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United States · Official source
1,966 records where Rep. St Germain, Fernand J. [D-RI-1] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1984
Designates the week beginning on October 7, 1984, as Mental Illness Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Creates the Oil Trading Corporation (the Corporation) to: (1) acquire crude oil and petroleum products; (2) acquire storage facilities; (3) use, lease, or dispose of the storage facilities; (4) maintain reserves of crude oil and petroleum products; (5) transport crude oil and petroleum products; and (6) sell crude oil and petroleum products to maximize the stabilization of market forces during times of oil shortages. States that the Corporation shall have perpetual existence unless and until its charter is revoked or modified by Congress. Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) general corporate powers; (2) the Board of Directors; and (3) capitalization. Provides that: (1) the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, five members of the Board of Directors, four of whom must be selected from lists submitted by the House and Senate to the President; and (2) four members of the Board shall be elected by the Class B stockholders. States that the capital of the Corporation shall consist of capital subscribed by organizations, foundations, trusts, public bodies, and other public and private bodies, and the United States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 to purchase class A stock. Authorizes the Corporation to issue class B stock to any U.S. person. Limits sales of crude oil and petroleum products to holders of class B stock. Directs the Corporation to determine the number of shares of class B stock required to be held by a purchaser of crude oil and petroleum products. Requires the Corporation to: (1) hold an annual stockholders meeting which shall be open to the public; and (2) give a report of its activities for the year at such meeting. Authorizes the Corporation to obtain funds through the public or private sale of its bonds, debentures, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness. States that such obligations shall not be guaranteed by the United States. Requires an annual report to Congress by the Corporation. Provides that January 1, 1995, shall be the final Government equity redemption date. Prohibits the Corporation from exploring for, developing, or refining crude oil.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Designates the month of November 1984 as National Christmas Seal Month.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Designates November 1984 as National Hospice Month.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1984
Designates the week of October 13 through October 19, 1984, as National Independent Laboratory Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Authorizes election agencies to mail voter registration forms, absentee ballots, and certain related materials free of postage. Declares that this Act does not apply to mail matter transmitted under the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 or the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Designates December 12, 1984, as National Tumor Registrar Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Designates the week of September 10 through September 16, 1984, as Teenage Alcohol Abuse Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Establishes a pilot program for fellowships under the House of Representatives for persons who are blind or deaf. Requires the Committee on House Administration to report to the House on the effectiveness of, and the desirability of, continuing such program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Designates the week of October 14 through October 21, 1984, as National Housing Week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Designates October 1984 as National Quality Month.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1984
Financial Institutions Equity Act of 1984 - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to redefine the term "bank" as either a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, an institution eligible to apply for such insurance, or a State or federally chartered institution that accepts transaction accounts and demand accounts and makes commercial loans. Prohibits a bank holding company from providing insurance services through a subsidiary or affiliated company. Declares that no institution shall be required to obtain insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) if such institution is insured under a State insurance system on the date of enactment of this Act and continuously thereafter. Grants any bank holding company which is not in compliance with the provisions of this Act two years from the date of enactment to become so. Permits any bank holding company to continue to control any institution which became a bank due to this Act and for which an application involving the formation of such institution was formally accepted for filing on or before January 1, 1983, by the appropriate Federal or State regulatory authority. Permits any such institution to continue engaging only in such activities as such institution engaged in on May 24, 1984, and only at the same locations. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to state that the provisions of the Banking Act of 1933 relating to affiliations between member banks and organizations engaged principally in certain securities activities, and relating to officer, director, or employee relationships involving a member bank and a person or organizations primarily engaged in certain securities activities, shall apply to every nonmember insured or uninsured bank as if it were a member. Permits any affiliation or relationship that becomes unlawful because of such restriction to continue for a period of two years after enactment of this Act. Declares that for the purposes of the Banking Act of 1933: (1) engaging in the business of receiving deposits through affiliates shall be deemed the same as engaging in the business of receiving deposits directly by a person, firm, corporation, association, business trust, or other similar organization; and (2) any depository institution and any affiliate thereof shall be deemed to be engaged in the business of receiving deposits. Prohibits any depository institution, bank holding company, or savings and loan holding company which provides retail securities brokerage services from providing investment advisory or investment research services which: (1) are available to persons using such retail securities brokerage services; and (2) relate to securities which could be bought or sold through such retail securities broker for such persons. Requires any retail securities brokerage services provided by a depository institution, bank holding company, or savings and loan holding company to be carried out in a separate corporate subsidiary. Sets forth conditions under which a depository institution, bank holding company, or savings and loan holding company may provide retail securities brokerage services. Amends the National Housing Act to provide that in any case in which a savings and loan holding company controls an uninsured institution (including a State chartered savings bank or mutual savings bank) such company shall be deemed to control an insured institution, and an uninsured institution shall be deemed to be an insured institution. Requires any company which was operating on May 24, 1984, and is not in compliance with such provisions to comply not later than two years after the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits a unitary savings and loan company, the subsidiary insured or uninsured institution of which is a nonqualified institution, from commencing, or continuing for more than two years, any business activity not permissible for a multiple savings and loan holding company. Declares that a qualified institution shall include an institution chartered (as of May 24, 1984) as a mutual savings bank or a savings bank under Federal or State law. Requires the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) to determine that such institution: (1) does not decrease the percentage of its assets invested in residential mortgages and related investments below the percentage it held on the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) increases such percentage by an amount equal to specified percentages. Permits the Corporation to grant temporary and limited exceptions to such investment requirements. Provides that in any case in which an uninsured institution was in operation on the date of enactment of this Act and was not insured by the FSLIC but was insured in accordance with the National Housing Act, such uninsured institution shall not be required to obtain FSLIC insurance. Prohibits nonqualified institutions from engaging in any commercial lending activity. Prohibits nonqualified institutions from engaging in any activity which is not authorized for a Federal association under the Home Owners Loan Act of 1933. Declares that the provisions of the Banking Act of 1933 relating to affiliations between member banks and organizations engaged principally in certain securities activities and relating to officer, director, or employee relationships involving a member bank and a person or organization primarily engaged in securities activities, shall apply to every insured or uninsured institution as if it were a member of the Federal Reserve System. Applies the provisions of the Homeowners' Loan Act of 1933 relating to the prohibition on tying arrangements to State chartered insured and uninsured institutions in the same manner in which such provisions apply to associations. Provides that in any case in which a State chartered depository institution engages, pursuant to State law, in any activity which is not authorized by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the FSLIC such activity may only be conducted within such State and solely for its residents. Permits, during the ten-year period following the enactment of this Act, such nonauthorized activities to be conducted with respect to persons with whom such State chartered depository institutions was conducting them on May 24, 1984. Declares that in any case in which any entity commences, between May 24, 1984, and the date of enactment of this Act, any activity which becomes prohibited pursuant to this Act, such entity shall cease such activity on the date of enactment. Exempts any State chartered depository institution from the provisions of this Act unless there is a change in control, in corporate status, or in method of insurance of its accounts, deposits, or obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1984
Atomic Veterans Relief Act - Provides disability benefits to veterans who participated in atomic tests or the occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki after World War II and who, within 40 years, suffer from diseases that may be attributable to ionizing radiation, including: (1) leukemia, (2) polycythemia vera; (3) carcinoma of the thyroid; (4) chromosomal damage; (5) posterior subcapsular cataracts; and (6) other radiogenic cancers. Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to promulgate regulations to resolve benefit claims and provide standards for benefit determinations and the inclusion of additional diseases as the basis for benefits. Provides for survivors' benefits. Directs the Administrator to report to the Veterans' Affairs Committees of Congress whenever legislative action related to the subject matter of the regulations is needed. Establishes in the Veterans Administration the Advisory Committee on Veterans Exposed to Ionizing Radiation to report annually to the Administrator on the administration of the benefits provided by this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit such report to Congress with appropriate comments. Provides medical care for the treatment of genetic or congenital disorders in the natural children of affected veterans. Entitles such children to educational assistance. Requires the Administrator to carry out an outreach, screening, and counseling program to serve those veterans, dependents, and survivors entitled to benefits under this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish a research and training program for the diagnosis and treatment of disabilities caused by exposure to ionizing radiation, including a centralized registry of claims. Directs the Administrator to make a comprehensive report on these programs in the annual report to Congress under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1984
Textile Employment and Fair Trade Act of 1984 - Directs the President to limit the total quantity of textile imports during each of calendar years 1984 through 1988. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish and administer an import licensing system for administration of this Act. Directs the Commissioner of Customs to enforce the import limitations and the import licensing system.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1984
