United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1984
Howard University Endowment Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to establish an endowment program for Howard University. Authorizes the Secretary, from funds available in any fiscal year for the University, to make grants into the endowment fund established under this Act at the University. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with the University, including provisions necessary to assure that the purposes of this Act will be achieved. Requires the University, in order to receive such a grant, to: (1) deposit in the endowment fund an amount equal to such grant; and (2) administer the endowment fund in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Prohibits the source of funds for such institutional match from including Federal funds or funds derived from an existing endowment fund. Limits the period of any such grant to 20 years. Prohibits the University from withdrawing or expending any of its endowment fund corpus during such grant period. Allows the University, upon expiration of such period, to use the endowment fund corpus plus any endowment fund income for any educational purpose. Sets forth requirements for investments of the endowment fund corpus and endowment fund income. Sets forth provisions relating to authorized withdrawals and expenditures of endowment fund income. Sets forth provisions for enforcement of requirements under this Act. Makes conforming amendments to specified Federal law relating to Howard University.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take steps to: (1) issue a proclamation commemorating the Ukrainian famine of 1933; (2) issue a warning that the continued enslavement of the Ukrainian nation is a threat to world peace; and (3) convey to the Soviet people U.S. sentiments for the recovery of Ukrainian freedom and independence.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Adult Education Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Adult Education Act (the Act) to redefine "adult" to mean a person who is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance under State law. Redefines "adult education" to mean instruction or services below the college level for adults who do not have: (1) the basic skills to enable them to function effectively in society; or (2) a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education (and who have not achieved an equivalent level of education). Revises other definitions for purposes of such Act. Revises provisions for grants to States to provide that such grants shall cover the full cost (currently 90 percent) of specified programs and to permit private for-profit organizations to participate in grant programs. Revises provisions relating to allotment of such grant funds among States and specified U.S. territories and possessions. Revises provisions for State plans. Permits a State, if it so provides in its State plan, to use grant funds for: (1) adult education projects (including ones serving persons with limited English speaking ability) which use innovative methods, materials, or activities or are part of community school programs carried out in cooperation with other Federal, State, or local programs; and (2) projects for training persons who are, or are planning to become, instructors or other personnel in the field of adult education. Revises provisions relating to administration of State plans to authorize the Secretary of Education to take appropriate action under specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act whenever the Secretary has reason to believe that a State has failed to comply substantially with any provision of its State plan. Revises provisions for research, development, demonstration, dissemination, and evaluation programs. Deletes requirements that the Secretary fund such programs and deletes specified funding provisions for such programs. Deletes a requirement that the Secretary operate an information clearinghouse on adult education. Authorizes the Secretary (with specified funds which the Secretary is authorized to set aside, not to exceed five percent of the funds appropriated for the Act) to support applied research, development, demonstration, evaluation and related activities which will contribute to the improvement and expansion of adult education (including opportunities for elderly persons). Authorizes the Secretary to support such activities directly, or through grants to or contracts or cooperative agreements with public or private institutions, agencies, or organizations, or individuals. Authorizes the Director of the National Institute of Education to support research on the special needs of persons requiring adult education, with funds available under specified provisions of the General Education Provisions Act or with funds set-aside under the Act. Authorizes the Director to support such research directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. Revises provisions for State advisory councils to delete requirements relating to council membership, certification, and meetings. Authorizes States to use grant funds to support a State advisory council which assists the State educational agency to plan, implement, or evaluate programs or activities under the Act. Extends the existence of the National Advisory Council on Adult Education until October 1, 1989. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 to carry out the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to set aside up to five percent of such appropriations for research, development, demonstration, dissemination, and evaluation programs. Permits a State to use grant funds to pay: (1) for the development and administration of its State plan; and (2) up to 50 percent of the local administrative costs of programs or projects carried out through local educational agencies or public or private agencies, organizations or institutions. Repeals provisions of the Act relating to: (1) non-federal share of program costs; (2) use of funds for special experimental demonstration projects and teacher training; (3) special projects for the elderly; and (4) an adult education program for adult immigrants. Repeals specified maintenance of effort provisions under the General Education Provisions Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Small Business Competition Enhancement Act of 1984 - Amends the Small Business Act to set forth specified evaluation considerations which must be weighed by Federal agencies with respect to solicitations for competitive and noncompetitive awards of development or production contracts for a major system. Provides a waiver for certain evaluation considerations if the contracting officer determines in writing that such requirement would not be applicable to the production contract or would not be in the best interests of the Government. Requires an agency before it can establish any prequalification requirement with respect to the awarding of a contract to: (1) prepare a written justification stating the reasons for the restriction and why free and open competition is not feasible; (2) specify in writing and make available upon request all standards which a contractor, or its product, must meet in order to become qualified; (3) provide an opportunity for a contractor to demonstrate its ability to meet such standards; and (4) inform such contractor as to whether qualification has been attained. Sets forth procedures an agency must follow in the event that the number of available qualified sources or products is less than five. Sets forth additional information which is to be included in all notices of proposed competitive and noncompetitive civilian and defense procurement actions of $10,000 and above. Requires an agency to: (1) publicly post solicitations which would have been synopsized in the Commerce Business Daily if it had equalled or exceeded the applicable dollar threshold for such publication; and (2) make available to small businesses the solicitation package for solicitations posted in abstract form and permit the copying of such solicitation. Declares it to be the policy of the United States that small businesses and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals shall have to the maximum extent possible the opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts which are in excess of $10,000 and are not for personal services for