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United States · Official source
696 records where Sen. Hecht, Chic [R-NV] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
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 · 21 November 1985
Equity and Choice Act of 1985 - Amends chapter 1 (Financial Assistance to Meet the Special Educational Needs of Disadvantaged Children) of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 (ECIA) (hereinafter referred to as Chapter 1) to add provisions for educational vouchers. Requires each local educational agency (LEA) to provide an educational voucher, upon parental request, to the parents of each educationally deprived child selected to participate in the LEA's Chapter 1 program. Requires each LEA to: (1) provide written notice to such parents of the options available to them under Chapter 1, including their right to obtain an educational voucher for their child; (2) afford such parents a reasonable period of time to request such vouchers; and (3) convene an annual public meeting to discuss the availability and authorized uses of such vouchers, and invite parents of all eligible children and representatives of private eligible educational institutions to such meeting. Sets forth authorized uses of such vouchers. Allows such vouchers to be used as payment toward tuition and/or to obtain compensatory services at: (1) a public school outside the child's school attendance area (if the LEA permits this); (2) a public school outside the child's district; or (3) private school. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount of such a voucher. Requires each LEA to provide regular Chapter 1 programs and projects for eligible public and private school children whose parents do not request educational vouchers from that LEA. Sets forth requirements for LEA applications for Chapter 1 assistance. Declares that such voucher payments to a private school or a public school outside the child's school district shall not constitute Federal financial assistance to the private school or that public school. Declares that the use of such funds by such private or public schools shall not constitute a program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Provides that such voucher payments to parents shall not be subject to Federal, State, or local income taxes. Requires that any private school eligible for such voucher payments include a statement that it does not discriminate against student applicants or students on the basis of race in any published bylaws, advertisements, admission application forms, or other published materials. Makes inapplicable to such voucher programs specified Chapter 1 provisions relating to authorized program design and description and application approval and assurances. Allows each LEA to use Chapter 1 funds to provide for transportation, on an equitable basis, to eligible children whose parents obtain vouchers and enroll such children at public schools outside their school attendance area or school district or at private schools. Makes such use of funds an administrative cost of carrying out Chapter 1 programs and projects. Sets forth provisions relating to nondiscrimination by private schools in such voucher program. Prohibits voucher payments with respect to any private school if there is in effect a judgment by a U.S. district court declaring that such school follows a racially discriminatory policy, or if a U.S. court of appeals has ordered the district court to enter such a judgment. Requires each private school, before receiving voucher payments, to file with the LEA a verified statement: (1) declaring that such school has not followed a racially discriminatory policy during the previous 12 months; (2) indicating whether such a declaratory judgment or order has been entered against the school in an action brought under this Act; and (3) attesting that the school has complied with the requirement to include a statement of nondiscrimination in its published materials. Grants the Attorney General exclusive jurisdiction to investigate and determine whether a private school is following a racially discriminatory policy. Defines "racially discriminatory policy" for purposes of this Act. Declares that a racially discriminatory policy shall not include failure of any institution to pursue or achieve any racial quota, proportion, or representation in the student body. Defines "race" to include color or national origin. Authorizes the Attorney General to have sole discretion to seek a declaratory judgment against any private school upon: (1) receipt within the previous one-year period of any allegation of discrimination against such institution; and (2) a finding of good cause by the Attorney General. Authorizes the U.S. district court for the district in which the private school is located to make a declaration with respect to whether such institution follows a racially discriminatory policy, upon the filing of an appropriate pleading by the Attorney General. Sets forth procedures with respect to such allegations, pleadings, and declarations. Authorizes the Attorney General to have sole discretion to enter into settlement agreements prior to and in lieu of filing such actions. Authorizes the court to award costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to any private school which prevails in such actions unless the court determines that the Attorney General was substantially justified. Provides for post-judgment motions for declarations that a school no longer follows a radically discriminatory policy. Sets forth technical and conforming amendments to ECIA and to specified provisions of Federal law relating to the creation of the declaratory judgment remedy.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1985
Designates 1986 as the Centennial Year of the Gasoline Powered Automobile.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1985
