United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations to help developing countries protect and maintain wildlife habitats and develop sound wildlife management and plant conservation programs. Requires each country development strategy statement or other country plan prepared by the Agency for International Development (AID) to include a detailed plan to assist that country in the conservation of biological diversity. States that, whenever feasible, such protection, maintenance, management, and conservation activities shall be accomplished through projects managed by private and voluntary organizations and other nongovernmental organizations. Directs AID to allocate at least a specified sum for projects managed by such organizations. Directs the Administrator of AID to take certain steps, including: (1) cooperating with appropriate organizations; (2) looking to the World Conservation Strategy as an overall guide; (3) engaging in dialogues and exchanges of information with recipient countries which stress the importance of conserving biological diversity; (4) supporting training and education which improve the capacity of recipient countries to prevent loss of biological diversity; and (5) the denial of any assistance for actions which invade or significantly degrade national parks or similar protected areas. Requires the annual report to the Congress on foreign aid programs to include a report on implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Reorganization Act Amendments of 1985 - Extends the authority of the President to reorganize the executive branch until December 31, 1988 (currently, December 31, 1984). Revises the congressional veto procedure to conform to such extension.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Debt Collection Act Amendments of 1985 - Authorizes the Attorney General to make contracts retaining private counsel to furnish collection services in the case of any claim of indebtedness owed the United States. Includes as collection services representation in negotiation, compromise, settlement, and litigation. Declares the following laws and regulations inapplicable to contracts entered into under this Act: (1) the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949; (2) the Contract Disputes Act of 1978; and (3) the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Declares that the Attorney General's contracting decisions shall be unreviewable in any court or administrative body. Authorizes executive or legislative agencies, subject to the Attorney General's approval, to refer claims of indebtedness to a private counsel retained under this Act. Sets forth provisions to be included in contracts made with private counsel. Declares that a private counsel performing collection services shall be considered a debt collector for purposes of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Requires agencies to include activities conducted under this Act in annual reports on debt collection activities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Ocean Dumping Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to prohibit the dumping of sewage sludge into ocean waters as soon as possible, but in no case later than the close of 1990 for any type of sewage sludge. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to prescribe ocean dumping permit fees such that they cover the costs of site selection, monitoring, enforcement, and environmental assessment. Prohibits the use of funds under such Act to finance ocean dumping.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person convicted of espionage shall forfeit to the United States any money or other property involved in or obtained as a result of such espionage activities. Provides that where such money or property is unavailable for forfeiture, the person convicted of such crime must forfeit property up to the value of the property gained from the espionage activity. Permits the courts to order the forfeiture of proceeds received or to be received from a contract relating to the depiction of such offense in a movie, book, newspaper, magazine, radio or television production, or live entertainment or presentation of any kind. Authorizes the Attorney General to pay a reward not to exceed $100,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of persons committing espionage, or leading to the prevention, frustration, or mitigation of the effect of an act of espionage. Disqualifies an officer or employee of the United States or of any State or local government while performing official duties from receiving such a reward.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1985
Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to declare that acts of importation into, or sale in, the United States of articles that infringe a valid U.S. patent, copyright, or trademark are unfair and have the effect of destroying or substantially injuring a U.S. industry or impairing the establishment of such industry. Permits any person to petition the International Trade Commission (ITC) for the issuance of an order to exclude such articles, during its investigation, from entry into the United States. Sets forth: (1) civil penalties for violations under this Act; and (2) procedures for the modification or rescission of an ITC order under this Act. Repeals a specified section of the Tariff Act of 1930 relating to the importation of products produced under a process covered by claims of an unexpired patent.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to treat processed agricultural products as like products for purposes of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the tax treatment of loans with below market interest rates (i.e. the imputed interest rules) shall not apply to bonds issued by the State of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Amends the False Claims Act to increase the civil penalty for false claims. Provides that "knowing," for purposes of the prohibition, means the defendant: (1) had actual knowledge; or (2) had constructive knowledge, in that the defendant acted in reckless disregard of the truth. Allows an action to be brought in the judicial district where the defendant (or, in the case of multiple defendants, where any one defendant) is found, resides, transacts business, or where the violation allegedly occurred. Authorizes the Government to intervene in a civil action for false claims after the 60-day notice period has expired if the Government can demonstrate that it came into possession of new material evidence or information. Requires the Court to dismiss an action brought by an individual under this section, unless the Government proceeds with its own action within 60 days after notification, if it finds that: (1) the action is based on specific information the Government disclosed as a basis for allegations made in prior administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings; or (2) the action is based on information disclosed during a congressional investigation or disseminated by the news media. Establishes minimum award portions from the proceeds of an action or settlement to individuals who bring claims under such Act. Entitles an employee retaliated against by an employer for his or her participation under such Act to full relief, including: (1) reinstatement with seniority rights; (2) backpay with interest; and (3) full compensation for any special damages. Allows the court to grant punitive damages as appropriate. Establishes as the burden of proof in civil false claim cases proof by a preponderance of the evidence. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure with regard to the exceptions from the prohibition against disclosure of grand jury proceedings. Allows disclosure in certain circumstances for enforcement of Federal criminal and civil law and State criminal law. Authorizes disclosure to any Federal department or agency for the enforcement of Federal civil law or for a matter within the jurisdiction of such department or agency. Amends the Federal criminal code to increase the penalties for the criminal offense of conspiring to defraud the Government with respect to false claims.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Federal Contract Fair Price Commission Act of 1985 - Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch the Federal Contract Fair Price Commission to review contract payments by Federal agencies and departments and to take appropriate action to recapture excessive profits. Subjects contractors that received in excess of $5,000,000 to provisions of this Act. Requires such contractors to file annual financial statements with the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Directs the Agency to review the financial statements to make an interim determination on whether such contractors received excessive profits. Requires the Agency to submit results of such reviews to the Commission. Sets forth proceedings for the recapture of excessive profits by the Commission. Subjects final orders of the Commission to review by the U.S. Claims Court. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Congress on its activities. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the authority conferred by this Act on October 1, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Declares increased productivity in Federal Government operations a national goal. Encourages the President to make the necessary recommendations to the Congress to achieve such goal. Directs the President to transmit to the Congress with the budget a report on management improvements in each agency which contribute to such goal.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Process Patent Amendment of 1985 - Amends the patent laws to make it an infringement of patent to use, sell, or import into the United States without authority a product produced by a patented process. Directs the Department of Commerce to report to the Congress annually for five years on the effect such restriction has on the importation of ingredients for U.S. manufacturing.
