United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) eliminate or offset foreign unfair trade practices and other trade-distorting measures through enforcement of U.S. laws and rights under the international trading system; (2) strengthen international trading rules and U.S. laws relating to such rules through trade agreements that promote open and fair world trade; (3) aid potentially competitive U.S. industries faced with injury from imports; (4) examine the underlying reasons for exchange rate misalignment and currency market instability and investigate alternative methods of structuring currency values; (5) increase the participation of developing countries in the world trading system; (6) revise U.S. laws related to unfair trade practices to eliminate trade-distorting practices of nonmarket economy countries; (7) protect intellectual property rights of U.S. persons to ensure the competitiveness, technological innovation, and growth of U.S. industry and agriculture; (8) facilitate U.S. exports; and (9) respond immediately to import problems in which national security may be involved.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1985
Authorizes the Director of the U.S. Information Agency to: (1) provide for educational exchanges between U.S. and Soviet youths under 21; and (2) award higher education scholarships to exceptional students under 25 who are studying in the Soviet Union in programs approved by their own higher education institutions and maintaining satisfactory proficiency. Earmarks specified funds for FY 1986 and 1987 to carry out this Act. Refers to the activities specified in this Act as the Samantha Smith Memorial Exchange Program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1985
Fair Deposit Availability Act of 1986 - Sets forth depository institution disclosure requirements concerning: (1) the availability for withdrawal of funds deposited by check or similar instrument into a deposit account; (2) fees and charges assessed against deposit accounts; and (3) the computation of interest on deposited funds pending the receipt of provisional credit for the check or instrument. Requires the computation of interest on such deposited funds to begin no later than the date the institution receives provisional credit, unless the computation of interest begins at a later date for all deposits, including cash deposits, made to the account. Requires the Federal Reserve Board to publish for comment and implement within three years a regulation to improve the check clearing system used by depository institutions in order to make deposits by a check drawn on: (1) local institutions available for withdrawal after one business day; and (2) other institutions available after three business days. Requires the Board to establish an Expedited Funds Availability Council to advise and consult with the Board in the exercise of its functions under this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to require that funds deposited by a check drawn on the Treasury, which is endorsed for deposit by a customer with an established relationship with the depository institution, be available for withdrawal when the depository institution is given provisional credit for that check. Sets forth provisions governing the civil liability of institutions that fail to comply with this Act. Requires the Board to prepare a study and submit its findings to the Congress on the effect of improvements and changes in the check clearing system.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1985
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require that a congressional veto of an arms export proposal must be enacted into law. (Currently such veto may be in the form of adoption of a concurrent resolution.)
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1985
Manufacture and Public Distribution of Certain Copyrighted Material Act-Amends the copyright law to extend the manufacturing clause, which prohibits the importation of certain English language books not manufactured in the United States and Canada, to cover printed material. Eliminates the Canadian exemption, per se. Permits exemptions from such restriction if a foreign country, including Canada, provides adequate copyright protection for foreign nationals and such country freely trades in printed matter with the United States. Eliminates the exemption for U.S. authors who transfer rights of reproduction to a foreign agent. Exempts the importation of specified works pursuant to specified agreements or treaties.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employees and employers to make contributions to a cost-of-living arrangement to supplement a defined benefit plan. Defines a "cost-of-living" arrangement as an arrangement under a defined benefit plan which indexes a benefit provided under such plan or a separate plan subject to certain requirements. Requires that participation in such an arrangement must be elective. Provides that transfers to a cost-of-living arrangement shall not be taken into account for purposes of lump-sum distribution. Disallows an income tax deduction for employee contributions to a cost-of-living arrangement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1985
