United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Dislocated Farmer Training Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (the Act) to include under the definition of "community-based organizations" locally and regionally based farm, business, and industrial organizations, local rural service organizations, and rural planning and development organizations. Revises the definition of "economically disadvantaged" to base determinations of income eligibility on a 12-month (rather than a six-month) period prior to application. Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary), within 30 days after enactment of this Act, to promulgate regulations to permit the exclusion of any proceeds of a sale of farm or business assets of a family resulting from a foreclosure, forfeiture, or bankruptcy in determination of income eligibility for programs under the Act. Includes mental health care and counseling among supportive services under the Act. Includes State and local agricultural agencies and social service agencies under the Governor's coordination and special services plan. Requires such plan to provide, where appropriate, for: (1) collecting and disseminating to service delivery areas information on the number of permanent dislocations of farmers and ranchers due to farm and ranch failures; and (2) identifying farm and ranch family members in need of retraining and job search assistance, on a State and local basis. Includes rural areas under designated areas for which certain labor market projections are to be made. Requires inclusion of individuals who are geographically isolated due to rural residence under eligibility provisions for part A (Adult and Youth Programs) of title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) of the Act. Prohibits requiring States to match grants from the Secretary's discretionary funds under title III (Employment and Training Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of the Act. Includes as eligible for dislocated worker assistance individuals who were self-employed (including farmers) and who are or will be unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which they reside or because of natural disasters. Directs the Secretary to establish categories of self-employed individuals and of economic conditions and natural disasters. Provides that farmers may qualify for eligibility by certifying or showing that the farm's operations will terminate because of specified kinds of circumstances. Revises provisions for national and multistate programs to include: (1) information networks and cooperation among Federal, State, and local programs; (2) coordination at the national level among Federal agencies responsible for administering interrelated employment, training, and support services; (3) regional or nationwide efforts to foster economic development or employment generating activities in rural areas; and (4) national and regional programs addressing the special problems of dislocated farmers. Revises research and demonstration provisions to include references to dislocated farmers, farm spouses, changes in the agricultural sector, and easing the transition from farming to other work places. Provides for seeking improved methods of collecting data and accounting for employment and unemployment in rural areas. Includes dislocated farmers under pilot project provisions. Revises cooperative labor market information program provisions to take into account both urban and rural areas. Directs the Secretary to collect specified types of statistical data relating to permanent dislocation of farmers and ranchers due to farm and ranch failures. Directs the Secretary to publish an annual report based upon such data, including: (1) a comparison with data currently used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in determining the Nation's annual employment and unemployment rates; and (2) an analysis of whether farmers and ranchers are being adequately counted in such employment statistics. Includes the Secretary of Agriculture under interdepartmental cooperation provisions. Includes the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Economics on the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee. Adds to the functions of the National Commission for Employment Policy the evaluation of: (1) the effectiveness of federally assisted employment and training programs in rural America; (2) employment difficulties inherent to rural areas; (3) rural needs for employment generating activities; (4) the employment, training, and vocational education needs of dislocated farmers; (5) the current system used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for collecting rural employment and unemployment data; and (6) current Federal coordination efforts in administering federally assisted employment and training programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to include poultry and eggs within the purview of such Act. Gives poultry and egg producers and cash sellers who have not received full payment from specified large poultry dealers or packers a beneficial interest in all poultry products and proceeds from their poultry until full payment has been made by such producers or sellers. States that payment shall not be considered to have been made if the seller or producer receives a payment instrument which is dishonored. Requires the seller or producer in such instance to preserve his interest as provided for by this Act. Requires full payment by the next business day in a cash sale and within seven days following the week of slaughter in a poultry growing arrangement. Permits the parties to modify such payment schedules. Makes a delay in fund collection in order to extend the payment period an unfair practice under such Act. Provides egg producers with similar protections.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1986
Social Security Administrative and Investment Reform Act of 1986 - Title I: Establishment of the Social Security Administration - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish as an independent executive agency a Social Security Administration, headed by a Social Security Board. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Board to study and make recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Establishes in the Administration: (1) a Commissioner of Social Security; (2) a Deputy Commissioner of Social Security; (3) a General Counsel; (4) an Inspector General; and (5) an Office of the Beneficiary Ombudsman, to be headed by a Beneficiary Ombudsman who shall represent the interests of beneficiaries under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income Program within the Administration. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a description of the activities of the Beneficiary Ombudsman. Requires the Board to make annual budgetary recommendations relating to the Administration. Requires that appropriations requests by the Administration for staffing and personnel be based upon a comprehensive workforce plan as established by the Board. Provides for the apportionment of administrative costs. Requires the annual report of the Board to include a section reflecting the use of budget authority provided to the Administration. Requires that authority for automated data processing procurement and facilities construction be provided in the form of contract authority covering the total cost of such acquisitions. Makes amounts needed for the liquidation of contract authority so provided available from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the extent that such amounts are not needed to meet current obligations for benefit payments. Requires the Board and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to implement demonstration projects relating to personnel matters. Directs the Board and the Administrator of General Services to implement such projects relating to delegations from the Administrator. Specifies the authorities which are to be delegated to the Board from the Administrator and the Director. Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees concerning such projects, including an evaluation of the Board's readiness to assume full and permanent authority. Requires the Board to cause a seal of office to be made and judicial notice taken thereof. Provides for the transfer to the Administration of all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs and activities to be carried out by the Administration under this Act. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security in the Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth effective date and transitional rule provisions. Title II: Conforming Amendments and Rules of Construction - Requires the Secretary and the Board to report to the Congress within 120 days after the beginning of each regular session on their administration under this Act. Requires the Secretary to study and make recommendations on the most effective methods of providing economic security and on the administrative policy for the programs. Directs the Board to appoint, quadrennially, an Advisory Council on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program and an Advisory Council on Health and Supplementary Medical Insurance to review the relation of the trust funds supporting the OASDI program and the Medicare program and the long-term commitments of those programs. Requires each council to submit a report to the Board for transmittal to the Congress and the Board of Trustees of each Trust Fund. Title III: Management of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund - Amends the OASDI program to direct the Managing Trustee of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (OASDI trust funds) to immediately invest that portion of the OASDI trust funds which is not required for current withdrawals. Requires the investment to be made in accordance with policies established by the Social Security Board. Prohibits the sale and redemption of OASDI trust fund assets or the expenditure of OASDI trust fund amounts for purposes other than those specified in title II of the Act. Requires members of such trust funds' Board of Trustees to faithfully execute their duties, but does not impose a fiduciary duty. Requires that, in consideration of the public debt limit, required investment of trust fund amounts occur prior to the issuance of other obligations. Directs that tax receipts earmarked for the OASDI program be immediately transferred (currently, monthly transfers are made) from the general fund of the Treasury to the OASDI trust funds. Requires the Board of Trustees of the OASDI trust funds to meet at least twice each year. Sets forth provisions requiring reports by the Board of Trustees and the Managing Trustees to the Congress regarding the operation and status of the OASDI trust funds. Title IV: Additional Matters - Amends the OASDI program to prohibit the payment of OASDI benefits to individuals who have been deported pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act because of activities conducted under the direction of or in association with the Nazi government of Germany or its allies. Requires individuals to be paid interim benefits in cases where an administrative law judge has determined their entitlement to certain OASDI or SSI (Supplementary Security Income) benefits, but the Secretary's final decision has not been issued within 90 days of the judge's decision. Excludes any representative of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, any other agency of such department, or an involved State agency from appearing as a party at an OASDI or SSI benefit hearing or participating in the development of the record of such hearing, unless, in the latter case, the presiding officer requests such participation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1986
