United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Student Loan Collection Improvement Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Guaranteed Student Loan Program - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise title IV, part B provisions for the Federal Insured Student Loan (FISL) program and the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program. Revises FISL provisions for conditions for Federal loan insurance to grant lenders the option of requiring endorsement of the loan by a co-signer. Deletes a 15-year limitation on the period of the loan. Revises provisions for disbursement of loans to require that the funds borrowed be disbursed by check: (1) sent to the eligible institution the student attends or plans to attend, and made payable to the order of the student and such institution as copayees, with the endorsement of both parties required; or (2) in cases where the institution is not located in a State or where the loan is an auxiliary loan to a parent, sent to the borrower and made payable to the order of the borrower, with the endorsement of the borrower required, and a notice of disbursement sent by the lender or the Secretary of Education to the eligible institution. Revises GSL provisions for agreements with State and nonprofit private institutions for subsidy payments on loans insured under the student loan insurance program of such State or institution to also: (1) delete a 15-year limitation on the period of the loan; and (2) make similar revisions of the loan disbursement procedure. Requires that such agreements provide for: (1) independent financial and compliance audits of the guarantee agency, with regard to its performance under such an agreement, at least once every two years; and (2) recovery by the Secretary from the guarantee agency of amounts, plus interest, determined by such audits to be owing. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of State law that would set an earlier deadline for filing suit, any suit for the collection of the amount due from a FISL or GSL borrower may be filed during a six-year period: (1) after the date a guarantee agency reimburses the previous holder of the loan for its loss on account of the borrower's default; and (2) after the date on which the loan is assigned to the Secretary. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of State law to the contrary, in collecting any obligation arising from a loan made under FISL or GSL provisions, a guarantee agency which has an agreement with the Secretary shall not be subject to a defense raised by any borrower based on: (1) a claim of infancy; or (2) the action or omission of an eligible institution or lender, if such agency did not have actual notice of such defense when such agency reimbursed the previous holder of the loan for its loss. Revises provisions for payment of excess recovery to the insured to include reasonable administrative and collection costs, to the extent set forth in regulations issued by the Secretary, in the costs of the Secretary's recovery on any FISL loan. Requires, under GSL provisions (as well as under current FISL provisions), each guarantee agency (as well as the Secretary) to enter into cooperative agreements with credit bureau organizations to exchange information concerning student borrowers. Deletes FISL program requirements: (1) for notice to the borrower before certain information is disclosed; (2) for establishment of a system for prompt notification of borrowers; and (3) relating to other conditions under Federal law, for Federal agency disclosure of individual records. Provides that a guarantee agency (or a credit bureau organization) which discloses or receives such information shall not be considered a Government contractor within the meaning of specified Federal law relating to Federal agency disclosure of individual records. Authorizes the Secretary and each guarantee agency to disclose specified information concerning student borrowers to the eligible institutions such borrowers attend or previously attended. Allows, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a consumer reporting agency to make a report containing information received from the Secretary or a guarantee agency regarding the status of a borrower's account on a loan under the FISL or GSL program for a period of up to seven years after: (1) the date on which the Secretary or the agency paid a claim to the holder on the guarantee; or (2) October 1, 1984, with regard to an account on a loan which the Secretary or the agency has paid a claim but not reported the account to a consumer reporting agency on or before such date. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of State law to the contrary, in collecting any obligation arising from a loan made under GSL provisions, the United States shall not be subjected to a defense raised by any borrower on either a claim of infancy or the action or omission of an eligible institution or lender, if the Secretary and the Secretary's agents did not have actual notice of such defense when the Secretary reimbursed the previous holder of the loan for its loss. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each of specified violations or failures to carry out student aid provisions or regulations or misrepresentations of financial charges by a lender or guarantee agency. Authorizes the Secretary to compromise such penalties. Title II: National Direct Student Loan Program - Revises HEA provisions for the National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) program. Requires NDSL agreements to provide that where a note or written agreement evidencing a loan is in default despite due diligence on the part of the institution to collect such loan: (1) if the institution has failed to maintain an acceptable collection record generally with respect to NDSL loans, the Secretary may require such institution to assign its rights under such note or agreement to the United States, without recompense; or (2) if the institution has not failed to maintain an acceptable NDSL collection record, the Secretary may allow it to assign its rights under such note or agreement to the United States, without recompense. Sets forth provisions relating to the seven-year period of reporting on the status of NDSL borrowers' accounts by consumer reporting agencies. (Such provisions are similar to those for such reporting on GSL accounts under title I of this Act.) Requires each institution to include in its information to NDSL student borrowers a description of any penalty imposed as a consequence of default (such as liability for expenses reasonably incurred in attempts by the Secretary or institutions to collect on a loan). Revises required terms of NDSL loans to grant institutions the option of requiring NDSL loans to be endorsed by a cosigner. Makes mandatory, rather than discretionary, the assessment of a charge for failure of an NDSL borrower to pay all or part of an installment when due. Requires that such charge include the expenses reasonably incurred in attempting such collection with respect to such loan. Authorizes the Secretary, in attempting to collect any defaulted NDSL loan, to use any collection means available to the United States, including