United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1986
Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments of 1986 - Prohibits the expenditure of funds for any nuclear waste site characterization activities before the Federal Nuclear Waste Board (established by this Act) has nominated sites for selection as repositories. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to establish the Federal Nuclear Waste Board within the Department of Energy's Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Requires such Board to: (1) issue revised guidelines for the recommendation of repository sites; (2) nominate at least five sites considered suitable for characterization within 18 months after such revised guidelines are issued; (3) recommend to the President at least three sites for characterization as candidate sites; and (4) issue an environmental assessment for each such site. Provides that if the President approves certain candidate sites in an order other than the order in which such sites were ranked, then no site characterization activity will be implemented until 18 months after the President's approval. Sets forth procedural guidelines under which the President is required to submit site recommendations to the Congress. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to make grants to States which are adjacent to States in which a repository candidate site is approved. Requires the Board to appoint a panel to study the need for disposal capacity beyond a 70,000 metric ton limitation. Requires such panel to submit its findings and recommendations to the Board within 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Board to submit the panel findings to the Congress, along with recommendations for implementation. Requires the Secretary to revise the mission plan in order to implement the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1986
Declares that the President should use all appropriate powers to secure from Japan a reduction of that nation's tariff on chocolate to a level equal to that of the United States by April 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1986
Railroad Service Retirement Credit Act of 1985 - Presents guidelines under which credits for employment service under the Railroad Retirement Act will apply to individuals who first became employees of the Department of Transportation, the Interstate Commerce Commission, the National Mediation Board, the National Transportation Safety Board, or the Railroad Retirement Board on or before December 31, 1983. States that Federal civil service retirement deposits may not be required for certain creditable service. Denies any annuity entitlement under the Railroad Retirement Act to an individual eligible to receive an annuity under a civil service retirement plan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1986
Amends the Indian Long-Term Leasing Act with respect to lands leased by the Tulalip Tribes to increase the number of years for which a lease may be granted without the approval of the Secretary of the Interior. Increases the lease length from 15 to 30 years for leases with no option to renew, and from 30 to 75 years for leases executed pursuant to tribal regulations approved by the Secretary before the execution of the lease.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1986
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act, 1986 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 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. Permits appropriations for research and development and for space flight, control and data communications, to be used for: (1) 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 (2) 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, space flight, control and data communications, and 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. Limits to not more than $100,000 per project (including collateral equipment) the amount that may be used for construction of new facilities and additions to existing facilities, and for repair, rehabilitation, or modification of facilities, from funds appropriated for research and development, for space flight, control and data communications, and for research and program management. Limits to not more than $500,000 per project (including collateral equipment) the amount that may be used for any of the foregoing for unforeseen programmatic needs, from funds appropriated for research and development and for space flight, control and data communications. Permits the funds for construction of any of 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. Prohibits any civil space station authorized under 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. Requires that such civil space station be used only for peaceful purposes. 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. Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1987 to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out such Act (which provides for licensing and liability insurance requirements for commercial space launches). Directs the Administrator to: (1) review the proposed space agenda submitted by the National Commission on Space; and (2) recommend by March 1, 1987, to the appropriate congressional committees a long-range plan to implement such agenda, including a specific agenda for the five-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes NASA to undertake construction of a fourth space shuttle orbiter in FY 1987 if: (1) the President determines that such construction is in the national interest; and (2) sums are appropriated for such construction which are in addition to sums made available pursuant to this Act. Requires the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) to redeem a specified amount of its debentures and preferred stock from the United States Railway Association. Directs the Association to pay all funds received as a result of such redemption to the Treasury. Makes such funds available for FY 1987 to the Administrator for specified NASA programs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1986