Alternatives to Hospitalization for Medical Technology Dependent Children Act of 1986 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program to provide safe and effective systems of caring for medical technology dependent children in the home. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment to appoint a task force to develop model provisions of home care for medical technology dependent children under employee health benefit plans. Requires the task force to submit a report to the Director and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Prescribes the mandatory inclusion of certain requirements in all employee health benefit plans by a certain date if: (1) no model provisions are developed; or (2) less than 80 percent of the health benefit plans meet or exceed the model provision coverage. Defines "home care for medical technology dependent children" for the purposes of this Act and lists the services which may be provided for such care. Allows the Secretary to terminate certain payments to States and political subdivisions, and impose civil penalties on any private employer for certain violations of this Act. Provides that no employer may be required to pay more for health benefits as a result of the application of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Declares that no letter of offer, prior to March 1, 1986, shall be valid with respect to any proposed sales to Jordan of advanced weapons systems, including advanced aircraft and advanced air defense systems, that are described in the notification pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act, unless direct peace negotiations between Israel and Jordan are underway.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1985
Retirement Income Policy Act of 1985 - Sets forth national retirement income policy goals. Title I: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Subtitle A: Participation Requirements - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to add definitions which distinguish between "retirement plans" and "nonretirement savings plans." Defines a retirement plan as a pension plan which meets the retirement income requirements established by this Act. Defines a nonretirement savings plan as any pension plan which is not a retirement plan as defined in this Act. Prohibits conversion of a retirement plan to a nonretirement savings plan. Sets forth retirement income requirements for retirement plans. Permits retirement plans to distribute the accrued benefits to the participant upon the participant's disability or death or separation from service, under certain conditions. Prohibits such distribution upon separation from service unless: (1) the participant is at least 59 1/2 years old; or (2) (if the participant is younger than 59 1/2 years old) the distribution is in one of the described retirement income forms. Requires that retirement plan distributions commence by the end of the plan year in which the employee: (1) attains age 70 1/2; or (2) the end of a later plan year in which an employee (who is not an owner-employee) retires. Sets forth the following descriptions of permissible "retirement income forms" for distributions upon separation from service to participants under 59 1/2 years old: (1) an annuity for the life of the participant; (2) a qualified joint and survivor annuity; or (3) a level distribution over life expectancy (which may be adjusted annually to account for certain changes). Allows such distribution forms to be adjusted periodically to allow for supplemental benefits prior to the receipt of Social Security benefits, provided such supplemental benefits do not exceed the amount of anticipated Social Security benefits. Permits retirement plans to transfer, upon separation from service, the accrued benefit of the plan participant directly to an individual retirement annuity, or another retirement plan. Revises pension plan participation and vesting provisions to add plan coverage requirements applicable to employers. Requires each employer who maintains a pension plan for an employee in the employer's relevant work force to provide that each such employee who is under the Social Security contribution and benefit base is eligible to participate in a retirement plan maintained by the employer. Sets forth special rules in the case of allowable subdivisions of the relevant work force. Allows an employer to meet such coverage requirements by maintaining one or more retirement plans. Sets forth a special rule for contributory plans. Eliminates the three-year rule under minimum participation standards. Requires, as a prerequisite for the employer's maintenance of a nonretirement savings plan covering an employee, the employer to maintain at least one retirement plan covering that employee and accruing benefits at specified levels. Subtitle B: Limitations on Contributions and Benefits - Allows a qualified pension plan to include a cash or deferred arrangement (CODA) only if such plan is a retirement plan and if the CODA meets certain requirements. Requires the CODA to provide that the covered employee may elect to have the employer make payments: (1) as contributions to a trust under the plan on behalf of the employee; or (2) to the employee directly in cash. Requires the CODA to provide that the employee has a nonforfeitable right to the employee's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions made to the trust pursuant to the employee's election. Requires that specified CODA discrimination standards be applied to the relationship between deferral percentages of highly compensated employees and other eligible employees. Requires that such CODA requirements be met by each allowable subdivision. Limits the maximum amount of covered compensation. Provides that the amount of a participant's compensation for any year which may be taken into account under a pension plan for purposes of determining benefits and contributions may not exceed 500 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base. Sets forth a special rule for self-employed individuals. Subtitle C: Vesting Standards - Revises minimum vesting standards to require the full vesting of any participant who has completed the following years of service: (1) five, in the case of retirement plans; (2) one, in the case of nonretirement savings plans; and (3) ten, in the case of multiemployer plans. Subtitle D: Pension Integration - Sets forth rules against discriminatory treatment of qualified pension plan participants. Revises rules governing integration of retirement plans, with title II (Old Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act and other Federal or State retirement programs. Subtitle E: Coverage and