Regional Conservation and Electric Power Planning and Regulatory Coordination Act of 1984 - Title I: Granting of Consent to Any Two or More States to Enter Into Multistate Compacts - Grants congressional consent to any two or more States to enter into compacts to develop, adopt, and publish: (1) standards for ratemaking treatment of any costs incurred by electric utilities that are unrelated to resource acquisition; (2) methodologies to assess cost-effective resources to meet electric energy demand; (3) plans to mitigate the adverse effects of unforecasted, emergency electric power outages or shortages; and (4) a long-run conservation and electric power plan for resource acquisition to meet the total electric energy demand in the geographic region covered by the compact at least system cost. Sets forth requirements with respect to the membership and functioning of a multistate compact. Requires that public hearings be held prior to the adoption of any standard, methodology, or plan. Authorizes the governing agency of a multistate compact to encourage resource acquisition by electric utilities and their customers and consumers according to the long-term conservation and electric power plan developed under the compact. Requires that an opportunity for public comment and review be provided prior to certification of the need for any resource. Permits the governing agency of a multistate compact, where authorized by the compact establishing it, to: (1) intervene and participate as a matter of right in any proceeding held by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and (2) apply to the Commission for an order compelling one or more electric utilities to provide or modify transmission services where appropriate for purposes of implementing a long-run conservation and electric power plan. Sets forth judicial review procedures which shall apply to actions under this Act. Title II: Authority of the States to Regulate the Rates for Certain Wholesale Electricity Transactions - Permits a State regulatory authority, with the Governor's approval and after a public hearing, to submit to the Commission for its approval a plan for the regulation by such authority of some or all of the rates for the sale of electricity at wholesale by electric utilities which are subject to the Commission's rate regulatory jurisdiction. Specifies the contents of such a plan. Requires the Commission to approve or disapprove it within 180 days after its receipt. Permits amendments to such a plan by the State. Sets forth procedures for Commission review of the implementation of such a plan. Title III: Amendments to the Federal Power Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to conform to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1984
Financial Institutions Equity Act of 1984 - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to redefine the term "bank" as either a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, an institution eligible to apply for such insurance, or a State or federally chartered institution that accepts transaction accounts and makes commercial loans. Prohibits any bank from engaging in any tandem operation with its bank holding company or any subsidiary or affiliate of such holding company, unless the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System determines that such tandem operation is not likely to cause unfair competition or pose risks to consumers. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to state that the provisions of the Banking Act of 1933 relating to affiliations between member banks and organizations engaged principally in certain securities activities, and relating to officer, director, or employee relationships involving a member bank and a person or an organization primarily engaged in certain securities activities, shall apply to every nonmember insured or uninsured bank in the same manner and to the same extent as if such nonmember bank were a member. Permits any affiliation or relationship that becomes unlawful because of such restriction to continue for a period of two years after enactment of this Act. Declares that for the purposes of the Banking Act of 1933, engaging in the business of receiving deposits through affiliates shall be deemed the same as engaging in the business of receiving deposits directly by a person, firm, corporation, association, business trust, or other similar organization. Prohibits, after the date of enactment of this Act, any depository institution, bank holding company, savings and loan holding company or multiple savings and loan holding company from providing retail securities brokerage services. Permits any such activity which was taking place on May 24, 1984, to continue for a period not to exceed two years after enactment of this Act. Amends the National Housing Act to make savings and loan holding companies owning institutions insured under State law subject to the same requirements as institutions insured under such Act. Prohibits a savings and loan holding company, or any subsidiary that is not an insured or uninsured institution, from commencing or continuing any business activity other than those specified for multiple savings and loan holding companies and their subsidiaries. Permits any such existing activity to continue for two years after the date of enactment of this Act. Declares that such prohibition shall not apply to a unitary savings and loan holding company the subsidiary insured or uninsured institution of which is a qualified institution. Prohibits a savings and loan holding company, the subsidiary insured or uninsured institution of which is a nonqualified institution, from commencing, or continuing for more than two years, any business activity not permissible for a multiple savings and loan holding company. Declares that for the ten-year period following enactment of this Act a qualified institution shall also include an institution chartered (as of May 24, 1984) as a mutual savings bank or a savings bank under Federal or state law. Requires the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation to determine that such institution: (1) does not decrease the percentage of its assets invested in residential mortgages and related investments below the percentage it held on the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) increases such percentage by amounts equal to specified percentages. Prohibits any savings and loan holding company from commencing or continuing for more than two years any activity not permitted a multiple savings and loan holding company, if in any case an institution owned or controlled by such holding company engages in tandem operations. Prohibits nonqualified institutions from engaging in any commercial lending activity. Prohibits from engaging in commercial lending activities any institution owned by a unitary savings and loan holding company that engages in activities not permitted for a multiple savings and loan holding company. Declares that the provisions of the Banking Act of 1933 relating to affiliations between member banks and organizations engaged principally in certain securities activities, and relating to officer, director, or employee relationships involving a member bank and a person or organization primarily engaged in certain securities activities, shall apply to every insured or uninsured institution in the same manner and to the same extent as if such institution were a member of the Federal Reserve System. Prohibits any State chartered depository institution engaged in activities not authorized by the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 or the National Housing Act as of such date, from continuing such activities unless such activities are conducted within such State and solely for its residents. Permits a State chartered depository institution, pursuant to State law, to engage in any activity authorized by the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 or the National Housing Act. Permits any State, after January 1, 1983, to enact a law permitting State chartered depository institutions to engage in activities not authorized pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 or the National Housing Act, so long as such activities are within such State and solely for its residents. Declares that in any case in which a depository institution commences any activity which becomes prohibited under this Act between May 24, 1984, and the date of enactment of this Act, such depository institution shall cease such prohibited activity on the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1984
Designates August 1984 as Polish American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1984
Designates the week beginning on September 9, 1984, as National Community Leadership Week.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1984
United States-Mexico Joint Development Bank Act - Authorizes the President to enter into an agreement with Mexico to establish a United States-Mexico Joint Development Bank (the Bank) to make economic development loans in Mexico and in the border region of the United States. Sets forth information that shall be included in the agreement, including the requirement that: (1) assistance provided by the Bank shall be directed at improving employment opportunities and enhancing the economic development of the geographic and economic sectors of Mexico which are the major sources of undocumented Mexican nationals who enter the United States; and (2) the United States and Mexico contribute equally to the Bank. Directs the President to appoint the U.S. Directors of the Bank. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, upon the United States entering into an agreement with Mexico to establish the Bank, to subscribe to the capital stock of the Bank. Authorizes appropriations to pay for such subscription. Requires that the provision of the Bretton Woods Agreement Act that establishes the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Problems shall apply to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund. Prohibits any person or agency on behalf of the United States, unless authorized by Congress, from: (1) agreeing to an increase in the U.S. subscription to the Bank; (2) agreeing to an agreement which increases U.S. obligations or which would change the Bank's purpose or functions; or (3) providing financing to the Bank.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Superfund Expansion and Protection Act of 1984 - Title I: Provisions Relating Primarily to Response and Liability - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund) (CERCLA) (the Act) to revise the definition of "hazardous substance" to include petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) which: (1) is released from an underground storage tank (as defined in title IV of this title); or (2) may present a significant risk to human health. Transfers the definition of "pollutant or contaminant" from under provisions for response authorities under the Act to among the definitions for purposes of the entire Act. Provides that such term shall include petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) only in the case of a release from an underground storage tank as defined in title IV of this title. Adds references to "pollutants or contaminants" under specified provisions of the Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (the Administrator) to promulgate regulations, within six months after enactment of this Act, establishing that one single quantity shall be the reportable quantity of any hazardous substance regardless of the medium into which the hazardous substance is released. Increases the amount of criminal fines and the duration of criminal sentences for specified violations under the Act. Adds civil penalties for specified violations under the Act. Revises response authorities provisions to transfer from the President to the Administrator the authority to determine whether a response action will be done properly by the responsible party. Authorizes the Administrator, as well as the President, to undertake response actions. Requires that any removal action undertaken by the Administrator, or by any responsible party, be consistent, to the extent practicable, with any long term remedial action with respect to the release or threatened release. Directs the Administrator, to the maximum extent possible, to assess the risk to human health associated with the release or threatened release. Revises response authorities provisions relating to agreements with States. Requires States to make specified agreements with the Administrator, rather than with the President. Eliminates the requirement that a State assure all future maintenance of the removal and remedial actions provided for the expected life of such actions. Requires the State to pay ten percent of the costs of remedial action and ten percent of all future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial action. Requires a 50 percent or greater State share of response costs only in the case of facilities operated, as well as owned, by the State or local government at the time of hazardous waste disposal. Requires the State to also pay all future operation and maintenance costs of any onsite remedial action at such State or locally owned and operated facilities. Provides for credits to any State which has paid more than a ten percent share of remedial costs at a facility owned, but not operated, by such State or local government. Provides that reasonable administrative expenses may be credited against a State's ten percent share. Sets forth mandatory cleanup standards. Directs the Administrator, rather than the President, to select appropriate cost-effective remedial actions