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atmospheric and Satellite Program Authorization Act of 1986 - Title I: Atmospheric Programs - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to the Department of Commerce (the Department) to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out its public warning and forecast service duties, including meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic public warnings and forecasts. Sets aside a specified amount of such authorized funds to be used only for activities related to the Next Generation Weather Radar Program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to the Department to enable NOAA to carry out its atmospheric and hydrological research duties, including research for developing improved prediction capabilities for atmospheric and hydrological processes. Title II: Satellite Programs - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to the Department to enable NOAA to carry out its satellite services duties, including satellite maintenance and operations and data analysis. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to the Department to enable NOAA to carry out its satellite systems duties, including spacecraft procurement, launch, and associated ground station system changes involving polar orbiting and geostationary environmental satellites. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to the Department to enable NOAA to carry out its data and information services duties, including environmental data and information products and services in the atmospheric, marine, solid earth, and solar-terrestrial sciences.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1986
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to require recordkeeping at the retail level on sales of cyanide, including the identity and address of the purchaser and the intended use of such chemical. Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on the manufacture and distribution of cyanide with a view toward taking actions necessary to safeguard the public from its wrongful use.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1986
National Bureau of Standards Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) for the following activities performed by the National Bureau of Standards: (1) measurement research and standards; (2) materials science and engineering; (3) engineering measurements and standards; (4) computer science and technology; and (5) research support activities. Reserves specified amounts of funds for engineering research and standards for: (1) the Center for Building Technology; and (2) the Center for Fire Research. Prohibits funds for research support activities from being used for a Cold Neutron Research Facility. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to the Secretary for: (1) the activities of the Office of Productivity, Technology and Innovation; and (2) the patent licensing activities of the National Technical Information Service.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1986
Authorizes the L-5 Society to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor America's astronauts, especially those astronauts who gave their lives in pursuit of knowledge for all mankind. Requires the L-5 Society to select, subject to the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, the site, design, and plans for the memorial. Terminates the authority to establish the memorial if its construction is not begun within five years with non-Federal funds sufficient to ensure its completion.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1986
Driftnet Impact Monitoring, Assessment, and Control Act of 1986 - Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to revise provisions concerning the presence of a U.S. observer aboard foreign fishing vessels fishing in a U.S. fishery conservation zone. Provides that the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) shall not approve a foreign vessel's fishing permit application where the facilities aboard such vessels are so inadequate that the health, safety, and welfare of an observer on such vessel cannot be assured. Requires the Secretary, through the Secretary of State, to immediately negotiate with foreign governments conducting driftnet fishing operations off the U.S. coast an arrangement for the reliable monitoring and assessment of the number of fish, seabirds, and other marine creatures killed, discarded, or lost by such government's driftnet fishing vessels in waters beyond the jurisdiction of the United States. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing a permit to any foreign vessel whose government does not enter into such a monitoring arrangement within one year after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on the implementation of such arrangements. Directs the Secretary, within one year after the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, to report to the Congress on the impact upon living marine resources of all driftnet fisheries off the coasts of the United States. Requires enforcement costs to be taken into consideration when determining fishing permit fees to be charged. Directs the Secretary to implement a net bounty system to pay persons recovering and turning over to the Secretary lost, abandoned, or discarded driftnet or other plastic fishing net material. Requires such payments to be made from the Fishery Vessel and Gear Damage Compensation Fund. Directs the Secretary to develop recommendations to establish a driftnet marking, registry, and identification system to determine the vessel origin of lost, discarded, or abandoned driftnets or driftnet fragments. Directs the Secretary, no later than six months after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress concerning such recommendations and their implementation. Establishes a seabird protection zone surrounding the Aleutian Islands off Alaska within which no driftnet fishing is permitted. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to enforce such driftnet fishing prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1986
Commends Eugene Lang for providing disadvantaged young people in inner city schools with the incentive and means to finish high school and attend college. Encourages others to give such young people educational opportunities they do not normally have.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President and the Secretary of State should insist at the Vienna Review Meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and in discussions with Communist Party and Soviet leaders, that imprisoned and exiled members of the Ukrainian and other Helsinki Monitoring Groups be released and allowed to emigrate to the countries of their choice. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Secretary of State should ensure that the U.S. consulate in Kiev reports on Soviet human rights violations in the Ukraine; and (2) such information should be included in reports on compliance with the Helsinki Final Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Small Business Administration be maintained as an independent agency. Urges the President to nominate an Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1986
