United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the amount of a qualified artistic charitable contribution shall be the fair market value of the property contributed (determined at the time of such contribution). Defines "qualified artistic charitable contribution" as the contribution of any literary, music, artistic, or scholarly composition, any letter or memorandum, or similar property, but only if: (1) such property was created by the personal efforts of the taxpayer making such contribution no less than one year prior to such contribution; (2) there is a written appraisal of the fair market value of the property included with the tax return; and (3) the use of such property by the donee is related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for the donee's tax exemption. Limits the amount of the qualified artistic charitable contributions for any taxable year to the artistic adjusted gross income for the taxpayer for such taxable year. Defines "artistic adjusted gross income." Prohibits public officials from taking a deduction for donation of their papers if the papers were produced while the officials were officers or employees of the United States or any State, or if the papers were created out of the performance of any duties as officers or employees of the government. Provides that alternative tax itemized deductions shall be determined without regard to the deduction for qualified artistic charitable contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1985
Expresses the Congress' concern about Doctor Yury Orlov and calls upon the Soviet Union to release him from exile and allow him and his wife to emigrate. Urges the President to instruct the Secretary of State to raise this issue with the Soviet Union and at specified forums.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Judicial Survivors' Annuities Amendments Act - Amends the Judicial Code to increase the amount that a judicial official has withheld from his or her salary for purposes of the Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund. Requires funding in amounts necessary to reduce to zero the unfunded liability of such fund. Increases the amount of the annuity received by a surviving widow or widower with children. Increases the amount of the annuity received by the surviving children of a judicial official leaving no widow or widower. Revises the formula used to determine the amount of the annuity given a widow or widower of a judicial official. Makes survivors of the Deputy Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts eligible for annuities under such Act. Makes the benefits conferred by this Act available to any eligible individual. Permits a judicial officer who has participated in the present annuity program to withdraw, in writing, according to specified procedures. Allows such officer, if eligible, to subsequently join the judicial survivors' annuities program created by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any tax reform legislation to be enacted by the Congress should provide equitable tax treatment for all energy resources.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1985
Regional Conservation and Electric Power Planning and Regulatory Coordination Act of 1985 - Title I: Granting of Consent to Any Two or More States to Enter Into Multistate Compacts - Grants congressional consent to any two or more States to enter into compacts to develop, adopt, and publish: (1) standards for ratemaking treatment of any costs incurred by electric utilities that are unrelated to resource acquisition; (2) methodologies to assess cost-effective resources to meet electric energy demand; (3) plans to mitigate the adverse effects of unforecasted, emergency electric power outages or shortages; and (4) a long-run conservation and electric power plan for resource acquisition to meet the total electric energy demand in the geographic region covered by the compact at least system cost. Sets forth requirements with respect to the membership and functioning of a multistate compact. Requires that public hearings be held prior to the adoption of any standard, methodology, or plan. Authorizes the governing agency of a multistate compact to encourage resource acquisition by electric utilities and their customers and consumers according to the long-term conservation and electric power plan developed under the compact. Requires that an opportunity for public comment and review be provided prior to certification of the need for any resource. Permits the governing agency of a multistate compact, where authorized by the compact establishing it, to: (1) intervene and participate as a matter of right in any proceeding held by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and (2) apply to the Commission for an order compelling one or more electric utilities to provide or modify transmission services where appropriate for purposes of implementing a long-run conservation and electric power plan. Sets forth judicial review procedures which shall apply to actions under this Act. Title II: Authority of the States to Regulate the Rates for Certain Wholesale Electricity Transactions - Permits a State regulatory authority, with the Governor's approval and after a public hearing, to submit to the Commission for its approval a plan for the regulation by such authority of some or all of the rates for the sale of electricity at wholesale by electric utilities which are subject to the Commission's regulatory jurisdiction. Specifies the contents of such a plan. Requires the Commission to approve or disapprove it within 180 days after its receipt. Permits amendments to such a plan by the State. Sets forth procedures for Commission review of the implementation of such a plan. Title III: Amendments to the Federal Power Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to conform to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Aaron Copland in recognition of his contributions to American musical composition. