United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1984
Renewable Energy Incentive Act of 1984 - Title I: Extension of Business Energy Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the energy investment tax credit for solar energy property from 1985 to 1990. Sets the amount of such credit during such period at 15 percent for low temperature solar property and 25 percent for all other solar property. Extends the energy investment tax credit for wind property from 1985 to 1990. Sets the amount of such credit at: (1) 15 percent during 1986; (2) ten percent during 1987 and 1988; and (3) five percent during 1989 and 1990. Extends the energy investment tax credit for geothermal property, hydroelectric generating property, ocean thermal property, and biomass property from 1985 to 1990. Title II: Affirmative Commitment Rule to Extend the Business Credit for Certain Long-Term Projects - Extends for five years from 1990 to 1995 the time period during which an affirmative commitment must be made in order for long-term energy projects to be eligible for the energy investment tax credit. Applies such extension to affirmative commitments made for: (1) solar energy property; (2) geothermal energy property; (3) wind energy property; (4) ocean thermal energy property; (5) hydroelectric generating property; and (6) biomass property. Title III: Extension of Residential Energy Credits - Extends the residential energy income tax credit for renewable energy source expenditures from 1985 to 1990. Phases out such credit over such period for: (1) solar renewable energy property; and (2) wind renewable energy property. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for energy conservation expenditures from 1985 to 1988. Title IV: Eligibility of Public Utility Property - Makes public utility property eligible for treatment as energy property for purposes of the energy investment tax credit. Title V: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1984
Requires that every obligation of the United States be issued in registered form. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the issuance in bearer form of securities which are interests in U.S. Government-backed securities. Imposes a three percent excise tax on the issuer of registration-required U.S. Government-backed securities which are not issued in registered form. Provides that the issue price of any U.S. Government-backed security shall be treated as the principal amount of the obligation. Imposes a 30 percent withholding tax on interest received by foreigners from U.S. Government-backed securities.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1984
Residential Energy Conservation Tax Credit Act of 1984 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the income tax credit for residential energy conservation expenditures for five years (from 1985 to 1990). Revises the method of calculating the amount of such credit. Reduces the maximum amount of the expenditures which may be taken into account from $2,000 to $1,000. Increases the percentage of the expenditures which may be taken into account from 15 to 40 percent. Phases out such credit for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income in excess of $30,000.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1984
Establishes a Commission on Employment Discrimination in the Legislative Branch. Directs the Commission to: (1) employ a nongovernmental consultant to study the compensation paid to Library of Congress personnel and analyze personnel policies of the Library; (2) evaluate the compensation system of the Library for compliance with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make any recommendations needed to achieve compliance; (3) develop a plan for the application of title VII through the legislative branch; and (4) make recommendations to Congress for improvement of personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to Congress 18 months after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1984
Comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Freeze and Arms Reduction Act of 1984 - Provides for the establishment of a comprehensive freeze by the United States and the Soviet Union on the testing, production, and deployment of any nuclear weapon, delivery system, or any subsystem or component for a nuclear warhead, weapon, or delivery system (the comprehensive freeze). Directs the House and Senate Select Intelligence Committees to begin oversight hearings on verification procedures for the comprehensive freeze. Requires such committees to report to their respective Houses within 90 days of enactment of this Act on the adequacy of U.S. verification procedures. Sets forth information to be included in the report. Requires the Director of the Arms Control Disarmament Agency to begin preparing an operational plan for U.S. implementation of the comprehensive freeze within 120 days of enactment of this Act. Directs the Director to submit the plan to specified congressional committees within 60 days of enactment of this Act. Declares that the President should: (1) invite the Soviet Union to participate in a comprehensive bilateral and verifiable nuclear weapons freeze; and (2) encourage the Soviet Union to write to the United States whether it intends to implement the comprehensive freeze. Requires the President, 120 days after enactment of this Act, to direct the implementation by the United States of the comprehensive freeze which shall continue so long and to the extent that the Soviet Union acts in a reciprocal mannner. Requires the President to certify to the Congress the nature of Soviet noncompliance with the freeze, all relevant evidence, and his recommendations for the U.S. response if the President finds evidence that the Soviet Union is not acting in a reciprocal mannner. Requires the appropriate congressional committees to report a bill setting forth the extent to which the United States should modify its participation in the comprehensive freeze. Declares that the United States and the Soviet Union should begin nuclear arms reduction negotiations as soon as the comprehensive freeze is implemented.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1984
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (the Act) to increase the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for FY 1984 and to extend such authorization through FY 1988. Revises the term "poverty level" for purposes of such Act to mean, with respect to any household in a State, the income poverty line as prescribed and revised pursuant to the Community Services Block Grant Act. Provides that the State median income promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall be adjusted to prevent any change in income calculation procedures which would result in the reduction in or exclusion from participation of households in programs under the Act. Prohibits the allotment of funds to a State for low-income home energy assistance unless the Secretary determines that the State's application for funds satisfies the requirements of the Act and reviews such application for completeness. Provides that such applications will be considered to have satisfied such requirements unless the Secretary decides to the contrary within 30 days. Requires at least five percent of a State's allotment to be reserved until May 15 of each year for energy crisis intervention. Requires that a State's annual application for funds for low-income home energy assistance indicate: (1) the number and type of households in the State eligible for such assistance; (2) the level of and method for determining household benefits