referral to the Attorney General for litigation. Directs the Secretary to continue to collect any loan assigned under provisions for assignment of rights to the United States until all appropriate collection efforts, as determined by the Secretary, have been expended. Provides for a six-year statute of limitations on specified collection suits for NDSL loans, similar to that provided by the GSL amendments under title I of this Act. Title III: General Provisions - Revises general provisions for student assistance programs under HEA. Revises provisions for student eligibility for any grant, loan, or work assistance under HEA to require that a student not owe a refund on grants previously received at any institution, or be in default on any loan from a student loan fund at any institution, or a loan made, insured, or guaranteed by the Secretary for attendance at any institution. Provides for a six-year statute of limitations on specified collection suits for refunds due from a student on a grant made or work assistance awarded under HEA. Requires borrowers who have defaulted on student loans under HEA to pay reasonable collection costs, in addition to other charges specified under HEA, notwithstanding State law. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations for recovery by the Secretary from the eligible institution of amounts, plus interest, determined by specified audits to be owing. Title IV: Application Provisions - Sets forth the effective dates and applicability of specified amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) of the Social Security Act to strike out the word "crippled" wherever it appears and replace it with the term "physically disabled."
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Authorizes the President to award a prisoner of war medal to any member of the Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force who has been taken prisoner and held captive by a hostile opposing armed force.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Broad-Based Enhanced Savings Tax Act of 1985 - Title I: Reduction of Individual Income Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the number of tax brackets to four and to reduce the marginal tax rates in the four brackets. Provides for a three-year phase down of the marginal tax rates ending in 1990. Postpones until 1986 the indexing of the rate brackets, including the zero bracket amount. Increases the earned income credit for certain individuals and couples with children in 1985 to 13 percent of the first $5,200 of earned income. Phases out the credit as the earned income of the taxpayer increases. Provides for an inflation adjustment to the earned income credit. Increases the personal exemption deduction to $1,050 in 1985. Allows a cost-of-living adjustment to this amount. Repeals the alternative for lump-sum distributions. Title II: Incentives for Investment and Savings - Subtitle A: Depreciation Reform - Permits the taxpayer to take a deduction with respect to expense-method property in the year it is placed in service equal to the basis of such property. Defines "expense-method property" as tangible property that is assigned to the three-year or five-year class for purposes of ACRS deductions and qualifies for the investment credit. Prohibits the expensing of several types of properties. Provides that the deduction for expense-method property shall be phased in over a period of five years, with the complete allowance of the expense-method property deduction occurring in 1990. Provides that the amount not eligible for the expense-method property deduction shall be eligible for the investment tax credit and the depreciation deduction. Provides that expense method property shall not be eligible for the investment tax credit. Reduces the recovery period for 18-year real property placed in service after 1989 to 15 years. Subtitle B: Savings Incentives - Allows an individual to establish a super savings account to which tax deductible contributions may be made. Limits the maximum amount of deductions to such an account in 1985 to $7,500. Increases this limit each year to a maximum of $10,000 for 1990 and beyond (joint returns would begin at $15,000 in 1985 and gradually increase to $20,000 in 1990). Requires that distributions from such an account be included in the adjusted gross income of the individual for the year in which the distribution is made. Provides that amounts in such an account pledged as security for a loan shall be treated as having been distributed to the individual. Provides that a super savings account is exempt from taxation. Prohibits deductions for contributions that are directly attributable to indebtedness which is incurred or continued by the individual making the contribution. Allows an individual to make contributions of stocks, bonds, or other readily tradeable securities to such an account during 1985. Requires contributions and distributions to be made in cash, except for contributions made in 1985. Requires the trustee of a super savings account to file reports regarding such account as may be required by the Secretary of the Treasury. Imposes a penalty tax for excess contributions and certain prohibited transactions. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study and report to the Congress on whether the super savings account provisions should take into account any differences between common law and community property States. Title III: Base Broadening - Subtitle A: Credits - Repeals the income tax credits for: (1) household and dependent care services; (2) the elderly and disabled; (3) residential energy expenditures; and (4) political contributions. Provides that the credits pertaining to clinical testing expenses, producing fuel from nonconventional sources, and increasing research activities and the general business credit shall be allowed only to C corporations. Subtitle B: Exclusions - Repeals the various exclusions from income for individuals. Provides that the exclusion of payments received to encourage production of strategic minerals and income from sources within possessions of the United States shall apply only to C corporations. Includes in the gross income of an employee the cost of group-term life insurance purchased by the employer. Provides for the taxation of unemployment compensation received by the taxpayer during the year. Includes in income amounts received as a pension, an annuity, or a similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active duty in the armed forces or as a disability annuity from the Foreign Service. Provides that the exclusion of employer contributions to accident and health plans shall apply only to contributions attributable to the providing of wages for periods during which the employee is absent from work on account of sickness or disability. Limits the amount of scholarship and fellowship awards which may be excluded from gross income to the amount of tuition and related expenses. Excludes from gross income of an individual income from sources within possessions of the United States. Subtitle C: Deductions - Repeals: (1) the deductions for taxes, moving expenses, two-earner married couples, and adoption expenses; (2) the additional personal exemption