United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1985
Federal Communications Commission Network Acquisition Approval Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to take specified actions before granting any application proposing the acquisition of ownership or control of a television network whose board of directors has not approved the acquisition. Directs the Commission to require the applicant to file specified information, including: (1) the identities, managerial expertise, and financial resources of the persons involved in the acquisition; (2) the sources of funds and the details of financial arrangements involved in the acquisition, as well as any plan to liquidate assets; (3) any reduction in service to any community that would result from the acquisition; and (4) the reasons that the acquisition would benefit the public interest, convenience, and necessity. Directs the Commission to: (1) issue a public notice indicating that such information is available for public inspection; (2) allow a party 30 days after such notice is issued to file a petition to deny the application; and (3) conduct a full evidentiary hearing on such application.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Indian Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Act - Title I: Inter-Departmental Agreement - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement to coordinate specified efforts of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Bureau) and the Indian Health Service relating to alcohol and drug abuse programs for Indian youth. Provides for the biennial review of such agreement by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, upon a tribe's request, to coordinate resources and services related to alcohol and drug abuse with any Indian tribe. Title II: Education - Requires Bureau schools and schools operated under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to provide instruction on alcohol and drug abuse to students in kindergarten and grades one through 12. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to publish, on a quarterly basis, an alcohol and drug abuse newsletter and to circulate it to specified Government agencies that provide such alcohol and drug abuse-related services to Indian people. Title III: Family and Social Services - Requires any initial training program for new community health representatives and community health aids funded under the Bureau to include not less than two weeks of training on the problems of alcohol and drug abuse, including instruction in crisis intervention, family relations, juvenile alcohol and drug abuse, and the causes and effects of fetal alcohol syndrome. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide training in alcohol and drug abuse problems to specified schools, Indian Health Service personnel, and others. Title IV: Law Enforcement - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the U.S. Attorney General, to promulgate guidelines under which any tribal or Federal law enforcement officer may place an Indian juvenile who has been arrested for alcohol or drug abuse in a facility other than an emergency shelter or a community-based alcohol or drug abuse treatment facility. Requires such guidelines to be made available to any State which exercises criminal jurisdiction over Indian country. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to establish temporary emergency shelters to house Indian juveniles who have been arrested for offenses related to alcohol or drug abuse. Requires the Bureau to prescribe standards by which such shelters shall become licensed. Title V: Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation - Requires the President to include in the budget submitted to the Congress a request for funds to establish a program that provides alcohol and drug abuse treatment services (including detoxification and counseling services, and follow-up care in Indian Health Service facilities and in facilities operated under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act) to Indian juveniles. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to relevant congressional committees on the progress of such treatment to Indian juveniles. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to complete a study to determine: (1) the size of the Indian population in need of residential alcohol and drug abuse treatment; (2) the location of facilities at which such treatment is available or could be made available; and (3) the cost of providing such treatment. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with Indian tribes and the Secretary of the Interior, to identify and utilize existing facilities owned by the Government or an Indian tribe, or local community or private hospitals, for use as residential alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers for Indian juveniles. Title VI: Definitions, Effective Date, and Authorization of Appropriations - Sets forth definitions and the effective date. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Natural Gas Utilization Act of 1985 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal: (1) prohibitions on the use of natural gas and petroleum as a primary energy source in new electric powerplants and new major fuel-burning installations; (2) the prohibition on the construction of new powerplants without alternate fuel capability; (3) the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of natural gas in certain boilers; (4) the prohibition on the use of natural gas for decorative outdoor lighting; and (5) the authority of the Secretary to restrict increased uses of petroleum by existing powerplants. Makes conforming amendments. Repeals the incremental pricing provisions of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Foreign Motor Carrier Registration Act of 1985 - Amends the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984 to exempt commercial motor vehicles owned or operated by foreign carriers providing interstate transportation of property from Federal regulations regarding: (1) certain Federal safety standards; (2) safety equipment inspection; and (3) safety fitness certification. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations regarding the safety roadworthiness of commercial motor vehicles owned or operated by foreign motor carriers and foreign motor private carriers providing interstate transportation of property (trucks). Requires such standards to differentiate among various categories of commercial motor vehicles and among various cross-border entry levels. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 for the Department of Transportation and the Interstate Commerce Commission (the Commission) to investigate the safety roadworthiness of such vehicles. States that foreign motor carriers and foreign motor private carriers providing interstate transportation of property shall be subject only to the safety roadworthiness rules adopted under this Act. Declares that commercial motor vehicles owned or operated by a foreign motor carrier or foreign motor private carrier providing interstate transportation of property may be required to pass safety roadworthiness inspections if the Department of Transportation and the Commission deem such an inspection to be in the national interest. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish procedures to determine safety roadworthiness. Directs the Commission to find an applicant unfit to operate under a foreign motor carrier registration certificate if the applicant does not meet the safety roadworthiness requirements. Prohibits a foreign motor private carrier from providing interstate transportation of property without an appropriate certificate of registration. States that the requirement that certificated foreign carriers be fit, willing, and able means safety roadworthiness and proof of minimum financial responsibility. Declares that the procedures to require proof of minimum financial responsibility shall differentiate among various categories of commercial vehicles and among various cross-border entry levels. Denies entry into the United States to any commercial motor vehicle providing transportation under a certificate of foreign motor carrier registration if a copy of such certificate is not in the vehicle. Requires the Commission to issue certificates of foreign motor carrier registration during a certain moratorium period only for the purpose of transporting property in a designated United States port adjacent to the foreign country in which the motor carrier or its owners are domiciled.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal facilities at the research facility; (2) file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility; (3) notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies; and (4) notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency if such deficiencies remain uncorrected. Requires each research facility to provide for annual training in the humane treatment of animals for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural Library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) employee training; (2) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation; (3) reducing or replacing animal use; and (4) minimizing pain and distress. Requires a funding Federal agency to suspend or revoke Federal Support for a project if it is determined that conditions of animal care, treatment, or practice in a particular project have not been in compliance with standards promulgated under this Act. Requires the Secretary to inspect each research facility at least once each year. Requires such follow-up inspections as may be necessary until all deficiencies which may be found are corrected. Imposes penalties for the release of any confidential information or trade secrets by any member of an Institutional Animal Committee. Increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1985
Korean War Veterans Memorial Act of 1985 - Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to erect a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in the Korean war. Subjects the selected site, design, and plans for the construction of such memorial to the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. Directs that, upon its completion, the memorial shall be turned over to the Department of the Interior which shall then be solely responsible for its maintenance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1985
Renewable Energy and Conservation Transition Act of 1985 - Title I: Extension of Business Energy Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the energy investment tax credit for solar energy property from 1985 to 1990. Sets the amount of such credit during such period at 15 percent for low temperature solar property and 25 percent for all other solar property. Extends the energy investment tax credit for wind property from 1985 to 1988. Sets the amount of such credit at: (1) ten percent during 1986 and 1987; and (2) five percent during 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for geothermal property and biomass property from 1985 to 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for ocean thermal property from 1985 to 1990. Revises the definition of "solar property" for purposes of such tax credit. Sets forth special rules for geothermal equipment to qualify for such credit. Title II: Affirmative Commitment Rule to Extend the Business Credit for Certain Long-Term Projects - Extends the time period during which an affirmative commitment must be made in order for long-term energy projects to be eligible for the energy investment tax credit. Allows such an extension: (1) from 1990 to 1993 for solar energy property; (2) from 1988 to 1990 for geothermal energy property; and (3) from 1985 to 1990 for hydroelectric generating property. Title III: Extension of Residential Energy Credits - Extends the residential energy income tax credit for solar renewable energy property from 1985 to 1990. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Provides that solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet certain additional standards in order to qualify for such credit. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for wind renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for geothermal renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Revises the definition of geothermal deposits for purposes of such credit. Revises the definition of energy conservation expenditures for purposes of the residential energy income tax credit to limit the amounts taken into account to $700. Limits the energy conservation income tax credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $30,000. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to reduce, within two years after enactment of this Act, the number of cases pending and awaiting review by: (1) administrative law judges to not more than 6,000; and (2) the Benefits Review Board to not more than 800. Allows such reduction to be accomplished by employing or obtaining the services of additional administrative judges and using other measures. Directs the Secretary to notify the Congress of the measures being taken to comply with this Act within 30 days after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Congress should oppose the Social Security Administration's "Draft Service Delivery Methodology" proposal which, if implemented, would result in the closing or downgrading of specified Social Security Administration offices.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Amends the Small Business Act to treat businesses owned by economically disadvantaged Indian tribes (including any Alaskan Native village or regional or village corporation) as socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses for purposes of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) business development program. Sets forth specified factors to be considered by the SBA in determining the economic disadvantage of an Indian tribe.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Directs the Administrator of General Services to provide for the distribution within the United States of the U.S. Information Agency film "Hal David: Expressing a Feeling."