subsystems, assemblies, components, and related services for major systems. Requires an agency with responsibility for a major system to include provisions relating to specified technical data in all production contracts in order to foster competitive procurement of spare parts requirements to maintain such systems. Provides a waiver for such provisions if the contracting officer determines in writing that any such provision would not be applicable to the production contract or would not be in the best interests of the Government. Requires an agency: (1) within one year after the enactment of this Act, to develop a plan for the management of such technical data received under contracts for the development, production, modification, or maintenance of major systems within its jurisdiction; and (2) within five years after the enactment of this Act, to complete implementation of such management plan and include the technical data for each major system within its jurisdiction. Specifies other matters the management plan shall address. Requires the Comptroller General, not later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act, to transmit to the Congress a report evaluating the plans of specified Federal agencies for the management of technical data for major systems within their jurisdiction. Requires a contracting officer, under specified circumstances, to initiate a review of the validity of restrictions on the Government's rights in technical data furnished under contract. Sets forth procedures for the certification of such restrictions. Requires the Small Business Administration to assign to each major procurement center a breakout procurement center representative who shall: (1) participate in evaluating the maintenance of a major system during its service life and determine whether requirements are to be procured through other than free and open competition; (2) review procurement method codes that restrict competition among small businesses and to request reevaluation of such restrictions by agency personnel; (3) review restrictions on competition that arise out of restrictions on the Government's rights in technical data and, when appropriate, recommend that the contracting officer initiate a review of the validity of such restriction; (4) obtain technical data for the preparation of a competitive solicitation package; and (5) have access to the unclassified procurement records and other data of the procurement center. Directs each agency to assign technical advisors to assist each breakout procurement center representative.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Library Services and Construction Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Library Services and Construction Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for: (1) library services; (2) public library construction; (3) interlibrary cooperation; (4) library services for Indian tribes; (5) foreign language materials acquisition; and (6) library literacy programs. Requires a specified percentage of such funds to be made available to Indian tribes. Allows grants to States for library services to be used for assisting libraries: (1) to serve as community information or referral centers; and (2) to provide literacy programs for adults and school dropouts in cooperation with other agencies and organizations. Sets forth additional requirements for a State's annual program for library services. Restricts the Federal share of the cost of public library construction to one-third of the total cost of each project. Requires that a specified portion of such funds be returned to the Federal government if within 20 years after completion a library constructed with Federal funds is no longer used for library purposes. Sets forth resource sharing requirements for State basic and long-range library programs. Deletes provisions for grants to States for older readers services, but revises required plan priorities to include programs and projects that serve the elderly. Requires the Secretary of Education to make grants to Indian tribes that have submitted an approved application for library services for Indians living on or near reservations. Provides that funds made available by such grants may be used for: (1) training of Indians as library personnel; (2) purchase of library materials; (3) special library programs for Indians; (4) salaries of library personnel; (5) construction, purchase, renovation, or remodeling of library buildings and facilities; (6) transportation to enable Indians to have access to library services; (7) dissemination of information about library services; (8) assessment of tribal library needs; and (9) contracts to provide library services. Amends the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act to direct the Librarian of Congress to permit the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science to access the Subject Content Oriental Retriever for Processing Information On-Line (SCORPIO).
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Student Loan Consolidation Act of 1984 - Amends part B (Federal, State, and Private Programs of Low-Interest Insured Loans to Students in Institutions of Higher Education) of title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to add new provisions for student loan consolidation. Directs the Secretary of Education (or a State or nonprofit private institution or organization with which the Secretary has an agreement under provisions for Federal payments to reduce interest costs) to enter into agreements with the Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae) and specified eligible commercial lenders and State agencies to provide consolidation loans to eligible borrowers. Provides for such consolidation of student loans made, insured, or guaranteed under part B or under part E (Direct Loans to Students in Institutions of Higher Education). Requires that such consolidation loans be covered by a properly issued certificate of insurance. Provides that loans covered by a certificate of insurance issued by a State or nonprofit private institution or organization shall be considered to be insured loans for purposes of Federal reimbursements, but that no administrative cost allowance will be paid with respect to such loans. Defines eligible borrowers, for consolidation loan purposes, as those who: (1) owe at least $5,000 to one or more lenders or programs under title IV; (2) have not carried at least one-half the normal full-time academic work-load at an eligible institution during the previous four months; (3) if in repayment status are not delinquent with respect to any required payment on such indebtedness by more than 90 days; (4) are not parent borrowers under the Auxiliary Loan program; and (5) certify, subject to specified penalties, that they are not currently receiving compensation for employment for which the total annualized monthly rate of pay of the borrower is in excess of 200 percent of the outstanding principal balance of all such loans (provides for deductions for dependent children in determining such total annualized monthly rate of pay). Terminates an individual's eligibility for a consolidation loan upon receipt of a consolidation loan, except with respect to student loans received after the date of receipt of the consolidation loan. Provides that only loans received after such date shall be taken into account for the purpose of computing the outstanding indebtedness of such an individual. Sets forth requirements for such consolidation loan agreements. Requires eligible commercial lenders to agree to make consolidation loans: (1) upon application of any eligible borrower, if the lender holds an outstanding loan of the borrower which is selected by the borrower for such consolidation; and (2) to other eligible borrowers only to the extent permitted by the Secretary in an agreement under specified provisions. Requires specified State lending agencies to make such consolidation loans, subject to the availability of funds allocated for such purpose, to any eligible borrower who: (1) is, or was at the time of receiving a loan which is selected for consolidation, a resident of the State of such lender; or (2) received loans under title IV while attending an institution of higher education in the State of such lender. Permits such State lending agencies to elect to limit the further availability of their consolidation loans to