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Education for Economic Security Act Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Education for Economic Security Act (the Act) to reduce the amount authorized to be appropriated for FY 1985 for the program of grants to States and discretionary grants by the Secretary of Education for strengthening instruction and teacher skills in mathematics, science, computer learning, and foreign languages under title II (Education for Economic Security) of the Act. Extends through FY 1986 the authorization of appropriations for such programs. Revises the formulas for determining allotments to States and the amount of funds which may be reserved for discretionary grants by the Secretary under such program. Revises the distribution formula to be used by State educational agencies (SEAs) in allocating funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) under such program. Grants a SEA the option, in calculating relative enrollments for such purposes, to use (in addition to the number of children enrolled in public schools) either: (1) the number of children in private nonprofit schools; or (2) the number of children in private nonprofit schools desiring that their children and teachers participate in programs or projects assisted under title II of the Act. Provides that granting this option to the SEA shall not diminish the responsibility of LEAs to contact, on an annual basis, appropriate officials from private nonprofit schools within their school districts in order to determine whether such schools desire that their children and teachers participate in such programs and projects. Revises other title II program provisions for grants by State higher education agencies to institutions of higher education to retrain teachers who specialize in other disciplines. Adds foreign languages as one of the fields for which teachers with other specialities may retrain (in addition to mathematics, science, and computer learning). Revises State and local assessment and State application provisions to make miscellaneous, technical, and conforming amendments. Revises requirements relating to participation of children and teachers from private schools in programs under title II of the Act. Provides that, to satisfy such requirements, an SEA, LEA, State agency for higher eudcation or institution for higher education must: (1) first consult with appropriate private nonprofit school representatives; and (2) then provide, as appropriate, services and arrangements which benefit the students enrolled in private, nonprofit elementary and secondary schools and teacher training, inservice training, and retraining which benefit the teachers in such schools. Revises provisions for the Secretary's discretionary funds for programs of national significance to conform such provisions to the revised formulas for determining the amount of such reserved funds (as noted above). Makes other miscellaneous, technical, and conforming amendments to title II of the Act. Repeals specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act which relate to the control of paperwork and under which the Federal Education Data Acquisition Council was established.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Entitles individuals who performed service as National Guard technicians before January 1, 1969, to credit for such service when determining length of service for purposes of civil service retirement, leave, employee death and disability compensation, group life and health insurance, severance pay, tenure, and status.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1985
Single-Employer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1985 - Title I: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends title IV (Plan Termination Insurance) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to the single-employer pension plan termination insurance program. Sets forth new definitions relating to such program for the following terms: (1) contributing sponsor; (2) controlled group; (3) single-employer plan; (4) composite single-employer plan; (5) amount of unfunded guaranteed benefits; (6) final benefit obligation; and (7) person. Sets forth a technical correction to the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments of 1980. Amends ERISA to increase from $2.60 to $7.50 per capita the annual premium rate payable to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the Corporation) by single-employer plans for plan years beginning after December 31, 1984. Requires that congressional approval of the Corporation's recommended revised premium schedules be by the enactment of a joint resolution (currently a concurrent resolution is required). Sets forth general requirements relating to the termination of single-employer plans by plan administrators. Provides that, except for terminations instituted by the Corporation, a single-employer plan may be terminated only in a standard termination or a distress termination, as provided under this Act. Provides that, if the plan to be terminated is the subject of one or more bargaining agreements between one or more employee organizations and one or more employers, the plan administrator shall notify such employee organization at least 30 days before filing with the Corporation a notice of intent to terminate. Sets forth general requirements and procedures for standard termination of single-employer plans. Allows such standard terminations of single-employer plans only if: (1) the plan administrator has filed with the Corporation a notice of intent to terminate the plan in a standard termination on a specified termination date which is not earlier than 10 days after the filing of the notice (including any information the Corporation may require); (2) the plan has been amended to provide that, effective on the termination date, accrued benefits shall not increase after such date, except as required to meet qualification requirements under the Internal Revenue Code; and (3) on or before the date of filing the notice of intent to terminate, the plan administrator is required to notify each plan participant that such notice of intent to terminate has been or will be filed and to provide a copy of such notice of intent to each employee organization representing plan participants. Makes the contributing sponsors of the plan and the members of their controlled groups jointly and severally liable to contribute to the plan if, after the plan termination, the plan has insufficient assets and such additional amounts are necessary to pay when due all benefits payable under the plan during a plan year. Prohibits a single-employer plan terminated in a standard termination from closing out its affairs unless: (1) it has assets sufficient to discharge when due all final benefit obligations; and (2) the closing out is carried out in a specified manner, including at least 30 days' advance notification to plan participants and employee organizations that such closing out and a final distribution of assets will take place. Requires, at least 30 days before the proposed distribution of assets, that the plan administrator send a notice to the Corporation including a certification by an enrolled actuary: (1) of the amount of plan assets; (2) of the actuarial present value of the final benefit obligations; and (3) that such assets are sufficient to discharge such obligations when due. Provides for extensions of the period before such final distribution where necessary for compliance. Prohibits