United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1985
Calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development to work in a global effort to provide universal access to childhood immunization by 1990 by: (1) assisting in the delivery, distribution, and use of vaccines; and (2) performing and supporting research and development activities that will be targeted at developing new vaccines and at modifying existing vaccines to make them more appropriate for use in developing countries. Declares that the President should appeal to the public to provide the necessary resources to achieve universal access to childhood immunization by 1990. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the authorization of appropriations for FY 1987 for the Child Survival Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1985
Establishes a Senate Special Panel on Asylum to conduct a study of the general problems of persons from Communist countries seeking asylum in the United States. Requires a final report to the Senate within one year. Sets forth a specified limit on the expenses that such Panel may incur.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1985
Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to provide that certain filing exemptions for foreign agents shall not apply to agents which represent foreign principals of specified communist countries unless the Attorney General reports to the congressional intelligence committees that national security and foreign policy circumstances require that this prohibition be waived. Suspends such filing exemptions for any agent of any other foreign principal for five years if any such agent is convicted of espionage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1985
Amends the Foreign Missions Act to direct the Secretary of State to apply to each foreign mission of specified communist countries located in the United States the same conditions which are applied to the Soviet foreign mission in the United States unless waiver of this requirement is necessary for national security and foreign policy circumstances. Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional intelligence committees on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1985
Public Lands Cleanup Act of 1985 - Designates the first Saturday after Labor Day as Public Lands Cleanup Day. Requires each Federal land management agency to organize and participate in intergovernmental and private efforts to clean and maintain Federal public lands under their jurisdiction in observance of such day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1985
Trade Policy Act of 1985 - Declares the United States should: (1) coordinate Federal activities in order to form a systematic trade policy; (2) provide for the collection and evaluation of data necessary to form such a policy; and (3) build a new system of international trade and financial agreements. Establishes the National Trade Data Committee which shall: (1) establish and maintain a National Trade Data Bank; and (2) provide for the analysis and effective dissemination of information in the National Trade Data Bank. Requires the National Trade Data Bank to consist of international economic and trade data and to serve as a clearinghouse for such data. Requires the National Trade Data Committee to report to the Congress annually on the Data Bank and the information it contains. Excludes the actions of the National Trade Data Committee from certain provisions governing coordination of activities with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to establish in the Executive Office of the President a National Trade Council which will advise the President on coordinating national and international policies relating to trade. Terminates the Trade Policy Committee upon enactment of this Act. Establishes the Commission on U.S. Trade in the 1990's which shall study and make recommendations concerning U.S. international trade and export policies. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress by July 1, 1987. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the President, by December 31, 1995, to take such action as may be necessary to: (1) revise all U.S. trade and financial agreements in order to meet specified objectives; or (2) replace such agreements with new agreements that meet such objectives. Requires such agreements to: (1) provide for the reciprocal exchange of obligations that are likely to be mutually economically advantageous to the signatories; (2) provide a reasonable likelihood that the United States can enforce the obligations of such agreements; (3) complement and reinforce other agreements; and (4) be subject to certain withdrawal provisions and fulfill certain objectives. Authorizes entering into a replacement agreement only if the President, before starting formal negotiations of such agreement: (1) notified specified congressional committees of such negotiations; and (2) consulted with such committees on such negotiations. Sets forth special provisions governing congressional consideration of a bill implementing such agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Declares that no letter of offer, prior to March 1, 1986, shall be valid with respect to any proposed sales to Jordan of advanced weapons systems, including advanced aircraft and advanced air defense systems, that are described in the notification pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act, unless direct peace negotiations between Israel and Jordan are underway.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1985
Prohibits the President from issuing a letter of offer relating to proposed sales to Jordan of certain advanced weapons systems before the start of direct bilateral negotiations between Jordan and Israel. Prohibits delivery of any weapons if such a letter of offer is issued and accepted before enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1985
Anti-Terrorism Trade Preference Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of State to identify and publish the name of each country that repeatedly supports acts of international terrorism. Requires the Secretary to provide the Congress with a list of such countries annually. Imposes the following sanctions on countries identified as supporting international terrorism: (1) termination, withdrawal, or suspension of any treaty that relates to most-favored-nation treatment of such country; (2) denial of most-favored-nation treatment and imposition of column 2 tariff rates on imports from such countries; (3) non-application of the Generalized System of Preferences on imports from such countries; and (4) non-application of the provisions of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act with respect to the products of such countries. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions if it would be in the best interests of the United States. Directs the President to notify the Congress 30 days before any such waiver takes effect.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1985
