United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicare Fair Hospital Deductible Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to change the date by which the Secretary of Health and Human Services must determine the inpatient hospital deductible for the year. Limits the increase in such deductible to no more than the cost-of-living increase reflected in benefit payments under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act. Provides that the extended care coinsurance amount for any spell of illness in any year shall equal one-twelfth of the inpatient hospital deductible for illnesses beginning in such year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement that there be at least a three-percent rise in the Consumer Price Index before a cost-of-living adjustment of benefits is made.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1986
Acid Deposition Control Act of 1986 - Title I: Stationary Sources - Amends the Clean Air Act to require States to develop and submit to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an emissions limitation compliance schedule for sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen from fossil-fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units. Requires a two-phase reduction in such emissions, the first to be achieved by 1993, the second by 1997. Requires each State to develop and submit to the Administrator a plan to achieve emissions reductions from other fossil-fuel-fired steam generating units by 1977. Directs the Administrator to conduct and update a comprehensive annual inventory of emissions of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen from stationary sources, identifying achievable reductions which could be made by 1997. Requires States to submit to the Administrator for approval a plan for achieving such reductions. Grants States discretion in their choice of compliance measures. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress by July 1, 1993, on phase I reductions and the feasibility of meeting phase II reductions. States that phase II reductions will not take effect if the Congress enacts legislation to that effect. Sets forth emissions rates a State without an approved reductions plan must follow. Authorizes the Administrator to impose a fee on the generation and importation of electric energy between December 31, 1988, and December 31, 1996, to subsidize the interest on qualified pollution control debt incurred by the utility. Establishes civil penalties for fee violations. Establishes in the Treasury the Acid Deposition Control Fund to receive such fees and provide interest subsidy payments for pollution control systems meeting specified standards. Revises the standards for nitrogen oxides emissions for new electric utility steam generating units which burn bituminous or subbituminous coal and for certain fossil-fuel-fired steam generating units. Requires certain smelters to be in compliance with the applicable emissions reduction standard by January 2, 1988, without extension or delay. Title II: Control of Emission from Mobile Sources - Sets oxides of nitrogen emission standards for motor vehicles for model years 1988, 1989, and beyond. Modifies hydrocarbon standards for trucks after model year 1989. Directs the Administrator to regulate sulfur in diesel fuel for 1989 and beyond. Requires either the use of onboard hydrocarbon control technology or the use of gasoline vapor recovery of hydrocarbon emissions emanating from fueling motor vehicles. Title III: International Cooperation - Expresses the concern of the Congress over transboundary pollution between the United States and Mexico and directs the Secretary of State and the Administrator to conclude an agreement within three months of enactment. Requires such an agreement to cover specified copper smelters. Requires the Secretary and the Administrator to report to the Congress within six months on negotiating such agreement. Requires EPA to perform atmospheric field experiments to determine the effects of sulfur dioxide emissions, before and after pollution controls, of the Nacozaria smelter, Mexico, on specified western States. Directs the Secretary to establish an international agency, or utilize an existing agency, to report on the effects of transboundary air pollution from copper smelters on public health and welfare in the United States and in Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Federal funds for the Department of Agriculture's Cooperative Extension Service should be maintained at a level sufficient to prevent the reduction of benefits provided by such Service.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Amends the American Folklife Preservation Act to extend through FY 1989 the authorization of appropriations for the American Folklife Center, located in the Library of Congress. Repeals a restriction on the Center's use of FY 1985 or 1986 funds to pay for any personnel position established after August 21, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Bilingual Education Act Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Bilingual Education Act (the Act) to add to the statement of policy the declaration that, regardless of the method of instruction, programs which serve children of limited English proficiency have the equally important goals of developing both academic achievement and English proficiency. Removes a requirement that the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) reserve limited portions of funds under the Act for special alternative instructional programs and related activities. Removes a requirement that the Secretary reserve at least 75 percent of funds under part A (Financial Assistance for Bilingual Education Programs) of the Act for transitional bilingual education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1986
Continental Scientific Drilling and Exploration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Interior through the United States Geological Survey, and the Director of the National Science Foundation to implement the policies of the proposed Continental Scientific Drilling Program of the United States relating to earth science research and technological development. Prescribes guidelines for such implementation, including: (1) taking action to assure an effective cooperative effort in furtherance of the Program; (2) taking administrative and financial measures to assure the effective functioning of the Interagency Accord on Continental Scientific Drilling; (3) assuring the continuing operation of the Interagency Coordinating Group; and (4) assuring that the Interagency Coordinating Group receives appropriate Federal agency cooperation. Requires a report to the Congress within 180 days of enactment which describes: (1) policy objectives; (2) projected schedules of scientific and engineering events that would advance Program objectives; (3) resources and funding levels needed for projected schedules of events and Program policy objectives; and (4) cooperation with the international community.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Agriculture should take immediate steps to investigate alternative animal identification procedures in lieu of hot-iron cheek branding.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Federal telecommunications policy should maintain universal telephone service, retain nationwide toll rate averaging for interstate long distance calls, and reduce regulatory and administrative burdens on small telephone systems. Provides that any Federal access charge plan should: (1) support rural telephone systems through a universal service fund designed to ensure affordable rural telephone rates; (2) allocate to interstate long distance service no less than the proportion of the local telephone system access costs currently allocated to such service; (3) retain the current arrangement for the pooling of such costs; and (4) avoid collecting all of such costs by means of flat rate access charges.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1986
