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Official portrait of Sen. Chiles, Lawton [D-FL]

Sen. Chiles, Lawton [D-FL]

United States · Official source

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1,947 records where Sen. Chiles, Lawton [D-FL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 320 (98th)open

A joint resolution regarding the implementation of the policy of the United States Government in opposition to the practice of torture by any foreign government.

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984

Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to oppose the practice of torture by foreign governments through the implementation of laws and through public and private diplomacy. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to continue to raise the issue of torture by such governments; and (2) continue to involve the U.S. Government in the formulation of international standards and the implementation of the draft Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Requests the Secretary of State to issue specified formal instructions to each U.S. mission chief regarding U.S. policy with respect to such torture. States that the Secretary of Commerce should continue to enforce the current restrictions on the export of crime control equipment pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the heads of U.S. departments that furnish military and law enforcement training to foreign personnel to include in such training instruction regarding international human rights standards with respect to torture.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 412 (98th)passed

A resolution to congratulate and commend the USA Philharmonic Society.

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1984

Congratulates and commends the USA Philharmonic Society for its work on behalf of the Nation's young musicians and its commitment to furthering better understanding among peoples of all nations through the language of music.

Bill· SS. 2766 (98th)open

A bill to amend Chapter 44, Title 18, United States Code, to regulate the manufacture and importation of armor piercing ammunition.

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984

Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole granted.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 121 (98th)open

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the nondelivery in the Soviet Union of certain mail from the United States, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1984

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should express to the Soviet Union the U.S. disapproval of the Soviet Union's: (1) systematic nondelivery of U.S. mail addressed to persons in the Soviet Union; and (2) violation of specified treaties governing international mail. States that at the meeting of the Congress of the Universal Postal Union in Hamburg, Germany, U.S. representatives should: (1) bring such violations to the attention of the Union; (2) request that an investigation of such violations be conducted by the Union; and (3) consider possible sanctions against the Soviet Union for such violations.

Bill· SS. 2744 (98th)open

Medicare and Medicaid Patient Protection Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1984

Medicare and Medicaid Patient Protection Act of 1984 - Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to exclude from participation in programs under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act, and to direct State agencies to exclude from participation in programs under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act, title V (Maternal and Child Health Block Grant) of the Act, and title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Act, for a period of not less than five years, any individual or entity that has been convicted of a criminal offense related to such individual's or entity's participation in the delivery of items or services under title XVIII or any such State health care program. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude from participation in Medicare and to direct State agencies to exclude from participation in such State health care programs: (1) any individual or entity convicted of any financial abuse or abuse of patients in connection with the delivery of health care items or services in any publicly operated or financed program; (2) any individual or entity convicted of unlawful manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance; (3) any individual who has had his or her health care license revoked or suspended; (4) any individual suspended or sanctioned under any Federal program involving the provision of health care; (5) any individual or entity that the Secretary determines has knowingly made any false statement in an application for payment under Medicare or a State health care program; (6) any entity whenever the Secretary determines that any person with an ownership or controlling interest in that entity or a managing employee of that entity is a person who has been convicted of specified health care related crimes, fined for specified health care abuses, or denied payment pursuant to this Act; or (7) any individual or entity which fails to supply certain information. Entitles any individual or entity excluded from participation to a hearing. Directs the Secretary to promptly notify each appropriate State agency administering or supervising the administration of a State health care program of the fact and circumstances of each exclusion and of the period for which the State agency shall exclude the individual or entity from health care program participation. Permits the Secretary to waive the requirement to exclude an individual or entity from participation if a waiver request is received from the State. Directs the Secretary to notify the appropriate State or local licensing authority of the fact of an individual's or entity's exclusion. Permits reinstatement of an individual or entity if there is no basis for continuing the exclusion. Requires a State, under title XIX of the Act, to supply the Secretary information with respect to any health care practitioner or entity against whom a formal proceeding is undertaken by a State licensing authority. Requires each State having a plan approved under title XIX of the Act to have in effect a system of reporting under which the State agency administering Medicaid reports in a timely manner to the Secretary any proceeding commenced against a health care practitioner or entity and any results of such proceedings. Directs the Secretary to maintain a central information system on all such proceedings. Authorizes the Secretary to release information from the system to a State if such information may be useful to the State in determining the fitness of an individual to provide health care services. Establishes as the criminal penalties for violations of this Act the penalties set forth under title XIX of the Act. Sets forth civil penalties. Requires any health care provider providing health care services for which payment may be made under the Act to assure that services or items furnished: (1) will be provided economically and only when, and to the extent, medically necessary; (2) will be quality services which meet professionally recognized standards of health care; and (3) will be supported by evidence of medical necessity and quality in such form and fashion and at such time as may reasonably be required by a reviewing peer review organization in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to permit the Attorney General to suspend or revoke a registration to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance upon a finding that the registrant has been excluded from participation in the Medicare program pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to give an individual or entity six months to correct any deficiencies in meeting the requirements of this Act in any case in which an individual or entity must obtain certification for participation in the programs covered by this Act and such deficiencies do not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of patients.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 119 (98th)passed

