United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1986
Food Safety Modernization Act of 1986 - Title I: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define "safe," as applied to food additives, color additives, pesticide residues, and other specified substances, to mean a reasonable certainty that the risks of a substance under the intended conditions of use are negligible. Authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to permit, under specified conditions, the gradual elimination or phase-out of substances from the food supply if the FDA determines that there will be no unreasonable risk to the public health from continued use of a substance while it is phased out and there is no practicable substitute. Permits an extension for up to an additional five years. Provides that certain cancer-causing substances shall not be banned (and may be approved) if the proponent of use demonstrates on the basis of credible experimental evidence that the risks to humans under the intended conditions of use are negligible. Authorizes the FDA to consider the benefits to human health from a long-used additive with no practicable substitute before prohibiting its use on the basis of risks to human health. Permits continued use of an additive if the risks to human health are acceptable on account of the benefits to human health, such as the effects of its use on the nutritional value and availability of food and uses for dietary management and other health-related purposes. Directs the FDA to establish an independent scientific peer review committee to study and give advice on substantial scientific issues related to food safety. Requires the FDA, within two years of enactment of this Act, to establish by regulations standards to determine under what circumstances the use of a substance in a food contact situation (i.e., an indirect additive) meets the food additive definition of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Directs the FDA, in issuing regulations, to consider the extent of human exposure to a substance under its intended conditions of use and the toxicological characteristics of the substance. Title II: Amendments to the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act - Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to provide that a meat, poultry, or egg product is adulterated because it contains an added poisonous or added deleterious substance when the presence of the substance renders the food unsafe within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue regulations for added poisonous or added deleterious substances in meat, poultry, and egg products but only if the FDA has not already done so. Authorizes the Secretary to phase out the use of substances in meat, poultry, and egg products for which the Department of Agriculture has primary responsibility. Directs the Secretary to establish an independent scientific peer review system.
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
Authorizes and requests the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present gold medals to Doctor Andrei Sakharov and Doctor Yelena Bonner in recognition of the sacrifices they have made to further the causes of human rights and world peace. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
Repeals provisions of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985 which: (1) provide a remedy against the United States for loss of property, personal injury, or death due to exposure to radiation based on acts or omissions by a contractor conducting atomic weapons tests under a contract with the United States; and (2) preclude any other civil action by individuals against a contractor for the purpose of determining civil liability from acts or omissions of such contractor. Makes the period during which such provision was in effect inapplicable for purposes of the tolling of any statute of limitations for claims.
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
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal Government should take immediate steps to support funding for a National Storm-Scale Operational and Research Meteorology Program (STORM) under the leadership of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with the cooperation of other Federal agencies. Provides that, on or before August 1, 1986, and each fifth year thereafter, the President would transmit to the Congress a plan for the National STORM Program and its budgetary requirements, specifying the activities to be conducted and the Federal agency which will conduct them. Directs the President, on or about January 1, 1987, to transmit to the Congress a progress report on implementing the National STORM Program. Directs the Administration to: (1) place a high priority on reinstating the two geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES) system; (2) compensate for the absence of a second GOES satellite by taking actions such as increasing hurricane reconnaissance flights; and (3) undertake an immediate analysis of how best to maintain a two GOES system.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1986
Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied without regard to Revenue Ruling 86-63 or any similar regulation. (Revenue Ruling 86-63 provides that no charitable contribution will be allowed for donations to university athletic scholarship funds if the donor receives the right to purchase season tickets on preferential basis.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Exempts from the antitrust laws any joint agreement by or among persons in the television broadcast industry, and any joint action concerning any television broadcast or any material intended for broadcast, if the purpose of such agreement or action is to determine or alleviate the negative impact of violence in television broadcast material, provided that the agreement or action is not intended to result in a boycott of any person in the industry.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Integrity in Post Employment Act of 1986 - Includes former Members of Congress and all former Federal employees in the prohibitions against attempting to influence the Government for one year, or representing or advising a foreign entity for two years, after the end of Government service. Increases the maximum civil penalty for such violations from $10,000 to $250,000. Prohibits certain high-level civilian officers and employees and high-ranking officers of the uniformed services from engaging in such activities at any time after termination of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission Act - Grants the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission the exclusive right to use the names and marks: (1) "The Space Rocket Center"; (2) "Space Camp"; (3) "Space Academy"; and (4) "United States Space Camp." Provides that such names and marks shall be considered trademarks or trade names for purposes of the Trademark Act of 1946.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicaid Maternal and Infant Amendments of 1986 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of extending coverage to pregnant women and infants up to age one whose family income does not exceed the higher of the income eligibility threshold under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Act or the Federal poverty level. Prohibits States which provide coverage pursuant to this Act from establishing more stringent AFDC eligibility tests or reducing AFDC payment levels after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Directs the Federal Communications Commission to study and report to the Congress on the impact that violence on television has on the mental and physical health of children and adults.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1986