Portability - Provides that certain early distributions from a retirement plan which are not made in a retirement income form must be transferred directly to an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity designated by the participant (or, if such designation is not made within a specified time, selected by the plan administrator). Provides that specified provisions relating to cash-outs of survivor annuities shall apply only to distributions made as transfers meeting the requirements for early distributions set forth under this Act. Prohibits distributed benefits from being treated as other than nonforfeitable solely because such distribution is made as permitted under such survivor annuity cash-out provisions. Subtitle F: Effective Date and Related Rules - Set forth effective dates for amendments made by this title. Sets forth a special rule for such effective dates in the case of plans maintained pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. Makes technical amendments. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Subtitle A: Participation Requirements - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to make revisions similar to the revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle A of this Act. Specifies that maintenance of adequate retirement plan coverage is a requirement for qualification of pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans under IRC. Subtitle B: Limitations on Contributions and Benefits - Permits employees to make qualified voluntary employee contributions only to a retirement plan. Provides that certain contributions to employees' annuities are deductible. Amends IRC provisions relating to cash or deferred arrangements (CODAs) to require that employers with allowable subdivisions meet specified nondiscrimination rules separately in each allowable subdivision. Makes conforming amendments. Amends IRC provisions relating to special rules for individual retirement plans to reduce the amount of deductible contributions an individual may make to an individual retirement account or annuity (IRAs) in a taxable year by the amount of: (1) any employer contributions made to a CODA on behalf of that individual in any plan year ending in that taxable year; and (2) any qualified voluntary employee contributions for that taxable year. Revises IRC provisions relating to limitaitons on benefits and contributions under qualified plans to coordinate such limitations with the Social Security wage base according to specified formulas. Makes the limitation on benefits under defined benefit plans the lessor of: (1) 100 percent of compensation; or (2) 200 percent of the Social Security wage base. Makes the limitation on contributions to a defined contribution plan the lesser of: (1) 20 percent of compensation; or (2) 50 percent of the Social Security wage base. Provides that one-half of the after-tax employee contributions are to be treated as an annual addition. Adds special limitations on qualified contributions to CODAs and nonretirement savings plans under the overall defined contribution limit. Limits the amount of a plan participant's or self-employed individual's compensation that may be taken into account for determining benefits and contributions to no more than 500 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base. Limits payments by employers pursuant to qualified CODAs by disallowing contributions and other additions with respect to a participant to the extent they include payments made by the employer for any year to a trust under the plan pursuant to a CODA in excess of 25 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base. Limits contributions and other additions with respect to a participant, in the case of a nonretirement savings plan by disallowing any annual addition which is greater than the lesser of: (1) 25 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base; or (2) ten percent of the participant's compensation. Provides that a specified rule relating to a limitation in cases of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan for the same employee is applicable only in the event that at least one of such plans is a top-heavy plan. Makes conforming amendments relating to the taxation of annuity income. Subtitle C: Vesting Standards - Amends IRC provisions relating to minimum vesting standards to make revisions similar to the revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle C of this Act. Subtitle D: Pension Integration - Amends IRC provisions relating to integration of retirement plans with title II (OASDI) of the Social Security Act and other Federal and State retirement plans to make revisions similar to some of the revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle D of this Act. Subtitle E: Distributions - Repeals the ten-year forward average and capital gains treatment of lump-sum distributions. Raises the rate of the additional tax on early distributions from IRAs. Subtitle F: Coverage and Portability - Amends IRC provisions relating to restrictions on certain mandatory distributions to make revisions similar to some revisions made to ERISA under title I, subtitle F of this Act. Sets forth special rules for simplified employee plans (SEPs). Permits a salary reduction arrangement which is elected by an employee under an SEP. Sets forth provisions for the treatment of such salary reduction arrangements. Imposes fiduciary duties with respect to SEPs. Prohibits integration of SEPs with Social Security provisions. Limits to 500 percent of the Social Security contribution and benefit base the total compensation considered for purposes of establishing uniform contributions to an SEP. Subtitle G: Effective Date - Sets forth effective dates for amendments made by this title. Sets forth an effective date for application of such amendments to IRAs. Sets forth a special rule for such effective date in the case of plans maintained pursuant to collective bargaining agreements.
