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United States · Official source
3,436 records where Sen. Durenberger, Dave [R-MN] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1986
Designates the week beginning on October 5, 1986, as Mental Illness Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Federal funding for FY 1987 Cooperative Extension Service Programs should be restored to at least the level approved in the FY 1986 concurrent budget resolution, except for reductions in such programs required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1986
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to exempt from any sequestration of funds under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) certain benefits which are based upon the service-connected disability or death of such veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States, in cooperation with other members of the international donor community, should call upon the Ethiopian Government to recognize that resources donated for famine relief should be used for that purpose and not diverted to resettlement efforts; (2) such forced resettlements by the Ethiopian Government should be halted and monitored by the United Nations (U.N.); (3) the Ethiopian Government should commit sufficient resources to move food and relief goods to meet the needs of its people; and (4) the U.N. should insist on free access to resettlement sites for international observers and the news media and report on conditions in the resettlement camps.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1986
Tax-Exempt Bond Reform Act of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the term "industrial development bonds" with the new term "quasi-governmental bonds." Defines "quasi-governmental bond" as any obligation: (1) which is issued as part of an issue more than 25 percent of the net proceeds of which are to be used directly or indirectly in any trade or business carried on by any person other than a governmental unit; and (2) the payment of the principal or interest on which is, to the extent of more than 25 percent, secured by an interest in property used or to be used in a trade or business or in payments with respect of property, or to be derived from payments in respect of property, or borrowed money, used or to be used in trade or business. Sets forth rules concerning the use of proceeds in ways which will not be considered to be used in a trade or business carried on by other than a governmental unit. Provides that an issue of obligations will not be treated as quasi-governmental bonds if 95 percent or more of the proceeds are to be used to provide projects for residential rental or limited-equity cooperative property if certain conditions are satisfied. Provides that certain issues will not be treated as quasi-governmental bonds if 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of the issue are used for certain specified activities. Provides that when 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of an industrial park or small issue are used for such purposes, then the bonds are tax-exempt. Repeals the termination date for the small issue industrial development bond exemption. Sets forth the definition of "principal user" for purposes of certain facilities. Provides that obligations where 95 percent of the proceeds are to be used by nonprofit organizations in activities which do not constitute unrelated trade or businesses shall not be treated as quasi-governmental bonds. Provides that qualified mortgage bonds, qualified veterans' mortgage bonds, qualified student loan bonds, and qualified tax-increment bonds will not be treated as quasi-governmental bonds. Modifies the requirements with respect to tax-exempt bonds used for low-income housing involving residential or limited-equity cooperative property. Makes other modifications with respect to quasi-governmental bonds. Modifies the definition of "arbitrage bond" for purposes of determining the tax-exemption for such bonds. Repeals the exception for obligations used for educational institutions. Makes modifications in certain special rules relating to arbitrage bonds. Provides that certain irrigation dams shall be treated as air or water pollution control facilities if certain conditions are met for purposes of quasi-governmental bonds. Makes modifications with respect to qualified scholarship funding bonds, federally guaranteed obligations, and qualified steam generating or alcohol producing facilities. Provides that an obligation is federally guaranteed if more than five percent of the net proceeds of such issue is used to make loans guaranteed by the Federal Government or invested in federally insured deposits. Requires public approval for quasi-governmental bonds. Requires certain informational reporting to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to quasi-governmental bonds. Substitutes the term "quasi-governmental" for the term "private activity". Increases the dollar amount of the State ceiling on quasi-governmental bonds to $225 multiplied by the State's population or $260,000,000. Provides special rules for allocating the volume cap with respect to States with constitutional home rule cities. Modifies the refunding rules with respect to student loan bonds, qualified mortgage bonds, and qualified veterans' mortgage bonds. Substitutes the term "private loan bonds" for the term "consumer loan bonds." Requires that more than five percent of the net proceeds of the issue must be used for certain purposes in order to be classified as private loan bonds. Makes various modifications in the definition and requirements for qualified student loan bonds and tax-increment bonds. Provides that the tax-exempt status of an obligation issued for the purpose of the advance refunding of a tax-exempt obligation or quasi-governmental bonds will not be allowed unless certain conditions are satisfied. Provides rules for the change in use or ownership of facilities financed by certain tax-exempt obligations. Defines "net proceeds" to mean the proceeds of an issue reduced by insurance costs and a reasonably required reserve and replacement fund. Makes certain changes in the provisions concerning the mortgage credit certificate program. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to amend the regulations relating to the arbitrage requirements to eliminate the provision which permits a higher yield on purpose obligations if the issuer elects to waive the benefits of the temporary period provisions. Provides a penalty for failure to file certain reports on compliance with the qualified residential project rules. Makes certain technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code and to the securities laws. Provides that, generally, the effective date for these provisions will apply to obligations issued after the date of enactment of this Act. Sets forth other effective dates for specific provisions. Provides that tax-exempt financing of low income housing, or of water, sewer, and solid waste facilities will not effect the depreciation of such property. Prohibits the deduction of interest expenses of financial institutions allocable to tax-exempt securities. Sets forth the formula for making such allocation. Provides that a certain percentage of tax-exempt interest received by an insurance company shall be subtracted from the amount of losses incurred by the company in calculating taxable income. Provides that an individual is not required to report on tax returns either the tax-exempt interest received or the receipt of State and local tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1986
Designates 1988 as the Year of New Sweden.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1986
Landowner Protection Act of 1986 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to require a Farm Credit System institution to restructure, rather than foreclose, a loan to an eligible borrower if foreclosure costs equal or exceed restructuring costs. Sets forth borrower appeals procedures. Requires a program report to the Congress within 270 days. Terminates such program one year after enactment of this Act, or 90 days after submission of such report, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1986
National Park System Resources Preservation and Revitalization Act of 1986 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a comprehensive program to preserve and revitalize resources in the National Park System. Requires the Secretary to prepare and regularly update resource management plans for each unit of the System. Requires such plans to address both natural and cultural resources. Directs the Secretary to develop criteria for establishing priorities for addressing resource problems and prepare a priority list which determines how funds are allocated. Requires the Secretary to establish priorities for monitoring and research and establish model uniform methods of conducting baseline inventories and data collection, based upon a ten-unit pilot program. Requires the National Park Service to report to the Congress within three years on the effectiveness of such pilot program. Directs the Secretary to establish a national natural and cultural resources training center within the Service and to offer a comprehensive training course for resource management specialists and other training opportunities. Directs the Secretary to report biennially to the Congress on the condition and needs of the System, including a per unit analysis of resource issues. Allocates funds for matching grants for resource protection projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1996. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to charge new and increase certain existing fees for admission into units of the System. Exempts urban, outdoor recreation areas. Allocates all admission fees for ten years to resource protection within the System.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1986
Designates the month of May 1986 as Better Hearing and Speech Month.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1986
Designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 1986, as National Osteoporosis Awareness Week of 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1986
Fair Deal Capital Payment Act of 1986 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the seven year transition from a method of reimbursing hospitals for capital-related costs relying principally on a hospital-specific average capital cost per discharge to one relying on a national average standardized capital cost per discharge.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1986
Grants a Federal charter to the 82d Airborne Division Association, Incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1986
Disapproves the proposed rescission of budget authority for payments to local governments from the Local Government Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund (R86-68) as set forth in the special message of the President transmitted to the Congress on February 5, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1986
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require each import relief petition to include an adjustment proposal which sets forth: (1) the specific objectives of the import relief being requested; (2) a schedule for achieving such objectives; and (3) a description of actions that will be taken to achieve such objectives. Sets forth factors the adjustment proposal may address. Prohibits the International Trade Commission (ITC) from initiating an import relief investigation until the ITC has received an adjustment proposal. Adds to the list of factors that the ITC shall consider in determining whether increased imports pose a threat of serious injury to the domestic industry concerned. Requires that any ITC determination that a U.S. industry is threatened with serious injury shall be made on the basis of evidence that the threat of serious injury is real and that actual serious injury is imminent. Provides that such determination may be made