United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1985
National Conference on Cities and Towns Act - Directs the President to conduct a National Conference on Cities and Towns not earlier than December 1, 1986, and not later than December 1, 1987. Sets forth the purposes of such Conference concerning: (1) relations between cities and towns and the Federal system; and (2) present and future problems facing cities and towns. Encourages each State Governor to conduct a State-level conference to prepare for the National Conference. Sets forth the method of selecting delegates to such Conference. Requires all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to provide assistance as necessary to facilitate the planning of the Conference. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance as necessary for the organization and conduct of State conferences. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Directors of the Congressional Research Service and the Congressional Budget Office to provide background materials for the use of participants in the National Conference and State conferences. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to reimburse the expenses of participants to the National Conference. Authorizes the President to appoint an executive director and other directors and personnel as necessary for the Conference. Authorizes the detailing of Federal and military personnel in planning and administering such Conference. Requires a final report of findings and recommendations to the President and the Congress within six months after the date the Conference is convened. Requires that such report be distributed to delegates, alternates, and State Governors and be available for sale to the public. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) increase dollar limits on personal contributions to candidates and their authorized political committees; and (2) decrease the amount one multicandidate political committee may contribute to any other political committee. Limits to $100,000 ($125,000 where two or more candidates qualify for the ballot) the aggregate amount which all multicandidate political committees may contribute to a candidate for the House of Representatives in a general or special election, including any primary election, convention, or caucus relating to such general or special election. Limits to $25,000 the aggregate amount allowed for multicandidate political committee contributions in a runoff election for the office of Representative. Establishes a formula for multicandidate political committee contributions to candidates for the Senate based upon State populations and limited to an aggregate total of $750,000. Requires multicandidate political committees which make independent expenditures for advertisements connected with a candidate's campaign to disclose such information within the advertisement. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require any station licensee which allows a person to broadcast material endorsing or opposing a candidate to provide the candidate opposing the endorsed candidate, or to the candidate opposed by the material, the opportunity to use the same amount of broadcasting time, without charge, during the same period of the day.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Designates May 25, 1986, as Hands Across America Day. Authorizes and requests the President to commend: (1) United Support of Artists for Africa for their Hands Across America project; and (2) the American people for their commitment to helping people help themselves.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1985
Small Contribution Tax Credit Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the income tax credit for contributions to presidential, state, and local candidates, political action committees, and newsletter fund contributions. Allows an income tax credit for congressional candidate contributions. Limits the amount of such credit to $100 for a taxable year ($200 in the case of a joint return).
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1985
Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1985 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize Federal agencies, subject to specified conditions, to permit the directors of their Government-operated Federal laboratories to: (1) enter into cooperative research and development agreements with other Federal agencies, State or local governments, industrial organizations, industrial development organizations, public and private foundations, nonprofit organizations (including universities), licensees of Federal inventions, and other persons; and (2) negotiate patent licensing agreements. Authorizes Government-operated Federal laboratories, under such agreements and subject to specified conditions, to: (1) grant patent licenses or assignments, or options, in any subject invention made by a Federal employee, or made jointly by a Federal employee and an employee of the collaborating party, and to retain such rights as the laboratory deems appropriate; and (2) waive in advance any right of ownership which the Federal Government may have to any subject invention made by a collaborating party or such party's employee under the agreement. Requires Federal agencies to establish certain plans to be followed in entering into such agreements. Requires, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, each Federal agency to draft or modify revised regulations or instructions for its cooperative research and development program. Sets forth guidelines for such revised regulations or instructions. Directs each agency to maintain a record of all such agreements. Establishes the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer in the National Science Foundation. Requires the Director of the Foundation to appoint an individual to manage the Consortium and authorizes such individual to appoint Consortium employees. Sets forth Consortium duties relating to the commercial potential of new technologies generated by Federal laboratory research. Requires the Director of the Foundation to report annually to the President and to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress on the Consortium and other specified activities. Requires, for FY 1987 through 1991, Federal agencies to transfer a specified portion of the research and development budget of their laboratories to the Foundation for use by the Consortium in carrying out its activities. Makes technology transfer, consistent with mission responsibilities, the responsibility of each Federal laboratory science and engineering professional. Requires each Federal laboratory director to ensure that efforts to transfer technology are considered positively in laboratory job descriptions, employee promotion policies, and evaluation of the job performance of scientists and engineers in the laboratory. Requires each Federal laboratory with 200 or more full-time scientific and engineering professionals to have at least one full-time equivalent technology transfer position. Abolishes the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology and transfers its functions to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Requires Federal agencies to report annually on technology transfer efforts in their annual budget submissions to the Congress. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) make available to interested agencies the expertise of the Department of Commerce regarding the commercial potential of inventions and methods and options for commercialization which are available to the Federal laboratories, including research and development limited partnerships; (2) develop model provisions for use on a voluntary basis in cooperative research and development arrangements, and disseminate such provisions to appropriate agency and laboratory personnel; and (3) furnish advice and assistance to Federal agencies concerning their cooperative research and development efforts. Requires Federal agencies which expend certain amounts for research and development to establish cash awards programs to reward their scientific, engineering, and technical personnel for inventions or other exemplary activities relating to domestic technology transfer. Sets forth rules and formulas for the distribution of royalties or other income received by Federal agencies from the licensing or assignment of inventions under such agreements under this Act, and from inventions of Government-operated Federal laboratories licensed under provisions of Federal law relating to domestic and foreign protection of federally owned inventions, or under any other provisions of law. Requires Federal agencies to submit annually to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress summaries of the amount of royalties or other income received and expenditures made (including inventor awards) under such rules and formulas. Renames the Centers for Industrial Technology as Cooperative Research Centers.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Social Security Trust Funds Fiscal Integrity Act of 1985 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to submit quarterly reports to the Congress on the present and expected operation and status of such funds. Requires the Managing Trustees of the funds to submit an advance report to the Board of Trustees of each fund and to each House of the Congress when: (1) investment of an amount in the fund, or its expenditure to meet current disbursements, is impossible; or (2) such amount will be used for other than required disbursements. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay, to the social security trust funds, the interest which would have accrued but for noninvestments, redemptions, and disinvestments of such funds for the period beginning on or after September 1, 1985, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act which would not have occurred had the public debt limit been raised pursuant to a specified resolution of the House of Representatives. Requires that obligations be issued to the funds at such terms and interest rates as will ensure a projected annual interest income to such funds equivalent to the income which would have been earned from redeemed public debt obligations. Requires the Secretary, in connection with future efforts to meet the public debt limit and upon its subsequent extension, to: (1) pay, to the social security trust funds, the interest which would have accrued but for noninvestments, redemptions, and disinvestments; and (2) issue obligations to the funds at such terms and interest rates as will ensure a projected annual interest income to such funds equivalent to the income which would have been earned from redeemed public debt obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1985
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to adjust census figures as necessary so that illegal aliens shall not be counted for purposes of the apportionment of Representatives in the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1985
Anti-Terrorism Trade Preference Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of State to identify and publish the name of each country that repeatedly supports acts of international terrorism. Requires the Secretary to provide the Congress with a list of such countries annually. Imposes the following sanctions on countries identified as supporting international terrorism: (1) termination, withdrawal, or suspension of any treaty that relates to most-favored-nation treatment of such country; (2) denial of most-favored-nation treatment and imposition of column 2 tariff rates on imports from such countries; (3) non-application of the Generalized System of Preferences on imports from such countries; and (4) non-application of the provisions of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act with respect to the products of such countries. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions if it would be in the best interests of the United States. Directs the President to notify the Congress 30 days before any such waiver takes effect.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Fair Furniture Trade Act of 1985 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to enter into a trade agreement with Canada which provides for changes in the Canadian tariff treatment for U.S. furniture products. Requires such agreement to provide for the elimination of: (1) differing tariff levels on furniture trade between the United States and Canada; and (2) any Canadian nontariff barrier to U.S. furniture products. Sets forth factors the President shall consider in negotiating such agreement. Provides for staged increases in the tariff on imports of Canadian furniture until such a trade agreement is implemented. Directs the President to consult with specified congressional and other committees in negotiating such agreement. Directs the President to proclaim the necessary changes in the Tariff Schedules of the United States in order to implement such a trade agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
