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United States · Official source
1,204 records where Sen. Laxalt, Paul D. [R-NV] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of May 1985 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1985
Designates the week of March 17 through March 22, 1985, as National Camp Fire Week.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1985
Recognizes the achievements of the University of Arizona in honor of its centennial observance.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Designates the Federal Building located at 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C., as the Ariel Rios Memorial Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
National Copper Policy Act of 1985 - Declares that it is U.S. policy to negotiate agreements temporarily limiting copper production by foreign copper producers in order to: (1) ensure an adequate supply of domestic copper; (2) expand employment in the copper industry; and (3) stabilize foreign copper production. Declares that if such an agreement is not reached an additional tariff should be applied to all imported copper for at most five years. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to conduct a study to determine how the recent closures of U.S. copper mines and smelters affected the U.S. copper reserves and production capacity. Requires the Secretary to submit the results of the study to the Congress within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the President, acting through the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), to undertake negotiations during the six months after enactment of this Act with all major copper producing countries for the purpose of achieving voluntary restraint agreements. Directs the President to report to the Congress whether such voluntary restraint agreements will take effect between the United States and the major copper producing countries. Directs the USTR, if such voluntary restraint agreements take effect, to monitor the production of unwrought copper by those countries during each 12 month period within the copper import restraint period. Directs the USTR to report the results of such monitoring to the Congress. Imposes a surcharge on all copper imports if voluntary restraint agreements do not take effect for the copper import restraint period. Imposes a surcharge on copper imports if the USTR reports that major copper producing countries during a specified 12 month period did not satisfactorily comply with the voluntary restraint agreements. Directs the Secretary to determine if the U.S. copper mining and smelter industry, during any 12 month period when copper surcharges are in effect: (1) improved productivity through facility modernization or invested in such modernization, or both; and (2) provided retraining and relocation of displaced workers. Prohibits imposing further copper surcharges if the U.S. copper mining and smelting industry did not meet such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Directs the President to designate June 10 through June 16, 1985, as National Scleroderma Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1985
Designates the month of February 1986 as National Black (Afro-American) History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the election with respect to the special use valuation of family farms and small businesses to be made on amended returns.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Designates November 21, 1985, as William Beaumont Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Designates June 14, 1985, as Baltic Freedom Day.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Designates the week beginning May 5, 1985, as National Correctional Officers Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the administration should perform specified actions with regard to emergency agricultural credit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1985
Designates the week of May 1 through May 7, 1985, as National Osteoporosis Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Grants a Federal charter to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Designates the week of May 12 through May 18, 1985, as National Science Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Consumer Rail Equity Act - Reaffirms the intent of the Congress that the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 and the Staggers Rail Act of 1980 be implemented in a manner which provides both greater competitive alternatives and adequate railroad revenues. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission to consider only transportation of the same commodity from the same origination point to the same destination when it makes a determination regarding the presence of effective competition. Establishes a rebuttable presumption of rail market dominance if a person challenging a transportation rate shows that alternative noncircuitous rail service from the same origination point to the same destination is unavailable. Shifts the burden of proof regarding transportation rate reasonableness from the shipper to the rail carrier establishing the challenged rate. Amends the rate-reasonableness determination process to require the Commission to find unreasonable a challenged transportation rate differential which exceeds the fully allocated cost of transportation unless the excess differential is not greater than an amount calculated according to a specified formula. Declares that it is Federal policy to encourage and promote competitive transportation rates for both domestic energy supplies and domestically produced agricultural commodities in order to enhance such commodities' competitive position in the import and export markets. Directs the Commission to establish a rail cost adjustment factor which includes actual cost experience and changes in railroad productivity, volume, and product mix. Provides that certain rail carrier rates shall be reduced to the extent of any subsequent decreases in rail cost adjustment factors. States that the revenue-variable cost percentages for the transportation of any particular rail carrier shall be determined using the Commission's Rail Form A cost-finding methodology in effect as of February 20, 1985. Requires Commission-prescribed rate increases intended to compensate for inflationary cost increases to take into account changes in railroad productivity, volume, output mix, and actual cost experience. Requires the Commission to complete and render final decisions on rail rate proceedings within 12 months after such proceedings have commenced. Includes within the standards used to determine railroad revenue adequacy: (1) identification of revenues, expenses, and investment base reasonably related to rail transportation service; (2) straight-line depreciation of assets reasonably related to rail transportation service, minus deferred tax revenues resulting from accelerated depreciation; and (3) actual cost of debt capital and reasonable estimates of the current cost of equity capital. Requires the Commission, when making revenue adequacy determinations, to consider specified indicators of a rail carrier's financial status, including merger and acquisition actions and the cost of capital used in such actions. Requires the Commission to determine, on an annual basis, which rail carriers are earning adequate or inadequate revenues and to determine for each rail carrier the revenues required to achieve or maintain revenue adequacy. Authorizes (currently, requires) the Commission to exempt persons from application of this Act when: (1) such application is not necessary to implement Federal transportation policy; and (2) the Commission finds there is no market dominance involved in the affected transaction. Requires any rail carrier providing service under certain line rates to participate in competitive joint rail rates through practicable interchange connections (or publish a competitive proportional rate) if requested to do so by a rail carrier (or shipper or receiver) who has an actual or practicable interchange connection. Directs the Commission, upon petition of any interested party, to require certain terminal facilities owned by a rail carrier in interstate or foreign commerce to be used by another rail carrier if the Commission finds: (1) it is in the