any such final distribution pursuant to the closing out in cases of noncompliance with such requirements. Requires the plan administrator, in connection with such a final distribution, to distribute plan assets by purchasing irrevocable commitments to provide when due all benefits to all participants and beneficiaries, or otherwise fully satisfying such obligation. Provides that, if a court determines in a civil action after such final distribution is completed that a plan has failed to discharge when due any final benefit obligations and the defendant fails to fully satisfy such obligations within a specified period, the Corporation shall: (1) treat such obligations as though they were benefits under a distress termination; and (2) guarantee such benefits in a specified manner (except those which have been discharged when due by the plan or satisfied by the defendant in the civil action). Sets forth, for purposes of the minimum funding standards under ERISA, special rules for plans terminated under standard termination. Sets forth general requirements and procedures for distress termination of single-employer plans. Sets forth notification and information requirements for proposed distress terminations. Requires, before such distress terminations are allowed, the plan administrator to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Corporation that the contributing sponsors and the substantial members of their controlled groups: (1) have each filed, or have had filed against them, either a liquidation petition which has not yet been dismissed or converted into a bankruptcy case, or a reorganization petition which has not yet been dismissed (and, in which case, the bankruptcy court approves the termination); or (2) will each be unable to pay their respective debts when due, and will be unable to continue in business, unless a distress termination occurs (as indicated in substantial evidence provided to the Corporation by a contributing sponsor). Defines a "substantial member" as a person whose assets comprise at least five percent of the controlled group's total assets. Prohibits distribution of assets pursuant to a distress termination unless the plan administrator receives a notification from the Corporation of its termination that plan assets are sufficient to pay when due all basic benefits under the plan. Provides for extensions of the 90-day period within which the Corporation is to make specified determinations. Requires the plan administrator, upon the filing of a notice of intent to terminate under a distress termination to: (1) pay benefits attributable to employer contributions, other than death benefits, only in the form of an annuity; (2) not use plan assets to purchase irrevocable commitments to provide benefits from an insurer; and (3) if the plan administrator knows or has reason to know that plan assets are not sufficient to pay when due benefits guaranteed under title IV of ERISA, limit the payment of benefits to the estimated amount of plan benefits guaranteed by the Corporation and of other benefits to which plan assets are allocated under specified provisions of such title. Requires restoration to pretermination status of single-employer plans terminated under a distress termination solely on the basis of the filing of a liquidation petition, whenever such case is dismissed or converted to a case under which reorganization is sought. Revises provisions relating to appointment of receivers by the Corporation. Revises provisions relating to amounts due to the Corporation. Authorizes "section 4042" trustees, who are appointed by the Corporation, to serve as members on creditors committees. Authorizes plan administrators to restore a terminated single-employer plans to pretermination status, under procedures to be prescribed by the Corporation, but requires prior approval by the Corporation before a plan terminated in a distress termination may be so restored. Imposes primary liability to the Corporation on contributing sponsors or members of their controlled groups for termination of single-employer plans under a distress termination or a termination by the Corporation. Imposes joint and several liability upon such persons who are under common control on such termination date. Establishes such liability in the amount of: (1) the outstanding balance of any accumulated funding deficiencies of the plan; and (2) the unfunded guaranteed benefits under the plan. Makes such amount due and payable as of the termination date. Sets forth formulas for the calculation of such amount and procedures for its payments. Sets forth provisions relating to liability for failure to satisfy final benefit obligations under standard terminations. Provides that, when a court in a civil action determines that such failure has occurred, the contributing sponsor or a member of such sponsor's controlled group shall be liable: (1) to the Corporation for all final benefit obligations which the Corporation guarantees under specified provisions; and (2) to each participant and beneficiary for any such obligations which are not otherwise guaranteed by the Corporation, discharged when due by the plan, or satisfied by the defendant in such action. Creates a lien in favor of a single-employer plan if the plan: (1) has an increase in its accumulated funding deficiency; (2) is granted a waiver of minimum funding standards; or (3) has a reduced amortization charge resulting from the granting of an extension of an amortization period. Requires pension plan liability provisions to be applied without regard to any transaction with a principal purpose of evading or avoiding such liability. Treats certain corporate reorganizations as if the reorganized corporate entity were the same as the entity to which such liability applies. Sets forth conforming, technical, and miscellaneous amendments to ERISA. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to conform to the amendments of ERISA made by title I of this Act. Allows a tax deduction for contributions to avoid a funding deficiency in any plan which, after a standard termination, has insufficient assets to pay when due all benefits payable during the plan year. Provides that, for purposes of such tax deduction (and except as otherwise provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary) the contributing employer whose controlled group member makes such contribution shall be deemed to have made the contribution to the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Prohibits the importation of certain species of kangaroos and kangaroo products (currently allowed to be imported under an administrative exception to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if in accordance with the management plans of Australian states).