Supercomputer Network Study Act of 1986 - Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (the Office) to study critical problems and current and future options regarding communications networks for supercomputers at universities and Federal research facilities in the United States. Sets forth required analyses in such study. Requires the Office to report to the Congress on such study within one year after enactment of this Act. Sets forth administrative provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1986
White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act - Calls upon the President to conduct a National White House Conference on Small Business once every four years to: (1) increase public awareness of the contributions of small business; (2) identify small business problems; (3) examine the status of minority and women small business owners; (4) assist small business in carrying out its role as the nation's job creator; (5) develop specific recommendations for executive and legislative action; and (6) review the status of recommendations adopted at the Conferences. Authorizes and directs Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to provide support and assistance to the planning of such Conferences. Requires a final report of the Conference, within six months from the date a Conference is convened, to be submitted to the President and the Congress. Requires the Small Business Administration to report annually to the Congress for the next three years following the submission of the final report of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1986
Establishes the position of Under Secretay of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in the Department of Commerce. Provides that the Under Secretary shall serve as the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Establishes the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in the Department of Commerce. Provides that the Assistant Secretary shall serve as the Deputy Administrator of NOAA. Establishes the position of Chief Scientist in NOAA. Requires that the Under Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, and the Chief Scientist be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Medicare Timely Payment Amendments of 1986 - Amends parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require intermediaries and carriers to pay the claims of Medicare providers and beneficiaries, and give such providers and beneficiaries notice of improperly submitted claims, within 22 days of receiving such claims (unless payment is made on a periodic interim payment basis). Requires the Federal Government to pay the interest accruing on such claims for the period during which the payment or notice is past due.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1986
Declares that the United States: (1) reaffirms its support for the struggle of the Afghan people; and (2) welcomes the Islamic Unity of Afghan Mujahideen delegation led by its spokesman Burhanuddin Rabbani to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it is against the national security interests of the United States to abandon existing strategic offensive arms agreements by exceeding the numerical sublimits of such agreements as long as the Soviet Union remains within such sublimits; (2) the Soviet Union should take steps to resolve U.S. concerns about Soviet violations of existing strategic arms agreements and to negotiate a new agreement; and (3) the Congress and the President should continue to review the policy of mutual adherence to the numerical sublimits on launchers of strategic nuclear delivery systems and the significance of both Soviet compliance and noncompliance with existing strategic offensive arms agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1986
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act - Requires States to provide by law for elections for Federal office: (1) absentee registration and absentee voting for uniformed services voters and overseas voters; and (2) the use of alternative write-in absentee ballots by overseas voters when State absentee ballots are not available. Directs the President to designate the head of an executive department to have primary responsibility for the administrative functions of this Act, including: (1) prescribing an official postcard form containing a voter registration and an absentee ballot application; (2) prescribing an alternative write-in ballot for overseas voters; (3) prescribing forms and designs for balloting materials; (4) distributing election materials; (5) reporting to the Congress in the year immediately following a presidential election year on its effectiveness; and (6) consulting State and local election officials in carrying out this Act. Provides for the distribution of official postcards. Sets forth recommendations to the States in carrying out provisions of this Act. Provides for Federal and State write-in absentee ballots for overseas voters. Declares balloting materials under this Act free of postage. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1986
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to design, construct, operate, and maintain the following features of the Yakima Enhancement Project: (1) modification of existing radial gates at Cle Elum Dam; (2) a Kachess Lake to Keechelus Lake pipeline; (3) a reregulating reservoir of the Roza Division; and (4) facilities to automate and otherwise improve canal operations of the Sunnyside Division and the Wapato Indian Project. Authorizes appropriations. Requires non-Federal interests to fund 35 percent of construction costs. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for a feasibility study of certain other potential elements of the Yakima Enhancement Project.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that unless the Health Care Financing Administration allocates sufficient funds and takes other action to ensure prompt payment of Medicare claims, the Senate shall adopt legislation ensuring prompt claims payment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the 50-year-old tax exemption of the 84 nonprofit, community-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans be retained without modification.