determined to be necessary. Requires that such actions be in accordance with: (1) the National Contingency Plan, to the extent practicable; and (2) a required protection level. Directs the Administrator, in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a remedial action, to consider permanent solutions and alternative treatment technologies to the maximum extent practicable. Requires that the remedial action provide for a level or standard of control necessary to protect human health and the environment. Requires that such level or standard be as stringent as the most stringent applicable standard under the Toxic Substances Control Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, or Clean Water Act (or water quality criteria under the Clean Water Act). Requires that any remedial action which provides for containment at the facility comply with standards applicable to facilities required to obtain hazardous waste management permits under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Authorizes the Administrator to waive the requirement of the most stringent applicable standard, or of the specified containment standard, and to select an alternative remedial action upon a finding that: (1) such alternative remedial action will provide substantially equivalent protection; or (2) compliance with such requirements at that facility will consume such a disproportionate share of the resources of the Hazardous Substances Trust Fund (the Fund) as to have the effect of deferring or preventing remedial action at other facilities which pose a significantly greater threat to human health and the environment. Prohibits permit requirements for any removal or remedial action undertaken pursuant to the Act at the location of the release or threatened release. Authorizes the Administrator to establish the exclusive administrative procedures for making any determination under provisions for required protection level. Revises provisions for information gathering and access authorities to refer to the Administrator, rather than the President. Applies specified information requirements to generators of hazardous wastes, even if such information is available at the facility where such waste is located. Provides for access to such facilities by duly designated Federal and State officers, whenever necessary to carry out any provision of the Act, at reasonable times and for a reasonable duration. Prohibits anyone from impeding or interfering with such entry. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to prepare toxicological profiles sufficient to establish the likely effect on human health of at least 100 hazardous substances which are most frequently found or which pose the most significant threat to human health at facilities listed on the National Priorities List prepared under the National Contingency Plan. Requires that the 100 profiles be completed 48 months after enactment of this Act (at 12-month intervals for four groups of 25 substances). Adds new provisions for public participation in remedial action planning. Sets forth mandatory remedial action schedules. Directs the Administrator (of EPA) to commence remedial investigations for all facilities which are listed, as of the enactment date of this Act, on the National Priorities List (NPL) in accordance with the following schedule: (1) one-third of such facilities within six months after such enactment date; (2) two-thirds within 12 months after such date; and (3) all within 18 months after such date. Directs the Administrator to list not fewer than 1,600 facilities on the NPL by January 1, 1988. Directs the Administrator to commence remedial actions and feasibility studies for each facility added to the NPL after the enactment date of this Act within six months after addition of such facility to the NPL. Directs the Administrator to ensure that substantial and continuous physical on-site remedial action commences at facilities on the NPL at a rate of not fewer than 150 facilities per year beginning on October 1, 1986. Directs the Administrator to complete by January 1, 1987, preliminary assessments of all sites listed, as of the enactment date of this Act, on the Emergency and Remedial Response Information System. Directs the Administrator to ensure that remedial action is completed, to the maximum extent feasible, for all facilities listed as of the date of enactment of this Act on the NPL within five years after such enactment date. Directs the Administrator to publish an explanation of why any such remedial action could not be completed within such period. Sets forth provisions for citizen petitions for health effects studies and for emergency relief. Allows any individual or group of individuals to submit a petition to the Administrator providing evidence which: (1) demonstrates that such individual or individuals are being exposed to any hazardous substance; and (2) provides an empirical analysis of the level of exposure. Directs the Administrator to initiate a health effects study upon determination that: (1) there is a reasonable likelihood that such substance is from a facility where such substance is or was treated, stored, recycled, or disposed of, on a regular basis, or where removal action is being or was taken under any provision of the Act; and (2) the exposure may present a significant risk to human health. Directs the Administrator (or the ATSDR Administrator if so designated by the Administrator), within 30 days after receipt of such petition, to: (1) initiate a health effects study; or (2) publish a written explanation of the determination which prevented initiation of the study. Requires that each such health effects study be completed within six months after the date the petition is filed and include specified information. Requires that steps be taken to eliminate any significant risk to human health which such study finds the exposure concerned presents. Provides that such steps may include provision of alternative drinking water supplies and relocation of individuals. Requires that the National Contingency Plan (NCP) be revised within 18 months after the enactment of this Act to reflect the amendments made by this Act. Requires that the portion of the NCP known as "the National Hazardous Substance Response Plan" be revised to provide procedures and standards for remedial actions consistent with protection level requirements under this title. Sets forth provisions for citizen petitions for site ranking. Directs the Administrator, within 12 months after receipt of a citizen petition, to complete a preliminary assessment of the hazards to public health and environment associated with any actual or threatened release of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant. Directs the Administrator, if such assessment indicates a significant threat, to make a prompt evaluation in accordance with the hazard ranking system referred to under specified provisions of the Act to determine the national priority of such release or threatened release. Requires that plan criteria for determining priorities among releases or threatened releases throughout the United States for purposes of taking remedial action shall also take into account: (1) the release-associated damage to natural resources which may affect the human food chain; and (2) the release-associated contamination or potential contamination of the ambient air. Sets forth provisions for abatement actions. Directs the Administrator, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, and after consultation with the Attorney General, to revise and republish specified guidelines for using imminent hazard, enforcement, and emergency response authorities to effectuate the responsibilities and powers created by this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to establish administrative procedures regarding the opportunity for a person to object to an abatement order under this title. Provides that no court shall have jurisdiction to review any such abatement order in any action other than an action to: (1) enforce such order; (2) recover a penalty for a violation; or (3) recover punitive damages. Revises liability provisions to provide for liability for Federal or State costs of removal or remedial action with respect to a release or threatened release (whether or not such action is consistent with the NCP). Adds liability for Federal or State costs of information gathering with respect to a release or threatened release. Adds liability for the costs of any action taken by the Administrator, under specified citizens petition and emergency relief provisions of this Act, to eliminate a significant risk to human health presented by exposure to a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant and the costs of any health effects study carried out under such provisions with respect to such exposure. Provides that liability under the Act (CERCLA) shall be strict, joint, and several as construed and applied under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and under these CERCLA liability provisions. Provides that amounts recoverable shall include interest at a specified rate. Prohibits the Attorney General from representing any Federal agency (other than the EPA) in any civil action under title I (Hazardous Substances Releases, Liability, Compensation) of the Act (CERCLA). Authorizes the head of any such Federal agency to appoint agency attorneys or contract with non-Federal attorneys to represent the agency in any such action. Provides that, in any action under liability provisions of the Act, the results of laboratory tests conducted by the Administrator (or by a State) to determine what substances are present at the facility where a release or threatened release occurs may be introduced into evidence and shall be presumed to be accurate. Provides that such presumption shall be overcome if the defendant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that such test results lack a reasonable basis. Adds to authorized uses of the Fund the payment of any costs incurred under provisions of this Act: (1) relating to emergency relief and health effects studies; (2) by the ATSDR in preparing specified toxicological profiles; and (3) by the Administrator in evaluating facilities pursuant to petitions for preliminary assessments of hazards to public health. Eliminates a requirement that 85 percent of specified money credited to the Fund be available only for specified purposes. Limits to six percent of such money the amount available for payment of specified claims. Revises audit provisions to direct the Inspector General of the EPA, in each fiscal year, to: (1) conduct an annual audit of the Trust Fund; (2) report on the status of all remedial and enforcement actions taken during the prior fiscal year; and (3) estimate the amount of resources, including the number of work years or personnel, which would be necessary for the Administrator to complete the implementation of all duties vested in the Administrator under this title. Requires that such audit and such status report: (1) include specified information; and (2) be reported annually by the Inspector General to the Congress. Prohibits any potentially liable person from seeking judicial review of any determination to incur any governmental response costs pursuant to response authorities provisions or to utilize the Fund for payment of such costs except in an action to recover such costs under liability provisions. Revises statute of limitations provisions under the Act. Prohibits, with specified exceptions for minors or incompetent persons, presentation of any claim or commencement of any action for damages, as defined under the Act, beyond three years after the later of: (1) the date of the discovery of the loss; (2) the date on which regulations are promulgated under specified provisions for the assessment of damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources resulting from a release of oil or hazardous substance for purposes of the Act and of specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; or (3) the date on which regulations are promulgated establishing procedures for the filing of such claims. Sets a statute of limitations of six years after the date of the completion of the response action for presentation of claims or commencement of actions for recovery of response costs in cases involving the responsible person's willful misconduct or willful negligence, violation of safety, construction, or operating standards or regulations, or failures or refusals to provide reasonable cooperation and assistance requested by public officials. Extends the deadline for promulgation of regulations for the assessment of damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources resulting from a release of oil or a hazardous substance for purposes of the Act and of specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the relationship of this Act to other law. Authorizes States to require any person to contribute to any fund to pay compensation for claims for any response costs or damages or claims which may be compensated under the Act. Title II: Federal Cause of Action - Subtitle A: Federal Cause of Action - Establishes a Federal cause of action for damages to an individual which result from harm caused by a release of a hazardous substance from specified facilities. Allows the individual or the individual's dependents to sue for compensable damages under this title. Makes liable for such damages: (1) the owner or operator of a vessel (otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United States) or a facility; (2) any person who at the time of disposal of any hazardous substance owned or operated any facility at which such hazardous substance was disposed of; (3) any person who by contract, agreement, or otherwise arranged for disposal or treatment, or arranged with a transporter for transport for disposal or treatment, of hazardous substances owned or possessed by such person, by any other party or entity, at any facility owned or operated by another party or entity and containing such hazardous substances; and (4) any person who accepts or accepted any hazardous substances for transport to disposal or treatment facilities or sites selected by such person. Makes such liability strict. Makes such liability joint and several, with specified exceptions. Sets forth defenses to such strict liability. Makes the following damages compensable under this title: (1) any medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, or burial expenses due to personal injury, illness, or death; (2) any loss of income or profits or any impairment or loss of earning capacity due to personal injury, illness, or death; (3) any pain or suffering which results from personal illness, injury, or death; and (4) any economic loss and any damages to property, including diminution in value. Provides for jurisdiction over such Federal cause of action in U.S. district courts. Provides that such Federal jurisdiction shall not affect the jurisdiction of any State court with respect to any action. Authorizes the court to award litigation costs where appropriate. Provides that nothing in this title shall be construed to preempt, or otherwise affect, any provision of State law regarding liability for damages in connection with any hazardous substance. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Sets forth a three-year statute of limitations, with specified exceptions for minors or incompetent persons, for actions under this title beginning on the later of: (1) the date the individual knew (or reasonably should have known) that the injury, illness, or death or other expense was caused by the hazardous substance concerned; or (2) the date of enactment of this title. Prohibits any person who is an employee covered by a State or Federal worker's compensation plan which compensates employees for an injury, illness, or death arising out of and in the course of employment (or pursuant to similar tests of work-relatedness) from recovering any amount under this title for such injury, illness, or death. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Eliminates provisions under the Act (CERCLA) relating to a legislative veto. Authorizes citizen lawsuits under the Act (CERCLA). Sets forth provisions relating to such citizen lawsuits. Title IV: Regulation of Underground Storage Tanks - Establishes a program for identification and regulation of underground storage tanks containing hazardous substances (including petroleum products), and for cleanup of leaks from such tanks. Defines "hazardous substance" for purposes of this title as: (1) any substance designated pursuant to specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (2) any element, compound, mixture, solution, or substance designated pursuant to the CERCLA definition of "pollutant or contaminant," as added by this Act; (3) any hazardous waste having the characteristics identified under or listed pursuant to hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (but not including any waste the regulation of which under such Act has been suspended by Act of Congress); (4) any toxic pollutant listed under specified provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (5) any hazardous air pollutant listed under specified provisions of the Clean Air Act; (6) any imminently hazardous chemical substance or mixture with respect to which the Administrator has taken action pursuant to specified provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act; and (7) any petroleum product or fraction thereof. Excludes from such term natural gas, natural gas liquids, propane, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel (or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas). Defines "underground storage tank" to include underground pipes connected to such a tank, and lists the following exclusions from this term: (1) farm or residential underground storage tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes; (2) underground storage tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored; (3) residential septic tanks; (4) pipelines regulated under the Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 1968; or (5) surface impoundments, pits, ponds, lagoons, or basins. Sets forth notification requirements applicable to any person who, during the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which this title was enacted, has supplied any hazardous substance to 100 or more sites where there is an underground storage tank which is or has been used for the storage of any hazardous substance. Requires such persons to notify a designated State or local agency of the existence of any such tank located at such a site. Directs the Administrator, within eight months after the enactment date of this Act, to promulgate regulations (taking into account the effect on small business) regarding the providing of notice to obtain information concerning any such tanks which are not located at such sites. Requires that the notice required of such persons supplying hazardous substances to 100 or more sites where such tanks are located be provided within 12 months after the enactment of this title. Requires that the notice required with respect to all other sites where such tanks are located be provided within 12 months after the promulgation of such regulations. Requires that specified information be contained in those notices required of the suppliers to 100 or more sites and in those notices required of owners or operators which install or bring into use an underground storage tank after the enactment of this Act. Sets forth other information requirements for notices required of the suppliers to 100 or more sites, and for notices required pursuant to regulations for tanks at other sites, in the case of any such tank used for such storage prior to the enactment of this Act but taken out of operation before such enactment date (but after January 1, 1974). Provides that notice shall not be required under this title in the case of any tank for which notice was given pursuant to specified provisions of CERCLA. Requires any owner or operator which installs or brings into use an underground storage tank after the enactment of this Act to notify the designated State or local agency within a specified period. Directs the Governor of each State, within 90 days of such enactment date, to designate the appropriate State or local agencies to receive such notifications. Directs the Administrator, within 180 days of such enactment date and in consultation with designated State and local officials, to prescribe in greater detail the form and content of such notifications. Provides that, if a Governor chooses not to designate a State or local agency for such purpose, such notifications shall be submitted to the Administrator. Requires the State, if such notifications are submitted to a designated State or local agency, to compile the submitted information into a comprehensive inventory and furnish such inventory to the Administrator within 18 months of such enactment date. Sets forth provisions for release detection, prevention, and correction regulations applicable to all owners and operators of underground storage tanks used for storing hazardous substances. Directs the Administrator to promulgate such regulations after opportunity for public comment and within 18 months after enactment of this title. Requires that such regulations include requirements respecting specified areas, including: (1) leak detection or inventory systems and tank testing; (2) records of such testing, inventory, or detection; (3) reporting releases and corrective actions; (4) standards of performance for new underground tanks, including specified requirements; (5) corrective actions; (6) closure to prevent future release; and (7) evidence of financial responsibility for taking corrective action and for bodily injury and property damage to third parties. Prohibits, until the effective date of such regulations and after 180 days from the enactment of this Act, any person from installing or beginning to use an underground storage tank to store hazardous substances unless such tank is cathodically protected against corrosion, constructed of a noncorrosive material, or contained in a manner designed to prevent the release into the environment of any stored hazardous substances. Sets forth provisions for the Administrator's review and approval of State programs for underground storage tank release detection, prevention, and correction. Requires the State to demonstrate that the State program is equivalent to the Federal program under this title and that it provides for adequate enforcement of compliance with program requirements. Requires that a State's new tank standards be no less stringent than the performance standards promulgated by the Administrator pursuant to this title. Provides for notice and opportunity for public comment before determinations concerning approval of State programs are made. Gives States with approved programs primary enforcement responsibility for requirements related to control of underground storage tanks used to store hazardous substances. Provides for withdrawal of approval upon the Administrator's determination, after public hearing, that a State is not administering and enforcing the program in accordance with specified requirements. Sets forth provisions relating to inspections, monitoring, and testing. Sets forth provisions for confidentiality of information, and criminal penalties for violations of such confidentiality. Requires that all information reported to, or otherwise obtained by, the EPA under this title be made available, upon written request, to any duly authorized committee of the Congress. Sets forth provisions for Federal enforcement of requirements under this title. Sets forth civil penalties for specified violations. Makes requirements under this title applicable to Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to grant exemptions from such requirements upon determination that it is in the paramount interest of the United States to do so. Requires the President to report annually to Congress on such exemptions and the reasons for granting them. Provides that nothing in this Act shall preclude or deny any State or local authority to regulate more stringently underground storage tanks used to store hazardous substances. Directs the Administrator, within 36 months after the enactment of this title, to study the following underground storage tanks exempted under the definition of "underground storage tanks": (1) farm or residential tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes; and (2) tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored. Requires that such study include estimates of the number and location of such tanks and an analysis of the extent to which there may be releases or threatened releases from such tanks into the environment. Directs the Administrator to report to the President and the Congress on the results of the study, with recommendations as to whether or not such tanks should be subject to regulation under this title. Title V: Amendments of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the environmental tax on petroleum from 0.79 cent to 4.5 cents a barrel, effective October 1, 1985. Extends the period before such tax is terminated until September 30, 1990. Repeals specified CERCLA sunset provisions relating to expiration of the authority conferred by CERCLA to collect environmental taxes. Repeals specified provisions of the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 relating to the Post-Closure Tax and Trust Fund, and the amendments made by such provisions. Repeals specified CERCLA provisions relating to the Post-Closure Liability Fund. Requires that all sums credited to the Post-Closure Liability Trust Fund established under the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 which have not been obligated prior to the date of enactment of this title shall be refunded to the persons who paid taxes under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires that such funds be made on a ratable basis in proportion to the total amount of such taxes which were paid by each such person. Adds provisions for a waste end tax, effective January 1, 1987, to Internal Revenue Code provisions for environmental taxes. Imposes such waste end tax on the disposal of any hazardous substance, if such disposal is required to be carried out in compliance with hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Sets the amount of such waste end tax in the case of: (1) any hazardous substance for which there is in effect under specified CERCLA regulations a reportable quantity of one pound or less, at $15 for each metric ton disposed of by underground injection and $30 for each metric ton not disposed of by such method; (2) all hazardous substances for which there is in effect under