those borrowers for whom the State lending agency is the holder of a loan selected for consolidation. Requires Sallie Mae to agree to make a consolidation loan upon application of any eligible borrower, if that borrower has no other application pending with another lender for a consolidation loan. Sets forth requirements for such consolidation loan agreements. Limits the making of any such consolidation loan from the proceeds of any tax-exempt bond or other obligation to an amount no greater than 15 percent of the total outstanding principal on all loans under title IV held by a lender. Requires lenders to notify borrowers of the availability and terms of consolidation loans. Directs the Secretary to issue certificates of comprehensive insurance coverage to lenders which have entered into such consolidation loan agreements. Sets forth required provisions for such certificates. Provides that such consolidation loans shall be insurable only if the loan is made to an eligible borrower who has agreed to notify the holder of the loan promptly concerning any change of address and the loan is evidenced by a note or other written agreement which meets specified requirements. Sets the interest rate for such consolidation loans at nine percent per year except that in the case of a consolidation of auxiliary loans made to an independent undergraduate or graduate student the consolidation loan shall have an annual interest rate equal to the highest applicable interest rate on such auxiliary loans (either 12 or 14 percent). Permits consolidation loan lenders, except as provided in specified provisions, to establish repayment terms, including graduated and income sensitive repayment schedules. Limits the initial repayment period to a specified maximum period. Sets minimum monthly installment requirements. Provides that such initial repayment schedule shall continue to be effective unless the borrower demonstrates, pursuant to specified requirements, to the lender that the borrower's eligibility index is less than or equal to a specified level. Provides for determination of such eligibility index on the basis of the dependent-adjusted gross income on the borrower's Federal income tax return for the preceding taxable year. Requires commencement of repayment within a specified period after all holders have discharged the borrower's liability on the loans selected for consolidation. Prohibits charging an origination fee or insurance premium to the borrower on any consolidation loan. Provides that no insurance premium shall be payable by the lender to the issuer of the certificate of insurance with respect to any such loan. Authorizes the Secretary, after a hearing and a determination of need, to enter into an agreement with specified eligible lenders from another State to consolidate loans in any State where specified eligible lenders from that State have not entered into such an agreement. Requires that notice of such hearing be sent to the Governor of the affected State and to specified lenders. Permits the Governor and lenders to present evidence and testimony and examine witnesses at such hearing. Requires that full consideration be given to the views of the Governor and lenders. Provides that authority to make such consolidation loans shall expire at the close of FY 1986. Provides that consolidation loans shall not be considered to be new loans made to students for purposes of determining the maximum amount of loans that can be federally-insured under specified HEA provisions. Makes technical and conforming amendments. Provides that the applicable percentage to be added in determining the special allowance on consolidation loans shall be three percent (rather than three and one half percent). Directs the Secretary to: (1) evaluate the cost, efficiency, and impact of the consolidation loan program established by this Act; and (2) report to the Congress by June 30, 1986, on findings and recommendations relating to such evaluation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Institute For Health Care Technology Assessment Act - Authorizes the establishment of a private nonprofit Institute for Health Care Technology Assessment to promote the development of appropriate health care technologies and the elimination of inappropriate or obsolete technologies. Authorizes such Institute to: (1) serve as an information clearinghouse; (2) collect and analyze data; (3) assess health care technology needs; and (4) provide education and training. States that the Institute's Board of Directors shall have representatives from the medical and nursing professions, the health insurance field health industry and pharmaceutical manufacturers, business and labor, and the American Association of Retired People. Makes the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment ex officio members. Directs the Secretary to make available to the Institute a seven-year line of credit. Requires the Institute to submit an annual report to the President for transmittal to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Medicare Preferred Provider Arrangement Act - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into a contract with any insurer or other third party payor under which payments shall be made to such insurer or payor on behalf of individuals enrolled under part B who participate in a preferred provider arrangement, established by such insurer or payor, which meets the requirements of this Act. Provides that the amount of the payment to the insurer or other third party payor per capita for each individual enrolled under part B who participates in the preferred provider arrangement (participating part B beneficiaries) shall be the same payment amount as determined for payment to a health maintenance organization for individuals who are enrolled under part B but are entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII, and are enrolled with health maintenance organizations or competitive medical plans having risk-sharing contracts. Requires payment to be made in the same manner as under such risk-sharing contracts. Provides that payments under this Act shall be instead of any payments which would otherwise be payable under part B for services furnished through the preferred provider arrangement to its participating part B beneficiaries, and no other payments shall be made under part B to or on behalf of participating part B beneficiaries for services which are available to them from or through the arrangement. Requires a preferred provider arrangement, in order to meet the requirements of this Act, to meet the following requirements: (1) the arrangement must provide at a minimum for physicians' services and for laboratory, x-ray, emergency, and preventive services to be available 24 hours a day and seven days a week; (2) provisions must be made for payment to physicians other than participating physicians if the services furnished were necessary and it was not reasonable under the circumstances to obtain the services through a participating physician; (3) the portion of the premium rate charged by the arrangement, and the actuarial value of its deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments charged, for services covered under this part provided to its participating part B beneficiares may not exceed the actuarial value of the coinsurance and deductibles which would be applicable on the average to its participating part B beneficiaries if they were not participating in any preferred provider arrangement; (4) subject to open enrollment requirements, the arrangement must be open to any individual enrolled in part B, other than an individual with end stage renal disease; (5) the arrangement must provide for an open enrollment period of at least 30 days duration annually; (6) the insurer or other third party payor must provide assurances that adequate provision against the risk of insolvency has made; and (7) the insurer or other third party payor must provide meaningful procedures for hearings and resolving grievances between the insurer or payor, including any participating provider, and its participating part B beneficiaries. Provides that contracts under this Act shall be for a term of at least one year and may be automatically renewable in the absence of notice by either party of intention to terminate at the end of a term, except that the Secretary may terminate a contract at any time (after notice and opportunity for a hearing) if the insurer or other third party payor fails to meet the requirements of this Act or the contract.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Public Health Service Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit employers required under such Act to provide their employees with a health maintenance organization (HMO) option to provide either an HMO or a specified competitive medical plan (CMP) option. Provides such CMPs with the same waivers of State restrictions that apply to HMOs. Prohibits any State from preventing insurers or other third-party payors from entering into preferred provider contracts with health care providers. Stipulates that such agreements shall not allow discrimination for other than economic or quality of care considerations. Requires employers covered by such Act to provide employees with access at least once a year to a blood pressure test.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1984