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, in providing assistance to developing countries, to: (1) place a high priority on conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests; and (2) take certain steps (including engaging in dialogues on conserving forest resources and information exchanges with recipient countries, supporting projects and activities which offer alternatives to colonizing forests, supporting related training and research programs, helping to end destructive agricultural practices, and denying any assistance for certain activities harmful to the forests). Directs the President, whenever feasible, to accomplish the objectives of this Act through projects managed by private and voluntary and other nongovernmental organizations. Requires the annual report to the Congress on foreign aid programs to include a report on the implementation of this Act. Requires that each country plan prepared by the Agency for International Development include an analysis of actions necessary to achieve conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and the extent such actions meet the needs identified.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations to help developing countries protect and maintain wildlife habitats and develop sound wildlife management and plant conservation programs. Requires each country development strategy statement or other country plan prepared by the Agency for International Development (AID) to include a detailed plan to assist that country in the conservation of biological diversity. States that, whenever feasible, such protection, maintenance, management, and conservation activities shall be accomplished through projects managed by private and voluntary organizations and other nongovernmental organizations. Directs AID to allocate at least a specified sum for projects managed by such organizations. Directs the Administrator of AID to take certain steps, including: (1) cooperating with appropriate organizations; (2) looking to the World Conservation Strategy as an overall guide; (3) engaging in dialogues and exchanges of information with recipient countries which stress the importance of conserving biological diversity; (4) supporting training and education which improve the capacity of recipient countries to prevent loss of biological diversity; and (5) the denial of any assistance for actions which invade or significantly degrade national parks or similar protected areas. Requires the annual report to the Congress on foreign aid programs to include a report on implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO) to allow a civil action to be brought by a plaintiff only when the private suit rests on an injury caused by conduct that led to the defendant's conviction of one of the predicate offenses listed in the statute or of a criminal violation of RICO itself. Requires the plaintiff to bring such action within one year of the defendant's conviction.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Urges the President to begin talks with the Soviet Union aimed at creating a jointly administered U.S.-Soviet student exchange program. Sets forth certain aspects of such exchange program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Amends the Clean Air Act to modify the requirements for stack height for sources of not well controlled emissions of air pollutants. Includes among dispersion methods any other measure which disperses pollutants at ground level measuring points.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Community and Family Living Amendments of 1985 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a State plan to provide a severely disabled individual who is entitled to medical assistance and who is residing in a family home or community living facility with an array of community and family support services which will provide for the health, safety, and effective habilitation or rehabilitation of such individual. Includes community and family support services for severely disabled individuals as "medical assistance" under Medicaid. Permits the inclusion of such services as medical assistance only if: (1) such services are provided to a severely disabled individual residing in a family home or in a community living facility; (2) such services are provided in accordance with an individually written habilitation or rehabilitation plan; and (3) the total amount of funds spent by the State from non-Federal funds for such services equals at least a specified base amount. Specifies services included and excluded as community and family living services. Requires a State, in order to receive payment for community or family support services provided, to: (1) enter into a community and family living implementation agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and (2) submit required reports to the Secretary. Requires a community and family living implementation agreement to include, among others, the following provisions: (1) community living facilities will not be unduly concentrated in any residential area; (2) all the staff of each facility must have appropriate training; (3) parents of the severely disabled will have training available; (4) case management; (5) an individual will reside as close to his or her family as possible; (6) hearing procedures for individuals who feel they have been inappropriately placed; and (7) suitable State supplementary payments as authorized under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. Requires such agreement to include other specified provisions with respect to severely disabled individuals living in residential facilities which are not family homes or community living facilities. Requires the agreement to include descriptions of methods to be used to achieve the following objectives: (1) to advise severely disabled individuals of alternative arrangements and services available to them, of their right to choose providers, and of their right to a fair hearing; (2) to assure fair and equitable provisions to protect the interests of public employees who will be affected by the transfer of severely disabled individuals from public institutions to community or family living facilities under the agreement; (3) to assure application of fair employment standards and equitable compensation to workers in facilities offering care and services for which payments are made under this Act; and (4) to assure timely submission of any reports required by the Secretary; and (5) to assure