Highway Beautification Act of 1986 - Amends Federal law regarding outdoor advertising to require the Secretary of Transportation to submit an annual report to the Congress detailing the extent to which each State is in compliance with the outdoor advertising requirements. Provides that a State shall be deemed as failing to provide effective control of outdoor advertising if the State allows vegetation located on State rights-of-way for Interstate or primary system highways to be altered or removed if the purpose of such alteration is to improve the visibility of certain outdoor advertising. Specifies exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1986
Amends the National Housing Act to extend authority through FY 1987 for: (1) title I financial institution insurance for housing renovation and modernization; (2) general mortgage insurance; (3) low and moderate income and displaced families mortgage insurance; (4) homeownership for lower income families including mortgage insurance authority and housing stimulus authority; (5) mortgage co-insurance, including rental rehabilitation and development projects; (6) graduated payment and indexed mortgage insurance; (7) the demonstration mortgage reinsurance program; (8) mortgage insurance for armed forces' civilian employees and defense housing for impacted areas; (9) mortgage insurance for land development; and (10) mortgage insurance for medical and dental group practice facilities. Sets forth specified limits on FY 1986 and 1987 insured housing loans and on FY 1987 guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend urban rehabilitation loan authority through FY 1987. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend Farmers Home Administration authority through FY 1987 for: (1) insured loans for rental and cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families in rural areas; (2) rural communities with 10,000 to 20,000 population to participate in rural housing programs; and (3) mutual and self-help housing grant and loan authority. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend authority for national flood insurance, including emergency implementation and flood-risk zones through FY 1987. Amends the National Housing Act to extend authorities for the national crime insurance program and existing contracts through FY 1987. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to extend community development block grant entitlement authority for certain metropolitan city and urban county areas through FY 1987. Amends the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 to extend for 30 days the maximum interest rate limitation on loans for housing and related facilities for elderly or handicapped families through FY 1987. Extends the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act through FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Work Incentive Amendments of 1986 - Amends part C (Work Incentive Programs) of title IV of the Social Security Act to provide for the allocation of funds to States which establish comprehensive programs of education, training, and job search assistance, enabling recipients of benefits under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Act to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate program performance standards which: (1) measure a State's success in reducing welfare dependency, while taking into account differing conditions faced by different States; and (2) provide the basis for awarding incentive grants to States which satisfy such standards. Requires each participating State to develop a State plan which: (1) identifies the State agency responsible for administering education, training, and job search assistance programs within the State; (2) assures that services will be provided in an efficient and coordinated manner, including the coordination of services with existing programs where appropriate; (3) identifies State resources available for the satisfaction of this Act's matching requirements; and (4) assures that necessary support services will be available to program participants. Sets forth the State review and approval procedure to which a State plan must be subject before the Secretary approves or rejects the plan. Requires services to be organized so that each participant will: (1) have his or her abilities and prior training evaluated during an intake process; (2) be notified of the evaluation's results and the education, training, job, and support services available; and (3) select one or more service(s), service resources being allotted first to those participants who are most difficult to place in unsubsidized employment. Includes certain temporary employment of those whose participation in a program has not resulted in unsubsidized employment as a service provided under this Act. Deems individuals who are making satisfactory progress in a vocational or undergraduate education or training program at an accredited post-secondary institution (on not less than a half-time basis) to be satisfactorily participating in a work incentive program. Provides that, before the determination is made that an individual has refused, without good cause, to participate in a work incentive program, such individual must be offered an opportunity to propose other means of satisfying participation requirements. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to investigate a State agency alleged, and apply sanctions to an agency found, to be out of compliance with requirements of this Act or the State plan. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Hunger Relief Act of 1986 - Title I: General Food and Nutrition Programs - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to increase the thrifty food plan base by specified annual percentages. Exempts the first $50 paid in child support from counting for food stamp program eligibility. Increases the shelter deduction cap. Sets the threshold for the elderly and disabled medical deduction at the lesser of five percent of monthly income, or $35 a month. Increases resource limitations to: (1) $2,250 for nonelderly households; (2) $3,500 for elderly households; and (3) $5,500 for automobiles. Makes State outreach programs for the elderly, disabled, or the unemployed eligible for matching funds. Increases FY 1987 through 1990 program authorizations. Requires a report to the House and the Senate evaluating the budgetary and administrative consequences of an equity-based calculation of household resources. Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to increase authorization levels for commodity distributions. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to increase authorization levels for the expanded program of food, nutrition, and consumer education. Title II: Special Food and Nutrition Programs for Children, Women, and the Elderly - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to reduce the amount children pay for a reduced price breakfast. Increases Federal reimbursement to improve the nutritional quality of school breakfasts by five cents, and by ten cents for "severe need" schools. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review the nutrition requirements for breakfasts served under such Act. Amends the National School Lunch Act to reduce the amount children pay for a reduced price lunch. Permits reimbursement for an additional meal or snack under the child care feeding program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase FY 1987 through 1989 authorizations for the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children. Increases authorization limits for nutrition education training in schools. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to increase FY 1987 authorizations for congregate meals, home delivered meals, and nutrition education for the elderly. Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to authorize FY 1987 appropriations for the community food and nutrition program. Title III: Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research - National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1986 - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Sets forth the purposes of and definitions for this title. Subtitle B: Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research - Establishes a ten-year coordinated program, to be known as the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program, which will be implemented by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and of Agriculture. Establishes an Interagency Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to facilitate the implementation of such program. Authorizes the Secretaries to appoint an Administrator of Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to coordinate such program. Sets forth the functions of the Secretaries with respect to such program, including: (1) establishing matching grants programs for specified nutritional and dietary purposes; and (2) submitting an annual report to the President for transmittal to the Congress. Requires the Secretaries to prepare and implement a comprehensive national nutrition monitoring and related research plan which shall: (1) assess and report on U.S. nutritional and dietary trends; (2) assess and report on low-income food and household expenditures; (3) sponsor and conduct research; (4) develop and update a national dietary and nutritional status data bank; (5) assist State and local agencies in developing procedures and networks for nutrition monitoring and surveillance; and (6) focus the activities of Federal agencies. Requires the plan to allocate the project functions and activities among the various Federal agencies and offices involved. Requires the Secretaries to provide for and coordinate such scientific research and development as may be necessary to support the coordinated program and comprehensive plan. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council - Establishes a National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice on the development and implementation of all components of the coordinated program and the comprehensive plan; (2) evaluate such program and plan; and (3) submit an annual report to the Secretaries. Subtitle D: Dietary Guidance - Directs the Secretaries to publish and review dietary guidelines for the general population. Title IV: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Establishes a formula for determining the allocation of official mail costs for Members of Congress for any fiscal year beginning with FY 1987. Directs the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to determine, and provide written notice to each Member of, the allocation of such Member. Requires the Committees to prescribe regulations to carry out this resolution. Requires the Committees to publish a quarterly statement on official mail costs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Director of the National Institutes of Health should transfer the Silver Spring Monkeys to the Primarily Primates, Inc., animal sanctuary in San Antonio, Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1986