National Commission on Classified Information and Security Clearance Procedures - Establishes the National Commission on Classified Information and Security Clearance Procedures to investigate: (1) standards and procedures used by Federal authorities to issue security clearances and classify information; (2) procedures used to ensure that persons with a security clearance continue to meet required standards; (3) the extent to which current standards and procedures cause the classification of more information than required by national security; and (4) the dangers to national security by the growth in the number of persons holding security clearances. Directs the Commission to recommend to each branch of the Federal Government uniform standards and procedures for issuing security clearances, classifying documents, and ensuring that a security clearance continues to meet required standards. Makes provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act inapplicable to the Commission. Requires the Commission to make a final report to the President, the Congress, and the Supreme Court not later than one year after appropriations are first made for the Commission. Allows the restriction of public access to Commission documents. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1985
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the endowment of the Sam J. Ervin, Jr., Program in Public Affairs (which is an endowment for a fellowship program, public service research, and a distinguished speaker series). Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1985
Declares that the Congress: (1) condemns the hijacking of the Achille Lauro and the murder of Leon Klinghoffer; (2) commends the President and others who assisted in the apprehension of the perpetrators of such hijacking and murder; and (3) calls on all governments having jurisdiction over such matter to ensure that the individuals responsible for such hijacking and murder are prosecuted and punished. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should convene an international meeting to determine the steps which must be taken to rid the world of hijacking and the taking of hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
States that a person shall be considered an American national if such person completes 15 years of lawful continuous residence in the United States or American Samoa, and one of his or her parents was a national of the United States and a resident of the United States or American Samoa at the time of that person's birth.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1985
Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow State, local, or interstate governmental agencies to provide compensatory time in lieu of overtime compensation. Requires that such compensatory time be one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required. Allows such compensatory time only if it is a collective bargaining agreement, memorandum of understanding or other agreement or understanding entered into by the public agency and its employees or their recognized representatives before the work for which the compensatory time is to be provided. Limits the amount of such compensatory time which public employees may accrue to 180 hours, or 480 hours in the case of work which included a public safety activity, an emergency response activity, or a seasonal activity. Requires that public employees who have accrued such compensatory time and requested its use be permitted to use it within a reasonable period after making such request if its use does not unduly disrupt the operations of the public agency. Requires that, upon termination of employment, a public employee who has accrued such compensatory time be paid for unused compensatory time at a rate not less than the average rate received by such employee during the last three years of the employees' employment. Provides that, if a public agency had in effect on April 15, 1986, a pattern or practice of providing its employees compensatory time off in lieu of overtime compensation, that pattern or practice shall constitute an agreement or understanding which meets specified requirements. Provides that a collective bargaining agreement in effect on April 15, 1986, which permits overtime compensation in the form of compensatory time off at a rate of less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required shall remain in effect until its expiration date unless otherwise modified, except that compensatory time shall be provided after April 14, 1986, at the one and one-half hour rate. Provides that States, local governments, and interstate governmental agencies shall not be liable for specified overtime and related paperwork violations which occur before April 15, 1986, with respect to employees who would not have been covered under the Secretary of Labor's special enforcement policy in effect on January 1, 1985. Permits States, local governments, or interstate governmental agencies to defer until August 1, 1986, the payment of overtime compensation for hours of employment after April 14, 1986. Adds provisions relating to special detail work for fire protection and law enforcement (including prison security) employees of State, local, or intergovernmental agencies. Provides that those hours on special detail work for a separate or independent employer shall be excluded by the public agency in the calculation of overtime compensation, if the employee agrees, solely at the employee's option, to perform such special detail work. Provides that an employee's hours of part-time employment with a public agency in a substantially different capacity from the employee's regular full-time employment with such agency shall be excluded from the calculation of overtime compensation, if such part-time employment is undertaken on an occasional and sporadic basis and solely at the employee's option. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue, by March 15, 1986, regulations: (1) defining when employment is done on an occasional or sporadic basis; and (2) prescribing a standard for determining if employment is in a substantially different capacity than other employment. Permits employees of States, local governments, and interstate governmental agencies to volunteer to perform services for any other such agency, including one with which the employing agency has a mutual aid agreement. Adds provisions relating to substitution work by and for fire protection and law enforcement (including prison security) employees of State, local, and intergovernmental agencies. Provides that those hours of substitution during scheduled work hours for a fellow employee shall be excluded by the public agency in the calculation of the substituting employee's overtime compensation, if such employee agrees to perform such substitute work with the public agency's approval and solely at the employee's option. Provides that the employer may not be required to keep a record of the hours of such substitute work under certain overtime recordkeeping requirements. Revises the definition of "employee" to exclude any volunteer for a State, local, or interstate governmental agency who volunteers to perform such services without compensation or for a nominal fee, expenses, or reasonable benefits or for any combination of such fee, expenses, or benefits. Provides that employees of such agencies shall still be considered employees if they volunteer to perform the same type of service for those agencies for which they are employed. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue, by March 15, 1986, regulations to define nominal fees and reasonable benefits. Provides that, if before April 15, 1986, a public agency's practice was to treat certain persons as volunteers then such persons shall be considered volunteers and not employees until April 15, 1986. Provides that no State, local government, or interstate governmental agency shall be liable for a violation of minimum wage requirements occurring before April 15, 1986, with respect to services performed for the public agency by any individual who performed such services as a volunteer. Revises the definition of "employee" to exclude from coverage under the Act State and local legislative employees who are not legislative library employees. Makes the amendments made by this Act effective on April 15, 1986, but authorizes the Secretary of Labor to promulgate before such date regulations to implement such amendments. Prohibits construing such amendments as affecting whether a State, local government, or interstate governmental agency is liable under penalty provisions of the Act for violations of minimum wage, overtime, or paperwork requirements occurring before April 15, 1986, with respect to any employee who would have been covered by by the Act under the Secretary of Labor's special enforcement policy in effect on January 1, 1985. Requires that a State, local government, or interstate governmental agency be held to have violated specified provisions if it discriminates or has discriminated against an employee with respect to wages or other terms or conditions of employment because on or after February 19, 1985, the employee asserted coverage under overtime provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the President to enter into agreements establishing reciprocal arrangements between Medicare programs and the program of any foreign country providing similar services to individuals either directly or by insurance payments. Requires that any such agreement specify: (1) the nature and extent of payment to be made to, or on behalf of, the individuals entitled to benefits; (2) limitations on the nature and duration of health services and on entitlement of individuals to benefits on a reciprocal basis; and (3) the methods by which the cost of providing health services on a reciprocal basis shall be shared by the United States and the foreign country. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make rules and regulations and establish procedures necessary to implement and administer such agreements. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into interim arrangements with any hospital in a foreign country which is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals or such other hospitals as the Secretary finds meet specified health and safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Social Security Budget and Administrative Reorganization Act of 1985 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Commissioner of Social Security; (2) a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security; (3) a General Counsel; (4) an Inspector General; and (5) an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall represent the interests of beneficiaries under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income Program within the Administration. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a description of the activities of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan as established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to implement demonstration projects relating to personnel matters. Directs the Board and the Administrator of General Services to implement such projects relating to delegations from the Administrator. Specifies the authorities which are to be delegated to the Board from the Administrator and the Director. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees concerning such projects, including an evaluation of the Board's readiness to assume full and permanent authority. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Provides for the transfer to the Administration of all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth effective date and transitional rule provisions. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs which he or she administers. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program and an Advisory Council on Health and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation of the trust funds supporting the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Medicare program and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each Trust Fund. Sets forth the effective dates of this title. Title III: Budgetary Treatment of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program - Provides for off-budget treatment of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund beginning with FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Congressional Foreign Travel Accountability Act of 1985 - Prohibits the use of Federal funds for the expenses of foreign travel by Members of Congress or congressional officers or employees unless such expenses are paid out of a specific appropriation included in the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act or any supplement thereto. Requires such travel to be accomplished by the most economical means possible. Requires congressional committees to establish guidelines to avoid duplicative and unnecessary travel and to file quarterly reports on such travel for public inspection. Sets forth civil penalties for persons who use such reports for unlawful, commercial, or solicitation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Requests the President to resubmit the proposed Agreement for Cooperation with China to the Congress, together with a formal exemption from the safeguard and non-alteration requirements of transferred nuclear materials under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, if the Government of Mexico requests such assistance, should: (1) use existing funds available to the Department of State and the Agency for International Development, including the "borrowing" authority under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to provide disaster relief for the victims of the earthquake in