under the assistance program; and (3) the method of program administration to be used. Requires as part of such application that a State agree to: (1) provide assurances that such State, except as otherwise provided in this Act, will not differentiate between specified households when administering such assistance; (2) provide that such State may not use more than ten percent of its low-income energy assistance allotment (based on the amount of funds remaining for a State after funds for such assistance are reserved by the Secretary for Indian tribes) for planning and administering of such assistance; (3) describe energy usage and the average cost of home energy in the State; (4) designate local community-based public or nonprofit entities to administer energy crisis intervention programs; (5) indicate the amount which the State will reserve for energy crisis intervention and the administrative procedures for designating an energy crisis, for determining the amount of assistance to be provided during such a crisis, and for determining the use of funds reserved for energy crisis intervention but not so used; and (6) cooperate with the Secretary with respect to data collecting and reporting relating to home energy consumption and use. Requires that the State plan which is part of the annual application contain funding estimates for the State's low-income home energy assistance programs, describe the eligibility requirements to be used under such programs, and describe weatherization and other energy-related home repair the State will provide. Requires any substantial revisions of a State plan to be made available for public inspection. Provides that a State shall expend funds in accordance with a State plan reviewed by the Secretary. Requires that the periodic evaluation by the Comptroller General of State expenditures of grants received under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 occur at least every three years. Increases the maximum amount of funds received under the Act which a State may use for low-cost residential weatherization or other energy-related home repair for low-income households. Decreases the maximum amount of grant money allotted for a fiscal year to a State for low-income home energy assistance which a State may request to be held available for the next fiscal year. Provides that such request shall include a statement of the reasons that such amount allotted to such State for a fiscal year will not be used by such State during such fiscal year and a description of the types of assistance to be provided with the amount held available for the following fiscal year. Provides that an amount allotted to a State for a fiscal year shall be determined on the amount of funds remaining for such State after funds for energy assistance are reserved by the Secretary for Indian tribes. Specifies additional home energy and home energy assistance data which the Secretary is required to collect on a State-by-State basis. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on such data by June 30 of each year.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), IV (Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families With Children and for Child-Welfare Services), V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant), and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to strike out the words "crippled" and "crippling" wherever they appear and insert instead the words "handicapped" and "disability," respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Amends the Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1985 to require that: (1) at least five percent of the funds earmarked for the Agency for International Development shall be available only for the delivery of primary health care services and basic health education, training for health care workers, and medical supplies and equipment for primary health care, with such assistance to be provided through private and voluntary organizations and international organizations wherever appropriate; (2) not more than one-third of the amount allocated for such services may be used in any one country; and (3) funds allocated to carry out these provisions shall remain available until September 30, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1984
War Powers Act of 1984 - Amends the War Powers Resolution to rename the resolution the War Powers Act. Authorizes U.S. armed forces, in the absence of a congressional declaration of war, to be introduced into hostilities or into a situation where the imminent introduction of such forces into hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, only: (1) to repel an attack upon the United States, to take retaliatory actions in the event of such an attack, and to forestall the direct and imminent threat of such an attack; (2) to repel an attack against U.S. armed forces located outside the United States and to forestall the direct and imminent threat of such an attack; (3) to protect U.S. citizens while evacuating them from a country where they are being subject to a direct and imminent threat to their lives either sponsored by the country's government or beyond the power of such government to control, provided the President shall make every effort to terminate the threat without using U.S. armed forces and provided that the President shall where possible obtain the consent of the government before using U.S. armed forces; or (4) pursuant to specific statutory authorization. Requires the President to report to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate whenever U.S. armed forces are introduced into hostilities or into one of the other situations listed above. Requires the President to report to Congress at least once every six months for as long as U.S. armed forces are engaged in hostilities outside the United States. Limits the length of time that U.S. armed forces may be used in hostilities or in such situations to 30 days unless Congress enacts a law providing otherwise. Permits Congress by law or joint resolution to terminate U.S. involvement before the expiration of the 30 days. Provides for expedited consideration of proposals to continue or terminate the use of U.S. armed forces in such situations. States that statutory authorization either for introducing U.S. armed forces into or for sustaining their use in hostilities or situations where imminent introduction of such forces into hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances shall not be inferred from: (1) any provisions of law unless such provision specifically authorizes such introduction or use of the armed forces and states that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this Act; or (2) any treaty unless the treaty is implemented by a law specifically authorizing such introduction or use of such armed forces and stating that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this Act. Permits U.S. armed forces to participate jointly with members of military forces of other countries in high-level military commands that were established before enactment of this Act and pursuant to a treaty which was ratified before such enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1984