opportunities for participation by interested citizens in the development of the implementation plan or agreement. Sets forth provisions providing for: (1) auditing a State's compliance with this Act; (2) noncompliance; and (3) review by the Comptroller General. Includes, under Medicaid, within the definition of "intermediate care facilities" services in an institution for mentally retarded persons or persons with related conditions if: (1) the individual needs of each newly admitted individual are ascertained by an interdisciplinary team within 30 days; (2) the institution, if not operated by the State, has a written agreement with an appropriate State agency to cooperate in the implementation of the agreement. Limits, effective FY 2000, the amounts payable under Medicaid to any State for skilled nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services furnished to severely disabled individuals under age 65 in facilities having not more than 15 beds. Provides that such limitations shall not apply, if: (1) payments are for services for individuals in a facility which meets the size and location requirements for a community living facility; (2) payments are for services for individuals in a facility which was in operation on September 30, 1985, which has not increased the number of beds since September 30, 1985, and which has no more than 15 beds; (3) payments are for services for individuals in a cluster home; or (4) payments are for necessary therapeutic services which are not available in a family home or community living facility in the States. Reduces, effective FY 1988, the Federal medical assistance percentage for skilled nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services furnished to any severely disabled individual under age 65. Requires a State, in order to receive any payments for furnishing community and family support services, to have in effect a system to protect and advocate the rights of eligible severely disabled individuals which is in addition to any provided by the Federal Government as of September 1985. Permits an individual injured or adversely affected or aggrieved by a violation of the Community and Family Living Amendments of 1985 to bring an action to enjoin such violation. Requires a State's Medicaid plan to provide for the payment of community and family support services for severely disabled individuals through the use of rates which are reasonable and adequate to assure the provision of services of adequate quality. Permits a State to provide for the eligibility of any severely disabled individual for community and family support services if such individual spends at least five percent of his or her adjusted gross income for necessary medical care and for community and family support services. Provides that whenever an individual is receiving benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act on the basis of a disability which began before such individual attained the age of 22, and but for those benefits would be eligible under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of such Act for either SSI or State supplementary payments then such individual shall be deemed, for Medicaid purposes only, to be receiving SSI or State supplementary payments. Provides for the Medicaid eligibility of a severely disabled individual under age 65 who would otherwise be denied assistance because of earnings if termination of such eligibility would seriously inhibit the individual's ability to continue employment or effectively limit the individual's ability to live in a family home or community living facility and such earnings are not sufficient to provide benefits equivalent to SSI and Medicaid. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make assessments, conduct a study, and report to the Congress; and (2) issue regulations. Sets forth the effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Consumer Products Energy Efficiency Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide that the labeling rules regarding consumer product energy efficiency standards shall require disclosure of such standards at the point of sale and in any advertising of the product. Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) publish and make available comparative guides of the energy efficiency and annual operating cost of certain consumer products; (2) prescribe an energy efficiency standard for certain consumer products; (3) include in the Secretary's annual report on consumer product energy efficiency standards the percentage of covered products or components which are imported. Requires the Secretary, before determining whether a standard is economically justified, to weigh its effect on domestic production, reduction of unemployment, electric utilities, and the human environment. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe an energy efficiency standard for certain consumer products if it is determined that improvement of 20 percent or more is feasible. Delineates the criteria to be considered by the Secretary in determining whether a performance-related feature justifies the establishment of either a higher or a lower energy efficiency standard. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue energy efficiency improvement guidelines for each of the following five years if no standard for a covered consumer product is prescribed; (2) monitor the improvements in efficiency; and (3) prescribe an energy efficiency standard whenever a certain type of consumer product type fails for three consecutive years to achieve at least half of the improvement under such guideline.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should retain the current corporate average fuel economy standard for passenger automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1985