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Antitrust Improvement Act of 1986 - Amends the Clayton Act to authorize claims for damages based on indirect purchases, and claims on behalf of agricultural producers based on indirect sales, in antitrust actions brought by State attorneys general alleging price fixing. Entitles a defendant in such an action to allege, as a defense to a claim by a direct purchaser or seller based on the same conduct, that the direct purchaser's or seller's damages were passed on to indirect purchasers or sellers on whose behalf a claim has been brought. Requires the award for a claim based on indirect purchases or sales to be treble the amount of the overcharge or underpayment shown by the indirect purchaser or seller to be properly allocable to it. Provides that in the case where no claim by a direct purchaser or seller is pending, the defendant shall have the burden of establishing that the total overcharge or underpayment was not passed on to the indirect purchaser or seller. Prohibits duplicate awards for the same overcharge or underpayment. Entitles a person alleging injury from indirect purchases or sales to intervene in an action alleging injury from direct purchases or sales based on the same conduct, if such person requests such intervention within six months after the initial action is filed, after which time a claim by such person based on such conduct shall be barred. Allows any person alleging injury from a direct purchase or sale to intervene in an action alleging injury by an indirect purchase or sale based on the same conduct. Directs the court to consolidate such actions at the request of the defendant. Directs the State attorney general to provide public notice of the allegations of a suit alleging injury from indirect purchases or sales and a description of any direct purchasers who may be entitled to sue. Directs the plaintiff, upon initiating an action alleging injury from direct purchases or sales, to provide the State attorney general with reasonable notice of the allegations of the suit.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Expresses the gratitude of the Senate, on behalf of the American people, to Prime Minister Thatcher and the British Government and people for their support of U.S. actions against Libyan terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
Commends Major General William C. Lee for his long, faithful, and outstanding military service to our Nation. Designates June 6, 1986, as William C. Lee Day.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Farm Credit System should take specified actions to assist borrowers, including: (1) participating to the maximum extent possible with the Farmers Home Administration and other Government guarantee programs to provide 1986 operating loans; (2) following policies of reasonable loan forbearance; (3) using loan restructuring; (4) emphasizing loan servicing approaches that help borrowers meet the conditions of their loan contracts; (5) resorting to foreclosure only when there is no alternative or when the associated costs would be less than loan restructuring; (6) providing defaulting borrowers with the opportunity to bid on foreclosed property; and (7) maintaining sound institutional credit policies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1986
Aviation Safety Commission Act of 1986 - Establishes the Aviation Safety Commission to study how the Federal Aviation Administration may most effectively perform its responsibilities and increase aviation safety. Outlines the main considerations in such study. Requires the Commission to submit a report of such study to the President and the Congress by one year after the appointment of all Commission members. Terminates the Commission one year after such appointment. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1986
Fair Credit Card Act of 1986 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to direct the Federal Reserve Board to issue regulations requiring that credit card solicitations mailed to consumers disclose information about finance charge conditions, interest rates, and annual fees and related charges. Requires the balance upon which such finance charges may be imposed to be computed using an average daily balance method or alternative method which benefits the consumer. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to issue regulations on such methods.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1986
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Internal Revenue Service to reimburse State and local law enforcement agencies that provide information which substantially contributes to the recovery of Federal taxes. Limits the amount of such reimbursement to ten percent of the sum ultimately recovered.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicare Quality Protection Act of 1986 - Title I: Quality Assurance in Inpatient Hospital Settings - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and submit to the Congress a legislative proposal to improve the prospective payment system established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act so that it more accurately approximates the costs of inpatient hospital services and accounts for variations in case complexity. Amends the Medicare program to require a hospital to give Medicare beneficiaries, upon their admission to the hospital, a written statement explaining: (1) the individual's rights to benefits for inpatient hospital and post-hospital Medicare services; (2) the circumstances under which such individual will be liable for charges for a continued hospital stay; (3) the individual's right to appeal denials of continued hospital services; and (4) the individual's liability for payment for services if such a denial of benefits is upheld on appeal. Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require peer review organizations receiving a hospital inpatient's request for review of a hospital's decision that the patient no longer needs inpatient care to inform the patient of its decision within two days of receiving the request. Prohibits hospitals from charging patients for inpatient hospital services provided while patients wait for a peer review organization to respond to their timely review requests. Imposes a civil money penalty on hospitals which make payments to physicians and on physicians who knowingly receive payments which constitute an inducement to curtail the stay of, or services provided to, an identifiable patient. Directs the Secretary to study the adequacy of standards used for hospital compliance with Medicare participation conditions in assuring the quality of hospital services. Requires the Secretary to study the adequacy with which the prospective payment system compensates hospitals, and distributes such compensation among hospitals, for costs attributable to patients' extended hospital stays necessitated by delays in patient placement in skilled nursing facilities. Title II: Access to Appropriate Post-Hospital Care - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program to require hospitals to implement a discharge planning process which meets guidelines and standards, to be established by the Secretary, ensuring patients a timely and smooth transition to the most appropriate type of, and setting for, post-hospital or rehabilitative care. Extends the limitations on beneficiary liability for disallowed Medicare claims to cover home health services provided to certain unqualified individuals. Provides that skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies which keep their services for which Medicare coverage is denied below specified percentages and comply with certain administrative requirements shall not subsequently be denied payment for care provided. Sets forth reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to develop a uniform needs assessment instrument enabling health care providers and fiscal intermediaries to evaluate an individual's need and ability to pay for post-hospital extended care, home-health, and long-term care services. Requires the Secretary to develop procedures to expedite fiscal intermediaries' determinations as to whether provider claims for post-hospital extended care and home health services may be reimbursed under the Medicare program. Directs the Secretary to provide for prompt response (within 24 hours) to beneficiary requests as to whether the beneficiary's Medicare coverage for post-hospital extended care services has been exhausted. Authorizes providers to represent beneficiaries on appeals of benefit determinations. Permits beneficiary appeals of the Secretary's denials of claims for home health service benefits. Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1983 to extend, through 1989, the annual report on the impact of the prospective payment system and require the inclusion of information in such reports regarding the quality, and accessibility to Medicare beneficiaries, of post-hospital services. Title III: Improved Review of Quality by Peer Review Organizations - Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require hospitals to submit data to peer review organizations on a monthly basis. Requires peer review organizations to review selected cases where individuals are readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of their most recent hospital discharge to determine if the previous inpatient hospital services and post-hospital services met professionally recognized health care standards. Directs each peer review organization to commit a reasonable proportion of its activities to review of the quality of services provided in cases and settings where potential quality problems have been identified. Requires the Secretary to identify methods facilitating the discovery of such cases. Requires each peer review organization to have at least one consumer representative on its board of directors. Directs such organizations to investigate all written beneficiary complaints about the quality of Medicare services which are filed with the organization. Requires peer review organizations to share data with organizations responsible for accrediting providers or State officials responsible for assuring quality care if such data reflects a substantial failure by providers or practitioners to provide quality care. Title IV: Study to Develop a Strategy for Quality Review and Assurance - Directs the Secretary to arrange a study which will serve as the basis for establishing a strategy for reviewing and assuring the quality of care provided under the Medicare program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the study within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay an amount to be determined to a named U.S. Navy employee representing the amount due such individual as a result of a salary computation error.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Prohibits for a period of ten years any disposition of any federally owned or operated power production or transmission facility located in the conterminous 48 States whose electric energy is transmitted for sale by a Federal Power Marketing Administration or by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Exempts from such proscription certain authority granted: (1) under the Bonneville Project Act of 1937; (2) to the Tennessee Valley Authority for property dispositions in the normal course of business; and (3) to the Administrator of the General Services Administration to dispose of surplus property. Makes such proscription inapplicable to transactions involving the production and transmission of electric power among Federal officials that may occur in the normal course of business.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Directs the President, within a specified time, to report to the Congress on the status and implementation of the recommendations of the President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1986
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain taxpayers an election to take an income tax credit in an amount equal to the taxpayer's payment for B-stock which becomes or has become worthless due to the failure of a production credit association. Defines "B-stock" as stock or participation certificates issued under the Farm Credit Act of 1971. Defines a "production credit association" as an association organized under specified provisions of the Farm Credit Act of 1971.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1986
Expresses the Senate's respect and gratitude to Warren Magnuson for his tireless and successful efforts to promote the conservation and management of our marine fisheries and provide our commercial and recreational fishing industry with the benefits of those resources.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the tax exclusion for interest on industrial development bonds used to finance the acquisition of farm property by foreign persons. Defines a "foreign person" as: (1) any individual who is not a citizen or national of the United States; (2) any foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust, or foreign estate; (3) any domestic corporation more than ten percent of the value of the stock of which is held by one or more foreign persons; (4) any domestic partnership more than ten percent of the capital or profits interest in which is held by one or more foreign persons; or (5) any domestic trust more than ten percent of the beneficial interests in which is held by one or more foreign persons.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Prohibits the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to specified proposed sales of Sidewinder, Stinger, and Harpoon missiles and services to Saudi Arabia, as described in the April 8, 1986, certifications from the President to the Congress under the Arms Export Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1986