Health Care Consumer Information Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct a study of the effects of efforts to provide hospital price data to third party payors and consumers of health care services; (2) develop methodologies to provide such parties with ambulatory care price data and information about the quality of health care services. Requires a report to Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Colombian Special Anti-Narcotics Unit should be commended for its seizure of large amounts of cocaine on March 10, 1984; and (2) the United States should continue to cooperate with Colombia to assist and encourage efforts to destroy drug producing crops and counter the flow of dangerous drugs to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1984
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for: (1) FY 1985 through 1987 to be used by the Secretary of Commerce to assist in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities; and (2) FY 1987 through 1989 for the Public Broadcasting Fund used by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1984
Victims of Crime Assistance Act of 1984 - Establishes within the Treasury a Crime Victims' Assistance Fund, in which shall be deposited all criminal fines collected from convicted Federal defendants and all proceeds received from the sale of literary or other rights arising from criminal acts. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to establish a procedure under which any money due a criminal defendant under a contract entered into for the purposes of recounting or having his or her crime depicted shall be paid into the Fund. Provides that all money deposited in the Fund is for the benefit of any victim of the defendant's crime. Requires such victim, in order to receive money from the Fund, to secure a judgment in a civil action against the defendant for damages arising out of the crime. Allows money from the Fund to pay for the defendant's legal representation. Requires the clerk of the court to publish every six months for two years a notice to victims that such money is available to satisfy judgments pursuant to this Act. Amends the Federal criminal code to allow victims the opportunity to appear at parole hearings and testify about the emotional, psychological, physical, and financial impact the prisoner's conduct has had on their lives. Authorizes the Attorney General to make annual grants from the Fund to States for the purpose of compensating and providing other assistance to victims of crime. Establishes criteria based on State victims' compensation payouts and population for the distribution of the Fund. Requires that States appoint a State victim assistance administrator to award funds to eligible non-profit, State, and local agencies which provide assistance to victims. Directs the Attorney General to appoint a Federal Victim Assistance Administrator to provide funds to executive agencies for services and other nonfinancial assistance to victims of Federal crimes. Authorizes the President to establish a Federal Victims of Crime Advisory Committee to advise the Federal Administrator about the needs of Federal victims. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to submit a report to the Attorney General setting forth the steps it has taken to: (1) improve the accurate accounting of collections of criminal fines; and (2) assure all collected fines are deposited in the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1984
Commends the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission for its efforts to: (1) restore and preserve the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island; (2) establish a lasting memorial to the immigrants who created America; (3) plan and implement centennial celebration events; (4) develop plans ensuring continuing support of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island National Monument; and (5) raise $230,000,000 to accomplish these goals.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1984
Fair Trade in Steel Act of 1984 - Declares that it is the policy of Congress that access to the U.S. market for foreign-produced carbon, alloy, and specialty steel mill products should be on an equitable basis to safeguard national security, insure orderly trade in steel mill products, reduce unfair trade in steel mill products, and alleviate U.S. balance-of-payments problems. Expresses the intent of Congress to: (1) expand the economic viability of the U.S. steel industry and the jobs of its workers; (2) prevent the further decline of the domestic steel industry; and (3) temper the economic hardships resulting from unemployment in steel industry communities by encouraging reinvestment in existing steelmaking facilities. Limits annual imports of specified steel mill product categories to specified percentages of the apparent domestic supply which are based on adjusted average import penetration levels for each such product category for the years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to allocate global product limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries, or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocations. Requires the Secretary to make an annual determination of the expected apparent domestic supply in each steel mill product category. Requires the Secretary to revise such determination periodically during the year. Directs the Secretary to determine, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, whether the steel industry companies have plans to use substantially all of the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and the modernization of the steel sector. Suspends the import restrictions until the Secretary determines that the steel companies have such plans. Directs the Secretary to monitor steel sector investments made and announced by the steel industry and to consult with steel industry representatives and employees in the course of such monitoring. Directs the Secretary to determine annually whether steel companies are using substantially all the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Directs the Secretary to modify or suspend the relevant import restrictions if the Secretary determines that substantially less than all the cash flow from the steel sector is being used for such reinvestment and modernization and that the level of investment is not demonstrably justified by adverse financial conditions within the industry. Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) each annual determination and its rationale; and (2) the total amount of cash flow from the steel sector and the total amount used for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Requires the Secretary's annual determination to include an evaluation of the steel industry's progress toward fulfillment of the reinvestment and modernization plans. Directs the Secretary to examine the supply and demand situation in the United States for a specified steel product category if reguested by affected steel consumers. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor imports of fabricated steel mill products. Sets forth the method of investigating whether imports of fabricated steel products are rendering ineffective or materially interfering with the objectives of this Act. Limits the quantity of iron ore that may be entered from all sources during any calendar year after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate global iron ore limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocation. Directs the Secretary, in making such allocations, to attempt first to accommodate the requirements of individual steel mills which have been traditionally dependent on ocean sourced foreign iron ore and the requirements of contractual obligations incurred before January 1, 1984. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the import restrictions on iron are if necessary to meet the needs of such individual steel mills. Provides for the enforcement and implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1984