on the basis of official statements of intended action made by a foreign government. Authorizes the ITC, if it makes an affirmative determination that increased imports are a substantial cause of serious injury or threaten serious injury to a competing domestic industry, to determine the appropriate increase in duty or imposition of an import restriction and recommend the provision of adjustment assistance. (Current law authorizes the ITC either to: (1) recommend adjustment assistance; or (2) determine the appropriate import restriction or duty increase.) Requires the ITC, if it makes such an affirmative determination, to: (1) investigate and hold a public hearing on certain of its determinations and findings; (2) determine the probable effectiveness of import relief; (3) evaluate the effectiveness of the adjustment proposal to enable the domestic industry to compete; and (4) estimate the effects of import restrictions or increased duties on private and industrial consumers. Requires the ITC to include in its report to the President: (1) such determination, evaluation, and estimate; and (2) any Commissioner's comments on any import relief the President is authorized to provide. Requires the President, after receiving a report from the ITC containing such affirmative determination, to evaluate the objective and actions specified in the petitioner's adjustment proposal. Authorizes the President, as additional alternative forms of import relief, to: (1) direct the Attorney General to review applications from members of the industry in question for antitrust law exemptions; or (2) enter into multilateral negotiations to address problems not susceptible to unilateral solution. Requires that each report by the President to the Congress that sets forth the import relief actions the President is taking shall include: (1) the probable effects that such import relief will have on the ability of the domestic industry concerned to adjust to imports; (2) all actions which the domestic industry's workers and firms, and the Federal, State, and local governments are taking or have agreed to take to enable the domestic industry to compete more effectively with imports (such actions to be known as the adjustment agreement); and (3) the probable effects the President's import relief will have on consumers. Authorizes any firm that is part of the industry injured or threatened with injury to apply for an antitrust exemption. Requires the Attorney General to grant such exemption if: (1) the applicants are members of any industry that has been injured or threatened with injury; (2) the action for which the exemption is sought is reasonably related to enhancing competition with foreign competitors to whom market share has been lost and outweighs any adverse competitive impact on the domestic market; and (3) the specified action would not violate other antitrust provisions. Requires the Attorney General to report any such exemption to specified congressional committees. Requires the President, if the President elects to enter into multilateral negotiations to address problems not susceptible to unilateral solution, to report to the Congress on whether such negotiations have provided any substantial relief to the domestic industry. Requires the President, if such negotiations have not provided relief, to determine whether to increase or impose a duty or other import restriction on the imported article and the duration of such increase or imposition. Requires the import relief that the ITC found to be necessary to take effect upon enactment of a joint resolution disapproving the President's import relief action. Requires the ITC to evaluate and report to the Congress and the President on the import relief that has been granted after such relief has ended. Requires the President, if import relief is granted, to establish procedures to monitor the achievement of the goals of the adjustment agreement and to terminate or modify the import relief if the affected parties do not comply with the adjustment agreement. Authorizes the President if import relief is granted to submit legislation to the Congress aimed at achieving the objectives of the adjustment agreement. Provides for expedited consideration of such legislation. Prohibits the initiation of an import relief investigation with respect to imports of an article for which import relief has previously been provided: (1) at any time within the two years ending on the date of initiation of such investigation; or (2) during any two nonconsecutive periods of time. Provides that if import relief was provided during any previous nonconsecutive period of time: (1) the sole objective of any subsequent import relief which may be provided with respect to such article shall be facilitation of the orderly transfer to alternative uses of resources in the domestic industry producing an article like, or directly competitive with, such article; (2) any petition requesting subsequent import relief shall specify in the adjustment proposal the means of accomplishing such objective; (3) any subsequent import relief shall be at a level of relief no greater than the level of relief previously provided; and (4) certain extension provisions shall not apply to subsequent import relief.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1986