deduction for taxpayers 65 or over; (3) the deductions allowed to individuals for nonbusiness interest other than housing interest; and (4) the deduction for casualty and theft losses for individuals. Increases the floor for the medical deduction from five to ten percent of adjusted gross income. Subtitle D: Repeal of Special Capital Gains Treatment - Repeals the individual deductions for capital gains. Limits the amount of capital losses deductible by individuals without regard to the distinction between long term and short term capital losses. Title IV: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that one-half of the cost of insurance paid by a self-employed taxpayer for medical care during the taxable year will be allowed as a business deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it would be in the best interests of allied security and unity for each member country of the security treaty (ANZUS) between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States to reinstate the practice of permitting all naval ships of other member countries access to the ports of such member country; and (2) the President should continue discussions with New Zealand regarding the access of U.S. ships to its ports, explore with Australia the desirability of a bilateral security treaty, preclude New Zealand from participating in military activities with the United States until the present impasse is resolved, and exercise the right of the United States to withdraw from New Zealand the benefits of the injury test provided under the Tariff Act of 1930.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1985
Authorizes the Armed Force Monument Committee, the United States Armor Association, the World Wars Tank Corps Association, the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Association, the Tank Destroyer Association, the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 16th Armored Division Associations, and the Council of Armored Division Associations to erect a memorial in or near Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, to honor and commemorate the American Armored Force. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select the site and approve the design and plans. Obligates the United States to expenses of maintenance only. Requires the commencement of the erection of the memorial within five years with a certification of sufficiency of funds necessary before commencement.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1985
International Computer Software Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the copyright law to protect the computer software of a foreign nation only to the extent such nation protects software. Eliminates all U.S. protection of a foreign nation's computer software if such nation protects software for a period of less than 25 years.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1985
Anti-Nuclear Terrorism Act of 1985 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require every individual allowed unescorted access to a nuclear power facility to be fingerprinted. Provides that all fingerprints shall be submitted to the Attorney General for identification and appropriate processing. Authorizes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by rule to waive such requirement under certain conditions. Allows the Commission to prescribe regulations regarding the use of information received by the Attorney General.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Trade Expansion Act of 1985 - Title I: Trade Negotiations - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate trade negotiations with U.S. trading partners as soon as possible. Sets forth the principal objectives of such trade negotiations, including establishment of more effective rules governing trade in agriculture and strengthening of the safeguards provision of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Title II: Trade Adjustment Assistance - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to delete the current provision requiring job training or job searches by workers who apply for trade readjustment allowances. Changes the formulas for determining the amount of and the limitation on readjustment allowances. Declares that each adversely affected worker covered by a certification shall be eligible for a job training voucher which shall be in the amount of $4,000 and may be used only to defray the cost of certain training programs. Sets forth certain limitations on the use of such vouchers. Limits the amount of allowable subsistence and travel expenses. Repeals the provisions providing adjustment assistance for firms and communities. Establishes a Trade Adjustment Assistance Trust Fund within the Treasury. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on the Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the Trust Fund. Terminates the trade adjustment assistance programs four years after the first day after the date of enactment of this Act on which the GATT permits any country to impose a uniform duty on all imports to fund a trade adjustment assistance program for workers. Directs the President to undertake negotiations to change the GATT so that any country could impose a small uniform duty on all imports to fund a trade adjustment assistance for workers. Imposes such a duty on all imports into the United States. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to tax trade readjustment assistance but not job training vouchers. Title III: Import Relief Amendments to Title II of the Trade Act of 1974 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the International Trade Commission (ITC), in investigating import relief petitions, to estimate the short- and long-term effects of a new or additional duty on private and industrial consumers. Directs the ITC to examine factors other than imports which are a cause of injury or threat of injury to a domestic industry. Requires the President to include in the report to the Congress on a decision to grant import relief a description of all actions which are being taken by workers, firms, and local, State and Federal Governments to combat such injury-causing factors to enable the domestic industry concerned to compete more effectively with imports. Requires the ITC to evaluate and report to the Congress and the President on the effectiveness of import relief after such relief has terminated. Title IV: Countervailing and Antidumping Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require imposition of a countervailing duty if the ITC determines certain injuries occur because of a subsidy. (Current law requires imposition of a countervailing duty if such injuries are caused by imports of subsidized merchandise.) Requires imposition of an antidumping duty if the ITC determines that certain injuries occur because of sales at less than fair value of imports. Prohibits acceptance of any agreement to suspend investigation of subsidized imports or of dumping after the ITC has made a final determination with respect to a countervailing or antidumping duty investigation. Authorizes appeals of antidumping and countervailing duty decisions in the Federal Court of Appeals. Sets forth the precedence of certain cases in the Court of International Trade. Provides for election of expedited procedures for antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. Permits the use of sampling and averaging to determine the U.S. price of imports and the foreign market value of imports.