A joint resolution to proclaim July 10, 1984, "Food for Peace Day".
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1984
Designates July 10, 1984, as Food for Peace Day.
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United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1984
Designates July 10, 1984, as Food for Peace Day.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Federal Timber Contract Payment Modification Act - Authorizes requesting purchasers of Federal timber to buy out pre-1982 and specified reformed contracts held with the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior. Permits a buy-out of: (1) up to 55 percent of a contract's volume, with a maximum of 200,000,000 board feet, for purchasers holding more than 27,300,000 board feet of timber in qualifying contracts; or (2) up to 15,000,000 board feet or one contract (whichever is greater) for purchasers holding 27,000,000 or less board feet of timber in qualifying contracts. Bases purchaser cost on net worth and projected contract losses. States that amounts collected from buy-outs shall be available for timber management appropriation. Limits FY 1984 Forest Service region six timber sales to 4,300,000,000 board feet. States that beginning in FY 1985 and continuing until completion of specified 1983 contract extensions (but at least through FY 1991) such region's timber sales shall be adjusted to specified levels. Treats affiliated concerns as a single entity for purposes of calculating net worth and buy-out limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Superfund Expansion and Protection Act of 1984 - Title I: Provisions Relating Primarily to Response and Liability - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund) (CERCLA) (the Act) to revise the definition of "hazardous substance" to include petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) which: (1) is released from an underground storage tank (as defined in title IV of this title); or (2) may present a significant risk to human health. Transfers the definition of "pollutant or contaminant" from under provisions for response authorities under the Act to among the definitions for purposes of the entire Act. Provides that such term shall include petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) only in the case of a release from an underground storage tank as defined in title IV of this title. Adds references to "pollutants or contaminants" under specified provisions of the Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (the Administrator) to promulgate regulations, within six months after enactment of this Act, establishing that one single quantity shall be the reportable quantity of any hazardous substance regardless of the medium into which the hazardous substance is released. Increases the amount of criminal fines and the duration of criminal sentences for specified violations under the Act. Adds civil penalties for specified violations under the Act. Revises response authorities provisions to transfer from the President to the Administrator the authority to determine whether a response action will be done properly by the responsible party. Authorizes the Administrator, as well as the President, to undertake response actions. Requires that any removal action undertaken by the Administrator, or by any responsible party, be consistent, to the extent practicable, with any long term remedial action with respect to the release or threatened release. Directs the Administrator, to the maximum extent possible, to assess the risk to human health associated with the release or threatened release. Revises response authorities provisions relating to agreements with States. Requires States to make specified agreements with the Administrator, rather than with the President. Eliminates the requirement that a State assure all future maintenance of the removal and remedial actions provided for the expected life of such actions. Requires the State to pay ten percent of the costs of remedial action and ten percent of all future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial action. Requires a 50 percent or greater State share of response costs only in the case of facilities operated, as well as owned, by the State or local government at the time of hazardous waste disposal. Requires the State to also pay all future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial action at such State or locally owned and operated facilities. Provides for credits to any State which has paid more than a ten percent share of remedial costs at a facility owned, but not operated, by such State or local government. Provides that reasonable administrative expenses may be credited against a State's ten percent share. Sets forth mandatory cleanup standards. Directs the Administrator, rather than the President, to select appropriate cost-effective remedial actions determined to be necessary. Requires that such actions be in accordance with: (1) the National Contingency Plan, to the extent practicable; and (2) a required protection level. Directs the Administrator, in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a remedial action, to consider permanent solutions and alternative treatment technologies to the maximum extent practicable. Requires that the remedial action provide for a level or standard of control necessary to protect human health and the environment. Requires that such level or standard be as stringent as the most stringent applicable standard under the Toxic Substances Control Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, or Clean Water Act (or water quality criteria under the Clean Water Act). Requires that any remedial action which provides for containment at the facility comply with standards applicable to facilities required to obtain hazardous waste management permits under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Authorizes the Administrator to waive the requirement of the most stringent applicable standard, or of the specified containment standard, and to select an alternative remedial action upon a finding that: (1) such alternative remedial action will provide substantially equivalent protection; or (2) compliance with such requirements at that facility will consume such a disproportionate share of the resources of the Hazardous Substances Trust Fund (the Fund) as to have the effect of deferring or preventing remedial action at other facilities which pose a significantly greater threat to human health and the environment. Prohibits permit requirements for any removal or remedial action undertaken pursuant to the Act at the location of the release or threatened release. Authorizes the Administrator to establish the exclusive administrative procedures for making any determination under provisions for required protection level. Revises provisions for information gathering and access authorities to refer to the Administrator, rather than the President. Applies specified information requirements to generators of hazardous wastes, even if such information is available at the facility where such waste is located. Provides for access to such facilities by duly designated Federal and State officers, whenever necessary to carry out any provision of the Act, at reasonable times and for a reasonable duration. Prohibits anyone from impeding or interfering with such entry. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to prepare toxicological profiles sufficient to establish the likely effect on human health of at least 100 hazardous substances which are most frequently found or which pose the most significant threat to human health at facilities listed on the National Priorities List prepared under the National Contingency Plan. Requires that the 100 profiles be completed 48 months after enactment of this Act (at 12-month intervals for four groups of 25 substances). Adds new provisions for public participation in remedial action planning. Sets forth mandatory remedial action schedules. Directs the Administrator (of EPA) to commence remedial investigations for all facilities which are listed, as of the enactment date of this Act, on the National Priorities List (NPL) in accordance with the following schedule: (1) one-third of such facilities within six months after such enactment date; (2) two-thirds within 12 months after such date; and (3) all within 18 months after such date. Directs the Administrator to list not fewer than 1,600 facilities on the NPL by January 1, 1988. Directs the Administrator to commence remedial actions and feasibility studies for each facility added to the NPL after the enactment date of this Act within six months after addition of such facility to the NPL. Directs the Administrator to ensure that substantial and continuous physical on-site remedial action commences at facilities on the NPL at a rate of not fewer than 150 facilities per year beginning on October 1, 1986. Directs the Administrator to complete by January 1, 1987, preliminary assessments of all sites listed, as of the enactment date of this Act, on the Emergency and Remedial Response Information System. Directs the Administrator to ensure that remedial action is completed, to the maximum extent feasible, for all facilities listed as of the date of enactment of this Act