United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1985
Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to exclude from eligibility for duty-free treatment ethyl alcohol and any mixture containing ethyl alcohol which is suitable for use as a fuel or for creating specified fuel mixtures which has merely been subjected to distillation or denaturing within a beneficiary country (one of certain Caribbean countries). Refunds all duties paid on such alcohol or mixture upon proof that such alcohol or mixture was not and can no longer be used as fuel or to produce the specified fuel mixtures. Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to establish refund procedures. Restricts application of this Act to articles enentered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption after 15 days of enactment of this Act and before January 1, 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend indefinitely the income tax exclusion for employee educational assistance programs. (Present law terminates such exclusion as of December 31, 1985.) Limits the maximum amount of such exclusion (beginning in 1986) to $5,000 of amounts paid or expenses incurred for educational assistance furnished to an employee during a calendar year. Exempts graduate students engaged in teaching or research activities from such maximum limit. Provides for annual cost-of-living adjustments in such maximum limit beginning in 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
United States Scholarship Program for Developing Countries Act - Directs the President, acting through the U.S. Information Agency (USIA), to provide an undergraduate scholarship program for citizens and nationals of developing countries to study at U.S. institutions of higher education. Requires that half of each payment to a student shall be in the form of a loan with repayment to be forgiven upon the student's prompt return to his or her country of origin for a period of no less than the number of years spent studying in the United States plus one. Sets forth guidelines for implementing the program. Directs the President, before allocating any funds, to consult with U.S. educational institutions, educational exchange organizations, U.S. missions, and the governments of participating countries on how to implement the guidelines. Authorizes the President to enter into agreements with foreign governments to further the scholarship program. Urges the Administrator of the agency primarily responsible for administering development assistance programs, in implementing such programs, to increase assistance for undergraduate scholarships for students of limited financial means from developing countries to study in the United States. Urges the Director of the USIA to expand opportunities for students from developing countries to receive financial aid for postgraduate study at U.S. institutions of higher education. Urges the President to take steps to expand the opportunities for Americans from all economic classes to study in developing countries. Authorizes the President to establish counseling and orientation services: (1) abroad to prepare foreign students for study in the United States; and (2) at U.S. schools to help them while they are in the United States. Directs the Board of Foreign Scholarships to advise and assist the President in the discharge of programs authorized by this Act. Requires the public and private sectors in the United States to be encouraged to contribute to the costs of the programs financed under this Act. Directs the President to engage the public and private sectors of developing countries in programs to maximize the use of program participants upon their return to their own countries. Authorizes the President to publicize the scholarship program abroad. Directs the President to encourage U.S. schools attended by students receiving scholarships under this Act to provide opportunities for U.S. students to develop their knowledge of the foreign students' cultures. Authorizes the President to provide English instruction abroad when necessary. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the activities taken pursuant to this Act. Requires the undergraduate scholarship program financed by the USIA for students from Central America for FY 1986 and 1987 to be conducted in accordance with this Act. Provides for funding to carry out other scholarship programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
Highly Erodible Land Conservation Act of 1985 - Makes persons who cultivate crops on highly erodible land ineligible for price supports, crop insurance, and other specified agricultural loans. Provides exceptions for: (1) crops produced using approved conservation methods; and (2) certain previously cultivated land. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) use the agricultural stabilization and conservation committees to help administer this Act; and (2) complete specified soil capability surveys.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Maternal and Child Health Preventive Care Amendments of 1985 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide that the making available to pregnant women of any pregnancy-related services shall not require the making available of such services to any other group of Medicaid individuals, provided such services are available to all covered pregnant women; and (2) permit a State to extend the eligibility of pregnant women for 60 days following the end of a pregnancy.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1985
Authorizes the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, from March 1, 1985, through February 28, 1986, to: (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund; (2) employ personnel; (3) utilize, on a reimbursable basis, the services of department or agency personnel; and (4) procure consultant services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1985