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that a county with an average wage rate which is no less than the average wage rate for a standard metropolitan statistical area in a State shall be considered an urban area for purposes of the prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1984
Vocational Education Act - Declares that it is the policy of the United States to assist the States to: (1) improve the quality of vocational education programs, and make them more responsive to labor market needs; (2) improve access to, and the quality of, vocational education for groups of individuals with special problems in the labor market, such as the handicapped and the economically disadvantaged, and to promote sex equity in occupational training; (3) assist in dealing with economic dislocation through programs for retraining adult workers and by promoting training for occupations required by expanding industries; and (4) achieve these purposes by involving the business community in the planning process and developing performance standards. Title I: State Vocational Education Program - Part A: Authorization of Appropriations and Allotments - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1990 to carry out this Act. Provides that, beginning with FY 1986 and thereafter, appropriations for programs and activities under this Act shall be available for obligation only on the basis of a program year which shall begin on July 1 in the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made. Provides that funds obligated for any program year may be expended by each recipient and subrecipient during that program year and the two succeeding program years and no amount shall be deobligated on account of a rate of expenditure which is consistent with the program plan. Provides that appropriations for FY 1985 shall be available both to fund activities for the period between October 1, 1984, and June 30, 1985, and for the program year beginning July 1, 1985. Authorizes appropriation of any additional sums necessary to carry out the transition to program year funding. Distributes funds under this Act as follows: (1) one percent for Indian programs under Part D of title II; (2) not more than three percent for national activities under parts B and C of title II; and (3) the remainder for allotments to States. Directs the Secretary of Education to make three separate types of State allotments for each fiscal year. Provides that the first type of State allotment shall be taken from gradually decreasing portions of the funds available for State allotments as follows: (1) 80 percent for FY 1985; (2) 75 percent for FY 1986; (3) 70 percent for FY 1987; (4) 65 percent for FY 1988; and (5) 60 percent for FY 1989. Makes such first type of State allotment on the basis of State population aged: (1) 15 through 19,50 percent; (2) 20 through 24,20 percent; (3) 25 through 65,15 percent; and (4) 15 through 65,15 percent. Provides that the second type of State allotment shall be taken from 20 percent of the funds available for State allotment. Makes such second type of State allotment on the basis of State population of long-term unemployed individuals. Provides that the third type of State allotment shall be taken from gradually increasing portions of the funds available for State allotments as follows: (1) five percent for FY 1986; (2) ten percent for FY 1987; (3) 15 percent for FY 1988; and (4) 20 percent for FY 1989. Makes such third type of State allotment on the basis of the number of economically disadvantaged individuals and handicapped individuals actually served in the State in the year prior to the year in which the allotment determination is made. Part B: State and Local Administrative and Planning Provisions - Sets forth conditions for State grants. Requires each State desiring to participate in the program authorized by this Act to: (1) establish or designate a State educational agency or board to be responsible for administration of payments received and State plan preparation; (2) submit two-year State plans; (3) assure State compliance with performance standards or take acceptable corrective measures toward achieving such standards; and (4) assure State compliance with other provisions of this Act. Sets forth provisions for development of the State plans. Requires that State plans be developed with the active participation of the private sector, labor organizations, secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, representatives of specified underserved groups of individuals, and the State advisory committee. Requires each State to establish a State advisory committee. Requires that at least one-third of committee members be from the private sector, and that other members be representative of other specified groups. Allows a majority of the private sector representatives to file separate views on certain provisions of the State plan. Sets forth requirements for State plan contents. Includes among such required contents: (1) expected performance outcomes for all participants, with separate descriptions for the handicapped and the economically disadvantaged; (2) appropriate remedial measures to meet performance standards; (3) comparisons of prevailing wage rates of occupations for which men and women are being trained, taking into account the percentage of men and women in each occupation; (4) plans for progress in sex equity; (5) criteria for within State allocation of at least 60 percent of its allotment which assure that high unemployment and poverty areas receive an equitable share of vocational education funds, and which may provide incentives for areas exceeding performance standards; and (6) criteria for within State allocation of at least 30 percent of its allotment to postsecondary education programs. Requires each State, unless the entire State will serve as a single planning area, to designate regional or local planning areas within the State which shall, to the extent feasible, relate to labor market areas or be coordinated with areas used for related functions. Provides that this requirement shall not: (1) preclude the use of local educational agencies for local planning functions; or (2) require a single plan for secondary education and postsecondary programs if the State determines that such a single or regional plan would not be feasible. Requires that regional or local plans be developed with the active participation of the private sector, labor organizations, secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, representatives of specified underserved groups of individuals, and advisory panels. Requires that a majority of the panel members be representatives of the private sector, and that other members be representative of other specified groups. Allows a majority of the private sector representatives to file separate views on certain provisions of the local or regional plan. Sets forth requirements for local or regional plan contents. Includes among such required contents: (1) expected performance outcomes, with separate descriptions for the handicapped and the economically disadvantaged; (2) comparisons of prevailing wage rates of occupations for which men and women are being trained; and (3) plans for progress in sex equity. Part C: Use of Funds - Allows funds under this title to be used for developing new, improved, or expanded vocational education programs that are responsive to labor market demands in the locality or region of the State. Lists examples of activities such funds may be used for. Allows States to use such funds for any programs and services which States determine to be useful to carry out such purpose of developing programs responsive to labor market demands. Allows funds under this title to provide additional services which are necessary to enable underserved