on the NPL within five years after such enactment date. Directs the Administrator to publish an explanation of why any such remedial action could not be completed within such period. Sets forth provisions for citizen petitions for health effects studies and for emergency relief. Allows any individual or group of individuals to submit a petition to the Administrator providing evidence which: (1) demonstrates that such individual or individuals are being exposed to any hazardous substance; and (2) provides an empirical analysis of the level of exposure. Directs the Administrator to initiate a health effects study upon determination that: (1) there is a reasonable likelihood that such substance is from a facility where such substance is or was treated, stored, recycled, or disposed of, on a regular basis, or where removal action is being or was taken under any provision of the Act; and (2) the exposure may present a significant risk to human health. Directs the Administrator (or the ATSDR Administrator if so designated by the Administrator), within 30 days after receipt of such petition, to: (1) initiate a health effects study; or (2) publish a written explanation of the determination which prevented initiation of the study. Requires that each such health effects study be completed within six months after the date the petition is filed and include specified information. Requires that steps be taken to eliminate any significant risk to human health which such study finds the exposure concerned presents. Provides that such steps may include provision of alternative drinking water supplies and relocation of individuals. Requires that the National Contingency Plan (NCP) be revised within 18 months after the enactment of this Act to reflect the amendments made by this Act. Requires that the portion of the NCP known as "the National Hazardous Substance Response Plan" be revised to provide procedures and standards for remedial actions consistent with protection level requirements under this title. Sets forth provisions for citizen petitions for site ranking. Directs the Administrator, within 12 months after receipt of a citizen petition, to complete a preliminary assessment of the hazards to public health and environment associated with any actual or threatened release of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant. Directs the Administrator, if such assessment indicates a significant threat, to make a prompt evaluation in accordance with the hazard ranking system referred to under specified provisions of the Act to determine the national priority of such release or threatened release. Requires that plan criteria for determining priorities among releases or threatened releases throughout the United States for purposes of taking remedial action shall also take into account: (1) the release-associated damage to natural resources which may affect the human food chain; and (2) the release-associated contamination or potential contamination of the ambient air. Sets forth provisions for abatement actions. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, and after consultation with the Attorney General, to revise and republish specified guidelines for using imminent hazard, enforcement, and emergency response authorities to effectuate the responsibilities and powers created by this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to establish administrative procedures regarding the opportunity for a person to object to an abatement order under this title. Provides that no court shall have jurisdiction to review any such abatement order in any action other than an action to: (1) enforce such order; (2) recover a penalty for a violation; or (3) recover punitive damages. Revises liability provisions to provide for liability for Federal or State costs of removal or remedial action with respect to a release or threatened release (whether or not such action is consistent with the NCP). Adds liability for Federal or State costs of information gathering with respect to a release or threatened release. Adds liability for the costs of any action taken by the Administrator, under specified citizens petition and emergency relief provisions of this Act, to eliminate a significant risk to human health presented by exposure to a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant and the costs of any health effects study carried out under such provisions with respect to such exposure. Provides that liability under the Act (CERCLA) shall be strict, joint, and several as construed and applied under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and under these CERCLA liability provisions. Provides that amounts recoverable shall include interest at a specified rate. Prohibits the Attorney General from representing any Federal agency (other than the EPA) in any civil action under title I (Hazardous Substances Releases, Liability, Compensation) of the Act (CERCLA). Authorizes the head of any such Federal agency to appoint agency attorneys or contract with non-Federal attorneys to represent the agency in any such action. Provides that, in any action under liability provisions of the Act, the results of laboratory tests conducted by the Administrator (or by a State) to determine what substances are present at the facility where a release or threatened release occurs may be introduced into evidence and shall be presumed to be accurate. Provides that such presumption shall be overcome if the defendant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that such test results lack a reasonable basis. Adds to authorized uses of the Fund the payment of any costs incurred under provisions of this Act: (1) relating to emergency relief and health effects studies; (2) by the ATSDR in preparing specified toxicological profiles; and (3) by the Administrator in evaluating facilities pursuant to petitions for preliminary assessments of hazards to public health. Eliminates a requirement that 85 percent of specified money credited to the Fund be available only for specified purposes. Limits to six percent of such money the amount available for payment of specified claims. Revises audit provisions to direct the Inspector General of the EPA, in each fiscal year, to: (1) conduct an annual audit of the Trust Fund; (2) report on the status of all remedial and enforcement actions taken during the prior fiscal year; and (3) estimate the amount of resources, including the number of work years or personnel, which would be necessary for the Administrator to complete the implementation of all duties vested in the Administrator under this title. Requires that such audit and such status report: (1) include specified information; and (2) be reported annually by the Inspector General to the Congress. Prohibits any potentially liable person from seeking judicial review of any determination to incur any governmental response costs pursuant to response authorities provisions or to utilize the Fund for payment of such costs except in an action to recover such costs under liability provisions. Revises statute of limitations provisions under the Act. Prohibits, with specified exceptions for minors or incompetent persons, presentation of any claim or commencement of any action for damages, as defined under the Act, beyond three years after the later of: (1) the date of the discovery of the loss; (2) the date on which regulations are promulgated under specified provisions for the assessment of damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources resulting from a release of oil or hazardous substance for purposes of the Act and of specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; or (3) the date on which regulations are promulgated establishing procedures for the filing of such claims. Sets a statute of limitations of six years after the date of the completion of the response action for presentation of claims or commencement of actions for recovery of response costs in cases involving the responsible person's willful misconduct or willful negligence, violation of safety, construction, or operating standards or regulations, or failures or refusals to provide reasonable cooperation and assistance requested by public officials. Extends the deadline for promulgation of regulations for the assessment of damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources resulting from a release of oil or a hazardous substance for purposes of the Act and of specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the relationship of this Act to other law. Authorizes States to require any person to contribute to any fund to pay compensation for claims for any response costs or damages or claims which may be compensated under the Act. Title II: Federal Cause of Action - Subtitle A: Federal Cause of Action - Establishes a Federal cause of action for damages to an individual which result from harm caused by a release of a hazardous substance from specified facilities. Allows the individual or the individual's dependents to sue for compensable damages under this title. Makes liable for such damages: (1) the owner or operator of a vessel (otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United States) or a facility; (2) any person who at the time of disposal of any hazardous substance owned or