United States House of Representatives Election Recount Act of 1986 - Declares that any recount of ballots for the office of Representative shall be completed: (1) in a general election by December 31 of the year of the election; and (2) in a special election by the end of six weeks after the election.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1986
Tort Action Procedure Reform Act - Title I: Establishment of Federal Arbitration Panels - Establishes Federal arbitration panels in the district courts of the United States to hear civil actions for personal injuries. Requires that personal injury claims (other than class action claims) brought in a district court be filed with such panels. Allows any party to move for a jury trial. Allows the panel chairperson to transfer such claims to the court for trial de novo or dismiss the claim for lack of Federal court jurisdiction. (Such transfers and dismissals may be appealed to the court.) Empowers the panel to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant evidence. Sets forth certain rules regarding the introduction of evidence on collateral sources of payment and the claimant's burden of establshing that a product caused a toxic harm. Grants the panel authority to dismiss frivolous claims. Provides for court enforcement of damage awards set by the panel. Requires that damage awards be offset by any amount received as workers' compensation benefits. Establishes procedures for the judicial review of panel decisions. Provides that a party who rejects a settlement offer or counteroffer, and who does not substantially prevail in the action, shall be liable for certain costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees of the offeror. Permits any defendant who has paid a settlement or panel award under this Act to seek contribution, reimbursement, or indemnity on the basis of comparative responsibility from any other defendant. Title II: State Arbitration Panels - Allows the Attorney General to make grants to States for the establishment and implementation of arbitration panels in State courts.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1986
Limits the obligation of funds for the deployment and maintenance of launchers for U.S. nuclear weapons. Waives such limitations if: (1) the President so requests in writing to the Congress, citing national security reasons for such waiver; and (2) each House of the Congress votes to authorize such waiver by bill or joint resolution within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1986
Micro-Enterprise Promotion Act of 1986 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to provide for a program to use the foreign currency proceeds of U.S. agricultural commodity sales abroad to provide loans through financial intermediaries to micro-enterprises owned by the poor in developing countries. Defines "micro-enterprise" as a small enterprise operating within the informal sector economy of a developing country which lacks access to foreign credit sources. States that for FY 1987 through 1990 foreign currencies shall be made available for such program in an aggregate amount of between 20 percent and 30 percent of the value of all such foreign currency commodity sales.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1986
Sub-Saharan Africa Natural Resource and Environmental Management Training and Education Act of 1986 - Requires the President, in order to promote a long-term development program for sub-Saharan Africa, to establish and provide assistance for a training and education program to encourage the development and utilization of appropriate natural resources and environmental management techniques. Requires particular emphasis to be placed on local-level training in techniques using smaller, cost-saving, community-based technologies. Sets forth elements to be included in such program. Requires the training under this program to incorporate women's needs in appropriate proportions to their traditional participation in the targeted activity. Requires each Agency for International Development (AID) development strategy statement for each sub-Saharan African country to include a plan to assist that country in the development of an effective natural resource and environmental management training and education program. Requires program activities to include close consultation with, and involvement of, community and local organizations. Requires the objectives of this Act to be accomplished whenever practicable through private and voluntary organizations or national nongovernmental organizations. Requires AID to make available funds for training and education activities in sub-Saharan African countries in accordance with this Act for FY 1987. Urges AID to request technical assistance from other Federal agencies where appropriate. Requires AID to review and report to the Congress on the effectiveness of existing indigenous capabilities for natural resource and environmental management training.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to increase from 2.93 percent to five percent the amount allocated in any fiscal year for public transportation projects in non-urbanized areas.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Low Income Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Amendments of 1986 - Title I: Optional Coverage of Elderly and Disabled Poor for All Medicaid Benefits - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of extending Medicaid coverage to elderly and disabled individuals whose income is too high for them to qualify for Medicaid under current income tests, but does not exceed a State maximum income level to be established at or below the Federal poverty level. Requires States providing coverage under this Act to provide Medicaid coverage, pursuant to the Medicaid Infant Mortality Amendments of 1986, to pregnant women and infants whose income does not exceed the State maximum income level. Title II: Optional Coverage of Poor Medicare Beneficiaries for Medicare Cost-Sharing Expenses - Authorizes the States to provide Medicaid coverage for Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance payments for which Medicare-eligible individuals whose income does not exceed the State maximum income level would otherwise be accountable.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1986
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow homeowners to deduct the full amount of prepaid interest in connection with the refinancing of their principal residences for the taxable year in which paid.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1986
Designates the school year of September 1986 through May 1987 as National Year of the Teacher and January 28, 1987, as National Teacher Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1986
Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to require the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to promulgate regulations relating to the exchange of land or land interests, including the submission of appraisals in disagreement to binding arbitration. Requires regulations governing appraisals to reflect nationally recognized appraisal standards and the differences between acquisition appraisals and transfer appraisals. Makes funding available for such exchanges for FY 1988 through 1997 from oil and gas lease revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1986
Occupational Hazard Communication Act of 1986 - Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to conduct research into improving the means of: (1) surveillance of employees exposed to occupational health hazards; and (2) medical monitoring and treatment of employees exposed to occupational hazards. Requires that such research be conducted primarily through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Directs the Secretary, within six months after enactment of this Act, to amend the hazard communication standard contained in specified Federal regulations in the following ways. Makes such standard applicable, despite specified provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act), to all employers, including manufacturing, mining, construction, and transportation. Requires that employers provide notice and training to current employees concerning health hazards to which employees are exposed in work areas. Requires that employers transmit health hazard notices to former employees. Requires that employee hazard training emphasize the chronic and acute health effects of such hazards so as to promote early detection and treatment. Sets forth protections against employer discrimination against employees who have been notified that they are at risk of any occupational disease. Sets forth provisions for enforcement of hazard communication standards under the Act and under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1986
States that U.S. defense programs should not carry out any development, test, or deployment activity of any antiballistic missile system or component. (This is in conformance with the defense system restrictions of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1986
Directs the Secretary of Defense to recover from Ferdinand Marcos certain expenses incurred by the Department of Defense in connection with the transportation of Marcos, his family, and his associates from the Republic of the Philippines and all subsequent expenses incurred by the Department on their behalf.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1986
Urges that the list of foreign born Americans to be honored at the Statue of Liberty Centennial celebration be expanded so as to guarantee representation by all ethnic American organizations which have made significant contributions to our Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Amendments Act of 1986 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary), or the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of public domain National Forest System lands, to lease onshore Federal lands for oil and gas development by competitive bidding if the appropriate Secretary determines such lands to be suitable for such development. Increases land units for development from 640 acres to 2,560 acres. Requires the Secretary to: (1) invite public nomination of areas favorable for oil and gas discovery at least once each calendar quarter; (2) automatically offer to lease any area receiving two or more such public nominations if the Secretary has determined such areas to be available and suitable for leasing; (3) hold competitive oil and gas lease sales on a quarterly basis; and (4) issue a lease to the highest responsible qualified bidder. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the initial five-year lease term of a non-producing oil or gas lease only upon finding that the lessee could not adequately explore during the initial lease term due to certain circumstances not attributable to the lessee. Requires an extension application to include an exploration plan. Limits total extensions to five years. Proscribes guidelines for rentals and royalties. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report periodically to the Congress regarding fees, rentals, and royalty payments; (2) notify the appropriate State Governor and the general public of scheduled lease offerings and of the scheduled approval of lease development activities; (3) regulate all surface-disturbing operations conducted under a lease; and (4) determine surface-resources conservation activities. Conditions the granting of a drilling permit on an oil or gas lease upon: (1) the Secretary's approval of an operations plan covering all surface-disturbing activities; and (2) the posting of sufficient bond by the lessee to ensure reclamation of surface disturbing activities. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any lease on national forest lands without the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. Conditions the issuance of oil and gas leases on public lands (or public domain national forest lands) upon evaluation and approval of such leases in a land use plan meeting specified environmental requirements. Proscribes the issuance of oil and gas leases upon specified wilderness study lands. Authorizes either Secretary to issue permits for prospecting, seismic surveys, and core sampling not requiring road construction or improvements, if such activity is conducted in a manner compatible with the preservation of the wilderness environment. Prohibits the use of explosives in designated wilderness areas. Requires an exploration license for the commercial exploration of oil and gas on lands subject to this Act. Sets forth a one-year term for such license. Provides that exploration licenses for lands under the jurisdiction of other Federal agencies may only be issued by the Secretary of the Interior upon such conditions as the surface management agency may prescribe regarding the use and protection of the nonmineral interest in those lands. Imposes a fine for commercial oil and gas exploration without a commercial exploration license.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Education and Training for American Competitiveness Act - Title I: Education for American Competitiveness - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title for FY 1987 and each succeeding year. Makes available 80 percent of such funds for subtitle A and 20 percent for subtitle B. Subtitle A: Education and Training to Strengthen the Competitiveness of Domestic Industry - Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary for purposes of this title) to make grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) for programs to improve the education and skills of our current and future workers in those areas that will enhance their productivity and competitiveness. Allots subtitle A funds among States on the basis of relative numbers of unemployed individuals and of adults without high school degrees. Sets forth requirements for submission, contents, and approval of State plans under this subtitle. Encourages States to coordinate services under this subtitle with those provided under the Training for Industrial Competitiveness provisions added by this Act to the Job Training Partnership Act. Allows funds under this subtitle to be used for programs of literacy training, vocational training services, and elementary and secondary education in mathematics, science, or foreign languages. Makes such literacy training available to unemployed or underemployed individuals, displaced workers, illiterate adults, and illiterate out-of-school youth. Make such vocational training services available to: (1) workers who have been or who are about to be adversely affected by foreign competition; (2) unemployed or underemployed individuals, for employment in new, expanding, or export-related industries or businesses; (3) current employees, in order to make their existing industries and business more competitive; and (4) individuals in order to assist their entry into or advancement in high technology occupations or to meet the technological demands of other industries or businesses. Provides that such elementary or secondary level instruction in mathematics, science, or foreign languages be through programs to: (1) meet needs not being met under the Education for Economic Security Act (through activities such as education partnerships with business, industry, and labor, interdisciplinary programs, and after-school and summer advanced or supplementary programs); (2) begin preparation for advanced courses and careers in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology; and (3) develop the specific technological and foreign language skills required by local industries and businesses. Sets forth eligible service providers under this subtitle. Limits administrative costs under this subtitle. Subtitle B: Postsecondary Education Programs to Improve Instruction in Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Languages - Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) summer language institutes and science and mathematics workshops; and/or (2) special equipment acquisition and workshops. Provides for competitive selection of grant recipients. Limits the amounts of grant awards. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires the institution, or consortium of such institutions, to assure that it will obtain at least one-half of the cost of the programs with non-Federal funds. Provides that the grants for summer institutes (either here or abroad) for intensive training in foreign languages and cultures shall be for: (1) secondary and postsecondary school students (with stipends provided); (2) language teachers and faculty (with stipends provided) to improve their language proficiency and pedagogical techniques; and (3) American international business persons, on a cost reimbursement basis, to improve their effectiveness in doing business abroad. Provides that the grants for intensive workshops for preservice and inservice mathematics and science teachers and faculty shall be to demonstrate the most recent developments in science, mathematics, and technology, and their application to improve our economic development, especially in export and foreign trade businesses and industries. Encourages the involvement of State and local governments, labor, business, and industry in planning for such workshops. Provides that the equipment grants shall be for: (1) the purchase of laboratory and other special equipment suitable for use in providing undergraduate classroom instruction in mathematics and/or science; and (2) workshops for secondary and vocational school teachers and postsecondary institution faculty on the use of such equipment. Title II: Training for Industrial Competitiveness - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title for FY 1987 and succeeding fiscal years, to fund programs added by this Act to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Allocates such funds as follows: (1) 60 percent for trade-impacted worker assistance programs; (2) 20 percent for joint labor-management training programs; (3) nine percent for demonstration programs (for FY 1987 and 1988 only); (4) ten percent for State job bank systems (for FY 1987 and 1988 only); and (5) one percent for certain studies under this Act. Reallocates such funds after the FY 1987 and 1988 limited purposes are completed. Amends title IV (Federally Administered Programs) of the JTPA to add a new part H: Training for Industrial Competitiveness. Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to: (1) provide training and employment assistance to trade-impacted workers; (2) provide financial and technical assistance to labor-management committees; and (3) establish demonstration programs to improve worker adjustment to changing world markets. Sets forth requirements for trade-impacted worker assistance programs. Directs the Secretary to provide, on a competitive basis, financial assistance to eligible public or private nonprofit programs for training and employment assistance to eligible workers in industries that the Secretary determines have been adversely affected by international trade. Allows eligible individuals to be provided with: (1) intensive job search assistance; (2) basic skills training and other educational assistance; (3) job training; (4) job development; (5) training in job skills for which demand exceeds supply; (6) supportive services, including commuting assistance and financial and personal counseling; (7) pre-layoff assistance; and (8) relocation assistance. Authorizes subsistence stipends if the enrolled individual is not currently receiving unemployment compensation or trade readjustment assistance. Requires that such services shall: (1) be in addition to, and coordinated with, those provided under title III (Employment and Training Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of JTPA; and (2) supplement and not supplant any other federally-assisted training assistance or services. Includes specified considerations under criteria for determining if an industry has been adversely affected by international trade. Sets forth requirements for joint labor-management training programs. Directs the Secretary to award, on a competitive basis, grants to labor-management committees to provide not more than one-half of the cost of programs of training, retraining, and education for eligible workers. Sets forth grant eligibility requirements for labor-management committees and program eligibility requirements for workers. Allows committees to use grant funds to provide the following services to eligible workers: (1) early warning adjustment services in the event of mass layoffs or plant closings (including personal and financial counseling, referral to community services, career counseling, job search assistance, job development, retraining, and relocation assistance); (2) aptitude testing and career counseling; (3) on-the-job training; (4) institutional training; (5) tuition assistance; (6) upgrading of skills; and (7) education, including basic skills, literacy training, and more advanced education. Sets forth requirements for cooperative agreements for such committees. Sets forth requirements for demonstration programs. Directs the Secretary, within six months after enactment of this Act, to establish programs to demonstrate the feasibility of providing worker retraining payments to workers who: (1) are or were employed in an industry determined to have been adversely affected by international trade; and (2) meet specified criteria for dislocated workers. Limits such payments to $4,000 each, to enable such workers to purchase their own job search, education, training, and retraining services from certified providers. Sets forth program evaluation requirements. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on such programs. Adds to JTPA new provisions for State job bank systems. Directs the Secretary to make funds from this Act available through the U.S. Employment Service for the development and implementation of computerized job bank systems in each State, for purposes such as: (1) identification of, and referral to, job openings; (2) information on occupational supply and demand; and (3) use by career information, including school counseling, programs. Encourages compatibility of such systems with other systems used in employment and training program administration. Requires special consideration to be given to the advice of State occupational coordinating committees and other users of such systems. Directs the Secretary, within six months after enactment of this Act, to commence a study of the feasibility of providing portability for pensions and health benefits for dislocated workers. Requires such study to also evaluate the benefits of providing early retirement benefits without penalty for older dislocated workers. Requires a report of such study to be submitted to the Congress within 18 months after enactment of this Act. Includes among the data which the Secretary is required to maintain under JTPA data on the mass layoffs or closings that are caused by or substantially related to international trade. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to conduct a study to identify the countries that fail to recognize and enforce, and the foreign producers that fail to comply with, basic labor rights. Requires an annual report of such study to be submitted to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that, in order to encourage the continued improvement of relations between the United States and Romania, the Romanian Government should consider taking specified humanitarian actions in light of the upcoming Bern Human Contacts Experts Meeting of Helsinki signatory states. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of State should: (1) pursue such humanitarian concerns at every possible opportunity, including at the Bern meeting of Helsinki signatory states; and (2) convey to the Romanian Government the importance of progress on such matters so that the Congress may take such progress into account during the 1986 Most Favored Nation deliberations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1986