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Broad-Based Enhanced Savings Tax Act of 1984 - Title I: Reduction of Individual Income Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the number of tax brackets to four and to reduce the marginal tax rates in the four brackets. Provides for a three-year phase down of the marginal tax rates ending in 1990. Postpones until 1986 the indexing of the rate brackets, including the zero bracket amount. Increases the earned income credit for certain individuals and couples with children in 1985 to 13 percent of the first $5,200 of earned income. Phases out the credit as the earned income of the taxpayer increases. Provides for an inflation adjustment to the earned income credit. Increases the personal exemption deduction to $1,050 in 1985. Allows a cost-of-living adjustment to this amount. Repeals the alternative for lump-sum distributions. Title II: Incentives for Investment and Savings - Subtitle A: Depreciation Reform - Permits the taxpayer to take a deduction with respect to expense-method property in the year it is placed in service equal to the basis of such property. Defines "expense-method property" as tangible property that is assigned to the 3-year or 5-year class for purposes of ACRS deductions and qualifies for the investment credit. Prohibits the expensing of several types of properties. Provides that the deduction for expense-method property shall be phased in over a period of 5 years, with the complete allowance of the expense-method property deduction occurring in 1990. Provides that the amount not eligible for the expense-method property deduction shall be eligible for the investment tax credit and the depreciation deduction. Provides that expense method property shall not be eligible for the investment tax credit. Reduces the recovery period for 18-year real property placed in service after 1989 to 15 years. Subtitle B: Savings Incentives - Allows an individual to establish a super savings account to which tax deductible contributions may be made. Limits the maximum amount of deductions to such an account in 1985 to $7,500. Increases this limit each year to a maximum of $10,000 for 1990 and beyond (joint returns would begin at $15,000 in 1985 and gradually increase to $20,000 in 1990). Requires that distributions from such an account be included in the adjusted gross income of the individual for the year in which the distribution is made. Provides that amounts in such an account pledged as security for a loan shall be treated as having been distributed to the individual. Provides that a super savings account is exempt from taxation. Prohibits deductions for contributions that are directly attributable to indebtedness which is incurred or continued by the individual making the contribution. Allows an individual to make contributions of stocks, bonds, or other readily tradeable securities to such an account during 1985. Requires contributions and distributions to be made in cash, except for contributions made in 1985. Requires the trustee of a super savings account to file reports regarding such account as may be required by the Secretary of the Treasury. Imposes a penalty tax for excess contributions and certain prohibited transactions. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study and report to the Congress on whether the super savings account provisions should take into account any differences between common law and community property States. Title III: Base Broadening - Subtitle A: Credits - Repeals the income tax credits for: (1) household and dependent care services; (2) the elderly and disabled; (3) residential energy expenditures; and (4) political contributions. Provides that the credits pertaining to clinical testing expenses, producing fuel from nonconventional sources, and increasing research activities and the general business credit shall be allowed only to C corporations. Subtitle B: Exclusions - Repeals the various exclusions from income for individuals. Provides that the exclusion of payments received to encourage production of strategic minerals and income from sources within possessions of the United States shall apply only to C corporations. Includes in the gross income of an employee the cost of group-term life insurance purchased by the employer. Provides for the taxation of unemployment compensation received by the taxpayer during the year. Includes in income amounts received as a pension, an annuity, or a similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active duty in the armed forces or as a disability annuity from the Foreign Service. Provides that the exclusion of employer contributions to accident and health plans shall apply only to contributions attributable to the providing of wages for periods during which the employee is absent from work on account of sickness or disability. Limits the amount of scholarship and fellowship awards which may be excluded from gross income to the amount of tuition and related expenses. Excludes from the gross income of an individual income from sources within possessions of the United States. Subtitle C: Deductions - Repeals: (1) the deductions for taxes, moving expenses, two-earner married couples, and adoption expenses; (2) the additional personal exemption deduction for taxpayers 65 or over; (3) the deductions allowed to individuals for nonbusiness interest other than housing interest; and (4) the deduction for casualty and theft losses for individuals. Increases the floor for the medical deduction from five to ten percent of adjusted gross income. Subtitle D: Repeal of Special Capital Gains Treatment - Repeals the individual deductions for capital gains. Limits the amount of capital losses deductible by individuals without regard to the distinction between long term and short term capital losses. Title IV: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the substantiation requirements for the deductibility of business expenses for passenger automobiles or other means of transportation shall be met by providing adequate records or sufficient corroborating evidence rather than contemporaneous records.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the maximum tax deduction allowed for amounts contributed to retirement savings plans by a married couple where one spouse has no earned income from $2,250 to $4,000. Increases the maximum deduction allowed for certain divorced individuals from $1,125 to $2,000.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1985
