United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that it condemns the growing incidence of violence against health care facilities (most of which provide abortion services). Encourages the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Department of Justice to intensify their efforts and apprehend and convict the perpetrators of such violence. Urges the Department of Justice to use all applicable Federal criminal statutes against such persons.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform and Extension Act of 1985 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to add as a condition for receiving a trade readjustment allowance the requirement that the adversely affected worker is enrolled in, or has completed, a training program for which a voucher is available. Suspends payment of such allowance to an adversely affected worker who has failed to begin, or has ceased to participate in, such a program when there is no justifiable cause for such failure or cessation, until the worker begins or resumes participation in a training program. Increases the maximum trade readjustment allowance to an amount equal to 78 (currently 52) times the amount of one week's trade readjustment allowance. Extends the coverage for trade readjustment allowances to 78 weeks. Deletes the provisions that permits an additional 26 weeks of trade readjustment allowances to finish a training program. Changes the provision dealing with job training. Makes each adversely affected worker covered by a certification eligible for a job training voucher. Declares that such voucher shall be in the amount of $4,000. Requires it to be used to defray the cost of any of the following training programs: (1) a training program provided by the State pursuant to the Job Training Partnership Act; (2) a training program provided by a private entity if it has been approved by a private industry council established under the Job Training Partnership Act; (3) training provided by an employer who agrees to employ the worker upon completion of the training for at least 26 weeks; (4) a training program approved by the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) if the Secretary determines that there is a reasonable expectation that the adversely affected worker will obtain employment upon completion of the program. Authorizes the State or the operator of the training program to redeem the training voucher from the Secretary when the adversely affected worker completes the training program. Prohibits an employer who provided training, and agreed to employ the worker for 26 weeks, from redeeming the training voucher if such employer: (1) is engaged in the same occupation from which the employee was separated and which was certified as an adversely affected occupation; (2) has not provided the worker with training and employment for at least 26 weeks; or (3) has terminated the employment of an employee in order to hire and train such worker. Requires any entity which redeems a training voucher pursuant to a training program purportedly approved by a private industry council to repay the amount of such voucher plus ten percent if the entity's training program was not in fact approved by a private industry council. Prohibits disqualifying a worker for unemployment insurance or for trade adjustment benefits because: (1) the individual is in training for which a voucher is provided; (2) the individual terminated employment which was not suitable employment to enter such training; or (3) of the application of certain State or Federal laws relating to availability for work, active search for work, or refusal to accept work to any week in which the worker participates in such training. Limits the amounts of subsistence expenses and travel expenses reimbursable under the job search allowance provision of such Act. Provides that adjustment assistance for firms shall be in the form of technical assistance only. (Current law provides for technical and financial aid.) Prohibits making any direct loans or loan guarantees for adjustment assistance for firms after enactment of this Act. Extends trade adjustment assistance programs for six years after enactment of this Act. Extends funding for adjustment assistance for workers and firms through FY 1988. Establishes within the Treasury a Trade Adjustment Assistance Trust Fund to carry out trade adjustment assistance for workers and firms. Provides for funding the Trust Fund. Directs the President to undertake negotiations to change the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to allow countries to impose a small uniform duty on all imports in order to use the revenue from such duty to fund trade adjustment assistance programs. Directs the President to report to the Congress six months after enactment of this Act on the progress of such negotations. Authorizes the President to submit a bill to the Congress that delays the imposition of such negotiations. Authorizes the President to submit a bill to the Congress that delays the imposition of such an import duty and that extends the funding of trade adjustment assistance for workers and firms for an additional year. Provides for expedited consideration of such a bill. Directs the President to report to the Congress as soon as the GATT allows the imposition of such a duty. Imposes an additional duty on all imports into the United States, including those imports granted duty-free treatment. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from tax a job training voucher received under a trade adjustment assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act of 1985 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to add a new title X, the Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act of 1985. (Redesignates the current title X as title XI.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 for such new title X. Directs the Secretary of Education, from such title X funds for any fiscal year, to allot 20 percent to each of five categories of local educational agencies (LEAs) (based on total elementary and secondary school student enrollments). Directs the Secretary, from the amounts allotted to such categories of LEAs, to award as many grants as practicable within each such category to LEAs whose applications: (1) have been approved; and (2) propose a program of sufficient size and scope to be of value as a demonstration. Limits an LEA to no more than one such grant in each of three fiscal years. Requires the amount of a grant to be, to the extent practicable, proportionate to the extent and severity of the local dropout problem. Limits the amount of a grant to 90 percent of the total cost of a project during its first fiscal year, 80 percent in the second, and 70 percent in the third. Sets forth grant application requirements (including plans for addressing the needs of pregnant minors and school-age parents). Directs the Secretary to give first priority within each category of LEA to applicants with either very high numbers or very high percentages of school dropouts. Sets forth requirements for review of LEA second or third year projects. Requires such grants to be used to carry out plans set forth in the applications. Lists activities such grants may also be used for (including counseling, remedial education, work-study, community-organization service, curriculum review, and school staff training). Requires at least 30 percent of each grant to be used for dropout prevention activities, and another 30 percent for dropout reentry activities (i.e. persuading dropouts to return to school and assisting former dropouts with specialized services once they return to school). Directs the Secretary, from amounts appropriated for FY 1986, to use a specified limited amount to conduct a one-year study of the nature and extent of the dropout program. Sets forth requirements for such study (including development of a model dropout information collection and reporting system and minimum reporting system requirements). Sets forth general provisions for title X, including provisions relating to withholding payments, annual reports, and audits. Requires that title X grants supplement other funds.