Title I: Export-Import Bank Act Extension - Export-Import Bank Act Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to authorize the Export-Import Bank (the Bank) to collect fees to cover the marginal costs of the Bank's conferences and publications. Requires the Bank's medium-term financing program to: (1) be available in the form of direct credits to the foreign borrower to finance exports having a value of not less than $50,000; (2) impose minimal administrative, procedural, and documentary burdens on its users; (3) not require the payment of fees unless such fees are equivalent to those charged under the Bank's long-term loan program and are in accordance with certain other requirements. Deletes the provision that declares that the Bank's terms and conditions need not be equivalent to those offered by foreign countries. Prohibits the Bank from imposing a credit application fee unless: (1) the fee is competitive with the average fee charged by the Bank's primary foreign competitors and is related to the risk of the transaction; and (2) the borrower or the U.S. exporter is given the option of paying the fee over the lifetime of the loan. Prohibits the Bank from withdrawing or denying financing to a country or for a transaction backed by a country on the basis that there is no reasonable assurance of repayment if the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies (the National Advisory Council) makes a contrary determination. Requires the Bank to provide medium-term risk protection coverage through multiple exporter organizations for the members and clients of such organizations. Requires that support of exports under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 shall be made available to U.S. exporters directly or to U.S. banks, non-U.S. banks, or nonbank lenders financing U.S. exports with such support. Requires the Bank to authorize the transferability of medium- and long-term obligations insured or guaranteed by the Bank without affecting, limiting, or terminating the guarantee or insurance provided by the Bank. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to cover the net subsidy cost of new direct loans under the program limitations of FY 1987. Extends the authority of such Act through FY 1996. Requires the Bank, in all cases involving potential adverse impact on domestic industries or employment, to consider and address in writing the view of parties who may be substantially adversely affected by the loan or guarantee before taking final action on such loan or guarantee. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to investigate whether noncompetitive financing is being offered whenever the Secretary receives information that a foreign country is providing export credits that exceed the limits of certain agreements irrespective of whether the governments offering the credits are signatories to such agreements. Requires (current law authorizes) the Bank to be authorized to provide matching financing if the foreign government does not withdraw such credits or does not respond to the U.S. request that such credits be withdrawn. (Current law conditions such requirement upon a finding that the availability of noncompetitive financing is likely to be a significant factor in the sale.) Requires the Bank to report to the Congress on its medium-term export support program by April 15, 1987. Sets forth information to be included in such report. Requires the Bank and the Office of Management and Budget to report to the Congress and the General Accounting Office on: (1) the need for U.S. Government involvement in export credit insurance; (2) the need to employ an agent in administering government-supported insurance programs; and (3) the efficiency and effectiveness of continuing to use the Foreign Credit Insurance Association as the Bank's agent. Title II: Elimination of Foreign Predatory Export Credit Practices - Fair Export Financing Act of 1986 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) to establish within the Department of the Treasury a program of tied aid credits for U.S. exports in order to facilitate the negotiation of a comprehensive international arrangement restricting the use of tied aid and partially untied aid credits for commercial purposes. Authorizes using such tied aid credit facility to respond to predatory financing activities by other countries. Requires the tied aid credit program to be carried out by the Secretary in cooperation with the Bank or with private financial institutions or entities. Prohibits approval of any financing under programs authorized by this Act without the concurrence of the National Advisory Council. Authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Commerce to provide to the Secretary and the National Advisory Council trade information on those countries which block progress toward a comprehensive international arrangements on tied aid credit. Sets forth financing methods that may be included in such program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 and 1988 for such program. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse the Export-Import Bank for the cost of tied aid credits authorized by the Export-Import Bank during FY 1986. Requires each financing made pursuant to such program to be consistent with the procedures established by the Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supported Export Credits. Limits judicial review of actions by the National Advisory Council, the Secretary, and the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank. Requires the Secretary to report every six months to the Congress on: (1) the principal offers of predatory financing by foreign countries during the past six months; (2) steps taken to combat specific predatory financing practices of foreign countries; (3) use of the fund by the United States to match specific predatory financing practices of foreign countries and to initiate tied aid credit offers; (4) the additional steps the United States will take to discourage such practices; and (5) progress achieved in negotiations to establish a comprehensive international arrangement restricting the use of tied aid and partially untied aid credits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1986