Trade Development Investment Act - Sets forth provisions to improve the competitiveness of the United States in international trade by increasing the public investment in education and training. Title I: Trade Development Investment Trust Fund - Subtitle A: Trade Development Investment Trust Fund - Establishes the Trade Development Investment Trust Fund (the Fund). Transfers to the Fund amounts received under an import surcharge established by this Act. Subtitle B: Allocation of Trust Fund - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make allocations from the Fund to carry out specified provisions of this Act for FY 1988 and fiscal years thereafter. Sets forth provisions for ratable reductions and limitations on such allocations. Title II: Investments in Education - Subtitle A: Elementary and Secondary Education - Part I: Vocational Education - Provides for annual transfers from the Fund to the appropriation under provisions of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Act for: (1) adult training, retraining, and employment development; and (2) industry-education partnership for training in high-technology occupations. Part 2: Mathematics, Sciences, Foreign Language, and Computer Literacy - Provides for annual transfers from the Fund to the appropriation under specified provisions of the Education for Economic Security Act relating to mathematics, sciences, foreign language, and computer literacy (through improvement of teachers and instruction in such fields, teacher institutes, and materials development). Part 3: Gifted and Talented Children and Youth - Gifted and Talented Children and Youth Education Act of 1986 - Establishes a Federal gifted and talented education (GTE) program to improve the capability of State and local education agencies (SEAs and LEAs) and private nonprofit schools to: (1) identify gifted and talented children and youth; and (2) provide those children and youth with appropriate educational opportunities. Directs the Secretary of Education, from specified sums transferred from the Fund under this Act and after consultation with the advisory committee established by this Act, to make grants to or contracts with SEAs, LEAs, institutions of higher education, or other public and private agencies to assist them in carrying out authorized GTE programs or projects, including personnel or supervisory training. Sets forth authorized GTE programs and projects, including: (1) preservice and inservice training (including fellowships) for GTE personnel (including leadership personnel); (2) model projects and exemplary programs for identification and education, including summer programs and cooperative programs involving business, industry, and education; (3) strengthening SEA and higher education institutions' capability to provide leadership and assistance to LEAs and nonprofit private schools in planning, operating, and improving such programs; (4) technical assistance and information dissemination; (5) research on methods and techniques for identifying and teaching gifted and talented children and youth; (6) conducting program evaluations and surveys; and (7) developing information and analysis. Establishes the National Center for Research and Development in the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth (the National Center) through grants or contracts with one or more higher education institutions or SEAs, or a consortium or combination of such institutions and agencies, to carry out clauses (5), (6), and (7) of the preceding paragraph. Requires the Director of the National Center to carry out such National Center functions as may be agreed upon through arrangements with other higher education institutions, SEAs, LEAs, or other public or private agencies and organizations. Limits to 30 percent of the funds for authorized programs and projects that portion which may be used to conduct activities pursuant to provisions relating to the National Center and its research, evaluation, and information functions. Directs the Secretary and the advisory committee established by this Act, in administering this Act, to give highest priority to programs for: (1) identifying and educating gifted and talented children and youth who may not be identified through traditional assessment measures (such as the limited-English speaking, economically disadvantaged, handicapped, and women); and (2) developing or improving the capability of schools in an entire State or region of the Nation, through cooperative efforts and participation of SEAs, LEAs, higher education institutions, and other public and private agencies and organizations (including business, industry, and labor) to identify and educate gifted and talented children and youth. Sets forth provisions relating to participation of private school children and teachers in programs under this Act. Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee on GTE, with members representative of State education agencies, teacher education institutions, researchers, teachers, and parents. Directs the Secretary to establish or designate an administrative unit within the Department of Education to: (1) administer the programs authorized by this Act; (2) coordinate all GTE programs that the Department administers; and (3) serve as a focal point for national leadership and information on the educational needs of gifted and talented children and youth and the availability of services and programs to meet those needs. Requires that such administrative unit be headed by a person of recognized professional qualifications and experience in GTE. Part 4: Adult Education - Provides for annual transfers from the Fund to the appropriation for the Adult Education Act. Subtitle B: Postsecondary Education - Part I: Replacement and Modernization of College Research Facilities - University Research Facilities Revitalization Act of 1986 - Requires each of the major Federal research and development agencies to establish and carry out a new university research laboratory modernization program, under which an amount equal to a specified portion of the funds available to the agency involved for research and development awards to institutions of higher education will be reserved for the replacement or modernization of such institutions' obsolete laboratories and other research facilities. Requires that funds under such program be awarded in response to specific proposals submitted by universities and colleges, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the head of the agency involved. Requires that such regulations provide that funds to carry out the program be awarded on a competitive basis and in an amount not exceeding 50 percent of the cost of the replacement or modernization involved. Sets forth required criteria for the award of such funds. Sets forth provisions for equalization of Federal funds in the awarding process under this part. Defines the "major Federal research and development agencies" as: (1) the National Science Foundation; (2) the Department of Health and Human Services; (3) the Department of Defense; (4) the Department of Energy; (5) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and (6) the Department of Agriculture. Provides for annual transfers from the Fund for allocations to each of the above-named major Federal research and development agencies. Authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to design, establish, and maintain a data collection and analysis capability to identify and assess the research facilities needs of universities and colleges. Directs NSF, in conjunction with other appropriate Federal agencies, to: (1) conduct biennial surveys for such identification and assessment purposes; and (2) report the results to the Congress, with the first such report to be due on September 1, 1987. Directs the NSF, when conducting such surveys and reporting to the Congress, to also collect and assess data on the implementation of the university research laboratory modernization programs being carried out under this Act. Part 2: Economic Development - National Higher Education and Economic Development Act of 1986 - Allows an eligible institution (as defined under specified provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965) or consortium of institutions to apply for assistance under this Act to support one or more of the following: (1) planning and research (including applied research) to solve local economic development problems and to complement local initiatives to promote growth and improve productivity; (2) resource exchange to encourage the exchange of faculty, government, and business experts to support economic development; and (3) special projects for economic or national economic development which are innovative in approach and hold promise of application beyond the area served. Includes among such special projects which may be supported: (1) applying technology research to manufacturing aspects of mature industries in a region or State; (2) designing and developing university-based technical assistance centers to provide an integrated program of education, research, and technology transfer to business and industry; (3) projects to support entrepreneurship training and technical assistance; and (4) projects to develop new approaches or complement efforts to explore, expand, and foster opportunities for international business and trade. Authorizes the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make a limited number of grants (in addition to the other assistance for allowable activities under this Act) to identify and disseminate effective models and techniques which use partnerships of postsecondary education institutions and others involved in economic development to support lasting economic improvement. Limits the maximum amount of any planning and research and/or resource exchange grant to a single eligible institution (but not to a consortium) under this Act. Sets forth conditions for eligibility for planning and research, resource exchange, or special project grants under this Act. Requires the eligible institution (or consortium of such institutions) to demonstrate in its application that the program to be supported will involve active participation and commitment of resources and personnel by one or more of the following organizations: (1) local and State governments; (2) business or industry; (3) labor unions or union representatives; or (4) nonprofit organizations concerned with economic development in the area to be served. Sets forth other application