operated any facility at which such hazardous substance was disposed of; (3) any person who by contract, agreement, or otherwise arranged for disposal or treatment, or arranged with a transporter for transport for disposal or treatment, of hazardous substances owned or possessed by such person, by any other party or entity, at any facility owned or operated by another party or entity and containing such hazardous substances; and (4) any person who accepts or accepted any hazardous substances for transport to disposal or treatment facilities or sites selected by such person. Makes such liability strict. Makes such liability joint and several, with specified exceptions. Sets forth defenses to such strict liability. Makes the following damages compensable under this title: (1) any medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, or burial expenses due to personal injury, illness, or death; (2) any loss of income or profits or any impairment or loss of earning capacity due to personal injury, illness, or death; (3) any pain or suffering which results from personal illness, injury, or death; and (4) any economic loss and any damages to property, including diminution in value. Provides for jurisdiction over such Federal cause of action in U.S. district courts. Provides that such Federal jurisdiction shall not affect the jurisdiction of any State court with respect to any action. Authorizes the court to award litigation costs where appropriate. Provides that nothing in this title shall be construed to preempt, or otherwise affect, any provision of State law regarding liability for damages in connection with any hazardous substance. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Sets forth a three-year statute of limitations, with specified exceptions for minors or incompetent persons, for actions under this title beginning on the later of: (1) the date the individual knew (or reasonably should have known) that the injury, illness, or death or other expense was caused by the hazardous substance concerned; or (2) the date of enactment of this title. Prohibits any person who is an employee covered by a State or Federal worker's compensation plan which compensates employees for an injury, illness, or death arising out of and in the course of employment (or pursuant to similar tests of work-relatedness) from recovering any amount under this title for such injury, illness, or death. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Eliminates provisions under the Act (CERCLA) relating to a legislative veto. Authorizes citizen lawsuits under the Act (CERCLA). Sets forth provisions relating to such citizen lawsuits. Title IV: Regulation of Underground Storage Tanks - Establishes a program for identification and regulation of underground storage tanks containing hazardous substances (including petroleum products), and for cleanup of leaks from such tanks. Defines "hazardous substance" for purposes of this title as: (1) any substance designated pursuant to specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (2) any element, compound, mixture, solution, or substance designated pursuant to the CERCLA definition of "pollutant or contaminant," as added by this Act; (3) any hazardous waste having the characteristics identified under or listed pursuant to hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (but not including any waste the regulation of which under such Act has been suspended by Act of Congress); (4) any toxic pollutant listed under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (5) any hazardous air pollutant listed under specified provisions of the Clean Air Act; (6) any imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture with respect to which the Administrator has taken action pursuant to specified provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act; and (7) any petroleum product or fraction thereof. Excludes from such term natural gas, natural gas liquids, propane, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel (or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas). Defines "underground storage tank" to include underground pipes connected to such a tank, and lists the following exclusions from this term: (1) farm or residential underground storage tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes; (2) underground storage tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored; (3) residential septic tanks; (4) pipelines regulated under the Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 1968; or (5) surface impoundments, pits, ponds, lagoons, or basins. Sets forth notification requirements applicable to any person who, during the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which this title was enacted, has supplied any hazardous substance to 100 or more sites where there is an underground storage tank which is or has been used for the storage of any hazardous substance. Requires such persons to notify a designated State or local agency of the existence of any such tank located at such a site. Directs the Administrator, within eight months after the enactment date of this Act, to promulgate regulations (taking into account the effect on small business) regarding the providing of notice to obtain information concerning any such tanks which are not located at such sites. Requires that the notice required of such persons supplying hazardous substances to 100 or more sites where such tanks are located be provided within 12 months after the enactment of this title. Requires that the notice required with respect to all other sites where such tanks are located be provided within 12 months after the promulgation of such regulations. Requires that specified information be contained in those notices required of the suppliers to 100 or more sites and in those notices required of owners or operators which install or bring into use an underground storage tank after the enactment of this Act. Sets forth other information requirements for notices required of the suppliers to 100 or more sites, and for notices required pursuant to regulations for tanks at other sites, in the case of any such tank used for such storage prior to the enactment of this Act but taken out of operation before such enactment date (but after January 1, 1974). Provides that notice shall not be required under this title in the case of any tank for which notice was given pursuant to specified provisions of CERCLA. Requires any owner or operator which installs or brings into use an underground storage tank after the enactment of this Act to notify the designated State or local agency within a specified period. Directs the Governor of each State, within 90 days of such enactment date, to designate the appropriate State or local agencies to receive such notifications. Directs the Administrator, within 180 days of such enactment date and in consultation with designated State and local officials, to prescribe in greater detail the form and content of such notifications. Provides that, if a Governor chooses not to designate a State or local agency for such purpose, such notifications shall be submitted to the Administrator. Requires the State, if such notifications are submitted to a designated State or local agency, to compile the submitted information into a comprehensive inventory and furnish such inventory to the Administrator within 18 months of such enactment date. Sets forth provisions for release detection, prevention, and correction regulations applicable to all owners and operators of underground storage tanks used for storing hazardous substances. Directs the Administrator to promulgate such regulations after opportunity for public comment and within 18 months after enactment of this title. Requires that such regulations include requirements respecting specified areas, including: (1) leak detection or inventory systems and tank testing; (2) records of such testing, inventory, or detection; (3) reporting releases and corrective actions; (4) standards of performance for new underground tanks, including specified requirements; (5) corrective actions; (6) closure to prevent future release; and (7) evidence of financial responsibility for taking corrective action and for bodily injury and property damage to third parties. Prohibits, until the effective date of such regulations and after 180 days from the enactment of this Act, any person from installing or beginning to use an underground storage tank to store hazardous substances unless such tank is cathodically protected against corrosion, constructed of a noncorrosive material, or contained in a manner designed to prevent the release into the environment of any stored hazardous substances. Sets forth provisions for the Administrator's review and approval of State programs for underground storage tank release detection, prevention, and correction. Requires the State to demonstrate that the State program is equivalent to the Federal program under this title and that it provides for adequate enforcement of compliance with program requirements. Requires that a State's new tank standards be no less stringent than the performance standards promulgated by the Administrator pursuant to this title. Provides for notice and opportunity for public comment before determinations