public interest to do so; and (2) that the owner of such terminal facility will not suffer substantial impairment of its own business interests. Directs the Commission to require, upon petition by an interested party, that rail carriers enter into reciprocal switching agreements if such an agreement is in the public interest or necessary to provide alternative competitive rail service. Directs the Commission to establish reciprocal switching compensation at a level not to exceed the current percentage of the system overage variable costs for such service (unless the carrier demonstrates that a higher level is reasonable and necessary). Revises railroad line abandonment procedures to provide that a rail carrier must wait one year before resubmitting a previously denied abandonment application, unless a substantial change in circumstances can be shown. Requires the Commission to hold hearings in communities affected by a proposed railroad line abandonment if requested to do so by community protestants. Requires the Commission to base its abandonment determination upon financial data regarding the facility proposed to be abandoned rather than upon financial data regarding industry-wide averages. Subjects to Commission review any State decision regarding intrastate rates, rules, and practices if a party to such State proceedings petitions for Commission review. Requires the Commission to take action on such petition within 120 days of its receipt. Authorizes the Commission to vacate a State decision found inconsistent with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Designates the month of April 1985 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Designates May 24, 1985, as National Self-Help Housing Day.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Designates the week of October 20 through October 26, 1985, as Lupus Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Designates the month of June 1985 as Youth Suicide Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Designates the week of November 24 through November 30, 1985, as National Adoption Week.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Designates: (1) the week of April 1 through April 7, 1985, as World Health Week; and (2) the day of April 7, 1985, as World Health Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a new license to an existing licensee for a hydroelectric project authorized under such Act if the United States does not, upon the expiration of the existing license, exercise its right to take over, maintain, and operate such licensee's project, unless the Commission determines that such licensee's project will not meet the licensing standards under such Act. Provides that if the Commission determines that such licensee's project does not meet such standards, the Commission is authorized to issue a new license to a new licensee which may cover the existing licensee's project provided that the new licensee pays just compensation determined by the Commission and enters into any contracts required under the Federal Power Act. (Under current law, the Commission is authorized to issue a new license to the original licensee or to a new licensee if the United States does not exercise its rights with respect to an expired license.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Interstate Compact - Grants congressional approval to the Rocky Mountain Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact which provides for cooperation among the States of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming in the management of low-level radioactive waste on a continuing basis.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission to require that all telephones provide internal means for use with hearing aids. Requires (currently authorizes) any common carrier or connecting carrier providing telephone exchange service to provide specialized terminal equipment for persons whose hearing, speech, vision, or mobility is impaired. Requires State regulatory commissions to require any such carrier to provide such equipment at affordable rates.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Designates the week of September 8 through September 14, 1985, as National Child Safety Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it would be in the best interests of allied security and unity for each member country of the security treaty (ANZUS) between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States to reinstate the practice of permitting all naval ships of other member countries access to the ports of such member country; and (2) the President should continue discussions with New Zealand regarding the access of U.S. ships to its ports, explore with Australia the desirability of a bilateral security treaty, preclude New Zealand from participating in military activities with the United States until the present impasse is resolved, and exercise the right of the United States to withdraw from New Zealand the benefits of the injury test provided under the Tariff Act of 1930.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1985
Water Resources Development Act of 1985 - Title I - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to obligate no sums in excess of those specified in this title for the combined purpose of the "Construction General" account and the "Flood Control, Mississippi River and Tributaries" account. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Title II: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with landowners who are benefitted by local flood control projects to assure that such owners will contribute 50 percent of that project's cost. Limits the commencement period for any such flood control project to ten years from the date of authorization of such project unless the Secretary shows that such project remains needed and justified. Allows for the submission of Federal projects with a cost of up to $10,000,000 provided, however, that any project with a cost exceeding $10,000,000 must be authorized by Act of Congress. Provides further that each such project must contain benefits directly related to agriculture that account for at least 20 percent of the total benefits of the project. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on the feasibility of requiring full public access to all water impoundment facilities that have recreation-related potential. Amends Federal law to provide for the compatibility of Federal flood control projects with any existing or planned local flood control improvement programs. Directs the Secretary of the Army to undertake a program for the control of river ice, to assist communities in the breakup of such ice, and to provide technical assistance to local units of government to control or break up such ice. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Directs the Secretary of the Army to undertake a demonstration program for the control of river ice at Hardwick, Vermont. Authorizes appropriations for such program. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress by March 1, 1988, on activities under this section. Directs the Secretary, upon request, to survey the potential of rehabilitating former industrial sites, millraces, etc. already constructed for use as hydroelectric facilities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Amends the Flood Control Act of 1970 concerning agreements made between Federal and State governments for cooperation in payment of mutually-beneficial flood control projects. Requires a favorable report from the Chief of Engineers before any flood control facility construction may begin. Provides that the Secretary shall not require non-Federal interests to assume operation of any federally-run facility as a condition to the construction of new recreational facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with area Federal Project Repayment Districts for the recovery of appropriate shares of project costs. Requires the Secretary to determine that revenues derived from such contracts will be sufficient to meet cost recovery requirements under Federal law. Expresses the sense of the Congress that all parties to various lawsuits concerning the issuance of Federal permits necessary for the construction of a coal slurry pipeline development which would use Missouri River water should work to resolve such issues in an expeditious and reasonable manner. Prohibits the Secretary from initiating construction of any water resources project if such project has been modified to increase any of the following project parameters by more than 25 percent: (1) acreage of land acquisition; (2) linear miles of stream channel innundated; (3) width or depth of any navigation channel; (4) displacement of dwelling units; (5) hydroelectric generating capacity; or (6) linear miles of stream channelization. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress, within 180 days of proposal, a report on any such project modification together with his recommendations thereon. Amends the Water Resources Research Act to establish the High Plains Study Council to: (1) review research work conducted by State advisory committees; and (2) coordinate such research to avoid duplication of efforts by States of the High Plains. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish within each State of the High Plains region an Ogallala Aquifer technical advisory committee (the State Committee). Directs such State Committee to: (1) review existing State laws concerning water management and recommend appropriate changes; (2) establish State priorities for water resources research and demonstration projects; and (3) provide information and technical assistance concerning the need for water conservation and management. Directs the Secretary to allocate annually funds to States of the High Plains region for research in water-use efficiency, cultural methods, irrigation technologies, water-efficient crops, and water and soil conservation. Directs that such funds shall be distributed to State institutions of higher learning on the basis of merit. Directs the Secretary to divide funds among the States of the High Plains region for research into: (1) precipitation management; (2) weather modification; (3) aquifer recharge opportunities; (4) saline water uses; (5) desalinization technologies; (6) salt-tolerant crops; and (7) local water-transfer opportunities. Directs the Secretary to allocate annually funds to High Plains region States for grants to farmers for demonstration projects in: (1) water-efficient irrigation technologies and practices; (2) soil and water conservation management systems; and (3) the growth and marketing of more water-efficient crops. Provides that such grants to farmers shall be made on the basis of merit. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to study the feasibility of water transfers into the High Plains Region, and report annually to the Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to monitor the levels of the Ogallala Aquifer, and to report annually to the Congress. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to make grants to States for programs in water conservation and nonstructural flood control alternatives. Outlines the qualifications for States receiving such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on this program by October 1, 1988. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study of shoreline protection and beach erosion control policy in view of the prospect for long-term increases in the level of the ocean. Requires the Secretary, within three years of the date of enactment of this Act, to transmit the study together with recommendations to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to require a review of the cost effectiveness of design of each water resources project which has a cost in excess of $10,000,000. Requires the Secretary to prepare a feasibility report for each such project being reviewed, after conducting a reconnaissance of the water resources problems, in order to identify potential solutions. Requires such reconnaissance to be limited to 18 months. Requires non-Federal interests to contribute 50 percent of the cost of any such study. Requires the mitigation of fish and wildlife losses to be undertaken before construction on the project involved begins. Authorizes the Secretary to mitigate damages to fish and wildlife to the extent that such mitigation costs do not exceed $7,500,000 per project. Requires a report to the Congress when mitigation costs are expected to exceed $7,500,000 per project. Requires the Secretary to submit with each proposal for the authorization of a water resources project, either: (1) a recommendation with a specific plan to mitigate fish and wildlife losses; or (2) a determination that such project will have negligible adverse impact on fish and wildlife. Directs that when the Secretary recommends activities to enhance fish and wildlife resources, the cost of such enhancement shall be a Federal cost when its benefits are determined to be national in character. Authorizes the Secretary to plan, design, and construct streambank erosion control projects not specifically authorized by Congress when such work is economically feasible and environmentally acceptable. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years beginning with FY 1985. Prohibits the cost of any single project in this section from exceeding $2,000,000. Title III: Project Provisions - Directs the Secretary to undertake the following flood control improvement projects: (1) Warrior River, Mound State Park, Moundville, Alabama; (2) Fort Toulouse National Historic Landmark and Taskigi Indian Mound, Alabama; and (3) Tangier Island, Virginia. Directs the Secretary to undertake the following navigation and channel improvement projects: (1) Indian River Inlet, Delaware; (2) Abiquiu Dam, New Mexico; (3) Winooski River Basin, Waterbury, Vermont; (4) Tacoma Harbor, Washington; and (5) Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin. Directs the Secretary to study and draft plans for development, utilization, and conservation of water and related land resources in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Provides that the operation and maintenance of Jackson Hole Snake River project, Wyoming, shall be the responsibility of the Secretary, provided that non-Federal interests contribute the initial $35,000 in construction costs. Modifies the Rio Grande Floodway project, Truth or Consequences Unit, New Mexico, to authorize the Secretary to construct a flood control dam on the Cuchillo Negro Creek. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake restoration measures for the Acequia Systems in New Mexico, provided that the State contribute 20 percent of any project costs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to consider the Acequia Systems as public entities for purposes of contractual agreements. Authorizes the Secretary to institute cropland irrigation research for the St. John River Basin, Maine. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes bank protection activities in Starr County, Texas, in accordance with certain specifications. Authorizes the Secretary, upon completion of recording of plats for townsites, to: (1) sell lands in accordance with a certain preference scheme; (2) transfer municipal facilities to the appropriate local government entity; and (3) transfer all facilities used for educational purposes to the appropriate school district. Outlines the preference scheme for land sales. Authorizes the Secretary to accept notes secured by mortgages and to provide temporary financial assistance to local government entities in order to facilitate such land sales. Defines "townsite" as including the areas of Riverdale, North Dakota, and Pickstown, South Dakota. Authorizes the Secretary to begin a program for the removal of silt from Lake Herman, South Dakota. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to begin a program of silt traps and silt removal in Lake Worth, Texas. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to conduct mitigation activities in Warwick, Rhode Island. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake studies of the impact on the United States of Canadian tidal power development in the Bay of Fundy, and to submit such studies to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. Declares downstream recreation on the Gauley River to be an additional project purpose of the Summerville Lake project, West Virginia. Authorizes the construction of three flood control structures on the Johns Creek tributary in the Nonconnah Creek Basin, Tennessee. Authorizes the Secretary to participate in a project to demonstrate the feasibility of non-Federal cost sharing for rural flood protection on the James River in South Dakota. Requires a report to be submitted to the Congress concerning such project by September 30, 1987. Modifies the project for local flood protection on the Milk River at Havre, Montana. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake road improvement measures at Pearson-Skubitz Big Hill Lake, Kansas. Declares a described portion of the Hudson River in New York Bay to be nonnavigable. Deauthorizes the William L. Springer Lake project on the Sangamon River, Illinois. Designates the former Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee and Kentucky, as the John Sherman Cooper National Recreation Area. Declares the Port of Houston Authority bridge over Greens Bayou, Texas, to be a lawful bridge. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake the following reconnaissance studies in the State of Utah: (1) the Provo River; (2) existing levees along Utah Lake; (3) Interstate Highway 15, adjacent to Utah Lake; (4) Rock, Little Rock, and Slate Canyons in Provo; (5) the Bear River; (6) the Weber River; and (7) the Sevier River. Directs the Secretary to make certain amendments to the contract between the State of Illinois and the United States for water supply storage at Rend Lake on the Big Muddy River, Illinois. Authorizes increased appropriations for the repair and modification of the Illinois and Mississippi Canal. Designates the Lowndesville Recreation Area in the Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake project, South Carolina and Georgia, as the Jim Rampey Recreation Area. Authorizes the Secretary to permit the delivery of water from the District of Columbia water system at the Dale cartia filtration plant to any appropriate State or local authority of Maryland. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase water from an appropriate Maryland authority which has completed a connection with the Distrct of Columbia water system. Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Mountrail County Park Commission, North Dakota, to designate a portion of park lands for the leasing of cabin sites. Directs the Secretary to compensate landowners in Kootenai Flats, Idaho, for erosion of property caused by power generation operations at Libby Dam, Montana. Deauthorizes the Lake Brownwood modification project, Pecan Bayou, Texas. Title IV: Dam Safety - Dam Safety Act of 1985 - Amends public law concerning the definition of "dam". Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Provides for the distribution of such funds among the States. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to any State that establishes and maintains a dam safety program which includes the following: (1) a procedure for the review of dam plans to determine its safety; (2) a procedure to determine that such dam will be operated in a safe manner; (3) a procedure for inspection at least once every three years, or more if warranted; (4) the State has the power to modify the dam to assure its safety; (5) the State develops a system of emergency procedures to be followed in the event of dam failure; and (6) the State has the necessary emergency funds to make immediate repairs in order to protect human life and property. Provides for the approval of submitted programs within 120 days unless notified prior to that by the Secretary. Provides for periodic review of dam safety programs by the Secretary. Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to report to the Congress on the need for federally-sponsored programs of guarantees of insurance for owners of dams. Authorizes to be established a Federal Dam Safety Review Board responsible for reviewing the design and safety of dams constructed in the United States, and to monitor State implementation of this Act. Requires the Board to file an advisory report on proposed dams prior to their construction. Directs the Board also to study the need for a Federal loan program to assist owners of non-Federal dams in rehabilitating such structures to assure their safety. Provides for the composition of Board members. Directs the Secretary to provide training for dam safety inspectors. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Directs the Secretary to begin research to develop techniques and equipment for more efficient dam inspection. Provides for State participation in such research. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Authorizes the Secretary to maintain and publish information on the inventory of dams authorized under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Inland Navigation - Makes funds in the Inland Waterway Trust Fund available to the Secretary for the construction of any dam project for purposes of commercial navigation on inland waterways, if such construction was initiated after June 30, 1984. Declares such trust fund to be the sole source for Federal funding for commercial navigational projects. Authorizes the following works of improvement to the inland waterways by the Secretary: (1) Helena Harbor, Arkansas; (2) White River Navigation to Batesville, Arkansas; (3) Lake Pontchartrain, North Shore, Louisiana; (4) Greenville Harbor, Mississippi; (5) Vicksburg Harbor, Mississippi; (6) Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Bridges, North Carolina; (7) Olcott Harbor, New York; (8) Bonneville Lock and Dam, Oregon and Washington; (9) Memphis Harbor, Memphis, Tennessee; (10) Gallipolis Locks and Dam Replacement, Ohio and West Virginia; (11) Lock and Dam 7 and 8 Replacement, Monongahela River, Pennsylvania; (12) the New York State Barge Canal; provided that control and operation of the Canal continues to reside with the State of New York and that such State provides one half of all operational costs; (13) Saint Louis Harbor, Missouri and Illinois; and (14) Oliver lock replacement, Alabama. Upper Mississippi River System Management Act of 1985 - Provides that Congress recognizes the Upper Mississippi River System as a nationally significant ecosystem and commercial navigation system, and provides for the administration and regulation of such system. Provides that Congress approves of a "Master Plan" as a guide for future water policy on the Upper Mississippi River System. Provides for cooperation of several States in the System toward its growth and development. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the construction of a second lock at locks and dam 26, Mississippi River, Alton, Illinois and Missouri. Authorizes such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Directs the Secretary to monitor traffic movements on the System in order to determine any future capacity expansion. Authorizes appropriations for such monitoring. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to undertake various programs for the enhancement of the Upper Mississippi River System. Authorizes appropriations for this purpose. Authorizes such Secretary to implement a program of recreational projects for the System. Authorizes appropriations for this purpose. Title VI: Cost Sharing - States that the construction of any water resource project authorized to be constructed by the Secretary either in this Act or after the enactment of this Act can only be initiated after the Federal agency and the non-Federal sponsor have contractually agreed to share the project's costs in accordance with certain guidelines (share of cost depends upon type of project provided). Enumerates the non-Federal share for each type of water resource project. Provides for the repayment period of the non-Federal share, with appropriate interest. Provides that any cost-sharing agreement with a non-Federal private or public sponsor shall be subject to the ability of such sponsor to pay. Provides for the sharing of costs up to the date of enactment of this Act. Title VII: Adopts and authorizes the following works of improvement to rivers, harbors, and other waterways for flood control and other purposes to be undertaken by the Secretary in accordance with specified plans and provisions: (a) Flood Control: (1) Village Creek, Jefferson County, Alabama; (2) Eight Mile Creek, Paragould, Arkansas; (3) Fourche Bayou Basin, Little Rock, Arkansas; (4) Helena and vicinity, Arkansas; (5) Little Colorado River at Holbrook, Arizona; (6) Cache Creek Basin, California; (7) Redbank