National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue permits for commercial skiing operations on National Forest System lands.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1986
Effective Schools and Even Start Act - Requires each State receiving an allotment under a certain provision of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 after enactment of this Act to use a specified portion of such allotment to: (1) plan for, and review proposed changes in, effective schools programs; (2) implement and support effective schools programs; (3) obtain technical assistance and consultant services with respect to effective schools programs from qualified nonprofit educational organizations; (4) design, develop, and publish educational materials on effective schools programs; (5) develop and implement data collection and analysis systems concerning effective schools programs; (6) promote State and local educational agency awareness of effective schools information; (7) conduct evaluations of effective schools programs; and/or (8) otherwise identify and disseminate information concerning exemplary effective schools programs. Requires the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to provide assistance in order to inform State educational agencies of the requirements of this Act and to help such agencies comply with such requirements. Requires the Secretary to make grants from specified funds appropriated pursuant to the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 and the Adult Education Act to provide a program of adult literacy training which includes involving parents and children together in an effort to enhance the likelihood of educational achievement. Sets forth the elements to be included in such program. Defines an eligible program participant as a parent or child (aged three to seven) from a family: (1) that includes a parent who is eligible for participation in an adult basic education program under the Adult Education Act; and (2) that resides with a child (aged three to seven) in a certain type of school attendance area. Declares that any agency that operates an adult basic education program and serves an area which has an especially high concentration of children from low-income families is eligible to apply for a grant under the Even Start program. Sets forth the requirements for a grant application. Requires that two-thirds of the applications selected for final review shall be from urban areas and one-third shall be from rural areas. Provides for the creation of a review panel to make the final selection of grant recipients. Requires any State educational agency required to use funds for an effective school program to amend its application under a specified section of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 to reflect the activities to be conducted with such funds. Requires such a State educational agency and an Even Start program applicant who has been selected to receive funding to enter into a program agreement with the Secretary. Sets forth the information to be included in such agreements. Requires the Secretary to analyze the effective schools programs conducted pursuant to this Act and report to the Congress on such programs by September 30, 1989. Requires the Secretary to provide for annual evaluations of the effectiveness of Even Start programs in providing specified services. Requires the results of the evaluations to be submitted to the national diffusion network for possible dissemination.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1986
Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act - Makes permanent provisions which provide benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment. Removes SSI limitations for the first two months of an individual's stay in a health facility if such individual was eligible for the benefits made permanent by this Act during the month preceding admission to the facility. Requires the district offices of the Social Security Administration to each designate a staff member to implement the program providing benefits to individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite severe medical impairment. Revises the eligibility requirements for such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and implement procedures which provide that whenever an individual is formally notified of his or her SSI eligibility, such individual will also be notified of the availability of assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act. Directs the Secretary, when any individual receives SSI benefits on the basis of a disability, to notify such individual of his or her potential eligibility for the SSI benefits available for those performing substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the operation of the SSI section which provides benefits for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite a severe medical impairment, with the particular objective of evaluating the work incentive provisions of such section. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress the findings of such study. Provides that when an individual becomes ineligible for SSI benefits upon entitlement to child's insurance benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act, such individual shall be treated for Medicaid purposes as continuing to receive SSI benefits so long as he or she would otherwise be eligible for such benefits. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects designed to assess the advantages and disadvantages of various work incentive programs under the OASDI and SSI programs. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1986
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to add $1,800 (currently $800) annually in such benefits to veterans of World War I who were not provided with the educational and home-loan benefits that were provided to veterans of later periods. Increases by $600 annually the rate of pension payable to a qualifying surviving spouse of a veteran of World War I.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1986