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 · 31 July 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a maximum $2,000 per year income tax deduction for contributions to an individual retirement account regardless of the earned compensation of the taxpayer. Repeals the age 70 and one-half limitation for taxpayers eligible for an income tax deduction for contributions to an individual retirement account. Repeals the requirement that distributions to a taxpayer from an individual retirement account must begin at age 70 and one-half.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Civil Service Pension Reform Act of 1985 - Title I: Civil Service Pension System - Establishes the Civil Service Pension System for Federal employees, postal employees, and Members of Congress who began service after December 31, 1983. Sets forth provisions for the basic plan, including: (1) entitlements to retirement based on age and years of service; (2) the formulas for computing an annuity; and (3) funding. Establishes a Thrift Savings Plan under which a participant may contribute up to ten percent of his or her annual basic pay or disability benefits. Requires the employing agency of such participant to match such contribution up to five percent. Excludes amounts contributed to such plan from an employee's gross income for income tax purposes. Provides a vesting schedule for the plan. Describes the optional ways an employee may elect to receive entitlements upon separation from Government. Establishes in the Treasury the Thrift Savings Fund for deposit of amounts contributed under the plan. Prescribes how money in such Fund shall be invested. Describes the survivor benefits of the basic plan and the thrift plan. Describes the disability benefits available to a participant with at least 18 months of service. Establishes in the Treasury the Federal Employee's Disability Insurance Fund to which agencies must make payments from salary appropriations. Sets forth general and administrative provisions. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to pay all benefits payable under the basic plan of the pension system and administer provisions not specifically assigned to another entity. Authorizes the Office to enter into contracts for the performance of such administrative services. Provides for annual cost-of-living adjustments in basic pensions based upon an increase in the Consumer Price Index. Sets forth transition provisions for certain individuals subject to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability System who elect to participate in the Civil Service Pension System. Establishes in the executive branch the Civil Service Thrift Investment Board to be responsible for policies and regulations for, and review of, the investment and management of the Thrift Savings Fund. Directs the Board (headed by an Executive Director) to establish a Civil Service Thrift Advisory Committee to advise the Board on matters relating to investment policies for the Fund. Title II: Amendments Relating to Social Security - Amends the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to cover service by an individual who participates in the pension system. Title III: Miscellaneous and Conforming Amendments - Makes miscellaneous, technical, and conforming amendments as a result of provisions of this Act. Title IV: Authorization and Effective Dates - Authorizes appropriations to the Civil Service Thrift Investment Board for FY 1986 and 1987. Declares the effective date of this Act to be January 1, 1987, except certain other specified provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to impose a 20 year minimum term of imprisonment for espionage. Allows for the sentence of death during peacetime if the offense is found to involve: (1) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft, warning systems, or other means of defense against large-scale attack; (2) war plans; (3) communications intelligence or cryptographic information; (4) methods of intelligence or counterintelligence operations; or (5) any other major element of defense strategy. Imposes the minimum penalties under this section any time the U.S. armed forces are engaged in hostilities outside the territory of the United States or its possessions. Establishes criteria for the imposition of the death penalty. Requires the Government, for such offense, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea that it intends to seek the death penalty and the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading of the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the information and aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Includes among the mitigating factors that the defendant was less than 18 years old at the time of the crime. Lists some aggravating factors. Directs the court, or the jury by unanimous vote, to impose the death penalty upon a finding that such sentence is justified based on consideration of both the aggravating and mitigating factors. Requires the court to instruct the jury not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant in its consideration of the sentence. Makes any person sentenced to a term of imprisonment under this Act ineligible for probation or parole.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1985
Fair Foreign Trade Practices Act of 1985 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to make the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), subject to the President's approval, responsible for determining whether import relief actions should be taken. (Currently the President is responsible for such determinations.) Provides that injurious industrial targeting by a foreign country or instrumentality may trigger import relief actions. Defines injurious industrial targeting. Requires the USTR to take the following actions if the USTR makes specified determinations: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent the application of benefits of trade agreement concessions; (2) direct customs officers to assess duties or impose other import restrictions on the products of, and assess fees or impose restrictions on the services of, such foreign country or instrumentality; (3) negotiate agreements with foreign countries to fully offset the burden or restriction on U.S. commerce; (4) submit to the President proposed administrative actions and legislation to restore or improve the international competitiveness of the industry that has been injured or threatened with injury; or (5) take any combination of such actions. (Current law authorizes but does not require the President to take certain actions.) Authorizes the USTR (currently the President) to take certain additional actions with respect to access of foreign entities to U.S. service sector markets. Requires the USTR, before taking any of the mandatory import relief actions, to: (1) publish its determination in the Federal Register; and (2) notify the President of any import