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 · 10 October 1985
Fair Export Financing Act of 1985 - Amends the Trade and Development Enhancement Act of 1983 to declare that one of the purposes of such Act is to establish a temporary tied aid credit program to combat the predatory concessional credit programs of foreign governments. Directs the President to negotiate limits on partially untied aid credits. Changes the U.S. negotiating objectives to include references to partially untied aid credits. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish within the Department of the Treasury a program of tied aid credits for U.S. exports. Requires the program to be carried out in cooperation with the Export-Import Bank or with private financial institutions or entities. (Currently the program is established within the Export-Import Bank and carried out in cooperation with the Agency for International Development (AID).) Sets forth financing methods that may be included in such program. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals the provision that established a tied aid credit program in AID. Requires the Secretary to seek the advice of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies before approving each financing under the tied aid credit program. Terminates the tied aid credit program on September 30, 1987. Limits judicial review of actions by the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank and by the Secretary. Changes the definition of "tied aid credit." Defines "partially untied aid credit." Deletes references to government-mixed credits and public-private cofinancing.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Declares that the Congress calls upon the President to direct the Agency for International Development (AID) to work in a global effort to provide support toward achieving the goal of universal access to childhood immunization by the year 1990. Sets forth specified actions to be taken by AID, in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in reaching such goal. Urges the President to seek both private and public assistance in the United States to achieve universal access to childhood immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, in providing assistance to developing countries, to: (1) place a high priority on conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests; and (2) take certain steps (including engaging in dialogues on conserving forest resources and information exchanges with recipient countries, supporting projects and activities which offer alternatives to colonizing forests, supporting related training and research programs, helping to end destructive agricultural practices, and denying any assistance for certain activities harmful to the forests). Directs the President, whenever feasible, to accomplish the objectives of this Act through projects managed by private and voluntary and other nongovernmental organizations. Requires the annual report to the Congress on foreign aid programs to include a report on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations to help developing countries protect and maintain wildlife habitats and develop sound wildlife management and plant conservation programs. Requires each country development strategy statement or other country plan prepared by the Agency for International Development (AID) to include a detailed plan to assist that country in the conservation of biological diversity. States that, whenever feasible, such protection, maintenance, management, and conservation activities shall be accomplished through projects managed by private and voluntary organizations and other nongovernmental organizations. Directs AID to allocate at least a specified sum for projects managed by such organizations. Directs the Administrator of AID to take certain steps, including: (1) cooperating with appropriate organizations; (2) looking to the World Conservation Strategy as an overall guide; (3) engaging in dialogues and exchanges of information with recipient countries which stress the importance of conserving biological diversity; (4) supporting training and education which improve the capacity of recipient countries to prevent loss of biological diversity; and (5) the denial of any assistance for actions which invade or significantly degrade national parks or similar protected areas. Requires the annual report to the Congress on foreign aid programs to include a report on implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should raise with the Soviet Union the matter of Poland's suppression of speech and political activity, and that by so doing the President raises and defends the principles of human rights as embodied in the Helsinki Accords.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1985
Comprehensive Alzheimer's Assistance, Research, and Education Act of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Alzheimer's Education Program to: (1) coordinate education and training programs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Veterans Administration, other Federal entities, State and local governments, and private organizations; (2) establish an information clearinghouse; (3) provide information to health care providers, organizations, patients, and the general public; and (4) provide technical assistance to States and public and private organizations in the collection and dissemination of information. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for such purposes. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States to plan, establish, and operate programs to: (1) coordinate the development and operation of diagnostic, treatment, care management, respite care, legal counseling, and education services provided by public and private organizations within the State; (2) provide respite care to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (3) provide information to health care providers, organizations, and the general public on treatment and related services for patients and their families; (4) coordinate the development and operation of continuing education for health care providers on the diagnosis, treatment, and care management of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders; (5) review State policies on the financing and reimbursement of health care costs for such patients; (6) review State nursing home regulations as they apply to such patients; and (7) coordinate with the National Alzheimer's Education Program. Limits Federal grants for such programs to the lesser of one half the cost or $1,000,000. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Directs the Secretary to establish a plan for a research program for the study of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with public and private entities for ten to 20 Alzheimer's disease research centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Provides for the recovery from Alaska of Federal grants provided under the Public Health Service Act if within 20 years from the date of completion of a medical facility, such facility ceases to be a publicly owned facility operated for the care or treatment of patients under Alaska's mental health program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1985