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) endorse the concept of an International Space Year (ISY) for 1992; (2) consider discussing an ISY with other foreign leaders; (3) direct the Administrator of NASA to initiate interagency and international discussions to explore the opportunities for an ISY, including international missions and related research and educational activities; and (4) submit a report to the Congress with respect to an ISY.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Highway Beautification Act of 1985 - Amends Federal law regarding outdoor advertising to require the Secretary of Transportation to submit an annual report to the Congress detailing the extent to which each State is in compliance with the outdoor advertising requirements. Provides that a State shall be deemed as failing to provide effective control of outdoor advertising if the State allows vegetation located on State rights-of-way for interstate or primary system highways to be altered or removed if the purpose of such alteration is to improve the visibility of certain outdoor advertising. Specifies exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1985
Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from exempting from such Act any class of credit transactions that are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Permits the Board to exempt (for five years) a type or class of business or commercial transactions only after determining that application of such Act to such transactions would not contribute substantially to effecting the purposes of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Electric Utility Tax Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and State regulatory authorities to adopt a least system cost plan for regulated public utilities and to establish a rate schedule for such utilities which provides for ratemaking treatment of the investment tax credit and the tax deduction for accelerated cost recovery in such manner as the State regulatory authority determines will further the purpose of such plan. Defines "least system cost plan" as a plan which provides for meeting demand for electric energy services under which each measure to be implemented is forecast: (1) to be reliable and available within the time it is needed; and (2) to meet or reduce the electric power demand at an estimated incremental system cost no greater than that of the least-cost similarly reliable and available alternative measure or resource.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from changing reimbursement levels or methodologies for home health services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act prior to the later of: (1) October 1, 1986; or (2) any freeze period beginning after June 30, 1985, and before October 1, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) endorse the concept of an International Space Year (ISY) for 1992; (2) consider discussing an ISY with other foreign leaders; (3) direct the Administrator of NASA to initiate interagency and international discussions to explore the opportunities for an ISY, including international missions and related research and educational activities; and (4) submit a report to the Congress with respect to an ISY.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Non-Smokers Rights Act of 1985 - Restricts smoking to designated areas in all U.S. Government buildings. Sets forth a civil penalty for anyone who smokes in a designated non-smoking area.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1985
Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible State and local governments to support projects for education and information dissemination concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Specifies eligibility requirements for State and local governments. Sets forth application requirements. Requires State and local governments which receive such grants to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to transmit a summary of such reports to the Congress annually. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State and local governments to establish programs to test blood to detect the presence of antibodies to the human T-cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV-III virus). Allows such grants to be used to: (1) conduct blood tests; (2) purchase materials and kits for such tests; (3) provide training for personnel who will conduct such tests; and (4) process the results of such tests. Sets forth application requirements. Requires State and local governments which receive such grants to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to transmit a summary of such reports to the Congress annually. Authorizes appropriation for FY 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that any tax reform legislation adopted by the Senate should not impose a tax on the annual increase in the value of permanent life insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Older Americans Pension Benefit Act - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to prohibit any employee benefit plan from requiring or permitting the suspension or reduction of an employee's benefit accrual because of age before accruing the maximum normal retirement benefit. Prohibits specified types of plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code from suspending or reducing the rate of an employee's benefit accrual or employer contributions to the employee's account solely because of age.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Judicial Survivors' Annuities Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Judicial Code to increase the amount that a judicial official has withheld from his or her salary for purposes of the Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund. Requires that there shall also be deposited in the fund amounts required to maintain the actuarial balance of the program as such amounts are actuarially determined on an annual basis in accordance with the provisions of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950. Increases the amount of the annuity received by a surviving widow or widower with children. Increases the amount of the annuity received by the surviving children of a judicial official leaving no widow or widower. Revises the formula used to determine the amount of the annuity given a widow or widower of a judicial official. Makes a widow or widower eligible for survivors benefits unless they remarry prior to age 60. Makes the benefits conferred by this Act immediately available to any eligible person. Provides that nothing shall be interpreted to cancel, abrogate, or diminish any rights to which an individual or his or her survivors may be entitled by virtue of such individual's having contributed to the judicial survivors annuity fund before the effective date of this Act. Permits a judicial officer who has participated in the present annuity program to withdraw, in writing, according to specified procedures. Allows such officer to subsequently join the judicial survivors annuities program created by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Veterans' Administration Reorganization Act of 1985 - Defines the "detailed plan and justification" which is required of the Administrator of Veterans Affairs before certain administrative reorganizations of Veterans Administration (VA) facilities may occur. Authorizes the Administrator to undertake a reorganization within the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the VA to transfer the functions of the Technology and Performance Evaluation Section and the Information and Education Service at the VA Prosthetics Center in New York to a new Prosthetics Assessment and Information Center in the Washington, D.C., area.