National Park System Resources Act of 1986 - Title I: Prohibits the expenditure of new Federal funds within congressionally authorized boundaries of any unit of the National Park System or any contiguous federally managed area without the Secretary of the Interior's determination that such expenditures will not degrade or destroy the natural or cultural resources within any unit of the System. Authorizes the Secretary to designate park resource protection areas which would thereby exclude such areas from the funding limitation. Exempts essential military, emergency, and certain resource protection projects from such restriction. Requires interagency cooperation and review of existing programs. Requires the Secretary to report biennially to the Congress on the condition of National Park System units. Directs the Secretary to submit, within the year, to the Congress a National Park Service Program, detailing personnel and scientific projects within the System. Authorizes the Secretary to provided technical assistance to governmental units managing lands within or adjacent to System units. Directs the Secretary to establish a scientific research program or division within the Service. Grants priority attention to units of the System designated Biosphere Reserves or World Heritage Sites. Requires the Secretary to repor to the Congress within the year on such units. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes citizen suits to enforce this Act. Title II: Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to authorize the charging of entrance or admission fees at certain units within the National Park System and an increase of fees at other units, such fees to provide additional revenue for services and programs of the System.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1986
Designates the month of November 1986 as National Alzheimer's Disease Month.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1986
Provides that the Internal Revenue Service, during the moratorium period beginning January 1, 1986, and ending June 30, 1987, may not enforce its regulations relating to the substantiation requirements with respect to deductions for the business use of vehicles. Directs that the determination of any amount includible in gross income with respect to the personal use of an employer-provided vehicle during the moratorium period shall be made without regard to temporary regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury. Prohibits the Secretary, during the moratorium period, from issuing any regulations relating to the substantiation requirements with respect to deductions for the business use of vehicles or with respect to amounts included in income for the personal use of employer-provided vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1986
Amends Part B (Alcohol and Drug Abuse) of title XIX (Block Grants) of the Public Health Service Act to specify the method of determining State allotments following the sequestration of funds under part C of the the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1986
Designates March 16, 1986, as Freedom of Information Day.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1986
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide that, notwithstanding the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and the sequestration order issued by the President under such Act on February 1, 1986, FY 1986 dairy expenditure reductions shall be implemented through more reduction in the price received by milk producers (assessments) rather than through a reduction in Commodity Credit Corporation payments for dairy product purchases. States that such reductions shall be no greater than needed (but not to exceed 12 cents per hundredweight) to achieve the reduction in milk support expenditures required by such order.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Authorizes and requests the President to designate May 11 through May 17, 1986, as Jewish Heritage Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1986
Disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority (D-86-48) for community development block grants set forth in the special message of the President to the Congress on February 5, 1986, under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1986
Designates the week of March 9 through March 15, 1986, as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Directs the President, each year before the State of the Union address, to deliver a written report on U.S. national strategy to the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees and the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. Outlines information to be included in such report. Directs the two Senate committees to hold a joint meeting, and the two House committees to hold a joint meeting, in order to consider the President's report. Directs the President, not less than 24 hours before the date on which such joint meetings are held, to deliver to each member of the Congress a copy of his report.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Expresses disapproval of the refusal of the Soviet Union to recognize the sovereignty of the Baltic Republics. Designates the 14th day of June 1986 as Baltic Freedom Day. Authorizes and requests the President to submit the issue of Baltic self-determination to the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Designates the week of May 26 through June 1, 1986, as Older Americans Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1986
Extends congratulations and best wishes to President Ronald Reagan on his 75th birthday.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1986
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish 1986 and 1987 minimum farm payment yields at 1985 levels for wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1986
Proclaims September 7 through September 13, 1986, as National Independent Retail Grocer Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1986
Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1986 - Amends specified Acts to rename them the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Act. Amends the Fair Housing Act to make it unlawful to: (1) refuse to sell or rent a dwelling to an individual because that individual, or someone associated with that individual, is handicapped; (2) discriminate against a handicapped individual in the conditions of sale or rental, or in the provision of a related service or facility; (3) refuse to permit reasonable modifications to permit access to the premises (provided the renter agrees to restore the premises to their original condition); or (4) make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, or services to afford handicapped individuals equal use and enjoyment of a dwelling. Makes it unlawful for anyone engaged in residential real estate-related transactions to discriminate in the provision or terms of a transaction because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. States that nothing in this Act limits the applicability of any reasonable local, State, or Federal restrictions on the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling unit. States that nothing in this Act regarding familial status applies to any State or Federal program aimed at assisting the elderly. Establishes new administrative enforcement authority in addition to existing enforcement provisions. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to transmit an annual report to the Congress on the progress made in eliminating discriminatory housing practices. Allows an aggrieved person to file a complaint with the Secretary alleging a discriminatory housing practice. Allows the Secretary to file such a complaint on his own initiative or investigate a housing practice to determine whether such a complaint should be brought. Requires the Secretary to attempt to correct the discriminatory practice by informal methods of conciliation. Requires the Secretary to refer matters to the Attorney General, recommending that civil actions be filed, where a respondent has failed to comply with conciliation agreements. Allows the Secretary to refer matters to the Attorney General for prompt judicial action when necessary. Makes certain changes in the current requirements for referring charges to State or local agencies for investigation and enforcement. Specifies the elements of "substantial equivalency" which permit certification and referrals of discrimination charges. Permits the Secretary to file an administrative complaint or refer the matter to the Attorney General for civil action if the investigation supports a finding of reasonable cause, except with respect to matters involving land use control, which must be referred. Specifies the hearing procedures to be utilized if an administrative complaint is issued. Permits criminal penalties of up to a $100,000 fine and/or imprisonment for not more than one year for noncompliance with subpoenas or other lawful orders. Permits the administrative law judge to award appropriate relief, including punitive damages. Permits the filing of a petition for review of a final order in an appropriate court of appeals within 30 days of service of such order. Permits any prevailing party to be awarded reasonable attorney's fees. Makes certain revisions in the private right of action for aggrieved persons. Extends the statute of limitations from 180 days to two years. Disallows simultaneous administrative and judicial proceedings involving the same charge. Allows the Attorney General to intervene upon certification that the civil action is of general public importance. Continues the authority of the Attorney General to initiate civil actions where there is reasonable cause to believe that a pattern or practice of resistance to fair housing rights has occurred. Permits the Attorney General to commence a civil action for appropriate temporary or preliminary relief pending final disposition of the complaint. Describes the types of relief which may be granted in civil actions under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1986
Establishes in the Senate the Special Committee on Families, Youth, and Children to study the impact of government policies on, and ways to assist in, matters pertaining to families, children, and adolescents. Requires an annual report from such committee and declares that it does not have legislative jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1986
Authorizes the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, from March 1, 1986, through February 28, 1987, to: (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund; (2) employ personnel; (3) utilize, on a reimbursable basis, the services of department or agency personnel; and (4) procure consultant services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1986
Targeted Fiscal Assistance Act of 1986 - Amends Federal law to replace the general revenue sharing program with the Targeted Fiscal Assistance (TFA) program. Authorizes appropriations for TFA for FY 1987 through 1989. Provides for special allocations of TFA funds for Indian tribes, Alaskan native villages, and the District of Columbia. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate TFA funds to each State (for subsequent allocation to local governments) according to a specified formula based on the need factor, the general tax effort factor, and the relative fiscal gap factor, as defined in this Act, for each State. Entitles local governments to a portion of such State funds according to a specified formula based on the following factors, as defined in this Act, for each unit of local government in a State relative to all units in such State: (1) the unit's population; (2) the unit's general tax effort factor; and (3) the unit's relative income factor. Eliminates provisions allowing State variation of local government allocations. Sets forth maximum and minimum limitations on local government entitlements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1986
Authorizes and requests the President to designate June 2 through June 8, 1986, as National Fishing Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1986
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the trade adjustment assistance programs for workers and firms through March 15, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1986
Expresses the deep sorrow of the Senate for the fate of the space shuttle Challenger.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1986
