United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Requires the initial report of the National Drug Enforcement Policy Board to include: (1) a comprehensive assessment of the current and potential contribution of synthetic narcotic analogs (designer drugs) to the illegal narcotics problem in the United States; (2) proposals for illegal drug law enforcement strategies to prevent the manufacture and distribution of synthetic narcotic analogs; and (3) recommendations to the Congress for necessary legislation to eliminate the manufacture and distribution of illegal synthetic narcotic analogs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Makes it a Federal criminal offense for any person to possess a readily convertible firearm (a machine gun). Provides for a fine of not more than $250,000 or imprisonment for not more than ten years or both. Establishes an exception regarding the use of such firearm by the United States or by a State or local agency. Allows for a 90-day transition period before the prohibition takes effect. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase during the applicable transition period any such firearm at a price not greater than fair market value. Requires the Secretary to notify persons possessing such firearms of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Superfund Expansion and Protection Act of 1985 - Title I: Provisions Relating Primarily to Response and Liability - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)(Superfund) to include among hazardous substances subject to such Act any petroleum released from an underground storage tank. Includes pollutants and contaminants under Superfund, defining them as any substance which after release into the environment causes disease or abnormalities upon exposure or assimilation, either directly or through the food chain. Excludes petroleum and natural gas except as otherwise indicated under such Act. Redefines "release" to include the abandonment of containers containing hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants. Requires the President to consider long-range effects when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of offsite remedial actions. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish reportable quantities for all noncarcinogenic hazardous substances within six months of this Act's enactment and all other hazardous substances by November 1, 1986. Requires the Administrator to conduct periodic audits of reported releases and report to the Congress at least annually on such audits. Increases criminal penalties for failure to notify the Federal Governmentu of a hazardous substance release. Authorizes the Administrator to undertake any response action when faced with a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance unless the Administrator determines the responsible party will take appropriate action. Requires the Administrator to assess the health effects associated with such release or potential release. Exempts from liability for the effects of such release any party performing information or engineering services pursuant to an approved response action. Requires a State to pay 50 percent of the cleanup costs only if the State both owned and operated the polluting facility. Credits States with cleanup costs already dispersed as specified. Requires the Administrator to choose remedial actions which are: (1) consistent with the National Contingency Plan (NCP); (2) cost-effective; and (3) permanent whenever possible. Places facilities for which no permanent solution is technologically feasible on an interim National Priorities List (NPL), such list to be reviewed every five years to determine if a permanent solution has become feasible. Eliminates the requirement that pollutant levels be such as to protect human welfare, leaving the requirement that such levels protect human health and the environment. Requires pollutant levels to comply with the other Federal standards applicable. Specifies under what conditions removal actions must comply with the requirements of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Entitles Federal and State environmental officials to access to the information and premises of any person who generates, treats, or disposes of hazardous substances for purposes of determining the need for a response action. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to prepare toxicological profiles on the most frequently found or threatening hazardous substances. Entitles the public to participate in the selection of a plan for remedial action. Authorizes the Administrator to provide grants for technical assistance to groups which may be affected by a release from a facility on the NPL. Establishes a schedule for the commencement of remedial investigations and feasibility studies for all facilities on the NPL. Provides for the listing of additional facilities at regular intervals. Requires the commencement of remedial actions at a minimum rate of 200 facilities per year by the start of FY 1987. Requires the Administrator to complete preliminary assessments of all facilities on the Emergency and Remedial Response Information System list by the start of 1987. Requires completion of remedial action for facilities currently on the NPL within five years or requires an explanation of nonperformance. Permits individuals to petition the Administrator for a health effects study where hazardous substances have been removed. Permits Federal authorities to provide the Congress with information on such studies and their conduct without administrative clearance or approval. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) provide alternative water supplies; (2) relocate individuals; and (3) provide medical care if such studies indicate the necessity of such actions. Requires the Administrator to revise the NCP, consistent with these provisions. Permits an individual to petition the Administrator for a preliminary assessment of a release. Includes damage to the food chain and the ambient air among the factors determining a facility or site ranking under the NCP. Authorizes the Administrator to determine whether and how an individual may object to a nonreviewable abatement action. Includes additional Federal cleanup or abatement activities for which a responsible party would be liable. Requires each Federal agency which may be a defendant under this Act to provide its own counsel rather than the Attorney General. Grants Federally-ordered lab tests the presumption of accuracy. Makes liability strict, joint, and several under this Act for damages and costs resulting from the release and cleanup of hazardous substances. Entitles a defendant to prove such damages are divisible and to seek contribution. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for the Hazardous Substance Superfund, earmarking specified amounts for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Account. Repeals the ability of any party to recover for damages to natural resources caused by a release. Requires an annual audit of the conduct of Superfund, including comparative reports of actions taken in earlier fiscal years. Establishes a statute of limitations of six years after the completion of the response action, regardless of the date of discovery of the loss. Permits a State to require contributions for response costs compensated under this Act. Title II: Federal Cause of Action - Entitles individuals injured by the disposal of a hazardous substance to recover damages from the responsible parties who will be held strictly, jointly, and severally liable. Entitles such individuals to compensation for expenses related to personal injury, economic injury, and limited pain and suffering. States that this Federal cause of action does not preempt State law regarding liability for damages in connection with any hazardous substance. Establishes a three year statute of limitations, running from the date of knowledge of the injury or the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits dual recovery through worker's compensation or actions filed in a State court and this Act. Permits additional recovery against the source of the disposal for later manifested injuries. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Permits citizen action lawsuits against any party, including the Federal Government, involved with hazardous substances in such a way as may present an imminent and substantial danger to health or the environment or against the President for failure to perform a required duty. Requires potential plaintiffs to give 60 days notice to the appropriate Federal and State officials as well as the alleged violator before commencing an action. Prohibits such action if the Administrator or the State has commenced and is prosecuting a court action already or a settlement has been reached. Permits intervention, as a matter of right. Prohibits citizen actions for the siting or issuance of permit to a hazardous waste disposal facility. Authorizes the Federal district court to award costs to any substantially prevailing party. Permits EPA intervention as a matter of right. Includes the disposal of a pollutant or contaminant under CERCLA only as specified. Directs the Administrator to commence the drilling fluids study required by the Solid Waste Disposal Act within six months of this Act's enactment. Directs the Administrator to select ten to 20 areas to establish and operate for three to five years a victim assistance demonstration program for individuals injured through exposure to hazardous substances. Sets forth application and program criteria and conditions for such grants. Requires such programs to include group insurance benefits for medical treatment and disability. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the effectiveness of these programs. Requires participating States to report on such as well. Title IV: Community Right to Know and Emergency Planning - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act by adding a new title II concerning the communities' right-to-know, emergency planning, and liability. Requires each covered manufacturer, distributor, user, and importer of a covered hazardous substance (potential release) to prepare and update a fact sheet for such substance for distribution to local police, fire, and health officials. Requires the fact sheet to include the name, physical properties of, and hazards posed by the substance, including potential routes of human exposure to such substance, symptoms of such exposure, and appropriate emergency and first aid procedures. Requires status sheets on the same basis as fact sheets, with each status sheet to include the maximum inventory and method of storage of the substance, the quantity of its emission into the environment, and the quantity and method for disposal. Requires the releasor of a covered hazardous substance in an emergency situation to provide an emergency bulletin to the State and local police and other local officials. Requires the bulletin to identify the name and amount of the substance released and the response actions taken. Requires fact and status sheets and emergency bulletins to be made available for public inspection with public notice of such availability at the facility of the potential releasor. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish a uniform format for fact and status sheets. Authorizes a State's Governor to identify local officials to receive covered hazardous substance release information, with the Administrator doing so in the absence of the Governor's identification. Requires the potential releasors to maintain records of information required by this Act. Requires manufacturers or importers to transmit fact sheets to covered distributors or users upon shipping of a covered hazardous substance. Excludes certain small businesses and research, medical, and household uses from coverage under this Act. Provides protection for trade secrets while continuing to make necessary information available to the appropriate persons. Excludes listed or possible carcinogens from such protection. Sets forth application and substantiation procedures for trade secret claims. Permits affected citizens or government officials to compel disclosure of nonsubstantiated trade secrets through the Federal courts. Authorizes the Administrator to grant exemptions from the basic notification requirements of this Act through specified procedures open to the public, based upon a cost-benefits analysis where there is no reasonable likelihood of harm. Directs each covered major manufacturer to develop within two years of enactment of this Act a comprehensive evacuation and emergency response plan which addresses the health and safety issues applicable to such manufacturer's particular situation. Requires the plan to include designations of the appropriate government officials to be notified, mitigation measures, evacuation routes, notification plans, and evaluation of community support services. Authorizes each Governor to designate emergency response districts within 18 months of enactment of this Act or the Administrator will do so. Permits each Governor to appoint an Emergency Response Committee per district or the Administrator will be treated as such Committee. Requires such Committees to review the manufacturers' plans, revising them where necessary. Directs the Administrator within 18 months of enactment of this Act to develop uniform national mandatory labeling requirements for pipes, storage tanks, or containers not otherwise required to be labeled which would reasonably be presumed to release a covered hazardous substance. Requires the label to indicate the appropriate response to a release. Directs the Administrator to designate covered major manufacturers for emergency response purposes within one year of enactment of this Act. Limits the designation to those whose substances would pose an imminent and substantial danger to health and the environment if released in significant quantities. Includes all persons covered under this Act in lieu of such designations. Includes Federal departments as potential covered major manufacturers. Exempts those whose emergency activities are sufficiently covered under other Federal or State law. Renders the manufacturer or processor strictly liable for damages caused by accidental or abnormal releases, excluding act of God or war. Covers medical, burial, and economic losses as well as pain and suffering (to a limited extent). Includes specified analysis and scientific evidence and studies among the evidence which may be introduced to establish causation. Establishes a three-year statute of limitations from the date of enactment or the date of realization of injury for causes of action for injury from the release of a covered hazardous substance, whichever is later. Provides that this Act does not preempt State or other law in the area of liability for damages. Requires entitled individuals to receive compensation for injuries sustained from a hazardous substance release from workers' compensation rather than under this Act. Sets forth categories of substances to be considered covered hazardous substances and procedures for adding additional substances. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to compile and update a digest of all such substances. Exempts certain substances for this Act's purposes, based upon the form, amount, and other regulation of such substances. Establishes civil and criminal penalties, limiting criminal penalties to the knowing violation of emergency requirements. Authorizes citizens' suits to enforce this Act. Permits States to adopt more stringent right-to-know standards in the workplace context and emergency response requirements. Permits State and local governments to impose fees upon potential releasors to cover administrative costs. Title V: Amendments of the Internal Revenue Code to 1954 - Superfund Revenue Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase and extend through FY 1990 the environmental excise taxes on petroleum and specified chemicals. Includes an inflation adjustment for computing the tax on chemicals. Exempts exported chemicals from tax liability. Adjusts special rules for certain chemicals. Imposes a waste end tax on: (1) the receipt of hazardous waste at a qualified hazardous waste management unit; (2) the ocean dumping of such waste; and (3) the export of such waste. Sets increasing, per-ton tax rates on the disposal of such wastes. Sets forth reporting requirements and penalties for violations. Establishes in the Treasury the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund. Establishes within Superfund a separate Leaking Underground Storage Tank Account. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study the economic impact of the environmental taxes on specified chemicals and report to the Congress on the results by April 1, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Parental and Disability Leave Act of 1985 - Title I: General Requirements for Parental and Disability Leave - Entitles each employee to disability leave (for nonoccupational medical reasons) of not fewer than 26 workweeks in any one calendar year. Provides that such leave need not be taken consecutively and may consist of unpaid leave. Requires any employer which provides temporary nonoccupational disability leave or benefits, or both, to provide such leave or benefits in such a manner that each employee is entitled to a minimum of 26 workweeks of disability leave in any one calendar year. Provides that, if the benefits provided are paid benefits for a period of less than 26 weeks, the additional weeks of leave which are added to meet the 26-week minimum may be unpaid. Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate regulations governing employer verification of employees' eligibility for such leave. Requires that the same standards, procedures, or other requirements so imposed apply to all temporary disabilities. Entitles each employee to parental leave (for birth, adoption, or serious illness of a child) of not fewer than 18 workweeks in any two years upon advance notice to his or her employer. Provides that such leave need not be taken consecutively and may consist of unpaid leave. Requires any employer which provides parental leave or benefits, or both, to provide such leave or benefits in such a manner that each employee is entitled to a minimum of 18 workweeks of parental leave in any two calendar years. Provides that, if the benefits provided are paid benefits for a period of less than 18 weeks, the additional weeks of leave which are added to meet the 18-week minimum may be unpaid. Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate regulations governing: (1) employer verification of employees' eligibility for such leave; and (2) the form, content, and timing requirements of the notice to the employer. Entitles each employee who exercises his or her right to a disability leave or a parental leave under this Act, upon expiration of such leave, to be restored by the employer to the position held by the employee when the leave commenced or to an equivalent position. Requires the employer to maintain any existing health benefits of the employee for the duration of such disability or parental leave period. Entitles each employee, at his or her option, to take such disability or parental leave on a reduced leave schedule. Limits to a maximum of 39 consecutive weeks the total time over which such reduced leave schedule may be spread. Sets forth prohibitions against retaliation. Makes it unlawful to interfere with an individual's exercise of rights or participation in proceedings or inquiries under this title. Provides that any negative material change in the seniority, status, employment benefits, pay, or other terms or conditions of the position of an employee which occurs within one year of restoration to the position, or within one year of the termination of proceedings or inquiries, shall be presumed to be prohibited retaliation. Sets forth provisions for enforcement of this title. Gives an employee the right to bring a civil action against an employer to enforce the provisions of this title. Authorizes the Secretary to bring such actions, except against any public agency. Gives U.S. district courts original jurisdiction over such actions. Sets forth venue provisions. Provides for equitable relief, damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorneys' fee and costs in such actions. Requires that the Secretary be notified of any such action. Gives the Secretary the right to intervene in any such action brought by an employee. Gives any aggrieved person the right to intervene in any such action brought by the Secretary. Sets forth a statute of limitations and a limitation on the period of recovery. Sets forth provisions for attorneys for the Secretary in such actions. Sets forth the investigative authority of the Secretary to determine whether any person has violated or is about to violate any provision of this title or any regulation or order issued thereunder. Limits required submissions, for purposes of such investigations, to an annual basis, unless the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe that there may be a violation. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this title. Authorizes appropriations to enable the Secretary to carry out functions or duties under this title. Sets forth provisions relating to the effect of this title on Federal laws, State and local laws, and existing employment benefits. Title II: Commission to Recommend Means to Provide Salary Replacement for Employee Taking Parental and Disability Leaves - Establishes the Paid Parental and Disability Leave Commission. Sets forth provisions for Commission membership, including provisions to ensure a broad representation of child advocacy, women's rights, labor, management, and academic interests. Directs the Commission to: (1) study domestic and foreign systems, both existing and proposed, which provide workers with full or partial salary replacement or other income protection during periods of nonoccupational temporary disability leave, parental leave, and dependent care leave; (2) produce a comprehensive written analysis of such systems, including recommendations for implementation of such a system for all workers in the United States; and (3) propose legislation to implement a system of salary replacement for temporary nonoccupational disability leave (within two years after the effective date of this Act) and for parental leave. Sets forth provisions relating to Commission powers, administration, and compensation of members. Provides that the Commission shall prepare and submit to the Congress such interim reports as the Commission deems appropriate, but requires that its report and proposed legislation to provide salary replacement for employees on nonoccupational temporary disability be submitted to the Congress within two years of the date of enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after the submission of its final report.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Renewable Energy and Conservation Transition Act of 1985 - Title I: Extension of Business Energy Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the energy investment tax credit for solar energy property from 1985 to 1990. Sets the amount of such credit during such period at 15 percent for low temperature solar property and 25 percent for all other solar property. Extends the energy investment tax credit for wind property from 1985 to 1988. Sets the amount of such credit at: (1) ten percent during 1986 and 1987; and (2) five percent during 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for geothermal property and biomass property from 1985 to 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for ocean thermal property from 1985 to 1990. Revises the definition of "solar property" for purposes of such tax credit. Sets forth special rules for geothermal equipment to qualify for such credit. Title II: Affirmative Commitment Rule to Extend the Business Credit for Certain Long-Term Projects - Extends the time period during which an affirmative commitment must be made in order for long-term energy projects to be eligible for the energy investment tax credit. Allows such extension: (1) from 1990 to 1993 for solar energy property; (2) from 1988 to 1990 for geothermal energy property; and (3) from 1985 to 1990 for hydroelectric generating property. Title III: Extension of Residential Energy Credits - Extends the residential energy income tax credit for solar renewable energy property from 1985 to 1990. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Provides that solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet certain additional standards in order to qualify for such credit. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for wind renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for geothermal renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Revises the definition of geothermal deposits for purposes of such credit. Revises the definition of energy conservation expenditures for purposes of the residential energy income tax credit to limit the amounts taken into account to $700. Limits the energy conservation income tax credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $30,000. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise provisions relating to the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to lease oil and gas lands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to lease to the highest responsible qualified bidder, by competitive bidding, any lands subject to disposition under the Act which may contain oil or gas deposits. Provides that a lease shall: (1) be for an initial period of five years and as long thereafter as gas or oil is produced from the leased area in compliance with the diligence standards; (2) entitle the lessee to explore, develop, and produce oil and gas, conditioned upon compliance with diligence standards; and (3) be conditioned upon an annual rental payment of at least $2.00 per acre. Requires a minimum royalty of $4.00 per acre in lieu of rental at the expiration of each lease year. Requires any lessee conducting exploration, development, or production of oil or gas to provide the Secretary access to all data and information obtained from such activity which the Secretary may request.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Trade Law Modernization Act of 1985 - Title I: National Trade Policy and Negotiating Objectives; Negotiation Authority - Sets forth national trade policy objectives that shall guide U.S. trade policy and domestic economic policy. Directs the Administering Authority (the U.S. Trade Representative) to submit by March 1 of each year to specified congressional committees a statement of the actions the Administering Authority proposes to take during such year to achieve such objectives. Requires the committees to hold hearings on such proposals and to advise the Administering Authority on such proposals. Declares that U.S. objectives in any trade negotiations shall be: (1) to obtain more open and equitable market access abroad for U.S. products and services, the reduction and elimination of the adverse effects of certain foreign trade practices, and improved effectiveness of the rules governing international trade; (2) to develop internationally accepted rules which meet certain needs; and (3) to promote international cooperation in trade and monetary policies. Directs the Administering Authority to seek to obtain fair and equitable market opportunities through consultations on negotiations with foreign countries or instrumentalities in order to remedy the harmful efforts on U.S. trade of discriminatory procurement practices and regulatory requirements of such countries or instrumentalities. Authorizes the Administering Authority to: (1) suspend or withdraw benefits under any trade agreement with such countries or instrumentalities; (2) direct customs officers to impose import restrictions on the goods of such countries or instrumentalities and to impose fees or restrictions on the services of such countries or instrumentalities; (3) make available analysis and information to other U.S. agencies and courts for the purpose of ensuring consideration by such agencies and courts of the competitive impact of pending administrative or judicial decisions of such agencies or courts that could significantly enlarge the access of foreign products and services to the U.S. market; and (4) recommend action to the President with respect to service sector access authorization (a Federal authorization that gives a foreign supplier of services access to U.S. markets). Directs the Administering Authority, if there is a significant denial of market opportunities in a foreign country for U.S. products and services in an economic sector where the United States has increased market opportunities for such country's products and services, to: (1) act to obtain fair and equitable market opportunities in the markets of such foreign country; and (2) pending achievement of such opportunities, impose equivalent conditions of market access. Authorizes action to be taken under this Act upon motion of the Administering Authority or after investigation upon the filing of a petition. Title II: Transfer of Authority to Administering Authority; Amendments to Title I of Trade Act of 1974 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to transfer from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to: (1) take action in cases of market disruption; and (2) extend tariff preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to make the final review of actions to prevent unfair practices in the importation of articles into the United States. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to evaluate the industrial and trade policies of other countries and the effects of such policies on U.S. industries, trade, and employment. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress annually on such program. Directs the Secretary in conjunction with the U.S. Trade Representative, to establish special industry sector advisory panels to assess the actual or potential dislocation, challenge, or opportunity for the industry sectors involved and to formulate recommendations for responses by business, government, and labor. Requires the industry and labor advisory committees established by the Trade Act of 1974 to hold joint meetings at the call of the respective committee chairs and to meet at the call of the Administering Authority before and during trade negotiations to provide policy and technical advice and advice on any other factors relevant to U.S. positions in such trade negotiations. Authorizes the President to impose a temporary import surcharge at a level which the President determines to be necessary to assist in restoring equilibrium in the balance of payments in certain circumstances. (Currently such surcharge may not exceed 15 percent.) Limits the duration of such surcharge or limits imposed on imports to improve the balance of payments to one year. (Currently such measures may be imposed for only 150 days.) Deletes certain restrictions on imposing import limitations for such purposes. Authorizes one year extensions of such measures. Title III: Relief from Injury Caused by Import Competition - Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions following import relief investigations by the International Trade Commission (ITC). Authorizes a petition for import relief to include within its statement of reasons for requesting import relief the desire to facilitate the orderly transfer of resources to enhance competitiveness. Changes the scope of the ITC's import relief investigation to include determining whether an article is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a cause (currently substantial cause) of serious injury or threat of serious injury to any domestic industry that produces an article like or directly competitive with the imported article or that produces materials, parts, components, or subassemblies irrevocably destined for incorporation in an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. Changes one of the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to serious injury in order to cover the inability of a significant number of firms to operate domestic production facilities at a reasonable profit. (Current law refers to the inability of firms to operate at a reasonable profit.) Changes the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to the threat of serious injury in order to cover: (1) a decline in sales or market share in the domestic industry; (2) a higher and growing inventory in the domestic industry; (3) a downward trend in production, profits, wages, or employment (or increasing under employment) in the domestic industry; (4) any combination of coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof the effect of which is to assist the beneficiary to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise and that causes or threatens to cause serious injury to the domestic industry; (5) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of the article concerned because of restraints on exports of such article to, or imports of such articles into, third country markets; and (6) in the case of an industry that has developed an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy, the inability of producers in the domestic industry to generate adequate capital to finance the modernization of plant and equipment or to otherwise enhance competitiveness. Requires (currently authorizes) the ITC to make certain determinations with respect to determining the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an imported article. Defines "cause" for purposes of determining whether imports are a cause of injury to mean a cause which is important. Declares that a cause may be important even though other causes are of equal or greater importance. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury or the threat of serious injury exists for a domestic industry, to: (1) find the amount of the increase in, or imposition of, any duty or import restriction necessary to prevent or remedy such injury; and (2) if it determines that adjustment assistance can assist in remedying such injury, recommend the provision of such assistance. Directs the Administering Authority, if during an import relief investigation it finds that critical circumstances exist, to impose provisional measures (increase in tariff, tariff-rate quotas, quantitative restrictions, orderly marketing agreements or a combination of such actions). Requires such measures to remain in effect until the later of the date: (1) on which the President revokes such measures; (2) on which the ITC makes a negative determination of injury; or (3) which is 60 days after the date on which the ITC makes an affirmative determination of injury. Declares that critical circumstances exist if a significant increase in imports over a short time has led to circumstances in which delay in relief would cause damage that would be difficult to repair. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury has resulted from imports, to determine: (1) whether trade in the article concerned has been affected by coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group and that assist the beneficiary in becoming more competitive in exporting a class or kind of merchandise; and (2) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of such article because of restraints on exports of such article to, or on imports of such article into, third country markets. Directs the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and the ITC has found that trade in the article has been affected by such coordinated government actions, to consult and negotiate with other countries that produce or consume such article to seek the establishment of a multilateral framework to maintain and develop fair, equitable, and nondisruptive patterns of trade in such article. Directs the Administering Authority, after the ITC begins an import relief investigation based on a petition, to establish, upon request, an industry advisory group. Requires such an advisory group to prepare for the industry concerned an assessment of current problems and a strategy to enhance competitiveness. Directs the Administering Authority to try to obtain, on a confidential basis, information from the individual members of such advisory group on: (1) how such members intend to act upon the recommendations in such assessment and strategy; and (2) any other actions such members intend to take which will foster the objectives of the strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, the ITC, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Commerce to consider such assessment and strategy in making any import relief determination or taking any import relief actions. Requires the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and if an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy was submitted to the Administering Authority, to publish notice of the availability of, and a summary of, such assessment and strategy. Requires a review committee, if such summary is published, to: (1) monitor actions taken by the petitioners to improve the competitive position of the industry; (2) make recommendations for administrative action; and (3) submit recommended legislation to the Congress. Requires the review committee to consult with the advisory group members if the review committee determines that the firms or workers are not implementing or are implementing unsatisfactorily: (1) the recommended objectives and actions in the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy; or (2) the actions declared in the confidential information obtained by the advisory group. Requires the Administering Authority to request the ITC to issue a report on the probable economic effect on the industry of import relief if, after consultations with the advisory group members, the review committee determines that the failure to implement or failure to implement satisfactorily such actions is not justified by changed circumstances and has adversely affected overall implementation of the objectives of the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, if it decides to provide import relief, to consult with petitioners and representatives of workers and firms in the affected industry on the advisability and desirability of taking appropriate action under countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 or under title III of the Trade Act of 1974 if the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government or firm is engaged in any action or practice for which such relief is available. Title IV: Relief from Injurious Industrial Targeting and Unfair Trade Practices - Provides that injurious industrial targeting may trigger import relief actions. Defines injurious industrial targeting to mean any combination of coordinated government actions: (1) which are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof; (2) which assist such enterprise, industry, or group to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise; and (3) which cause or threaten to cause material injury. Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements and to respond to certain foreign trade practices. Authorizes the Administering Authority to: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent application of the benefit of trade agreement concessions with the foreign country or instrumentality involved; (2) direct customs officers to assess duties or impose other import restrictions on the products of such country or instrumentality or to assess fees or impose restrictions on the services of such country or instrumentality for such time, in such amount, and to such degree as the Administering Authority deems appropriate; (3) negotiate agreements to offset the burden or restrictions on U.S. commerce; (4) submit proposed administrative actions and legislation to implement any other government action which would restore or improve the international competitive position of the injured or threatened industry; (5) recommend action by the President; or (6) any combination of such actions. Transfers to the Administering Authority from the President the authority to impose certain limits on service sector access authorizations (authorizations that permit a foreign supplier of services access to the U.S. market). Authorizes the President, upon recommendation of the Administering Authority, to: (1) restrict the terms and conditions of any service sector access authorization; or (2) deny the issuance of any such authorization. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with representatives of domestic firms and workers that may be affected by any import relief investigation which is initiated by petition filed with the Administering Authority regarding any determination which is required to be made by the Administering Authority. Directs the Administering Authority, upon written request, to make confidential business information obtained by it in connection with an import relief investigation available under a protective order. Prohibits release of information classified for national security reasons. Requires the Administering Authority to act upon requests for such information within ten days of the request. Requires the Administering Authority, in conducting an import relief investigation initiated by petition to the Administering Authority, to present detailed questionnaires to the foreign government or enterprise involved in order to obtain information concerning the allegations in the petition. Directs the Administering Authority to verify any such information which the Administering Authority relied upon in making any determinations. Provides for relying on the best information available, which may be the information contained in the petition, if the foreign government fails to provide information or provides insufficient or unsatisfactory information. Requires the Administering Authority to make a preliminary determination within five months of the start of such an import relief investigation on whether there is reason to believe that import relief is warranted. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take certain actions based on the preliminary finding. Requires the final determination to be made within 11 months of the start of the investigation. Requires the Administering Authority to determine what actions to take if the final determination is that import relief is warranted except that specific actions are required if injurious industrial targeting is found to exist. Requires the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and representatives of the affected domestic firms and workers if the final determination is affirmative. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress if the final determination is affirmative and the Administering Authority declines to take any action. Terminates any preliminary import relief if the final determination is negative. Requires publication in the Federal Register of such preliminary and final determinations. Requires the Administering Authority, if it makes a preliminary finding that injurious industrial targeting exists, to: (1) establish an advisory committee; and (2) formulate, in consultation with such advisory committee, proposals which would restore or improve the competitive position of affected domestic industries. Requires the Administering Authority to notify the ITC when it initiates an investigation of injurious industrial targeting. Requires the ITC to make a preliminary determination within 60 days of receiving such notice of whether there is a reasonable indication that because of sales or likely sales of the merchandise which is the subject of the investigation: (1) an industry in the United States is materially injured or is threatened with material injury; or (2) the establishment or growth of an industry in the United States is materially retarded. Requires the ITC to make a final determination of whether such circumstances exist by: (1) 45 days after the affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is affirmative; or (2) 75 days after an affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is negative. Makes the ITC's determination subject to review by the U.S. Court of International Trade if such determinations were made under the countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Defines material injury and threat of material injury. Requires the Administering Authority to submit to the President any proposed administrative action and any proposed legislation to restore or improve the competitive position of the injured industry if the preliminary and final determinations are that injurious industrial targeting has occurred. Provides for expedited consideration of such legislation. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress on the actions the Administering Authority will take to offset the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting. Authorizes the Administering Authority to enter into a settlement agreement with the foreign country or entity involved in lieu of taking other actions if: (1) such agreement completely eliminates the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting; and (2) such agreement is approved by the petitioner if the investigation began because of a petition. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take actions to compensate a foreign country or entity if the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) disapprove of actions taken in response to injurious industrial targeting. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and the representatives of affected domestic firms and workers if, in the course of an investigation, the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government engaged in dumping or other actions for which relief is available under specified provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Title V: Countervailing and Antidumping Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to add requirements for a country to be considered a "country under the Agreement" for purposes of the countervailing duty provisions of such Act. Requires such a country to have made a commitment under the GATT to: (1) eliminate its export subsidies within one year (five for least developed countries); (2) not increase, extend, or add export subsidies; and (3) eliminate immediately export subsidies on those products in which such country is competitive. Requires the ITC, upon request, to investigate whether the merchandise is already competitive in the U.S. market and whether the merchandise would be competitive in the absence of export subsidies. Directs the Administering authority to review the status of, and compliance with, specified agreements at least once during each 12-month period. Directs the Administering Authority to publish such determinations. Imposes penalties for failure of a foreign country to honor any term of such agreements. Includes natural resource subsidies within the definition of subsidy for purposes of such Act. Declares that a natural resource subsidy exists if: (1) a natural resource product is provided or sold by a government-controlled entity within a country for use in the manufacture or production in such country of merchandise which is the subject of a countervailing duty investigation at a domestic price that is lower than the fair market value of the natural resource product in such country and that is not freely available to U.S. producers for purchase of that product for export to the United States; and (2) such natural resource product would, if sold at the fair market value, constitute a significant portion of the total cost of the manufacture or production of such merchandise. Changes the definition of foreign market value for purposes of countervailing duty investigations. Requires the Administering Authority to include in calculating the cost of producing the merchandise the value of any benefit the producer or manufacturer has received from government research and development programs. Requires sales made at less than cost of production to be disregarded in the determination of foreign market value if such sales were made over an extended period of time and in substantial quantities. Sets forth a special rule for determining cost of production and constructed value if imports of the merchandise into the home market have been unreasonably restrained. Requires the ITC, in determining whether a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury because of imports, to consider: (1) any combination of coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof the effect of which is to assist the beneficiary to become more competitive in the export of any merchandise and to cause or threaten to cause material injury to the United States; and (2) the extent to which the United States is the focal point for exports of the merchandise by reason of restraints on exports of the merchandise to, or on imports of the merchandise into, third country markets.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Defense Environmental Restoration Act of 1985 - Subjects facilities under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense to the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) (Superfund). Exempts the Secretary from the financial responsibility requirements. Prohibits the delegation to the Secretary of any response authority under such Act, requiring such authority to remain with the President or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as appropriate. Permits the designation of the Secretary and other Department of Defense (DOD) officials as natural resources trustees under such Act. Authorizes the Administrator to delegate other authorities to the Secretary or DOD officials if it would be cost-effective except the authority to approve remedial action at a site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in a nonemergency situation. Authorizes the President to issue response action orders as necessary to protect the national security. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Office of the Secretary an office to implement the Defense Environmental Restoration Program which includes investigating and cleaning up contamination from hazardous substances and correcting environmental damage. Directs the Secretary to carry out response actions with respect to releases of hazardous substances from sites and vessels under the Secretary's jurisdiction. Excludes response actions which do not result in a new facility from military construction requirements. Permits removal or remedial action by another responsible party. Directs the Secretary to pay all fees and charges imposed by State and local authorities for storage and/or disposal of hazardous substances on lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to implement the administrative abatement authorities where there may be an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or the environment from a DOD controlled facility. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 to carry out the restoration program. Makes available to the Secretary amounts recovered from responsible parties for response actions of the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to settle claims under CERCLA up to a specified amount. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for emergency removal actions where the release or threatened release of any hazardous substance presents an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health or environment. Limits the per-site expenditure unless the Secretary and the Administrator agree that continued response actions are required in an emergency-type situation. Requires each emergency removal action to be completed within six months if possible or within 18 months at the outside. Requires the Secretary to notify the Congress within 15 days of obligating emergency funds. Authorizes the Secretary to use facility maintenance funds for response actions, including emergency actions. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize the services of any other Government agency on a reimbursable basis to carry out this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a research, development, and demonstration program regarding hazardous waste management, including cost-effective strategies and technological innovation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Directs the Secretary to notify the Administrator of the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) within one year of this Act's enactment of the 25 hazardous substances most frequently used at DOD facilities for which no standard or water quality criteria are in effect under the other Federal environmental and water quality statutes. Requires ATSDR to prepare profiles on such substances within one year of receiving the funds to do so. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to keep the regional EPA offices and the appropriate State and local authorities informed about any hazardous substance releases or proposed response actions occurring at a DOD site within their area. Requires that such notice be made prior to taking a response action in nonemergency situations. Directs the Secretary to establish a Technical Review Committee of such authorities whenever possible to review and comment on DOD proposals. Requires the Secretary to provide an opportunity for public participation before adopting a plan for remedial action at any DOD site on the NPL. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the implementation of this Act, including a statement for each site and its hazardous substances, the response actions taken or proposed, and the costs involved. Directs the Secretary to provide the Congress with information on military construction projects in the budget attributable to environmental restoration programs. Requires military construction authorizations to separately set forth the amount requested for environmental restoration for each military department and defense agency. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out otherwise unauthorized emergency construction for hazardous substance response actions up to a specified amount and after congressional notification.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for an extension of the prospective payment transition period. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission to study and report to the Congress, by December 31, 1986, on their recommendations for changes in the payment methodology for inpatient hospital services.