relief determination and any action taken with respect to such determination. Provides for a 60 day waiting period during which the President may disapprove such determination thereby nullifying it. Requires the President to report to the Congress, within 15 days of disapproving such determination, the reasons for such disapproval. Requires the USTR, upon deciding to begin an import relief investigation, to publish notice of such intent in the Federal Register and request comments and information from other Federal agencies. Directs the USTR, in all investigations initiated pursuant to a petition, to present detailed questionnaries to the foreign governments or instrumentalities and the foreign enterprises concerned in order to develop information about the petition's allegations. Requires the USTR to base its determination on the best information available, which may be the allegations in the petition. Authorizes the USTR to file with the International Trade Commission (ITC) a copy of the petition or equivalent document in a case alleging injurious industrial targeting and request the ITC to make a determination on such allegation. Grants the ITC 90 days to make such determination. Sets forth the time limitations and procedures for determinations and actions by the USTR. Authorizes the USTR to take actions to compensate a foreign country or instrumentality adversely affected by any import relief action which the United States takes if the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) disapprove such action. Directs the USTR to: (1) issue regulations governing import relief petitions, investigations, and hearings; (2) keep petitioners informed of all determinations and developments in their cases; and (3) report semiannually to the Congress on import relief petitions and developments. Provides for an investigative staff for the USTR. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Foreign Industrial Targeting Information Agency (the Agency) within the Department of Commerce to collect information on and monitor foreign industrial targeting. Requires the Director of the Agency, if the Director has reason to believe that a foreign government has initiated or plans to initiate a program to promote the economic development of a particular industry and significant quantities of the products of that industry may be exported to the United States or compete with U.S. products internationally, to collect information on such policies and actions. Authorizes the Director to request information from other Federal agencies. Requires the Director to initiate a special surveillance program if the Director finds that: (1) the foreign government intervention in the industry is substantial; and (2) U.S. imports of that industry's merchandise are likely to have significant effects on the competing, domestic industry. Requires the special surveillance program to: (1) seek information on the price at which the merchandise is being sold in its home market and other relevant information; (2) monitor import levels and prices of such merchandise and the effect of such imports on the competing U.S. industry; (3) collect and evaluate information on the potential adverse effects that the government intervention might have on the competing U.S. industry; and (4) publish quarterly reports on the information obtained through the surveillance program. Requires the Director to recommend to the Secretary that the Commerce Department or another Federal agency initiate a formal investigation of the imported merchandise if a surge of U.S. imports of such merchandise occurs or if such imports appear to be significantly suppressing U.S. prices of competing merchandise. Requires the Director to publish notice of the initiation of a special surveillance program in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Terrorist Prosecution Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to punish whoever in an act of international terrorism kills or attempts to kill any national of the United States. Requires any such person who is found guilty of murder in the first degree to be sentenced to imprisonment for life and anyone found guilty of attempted murder shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years. Makes it an offense for any person in an act of international terrorism to assault, wound, strike, imprison, endanger, or make any other violent attack upon the person or liberty of any U.S. national in any foreign country (or make violent attack on his or her premises, private accommodation or means of transport). Provides for a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than three years. Increases the fine to $10,000 and/or imprisonment to ten years if a deadly or dangerous weapon is used. Grants the United States jurisdiction over the offense if the alleged offender is present in the United States, irrespective of the place where the offense was committed or the nationality of the victim or the alleged offender. Authorizes the Attorney General to receive assistance of any Federal, State, or local agency (including the military) in enforcing this provision.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Calls on the Soviet Union to: (1) release Anatoly Shcharansky, Yosef Begun, and other Prisoners of Conscience and allow them to leave the Soviet Union; (2) issue exit permits to long term "Refuseniks" including Ida Nudel and Vladimir Slepak; and (3) allow thousands of Jews who have requested such permits to leave.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1985
Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to carry out counterterrorism activities, including the purchase of additional vehicles. Authorizes the Attorney General to pay in advance for expenses arising out of contractual and reimbursable agreements with State and local law enforcement agencies while engaged in cooperative activities related to terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Long Term Care Insurance Promotion and Protection Act of 1985 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with Federal and State regulatory agencies, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, private insurers, organizations representing consumers and the aged, and providers of long-term health care services, to establish model standards for the regulation of long-term health care insurance policies offered by private entities. Requires such standards to be designed to: (1) limit marketing and agent abuse; (2) assure the dissemination of such information to Medicare beneficiaries as is necessary to permit informed choice; (3) promote policies which provide reasonable economic benefits to such beneficiaries; (4) reduce the purchase of unnecessary duplicative coverage; and (5) improve price competition. Provides that such standards shall apply to long-term health care insurance policies in the same manner as they apply to Medicare supplemental policies. Sets forth reporting requirements.