Rule Making Information Act of 1986 - Requires a Federal agency, at any time it takes action to consider whether to initiate a rulemaking, to establish a file on such rulemaking. Requires employees designated by the President to review proposed or final rules for regulatory impact to provide the appropriate agency with a written summary of any contact with a person outside the Government with respect to such rules. Limits such requirement to contact which provides a basis for a written or oral recommendation or comment. Sets forth provisions for public inspection of files and for publishing notices in the Federal Register. Requires each agency to: (1) annually publish in the Federal Register the status of its proposed rules that were not published; and (2) maintain a file, for public inspection, which records dates that rules were submitted for executive review and dates such rules were returned. Requires each agency to make available for public inspection and copying any draft or final regulatory program submitted for executive review. Limits the period for such review to 30 days after receipt of the proposed or final rule, and allows an extension of no more than 30 additional days.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1986
Expresses the support and encouragement of the Senate for the United States Disabled Ski Team.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1986
Whistleblower Protection Act of 1986 - Separates the Office of Special Counsel from the Merit Systems Protection Board. Empowers the Special Counsel to represent and act as legal counsel on behalf of employees alleging prohibited personnel practices, especially whistleblowers. Revises current law with respect to the Special Counsel to reflect its advocate status. Authorizes the Special Counsel to file a petition to the Board against an official for: (1) committing prohibited personnel practices; (2) violating a law within the jurisdiction of the Special Counsel; or (3) failing to comply with an order of the Board. Sets forth disciplinary actions for such officials. Requires the Special Counsel to report annually to the Congress on its activities. Authorizes employees who have been adversely affected by a prohibited personnel practice to bring an action before the Board (instead of or in addition to taking such action to the Special Counsel). Authorizes such employees to obtain judicial review of the Board's decision in the appropriate U.S. district court. Authorizes appropriations for the Merit Systems Protection Board for FY 1987 through 1991 and for the Office of Special Counsel for FY 1987 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1986
Designates August 12, 1986, as National Neighborhood Crime Watch Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1985
Designates 1987 as the Year of Thanksgiving.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1985
Commends Michael Stern for his faithful and outstanding service to the Senate and the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the effective date of any fundamental tax reform legislation should generally be January 1, 1987, while recognizing that appropriate transition rules may be necessary to avoid unintended adverse effects and recognizing further that retroactive effective dates may be necessary to extend certain provisions which expire before January 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1985
Medicare Voucher Act of 1986 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with health benefits organizations (HBOs) to provide private alternative coverage for Medicare beneficiaries who enroll in HBO plans. Provides for enrollments in HBOs during August and September and as prescribed by the Secretary in the case of individuals who move from the area served by one HBO to an area served by another HBO. Limits the actuarial value of the aggregate payments (excluding premiums) that Medicare enrollees in the HBO have to make, for the categories of services Medicare covers, to the actuarial value of the aggregate payments they would otherwise have had to make under Medicare. Requires HBOs to cover inpatient hospital services for at least 90 days annually, with a required payment for the day of admission of not more than the Medicare inpatient hospital deductible and not more than 25 percent of such deductible for each day remaining in the 90 day period. Permits HBOs to provide annual rebates instead of charging premiums. Requires HBOs to make efforts to provide health benefits to at least as many individuals who are not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid (title XIX of the Act) benefits as they provide to individuals who are entitled to such benefits. Sets forth provisions, required in agreements between the Secretary and HBOs, protecting beneficiaries from the HBOs' legal obligations and enhancing the Secretary's HBO oversight capacity. Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII of the Act to permit organizations that have been providing or arranging for medical or other health services for not more than a year to elect to be paid on a cost basis for 36 months for the provision of part B benefits. Requires hospitals, at the request of an HBO, to accept as payment in full, for hospital services furnished to an HBO enrollee, the amounts that would be accepted as payment in full if the enrollees had not chosen to enroll in the HBO. Sets forth effective date and transitional provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1985
Declares that the President should, at the earliest possible date: (1) endorse and request Senate consent to ratification of the Threshold Test Ban and the Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaties; (2) call upon the Soviet Union to agree to reduce the permitted yields of explosions to the lowest verifiable levels; and (3) express to the Soviet Union and to Great Britain the U.S. desire to resume negotiations to conclude a mutual and verifiable ban on nuclear explosions and a moratorium of finite duration on such explosions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1985
Designates the week of March 2 through March 8, 1986, as Women's History Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1985