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Improved Public Health Through Nutrition Monitoring Act of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prepare the Comprehensive Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring Plan (comprehensive plan) to specify the manner in which the National Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring Program (coordinated program) will be implemented. Specifies the requirements of the comprehensive plan. Requires the Secretary to submit a draft of the comprehensive plan to the Congress and publish such plan, with a request for public comment, in the Federal Register within one year of enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit a final comprehensive plan to the President and the Congress within 60 days after the end of the period for public comment. Requires the Secretary to implement the comprehensive final plan. Grants specified congressional committees oversight responsibilities. Establishes a ten-year National Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring Program. States that such program shall include: (1) the assessment, collection, analysis, and reporting of information on health, dietary, and nutritional trends in the U.S.; (2) the assessment, analysis, and reporting of the effects on health status of food assistance programs; (3) sponsoring and conducting research; (4) maintaining, coordinating, implementing, and completing health, nutrition, and dietary surveys; (5) developing and maintaining health, nutrition, and dietary data bases; (6) coordinating Federal, State, local, and private activities; (7) providing scientific and technical assistance; and (8) providing grants to be carried out through the National Science Foundation and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control. Directs the Secretary to: (1) update and integrate into the coordinated program the Joint Implementation Plan for a Comprehensive National Nutrition Monitoring System; (2) provide for and coordinate Federal research; (3) enter into a contract for the interpretation of available data; (4) foster cost recovery management techniques; and (5) prepare annual reports. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint a Coordinator for Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring. Establishes the Interagency Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring Board to assist the Secretary. Establishes the Advisory Council on Health Promotion and Nutrition Monitoring to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice; (2) evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the implementation of the coordinated program; and (3) evaluate the coordinated program, the comprehensive plan, and the budget. Sets forth budget request procedures. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Amends the General Education Provisions Act to increase by two the number of members of the Assessment Policy Committee (who are appointed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress organization for purposes of its assessment of the performance of children and young adults in the basic skills of reading, mathematics, and communication, under its grant from or cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Education). Provides that one of these two new members shall be an elementary school principal and the other shall be a secondary school principal.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Declares that the Senate agrees to cooperate with the Jacob K. Javits Senate Fellowship Program. Directs the Senate to provide assistance as may be necessary for the success of this fellowship program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct a study for the purpose of determining tolerable State error rates under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program (part A of title IV of the Social Security Act); and (2) contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a concurrent study. Sets forth reporting requirements. Sets the AFDC error rate at four percent (currently three percent). Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive all or any part of any sanction that would otherwise be imposed upon a State if the State is unable to reach the allowable error rate despite a good faith effort. Permits a State to request such a waiver upon a showing that: (1) it has made a good faith effort to reduce erroneous payments; or (2) its error rate was determined incorrectly and should be lower. Permits a State to appeal the Secretary's denial of a waiver. Provides for a moratorium on reducing payments for excess errors. States that it is the intent of the Congress to revise such moratorium at a time after the reports required by this Act have been submitted. Provides for incentive payments to States with error rates under four percent, but not until the moratorium is lifted. Provides that when determining a State's error rate: (1) the rate shall be fixed at the lower bound of the standard interval for errors within which the State's true error rate falls; and (2) errors which are technical in nature or have no fiscal impact shall be disregarded.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Consumer Products Energy Efficiency Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide that the labeling rules regarding consumer product energy efficiency standards shall require disclosure of such standards at the point of sale and in any advertising of the product. Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) publish and make available comparative guides of the energy efficiency and annual operating cost of certain consumer products; (2) prescribe an energy efficiency standard for certain consumer products; and (3) include in the Secretary's annual report on consumer product energy efficiency standards the percentage of covered products or components which are imported. Requires the Secretary, before determining whether a standard is economically justified, to weigh its effect on domestic production, reduction of unemployment, electric utilities, and the human environment. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe an energy efficiency standard for certain consumer products if it is determined that improvement of 20 percent or more is feasible. Delineates the criteria to be considered by the Secretary in determining whether a performance-related feature justifies the establishment of either a higher or a lower energy efficiency standard. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue energy efficiency improvement guidelines for each of the following five years if no standard for a covered consumer product is prescribed; (2) monitor the improvements in efficiency; and (3) prescribe an energy efficiency standard whenever a certain type of consumer product type fails for three consecutive years to achieve at least half of the improvement under such guideline.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of any eligible physicians' and surgeons' mutual protection and indemnity association any capital contributions by a member joining such association. Requires such payment to be included in gross income for the taxable year with respect to any member who elects to deduct such payment as a trade or business expense. Allows any member of such an association to elect, with the consent of the association, to treat any capital contribution made during the taxable year as an ordinary and necessary business expense for purposes of the deduction allowed for business expenses to the extent such payment does not exceed the amount which would be payable to an independent insurance company for similar insurance coverage and further reduced by any annual dues, assessments, or premiums paid during such taxable year. Requires any refund of such capital contribution in a subsequent year to be included in income for the taxable year received to the extent a deduction for such payment was allowed. Requires the association: (1) to have been operative and providing protection under the laws of any State prior to January 1, 1984; (2) to not be subject to regulation by any State insurance department; (3) to have a right to make unlimited assessments against all members to cover current claims and losses; and (4) to not be a member of, nor subject to protection by, any insurance guaranty plan or association of any State.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1985
Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to provide that if geothermal steam is produced or utilized in commercial quantities under an approved operation within any lease or administrative lease extension period, such lease shall continue for so long as geothermal steam is produced (or utilized) in commercial quantities, for a maximum continuation of an additional forty years. Sets forth conditions under which geothermal leases in effect as of July 27, 1984, shall be extended for a maximum of three successive five-year periods. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to review any cooperative or unit plan of development every five years after approval in order to eliminate any lease or part of lease not regarded as reasonably necessary to cooperative or unit operations. Makes geothermal leases in effect as of July 27, 1984, eligible for an administrative extension if an application is timely submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1985
Institutional Aid Act of 1985 - Amends title III (Institutional Aid) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise institutional aid programs, especially in relation to the development needs of historically black colleges and universities and other institutions with large concentrations of minority, low-income students. Includes as eligible institutions, for purposes of the title III part A (Strengthening Institutions) grants program, any institution of higher education which meets specified requirements and which has an enrollment of which at least: (1) 20 percent are Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Hispanic students, or combination thereof; (2) 60 percent American Indian, Alaska Native, or Aleut, or combination thereof; or (3) five percent Native Hawaiian, American Samoan, Micronesian, Guamian (Chamorro), or Northern Marianan, or any combination thereof. Establishes under title III part B, "Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities" (which replaces the current part B, Aid to Institutions with Special Needs). Defines a "part B institution" as any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964 and whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans. Sets forth authorized uses for grants allotted to institutions under the part B program. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make allotments to part B institutions according to formulas based on number of: (1) Pell grant recipients; (2) graduates; and (3) graduates in attendance at graduate or professional schools in degree programs in disciplines in which blacks are underrepresented. Sets forth a special rule regarding allotments to Howard University or the University of the District of Columbia. Sets forth provisions for applications for part B grant allotments. Sets forth provisions for part B program grants to professional and graduate institutions. Directs the Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, to award such grants to each of listed postgraduate institutions that the Secretary determines to be making a substantial contribution to the legal, medical, dental, veterinary, or other graduate education opportunities for black Americans. Prohibits any such grant in excess of $500,000 unless the postgraduate institution assures that 50 percent of the cost of the purposes for which the grant is made will be paid from non-Federal sources. Limits the duration of any such grant to five years. Provides that any one undergraduate or postgraduate institution may receive no more than two such five-year grants. Allows use of such grants for: (1) any of the authorized uses of part B allotment grants; (2) contribution development offices; and (3) institutional endowments. Sets forth application requirements. Provides that independent professional or graduate institutions eligible for such grants include: (1) Morehouse School of Medicine; (2) Meharry Medical School; (3) Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School; (4) Atlanta University; and (5) Tuskegee Institute School of Veterinary Medicine. Sets forth reporting and audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. Revises title III part C (Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B) to rename the "endowment grants" under such part "challenge grants." Makes technical and conforming amendments to eligibility requirements under such part. Reduces the maximum amount of any such part C challenge grant for FY 1985 through 1987. (Retains the current maximum for FY 1988 and succeeding fiscal years.) Establishes under title III a new part D, "Reservation for Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Basin Institutions." (Redesignates the current part D as part E.) Directs the Secretary, from part A appropriations, to make available for use for the purpose of such part the greater of specified amounts or the following portions of such funds: (1) 20 percent for Hispanic institutions; (2) five percent for Native American, Native Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; and (3) five percent for institutions serving Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians residing in the Pacific Basin, including the State of Hawaii. Sets forth authorized uses of such part A funds which are reserved under the new part C. Revises the redesignated part E (General Provisions) under title III. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register all policies and procedures required to exercise the authority to approve applications for title III assistance. Prohibits any other criteria, policies, or procedure from being applicable for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to: (1) use the most recent and relevant data concerning the number and percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of HEA in making eligibility determinations under part A of title III; and (2) advance the base-year forward following each annual grant cycle. Requires the Secretary to waive specified part A institutional eligibility requirements (involving an institution's having a relatively high percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV of HEA) in the case of an institution which is: (1) extensively subsidized by the State in which it is located and charges low or no tuition; (2) serving a substantial number of low- and middle-income students as a percentage of its total student population; (3) contributing substantially to increasing higher education opportunities for black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, who are low-income individuals; or (4) substantially increasing higher educational