and Fancher Creeks, California; (8) Santa Ana River Mainstem, including Santiago Creek, California; (9) Fountain Creek, Pueblo, Colorado; (10) Metropolitan Denver and South Platte River and Tributaries, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska; (11) Oates Creek, Georgia; (12) Agana River, Guam; (13) Alenaio Stream, Hawaii; (14) Big Wood River and Tributaries, Idaho; (15) North Branch of Chicago River, Illinois; (16) Rock River at Rockford and vicinity, Illinois; (17) Little Calumet River, Indiana; (18) Des Moines River Basin, Iowa and Minnesota; (19) Mississippi River, Iowa; (20) Perry Creek, Iowa; (21) Halstead, Kansas; (22) Atchafalaya Basin Floodway system, Louisiana; (23) Bushley Bayou, Louisiana; (24) Louisiana State Penitentiary Levee, Mississippi River; (25) Quincy Coastal Streams, Massachusetts; (26) Mississippi River at St. Paul, Minnesota; (27) Redwood River at Marshall, Minnesota; (28) Root River Basin, Minnesota; (29) South Fork Zumbro River Watershed at Rochester, Minnesota; (30) Horn Lake Creek and Tributaries, Tennessee and Mississippi; (31) Sowashee Creek, Mississippi; (32) Brush Creek and Tributaries, Missouri and Kansas; (33) Maline Creek, Missouri; (34) St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, Missouri; (35) Robinson's Branch of the Rahway River at Clark, Scotch Plains, and Rahway, New Jersey; (36) Rahway River and Van Winkles Brook at Springfield, New Jersey; (37) Green Brook Subbasin, Raritan River Basin, New Jersey; (38) Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection, Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico; (39) Puerco River and Tributaries, Gallup, New Mexico; (40) Cazenovia Creek Watershed, New York; (41) Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers Basin and Byram River Basin, New York and Connecticut; (42) Hocking River at Logan and Nelsonville, Ohio; (43) Miami River, Fairfield, Ohio; (44) Miami River, Little Miami River, Ohio; (45) Muskingum River Basin, Ohio; (46) Scioto River at North Chillicothe, Ohio; (47) Fry Creeks, Oklahoma; (48) Mingo Creek, Tulsa, Oklahoma; (49) Parker Lake, Muddy Boggy Creek, Oklahoma; (50) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; (51) Lock Haven, Pennsylvania; (52) Saw Mill Run, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; (53) Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania; (54) Big River Reservoir, Rhode Island; (55) Nonconnak Creek, Tennessee and Mississippi; (56) Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, Texas; (57) Boggy Creek, Austin, Texas; (58) Lake Wichita, Holliday Creek, Texas; (59) Lower Rio Grande, Texas; (60) James River Basin, Richmond, Virginia; (61) Sims Bayou, Texas; (62) Chehalis River at South Aberdeen and Cosmopolis, Washington; (63) Yakima Union Gap, Washington; (64) Threemile Creek, Mobile, Alabama; (65) Upper Little Arkansas River Watershed, Kansas; (66) South Quincy Drainage and Levee District, Illinois; (67) Tonawanda Creek Watershed, New York; (68) Park River, North Dakota; and (69) Centralia, Chehalis River and tributaries, Washington; (b) Hydropower Development: (1) Scammon Bay, Alaska; (2) South Central Railbelt Area, Alaska, Hydroelectric Power, Valdez and Copper River Basin; (3) Murray Lock and Dam, Hydropower, Arkansas; (4) Arkansas River and Tributaries, Hydropower, Arkansas and Oklahoma; (5) Metropolitan Atlanta Area, Water Resources Management Study, Georgia; (6) W.D. Mayo Lock and Dam 14, Hydropower, Oklahoma; (7) Blue River Lake, Hydroelectric Power, Willamette River Basin, Oregon; (8) McNary Lock and Dam Second Powerhouse, Columbia River, Oregon and Washington; and (9) Gregory County Hydroelectric Pumped Storage Facility, South Dakota; (c) Shoreline Protection: (1) Charlotte County, Florida; (2) Indian River County, Florida; (3) Panama City Beaches, Florida; (4) Saint Johns County, Florida; (5) Jekyll Island, Georgia; (6) Casino Beach, Illinois Shoreline, Illinois; (7) Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Assateague Island, Virginia; (8) Atlantic Coast of New York City from Rockaway Inlet to Norton Point, New York; (9) Maumee Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio; (10) Presque Isle Peninsula, Erie, Pennsylvania; (11) Folly Beach, South Carolina; (12) Dade County, North of Haulover Beach park, Florida; (13) Monroe County, Florida; (14) Indiana Shoreline Erosion, Indiana; (15) Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina; (16) Willoughby Spit and vicinity, Norfolk, Virginia; and (17) Cape May Point, New Jersey; (d) Mitigation: (1) Fish and Wildlife Program for the Sacramento River Bank Protection Project, California; (2) Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake, Savannah River, Georgia and South Carolina; (3) Davenport, Iowa Local Protection Project-Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan; (4) West Kentucky Tributaries Projects, Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan, Obion Creek, Kentucky; (5) Downstream Measures at Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir, Missouri; (6) Smithville Lake, Little Platte River, Missouri-Plan for Replacement of the Trimble Wildlife Area; (7) Cape May Inlet to Lower Township, New Jersey; and (8) Cooper Lake and Channels Project, Texas, Report on Fish and Wildlife Mitigation; (9) Missouri River, fish and wildlife mitigation, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri; and (10) Yazoo backwater project, Mississippi, fish and wildlife mitigation report; (e) Bank Stabilization: (1) Bethel, Alaska; (f) Demonstration: (1) Cabin Creek, West Virginia; and (2) Lava Flow Control, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a feasibility study of the water supply and irrigation features of the Gregory Facility and prohibits construction of such facility until such study, together with a favorable certification by the Secretary of the Interior, is submitted to the Congress, and the Congress has authorized appropriations for construction of such facility. Title VIII: Water Supply Loans - Water Supply Rehabilitation and Conservation Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to departments, agencies, units of State or local government, or any person operating a water supply system for the purpose of improving such system. Directs the Secretary to allocate one-half of the funds in proportion to each State's population, the other half to be allocated at the Secretary's discretion. Prohibits loans for purposes other than water supply or water conservation. Requires operators of water supply systems to submit loan applications to the Secretary. Lists requirements for loan applications, including: (1) a detailed plan and estimated cost of the project; (2) a showing that the applicant holds all necessary rights to land and water use; and (3) an assessment of the improvements the proposed project will make. Permits the Secretary to make only such loans which the Secretary determines to be technically feasible and which constitute a reasonable financial risk. Directs the Secretary, in making loans, to give priority to: (1) water supply systems unable to obtain financial assistance; and (2) water supply systems using such loans to pay for the cost of installing a new system or improving an existing system in order to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. Authorizes the Governor of each State to submit by April 1, 1985, and annually thereafter, a priority list of water supply projects in such State to be financed by loans under this title. Allows the granting of loans only if the operator of a water supply system to whom the loan is granted implements a model water conservation program. Defines a "model water conservation program." Requires the agreement reached between the Secretary and any loan grantee to include: (1) the amount of the loan and its interest rate; (2) a repayment period; and (3) such provisions as are deemed necessary to assure prompt repayment. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress by September 30, 1989, a report concerning loans granted and water supply improvements made under this title. Enumerates specific information and recommendations to be included in such report. Authorizes appropriations. Declares the improvement of water supply and distribution systems to be a legitimate Federal purpose. Title IX: Harbors - National Harbors Improvement Act of 1985 - Establishes a National Commission on Harbor Maintenance (the Commission) to report to appropriate congressional committees on the annual and long-term costs of maintaining the Nation's harbors and make recommendations for the sharing of such costs by non-Federal interests. Authorizes the establishment of a Shipping Advisory Board to aid the Commission in its work. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating more than $420,000,000 in any single fiscal year for maintaining harbors until such time as the report of the Commission is submitted to Congress (i.e., within two years of the date of enactment of this Act). Directs that non-Federal interests shall pay 50 percent of surveying, planning, designing, and engineering costs prior to the construction of any harbor. Allows non-Federal interests to undertake feasibility studies for improvements to any harbor, and submit such study to the Secretary. Provides for the review of such studies by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary, within 180 days after receiving any such study, to transmit to the Congress the results of such study together with any recommendations the Secretary may have. Directs that the non-Federal share of the cost of construction of general cargo harbors on which construction has not commenced shall be 30 percent. Directs the Secretary and the non-Federal interest to enter into a cooperative agreement prior to Federal initiation of construction. Sets forth conditions which any non-Federal interest must assume in such agreement. Authorizes any non-Federal interest to undertake navigational improvements in deep-draft harbors of the United States upon obtaining the proper permits. Authorizes the Secretary to complete and transmit to the appropriate non-Federal interest any study for improvements to deep-draft harbors of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to complete deep-draft harbor construction projects for which construction was initiated prior to the enactment of this Act, upon certain conditions. Sets forth the responsibilities of the non-Federal interest in such projects. Declares that nothing in this title shall be construed to interfere with Federal authority to operate, maintain, or improve any harbor for military purposes or national defense requirements. Authorizes any appropriate non-Federal interest to collect fees for the use of its navigation projects for specified purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee the payment of the principal amount and interest on loans made or bonds sold to finance projects for the deepening of a draft harbor of the United States. Prohibits the total outstanding amount of such loans guaranteed in any fiscal year from exceeding $2,000,000,000. Authorizes necessary appropriations to make payments under such loan guarantee program. Requires the Secretary, upon receipt from a non-Federal interest of a notice of intent to construct improvements, to establish procedures for the joint processing of all required Federal permits for such construction. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register such intent to construct within 15 days of receipt of such intent. Requires the Secretary to enter into agreement with the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and any other appropriate local authority to establish expedient processing of all required construction permits. Sets forth provisions to be included in such agreement. Requires, within six months of the final date of a project's compliance determination schedule, a report by the Secretary to the appropriate congressional committees. Requires notification of non-Federal interests as to whether permits will be issued. Requires the Secretary, on or before March 1, 1987, to prepare and transmit to Congress a report, together with recommendations, on the amount of time required to issue Federal environmental permits related to construction of harbor improvements. Adopts and authorizes the following works of improvement to general cargo harbors: (1) Kodiak Harbor, Alaska; (2) Oakland Outer Harbor, California; (3) Richmond Harbor, California; (4) Sacramento River, Deepwater Ship Channel, California; (5) New Haven Harbor, Connecticut; (6) Jacksonville Harbor, Mill Cove, Florida; (7) Manatee Harbor, Florida; (8) Tampa Harbor, East Bay Channel, Florida; (9) Savannah Harbor, Widening, Georgia; (10) Grand Haven Harbor, Michigan; (11) Monroe Harbor, Michigan; (12) Gulfport Harbor, Mississippi; (13) Wilmington Harbor, Northeast Cape Fear River, North Carolina; (14) Portsmouth Harbor and the Piscataqua River Basin, Maine and New Hampshire; (15) Gowanus Creek, Channel, New York; (16) Kill Van Kull and Newark Bay Channels, New York and New Jersey; (17) San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico; (18) Charleston Harbor, South Carolina; (19) Brazos Island Harbor, Texas, Brownsville Channel; (20) Crown Bay Channel-Saint Thomas Harbor, Virgin Islands; (21) Blair and Sitcum Waterways, Tacoma Harbor, Washington, (22) Grays Harbor, Washington; (23) Hampton Roads and vicinity, Virginia; (24) Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey; (25) Saint Paul Island Harbor, Alaska; and (26) Duluth-Superior Harbor, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Authorizes the following works for improvement of deep-draft harbors, if the non-Federal interest possesses specified necessary legal and financial capabilities: (1) Norfolk Harbor and Channels, Virginia; (2) Mobile Harbor, Alabama; and (3) Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1985
Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations through FY 1986 for the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1985
Amends Federal law relating to maximum speed limits on any public highway to direct the Secretary of Transportation to disapprove State highway projects seeking Federal proportional contribution if: (1) such highways have a maximum speed limit in any urbanized area (currently, any State public highway) exceeding 55 miles an hour; and (2) the maximum speed limit on any other public highway in the requesting State exceeds 65 miles per hour. Directs the Secretary to reduce the Federal-aid highway funds apportioned to a State if data submitted by such State indicates that the percentage of motor vehicles exceeding 55 miles an hour in any urbanized area (currently, any area) is greater than 50 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of April 21 through April 27, 1985, as National Organ Donation Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1985
Amends the Hobbs Act to redefine "extortion" to mean obtaining property from another with consent by use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear thereof, or wrongful use of fear not involving force or violence, or under color of official right. Expresses congressional intent: (1) not to exclude Federal jurisdiction on the ground that conduct involving force, violence, or fear thereof, takes place in the course of a legitimate business or labor dispute, or on the ground that the conduct violates State or local law; or (2) not to chill legitimate labor activity by authorizing Federal prosecution for offenses occurring during a labor dispute not involving extortion. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that the defendant's conduct: (1) was incidental to peaceful picketing in the course of a legitimate labor dispute; (2) consisted solely of minor bodily injury or property damage; or (3) was not intended to extort property.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1985