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 to be used by the Secretary of Commerce to assist in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities. Repeals a provision that requires 75 percent of the funds appropriated for such purposes in a fiscal year to be available to extend delivery of public telecommunications services to areas not receiving such services. Authorizes appropriations, to match up to a specified amount of non-Federal contributions to public broadcasting entities, for the Public Broadcasting Fund for FY 1987 through 1990. Repeals a provision that requires that a specified portion of the amount made available to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from the Fund be earmarked for expenses of research, training, technical assistance, engineering, instructional support, and the payment of interest on indebtedness. Repeals provisions requiring a public telecommunications entity to refund to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting an amount of Federal funds equal to the amount of any unrelated business income tax paid by such entity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1985
Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1985 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce, on a continuing basis and through the Director of the Office of Industrial Technology, to increase the availability of Japanese science and engineering literature to U.S. businesses, scientists, and engineers through increased accessibility, monitoring, screening, translation, abstracting, indexing, dissemination, and marketing. Authorizes the Secretary, in conducting such activity, to: (1) make grants to private for profit, nonprofit, and educational organizations (and, to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, enter into contracts with such organizations); (2) provide funds to, and coordinate with, other Government organizations; and (3) utilize (for all or part of this effort) the directors, staff, and facilities of the National Bureau of Standards and the National Technical Information Service. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1985
Expresses, on the 40th anniversary of V-E Day, the Nation's deep gratitude and recognizes the enormous debt owed to the American servicemen who fought in World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985
National Diffusion Network Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to promote the use of exemplary educational programs, products, and practices to interested elementary and secondary schools. Requires the Secretary to provide information, materials, training, technical assistance, and evaluations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and contracts with, public and nonprofit private educational institutions and organizations to carry out such program. Declares that such program shall be deemed to be a continuation of the National Diffusion Network for which provision is made under the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981. Directs the Secretary to allocate funds available under such Act to such program. Authorizes additional appropriations, if necessary, to carry out such program in FY 1986 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) ensure that U.S. officials carry out the pledge to resolve the issue of the Americans still missing and unaccounted for in Indochina; (2) work for the immediate release of any Americans still held captive and the return of the remains of those who died in Southeast Asia; and (3) make every effort to secure the further cooperation of Laos and Vietnam in resolving this issue.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1985
Beekeeper Preservation Act of 1985 - Requires the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), within 90 days of enactment of this Act, to investigate and report to the President on the effects of honey imports on certain domestic programs and on the amount of products processed in the United States from honey. Requires the President, if the ITC recommends that fees or limitations be imposed on honey imports, to: (1) impose such fees or limitations; or (2) deny the existence of the facts justifying such fees or limitations. Requires the President to take such action within 60 days of the issuance of the ITC report.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1985
Continental Scientific Drilling and Exploration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Interior through the the United States Geological Survey, and the Director of the National Science Foundation to implement the policies of the proposed Continental Scientific Drilling Program of the United States relating to earth science research and technological development. Prescribes guidelines for such implementation, including: (1) taking action to assure an effective cooperative effort in furtherance of the Program; (2) taking administrative and financial measures to assure the effective functioning of the Interagency Accord on Continental Scientific Drilling; (3) assuring the continuing operation of the Interagency Coordinating Group; and (4) assuring that the Interagency Coordinating Group receives appropriate Federal agency cooperation. Requires a report to the Congress within 180 days of enactment which describes: (1) policy objectives; (2) projected schedules of scientific and engineering events that would advance Program objectives; (3) resources and funding levels needed for projected schedules of events and Program policy objectives; and (4) cooperation with the international community.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1985
Beekeeper Preservation Act of 1985 - Requires the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), within 90 days of enactment of this Act, to investigate and report to the President on the effects of honey imports on certain domestic programs and on the amount of products processed in the United States from honey. Requires the President, if the ITC recommends that fees or limitations be imposed on honey imports, to: (1) impose such fees or limitations; or (2) deny the existence of the facts justifying such fees or limitations. Requires the President to take such action within 60 days of the issuance of the ITC report.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should pay honor to the memories of the innocent civilians and American and Allied soldiers who died at the hands of the Nazis; (2) it is fitting and appropriate for the President, in a gesture of reconciliation, to visit the Federal Republic of Germany; (3) the President should recognize the importance of the relationship between the two countries; and (4) the President should reassess his planned itinerary for his forthcoming trip to the Federal Republic of Germany.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985
