation under this Act for any consulting service through procurement contract to those contracts where such expenditures are a matter of public record, except where otherwise provided under existing law, or under existing Executive Order issued pursuant to existing law. Sets forth limitations on the use of funds appropriated for salaries and expenses under this Act. Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act for any loan, loan guarantee, grant, salary, or other remuneration for any individual applying for admission, attending, employed by, teaching at, or doing research at an institution of higher education who has engaged in conduct on or after August 1, 1969, which involves the use of (or the assistance to others in the use of) force or the threat of force or the seizure of property under the control of an institution of higher education, to require or prevent the availability of certain curricula, or to prevent the faculty, administrative officials, or students in such institution from engaging in their duties or pursuing their studies at such institution. Authorizes the Secretaries of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services to transfer unexpended balances of prior appropriations to accounts corresponding to current appropriations provided in this Act, provided that such transferred balances are used for the same purposes, and for the same periods of time, for which they were originally appropriated. Prohibits any part of any appropriation contained in this Act from: (1) remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year, unless expressly so provided; (2) being used for publicity or propaganda to support or defeat legislation pending before Congress, except in presentation to the Congress itself or for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships; (3) being used to pay for activities by grant or contract recipients or their agents designed to influence legislation or appropriations pending before the Congress; or (4) being used for research, experimental, or other activities presenting a danger to participants or subjects, without their written, informed consent (or that of parents or legal guardians, in the case of minors). Authorizes the Secretaries to make available a specified amount, respectively, from funds available for salaries and expenses under titles I, II, and III, for official reception and representation expenses. Authorizes the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the Chairman of the National Mediation Board to make available specified amounts for such expenses. Prohibits the use of funds to pay for the transportation of any officer or employee of a department or agency between his domicile and his place of employment, except for the Secretaries of Labor, of Health and Human Services, and of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Fair Trade in Steel Act of 1984 - Declares that it is the policy of Congress that access to the U.S. market for foreign-produced carbon, alloy, and specialty steel mill products should be on an equitable basis to safeguard national security, insure orderly trade in steel mill products, reduce unfair trade in steel mill products, and alleviate U.S. balance-of-payments problems. Expresses the intent of Congress to: (1) expand the economic viability of the U.S. steel industry and the jobs of its workers; (2) prevent the further decline of the domestic steel industry; and (3) temper the economic hardships resulting from unemployment in steel industry communities by encouraging reinvestment in existing steelmaking facilities. Limits annual imports of specified steel mill product categories to specified percentages of the apparent domestic supply which are based on adjusted average import penetration levels for each such product category for the years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to allocate global product limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries, or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocations. Requires the Secretary to make an annual determination of the expected apparent domestic supply in each steel mill product category. Requires the Secretary to revise such determination periodically during the year. Directs the Secretary to determine, within 90 days after the effective date of this Act, whether the steel industry companies have plans to use substantially all of the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and the modernization of the steel sector. Prohibits the import restrictions from taking effect until the Secretary determines that the steel companies have such plans. Directs the Secretary to monitor steel sector investments made and announced by the steel industry and to consult with steel industry representatives and employees in the course of such monitoring. Directs the Secretary to determine annually whether steel companies are using substantially all the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Directs the Secretary to modify or suspend the relevant import restrictions if the Secretary determines that substantially less than all the cash flow from the steel sector is being used for such reinvestment and modernization and that the level of investment is not demonstrably justified by adverse financial conditions within the industry. Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) each annual determination and its rationale; and (2) the total amount of cash flow from the steel sector and the total amount used for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Requires the steel companies to provide the Secretary with the information necessary for making such determinations. Directs the Secretary to examine the supply and demand situation in the United States for a specified steel product category if requested by affected steel consumers. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor imports of fabricated steel mill products. Sets forth the method of investigating whether imports of fabricated steel products are rendering ineffective or materially interfering with the objectives of this Act. Limits the quantity of iron ore that may be entered from all sources during any calendar year after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate global iron ore limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocation. Directs the Secretary, in making such allocations, to attempt first to accommodate the requirements of individual steel mills which have been traditionally dependent on ocean sourced foreign iron ore and the requirements of contractual obligations incurred before January 1, 1984. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the import restrictions on iron ore if necessary to meet the needs of such individual steel mills. Provides for the enforcement and implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Indochina nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of captive Americans and the return of the remains of those American servicemen and civilians who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Authorizes the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Incorporated to erect a National Law Enforcement Heroes Memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia or its environs in honor and recognition of law enforcement officials in the United States who died in the line of duty. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Fund, to select with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, a suitable site on public grounds for such memorial. Subjects the design and any plans for the memorial to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Declares that no moneys belonging to the United States or the District of Columbia shall be expended for the erection of such memorial other than expenses incurred in the process of site selection and approval of design and plans.