requirements, including applicant descriptions of: (1) how the plan fits into the overall economic development and/or redevelopment plan for the area to be served, contributes to long-term economic growth and employment opportunities, and furthers the goals of the postsecondary education institutions; and (2) the consultation and, if appropriate, coordination with other Federal and State economic development efforts such as the Job Training Partnership Act and Department of Commerce programs. Authorizes the Secretary to waive a certain matching contribution requirement for the applicant and other participating organizations with respect to an eligible institution that demonstrates a unique hardship that precludes compliance with such requirement. Sets forth provisions for selection of grant recipients. Directs the Secretary to designate a peer review panel of experts in the field of higher education and economic development to review applications and make recommendations for funding to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary, in selecting the panel, to consult with other appropriate Cabinet-level officials and non-Federal organizations to ensure that the panel will be geographically balanced and composed of representatives from public and private higher education, labor, business, and State and local government who have expertise in the area of economic development. Allows grants under this Act to be made on a multiyear basis, but prohibits any institution, individually or as a participant in a combination of such institutions, from receiving such a grant for more than five years. Requires the Secretary, in making awards for activities under planning and research and/or resource sharing grants, to give special consideration to applications which: (1) propose to serve an area with an unemployment rate one percent above the national rate or an area which has experienced or is about to experience sudden economic dislocation resulting in significant job loss in terms of numbers of jobs eliminated and effect upon the area's employment rate; (2) are submitted by a consortia of postsecondary education institutions (including four- and two-year or public and private postsecondary education institutions), and provide a regional geographic approach to solving economic development problems; (3) develop approaches which promote economic diversification for rural areas; and (4) involve in the proposed activities several of the other types of organizations described under eligibility provisions. Provides for annual transfers from the Fund for allocations for purposes of this part. Allocates 75 percent of such funds for regular grants and 25 percent for special project and dissemination grants. Subtitle C: Graduate Education - Part 1: Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need - Amends title IX (Graduate Programs) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (the Act) to create a new part D program of graduate assistance in areas of national need. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to academic departments and programs and other academic units of institutions of higher education for graduate fellowships in selected areas of study for graduate students who: (1) demonstrate financial need and academic ability; (2) plan teaching or research careers; and (3) pursue the highest degree available in their area of study. Makes the principal criterion for the allocation of such grant awards the relative quality of the graduate programs in competing applications. Directs the Secretary, consistent with such principal criterion for allocation, to promote an equitable distribution of such awards among geographic areas and among eligible public and private institutions. Directs the Secretary to approve such a grant recipient for a three-year period. Limits the amount per fiscal year of such a grant to any academic department or program of an institution of higher education to a minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $500,000. Provides for reallotment of grant funds. Provides for new awards under this Act only to the extent that each previous grant recipient has received the required continued funding. Provides for ratable reductions of amounts required to be awarded to the extent that appropriations are insufficient. Sets forth institutional eligibility provisions. Permits grant applications by any academic department or program of an institution of higher education which offers a program of post-baccalaureate study leading to a graduate degree in an area of national need (as designated through procedures set forth in this Act). Requires a department or program to be in existence for at least four years in order to be eligible for such a grant. Directs the Secretary, after consulting with specified agencies and organizations, to designate areas of national need. (Lists, as examples of areas which might receive such designation, physical or life sciences, mathematics, engineering, computer science, foreign languages, or area studies.) Directs the Secretary, in making such designations, to take into account the extent to which the interest is compelling and the extent to which other Federal programs support post-baccalaureate study in the area concerned. Sets forth criteria for grant applications, including a requirement of at least 25 percent non-Federal matching funds, for purposes of the fellowship program under this Act. Requires that the institution make such fellowship awards to individuals having financial need who: (1) plan teaching or research careers; (2) plan to pursue the highest possible degree available in their course of study; (3) are from traditionally underrepresented groups undertaking graduate study, as determined by the Secretary; and (4) have compiled excellent academic records in their previous programs of study. Sets forth requirements relating to awards to graduate students. Provides that at least 80 percent of the grant to the academic department or program shall be used for such awards. Limits the period of such award to no longer than five years for any individual. Provides that such fellowships shall consist of payment of tuition and fees and a stipend. Limits the maximum individual annual stipend to $10,000 or the demonstrated level of need, whichever is less. Sets forth other conditions for receipt of such award. Sets forth provisions for assistance to the graduate program. Provides that up to 20 percent of the grant to the institution may be used to conduct activities to improve the quality of the academic program offered at the department, including improvement of library resources and of laboratory and instructional equipment, and support for research projects and academic papers. Prohibits such funds from being used for the general operational overhead of the institution. Part 2: Minority Graduate Student Assistance - Amends title IX (Graduate Programs) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (the Act) to add a new part G program of grants to institutions to encourage minority participation in graduate education. Provides for annual transfers from the Fund for allocations for this part. Allocates 65 percent of such funds to a program of institutional grants for preparing minority undergraduates for graduate study and 35 percent to a program of one-year graduate fellowships for students who successfully complete such undergraduate internship program. Part 3: Work-Study - Amends part C (Work-Study Programs) of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new program for graduate work-study in areas of national need. Provides for annual transfers from the Fund of allocations for such program. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to higher education institutions offering graduate programs to support such work-study program. Requires that such programs include part-time work and full-or-part-time study in areas such as mathematics, sciences, engineering, computers, and foreign languages. Directs the Secretary of Education to report to the Congress on such program within five years after enactment of this Act. Title III: Training - Subtitle A: Entrepreneurship Training - Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to enter into entrepreneurship training program agreements with at least five but not more than ten States. Provides, under such program agreements, for the awarding of adjustment assistance in the form of self-employment allowances to eligible individuals. Provides that the Federal share of the costs of such assistance shall be in the amount of Federal reimbursement to which a State would otherwise be entitled if such additional compensation to individuals had been paid under any Federal law providing for extended, supplemental, or any other additional unemployment compensation. Permits States to use State unemployment funds to make such adjustment assistance payments. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress an interim report on such program within two years after enactment of this Act and a final report within four years after such enactment. Subtitle B: Dislocated Workers - Part 1: Transfers to Job Training Partnership Act - Provides for annual transfers from the Fund to the appropriation under the Job Training Partnership Act for: (1) discretionary grants for employment and training assistance for dislocated workers; and (2) allocations to States for dislocated worker programs. Directs the Secretary, in making such discretionary grants, to give preference to applications directed at improving the capacity of U.S. business to compete in international trade. Part 2: Transfers to Trade Adjustment Assistance - Provides for annual transfers from the Fund to the appropriation for trade adjustment assistance for workers under the Trade Act of 1974. Subtitle C: Youth - Provides for annual transfers from the Fund to the appropriation for exemplary youth programs under provisions for training services for the disadvantaged under the Job Training Partnership Act. Subtitle D: Demonstration Program - Provides for annual transfers from the Fund to the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program under the Job Training Partnership Act for grants to service delivery areas to establish, operate, and evaluate education and training brokerage services which match the needs of local businesses with the resources of local education and training providers, through information and improved access. Requires that education and training services provided under this subtitle be directed at upgrading skills and retraining existing employees to improve employee productivity and business competitiveness. Requires that one-half of the cost of providing such education and training to employees be provided by the employer, with the remainder to be provided in cash or in kind by the educational or training institution. Limits to 15 percent of the funds available to the service delivery area under this subtitle that portion which may be used for such education and training services. Directs the Secretary, within three years after enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on such program on the basis of evaluations and reports submitted by recipients of funds under this subtitle. Title IV: Tax Provisions - Subtitle A: Tax Incentives for Research, Education, and Employment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the exclusion from income of employer provided educational assistance. Provides that the $5,000 limitation on the exclusion of employer