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Indian Gaming Control Act - Establishes Federal standards for gaming activities within Indian reservations and on Indian lands. Defines "gaming." Makes gaming illegal within such reservations and on such lands unless conducted pursuant to a tribal ordinance or resolution adopted by an Indian tribal government and approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires the Secretary, under specified conditions, to approve any tribal ordinance or resolution concerning the conduct, licensing, or regulation of gaming activity within the tribe's jurisdiction. Provides for the tribal licensing and regulation of gaming owned, operated, or conducted by individuals or entities other than a tribe as long as such regulations and requirements are at least as restrictive as those established by State law. Prohibits such a tribal license to any individual or entity who is not otherwise eligible to receive a State license to conduct such activities. Permits a tribe, subject to approval by the Secretary, to enter into contracts for the operation and management of a tribal gaming enterprise for a fee. Sets forth certain information and contract requirements. Prohibits the Secretary from approving such contracts unless specified conditions are met. Permits the Secretary to not approve or to void such contracts where there is knowledge of specified facts. Sets forth the time within which existing gaming operations within an Indian reservation or on Indian lands must comply with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the trade adjustment assistance programs through FY 1989. Establishes within the Treasury the Trade Adjustment Assistance Trust Fund which shall be used to provide adjustment assistance for workers. Directs the President to undertake negotiations to change the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) so that a country may impose a small uniform duty on all imports in order to fund a program which assists the workers and firms of that country to adjust to import competition. Imposes an import surcharge on all imports at a uniform rate determined by the President to be in accordance with the GATT and to fund the trade adjustment assistance program for workers. Requires the fees collected from such surcharge to be deposited in the Trade Adjustment Assistance Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to prohibit the registration or reregistration of any pesticide or herbicide unless the Environmental Protection Agency has tested it and determined that it is not likely to endanger human beings. Revokes the registration of any pesticide or herbicide that has not been tested within three years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Westway Landfill Funding Prohibition and Hudson River Habitat Protection Act of 1985 - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from expending funds for the Westway landfill in New York City, New York.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Extends through the school year ending June 30, 1987, a school district's eligibility under the school lunch program to continue receiving all cash or all letters of credit in lieu of commodities. Makes such districts eligible for bonus commodities on the same basis as other districts participating in the school lunch program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into agreements with private companies for processing donated commodities into end food products at the expense of the eligible recipient agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an additional excise tax on gasoline of ten cents per gallon. Provides that such tax shall be in addition to the nine cent per gallon excise tax currently imposed on gasoline. Provides that revenues raised by such additional taxes shall not be transferred to the Highway Trust Fund or the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States and the Soviet Union should enter into a joint high-level scientific study to determine the long-term climatic and environmental effects of a nuclear exchange. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in order to develop data for such study, to prepare an analysis of the consequences of a nuclear explosion on the environment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the climatic and environmental effects of a nuclear exchange should be included in any analysis of the consequences of nuclear war and should also be considered in the nuclear weapons, arms control, and civil defense policies of both nations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1985
Provides for the establishment of a one-year period during which certain Federal employees who retired on an immediate annuity or became entitled to receive compensation for work injury before December 9, 1980, shall be allowed to resume coverage under the Federal employees' group life insurance program, including coverage under the optional insurance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Resources Cost Cutting and Conservation Act of 1985 - Provides for the implementation of user fees for: (1) summer recreation homes on Forest Service land; (2) specified agricultural marketing services; and (3) electric power sold by a Federal Power Marketing Administration. Requires reports to the Congress on: (1) a proposed auction-bid system of user fees for domestic livestock grazing on public rangelands; and (2) current policy regarding the sale of firewood from national forests.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Federal Health Care Cost Cutting Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to report to the Congress concerning actions taken to implement the recommendations of the September 1, 1982, GAO report entitled "Millions Can Be Saved Through Better Energy Management in Federal Hospitals." Amends part B (Peer Review of the Utilization and Quality of Health Care Services) of title XI and titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require second opinions with respect to elective surgery procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Federal Motor Vehicle Expenditure Control Act of 1985 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to: (1) direct the head of each executive agency to designate one person from the agency to establish and operate a central monitoring system for the oversight of agency motor vehicle operations and related activities; (2) require the head of each executive agency to develop a system to collect and analyze all costs incurred by the agency with respect to motor vehicles used by the agency; and (3) promulgate standards governing the establishment and operation by executive agencies of such system. Directs the head of each executive agency to include with its requests for each fiscal year a statement containing specified information concerning motor vehicle acquisition, leasing, operating, maintenance, and disposal costs. Requires such statement to explain: (1) why the agency's motor vehicle requirements cannot be met through the Interagency Motor Pool System operated by the Administrator of General Services; or (2) how such requirements could be met through a qualified contractor in the private sector. Directs the President to report to the Congress with a summary and analysis of such statements. Requires the Director and Administrator of General Services to direct the heads of executive agencies to consolidate motor vehicle administration and maintenance facilities if consolidation would be cost effective. Directs the Administrator to take such actions as necessary to reduce motor vehicle storage and disposal costs. Provides that of the total amount of budget authority provided for FY 1986 that would otherwise be available for the operation, maintenance, leasing, and acquisition of nontactical, non-law enforcement motor vehicles, $100,000,000 of the amount intended for such purposes in the President's FY 1986 budget shall not be made available. Requires the Director to report to the appropriate House and Senate committees with respect to the implementation of such budget restriction. Requires reports to the Congress from the Director, the Administrator, and the U.S. Comptroller General with respect to the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Simultaneous Nuclear Test-Ban Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, before August 6, 1985, should declare that the United States will begin a three month cessation of the testing of nuclear warheads on that date if before that date the Soviet Union makes a similar declaration that effective on that date the Soviet Union will begin a three month cessation of the testing of nuclear warheads. Declares the United States should continue such cessation indefinitely unless and until the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union has conducted a nuclear warhead test. Expresses the sense of the Congress that during such cessation the President should seek resumption of the comprehensive test ban talks between the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Prohibits the United States from obligating or spending any money for testing nuclear warheads during the three month period beginning on August 6, 1985, if the President does not declare such a cessation of nuclear testing. Authorizes such spending if the President certifies to the Congress that the Soviet Union on or after August 6, 1985, tested a nuclear warhead. Requires the President to include in any such certification: (1) an unclassified report summarizing the basis for the certification; and (2) a classified report describing the Soviet activities that are the basis for the certification. Provides for inclusion in such talks of proposals for long-term mutually acceptable verification measures. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on: (1) the progress in nuclear arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union; and (2) whether the President believes that continuation of the cessation of nuclear testing is in the U.S. national security interest.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Department of Defense Cost Savings Act of 1985 - Prohibits the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of any military department from operating or allowing a commissary to operate on any military installation unless: (1) such installation is located outside a metropolitan area; and (2) not more than one retail store offering the same food supplies as those of the commissary is located within ten miles of the installation. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish and implement a competitive rate program applicable to the transportation of household goods to and from Alaska and Hawaii. Repeals Federal law which prohibits utilizing such a rate system. Requires, before the closure or realignment of any military bases occur, the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the military department concerned to file with the Armed Services Committees of the House and Senate a concise statement of findings together with a succinct justification for such base closure. Reduces from 60 days to 30 days the waiting period required after such reports are submitted before any specific closure action may be taken. Maintains the 60-day waiting period in areas with a higher-than-average unemployment rate or if such closure or realignment would increase unemployment in such area by one percent or more. Requires the Secretary of Defense, within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to establish and implement an aircraft fuel conservation program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the same date concerning such program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Prohibits interstate and foreign commerce in any article of fur derived from an animal trapped in a steel jaw leghold trap. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reward nongovernment informers for information leading to a conviction under this Act. Makes the Secretary, with the assistance of appropriate Federal or State personnel, responsible for enforcing this Act. Empowers enforcement officials to detain, search, and seize suspected merchandise or documents and to make arrests with and without warrants. Subjects seized merchandise to forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Tax Collection Cost Cutting Act of 1985 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that appropriations should be increased for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide an additional 2,500 examination personnel in each of FY 1986, 1987, and 1988. Expresses the sense of the Congress that for FY 1986 an additional $17,000,000 should be appropriated for use in the Information Returns Program for contacting persons who underreport income. Revises standards for inputting paper documents for computerized matching for purposes of the Information Returns Program. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit an annual report to each House of the Congress on the direct and indirect effects of the enforcement presence of the IRS. Specifies requirements for such report. Repeals the ten-day grace period for filing of returns and payment of excise taxes on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Specifies 10:30 p.m., eastern standard time, as the uniform closing time for all polling places in the continental United States for presidential general elections beginning with the 1988 elections.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that travel by Members of Congress to the Soviet Union and travel by Soviet leaders to the United States serves the interests of the two nations and that such travel is encouraged.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Directs the Postal Service to establish a program under which change-of-address forms may be transmitted to appropriate State election authorities for voter registration purposes. Directs the Postal Service to prescribe regulations under which a State may participate in such program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Elder Abuse Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an office known as the National Center on Elder Abuse to: (1) compile an annual summary of recently conducted research on elder abuse; (2) develop and maintain an information clearinghouse on all programs for the prevention and treatment of such abuse; (3) compile training materials for personnel engaged in elder abuse prevention; (4) provide technical assistance for the planning and implementing of programs relating to the problems of elder abuse; and (5) investigate the causes and national incidence of elder abuse. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to or enter into contracts with public agencies or nonprofit organizations for demonstration projects designed to prevent and treat elder abuse. Sets forth the terms and conditions for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for the development and implementation of elder abuse prevention and treatment programs. Requires such States to have in effect a State elder abuse law with mandatory reporting provisions. Sets forth other requirements for eligibility. Prohibits the use of assistance for construction of facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria to achieve equitable distribution of assistance among the States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Public Water Systems - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to make existing national interim primary drinking water regulations final. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), within varying time periods for specified contaminants, to simultaneously propose and then publish either maximum contaminant level goals and national primary drinking water regulations or else a determination that such regulations are not justified because the levels of such contaminant in the public water systems do not represent a threat. Directs the Administrator to publish maximum contaminant level goals and simultaneously promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for each other substance which may have an adverse effect on human health. Requires the Administrator to publish an annual list establishing priorities for the review of such substances, considering substances regulated as toxic water pollutants under the Clean Water Act and substances registered as pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Directs the Administrator, within three years of each contaminant's being listed on such priority list, to simultaneously propose and then publish either maximum contaminant level goals and national primary drinking water regulations or else a determination that such regulations are not justified. Requires that each maximum contaminant level goal allow an adequate margin of safety and that each national primary drinking water regulation specify a maximum level which is as close to the goal as is feasible. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation that requires the use of an acceptable treatment technique in lieu of establishing a maximum contaminant level if it is not economically or technologically feasible to establish such a level. Directs the Administrator to propose and promulgate primary drinking water regulations specifying when public water systems using surface water as a source of supply must use filtration. Directs the Administrator to promulgate disinfection regulations applicable to all public water systems, including variances and technical assistance. Directs the Administrator to provide the Science Advisory Board an opportunity to comment prior to the proposal of a maximum contaminant level goal and national primary drinking water regulation. Authorizes the Administrator to take into consideration the size of a public water system and the contaminants likely to be found in its drinking water in requiring a system to monitor for unregulated contaminants. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring every public water system to conduct a monitoring program for unregulated contaminants at least once every five years, unless the number of persons served or the likely contaminants require greater frequency. Authorizes the primary State enforcement authority to delete contaminants for an individual system after Administrator approval of the assessment. Permits the waiver of such monitoring requirement for certain systems which have recently concluded such a program and for certain systems supplying fewer than 150 service connections. Authorizes the Administrator to issue compliance orders as well as bring civil suits to enforce these provisions. Directs the Administrator to amend regulations to provide for varying types and frequencies of public notice of violations by a public water system, depending upon their frequency and seriousness. Requires a State to prescribe within one year a schedule of compliance and implementation of control measures at the same time it grants an exemption. Permits the primary enforcing authority (State or Administrator in the case of four States and the District of Columbia) to extend the exemption for up to three years after the issue date if a system in good faith cannot meet the standard without capital improvements or financial assistance or has agreed to become part of a regional public water system. Permits exemption renewals for systems with 500 or fewer service connections. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for tampering with a public water system. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance to small public water systems to enable them to comply with national drinking water standards. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989. Title II: Protection of Underground Sources of Drinking Water - Prohibits the disposal of hazardous waste by underground injection above or into a formation which contains an underground source of drinking water unless such injection is part of a required corrective or response action. Directs the Administrator to require groundwater monitoring at appropriate locations to detect fluid migration into underground drinking water sources from injection wells. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress within nine months of this Act's enactment on State surveys of disposal wells which discharge nonhazardous waste into or above underground sources of drinking water. Directs the Administrator to issue a compliance order or commence a civil action if a State does not enforce violations of the underground injection control program. Quintuples the maximum per day penalty for violations. Revises other provisions relating to the imposition of civil penalties. Requires each State to adopt and submit to the Administrator for approval a comprehensive State plan to protect underground sources of drinking water from unhealthful contamination. Requires such plans to: (1) identify the implementing agency; (2) identify each underground water source, its quality, patterns, and contamination potential; (3) identify the types of human development and their effects for each such source; (4) set forth regulations, including establishing best management practices for potential contamination activities; and (5) guarantee alternative drinking water supplies when an underground source becomes unhealthful to persons. Sets forth submission and resubmission procedures. Requires State compliance with these requirements as a condition of receiving funds for a State underground injection program. Extends to natural gas storage operations specified limitations on regulation of underground injection of brine or other fluids which are brought to the surface in connection with oil or natural gas production. Limits the use of funds authorized for such purposes to these purposes. Requires each State to implement its plan within two years of its adoption if possible, submitting a progress report to the Administrator within that time regarding implementation. Requires Federal agencies involved in activities affecting a critical recharge area identified in an approved State plan to act in a manner consistent with such plan. Authorizes municipalities within a sole source area to petition the Governor to designate part of such area as a "special protection area." Requires the Governor, if approving the petition, to: (1) designate or establish an entity to develop a comprehensive management plan; (2) assure and encourage public participation; and (3) submit to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency the proposed boundaries of the area and a description of the planning entity. Authorizes the Administrator, if approving the Governor's submission, to provide such State with a 50 percent matching grant for the costs of preparing the petition and developing and implementing the plan. Increases the Federal share to 60 percent for aquifers serving populations of 10,000 or less. Requires the plan to maintain the quality of the ground water recharged through the special protection area by maintenance, to the maximum extent possible, of the natural vegetative and hydrological conditions. Permits the resubmission of modified plans if earlier submissions to the Governor or Administrator are rejected. Authorizes the Administrator or a State with primary enforcing responsibility to order certain contaminators of a sole or principal source aquifer which supplies a public water system to provide potable water to affected persons. Establishes civil penalties for violations. Directs the Administrator to establish criteria for sole or principal source areas. Title III: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose restrictions on the distribution, dispensing, and administration of a prescription drug if such drug poses significant risks to health without such restrictions. Directs the Secretary to require the informed consent of a patient before such patient uses such a drug if it would involve a risk of serious illness or injury. Requires the Secretary to review restrictions every two years to determine if they are still necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to continue to require information from an applicant for a new drug, including its effects on individuals and other clinical experience. Requires the manufacturers of nonprescription drugs to collect, maintain, and report to the Secretary on information on the effects on individuals and other clinical experience with such drugs. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Food and Drug Administration a National Center for Drug Surveillance to maintain the information submitted to it by the drug manufacturers. Grants the Secretary enforcement power concerning the collection and maintenance of such information. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress the information acquired concerning adverse reactions to drugs and the actions taken by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, through the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, to establish and implement a program to encourage physicians, institutional health care providers, and patients to report adverse drug reactions to the Center.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Mail Order Drug Paraphernalia Control Act - Makes it a Federal criminal offense for any person to use the U.S. Postal Service or any private parcel service in interstate commerce as part of a scheme to sell drug paraphernalia. Imposes a penalty of imprisonment for not more than three years and a fine of not more than $100,000. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of any paraphernalia involved in a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Labor-Management Notification and Consultation Act of 1985 - Prohibits any employer (i.e. any business with 50 or more employees) from ordering a plant closing or permanent layoff until 90 days after the employer serves written notice of a proposal to issue such an order to: (1) the representative of the affected employees or, if none, to each affected employee; and (2) the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Provides for reduction of such notification period if the Service determines that unavoidable business circumstances prevent the employer from withholding such closing or layoff until the end of such period. Provides for extension of such notification period thus prohibiting the ordering of such closing or layoff while the employer is subject to an order to continue to consult. Prohibits an employer from ordering a plant closing or permanent layoff unless the employer has: (1) met with representatives of the affected employees with respect to a proposal to order such closing or layoff; and (2) consulted in good faith with such representative for the purpose of agreeing to a mutually satisfactory alternative to or modification of such proposal. Makes such obligation to consult commence on the date of notice and continue until the end of the 90-day notification period. Provides that such consultation period shall be extended if the Service determines that the employer has failed to comply with such consultation requirements. Authorizes the Service to renew any such extension imposed. Requires the employer to disclose to the affected employees' representative information necessary for thorough evaluation of: (1) the proposal to order the closing or layoff; and (2) any alternatives or modifications suggested to such proposal. Authorizes the Service to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of information which could compromise the employer's competitive position. Sets forth provisions for the administration and enforcement of requirements under this Act. Provides for: (1) assistance by the Service to employers, employee representatives, affected employees, State employment services, and other State and local officials; (2) investigations and injunctive actions by the Department of Labor; (3) civil actions against employers; and (4) civil actions against representatives of employees. Provides that the rights and remedies provided to employees by this Act are in addition to any other contractual, statutory, or other legal rights and remedies of the employees. Expresses the sense of the Congress that employers who, because affected employees do not have a representative, are not required to comply with the consultation and disclosure requirements under this Act should consult with and disclose information to such employees in order to reach a mutually satisfactory alternative or modification of the proposal to order the closing or layoff. Establishes a National Commission on Plant Closings and Worker Dislocation. Requires the Commission to report to the President and the Congress within 12 months of the appointment of members. Terminates the Commission 30 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations for the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Dislocated Workers Act of 1985 - Title I: Employment Impact of Federal Programs - Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish and maintain the capacity to estimate the employment and unemployment impact of Federal programs, and the termination of Federal programs, including programs of financial assistance. Requires that the impact reports be established and maintained on an individual program-by-program basis, with separate estimates in a State and sub-State level. Requires that such estimates include both the direct and indirect employment effects of Federal expenditures. Title II: Dislocated Workers - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to direct the Secretary of Education to disregard, in any case in which a student is a certified dislocated worker under title III of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), all equity in a single principal place of residence and the amount of unemployment benefits, for purposes of computation of assets and income for the proposed family contribution schedule for determination of Pell grants. Authorizes appropriations to cover such additional entitlements, but prohibits payment of such entitlements unless funds are provided for in an appropriation Act. Amends HEA to provide that, in the case of any such dislocated worker identified under JTPA, determinations of need for purposes of the Guaranteed Student Loan program shall be based on current income. Authorizes the Private Industry Council in every service delivery area (SDA) established under JTPA to provide information on training opportunities in the SDA, as well as the opportunities provided by this Act, to all individuals seeking training and retraining. Provides that acceptance of such training or retraining, and enrollment in a secondary institution with assistance made available pursuant to this title, shall be deemed to be acceptance of training with the approval of the State within the meaning of any other provision of Federal law relating to unemployment insurance. Excludes funds used for such purposes from specified cost limitations under JTPA. Title III: Procurement Targeting in Labor Surplus Areas - Directs the head of each Federal agency which procures supplies and equipment at a rate in excess of $1,000,000,000 in FY 1982 to set targets, in each fiscal year, for such procurement within labor surplus areas, as defined by the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the amount and percentage of contracts awarded by each Federal agency in labor surplus areas; (2) the impact of such contracts on the area unemployment rate; and (3) whether such contracts could be increased without adverse impact on Federal procurement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Textile and Apparel Trade Enforcement Act of 1985 - Limits the total quantity of 1985 imports of textiles and textile products from a major exporting country to the lesser of an amount equal to 101 percent: (1) of the total quantity of textile products imported from such country if the total had increased by six percent annually (one percent annually for wool products) during 1981 through 1984; or (2) if the United States has an agreement with such country providing for an annual growth rate of less than six percent, of the total quantity of such products from such country imported during 1984. Limits the total quantity of 1985 imports of textiles and textile products from an exporting country to an amount equal to the total quantity of such products imported from such country during 1984 plus: (1) 15 percent of such quantity in the case of a category that is not an import sensitive category; or (2) one percent in the case of an import sensitive category. Provides for changing the classification of a country, except for a Caribbean country, from an exporting country to a major exporting country if the total textile imports from such country equals or exceeds one and one-quarter percent of all textiles imported into the United States. Sets forth a formula for adjusting the growth of textile imports annually. Sets forth certain minimum quantities of textile imports that all countries shall be allowed to export to the United States. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to enforce this Act. Directs the Secretary, within six months of enactment of this Act, to establish an import licensing system under which an importer of textiles will be required to present an import permit as a condition of entry of such textiles. Directs the President to report to the Congress annually on the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Federal Science and Technology Transfer Act of 1985 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize Federal agencies, subject to specified conditions, to permit the directors of their Government-operated Federal laboratories to enter into cooperative research and development agreements with other Federal agencies, State or local governments, industrial organizations, universities, or other persons. Authorizes Government-operated Federal laboratories, under such agreements and subject to specified conditions, to: (1) grant patent licenses or assignments, or options, in any subject invention made by a Federal employee, or made jointly by a Federal employee and an employee of the collaborating party, and to retain such rights as the laboratory deems appropriate; and (2) waive in advance any right of ownership which the Federal Government may have to any subject invention made by a collaborating party or such party's employee under the agreement. Requires Federal agencies to establish certain plans to be followed in entering into such agreements. Prohibits such agreements with: (1) any person who is not located in the United States, does not have a place of business located in the United States, or is subject to the control of a foreign government; or (2) any other entity which is owned or controlled by any such person. Prohibits such agreements if an authority of the Federal Government which is authorized by statute or executive order to conduct foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities determines that ownership or licensing rights granted by the agreement must be restricted or eliminated in order to protect the security of such activities. Provides for an appeals procedure with respect to such determinations. Provides that specified provisions of Federal law relating to patent rights in inventions made with Federal assistance shall apply to certain types of such agreements. Provides that small businesses will be given preference in the making of certain types of such agreements. Prohibits any person (or his or her assignee) who receives title or exclusive right or exclusive patent license to any subject invention from granting the exclusive right to use or sell, or from making exclusive use of, such invention unless the products embodying it or produced through its use will be manufactured substantially in the United States. Authorizes the Federal agency concerned to waive such prohibition on a case-by-case basis under specified conditions. Directs each agency to maintain a record of all such agreements. Establishes the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer in the National Science Foundation. Requires the Director of the Foundation to appoint an individual to manage the Consortium and authorizes such individual to appoint Consortium employees. Sets forth Consortium duties relating to the commercial potential of new technologies generated by Federal laboratory research. Requires the Director of the Foundation to report biennially to the President and to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress on Consortium and other specified activities. Requires other Federal agencies to: (1) cooperate in providing information for such reports; and (2) transfer a specified portion of their research and development budgets to the Foundation to carry out Consortium activities. Sets forth rules and formulas for the distribution of royalties or other income received by Federal agencies from the licensing or assignment of inventions under such agreements under this Act, and from inventions licensed under provisions of Federal law relating to domestic and foreign protection of federally owned inventions, or under any other provision of law. Requires Federal agencies to report annually to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress detailing the amount of such royalties or other income received and expenditures made under such rules and formulas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to increase the penalties for mail fraud. Raises the maximum fine from $1,000 to $10,000 and raises the maximum term of imprisonment from five years to 15 years. Provides for the criminal forfeiture of all property constituting or derived from the profits or proceeds of the offense or property used to commit the offense. Authorizes the civil forfeiture of property constituting the profits or proceeds of such violation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit engaging in, or furnishing money, goods, or services with the intent of assisting any group to engage in, military or paramilitary operations in a foreign country if there is a statutory prohibition against U.S. covert assistance to military or paramilitary operations in that country.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Prohibits any loan from being made by the United States, or under any program which receives Federal financial assistance, to a student in a medical school outside the United States or Canada unless the school meets accreditation standards established under this Act. Prohibits any loan guarantee from being made by the United States for a student in such a medical school unless the school meets such standards. Directs the Secretary of Education and the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to jointly make arrangements under which such medical school can be accredited under the same system as those located in the United States or Canada. Requires such schools to submit applications and pay accrediting costs. Prohibits such a school from applying for accreditation if more than 25 percent of its students in any academic year are not residents of the country in which it is located. Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator, upon application, to waive such limitation if they determine that the purpose for which the limitation is imposed will not be served by applying it to the applicant school.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to prohibit any chemical substances from being added artificially to a public water supply for any purpose other than: (1) to render the water safe for human consumption; (2) to test the water for contamination; or (3) to improve the taste or the clarity of the water.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