Mexico on September 19, 1985; and (2) submit a request to the Congress for the authorization and appropriation of such additional disaster assistance as may be necessary. Declares that the Congress will give expeditious consideration to any such request for disaster assistance to Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require, when student loan defaults reach certain levels: (1) the suspension or reduction of Federal capital contributions for FY 1986 and 1987 to the student loan fund of an institution of higher education under the direct student loan program; and (2) the suspension of a lender's eligibility under the guaranteed student loan program. Directs the Secretary of Education to report to the Congress, within one year after the enactment of this Act, on the effectiveness in reducing student loan defaults of such regulations requiring suspension (for a default rate above 25 percent) or reduction (for a default rate between ten and 25 percent) of Federal capital contributions to a school's student loan fund under the direct student loan program, including recommendations for further reduction of such defaults by extending such regulations beyond FY 1987 and/or other measures. Requires each guaranty agency having an agreement with the Secretary to provide information necessary to carry out the requirement of suspension of the eligible lender status under the guaranteed student loan program of any lender whose default rate exceeds 25 percent. Grants the Secretary specified authority for investigations or hearings to carry out such requirement. Authorizes the Secretary to lift such a suspension of eligibility upon determination that the lender has corrected the practices which led to the suspension.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Covert Agent Disclosure Federal Pension Forfeiture Act - Requires the forfeiture of Federal employee retirement benefits upon conviction of the felony of the unauthorized disclosure of the identity of a covert agent.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Education Technology Act - Title I: Evaluations, Dissemination, and Instructional Models - Directs the National Institute of Education (NIE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to jointly: (1) evaluate available computer hardware and software in terms of its usefulness in the classroom; and (2) disseminate the results of such evaluation to State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs). Requires, where appropriate, such evaluation to include assessment of the usefulness of computer hardware and software to serve the special needs of certain special populations described under title II of this Act and of the extent to which the software promotes computer use by students of both sexes. Directs NIE and NSF to carry out such evaluation and dissemination functions under grants to or contracts with non-Federal agencies and private nonprofit institutions or organizations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1995 to NSF and NIE for such purpose. Directs NSF to conduct, assist, and foster research and experimentation on, and dissemination of, models of instruction in the operation and use of computers, educational computer software, and curriculum materials. Requires that this be done through grants to or contracts with professional educational, scientific, or engineering organizations, science museums, regional science education centers, public television, SEAs and LEAs, and institutions of higher education, including community colleges. Directs the NSF, in selecting such entities for such grants or contracts, to give priority to those proposals involving specified types of programs (including, among others, programs involving computer libraries, networks, personal microcomputers, or video disc systems). Permits funds available under such grants or contracts to be used to acquire computer hardware and software and manuals for its use. Requires the NSF Director to: (1) report to the Congress annually on the results of such research and experimentation; and (2) in conjunction with NIE, take steps necessary to disseminate information concerning such results to SEAs and LEAs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1995 for such purposes. Subjects the authority to enter into contracts for such purposes to the availability of appropriations therefor. Title II: Teacher Training Institutes - Directs the NSF, with the cooperation of Federal and other appropriate agencies, to arrange for the development and operation of short-term or regular session institutes for advanced study to improve the qualifications of individuals who teach the operation and use of new and evolving technologies (or individuals who are preparing to do such teaching, or who supervise or train such teachers). Requires that this be done through grants to or contracts with the types of entities described under the provisions for research and experimentation in computer instructional models under title I of this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to special populations (as referred to under title I of this Act). Directs NSF, in making such teacher training grants or contracts, to give special consideration to institutes training teachers (or their supervisors or trainers) who are serving or preparing to serve in elementary and secondary schools enrolling substantial numbers of culturally, economically, socially, and educationally handicapped youth or in programs for children of limited English language proficiency. Requires training program applications to indicate that a portion of the funds will be used to instruct enrollees in methods to ensure equal access to and the use of the computer by students from underserved groups, including female students. Makes individuals who attend such teacher training institutes eligible to receive stipends. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1995 to carry out this title. Title III: Acquisition of Computer Hardware - Directs the Secretary of Education to allocate assistance from funds under this title to LEAs for the acquisition of computer hardware for use in school classrooms. Directs the Secretary to allocate to SEAs, from five percent of the funds under this title, assistance for monitoring and enforcement. Bases the allocation to LEAs on the number of children aged five to 17 in their school districts, but reduces such allocations to the extent that such assistance has been or would be in excess of the amount necessary to acquire one unit of computer hardware for each 30 children in average daily attendance at an LEA's schools. Sets forth required contents of LEA applications for such assistance. Sets forth requirements relating to SEA approval of such applications. Sets forth State responsibilities, including State applications relating to such assistance, SEA hearings before final disapproval of any LEA application, general administrative responsibilities, and SEA reports to the Secretary. Sets forth requirements relating to the participation of children from private schools. Requires LEAs to provide for such participation, but allows the Secretary to waive such requirement and arrange for provision of such assistance directly, under specified conditions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 to carry out this title.