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to adjust census figures as necessary so that illegal aliens shall not be counted for purposes of the apportionment of Representatives in the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1985
Medicare Beneficiary Fairness Act of 1985 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that the inpatient hospital deductible shall be $400 in the case of any spell of illness beginning in 1985. Provides that thereafter such deductible shall be increased or decreased according to increases or decreases in the hospital DRG prospective payment rates which take into account wage and price changes. Provides that the extended care coinsurance amount for any spell of illness in any year shall equal one-twelfth of the inpatient hospital deductible for illnesses beginning in such year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Even Start Act - Establishes a pilot program to combine adult basic education for parents and school readiness training for children into a single educational program. Requires that funds made available to a grant recipient under this Act be used to provide a program of adult literacy training which includes as a major component involving parents and children together to enhance the likelihood of educational achievement. Requires that each such program receiving a grant include the following elements: (1) identifying and recruiting eligible participants; (2) screening and preparing parents and children for participation (including testing, referral to necessary counseling, and related services); (3) carrying out programs and furnishing support services to suit the participants' work and other responsibilities (including child care, transportation, and scheduling and locating services to allow joint participation by parents and children); (4) establishing instruction programs that promote adult literacy, equip parents to support the education and growth of their children, and prepare children for success in regular school programs; (5) providing and monitoring integrated instructional services to participants through home-based programs (including direct limited access cable television and other media, where applicable); and (6) coordinating programs assisted under this Act with programs assisted under chapter 1 (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Disadvantaged Children) of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 (ECIA) in the area. Makes eligible for participation in such programs families that: (1) include a parent eligible to participate in an adult basic education program under the Adult Education Act; and (2) reside in a school attendance area designated for receipt of funds under chapter 1 of ECIA with a child aged two through seven who is enrolled in or will, upon reaching school age, enroll in a school in which 20 percent of the students are eligible to participate in programs assisted by chapter 1 of ECIA. Makes eligible to apply for such program grants any agency, organization, or institution that operates an adult basic education program under the Adult Education Act. Sets forth grant application requirements, including: (1) a demonstration that the applicant can coordinate programs under the Adult Education Act with program under chapter 1 of ECIA, with other related programs such as Head Start, health care, nutrition, child abuse, and substance abuse control and with State and local educational agencies; (2) a statement of methods to be used to provide program services for those most in need of them and for special populations, such as the handicapped and those with limited English proficiency; and (3) a demonstration that the applicant has qualified personnel to provide staff training and preparation. Directs the Secretary of Education to select 15 to 20 applications for final review. Requires that these selected applicants serve areas in which the unemployment rates are higher and the need for the programs for which assistance is sought is the greatest. Requires that two-thirds of these selected applicants serve urban areas and that one-third serve rural areas. Provides that applications shall be selected for receipt of funds by a review panel composed of the Secretary, and specified members of State and local directors of programs under chapter 1 of ECIA and the Adult Education Act, a chief State school officer, a representative from a local Parent-Teacher Association, and professionals with training, respectively, in early childhood education and in adult literacy training. Sets forth program agreement requirements, including: (1) participant enrollment for at least 12 months; and (2) grant recipient provision of at least 25 percent of program costs for the third year of operation, 50 percent for the fourth year, and continued program operation after the expiration of assistance under this Act, if the program has been demonstrated to be effective. Sets forth requirements for evaluation and dissemination of results of such pilot projects. Requires that the results of such evaluation be submitted by the end of FY 1992 to the national diffusion network for possible dissemination. Limits the amount of funds available for this Act which may be used to carry out such evaluation and dissemination activities. Directs the Secretary, in order to carry out this Act, to reserve specified amounts from FY 1987 through 1991 funds which would otherwise be available for programs under chapter 2 (Consolidation of Federal Programs for Elementary and Secondary Education) of ECIA.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1985
Provides that there will be a cost-of-living increase in benefits under titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act for 1986 without regard to whether the three percent threshold is met.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1985
Declares that the Congress supports the efforts of the democratic forces in Chile to achieve a peaceful return to democratic government. Expresses its view that the National Accord for the Transition to Full Democracy is an important step toward that goal. Calls upon the Government of Chile, the armed forces, and all the leaders of all sectors of Chilean society to demonstrate their commitment to a genuine transition through a process of dialogue, negotiation, and consensus.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Honey Price Support Reform Act - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend honey price supports through the 1988 crop. Bases support levels on market conditions. Ends honey price supports beginning with the 1989 crop.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
