United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1985
Expresses the concern of the House of Representatives over the pending Supplementary Extradition Treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom because of the treaty's: (1) effort to destroy the traditional "political offense" exception to extradition; and (2) retroactivity. Declares that the House of Representatives believes that changes in extradition law should be accomplished through legislation, not treaty, and that the House opposes renegotiation of existing extradition treaties on a country-by-country basis. Expresses the concern of the House that the system of justice in Northern Ireland would not give due process to persons extradited back under terms of the Supplementary Treaty. Urges the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to end its consideration of such treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Narcotics Control Trade Act - Directs the President to designate a country an uncooperative drug source nation if during any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1985, such country: (1) was a source of any illicit narcotic and psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances that is significantly affecting the United States; and (2) did not cooperate with the United States in preventing such drugs and substances from affecting the United States by taking specified actions. Directs the President to report to the Congress the name of each such country. Denies the products of each such country most-favored-nation treatment until the President notifies the Congress that such country has made significant progress and will continue to make progress in remedying those policies on which an uncooperative drug source nation designation was based.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Covert Agent Disclosure Federal Pension Forfeiture Act - Requires the forfeiture of Federal employee retirement benefits upon conviction of the felony of the unauthorized disclosure of the identity of a covert agent.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Education Technology Act - Title I: Evaluations, Dissemination, and Instructional Models - Directs the National Institute of Education (NIE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to jointly: (1) evaluate available computer hardware and software in terms of its usefulness in the classroom; and (2) disseminate the results of such evaluation to State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs). Requires, where appropriate, such evaluation to include assessment of the usefulness of computer hardware and software to serve the special needs of certain special populations described under title II of this Act and of the extent to which the software promotes computer use by students of both sexes. Directs NIE and NSF to carry out such evaluation and dissemination functions under grants to or contracts with non-Federal agencies and private nonprofit institutions or organizations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1995 to NSF and NIE for such purpose. Directs NSF to conduct, assist, and foster research and experimentation on, and dissemination of, models of instruction in the operation and use of computers, educational computer software, and curriculum materials. Requires that this be done through grants to or contracts with professional educational, scientific, or engineering organizations, science museums, regional science education centers, public television, SEAs and LEAs, and institutions of higher education, including community colleges. Directs the NSF, in selecting such entities for such grants or contracts, to give priority to those proposals involving specified types of programs (including, among others, programs involving computer libraries, networks, personal microcomputers, or video disc systems). Permits funds available under such grants or contracts to be used to acquire computer hardware and software and manuals for its use. Requires the NSF Director to: (1) report to the Congress annually on the results of such research and experimentation; and (2) in conjunction with NIE, take steps necessary to disseminate information concerning such results to SEAs and LEAs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1995 for such purposes. Subjects the authority to enter into contracts for such purposes to the availability of appropriations therefor. Title II: Teacher Training Institutes - Directs the NSF, with the cooperation of Federal and other appropriate agencies, to arrange for the development and operation of short-term or regular session institutes for advanced study to improve the qualifications of individuals who teach the operation and use of new and evolving technologies (or individuals who are preparing to do such teaching, or who supervise or train such teachers). Requires that this be done through grants to or contracts with the types of entities described under the provisions for research and experimentation in computer instructional models under title I of this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to special populations (as referred to under title I of this Act). Directs NSF, in making such teacher training grants or contracts, to give special consideration to institutes training teachers (or their supervisors or trainers) who are serving or preparing to serve in elementary and secondary schools enrolling substantial numbers of culturally, economically, socially, and educationally handicapped youth or in programs for children of limited English language proficiency. Requires training program applications to indicate that a portion of the funds will be used to instruct enrollees in methods to ensure equal access to and the use of the computer by students from underserved groups, including female students. Makes individuals who attend such teacher training institutes eligible to receive stipends. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1995 to carry out this title. Title III: Acquisition of Computer Hardware - Directs the Secretary of Education to allocate assistance from funds under this title to LEAs for the acquisition of computer hardware for use in school classrooms. Directs the Secretary to allocate to SEAs, from five percent of the funds under this title, assistance for monitoring and enforcement. Bases the allocation to LEAs on the number of children aged five to 17 in their school districts, but reduces such allocations to the extent that such assistance has been or would be in excess of the amount necessary to acquire one unit of computer hardware for each 30 children in average daily attendance at an LEA's schools. Sets forth required contents of LEA applications for such assistance. Sets forth requirements relating to SEA approval of such applications. Sets forth State responsibilities, including State applications relating to such assistance, SEA hearings before final disapproval of any LEA application, general administrative responsibilities, and SEA reports to the Secretary. Sets forth requirements relating to the participation of children from private schools. Requires LEAs to provide for such participation, but allows the Secretary to waive such requirement and arrange for provision of such assistance directly, under specified conditions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 to carry out this title.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Child Abuse Victims Rights Act of 1985 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Statute to extend its coverage to the sexual exploitation of children. Authorizes a civil suit for treble damages for any persons injured personally or in their business or property by violations of RICO relating to the sexual exploitation of children. Amends the Federal criminal code to provide a mandatory life sentence for any person who kidnaps an individual under the age of 18. Imposes the death penalty in any case where such victim dies as a result of the kidnapping. Increases the penalties for offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. Provides for a mandatory minimum sentence for second offenders. Extends the statute of limitations for certain offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. Requires the Attorney General, within one year, to submit a report to the Congress recommending possible changes in the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and other courtroom prosecutorial and investigative procedures which would facilitate the participation of child witnesses in cases involving child abuse and sexual exploitation. Specifies a list of considerations including: (1) the use of closed-circuit cameras, two-way mirrors, and other out-of-court statements; (2) the use of judicial discretion to circumscribe the use of harassment or confusing questions; (3) the use of videotape in investigations; (4) the possibility of streamlining investigative procedures; and (5) improved training of prosecutorial and investigative staff in the special problems of child witnesses. Requires the Attorney General to modify the classification system used by the National Crime Information Center in its Interstate Identification Index, and by the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with respect to offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children, to include the age of the victim and the relationship of the victim to the offender. Requires such classification to use a uniform definition of a child. Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to increase by one the membership of the Advisory Board on Missing Children.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for services performed by a physician assistant under the supervision of a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from changing reimbursement levels or methodologies for home health services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act prior to the later of: (1) October 1, 1986; or (2) any freeze period beginning after June 30, 1985, and before October 1, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Telecommunications Trade Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to initiate an investigation to identify those countries denying the United States equivalent access to a potentially substantial telecommunications market. Provides for public notice of, and participation in, the decision to initiate an investigation, including a petition process whereby persons may request the Secretary to make a finding regarding certain countries. Requires the Secretary to decide, within 45 days of receiving a petition, whether to initiate an investigation on the basis of the petition. Directs the Secretary, within 60 days of the initiation of an investigation, to: (1) make and explain the preliminary finding; (2) if affirmative, preliminarily recommend enforcement actions; and (3) invite interested parties to comment. Directs the Secretary, within 120 days of the decision to initiate an investigation, to give the President and the public notice of the final finding and, if the final finding is affirmative, the final recommendations. Specifies the factors the Secretary must assess in deciding whether a country is denying equivalent telecommunications market access. Requires the President, within 60 days of a final affirmative finding, to determine appropriate enforcement actions and direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement them, unless the President takes one or more specified actions under the Trade Act of 1974. Directs the President to inform the Congress and give public notice of the enforcement actions he or she deems appropriate, including the reasons for any actions differing from those recommended by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to determine annually whether the action taken effectuates the purposes of this Act and report to the President and the Congress. Authorizes the President to modify, suspend, or augment the enforcement actions. Directs the President to notify the Congress and the public of the results of the Secretary's review and explain steps taken regarding enforcement actions. Directs the Secretary to review annually the potential market for U.S. telecommunications in countries formerly excluded from investigation by their lack of a potentially substantial market. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize and direct the FCC to implement any enforcement actions which the President determines to be appropriate under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Elderly Crime Prevention and Victim Assistance Act of 1985 - Establishes in the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice the National Resource Office Relating to Crimes Against Older Individuals. Provides for the appointment of an administrator from the employees of the Department of Justice to head such office. Requires the administrator to coordinate activities of the Department of Justice relating to training of law enforcement officers, financial assistance for older victims, compilation of statistical information, and research with regard to crimes committed against the elderly. Requires the administrator to: (1) establish a liaison with all Federal departments and agencies involved with programs for older persons who are or may become victims of crimes; (2) disseminate information regarding such programs and assistance; and (3) provide technical assistance to reduce or prevent the committing of crime against older individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to: (1) establish regulations necessary to ensure access (currently, reasonable access) to telephone service by persons with impaired hearing; and (2) require that all telephones (currently, essential telephones) provide internal means for effective use with hearing aids specially designed for telephone use. Repeals a provision directing the Commission to consider the costs and benefits to all telephone users when making rules concerning telephone service for the disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that neither the President nor the Congress should impose any import fees on the importation of any crude oil or refined petroleum products.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
American Passbook Savings Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $5,000 ($10,000 in the case of a joint return) of interest earned on a savings account maintained in a bank, savings and loan, or similar institution.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Prohibits the importation of certain species of kangaroos and kangaroo products (currently allowed to be imported under an administrative exception to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if in accordance with the management plans of Australian states).
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Controlled Substances Penalties Act of 1985 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the penalties for offenses involving: (1) a kilogram or more of cocaine; (2) two or more kilograms of any other narcotic drug in schedules I or II; (3) a kilogram or more of phencyclidine (PCP); or (4) 25 grams or more of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Provides for a fine of not more than $500,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 30 years. Prohibits any person from being released on bail pending trial for or appeal with respect to an offense under such Act. Requires first offenders to serve at least one half of their sentences before they become eligible for parole. Makes second drug offenders subject to life imprisonment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO) to allow a civil action to be brought by a plaintiff only when the private suit rests on an injury caused by conduct that led to the defendant's conviction of one of the predicate offenses listed in the statute or of a criminal violation of RICO itself. Requires the plaintiff to bring such action within one year of the defendant's conviction.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to delete the tariff provisions which base the tariff on imports of products assembled abroad from U.S. components on the full value less the value of the U.S. components.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) determine the cost growth of any construction, acquisition, or procurement project involving over $200,000,000 in Federal funds; and (2) notify the responsible agency upon determining that the actual or projected cost of a project has increased, or will increase, by 25 percent or more (excluding inflation). Prohibits an agency from obligating or expending additional funds on a project after receiving such notice unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing continued obligations and expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Amends the Flood Control Act of 1970 to include among the factors to be considered in evaluating the benefits of proposed water resource projects the possible prevention of loss of life.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Acid Rain Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to compute a State share for each of the 48 contiguous States of a 10,000,000 ton two-tiered reduction in annual emissions of sulfur dioxide below that of 1980 by 1996. Sets forth a formula for determining State shares. Sets deadlines and procedures for submission and approval of State plans for such State shares. Directs the Administrator to promulgate a State plan in the absence of a State-submitted, Administrator-approved plan. Requires such plans to achieve reductions through the use of continuous emission reduction. Prohibits the construction of any new stationary sources of sulfur dioxide in a State which fails to achieve its 1990 or 1996 emissions goals. Prohibits a stationary source from emitting more sulfur dioxide under such plan than it did under the applicable 1982 implementation plan. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations to facilitate State trading of reduction requirements and the substitution of reductions in oxides of nitrogren for reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide permitted under State plans. Establishes civil and criminal penalties and empowers the Administrator to bring civil actions against an electric utility in violation of the fee requirement. Terminates the fee after six years. Imposes a fee on each kilowatt hour of electric energy generated by an electric utility in the contiguous States. Exempts electricity generated by nuclear or hydroelectric power. Establishes in the Treasury the Acid Deposition Control Fund to provide funding for emissions reductions from specified appropriations. Sets forth conditions and administrative provisions for such Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on the current and five-year projected financial condition of the Fund. Directs the Administrator to revise nitrogen oxide emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units. Directs the Administrator to promulgate emissions standards for new, large fossil-fuel-fired steam generating units. Establishes oxides of nitrogen emission standards for light duty trucks after model year 1985. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on the equity of the pass-through of emission control costs through utility rates. Directs the Administrator to conduct an acid deposition research and clean coal technologies demonstration program. Directs the Administrator to financially assist State programs for mitigating the adverse effects of acid rain.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Tax Exemption Equity Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny status as a tax-exempt organization to organizations which directly or indirectly perform or finance abortions. Denies the income, estate, and gift tax charitable contribution deductions for amounts contributed to such organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Removes Federal credit unions from the regulatory authority of the Federal Trade Commission. Provides for the exercise of such authority by the National Credit Union Administration Board.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1985
School Excellence and Reform Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 to make payments for programs of: (1) general improvement and excellence in education; and (2) reform and equity in education. Sets forth (after reserving specified amounts for certain U.S. territories and possessions) formulas for State and local allocation of payments for general improvement and excellence in education. Provides, under such local allocation formula, for certain increases in the amount of such payments on the basis of numbers of children eligible to be counted for purposes of special needs funding under specified provisions of subpart 1 (Basic Grants), part A (Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies) of title I (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Sets forth (after reserving specified amounts for payments to certain U.S. territories and possessions) formulas for State and local allocation for reform and equity in education. Provides, under such State allocation formula, for certain increases in payments based on numbers of children eligible to be counted under the aforementioned ESEA provisions for special educational needs funding. Authorizes the State educational agency to establish the relative weights of factors under such local allocation formula, but requires that such formula be composed of only the following factors: (1) the number of children aged five to 17, inclusive, who are eligible to be counted under the aforementioned ESEA provisions for special educational needs funding; (2) the graduation rate; (3) the absentee rate; and (4) the number of low-achieving students. Permits those general improvement and excellence funds which are allocated to local educational agencies to be used for: (1) pursuit of general educational excellence and improvement of instruction in mathematics, the sciences, communications skills, foreign languages, and technology; and (2) where necessary, for guidance and counseling. Permits those reform and equity funds which are retained by a State under specified provisions of this Act to be used to administer and carry out categorical programs and projects. Permits those reform and equity funds which are allocated to local educational agencies (LEAs) to be used for the development, expansion, or improvement of any of the following categorical programs and projects: (1) early childhood education; (2) school day care; (3) in-service teacher training; (4) dropout prevention; (5) effective schools; and (6) improvement of secondary schools basic skills instruction. Requires State applications for allocations of general improvement and excellence payments and reform and equity payments for any fiscal year under this Act to: (1) meet specified requirements under the General Education Provisions Act; and (2) in the case of reform and equity payment allocations, describe the intended use of funds to be retained by the State to enhance State reform efforts. Allows a local educational agency, in any fiscal year, to submit a single application for an allocation of general improvement and excellence funds or an allocation of reform and equity funds, or both. Permits two or more local educational agencies that propose to conduct joint programs and projects from funds for general improvement and excellence to file such application as a consortium or other combination. Prohibits a local educational agency from applying for an allocation of reform and equity funds unless the total number of children age five to 17, inclusive, in the schools of such agency who are eligible to be counted under the aforementioned ESEA provisions for special educational needs funding exceeds the lesser of 5,000 or 20 percent of the total enrollment of such schools. Requires local educational agencies, in order to receive either general improvement and excellence or reform and equity allocations, to have on file with the State educational agency an application which includes description of the programs and projects to be funded and a plan for the improvement of the selected educational areas covered by such programs and projects. Requires such local educational agency or consortium applications, or application renewals, to also contain assurances that: (1) the programs and projects are designed and implemented in consultation with the parents and classroom teachers of the children to be served; (2) the funds received under this Act will supplement and not supplant non-Federal funding; and (3) the local educational agency will comply with specified maintenance of effort requirements which the State educational agency must enforce. Requires each local educational agency receiving an allocation under this Act for any fiscal year to submit to the State educational agency evidence of progress in particular areas for which funds were expended or evidence of general improvement in the educational system, such as: (1) reductions in, or maintenance of acceptable levels of, absenteeism, discipline problems, and dropouts at the secondary level; (2) more instructional time; and (3) smaller class size. Authorizes the State educational agency, at the State's discretion, to conduct audits on a sampling basis to verify the accuracy of such submissions. Terminates a local educational agency's eligibility to obtain an allocation under this Act for more than three fiscal years, unless the evidence submitted demonstrates progress as verified by the State. Authorizes the Secretary, from specified amounts reserved from reform and equity funds, to make business involvement matching grants to local educational agencies. Sets the maximum amount of any such grant at 50 percent of the fair market value of any donation by local business concerns to the local educational agency for the conduct of programs and projects under this Act. Allows such donations to be in cash or in kind, and to consist of equipment, the services of business personnel, or training provided to the local educational agency.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Performing Arts Labor Relations Amendments - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to exclude specified types of employers and performers in the performing arts from coverage under unfair labor practice provisions prohibiting specified contracts or agreements between employers and labor organizations and prohibiting specified actions of labor organizations to force or require cessation of dealings with others, joining of labor or employer organizations, or recognition of or negotiation with labor organizations not certified as representative. Permits such employers, excluding employers in the broadcasting or motion picture industries, to: (1) agree with a labor organization to make membership in such organization a condition of performing arts employment; and (2) make agreements with a labor organization covering performing artists even if the majority status of the organization has not yet been established. Defines "employer" to include purchasers of musical performance services. Defines "employee" to include independent contractors engaged to perform musical services.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Older Workers' Employment Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to require pension plans to allow: (1) participation by employees nearing normal retirement age; and (2) benefit accrual by participants to continue past normal retirement age. Amends the Age Disgrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to extend its application to employees who have attained age 70.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives 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 · 4 June 1985
Designates August 14, 1985, as Social Security Day and the week of August 11 through August 17, 1985, as Social Security Week. Authorizes and requests the President to commemorate August 14, 1985, as the 50th anniversary of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance for economic relief and rehabilitation for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland if specified conditions are met. Authorizes such assistance for Northern Ireland if: (1) at least 30 days before the funds are obligated the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) reports to the Congress on plans for the use and disbursement of the funds and the Congress does not object to such plans within 30 days; (2) Great Britain commits itself to discussions aimed at achieving a political solution with all parties in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; and (3) Great Britain declares its intention to withdraw from Northern Ireland. Authorizes assistance for the Republic of Ireland if all the above conditions for aid to Northern Ireland are met and Great Britain includes in its declaration of withdrawal from Northern Ireland its intention to seek or promote reunification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for FY 1986 through 1990. Provides for the establishment of an advisory board that will assist the Administrator of AID in administering such assistance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the European Economic Community should also provide economic assistance to Northern Ireland once a political solution is developed.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to extend the income and eligibility verification system so as to require an applicant or benefit recipient, as a condition of eligibility for or receipt of benefits under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of such Act, title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of such Act, title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act, the food stamp program, or the unemployment insurance compensation program, to declare in writing whether or not he or she is a U.S. citizen, and, if a U.S. citizen his or her immigration status and file number. Requires the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to implement a verification system of immigration status to be made available to all States by October 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit giving nonmarket economy countries nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment), to prohibit such countries from participating in certain U.S. credit and investment guaranty programs, and to prohibit the President from concluding any commercial agreement with such countries if such countries discriminate or permit discrimination because of religious, ethnic, or cultural orientation.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rinaldo, Matthew J. [R-NJ-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000262_200.jpg)