Designates May 21, 1986, as Andrei Sakharov Honor and Freedom Day. Requests the President to mark such day with an appeal to the Soviet leader for Doctor Sakharov's release. Provides for the relocation of the "Andrei Sakharov Plaza" street sign to an area adjacent to the Soviet Embassy in the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1986
Infant Mortality Prevention Act of 1986 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of extending coverage to women in need of pregnancy-related medical services and infants up to age one whose family income exceeds current income eligibility thresholds, but does not exceed a State maximum income level to be established at or below the Federal poverty level. Requires the State maximum income level for eligibility under this program to be no less than the payment level applicable to a family with no income under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Act. Prohibits States which provide coverage pursuant to this Act from reducing AFDC payment levels after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1986
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make required red meat purchases in proportion to the number of dairy cattle slaughtered in each disposal period under the milk production termination program (program). Provides that if such purchases are inadequate to offset the amount of meat being marketed under the program, the Secretary shall decrease meat imports, or increase purchases and exports. Directs the Secretary to ensure the orderly marketing of such dairy cattle consistent with historical beef and dairy marketing patterns.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1986
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to suspend the current milk production termination program while the Secretary of Agriculture develops a new program that will minimize the adverse effects on beef, pork, and lamb producers. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1986
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make required red meat purchases in proportion to the number of dairy cattle slaughtered in each disposal period under the milk production termination program (program). Provides that if such purchases are inadequate to offset the amount of meat being marketed under the program, the Secretary shall decrease meat imports, or increase purchases and exports. Directs the Secretary to ensure the orderly marketing of such dairy cattle consistent with historical beef and dairy marketing patterns.
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 · 24 March 1986
Unfair Trade Concessions Requirements Act - Requires the President to seek commitments in trade agreement negotiations to remove existing, and avoid future use of, unfair trade concessions requirements. Permits such commitments to provide for the temporary use of unfair trade concessions requirements by certain developing countries. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to define "unfair trade concessions requirements" to mean any practice or policy of a foreign government that requires, as a condition for allowing U.S. imports into such country or for carrying on businesses in such country, that: (1) substantial investment be made in such country; (2) intellectual property be licensed to such country; or (3) other collateral concession be made. Makes countries that impose unfair trade concessions requirements on U.S. products covered by bilateral trade agreements ineligible for designation as beneficiary developing countries under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and under the Generalized System of Preferences of the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1986
Lake Tuscaloosa Preservation Act - Prohibits the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from issuing any permit, license, or exemption for hydroelectric power project facilities located on Lake Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1986
Establishes a presumption of service-connection for disability purposes for former prisoners of war suffering from the following conditions, manifest to a degree of ten percent or more after active service: (1) organic residuals of frostbite; or (2) arthritis resulting from trauma.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1986
Tax-Exempt Bond Reform Act of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the term "industrial development bonds" with the new term "quasi-governmental bonds." Defines "quasi-governmental bond" as any obligation: (1) which is issued as part of an issue more than 25 percent of the net proceeds of which are to be used directly or indirectly in any trade or business carried on by any person other than a governmental unit; and (2) the payment of the principal or interest on which is, to the extent of more than 25 percent, secured by an interest in property used or to be used in a trade or business or in payments with respect of property, or to be derived from payments in respect of property, or borrowed money, used or to be used in trade or business. Sets forth rules concerning the use of proceeds in ways which will not be considered to be used in a trade or business carried on by other than a governmental unit. Provides that an issue of obligations will not be treated as quasi-governmental bonds if 95 percent or more of the proceeds are to be used to provide projects for residential rental or limited-equity cooperative property if certain conditions are satisfied. Provides that certain issues will not be treated as quasi-governmental bonds if 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of the issue are used for certain specified activities. Provides that when 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of an industrial park or small issue are used for such purposes, then the bonds are tax-exempt. Repeals the termination date for the small issue industrial development bond exemption. Sets forth the definition of "principal user" for purposes of certain facilities. Provides that obligations where 95 percent of the proceeds are to be used by nonprofit organizations in activities which do not constitute unrelated trade or businesses shall not be treated as quasi-governmental bonds. Provides that qualified mortgage bonds, qualified veterans' mortgage bonds, qualified student loan bonds, and qualified tax-increment bonds will not be treated as quasi-governmental bonds. Modifies the requirements with respect to tax-exempt bonds used for low-income housing involving residential or limited-equity cooperative property. Makes other modifications with respect to quasi-governmental bonds. Modifies the definition of "arbitrage bond" for purposes of determining the tax-exemption for such bonds. Repeals the exception for obligations used for educational institutions. Makes modifications in certain special rules relating to arbitrage bonds. Provides that certain irrigation dams shall be treated as air or water pollution control facilities if certain conditions are met for purposes of quasi-governmental bonds. Makes modifications with respect to qualified scholarship funding bonds, federally guaranteed obligations, and qualified steam generating or alcohol