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress concerning infringements of religious freedom by the Governments of the Warsaw pact states.

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1984

Condemns the infringement of religious freedom by the Warsaw Pact states. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should raise the failure of the Warsaw Pact states to fulfill commitments on religious freedom undertaken in the Helsinki Final Act and to respect international law on human rights in the area of religion at every appropriate international forum, including all of the meetings of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and appropriate gatherings of the United Nations.

Bill· SS. 2728 (98th)referred

A bill to deauthorize the Cross-Florida Barge Canal project, to adjust the boundaries of the Ocala National Forest, Florida, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1984

Deauthorizes the Cross-Florida Barge Canal project. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to operate and maintain existing facilities and appurtenant lands of such project. Extends the boundaries of the Ocala National Forest, Florida. Provides for the transfer of certain lands, administered by the Corp of Engineers, to the Secretary of Agriculture to be administered and made part of the Ocala National Forest. Provides for the acquisition of certain lands within the Ocala National Forest which are held by the State of Florida. Establishes the Lake Ocklawaha Federal Recreation District as part of the Ocala National Forest. Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to operate the Rodman Dam located within such District. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to receive and administer easements to further the purposes of such District. States that this Act shall not take effect until the State of Florida takes certain specified action in conformity with the purposes of this Act. Authorizes appropriations beginning with FY 1985 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Bill· SS. 2675 (98th)open

Public Participation in Procurement Policymaking Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1984

Public Participation in Procurement Policymaking Act of 1984 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to require the head of each Federal agency proposing to issue a procurement policy, regulation, procedure, or form: (1) to solicit and consider the views of all interested parties on such proposal; and (2) if such proposal would have any effect beyond the agency's internal operating procedures or on the costs or contract administration activities of contractors, to publish in the Federal Register a notice describing the proposal and to provide a public comment period of at least 30, and preferably 60, days. Authorizes an agency head to waive such notice requirement and institute a proposal temporarily when compliance with such requirement would be impracticable, if the agency head publishes notice of the temporary policy, procedure, regulation, or form in the Federal Register and provides a 60-day public comment period. Allows the agency head to issue the final policy, procedure, regulation, or form after considering the comments received.

Bill· SS. 2568 (98th)open

Civil Rights Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984

Civil Rights Act of 1984 - Amends the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination by any recipient of Federal financial assistance. (Currently, discrimination is prohibited only in a program or activity receiving Federal assistance.) Defines the term "recipient" to extend comprehensive coverage for purposes of the four Acts to any State or local governmental unit, any public or private agency or entity, and any subunit successor, assignee, or transferee of any such unit, agency, or entity.