Dairy Unity Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend milk price supports for FY 1986 through 1990. Sets the preliminary support price as the product of $8.83 per hundred weight and the adjusted cost of production index (as formulated under this Act). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish such support level on October 1 of each year. Directs the Secretary to provide for a support reduction if a milk diversion program is in effect. Extends milk diversion authority through FY 1990. Authorizes reductions if estimated purchases are between 5,000,000,000 pounds and 7,000,000,000 pounds, and requires them if such estimates exceed 7,000,000,000 pounds. Provides a civil penalty for a person who purchases one or more dairy cattle for slaughter and fails to slaughter such cattle within a reasonable time. Expresses the sense of the Congress that two years after the date of enactment of this Act the congressional agricultural committees should make an evaluation of the cost of production index. Amends the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 to establish in the Department of Agriculture a National Dairy Research Endowment Institute to provide a permanent system for funding dairy market-expansion research activities. Establishes in the Treasury a Dairy Research Trust Fund. Extends through FY 1990: (1) the dairy indemnity program; and (2) the program authorizing dairy products to be transferred to the military and to veterans' hospitals. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to set forth minimum price adjustments for fluid milk marketing orders. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend seasonal production adjustment authority through FY 1990. Authorizes: (1) marketwide service payments; and (2) cooperative association representation. States that the legal status of producer milk handlers under the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, shall be the same after enactment of this Act as it was before such date.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1985
Impact Aid Amendments of 1985 - Amends Federal law relating to the impact aid program of Federal assistance for local educational agencies (LEAs) in areas affected by Federal activity. Eliminates the authority of the Secretary of Education to make entitlement payments to LEAs on behalf of so-called "b" children in attendance at LEA schools who: (1) reside on Federal property; (2) reside with a parent employed on Federal property situated in the same county, school district, or State as the LEA; or (3) have a parent on active duty in the uniformed services. (Maintains the authority to make such payments on behalf of so-called "a" children in attendance at LEA schools who reside on Federal property and who: (1) do so with a parent employed on Federal property situated in the same county, school district, or State as the LEA; or (2) have a parent on active duty in the uniformed services.) Makes conforming amendments. Sets the entitlement of any LEA with respect to children who reside on low-rent federally subsidized housing property at 15 percent of the amount determined by the current formula under such impact aid program. Revises the formula for estimating the amount of preliminary payments under the impact aid program. Revises the formula for determining adjustments in impact aid payments where necessitated by the amount of appropriations. Eliminates provisions relating to certain discretionary allocations under the impact aid program. Revises certain restrictions on eligibility for disaster assistance under the impact aid program. Permits such disaster assistance payments to LEAs suffering damages from disasters occurring after September 30, 1983. Raises the threshold of eligibility for such disaster assistance from $1,000 or one-half of one percent of the LEA's current operating expenditures during the previous fiscal year to $10,000 or five percent of such expenditures, whichever is less.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that proposals to repeal provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which allow taxpayers to make designations of payments to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund should not be enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
Home Employment Enterprise Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to permit individuals to engage in industrial homework (including sewing, knitting, jewelry, or craftmaking) or perform any service in or about their place of residence as employees of any employer covered by such Act if the employer complies with minimum wage and maximum hours requirements under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1985
Mid-Career Math and Science Teacher Training Act - Amends title V (Teacher Corps and Teacher Training Programs) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new part G, a Midcareer Teacher Training program of grants to institutions of higher education with schools of departments of education. Provides such grants to establish teacher training programs for individuals moving into an education career from another occupation in which they developed expertise in mathematics or science, or both. Directs the Secretary of Education to make such grants on a competitive basis. Provides that recipient institutions shall be awarded: (1) an initial planning grant for use during the first two fiscal years after selection; and (2) if successful, a renewal grant for up to two additional years. Requires applicants to demonstrate certain design and administrative aspects of their program. Requires that such applications be reviewed by a panel of experts in teacher training designated by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, to the extent of available funds, to select at least one applicant from each of the ten regions served by the Department of Education. Limits the amount to an institution to: (1) $100,000 for the initial planning grant; and (2) $50,000 per year for the renewal grant. Requires each institution receiving such a grant to submit reports and other information on the program to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to disseminate such information to other institutions of higher education to promote greater use of midcareer teacher training programs without direct Federal assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1985
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Agriculture to jointly conduct a study of the use of unleaded fuel in agricultural machinery and to report to the Congress on such study. Prohibits any reduction in the permitted lead level in gasoline below a specified level until after the Congress receives such report. Authorizes appropriations