Amends the Major Crimes Act with respect to crimes in Indian country to include the crime of felonious sexual molestation of a minor.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified development credit institutions to oppose any aid by such institutions for the production of any agricultural commodity for export if: (1) such commodity is in surplus on world markets; and (2) the export of such commodity would cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of the same or a similar competing commodity. Limits the amount of U.S. payment to any capital expansion such institution based upon the amount of assistance furnished by such institution for the production of surplus agricultural commodities that are injurious to U.S. producers or for the subsidization of the export of agricultural commodities from certain countries.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1985
Federal Incentives for State Health Care Professional Liability Reform Act of 1985 - Establishes a program to provide development and incentive grants to States for enacting medical malpractice liability reforms. States the reforms which must be in effect for States to receive incentive grants, including: (1) the manner of payment of damage awards exceeding $100,000; (2) a $250,000 limit on noneconomic losses; (3) the method for determining attorneys' fees; and (4) certain requirements regarding health care professional liability insurance. Requires each State receiving an incentive grant to prepare and transmit a report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services every two years describing: (1) State liability reforms enacted, adopted, or in effect; (2) activities conducted by the State with grants received under this Act; and (3) any current problems with respect to health care professional liability or health care professional liability insurance. Requires the Secretary to transmit periodic reports to the Congress summarizing the information provided by the States. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1985
Prohibits the award of attorney fees in civil rights actions against a judge or judicial officer who would be immune from actions for damages arising out of the same act or omission about which complaint is made.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that no part of any tax reform legislation based on the President's tax reform proposal submitted to the Congress on May 29, 1985, shall: (1) take effect before its date of enactment, but in no case earlier than July 1, 1986; or (2) apply to transactions occurring pursuant to a binding contract in effect prior to its date of enactment.
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
Designates September 19, 1986, as National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1985
Amends the Hobbs Act to redefine "extortion" to mean obtaining property from another with consent by use of actual or threatened force, violence or fear thereof, or wrongful use of fear not involving force or violence, or under color of official right. Expresses congressional intent not to: (1) exclude Federal jurisdiction on the ground that conduct involving force, violance, or fear thereof takes place in the course of a legitimate business or labor dispute, or on the ground that the conduct violates State or local law; or (2) chill legitimate labor activity by authorizing Federal prosecution for offenses occurring during a labor dispute not involving extortion.. Makes it a bar to a prosecution under this Act that the defendant's conduct: (1) was incidental to peaceful picketing in the course of a legitimate labor dispute; (2) consisted solely of minor bodily injury or property damage; or (3) was not intended to extort property.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1985
Declares that it is congressional policy to prohibit the number of Soviet nationals admitted to the United States to serve as members of the Soviet mission at United Nations (U.N.) headquarters from substantially exceeding the number of U.S. nationals who serve as members of the U.S. mission at U.N. headquarters, unless the President determines that the admission of additional Soviet nationals would be in the interests of the United States. Directs the Secretary of State to report to the Congress every six months on the number of Soviet nationals admitted to the United States because the President determined their admission would be in the national interest and on their duties with the Soviet mission. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary and the Attorney General should report to the Congress within six months on a plan for ensuring that the excess number of Soviet nationals admitted due to a routine replacement of personnel does not exceed the five percent limit.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey without consideration specified lands in Lander County, Nevada, to the Pershing Water Conservation District. Requires such District to continue its existing obligations to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1985
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to eliminate the second concurrent resolution on the budget and thus provide for the annual adoption of a single concurrent resolution on the budget (budget resolution). Sets forth maximum Federal budget deficit amounts for each of fiscal years 1986 through 1990 providing for the incremental reduction of the deficit to zero by 1990. Prohibits either House of Congress from considering or adopting a budget resolution or a revision thereof providing for budget outlays exceeding revenues by more than the prescribed maximum deficit amount. Requires the Congress to complete action on any reconciliation bill or resolution to: (1) an original budget resolution by June 15 of each year; or (2) a revised budget resolution within 30 days after the revision is adopted. Provides that no amendment that would increase specific budget outlays or reduce specific revenues set forth in a budget resolution or reconciliation