Fair Reduction-in-Force Practices Act of 1984 - Prohibits any executive agency, the Government Printing Office, or the Library of Congress from conducting a reduction in force unless it cannot respond to the reason for the need for a proposed reduction in force by: (1) instituting general cost-reduction measures; (2) establishing practical programs for eliminating inefficient or wasteful agency practices; (3) transferring funds between agency programs and activities; (4) reassigning employees to other positions within the agency, positions funded by trust or revolving fund accounts, or positions with a State or local government; (5) transferring or detailing employees; or (6) limiting the hours of intermittent employees and reducing the use of temporary employees. Requires an agency head to notify the exclusive representative of any unit having an employee who would be affected by a proposed reduction in force of any determination of a need for a reduction in force. Sets forth procedures governing collective bargaining over a reduction in force. Prohibits an agency from conducting a reduction in force unless: (1) after satisfying the previous requirements of this Act, it submits a report concerning the proposed reduction in force to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and (2) OPM certifies on the basis of such report that the requirements of this Act have been met. Requires the report to OPM to: (1) describe the actions to be taken, the reasons the reduction in force is necessary, all alternatives and proposals considered and implemented, and the anticipated impact of the proposed reduction in force on the operations and management of the agency; (2) provide any views and recommendations submitted by employee or management representatives; (3) indicate the estimated total cost to the Government of the proposed reduction in force; and (4) compare the estimated savings, over three years, anticipated through the proposed reduction in force with the estimated savings anticipated through the alternatives and proposals considered and implemented. Requires such reports to be submitted to specified congressional committees and made available to certain subcommittees. Permits an agency to issue notice of a proposed reduction in force to employees no earlier than ten days after OPM certifies that the requirements of this Act have been met. Entitles an affected employee to at least 30 days' advance notice. Requires such notice to specify: (1) the personnel action to be taken and its effective date; (2) the information used in determining the employee's standing in the competition for retention; (3) the place where and time when the employee may inspect records pertaining to his or her case; (4) any exceptions to the general order of release; and (5) the employee's right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board or to use any negotiated grievance procedure available. Directs OPM to establish a Government-wide placement register for each occupational category. Requires the name of each employee specifically notified of a reduction in force to be placed on the register for each occupation for which the employee is qualified. Directs OPM to prescribe regulations prohibiting an agency from filling a vacant position by a new appointment, transfer, reemployment, reassignment, or promotion unless the agency determines that there is no qualified individual on the appropriate register. Directs OPM to match each individual on the register with the available position for which the individual is best suited and, if the individual is qualified for more than one position, with the position which would be the least disruptive for the individual (considering the duties, pay, work schedule, and location of the position). Requires each individual to be offered an appointment to the position to which he or she has been matched unless the agency offering such position objects on the ground that appointment of another person is necessary to prevent substantial disruption to an essential agency function or to increase the percentage of women and minorities in the work force to the percentage as of April 1, 1981. Entitles an individual to remain on appropriate placement registers and to be considered for employment for two years. Requires the individual's name to be removed from such registers if: (1) the individual requests that he or she no longer be considered for employment; (2) the personnel action under the proposed reduction in force does not take effect; (3) the individual accepts an offer of an appointment under this Act; or (4) the individual is offered a position within the same commuting area and with the same pay, grade, and work schedule as the position from which the individual was released. Entitles individuals who have been affected by or notified of a reduction in force since April 1, 1981, to be placed on registers upon application. Requires OPM to prescribe regulations prohibiting an agency from filling a vacant position by new appointment, transfer, reemployment, reassignment, or promotion, even if there is no qualified individual on the retention registers, if there is available a person who, notwithstanding any minimum qualification requirements for the position: (1) receives specific notice of a proposed reduction in force and applies for consideration for vacant positions; (2) meets the educational requirements for the position; and (3) can reasonably be expected to satisfactorily perform the duties of such position within 180 days of appointment (with training, if necessary). Prohibits an agency from evaluating the performance of such an employee before 180 days after the employee is appointed. Allows the agency, after such period, to remove such employee for unacceptable performance. Disqualifies from such assignment program any individual who fails to achieve an acceptable performance rating in two consecutive positions. Permits individuals who have been notified of or affected by a reduction in force since April 1, 1981, to be assigned under such program upon application. Directs OPM to require agencies to transmit, at least monthly, a list of the employees notified of a reduction in force and a list of positions the agency plans to fill during the next six months. Requires OPM to make a list of all such positions available to such employees for inspection. Requires OPM to submit biannual reports to the President and to specified congressional committees on the implementation of the provisions of this Act. Sets forth requirements concerning the contents of such reports.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Establishes within the Department of Justice the Strike Force on Health Quackery, composed of two representatives from each of the following organizations: (1) the Department of Justice; (2) the Food and Drug Administration; (3) the Federal Trade Commission; and (4) the U.S. Postal Service. Requires the Strike Force to make a full analysis of (including a plan to curtail) the sale and promotion of drugs, medical devices, and medical treatments which are known to be false or whose safety and effectiveness is not proven. Sets forth periodic reporting requirements and requires a final report to Congress upon termination of the Task Force three years after its establishment.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for damaging or destroying any cemetery, religious building, or any religious article contained in such a building, or interfering with any person freely exercising his religion.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and other Federal law, to increase the criminal penalties for those who willfully sell or offer for sale drugs, devices, or medical treatments knowing that they are unsafe or ineffective or unproven.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Taiwan should continue and accelerate progress toward a democratic system by ending martial law and by releasing political prisoners and otherwise guaranteeing and protecting the rights of the Taiwan people.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit in an amount equal to 50 percent of expenses incurred for the purchase and installation of television subtitle equipment to be used by a hearing-impaired individual. Limits the amount of such credit to $250 ($125 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1984