First Things First Credit Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow an income tax deduction for interest paid or incurred on any loan which is used to acquire control of a corporation which has more than $250,000,000 in gross receipts for the year preceding the year of the acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Polygraph Protection Act of 1985 - Prohibits any employer from using any lie detector test or examination in the work place, for both pre-employment testing and testing in the course of employment. Requires the Secretary of Labor to prepare and have printed notices setting forth this prohibition. Requires employers to post these notices. Provides for remedies for violations of this Act as found in the Fair Labor Standards Act. Exempts Federal, State, and local employees from the Act's coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Anti-Apartheid Act of 1985 - Prohibits any U.S. person from making any loan to South Africa or to any organization owned or controlled by South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition a loan for any educational, housing, or health facility which: (1) is available to everyone on a nondiscriminatory basis; and (2) is located in an area accessible to all population groups. Declares that such prohibition shall not apply to loans for which an agreement is entered into before enactment of this Act. Directs the President to issue regulations prohibiting U.S. persons from making any investment (including bank loans) in South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition: (1) an investment which consists of earnings derived from a business enterprise in South Africa established before enactment of this Act and which is made in that business enterprise; or (2) the purchase of certain securities in such business enterprises. Prohibits any person, including U.S. banks, from importing into the United States any gold coin minted in or offered for sale by South Africa. Authorizes the President to waive the prohibitions against investments in South African businesses and against importing South African gold coins if: (1) the Government of South Africa meets at least one of seven conditions; (2) the President submits to the Congress a determination that such conditions are met; and (3) a joint resolution is enacted approving such determination. Authorizes the President to extend the waivers. Provides for expedited consideration of such joint resolution. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit exporting computers, computer software, or goods or technology intended to service computers to or for use by South Africa or any organization owned or controlled by South Africa. Excludes from such prohibition donations of computers to primary and secondary schools. Declares that certain termination provisions of the Export Administration Act of 1979 shall not apply to such prohibition. Provides for enforcement of this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the President to attempt to persuade through negotiations other countries to adopt restrictions on new investment in South Africa, on bank loans and computer sales to South Africa, and on the importation of krugerrands. Directs the President to submit annual reports to the Congress on the status of negotiations. Terminates the provisions of this Act and all the regulations issued to carry out this Act upon enactment of a joint resolution approving a determination submitted by the President to the Congress that apartheid in South Africa has been abolished.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to review a certain study by the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the feasibility of constructing a canal connecting Lake Erie and the Ohio River, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and report any findings to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Water Quality Renewal Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the Act) (also known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize appropriations for FY 1983 through 1989 for: (1) specified research, investigation, and training programs in water pollution control; (2) State and interstate pollution control programs; (3) undergraduate programs in water quality control; (4) grants for developing waste treatment management plans for areas with substantial water quality control problems; (5) water pollution control programs in agricultural areas; (6) agreements among Government agencies providing for maximum use of existing programs for water quality control; (7) grants to States for lake pollution control; and (8) carrying out the Act generally. Increases the authorization for grants for construction of waste treatment works for FY 1984 and 1985. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1986 through 1989. Revises the timetable for compliance of all pollutants with effluent limitations. Extends the compliance date for all toxic pollutants referred to in a specified table of a congressional committee print (the priority toxic pollutants). Requires such compliance as expeditiously as possible, but in no case later than three years and six months after the date effluent limitations are established. Extends the compliance date for all other toxic pollutants which may be listed under specified provisions of the Act. Requires such compliance as expeditiously as possible, but in no case later than three years and six months after the date effluent limitations are established. Extends the compliance date for application of best conventional technology (for specified conventional pollutants) from July 1, 1984, to July 1, 1987. Extends the compliance date for application of best available technology for all other pollutants. Requires such compliance as expeditiously as possible, but no later than three years and six months after effluent limitations are established. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate final regulations establishing effluent limitations for direct dischargers and limitations requiring pretreatment for all the priority toxic pollutants which are discharged from certain categories of point sources in accordance with a specified schedule. Requires the Administrator to publish in the Federal Register a list of all navigable waters in each State the water quality of which is being impaired by the discharge from specific sources of toxic pollutants. Directs the Administrator to establish an individual control strategy for each listed segment of navigable waters which shall reduce the discharge of toxic pollutants from such sources so as to allow the achievement of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation in and on the water. Increases the civil penalties for violations of requirements with respect to water quality standards under the Act, but provides that States are not required by the Act to have civil penalties in the same monetary amount for such violations. Requires the Administrator to monitor, study, and report to the Congress on the effects of the impoundment and discharge of waters by dams upon the quality of navigable waters. Sets forth provisions for nonpoint source control implementation programs. Provides for State nonpoint source control reports, and plans and grants to States for implementation of such plans. Directs the Governor of each State to prepare and submit for the approval of the Administrator a report on: (1) those portions of the navigable waters within a State that, as a result of pollution from nonpoint sources in whole or in part, are not meeting applicable water quality standards or the goals and requirements of the Act; (2) those categories and subcategories of nonpoint sources which add significant pollutant loadings to each portion of such waters in amounts which contribute to nonattainment of such water quality standards for such goals and requirements; (3) State and local programs for controlling pollutant loadings added from nonpoint sources to such waters, including but not limited to programs receiving Federal assistance under this Act; and (4) the process, including intergovernmental coordination and public participation, for identifying best management practices and measures to control such categories and subcategories of nonpoint sources and to reduce, to the maximum extent practicable, the level of pollution resulting from such categories and subcategories. Requires that such reports and updates be based on available information. Permits such reports or updates to include all or part of an approved existing water quality management program. Directs the Governor of each State to prepare and submit for the approval of the Administrator: (1) a plan which the State proposes to implement in the four-fiscal-year period beginning after the date of submission of the report for controlling pollution added from nonpoint sources to navigable waters within the State and for improving the quality of such waters; and (2) a report identifying each Federal department, agency, or instrumentality which is likely to be engaging in, supporting, or providing financial assistance for any activity or program within the State during such four-fiscal-year period and which would be inconsistent with plan implementation, and recommending appropriate administrative modification of such program or activity. Requires that such plans specify the following State practices and measures during the four-fiscal-year period: (1) each portion of navigable waters and land area contributing to nonpoint source pollution which significantly affects portions of such waters; (2) the order of, and schedule for, such implementation; (3) the categories and subcategories of nonpoint sources of pollution; (4) the best management practices and measures; (5) the methods by which the State will encourage, assist, or require such implementation (by category and subcategory of pollution source); and (6) sources of Federal and other assistance other than that provided under this Act which will be available for support of such implementation and the purposes for which such assistance will be used. Requires that such plan be accompanied by a certification by the State attorney general or the head attorney of the State water pollution control agency that State laws provide adequate authority to carry out such programs or a list of any additional authority needed. Requires that such schedule: (1) establish for each category and subcategory of sources an expeditious time period for implementation of best management practices and measures; and (2) indicate estimated dates for such implementation. Requires States to utilize local public and private agencies and organizations with expertise in nonpoint source pollution control, to the maximum extent practicable, in developing and implementing such plan. Requires States, to the maximum extent possible, to develop and implement such plan on a watershed-by-watershed basis. Requires that any State reports or plans required under these nonpoint source control program provisions be submitted to the Administrator within 270 days after enactment of this Act, but provides for a 270-day extension upon request of the Governor. Directs the Administrator to prepare a report which makes specified identifications for a State if the Governor does not submit such report within the required period. Directs the Administrator to consolidate and submit recommendations for modifications of Federal activities and programs submitted by the States to the appropriate Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities. Directs such entities to carry out their activities and programs in a manner consistent with the approved State plan and helpful to its implementation. Sets forth procedures and deadlines for approval, disapproval, or revision of reports, plans, and updates. Directs the Administrator to provide technical assistance to local agencies or organizations in developing plans, whenever a State fails to submit or the Administrator does not approve a plan. Makes such local agencies or organizations eligible to receive implementation assistance after development of such plan. Authorizes the Administrator, upon State request, to provide technical assistance to a State in developing a plan. Sets forth requirements for State petitions, interstate management conferences and agreements, and State plans for reduction of interstate water pollution from nonpoint sources. Directs the Administrator, upon State application, to make grants to each State for which a report and a plan is approved. Provides that such grants shall be made to assist States in implementing such plans. Limits the Federal share of the cost of each plan implemented with Federal assistance in any fiscal year to 50 percent of the cost to the State in implementing such plan, but requires that the Federal share be at least 50 percent and not more than 60 percent of those costs of a plan which are attributable to a watershed area with respect to which the Administrator determines that a significant number of non-Federal, non-State interests of such area are willing and able to enter into agreements to participate in such year in nonsource pollution control measures under such plan. Limits administrative costs (except costs of implementing enforcement and regulatory activities, education, training, technical assistance, demonstration projects or technology transfer programs) to ten percent of the grant amount. Sets forth maintenance of effort requirements for such grants. Limits to 15 percent of the amount appropriated for such grants which may be used to make grants to any one State, including any grants to any local agency or organization with authority to control pollution from nonpoint sources in any area in such State. Authorizes the Administrator to give priority in making grants for each fiscal year beginning after FY 1987 to any State which has included effective regulatory mechanisms in its plan and has implemented such mechanisms in the preceding fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to give consideration to a State's inclusion and implementation of effective regulatory mechanisms in determining the Federal share of any such grant. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1986 through 1990. Directs the Administrator, upon application of a State with an approved report and plan, to make grants to assist such State in carrying out groundwater water quality protection activities which will advance the State toward implementation of a comprehensive nonpoint source pollution control program. Requires that such activities include research, planning, groundwater assessments, demonstration programs, enforcement, technical assistance, education, and training to protect groundwater quality and prevent groundwater contamination from nonpoint pollution sources. Makes the Federal share of the cost of assisting a State in such groundwater protection activities in any fiscal year 50 percent of the costs incurred by the State in carrying out such activities, but sets a maximum amount for such Federal assistance to a State in any fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1986 through 1990. Directs the Administrator, by January 1, 1986, and each January 1 thereafter, to report to specified congressional committees on the activities carried out under this Act for the preceding fiscal year and the progress made in reducing nonpoint source pollution in the navigable waters. Directs the Administrator, by January 1, 1989, to transmit a final report to the Congress on the activities carried out under this Act, with specified analyses and recommendations. Requires that at least five percent of appropriations for such grants in any fiscal year be available to the Administrator to maintain personnel levels at the Environmental Protection Agency which are adequate to carry out this Act. Increases the percentage of funds the Administrator may hold back from the States for alternative systems for small communities. Permits such funds to be used for grants related to nonpoint source pollution control programs. Allows an increased Federal share for such programs utilizing innovative processes and techniques. Allows the Administrator to make grants and enter into agreements with the Secretaries of Agriculture, of the Army, and of the Interior for projects related to nonpoint source pollution control. Declares that it is the national policy that plans for the control of nonpoint sources of pollution be developed and implemented in an expeditious manner so as to enable the goals of the Act to be met through the control of both point and nonpoint sources of pollution. Directs the Administrator, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to submit to specified congressional committees a lake restoration guidance manual establishing procedures to guide future State and local efforts to improve water quality in lakes. Adds to the authorized uses of grants for construction of treatment works projects to address water quality problems due to impacts of discharges from combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows. Increases for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years the amount of additional funds which the Administrator shall have available for addressing water quality problems of marine bays and estuaries subject to lower levels of water quality due to the impact of discharges from combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows. Increases to 65 percent the Federal share of construction