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
Department of International Trade and Industry Act of 1985 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth congressional findings and definitions related to this Act. Title II: Department of International Trade and Industry - Part A: Establishment - Establishes an independent Department of International Trade and Industry which shall be administered by a Secretary of International Trade and Industry. Requires that the Secretary shall be the U.S. Trade Representative. Sets forth the functions of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to be: (1) Chairman of the Board of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (2) Chairman pro tempore of the interagency organization established pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962; (3) a member of the National Security Council; and (4) Deputy Chairman of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Agriculture on all matters which potentially involve international trade in agricultural products. Requires that the Secretary shall be chairman and the Secretary of Agriculture shall be Vice Chairman of any negotiation that includes discussion of international trade in agricultural products. Authorizes the Secretary, except where expressly prohibited by law, to assign the responsibility for conducting an international trade negotiation to the head of another Federal agency if the subject matter of the negotiation is related to the functions of that agency. Requires the President, if the provisions of a regulation, executive order, or executive agreement may have a significant impact on the international economic competitiveness of significant domestic product and service industries, to submit a statement to specified congressional committees describing the likely impact of such provisions. Requires such statement to be submitted at least 60 days before the regulation, order, or agreement will take effect. Authorizes the President to waive the impact statements if, in order to serve the national interest or deal with an emergency situation, the regulation, order, or agreement must take effect immediately. Requires that the report of a bill or resolution which contains provisions that would have a significant impact on the international economic competitiveness of significant domestic product and service industries shall contain a statement describing the likely impact of such provisions. Part B: Offices and Administrations - Establishes in the Office of the Secretary the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Establishes within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative. Establishes within the Department: (1) the United States Travel and Tourism Administration; (2) the Administration for Productivity and Technology (composed of the Patent and Trademark Office, the National Bureau of Standards, and Office of Telecommunications and Information, and the National Technical Information Service); and (3) the Office of Competitive Analysis, which shall provide information and analysis for the Secretary, the Department, and the Congress with respect to trade policy, trade negotiating strategy, and other policies affecting the competitiveness of domestic industries. Requires the Office of Competitive Analysis to report annually to the Congress on economic and technological developments affecting the competitive position of U.S. industry. Directs the Secretary to convene an industry sector competitiveness council for specified industry sectors to assess actual or potential dislocation, challenge, or opportunity for the industry involved and to formulate recommendations for business, government, and labor. Part C: Officers - Establishes in the Department a Deputy Secretary of International Trade and Industry who, among other things, shall be Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Establishes within the Department three Under Secretaries of International Trade and Industry, including an Under Secretary for Travel and Tourism. Establishes within the Department an Administrator for Productivity and Technology who shall administer the Administration for Productivity and Technology. Establishes within the Department nine Assistant Secretaries including an Assistant Secretary for Patents and Trademarks and an Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information. Establishes within the Department a General Counsel and an Inspector General. Lists other officers within the Department. Part D: Transfers to the Department - Transfers to the Secretary all functions of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Transfers to the Secretary, except for functions transferred by title III, IV, and V: (1) all functions of the Secretary of Commerce; (2) all functions of the Department of Commerce; and (3) all functions of specified officers within the Department of Commerce. Part E: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions dealing with: (1) personnel issues; (2) the power of the Secretary to delegate functions; (3) the succession of officers within the Department; (4) the authority of the Secretary to reorganize the Department; (5) the authority of the Secretary to issue rules and regulations; (6) the establishment of a working capital fund for the Department; (7) the transfer of funds; and (8) other administrative matters. Part F: Related Agencies - Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require that the interagency trade organization established pursuant to that Act shall be composed of the President, the Secretaries of International Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Defense, Labor, and Treasury and the heads of such other departments and agencies and such other officers as the President shall designate. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require that the Deputy Secretary of International Trade and Industry shall serve as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that the Secretary shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and that the Director of the United States International Development Cooperation Agency shall be the Vice Chairman of such Board. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to make the Secretary a member of the National Security Council. Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to require the U.S. executive director of the International Monetary Fund to consult with the Secretary on matters under consideration by the Fund which relate to trade. Establishes within the Executive Office of the President a Council on International Trade, Economic, and Financial Policy to coordinate U.S. trade policies with U.S. international economic policies. Establishes within the Executive Office of the President an Advisor to the President for International Trade, Economic, and Financial Policy who shall be Executive Director of the Council and Executive Director of the interagency organization established pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Requires the Advisor to report to the President and the Congress every six months on actual and potential conflicts between U.S. international economic policies and U.S.trade policies. Part G: Conforming Provisions - Sets forth conforming amendments. Title III: Establishment of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as an Independent Agency - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act of 1983 - Part A: Establishment of Administration - Establishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as an independent agency. Requires the Administration to include specified officers, including an Administrator (appointed by the President) and a Deputy Administrator. Transfers the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce to the Administration. Part B: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the President on the activities of the Administration. Title IV: Establishment of the Bureau of the Census as an Independent Agency - Establishes the Bureau of the Census as an independent agency. Transfers the Bureau of the Census of the Department of Commerce to the Bureau. Sets forth the powers and duties of the Bureau of the Census. Directs the President to report to the Congress, within 90 days of the effective date of this Act, on the coordination of statistical functions between the Bureau and the Department involved in carrying out certain statistical functions. Title V: Transfers to Other Federal Agencies - Part A: Minority Business Development Agency - Transfers the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce to the Small Business Administration. Part B: Economic Development Administration - Transfers the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce to the Department of Agriculture. Title VI: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Provides for transfers of other functions of the Secretary of Commerce which are not dealt with in earlier titles. Sets forth transitional, savings, and conforming provisions relating to changes made by this Act. Terminates the Department of Commerce. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act. Provides for interim appointment of certain officers. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1985