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the appointment of Anne M. Burford as Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere, and urges the President to withdraw her appointment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1984
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the collection of information by the Department of Health and Human Services in order to determine what information is being collected from the same class of individuals more than once. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on such study by a specified date. Requires that such report include detailed recommendations for collecting information more efficiently and reducing information collection that is duplicative.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Conservation Service Reform Act of 1984 - Title I: Residential Conservation Service - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to extend until January 1, 1990, the time period within which energy conservation information requirements imposed upon public utilities and home heating suppliers shall apply. (Under current law, such requirements apply through January 1, 1985.) Eliminates requirements that public utilities and home heating suppliers: (1) arrange to have suggested energy conservation measures installed for residential customers; (2) arrange for related loans for such customers; and (3) provide such customers with lists of suppliers and contractors who sell or install energy conservation measures in the area served by the utilities and home heating suppliers and of lending institutions which will offer loans for the installation of such measures. Provides that an application by a utility for an exemption from the requirements under such Act which is pending on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be considered approved unless the Secretary of Energy disapproves it within 30 days after such date. Permits a State or a utility to elect to formulate and certify an alternative residential energy conservation plan in lieu of the residential energy conservation plan required to be approved by the Secretary pursuant to the National Energy Conservation Policy Act. (Permits alternative plans by utilities where an alternative State plan is not in effect or in the case of a nonregulated utility which is not included in a State plan.) Sets forth procedural requirements for the formulation of such an alternative plan. Requires that such an alternative plan: (1) provide general energy conservation suggestions to all residential customers of utilities in the State; (2) provide specific energy conservation information and improvements to customers upon their requests; (3) provide benefits to a specified percentage of residential buildings which did not receive benefits under such Act before such plan became effective; (4) reduce energy consumption by an average of ten percent or more in such residential buildings; (5) benefit low- and moderate-income individuals as well as others; (6) contain adequate procedures for installation of energy conservation measures; (7) prevent unfair, deceptive, and anticompetitive practices affecting commerce; (8) be carried out by the State, utilities within the State, or both (except in the case of a plan being certified by a utility rather than the State); (9) contain rules concerning accounting and payment of costs which are consistent with such Act; (10) provide redress for any injuries resulting from violations of plan provisions; and (11) assure that the utility will not inspect a furnace or install or inspect furnace efficiency modifications without the customer's request in the case of a furnace using a primary source of energy other than that sold by the utility. Requires the State or the utility to certify that its alternative plan has been formulated in accordance with this Act and will be adequately implemented. Sets forth reporting requirements with which the State or utility must comply. Sets forth administrative and judicial proceedings which may be commenced to require the adequate implementation of an alternative plan. Requires the Secretary of Energy to report to specified congressional committees on the residential energy conservation plans required under the National Energy Conservation Policy Act and on the alternative plans described above. Requires the Secretary to disseminate information annually to the States and public utilities providing technical assistance and relating to the most cost-effective energy conservation procedures and devices and the most successful residential energy conservation plans. Provides as an additional requirement relating to the waiver of the prohibition against supply and installation of residential energy conservation measures by public utilities that there be no unfair competitive advantages to the utility seeking such waiver. Prohibits the Governor of a State from supporting the petition of a regulated utility for such a waiver before: (1) the Governor has notified the public of the waiver petition so that interested persons may make comments and the Governor has made the same determinations which the Secretary must make in approving such a petition; and (2) the utility makes all relevant information available to the Governor. Revises requirements with respect to the application of the contracting and general exemptions from the prohibition against supply and installation of residential energy conservation measures by public utilities. Title II: Repeal of Provisions Regarding Commercial Buildings and Multifamily Dwellings - Repeals title VII of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to oppose the practice of torture by foreign governments through the implementation of laws and through public and private diplomacy. Requests the President to: (1) instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to continue to raise the issue of torture by such governments; and (2) continue to involve the U.S. Government in the formulation of international standards, particularly the draft Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Requests the Secretary of State to issue specified formal instructions to each U.S. mission chief regarding U.S. policy with respect to such torture. States that the Secretary of Commerce should continue to enforce the current restrictions on the export of crime control equipment pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the heads of U.S. departments that furnish military and law enforcement training to foreign personnel to include in such training instruction regarding international human rights standards with respect to torture.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984