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should form a National Commission on the Farm Credit System to recommend agricultural credit reforms.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Gifted and Talented Children and Youth Education Act of 1985 - Establishes a Federal gifted and talented education (GTE) program to improve the capability of State and local education agencies (SEAs and LEAs) and private nonprofit schools to: (1) identify gifted and talented children and youth; and (2) provide those children and youth with appropriate educational opportunities. Directs the Secretary of Education from specified sums appropriated under this Act and after consultation with the advisory committee established by this Act to make grants to or contracts with SEAs, LEAs, institutions of higher education, or other public and private agencies to assist them in carrying out authorized GTE programs or projects, including personnel or supervisory training. Sets forth authorized GTE programs and projects, including: (1) preservice and inservice training (including fellowships) for GTE personnel (including leadership personnel); (2) model projects and exemplary programs for identification and education, including summer programs and cooperative programs involving business, industry, and education; (3) strengthening SEA and higher education institutions' capability to provide leadership and assistance to LEAs and nonprofit private schools in planning, operating, and improving such programs; (4) technical assistance and information dissemination; (5) research on methods and techniques for identifying and teaching gifted and talented children and youth; (6) conducting program evaluations and surveys; and (7) developing information and analysis. Establishes the National Center for Research and Development in the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth (the National Center) through grants or contracts with one or more higher education institutions or SEAs, or a consortium or combination of such institutions and agencies, to carry out clauses (5), (6), and (7) of the preceding paragraph. Requires the Director of the National Center to carry out such National Center functions as may be agreed upon through arrangements with other higher education institutions, SEAs, LEAs, or other public or private agencies and organizations. Limits to 30 percent of the funds for authorized programs and projects that portion which may be used to conduct activities pursuant to provisions relating to the National Center and its research, evaluation, and information functions. Directs the Secretary and the advisory committee established by this Act, in administering this Act, to give highest priority to programs for: (1) identifying and educating gifted and talented children and youth who may not be identified through traditional assessment measures (such as the limited-English speaking, economically disadvantaged, handicapped, and women); and (2) developing or improving the capability of schools in an entire State or region of the Nation, through cooperative efforts and participation of SEAs, LEAs, higher education institutions, and other public and private agencies and organizations (including business, industry, and labor) to identify and educate gifted and talented children and youth. Sets forth provisions relating to participation of private school children and teachers in programs under this Act. Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee on GTE, with members representative of State education agencies, teacher education institutions, researchers, teachers, and parents. Directs the Secretary to establish or designate an administrative unit within the Department of Education to: (1) administer the programs authorized by this Act; (2) coordinate all GTE programs that the Department administers; and (3) serve as a focal point for national leadership and information on the educational needs of gifted and talented children and youth and the availability of services and programs to meet those needs. Requires that such administrative unit be headed by a person of recognized professional qualifications and experience in GTE. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Trade Reorganization Act of 1985 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the congressional findings and purposes of this Act. Title II: Department of Commerce and Trade - Establishes the Department of Commerce and Trade to be administered by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade (the Secretary). Sets forth the functions of the Secretary including: (1) exercising responsibility for international trade matters, except for responsibilities delegated to the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) analyzing economic and sectoral trends; (3) developing and implementing commercial policies to expand U.S. business and employment opportunities; (4) promoting new opportunities for U.S. products and services to compete in the world marketplace; (5) assisting small businesses in developing export markets; and (6) administering U.S. laws relating to trade. Requires the Secretary to be Deputy Chair of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Agriculture on all matters which potentially involve international trade in agricultural products. Authorizes the Secretary to assign the head of a Federal agency the responsibility for an international trade negotiation if the subject of the negotiation is related to the functions of the agency. Provides for three Deputy Secretaries of Commerce and Trade and two Under Secretaries of Commerce and Trade. Limits the number of Assistant Secretaries of Commerce and Trade to eight. Provides for a General Counsel, Inspector General, Chief Negotiator for Textile Matters, Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, and Agricultural Adviser. Sets forth their functions. Transfers to the Secretary: (1) all functions of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; and (2) specified functions of the Department of Commerce. Sets forth administrative provisions governing the Department of Commerce and Trade. Provides for delegation of the Secretary's authority and succession of officers of the Department of Commerce and Trade. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) reorganize the Department, under certain conditions; (2) prescribe regulations; (3) establish a working capital fund; (4) transfer funds, subject to certain limitations, within the Department; (5) make contracts and payments; (6) accept gifts and bequests, under certain circumstances; and (7) issue publications. Provides for: (1) the Secretary's use of public and private resources; (2) departmental field offices; and (3) travel expenses. Authorizes other entities to use the resources of the Department under certain conditions. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President on the activities of the Department. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President an Office of the Assistant to the President for International Trade who shall provide the President with policy options on international trade matters and, in cooperation with the Trade Policy Committee, coordinate those policies and activities affecting international trade that are carried out by Federal agencies. Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to establish in the Executive Office of the President a Trade Policy Committee to assist the President in carrying out certain trade functions. Directs the Trade Policy Committee to pay particular attention to expanding the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture in matters affecting international trade. Sets forth the membership of the Trade Policy Committee. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to change the membership of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank to include a Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Trade. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to give the Secretary authority to give policy guidance to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Directs OPIC to carry out a specified trade development program. Makes an Under Secretary of Commerce and Trade the Vice Chairman of OPIC's Board of Directors, ex officio. Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to direct the U.S. executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to consult with the Secretary on matters under consideration by the IMF which relate to trade. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to agricultural trade matters, to: (1) report directly to the President and the Congress; (2) keep the advisers to U.S. delegations to trade conferences informed on U.S. negotiating objectives, the status of negotiations, and the nature of any recommended changes in domestic law or regulations; and (3) consult with State and local governments and other interested parties concerning international agricultural trade matters. Makes certain technical and conforming amendments, repeals certain authority and makes certain terminations. Title III: Transitional, Savings and Conforming Provisions - Makes certain transitional, savings, and conforming amendments. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Sets forth definitions and effective dates. Provides for interim appointments and compliance with the budget. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for services performed by a physician assistant under the supervision of a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
National Fish Hatchery System Act - Establishes a National Fish Hatchery System (System). Sets forth the objectives of the System, including: (1) mitigating the impacts on fishery resources that result from the construction or operation of Federal projects; (2) restoring certain fish stocks which the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) determines to be in need of restoration; (3) stocking waters to fulfill international or Indian treaty obligations; (4) carrying out fisheries research and development; and (5) implementing recovery plans for endangered species. Includes as secondary objectives the stocking of Federal waters and waters under the fishery management jurisdiction of Indian tribes if such stocking is not adverse to, or included among, the primary objectives. Makes a part of such System: (1) Federal agency installations; and (2) non-Federal installations to the extent they are fulfilling System objectives using Federal funding. Excludes moneys made available through specified Federal law from being considered as Federal funding. Requires the Secretary to administer the System. Requires fish hatcheries not operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to be operated in accordance with a cooperative agreement entered into with the Service. Prohibits fish production within the System four years after enactment of this Act for mitigation or restoration of a fishery resource unless the Secretary completes a mitigation or restoration plan for that resource. Specifies the required content of such plans and the parties to be consulted in formulating the plans. Permits the production of fish in Federal installations for use by a State in stocking its waters or for private use if System purposes are not hampered or private parties lack private domestic sources. Authorizes the administering authority to permit, by regulation, the use of a fish research installation, fish health center or fish technology center if the use is compatible with the purposes of the installation. Provides for the enforcement of such regulations. Provides for the reimbursement of fish production costs from: (1) water or power users benefiting from the mitigation of a Federal water project; (2) Federal agencies or Indian tribes requesting the stocking of waters under their jurisdiction; and (3) State agencies or persons requesting production for non-System objectives. Conditions such fish production upon receipt of such reimbursement. Requires the Secretary, before October 1, 1986, and within each three year period thereafter, to establish for each System installation the extent to which: (1) the fish production capability of that installation is expected to be utilized; and (2) the primary System objectives will be subject to reimbursement.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Code provisions dealing with the Puerto Rico and possession tax credit (allowing domestic corporations a tax credit if certain percentages of gross income are derived from sources within a possession or from the active conduct of a trade or business within a possession) should not be revised and should be allowed to continue to operate in their present form.
![Official portrait of Rep. Valentine, Tim [D-NC-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/v000006_200.jpg)