Community Services Programs Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Head Start Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 to carry out the Head Start program. Amends the Follow Through Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 to carry out the Follow Through program. Amends the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981 to: (1) rename specified provisions as the "Dependent Care Programs Act"; and (2) authorize appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 to make allotments to States for such dependent care programs. Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act (the Act) to authorize appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 for grants to States to ameliorate poverty. Requires compliance evaluations to include identification of the impact the use of such funds has on children, homeless families, and the elderly poor. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for use of community services block grants under the Act for specified programs of the Community Economic Development Act of 1981. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 for community food and nutrition programs under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1986
Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to authorize home energy grants for FY 1987 through 1989. Deems the full amount of home energy assistance payments, regardless of whether made directly to a household or indirectly for its benefit, to be heating or cooling expenses for purposes of the excess shelter expense deduction under the Food Stamp Act of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1986
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act - Requires States to provide by law for elections for Federal office: (1) absentee registration and absentee voting for uniformed services voters and overseas voters; and (2) the use of alternative write-in absentee ballots by overseas voters. Directs the President to designate the head of an executive department to have primary responsibility for the administrative functions of this Act, including: (1) prescribing an official postcard form containing a voter registration and an absentee ballot application; (2) prescribing an alternative write-in ballot for overseas voters; (3) prescribing forms and designs for balloting materials; (4) distributing election materials; and (5) reporting to the Congress in even-numbered years on its effectiveness. Provides for the distribution of official postcards. Sets forth recommendations to the States in carrying out provisions of this Act. Authorizes the use of the alternative write-in ballots in lieu of absentee ballots under specified circumstances. Directs the Postmaster to expedite the transport of election materials and declares such materials free of postage.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1986
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to exempt from any sequestration of funds under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) certain benefits of veterans and their dependents and survivors which are based upon the service-connected disability or death of such veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1986
Truth in Packaging Act of 1986 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the typeface of the English name of the country of origin that is required on goods imported into the United States to be no smaller in size and no less bold than the typeface of the largest type that otherwise appears on such goods. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations relating to a person who requests a modification to exceptions to such requirements. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for the sale of unmarked goods. Increases the fine from $5,000 to $100,000 for alteration of such markings.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1986
Farm Programs Adjustment Act of 1986 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth additional farm payment yield provisions for wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice. Nonprogram Crop Amendments Act of 1986 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to permit specified nonprogram crops to be planted on underplanted acreage (under an acreage limitation program) for the 1986 through 1990 crops of wheat, feed grains, rice, and upland cotton only if such production: (1) is not likely to increase price support program costs and will not adversely affect existing producers of such nonprogram crops; and (2) is necessary to provide an adequate supply of the commodity, or to encourage domestic industrial use of a commodity not yet in use. Waives such provision upon a showing by a producer that he or she, prior to February 19, 1986, planted or contracted to plant nonprogram crops on such acreage. Subjects a producer who knowingly provides false waiver information to a penalty. Gives 1986 wheat producers the option of planting five or ten percent (currently only ten percent) of their acreage to conservation use prior to the Secretary's announcement of the terms of the acreage limitation for that crop. Extends the milk production termination program (program) sign-up period through April 1, 1986. Provides that for purposes of submitting bids under such program, a producer's marketing history shall be: (1) in the case of a producer who participated in the pre-Food Security Act of 1985 milk diversion program, and at his or her option, either the 1985 milk marketings or the marketing history used for such diversion program; and (2) in the case of a non-diversion producer, the smaller of milk marketings in 1985 or the 12-month period beginning July 1984. Makes such provision effective as of December 23, 1985. Directs the Secretary, for purposes of program dairy production base reductions, not to consider as dairy cattle beef-dairy cross-bred progeny not intended for dairy use. Directs the Secretary to make specified payment limitation determinations relating to a disapproved farm operating plan payment limitation review. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize the Secretary to use unspecified (currently specified) amounts of Commodity Credit Corporation funds or commodities for FY 1986 through 1988 targeted export assistance. Reduces the minimum value of agricultural commodities to be used for FY 1986 through 1988 foreign market development.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1986
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations for asbestos hazard abatement in the schools. Directs the Administrator to develop a model accreditation plan for States to give accreditation to individuals who inspect, manage, abate, and analyze asbestos problems. Makes the use of accredited personnel a condition for receiving financial assistance under the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984. Requires each State Governor to establish administrative procedures for the certification of school asbestos inspection and abatement programs and for asbestos management plans, all to be carried forward by the local educational agency. Requires warning labels on any asbestos still in routine maintenance areas of a school building. Makes any local educational agency which fails to comply with this Act liable for civil penalties, including injunctive action. Requires the Administrator or appropriate Governor to investigate citizen complaints Authorizes the Administrator or the appropriate State Governor to take necessary response measures where asbestos in a school building may be hazardous and adequate local measures have not been taken. Sets forth the relationship of pollution liability insurance risk retention groups to State law, including securities law. Establishes the Asbestos Trust Fund in the Treasury to carry out the Asbestos Hazards Abatement Assistance Program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1986
