United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Taiwanese authorities should continue progress toward a democratic system, in particular by allowing the formation of opposition political parties, ending censorship and guaranteeing freedom of speech, expression, and assembly, and moving toward full representative government.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1985
National Substance Abuse Education Act - Requires State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) to require schools under their jurisdiction to implement education programs with respect to the abuse of drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. Sets forth criteria for approval of such programs by the Secretary of Education. Requires schools that are financially unable to implement such requirement to implement alternative prevention programs. Authorizes the Secretary to require specified criteria for such alternative programs. Restricts the Secretary's provision of financial assistance to SEAs or LEAs which fail to comply with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Establishes a field sanitation occupational health and safety standard with respect to agricultural employees engaged in hand-labor operations in the field. Provides that such standard shall be deemed to be an occupational health and safety standard promulgated, enforceable, and subject to penalties for violations under specified provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Prohibits modification, revocation, or challenge of such standard under specified provisions of OSHA. Provides that this Act shall not preempt any State occupational health and safety standard, or any provision thereof, which is more effective in providing sanitized potable drinking water and toilet and handwashing facilities for agricultural employees than the standard established under this Act. Specifies that such more effective State standards need not encompass other standards. Provides that, should there be any statutory restrictions on OSHA's ability to regulate certain agricultural employers, the States are not preempted from developing and enforcing field sanitation standards to apply to such employers.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Nutritional Information Labeling Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require food labels to list detailed nutritional information concerning any fats, oils, cholesterol, sodium, or potassium present in such product.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Education Savings Account Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of individuals who have not attained the age of 35 at the time the account is established. Permits such payments of educational expenses to be made to an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Sets forth certain additional criteria an education savings account must meet in order for contributions to the account to qualify for this tax treatment. Prohibits an individual from being the beneficiary of more than one account during any calendar year. Requires the trustee of the account to transfer five percent of the amount of the net income of the account for any calendar year to the State student incentive grant program of any State designated by the terms of the instrument of the account. Requires any amounts paid out of an education savings account to be included in the gross income of the payee or distributee, unless such amounts are used to pay the educational expenses incurred by the individual for whose benefit the account is established. Requires the individual for whose benefit the educational expenses were paid to include such amounts in income on a pro rata basis over a ten year period beginning at age 35. Provides that an education savings account shall be tax-exempt unless certain prohibited transactions are undertaken. Provides a ten percent tax penalty on distributions which were not used for the payment of educational expenses. Requires that the trustee of an education savings account file reports with the Secretary of the Treasury on the maintenance of the account. Imposes penalties for not filing required reports. Extends the deduction for contributions to an education savings account to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions. Provides that contributions to an education savings account shall not be considered a taxable gift. Provides that distributions from education savings accounts are excluded from income in determining support.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1985
Provides for free travel on military aircraft for any former member of the armed forces who has a service-connected disability rated total by the Veterans Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1985
Establishes a U.S. Commission on Elections in the Philippines to observe and monitor elections in the Philippines. Requires the Commission to make two reports to the Congress: (1) the first one to deal with the Commission's preliminary findings on the election process; and (2) the second to be filed after an election is held, to evaluate the election's integrity and fairness.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1985
Foreign Agents Compulsory Ethics in Trade Act of 1985 - Prohibits former high-level Federal civilian officers or employees or high-ranking officers of the uniformed services from representing or advising foreign principals during the ten-year period beginning on the last day of such a person's Federal employment or service. Authorizes the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to jointly determine a longer prohibitive period in the interest of national security. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Defines and lists employee positions to which this Act applies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1985
Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to prohibit any person licensed under such Act from selling or delivering any firearm (other than a rifle or shotgun) which is determined to be unsuitable for lawful sporting purposes based upon standards established under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue public debt obligations to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, Railroad Retirement Account, Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, and Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund identical to the terms of public debt obligations which: (1) were redeemed on or after September 1, 1985, and on or before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) would not have been redeemed had the public debt limit been raised pursuant to a specified resolution of the House of Representatives. Directs the Secretary to pay to the funds the interest which would have accrued to the funds but for such non-investments, redemptions, and disinvestments. Authorizes the Secretary to disinvest such funds when necessary to prevent a shortfall in amounts available for benefit payments or to avoid violating the public debt limit, but, in the latter case, only if the Congress approves the Secretary's request for disinvestment within a specified period. Characterizes the required joint resolution of approval as an exercise of the constitutional rulemaking power of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Details the Congressional procedure to be followed upon the Secretary's submittal of a disinvestment request. Requires the Secretary, upon the extension of the public debt limit, to: (1) issue public debt obligations with terms identical to those redeemed in connection with such disinvestment; and (2) pay the interest which would otherwise have accrued to such funds.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1985
Declares that: (1) the people around the world desire a world free from the threat of war; (2) it is the hope of all citizens that the President and General Secretary Gorbachev will reach an arms control agreement which significantly cuts nuclear stockpiles and halts the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union; and (3) in order to express this hope, all citizens are invited to light candles from dusk to dawn on November 19 and 20, 1985, while the President and Gorbachev meet in summit.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Postmaster General should issue a stamp, before October 1, 1986, commemorating the 100th Congress; and (2) the U.S. Postal Service should conduct a public competition for the design of the stamp.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Equitable Automobile Transportation Act of 1985 - Requires a person exporting Japanese motor vehicles to be imported into the United States to: (1) transport an equal number of such vehicles on U.S. - documented vessels as are transported on Japanese vessels; and (2) file an annual certification with the Department of the Treasury which contains specified assurances and information. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to enforce this Act. Provides penalties for the violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Directs the Secretary of State to provide for the establishment and operation in the U.S. Virgin Islands of a division of the College of the Virgin Islands to be known as the Eastern Caribbean Center which shall attempt to meet the needs of Eastern Caribbean nations and provide a forum for interchange for the region. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide that funds made available for family planning programs may only be used for programs: (1) in which there is not any element of coercion of individuals to practice family planning or to accept any particular method of contraception; (2) which include an accurate description of the effectiveness and risks of all major methods of family planning; and (3) which include an agreement to provide either other family planning methods if requested or referral to programs offering other methods as appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Authorizes the Francis Scott Key Park Foundation to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor Francis Scott Key, the author of the words to our national anthem. Subjects the selected site, design, and plans for the memorial to the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. Provides that only non-Federal funds may be used to establish the memorial and that these must be sufficient before construction begins. Terminates the authority provided by this Act if construction does not begin within five years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Designates 1986 as Save for the U.S.A. Year. Requests the President to initiate a nationwide campaign, to be known as the Buy Back America campaign, to encourage the people of the United States to buy U.S. savings bonds and certificates and thereby reduce borrowings from foreign sources. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to enhance the marketability of such bonds and certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1985
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit in Government trust funds amounts equal to interest lost to such trust funds through disinvestment of Federal or federally-insured obligations by the Secretary during FY 1986 for the purpose of avoiding any violation of the public debt limit.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Joint Chiefs of Staff Reorganization Act of 1985 - Revises Federal provisions concerning the composition and function of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to define the Chairman of JCS as the principal military advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. Authorizes a member of JCS other than the Chairman to offer, to the Secretary of Defense and then to the President, a separate opinion in disagreement with that of the Chairman concerning military advice given. Directs that the Chairman of JCS shall supervise the commanders of the combatant commands and act as their spokesman. Extends the term of the Chairman of JCS from two to four years. Establishes the position of Deputy Chairman of JCS. Prohibits the Deputy Chairman and the Chairman from being a member of the same military branch, unless the Secretary of Defense waives such prohibition for a limited period. Sets the term of the Deputy Chairman at four years. Requires the Deputy Chairman to perform such duties as delegated by the Chairman with the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Directs the Deputy Chairman to act as Chairman if the latter position is vacated for any reason. Directs the Deputy Chairman to act as director of the Joint Staff, which performs such duties as the Chairman prescribes. Eliminates any maximum number of officers on the Joint Staff. Provides that the four-year term of a member of the Joint Staff may be extended with the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the Joint Staff is independently organized and operated in order to provide for the unified strategic direction of the combatant forces and their operation and integration into an efficient team of land, naval, and air forces. Requires the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to submit an evaluation to the President of any person for appointment to a grade above major general or rear admiral. Requires such evaluation to consider the performance of that officer as a member of the Joint Staff and in other assignments involving joint military experiences. Requires such evaluation to be submitted to the President at the same time as the submission of the recommendation for the appointment. Directs the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman of JCS to attend all meetings of the National Security Council and participate fully in its deliberations. Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than six months after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on plans for further changes in the administration of the military high commands of each of the armed forces. Outlines proposals to be developed in such report.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants for the establishment or support of adolescent health demonstration projects. Requires such projects to: (1) provide nutrition and hygiene counseling, health care related to sports, family planning education and services, prenatal and postpartum care, family life and parenting counseling, and alcohol and drug abuse education and treatment; (2) serve adolescents before their graduation from high school; (3) encourage family participation; and (4) establish community advisory committees. Directs the Secretary to give priority to project applicants who will serve areas with low-income or minority populations. States that no grant funds may be used to perform or pay for abortions. Requires parental consent for adolescents to receive services provided by such projects. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress by December 1, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1985
Retirement Income Policy Act of 1985 - Sets forth national retirement income policy goals. Title I: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Subtitle A: Participation Requirements - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to add definitions which distinguish between "retirement plans" and "nonretirement savings plans." Defines a retirement plan as a pension plan which meets the retirement income requirements established by this Act. Defines a nonretirement savings plan as any pension plan which is not a retirement plan as defined in this Act. Prohibits conversion of a retirement plan to a nonretirement savings plan. Sets forth retirement income requirements for retirement plans. Permits retirement plans to distribute the accrued benefits to the participant upon the participant's disability or death or separation from service, under certain conditions. Prohibits such distribution upon separation from service unless: (1) the participant is at least 59 1/2 years old; or (2) (if the participant is younger than 59 1/2 years old) the distribution is in one of the described retirement income forms. Requires that retirement plan distributions commence by: (1) the end of the plan year in which the employee: (1) attains age 70 1/2; or (2) the end of a later plan year in which an employee (who is not an owner-employee) retires. Sets forth the following descriptions of permissible "retirement income forms" for distributions upon separation from service to participants under 59 1/2 years old: (1) an annuity for the life of the participant; (2) a qualified joint and survivor annuity; or (3) a level distribution over life expectancy (which may be adjusted annually to account for certain changes). Allows such distribution forms to be adjusted periodically to allow for supplemental benefits prior to the receipt of Social Security benefits, provided such supplemental benefits do not exceed the amount of anticipated Social Security benefits. Permits retirement plans to transfer, upon separation from service, the accrued benefit of the plan participant directly to an individual retirement annuity, or another retirement plan. Revises pension plan participation and vesting provisions to add plan coverage requirements applicable to employers. Requires each employer who maintains a pension plan for an employee in the the employer's relevant work force to provide that each such employee who is under the Social Security contribution and benefit base is eligible to participate in a retirement plan maintained by the employer. Sets forth special rules in the case of allowable subdivisions of the relevant work force. Allows an employer to meet such coverage requirements by maintaining one or more retirement plans. Sets forth a special rule for contributory plans. Eliminates the three-year rule under minimum participation standards. Requires, as a prerequisite for the employer's maintenance of a nonretirement savings plan covering an employee, the employer to maintain at least one retirement plan covering that employee and accruing benefits at specified levels. Subtitle B: Limitations on Contributions and Benefits - Allows a qualified pension plan to include a cash or deferred arrangement (CODA) only if such plan is a retirement plan and if the CODA meets certain requirements. Requires the CODA to provide that the covered employee may elect to have the employer make payments: (1) as contributions to a trust under the plan on behalf of the employee; or (2) to the employee directly in cash. Requires the CODA to provide that the employee has a nonforfeitable right to the employee's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions made to the trust pursuant to the employee's election. Requires that specified CODA discrimination standards be applied to the relationship between deferral percentages of highly compensated employees and other eligible employees. Requires that such CODA requirements be met by each allowable subdivision. Limits the maximum amount of covered compensation. Provides that the amount of a participant's compensation for any year which may be taken into account under a pension plan for purposes of determining benefits and contributions may not exceed 500 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base. Sets forth a special rule for self-employed individuals. Subtitle C: Vesting Standards - Revises minimum vesting standards to require the full vesting of any participant who has completed the following years of service: (1) five, in the case of retirement plans; (2) one, in the case of nonretirement savings plans; and (3) ten, in the case of multiemployer plans. Subtitle D: Pension Integration - Sets forth rules against discriminatory treatment of qualified pension plan participants. Revises rules governing integration of retirement plans, with title II (Old Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act and other Federal or State retirement programs. Subtitle E: Coverage and Portability - Provides that certain early distributions from a retirement plan which are not made in a retirement income form must be transferred directly to an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity designated by the participant (or, if such designation is not made within a specified time, selected by the plan administrator). Provides that specified provisions relating to cash-outs of survivor annuities shall apply only to distributions made as transfers meeting the requirements for early distributions set forth under this Act. Prohibits distributed benefits from being treated as other than nonforfeitable solely because such distribution is made as permitted under such survivor annuity cash-out provisions. Subtitle F: Effective Date and Related Rules - Set forth effective dates for amendments made by this title. Sets forth a special rule for such effective dates in the case of plans maintained pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. Makes technical amendments. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Subtitle A: Participation Requirements - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to make revisions similar to the revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle A of this Act. Specifies that maintenance of adequate retirement plan coverage is a requirement for qualification of pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans under IRC. Subtitle B: Limitations on Contributions and Benefits - Permits employees to make qualified voluntary employee contributions only to a retirement plan. Provides that certain contributions to employees' annuities are deductible. Amends IRC provisions relating to cash or deferred arrangements (CODAs) to require that employers with allowable subdivisions meet specified nondiscrimination rules separately in each allowable subdivision. Makes conforming amendments. Amends IRC provisions relating to special rules for individual retirement plans to reduce the amount of deductible contributions an individual may make to an individual retirement account or annuity (IRAs) in a taxable year by the amount of: (1) any employer contributions made to a CODA on behalf of that individual in any plan year ending in that taxable year; and (2) any qualified voluntary employee contributions for that taxable year. Revises IRC provisions relating to limitations on benefits and contributions under qualified plans to coordinate such limitations with the Social Security wage base according to specified formulas. Makes the limitation on benefits under defined benefit plans the lessor of: (1) 100 percent of compensation; or (2) 200 percent of the Social Security wage base. Makes the limitation on contributions to a defined contribution plan is the lesser of: (1) 20 percent of compensation; or (2) 50 percent of the Social Security wage base. Provides that one-half of the after-tax employee contributions are to be as an annual addition. Adds special limitations on qualified contributions to CODAs and nonretirement savings plans under the overall defined contribution limit. Limits the amount of a plan participant's or self-employed individual's compensation that may be taken into account for determining benefits and contributions to no more than 500 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base. Limits payments by employers pursuant to qualified CODAs by disallowing contributions and other additions with respect to a participant to the extent they include payments made by the employer for any year to a trust under the plan pursuant to a CODA in excess of 25 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base. Limits contributions and other additions with respect to a participant, in the case of a nonretirement savings plan by disallowing any annual addition which is greater than the lesser of: (1) 25 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base; or (2) ten percent of the participant's compensation. Provides that a specified rule relating to a limitation in cases of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan for the same employee is applicable only in the event that at least one of such plans is a top-heavy plan. Makes conforming amendments relating to the taxation of annuity income. Subtitle C: Vesting Standards - Amends IRC provisions relating to minimum vesting standards to make revisions similar to the revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle C of this Act. Subtitle D: Pension Integration - Amends IRC provisions relating to integration of retirement plans with title II (OASDI) of the Social Security Act and other Federal and State retirement plans to make revisions similar to some of the revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle D of this Act. Subtitle E: Distributions - Repeals the ten-year forward average and capital gains treatment of lump-sum distributions. Raises the rate of the additional tax on early distributions from IRAs. Subtitle F: Coverage and Portability - Amends IRC provisions relating to restrictions on certain mandatory distributions to make revisions similar to some revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle F of this Act. Sets forth special rules for simplified employee plans (SEPs). Permits a salary reduction arrangement which is elected by an employee under an SEP. Sets forth provisions for the treatment of such salary reduction arrangements. Imposes fiduciary duties with respect to SEPs. Prohibits integration of SEPs with Social Security provisions. Limits to 500 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base the total compensation considered for purposes of establishing uniform contributions to an SEP. Subtitle G: Effective Date - Sets forth effective dates for amendments made by this title. Sets forth an effective date for application of such amendments to IRAs. Sets forth a special rule for such effective date in the case of plans maintained pursuant to collective bargaining agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1985
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate, for five years, in the case of individuals medically determined to have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the requirement that an individual be entitled to disability benefits for at least 24 consecutive months in order to qualify for hospital insurance benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act. Provides Medicare coverage of experimental AIDS treatment which is in accord with recognized clinical protocol.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1985
Suspends most-favored-nation treatment for Romania for six months. Directs the President, before the end of such six months, to: (1) assess the status of civil liberties and human rights in Romania; and (2) recommend to the Congress whether to extend the suspension of nondiscriminatory treatment to Romania.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1985