specified CERCLA regulations a reportable quantity of more than one pound, at $5 for each metric ton disposed of by underground injection and $10 for each metric ton not disposed of by such method. Provides that, in the cases of mixtures of hazardous substances with reportable quantities of one pound or less and those with reportable quantities more than one pound, the entire mixture shall be deemed to have a reportable quantity of one pound or less. Requires the owner or operator of the facility to pay such waste end tax with respect to the disposal of any hazardous substance at a facility for which a permit is in effect under the hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the person disposing of the hazardous substance to pay such waste end tax with respect to any other disposal of any hazardous substance. Provides that such waste end tax shall not apply after September 30, 1990. Sets forth exemptions from such waste end tax. Provides that such tax shall not apply to the disposal of: (1) any substance by incineration in accordance with the standards applicable to incineration facilities under hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (2) any substance by any person in the course of carrying out any removal and remedial action under CERCLA; or (3) any solid waste which is required to be studied under specified provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act unless, after the completion of the studies, a law is enacted subjecting such waste to the waste end tax. Sets forth definitions and special rules relating to such waste end tax, including rules treating waste as disposed of not later than one year after generation and as generated not earlier than the date such waste is identified as hazardous, and a rule imposing a fraction of the tax for a fraction of a metric ton of waste. Amends the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 to provide that revenues from such waste end tax shall be deposited in the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the environmental tax on certain chemicals (and metals). Increases the rate of such tax on most chemicals on the list (but decreases such tax rate for methane). Adds other chemicals (and metals) to such tax list. Eliminates the listings of zinc chloride and zinc sulfate, but adds zinc to the list for purposes of such tax. Revises the exemption for substances derived from coal from such tax on chemicals to provide that the following substances shall not be exempt from such tax: benzene, tolvene, xylene, naphthalene, tars, and light oils. Expands the exemption for substances used in the production of fertilizer from such tax on chemicals to include as qualified substances specified substances which are sold for resale by any purchaser for use or for resale for ultimate use in a qualified use. Makes such amendments relating to the tax on certain chemicals effective on October 1, 1985. Amends the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980 to revise provisions relating to the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund (the Fund). Authorizes appropriations to the Fund for FY 1986 through 1990. Expands the scope of authorized expenditures from the Trust Fund by authorizing expenditures for other costs described under specified CERCLA provisions. Increases from 85 percent to 94 percent the Fund amounts reserved for expenditures for specified purposes. Revises provisions relating to the Fund's authority to borrow repayable advances. Extends through March 31, 1988, the period during which advances may be made for payment of response costs. Extends through September 30, 1990: (1) the period during which other advances may be made to the Fund; and (2) the deadline for final repayment of all advances to the Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act concerning the definition of the term "physician." Includes only doctors of medicine or osteopathy within the definition of the term "physician." Classifies as an "independently licensed health care practitioner" a podiatrist, optometrist, or chiropractor. Defines a "dentist" as a doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Textile Fiber and Wool Products Identification Improvement Act - Amends the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act and the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 to require a textile fiber or wool product to be so labeled if it has been processed or manufactured in the United States. Requires the product, as well as the package in which it is contained, to be labeled as to country of origin. Provides that such requirement shall not be construed as requiring such labeling on each hosiery product contained in a package as long as such package is labeled. Requires catalog sales descriptions and other advertisements for textile and wool products to contain country of origin information. Requires that the identification label on imported textile fiber or wool products be affixed to the most conspicuous place on the inner side of the product.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1984
Designates the week beginning on October 7, 1984, as National Neighborhood Housing Services Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1984
Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation Corrective Measures Assistance Act - Title I: Financial and Other Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, through the Federal Housing Commissioner, to: (1) guarantee loans of up to $10,000 and to make interest reduction payments on such loans in order to assist persons in taking corrective measures with respect to urea formaldehyde foam insulation in their homes; and (2) reimburse persons for up to $10,000 in expenses incurred in taking such measures before enactment of this Act. Lists expenses for which such loans and reimbursements may be made. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to help a homeowner identify the presence of urea formaldehyde foam insulation, detect the level of formaldehyde gas, and take corrective measures. Provides that a person shall be eligible for assistance under this Act only if such person: (1) owns a home in which the level of formaldehyde gas from such insulation installed after December 31, 1969, and before enactment of this Act exceeds, or is likely to have exceeded before corrective measures were taken, a level determined by the Secretary to adversely affect the health of residents; and (2) submits an application within 18 months after a notice of the availability of such assistance is published. Prohibits any person from receiving such assistance for more than three homes. Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish in the Federal Register a notice of the availability of, and application procedures for, such assistance; (2) conduct audits of the use of such assistance; and (3) report to Congress on such assistance program annually. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Denial of Energy Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny any residential energy tax credit for expenditures for the installation of urea formaldehyde foam insulation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1984
Designates June 18, 1984, as National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1984
Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank Reauthorization Act of 1984 - Title I: Reauthorization of Bank - Amends the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank Act to extend the life of the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank until September 30, 1990. (Under current law, the Bank will cease to exist after September 30, 1987.) Requires that 25 percent of the payments by the Bank to financial institutions to provide financial assistance for the installation of solar energy systems in residential, commercial, and agricultural buildings be allocated for active solar energy. Requires an equitable distribution of financial assistance between residential and multifamily residential buildings. Permits all financial institutions to apply directly to the Bank for financial assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1990 for the financial assistance program under the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank Act for the purchase and installation of residential and commercial energy conserving improvements and solar energy systems. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to eliminate the condition under which the Board of the Bank would not exercise its authority to purchase loans for energy conserving improvements or to purchase mortgages secured by newly constructed homes with solar energy systems. Title II: Financial Assistance to Promote Construction of Highly Energy Efficient Buildings - Amends the Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Bank Act to authorize the Bank to make payments to financial institutions for financial assistance to builders of newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated highly energy efficient buildings (a residential building which utilizes no more than 60 percent of the energy utilized by a building of a similar size that meets the cost-effective energy conservation standards established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in effect as of June 30, 1980). Permits financial assistance to be so provided only if the expenditures for new construction or substantial rehabilitation of highly energy efficient buildings are made after the enactment of this Act. Specifies the maximum amount of financial assistance which may be provided for new construction or substantial rehabilitation of highly energy efficient buildings. Sets forth conditions on such financial assistance which are in addition to the general conditions on financial assistance provided by the Bank under such Act. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to authorize the Bank to purchase mortgages secured by newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated highly energy efficient buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1984
Consumer Products Energy Efficiency Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide that a labeling rule applicable to a consumer product covered under such Act shall require the disclosure, in any printed matter displayed or distributed at the time of sale of such product, of information which is required under such Act to be disclosed on the product's label or in advertising related to such product. Requires the Federal Trade Commission to require a manufacturer of a covered product to which a labeling rule applies to disclose in any of its advertisements the information which is required to be disclosed on the product's label. Requires that such disclosures be made in a manner likely to assist consumers in making purchasing decisions. Requires the Secretary of Energy to make available to consumers comparative guides of each type and class of covered products, indicating its energy efficiency and annual operating cost. Directs the Secretary to prescribe energy standards for water heaters, central air conditioners, and furnaces, which shall be no less than the median energy efficiency for each type of product for 1980 and which shall be based upon test procedures prescribed by the Secretary. Includes as factors to be considered by the Secretary in doing a cost-benefit analysis with respect to an energy efficiency standard: (1) the effect of such standard on the promotion of domestic production; and (2) the effect of such standard on the reduction of unemployment and the improvement of the economy. Requires that the Secretary's annual report on the energy conservation program for consumer products include information on the percentage of covered products which are imported and on the percentage of components of covered products which are imported. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe energy efficiency standards for covered products if the Secretary determines, among other factors, that an improvement of 20 percent or more in the energy efficiency of the products is technologically feasible. (Under current law, it must be determined that a substantial improvement in the energy efficiency of a product is technologically feasible before the Secretary may prescribe such standards.) Revises the factors which the Secretary must consider in determining whether a performance-related feature of a covered product justifies the establishment of a higher or lower energy efficiency standard for such product. Requires the Secretary to prescribe a combined average energy efficiency standard for each of the types of covered products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Provides that if the average energy efficiency of the total number of a type of covered product made by a manufacturer or marketed by a private labeler are determined to meet the combined average energy efficiency standard for such type, such manufacturer or labeler shall be treated as meeting the applicable energy efficiency standard for the 12-month period beginning with the date of such determination. Requires the Secretary to issue a guideline for improvement in the energy efficiency for a type of covered product for each of the following five years if no standard is prescribed for such product. Requires the Secretary to monitor such improvements and to prescribe an energy efficiency standard whenever a type of product fails, for three consecutive years, to achieve at least half of the improvement under such a guideline.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1984