costs under the treatment works construction grants program for FY 1985 and subsequent fiscal years. (Current law provides that the 75 percent Federal share shall be decreased to 55 percent for FY 1985 and subsequent fiscal years.) Provides that the activated bio-filter feature of the project for treatment works of the city of Little Falls, Minnesota, shall be deemed to be an innovative wastewater process and technique for purposes of specified provisions of the Act. Provides that the amount of any grant under the Act for such feature shall be 85 percent of the cost thereof. Authorizes the Administrator, in addition to any grant for innovative technology in treatment works, to make a grant to fund all of the costs of the modification or replacement of biodisc equipment (rotating biological contactors) in any publicly owned treatment works if the Administrator finds that such equipment has not met design performance specifications, unless such failure is attributable to negligence on the part of any person, and if such failure has significantly increased capital or operating and maintenance expenditures. Directs the Administrator, before taking final action on plans, specifications, and estimates for treatment works construction, to enter into a written agreement with the grant applicant which establishes and specifies which items of the proposed project are eligible for Federal payment under specified provisions of the Act. Prohibits the Administrator from later modifying such eligibility determinations unless they are found to have been made in violation of applicable Federal statutes and regulations. Provides that such eligibility determinations shall not preclude the Administrator from auditing a project pursuant to specified provisions of the Act, or other authority, or from withholding or recovering Federal funds for costs which are found to be unallowable or which are incurred on a project which fails to meet design specifications or effluent limitations contained in the grant agreement and permit. Provides for grantee certification of the treatment process. Provides that the approval of construction plans by the Administrator shall not include a determination or approval of the treatment work's unit processes, which constitute the treatment technology. Prohibits the Administrator from approving plans, specifications, and estimates for a project unless the applicant certifies that the proposed unit processes and treatment technology are capable of meeting the effluent limitations for which such process and technology are designed. Revises local treatment works grant conditions to require, within two years after enactment of this Act, that: (1) any required areawide waste treatment management plan is being implemented or is being developed with reasonable progress toward implementation; and (2) the State is implementing or developing any required State plan and is in compliance with water quality reporting requirements. Provides that a system of user charges which imposes a lower charge for low-income residential users (as defined by the Administrator) shall be deemed to be a user charge system meeting specified requirements for treatment works grants if the Administrator determines that such system was adopted after public notice and hearing. Requires that State allotments for the treatment works construction grants programs for FY 1986 through 1989 be allotted, in accordance with a specified table, for each such year by the Administrator not later than the tenth day which begins after the enactment of this Act. Extends through FY 1989 the authorization of appropriations for minimum allotments to States and specified U.S. territories and possessions. Increases, from thirty-three one-hundredths of one percent to two-thirds of one percent the portion of the total allotment which shall be allotted to specified U.S. territories and possessions. Extends through FY 1989 specified provisions relating to the reservation of certain amounts from State allotments in order to make grants to States for administration of such allotments. Directs the Administrator to reserve specified amounts from the allotments to the States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut in order to make grants in FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years to the Interstate Sanitation Commission established by such States by interstate compact to carry out the functions of such Commission under the Act. Extends through FY 1989 specified provisions relating to minimum expenditures for increasing the Federal share of grants for construction of treatment works utilizing innovative processes and techniques. Requires a State to allocate at least 50 percent of its water quality management planning grant in any fiscal year to regional and interstate public comprehensive organizations in such State, except when the Administrator and the Governor determine that such allocation will not substantially assist in achieving the goals of the Act. Directs the Administrator to reserve one-quarter of one percent of appropriations for the treatment works construction grants program for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years for carrying out investigations and audits of such construction projects. Provides that such sums shall be in addition to any sums otherwise appropriated for or allocated to the Office of the Inspector General. Directs the Administrator to make grants for specified purposes from the appropriate State allotments for treatment works construction to: (1) the city of Avalon, California; (2) the owners of the Rocky River Wastewater Treatment Plant in Rocky River, Ohio; (3) Walker and Smithfield Townships, Pennsylvania; (4) the Elk Pinch Public Service District, Kanawha County, West Virginia; and (5) the city of Taylor Mill, Kentucky. Establishes a program of grants to States for establishment of State water pollution control revolving funds for providing assistance to municipalities and intermunicipal and interstate agencies for construction of publicly owned treatment works. Requires a State to first deposit an amount equal to 20 percent of such grant allotted to the State for a fiscal year before such grant can be made. Sets forth certification, reporting, and other requirements relating to such grants and the types of assistance which such revolving funds may offer. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1986 through 1989. Revises innovative technology compliance deadlines for direct dischargers. Requires such compliance within two years after the date for compliance with an effluent limitation which is otherwise applicable. Directs the Administrator, in carrying out specified provisions of the Act, to conduct research, in conjunction with other Federal, State, and interstate agencies, on the harmful effects on the health and welfare of persons caused by pollutants in water. Requires that such research: (1) place special emphasis on the effect that bioaccumulation of pollutants in aquatic species has in reducing the value of aquatic commercial and sport industries; and (2) study methods to reduce and remove pollutants from aquatic species so as to restore and enhance these resources. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 for such research. Directs the Administrator, in developing, publishing, and revising water quality criteria, to consider the effects of specified factors on the ecosystem. Requires that new or revised water quality criteria should be established so as to provide an ample margin of safety to protect human health and fish and wildlife resources, and, if there is a well-founded and significant difference of opinion as to the latest scientific and research knowledge in such matters with respect to a pollutant, directs the Administrator to publish a description of such difference of opinion along with the publication of such criteria. Directs the Administrator to increase the number of employees of the Environmental Protection Agency if necessary to effectively implement pretreatment requirements under specified provisions of the Act. Authorizes the owner or operator of a publicly owned treatment works which receives the treated effluent to grant up to a two-year extension for compliance with a categorical pretreatment standard to any new or existing facility (indirect discharger) which proposes to comply with such standard by using an innovative treatment system meeting specified standards, if: (1) the Administrator determines that the innovative system has the potential for industry-wide application and the action will not cause the publicly owned treatment works to be in violation of its permit; and (2) the Administrator (or a State with an approved pretreatment program) concurs with the proposed action of the owner or operator of such treatment works. Revises provisions for criminal penalties for specified violations under the Act. Adds provisions for civil penalties to be assessed by the Administrator or the Secretary of the Army for specified violations under the Act. Revises provisions for the Clean Lakes Program (a grant assistance program to improve the water quality of lakes). Makes such program applicable to saline, as well as fresh water, lakes. Adds provisions for grants to States for priority projects for control of nonpoint sources of pollution which are contributing to the degradation of water quality in lakes. Directs the Administrator to distribute such grants equitably among the States. Limits the amount of such a grant to not more than 70 percent of the project cost. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for such grants. Adds provisions for grants to States to carry out approved methods and procedures which may be applied to lakes and other waters to restore water quality, insofar as such quality has deteriorated as a result of high acidity which may be due to acid deposition. Allows any State to submit for approval to the Administrator: (1) a survey of such water quality deterioration; and (2) methods and procedures which may be applied. Specifies some of the methods which may be approved for such purpose. Limits the amount so granted to any State in any fiscal year to more than 80 percent of the funds expended by such State in such year for carrying out such approved methods and procedures. Directs the Administrator to distribute such grant funds equitably on the basis of the relative need of each applicant State for the restoration of water quality as a result of such deterioration. Provides that such assistance shall be in addition to any other Federal financial assistance. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1986 through 1990. Directs the Administrator to report annually to specified congressional committees on the status and trend of water quality in lakes in the United States, including the nature and extent of pollution loading from point and nonpoint sources and the extent to which the use of lakes is impaired as a result of pollution, particularly with respect to toxic pollution. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with the State of Texas, to study water quality problems in Lake Houston, Houston, Texas, and undertake control measures to improve water quality. Requires such study to include specified evaluations. Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, to specified congressional committees on such study and control measures. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years for such purposes. Directs the Administrator to conduct a demonstration program to restore the biological integrity of acidified lakes and watersheds through liming. Directs the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees after completion of such project. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years for such purpose. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Army and in consultation with appropriate State and local agencies, to: (1) conduct a one-year comprehensive study of the Beaver Lake, Arkansas; (2) undertake a demonstration project for measures identified in such study for preserving and enhancing the reservoir's water quality; and (3) report, with recommendations, on such study and project to specified congressional committees. Makes specified funds available for such purposes. Directs the Administrator to undertake demonstration projects for specified cleanup operations for the following New Jersey bodies of water: (1) Greenwood Lake and Belcher Creek; (2) Deal Lake; and (3) Alcyon Lake. Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, on such projects to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations for such projects. Revises provisions for permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Authorizes a State Governor to submit an NPDES permit program for a portion of the discharges into the navigable waters in such State. Requires that such a partial permit program cover at a minimum administration of a major category of the discharges into the navigable waters of the State or a major component of the State's NPDES permit program. Authorizes the Administrator, if specified conditions are met, to approve: (1) a partial permit program covering administration of a major category of discharges; or (2) a partial and phased permit program covering administration of a major component (including discharge categories) of a State permit program. Provides that a State may return, or the Administrator may withdraw approval of, delegated NPDES permit program responsibilities. Prohibits the renewal or reissuance of permits for the discharge of pollutants which are less stringent than the limitations in the previous permit. Allows a permit renewed or reissued after the installation of treatment facilities required by the original permit to reflect the level of pollutant control actually achieved, provided that level is not less stringent than required by effluent guidelines in effect at the time. Provides that the term "point source" does not include agricultural stormwater discharges. Authorizes the Administrator to make a grant to the city of New York to install additional facilities and make modifications necessary for the Newtown Creek sewage treatment plant to provide secondary treatment. Makes the Federal share 75 percent of the cost of such project. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years. Provides that such funds shall be in addition to any other amounts authorized under the construction grants program provisions of the Act. Directs the Administrator to make grants to the city of San Diego, California, for construction of a project consisting of: (1) a publicly owned treatment works in such city to provide primary or advanced treatment of not less than 60,000,000 gallons of municipal sewage and industrial waste per day for the city of Tijuana, Mexico; and (2) a publicly owned treatment works in such city to provide primary or more advanced treatment of such amount of municipal sewage and industrial waste per day for the city of San Diego as may be necessary to meet the objectives of the Act. Sets forth requirements relating to such grants and projects. Permits, through 1993, the discharge of pollutants for any ocean outfall constructed with such Federal assistance if such pollutants have received primary or more advanced treatment. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator for such grants for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years. Directs the Administrator to make grants to the city of Naco, Arizona, for construction of a project consisting of a publicly owned treatment works in such city to provide primary or more advanced treatment of not less than 150,000 gallons of untreated sewage emanating from the community of Naco, Sonora, Mexico. Sets forth requirements relating to such grants and project. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator to make such grants for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years. Prohibits the city of New York, after March 15, 1986, from discharging raw sewage into navigable waters in an amount which is greater for any 30-day period than an amount equal to 30 times the average daily discharge by the city during the 12-month period preceding such date. Authorizes the Administrator to waive such limitation to the extent and for such limited period of time as may be reasonably necessary for the city to resume operation of a wastewater treatment plant operated by the city, in the event of any significant interruption in such operation. Directs the Administrator to undertake measures, including modifications of compliance schedules, to reduce and eliminate at the earliest practicable date the discharge of raw sewage by the city of New York, taking into account any increase in the authorization for grants for the construction of treatment works made by this Act and standards and practices necessary for attaining a specified level of water quality. Provides that the Okolona Sewer Construction District, Jefferson County, Kentucky, shall be permitted to operate the Okolona Sewage Construction District Treatment Works and shall not be required to use any other facility for wastewater treatment until the West County Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jefferson County, Kentucky, is completed. Directs the Administrator to issue a permit under the Act for such purpose. Directs the Administrator to make grants to the Metropolitan District Commission, Massachusetts, for a project to undertake emergency improvements at the Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant in Boston, Massachusetts. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of the cost of such improvements. Authorizes appropriations for each of FY 1986 through 1988 for such grants. Directs the Administrator, notwithstanding any provision of the Act, to pay, to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, in the same proportion as the Federal share of other project costs, all expenses for the relocation of facilities for the distribution of natural gas with respect to the entire wastewater treatment works known as Oakwood Beach and Red Hook projects, New York. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years for such purpose. Directs the Administrator to undertake necessary measures, including removal of accumulated raw sewage, to restore the quality of the waters adversely affected by the raw sewage discharge into Brady's Run, Pennsylvania, which resulted from the destruction of the Chippewa Township, Pennsylvania, sewage treatment facility. Directs the Administrator to study the feasibility and desirability of eliminating the regulation of discharges of pollutants into navigable waters in amounts which, in terms of volume, concentration, and type of pollutant, are not significant (de minimis discharges). Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, in such study to specified congressional committees within one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to study the effectiveness of specified innovative and alternative wastewater treatment processes and techniques which have been used in treatment works constructed under the Act. Sets forth requirements relating to such study. Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, to specified congressional committees within two years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to study the water quality improvements which have been achieved by application of best available technology economically achievable pursuant to specified provisions of the Act. Sets forth requirements relating to such study. Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, on such study to specified congressional committees within two years after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to study the testing procedures for analysis of pollutants established under specified provisions of the Act. Sets forth requirements relating to such study. Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, on such study to specified congressional committees within one year after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator, biennially after the date of submission of such report, to conduct a state-of-the-art review of such test procedures to determine their adequacy and effectiveness. Directs the Administrator to submit to such congressional committees recommendations, based on such review, for modifying such test procedures to improve their effectiveness. Directs the Administrator to study the pretreatment of toxic pollutants, including a study of: (1) the adequacy of data on environmental impacts of toxic industrial pollutants discharged through publicly owned treatment works; (2) the extent to which secondary treatment at publicly owned treatment works removes toxic pollutants; (3) the capability of publicly owned treatment works to revise pretreatment requirements under specified provisions of the Act; (4) possible alternative regulatory strategies for protecting the operations of publicly owned treatment works from industrial discharges, including evaluation of each such strategy's potential to achieve the goals of the Act; and (5) the adequacy of Federal, State, and local resources to establish, implement, and enforce multiple pretreatment limits for toxic pollutants for each alternative strategy identified. Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, on such study to specified congressional committees within two years after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to study the problem of the corrosive effects of sulfides in collection and treatment systems, the extent to which the uniform imposition of categorical pretreatment standards will exacerbate this problem, and the range of available options to deal with the effects. Requires that such study be conducted in consultation with the Los Angeles City and County sanitation agencies which have observed examples of corrosion probably caused by sulfides. Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, on such study to specified congressional committees within one year after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years for such study and report. Requires as new conditions for the modification of treatment requirements with respect to the discharge of pollutants from a publicly owned treatment works that an applicant for such modification demonstrate that: (1) in the case of a treatment works serving a population of 50,000 or more, there is in effect a specified pretreatment program for toxic pollutants introduced into such works for which there is no pretreatment requirement in effect; and (2) the effluent which is discharged from such works is receiving primary treatment and meets the criteria for water quality established by the Administrator. Revises the meaning of the phrase "discharge of any pollutant into marine water." Sets forth provisions relating to maintenance of water quality in estuaries. Directs the Administrator to convene a management conference upon determination that the attainment or maintenance of water quality in an estuary requires the control of sources of pollution in more than one State. Sets forth requirements for conference membership. Requires that an interstate agency be the lead agency for carrying out such provisions in any case in which such agency has jurisdiction over all or a significant part of the estuary. Directs the Administrator to give priority consideration under such provisions to: (1) Long Island Sound; (2) Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts; and (3) Delaware Bay, Delaware and New Jersey. Prohibits convening such a conference before a final adjudication has been made in any pending State boundary dispute involving the estuary. Provides that such a management conference shall establish and provide for the implementation of a master plan which addresses the pollution problems of the estuary involved. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States participating in such a management conference which are equal to 50 percent of a State's cost of implementing a master plan for a fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for such grants. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator for FY 1985 through 1989 for: (1) administrative expenses with respect to such management conferences; (2) grants for the development of master plans for estuaries; and (3) monitoring the implementation of such master plans. Adds provisions relating to Chesapeake and Narragansett Bays. Directs the Administrator to continue the Chesapeake Bay Program and to establish and maintain in the EPA an office, division, or branch of Chesapeake Bay Programs to: (1) collect and disseminate research and other information on the environmental quality of the Bay; (2) coordinate Federal and State efforts to improve the quality of research projects pertaining to the Bay; (3) conduct research on sediment deposition in the Bay; and (4) conduct research on how natural and man-induced environmental changes impact on the living resources of the Bay, with particular emphasis on the impact of pollutant loadings of nutrients, chlorine, acid precipitation, dissolved oxygen, and toxic pollutants, (including organic chemicals and heavy metals), and with special attention to the impact on the striped bass. Directs the Administrator, at the request of the Governor of a State affected by the interstate management plan developed under the Chesapeake Bay program, to make a grant to implement management mechanisms in the plan if the State has, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, approved and committed to implement all or substantially all aspects of the plan. Requires a State or combination of States, in order to qualify for such grants, to submit a plan for proposed abatement actions and estimated costs for the approval of the Administrator. Limits such grants to 50 percent of the plan implementation costs in any year and requires non-Federal sources to provide the remainder of such costs during such fiscal year. Limits administrative costs to ten percent of the annual Federal grant to a State. Requires States to submit progress reports to the Administrator within 18 months after the receipt of such grants, and biennially thereafter. Directs the Administrator to transmit such reports, with comments, to the Congress. Directs the Administrator, at the request of the Governor of an affected State and after consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies and other interested persons, to make a grant for purposes of assessing the principal factors having an adverse effect on the environmental quality of the Narragansett Bay, as perceived by both scientists and users, in conjunction with developing and implementing a management program to improve such Bay's water quality. Limits such grants to 50 percent of the program implementation costs and requires non-Federal sources to provide the remainder. Requires States to submit descriptions of the proposed programs for the approval of the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to approve each such program within three months of receipt if the applicant State demonstrates that it will: (1) establish a committee to provide advice on design and implementation of a management program and to coordinate communication on issues affecting such Bay's water quality; (2) review and coordinate Federal and State water pollution abatement programs to address adverse water quality factors; (3) establish methods for improving sampling data collection and a system for collecting, analyzing, storing, and disseminating such data; and (4) develop and implement, within three years after enactment of this Act, water quality management practices and measures (including land use requirements) to reduce to the greatest extent feasible pollutant loadings in such Bay and to improve its water quality. Requires States to submit progress reports to the Administrator, within two years after issuance of such grants and annually thereafter. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 for such Chesapeake and Narragansett Bays programs. Sets forth provisions relating to the New York and New Jersey Harbor area (the Harbor). Directs the Administrator to: (1) collect and make available information on the environmental quality of the Harbor; (2) coordinate Federal and State efforts to improve the Harbor's water quality; and (3) determine the impact of natural and man-induced environmental changes on the living resources of the Harbor and on adjacent coastal areas and the relationships among such changes, with particular emphasis on the impact of pollutant loadings of sewage, dissolved oxygen, and toxic pollutants, including organic chemicals and heavy metals. Directs the Administrator, at the request of the Governor of a State affected by any interstate management plan relating to the Harbor and developed pursuant to specified provisions of this Act for maintenance of water quality in estuaries, to make a grant to implement the management mechanisms contained in such plan. Allows an affected State or combination of States to submit to the Administrator a plan including the estimated cost of the abatement actions proposed to be taken during the next fiscal year. Directs the Administrator, if the plan is consistent with specified national policies and goals under the Act, to approve such plan and to finance up to 50 percent of the costs of implementing such plan in any fiscal year, on condition that non-Federal sources provide the remainder of such costs. Limits administrative costs to ten percent of such annual Federal grant to a State. Requires such States to submit progress reports on the implementation of such plans within 18 months after the date of receipt of such grant and biennially thereafter. Directs the Administrator to transmit such reports, with comments, to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 for purposes of such provisions for the Harbor. Authorizes the Administrator to undertake a study on consumptive uses of Great Lakes water. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct such study in cooperation with other interested Federal agencies and the eight Great Lake States and their local governments. Requires such study to focus on all possible control measures which can be implemented to reduce the quantity of Great Lakes water consumed without adversely affecting the projected growth of the Great Lakes region. Requires that such study include an analysis of both existing and new technology which appears to be feasible in the foreseeable future. Requires that such study include at a minimum: (1) a review of methodologies used to forecast Great Lakes consumptive uses; (2) an analysis of the effect that enforcement of provisions of the Act relating to thermal discharges has had on consumption of Great Lakes water; (3) an analysis of the effect of laws, regulations, and national policy objectives on consumptive uses of Great Lakes water used in manufacturing; (4) an analysis of the economic effects on a consuming industry and other Great Lakes interests associated with a particular consumptive use control strategy; (5) an analysis of associated environmental impacts, both singularly and in combination with other consumptive use control strategies; and (6) a summary discussion with recommendations for methods of controlling consumptive use so as to maximize benefits to the Great Lakes ecosystem and also provide for continued full economic growth for consuming industries as well as other industries which depend on the use of Great Lakes water. Authorizes appropriations for such study for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years. Grants an exception to a time limitation relating to an application for a permit modification for less than secondary treatment involving an ocean discharge. Provides that a publicly owned treatment works which, before December 1, 1982, had a contractual arrangement to use a portion of the capacity of another publicly owned treatment works which has applied for or receives such a modification, may apply for such a modification for itself within 30 days after enactment of this Act. Designates the Great Lakes National Program Office of the Environmental Protection Agency as the Great Lakes International Coordination Office. Directs the head of the Office to serve as the principal liaison person on Great Lakes matters to the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada. Requires the Office to: (1) develop and implement specific action plans to carry out U.S. responsibility under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978; (2) coordinate Agency actions aimed at improving Great Lakes water quality; (3) coordinate Agency actions with other Federal, State, and local authorities; (4) establish a Great Lakes system-wide surveillance network to monitor the water quality of the Great Lakes, with emphasis on monitoring toxic pollutants; and (5) serve as liaison with, and provide information to, the Canadian members of the Commission and the Canadian counterpart of the Agency. Directs the Administrator to: (1) ensure that the Office enters into specified agreements with Agency organizational elements involved in Great Lakes activities in the appropriate State agencies; and (2) include a funding request for the office as a separate budget line item in the Agency's annual budget submission to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the Office. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 to carry out water quality studies of the Great Lakes under the Act. Directs the Administrator, within 120 days after enactment of this Act and at the beginning of each fiscal year thereafter, to submit to the Congress a comprehensive assessment of the planned efforts to be pursued in the succeeding fiscal year for implementing the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978. Requires such assessment to include specified information. Directs the Administrator, within 150 days after the end of each fiscal year, to submit to the Congress a comprehensive report which describes specified achievements, progress, and long-term prospects for improving Great Lakes water quality. Authorizes the Administrator (or an approved State program) to issue a permit which modifies specified requirements with respect to the pH level of any discharge, and with respect to discharges of iron and manganese, from the remined area of any coal remining operation. Requires that such modified requirements apply the best available technology economically achievable on a case-by-case basis, using best professional judgment. Prohibits such a permit from allowing the pH level of any discharge, or the discharges of iron and manganese, to exceed the levels being discharged from the remined area before the coal remining operation begins. Provides that no payment may be made under this Act except to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Amends the Clayton Act to specify factors to be considered by a court in determining whether an acquisition of the stocks, share capital, or assets of one person engaged in commerce by another such person substantially lessens competition.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Requires each State to provide for voter registration by mail for Federal elections. Requires such registration to be carried out by a post card application form approved by the Attorney General. Prohibits any State from denying any person the right to vote on the grounds such person is not registered to vote if such person has complied with the requirements of post card registration. Requires the Postmaster General, the Commissioner of Social Security, and the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the Attorney General and the Chief election officer of each State, to facilitate distribution of post card registration forms in Federal facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Antitrust Procedural Fairness Act of 1985 - Establishes public notice and comment requirements (similar to those for proposed rule making under the Administrative Procedure Act) for guidelines proposed by the Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission with respect to the interpretation or implementation of the antitrust laws or the policies for enforcing such laws. Requires a 60-day period for public comment. Requires the Department and the Commission to maintain a file of each proceeding relating to the issuance of a guideline which shall include: (1) the public notice; (2) the documentary material upon which the agency relied in formulating the guideline; (3) copies of written comments received; (4) all material which the agency is required to make public; and (5) statements required of the agency in formulating the guideline.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Directs States to conduct voter registration: (1) during regular business hours and days; (2) during voting hours at polling places on election days; and (3) at other times prescribed by State law. Prohibits any State from denying any individual the right to vote in any Federal election because such individual is not registered to vote if such State does not conduct registration as required by this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Seiberling, John F. [D-OH-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000230_200.jpg)