Interstate Cost Estimate Act of 1985 - Revises Federal procedures regarding the establishment of interstate cost estimates to direct the Secretary of Transportation to apportion interstate construction funds and interstate substitute highway and public mass transit funds at the beginning of each fiscal year if the Congress has not approved such cost estimates to make such apportionment by that time. Directs the Secretary to apportion: (1) the interstate cost estimate sums remaining to be apportioned for FY 1985 and 1986; and (2) the interstate substitute cost estimate sums remaining to be apportioned for FY 1984 and 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate September 15, 1985, as Ethnic American Day.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Anti-Nuclear Terrorism Act of 1985 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require every individual allowed unescorted access to a nuclear power facility to be fingerprinted. Provides that all fingerprints shall be submitted to the Attorney General for identification and appropriate processing. Authorizes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by rule to waive such requirement under certain conditions. Allows the Commission to prescribe regulations regarding the use of information received by the Attorney General.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criteria for the imposition of the death penalty for Federal crimes. Requires the Government, for any offense punishable by death, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea, that it intends to seek the death penalty and the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading of the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the information and aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Includes as threshold, aggravating factors for homicide that the defendant: (1) intentionally killed the victim; (2) intentionally inflicted serious bodily injury which resulted in death of the victim; (3) intentionally participated in an act which he reasonably should have known would create grave risk of death to a person and the victim did die as a direct result of the act; or (4) attempted to kill the President of the United States. Sets forth special aggravating factors with respect to the crimes of treason, espionage, homicide, and attempted murder of the President. Includes among the mitigating factors that the defendant was less than 18 years old at the time of the crime. Directs the court, or the jury by unanimous vote, to impose the death penalty upon a finding that such sentence is justified based on consideration of both the aggravating and mitigating factors. Requires the court to instruct the jury not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant in its consideration of the sentence. Limits the circumstances under which the offense of delivering defense information to aid foreign governments is punishable by death. Allows the death penalty to be imposed for: (1) the murder of foreign officials, Federal judges, Federal law enforcement officers, or Federal penal or correction employees; and (2) an offense of kidnapping resulting in the death of any person. Eliminates the death penalty for the crime of rape. Authorizes the death penalty for the crime of attempting to kill the President of the United States if the attempt results in bodily injury to the President or otherwise comes dangerously close to causing his death. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the Court of Appeals, upon considering the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the finding of aggravating factors or the absence of mitigating factors. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination. Provides for the death penalty for murders committed by prisoners in Federal correctional institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Reform of Federal Intervention in State Proceedings Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal judicial code to condition consideration of a habeas corpus claim by a prisoner on a showing of actual prejudice resulting from the Federal right violated and that: (1) State or Federal Government action precluded assertion of that right; (2) the Federal right did not previously exist; or (3) the factual basis of the claim could not have been discovered by reasonable diligence. Establishes a one-year statute of limitations for habeas corpus actions brought by State prisoners, and a two-year statute of limitations for similar motions made by Federal prisoners. Vests authority to issue certificates for probable cause for appeal of habeas corpus orders exclusively in the courts of appeals. Permits denial on the merits of habeas corpus writs notwithstanding the failure to exhaust State remedies. Prohibits the granting of a habeas corpus writ with respect to any claim which has been fully and fairly adjudicated in State proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Exclusionary Rule Limitation Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that evidence obtained by a search or seizure shall not be excluded in a Federal proceeding if the seizure was undertaken in a reasonable, good faith belief in its conformity with the fourth amendment to the Constitution. Provides that evidence obtained in accordance with a warrant is prima facie evidence of good faith, absent intentional and material misrepresentation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the substantiation requirements for the deductibility of business expenses for passenger automobiles or other means of transportation shall be met by providing adequate records or sufficient corroborating evidence rather than contemporaneous records.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Designates the month of October 1985 as National Make-A-Wish Month.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Defines "person" to include the unborn for the purpose of the right to life guarantee. Makes such amendment inapplicable to laws permitting medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Proclaims the English language to be the official language of the United States. Grants the Congress the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor-piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of the Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor-piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor-piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor-piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole be granted.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Freedom of Information Reform Act - Amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) with respect to request procedures, time limits, fees, and exemptions. Directs each Federal agency to set forth regulations specifying a uniform schedule of fees for FOIA requests. Requires that these regulations provide for reasonable standard charges for the costs of processing FOIA requests. Provides that no fee shall be charged when the costs of routine collection and processing are likely to equal or exceed the amount of the fee. Permits the charging of fair value fees, royalties, or both in addition to processing fees, for records containing commercially valuable technological information acquired by the Government at substantial public cost. Permits an agency to waive or reduce a fee upon its determination that such allowance meets a public interest. Permits, in unusual circumstances, the extension for up to 30 working days of the current time limits for compliance with FOIA requests. Defines six "unusual circumstances" for such purpose. Provides a procedure for business confidentiality with regard to information consisting of trade secrets or commercial, research, financial, or business information. Establishes procedures under which a submitter of information which may be subject to the commercial information exemption is to be notified of a decision allowing disclosure and permitted to provide written objections and seek de novo judicial review of a decision allowing disclosure over such objections. Extends the current exemption given to law enforcement records to include records which: (1) tend to disclose the identity of confidential sources; and (2) would endanger the physical safety of any natural person (currently, only law enforcement personnel). Authorizes an agency to offer a requester of public record information a choice between receiving an index of sources gratis or duplicates of the information for a fee. Exempts certain technical data that may not be exported lawfully outside the United States without proper authorization and certain information maintained or originated by the Secret Service. Authorizes the Attorney General to prescribe regulations limiting the release of information to imprisoned Federal or State felons or persons requesting information on their behalf. Exempts from disclosure requirements any documents compiled in organized crime investigations, for five years after such compilation, except in specified circumstances. Requires an agency to list in the Federal Register any statute relied upon to withhold certain information.