Automobile Fuel Efficiency Amendments of 1984 - Title I: Amendments to Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to consult with the Secretary of Energy before establishing testing and calculation procedures for measuring automobile fuel economy. Authorizes (currently, directs) the Administrator to require fuel economy tests in conjunction with emissions tests conducted under the Clean Air Act. Directs the Administrator to measure a sampling of production passenger automobiles for each model type and year during the first month of manufacture for sale. Requires the adjustment of average fuel economy standards when necessary. Requires manufacturers to reflect any changes in such standards on automobile labels not more than 90 days after such changes are available. Requires that Federal testing and calculation procedures be repeated over a period of years to monitor automobile performance in use to determine the extent of decline in fuel economy. Directs the Administrator to periodically review procedures for testing fuel economy. Increases fuel economy standards for model years 1988 through 1995 and thereafter. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, by rule, to amend such standards to a level determined feasible. Establishes the average fuel economy standard for automobiles which are not passenger automobiles (light trucks) for model years 1988 through 1995 and thereafter. Exempts manufacuturers of less than 10,000 light trucks per year from such standards. Conditions such exemption upon the Secretary's establishing alternative standards. Directs the President to promulgate rules requiring light trucks used by the Federal government to meet average fuel economy standards. Directs the Administrator to update the booklet containing fuel economy data at least twice a year. Directs the Secretary of Energy to distribute at least 100 booklets each year to each dealer and additional amounts if requested. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to award fuel efficiency incentive grants to States which have in effect qualified revenue- raising measures designed to encourage automobile fuel efficiency. Vests jurisdiction in the U.S. district courts for injunctive enforcement of labeling and mileage guide requirements. Directs the Secretary, within two years of enactment of this Act, to submit suggestions to Congress for additional legislation to carry out its purposes and the purposes of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to determine whether manufacturers are likely to comply with the revised average fuel economy standards without new incentives. Requires the Director to suggest cost-effective incentives if necessary to assure compliance. Requires the Secretary to promulgate test procedures for determining the relative fuel economy of automobile tires. Directs the Secretary to prescribe labeling rules applicable to all tires for which test procedures are established and requires manufacturers to comply with such rules. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of such labeling requirements and vests jurisdiction in the U.S. district courts to restrain such violations. Title II: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Relating to Compliance With Average Fuel Economy Standards by Automobile Manufacturers - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a low average fuel economy excise tax on automobile manufacturers for model years 1988, 1991, and 1995. Allows a credit against such fuel economy tax for manufacturers who exceed the average fuel economy standard. Sets forth conforming amendments for provisions of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1984
Title I: Organ Procurement Activities - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants for the planning of qualified organ procurement organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the establishment, initial operation, and expansion of qualified organ procurement organizations. Sets forth eligibility criteria. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1990. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a United States Transplantation Network to provide a central registry linking donors and potential recipients; (2) establish and maintain an organ recipient registry; (3) maintain an identifiable unit in the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate Federal organ transplant programs and policies; and (4) publish an annual report on the scientific and clinical status of organ transplantation. Directs the Secretary to establish a Task Force on Organ Transplantation. Requires such Task Force to: (1) conduct a national conference within six months; and (2) report to the Secretary. Terminates the Task Force 12 months after such report is submitted. Requires the Secretary to make immunosuppressive drugs available, upon request and without cost, to transplant centers for use on an outpatient basis by individuals who have received an organ transplant at such centers. Requires such centers to furnish such drugs to its outpatients on the basis of the center's determination of the patient's need and the patient's inability to pay for them through insurance coverage or other resources. Requires the Comptroller General to report annually to Congress concerning the allocation of such drugs. Requires the Secretary to submit a recommendation to Congress by October 1, 1985, concerning the feasibility and desirability of authorizing reimbursements under title XVIII of the Social Security Act for immunosuppressive drugs on an outpatient basis by individuals who have received organ transplants. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1986. Title II: Prohibition of Organ Purchases - Prohibits the purchase or sale of human organs if such transfer affects commerce. Establishes criminal penalties for such violations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1984
Arms Race Moratorium Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should immediately communicate to the Soviet Union the willingness of the United States to enter into a mutual United States - Soviet Union moratorium on the flight testing and deployment of new ballistic missiles and anti-satellite weapons and the testing of nuclear warheads. Prohibits spending or obligating any U.S. funds for the flight testing or deployment of new ballistic missiles, the flight testing against objects in space or the deployment of anti-satellite weapons, or the testing of nuclear warheads if, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, the President has not made such a communication with the Soviet Union and, within such period, the Soviet Union communicates to the President that at the end of the 90 days the Soviet Union will observe a mutual United States - Soviet Union moratorium on such testing and deployment. Authorizes U.S. funding for such testing and deployment if, after the beginning of the moratorium, the President certifies to Congress that the Soviet Union has conducted a test or deployed a missile or anti-satellite weapon or tested a nuclear warhead inconsistent with the moratorium. Requires the President, as part of such certification, to submit to Congress an unclassified report summarizing the basis for the certification and a classified report describing in detail the basis for the certification. Directs the President to report annually to the Congress: (1) on the progress in negotiating nuclear arms control agreements with the Soviet Union; (2) on whether the President believes that continuation of the moratorium is in the best national security interests of the United States. Authorizes Congress, if the President states that continuation of the moratorium is not in the best national security interests of the United States, to enact a joint resolution which terminates the moratorium and permits funds, to be used for testing and deployment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1984
Health Professions Minority Training Assistance Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to accredited public or nonprofit health professions schools to establish a fund from which low interest loans may be made to low income students. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for health professions schools for such a grant. Sets as eligibility requirements for a loan that a student be a member of a minority group and have a demonstrated financial need. Limits such loans to the lesser of $6,000 or one-half of the cost of attending the school in which he is enrolled or to which he has been accepted. States that such loans shall be repayable over a ten-year period which begins one year after the student ceases a full-time course of study, excluding periods of: (1) active duty performed as a member of a uniformed service; (2) service as a volunteer under the Peace Corps Act; or (3) periods of advanced professional training including internships and residencies. Cancels such debt upon the death of the borrower or upon permanent or total disability. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 1987. Directs the Secretary to make grants to accredited public or nonprofit health professsions schools to establish a fund from which loans may be made to minority students from families with gross incomes of less than $30,000. Sets forth the eligibility requirements a student must meet for such a loan. Requires payment of interest on such loans during a postgraduate training period. Permits a waiver of such interest payments for health professionals in training programs in areas designated as health manpower shortage areas. Provides for partial payment by the Secretary of principal and interest on any such loan for an individual who enters into an agreement to practice his profession for a period of at least two years in a health manpower shortage area and meets certain other requirements. Permits the Secretary to designate academic institutions as health manpower shortage areas with regard to forgiveness of loans. Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of making such grants through FY 1988. Provides for federally guaranteed loans to assist minority graduates of health profession schools to set up private practices in underserved areas. Establishes in the Treasury a loan guarantee funds to be available for such loan guarantees. Permits the Secretary to make annual grants to accredited public or nonprofit health professions schools with at least 20 percent minority enrollment for the support of the education programs of such schools. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1987 for such grants. Directs the Secretary to make annual endowment development grants to accredited public or nonprofit health professions schools with 50 percent or more minority students or students from families with gross incomes of $30,000 or less. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1987 for such grants. Directs the Secretary to make annual grants to accredited public or nonprofit health professions schools to identify, recruit and train minorities for careers as teachers and investigators on the faculties of such schools. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1987 for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit health professions schools for scholarships to be awarded to full-time students in financial need. Grants priority to minority health profession students. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 1987. Requires the Secretary to make annual grants to no more than 20 individuals (to be known as Charles Drew Fellows) for fellowships of up to $15,000 per year to health professions students who intend to pursue academic careers. Requires priority to be given to students who have been accepted to postgraduate study at an accredited school of medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 1987. Provides for apportionment of appropriations if approved grants exceed the total of the amounts appropriated. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1987 for the purpose of entering into contracts for health research and teaching facilities and the training of professional health personnel. Authorizes the advanced financial distress and the disadvantaged assistance programs of the Public Health Service Act through FY 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Designates the week of May 13 through May 19, 1984, as Smokey Bear Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1984
Designates the week of September 16 through September 22, 1984, as Emergency Medicine Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1984
Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 to the Bureau of the Mint for costs of the mint and assay offices. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury for salaries and benefits for the U.S. Mint employees for FY 1985 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1984
Telecommunications Employees' Protection Act of 1984 - Extends the agreement providing for the reciprocal recognition of employees' service credit by entities subject to the modified judgment of the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia in the case of the United States v. Western Electric, et alia, to cover certain employees who change employment between such entities on or after January 1, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1984
Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to authorize the United States to recover the costs of covered treatment from the health plan or insurance of a former member or dependent of a member of the uniformed services who receives such treatment through CHAMPUS.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1984
Age Discrimination in Employment Act Public Safety Officers Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to exclude State and local law enforcement officers and firefighters from coverage under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Expedited Funds Availability Act - Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to begin to develop a system to provide that: (1) funds deposited by checks drawn on a local depository institution shall be available for withdrawal the next business day following the day of deposit; and (2) for all other checks, not more than three business days shall pass between the day of deposit and the day on which the funds become available. Requires such system to be implemented no later than five years after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Board, not later than six months after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter until such goal is achieved, to report to Congress concerning the actions it has taken. Sets forth standards for expedited check clearing in any case in which funds are deposited by check in an account at a depository institution. Makes an exception to such standards in any case in which a check is drawn on a depository institution or an office of a depository institution located outside of the United States. Requires a depository institution, before an account is opened, to provide a written disclosure to the potential customer of the institution's general policy with respect to when a customer may withdraw funds deposited by check into the customer's account. Specifies types of notice. Permits the Board to publish model disclosure forms and clauses and to promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the administrative enforcement of the requirements imposed by this Act. Makes any depository institution which fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this Act with respect to any person liable to such person for damages. Permits actions for damages to be brought in any U.S. district court or other court of competent jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1984
Designates May 25, 1984, as Missing Children Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an employee-recipient's income a portion of the value of an employee achievement award if it is awarded by reason of length of service, productivity or safety achievement.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1984
Truth in Savings Act - Requires each advertisement, announcement, or solicitation made by any depository institution regarding the rate of interest payable on any deposit to: (1) state the annual percentage yield and the method of compounding interest; (2) state the annual rate of simple interest for the period during which such rate will be effective; and (3) give equal prominence to all annual percentage yields and annual rates of simple interest. Requires the annual percentage yield to always be stated before the annual rate of simple interest. Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe such regulations as necessary to carry out and facilitate compliance with the provisions of this Act and to prevent their evasion or circumvention.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Designates the week beginning November 25, 1984, as National Home Care Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1984
Designates April 13, 1984, the birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement, as Education Day, U.S.A.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984
Human Services Amendments of 1984 - Title I: Project Head Start - Amends the Head Start Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services ("the Secretary," for purposes of this title) to administer Project Head Start through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services. Makes technical amendments to such Act. Authorizes appropriations for the Head Start program for FY 1985 through 1989. Requires the Secretary to reserve for training and technical assistance for each fiscal year funds which are not less than the amount spent for such activities under such Act in FY 1982. Prohibits funds reserved for discretionary payments by the Secretary under such Act from being combined with funds appropriated under any other Act if the purposes of combining funds is to make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary payment. Requires the Secretary to designate as Head Start agencies any local public or private nonprofit agency in a community if such agency: (1) was receiving funds under any Head Start program on August 31, 1981; and (2) meets program and fiscal requirements established by the Secretary. (Under current law, the Secretary is required to give priority in the designation of Head Start agencies to such local agencies.) Authorizes the Secretary to designate a Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in a community if there is no Head Start agency or program serving such community. Requires that any such designation be governed by the program and fiscal requirements, criteria, and standards applicable on September 1, 1983, to then existing Head Start agencies. Requires that specified provisions relating to designation of Head Start agencies be carried out in FY 1985 through 1989 in accordance with the rules issued under such provisions by the Secretary as in effect on September 1, 1983. Permits each Head Start program operated in a community to provide services to any eligible child for any period from age three to the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the program operates. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training in connection with Head Start programs. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such assistance and training.) Requires that such training activities include: (1) a national child development associate training and assessment program providing the necessary credentials for such personnel; and (2) training, including resource access projects, which improves the ability of such personnel to provide Head Start services to handicapped children. Prohibits funds for Head Start research, demonstration, and pilot projects from being combined with funds available to carry out any other provision of law if the purpose of combining funds is to make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary payment to a recipient of such funds. Prohibits any revision in Head Start performance standards which would result in either the elimination of, or the reduction in the scope of, types of health, education, parent involvement, social, or other services required by the performance standards issued by the Secretary as in effect on November 2, 1978. Title II: Follow Through Programs - Amends the Follow Through Act to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for the Follow Through program for FY 1984; and (2) authorize appropriations for such program for FY 1985 through 1989. Requires the Secretary of Education ("the Secretary," for purposes of this title) to provide financial assistance for research, demonstration, and pilot projects relating to the Follow Through program. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such assistance.) Requires that such projects be designed to test or assist in the development of new approaches or methods that will aid in overcoming the special problems of primarily low-income children previously enrolled in Head Start or similar programs to develop to their full potential in kindergarten and the primary grades. Directs the Secretary to provide for a review and analysis of all previous evaluations and reports made in connection with all Follow Through programs and projects authorized by any Act of Congress in effect after August 20, 1964, and to provide a comprehensive evaluative report to the President and Congress by January 30, 1988. Makes a technical amendment which repeals the applicability of specified Head Start Act provisions to the Follow Through Act. Adds provisions for child care information and referral services to the Follow Through Act. (Entitles such provisions as the "Child Care Information and Referral Services Act.") Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, to make grants to assist public or private nonprofit organizations to establish and operate community-based child care information and referral centers. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires that grant recipients be selected through a competitive process, taking into consideration the demonstrated ability of applicants to provide such services, and giving priority to applicants for grants of less than $75,000. Requires an applicant to make specified assurances, including an assurance that it shall obtain certain percentages of its projected budget through non-Federal sources of funding during the grant period. Limits to five years the aggregate period for which such grants may be made to any single center. Sets reporting requirements for centers receiving such grants. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report annually to specified congressional committees on activities under such child care information and referral services provisions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for such child care information and referral services. Makes specified provisions for administration of the Head Start program applicable to the administration of such child information and referral services program. Title III: Community Services Programs - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986 for community services grants to States to ameliorate the causes of poverty in communities; and (2) authorize appropriations for FY 1987 through 1989 for such grants. Revises grant application provisions to require States to assure that: (1) at least 85 percent of the State allotment will be used for grants to community action agencies (or to organizations serving seasonal or migrant farmworkers) for specified purposes; and (2) the remainder will be used to make grants to local governments (or to specified types of nonprofit private community organizations or to migrant and seasonal farm worker organizations) for such specified purposes. Includes services under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 among those activities to which a State may transfer funds from a portion of its community services grant allotment. Authorizes a State, whenever it determines that a local government, or a combination of local governments, is not served by a community action agency, to: (1) use funds earmarked for grants to local governments through an existing community action agency to provide such services; or (2) if that is not feasible, establish a new community action agency to provide such services. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services ("the Secretary," for purposes of this title) to waive for any State specified limitations relating to eligibility to receive grants, under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct, in several States in each fiscal year, evaluations of the uses made of community services block grants; and (2) annually submit the results of such evaluations to specified congressional committees. Provides that the Office of Community Services within the Department of Health and Human Services shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Revises provisions relating to investigations conducted by the Secretary and the Comptroller General of the use of community service grant funds. Makes such investigations by the Comptroller General mandatory. Repeals a prohibition against the Secretary either requesting information not readily available to a State or requiring that any information be compiled, collected, or transmitted in any new form not already available. Requires the Secretary to provide for specified training and other ongoing activities of national or regional significance related to the purposes of the community services grants program, including certain special emphasis programs. (Under current law the Secretary has discretionary authority to provide for such training and other activities.) Adds to the list of such special emphasis programs specified types of programs for community food and nutrition and for senior opportunities and services which are described under specified provisions of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as in effect on August 12, 1981. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for Native American programs under title VIII (the "Native American Programs Act of 1974") of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Title IV: Conforming Amendments; Effective Date - Makes conforming amendments to other Federal laws. Makes references to the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Community Services in the Older American Community Services Employment Act. Makes the effective date of this Act the date of enactment or October 1, 1984, whichever occurs later.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984