Uranium Mill Tailings Reclamation Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to perform specified remedial actions and long-term maintenance and monitoring at active thorium and uranium processing sites. Authorizes the Secretary to designate either the State in which such sites are located, or the owners or licensees of such sites, to perform the remedial actions, monitoring, and maintenance. Sets applicable standards for such remedial action. Requires the consent of the owner of any such site before remedial actions may commence, unless the Secretary determines that a permanent cessation of operations leading to the production of byproduct material has occurred. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract for remedial action with the owner or licensee of an active site. Requires any license pertaining to byproduct material (and any ownership of such byproduct material) to be transferred to the Secretary when remedial actions begin. Provides that the costs for remedial action and long-term maintenance and monitoring performed by the Secretary shall be paid from the Uranium Mill Tailings Fund established by this Act. Authorizes owners or licensees of an active site initially licensed after the effective date of this Act to perform remedial actions. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary shall reimburse the licensee (or property owner of record) the costs of remedial action performed at sites active on January 1, 1978. Grants the Secretary contract authority to undertake remedial action for uranium and thorium mills initially licensed after the effective date of this Act. Requires each contracting owner or licensee to reimburse the Tailings Fund for all reasonable costs associated with the remedial actions performed by the Secretary. Requires contracts entered into after the effective date of this Act for the purchase or sale or uranium or thorium to include remedial action funding provisions for costs attributable to uranium and thorium processing activities. Establishes the Uranium Mill Tailings Fund (the Fund) in the Treasury to be used by the Secretary of Energy for expenditures in connection with remedial actions and long-term maintenance and monitoring of uranium and thorium processing activities. Prescribes guidelines for the administration of the Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury. Requires: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on the Fund's financial condition; and (2) the Secretary of Energy to submit the budget of the Fund to the Office of Managment and Budget annually along with the budget of the Department of Energy. Apportions responsibility for remedial action costs associated with uranium and thorium processing activities undertaken by the Secretary before the effective date of this Act among: (1) the owners or licensees of relevant active sites; (2) the Federal Government; and (3) persons using source material or special nuclear material for a civilian nuclear power reactor to generate electrical energy. Prescribes a cost-calculation formula. Requires the Federal Government to pay into the Fund 30 percent of remedial action costs associated with the extraction of uranium and thorium for use primarily in U.S. defense programs. Sets forth a fee schedule for persons using source or special nuclear material for a civilian nuclear power reactor to generate electricity. Directs the Secretary to propose to the Congress adjustments of the fee schedule if the Secretary determines that such adjustment is necessary to recover Federal costs incurred for active site remedial actions. Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) from issuing or renewing a license to any person to use a utilization or production facility (or to use special nuclear material at such facility) unless such person has agreed with the Secretary on the apportionment of remedial action costs. Authorizes the Commission to condition issuance of such license upon an applicant's agreement with the Secretary for the disposal of byproduct material. Limits the financial obligation of active site owners and of persons using source material (or special nuclear material for a civilian nuclear power reactor to generate electricity) to the fee apportionment formula promulgated under this Act. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to make technical and conforming changes. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1985
Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Persons Act of 1985 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State should review and revise its law to ensure that mental health patients receive the protection and services they require. Declares that States should consider the recommendations of the President's Commission on Mental Health in making such revisions. Sets forth a bill of rights for mental health patients which includes the right to: (1) appropriate treatment; (2) an individualized treatment plan; (3) freedom from restraint or seclusion; (4) confidentiality of and access to records; and (5) privacy. Declares that a patient's attorney or legal representative shall have access to: (1) the patient; (2) the facility; and (3) subject to the patient's written authorization, the records. Permits States to apply for an allotment to establish a system to protect the rights of the mentally ill. Requires such a system to include the establishment of an advisory board to advocate the rights of the mentally ill. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe a formula for making such allotments. Directs the Secretary to report on the activities, accomplishments, and expenditures of such systems. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987. Repeals title V (Mental Health Rights and Advocacy) of the Mental Health Systems Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1985
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to extend from June 30, 1985, to June 30, 1989, the authority granted under the Act regarding: (1) domestic energy supply availability and standby energy authorities; (2) international energy program agreements and the availability of antitrust immunity to participating companies.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1985
Securities, Safety, and Soundness Act of 1985 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit any person from acquiring certain equity securities between April 23 and December 31, 1985, if: (1) such person would then be entitled to cast 15 percent or more of the securities holders' votes in an election of directors of the issuer; (2) such acquisition is disapproved by a majority of those members of the issuer's board of directors who are not issuer officers or employees; and (3) 20 percent or more of the acquisition is financed by the issuance of takeover securities the proceeds from which exceed $25,000,000. Defines "takeover securities" as certain low-rated or unrated bonds or preferred stock, other debt instruments subordinated in right of payment to the payment of any substantial amount of unsecured indebtedness, or equity or quasi-equity instruments other than common or preferred stock. Prohibits any insured bank or institution from purchasing non-investment grade securities. Directs the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation to prevent insured institutions from carrying non-investment grade securities as loans.