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Title I: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. 921-928) - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturer, dealers, and importers. Defines as a manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals in a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit. Defines "with the principal objective of livelihood and profit" to mean that the intent underlying the sale or disposition of firearms is predominantly one of obtaining livelihood and pecuniary gain. Excludes as dealers persons making occasional sales or repairs of firearms. Eliminates certain activities involving ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Permits the interstate sale of handguns where the sale complies with the law of the licensee's State and the State of the purchaser's residence. Presumes the licensee to have actual knowledge of the published laws of the States. Revises the current prohibition against certain classes of persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition. Includes as additional categories illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged members of the armed forces, and U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Declares that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements in specific circumstances. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke a license only where the holder "willfully" violates a provision of the Act. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Allows the Government to voluntarily dismiss criminal charges prior to trial and still proceed with revocation. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Requires a warrant to be issued for such search. Provides exceptions to such warrant requirement. Requires licensed collectors to maintain records of the receipt, sale, or other disposition of firearms. Requires records maintained by a licensee who has discontinued business to be delivered to the Archivist of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury and to be disposed of after 20 years. Sets forth information-gathering procedures for tracing firearms and prohibits criminal charges based solely on information provided under those procedures. Prohibits records from being kept at a centralized location or entered in a computer for storage or retrieval. Permits licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers to conduct business at temporary locations other than the one specified on a license (for example, gun shows). Establishes either a "knowing" (scienter) or a "willful" requirement with respect to general violations of the Act. Imposes additional penalties for the use of a firearm during the commission of a Federal crime of violence and for carrying a firearm in furtherance of a Federal crime of violence. Increases the penalties for the criminal misuse of firearms by making such penalties mandatory and at higher fine levels or longer prison terms than current law requires. Extends to first offenders the requirement, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. Prohibits the granting of parole to first and subsequent offenders. Declares that no person shall be subject to the additional, mandatory penalties if use of the firearm or destructive device was a nonfelonious attempt to protect persons or property. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in a knowing violation of the Gun Control Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Directs the court to award attorney fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in a proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Requires the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was without foundation or was initiated in bad faith. Limits seizure to firearms individually identified as involved in the violation. Revises the current procedure allowing persons who have been convicted of a crime to apply to the Secretary for relief from the firearms prohibitions. Permits any person prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition to apply for relief. Requires, instead of permits, the Secretary to grant release, unless the applicant will be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety. Permits any person who is denied relief to seek de novo judicial review in Federal court. Imposes on the applicant the burden of proof. Makes the authority of the Secretary to permit importation of certain types of firearms and ammunition nondiscretionary. Increases the number of types of sporting firearms which may be imported. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Declares any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to Title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, dishonorably discharged veterans, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Provides that each item of any general or special appropriation bill and any bill or joint resolution making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing appropriations that is agreed to in the same form by both Houses of the Congress shall be enrolled as a separate bill or joint resolution for presentation to the President (line-item veto).
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Public School Civil Rights Act of 1985 - Eliminates inferior Federal court jurisdiction to issue any order requiring the assignment or transportation of students to public schools on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Permits individuals and school boards to seek relief from court orders made prior to this Act unless the court makes certain findings, including: (1) that the acts giving rise to the order intentionally and specifically caused the segregation; (2) that no other remedy would work; (3) that the benefits of the order outweigh its economic, social, and educational costs; and (4) that the busing required by the order does not consume more than 30 minutes of travel time or ten miles of travel distance daily. Lists remedies which remain available for unconstitutional segregation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Uniform Patent Procedures Act of 1985 - Provides that Federal contractors may automatically own inventions they make under Government research and development contracts unless: (1) it is determined that the discovery is needed for foreign intelligence or counterintelligence purposes; (2) the contractor is not located in the United States, or is a foreign government; (3) it is determined on a case-by-case basis that exceptional circumstances require Federal ownership; or (4) such inventions are a result of the naval nuclear propulsion or weapons-related programs. Requires these determinations to be made in writing and filed with the Secretary. Provides that if a contractor does not elect to file a patent application, the Federal agency may then assert ownership. Provides that the agency may use a subject invention royalty free and can require that it be kept updated on utilization of the contractor. Provides that agencies may force contractors to grant licenses to competitors for using an invention made under Federal research and development contracts: (1) if effective steps are not being taken toward commercialization; (2) to alleviate serious health or safety needs not being satisfied by the contractor; or (3) to meet requirements for public use specified by Federal regulations not being satisfied by the contractor. Permits a contractor to appeal such a determination within 60 days to the United States Claims Court. Assures that the owner of a patent will not be deprived of any background patent or of any rights under such patent. Prohibits agencies from requiring contractors to give up privately developed technologies to competitors in order to secure a contract, unless specifically approved by the agency head with a written justification. Permits an agency to waive Federal rights in patents on inventions made under Federal contract if it is in the national interest or the funding agreement involved substantial cost-sharing with the contractor.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Declares two named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Declares two named individuals to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.