concerning approval of State programs are made. Gives States with approved programs primary enforcement responsibility for requirements related to control of underground storage tanks used to store hazardous substances. Provides for withdrawal of approval upon the Administrator's determination, after public hearing, that a State is not administering and enforcing the program in accordance with specified requirements. Sets forth provisions relating to inspections, monitoring, and testing. Sets forth provisions for confidentiality of information, and criminal penalties for violations of such confidentiality. Requires that all information reported to, or otherwise obtained by, the EPA under this title be made available, upon written request, to any duly authorized committee of the Congress. Sets forth provisions for Federal enforcement of requirements under this title. Sets forth civil penalties for specified violations. Makes requirements under this title applicable to Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to grant exemptions from such requirements upon determination that it is in the paramount interest of the United States to do so. Requires the President to report annually to Congress on such exemptions and the reasons for granting them. Provides that nothing in this Act shall preclude or deny any State or local authority to regulate more stringently underground storage tanks used to store hazardous substances. Directs the Administrator, within 36 months after the enactment of this title, to study the following underground storage tanks exempted under the definition of "underground storage tanks": (1) farm or residential tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes; and (2) tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored. Requires that such study include estimates of the number and location of such tanks and an analysis of the extent to which there may be releases or threatened releases from such tanks into the environment. Directs the Administrator to report to the President and the Congress on the results of the study, with recommendations as to whether or not such tanks should be subject to regulation under this title. Title V: Amendments of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the environmental tax on petroleum from 0.79 cent to 4.5 cents a barrel, effective October 1, 1985. Extends the period before such tax is terminated until September 30, 1990. Repeals specified CERCLA sunset provisions relating to expiration of the authority conferred by CERCLA to collect environmental taxes. Repeals specified provisions of the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 relating to the Post-Closure Tax and Trust Fund, and the amendments made by such provisions. Repeals specified CERCLA provisions relating to the Post-Closure Liability Fund. Requires that all sums credited to the Post-Closure Liability Trust Fund established under the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 which have not been obligated prior to the date of enactment of this title shall be refunded to the persons who paid taxes under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires that such funds be made on a ratable basis in proportion to the total amount of such taxes which were paid by each such person. Adds provisions for a waste end tax, effective January 1, 1987, to Internal Revenue Code provisions for environmental taxes. Imposes such waste end tax on the disposal of any hazardous substance, if such disposal is required to be carried out in compliance with hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Sets the amount of such waste end tax in the case of: (1) any hazardous substance for which there is in effect under specified CERCLA regulations a reportable quantity of one pound or less, at $15 for each metric ton disposed of by underground injection and $30 for each metric ton not disposed of by such method; (2) all hazardous substances for which there is in effect under specified CERCLA regulations a reportable quantity of more than one pound, at $5 for each metric ton disposed of by underground injection and $10 for each metric ton not disposed of by such method. Provides that, in the cases of mixtures of hazardous substances with reportable quantities of one pound or less and those with reportable quantities more than one pound, the entire mixture shall be deemed to have a reportable quantity of one pound or less. Requires the owner or operator of the facility to pay such waste end tax with respect to the disposal of any hazardous substance at a facility for which a permit is in effect under the hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the person disposing of the hazardous substance to pay such waste end tax with respect to any other disposal of any hazardous substance. Provides that such waste end tax shall not apply after September 30, 1990. Sets forth exemptions from such waste end tax. Provides that such tax shall not apply to the disposal of: (1) any substance by incineration in accordance with the standards applicable to incineration facilities under hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (2) any substance by any person in the course of carrying out any removal and remedial action under CERCLA; or (3) any solid waste which is required to be studied under specified provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act unless, after the completion of the studies, a law is enacted subjecting such waste to the waste end tax. Sets forth definitions and special rules relating to such waste end tax, including rules treating waste as disposed of not later than one year after generation and as generated not earlier than the date such waste is identified as hazardous, and a rule imposing a fraction of the tax for a fraction of a metric ton of waste. Amends the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 to provide that revenues from such waste end tax shall be deposited in the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the environmental tax on certain chemicals (and metals). Increases the rate of such tax on most chemicals on the list (but decreases such tax rate for methane). Adds other chemicals (and metals) to such tax list. Eliminates the listings of zinc chloride and zinc sulfate, but adds zinc to the list for purposes of such tax. Revises the exemption for substances derived from coal from such tax on chemicals to provide that the following substances shall not be exempt from such tax: benzene, tolvene, xylene, naphthalene, tars, and light oils. Expands the exemption for substances used in the production of fertilizer from such tax on chemicals to include as qualified substances specified substances which are sold for resale by any purchaser for use or for resale for ultimate use in a qualified use. Makes such amendments relating to the tax on certain chemicals effective on October 1, 1985. Amends the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 to revise provisions relating to the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund (the Fund). Authorizes appropriations to the Fund for FY 1986 through 1990. Expands the scope of authorized expenditures from the Trust Fund by authorizing expenditures for other costs described under specified CERCLA provisions. Increases from 85 percent to 94 percent the Fund amounts reserved for expenditures for specified purposes. Revises provisions relating to the Fund's authority to borrow repayable advances. Extends through March 31, 1988, the period during which advances may be made for payment of response costs. Extends through September 30, 1990: (1) the period during which other advances may be made to the Fund; and (2) the deadline for final repayment of all advances to the Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Designates November 25 through December 1, 1984, as National Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Designates the week beginning on October 7, 1984, as National Neighborhood Housing Services Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1984
Designates June 18, 1984, as National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1984
Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984 - Extends copyright protection to original mask works fixed in semiconductor chip products. Defines a mask work as the two- and three-dimensional features of shape, pattern, and configuration of the surface of the layers of a semiconductor chip product which portray the appearance of a product or convey information. Requires as a condition of protection that: (1) the owner of the mask work be a resident or citizen of the United States or of a country which is party to a protection treaty to which the United States is also a party on the date the work is first commercially exploited or registered; (2) the work is first commercially exploited in the United States; or (3) the mask work comes within the scope of a presidential proclamation extending reciprocal protection to the works of foreign citizens or residents. Vests exclusive rights in the mask work in the owner who may transfer, convey, or bequeath such interest. Recognizes the first registered transfer in case of a conflict. Sets the copyright term for mask works at ten years from the date of registration or first commercial exploitation, whichever comes first. Sets forth the exclusive rights of the owner of such a copyright, including the rights to: (1) reproduce the mask; (2) import or distribute a semiconductor chip product in which the mask work is embodied; and (3) cause another to perform such acts. Excludes from the applicability of an owner's exclusive rights a mask work used for educational purposes or an innocent purchaser of a semiconductor chip product. Protects works registered within two years of the date of their first commercial exploitation. Sets forth administrative procedures for the Register of Copyrights. Permits the owner of the mask work to place a notice of copyright on such works which includes the words 'mask work' or M in a circle, the year the work was first fixed in a semiconductor chip product, and the name of the owner of the work. Entitles the owner of a mask work whose protection has been infringed or whose registration of such work has been refused to institute a civil action. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Postal Service to issue regulations for the enforcement of the right to import mask works. Permits the impoundment and seizure of mask works imported in violation of the owner's exclusive rights. Sets forth remedies for infringement, including temporary and permanent injunctive relief, actual damages, and the award of the infringer's profits to the owner. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1984
Designates the week of November 11 through November 17, 1984, as Women in Agriculture Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1984
Designates October 16, 1984, as World Food Day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1984
Designates July 20, 1984, as Space Exploration Day.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1984
Designates the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge and the Barnegat National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey collectively as the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984 - Requires artificial reefs in U.S. waters to be sited and constructed according to certain standards in order to enhance fishery resources. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with others, to develop and publish a long-term artificial reef plan. Requires the plan to address certain items. Directs the Secretary of the Army in issuing permits for artificial reefs to: (1) consult with and consider the views of appropriate Federal agencies, States, and local governments; (2) ensure consistency with the standards established in this Act; (3) ensure that the maintenance and financial responsibility for and the title to the artificial reef construction material is clear; and (4) notify the Secretary of Commerce of any need to deviate from the plan. Requires each permit to require certain information. Sets forth the liability of the permittee. Establishes civil penalties for permit violations. Amends existing Federal law to authorize the use of obsolete ships for use as artificial reefs (currently only Liberty ships are used). Defines "obsolete ships" to mean vessels owned by the Department of Transportation which are insufficient for use in the national defense reserve fleet. Transfers the authority of the Secretary of Commerce under such law to the Secretary of Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Civil Rights Act of 1984 - Amends the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination by any recipient of Federal financial assistance. (Currently, discrimination is prohibited only in a program or activity receiving Federal assistance.) Defines the term "recipient" to extend comprehensive coverage for purposes of the four Acts to any State or local governmental unit, any public or private agency or entity, and any subunit, successor, assignee, or transfereee of any such unit, agency, or entity.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Designates the week beginning on November 11, 1984, as National Blood Pressure Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Designates the week of May 13 through May 19, 1984, as Smokey Bear Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Designates August 21, 1984, as Hawaii Statehood Silver Jubilee Day.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
States that the Congress: (1) condemns Iraq for its use of chemical weapons; (2) condemns Iran for its violations of the human rights of its citizens in attacks against Iraq; (3) deplores the use of chemical weapons; (4) encourages the United Nations and other parties to continue investigations of suspected uses of chemical weapons; and (5) calls for continued and increased efforts at the Conference on Disarmament to negotiate a verifiable ban on such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1984
Designates the week of September 16 through September 22, 1984, as Emergency Medicine Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1984
Designates the week of November 19 through November 25, 1984, as National Adoption Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1984
Designates the week beginning September 2, 1984, as National School-Age Child Care Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1984
Designates July 1984 as National Ice Cream Month and July 15, 1984, as National Ice Cream Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1984
Designates the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge and the Barnegat National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey collectively as the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
States that the President should: (1) renew the agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union on space cooperation for peaceful purposes; (2) initiate talks with the Soviet Union and other interested governments on opportunities for cooperative East-West space ventures as an alternative to an arms race in space; and (3) submit to the Congress a report detailing the steps taken in pursuance of these goals.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1984
Designates the week of May 20 through May 26, 1984, as National Digestive Diseases Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1984
Designates May 25, 1984, as Missing Children Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1984
Designates the week of September 23 through September 29, 1984, as National Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Designates the week beginning November 25, 1984, as National Home Care Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of May 27 through June 2, 1984, as National Animal Health Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Urges the President to seek an agreement with the Soviet Union to: (1) declare a verifiable and limited moratorium on the testing in space of antisatellite weapons; and (2) resume negotiations on a verifiable ban on the testing, production, deployment, and use of any antisatellite weapon. Declares that such agreements should not restrict non-weapons operations in space, such as the U.S. space shuttle program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Urges the President to seek an agreement with the Soviet Union to: (1) declare a verifiable and limited moratorium on the testing in space of antisatellite weapons; (2) resume negotiations on a verifiable ban on the testing, production, deployment, and use of any antisatellite weapon; and (3) seek a verifiable treaty prohibiting any space-directed or space-based weapons system which is designed to cause damage on earth, in the atmosphere, or on objects placed in space. Declares that such agreements should not restrict non-weapons operations in space, such as the U.S. space shuttle program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984
National Training Incentives Act of 1984 - Title I: Withdrawals from Individual Retirement Accounts and Annuities for Job Training for Displaced Workers - Sets forth provisions for certification of an unemployed individual as a displaced worker by application of such individual to the Secretary of Labor, through the appropriate employment office. Defines "displaced worker" for purposes of this title as any individual who: (1) has, as of the date of application for certification, at least 20 quarters of coverage under title II of the Social Security Act; and (2) has, within the one-year period ending on such date, received counseling relating to seeking employment from any public employment office of any State or such other agency as the Secretary has approved under specified provisions of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA). Defines "displaced workers" also as individuals who: (1) on the date of application for certification, are receiving (or are eligible to receive) regular unemployment compensation in such State; (2) on or before such date, have exhausted all right to receive regular unemployment compensation in such State in the individual's most recent benefit year; (3) on or before such date, have become unemployed (or have received notice from their employer that their employment will be terminated within six months of such notice) as a result of the permanent closure of the plant or facility of such employer where such