Head Start and Human Services Amendments of 1984 - Title I: Project Head Start - Amends the Head Start Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to administer Project Head Start through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services. Makes technical amendments to such Act. Authorizes appropriations for the Head Start program for FY 1985 through 1986. Requires the Secretary to reserve for training and technical assistance for each fiscal year funds which are not less than the amount spent for such activities under such Act in FY 1982. Prohibits funds reserved for discretionary payments by the Secretary under such Act from being combined with funds appropriated under any other Act if the purposes of combining funds is to make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary payment. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in a community if there is no Head Start agency or program serving such community. Requires that any such designation be governed by the program and fiscal requirements, criteria, and standards applicable on September 1, 1983, to then existing Head Start agencies. Requires that specified provisions relating to designation of Head Start agencies be carried out in FY 1985 and 1986 in accordance with the rules issued under such provisions by the Secretary as in effect on September 1, 1983. Prohibits the Secretary from making any change in the method, as in effect on April 25, 1984, of calculating income used to prescribe eligibility for the participation of persons in Head Start programs if such change would result in any reduction in, or exclusion from, participation of persons in any such programs. Prohibits any such change during the period from the date of enactment of this Act to October 1, 1986, unless such a change is specifically authorized in any Federal statute enacted after such date of enactment. Permits each Head Start program operated in a community to provide services to any eligible child for any period from age three to the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the program operates. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training in connection with Head Start programs. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such assistance and training.) Requires that such training activities include: (1) a national child development associate training and assessment program providing the necessary credentials for such personnel; and (2) training, including resource access projects, which improves the ability of such personnel to provide Head Start services to handicapped children. Prohibits funds for Head Start research, demonstration, and pilot projects from being combined with funds available to carry out any other provision of law if the purpose of combining funds is to make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary payment to a recipient of such funds. Prohibits any revision in Head Start performance standards which would result in either the elimination of, or the reduction in the scope of, types of health, education, parent involvement, social, or other services required by the performance standards issued by the Secretary as in effect on November 2, 1978. Title II: Follow Through Programs - Amends the Follow Through Act to authorize appropriations for such program for FY 1985 and 1986. Requires the Secretary of Education (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to provide financial assistance for research, demonstration, and pilot projects relating to the Follow Through program. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such assistance.) Requires that such projects be designed to test or assist in the development of new approaches or methods that will aid in overcoming the special problems of primarily low-income children previously enrolled in Head Start or similar programs to develop to their full potential in kindergarten and the primary grades. Directs the Secretary to provide for a review and analysis of all previous evaluations and reports made in connection with all Follow Through programs and projects authorized by any Act of Congress in effect after August 20, 1964, and to provide a comprehensive evaluative report. Requires that such report measure the impact of such programs and projects in specified ways. Permits such review to be conducted only by persons who are not directly involved in the development, design, administration, or implementation of such programs and projects. Requires that such report be submitted to the President and Congress by January 30, 1986. Makes a technical amendment which repeals the applicability of specified Head Start Act provisions to the Follow Through Act. Adds provisions for child care information and referral services to the Follow Through Act. (Entitles such provisions the "Child Care Information and Referral Services Act.") Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, to make grants to assist public or private nonprofit organizations to establish and operate community-based child care information and referral centers. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires that grant recipients be selected through a competitive process, taking into consideration the demonstrated ability of applicants to provide such services, and giving priority to applicants for grants of less than $75,000. Requires an applicant to make specified assurances, including an assurance that it shall obtain the following percentages of its projected budget through non-Federal sources of funding during the grant period: (1) at least 25 percent in the first and second years; (2) at least 50 percent in the third year; and (3) at least 65 percent in the fourth and fifth years. Limits to five years the aggregate period for which such grants may be made to any single center. Sets reporting requirements for centers receiving such grants. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report annually to specified congressional committees on activities under such child care information and referral services provisions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for such child care information and referral services. Makes specified provisions for administration of the Head Start program applicable to the administration of such child information and referral services program. Title III: Community Services Programs - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for community services grants to States to ameliorate the causes of poverty in communities. Revises grant application provisions to require States to assure that: (1) at least 85 percent of the State allotment will be used for grants to community action agencies (or to organizations serving seasonal or migrant farmworkers) for specified purposes; and (2) the remainder will be used to make grants to local governments (or to specified types of nonprofit private community organizations or to migrant and seasonal farm worker organizations) for such specified purposes. Includes services under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 among those activities to which a State may transfer funds from a portion of its community services grant allotment. Authorizes a State, whenever it determines that a local government, or a combination of local governments, is not served by a community action agency, to: (1) use funds earmarked for grants to local governments through an existing community action agency to provide such services; or (2) if that is not feasible, establish a new community action agency to provide such services. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to waive for any State specified limitations relating to eligibility to receive grants, under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct, in several States in each fiscal year, evaluations of the uses made of community services block grants; and (2) annually submit the results of such evaluations to specified congressional committees. Provides that the Director of the Office of Community Services within the Department of Health and Human Services shall be appointed by the President by and with the advise and consent of the Senate. Revises provisions relating to investigations conducted by the Secretary and the Comptroller General of the use of community service grant funds. Makes such investigations by the Comptroller General mandatory. Repeals a prohibition against the Secretary either requesting information not readily available to a State or requiring that any information be compiled, collected, or transmitted in any new form not already available. Requires the Secretary to provide for specified training and other ongoing activities of national or regional significance related to the purposes of the community services grants program, including certain special emphasis programs. (Under current law the Secretary has discretionary authority to provide for such training and other activities.) Adds to the list of such special emphasis programs a specified type of program for senior opportunities and services which is described under specified provisions of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as in effect on August 12, 1981. Sets forth provisions for community food and nutrition programs. Directs the Secretary, through grants to public and private, nonprofit agencies, to provide for community-based, local, and statewide programs to: (1) identify food and nutritional needs of low-income populations, especially high-risk infants and children; (2) assist low-income communities to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition programs and initiate new programs in underserved or unserved areas; (3) coordinate existing private and public food assistance resources to better serve low-income populations; and (4) increase public awareness of hunger and develop strategies to minimize dependence on emergency food assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for such programs. Requires that some of such funds be expended for programs for each of the purposes specified. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for Native American programs under title VIII (the "Native American Programs Act of 1964") of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Title IV: Native American Programs - Native American Programs Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide that decisions to grant financial assistance shall not consider whether such aid accrues to the benefit of Indians who are not members of a federally recognized tribe. Prohibits the rejection of financial assistance solely on the grounds that the request serves Indians or an Indian organization in a nonreservation area. Requires that programs under such Act be administered within the Department of Health and Human Services. (Currently they may be delegated to other Federal departments and agencies.) Prohibits any transfer of such administration outside of the Department. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to continue the administration of grants through the Administration for Native Americans (the Administration). Requires the Commission of such Administration to delegate all functions within the Administration. Restricts the delegation and redelegation of functions by the Secretary to personnel within the Department. Permits interagency funding agreements between the Administration and other Federal agencies. Specifies the percentage of appropriated funds which shall be used for financial assistance under such Act. Title V: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984
Establishes a commission to be known as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission to: (1) encourage appropriate ceremonies and activities throughout the United States relating to the first observance of the Federal legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.; and (2) provide advice and assistance to the Federal Government and to State and local governments and private organizations with respect to the observance of the holiday. Sets forth requirements regarding the membership and staff of the Commission. Authorizes the heads of all Government departments and agencies, upon the request of the Commission, to detail any of their personnel to the Commission and to otherwise assist the Commission in carrying out its responsibilities under this Act. Requires that all of the Commission's expenditures be made from donated funds. Directs the Commission, not later than April 20, 1986, to report to the President and the Congress concerning its activities under this Act. Terminates the Commission after the submission of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984
Synthetic Fuels Reform and Budget Reduction Act - Provides that, except as provided below, all funds in the Energy Security Reserve shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall not be available for obligation with respect to synthetic fuels projects. Sets aside $500,000,000 of the funds in the Reserve to be made available to the Secretary of Energy to carry out a five-year program for the advanced research and development of coal utilization technologies. Provides that $2,500,000,000 which shall be available for obligations by the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation in accordance with this Act and with the Energy Security Act, plus the funds necessary to meet obligations with respect to binding commitments entered into before enactment of this Act and still in effect, shall be retained in the Reserve. Requires the Corporation to submit for congressional approval a proposed comprehensive strategy to achieve the national synthetic production goal established under the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation Act of 1980. Requires that such strategy be submitted within a specified time period. Requires that such strategy include a financial or investment prospectus justifying the proposed obligation of amounts retained in the Reserve for synthetic fuels projects. Permits such obligations only after the proposed strategy has been approved by joint resolution. Amends the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation Act of 1980 to provide that the Administrative Procedure Act, the Freedom of Information Act, the Government in the Sunshine Act, and Federal law relating to disclosure of confidential information shall apply to the Corporation as if it were a Federal agency. Requires the Board of Directors of the Corporation to fix the compensation of Corporation officers and other employee categories in accordance with the Executive Schedule and the General Schedule. (Under current law, the Board must take the Executive and General Schedules into consideration in fixing such compensation.) Requires the Board of Directors, the Secretary of Energy, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to agree on a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a program for monitoring and accumulating data with respect to the technical performance, environmental and socioeconomic impacts, and economic viability of projects funded by the Corporation. Provides that contracts for financial assistance shall require the financial assistance recipient to develop a plan ensuring full cooperation with such program. Changes the date on which the Corporation shall terminate from September 30, 1997, to June 30, 1987. Provides that the liquidation of the Corporation and the winding up of its affairs shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Energy, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency jointly in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding agreed to by them if the Board of Directors of the Corporation has not completed the termination of the Corporation's affairs and its liquidation by the termination date. (Under current law, such duties are to be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury only.)