Security Clearance Information Act of 1985 - Directs any Federal, State or local criminal justice agency (including courts), upon request by the Department of Defense, the Office of Personnel Management, or the Central Intelligence Agency, to make available any criminal history record information regarding any individual under investigation by such requesting agency. Makes such information available for the purposes of determining eligibility for: (1) access to classified information; (2) assignment to sensitive national security duties; or (3) acceptance or retention in the armed services. Requires the requesting agency to obtain written consent from the individual under investigation for the release of such information. Prohibits any criminal history record information received under this Act from being disclosed except for the above purposes or pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1985
Money Laundering and Related Crimes Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish money laundering as a Federal offense. Sets forth fines and penalties to be imposed on anyone who conducts transactions involving the movement of funds by wire or other electronic means, or involving monetary instruments, through a financial institution engaged in or affecting interstate commerce: (1) with the intention of carrying out specified types of unlawful activity; or (2) with knowledge or reckless disregard of the fact that such a monetary instrument represents income derived from such unlawful activity. Provides for a fine of not more than $250,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument, whichever is greater, or imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both. Imposes a civil penalty of the greater of the value of the funds or the monetary instrument involved or $10,000. Authorizes components of the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury to investigate such an offense, as appropriate. Establishes extraterritorial jurisdiction if certain conditions are met. Amends the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to permit a financial institution to provide records to law enforcement agencies without notice to customers when it has reason to believe that those records are relevant to the commission of a crime. Permits a financial institution to alert a law enforcement agency that it has information relevant to a possible violation. Provides as a defense for a financial institution in a civil suit under the Right to Financial Privacy Act that it provided records in a good faith belief that they were relevant to a possible violation of law. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to allow the court to prohibit any person to whom a subpoena is directed from notifying any other person of the existence of the subpoena. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) examine books, papers, and records of domestic financial institutions; and (2) summon an officer or employee having possession or custody of reports or records to appear before the Secretary and give testimony under oath. Allows the Secretary to disclose such information when relevant to a matter within the jurisdiction of the receiving agency or for national security reasons. Increases the civil penalties for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act's reporting rules. Provides in the case of a reporting violation for a maximum penalty of $1,000,000 and a minimum penalty of $25,000. Imposes a $10,000 fine in any other case. Reduces the civil penalty by any amount forfeited to the United States. Imposes a civil penalty for the criminal violation of such section, in the amount of the transaction or $25,000, whichever is greater, where the violation involves a transaction. Provides for a fine of the entire amount deposited in an account during the reporting year or $250,000, whichever is greater, where the violation involves the failure to report or omissions in such report. Imposes a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 in the case of a negligent violation. Increases the penalty, if such violation is in conjunction with violations of other laws, or if it is part of a pattern of illegal activity involving more than $100,000 in a year, to imprisonment for not more than ten years. Lists money laundering as a predicate offense for purposes of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute. Authorizes wiretapping for purposes of the investigation of money laundering. Makes whoever knowingly facilitates, by providing substantial assistance, the commission by another person of an offense against the United States punishable as a principal. Makes it a Federal offense for any person to receive, possess, or conceal any money or property which has been obtained in connection with a violation of any law of the United States or to bring or transfer into the United States any money or other property which has been obtained in connection with a violation of any law of a foreign country concerning the manufacturing of or trafficking in a controlled substance. Provides for a fine of not more than $250,000 and imprisonment for not more than ten years or both. Establishes civil and criminal forfeiture procedures for the offenses of money laundering and of receiving the proceeds of a crime.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1985
Health Care Financing Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1985 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to consolidate provisions providing criminal penalties for acts involving Medicare and Medicaid abuses. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of such Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to exclude from participation in Medicare and to direct States to exclude from participation in Medicaid, any individual or entity convicted of a criminal offense related to such individual's or entity's participation in the delivery of items or services under Medicare, Medicaid, or title V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude from Medicare participation and to direct State agencies to exclude from Medicaid participation any individual or entity: (1) convicted of any financial abuse or abuse of patients in connection with the delivery of health care items or services in any publicly operated or financed program; (2) convicted of unlawful manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance; (3) who has had his or her health care license revoked or suspended; (4) excluded under any Federal or State program involving the provision of health care; (5) committing certain acts prohibited under title XI; (6) owned or controlled by an individual convicted of health care related crimes, fined for health care abuses, or excluded from Medicare, Medicaid, or title V; (7) failing to supply certain information; (8) submitting claims, under Medicare or Medicaid, for excessive charges or unnecessary services; (9) failing to take corrective action recommended by a peer review organization; or (10) in default on Federal health education loan or scholarship obligations. Directs the Secretary to notify each appropriate State agency of the facts and circumstances of each exclusion. Authorizes the Secretary, for good cause, to waive an exclusion. Entitles an excluded individual or entity to a hearing. Revises title XI provisions providing for civil monetary penalties. Authorizes the Attorney General, at the Secretary's request, whenever the Secretary believes that a person may be subject to such a civil penalty to bring an action in the appropriate U.S. district court to enjoin such activity or to seek other appropriate relief. Requires, under