Export-Import Bank Act Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to authorize the Export-Import Bank (the Bank) to collect fees to cover the marginal costs of the Bank's conferences and publications. Requires the Bank's medium-term financing program to: (1) be available in the form of direct credits to the foreign borrower to finance exports having a value of not less than $50,000; (2) impose minimal administrative, procedural, and documentary burdens on its users; (3) not require the payment of fees unless such fees are equivalent to those charged under the Bank's long-term loan program and are in accordance with certain other requirements. Deletes the provision that declares that the Bank's terms and conditions need not be equivalent to those offered by foreign countries. Prohibits the Bank from imposing a credit application fee unless: (1) the fee is competitive with the average fee charged by the Bank's primary foreign competitors and is related to the risk of the transaction; and (2) the borrower or the U.S. exporter is given the option of paying the fee over the lifetime of the loan. Prohibits the Bank from withdrawing or denying financing to a country or for a transaction backed by a country on the basis that there is no reasonable assurance of repayment if the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies (the National Advisory Council) makes a contrary determination. Requires the Bank to provide medium-term risk protection coverage through multiple exporter organizations for the members and clients of such organizations. Requires that support of exports under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 shall be made available to U.S. exporters directly or to U.S. banks, non-U.S. banks, or nonbank lenders financing U.S. exports with such support. Requires the Bank to authorize the transferability of medium- and long-term obligations insured or guaranteed by the Bank without affecting, limiting, or terminating the guarantee or insurance provided by the Bank. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 to cover the net subsidy cost of new direct loans under the program limitations of FY 1987. Extends the authority of such Act through FY 1996. Requires the Bank, in all cases involving potential adverse impact on domestic industries or employment, to consider and address in writing the view of parties who may be substantially adversely affected by the loan or guarantee before taking final action on such loan or guarantee. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to investigate whether noncompetitive financing is being offered whenever the Secretary receives information that a foreign country is providing export credits that exceed the limits of certain agreements irrespective of whether the governments offering the credits are signatories to such agreements. Requires (currently authorizes) the Bank to be authorized to provide matching financing if the foreign government does not withdraw such credits or does not respond to the U.S. request that such credits be withdrawn. (Current law conditions such requirement upon a finding that the availability of noncompetitive financing is likely to be a significant factor in the sale.) Requires the Bank to report to the Congress on its medium-term export support program by April 15, 1987. Sets forth information to be included in such report. Requires the Bank and the Office of Management and Budget to report to the Congress and the General Accounting Office on: (1) the need for U.S. Government involvement in export credit insurance; (2) the need to employ an agent in administering government-supported insurance programs; and (3) the efficiency and effectiveness of continuing to use the Foreign Credit Insurance Association as the Bank's agent.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1986
Fair Export Financing Act of 1986 - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) to establish within the Department of the Treasury a program of tied aid credits for U.S. exports in order to facilitate the negotiation of a comprehensive international arrangement restricting the use of tied aid and partially untied aid credits for commercial purposes. Authorizes using such tied aid credit facility to respond to predatory financing activities by other countries. Requires the tied aid credit program to be carried out by the Secretary in cooperation with the Export-Import Bank or with private financial institutions or entities. Prohibits approval of any financing under programs authorized by this Act without the concurrence of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies (the National Advisory Council). Authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Commerce to provide to the Secretary and the National Advisory Council trade information on those countries which block progress toward a comprehensive international arrangement on tied aid credit. Sets forth financing methods that may be included in such program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 and 1988 for such program. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse the Export-Import Bank for the cost of tied aid credits authorized by the Export-Import Bank during FY 1986. Requires each financing made pursuant to such program to be consistent with the procedures established by the Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supported Export Credits. Limits judicial review of actions by the National Advisory Council, the Secretary, and the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank. Requires the Secretary to report every six months to the Congress on: (1) the principal offers of predatory financing by foreign countries during the past six months; (2) steps taken to combat specific predatory financing practices of foreign countries; (3) use of the fund by the United States to match specific predatory financing practices of foreign countries and to initiate tied aid credit offers; (4) the additional steps the United States will take to discourage such practices; and (5) progress achieved in negotiations to establish a comprehensive international arrangement restricting the use of tied aid and partially untied aid credits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1986
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to treat plywoods with tongued, grooved, lapped, or otherwise worked edges as plywood for duty treatment purposes.