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to change the terms of office of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from four years to a time ending with the expiration of the term of office of the President making such designation plus one year and 11 days.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor-piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of the Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor-piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor-piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor-piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole be granted.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Sex Discrimination in the United States Code Reform Act of 1985 - Title I: Armed Forces, Soldiers' Home, Coast Guard, Lighthouse Service, and Merchant Marine - Amends Federal laws dealing with the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard to eliminate gender-based distinctions. Title II: Elimination of Gender-Based Distinctions Under the Social Security Act and the Railroad Retirement Act - Eliminates gender-based distinctions in the social security and railroad retirement programs. Title III: Amendments to United States Code - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Walsh-Healey Act, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, the Federal criminal code and other Acts (dealing with Indian affairs, transportation, public lands, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, contract law, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, longshoremen and harbor workers, conservation programs, internee benefits, and the spouses of former Presidents, among other subjects) to eliminate gender-based distinctions. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Voluntary School Prayer Act of 1985 - Precludes Supreme Court and Federal district court jurisdiction to review and hear any case arising out of State law relating to voluntary prayer in public buildings and schools.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Provides that each item of any general or special appropriation bill and any bill or joint resolution making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing appropriations that is agreed to in the same form by both Houses of the Congress shall be enrolled as a separate bill or joint resolution for presentation to the President (line-item veto).
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Public School Civil Rights Act of 1985 - Eliminates inferior Federal court jurisdiction to issue any order requiring the assignment or transportation of students to public schools on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Permits individuals and school boards to seek relief from court orders made prior to this Act unless the court makes certain findings, including: (1) that the acts giving rise to the order intentionally and specifically caused the segregation; (2) that no other remedy would work; (3) that the benefits of the order outweigh its economic, social, and educational costs; and (4) that the busing required by the order does not consume more than 30 minutes of travel time or ten miles of travel distance daily. Lists remedies which remain available for unconstitutional segregation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Establishes the Commission on More Effective Government to: (1) study the management, operation, and organization of the executive branch and its relationship with the other branches of the Federal Government, the State and local governments, and the private sector; and (2) recommend changes in Federal laws and practices (including redistribution of functions among Federal, State, and local governments) to promote greater effectiveness in the transaction of public business. Directs the Commission to assure meaningful public participation. Requires the Commission to keep the President and the Congress informed and to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations within 24 months. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such report is submitted. Directs the Comptroller General, the Chairman of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, and the Directors of the Congressional Research Service, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Office of Technology Assessment to prepare briefing papers on recent reports of their organizations which are relevant to the work of the Commission. Requires the Comptroller General, for a period of four years after the Commission ceases to exist, to monitor and report periodically to the President and the Congress on the implementation of Commission recommendations. Directs a portion of the Commission staff to continue to seek implementation of the Commission's recommendations for a specified period after the Commission is abolished. Places such staff under the direction of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Directs the executive agencies to carry out, and propose legislation to carry out, the recommendations with which they agree. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to make a final report to the President and the Congress on the disposition of such recommendations within four years after the Commission's final report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Federal Budget Reform Act - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to establish a two-year budget process. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for a two-year reporting requirement by the Congressional Budget Office. Changes the fiscal year to a fiscal period beginning on January 1 of even-numbered years and extending for the next two years. Provides for one concurrent resolution setting forth the Federal budget to be agreed on in the first session of Congress. Makes it out of order in the House or the Senate to consider any bill or resolution providing new budget authority for a two-year fiscal period other than an omnibus appropriation bill. Sets forth deadlines for the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate to report on an omnibus appropriation bill for a two-year fiscal period. Allows the House or the Senate to consider a supplemental appropriation bill for a two-year fiscal period at any time after the Congress adopts a concurrent resolution on the budget or the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for such two-year fiscal period. Prohibits any amendment providing new budget authority unless it is an amendment to an omnibus appropriation bill or a supplemental appropriation bill. Provides for reconciliation at any time after the consideration of the concurrent resolution is passed. Prohibits the enrollment of any bill or resolution which would cause the budget levels agreed to in the budget resolution to be exceeded. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to revise the requirements for the submission of the President's budget. Provides for the submission of proposed spending, including proposed budget authority, direct loans and commitments to guarantee loans, and estimates of outlays and receipts for all activities. Amends accounting procedures to conform them to the two-year fiscal period. Amends the Permanent Appropriation Repeal Act to convert such Act to a two-year fiscal period. Makes the two-year fiscal period effective on January 1, 1988. Makes transition provisions for FY 1987 with respect to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement of receipts and outlays for that year in which total outlays are no greater than total receipts. Permits the Congress in such statement to provide for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a three-fifths vote directed solely to that subject. Requires the President and the Congress to ensure that actual outlays do not exceed the outlays set forth in such statement. Prohibits total receipts for any fiscal year set forth in such statement from increasing by a rate greater than the rate of increase in national income in the last calendar year ending before such fiscal year, unless the Congress passes a bill directed solely to approving specific additional receipts by a three-fifths vote and such bill has become has become law. Requires the President, prior to each fiscal year, to transmit to the Congress a proposed statement of receipts and outlays for that year consistent with the provisions of this article. Permits the Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Declares that total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States, except those derived from borrowing and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States except those for repayment of debt principal.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1985