bill as reported shall be in order in the House or the Senate, unless such amendment provides for offsetting adjustments in other outlays and revenues to ensure that total outlays are not increased and total revenues are not reduced. Requires each Senate and House committee to report its subdivisions of allocated budget outlays and new budget authority within ten legislative days after the budget resolution is agreed to. Makes it out of order for the House or the Senate, after the Congress has completed action on the budget resolution for a fiscal year, to consider legislation that, if enacted, would: (1) provide for or require budget outlays or new budget authority in excess of the appropriate committee allocation reported in connection with such resolution, unless the legislation is favorably reported by the Committee on Appropriations of the House involved with a certification that the appropriate committee will take actions necessary to assure that enactment of such legislation will not result in a deficit exceeding the maximum deficit amount applicable; or (2) provide for new budget authority or spending authority or reduce revenues so that the resulting deficit would exceed the maximum deficit amount applicable. Requires the conference report on any legislation providing new budget authority or new or increased tax expenditures to disclose the information required to be disclosed in committee reports on such legislation. Requires the Federal budget transmitted to the Congress by the President each year, and revisions thereof, to set forth levels of outlays and revenues resulting in a deficit not in excess of the applicable maximum deficit amount. Permits the President to transmit alternative budgets satisfying such requirement. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office: (1) to estimate the levels of total revenues and budget levels for each fiscal year; (2) to estimate the rate of real economic growth during that year; (3) to determine whether the deficit for such year will exceed the applicable maximum deficit amount and whether such excess is statistically significant; and (4) if either Director determines that the maximum deficit amount will be exceeded, to submit a report to the President and the Congress specifying the amount of such excess, whether it is statistically significant, the estimated rate of real economic growth for that year, and the percentages by which automatic spending increases and relatively controllable expenditures shall be reduced during such year in order to eliminate such excess. Requires the President, upon receiving such a report, to: (1) issue an order that eliminates one-half of such excess by suspending or uniformly reducing (not below zero) automatic spending increases under Federal law for such year and the other half by sequestering such amounts of budget authority as are necessary to reduce each relatively controllable expenditure by a uniform percentage; and (2) send a message to both Houses of Congress identifying the total amount and percentage by which automatic spending increases are to be reduced, the total amount of budget authority to be sequestered, the amount of budget authority to be sequestered for each relatively controllable expenditure, and the account, department, establishment, project, or function affected by the cut in budget authority. (Authorizes the President to issue such an order if the reported excess is not statistically significant.) Directs the President to issue such order: (1) within 14 days after receiving such report if the estimate for real economic growth for the fiscal year is zero or greater; or (2) within 30 days if the estimate for real economic growth is less than zero. Authorizes the President, during such 30-day period, to submit to the Congress a joint resolution to: (1) reduce the deficit to an amount not exceeding the applicable maximum deficit amount; or (2) suspend the requirements of this Act for such fiscal year. Permits the President's message to the Congress to include alternative ways to reduce the deficit to an amount not exceeding the maximum deficit amount. Permits the Committee on the Budget of the House or the Senate, within ten days after the President has issued such an order, to report a joint resolution superseding such order. Makes it out of order for the House or the Senate to consider or agree to any such resolution which, if enacted, would cause the fiscal year deficit to exceed the maximum deficit amount. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for consideration of such a resolution. Waives specified provisions of this Act in any fiscal year for which a declaration of war has been enacted. Makes this Act applicable through FY 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1985
Colorado River Floodway Protection Act - Establishes the Colorado River Floodway Task Force to prepare recommendations concerning the management of land within the Colorado River Floodway. Establishes the Colorado River Floodway, with boundaries to be determined by floodflow levels downstream of Davis Dam. Directs the Secretary to file with the appropriate congressional committees maps of the floodway, and to provide each State, local, or Federal agency affected by such floodway system with copies of such maps. Permits the Secretary to make minor modifications to such maps after timely notice to the State or agency involved. Directs the Secretary to review the floodway at least once every five years and to make all necessary changes. Denies the availability of new expenditures or new financial assistance for any purpose within the Floodway, with specified exceptions. Allows the appropriate Federal officer to make Federal expenditures or financial assistance available within the Floodway, for: (1) any dam, channel, levee, or other structure whose purpose is flood control, water conservation, power, or water quality, drainage facility, or other remedial or corrective measure; (2) the maintenance and expansion of publicly operated roads, structures, or facilities, with specified exceptions; and (3) certain other activities whose purposes are consistent with this Act, such as fish and wildlife enhancement projects, air and water navigation aids, scientific research, emergency assistance, and riverbank stabilization projects. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to make written certification each year after FY 1985 that each Federal agency concerned has complied with the provisions of this Act. Requires the Secretary, within one year of enactment of this Act, to submit a report on the Floodway to the appropriate congressional committees, detailing the work of the task force and any recommendations the Secretary may have. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to limit new flood insurance coverage on new construction or substantial improvements to structures within the Floodway to a date six months after the enactment of this Act. Denies the granting of Federal leases on land located within the Floodway unless the Secretary determines that the proposed use of such land will be consistent with the purposes of this Act. Requires pre-Act Federal land lessees to take reasonable steps to minimize any land use inconsistent with the purposes of this Act. Prohibits the granting of leases between Hoover Dam and Davis Dam unless the Secretary determines that the lease would be consistent with the operation of Lake Mohave. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Fuel Cells Energy Utilization Act of 1985 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to redefine the term "cogeneration facility" to include facilities utilizing fuel cell systems. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to redefine the term "domestic renewable energy industry" to include industries using fuel cell technology (thus bringing fuel cells systems technology within the ambit of Federal energy legislation). Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare guidelines for cities and municipalities specifying environmental and safety standards for the use of fuel cell technology. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress regarding the export market potential for integrated systems of fuel cells with renewable power technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Designates March 21, 1986, as National Energy Education Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Directs the President to take immediate action to initiate negotiations to establish an International Copper Action Commission composed of government representatives from copper producing and consuming countries, international copper industry representatives, major copper consumer representatives, and members of the Congress. Outlines Commission functions to include: (1) serving as a forum for consultations between copper industry representatives and government officials; (2) developing consistent copper trade guidelines; (3) developing worldwide copper demand forecasts; and (4) promoting copper consumption, research, and market development.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Grants a Federal charter to the Confederate Memorial Association.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold coins in 50-dollar, 25-dollar, ten-dollar, and five-dollar denominations. Requires the Secretary to acquire the gold for such coins by purchase only from natural deposits in the United States or a U.S. territory or possession or from U.S. reserves. Repeals a provision prohibiting the Government from delivering any gold coin. Requires any profit from the sale of such coins to be deposited in the Treasury and applied toward reducing the national debt. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the issuance of such coins results in no net cost to the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Designates the week of October 6 through October 13, 1985, as National Housing Week.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the University of Nevada specified lands in Mount Diablo Meridian, Nevada, as a research and development center.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Designates September 22, 1986, as American Business Women's Day.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the tax treatment of loans with below market interest rates (i.e. the imputed interest rules) shall not apply to bonds issued by the State of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the status of settlement of State claims to public lands.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Declares that all Federal interest in specified lands in Neveda shall be held in trust by the United States for the Reno Sparks Indian Colony. Provides that nothing in this Act shall deprive any person of any right-of-way, mining claim, grazing permit, water right, or other interest in such lands before the enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to cancel all grazing permits and leases on specified lands and to reasonably compensate the holders of such permits and leases. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to compensate such holders. Provides that, prior to enactment of this Act, grazing privileges exercised under any grazing permit or lease issued by the Secretary on specified lands within the Paiute Canyon Grazing Allotment Range, Nevada, shall not be affected by this Act. Allows such leases or permits to be canceled or modified by the Secretary for failure by the holders to meet specified regulations. Requires grazing fees for such lands to be paid by the holders to the Secretary at the prevailing rates. Prohibits the transfer of such permits and leases to any person or organization other than the Reno Sparks Indian Colony. Authorizes such lands to be leased by the Indian owners, with the approval of the Secretary, for public, religious, educational, recreational, residential, or business purposes.