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to require that any attorney who collects debts on behalf of a client be subject to the provisions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to add Afghanistan to the list of communist countries the imports from which are subject to the column two rate of duty. Prohibits granting nondiscriminatory (most-favored-nation) treatment to the products of Afghanistan. Prohibits entering into a commercial agreement with Afghanistan pursuant to the Trade Act of 1974. Prohibits Afghanistan from participating in any program under which the United States extends credit, credit guarantees, or investment guarantees.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide to the Soviet Union, on a reimbursable basis, equipment and services for the improvement of the United States/Soviet Union Direct Communication Link for crisis control.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1988 for the following programs: (1) project grants and contracts for family planning services; (2) training grants and contracts; and (3) informational and educational materials.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Veterans' Administration Health Care Programs Improvement Act of 1985 - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to establish and conduct a pilot program in five geographic areas to furnish medical, rehabilitative, and social services care to eligible veterans in lieu of nursing home care. Outlines eligibility requirements for veterans participating in such program. Gives priority for such program to veterans who are either over 65 or catastrophically disabled. Requires each Veterans' Administration medical facility administering such pilot program to furnish unified care management services for each veteran receiving services under such program. Prohibits the cost of the pilot program from exceeding 60 percent of what it would have cost the VA to furnish nursing home services instead of such program. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of the benefits of the pilot program as an alternative to nursing home care and report the findings of such study to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Congress within 18 months after the commencement of the pilot program. Requires the Administrator to submit to the same Committees a final report on the program within 90 days after the termination of such program. Commences the pilot program on January 1, 1986, and terminates it on December 31, 1988. Directs the Administrator to monitor the performance of VA programs of treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol or drug dependence or abuse to determine various benefits of such programs. Requires the Administrator to report findings to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Congress on an annual basis. Prohibits the Administrator from entering into contracts under such programs which exceed a total program level of $10,000,000 in any fiscal year. Directs the Administrator to establish and conduct in five geographic areas a pilot program under which the Administrator may contract for community residential care for chronically mentally ill veterans. Outlines eligibility requirements for veterans participating in such program. Requires each VA medical facility administering the pilot program to furnish unified care management services for each veteran receiving care under such program. Requires the Administrator, within 18 months after the commencement of the pilot program, to provide an interim report to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Congress. Requires the Administrator to submit to the same Committees a final report on the program within 90 days after the termination of such program. Commences the pilot program on January 1, 1986, and terminates it on December 31, 1988. Directs the Administrator, through the Office of the Inspector General of the VA, to establish and conduct a comprehensive quality assurance program to monitor and evaluate the quality of health care furnished by the Department of Medicine and Surgery to eligible veterans. Requires the Chief Medical Director of the Department of Medicine and Surgery to provide certain standards, statistics, and information on the surgery programs within the Department and to make evaluations and recommendations. Requires the Inspector General of the VA to review certain mortality and morbidity data collected, make certain determinations as to the appropriateness of the mortality and morbidity rates within the Department of Medicine and Surgery, and report such findings to the Congress. Requires the Administrator to establish the Advisory Committee on Veterans' Administration Facility Planning. Requires the Committee to review the criteria for sizing VA medical facilities. Directs the Committee, not later than October 1 annually, to report its findings to the VA, together with recommendations. Requires the Administrator, not later than six months after each such annual report is submitted, to transmit such report together with comments and recommendations for proposed legislation to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Provides, for taxable years prior to 1985, that rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of the deduction for the use of their automobile in performing services involving the collection and delivery of mail on a rural route by: (1) using the amount received as equipment maintenance allowances from the United States Postal Service; or (2) using the form entitled "Worksheet for Use of Rural Carrier in Reporting Equipment Allowance and Claiming Transportation Expense Deduction." Provides, for taxable years beginning after 1984, that rural letter carriers are permitted to compute the amount of their deduction for use of their automobile in performing such services: (1) by using a standard mileage rate for all such miles of such use equal to 150 percent of the basic standard rate; or (2) by calculating the equipment allowance deduction equal to the operating expenses. Removes the 50 percent of business use limitation contained in the Internal Revenue Code for rural letter carriers who claim the investment tax credit and the depreciation deduction for their automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Peace Corps Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to establish a Peace Corps National Advisory Council which shall advise and consult with the President and the Director of the Peace Corps on policies and programs designed to further the purposes of the Act and shall report periodically to the Congress. Requires members of the Council to inspect Peace Corps' activities in the United States and abroad. Requires the Council to submit a report to the President and to the Director of the Peace Corps once every two years. Declares that it is a U.S. policy and a purpose of the Peace Corps to provide to the maximum extent appropriate sufficient opportunities for service to maintain a volunteer corps of at least 10,000 individuals. Prohibits using any political test or qualification in selecting persons for enrollment as a volunteer or in taking any other action with respect to volunteers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Agricultural