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Clean Coal Technology Authorization Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a financial assistance program from the Clean Coal Technology Reserve in order to determine the commercial feasibility of clean coal technologies on a commercial scale. Limits the total funding supplied by the United states to 50 percent of the aggregate cost of all projects funded under such program. Limits the funding supplied by the United States to 70 percent of the total cost of any one project. Sets guidelines for the project selection criteria to be developed by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report such criteria to the Congress; (2) conduct a competitive solicitation of project proposals; and (3) submit an annual report to the Congress detailing the status of ongoing projects funded under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Income-Dependent Education Assistance Act of 1985 - Establishes the income-dependent education assistance (IDEA) program of supplemental higher education loans in which a borrower's annual repayment obligation is dependent upon both postschool income level and borrowing history. Title I: System for Making Income-Dependent Education Assistance Loans - Directs the Secretary of Education to make IDEA program agreements with guarantee agencies which desire to participate to provide funds to eligible institutions which have entered into IDEA program agreements to make IDEA loans to eligible students. Sets forth provisions for: (1) the terms of such IDEA program agreements with guarantee agencies; (2) issuance of approved debt obligations; (3) allocation of the proceeds of such debt obligations; and (4) authorized conversion and consolidation, upon the borrower's request, of federally insured or guaranteed student loans under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) as a new IDEA loan under this Act. Sets forth provisions for the terms and enforcement of IDEA program agreements between the Secretary of Education and eligible institutions. Sets forth provisions for the amounts and terms of IDEA loans (i.e. those eligible under specified HEA provisions). Sets annual limits on the amounts of such loans to various categories of students. Sets a limitation on individual borrowing capacity, with adjustments for inflation and with consideration of any outstanding student loan obligations. Limits the duration of individual eligibility for such loans. Sets forth requirements for: (1) agreements to the terms of such loans; and (2) disbursement of the proceeds of such loans. Sets forth the responsibilities of eligible institutions and of the Secretary for certain information requirements relating to the IDEA loan program. Sets forth provisions for interest charges on such loans. Requires such charges to be added to the recipient's obligation account at the end of each calendar year. Bases such charges on an interest rate equal to the lesser of: (1) 14 percent; or (2) the sum of the average bond equivalent rates of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned for the previous year, plus two percentage points, rounded to the next higher one-eighth of one percent. Title II: Collection of Income-Dependent Education Assistance Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add provisions for the collection of IDEA loans. Directs the Secretary of Education to notify each IDEA loan borrower of their yearly repayment obligation, and to send a copy of such yearly notice to the Secretary of the Treasury. Sets forth formulas for computation of the annual IDEA loan repayment amount. Makes such amount equal to the lesser of: (1) 15 percent of the modified adjusted income of the taxpayer for such taxable year; or (2) the product of a base amortization amount and a progressivity factor based on the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income. Defines "base amortization amount" as the amount which, if paid at the close of each year for 12 consecutive years, would fully repay (with a ten-percent annual interest rate) the maximum account balance of the borrower. Sets forth progressivity factor tables for various types of taxpayers. Provides that, in general, the repayment obligation of an IDEA loan borrower shall terminate only if there is repaid: (1) in the case of any repayment during the first 12 years for which the borrower is in repayment status, the principal plus interest at an annual rate equal to the otherwise applicable rate plus two and one-half percent; and (2) in the case of any repayment during any subsequent year (or in the case of loans under $3,000 repaid during the first 12 years), the principal plus interest at applicable rates. Requires no repayment after 25 years in repayment status or after age 70. Sets forth provisions for the determination of years in repayment status. Sets forth requirements for payment of the amount owing. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to assess and collect any unpaid amount in the same manner as for any delay in the payment of income tax. Provides for discharge, by the Secretary of Education, of the IDEA loan liability of any borrower who dies or becomes permanently and totally disabled. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to notify the Secretary of Education of the amount collected with respect to any IDEA loan borrower. Directs the Secretary of Education to credit that amount to that individual's account. Provides for crediting of amounts paid on a joint return. Sets forth formulas for computation of an alternative annual payment for individuals who have attained age 55. Provides for inflation adjustment in the computation of the progressivity factor. Provides that, in general, an IDEA loan shall not be dischargeable in a case of bankruptcy, but authorizes the Secretary of Education to cancel certain portions of the loan liability in such cases. Makes specified provisions relating to finality of assessment and collection applicable to such loans. Includes the amount required to be repaid for IDEA loan under amounts listed under requirements relating to failure by an individual to pay estimated income tax. Establishes in the Treasury the Income-Dependent Education Assistance Loan Trust Fund. Transfers to the Trust Fund amounts received in the Treasury on any IDEA loan. Makes amounts in the Trust Fund available, as provided by appropriation Acts, for the following purposes and in the following order of priority: (1) repayment of principal on IDEA debt obligations; (2) payment of interest on such obligations; (3) advancing funds directly to schools for new loans to students (if the Trust Fund balance is adequate in light of anticipated obligations and receipts); and (4) return of any excess funds to the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to permit certain loans from employee benefit plans to owner-employees and shareholder-employees.