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with specified agencies, to conduct at least ten demonstration projects to determine the feasibility of providing for alternative Medicare benefits for individuals entitled to Medicare benefits who are diagnosed as suffering from Alzheimer's disease or a related memory disorder. Directs the Secretary, in conducting such projects, to consider: (1) alternative benefits that encompass a range of outpatient services that are particularly appropriate to individuals suffering from such a progressive, chronic illness; and (2) providing alternative benefits in a manner that is analogous to the manner in which benefits for hospice care are made available under Medicare. Limits the cost of each such project. Provides for the paying for such projects.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, regarding Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, to: (1) promote the establishment of family support groups; (2) provide for a national coordinating network; and (3) report to Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) ensure that U.S. officials carry out his pledge to resolve the issue of the Americans still missing and unaccounted for in Indochina; (2) work for the immediate release of any Americans still held captive and the return of the remains of those who died in Southeast Asia; and (3) make every effort to secure the cooperation pledged by Laos and Vietnam in resolving this issue.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1984
Designates the week beginning February 17, 1985, as a time to recognize the contributions of volunteers who give their time to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to youths in need of adult companionship.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1984
Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole granted.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1984
Atomic Veterans Relief Act - Provides disability benefits to veterans who participated in atomic tests or the occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki after World War II and who, within 40 years, suffer from diseases that may be attributable to ionizing radiation, including: (1) leukemia, (2) polycythemia vera; (3) carcinoma of the thyroid; (4) chromosomal damage; (5) posterior subcapsular cataracts; and (6) other radiogenic cancers. Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to promulgate regulations to resolve benefit claims and provide standards for benefit determinations and the inclusion of additional diseases as the basis for benefits. Provides for survivors' benefits. Directs the Administrator to report to the Veterans' Affairs Committees of Congress whenever legislative action related to the subject matter of the regulations is needed. Establishes in the Veterans Administration the Advisory Committee on Veterans Exposed to Ionizing Radiation to report annually to the Administrator on the administration of the benefits provided by this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit such report to Congress with appropriate comments. Provides medical care for the treatment of genetic or congenital disorders in the natural children of affected veterans. Entitles such children to educational assistance. Requires the Administrator to carry out an outreach, screening, and counseling program to serve those veterans, dependents, and survivors entitled to benefits under this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a research and training program for the diagnosis and treatment of disabilities caused by exposure to ionizing radiation, including a centralized registry of claims. Directs the Administrator to make a comprehensive report on these programs in the annual report to Congress under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1984
Children's Products Safety Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to permit the Consumer Product Safety Commission to order a manufacturer of a toy or other article intended for use by children that has been determined to create a substantial risk of injury to children to: (1) give public notice of such danger; (2) mail such notice to each manufacturer, distributor, or retailer; and (3) mail such notice to every person to whom the person giving the notice knows such toy or other article intended for use by children was delivered or sold. Permits the Commission to order the manufactuer, distributor, or retailer either to repair such toy so that it will not create a risk of injury, to replace such toy with a safe equivalent toy or article, or to refund the purchase price.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1984
Caribbean Trade Institute/International Trade Center Authorization Act - Directs the Secretary of State to establish a Caribbean Trade Institute/International Trade Center in Harlem, New York City. Requires investment tax credits and depreciation tax deductions to be determined without regard to: (1) the fact that property is financed by a grant under this Act; and (2) whether the Institute/Trade Center is a tax-exempt entity. Authorizes appropriations for the construction of a building for the Institute/Trade Center and for the operational expenses of the Institute/Trade Center for the first three fiscal years ending after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1984
Authorizes reimbursement to the government of Rockland County, New York, for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the transfer and trial of the criminal actions entitled "People of the State of New York v. Katherine Boudin, David Gilber, Judith Clark, Samuel Brown, and Donald Weens" and "People of the State of New York v. Katherine Boudin and Samuel Brown." Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1984
Regional Conservation and Electric Power Planning and Regulatory Coordination Act of 1984 - Title I: Granting of Consent to Any Two or More States to Enter Into Multistate Compacts - Grants congressional consent to any two or more States to enter into compacts to develop, adopt, and publish: (1) standards for ratemaking treatment of any costs incurred by electric utilities that are unrelated to resource acquisition; (2) methodologies to assess cost-effective resources to meet electric energy demand; (3) plans to mitigate the adverse effects of unforecasted, emergency electric power outages or shortages; and (4) a long-run conservation and electric power plan for resource acquisition to meet the total electric energy demand in the geographic region covered by the compact at least system cost. Sets forth requirements with respect to the membership and functioning of a multistate compact. Requires that public hearings be held prior to the adoption of any standard, methodology, or plan. Authorizes the governing agency of a multistate compact to encourage resource acquisition by electric utilities and their customers and consumers according to the long-term conservation and electric power plan developed under the compact. Requires that an opportunity for public comment and review be provided prior to certification of the need for any resource. Permits the governing agency of a multistate compact, where authorized by the compact establishing it, to: (1) intervene and participate as a matter of right in any proceeding held by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and (2) apply to the Commission for an order compelling one or more electric utilities to provide or modify transmission services where appropriate for purposes of implementing a long-run conservation and electric power plan. Sets forth judicial review procedures which shall apply to actions under this Act. Title II: Authority of the States to Regulate the Rates for Certain Wholesale Electricity Transactions - Permits a State regulatory authority, with the Governor's approval and after a public hearing, to submit to the Commission for its approval a plan for the regulation by such authority of some or all of the rates for the sale of electricity at wholesale by electric utilities which are subject to the Commission's rate regulatory jurisdiction. Specifies the contents of such a plan. Requires the Commission to approve or disapprove it within 180 days after its receipt. Permits amendments to such a plan by the State. Sets forth procedures for Commission review of the implementation of such a plan. Title III: Amendments to the Federal Power Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to conform to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1984