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
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude the employees of States and local governments from the provisions of that Act relating to maximum hours. Revises the definition of "employee" under that Act to exclude any volunteer for a State, local, or interstate public agency, even if such volunteer is paid expenses or a nominal fee to perform the voluntary services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Pyramid Lake Paiute and Truckee River Settlement Act of 1985 - Title I: Truckee River Settlement - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to annually deliver, under specified conditions, water to the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation for the maintenance of the Pyramid Lake fish resources. Requires the Secretary, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Sierra Pacific Power Company, and the Carson-Truckee Water Conservancy District to contract for the sale of specified quantities of water from the Stampede Reservoir for municipal and industrial use (not for dilution of sewage) in the cities of Reno and Sparks and Washoe County, Nevada. Requires the Secretary to contract for the sale of water to the Carson-Truckee Water Conservancy District from the Stampede Reservoir. Requires the Secretary, within three years after the enactment of this Act, to commence a fish enhancement program for the Pyramid Lake, Lower Truckee River, Lahontan National Fish Hatchery, and the Marble Bluff Dam. Requires the Secretary to undertake biological studies of the Lower Truckee River for the Pyramid Lake fish resources. Sets forth the effective dates of this Act. Establishes within the Treasury the Pyramid Lake Settlement Fund. Authorizes appropriations for such fund on a matching funds basis. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to such fund. Authorizes appropriations for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Trust Fund for the enhancement of the Pyramid Lake fish resources (including the restoration of specified threatened or endangered species of fish). Sets forth specified requirements with respect to such fund. Provides monetary damages to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in the event that the Secretary fails to meet his obligations under this Act to deliver water to the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation. Sets forth specified requirements (including cancellation of all repayment obligations for irrigation construction costs) with respect to the Newlands Reclamation Project. Provides that the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District shall be responsible for the operation of such project. Provides that specified provisions of this Act shall be deemed to be in compliance with the Endangered Species Act and exempt from specified provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act. Provides that the fish enhancement program on the Pyramid Lake Reservation shall be subject to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Title II: Consent and Approval of the Congress to the California-Nevada Interstate Compact - Grants congressional approval to the California-Nevada Interstate Compact providing for the apportionment of certain water resources between California and Nevada and the establishment of the California-Nevada Compact Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Legal Fees Equity Act - Delineates criteria for the award of attorneys' fees to parties in judicial and administrative proceedings against the United States and State or local governments. Sets a maximum hourly rate of $75 for the award of attorneys' fees in civil actions. Prescribes guidelines under which courts and administrative officers are authorized to deny or reduce attorneys' fees. Requires monetary judgments to be reduced by the amount of attorneys' fees (but not more than 25 percent) where a monetary judgment is awarded and a Federal fee-shifting statute applies. Requires applications for an award of attorneys' fees to be made within a specified time after a decision has been entered. Prohibits an award of attorneys' fees where the Government can demonstrate the claims have become moot due to a change in Government policy and the pendency of such action was not a material factor in such policy change. Denies attorneys' fees for services performed subsequent to the time a written offer of settlement is made to a party, if such offer is not accepted and the relief finally obtained by the party is not more favorable to the party than the offer of settlement. Requires the Comptroller General to report annually to the President and the Congress on the amount of attorneys' fees awarded in judicial or administrative proceedings against Federal, State, or local governments. Imposes limitations on any executive or military department or any agency, board, or commission respecting the employment and compensation of outside private counsel. Authorizes such a body to retain outside private counsel only upon certification of need by the Attorney General (in accordance with set regulations). Sets a maximum hourly rate at $75. Requires the Attorney General, after consultation with the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Personnel Management and other agencies, to implement regulations governing the circumstances in which Federal agencies can retain outside private counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Amends the copyright law to redefine local service area of a primary transmitter in the case of a low power television station for secondary transmission purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Confirms title in specified lands in California and Nevada which were transferred to such States by the Federal Government, conveyed by such States to third parties, and were determined in a border dispute resolution to be a part of a State other than the State which conveyed the title.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal honoring George Gershwin to his sister, Frances Gershwin Godowsky, and a gold medal honoring Ira Gershwin to his widow, Lenore Gershwin. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1985
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude the employees of States and local governments from the provisions of that Act relating to maximum hours.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Terrorist Prosecution Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to punish whoever in an act of international terrorism kills or attempts to kill any national of the United States. Requires any such person who is found guilty of murder in the first degree to be sentenced to imprisonment for life and anyone found guilty of attempted murder shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years. Makes it an offense for any person in an act of international terrorism to assault, wound, strike, imprison, endanger, or make any other violent attack upon the person or liberty of any U.S. national in any foreign country (or make violent attack on his or her premises, private accommodation or means of transport). Provides for a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than three years. Increases the fine to $10,000 and/or imprisonment to ten years if a deadly or dangerous weapon is used. Grants the United States jurisdiction over the offense if the alleged offender is present in the United States, irrespective of the place where the offense was committed or the nationality of the victim or the alleged offender. Authorizes the Attorney General to receive assistance of any Federal, State, or local agency (including the military) in enforcing this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Designates the rose as the national floral emblem.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Calls on the Soviet Union to: (1) release Anatoly Shcharansky, Yosef Begun, and other Prisoners of Conscience and allow them to leave the Soviet Union; (2) issue exit permits to long term "Refuseniks" including Ida Nudel and Vladimir Slepak; and (3) allow thousands of Jews who have requested such permits to leave.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Designates the week beginning November 10, 1985, as National Disabled Veterans Week.