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Designates the period of October 1, 1985, through September 30, 1986, as the time to reflect on the achievements of the Peace Corps during its 25 years and on ways such programs might be used in the future. Authorizes and requests the President to proclaim this period as a time to honor Peace Corps volunteers and reaffirm the Nation's commitment to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Fair Employment Relations Resolution - Title I: Amendments to House Rules - Amends rules XI and XLIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit discrimination against the handicapped in the hiring or discharge of House employees. Title II: Fair Employment Relations Board - Establishes the House Fair Employment Relations Board to: (1) make policies and guidelines for the implementation and enforcement of such rules; (2) supervise the operation of the House Fair Employment Relations Office; and (3) hear and determine complaints alleging violations of such rules. Title III: House Fair Employment Relations Office - Establishes the House Fair Employment Relations Office, headed by a Director (appointed by the Board), to: (1) develop procedures to implement the policies and guidelines of the Board; and (2) report to the House on information maintained on each category of individuals afforded equal employment opportunity by such rules. Directs the Office to utilize such information to identify discriminatory wage-setting practices. Requires the Office, upon request, to recommend to House committees improvements in their employment practices. Directs the Office to report to the House, by January 3, 1985, on the continuation or improvement of the procedures for settling complaints. Title IV: Complaints of Violations of Equal Employment Opportunity - Sets forth procedures for individuals who allege discrimination in violation of rules XLIII or XI, including counseling and conciliation, formal complaints and hearings, and appeals to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Title V: General Provisions - Requires the cooperation of committees and offices with the Board, the Office, and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Expresses the Senate's commendation of the Soil Conservation Service on its 50th anniversary, and the Senate's commitment to vigorous soil and water conservation efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal study committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal areas and animal facilities at the research facility; (2) file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility; (3) notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies; and (4) notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency if such deficiencies remain uncorrected. Requires each research facility to provide for annual training in the humane treatment of animals for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) employee training; (2) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation; (3) reducing or replacing animal use; and (4) minimizing pain and distress. Requires funding Federal agencies to revoke Federal support for a project if it is determined that conditions of animal care, treatment, or practice in a particular project have not been in compliance with standards promulgated under this Act. Requires the Secretary to inspect each research facility at least once each year. Requires such follow-up inspections as may be necessary until all deficiencies which may be found are corrected. Imposes penalties for the release of any confidential information or trade secrets by any member of an institutional animal committee. Increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Forest Ecosystems and Atmospheric Pollution Research Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to research the causes of declining forest productivity in North America and Europe, including the effects of air pollution. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress at specified intervals on the existing research and the need for additional research and monitoring of forest decline, final report due within ten years. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require: (1) each State agency to submit to the Secretary of Agriculture a statistically reliable sample of cases for purposes of quality control review; (2) the Secretary to analyze such information and notify the State agency of its error rate; and (3) the State agency to develop, submit to the Secretary, and implement a corrective action plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) waive the requirement of a corrective action plan where a State's error rate has been consistently below the "target" error rate; (2) establish corrective action plan criteria; (3) monitor the implementation of any such plans; and (4) reduce a State's federally funded share of administrative costs if its error rate exceeds "target" rates. Provides with regard to such financial sanctions that: (1) the Secretary may waive such sanctions based on a State's good faith effort to reduce its error rate; (2) sanctions shall be reduced by the amount of collections from allotments to ineligible households or from overissuances to eligible households; and (3) the Secretary waive such sanctions if a State spends the sanction amount on implementation of a corrective action plan. Sets (fiscal year) error rate tolerance levels at five percent adjusted by specified socio-economic factors. Imposes a one-year moratorium on sanctionable food stamp program errors, and a 90-day moratorium on administrative errors. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of client errors and broader performance measures; and (2) report to the Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
College Athlete Education and Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the deduction for a charitable contribution to an institution of higher education for use in the athletic program of such institution or to any other organization for use in supporting the athletic program of such institution unless for the 5-calendar-year period ending with the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the contribution is made at least 75 percent of the scholarship athletes ceasing to be students at such school during such period receive a bachelor's degree after the completion of not more than five academic years.
![Official portrait of Sen. Jeffords, James M. [I-VT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000072_200.jpg)