Productivity Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make an inventory of existing research and extension materials and recommend further areas of research regarding crop rotation, intercropping, biological pest control, and other related farming and soil conservation systems; and (2) make such information available to the public. Directs the Secretary to conduct research on 24 pilot farms (having specified mixes of livestock and crops) to examine the effects of the transition from practices relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and traditional soil tillage to systems relying on organic and biological pest control, crop rotation, and conservation tillage. Requires such farms to be chosen within 140 days. Directs the Secretary to make a parallel study of 24 farms which have been using such farm systems for at least five years. Sets the term of such projects at five years each. Sets forth on-farm study data, including soil profile changes, crop yields, energy and water use, and farm income. Directs the Secretary to make payments to the owner of a pilot farm if the Secretary determines such payments are justified. Stipulates that these payments may be made only during a project's last four years. Directs the Secretary to coordinate such pilot farms project with specified Federal and State agricultural services, colleges, and farmers. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees: (1) within 15 months regarding the information inventory; and (2) by April 1 of each year regarding the pilot farms, with a final project summary and recommendations by April 1 of the year following completion. Provides for a five-year program of intercropping assistance under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present gold medals to Jan Scruggs, Robert Doubek, and Jack Wheeler in recognition of their efforts to give the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Nation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Community and Family Living Amendments of 1985 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a State plan to provide a severely disabled individual who is entitled to medical assistance and who is residing in a family home or community living facility with an array of community and family support services which will provide for the health, safety, and effective habilitation or rehabilitation of such individual. Includes community and family support services for severely disabled individuals as "medical assistance" under Medicaid. Permits the inclusion of such services as medical assistance only if such services are provided: (1) to a severely disabled individual residing in a family home or in a community living facility; and (2) in accordance with an individually written habilitation or rehabilitation plan. Specifies services included and excluded as community and family living services. Requires a State, in order to receive payment for community or family support services provided, to: (1) enter into a community and family living implementation agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and (2) submit required reports to the Secretary. Requires a community and family living implementation agreement to include, among others, the following provisions: (1) community living facilities will not be unduly concentrated in any residential area; (2) all the staff with appropriate training; (3) parents of the severely disabled will have training available; (4) case management; (5) an individual will reside as close to his or her family as possible; (6) hearing procedures for individuals who feel they have been inappropriately placed; and (7) suitable State supplementary payments as authorized under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires such agreement to include other specified provisions with respect to severely disabled individuals living in residential facilities which are not family homes or community living facilities. Requires the agreement to include descriptions of methods to be used to achieve the following objectives: (1) to advise severely disabled individuals of alternative arrangements and services available to them, of their right to choose providers, and of their right to a fair hearing; (2) to assure fair and equitable provisions to protect the interests of public employees who will be affected by the transfer of severely disabled individuals from public institutions to community or family living facilities under the agreement; (3) to assure application of fair employment standards and equitable compensation to workers in facilities offering care and services for which payments are made under this Act; and (4) to assure timely submission of any reports required by the Secretary. Sets forth provisions providing for: (1) auditing a State's compliance with this Act; (2) noncompliance; and (3) review by the Comptroller General. Includes, under Medicaid, within the definition of "intermediate care facilities" services in an institution for mentally retarded persons or persons with related conditions if: (1) the individual needs of each newly admitted individual are ascertained by an interdisciplinary team within 30 days; (2) the State has in effect and is implementing an implementation agreement with the Secretary for progressive reduction in the number of severely disabled individuals living in facilities which do not meet the size and location criteria for community living facilities; and (3) the institution, if not operated by the State, has a written agreement with an appropriate State agency to cooperate in the implementation of the agreement. Limits, effective FY 2000, the amounts payable under Medicaid to any State for skilled nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services furnished to severely disabled individuals under age 65 in facilities having not more than 15 beds. Provides that such limitations shall not apply, if: (1) payments are for services for individuals in a facility which meets the size and location requirements for a community living facility; (2) payments are for services for individuals in a facility which was in operation on September 30, 1985, which has not increased the number of beds since September 30, 1985, and which has no more than 15 beds; (3) payments are for services for individuals in a cluster home; or (4) payments are for necessary therapeutic services which are not available in a family home or community living facility in the State. Reduces, effective FY 1988, the Federal medical assistance percentage for skilled nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services furnished to any severely disabled individual under age 65. Requires a State, in order to receive any payments for furnishing community and family support services, to have in effect a system to protect and advocate the rights of eligible severely disabled individuals. Permits an individual injured or adversely affected or aggrieved by a violation of the Community and Family Living Amendments of 1985 to bring an action to enjoin such violation. Requires a State's Medicaid plan to provide for the payment of community and family support services for severely disabled individuals through the use of rates which are reasonable and adequate to assure the provision of services of adequate quality. Permits a State to provide for the eligibility of any severely disabled individual for community and family support services if such individual spends at least five percent of his or her adjusted gross income for necessary medical care and for community and family support services. Provides that whenever an individual is receiving benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act on the basis of a disability which began before such individual attained the age of 22, and but for those benefits would be eligible under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of such Act for either SSI or State supplementary payments then such individual shall be deemed, for Medicaid purposes only, to be receiving SSI or State supplementary payments. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make assessments, conduct a study, and report to the Congress; and (2) issue regulations. Sets forth the effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the administration should comply with the automatic appropriation and earmarking provisions of the Wallop/Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund and support adequate appropriation for the Boating Safety Account in such Fund. States that funds owed to the States from such Fund should not be withheld or delayed.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should propose to the Soviet Union during arms control talks: (1) that the United States and the Soviet Union should establish a joint commission to study the environmental and other effects of nuclear explosions (nuclear winter) and their impact on the security of both nations; (2) that the work of such joint commission should include the sharing and exchange of information and findings on the nuclear winter phenomena; and (3) that the United Kingdom, France, and the People's Republic of China should be involved in the work of such joint commission.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1985
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to establish a three-year pilot visa waiver program for up to eight countries providing a similar benefit to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Home Care Protection Act of 1985 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that nursing care and home health aid services may be provided on a daily basis as home health services for up to 60 days with monthly physician certification of the need for such services, and after the 60-day period on a physician certification of exceptional circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Hospice Extension Act - Amends the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 to extend hospice benefits under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for an additional three years.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) be commended for his efforts to negotiate a multilateral agreement banning chemical weapons; (2) continue to pursue such an agreement; and (3) seek the continuation and the development of bilateral discussions between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve a verifiable ban on chemical weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Directs that funds be made available from appropriations under the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1985 to enable the National Institutes of Health and the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration to award 7,083 new competitive research grants in FY 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1985
Establishes the Veterans Administration as an executive department redesignated as the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Makes technical and conforming changes, including the redesignation of the Administrator as the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
National Copper Policy Act of 1985 - Declares that it is U.S. policy to negotiate agreements temporarily limiting copper production by foreign copper producers in order to: (1) ensure an adequate supply of domestic copper; (2) expand employment in the copper industry; and (3) stabilize foreign copper production. Declares that if such an agreement is not reached an additional tariff should be applied to all imported copper for at most five years. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to conduct a study to determine how the recent closures of U.S. copper mines and smelters affected the U.S. copper reserves and production capacity. Requires the Secretary to submit the results of the study to the Congress within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the President, acting through the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), to undertake negotiations during the six months after enactment of this Act with all major copper producing countries for the purpose of achieving voluntary restraint agreements. Directs the President to report to the Congress whether such voluntary restraint agreements will take effect between the United States and the major copper producing countries. Directs the USTR, if such voluntary restraint agreements take effect, to monitor the production of unwrought copper by those countries during each 12 month period within the copper import restraint period. Directs the USTR to report the results of such monitoring to the Congress. Imposes a surcharge on all copper imports if voluntary restraint agreements do not take effect for the copper import restraint period. Imposes a surcharge on copper imports if the USTR reports that major copper producing countries during a specified 12 month period did not satisfactorily comply with the voluntary restraint agreements. Directs the Secretary to determine if the U.S. copper mining and smelter industry, during any 12 month period when copper surcharges are in effect: (1) improved productivity through facility modernization or invested in such modernization, or both; and (2) provided retraining and relocation of displaced workers. Prohibits imposing further copper surcharges if the U.S. copper mining and smelting industry did not meet such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Sets specific dates for completion of the site selection and environmental impact statements for the Hooker Dam (or alternative) of the Central Arizona project (for New Mexico and Arizona). Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make a record of his decision as soon as practicable after the completion of the final environmental impact statement.