Awards a congressional gold medal posthumously to Leon Klinghoffer to show the Congress' admiration for the bravery he displayed while kidnapped by terrorists. Authorizes the President to present the gold medal to his widow, Marilyn Klinghoffer. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1985
Declares that the Congress: (1) condemns the hijacking of the Achille Lauro and the murder of Leon Klinghoffer; (2) commends the President and others who assisted in the apprehension of the perpetrators of such hijacking and murder; and (3) calls on all governments having jurisdiction over such matter to ensure that the individuals responsible for such hijacking and murder are prosecuted and punished. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should convene an international meeting to determine the steps which must be taken to rid the world of hijacking and the taking of hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1986 to enable the Drug Enforcement Administration Mid-Atlantic Laboratory to meet the needs of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department for analysis of suspected controlled substances.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Allows any State, or political subdivision thereof, to require retailers engaged in business in that State to collect a State and local sales or use tax on the sale or use of tangible personal property shipped or delivered into that State or political subdivision.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the House supports the efforts of the Government of Puerto Rico to meet the needs created by tropical storm Isabel; and (2) the President should declare Puerto Rico a disaster area so that Federal emergency assistance can be provided to that island.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Declares that the Congress calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development (AID) to work in a global effort to provide support toward achieving the goal of universal access to childhood immunization by the year 1990. Sets forth specified actions to be taken by AID, in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in reaching such goal. Urges the President to seek both private and public assistance in the United States to achieve universal access to childhood immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Sargent Shriver, in recognition of his distinguished service as the first Director of the Peace Corps. Authorizes appropriations up to a specified amount. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of the medal bearing the Peace Corps' emblem and the likeness of Sargent Shriver.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Declares that the Congress deplores the President's notification to the U.N. Secretary General that the United States is withdrawing from the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, and reaffirms its support for the international rule of law and the role of the Court.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1985
Federal Science and Technology Revitalization Act of 1985 - Authorizes Federal agencies to establish alternative personnel management systems for scientific and technical employees in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Includes in each such system a Senior Scientific and Technical Personnel Service (comparable to the Senior Executive Service) for such employees who are specially qualified. Sets forth provisions for scientific and technical employees relating to employment authority, compensation, and retirement. Directs OPM to review and monitor agency alternative systems to ensure compliance with this Act and applicable regulations. Sets forth transition provisions for employees designated as subject to an alternative management system. Directs the Comptroller General to review and evaluate the systems established under this Act and report to the Congress and OPM within five years of its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1985
Anti-Smuggling Act of 1985 - Title I: Amendments to the Tariff Act of 1930 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to include monetary instruments within the meaning of "merchandise." Requires any vessel which has visited any hovering vessel, or has received merchandise while such vessel is in customs waters beyond the territorial sea, or has received merchandise on the high seas, to be treated as having arrived from a foreign port or place. Requires the owner of any vessel from a foreign port or place, any foreign vessel from a domestic port or place, or any U.S. vessel carrying bonded merchandise or foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made, to immediately report such vessels's arrival (currently within 24 hours after the arrival of such vessel) at a U.S. or Virgin Islands port or place to the nearest customs facility or to such other place as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations which provide the manner in which arrivals are to be reported and which extend the time (not beyond 24 hours) after the arrival of any vessel in which to report such arrival. Restricts the arrival of vehicles in the United States at border crossing points designated by the Secretary. Requires a person in charge of such vehicle (immediately upon the arrival of such vehicle in the United States) to report such arrival to, and present such vehicle, and all persons and merchandise (including baggage) on board such vehicle, for inspection to the customs officer at the customs facility. Requires the pilot of any aircraft arriving in the United States from a foreign airport or place to comply with such advance notification, arrival reporting, and landing requirements as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. Authorizes any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft which has arrived in the United States to depart from the port, airport, or place of arrival and from any custom facility designated to serve such places and discharge passengers and merchandise (including baggage), only in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe. Requires any owner of a ship, person in charge of a vehicle, or pilot of an aircraft which arrives in the United States to present to the appropriate customs officer such documents, papers, and manifests as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of such arrival, reporting, and entry requirements. Increases the fine from $500 to $5,000 (and $10,000 for each subsequent violation) for persons in charge of a vessel or vehicle who fail to make a report or entry to the appropriate customs officials before departure from any collection district. Increases the fine from $500 to $1,000 (for the first passenger and $500 for each additional) for such persons who permit the unloading of passengers from such vessels or vehicles without a special license or permit issued by the appropriate customs officer. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for persons in charge of a vessel or vehicle (arriving in the United States from a contiguous country) who: (1) depart from a designated customs facility without appropriate authorization; or (2) present a forged, altered or false manifest, document, or paper to a customs officer. Increases the fines for persons in charge of any vehicle who: (1) lack or falsify a manifest; or (2) transport specified controlled substances. Increases both the civil and criminal penalties for such persons who allow any merchandise (including sea stores) to be illegally unladen within the customs waters of the United States. Prohibits: (1) any U.S. citizen on board any aircraft to manufacture or distribute, or possess with the intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance (including the introduction of such substances into the United States, any of its territories or possessions, or within a 12 mile distance of the U.S. coast); and (2) any person from transferring any controlled substances, spirits, wines, or other alcoholic liquors between an aircraft, or vessel (that is owned by a U.S. citizen, or is registered in the United States) on the high seas or U.S. customs waters, or regardless of the nationality of such vessel or aircraft. Prohibits any such transfer with the intent to introduce such substances into the United States. Sets forth civil penalties. Provides for the seizure, forfeiture, and sale of merchandise (that is involved in a conveyance) whenever any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft, or the owner, driver, or pilot of such vessel has violated the customs laws of the United States. Prohibits any conveyance used by a person as a common carrier (in the transaction of business as a common carrier) from being subject to seizure or forfeiture under the customs laws for violations relating to merchandise that is contained in baggage belonging to a legally transported passenger, or that is in the conveyance's cargo, if such cargo is listed on the carrier's manifest. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of any controlled substance (on board a conveyance that is used as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier) which is not manifested, or whose markings disagree with such manifest, or is found concealed in or on the conveyance (but not in the cargo). Permits a person authorized to make searches and seizures (in any dwelling house or building) to apply for a warrant from the appropriate authorities if such person suspects the presence of any property that is subject to forfeiture under the customs laws or any documents, containers, or other articles which evidence violations of such laws. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of merchandise that is or has been introduced, or attempted to be introduced, into the United States contrary to law. Sets forth specified procedures with respect to the disposition of property forfeited under the customs laws. Sets the compensation of informers who report violations of such laws to not more than 25 percent (currently 25 percent). Provides that such compensation shall be paid from the net amount recovered before such net amount is deposited in the general fund of the Treasury or the Customs Forfeiture Fund (currently it is paid out of any appropriations available for the collection of the revenues from customs). Provides (with respect to the tolling of the statute of limitations) that an action to recover a pecuniary penalty is deemed to have been commenced when the appropriate customs officer issues a penalty notice. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations that authorize customs officers to exchange information with foreign customs agencies and law enforcement agencies with respect to the enforcement of the customs laws. Provides, when authorized by treaty or executive agreement, that the Secretary may station customs personnel in foreign countries. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to provide a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment not to exceed two years, or both, of persons (owners of aircraft) who operate an aircraft: (1) that is not registered; (2) during any period the aircraft certificate or registration has been suspended or revoked by the Secretary of Transportation; (3) without a valid airman certificate; (4) without navigation and/or anticollision lights; and (5) with an illegal fuel tank or system installation aboard such aircraft. Subjects any unlawful fuel taken, or system installation, and aircraft to seizure and forfeiture. Increases the fine from $500 to $5,000 for any person who violates specified entry requirements relating to civil aircraft and vessels. Subjects owners of aircraft who transport any controlled substances to specified penalties. Requires any person having an ownership interest in an aircraft for which a certificate of registration has been issued to, upon the sale, transfer, or conveyance of such interest, file within 15 days such notice as the Secretary of the Treasury may provide. Amends Federal law to subject all pleasure vessels, including all persons aboard, to applicable customs regulations under the Tariff Act of 1930. Replaces specified provisions (regarding the smuggling of controlled substances) with provisions relating to the importation or exportation of merchandise, the reporting or transportation of monetary instruments, or the enforcement of the Bank Secrecy Act. Requires every customs officer, in the exercise of his duties, to: (1) make known his character as a customs officer; and (2) have the authority to demand assistance in executing any arrest, search, or seizure. Increases the fine to $1,000 (currently $200, not less than $5) for persons who refuse, without reasonable excuse, to assist a customs officer. Provides that any person (other than an officer or employer of the United States) who renders assistance in good faith shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of rendering such assistance (provided such person acts as an ordinary, reasonably prudent person). Permits funds appropriated for the U.S. Customs Service to be used for the leasing of space (within the United States) to carry out undercover investigative operations for the detection and prosecution of offenses against the United States that are within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-15]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000053_200.jpg)