educational assistance shall not apply to graduate teaching assistants. Makes permanent the research credit. Reduces the rate of the credit from 25 to 20 percent. Modifies the rules relating to the tax credit allowable with respect to certain payments to educational institutions, scientific research organizations, scientific tax-exempt organizations, or certain grant organizations. Reduces the research tax credit to 20 percent for such organizations. Treats the research tax credit as a business tax credit. Extends the termination of the targeted jobs tax credit for four years until December 31, 1989. Provides that the targeted job tax credit shall be equal to 40 percent of the qualified first-year wages. Requires an employee to be employed for 14 days or more in order for the wages to qualify for the targeted jobs credit. Extends the authorization of the targeted jobs credit through FY 1988. Subtitle B: Enterprise Zones - Enterprise Zone Enterprise Development and Employment Act of 1986 - Part I: Designation of Enterprise Zone - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Provides that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the designation of enterprise zones to 100 nominated areas, by the later of a 24-month period or July 1, 1985 (one-fourth of which must be in rural areas). Limits the period during which such designation shall remain in effect. Provides that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (with a population of at least 50,000), or 1,500 otherwise, or is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area, permitting State and local income tax deductions for fees for services performed by a nongovernmental entity formerly performed by a governmental entity, giving special preference to contractors owned and operated by members of a minority, and giving surplus land in the enterprise zone to neighborhood organizations agreeing to operate a business on the land. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress every four years a report on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Treats any area designated as an enterprise zone as a labor surplus area under Federal law. Part II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subpart A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for increased employment expenditures and employment of the disadvantaged. Allows a three-year carryback and a 15-year carryover of such credit. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of the increase in payroll (taking into account a maximum of $17,500 in wages per year per employee) plus 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such economically disadvantaged credit. Disallows a deduction for the portion of the wages or salaries taken into account for such credit. Requires that where there is an early termination of employment by an employer in the case of qualified economically disadvantaged individuals, the tax for that taxable year in which the termination occurred must be increased by the tax credits allowed for such employees. Allows employees located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to five percent of qualified wages earned per year (taking into account a maximum of $10,500 in wages per year). Phases out such credit. Subpart B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investments made in certain enterprise zone construction property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to ten percent for new enterprise zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be located in an enterprise zone, be predominantly used in the zone, be either constructed, reconstructed, renovated, etc. during the period of zone designation or acquired during such period, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon the early disposition of the property. Provides for a phase-out of the enterprise zone tax credit as the enterprise zone ends. Provides for an adjustment to the basis of the enterprise zone construction property to reflect the enterprise zone tax credit. Subpart C: Nonrecognition of Qualified Enterprise Zone Capital Gain Where Acquisition of Enterprise Zone Business Property - Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of property where, within the one-year period beginning on the date of such sale, qualified replacement property is acquired by the taxpayer, to the extent the gain from the sale does not exceed the cost of the replacement property. Defines "qualified replacement property" as any personal property used predominantly in an enterprise zone in the active conduct of a trade or business within the enterprise zone, any real property located in the enterprise zone used in the active conduct of a trade or business, or any corporation, partnership, or other entity if, for the three most recent taxable years of such entity ending before the date of the purchase of such interest, such entity was a qualified business. Sets forth special rules for the operation of this provision. Requires the basis of the replacement property to be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of gain not recognized on the sale of such other property. Extends the period for the statute of limitations relating to the assessment of tax with respect to the sale of property involving the nonrecognition provisions. Provides that the holding period for the qualified replacement property shall include the period for which the property sold or exchanged had been held as of the date of the sale or exchange. Subpart D: Deduction for Purchase of Enterprise Stock - Allows a taxpayer to deduct the aggregate amount paid during the taxable year for the purchase of enterprise stock on the original issue of such stock by a qualified issuer. Limits the maximum amount of such deduction to $100,000 a year. Requires that the $100,000 limit must be allocated among the members of a controlled group. Requires the pro rata allocation of the $100,000 limit among the stock purchased where the aggregate amount of stock purchased exceeds the $100,000 limitation. Requires that the gain from the disposition of the stock shall be treated as ordinary income. Provides a formula for calculating such gain. Provides that interest is charged on the disposition of such stock if such disposition occurs before the end of the three-year period beginning on the date the stock was purchased. Provides that, where an issuer ceases to be a qualified issuer of enterprise stock before the close of the fifth taxable year after the date the stock was issued, the taxpayer must include in income the amount of the deduction allowed with respect to such stock plus interest on the aggregate decrease in tax of the taxpayer resulting from the deduction allowed with respect to such stock. Sets forth special rules with respect to such stock. Requires the basis of such stock to be reduced by the amount of the deduction allowed with respect to such stock. Subpart E: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that limitations on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt industrial development bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property. Provides that the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to industrial development bonds, the proceeds of which are used to finance facilities in such enterprise zones. Subpart F: Ordinary Loss Deduction for Securities of Enterprise Zone Business Which Become Worthless - Permits an ordinary loss deduction for securities of enterprise zone businesses which become worthless during the taxable year. Subpart G: Increase in Research Credit for Research Conducted in Enterprise Zones - Increases the tax credit for increasing research activities to 37 and one-half percent (currently, 25 percent for research conducted in enterprise zones). Subpart H: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Subpart I: Regulations - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act not later than six months after the date of enactment. Part III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified businesses (as defined in title II of this Act) and governments and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of a rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Part IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that, to the maximum extent practicable, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones. Part V: Study Requirement - Directs the Secretary, for each of the first three years after the enactment of this Act, to study, assess, and make legislative recommendations regarding: (1) the effects on the Treasury of the enactment of enterprise zone legislation by Federal, State, and local governments; and (2) the method by which cooperative efforts among the Federal, State, and local governments might enhance the effectiveness of enterprise zone legislation. Title V: Plant Closing Response - Provides for worker readjustment and placement services. Directs the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to identify individuals, including Department of Labor employees, to be available on a regional basis to provide planning, operational, and technical assistance to worker readjustment and placement committees for retraining, counseling, placement, human resource, community, education, and other services. Allows such committees to be established by employers who anticipate needing to order a plant closing or mass layoff. Provides that such committees be composed of representatives of employers and employees as well as mutually agreed upon individuals. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance on a competitive basis to such committees from funds available from the Fund or from discretionary funds from other applicable programs. Limits the amount of such assistance to 50 percent of: (1) committee operating costs; and (2) employee relocation costs incurred by the committee. Requires that the formation of and participation in such committees be completely voluntary. Prohibits the Secretary, in administering such assistance, from discriminating on the basis of employee representation or the lack thereof. Prohibits conditioning the continuation of assistance to a committee on the acceptance of any advice from the Secretary or the Secretary's representative. Title VI: Labor-Management Cooperation for Productivity Improvements - Subtitle A: Employer Support for Labor-Management Committees - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to specify that an employer shall not be prohibited from establishing and providing financial and other assistance to a labor-management committee designed to enhance economic productivity by involving workers in decisions affecting their jobs. Prohibits such committees from having as one of their purposes the discouragement of the exercise of employees' right to organize or the interference with collective bargaining. Subtitle B: Transfers for Labor-Management Committees - Provides for annual transfers from the Fund to the appropriation under the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 for labor-management committees. Amends the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 to revise provisions for representation on such committees. Title VII: Transfers of Trust Funds to the General Fund - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, if there are any remaining funds after the annual transfers from the Fund to carry out titles II through VI of this Act, to transfer to the general fund of the Treasury an amount equal to any Federal tax revenues lost as a result of enterprise zone provisions of this Act. Provides that any funds remaining in the Fund thereafter shall be available in future years for titles II through VI of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1986