Bill· SS. 2512 (98th)open

Leadership in Educational Administration Development Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1984

Leadership in Educational Administration Development Act of 1984 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1990 to carry out this Act. Directs the Secretary of Education, from such appropriations, to make available amounts, up to a specified maximum per region, necessary to establish and operate a regional technical assistance center in each Federal region. Makes up to $10,000,000 of such appropriations available for metropolitan training centers. Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with an institution of higher education (or consortium of such institutions) in each Federal region to establish and operate a regional technical assistance center. Permits the contractor to associate with a private management agency for performance of such contract. Requires the contractor to: (1) make center services available to school administrators from any of the local educational agencies (LEAs) in the region; (2) collect information on school leadership skills; (3) assess leadership skills of individual participants; (4) conduct leadership skills training for new and practicing school administrators, especially women and minority administrators; (5) operate consulting programs for school districts; (6) maintain training curricula and materials on leadership skills drawing on expertise in business, academia, civilian and military governmental agencies, and existing effective schools; (7) conduct programs which make available business executives, scholars, and practicing school administrators and which offer internships in business, industry, and in effective school districts to school administrators; (8) disseminate information on leadership skills associated with effective schools; and (9) establish model administrator projects. Directs the Secretary in selecting such contractors to take into account whether their programs would: (1) emphasize development of leadership skills identified by graduate schools of management and of education; and (2) assure provision of assistance to school administrators from LEAs in which the number of pupils in the average daily attendance is less than 2,500. Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts with LEAs, intermediate school districts, State educational agencies (SEAs), institutions of higher education, private management organizations, or nonprofit institutions (or consortium of such entities) to establish and operate metropolitan training centers in eligible LEAs. Defines an eligible LEA as any LEA which is located, in part or in whole, within a standard metropolitan statistical area (SMSA) with a population of 250,000 or more. Requires such contractors to: (1) make center services available on an equitable basis, taking account of the contributions of various LEAs to center costs, to school administrators from each of the LEAs located, in part or in whole, within the SMSA; (2) perform specified functions which are also required of regional center contractors; and (3) coordinate metropolitan center operations with those of the regional center. Directs the Secretary, in selecting such contractors, to: (1) accept only those applications which demonstrate the existence of a prior agreement, among LEAs with more than one-half of the pupils in average daily attendance within the SMSA, to utilize the center; and (2) take into account whether their programs would emphasize provision of assistance to school administrators from LEAs in which the number of pupils in average daily attendance is more than 2,500 and would give preference to consortia of LEAs. Requires contracts under this Act to: (1) assure involvement of private sector managers and executives; (2) assure ongoing organizational commitment through obtaining matching funds, making in-kind contributions, demonstrating commitment to continue after expiration of funding under this Act, and organizing a policy advisory committee including representatives from business, private foundations, LEAs, and SEAs; (3) demonstrate the level of development of human relations skills which its programs will instill; and (4) establish a system of program evaluation. Provides that each contract under this Act shall be for a three-year term, subject to availability of funds. Makes such contracts non-renewable, but allows a single three-year extension to be granted if the contractor agrees to maintain the programs with assistance under this Act reduced by one-half. Permits the non- Federal matching contribution to be in cash or in kind, in the case of contracts for metropolitan training centers. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this Act.

Bill· SS. 2489 (98th)open

Small Business Competition Enhancement Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984