Higher Education Amendments of 1985 - Revises and reauthorizes through FY 1991 specified programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Title I: Student Assistance - Part A: Grants to Students - Subpart I: Pell Grants - Extends the Pell Grant program. Revises program eligibility requirements. Revises maximum grant limits and cost of attendance formulas and rules. Sets forth a separate new family contribution schedule for Pell Grants. Sets forth a procedure with respect to award errors and overpayments. Subpart 2: Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants - Authorizes appropriations for the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program. Revises program provisions relating to: (1) the maximum amount of such grants; (2) priority for needy students; and (3) apportionment. Subpart 3: State Student Incentive Grants - Authorizes appropriations for the State Student Incentive Grants Program. Sets forth a Federal share limitation under such program. Subpart 4: Student Support Service Programs - Authorizes appropriations for Student Support Service Programs. Revises program provisions, including provisions for veterans and for outreach and staff development. Subpart 5: Special Programs for Students Whose Families are Engaged in Migrant and Seasonal Farmwork - Authorizes appropriations for the program referred to under this subpart. Part B: Guaranteed Loans - Extends and revises the Guaranteed Student Loan Program (including the Federally-Insured Student Loan Program). Part C: Work Study Programs - Extends and revises work study programs (including work study for community service learning on behalf of low-income individuals and families). Part D: Direct Loans - Extends and revises the Direct Student Loan Program (including loan priority for needy students and interest rates on loans made after July 1, 1986). Part E: General Student Aid Provisions - Revises various provisions relating to HEA title IV (Student Assistance) programs generally. Title II: Institutional and Program Assistance - Part A: Continuing Postsecondary Education Program and Planning - Repeals title I (Continuing Postsecondary Education Program and Planning) under HEA. Provides for a National Advisory Council on Continuing Education. Part B: Libraries - Reauthorizes HEA provisions relating to libraries. Revises provisions relating to college library resources. Authorizes a study of the effectiveness of the needs criteria for the College Library Resource Program. Strengthens research library resources. Repeals specified provisions relating to libraries. Part C: Institutional Aid - Reauthorizes provisions relating to institutional aid. Part D: Teacher Training and Development - Subpart I: Teacher Training Programs for Higher Educational Personnel - Repeals part B (Teacher Training Programs) of Title V (Teacher Corps and Teacher Training Programs) of HEA. Subpart 2: Training for School Teachers To Teach Handicapped Children - Repeals part C (Training for Elementary and Secondary School Teachers to Teach Handicapped Children in Areas with a shortage) of title V of HEA. Subpart 3: Coordination - Repeals part D (Coordination of Education Professional Development) of title V of HEA. Subpart 4: Carl D. Perkins Scholarship Program - Authorizes specified appropriations for the Carl D. Perkins Scholarship Program for FY 1987 through 1991. Subpart 5: National Talented Teacher Fellowship Program - Authorizes specified appropriations for the National Talented Teacher Program for FY 1987 through 1991. Part E: International Education - Reauthorizes provisions related to international and foreign language study (including provisions on language and area centers, foreign language resource centers, summer institutes, and research). Authorizes specified appropriations for the provision of international education for FY 1987 through 1991. Part F: Construction and Renovation - (Reserved.) Part G: Cooperative Education - Authorizes specified appropriations for cooperative education for FY 1987 through 1991. Authorizes grants (and contracts for demonstration projects) for cooperative education programs. Part H: Graduate and Professional Programs - Subpart I: Grants to Institutions of Higher Education - Repeals part A (Grants to Institutions of Higher Education) of title IX (Graduate Programs) of HEA. Subpart 2: Fellowships for Graduate and Professional Study - Increases the maximum institutional and individual grant amounts for graduate and professional study under HEA for institutions and individuals. Establishes a minimum institutional payment. Authorizes specified appropriations for fellowships for graduate and professional study for FY 1987 through 1991. Subpart 3: National Graduate Fellows Program - Extends and limits the authorization of appropriations for the National Graduate Fellows Program through FY 1991. Requires that awardees under such program be known as Jacob J. Javits Fellows. Subpart 4: Training in the Legal Profession - Authorizes specified appropriations for HEA legal training programs for FY 1987 through 1991. Subpart 5: Law School Clinical Experience Programs - Authorizes specified appropriations for Law School Clinical Experience Programs under HEA for FY 1987 through 1991. Part I: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education - Authorizes specified appropriations for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education for FY 1987 through 1991. Establishes a program of grants to and contract with higher education institutions and other agencies and organizations for innovative projects for community services and student financial independence. Authorizes specified appropriations for such program for FY 1987 through 1991. Establishes a Community College Unit in the Office of Postsecondary Education. Authorizes specified appropriations for the Minority Institutions Science Improvement Program for FY 1987 through 1991. Part J: Urban University Program - Repeals title XI (Urban Grant University Program) of HEA. Title III: Regional Education Laboratories and Research and Development Centers - Amends a specified provision of the General Education Provisions Act to reauthorize appropriations for regional educational laboratories and research and development centers through 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1985