opportunities for individuals in rural or other isolated areas unserved by postsecondary institutions. Includes Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Basin institutions which have been determined eligible under part D (although not satisfying a specified eligibility criterion involving an institution's having relatively low and general expenditures) among those institutions which must be included in an annual report of the Secretary to the Congress. Includes among those reasons for which the Secretary may grant a waiver of specified eligibility requirements (involving an institution's being accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency and its being authorized to offer bachelor's or junior or community college degrees) a determination that such waiver will substantially increase higher education opportunities appropriate to the needs of Hispanic Americans or Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians. Directs the Secretary to take care to assure that representatives of historically black colleges, Hispanic institutions, Native American institutions, and Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, are included as readers on title III application review panels. Revises provisions for grants to encourage cooperative arrangements to include such arrangements between title III aid recipients and institutions not receiving such assistance. Includes benefit to the applicant institutions as a priority criterion in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the following title III programs: (1) part A, Strengthening Institutions; (2) part B, Strengthening Historically Black College and Universities (with a separate authorization for part B provisions for Professional and Graduate Institutions); and (3) part C, Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B. Directs the Secretary to make available part A funds for any fiscal year to eligible institutions as follows: (1) at least 30 percent to junior or community colleges; (2) at least 20 percent (or a specified minimum amount, if that is greater) for Hispanic institutions; (3) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount, if that is greater) for Native American, Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; (4) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount if that is greater) for Pacific Basin institutions; and (5) the remainder to institutions that plan to award a bachelor's degree during that year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1985
Federal Pesticide Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to require a person defined as a "certified applicator" to have undergone pesticide safety training. Requires pesticide ingredient statements to list inert as well as active ingredients. Eliminates from the definition of "misbranded" the provision relating to an unregistered pesticide manufactured in the United States solely for export. Defines "data gap" and "adverse reproductive effect" for purposes of this Act. Requires the registration of pesticides intended for export. Permits public access to pesticide application information before a final registration decision has been reached. Prohibits the registration of a pesticide having an adverse reproductive effect. Restricts the use of conditional registration. Requires public access to supporting data for any such registration. Repeals the interim administrative review provision which required a validated test or other significant evidence of adverse effect before initiation of a formal agency review. Establishes a timetable for the registration of pesticides which have not been reregistered since September 30, 1978, and which: (1) are used on food crops or remain as residues in potable ground water; (2) have significant data gaps; or (3) cause mutagenic effects. Requires specified additional data on inert ingredients. Prohibits registration of a pesticide containing an inert element which either by itself or in combination causes harmful environmental effects. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a comprehensive plan for evaluating inert ingredients. Subjects information concerning the toxicity of inert ingredients to specified disclosure provisions. Requires reregistration determinations to be made within one year of data receipt. Requires a registrant to disclose EPA information regarding any adverse effects (human or environmental) of a pesticide. (Currently the disclosure standards is unreasonable environmental effects.) Directs the Administrator to initiate a cancellation hearing if materially false, misleading, or inaccurate supporting information has been submitted on behalf of a pesticide registration or residue tolerance. Directs the Administrator to issue a notice of intent to cancel, or to hold a cancellation hearing, based upon a pesticide's substantial question of safety. Permits any member of the public to initiate a cancellation hearing. Revises cancellation hearing provisions, including: (1) giving the parties a right to participate; and (2) setting specific time limits for hearing dates and determinations. Prohibits the reregistration of canceled, suspended, or withdrawn pesticides under conditional registration, experimental use, or special local need categories unless: (1) there is no available alternative; (2) there is a threat of significant infestation damage; and (3) data is available supporting the pesticide's effectiveness against such infestation. Sets forth additional health and safety information for the Administrator to collect and make public regarding pesticide manufacturing plants. Subjects pesticide exporters to recordkeeping requirements under such Act. Provides for the disclosure of pesticide intermediary chemicals. Repeals the prohibition on disclosure of health and safety information to foreign or multinational producers. Requires commercial applicators to maintain pesticide spraying records. Requires specified activities to reduce pesticide drift. Prohibits the use in foreign countries of U.S.-submitted registration or licensing data. Makes it unlawful to: (1) fail to disclose findings of additional risk; and (2) violate EPA regulations. Repeals the provisions requiring Federal indemnification of holders of canceled or suspended pesticides. Provides a private right of action for violations of such Act. Prohibits the export of a pesticide whose U.S. registration has been canceled on withdrawn unless: (1) the exporter notifies the Administrator regarding quantity and destination; and (2) the Administrator has received a request for such pesticide from such country (after having provided such country with the appropriate data regarding the pesticide's cancellation). Prohibits the importation of agricultural commodities with detectable residues of U.S.-prohibited pesticides. Authorizes the Administrator to provide foreign countries with technical assistance to develop pesticide research and regulatory programs. States that in exercising any authority under such Act, the Administrator shall not be preempting Department of Labor authority under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Places additional requirements on applications for special local needs registrations. Authorizes EPA to establish and enforce standards for indoor pesticide residues. Authorizes the Administrator to change pesticide use classifications or package labeling. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a worker health and safety program; (2) establish within EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs a separate administrative unit responsible for pesticide workers' health and safety; and (3) issue pesticide worker safety regulations. Directs the Administrator: (1) upon detection of pesticide groundwater contamination to notify the affected State and each registrant of such pesticide; and (2) to issue a notice of intent to cancel such pesticide's use registration unless the affected State acts to control further contamination or the registrant amends such use. Requires the imposition of registration fees sufficient to run the registration program. Protects employees from being dismissed or penalized for reporting violations of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Primary Care Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe criteria for determining the specific shortages of personal health services of an area or population group. Permits designation of underserved populations not meeting such criteria if recommended by appropriate State or local officials based on unusual local conditions. Prohibits the Secretary from designating a medically underserved population in a State, or terminating an existing designation, without prior consultation with appropriate State officials or organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into memoranda of agreement with States to permit them to: (1) analyze the need for primary health services for medically underserved populations; (2) assist in planning and developing new community health centers (CHCs); (3) review CHC program plans and budgets; (4) assist CHCs in developing clinical practices and fiscal and administrative systems; and (5) share relevant information. Authorizes CHC appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Limits expenditures for prepaid CHC services and "non-criteria" medically underserved populations. Replaces the existing primary care block authority with a program of State grants for primary care research, demonstration, and services. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations for: (1) improving access to and delivery of primary health services for medically underserved populations; and (2) reducing costly inpatient and long-term care services, and reducing the incidence of preventable illnesses and premature death. Allocates funds on the basis of the ratio of low-income people residing in a State to the total number of low-income people in all States. Sets forth minimum State and territorial allotments. Provides for direct allotments to Indian tribes or tribal organizations. Permits the carryover of unobligated funds not in excess of 20 percent of a State's total allocation. Authorizes grants to be used for: (1) providing medically underserved populations with primary health services; and (2) research and evaluations of alternative reimbursement systems, new methods of providing services and retaining health professionals, and medical cost reductions. Requires at least 80 percent of allocated funds to be used to provide primary health services. Permits the carryover of unobligated funds not in excess of 20 percent of a State's total allocation. Sets forth application provisions. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations for migrant health centers.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Health Professions Training Assistance Act of 1985 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the following through FY 1988: (1) scholarships for students of exceptional financial need; (2) medical school departments of family medicine; (3) area health education centers; (4) training of physician assistants; (5) training programs in general internal medicine and general pediatrics; (6) training programs in family medicine and general practice of dentistry; (7) educational assistance to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds; (8) curriculum development and faculty training grants; (9) advanced financial distress assistance (only through FY 1987); (10) graduate programs in health administration; (11) traineeships for students in other graduate programs; (12) public health traineeships; (13) training in preventive medicine; and (14) the Federal loan insurance program. Title II: Program Revisions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include schools of chiropractic as health professional schools eligible to participate in educational assistance to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Amends the definition of "program for the training of physician assistants" to include training: (1) which would qualify the physician assistants to provide primary health care under the supervision of a physician; and (2) in primary care, disease prevention, health promotion, geriatric medicine, and home health care. Includes colleges and institutions providing additional training in a science related to health care within the definition of "school of allied health." Includes within the definition of "allied health professional" individuals with postbaccalaureate training in a science related to health care. Defines the term "graduate program in clinical psychology" for the purposes of such Act. Makes such a program eligible to participate in educational assistance programs for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Describes the composition of the National Advisory Council on Health Professions Education. Permits the Secretary to use funds appropriated under such Act to provide technical assistance for any authority under such Act. Provides for the recovery of Federal construction assistance under specified circumstances. Requires the owner of a facility which received such assistance to notify the Secretary of the change of circumstances. Provides a formula for determining the recoverable amount. Allows the Secretary to waive recovery for good cause. Requires eligible borrowers under the health education assistance loan program (HEAL) and the health professions student loan program to submit to registration under the Military Selective Service Act. Provides for the repayment of HEAL loans to begin nine to 12 months after the borrower: (1) ceases to be a participant in an accredited internship or residency program of not more than four years in duration; (2) completes the fourth year of an accredited internship or residency program of more than four years in duration; (3) ceases to be a participant in a fellowship training program; or (4) ceases to carry a full-time academic workload. Allows a two year (formerly three year) deferral for service as a full-time volunteer under title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. Prescribes the method for determining interest on such loans. Makes students seeking a doctor of pharmacy or equivalent degree eligible for health professions student loans. Provides for the repayment of such loans to begin one year after the student ceases to pursue a full-time course of study. Allows deferrals for: (1) up to three years for uniformed service or service under the Peace Corps Act; (2) internships and residencies; and (3) up to two years for full-time educational activity directly related to the health profession for which that individual is preparing. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations to carry out such Act. Allows a school to assess a charge to cover the costs of insuring against the cancellation of such loans. Allows the school to impose a penalty of up to six percent of the installment payment for the failure to make such payment when due. Authorizes the Secretary to try to collect any loan under such Act which is in default. Directs the school to make specified loan information available to student borrowers. Requires the Secretary to provide the school with notice of the intention to terminate an agreement under such Act. Provides procedures for appealing such terminations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the disclosure of the mailing address of any taxpayer who has defaulted on a student loan payment. Provides that scholarships for first-year students of exceptional financial need shall include: (1) tuition; (2) reasonable educational expenses; and (3) a stipend of $400 per month. Directs the Secretary to make grants to schools of public health for the support of education programs. Describes the method for determining the amount of such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for such grants. Imposes certain eligibility requirements for receiving such grants. Gives priority for family medicine instruction grants to applicants that demonstrate a commitment to family medicine. Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts with schools of medicine and osteopathy for specified programs through area health education centers. Gives priority for grants for training, traineeships, and fellowships in general internal medicine and general pediatrics to applicants that demonstrate a commitment to general internal medicine and general pediatrics in their medical education training programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the planning, development, and operation of approved advanced educational programs in the general practice of dentistry. Gives priority for such grants to applicants that demonstrate a commitment to family medicine in their medical education training program. Includes public and nonprofit private schools of chiropractic and schools with graduate programs in clinical psychology as eligible to participate in the program of education assistance to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Directs the Secretary to make grants to schools which provide the first or last two years of education leading to the doctor of medicine or osteopathy degree. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts for the following projects: (1) health promotion and disease prevention; (2) curriculum development; (3) training in health policy and policy analysis; and (4) the development of initiatives for assuring the competence of health professionals. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with schools of medicine and osteopathy for projects to: (1) improve the training of health professionals in geriatrics; and (2) establish new affiliations with nursing homes. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to schools of veterinary medicine for: (1) the development of curricula for training in the care of animals used in research; (2) the provision of such training; and (3) large animal care and research. Allows the Secretary to enter into contracts with schools seeking advanced financial distress assistance that submit a plan to achieve financial solvency within six (previously five) years. Eliminates the following current programs: (1) advanced funding; (2) grants for family medicine, training, traineeships, fellowships, and computer health care demonstrations; (3) education of returning U.S. students from foreign medical schools; (4) occupational health training and education centers; and (5) financial distress grants. Directs the Secretary to include in the report scheduled for October 1, 1987, an analysis of the financial disincentives to graduates of health professions schools which affect the specialty of practice chosen or the decision to practice in an area which lacks an adequate number of health care professionals, and recommendations to correct any such disincentives. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine if health professions schools comply with the Military Selective Service Act. Directs the Secretary to request the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study regarding the role of allied health personnel in health care delivery. Provides for the recovery of funds paid under the Community Mental Health Act if within 20 years after the completion of the remodeling, construction, or acquisition, the facility is: (1) sold to an entity which would not have been qualified to file an application under such Act; or (2) ceases to be a community mental health center. Describes the method for determining the recoverable amount. Allows the Secretary to waive recovery for good cause.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Nurse Education Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize funds for FY 1986 through 1988 for the nursing special projects programs. Authorizes additional projects that demonstrate: (1) clinical nurse education programs which combine educational curricula and clinical practice; (2) methods to improve access to nursing services in non-institutional settings; and (3) methods to encourage nursing graduates to practice in health manpower shortage areas. Revises the advanced nurse training program to authorize grants and contracts for programs that lead to masters' and doctoral degrees and prepare nurses to serve as nurse educators, administrators, researchers, or to serve in clinical nurse specialties which require advanced education. Authorizes appropriations for such programs for FY 1986 through 1988. Authorizes grants and contracts for schools of nursing and other non-profit entities to meet the costs of programs for the education of nurse practitioners and nurse midwives. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Authorizes grants for public and private nonprofit schools of nursing to cover the costs of post-baccalaureate fellowships for faculty in such schools. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1987. Extends the authority for traineeships for nurse anesthetists. Provides financial assistance to nurse anesthetist faculty members for advanced education. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to attempt to collect any loan made under such Act which is in default. Directs the Secretary to set dates by which schools of nursing must file applications for Federal capital contributions. Describes how such appropriations are to be allotted. Revises the date for the distribution of loan fund assets. Provides for the repayment of a specified portion of the balance of the student loan fund within 90 days after a school terminates its participation in such program. Requires the Secretary to provide a school of nursing with notice specifying the intention to terminate an agreement with such school. Provides procedures for the appeal of such termination. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the disclosure to the Secretary of Health and Human Services of the mailing address of any taxpayer who has defaulted on a loan made under the Public Health Service Act. Repeals specified provisions of such Act dealing with Federal construction grants and assistance. Provides for the recovery of Federal construction assistance where a facility is: (1) sold or transferred to an entity which is not a public or nonprofit school; (2) no longer used for the purpose for which it was constructed; or (3) used for sectarian instruction or as a place for religious worship. Allows the Secretary to waive Federal recovery rights for good cause.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