Board for International Broadcasting Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987 for the Board for International Broadcasting.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Student Loan Collection Improvement Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Guaranteed Student Loan Program - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise title IV, part B provisions for the Federal Insured Student Loan (FISL) program and the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program. Revises FISL provisions for conditions for Federal loan insurance to grant lenders the option of requiring endorsement of the loan by a co-signer. Deletes a 15-year limitation on the period of the loan. Revises provisions for disbursement of loans to require that the funds borrowed be disbursed by check: (1) sent to the eligible institution the student attends or plans to attend, and made payable to the order of the student and such institution as copayees, with the endorsement of both parties required; or (2) in cases where the institution is not located in a State or where the loan is an auxiliary loan to a parent, sent to the borrower and made payable to the order of the borrower, with the endorsement of the borrower required, and a notice of disbursement sent by the lender or the Secretary of Education to the eligible institution. Revises GSL provisions for agreements with State and nonprofit private institutions for subsidy payments on loans insured under the student loan insurance program of such State or institution to also: (1) delete a 15-year limitation on the period of the loan; and (2) make similar revisions of the loan disbursement procedure. Requires that such agreements provide for: (1) independent financial and compliance audits of the guarantee agency, with regard to its performance under such an agreement, at least once every two years; and (2) recovery by the Secretary from the guarantee agency of amounts, plus interest, determined by such audits to be owing. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of State law that would set an earlier deadline for filing suit, any suit for the collection of the amount due from a FISL or GSL borrower may be filed during a six-year period: (1) after the date a guarantee agency reimburses the previous holder of the loan for its loss on account of the borrower's default; and (2) after the date on which the loan is assigned to the Secretary. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of State law to the contrary, in collecting any obligation arising from a loan made under FISL or GSL provisions, a guarantee agency which has an agreement with the Secretary shall not be subject to a defense raised by any borrower based on: (1) a claim of infancy; or (2) the action or omission of an eligible institution or lender, if such agency did not have actual notice of such defense when such agency reimbursed the previous holder of the loan for its loss. Revises provisions for payment of excess recovery to the insured to include reasonable administrative and collection costs, to the extent set forth in regulations issued by the Secretary, in the costs of the Secretary's recovery on any FISL loan. Requires, under GSL provisions (as well as under current FISL provisions), each guarantee agency (as well as the Secretary) to enter into cooperative agreements with credit bureau organizations to exchange information concerning student borrowers. Deletes FISL program requirements: (1) for notice to the borrower before certain information is disclosed; (2) for establishment of a system for prompt notification of borrowers; and (3) relating to other conditions under Federal law, for Federal agency disclosure of individual records. Provides that a guarantee agency (or a credit bureau organization) which discloses or receives such information shall not be considered a Government contractor within the meaning of specified Federal law relating to Federal agency disclosure of individual records. Authorizes the Secretary and each guarantee agency to disclose specified information concerning student borrowers to the eligible institutions such borrowers attend or previously attended. Allows, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a consumer reporting agency to make a report containing information received from the Secretary or a guarantee agency regarding the status of a borrower's account on a loan under the FISL or GSL program for a period of up to seven years after: (1) the date on which the Secretary or the agency paid a claim to the holder on the guarantee; or (2) October 1, 1984, with regard to an account on a loan which the Secretary or the agency has paid a claim but not reported the account to a consumer reporting agency on or before such date. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of State law to the contrary, in collecting any obligation arising from a loan made under GSL provisions, the United States shall not be subjected to a defense raised by any borrower on either a claim of infancy or the action or omission of an eligible institution or lender, if the Secretary and the Secretary's agents did not have actual notice of such defense when the Secretary reimbursed the previous holder of the loan for its loss. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each of specified violations or failures to carry out student aid provisions or regulations or misrepresentations of financial charges by a lender or guarantee agency. Authorizes the Secretary to compromise such penalties. Title II: National Direct Student Loan Program - Revises HEA provisions for the National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) program. Requires NDSL agreements to provide that where a note or written agreement evidencing a loan is in default despite due diligence on the part of the institution to collect such loan: (1) if the institution has failed to maintain an acceptable collection record generally with respect to NDSL loans, the Secretary may require such institution to assign its rights under such note or agreement to the United States, without recompense; or (2) if the institution has not failed to maintain an acceptable NDSL collection record, the Secretary may allow it to assign its rights under such note or agreement to the United States, without