National Security and Trade Act of 1985 - Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require the President to implement the recommendations contained in a certain report by the Secretary of Commerce with respect to imports that threaten national security if the President has made no determination and taken no action on such report within 90 days of receiving it. Requires the President to issue a proclamation on the date of enactment of this Act that implements the recommendations of the Secretary in such report if: (1) the President did not by September 26, 1985, make a specified determination with respect to such a report that was received before March 15, 1984; (2) the President did not take any action on such report before September 20, 1985; and (3) the President has not, before the enactment of this Act, negotiated an agreement restraining imports of the articles that are the subjects of such report with any country whose exports to the United States during the year preceding enactment of this Act exceeded 30 percent of the total value of such articles imported by all countries into the United States during such year.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the excise tax on transportation by air any transportation by helicopter if such helicopter: (1) does not use federally assisted facilities; (2) is primarily used for purposes of providing emergency medical services; and (3) is owned or leased by a nonprofit health care facility and is operated exclusively under the control of such facility.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Unfair Foreign Competition Act of 1985 - Amends the Clayton Act to include a specified antidumping provision among U.S. antitrust laws. Amends such antidumping provision of the Unfair Competition Act of 1916 to allow any person who is injured in her or his property or business by the sale or importation of an article made in a foreign country to bring a civil action against the manufacturer, exporter, or related importer of such article if: (1) the article is imported or sold in the United States at less than its foreign market or constructed value; and (2) such sale or importation causes or threatens material injury to U.S. industry or labor or prevents the establishment or modernization of U.S. industry. (Currently, the cause of such an action is predicated on the intent of the importer to injure or prevent the establishment of U.S. industry or to monopolize trade.) Restricts the court jurisdiction of such an action to the district court of the District of Columbia or the Court of International Trade. Entitles a prevailing plaintiff in such an action to appropriate equitable relief or, if such relief is inadequate, to compensatory damages, and legal expenses (currently, treble damages and legal expenses). Declares that the standard of proof in such an action is a preponderance of the evidence. Places the burden of proof for rebutting a prima facie case on the defendant. Includes within the meaning of prima facie case a finding by the International Trade Commission (ITC) that dumping exists. Authorizes the court to: (1) issue subpoenas to be enforced in any judicial district; (2) enjoin importation of articles allegedly dumped pending the defendant's compliance with any court order; (3) review, in camera, confidential or privileged material; (4) accept material under seal; and (5) disclose such material. Requires expedited treatment of such actions. Sets a four-year statute of limitations for actions under this Act. Requires the foreign market value or constructed value of an article to include the amount of any subsidy provided to the manufacturer, producer, or exporter of the article. Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act is consistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Allows any person who is injured in his or her business or property by the fraudulent, grossly negligent, or negligent entry or introduction of merchandise into U.S. commerce to bring a civil action in the district court of the District of Columbia or the Court of International Trade, without respect to the amount in controversy. Entitles a person prevailing in such an action to appropriate equitable relief or, if such relief is inadequate, compensatory damages, and legal expenses. Permits the United States to intervene in an action under this Act as a matter of right. Subjects any court order under this Act to nullification by the President pursuant to authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person convicted of espionage shall forfeit to the United States any money or other property involved in or obtained as a result of such espionage activities. Provides that where such money or property is unavailable for forfeiture, the person convicted of such crime must forfeit property up to the value of the property gained from the espionage activity. Permits the courts to order the forfeiture of proceeds received or to be received from a contract relating to the depiction of such offense in a movie, book, newspaper, magazine, radio or television production, or live entertainment or presentation of any kind. Authorizes the Attorney General to pay a reward not to exceed $100,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of persons committing espionage, or leading to the prevention, frustration, or mitigation of the effect of an act of espionage. Disqualifies an officer or employee of the United States or of any State or local government while performing official duties from receiving such a reward.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1985
Amends the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 to repeal the sunset provisions for the hospice benefit program of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Increases the Medicare daily payment rate for hospice care for FY 1986. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for hospice care.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1985
Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to declare that acts of importation into, or sale in, the United States of articles that infringe a valid U.S. patent, copyright, or trademark are unfair and have the effect of destroying or substantially injuring a U.S. industry or impairing the establishment of such industry. Permits any person to petition the International Trade Commission (ITC) for the issuance of an order to exclude such articles, during its investigation, from entry into the United States. Sets forth: (1) civil penalties for violations under this Act; and (2) procedures for the modification or rescission of an ITC order under this Act. Repeals a specified section of the Tariff Act of 1930 relating to the importation of products produced under a process covered by claims of an unexpired patent.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for services performed by a physician assistant under the supervision of a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that for an employer's contribution to a group health plan to be deductible, the option of electing continuation coverage must be given each qualified beneficiary who would lose coverage because of: (1) the death of the covered employee; (2) the divorce or separation of the covered employee from the employee's spouse; or (3) the covered employee's becoming entitled to Medicare benefits. Defines the election period and describes the terms of continuation coverage.
![Official portrait of Sen. Heinz, John [R-PA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000456_200.jpg)