groups of individuals to participate successfully in vocational education programs or to strengthen the institutional capacity of the vocational education system to serve such individuals. Includes among such underserved groups individuals who are: (1) economically disadvantaged; (2) handicapped; (3) limited in English-speaking proficiency; (4) single parents and heads of households; or (5) women. Lists examples of activities such funds may be used for. Allows States to use such funds for any programs or services which States determine to be useful to carry out such purpose of improving vocational education for underserved groups of individuals. Allows funds under this title to be used to improve and expand the capacity of the vocational education system to train and retrain adult workers. Requires that funds used for such purpose be used only for programs developed in coordination with the State agency administering title III (Employment and Training Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Allows such funds to be used for: (1) additional training under title III of JTPA; (2) vocational education programs for training and retraining adults, including programs for displaced homemakers; and (3) the costs of serving adults in other vocational education programs. Requires that the entire amount of that type of State allotment which is based on the number of long-term unemployed individuals be available only for adult retraining programs. Requires that at least ten percent of the funds received by a State be used to expand and improve vocational education for the handicapped. Requires that at least 20 percent of the funds received by a State be used to expand and improve vocational education for the economically disadvantaged. Limits to not more than 15 percent of the State allotment the amount which may be used for administration, planning, and evaluation. Part D: Performance Standards - Declares that it is the policy of the Federal Government that Federal funds for vocational education be used to make vocational education more responsive to labor market needs and to improve the access of traditionally underserved groups of individuals to quality vocational education while leaving States and localities maximum discretion in how to achieve such purposes. Declares that such objectives can best be met by the States developing performance standards which measure the achievement of Federal purposes while leaving maximum flexibility for States to determine use of funds in the light of local circumstances and needs. Requires each State plan to contain performance standards expressed as a percentage of successful outcomes for all participants, and for the handicapped, and for the economically disadvantaged. Permits these numerical standards to be different for secondary and for postsecondary programs. Requires that successful outcomes for secondary students include at least: (1) training related placement (including enlistment in the armed services); (2) achievement of skill levels acceptable to the local employer community; and (3) achievement of basic employment competencies (basic educational attainments and attitudes necessary for entry level employment) as determined by the appropriate State education agency and which are acceptable to the employer community; and (4) continuing education. Requires that successful outcomes for postsecondary students include at least: (1) training related placement; and (2) achievement of skill levels. Requires that basic employment competency levels be: (1) prescribed by State and local education agencies; and (2) acceptable to the private sector representatives on the appropriate councils and planning panels. Requires that acceptable skills be determined by the private sector through the State Advisory Committees, the local private industry council under JTPA, or through committees representing employers and labor organizations established for a particular industry or occupation pursuant to provisions for local or regional planning. Allows each State plan to apply numerical standards to a local or regional area so that overall State goals will be met, taking into account differing demographic and economic characteristics of the area and the population to be served. Sets forth a prohibition against Federal control of education for purposes of this Act. Title II: Federal Responsibilities - Part A: Federal Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions relating to State plan approvals, payments to States, judicial review of plan disapprovals, and audits. Part B: Research and Data Collection; School to Work Transition - Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor, from specified funds available under this Act and under JTPA, to jointly develop a research and technical assistance program relating to education, training and employment. Allows such program to include the establishment and operation of one or more centers for development of specified capacities for analyzing vocational education, training, and employment. Requires that a center's application for such assistance be approved by a panel of experts, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Secretary in maintaining assistance under this Act to cooperate in supplying information for such system. Directs the Secretary, in maintaining and annually updating such system, to make such system compatible with: (1) the occupational information data system established under this Act; (2) other systems developed or assisted under labor market information provisions under JTPA; and (3) other occupational supply and demand information systems developed or maintained through Federal assistance (directs the Secretary to cooperate with the Secretary of Labor in this). Directs the Secretary to secure data about program enrollees and completers, placement and followup, staffing, and expenditures by major purposes of this Act. Establishes a National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee consisting of specified Federal officials. Directs the Committee, with funds available under this Act and JTPA, to: (1) annually provide funds for and assist State occupational coordinating committees; (2) improve coordination among administrators and planners of programs authorized by this Act and JTPA, employment security agency administrators, researchers, and Federal, State, and local employment and training agency personnel; (3) develop and implement an occupational information system to meet common needs of vocational education and employment and training programs; and (4) study the effects of technological change on new and existing occupational areas and the required changes in knowledge and job skills. Requires each State receiving assistance under this Act to establish a State occupational information coordinating committee composed of representatives of the State board, employment security agency, economic development agency, job training coordinating council, and the agency for administering programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Directs the State committee, with funds from the national committee, to implement an occupational information system in the State designed to meet the needs of State board programs under this Act and administering agencies under JTPA. Directs the Secretary, through the National Institute of Education and as part of the National Assessment of Education Progress required under the General Education Provisions Act, to identify vocational education students among the national sample of students who have attained 17 years of age in order to enable a comparison to be made over time of the achievements in reading, writing, and arithmetic, by region of the country and by socioeconomic level of vocational education students and other students. Sets forth provisions for school-to-work transition programs. Authorizes the Secretary, from funds under this title, to make grants or award contracts to consortia of private sector local employers to develop and implement innovative programs to assist vocational education graduates to make a transition into unsubsidized employment in the private sector. Requires that such programs be: (1) established cooperatively with vocational educators in more than one State; (2) based on programs of demonstrated effectiveness; and (3) administered and coordinated by the Secretary. Allows such programs to include on-the-job