Small Business Competition Enhancement Act of 1984 - Amends the Small Business Act to set forth specified evaluation considerations which must be weighed by Federal agencies with respect to solicitations for competitive and noncompetitive awards of development or production contracts for a major system. Provides a waiver for certain evaluation considerations if the contracting officer determines in writing that such requirement would not be applicable to the production contract or would not be in the best interests of the Government. Requires an agency before it can establish any prequalification requirement with respect to the awarding of a contract to: (1) prepare a written justification stating the reasons for the restriction and why free and open competition is not feasible; (2) specify in writing and make available upon request all standards which a contractor, or its product, must meet in order to become qualified; (3) provide an opportunity for a contractor to demonstrate its ability to meet such standards; and (4) inform such contractor as to whether qualification has been attained. Sets forth procedures an agency must follow in the event that the number of available qualified sources or products is less than five. Sets forth additional information which is to be included in all notices of proposed competitive and noncompetitive civilian and defense procurement actions of $10,000 and above. Requires an agency to: (1) publicly post solicitations which would have been synopsized in the Commerce Business Daily if it had equalled or exceeded the applicable dollar threshold for such publication; and (2) make available to small businesses the solicitation package for solicitations posted in abstract form and permit the copying of such solicitation. Declares it to be the policy of the United States that small businesses and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals shall have to the maximum extent possible the opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts which are in excess of $10,000 and are not for personal services for subsystems, assemblies, components, and related services for major systems. Requires an agency with responsibility for a major system to include provisions relating to specified technical data in all production contracts in order to foster competitive procurement of spare parts requirements to maintain such systems. Provides a waiver for such provisions if the contracting officer determines in writing that any such provision would not be applicable to the production contract or would not be in the best interests of the Government. Requires an agency: (1) within one year after the enactment of this Act, to develop a plan for the management of such technical data received under contracts for the development, production, modification, or maintenance of major systems within its jurisdiction; and (2) within five years after the enactment of this Act, to complete implementation of such management plan and include the technical data for each major system within its jurisdiction. Specifies other matters the management plan shall address. Requires the Comptroller General, not later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act, to transmit to the Congress a report evaluating the plans of specified Federal agencies for the management of technical data for major systems within their jurisdiction. Requires a contracting officer, under specified circumstances, to initiate a review of the validity of restrictions on the Government's rights in technical data furnished under contract. Sets forth procedures for the certification of such restrictions. Requires the Small Business Administration to assign to each major procurement center a breakout procurement center representative who shall: (1) participate in evaluating the maintenance of a major system during its service life and determine whether requirements are to be procured through other than free and open competition; (2) review procurement method codes that restrict competition among small businesses and to request reevaluation of such restrictions by agency personnel; (3) review restrictions on competition that arise out of restrictions on the Government's rights in technical data and, when appropriate, recommend that the contracting officer initiate a review of the validity of such restriction; (4) obtain technical data for the preparation of a competitive solicitation package; and (5) have access to the unclassified procurement records and other data of the procurement center. Directs each agency to assign technical advisors to assist each breakout procurement center representative.

Bill· SS. 2487 (98th)open

White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1984

White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act - Calls upon the President to conduct a National White House Conference on Small Business, not earlier than January 1, 1985, and not later than September 1, 1986, to: (1) increase public awareness of the contributions of small business; (2) identify small business problems; (3) examine the status of minority and women small business owners; (4) assist small business in carrying out its role as the nation's job creator; (5) develop specific recommendations for executive and legislative action; and (6) review the status of recommendations adopted at the Conference. Authorizes and directs Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to provide support and assistance to the planning of such conference. Requires a final report of the Conference, within six months from the date such conference is convened, to be submitted to the President and the Congress. Requires the Small Business Administration to report annually to the Congress for the next three years following the submission of the final report of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 358 (98th)referred

A resolution commending the Government of Colombia for its major achievement in seizing large amounts of cocaine, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1984

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Colombian Special Anti-Narcotics Unit should be commended for its seizure of large amounts of cocaine on March 10, 1984; and (2) the United States should continue to cooperate with Colombia to assist and encourage efforts to destroy drug producing crops and counter the flow of dangerous drugs to the United States.

Bill· SS. 2456 (98th)open

Commission on the Ukraine Famine Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984

Commission on the Ukraine Famine Act - Establishes a Commission to be known as the Commission on the Ukraine Famine which shall study the 1932-1933 Ukraine famine in order to: (1) expand the world's knowledge of the famine; and (2) provide the American public with a better understanding of the Soviet system. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 2433 (98th)open

Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984

Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 to require the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Currently, the Administrator is appointed by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.) Requires the Director to: (1) integrate his or her statistical policy and coordination functions under such Act with his or her other information resources management functions; (2) appoint an experienced statistician as a chief statistician; (3) update annually the five-year plan for meeting the Government's automatic data processing and telecommunications needs; (4) set goals of reducing the burden of Federal information collection requirements by at least five percent each year for FY 1984 through 1988; and (5) issue a comprehensive set of information resources management policies and guidelines to implement such policies. Requires the Director to include in the annual report to Congress on Federal information policy activities: (1) a summary of accomplishments and planned initiatives to improve information resources management within agencies; (2) a statement on each agency's initiatives to acquire information technology to improve such management; (3) an analysis of the extent to which the newly issued information management guidelines deter or promote such initiatives; (4) a description of the actions taken or planned to carry out statistical policy and coordination functions; and (5) a description of the status of each major statistical program. Requires the Director, when the President submits the annual budget to Congress for FY 1986, to submit a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives which describes the funds requested for such fiscal year and the funds allocated to OIRA in the preceding fiscal year for each of specified information resources management functions. Requires the Director to make available to the public a copy of each proposed agency rule or regulation reviewed by OIRA and any material submitted to OIRA by the agency or to the agency by OIRA. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1988 to carry out the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to combine the existing Federal telecommunications and automatic data processing funds into an Information Technology Fund. Authorizes appropriations for such Fund. Directs the Administrator: (1) to determine the cost and capital requirements for the Fund for each fiscal year and submit plans for such requirements to the Director; and (2) if such plans are approved by the Director, to establish rates to be charged to agencies provided information technology resources through the Fund. Permits the Administrator to enter into multiyear contracts for the provision of such resources if: (1) adequate funds are available to pay contract costs for the first fiscal year any costs of cancellation or termination; (2) such a contract is awarded on a fully competitive basis; (3) the Government's need for such resources will continue over the contract period; and (4) use of a multiyear contract will cost less than other acquisition methods and will not exclude small business participation. Requires the Administrator to report to the Director on the operation of the Fund annually. Authorizes the Director to employ up to 20 individuals, without regard to specified provisions of Federal law governing civil service appointments and pay, to carry out OIRA functions.

Bill· SS. 2423 (98th)passed

Victims of Crime Assistance Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1984

Victims of Crime Assistance Act of 1984 - Establishes within the Treasury a Crime Victims' Assistance Fund, in which shall be deposited all criminal fines collected from convicted Federal defendants and all proceeds received from the sale of literary or other rights arising from criminal acts. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to establish a procedure under which any money due a criminal defendant under a contract entered into for the purposes of recounting or having his or her crime depicted shall be paid into the Fund. Provides that all money deposited in the Fund is for the benefit of any victim of the defendant's crime. Requires such victim, in order to receive money from the Fund, to secure a judgment in a civil action against the defendant for damages arising out of the crime. Allows money from the Fund to pay for the defendant's legal representation. Requires the clerk of the court to publish every six months for two years a notice to victims that such money is available to satisfy judgments pursuant to this Act. Amends the Federal criminal code to allow victims the opportunity to appear at parole hearings and testify about the emotional, psychological, physical, and financial impact the prisoner's conduct has had on their lives. Authorizes the Attorney General to make annual grants from the Fund to States for the purpose of compensating and providing other assistance to victims of crime. Establishes criteria based on State victims' compensation payouts and population for the distribution of the Fund. Requires that States appoint a State victim assistance administrator to award funds to eligible non-profit, State, and local agencies which provide assistance to victims. Directs the Attorney General to appoint a Federal Victim Assistance Administrator to provide funds to executive agencies for services and other nonfinancial assistance to victims of Federal crimes. Authorizes the President to establish a Federal Victims of Crime Advisory Committee to advise the Federal Administrator about the needs of Federal victims. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit a report to the Attorney General setting forth the steps it has taken to: (1) improve the accurate accounting of collections of criminal fines; and (2) assure all collected fines are deposited in the Fund.

Bill· SS. 2378 (98th)referred

Impact Aid Authorization Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984

Impact Aid Authorization Act of 1984 - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations through FY 1989 for the impact aid program for federally affected schools. Increases the authority for reimbursements to eligible local educational agencies for revenues lost from federally owned, nontaxable property. Requires the Secretary of Education, not later than November 15, of each year, to publish the percentage change in the price index published for October of the preceding fiscal year and October of the fiscal year in which such publication is made. Bases the amount authorized for such impact aid programs on such percentage change. Limits such percentage change to no more than five percent. Repeals the three-year phaseout of impact aid to federally affected schools whose students' parents either live or work on Federal property. Authorizes appropriations for such impact aid through FY 1989.