Medical Offer and Recovery Act - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for an alternative liability system for medical malpractice. Prohibits an individual from bringing a civil action against a participating health care provider for a disease or injury arising from health care services provided pursuant to Medicare, Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act), an armed forces' or veterans' health plan, the Federal employees' health benefits program, or any other participating health benefits plan, if such provider provides the individual with a timely written tender to pay compensation benefits in accordance with this Act. Allows the individual to serve the provider with a written request for arbitration if such provider fails to provide the individual with a written tender in a timely manner. States that this Act does not foreclose civil actions for intentionally caused injuries. Permits a health care provider to join an entity which is potentially liable for the injury. Provides that any disagreement between such entities regarding their share of costs shall be submitted to binding arbitration and such share shall be based on comparative fault. Sets forth provisions regarding the subrogation of parties. States that the amount of compensation benefits payable for a personal injury shall be equal to the net economic loss resulting from such injury, plus attorney's fees. Defines "net economic loss." Requires compensation benefits to be paid within 30 days after reasonable proof of the fact and amount of economic loss has been submitted to the initiating compensation obligor. Provides that if reasonable proof is supplied for only a portion of the net economic loss, and that portion totals $100 or more, the compensation for such portion shall be paid without regard to the remainder of the loss. Sets a five-year statute of limitations for claims under this Act. Requires a compensation obligor who rejects a claim for compensation benefits to give the claimant prompt notice of the rejection and the reasons therefor. Requires the disclosure of specified information, including: (1) the earnings of the injured individual; and (2) a copy of every written report concerning any medical treatment or examination of the injured individual in regard to the injury in question. Allows the injured individual or compensation obligor to petition a court for an order for discovery, including the right to oral or written depositions. Allows the compensation obligor to petition a court for an order directing the individual to submit to a mental or physical examination by a physician. Allows the injured individual or compensation obligor to apply to a court for a declaration as to the amount of compensation benefits owed. Permits an obligation to pay compensation benefits to be discharged by a settlement or lump sum payment if the net economic loss is less than $5,000. Allows a settlement or lump sum payment where the net economic loss exceeds $5,000 if a court determines that such a settlement is fair to the injured individual. Permits a court to enter a judgment declaring the compensation obligor liable for forseeable future treatment. Permits an agreement or judgment to be modified upon a finding that a material and substantial change of circumstances has occurred. Requires a health care provider to participate in an assigned claims plan meeting the requirements of this Act in order to participate in the alternative liability program described in this Act. Permits entities within a State to organize and maintain an assigned claims plan. Provides that where such a plan is not established within a State, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish and maintain such a plan for that State. Provides that an injured individual entitled to compensation benefits may obtain such benefits through the assigned claims plan if the initiating compensation obligor is financially unable to fulfill its obligation. Directs the assigned claims plan to assign such claim to another member of the plan. Allows such assignee to seek payment from the initiating compensation obligor of 120 percent of the costs and expenses incurred in fulfilling such obligation. Requires participating health care providers to submit written reports to appropriate health care licensing boards where the provider: (1) takes actions which adversely affect the clinical privileges of a health care professional; or (2) terminates or fails to renew a contract with a health care professional. States that such reports shall not be subject to discovery, except upon the request of the health care professional against whom the adverse action was taken. Precludes liability for damages for any entity transmitting such reports unless the information transmitted was false and the entity knew such information was false and acted with malice. Requires physicians participating in the alternative liability program to obtain malpractice insurance. Provides that the preceding provisions of this Act shall not apply to any personal injury occurring: (1) before January 1, 1988; or (2) in a State which has in effect an alternative medical liability law which meets specified requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1985
Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a permit program regulating the release, distribution, and use of genetically engineered micro-organisms to protect human health and the environment. Establishes a Biotechnology Science Coordinating Committee within the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering and Technology to serve as a forum for evaluating potential adverse effects on human health or the environment caused by such organisms.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should negotiate a North American treaty on air pollution with Canada and Mexico.