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Military Construction Authorization Act, 1986 - Title I: Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property, carry out military construction projects, and construct or acquire family housing units and facilities in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out projects to improve existing military family housing units at specified installations in specified amounts. Title II: Navy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to acquire real property, carry out military construction projects, and construct or acquire family housing units and facilities in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to make improvements in existing military family housing units in a specified amount and carry out a military family housing unit improvement project at a specified location for a specified amount. Authorizes the Secretary to convert certain transient housing units to family housing units. Title III: Air Force - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to acquire real property, carry out military construction projects, and construct or acquire family housing units and facilities in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out projects to improve existing military family housing units at specified installations in specified amounts. Title IV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to acquire real property, carry out military construction projects, and construct or acquire family housing units and facilities in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to make expenditures to improve existing military family housing units in a specified amount. Title V: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Infrastructure - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Infrastructure program. Title VI: Authorization of Appropriations and Recurring Administrative Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after FY 1985 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Departments of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, and the defense agencies. Authorizes appropriations for the NATO Infrastructure program. Limits the total costs of all projects to the total amounts authorized to be appropriated for each military department concerned. States that such authorizations shall expire at the end of FY 1987 except as otherwise specified. Establishes maximum amounts on certain expenditures, including unspecified minor military construction projects and per unit improvement and rental costs for military family housing. Title VII: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after FY 1985 for the costs of acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities for the guard and reserve forces. Title VIII : - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to establish or develop military installations and facilities by the acquisition, construction, conversion, rehabilitation, or installation of public works. Repeals Federal law requiring the Secretary of Defense to transmit to the Congress the annual military construction authorization request within a specified period.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
United States Scholarship Program for Developing Countries Act - Directs the President, acting through the U.S. Information Agency (USIA), to provide an undergraduate scholarship program for citizens and nationals of developing countries to study at U.S. institutions of higher education. Requires that half of each payment to a student shall be in the form of a loan with repayment to be forgiven upon the student's prompt return to his or her country of origin for a period of no less than the number of years spent studying in the United States plus one. Sets forth guidelines for implementing the program. Directs the President, before allocating any funds, to consult with U.S. educational institutions, educational exchange organizations, U.S. missions, and the governments of participating countries on how to implement the guidelines. Authorizes the President to enter into agreements with foreign governments to further the scholarship program. Urges the Administrator of the agency primarily responsible for administering development assistance programs, in implementing such programs, to increase assistance for undergraduate scholarships for students of limited financial means from developing countries to study in the United States. Urges the Director of the USIA to expand opportunities for students from developing countries to receive financial aid for postgraduate study at U.S. institutions of higher education. Urges the President to take steps to expand the opportunities for Americans from all economic classes to study in developing countries. Authorizes the President to establish counseling and orientation services: (1) abroad to prepare foreign students for study in the United States; and (2) at U.S. schools to help them while they are in the United States. Directs the Board of Foreign Scholarships to advise and assist the President in the discharge of programs authorized by this Act. Requires the public and private sectors in the United States to be encouraged to contribute to the costs of the programs financed under this Act. Directs the President to engage the public and private sectors of developing countries in programs to maximize the use of program participants upon their return to their own countries. Authorizes the President to publicize the scholarship program abroad. Directs the President to encourage U.S. schools attended by students receiving scholarships under this Act to provide opportunities for U.S. students to develop their knowledge of the foreign students' cultures. Authorizes the President to provide English instruction abroad when necessary. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the activities taken pursuant to this Act. Requires the undergraduate scholarship program financed by the USIA for students from Central America for FY 1986 and 1987 to be conducted in accordance with this Act. Provides for funding to carry out other scholarship programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Bipartisan Commission on Congressional Campaign Financing Act - Establishes the Bipartisan Commission on Congressional Campaign Financing to consider and study laws, regulations, and public commentary relating to the financing of congressional elections. Requires such study to give particular attention to the extent to which current campaign financing practices undermine public confidence in the Government. Requires the Commission to consider the following changes in the present system of campaign financing: (1) increasing or decreasing allowable contributions; (2) increasing the income tax credit for campaign contributions; (3) initiating a plan of public financing; (4) making available free or subsidized broadcasting time; or (5) examining the role of independent expenditures. Directs the Commission to make reasonable efforts to achieve the broadest bipartisan consensus in arriving at its recommendations. Requires the Commission, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, to submit to the Congress its final report. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of such report. Requires the Director of the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress and the Chairman of the Federal Election Commission, not later than two months after enactment of this Act, to transmit briefing papers to the Bipartisan Commission which catalog and synthesize pertinent reports, analyses, and recommendations. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000468_200.jpg)