National Health Service Corps Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations for the National Health Service Corps Program. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1991 for new and continuing National Health Service Corps scholarships. Imposes a $15,000 per student limit for such scholarships during FY 1986. Provides a method for determining the limit for subsequent fiscal years. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from removing an area from those determined to be health manpower shortage areas under such Act until interested groups and persons are afforded the opportunity to provide data and information. Provides, with regard to scholarship-obligated service deferrals for advanced clinical training, that the Secretary: (1) shall grant deferrals upon requests for contracts entered into before October 1, 1985; (2) may grant such deferrals for contracts entered into after such date; and (3) shall not count such periods of advanced training toward satisfying the service obligation. Revises special private practice assistance provisions to: (1) limit such assistance to loans (presently grants and loans); (2) extend the minimum obligated service period from one to two years; and (3) apply such provisions to obligated- and unobligated-service National Health Service Corps members. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees by October 1, 1986, a plan for the recruitment, employment, and retention of personnel for the National Health Service Corps. Authorizes the Secretary to assist States in collecting data related to the designation of health manpower shortage areas. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes through FY 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act, 1986 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for specified activities relating to: (1) research and development; (2) space flight, control, and data communications; (3) construction of facilities; and (4) research and program management (including additional or supplemental amounts to cover any increases in salary, pay, retirement, or other employee benefits authorized by law). Permits appropriations for research and development and for space flight, control and data communications to be used for any items of a capital nature (other than acquisition of land) which may be required at locations other than NASA installations for the performance of research and development contracts, and for grants to nonprofit institutions of higher education, or to nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific research, for purchase or construction of additional research facilities. Requires the Administrator of NASA (the Administrator) to notify specified congressional officers and committees whenever the cost of a facility exceeds a specified amount. Permits funds appropriated for research and development, for space flight, control and data communications, or for construction of facilities to remain available without fiscal year limitation. Permits appropriations for research and program management to be used for scientific consultations or extraordinary expenses upon the approval of the Administrator. Provides for a $10,000 reduction in the total amount authorized under this Act under the heading of construction facilities. Permits, after such reduction is made in the sum total of funds for the individual projects authorized under such heading, such funds for construction of any specified facilities: (1) in the discretion of the Administrator, to be varied upward ten percent; or (2) following a report by the Administrator to specified congressional committees, to be varied upward 25 percent to meet unusual cost variations. Permits one-half of one percent of the funds appropriated for research and development or for space flight, control and data communications to be transferred to the appropriation for construction of facilities. Authorizes the expenditure of such transferred funds, together with a specified amount of the funds appropriated for construction of facilities, to construct, expand, or modify laboratories and other installations. Requires the Administrator, 30 days before expending such funds, to notify specified congressional officers and committees of the nature, cost, and necessity of such construction. Prohibits, until 30 days pass after congressional receipt of a full explanation by the Administrator, the use of funds appropriated pursuant to this Act for any program: (1) deleted by the Congress; (2) in excess of the amount actually authorized for the particular program under provisions for research and development, space flight, control and data communications, and research and program management; or (3) which has not been presented to either of the specified congressional committees. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that it is in the national interest that consideration be given to geographical distribution of Federal research funds whenever feasible, and that NASA should explore ways of doing so. Prohibits any civil space station authorized under specified provisions of this Act from being used to: (1) carry or place in orbit any nuclear weapon or any other weapon of mass destruction; (2) install any such weapon on any celestial body; or (3) station any such weapon in space in any other manner. Allows such civil space station to be used only for peaceful purposes. Prohibits any space shuttle pricing policy for the Space Transportation System (STS) for commercial and foreign users from being established and implemented for FY 1989 through 1991 until 30 days have passed after the President or the Administrator (or the Administrator's designee) has transmitted to specified congressional officers and committees a written report setting forth such policy. Requires such congressional committees to review such report and, if they determine it necessary or appropriate, recommended legislation to the Congress to establish a pricing policy for the STS which is in the best interest of the Nation and more completely achieves the goals and objectives of the Nation's civil space program. Authorizes the Inspector General of NASA to administer to or take from any person an oath, affirmation, or affidavit whenever necessary in performing functions assigned by the Inspector General Act of 1978, and to designate investigators or other employees to do so. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1985, to extend by six months the deadline for submission, to the President and specified committees by the National Commission on Space, of a long range plan for U.S. civilian space activity. Directs NASA during FY 1986 to defer payment to the Federal Financing Bank of the amount attributable to principal for which NASA is obligated during such fiscal year as a result of a specified contract regarding track and data relay satellite services (which was entered into under specified provisions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1978). Requires the amount of any such deferred payment to be added to the amount of principal for which NASA is obligated during FY 1993 as a result of such contract. Authorizes NASA to defer until FY 1994 any portion of the total amount for which it is obligated for FY 1993 which is in excess of the total amount for which it was obligated during FY 1992. Authorizes the Administrator to renegotiate such contract upon determination that such renegotiation is necessary to enable NASA to defer payments as provided under this Act. Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1986 to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out such Act (which provides for licensing and liability insurance requirements for commercial space launches).
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Improvement Act of 1985 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for home or community-based services provided to an individual with respect to whom there has been a determination that but for the provision of such services the individuals would require the level of care provided in a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, the cost of which would be reimbursed under Medicaid. Repeals provisions which required a State to apply for and receive a waiver in order to provide such services.
![Official portrait of Sen. Matsunaga, Spark M. [D-HI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000250_200.jpg)