producing facilities. Provides that an obligation is federally guaranteed if more than five percent of the net proceeds of such issue is used to make loans guaranteed by the Federal Government or invested in federally insured deposits. Requires public approval for quasi-governmental bonds. Requires certain informational reporting to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to quasi-governmental bonds. Substitutes the term "quasi-governmental" for the term "private activity". Increases the dollar amount of the State ceiling on quasi-governmental bonds to $225 multiplied by the State's population or $260,000,000. Provides special rules for allocating the volume cap with respect to States with constitutional home rule cities. Modifies the refunding rules with respect to student loan bonds, qualified mortgage bonds, and qualified veterans' mortgage bonds. Substitutes the term "private loan bonds" for the term "consumer loan bonds." Requires that more than five percent of the net proceeds of the issue must be used for certain purposes in order to be classified as private loan bonds. Makes various modifications in the definition and requirements for qualified student loan bonds and tax-increment bonds. Provides that the tax-exempt status of an obligation issued for the purpose of the advance refunding of a tax-exempt obligation or quasi-governmental bonds will not be allowed unless certain conditions are satisfied. Provides rules for the change in use or ownership of facilities financed by certain tax-exempt obligations. Defines "net proceeds" to mean the proceeds of an issue reduced by insurance costs and a reasonably required reserve and replacement fund. Makes certain changes in the provisions concerning the mortgage credit certificate program. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to amend the regulations relating to the arbitrage requirements to eliminate the provision which permits a higher yield on purpose obligations if the issuer elects to waive the benefits of the temporary period provisions. Provides a penalty for failure to file certain reports on compliance with the qualified residential project rules. Makes certain technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code and to the securities laws. Provides that, generally, the effective date for these provisions will apply to obligations issued after the date of enactment of this Act. Sets forth other effective dates for specific provisions. Provides that tax-exempt financing of low income housing, or of water, sewer, and solid waste facilities will not effect the depreciation of such property. Prohibits the deduction of interest expenses of financial institutions allocable to tax-exempt securities. Sets forth the formula for making such allocation. Provides that a certain percentage of tax-exempt interest received by an insurance company shall be subtracted from the amount of losses incurred by the company in calculating taxable income. Provides that an individual is not required to report on tax returns either the tax-exempt interest received or the receipt of State and local tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1986
Extends adverse action provisions of Federal law regarding Federal employees (concerning removal, suspension for more than 14 days, reduction in grade or pay, or furlough for 30 days or less) to Postal Service employees who: (1) are preference eligibles; (2) are supervisors or employees engaged in confidential personnel work; and (3) have completed one year of continuous service in the same or similar positions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1986
Social Security Trust Funds Safeguard Act of 1986 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that all amounts appropriated to, or deposited in, a trust fund established under one of those programs be immediately and exclusively available for the purposes for which trust fund amounts are specifically made available under such program. Requires the President, in addition to appointing one member of the the public to the Board of Trustees of the social security trust funds (currently two members of the public are chosen), to appoint a Managing Trustee to the Board, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of four years. Provides that the Managing Trustee may be removed only for cause, but is prohibited from engaging in any other business, vocation, or employment. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide the Managing Trustee with appropriate assistance. Directs the Managing Trustee to invest that portion of the social security trust funds which is not required to meet current withdrawals in accordance with an annual investment plan submitted by the Board. Requires the Board to conduct a continuing study and actuarial analysis of the status of investments made by the Managing Trustee and, by August 1 of each year, formulate and submit to the President and each House of the Congress an investment plan to govern the investments of the social security trust funds during the fiscal year. Requires the annual investment plan to set forth standards governing the investment and disinvestment of the trust funds which ensure, so far as is possible, that the OASDI and Medicare programs fulfill their intended purposes in a fiscally and actuarially sound nonpartisan manner, free from the influence of irrelevant budgetary or fiscal considerations. Directs that such plan be accompanied by any recommendations of the Board regarding investment of the social security trust funds. Directs that the investment plan and recommendations be incorporated in a special message to each House. Sets a minimum and maximum on amounts of the social security trust funds to be invested in obligations which are not obligations of the United States but which are guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States. Sets forth effective date and transitional provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1986
Provides that Federal tax reform legislation based on the President's tax reform proposal submitted to the Congress on May 29, 1985, shall not take effect before January 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1986
Antitrust Damages Clarification Act of 1986 - Provides that no damages, costs, or attorney's fees shall be awarded under an antitrust suit with respect to the establishment or use of any rate, charge, or premium that is: (1) filed with a State insurance department; or (2) authorized, approved, or permitted to become effective pursuant to State insurance laws. Applies this Act to pending cases.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1986
National Space Grant College Act - Establishes, within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a national space grant college program to provide financial and other assistance for space-related projects administered by a space grant college, consortium, institute, laboratory, or State or local agency. Provides for: (1) a NASA Director of such programs; (2) grants and contracts to assist space grant programs or projects, programs or projects addressing national needs or problems relating to space, and programs or projects promoting international cooperation relating to space; (3) designation of space grant colleges and space grant regional consortia; (4) space grant fellowships; (5) a space grant review panel; (6) interagency cooperation; and (7) a biennial report and evaluation to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989.