recompense. Sets forth provisions relating to the seven-year period of reporting on the status of NDSL borrowers' accounts by consumer reporting agencies. (Such provisions are similar to those for such reporting on GSL accounts under title I of this Act.) Requires each institution to include in its information to NDSL student borrowers a description of any penalty imposed as a consequence of default (such as liability for expenses reasonably incurred in attempts by the Secretary or institutions to collect on a loan). Revises required terms of NDSL loans to grant institutions the option of requiring NDSL loans to be endorsed by a cosigner. Makes mandatory, rather than discretionary, the assessment of a charge for failure of an NDSL borrower to pay all or part of an installment when due. Requires that such charge include the expenses reasonably incurred in attempting such collection with respect to such loan. Authorizes the Secretary, in attempting to collect any defaulted NDSL loan, to use any collection means available to the United States, including referral to the Attorney General for litigation. Directs the Secretary to continue to collect any loan assigned under provisions for assignment of rights to the United States until all appropriate collection efforts, as determined by the Secretary, have been expended. Provides for a six-year statute of limitations on specified collection suits for NDSL loans, similar to that provided by the GSL amendments under title I of this Act. Title III: General Provisions - Revises general provisions for student assistance programs under HEA. Revises provisions for student eligibility for any grant, loan, or work assistance under HEA to require that a student not owe a refund on grants previously received at any institution, or be in default on any loan from a student loan fund at any institution, or a loan made, insured, or guaranteed by the Secretary for attendance at any institution. Provides for a six-year statute of limitations on specified collection suits for refunds due from a student on a grant made or work assistance awarded under HEA. Requires borrowers who have defaulted on student loans under HEA to pay reasonable collection costs, in addition to other charges specified under HEA, notwithstanding State law. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations for recovery by the Secretary from the eligible institution of amounts, plus interest, determined by specified audits to be owing. Title IV: Application Provisions - Sets forth the effective dates and applicability of specified amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Waives certain requirements of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to the consideration of S. 457 (African famine relief, rehabilitation, recovery, and refugee assistance).
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction activities to alleviate the impact and immediate causes of the food and health crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. Authorizes supplemental appropriations for FY 1985 for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) of the Social Security Act to strike out the word "crippled" wherever it appears and replace it with the term "physically disabled."
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
Designates the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in Crown Point, Indiana, as the Adam Benjamin, Junior Veterans' Administration Outpatient Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Amends the Education Amendments of 1980 to extend through FY 1988 the authorization of appropriations for grants to the Robert A. Taft Institute of Government in New York, New York, under the Robert A. Taft Institute Assistance Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Act of 1985 - Amends title IV (National Research Institutes) of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Institute (Institute) of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 for such establishment and related functions transfers. States that the Institute shall conduct research and related activities concerning arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, including sports-related disorders. Requires the Director of the Institute, with the advice of the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council, to establish a plan to coordinate such activities within 180 days. Requires the periodic review and revision of such plan and the transmission of such revisions to the Congress and the Director of NIH. Establishes within the Institute a National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council. Establishes within the Institute a National Arthritis Advisory Board (Advisory Board). Defines the responsibilities of the Advisory Board. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988. Terminates the existing National Arthritis Advisory Board. Establishes within the Institute: (1) an Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee; and (2) a Skin Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee. Requires annual reports to: (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (2) the Director of NIH; (3) the Director of the Institute; and (4) the Advisory Council. Establishes within the Institute: (1) the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Data System; and (2) the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988 for arthritis and musculoskeletal demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988 for new and existing multipurpose arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases centers. Requires the Institute to submit a biennial report to the President and the Congress. Transfers arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases functions, funds, personnel, and assets to the Institute from the existing National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Redesignates the existing National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that one-half of the cost of insurance paid by a self-employed taxpayer for medical care during the taxable year will be allowed as a business deduction.