Public Employee Pension Plan Reporting and Accountability Act of 1984 - Imposes disclosure and reporting requirements upon State and local government pension plans. Establishes fiduciary standards for trustees of public employee pension benefit plans. Provides remedies and access to Federal courts. Specifies employee benefit plans which are exempt from this Act. Title I: Reporting and Disclosure - Requires the administrator of each public employee pension benefit plan to submit a registration statement to the appropriate State Governor within one year of enactment of this Act. Exempts a plan from the reporting and disclosure requirements of this Act if a State Governor certifies to the Secretary of Labor that: (1) State requirements are substantially equivalent to those of this Act; (2) the State can adequately administer its requirements; and (3) the State can adequately collect the requisite reports. Requires the Secretary of Labor to terminate any certification if a State is not meeting Federal requirements. Requires the plan administrator to: (1) publish a summary plan description; and (2) furnish such description to plan participants, beneficiaries, and specified persons. Delineates the contents of such summary plan description. Requires such description to: (1) state the rights of participants and beneficiaries; and (2) include an update whenever material modifications are made to the plan. Requires the plan administrator to publish an annual report. Specifies the contents of such report. Directs such administrator to engage an independent qualified public accountant to ascertain whether the financial statements and schedules in the annual report present fairly and in all material respects the information contained in the annual report. Requires the accountant's opinion to be included in the annual report. Requires the annual report to include a financial statement containing specified information, including the most recent annual statement of assets and liabilities of a common or a collective trust held by a bank or similar institution. Requires each plan to maintain a schedule of: (1) all assets held for investment purposes during each plan year; and (2) each transaction involving a party in interest. Requires annual reports to include, with respect to a defined benefit plan, a complete actuarial statement applicable to the appropriate plan year. Directs the plan administrator to engage an enrolled actuary to prepare such statement. Delineates the contents of the actuarial statement. Requires the annual report to include a statement from an insurance organization if any plan benefits are purchased from or guaranteed by such organization. Details the contents of such statement. Requires the enrolled actuary of the plan to make an actuarial valuation at least once every three plan years. Directs the plan administrator to furnish, upon written request of certain persons, a copy of summary plan descriptions and the status of an individual's plan benefits and contributions. Provides guidelines under which the plan administrator is directed to file the annual report with either the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) or the appropriate State Governor. Authorizes the Secretary or Governor to reject the information filed by the plan administrator, and to take the following actions: (1) retain an independent public accountant to perform an audit; (2) retain an enrolled actuary to prepare an actuarial report; or (3) bring a civil action to enforce this Act. Presents guidelines for notice and review where claims for benefits are denied. Title II: Requirements Relating to Fiduciary Functions - Requires every plan to be established and maintained by written instructions which designate at least one named fiduciary. Details the functions of named fiduciaries and trustees. Establishes fiduciary and trustee liability. Prohibits certain transactions. Authorizes the Secretary to grant specified exemptions regarding such transactions. Imposes personal liability upon fiduciaries who fail to meet the fiduciary requirements, including removal for specified violations. Prohibits persons who have been convicted of, or imprisoned for, certain offenses from holding specified positions. Requires plan fiduciaries to be bonded. Specifies exceptions. Sets forth guidelines for the bonding procedure. Sets a limitation on actions which may be brought regarding failure to meet fiduciary requirements. Title III: Administration and Enforcement - Authorizes civil actions to redress violations of this Act. Imposes personal liability upon: (1) a plan administrator who fails to comply with a request for information; or (2) any person who fails to file required forms. Authorizes a plan to sue or be sued. Grants the United States district courts exclusive jurisdiction of civil actions brought under this Act. Grants concurrent jurisdiction to State courts and Federal district courts for specified actions. Authorizes the Federal district court to award reasonable attorney's fees under certain circumstances. Provides that suits brought against the Secretary may be brought in Federal district court. Authorizes the Secretary or appropriate State official to assess and collect a civil penalty against a party in interest who has engaged in a prohibited transaction. Grants such Secretary and State official investigative powers to determine violations of this Act. Details the extent of such powers. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to administer this Act. Directs such Secretary to cooperate with State and local governments regarding the exchange of data and information. Prohibits interference with the exercise of rights by a plan participant or beneficiary. Establishes an Advisory Council on Governmental Plans, comprised of eleven members appointed by the President. Requires Council members to be qualified to appraise the plans falling under this Act. Requires the Council to: (1) report to the President and each House of Congress regarding implementation of this Act with possible recommendations for legislation; (2) advise the Secretary and make recommendations; and (3) monitor the costs incurred by plans under this Act and recommend cost reduction measures. Directs the Secretary to furnish staff services to the Council. States that this Act supersedes any State laws regarding public employee pension benefits plans. Specifies exceptions. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1984
Prohibits the President from selling Stinger air defense guided missile systems to Jordan or Saudi Arabia. Requires the President to cancel any agreement for the sale of such systems with Jordan or Saudi Arabia if such an agreement is reached before enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1984
States that: (1) all persons in the workplace have a fundamental right to know when they are handling or are exposed to substances hazardous to their health; (2) the Hazard Communication Standard should immediately be revised by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in order to disseminate meaningful information to workers regarding the identity and composition of hazardous substances to which workers are exposed or which they handle; (3) the Hazard Communication Standard should be immediately revised by OSHA to extend "Right To Know" protection to workers in all industries and services not presently covered by the Standard; and (4) such Standard should set minimum Federal requirements which may be exceeded by more stringent State requirements. Commends those States and local governments which have acted to safeguard workers' health and which have passed community "Right To Know" laws.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Fair Trade in Steel Act of 1984 - Declares that it is the policy of Congress that access to the U.S. market for foreign-produced carbon, alloy, and specialty steel mill products should be on an equitable basis to safeguard national security, insure orderly trade in steel mill products, reduce unfair trade in steel mill products, and alleviate U.S. balance-of-payments problems. Expresses the intent of Congress to: (1) expand the economic viability of the U.S. steel industry and the jobs of its workers; (2) prevent the further decline of the domestic steel industry; and (3) temper the economic hardships resulting from unemployment in steel industry communities by encouraging reinvestment in existing steelmaking facilities. Limits annual imports of specified steel mill product categories to specified percentages of the apparent domestic supply which are based on adjusted average import penetration levels for each such product category for the years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to allocate global product limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries, or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocations. Requires the Secretary to make an annual determination of the expected apparent domestic supply in each steel mill product category. Requires the Secretary to revise such determination periodically during the year. Directs the Secretary to determine, within 90 days after the effective date of this Act, whether the steel industry companies have plans to use substantially all of the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and the modernization of the steel sector. Prohibits the import restrictions from taking effect until the Secretary determines that the steel companies have such plans. Directs the Secretary to monitor steel sector investments made and announced by the steel industry and to consult with steel industry representatives and employees in the course of such monitoring. Directs the Secretary to determine annually whether steel companies are using substantially all the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Directs the Secretary to modify or suspend the relevant import restrictions if the Secretary determines that substantially less than all the cash flow from the steel sector is being used for such reinvestment and modernization and that the level of investment is not demonstrably justified by adverse financial conditions within the industry. Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) each annual determination and its rationale; and (2) the total amount of cash flow from the steel sector and the total amount used for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Requires the steel companies to provide the Secretary with the information necessary for making such determinations. Directs the Secretary to examine the supply and demand situation in the United States for a specified steel product category if requested by affected steel consumers. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor imports of fabricated steel mill products. Sets forth the method of investigating whether imports of fabricated steel products are rendering ineffective or materially interfering with the objectives of this Act. Limits the quantity of iron ore that may be entered from all sources during any calendar year after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate global iron ore limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocation. Directs the Secretary, in making such allocations, to attempt first to accommodate the requirements of individual steel mills which have been traditionally dependent on ocean sourced foreign iron ore and the requirements of contractual obligations incurred before January 1, 1984. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the import restrictions on iron ore if necessary to meet the needs of such individual steel mills. Provides for the enforcement and implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Information Dissemination and Research Accountability Act - Establishes in the National Library of Medicine a National Center for Research Accountability to assist in eliminating duplication of effort in Federal research proposals involving live animals. Directs the President to appoint as members of the Center 20 experts in the biomedical information sciences who are currently employed by a Federal agency in a capacity which qualifies them to make determinations as to whether research proposals involving live animals are duplicative of other research efforts. Requires submission to the Center before it is funded of any such proposal approved by a Federal agency. Prohibits funding of any proposal which the Center determines would duplicate other research completed or in process. Authorizes the Center to contract with private entities to assist in the conduct of comprehensive full-text literature searches. Requires an annual report to Congress and the President. Directs the National Library of Medicine to: (1) acquire, transcribe, and store all biomedical information owned or available for use by Federal agencies; (2) support by grants and contracts the creation of new information for teaching and demonstrations; and (3) increase, by making grants and awards, the number of persons trained in modern methods of biomedical information storage and dissemination technologies. Permits the Library to contract with the private-sector data recording industry to improve the development of such technologies and the dissemination of full-text biomedical information to medical libraries. Requires the Library to report annually to Congress and the President on its progress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Designates October 1984 as National Down's Syndrome Month.