Directs that proceedings in the Senate Chamber be broadcast by radio and television in accordance with provisions of this resolution, including: (1) continuous coverage at such times as agreed by the Majority and Minority Leaders (except when a closed door meeting is ordered); and (2) equal time divided between the majority and minority parties. Requires that broadcasts be supervised and operated by the Senate and made available on a live basis and free of charge to specified entities. Requires the television broadcasts to follow the Presiding Officer and Senators who are recognized to speak. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to provide for the construction and acquisition of broadcasting facilities and equipment. Sets forth duties of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate with respect to the operation and maintenance of such equipment and the disposition of audio and video tape recordings. Directs the Librarian of Congress and the Archivist of the United States to receive, store, and make such recordings available to the public at no cost for viewing or listening on the premises. Authorizes the charging of a fee equal to the cost involved through distribution of taped copies. Provides for a test period of Senate broadcasting equipment. Prohibits the use of tape duplications of broadcast coverage for political or commercial purposes. Requires that changes in regulations made by this resolution be made only by Senate resolution. Authorizes expenditures, limited to a specified amount, to carry out this resolution. Amends rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit the reporting of legislative measures from committees by polling (committee members not physically present for committee vote). Amends rule XXX to revise the method of considering treaties. Amends rule XII to revise the voting procedure by authorizing the Majority Leader, in concurrence with the Minority Leader, to determine when a roll call shall be by electronic device. Sets forth requirements for Senators upon such determination. Amends rule XVI to provide that if a point of order is made against an amendment to a general appropriations bill on certain grounds, then it shall not be in order to raise the defense of germaneness unless there is House legislative language on that subject contained in the bill. Amends rule VIII to limit to two hours debate on motions to proceed to consideration of any matter, other than Rules amendments, if such motions are made at times other than the morning hour. Amends rule XVII to change from three days to two days the time that reported measures must be available to members prior to consideration. Amends rule XV to set forth the procedure for imposing a germaneness requirement on floor amendments. Requires a three-fifths vote of Senators present and voting to ban the consideration of non-germane amendments to a particular bill or resolution for the remainder of a calendar day. Requires a two-thirds vote of Senators present and voting to overturn the Presiding Officer's decision on a question of germaneness or to hold an amendment germane. Declares that no amendment proposing sense of the Senate (or Congress) language that does not directly relate to the pending matter shall be considered germane. Amends rule XXII to expedite cloture activities, including: (1) a requirement that Senators be present and voting; and (2) a reduction from 100 hours to 20 hours the length of a filibuster before cloture can be invoked.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1984
Congressional Reports Elimination Act of 1984 - Title I: Eliminations - Repeals specified provisions of Federal law requiring certain Federal agencies, States, or the President to submit reports to Congress. Title II: Modifications - Amends specified provisions of Federal law to: (1) discontinue requirements for reports to Congress; (2) combine such reports; (3) reduce the frequency or the contents of such reports; (4) change the dates for submission of such reports; and (5) make technical changes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1984
Expresses the Senate's appreciation to members of the entertainment industry, especially the Entertainment Industries Council, for their work in discouraging and communicating the danger of drug use.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1984
Expresses the Senate's appreciation to members of the entertainment industry, especially the Entertainment Industries Council, for their work in discouraging and communicating the danger of drug use.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1984
Broad-Based Enhanced Savings Tax Act of 1984 - Title I: Reduction of Individual Income Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the number of tax brackets to four and to reduce the marginal tax rates in the four brackets. Provides for a three-year phase down of the marginal tax rates ending in 1990. Postpones until 1986 the indexing of the rate brackets, including the zero bracket amount. Increases the earned income credit for certain individuals and couples with children in 1985 to 13 percent of the first $5,200 of earned income. Phases out the credit as the earned income of the taxpayer increases. Provides for an inflation adjustment to the earned income credit. Increases the personal exemption deduction to $1,050 in 1985. Allows a cost-of-living adjustment to this amount. Repeals the alternative for lump-sum distributions. Title II: Incentives for Investment and Savings - Subtitle A: Depreciation Reform - Permits the taxpayer to take a deduction with respect to expense-method property in the year it is placed in service equal to the basis of such property. Defines "expense-method property" as tangible property that is assigned to the 3-year or 5-year class for purposes of ACRS deductions and qualifies for the investment credit. Prohibits the expensing of several types of properties. Provides that the deduction for expense-method property shall be phased in over a period of 5 years, with the complete allowance of the expense-method property deduction occurring in 1990. Provides that the amount not eligible for the expense-method property deduction shall be eligible