Dedicates the Cumberland terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park to J. Glenn Beall, Sr., in recognition of his outstanding efforts to protect the canal and tow path from development. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to design, locate, erect, and maintain a memorial to J. Glenn Beall, Sr., within the exterior boundaries of the park. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Declares that the Congress calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development (AID) to work in a global effort to provide support toward achieving the goal of universal access to childhood immunization by the year 1990. Sets forth specified actions to be taken by AID, in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in reaching such goal. Urges the President to seek both private and public assistance in the United States to achieve universal access to childhood immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Amends the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 to extend the termination date for the increase in the excise tax on cigarettes from October 1, 1985, to November 15, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Establishes the Motor Carrier Administration in the Department of Transportation, to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President who shall report directly to the Secretary of Transportation. Creates the position of Deputy Administrator, to be appointed by the Secretary. Confers upon the Administrator duties and powers related to motor carriers and motor carrier safety under specified law. States that a decision of the Administrator implementing duties involving notice and hearing requirements is administratively final. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding a review of those Interstate Commerce Commission activities affecting motor carrier transportation which could be more efficiently performed by the Motor Carrier Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1985
Declares that the Congress supports the efforts of the democratic forces in Chile to achieve a peaceful return to democratic government. Expresses its view that the National Accord for the Transition to Full Democracy is an important step toward that goal. Calls upon the Government of Chile, the armed forces, and all the leaders of all sectors of Chilean society to demonstrate their commitment to a genuine transition through a process of dialogue, negotiation, and consensus.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Commends Pete Rose on becoming the all-time Major League leader in base hits. Recognizes his accomplishments and the inspirational manner in which he has played baseball.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 - Amends the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act to confer responsibility upon: (1) each State for the disposal of specified low-level radioactive waste either by itself or in cooperation with other States; and (2) the Federal Government for ensuring the safe disposal of specified high-level and low-level radioactive waste materials. Directs the Secretary of Energy to submit to the Congress a comprehensive report regarding the safe disposal of certain radioactive waste. Authorizes the States to enter into regional compacts to establish and operate regional low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities. Declares such compacts and regional activities inapplicable to: (1) low-level radioactive waste activities generated by the Secretary; or (2) low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities operated exclusively for federally produced waste. Subjects low-level radioactive waste generated by the Federal Government to the same conditions as any such waste which is not generated by Federal activities. Requires each compact to provide that every five years the Congress may by law withdraw its consent. Requires each State in which a regional disposal facility is located to make disposal capacity available for low-level radioactive waste generated by certain commercial nuclear power reactors. Requires the States of South Carolina, Washington, and Nevada to enter into an agreement with each other to establish which disposal facility shall accept low-level radioactive waste from which generators of such waste. Sets limitations upon: (1) the availability of disposal capacity for low-level radioactive waste from specified sources; and (2) the allocations of disposal capacity for certain commercial nuclear power reactors. Sets requirements for access to regional disposal facilities by non-sited compact regions or by non-compact member States that do not have an operating regional disposal facility. Authorizes the suspension or denial of access to regional disposal facilities if such requirements are not met. Specifies disposal capacity allocations during a three-year licensing and construction period for low-level radioactive waste generators located within a non-sited compact region, or within a State that is not a member of a compact region. Sets guidelines for the assignment of disposal capacity allocations among eligible commercial nuclear power reactors. Directs the States of South Carolina, Washington, and Nevada to enter into an agreement with each other for the allocation of additional disposal capacity among commercial nuclear power reactors whose allocations have been inadequate for specified reasons. Sets forth guidelines under which low-level radioactive waste disposal limitations or requirements are suspended due to emergency conditions. Authorizes the State in which a regional disposal facility is located to impose a surcharge upon low-level radioactive waste disposal. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and each agreement State to ensure that low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities licensed by the Commission or agreement State are bonded or covered by other financial assurance for a safe and environmentally sound radioactive waste disposal operation. Requires the Secretary of Energy to furnish technical and financial assistance to compact regions and to States seeking assistance under this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit a comprehensive report to the Congress regarding the operation of the national system for the management and disposal of low-level radioactive waste. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to promulgate criteria for: (1) the licensing of low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities that use disposal methods other than shallow land burial; and (2) the disposal of certain material classified as low-level radioactive waste.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Budget Procedures Improvement Act of 1985 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to establish a more thorough and timely process for the adoption of the Federal budget. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the timetable with respect to the congressional budget process to provide for a two-year budget cycle, beginning with the 100th Congress. Defines the term 'two-fiscal-year budget period' to be the period of two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any even-numbered year. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, on or before April 15 of each odd-numbered year, to transmit to the Committees on the Budget of the House and of the Senate a fiscal policy report for each fiscal year in the succeeding two-fiscal-year budget period. Requires the Director, on March 31 of each even-numbered year, to transmit to such Committees any revisions necessary due to changing economic conditions or to any revisions in the President's budget. Requires the Congress to complete action on the first concurrent resolution on the budget by July 31 of each odd-numbered year. Makes it out of order in either the Senate or the House to consider any first concurrent resolution on the budget which: (1) directs any committee to determine and recommend changes in bills, laws, or resolutions; or (2) includes any matter with respect to any subject other than budget outlays or authority, budget surplus or deficit, revenues, or the level of the public debt. Declares similarly out of order consideration of any revision to the first budget resolution before adoption of the second concurrent resolution on the budget for a two-fiscal-year budget period. Requires all bills and resolutions providing budget authority or spending authority for any two-fiscal-year budget period to be reported: (1) to the House no later than March 31 of the year in which such period begins; and (2) to the Senate no later than April 15 of the year in which such period begins. Prohibits bills and resolutions providing new budget or spending authority for any two-fiscal-year budget period from being enrolled until the concurrent resolution on the budget has been agreed to, and if a reconciliation bill or resolution, or both, are required to be reported for such period, until the Congress has completed action on such legislation. Makes it out of order in the Senate or the House to consider any budget resolution if it directs any committee to determine and recommend changes in laws, bills, or resolutions directly or indirectly authorizing the enactment of new budget authority. Requires the Congress to complete action on all bills and resolutions directly or indirectly authorizing the enactment of new budget authority for a two-fiscal-year budget period not later than December 1 of the year preceding the year in which such period begins. Requires the up-to-date tabulation of congressional budget actions by the Congressional Budget Office to compare the gross obligations for direct loans and loan guarantees for such fiscal years on which the Congress has completed action to the gross obligations set forth in the most recently agreed to budget resolution. Limits the enrollment of bills and resolutions providing new budget or new spending authority for any two-fiscal-year budget period until the concurrent resolution for such two-fiscal-year period has been agreed to. Makes it out of order in either House to consider any bill or resolution which provides, extends, or enlarges authority to incur obligations for direct loans or loan guarantees unless the bill or resolution also provides that such authority is to be effective for any fiscal year only to the extent provided in appropriation Acts. Sets forth the information to be included in the budget of the United States submitted pursuant to the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921 for the two-fiscal-year budget period beginning on October 1, 1988. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921 to require the President to transmit to the Congress, by January 15 of each odd-numbered year, beginning with 1987, the budget for the two-fiscal-year budget period beginning on October 1 of the succeeding calendar year. Requires that all essential facts regarding direct loans and loan guarantees be included within such report. Requires the President to transmit revisions in the budget by January 15 of each even-numbered year. Sets forth the title and style of all appropriation Acts. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to require each standing committee of the Senate and the House (except specified committees), during the period beginning on January 15th of each odd-numbered year and ending October 1 of the following year, to review and study: (1) the application, administration, execution, and effectiveness of those laws the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) the organization and operation of the Federal agencies and entities having responsibilities in or for the administration and execution thereof. Requires the findings to be reported to the House or the Senate no later than October 1 of such even-numbered year. Provides that such findings shall constitute the basis for such committee's legislative work during the succeeding Congress. Amends the Rules of the House and of the Senate to conform to this Act. Sets forth the effective dates for the provisions of this Act. Requires the President to submit a budget for FY 1988 to the Congress, and the Congress to act on it, according to current law.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Federal Contract Fair Price Commission Act of 1985 - Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch the Federal Contract Fair Price Commission to review contract payments by Federal agencies and departments and to take appropriate action to recapture excessive profits. Subjects contractors that received in excess of $5,000,000 to provisions of this Act. Requires such contractors to file annual financial statements with the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Directs the Agency to review the financial statements to make an interim determination on whether such contractors received excessive profits. Requires the Agency to submit results of such reviews to the Commission. Sets forth proceedings for the recapture of excessive profits by the Commission. Subjects final orders of the Commission to review by the U.S. Claims Court. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Congress on its activities. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the authority conferred by this Act on October 1, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of alternatives for providing agricultural credit for FY 1986 through 1989. Requires a report to the appropriate congressional committees by October 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that no recess appointments should be made when the Senate stands adjourned or recessed within a session for a period of less than 30 days. Expresses the sense of the Senate that no recess appointments should be made of any person if: (1) such person has been nominated during the present presidential term; (2) the Senate has voted not to give its advice and consent; or (3) the appropriate committee has voted not to report such nomination to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Declares that: (1) a renewed national investment to strengthen the research and advanced education capabilities of institutions of higher education is needed; and (2) the major Federal research agencies (the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, and Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation) should strengthen their investment in research and graduate education programs in specified ways (including investment in scientific and engineering research and education programs for graduate students and faculty in modernization of university research facilities and laboratories).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Black Lung Benefits Amendments Act of 1985 - Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to provide that all administrative law judges making determinations under such Act shall receive compensation at a rate not less than the GS-16 level. Makes such amendment applicable to determinations for benefits pending before the Department of Labor on the date of enactment of this Act as well as to claims brought after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Major League Baseball Players Association and team owners have a responsibility to ensure that the current baseball season is not interrupted and that both parties should do everything in their power to avoid a strike.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Trade Emergency and Export Promotion Act - Declares that actions by the President, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) pursuant to this Act shall not be reviewable by any court, except for abuse of discretion. Title I: International Trade Actions and Agreements - Declares that a national emergency exists because of distortions and imbalances in trade and instability in exchange rates and that such emergency requires extraordinary measures, including action to: (1) restore the value of the dollar; and (2) either eliminate foreign unfair trade barriers or prohibit countries which employ such barriers from enjoying trade surpluses with the United States or increasing shares of world export markets. Authorizes the President to negotiate and enter into with any foreign country or entity agreements limiting the export from such country or entity, and the importation into the United States of any article. Directs the USTR to initiate proceedings against Japan before appropriate international bodies in order to obtain authorization to take trade actions against Japan on the grounds that: (1) Japan has failed to comply with trade agreements entered into with the United States; and (2) Japan has adopted numerous domestic policies and practices that impair and violate such trade agreements and impede achievement of their objectives. Directs the USTR, with the cooperation of the Secretary of Agriculture, to initiate actions under all international trade agreements to which the United States is a party in order to take appropriate countermeasures against agricultural export subsidies provided by the European Communities and other countries which will be used to prevent: (1) injury to U.S. agricultural producers; (2) nullification or impairment of such trade agreements; and (3) serious prejudice to the United States. Authorizes the USTR to initiate actions against each foreign country (except Japan and the European Communities) or entity that was an excess worldwide trade surplus country or an excess bilateral trade surplus country for 1984 under all applicable U.S. laws and international agreements in order to: (1) enforce the rights of the United States under such international agreements; and (2) obtain the elimination of certain trade acts, policies, and practices of such countries or entities. Directs the USTR to explain in proceedings initiated under this title that the United States finds it necessary to take the actions provided in title II of this Act as interim measures pending the outcome of such proceedings in order to protect vital U.S. interests. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a plan to reduce fluctuations between currencies on foreign currency exchange markets. Sets forth characteristics of such plan. Title II: Interim Domestic Trade Actions to Respond to the Trade Emergency - Subtitle A: Stand-by Duties - Directs the ITC to determine annually each major exporting country's: (1) worldwide nonpetroleum export percentage; (2) bilateral nonpetroleum export percentage; (3) worldwide nonpetroleum trade surplus; (4) bilateral nonpetroleum trade surplus; (5) worldwide trade surplus limitation; and (6) bilateral trade surplus limitation. Requires the ITC to report annually to the President on: (1) the determinations on the trade of such major exporting countries; (2) the identity of each foreign country which was an excess worldwide trade surplus country or excess bilateral trade surplus country during the preceding year; and (3) whether or not standby duties should be imposed on imports from such countries. Requires the President within 15 days of receiving such report to determine, with respect to each country identified as an excess worldwide trade surplus country or excess bilateral trade surplus country: (1) whether such country unfairly restricts or limits the access of imports to its markets; and (2) if the President determines that such country does restrict access to its markets, whether such restriction contributes to that country's trade surplus. Requires the President, if both such determinations are positive, to impose stand-by duties on all imports from such countries. Prohibits making such determinations or imposing such duties if the U.S. trade deficit divided by the U.S. gross national product is less than one and one-half percent. Requires the President to report to the Congress, within 15 days of receiving the reports on worldwide and bilateral trade, on the determinations made with respect to imposing stand-by duties. Declares that the rate of a stand-by duty shall be 25 percent ad valorem and that such duty shall be in addition to any other duties. Provides for the implementation of such duties. Requires all revenues from such stand-by duties to be allocated to the Public Debt Reduction Account in the Treasury. Expresses the sense of the Congress that all funds in such Account be used only to reduce the Federal debt. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on the revenue derived from such stand-by duties. Prohibits imposing stand-by duties on articles imported after April 30, 1992. Prohibits requiring reports and determinations on trade surpluses after April 1991. Subtitle B: Agricultural Export Subsidies - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to formulate and carry out a program under which farm commodities are provided for free to U.S. exporters and users and foreign purchasers to encourage the development, maintenance, and expansion of export markets for U.S. farm commodities. Directs the USTR to: (1) investigate the existence and status of export subsidies or other export enhancing techniques; (2) identify and give priority to markets in which U.S. export subsidies can be used most efficiently and will have the greatest impact in offsetting the benefits of foreign export subsidies that harm U.S. exports, are inconsistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), nullify or impair benefits accruing to the United States under international agreements, or cause serious prejudice to U.S. interests; and (3) press for action by the GATT Committee on Trade and Agriculture to institute an effective set of rules eliminating export subsidies. Directs the USTR to report to the Congress and the Secretary of Agriculture on a quarterly basis on: (1) the existence and status of export subsidies and other export enhancing techniques; and (2) the identification and assignment of priority to certain markets. Provides for implementing the farm commodity export program. Subtitle C: Reports - Directs the President to report annually to specified congressional committees on the operation of such Act. Title III: Trade Law Reform - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to transfer to the USTR from the President the authority to order import relief and the authority to extend tariff preferences. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer to the USTR from the President the authority to approve or disapprove ITC actions to prevent unfair practices in import trade.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Expresses the Senate's concern about Doctor Yury Orlov and calls upon the Soviet Union to release him from exile and allow him and his wife to emigrate. Urges the President to instruct the Secretary of State to raise this issue with the Soviet Union privately and at specified forums.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Air Traveler Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to assess the efficacy of security measures at foreign airports which serve U.S. carriers or from which foreign air carriers serve the U.S. Requires the Secretary to: (1) use security criteria equal to or above certain internationally established standards; (2) report to the Congress regarding such assessments; (3) notify the appropriate authorities if a foreign airport does not administer effective security measures; (4) publish in the Federal Register all foreign airports which have failed to bring their security measures up to an acceptable level of effectiveness; and (5) prominently display at all U.S. airports from which air carriers provide foreign air transportation the identity of foreign airports whose security measures have not reached an acceptable level of effectiveness. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance concerning aviation security to a foreign government; and (2) withhold or impose conditions on the operating authority of any carrier to engage in foreign air transportation utilizing a foreign airport with deficient security measures. Directs the Secretary (with the approval of the Secretary of State) to suspend (without notice or a hearing) the right of an air carrier (or foreign air carrier) to engage in foreign air transportation to or from an airport which the Secretary has determined presents a safety threat to either passengers, aircraft, or the public interest. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress a study of the need for an expanded air marshal program on international flights by United States air carriers. Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency to permit air transportation security personnel to carry firearms and to make warrantless arrests if such personnel have reasonable grounds to believe a felony is being committed. Authorizes appropriations from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for research and development of aviation security measures.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Tobacco Program Improvement Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1985 support price for Burley tobacco at $1.449 per pound. Sets the price support level for any kind of tobacco (other than Flue-cured and Burley) for which marketing quotas are in effect or not disapproved by producers at the preceding year's price, plus or minus the amount by which the current crop's price is greater or less than the preceding year's price, as such difference may be adjusted by the Secretary of Agriculture. Authorizes the Secretary to reduce the support level if requested by a producer association. Sets the price support level for the 1986 and subsequent crops of Flue-cured and Burley tobacco at the preceding year's level, plus or minus an adjustment of 65 percent to 100 percent of the total of: (1) two-thirds of the amount by which 95 percent of the previous five years' average marketing price is greater or less than the preceding year's support price; and (2) one-third of the change in the index of prices paid by tobacco farmers during the previous calendar year. Repeals the provision authorizing the Secretary to reduce price supports for certain low quality grades of Flue-cured tobacco. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to establish reserve tobacco stock levels for: (1) Flue-cured at the greater of 100,000,000 pounds or 15 percent of such tobacco's national marketing quota; and (2) Burley at the greater of 50,000,000 pounds or 15 percent of such tobacco's national marketing quota. Requires the Secretary to set the national marketing quota for Flue-cured and Burley at between 103 percent and 97 percent of the total of: (1) the aggregate of projected cigarette purchases; (2) the previous three years' average annual exports; and (3) the amount of tobacco the Secretary determines necessary to increase or decrease producer association inventories to maintain such inventories at reserve stock levels. Limits downward adjustments in the national Burley marketing quota to the greater of: (1) 35,000,000 pounds; or (2) 50 percent of the amount by which total Burley inventories of a producer association exceed reserve stock levels. Requires cigarette manufacturers to submit to the Secretary an annual confidential projection of the amount of Flue-cured and Burley tobacco they intend to buy at auction or from producers during the succeeding marketing year. Directs the Secretary to establish the projection if a manufacturer fails to provide such information. Subjects Department of Agriculture officers or employees to loss of office and fines or imprisonment for violations of such confidentiality provisions. Reduces the amount of Flue-cured and Burley tobacco that may be marketed without penalty from 110 percent to 103 percent of the farm marketing quota. Establishes the annual marketing quota announcement date for: (1) Burley tobacco as February 1; and (2) other tobacco as March 1. Requires cigarette manufacturers to submit to the Secretary on a confidential basis at the end of each marketing year the amount of Flue-cured and Burley tobacco purchases during such year. Subjects manufacturers to a penalty (twice the per pound assessment times the amount by which purchases are less than 90 percent of projected purchases) for failure to purchase at least 90 percent of their Burley and Flue-cured projected purchases. Exempts individual manufacturers from such penalty if aggregate manufacturer purchases equal at least 90 percent of overall projected purchases. Requires penalties to be transmitted to the appropriate associations for deposit in the No Net Cost Fund or Account. Requires Flue-cured and Burley tobacco purchasers to pay to the appropriate associations assessments on all purchases of such tobacco marketed by a producer from a farm. States that such assessments shall be determined so that producers and purchasers share equally in maintaining association Funds. Requires assessments to be collected from: (1) the person acquiring the tobacco; (2) the warehouseman or agent if the tobacco is marketed through such person; or (3) the producer on sales (by the producer) to a person outside the United States. Subjects persons who fail to collect and remit such assessment to a penalty. Provides for: (1) notice and hearing opportunity; and (2) U.S. district court review. Provides that for the 1986 and subsequent Burley crops assessments shall be determined without regard to any losses the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) may sustain with respect to the 1983 Burley Crop. Provides with regard to inventory purchases that: (1) 1976 through 1984 Flue-cured stocks shall be offered for sale at the base prices (including carrying charges) in effect on the offer date, reduced by 90 percent for 1976 through 1981 tobacco, and ten percent for 1982 through 1984 tobacco; and (2) 1982 Burley stocks shall be offered for sale at the July 1, 1985 price, and 1984 stocks shall be offered for sale at the associations' costs as of the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the CCC, with regard to the 1983 Burley crop, to: (1) take title to such crop held by the associations by calling in the loans on such tobacco; (2) offer such crop for sale as the CCC deems appropriate; and (3) offer any stocks remaining two years after such loan call-in at the associations' costs on the loan call date, reduced by 90 percent. Authorizes cigarette manufacturers to purchase tobacco inventories over an eight-year period for Flue-cured tobacco and a five-year period for Burley tobacco. Requires the Secretary to approve purchase agreements. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies of: (1) the tobacco grading system; and (2) the feasibility of establishing grades to designate disaster-affected crops, including price support adjustment authority. Directs the Secretary to establish a related advisory committee. Requires a report to the appropriate congressional committees. Amends the Tobacco Inspection Act to authorize the Secretary to invest tobacco inspection fees to cover the cost of related services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Declares that the Senate agrees to cooperate with the Jacob K. Javits Senate Fellowship Program. Directs the Senate to provide assistance as may be necessary for the success of this fellowship program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1985
Institutional Aid Act of 1985 - Amends title III (Institutional Aid) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise institutional aid programs, especially in relation to the development needs of historically black colleges and universities and other institutions with large concentrations of minority, low-income students. Includes as eligible institutions, for purposes of the title III part A (Strengthening Institutions) grants program, any institution of higher education which meets specified requirements and which has an enrollment of which at least: (1) 20 percent are Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Hispanic students, or combination thereof; (2) 60 percent American Indian, Alaska Native, or Aleut, or combination thereof; or (3) five percent Native Hawaiian, American Samoan, Micronesian, Guamian (Chamorro), or Northern Marianan, or any combination thereof. Establishes under title III part B, "Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities" (which replaces the current part B, Aid to Institutions with Special Needs). Defines a "part B institution" as any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964 and whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans. Sets forth authorized uses for grants allotted to institutions under the part B program. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make allotments to part B institutions according to formulas based on number of: (1) Pell grant recipients; (2) graduates; and (3) graduates in attendance at graduate or professional schools in degree programs in disciplines in which blacks are underrepresented. Sets forth a special rule regarding allotments to Howard University or the University of the District of Columbia. Sets forth provisions for applications for part B grant allotments. Sets forth provisions for part B program grants to professional and graduate institutions. Directs the Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, to award such grants to each of listed postgraduate institutions that the Secretary determines to be making a substantial contribution to the legal, medical, dental, veterinary, or other graduate education opportunities for black Americans. Prohibits any such grant in excess of $500,000 unless the postgraduate institution assures that 50 percent of the cost of the purposes for which the grant is made will be paid from non-Federal sources. Limits the duration of any such grant to five years. Provides that any one undergraduate or postgraduate institution may receive no more than two such five-year grants. Allows use of such grants for: (1) any of the authorized uses of part B allotment grants; (2) contribution development offices; and (3) institutional endowments. Sets forth application requirements. Provides that independent professional or graduate institutions eligible for such grants include: (1) Morehouse School of Medicine; (2) Meharry Medical School; (3) Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School; (4) Atlanta University; and (5) Tuskegee Institute School of Veterinary Medicine. Sets forth reporting and audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. Revises title III part C (Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B) to rename the "endowment grants" under such part "challenge grants." Makes technical and conforming amendments to eligibility requirements under such part. Reduces the maximum amount of any such part C challenge grant for FY 1985 through 1987. (Retains the current maximum for FY 1988 and succeeding fiscal years.) Establishes under title III a new part D, "Reservation for Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Basin Institutions." (Redesignates the current part D as part E.) Directs the Secretary, from part A appropriations, to make available for use for the purpose of such part the greater of specified amounts or the following portions of such funds: (1) 20 percent for Hispanic institutions; (2) five percent for Native American, Native Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; and (3) five percent for institutions serving Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians residing in the Pacific Basin, including the State of Hawaii. Sets forth authorized uses of such part A funds which are reserved under the new part C. Revises the redesignated part E (General Provisions) under title III. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register all policies and procedures required to exercise the authority to approve applications for title III assistance. Prohibits any other criteria, policies, or procedure from being applicable for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to: (1) use the most recent and relevant data concerning the number and percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of HEA in making eligibility determinations under part A of title III; and (2) advance the base-year forward following each annual grant cycle. Requires the Secretary to waive specified part A institutional eligibility requirements (involving an institution's having a relatively high percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV of HEA) in the case of an institution which is: (1) extensively subsidized by the State in which it is located and charges low or no tuition; (2) serving a substantial number of low- and middle-income students as a percentage of its total student population; (3) contributing substantially to increasing higher education opportunities for black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, who are low-income individuals; or (4) substantially increasing higher educational opportunities for individuals in rural or other isolated areas unserved by postsecondary institutions. Includes Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Basin institutions which have been determined eligible under part D (although not satisfying a specified eligibility criterion involving an institution's having relatively low and general expenditures) among those institutions which must be included in an annual report of the Secretary to the Congress. Includes among those reasons for which the Secretary may grant a waiver of specified eligibility requirements (involving an institution's being accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency and its being authorized to offer bachelor's or junior or community college degrees) a determination that such waiver will substantially increase higher education opportunities appropriate to the needs of Hispanic Americans or Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians. Directs the Secretary to take care to assure that representatives of historically black colleges, Hispanic institutions, Native American institutions, and Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, are included as readers on title III application review panels. Revises provisions for grants to encourage cooperative arrangements to include such arrangements between title III aid recipients and institutions not receiving such assistance. Includes benefit to the applicant institutions as a priority criterion in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the following title III programs: (1) part A, Strengthening Institutions; (2) part B, Strengthening Historically Black College and Universities (with a separate authorization for part B provisions for Professional and Graduate Institutions); and (3) part C, Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B. Directs the Secretary to make available part A funds for any fiscal year to eligible institutions as follows: (1) at least 30 percent to junior or community colleges; (2) at least 20 percent (or a specified minimum amount, if that is greater) for Hispanic institutions; (3) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount, if that is greater) for Native American, Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; (4) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount if that is greater) for Pacific Basin institutions; and (5) the remainder to institutions that plan to award a bachelor's degree during that year.