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the President from issuing a letter of offer to sell major defense equipment for $14,000,000 or more, or other defense articles or services for $50,000,000 or more to any country or international organization unless Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the sale. Exempts sales to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), member countries of that organization, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, or Israel from such requirement. Prohibits the President from issuing a letter of offer for such sales to such countries or NATO if Congress, within 15 days of receiving the certification with respect to the proposed sale, agrees to a joint resolution stating that the proposed sale is not authorized. Prohibits the President from issuing a letter of offer to sell design and construction services for $200,000,000 or more to any foreign country or international organization if the Congress, within 30 days of receiving the certification with respect to the proposed sale, agrees to a joint resolution stating that the proposed sale is not authorized. Prohibits the President from issuing letters of offer for arms sales until after Congress has had time to consider relevant joint resolutions. Exempts letters of offer for arms sales from the requirements for congressional authorization if the President states in the certification that an emergency exists which requires the proposed sale in the U.S. national security interests. Sets forth an expedited procedure for consideration of resolutions relating to such letters of offer. Prohibits the President from issuing a license to export such defense equipment, articles, or services unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the proposed export. Exempts from this requirement proposed exports to NATO, any member of NATO, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, or Israel. Prohibits issuing a license to export such defense equipment, articles, or services to NATO and such countries until 30 days after Congress receives the certification on such exports. Excludes proposed exports of such defense equipment, articles, or services from such requirements if the President states in the certification that an emergency exists which requires the proposed export in the interest of U.S. national security. Provides for expedited consideration of joint resolutions relating to such export licenses. Prohibits the President, unless Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing such action, from entering into or renewing an arms lease agreement, or military assistance loan to any foreign country or international organization for one year or longer of any defense articles which are either major defense equipment valued at $14,000,000 or more or other defense articles valued at $50,000,000 or more. Excludes from such requirement a lease or loan to NATO, any member country of NATO, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, or Israel. Provides for expedited consideration of such a joint resolution. Prohibits the President from consenting to a third-country arms transfer: (1) in the case of a proposed transfer to NATO, any member country of NATO, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, or Israel, if the Congress agrees, within 15 days after receiving the President's certification of the transfer, to a joint resolution stating that the President is not authorized to grant consent and that joint resolution is thereafter enacted; (2) in the case of any other such proposed transfer unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the President to grant his consent to the proposed transfer. Prohibits the President from consenting to such an arms transfer until after Congress has had time to consider a relevant joint resolution. Exempts third-country arms transfers from such requirements if the President states in the certification that an emergency exists which requires that consent to the proposed transfer become effective immediately in the interest of U.S. national security.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1984
Reproductive Health Equity Act - Amends the Social Security Act (Medicaid), the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Peace Corps Act, the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, and other Federal laws covering armed forces personnel and dependents, and Federal employees' health benefits, to provide that services related to abortion are made available in the same manner as are other pregnancy- related services under federally-funded programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1984
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to include Federal agencies which use animals for research or experimentation as research facilities for purposes of such Act. Revises the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards for research facilities with respect to animal care and treatment and practice in experimental procedures to ensure that animal pain and distress are minimized. Directs the Secretary to require research facilities to report at least annually that such standards are being followed. Specifies those items which must be included in a research facility's statement of compliance with such standards. Provides that a research facility shall be required to establish an animal research committee which shall inspect all animal study areas and facilities of the research facility at least semiannually and file an inspection certification report at the research facility. Requires that such report include any violations by the research facility of the standards promulgated by the Secretary. Provides that the research facility shall be given an opportunity to correct any such violations. Requires the committee to notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture and the Federal agency funding the research facility if the research facility fails to correct conditions. Provides that the committee report shall be maintained by the research facility for at least three years and shall be made available for inspection by the Secretary, the funding Federal agency, and the Department of Agriculture inspectors. Requires a research facility to provide annual instruction for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel in humane animal maintenance and experimentation and animal research and testing methods. Requires that employees of a research facility be told to report any violations of this Act by the research facility to the committee. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural Library which shall provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation. Requires a funding Federal agency to suspend or revoke Federal support for any project where animal care, treatment, and practices are not in compliance with applicable standards despite notification to the research facility involved. Provides that no rules or regulations promulgated by the Secretary may require a research facility to disclose trade secrets or privileged or confidential commercial or financial information. Makes it unlawful for any member of an animal research committee to release or use to his or her advantage any confidential information of a research facility. Sets forth criminal penalties for any such violations. Permits any person injured by such a violation to recover all damages, court costs, and attorney's fees.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ottinger, Richard L. [D-NY-24]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000134_200.jpg)