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
State and Local River Conservation Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to States for the establishment and operation of State and local programs to conserve the natural and environmental values of designated rivers or river segments, including river management plans, land conservation strategies, regulations, and demonstration projects. Allocates and restricts the use of such funds. Authorizes appropriations. Requires States and local governments to submit programs and river assessments to the Secretary to be eligible for grants. Permits the Secretary to make grants to carry out State river assessments. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Authorizes landowners to transfer approved lands or land interests to tax-exempt organizations to conserve or enhance the value of rivers. Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture and other Federal agency heads to encourage and assist the use of volunteers and volunteer organizations to conserve and manage rivers throughout the United States.
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 · 24 January 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat the use of a public safety vehicle by a public safety employee as a working condition fringe for purposes of the tax exclusion of certain employee fringe benefits. Defines "public safety employee" to include any person working in law enforcement, fire protection, or emergency medical services.
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 · 3 January 1985
United States Olympic Development Fund Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns a contribution of one dollar of their income tax refunds or any cash amount voluntarily forwarded with their returns to support the U.S. Olympic Trust Fund. Establishes in the Treasury a U.S. Olympic Trust Fund. Appropriates to such trust fund amounts equal to the amounts designated on tax returns. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay such amounts to the U.S. Olympic Committee. Allows specified administrative expenses of the Department of the Treasury to be paid from such trust fund.
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
Product Liability Act - Preempts State product liability laws. States that this Act governs any civil action for harm caused by a product which would have been based on: (1) strict or absolute liability in tort; (2) negligence or gross negligence; (3) breach of express or implied warranty; (4) failure to discharge a duty to warn or instruct; or (5) any other theory that is the basis for an award for damages for loss or damage caused by a product. Makes a manufacturer liable if the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that a product was unreasonably dangerous: (1) in construction or design; (2) because the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings of danger; or (3) because the product did not conform to an express warranty. Specifies the findings which must be made for such proof of unreasonable danger to be determined. Subjects a product seller to liability if the claimant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the claimant's harm was proximately caused by such seller's failure to use reasonable prudence with respect to the product. Enumerates circumstances under which such a seller is also subject to the liability of a manufacturer. Provides that all claims under this Act shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Sets forth rules with respect to conduct affecting comparative responsibility, including misuse, alteration, or modification of a product. Specifies the manner in which damages are to be apportioned. Requires that damages in any product liability claim be reduced by an amount paid as workers' compensation benefits. Prescribes a statute of limitations for recovery. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to establish a Product Liability Review Panel to conduct an ongoing review of the adequacy of legal remedies available to persons injured by products and to report its findings and recommendations to Congress. Requires the panel to conduct a study to determine the feasibility or availability, or both, of providing compensation without regard to fault to claimants for any loss or damage caused by a product. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985. Declares that it is the intent of the Congress that, in other than exceptional cases, the Supreme Court shall not review issues relating solely to the sufficiency of the evidence in cases arising under this Act which have been finally decided by the highest court of any State.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement of receipts and outlays for that year in which total outlays are no greater than total receipts. Permits the Congress in such statement to provide for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a three-fifths vote directed solely to that subject. Requires the President and the Congress to ensure that actual outlays do not exceed the outlays set forth in such statement. Prohibits total receipts for any fiscal year set forth in such statement from increasing by a rate greater than the rate of increase in national income in the last calendar year ending before such fiscal year, unless the Congress passes a bill directed solely to approving specific additional receipts by a three-fifths vote and such bill has become has become law. Requires the President, prior to each fiscal year, to transmit to the Congress a proposed statement of receipts and outlays for that year consistent with the provisions of this article. Permits the Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Declares that total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States, except those derived from borrowing and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States except those for repayment of debt principal.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Designates May 7, 1985, as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Requests the President to: (1) reassert American commitment to the Helsinki Accords; (2) raise the issue of noncompliance with such Accords with the U.S.S.R. and the Warsaw Pact nations; and (3) convey to U.S. allies the necessity of unity on these points.
![Official portrait of Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000504_200.jpg)