training, support services, technical assistance, and placement services. Part C: President's Council on Vocational Education - Establishes the President's Council on Vocational - Technical Education, consisting of members appointed by the President, with a majority representing the private sector of the economy and the remainder with broad experience in education and economic and human resources development (at least one of whom is a member of the National Commission for Employment Policy established under JTPA). Directs the Council to advise the President, Congress, and vocational-technical education programs. Directs the Council to make a report of its findings and recommendations to the President, Congress, and Secretary every third year. Authorizes the Council to: (1) make interim reports and recommendations; and (2) collect, analyze, and disseminate information on the skill and competency levels developed under provisions for performance standards. Part D: Indian Program - Sets forth provisions for Indian programs. Directs the Secretary, upon the request of an eligible Indian tribe, to contract with the tribal organization to plan, conduct and administer vocational education programs with the funds reserved for such purposes. Authorizes the Secretary, from any remaining funds from such reserved fund, to enter into an agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for the operation of vocational education programs in institutions serving eligible Indians. Makes provisions of this Act applicable to the BIA as if it were a State board. Part E: Transitional and Conforming Provisions - Provides that the provisions of this Act shall take effect October 1, 1984, except that provisions relating to performance standards shall become effective July 1, 1985. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations under this Act upon the date of enactment of this Act. Repeals the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Makes conforming amendments to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Adult Education Act, the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968. Title III: Coordination of Job Training Activities - Provides that no provision of any Federal law shall be construed to prohibit the use of a private industry council established under JTPA for planning for, or advising on, programs under this Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or any other Federal law relating to employment or training. Authorizes State Governors to combine two or more advisory councils whose functions relate to vocational education, employment, or training, or use one such council to perform the functions of more than one such council if specified conditions are met. Directs any Governor wishing to merge or expand the use of an advisory council to give public notice of the new or expanded council and its proposed functions. Requires that such notice be transmitted to, and subject to the approval of, the head of each responsible Federal agency. Provides for appeals of adverse decisions to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget or to the head of any other agency designated by the President. Sets forth provisions relating to performance of services by State agencies receiving Federal assistance for training. Amends the Economy Act to make specified provisions of such Act applicable to any State agency receiving Federal financial assistance for vocational education, job training, or related programs, as designated by the State Governor or the Mayor of the District of Columbia. Allows each State agency to contract with any other State agency to perform services for which Federal assistance for job training or related programs is received if the Governor determines that such a contract will promote efficiency of operation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1984
Multiemployer Plan Termination Insurance Reform Act of 1984 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to redefine the circumstances which trigger withdrawal liability for employers in the trucking and warehousing industries. Identifies such circumstances as: (1) the resumption or continuation by an employer of the same type of business in the same area of the pension plan within five years after such employer's contribution obligation has ceased and the employer does not renew it; and (2) the transfer by such an employer of specified business assets to purchasers operating the same type of business in the same area of the plan who have no contribution obligation to any pension plan for such work. Details the conditions under which: (1) a pension plan is deemed a "trucking and warehousing plan" for purposes of this Act; (2) the cessation of an employer's contribution obligation due to loss of a contract is not considered a complete withdrawal from a pension plan; (3) the sale of an employer's business assets at auction (or in conection with Federal bankruptcy proceedings) is not considered a complete withdrawal from a pension plan; and (4) an employer's withdrawal of substantially all of the contribution base units to a plan is considered a partial or complete withdrawal from such a plan. Details the conditions under which a partial withdrawal from a trucking and warehousing pension plan occurs. Specifies exceptions. Authorizes a plan sponsor or authorized fiduciary to decline to pursue a claim for withdrawal liability under certain circumstances. Allows suspension of an employer's withdrawal liability payments, pending review of the liability determination, if the employer either posts bond or pays into escrow an amount equal to its required contribution in the last plan year ending before the alleged withdrawal. Sets forth procedural guidelines for notice and review before a plan sponsor may claim withdrawal liability from an employer deemed to have partially or completely withdrawn from a plan. Outlines the procedure under which the sponsor of a trucking and warehousing plan shall terminate a single-employer plan. Provides notification procedures if an actuary determines that a trucking and warehousing plan faces an accumulated funding deficiency. Establishes an involuntary withdrawal liability payment fund and a program under which the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation shall pay 90 percent of the liability incurred for involuntary withdrawal from a plan. Provides for assessments against covered plans for payments into the fund. Applies the program to involuntary withdrawals from all plans with mandatory coverage. Authorizes the Corporation to provide optional coverage. Sets standards to ascertain withdrawal liability based upon the involuntary withdrawal of an employer resulting from a certified change of collective bargaining representative. Requires the Corporation to provide for regular 12- month assessment periods for assessing each covered plan for its allocated portion of payments to the fund. Authorizes division of the fund into: (1) a mandatory coverage account; and (2) a optional coverage account. Defines the conditions under which an involuntary withdrawal occurs. Authorizes the Corporation to transfer moneys from a specified pension guaranty fund to the involuntary withdrawal liability payment fund if it determines that such a transfer is advisable to meet funding deficiencies. States that such a transfer of funds must be repaid. Sets guidelines for the Corporation to promulgate regulations for the reimbursement of withdrawals which occurred before the involuntary withdrawal liability payment program was enacted. Creates an exemption from withdrawal liability if the amount of unfunded vested benefits of a plan as of the end of a plan year is not greater than zero and the employer withdraws from such plan within a specified time. Directs the Corporation to issue regulations prescribing: (1) adjustments to the formulae used to allocate unfunded vested benefits where employer withdrawal from a plan occurs after an exemption period; and (2) the actuarial assumptions used to determine unfunded vested benefits and withdrawal liability (currently, the Corporation's authority to prescribe such regulations is discretionary). States that a complete or partial withdrawal from a plan does not occur if the purchaser in a bona fide conveyance assumes the former employer's plan contribution obligations. Prescribes guidelines for the determination of: (1) complete or partial withdrawal by the seller; (2) amount of unfunded vested benefits allocable to the seller; (3) complete or partial withdrawal by the purchaser; and (4) the amount of unfunded vested benefits allocable to the purchaser. Authorizes the Corporation to impose additional requirements to reduce unreasonable risks to the plan if the purchaser is in a less favorable financial position than the seller immediately after conveyance of the business. Prescribes transitional rules for: (1) past business conveyances causing no withdrawal; and (2) past business conveyances causing exempt withdrawal. Prescribes guidelines under which the sponsor of a multiemployer plan shall furnish, upon an employer's request, information necessary to compute withdrawal liability and potential withdrawal liability. Authorizes the Corporation, upon request, to approve rules for the reduction or elimination of withdrawal liability. Sets quidelines under which such approval will be granted. Provides that the funding standard account for a plan year shall be charged with sums computed according to specified formulae. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code. Reduces from 25 years to 15 years the schedule for amortization of a plan's unfunded vested benefits liability in the case of a plan in reorganization under bankruptcy law. Establishes formulae for minimum contribution requirements if a plan does not meet specified asset/benefit ratios. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code. Voids any withdrawal liability incurred as the result of the complete or partial withdrawal from a multiemployer plan under certain Acts prior to Sept. 26, 1980. Requires refund of any amounts paid as a result of such liability.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Highway Revenue Equity Act - Provides that for purposes of determining the minimum allocation for any State for highway projects, the amount of taxes paid into the Highway Trust Fund with respect to gasohol and certain methanol and ethanol fuels shall be determined as if such fuels were taxed as gasoline.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Authorizes the President, on behalf of Congress, to present to Elie Wiesel a gold medal in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and outstanding contributions to world literature and human rights. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the public sale of bronze duplicates of such medal.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations exempting retirees or individuals over age 65 from interest penalties with respect to any underpayment of estimated tax. Requires that such underpayment be due to reasonable cause (defined to include mistake or ignorance of the law) and not to willful neglect.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1984
Commends the President for his support for specified confidence building measures between the United States and the Soviet Union. Urges the President to pursue negotiations with the Soviet Union concerning such measures, adding to such negotiations the establishment of nuclear risk reduction centers in both countries.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow married individuals to compute the amount of their income tax deduction for contributions to retirement savings accounts on the basis of the earned income of their spouses. Treats alimony payments as compensation for purposes of this deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to provide that a buyer in the ordinary course of business who buys farm products from a person engaged in farming operations shall own such goods free of any security interest in such goods even though the security interest is perfected and even though the buyer knows of its existence.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the exile of Igor Ogurtsov; and (2) urge the Soviet Union to provide Igor Ogurtsov with medical care, grant his release from exile, and accept his application for an exit visa and allow him to emigrate without forcing him to renounce his views (in accordance with a specified international treaty).
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1983
Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1983 to delay until after December 31, 1985, mandatory coverage under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program for employees of tax-exempt religious or apostolic organizations which do not have in effect on January 1, 1984, a waiver certificate (which waives such an organization's exemption from taxation for purposes of the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program).
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1983
States that the Congress: (1) holds Iran responsible for upholding the rights of the Baha'is; (2) condemns Iran's decision to destroy the Baha'i faith; and (3) calls upon the President to work with appropriate foreign governments to form an appeal to Iran concerning the Baha'is, to cooperate with the United Nations in its efforts on behalf of the Baha'is, and to provide humanitarian assistance for Baha'is who flee Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1983
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the inspection authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over records ( currently limited to manufacturers and distributors of prescription drugs) to manufacturers and distributors of drugs containing caffeine and ephedrine. Permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services to add additional substances to this list, through notice and comment rulemaking, if they become substances of abuse. Prohibits the manufacture and distribution of drugs which a reasonable person would believe to be a controlled substance. Repeals the prohibition on obtaining injunctions against the manufacturers and distributors of counterfeit drugs and the making, selling or concealing of the equipment used to make counterfeit drugs. Extends the FDA's seizure authority to prohibited look-alike drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 November 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from Federal income taxes members of the armed forces or civilian employees of the United States who die as a result of hostile action outside the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 November 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until January 1, 1994, the rules relating to depreciation of expenditures to rehabilitate low-income rental housing.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1983
Dependent Care Resource and Referral Act of 1983 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a block grant program for States for the development of resource and referral programs for dependent care services. Requires the programs to provide information on: (1) the types of dependent care services available; (2) the cost of available dependent care; (3) the location of dependent care; (4) transportation to such locations; (5) the hours such care is available; and (6) enrollment eligibility. Makes appropriations. Requires States to make applications and submit assurances in order to receive funds under this program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Act - Title I: Task Force on Organ Procurement and Transplantation Establishment - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Task Force on Organ Procurement and Transplantation to develop a national plan for organ procurement and a donor network. Requires a report to the President and the appropriate congressional committees within three months. Terminates the Task Force three months after such report is submitted. Title II: Organ Procurement and Transplantation Registry - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of a private sector Organ Procurement and Transplantation Registry to provide for a national donor-recipient network. Authorizes grant authority for such purposes. Title III: Annual Report on Organ Transplantation - Directs the Secretary to report annually on the scientific and clinical status of organ transplantation. Title IV: Prohibition of Organ Purchases - Prohibits the sale or purchase of human organs in interstate commerce. Establishes criminal penalties for such violations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Quayle, Dan [R-IN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/q000007_200.jpg)