individuals are or were employed; or (4) as of such date, have been unemployed for six months or more and have limited opportunity for employment (for any reason, including age) within a reasonable commuting distance from their principal residence in the same or any similar trade or occupation. Permits any displaced worker to withdraw, in a specified manner, an amount not to exceed the qualified amount from any individual retirement account or any individual retirement annuity established for the benefit of such worker to pay any expenses for training in a new trade or occupation. Sets forth formulas for determination of a "qualified amount." Sets forth provisions relating to the manner of such withdrawal, including provisions for issuance of training vouchers. Prohibits depositary institutions from assessing penalties for early withdrawals for purposes of such training, but provides for adjusted rates of return on investments under certain conditions. Requires that such training in an eligible training program at a qualified institution be treated as training with the approval of the State agency for purposes of specified FUTA requirements relating to approval of State unemployment laws. Prohibits denial of any unemployment compensation payment under any Federal law solely because a displaced worker is in such training at an eligible training program at a qualified institution. Sets forth definitions of eligible training programs and training expenses. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe by regulation the application procedure and the criteria to be used in determining whether a training program is eligible; and (2) in making such determination, take into account determinations made by specified other officials and entities. Sets forth nondiscrimination provisions. Directs the Secretary to keep paperwork to the minimum necessary to administer this title and carry out the purposes of this Act. Title II: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Relating to Employee Training - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the additional tax on early withdrawals from individual retirement accounts shall not apply to specified withdrawals for training of dislocated workers. Sets forth special rules for early withdrawals from individual retirement accounts. Establishes an employee training tax credit for employers. Sets forth formulas and rules relating to such employee training credit. Title III: State Employment Service Responsibilities - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Labor for FY 1985 and succeeding fiscal years for reimbursement payments to States for certain administrative costs incurred pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate such funds among all States which meet specified criteria in order to assist each such State to administer public employment offices or such other agencies which the Secretary has approved under specified FUTA provisions. Makes any State eligible for such payments if its public employment offices (or other such agencies) provide: (1) certification for displaced workers; and (2) labor market and training information and job search services (including specified counseling) to assist displaced workers to enroll in an eligible training program and obtain employment as quickly as possible. Directs the Secretary, within one year after enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on: (1) the extent to which the nationwide computerized job bank and matching program authorized under specified provisions of the Job Training Partnership Act can be expected to increase employment opportunities in each State; (2) the estimated cost of making such nationwide computerized job bank and matching program fully operational in the manner intended under such provisions; (3) the extent to which the development of such nationwide computerized job bank and matching program will require changes in the existing employment service operations in each State; and (4) the feasibility of using nonprofit privately operated job-referral services, in areas where such services are available, for the referral of individuals to jobs in low-wage industries where little or no skill is a prerequisite for employment rather than using State employment service offices or such nationwide computerized job bank and matching program. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to require private industry councils to make available throughout the service delivery area (SDA) information concerning training programs in such SDA which have been recognized as eligible training programs under this Act. Makes special provision for dislocated workers with respect to Pell Grants. Provides that, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or any other provision of law, the determination of the amount of the expected family contribution to a student to determine the amount of a basic grant to any student who is a certified displaced worker shall be made without including in the effective family income the amount of: (1) any unemployment compensation received by the student; or (2) any distribution from an individual retirement account established to pay training expenses of such student.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Information Dissemination and Research Accountability Act - Establishes in the National Library of Medicine a National Center for Research Accountability to assist in eliminating duplication of effort in Federal research proposals involving live animals. Directs the President to appoint as members of the Center 20 experts in the biomedical information sciences who are currently employed by a Federal agency in a capacity which qualifies them to make determinations as to whether research proposals involving live animals are duplicative of other research efforts. Requires submission to the Center before it is funded of any such proposal approved by a Federal agency. Prohibits funding of any proposal which the Center determines would duplicate other research completed or in process. Authorizes the Center to contract with private entities to assist in the conduct of comprehensive full-text literature searches. Requires an annual report to Congress and the President. Directs the National Library of Medicine to: (1) acquire, transcribe, and store all biomedical information owned or available for use by Federal agencies; (2) support by grants and contracts the creation of new information for teaching and demonstrations; and (3) increase, by making grants and awards, the number of persons trained in modern methods of biomedical information storage and dissemination technologies. Permits the Library to contract with the private-sector data recording industry to improve the development of such technologies and the dissemination of full-text biomedical information to medical libraries. Requires the Library to report annually to Congress and the President on its progress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of May 1984 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Designates the week of May 7 through May 13, 1984, as National Photo Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Designates October 1984 as National Down's Syndrome Month.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Designates: (1) July 1, 1984, through June 30, 1985, as the Year of the Ocean; and (2) July 1, 1984, as Ocean Day.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1984
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants to LIFE International to pay up to 75 percent of the costs of retrofitting and operating specified vessels transferred to the organization. Authorizes appropriations to the Maritime Administration for FY 1985 through 1987 for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1984
Designates the week beginning September 23, 1984, as National Adult Day Care Center Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1984
Designates April 7, 1984, as World Health day.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of January 1985 as National Cerebral Palsy Month.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Designates the week beginning November 11, 1984, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning on November 18, 1984, as National Family Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