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and other agencies should take appropriate actions to: (1) assure the maintenance of a viable domestic uranium industry; (2) assure the proper disposal and reclamation of uranium mill tailings through a program for the equitable financing of such disposal and reclamation; and (3) provide for the use of uranium and uranium hexafluoride so that the United States is assured of secure, independent supplies of uranium for commercial and military needs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act, 1986 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for specified activities relating to: (1) research and development; (2) space flight, control, and data communications; (3) construction of facilities; and (4) research and program management (including additional or supplemental amounts to cover any increases in salary, pay, retirement, or other employee benefits authorized by law). Permits appropriations for research and development and for space flight, control and data communications to be used for any items of a capital nature (other than acquisition of land) which may be required at locations other than NASA installations for the performance of research and development contracts, and for grants to nonprofit institutions of higher education, or to nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific research, for purchase or construction of additional research facilities. Requires the Administrator of NASA (the Administrator) to notify specified congressional officers and committees whenever the cost of a facility exceeds a specified amount. Permits funds appropriated for research and development, for space flight, control and data communications, or for construction of facilities to remain available without fiscal year limitation. Permits appropriations for research and program management to be used for scientific consultations or extraordinary expenses upon the approval of the Administrator. Provides for a $10,000 reduction in the total amount authorized under this Act under the heading of construction facilities. Permits, after such reduction is made in the sum total of funds for the individual projects authorized under such heading, such funds for construction of any specified facilities: (1) in the discretion of the Administrator, to be varied upward ten percent; or (2) following a report by the Administrator to specified congressional committees, to be varied upward 25 percent to meet unusual cost variations. Permits one-half of one percent of the funds appropriated for research and development or for space flight, control and data communications to be transferred to the appropriation for construction of facilities. Authorizes the expenditure of such transferred funds, together with a specified amount of the funds appropriated for construction of facilities, to construct, expand, or modify laboratories and other installations. Requires the Administrator, 30 days before expending such funds, to notify specified congressional officers and committees of the nature, cost, and necessity of such construction. Prohibits, until 30 days pass after congressional receipt of a full explanation by the Administrator, the use of funds appropriated pursuant to this Act for any program: (1) deleted by the Congress; (2) in excess of the amount actually authorized for the particular program under provisions for research and development, space flight, control and data communications, and research and program management; or (3) which has not been presented to either of the specified congressional committees. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that it is in the national interest that consideration be given to geographical distribution of Federal research funds whenever feasible, and that NASA should explore ways of doing so. Prohibits any civil space station authorized under specified provisions of this Act from being used to: (1) carry or place in orbit any nuclear weapon or any other weapon of mass destruction; (2) install any such weapon on any celestial body; or (3) station any such weapon in space in any other manner. Allows such civil space station to be used only for peaceful purposes. Prohibits any space shuttle pricing policy for the Space Transportation System (STS) for commercial and foreign users from being established and implemented for FY 1989 through 1991 until 30 days have passed after the President or the Administrator (or the Administrator's designee) has transmitted to specified congressional officers and committees a written report setting forth such policy. Requires such congressional committees to review such report and, if they determine it necessary or appropriate, recommended legislation to the Congress to establish a pricing policy for the STS which is in the best interest of the Nation and more completely achieves the goals and objectives of the Nation's civil space program. Authorizes the Inspector General of NASA to administer to or take from any person an oath, affirmation, or affidavit whenever necessary in performing functions assigned by the Inspector General Act of 1978, and to designate investigators or other employees to do so. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1985, to extend by six months the deadline for submission, to the President and specified committees by the National Commission on Space, of a long range plan for U.S. civilian space activity. Directs NASA during FY 1986 to defer payment to the Federal Financing Bank of the amount attributable to principal for which NASA is obligated during such fiscal year as a result of a specified contract regarding track and data relay satellite services (which was entered into under specified provisions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1978). Requires the amount of any such deferred payment to be added to the amount of principal for which NASA is obligated during FY 1993 as a result of such contract. Authorizes NASA to defer until FY 1994 any portion of the total amount for which it is obligated for FY 1993 which is in excess of the total amount for which it was obligated during FY 1992. Authorizes the Administrator to renegotiate such contract upon determination that such renegotiation is necessary to enable NASA to defer payments as provided under this Act. Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1986 to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out such Act (which provides for licensing and liability insurance requirements for commercial space launches).
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1985
Entitles individuals who performed service as National Guard technicians before January 1, 1969, to credit for such service when determining length of service for purposes of civil service retirement, leave, employee death and disability compensation, group life and health insurance, severance pay, tenure, and status.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
National Coal Imports Reporting Act of 1985 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to report to the Congress on a quarterly basis on the status of United States coal imports. Details the contents of such report. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the findings of a comprehensive analysis of the coal import market in the United States. Details the contents of such analysis.