title XI, the disclosure of certain information from any owner with an interest of five percent or more in a health care facility's mortgage. Provides, under title XI, for application to Medicaid of standards which are presently applicable to Medicare with respect to the obligations of providers to provide quality services economically. Prohibits Medicare or Medicaid payments for any item or service ordered by an excluded physician, unless it is an emergency item or service. Authorizes a provider to terminate an agreement upon notice to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to refuse to enter into an agreement with or to terminate an agreement with a provider failing to comply substantially with applicable requirements. Permits the Secretary, under Medicare, in cases where a provider, individual, or entity no longer substantially complies with participation requirements but does not jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, in lieu of terminating an agreement or approval with provider, individual, or entity to notify the provider, individual, or entity of the deficiencies and the time within which such deficiences must be corrected. Permits a State, for good cause, to exclude an individual or entity under Medicare or Medicaid. Permits a State to allow a provider a certain time period within which to correct deficiencies, if the provider's deficiencies do not jeopardize the health and safety of its patients. Prohibits Medicaid payments to any individual or entity failing to supply to the Secretary required information. Permits the Secretary, under Medicaid, in cases where a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility no longer substantially meets applicable participation requirements but does not jeopardize the health and safety of its patients, in lieu of canceling certification of the facility, to notify the facility of the deficiencies and the time within which such deficiencies must be corrected. Requires a State's Medicaid plan to have in effect a system of reporting to the Secretary: (1) any final adverse action by any State authority against any provider; and (2) any loss or voluntary surrender of a provider's license during a formal proceeding by a State. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 to repeal provisions which provide for an 18 month moratorium in the case of a State Medicaid plan which uses less restrictive income or resource standards than would otherwise be required for noncash Medicaid recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to modify income tax regulations relating to accounting for long-term contracts to provide that: (1) the amount includible in gross income with respect to any Defense Department long-term contract shall not be less than a certain amount; and (2) the completed contract method may not be used with respect to Defense Department long-term contracts. Defines Defense Department long-term contract as: (1) any long-term contract to which the Defense Department is a party; or (2) a subcontract to such a contract. Excludes certain contracts from consideration as Defense Department long-term contracts. Sets forth rules for the determination of a taxpayer's gross receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the reasonable addition for the taxable year to the reserve for bad debts of any bank shall be the amount necessary to bring the balance of the tax reserve for bad debts as of the close of the taxable year to an amount equal to the amount of the financial statement reserve for bad debts maintained by the taxpayer as of the close of such taxable year. Limits the amount of the additional bad debt reserve for any taxable year to the amount necessary to bring the balance of the tax reserve for bad debts up to 1.5 percent of total loans of the bank. Provides that the amount of the deduction allowed for any taxable year shall not exceed an amount equal to one-half of one percent of the total loans of the bank as of the close of the taxable year. Requires that the difference between the tax reserve for bad debts and the financial statement reserve for bad debts shall be brought into conformity over a period of six years.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal facilities at the research facility; (2) file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility; (3) notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies; and (4) notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency if such deficiencies remain uncorrected. Requires each research facility to provide for annual training in the humane treatment of animals for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural Library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) employee training; (2) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation; (3) reducing or replacing animal use; and (4) minimizing pain and distress. Requires a funding Federal agency to suspend or revoke Federal Support for a project if it is determined that conditions of animal care, treatment, or practice in a particular project have not been in compliance with standards promulgated under this Act. Requires the Secretary to inspect each research facility at least once each year. Requires such follow-up inspections as may be necessary until all deficiencies which may be found are corrected. Imposes penalties for the release of any confidential information or trade secrets by any member of an Institutional Animal Committee. Increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1985
United States-South Africa Relations Act of 1985 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to earmark specified amounts of the education development assistance funds to finance scholarships for black South Africans who are attending universities, colleges, and secondary schools in South Africa and who are selected by a national or regional panel of educators appointed by the chief of the U.S. diplomatic mission to South Africa. Earmarks a specified amount of the funds available for human rights assistance for grants to nongovernmental organizations in South Africa. Requires such grants to be made by the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. Directs the Secretary of State (the Secretary) and other heads of Federal agencies to make every effort in procuring goods and services to assist business enterprises having more than 50 percent beneficial ownership by South African blacks or other nonwhite South Africans. Permits the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to issue investment insurance, reinsurance, and loan guaranties in connection with a project in South Africa, notwithstanding the absence of an agreement with South Africa, if such investment is otherwise eligible except that: (1) the issuance of such insurance, reinsurance, or guaranty shall only be made to promote joint ventures between business controlled by South African blacks or other nonwhite South Africans and businesses controlled or owned by U.S. nationals; and (2) the U.S. national holds a minority interest or agrees to relinquish its majority interest during the course of the joint venture. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to direct the Export-Import Bank to take active steps to encourage the use of its facilities to guarantee, insure, extend credit, or participate in the extension of credit to businesses in South Africa that are majority owned by South African blacks or other nonwhite South Africans. Requires that the labor practices used by the United States Government for hiring South Africans, for paying South Africans for employment services, and for the employment of South Africans arranged by contract shall represent the best American labor practices and should serve as a model for the labor practices of U.S. nationals in South Africa. Requires such Government labor practices to be governed by the specified principles of labor practice. Requires that any U.S. national that employs more than 25 persons in South Africa shall take the necessary steps to insure that certain principles relating to employment practices are implemented. Prohibits any Federal assistance for any such U.S. employer that is not a signatory to specified principles relating to employment practices. Sets forth such principles. Authorizes the Secretary to issue guidelines and, upon request, advisory opinions on compliance with such principles. Prohibits issuing a license for the export to South Africa of goods or technology which are to be used in a nuclear production or utilization facility or which are likely to be diverted for use in such a facility. Prohibits authorizing the production of any special nuclear material in South Africa. Prohibits issuing a license for the export to South Africa of certain items relating to nuclear explosives. Prohibits approving the retransfer to South Africa of any such goods, technology, special nuclear materials, or items. Declares that such prohibitions shall not apply if the Secretary determines and certifies to the Congress that South Africa is a party to the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Directs the Secretary to reduce the number of South African consulates in the United States by the number of such consulates which exceeds the number of U.S. consulates in South Africa. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit exporting computers, computer software, or goods or technology intended to service computers to the South African: (1) military; (2) police; (3) prison system; (4) national security agencies; (5) administering authority for the black passbook and the book of life systems; (6) administering authority for the production and procurement of military equipment; and (7) entities that administer programs which discriminate against nonwhites. Directs the Federal Aviation Administration to take such action as necessary to assure that no South African Airways aircraft may be permitted to land in the United States except in an emergency. Prohibits U.S. nationals from making loans or extending credit to South Africa or to organizations owned or controlled by South Africa. Exempts from such prohibitions loans or extensions of credit: (1) for any educational, housing, or health project which is available to all persons on a nondiscriminatory basis and is located in an area accessible to all population groups; and (2) which were entered into before enactment of this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should consult with the heads of allied governments at the next economic summit meeting on allied policy toward South Africa and the apartheid system. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress by September 1, 1985, on the extent of starvation and malnutrition now prevalent in the homelands areas of South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1985
Korean War Veterans Memorial Act of 1985 - Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to erect a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in the Korean war. Subjects the selected site, design, and plans for the construction of such memorial to the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. Directs that, upon its completion, the memorial shall be turned over to the Department of the Interior which shall then be solely responsible for its maintenance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Federal Field Office Report Act of 1985 - Prohibits a Federal field office from being restructured, reorganized, consolidated, or realigned during the 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits employees in such field office from being transferred or reassigned during such period, except in the course of routine agency activities. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to study all agency plans to restructure, reorganize, consolidate, or realign Federal field offices and report to the Congress on the results of such study.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with any physician owing a past-due obligation because of a breach of contract by the physician under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship program. Requires the agreement to provide that: (1) deductions will be made from amounts owed the physician under the Medicare or Medicaid (title XIX of the Act) program until the past-due obligation has been repaid; (2) Medicare payments for services provided by such physician shall only be made on the basis of an assignment; and (3) if the physician does not provide services for which payment may be made under Medicare or Medicaid or if the physician breaches any provision of the agreement then the Attorney General shall sue the physician to recover the amount owed and the physician shall be barred from Medicare and Medicaid participation until the obligation has been repaid. Prohibits barring a physician if such physician is the sole community physician. Requires a State's Medicaid program to make such deductions from amounts otherwise payable. Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, for the collection of such past-due amounts through Medicare and Medicaid deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Congress should oppose the Social Security Administration's "Draft Service Delivery Methodology" proposal which, if implemented, would result in the closing or downgrading of specified Social Security Administration offices.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Requires 75 percent of the official mail of the Congress and 50 percent of the mail of Federal agencies to contain a photograph and biographical information of a missing child.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow penalty-free withdrawals from individual retirement accounts used to pay expenses for: (1) care at a skilled nursing facility; (2) care at an intermediate care facility; and (3) any other licensed long-term care facility which provides nursing or custodial care.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Program Fraud Civil Penalties Act of 1985 - Establishes penalties and assessments to be imposed against any person who knowingly makes a false claim or statement to: (1) an authority of the United States; (2) a recipient of property, services, or money from such authority; or (3) a party to a contract with such authority. Declares that such penalties and assessments are in addition to criminal and civil penalties and assessments provided by other laws. Directs the investigating official of a Federal authority to investigate allegations that a person made a false claim or statement and to report findings to the reviewing official designated for that authority. Directs the reviewing official to refer such allegations to a hearing examiner for that authority upon determining there is probable cause to believe that the person is liable for a penalty or assessment. Requires the reviewing official, prior to notifying the hearing examiner, to notify the Attorney General of any intention to initiate a hearing. Allows the reviewing official to refer such allegations to a hearing examiner if the Attorney General approves the referral or does not disapprove it within 90 days. Prohibits the referral of allegations to a hearing examiner if the Attorney General transmits a statement to such effect. Authorizes the Attorney General, by written statement, to stay any hearing already in progress if such hearing adversely affects a pending or potential civil action related to a fraudulent claim. Prohibits the referral of allegations to a hearing examiner when a fraudulent claim exceeds $100,000. Specifies the authority of the investigating official and the official conducting the hearing, and the procedure for judicial review of the determination reached in the hearing. Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action to recover a penalty or assessment determined by such a hearing. Authorizes the authority head to settle a final penalty or assessment determined by hearing. Grants the Attorney General exclusive authority to settle a claim subject to judicial review or collection procedures. Specifies time limitations for commencing a hearing concerning a false statement or claim and for commencing an action to recover any penalty or assessment. Requires each investigating official to report annually to the authority head on actions taken under this Act during the most recent 12-month period ending September 30. Requires the transmission of such reports to the appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Orphan Drug Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to repeal the requirement that exclusive marketing rights may only be granted to an orphan drug (a drug used in the treatment of a rare disease or condition) if the drug is not patentable. Establishes a National Commission on Orphan Diseases. Requires the Commission to assess the activities of the National Institutes of Health, the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, other public agencies, and private entities in connection with: (1) basic research relating to rare diseases; (2) the use in research on rare diseases of knowledge developed in other research; (3) applied and clinical research relating to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of rare diseases; and (4) the dissemination of knowledge developed in research relating to rare diseases. Requires the Commission to submit a report by September 30, 1987, to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to each House of the Congress containing the Commission's findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Makes funds available to the Commission. Terminates the Commission 90 days after the date of such report. Amends the Orphan Drug Act to allow Federal grants and contracts for preclinical and human clinical testing of orphan drugs. Authorizes appropriations for such grants and contracts for FY 1986 through 1988. Makes technical corrections to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Appropriation Act, 1985 in order to allow the expenditure of funds for personnel training under the Education of the Handicapped Act until September 30, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Business Transfer Tax Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a five percent tax on the sum of the net business receipts of the taxpayer, plus the customs value (including customs duties and any other duties) or the fair market value of imported property. Sets forth definitions of taxable net business receipts, business receipts, and business expenses. Formulates special rules for determining business receipts. Provides that various government entities and tax-exempt organizations are exempt from this five percent tax, except that the tax shall be imposed on the unrelated business income of tax-exempt organizations. Sets forth rules for filing returns, for estimated tax payments, and for overpayment of this tax. Provides that this five percent tax shall be imposed on the partnership rather than individual partners. Provides that no portion of any distribution by a partnership on account of such partner's interest in such partnership shall be taken into account in determining the taxable net business receipts of such partner. Provides that in the case of an S corporation, this tax shall be imposed on the corporation (and not on any shareholder). Specifies that no portion of any distribution by an S corporation to a shareholder on account of such shareholder's ownership of stock in such corporation shall be taken into account in determining the taxable net business receipts of such shareholder. Sets forth certain definitions and special rules. Allows the taxpayer a credit against the tax liability of the taxpayer for Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes equal to the amount of the five percent tax on business receipts. Permits a credit for the amount of this five percent tax against the self-employment tax liability. Provides that an amount equal to the amount of the credit against the FICA taxes shall be transferred to the appropriate Social Security trust funds. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the net revenues arising from enactment of the business transfer tax shall be offset by reduction in individual marginal tax rates and incentives for individuals to save and invest.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Espionage Prevention Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of State to apply specified travel and other restrictions to all employees who are on assignment to the United Nations Secretariat.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Agricultural Patent Reform Act of 1984 - Amends the patent laws to extend the terms of patents which encompass specified products or methods for using a product, including methods of manufacturing which primarily use recombinant DNA technology, any of which are subject to certain nonpatent regulatory review periods. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such extension, including a five-year limitation on the extension and a 25-year maximum patent term for the earliest filing. Directs the Commissioner of Patents to notify the appropriate Federal agency upon receipt from the product sponsor of a notice of extension to determine the applicable regulatory review period and whether, within that period, the sponsor acted with due diligence. Provides for notice and informal hearings for persons interested in such determinations. Permits the setting of fees to cover the costs of review. Directs the Commissioner, upon a final determination of the applicable regulatory review period, to issue to the owner of record of a patent a certificate of extension stating the fact and length of the extension and identifying the product and the use and the claim to which such extension is applicable. Makes such certificate a part of the original patent. Limits the application of such patent term extension to patents for: (1) any new animal drug or antibiotic subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; (2) any veterinary biological product subject to regulation under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act; (3) any pesticide subject to regulation under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; and (4) any chemical substance or mixture subject to regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 to be used by the Secretary of Commerce to assist in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities. Repeals a provision that requires 75 percent of the funds appropriated for such purposes in a fiscal year to be available to extend delivery of public telecommunications services to areas not receiving such services. Authorizes appropriations, to match up to a specified amount of non-Federal contributions to public broadcasting entities, for the Public Broadcasting Fund for FY 1987 through 1990. Repeals a provision that requires that a specified portion of the amount made available to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from the Fund be earmarked for expenses of research, training, technical assistance, engineering, instructional support, and the payment of interest on indebtedness. Repeals provisions requiring a public telecommunications entity to refund to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting an amount of Federal funds equal to the amount of any unrelated business income tax paid by such entity.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Social Welfare Amendments of 1985 - Amends part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to exclude the needs of employable parents or caretakers when determining need for AFDC purposes, if the youngest child has attained age 16. Repeals the current part C (Work Incentive Program) of title IV of the Act. Requires a State under part A to provide that each applicant for AFDC must participate in any one or more of the following employment related activities to which the State may refer the applicant: (1) an employment search program; (2) the State's community work experience program; (3) an alternative employment-directed program; (4) work supplementation; and (5) training activities under the Job Training Partnership Act. Provides for reductions in the amounts payable to a State if certain percentages of those required to participate in such employment related activities do not participate. Exempts certain individuals from participation in such activity, including: (1) a child who is under age 16 or attending school full-time; (2) an individual who is over age 60, incapacitated, or providing home care for an individual who is incapacitated; (3) a parent personally providing care for a child under the age of six; (4) an individual working at least 30 hours a week; and (5) certain pregnant women. Requires AFDC applicants to seek work while their applications are pending. Requires a State's AFDC plan, subject to certain exceptions, to provide that minor unmarried caretaker parents must live with their parents in order to receive AFDC. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant to each State for the proper and efficient administration of its AFDC plan. Directs the Secretary, in addition, to make grants to States carrying out employment related programs and demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000460_200.jpg)