for the investment tax credit and the depreciation deduction. Provides that expense method property shall not be eligible for the investment tax credit. Reduces the recovery period for 18-year real property placed in service after 1989 to 15 years. Subtitle B: Savings Incentives - Allows an individual to establish a super savings account to which tax deductible contributions may be made. Limits the maximum amount of deductions to such an account in 1985 to $7,500. Increases this limit each year to a maximum of $10,000 for 1990 and beyond (joint returns would begin at $15,000 in 1985 and gradually increase to $20,000 in 1990). Requires that distributions from such an account be included in the adjusted gross income of the individual for the year in which the distribution is made. Provides that amounts in such an account pledged as security for a loan shall be treated as having been distributed to the individual. Provides that a super savings account is exempt from taxation. Prohibits deductions for contributions that are directly attributable to indebtedness which is incurred or continued by the individual making the contribution. Allows an individual to make contributions of stocks, bonds, or other readily tradeable securities to such an account during 1985. Requires contributions and distributions to be made in cash, except for contributions made in 1985. Requires the trustee of a super savings account to file reports regarding such account as may be required by the Secretary of the Treasury. Imposes a penalty tax for excess contributions and certain prohibited transactions. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study and report to Congress on whether the super savings account provisions should take into account any differences between common law and community property States. Title III: Base Broadening - Subtitle A: Credits - Repeals the income tax credits for: (1) household and dependent care services; (2) the elderly and disabled; (3) residential energy expenditures; and (4) political contributions. Provides that the credits pertaining to clinical testing expenses, producing fuel from nonconventional sources, and increasing research activities and the general business credit shall be allowed only to C corporations. Subtitle B: Exclusions - Repeals the various exclusions from income for individuals. Provides that the exclusion of payments received to encourage production of strategic minerals and income from sources within possessions of the United States shall apply only to C corporations. Includes in the gross income of an employee the cost of group-term life insurance purchased by the employer. Provides for the taxation of unemployment compensation received by the taxpayer during the year. Includes in income amounts received as a pension, an annuity, or a similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active duty in the armed forces or as a disability annuity from the Foreign Service. Provides that the exclusion of employer contributions to accident and health plans shall apply only to contributions attributable to the providing of wages for periods during which the employee is absent from work on account of sickness or disability. Limits the amount of scholarship and fellowship awards which may be excluded from gross income to the amount of tuition and related expenses. Excludes from gross income of an individual income from sources within possessions of the United States. Subtitle C: Deductions - Repeals: (1) the deductions for taxes, moving expenses, two-earner married couples, and adoption expenses; (2) the additional personal exemption deduction for taxpayers 65 or over; (3) the deductions allowed to individuals for nonbusiness interest other than housing interest; and (4) the deduction for casualty and theft losses for individuals. Increases the floor for the medical deduction from five to ten percent of adjusted gross income. Subtitle D: Repeal of Special Capital Gains Treatment - Repeals the individual deductions for capital gains. Limits the amount of capital losses deductible by individuals without regard to the distinction between long term and short term capital losses. Title IV: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should take action to initiate a new round of multilateral trade negotiations to strengthen the trading system under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Lists items that should be included in the negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1984
Space Development Act of 1984 - Provides that activities performed in space for U.S. persons on any spacecraft predominantly used or operated in space and controlled from locations within the United States, articles produced in space primarily for sale or use within the United States upon such spacecraft, and assets used or operated in space upon such spacecraft (including such spacecraft) shall be treated as activities performed, or articles produced, within the United States for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code and the Tariff Schedules of the United States. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an investment tax credit for any tangible personal property which is predominantly used or operated in space and which is either a spacecraft or is used or operated upon such spacecraft. Includes as recovery property eligible as a tax deduction with respect to the recovery cost system any tangible property used in space subject to the allowance for depreciation. Includes in the gross income of a taxpayer certain income derived from commercial activity in space.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1984
States that: (1) the United States should not lend support to any South African constitutional reform arrangements which do not address the political aspirations of that nation's black majority; (2) the Congress condemns the South African Government's arbitrary arrests and detention of peaceful opponents to such government's constitutional arrangements; (3) the Congress is dismayed by such government's decision to defy and to bypass its high court's rulings in order to suppress lawful political opposition; and (4) the South African Government should terminate such practices and release those persons who have been imprisoned for expressing their political preferences.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1984
Designates the week beginning February 17, 1985, as a time to recognize the contributions of volunteers who give their time to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to youths in need of adult companionship.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 1984