Manufacture and Public Distribution of Certain Copyrighted Material Act - Amends the copyright law to extend indefinitely the manufacturing clause, which prohibits the importation of certain English language books not manufactured in the United States or Canada. Eliminates the Canadian exemption, per se, after 1988. Permits exemptions from such restriction if a foreign country, including Canada, is certified by the United States Trade Representative as providing adequate copyright protection for U.S. nationals and such country freely trades in printed matter with the United States or adheres to a bilateral or multilateral agreement with the United States and supports internationally recognized workers' rights.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1986
Provides that employee benefit plans required to be amended to meet the requirements of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, the Tax Reform Act of 1984, and the Retirement Equity Act of 1984 shall be granted additional time to comply with requirements imposed by such legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1986
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) condemns the Soviet Union's failure to provide notification and information about the nuclear accident at Chernobyl; and (2) calls upon the Soviet Union to permit outside nuclear experts to assist with the accident and to allow the international press corps to cover the situation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1986
Processed Products Inspection Improvement Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to redescribe the manner and frequency of inspection of meat food products to include the requirement that the Secretary of Agriculture take into account for each establishment: (1) the nature and frequency of processing operations; (2) the adequacy and reliability of processing controls and sanitary procedures; and (3) the history of inspection compliance. Changes the requirement that condemned meat food products be destroyed for "food purposes," to a requirement that they be destroyed for "human food purposes." Provides that amendments made by this Act shall not be construed to authorize the Secretary to refuse to provide inspection solely because an establishment does not participate in a total plant quality-control program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1986
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to direct the Secretary of the military department concerned to conduct an independent operational test and evaluation with respect to a major defense acquisition program under which a major system is to be acquired. Requires such test and evaluation to be conducted before the program may proceed into the production stage. Requires side-by-side testing as part of such test and evaluation. Requires the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation to independently analyze the results of each such operational test and evaluation, and to report such analyses to the Secretary of Defense. Prohibits the operational testing to be conducted until the Director approves in writing the adequacy of the plans for such operational test and evaluation. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary concerned to contract for low-rate initial production of a program only for the purpose of acquiring items for use in operational tests and evaluations. Prohibits a final decision from being made to proceed with full production of a program until 30 days after the congressional defense committees have received the report of the Director. Authorizes the President to suspend any provision of this Act in time of a declared war.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1986
Deficit Reduction Insurance Program - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to include the pay of Members of Congress within the coverage of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1986
Provides that any cost-of-living adjustment in military retirement and survivor benefit programs provided by law to take effect during FY 1987 shall be made in accordance with such law and not subject to any reduction, suspension, or contrary presidential order. Defines "military retirement and survivor benefit programs."
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1986
Directs the President to seek in multilateral trade negotiations: (1) the adoption of international trade standards that will promote the use of environmentally sound production and manufacturing processes; and (2) the development and adoption of incentives and disincentives to implement such standards. Prohibits the President from entering into any trade agreement negotiations unless the President first reports to the Congress on the actions that will be taken to promote such standards. Prohibits any trade agreement from taking effect unless the President consults with specified congressional committees regularly regarding the progress being made toward adoption of such standards. Requires the President to report periodically to the Congress on those foreign countries and instrumentalities which either refuse to negotiate, or to negotiate in good faith, regarding the adoption of such standards. Directs the President to establish an Interagency Advisory Committee on International Environmental Protection.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicare Quality Protection Act of 1986 - Title I: Quality Assurance in Inpatient Hospital Settings - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and submit to the Congress a legislative proposal to improve the prospective payment system established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act so that it more accurately approximates the costs of inpatient hospital services and accounts for variations in case complexity. Amends the Medicare program to require a hospital to give Medicare beneficiaries, upon their admission to the hospital, a written statement explaining: (1) the individual's rights to benefits for inpatient hospital and post-hospital Medicare services; (2) the circumstances under which such individual will be liable for charges for a continued hospital stay; (3) the individual's right to appeal denials of continued hospital services; and (4) the individual's liability for payment for services if such a denial of benefits is upheld on appeal. Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require peer review organizations receiving a hospital inpatient's request for review of a hospital's decision that the patient no longer needs inpatient care to inform the patient of its decision within two days of receiving the request. Prohibits hospitals from charging patients for inpatient hospital services provided while patients wait for a peer review organization to respond to their timely review requests. Imposes a civil money penalty on hospitals which make payments to physicians and on physicians who knowingly receive payments which constitute an inducement to curtail the stay of, or services provided to, an identifiable patient. Directs the Secretary to study the adequacy of standards used for hospital compliance with Medicare participation conditions in assuring the quality of hospital services. Requires the Secretary to study the adequacy with which the prospective payment system compensates hospitals, and distributes such compensation among hospitals, for costs attributable to patients' extended hospital stays necessitated by delays in patient placement in skilled nursing facilities. Title II: Access to Appropriate Post-Hospital Care - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program to require hospitals to implement a discharge planning process which meets guidelines and standards, to be established by the Secretary, ensuring patients a timely and smooth transition to the most appropriate type of, and setting for, post-hospital or rehabilitative care. Extends the limitations on beneficiary liability for disallowed Medicare claims to cover home health services provided to certain unqualified individuals. Provides that skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies which keep their services for which Medicare coverage is denied below specified percentages and comply with certain administrative requirements shall not subsequently be denied payment for care provided. Sets forth reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to develop a uniform needs assessment instrument enabling health care providers and fiscal intermediaries to evaluate an individual's need and ability to pay for post-hospital extended care, home-health, and long-term care services. Requires the Secretary to develop procedures to expedite fiscal intermediaries' determinations as to whether provider claims for post-hospital extended care and home health services may be reimbursed under the Medicare program. Directs the Secretary to provide for prompt response (within 24 hours) to beneficiary requests as to whether the beneficiary's Medicare coverage for post-hospital extended care services has been exhausted. Authorizes providers to represent beneficiaries on appeals of benefit determinations. Permits beneficiary appeals of the Secretary's denials of claims for home health service benefits. Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1983 to extend, through 1989, the annual report on the impact of the prospective payment system and require the inclusion of information in such reports regarding the quality, and accessibility to Medicare beneficiaries, of post-hospital services. Title III: Improved Review of Quality by Peer Review Organizations - Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require hospitals to submit data to peer review organizations on a monthly basis. Requires peer review organizations to review selected cases where individuals are readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of their most recent hospital discharge to determine if the previous inpatient hospital services and post-hospital services met professionally recognized health care standards. Directs each peer review organization to commit a reasonable proportion of its activities to review of the quality of services provided in cases and settings where potential quality problems have been identified. Requires the Secretary to identify methods facilitating the discovery of such cases. Requires each peer review organization to have at least one consumer representative on its board of directors. Directs such organizations to investigate all written beneficiary complaints about the quality of Medicare services which are filed with the organization. Requires peer review organizations to share data with organizations responsible for accrediting providers or State officials responsible for assuring quality care if such data reflects a substantial failure by providers or practitioners to provide quality care. Title IV: Study to Develop a Strategy for Quality Review and Assurance - Directs the Secretary to arrange a study which will serve as the basis for establishing a strategy for reviewing and assuring the quality of care provided under the Medicare program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the study within two years of enactment of this Act.
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