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 · 10 July 1985
Authorizes the establishment in the District of Columbia of a memorial to women who have served in the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Designates July 20, 1985, as Space Exploration Day.
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
Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to provide that if geothermal steam is produced or utilized in commercial quantities under an approved operation within any lease or administrative lease extension period, such lease shall continue for so long as geothermal steam is produced (or utilized) in commercial quantities, for a maximum continuation of an additional forty years. Sets forth conditions under which geothermal leases in effect as of July 27, 1984, shall be extended for a maximum of three successive five-year periods. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to review any cooperative or unit plan of development every five years after approval in order to eliminate any lease or part of lease not regarded as reasonably necessary to cooperative or unit operations. Makes geothermal leases in effect as of July 27, 1984, eligible for an administrative extension if an application is timely submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1985
Relieves the Washoe County Water Conservation District, Nevada, from any repayment obligation to the United States in connection with emergency work performed at Boca Dam in 1965 and 1967.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1985
Designates a calendar week in 1985 as National Infection Control Week.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Amends the Clayton Act to limit a person's liability for an antitrust violation to threefold the actual damages attributable to such person's purchases or sales of goods or services where: (1) liability is based upon such person's participation in a contract, combination, or conspiracy among competitors; and (2) damages awarded are based on the impact on price of such contract, combination, or conspiracy. Provides that such limitation shall not apply to the portion of damages attributable to: (1) any person that is beyond the jurisdiction of U.S. district courts; and (2) any person whose financial incapacity precludes the full payment of damages.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
National Security Protection Act of 1985 - Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the Congress within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act: (1) on the existing capabilities of the military departments and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to conduct counterintelligence operations; and (2) on plans of the Secretary for reduction in the number of members of the armed forces of the United States and civilian employees of the Department of Defense who hold clearances granting them access to classified information. Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to punish acts of espionage in time of peace by imprisonment for any term of years or for life or by death. Makes such acts of espionage involving the Soviet Union or any other Communist country punishable by death or mandatory life imprisonment. Requires the Secretary of Defense to use polygraph examinations to assist in determining the initial eligibility of persons to have access to sensitive compartmented information and the continued access to such information. Permits the Secretary to use polygraph examinations to assist in determining the initial eligibility of persons to have access to classified information other than sensitive compartmented information and the continued access to such information. Prohibits the use of the polygraph examination as the sole basis for denying eligibility for clearance or access to any classified information. Permits the refusal of clearance or access to classified information of individuals who refuse to submit to polygraph examinations. Requires a report to the Congress on plans to implement the polygraph examination requirements. Restricts the death penalty for an act of espionage to cases involving the Soviet Union or any other Communist country and the documents or information involved is classified. Imposes a mandatory life term of imprisonment for espionage involving the Soviet Union or any other Communist country. Prohibits any probation or suspension of sentence for individuals convicted of espionage involving the Soviet Union or other Communist country, and denies such individuals any opportunity for parole.