Labor Trusteeships and Fiduciary Amendments Act of 1984 - Title I: Trusteeship Investigations - Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to direct the Secretary of Labor to bring a civil action in Federal district court if after investigation the Secretary finds probable cause to believe a labor organization has violated such Act. (Removes the requirement that such an investigation be in response to a member's written complaint.) Conditions the validity of a labor organization trusteeship upon the holding of a fair hearing regarding the establishment of such trusteeship. Requires certification by a body duly authorized by the labor organization that such hearing was fair and in conformity with the organization's constitution and by-laws. (Removes the current initial 18-month presumption of validity for such a trusteeship.) Title II: Removal Procedures - Permits the Secretary to find that a labor organization's removal procedures have not been followed, thus allowing an officer's removal for serious misconduct by vote of the organization membership. (Currently, the Secretary is restricted in such a situation to finding no more than whether the organization has adequate removal procedures in its constitution and by-laws.) Title III: Provisions Relating to the Fiduciary Responsibility of Officers of Labor Organizations - Authorizes a labor organization member to sue an organization fiduciary in Federal district court for: (1) the restoration of profits made through the misuse of organization assets; and (2) removal of such fiduciary. Exempts fiduciaries from any liability for breaches committed outside the period of service as a fiduciary. Authorizes the Secretary to bring a civil action to enforce the fiduciary provisions of such Act. (Currently, only a labor organization or its governing board may bring such a suit.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal rules relating to the determination of the issue price of certain debt instruments issued for property. Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1984 to repeal the revisions made to rules for the imputation of interest on certain deferred payments. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such revisions had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1984
Enterprise Zone Act of 1984 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Provides that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the total number of designated areas to 75 (25 per year over a three-year period). Requires that at least one-third of such area be in rural areas. Limits the period during which such designations shall remain in effect. Provides that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (within a population of at least 50,000) or 1,000 otherwise, or it is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on December 31, 1988, or three years after the publication of regulations pertaining to such zones, whichever is later. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress every four years a report on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Exempts enterprise zones from certain requirements relating to Federal environmental policy. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for increased employment expenditures and employment of the disadvantaged. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of the increase in payroll (taking into account a maximum of $15,000 in wages per year per employee) plus 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Disallows a deduction for the portion of wages taken into account for such credit. Allows employees located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to five percent of qualified wages earned per year (taking into account a maximum of $9,000 in wages per year). Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Requires every employer to furnish to each qualified enterprise zone employee a written statement showing the amount of qualified wages paid. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investment in certain tangible property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to five percent for zone personal property and ten percent for new zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be predominantly used in the zone, be purchased after zone designation, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon early disposition of the property. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle C: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax - Eliminates the capital gains tax on property of corporations acquired after the enterprise zone designation and used in a zone business. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Allows noncorporate taxpayers to deduct from gross income 100 percent of any net capital gain from qualified enterprise zone property. Subtitle D: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that limitations on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt industrial development bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property. Provides that the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to industrial development bonds the proceeds of which are used to finance facilities in such enterprise zones. Subtitle E: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified businesses (as defined in Title II of this Act), governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of a rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that to the maximum extent practicable, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the rate of imputed interest for: (1) the first $250,000 of the sale price of residential property sold by an individual; (2) the first $1,500,000 of the sale price of farm property sold by an individual, partnership, estate or small business corporation; and (3) the first $500,000 of the sale price of real property associated with the sale of a trade or business.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984
Amends the Federal criminal code to define "armor piercing ammunition." Excludes from the definition: (1) shot gun shot required by Federal or State regulations for hunting; (2) frangible projectiles for target shooting; and (3) projectiles that the Secretary of Treasury determines are primarily intended for sporting purposes. Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition. Allows for: (1) the manufacture or importation of armor piercing ammunition for the use of the United States or any State or local government; and (2) manufacture for the sole purpose of exportation. Establishes a licensing fee of $1,000 per year for manufacturers and importers of armor piercing ammunition. Imposes an additional mandatory sentence of not less than five years for any person who uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition during the commission of a violent felony. Provides that such sentence shall not be suspended nor probation nor parole granted.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1984
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Administration should continue to oppose the imposition of restrictions by the European Community (EC) on imports of nongrain feed ingredients and corn gluten as a means to shift to other countries part of the cost of its domestic agricultural policies; and (2) imposition of a consumption tax on vegetable oils and fats by the EC would restrain trade and violate the tariff bindings in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade on soybeans and soybean products. States that if EC action is taken to inhibit the importation of such products, then the United States should restrict EC imports by the same proportion of reduced U.S. export products.
![Official portrait of Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000460_200.jpg)