Bill· SS. 2360 (98th)referred

Vocational-Technical Education Quality and Equity Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1984

Vocational-Technical Education Quality and Equity Act of 1984 - Sets forth national priorities which States are to be assisted in addressing under this Act. Lists national priorities under the following two headings: (1) improving the quality of vocational education to meet the needs of a changing economy and labor market; and (2) increasing equity in vocational education by expanding access to programs and providing services to students with specified educational needs. Title I: State Administration, Planning, and Evaluation - Part A: State Administrative Responsibilities - Sets forth requirements relating to the functions of State boards of vocational education. Includes among State board responsibilities: (1) appointment of a State director of vocational education and other personnel to administer this Act; (2) convening and meeting at least four times annually; and (3) submitting the State plan to the State advisory council on vocational-technical education. Requires the State board to assign at least one full-time individual to assist it in specified ways. Directs each State to reserve a specified amount from its basic State grant for State board functions. Sets forth requirements relating to State advisory councils on vocational-technical education. Limits membership of each council to 15, at least one-third of whom must be representatives of the private sector. Sets forth other membership representation requirements. Sets forth council functions and duties, including: (1) biennial evaluation of vocational education program delivery systems assisted under this Act and under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and of the adequacy and effectiveness of Federal, State, local, and private efforts to strengthen and improve vocational education in the State; and (2) reviewing and commenting on the State plan submitted by the State board. Directs the Secretary of Education, from sums appropriated for such State councils and allotted in a specified manner, to make grants to State councils to carry out their functions. Sets maximum and minimum limits on the amount of each such grant. Part B: Planning and Applications - Sets forth requirements for three-year State plans, to be submitted to the Secretary. Sets forth requirements for State applications for funds for each fiscal year under this Act. Sets forth requirements for three-year local plans by eligible recipients, to be formulated with the assistance of local advisory councils and to be submitted to the State board. Part C: Evaluation and Review - Sets forth requirements for State progress reports and State plan amendments. Sets forth requirements for program evaluation by State boards with the assistance of the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to report every two years to the Congress on the status of vocational education in the Nation, including a summary of State program evaluations, with conclusions and recommendations. Sets forth requirements for local progress and amendments to local plans. Title II: State Programs - Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments under title IV of this Act to make grants to assist States in funding vocational education programs, services, and activities carried out by State boards and eligible recipients. Requires that such basic State grants be used, in accordance with approved State plans, to: (1) improve the quality of vocational education programs to meet the needs of the changing economy through strategies consistent with specified national priorities; and (2) provide equal access to, and benefit from, vocational education programs for underserved groups of individuals and groups of individuals with special needs through strategies consistent with specified national priorities. Limits the amount of the State allotment which may be transferred by a State: (1) to ten percent for such improvement purposes; and (2) to ten percent for such equal access purposes. Sets forth the following authorized activities which may be included in carrying out required uses of funds pursuant to this title: (1) vocational education responsive to labor market demands or designed to keep abreast of technological changes, including high-technology industry-education partnership programs; (2) vocational education special programs and services for underserved and special needs populations (including adult workers in need of training and retraining, disadvantaged, handicapped, minorities, and women); (3) postsecondary and adult vocational education for out-of-school youth and adults in need of training or retraining, whether employed or unemployed; (4) strengthening the institutional base of vocational education by updating curricula, equipment, materials, planning, and staff skills; (5) assigning personnel to work with employers and eligible recipients to insure that programs are responsive to the labor market; (6) vocational education through arrangements with private vocational education institutions, employers, and community-based organizations; (7) design and implementation of planned sequential vocational programs between secondary and postsecondary education levels; (8) program and curricula design and instructor training to teach and apply principles of mathematics, science, written and verbal communications, and technology related to the students' occupational goals; (9) improving the qualifications of individuals serving or preparing to serve in vocational education programs; (10) prevocational and industrial arts programs; (11) vocational student organizational activities; (12) placement services; (13) entrepreneurship programs consistent with the purposes of this Act and the goals established in the State plan; (14) special vocational education programs and support services, including career education, counseling, and guidance, work-study, cooperative, on-site, and apprenticeship, overcoming sex bias and stereotyping, assisting minorities and exemplary and innovative demonstration programs; (15) construction, equipment, and operation of residential vocational-technical schools for students at least 15 years old who require a residential facility to benefit from vocational education; (16) construction of area vocational-technical school