States that the House of Representative supports Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry on May 6, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the United Nations to request the Secretary General to seek the cooperation of Vietnam with the United States and specified other countries in ascertaining the whereabouts of the crewmen of the sunken U.S. vessel GLOMAR Java Sea.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Amendments of 1984 - Title I: Funding - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund) (CERCLA) to replace provisions for environmental taxes on petroleum, certain chemicals, and hazardous waste disposal with provisions for fees on petroleum, certain chemicals, and hazardous waste disposal and provisions for the collection, enforcement, and deposit of such fees in the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund. Imposes a fee of four cents a barrel on: (1) crude oil received at a U.S. refinery (to be paid by the operator of the U.S. refinery); and (2) petroleum products entering the United States for consumption, use, or warehousing (to be paid by the person entering the product for such purposes). Imposes such fee (to be paid by the user or exporter) on any domestic crude oil if: (1) it is used in or exported from the United States; and (2) such fee was not imposed before such use or exemption. Provides that such fee shall not apply to any use of domestic crude oil for extracting oil or natural gas on the premises where such crude oil was produced. Sets forth definitions and special rules. Provides that only one fee may be imposed under this part with respect to any petroleum product. Makes such fee effective on October 1, 1985. Provides that such fee shall not apply after September 30, 1990. Imposes a fee on any assessed chemicals sold (or used) by the manufacturer, producer, or importer thereof. Sets forth a table of assessed chemicals, with a specified fee per ton for each. Sets forth definitions, exceptions, and other special rules. Provides for a refund or credit for certain uses. Makes such fee effective on October 1, 1985. Provides that such fee shall not apply after September 30, 1990. Imposes a fee on the disposal of hazardous waste which is listed or identified under specified provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Provides that such fee shall apply only to hazardous waste disposal which is required to be carried out in compliance with hazardous waste management provisions of such Act, and shall not apply to the treatment of any hazardous waste, including thermal treatment by incineration at a facility for which a permit is in effect under hazardous waste management provisions of such Act. Sets the amount of such fee at: (1) $20 per ton of assessable hazardous waste which is disposed of by means other than underground injection; and (2) $10 per ton of assessable hazardous waste which is disposed of by means of underground injection. Requires the owner or operator of the facility to pay such fee with respect to the disposal of any hazardous waste at a facility for which a permit is in effect under the hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the person disposing of the hazardous waste to pay such fee with respect to any other disposal of hazardous waste. Sets forth special rules relating to such fee on disposal of hazardous waste. Provides that no such fee shall be imposed on the disposal of any solid waste which is required to be studied under specified provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act unless, after receipt of the required studies, the Congress enacts legislation respecting the application of such fee to such solid waste. Makes the fee on disposal of hazardous waste effective on October 1, 1985. Provides that such fee shall not apply after September 30, 1990. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations for the collection of fees under this title, including reporting and information-gathering regulations. Authorizes the Administrator to use authorities relating to inspection of records and access under hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act and specified provisions of this Act for purposes of carrying out this title. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties for specified violations of this title. Requires that revenues from fees established under this title be deposited in the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund for FY 1986 through 1990. Title II: Amendments Relating to Response Authorities under CERCLA - Amends CERCLA to revise provisions relating to response authorities. Revises provisions relating to the State share of certain costs. Prohibits the Administrator from providing specified remedial actions unless the State in which the release first occurs enters into a contract or cooperative agreement with the Administrator providing specified assurances deemed adequate by the Administrator. Limits the State share to: (1) ten percent of the future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial actions provided for the expected life of such actions, as determined by the Administrator, and ten percent of costs of the remedial action; or (2) 50 percent of any sums expended in response to a release or threatened release at a facility (not including navigable waters or the beds underlying those waters) that was owned and operated by the State or local government at the time of any disposal of hazardous substances therein, including all future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial action. Directs the President to reimburse from the Fund any State which has paid, at any time after the enactment of CERCLA, in excess of ten percent of the costs of remedial action at a facility owned but not operated by the State or local government. Repeals specified provisions relating to CERCLA preemption of State law (thus allows States to require taxes or other contributions to State funds similar to Superfund. Authorizes States to bring abatement actions under CERCLA in Federal district courts and to take other necessary abatement actions, including issuing orders to protect public health and welfare and the environment. Raises the amount of the fine for willful violations of, or failures or refusals to comply with, such abatement orders of the President (or of a State). Sets forth provisions for citizen petitions for evaluation of facilities included in the emergency and remedial response information system (ERRIS). Allows any person, in the case of any release or threatened release at an ERRIS facility, to petition the Administrator to evaluate such facility in accordance with the hazard ranking system under the national contingency plan in order to determine the national priority of such release or threatened release. Directs the Administrator, upon receipt of any such petition, to promptly commence such evaluation or provide a written explanation as to why such evaluation is not warranted. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants available to any group of individuals which may be affected by a release or threatened release at any facility which is listed under the national priorities list under the national contingency plan for the purpose of enabling such group to obtain technical assistance to review and assess data and information prepared by the Administrator in connection with: (1) the evaluation of such facility under the hazard ranking system; or (2) any proposed plan for remedial action at such facility. Allows only one such grant with respect to any single facility. Limits the amount of any such grant to $40,000. Requires each grant recipient to contribute at least one-eighth of the total costs of the review and assessment. Sets forth standards for cleanup actions under CERCLA response authorities. Provides that the remedial action selected shall require that the level or standard of control of each hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant be consistent with such standards under other relevant provisions of law. Directs the Administrator to make any revisions in the national contingency plan necessary to carry out such purpose. Permits waivers of such standards if: (1) an alternative remedial action will provide protection of human health and the environment substantially equivalent to the remedial action which would be necessary to comply with such standards; or (2) compliance with such standards at the site or facility in question will consume such a disproportionate share of the Fund resources as to have the effect of deferring or preventing remedial action at other sites or facilities which pose a significantly greater threat to human health and the environment. Provides that no permit shall be required under Federal, State, or local law for any removal or remedial action undertaken by any person pursuant to CERCLA at the location of the release or threatened release. Authorizes the Administrator to establish the exclusive administrative procedures for making any determination under provisions for standards for CERCLA cleanups. Includes (by removing an exclusion) under the definition of "hazardous substance" for purposes of CERCLA response and liability provisions: petroleum (including crude oil) and natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel (or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas). Includes (by removing an exclusion) under the definition of "pollutant or contaminant" for purposes of CERCLA response authorities: petroleum (including crude oil) and natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas of pipeline quality (or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas). Sets forth a regulatory program with standards for underground storage tanks. Directs the Administrator, within 12 months after the enactment of this Act, to promulgate regulations establishing performance standards, applicable to owners and operators of underground storage tanks used for the storage of hazardous substances, including gasoline or other liquid hydrocarbons, in order to prevent releases into the environment for the operational life of the tank. Provides that such regulations shall apply only to