Farm Programs Adjustment Act of 1986 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set 1986 and 1987 farm program payment yields at not less than 1985 levels. Nonprogram Crop Amendments Act of 1986 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture (in addition to existing conservation use requirements) to permit specified nonprogram crops to be planted on underplanted acreage (under an acreage limitation program) for the 1986 through 1990 crops of wheat, feed grains, rice, and upland cotton only if such production: (1) is not likely to increase price support program costs and will not adversely affect existing producers of such nonprogram crops; and (2) is necessary to provide an adequate supply of the commodity, or to encourage domestic industrial use of a commodity not yet in use. Waives such provision if a producer shows that prior to February 16, 1986, he or she planted or contracted to plant nonprogram crops on such acreage. Subjects a producer who knowingly provides false waiver information to a penalty. Gives 1986 wheat producers the option of planting five or ten percent (currently only ten percent) of their acreage to conservation use prior to the Secretary's announcement of the terms of acreage limitation for that crop. Extends the milk production termination program (program) sign-up period through April 1, 1986. Provides that, for purposes of submitting bids under such program, a producer's marketing history shall be: (1) in the case of a producer who participated in the pre-Food Security Act of 1985 milk diversion program, and at his or her option, either the 1985 milk marketings or the marketing history used for such diversion program; and (2) in the case of a non-diversion producer, the smaller of milk marketings in 1985 or the 12-month period beginning July 1984. Makes such provision effective as of December 23, 1985. Directs the Secretary, for purposes of program dairy production base reductions, not to consider as dairy cattle beef-dairy cross-bred progeny not intended for dairy use. Directs the Secretary to make specified payment limitation determinations relating to a disapproved farm operating plan payment limitation review. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize the Secretary to use unspecified (currently specified) amounts of Commodity Credit Corporation funds or commodities for FY 1986 through 1988 targeted export assistance. Reduces the minimum value of agricultural commodities to be used for FY 1986 through 1988 foreign market development.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1986
Disapproves a proposed deferral (number D86-48) of $500,000,000 of budget authority for the community development block grant program, as set forth in the President's message to the Congress on February 5, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1986
Title I: Amendments to the General Provisions - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the Act) to redefine "severely handicapped individual" and to add a definition of "supported employment" (competitive work in integrated work settings for individuals with severe handicaps who need intensive, on-going, post-employment support services to perform such work). Revises provisions of the Act to include references to supported employment. Provides that rehabilitation goals for severely handicapped individuals under the Act may include supported, homebound, or part-time employment. Requires the annual report to include an evaluation of the status of individuals with severe handicaps participating in programs under the Act. Title II: Amendments Related to Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Requires State plans under the Act to contain the plans, policies, and methods to be followed to assist in the transition from education to employment related activities. Requires the State agency to provide a justification for the order to be followed in selecting individuals to whom vocational rehabilitation services will be provided. Includes community mental health programs among the entities with whom State vocational rehabilitation agencies may enter into cooperative agreements. Requires that the goals of the individualized written rehabilitation program be based on an assessment determined through an evaluation of rehabilitation potential. Includes under the scope of vocational rehabilitation services for individuals under the Act an evaluation by personnel skilled in rehabilitation technology. Title III: Amendments Related to Research and Training - Includes dissemination of the results of their research under the functions of Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers. Redesignates the National Institute of Handicapped Research as the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation. Title IV: Amendments Related to Services for Independent Living - Includes developmentally disabled individuals as eligible for services for independent living. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board may not both be members of the general public or Federal officials.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1986
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) America's interests are best served in the Philippines by a government which has a popular mandate; and (2) the February 7, 1986, elections in the Philippines were marked by widespread fraud. Requests the President to convey such concern to President Marcos and Corazon Aquino.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that volunteer work should be taken into account by employers when hiring and listed on employment application forms.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Authorizes and requests the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, gold medals to Anatoly and Avital Shcharansky in recognition of their supreme dedication and total commitment to human rights and freedoms. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to determine the design of the medals. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to sell bronze duplicates of the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1986
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide that, notwithstanding the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and the sequestration order issued by the President (under such Act) on February 1, 1986, FY 1986 dairy expenditure reductions shall be implemented through a reduction in the price received by milk producers rather than through a reduction in Commodity Credit Corporation payments for dairy product purchases. States that such reductions shall be no greater than needed to equal the reduction in milk support expenditures required by such order.
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