facilities; (17) day care services for students' children; (18) up to 50 percent of administrative and supervisory costs; (19) planning, evaluation, and reporting costs; and (20) consortia with other States. Prohibits the use of such funds for activities relating to residential vocational-technical schools, area vocational education schools, or day care services for students' children unless the State board determines that: (1) it would be impossible, without expenditures for such activities, to carry out the purposes of this Act and the goals described in the State plan; and (2) adequate funds are not available from other sources for such activities. Title III: National Programs - Directs the Secretary to maintain a national vocational education data system. Requires States receiving assistance under this Act to cooperate in supplying information for such system. Directs the Secretary, in maintaining and annually updating such system, to make such system compatible with: (1) the occupational information data system established under this Act; (2) other systems developed or assisted under labor market information provisions under JTPA; and (3) other occupational supply and demand information systems developed or maintained through Federal assistance (directs the Secretary to cooperate with the Secretary of Labor in this ). Directs the Secretary to secure data about program enrollees and completers, placement and followup, staffing, and expenditures by major purposes of this Act. Establishes a National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee consisting of specified Federal officials. Directs the Committee, with funds available under title I, to: (1) annually provide funds for and assist State occupational coordinating committees; (2) improve coordination among administrators and planners of programs authorized by this Act and JTPA, employment security agency administrators, researchers, and Federal, State, and local employment and training agency personnel; (3) develop and implement an occupational information system to meet common needs of vocational education and employment and training programs; and (4) study the effects of technological change on new and existing occupational areas and the required changes in knowledge and job skills. Requires each State receiving assistance under this Act to establish a State occupational information coordinating committee composed of representatives of the State board, employment security agency, economic development agency, job training coordinating council, and agency for administering programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Directs the State committee, with funds from the national committee, to implement an occupational information system in the State designed to meet the needs of State board programs under this Act and administering agencies under JTPA. Establishes the President's Commission on Vocational-Technical Education (the Commission) consisting of members appointed by the President, with a majority representing the private sector of the economy and the remainder with broad experience in education and economic and human resources development (at least one of whom is a member of the National Commission for Employment Policy established under JTPA). Directs the Commission to: (1) assess national needs with respect to occupations requiring less than a baccalaureate degree; (2) identify ways to encourage cooperation between the private sector of the economy and vocational-technical education; (3) evaluate program needs for updated equipment, curricula, competent staff, and other necessary components for student preparation and worker training and retraining for the workplace; (4) examine, and make recommendations regarding, the role of vocational education in the improvement of the secondary education system; (5) make appropriate recommendations; and (6) advise the President, Congress, and Secretary on the implementation of this Act, JTPA, and adequate policies for vocational-technical education programs. Directs the Commission to make a final report of its findings and recommendations to the President, Congress, and Secretary within two years after its first meeting. Authorizes the Commission to make interim reports and recommendations. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its final report. Provides that the National Center for Research in Vocational Education established under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 shall continue to be operated with funds made available under this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make an annual grant for the Center's operation; and (2) on the basis of solicited applications and the advice of non-Federal experts in vocational education administration and research, designate the entity to be the Center once every five years. Requires that the Center: (1) be a nonprofit entity associated with a public or private nonprofit university which has made, or is prepared to make, a substantial financial contribution towards its establishment; and (2) have a Director, appointed by such university and assisted by the advisory committee on research and program development. Provides for a discretionary fund for the improvement of vocational education ("the Fund"). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, public and private nonprofit organizations, secondary and postsecondary education institutions, and other public and private educational institutions and agencies to improve vocational and technical education. Allows such grants to be used for: (1) industry-education partner-programs, technical education, and other high-technology training; (2) institutions and programs involving new paths to career and vocational training, and new combinations of academic and experimental learning with vocational education; (3) adult programs for dislocated workers, work force entry or reentry, or training, retraining, or upgrading skills; (4) access improvement for youth with special needs, including minorities, the economically or educationally disadvantaged, those lacking English proficiency, and the handicapped; (5) linkages between academic and vocational programs of secondary education; and (6) improvement of vocational education quality and equity through new and expanded curricula or advanced training for vocational administrators and instructors. Requires that any grant or contract under the Fund to an eligible recipient of funds under title II of this Act shall be submitted to the appropriate State board for review, comment, and recommendations to be forwarded to the Secretary. Provides that the advisory committee on research and program improvement established under this Act will advise the Secretary, and the Director of the Fund appointed by the Secretary, on the award of grants under the Fund. Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee on research and program improvement to advise: (1) the Secretary on selection and management of programs funded under this title; (2) the Secretary, the Director of the Center, and the Director of the Fund, with respect to policy issues in the administration of the Center and in the selection and conduct of research and demonstration projects and activities by the Center; and (3) advise the Fund. Sets forth provisions for advisory committee membership. Provides that members shall not be Federal employees. Requires the advisory committee to meet at least three times annually at the call of the Secretary, including at least one meeting at, and primarily concerned with, the Center. Title IV: General Provisions, Authorizations, and Allotments - Part A: Authorization and Allotments - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1991 for: (1) basic State grants under title II to improve the quality of vocational education payments to meet the needs of the changing economy; (2) basic State grants under title II to provide equal access to, and benefit from, vocational education programs for underserved groups of individuals and groups of individuals with special needs; (3) State administration, planning, and evaluation programs under title I; (4) national programs under title III, with specified exceptions; (5) the Occupational Information Data System under title III; and (6) the Fund for the improvement of vocational education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for the President's Commission on Vocational Education under title III. Requires that the amount appropriated in any fiscal year for basic State grants for improvement of program quality be substantially equal to the amount for the basic State grants for provisions of equal access to programs. Requires a State, in order to receive any allotment under this Act, to: (1) establish a State board and a State advisory council on vocational-technical education; (2) have an approved State plan and application; (3) comply with evaluation and review and other provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary, from appropriations for basic State grants and for State administration, planning, and evaluation, to reserve two percent for Indian programs. Directs the Secretary, from the remainder of such appropriations and subject to specified provisions, to allot to each State for each fiscal year an amount based on formulas using State allotment ratios and relative State populations of certain age groups. Allots the following percentages of such funds on the basis of population age: (1) 15 through 19--50 percent; (2) 20 through 24--20 percent; and (3) 25 through 65--15 percent. Allots the remaining 15 percent on the basis of relative sums of such age group allotment. Sets forth a minimum State allotment amount, with specified exceptions, and minimum allotments for specified territories and possessions of the United States. Provides for reallotment among other States of any amount which the Secretary determines will not be required for carrying out a State's program for any fiscal year. Sets forth a formula for determining State allotment ratios based on relative State per capita income. Sets maximum and minimum limits on such ratios and sets ratios for specified territories and possessions of the United States. Sets forth provisions for Indian programs. Directs the Secretary, upon the request of an eligible Indian tribe, to contract with the tribal organization to plan, conduct and administer vocational education programs with the two-percent reserved funds for such purpose. Authorizes the Secretary, from any remaining funds from such reserved funds, to enter into an agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for the operation of vocational education programs in institutions serving eligible Indians. Makes provisions of this Act applicable to the BIA as if it were a State board. Part B: Federal Administrative Responsibilities - Sets forth provisions for payments to States for administrative costs. Sets forth maintenance of effort requirements. Sets forth provisions for withholding of funds from States by the Secretary, and for judicial review of such withholding. Part C: Transitional and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth provisions for the transition from requirements (including expenditure of funds) under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to requirements under this Act. Transfers the personnel, property and records of: (1) the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education established under such Act to the President's Council on Vocational-Technical Education established under this Act and to the advisory council on research and program improvement established under this Act; and (2) the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee established under such Act to the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee established under this Act. Repeals the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Makes conforming amendments to the JTPA, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Adult Education Act, the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968. Part D: Definition of Terms - Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act.

Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 246 (98th)referred

A joint resolution strongly urging the President to secure a full accounting of Americans captured or missing-in-action in Southeast Asia, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1984

Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Southeast Asian nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of Americans listed as prisoners of war (POW) or missing-in-action (MIA) and the return of the remains of all American POWs and MIAs who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on the POW/MIA problem.