underground storage tanks located on property used primarily for commercial or governmental purposes. Directs the Administrator to distinguish in such standards between requirements for new tanks and those for tanks already in existence. Sets forth requirements which must be included in such standards. Authorizes the Administrator to implement such standards through: (1) promulgation of regulations made effective in accordance with specified hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; or (2) establishment of a permit program if necessary. Provides that such permits may be required for any person or category of persons who stores any hazardous substance, including gasoline or any other liquid hydrocarbon, in an underground storage tank located on property primarily used for commercial or governmental purposes. Provides that specified provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act shall apply to the program and requirements established under this Act in the same manner as such provisions apply to the hazardous waste regulation program under such Act. Provides that the failure or refusal of an owner or operator of any underground storage tank to provide to a supplier of any hazardous substance, including gasoline or any other liquid hydrocarbon, appropriate evidence of compliance with standards established under this Act shall constitute a defense to any enforcement action brought under any other authority of law to require such supplier to deliver any such substance to such tank. Sets forth criminal penalties for persons who knowingly commit material violations or omissions with respect to requirements established by the Administration under the regulatory program established by this Act, if such violation or omission results in a release or threatened release of any hazardous substance (including gasoline or other liquid hydrocarbon) from an underground storage tank. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987 to carry out this regulatory program. Provides that up to 50 percent of such appropriations in any such fiscal year may be used to make grants to States for development and implementation of State programs to carry out this regulatory program. Directs the Administrator, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to conduct a study regarding underground storage tanks which are located on residential property and used for the storage of hazardous substances, including gasoline or other liquid hydrocarbons. Requires that such study include estimates of the number and location of such tanks and an analysis of the extent to which there may be releases or threatened releases from such tanks into the environment. Directs the Administrator to report to the President and the Congress on the results of such study, with recommendations on whether such tanks on residential property should be subject to requirements under this regulatory program. Makes CERCLA national contingency plan provisions applicable to federally owned or operated facilities. Directs the Administrator, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to: (1) apply specified criteria (for determining priorities among releases or threatened releases throughout the United States for purposes of taking remedial action) to each facility owned or operated by a Federal agency at which there is a release or threatened release of any hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant; and (2) revise the national priority list (based on such criteria) to include such Federal facilities in the same manner and to the same extent as non-Federal facilities. Provides for remedial investigations and feasibility studies at Federal facilities. Directs each Federal agency with administrative jurisdiction over any facility included on the national priority list under the national contingency plan to conduct, in accordance with such plan, a remedial investigation and feasibility study with respect to such facility. Requires that such investigations and studies be completed by December 31, 1986. Directs the Administrator to approve such investigations and studies which are consistent with the national contingency plan. Directs the Federal agency involved to commence remedial actions at such facility within 120 days after such approval by the Administrator. Includes references to "pollutants" or "contaminants," in addition to "hazardous substances," under CERCLA liability provisions. Revises the statute of limitations under CERCLA claims procedure provisions to allow presentation of claims and commencement of specified cost recovery actions until six years after the date of completion of the response action. Limits court review of abatement orders under CERCLA to actions to: (1) enforce such orders; (2) recover penalties for violations of such orders; or (3) recover punitive damages in connection with such order. Provides that, in any action under CERCLA liability provisions, the results of any EPA laboratory tests to determine what substances are present at the site of the release or threatened release may be introduced into evidence and shall be presumed to be accurate. Provides that such presumption shall be overcome if the defendant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that such test results lack a reasonable basis. Includes interest on the costs and damages referred to in CERCLA liability provisions among the amounts recoverable in actions under such provisions. Provides for access authorities under CERCLA response authorities. Establishes civil penalties for noncompliance with EPA or State requests for such access. Sets forth requirements for the use of settlement funds obtained under CERCLA. Requires that any costs or damages recovered by the Administrator in any settlement of an action brought under liability provisions with respect to a release at a facility shall be retained by the Administrator and used only for removal or remedial action (or both) at such facility, except to the extent that the amount of settlement exceeds EPA expenses (after receipt of the settlement) for removal and remedial action at such facility. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), on or before September 30, 1991, to also carry out health effects studies at a total of 75 top priority sites on the national priority list under the national contingency plan. Provides that such sites shall be the 75 which the ATSDR determines to present the most significant risk to human health. Authorizes for the period FY 1986 through 1990 the use of not more than $20,000,000 of the amounts available for payments to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for costs incurred in carrying out ATSDR responsibilities under CERCLA. Provides that such sums shall remain available until expended. Authorizes for the period FY 1986 through 1990 the use of not more than $50,000,000 of the amounts available in the Fund for grants to States to implement State response actions which are consistent with the national contingency plan in the case of States which have demonstrated the ability and willingness to carry out a high level of such response actions and which are authorized to carry out State programs under hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Authorizes for the period FY 1986 through 1990 the use of not more than $25,000,000 of the amounts available in the Fund for grants for research and development activities regarding innovative technologies which may be used in removal and remedial actions under CERCLA. Deletes a condition that a guarantor must be "acting in good faith" in order for certain limitations of liability to apply. Repeals specified provisions for transfer of liability to the Postclosure Liability Fund. Directs the Administrator, within six months after enactment of this Act, and after consultation with the States, to submit a report to the Congress with a schedule for the cleanup of sites which are listed on the national priority list under the national contingency plan. Repeals provisions authorizing the use of the Fund to pay the costs of Federal or State efforts in the restoration, rehabilitation, or replacement or acquiring the equivalent of any natural resources injured, destroyed, or lost as a result of a release of a hazardous substance. Repeals provisions authorizing the President or a State to assert claims against the Fund for injury to, or destruction or loss of, natural resources resulting from a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance from a vessel or a facility.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 1984 to carry out title II (famine relief provisions) of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480).
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1984
Designates the week of October 21 through October 27, 1984, as Lupus Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1984
Designates the week of October 7 through October 13, 1984, as National Birds of Prey Conservation Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1984
Designates the month of March 1985 as National Hemophilia Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Authorizes permanent resident (immigrant) status adjustment for certain Cuban and Haitian nationals residing in the United States.