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United States · Official source
4,275 records where Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Expresses the Senate's concern about Doctor Yury Orlov and calls upon the Soviet Union to release him from exile and allow him and his wife to emigrate. Urges the President to instruct the Secretary of State to raise this issue with the Soviet Union privately and at specified forums.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1985
Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible State and local governments to support projects for education and information dissemination concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Specifies eligibility requirements for State and local governments. Sets forth application requirements. Requires State and local governments which receive such grants to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to transmit a summary of such reports to the Congress annually. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State and local governments to establish programs to test blood to detect the presence of antibodies to the human T-cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV-III virus). Allows such grants to be used to: (1) conduct blood tests; (2) purchase materials and kits for such tests; (3) provide training for personnel who will conduct such tests; and (4) process the results of such tests. Sets forth application requirements. Requires State and local governments which receive such grants to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to transmit a summary of such reports to the Congress annually. Authorizes appropriation for FY 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Designates October 1985 as National Community College Month.
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 · 8 July 1985
Designates the month of November 1985 as National Hospice Month.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Designates the period October 1 through September 30, 1986, as the time to reflect on the achievements of the Peace Corps during its 25 years, and on ways such programs might be used in the future. Authorizes and requests the President to proclaim this period as a time to honor Peace Corps volunteers and reaffirm our commitment to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Designates July 20, 1985, as Space Exploration Day.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Designates the week of August 18 to August 24, 1985, as Health Care Expo '85 Week.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Declares that the Senate agrees to cooperate with the Jacob K. Javits Senate Fellowship Program. Directs the Senate to provide assistance as may be necessary for the success of this fellowship program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct a study for the purpose of determining tolerable State error rates under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program (part A of title IV of the Social Security Act); and (2) contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a concurrent study. Sets forth reporting requirements. Sets the AFDC error rate at four percent (currently three percent). Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive all or any part of any sanction that would otherwise be imposed upon a State if the State is unable to reach the allowable error rate despite a good faith effort. Permits a State to request such a waiver upon a showing that: (1) it has made a good faith effort to reduce erroneous payments; or (2) its error rate was determined incorrectly and should be lower. Permits a State to appeal the Secretary's denial of a waiver. Provides for a moratorium on reducing payments for excess errors. States that it is the intent of the Congress to revise such moratorium at a time after the reports required by this Act have been submitted. Provides for incentive payments to States with error rates under four percent, but not until the moratorium is lifted. Provides that when determining a State's error rate: (1) the rate shall be fixed at the lower bound of the standard interval for errors within which the State's true error rate falls; and (2) errors which are technical in nature or have no fiscal impact shall be disregarded.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish assistance to support small-scale agricultural projects in Africa, technical assistance for such projects, and research on such projects. Directs the President to place special emphasis on grants to international and African non-governmental organizations and to U.S. private and voluntary organizations for such projects. Requires the Director of the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) and the Director of the Peace Corps to: (1) assess the opportunities for their agencies to support such projects in Africa; and (2) place a high priority on providing such support. Sets forth requirements for the use of funds made available for such projects. Requires the annual report to the Congress on foreign aid programs to include a report on the implementation of this Act. Directs the Administrator of AID to study and report to the Congress within five years of enactment of this Act on the projects funded pursuant to this Act and their effectiveness in preventing famine. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Consumer Products Energy Efficiency Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide that the labeling rules regarding consumer product energy efficiency standards shall require disclosure of such standards at the point of sale and in any advertising of the product. Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) publish and make available comparative guides of the energy efficiency and annual operating cost of certain consumer products; (2) prescribe an energy efficiency standard for certain consumer products; and (3) include in the Secretary's annual report on consumer product energy efficiency standards the percentage of covered products or components which are imported. Requires the Secretary, before determining whether a standard is economically justified, to weigh its effect on domestic production, reduction of unemployment, electric utilities, and the human environment. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe an energy efficiency standard for certain consumer products if it is determined that improvement of 20 percent or more is feasible. Delineates the criteria to be considered by the Secretary in determining whether a performance-related feature justifies the establishment of either a higher or a lower energy efficiency standard. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue energy efficiency improvement guidelines for each of the following five years if no standard for a covered consumer product is prescribed; (2) monitor the improvements in efficiency; and (3) prescribe an energy efficiency standard whenever a certain type of consumer product type fails for three consecutive years to achieve at least half of the improvement under such guideline.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1985
Authorizes the head of a Federal agency (currently, the President) to establish higher minimum rates of basic pay in geographic areas where the agency is experiencing significant recruitment or retention problems. Sets forth procedural requirements prior to the establishment of such higher pay. Provides for periodic increases, bonus payments, and advances of pay for employees hired under such pay rates. Authorizes agencies to fill vacancies in areas with recruitment problems on an expedited basis. Requires employees selected for training by, in, or through a Government facility to agree to extended service after such training and to reimburse the Government for training expenses upon violating such agreement. Eliminates the GS-11 threshold for appointing employees above the minimum rate of pay. Declares that agencies are encouraged to develop and propose methods to attract talented and qualified personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1985
Institutional Aid Act of 1985 - Amends title III (Institutional Aid) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise institutional aid programs, especially in relation to the development needs of historically black colleges and universities and other institutions with large concentrations of minority, low-income students. Includes as eligible institutions, for purposes of the title III part A (Strengthening Institutions) grants program, any institution of higher education which meets specified requirements and which has an enrollment of which at least: (1) 20 percent are Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Hispanic students, or combination thereof; (2) 60 percent American Indian, Alaska Native, or Aleut, or combination thereof; or (3) five percent Native Hawaiian, American Samoan, Micronesian, Guamian (Chamorro), or Northern Marianan, or any combination thereof. Establishes under title III part B, "Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities" (which replaces the current part B, Aid to Institutions with Special Needs). Defines a "part B institution" as any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964 and whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans. Sets forth authorized uses for grants allotted to institutions under the part B program. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make allotments to part B institutions according to formulas based on number of: (1) Pell grant recipients; (2) graduates; and (3) graduates in attendance at graduate or professional schools in degree programs in disciplines in which blacks are underrepresented. Sets forth a special rule regarding allotments to Howard University or the University of the District of Columbia. Sets forth provisions for applications for part B grant allotments. Sets forth provisions for part B program grants to professional and graduate institutions. Directs the Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, to award such grants to each of listed postgraduate institutions that the Secretary determines to be making a substantial contribution to the legal, medical, dental, veterinary, or other graduate education opportunities for black Americans. Prohibits any such grant in excess of $500,000 unless the postgraduate institution assures that 50 percent of the cost of the purposes for which the grant is made will be paid from non-Federal sources. Limits the duration of any such grant to five years. Provides that any one undergraduate or postgraduate institution may receive no more than two such five-year grants. Allows use of such grants for: (1) any of the authorized uses of part B allotment grants; (2) contribution development offices; and (3) institutional endowments. Sets forth application requirements. Provides that independent professional or graduate institutions eligible for such grants include: (1) Morehouse School of Medicine; (2) Meharry Medical School; (3) Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School; (4) Atlanta University; and (5) Tuskegee Institute School of Veterinary Medicine. Sets forth reporting and audit requirements and penalties for misuse of funds. Revises title III part C (Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B) to rename the "endowment grants" under such part "challenge grants." Makes technical and conforming amendments to eligibility requirements under such part. Reduces the maximum amount of any such part C challenge grant for FY 1985 through 1987. (Retains the current maximum for FY 1988 and succeeding fiscal years.) Establishes under title III a new part D, "Reservation for Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Basin Institutions." (Redesignates the current part D as part E.) Directs the Secretary, from part A appropriations, to make available for use for the purpose of such part the greater of specified amounts or the following portions of such funds: (1) 20 percent for Hispanic institutions; (2) five percent for Native American, Native Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; and (3) five percent for institutions serving Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians residing in the Pacific Basin, including the State of Hawaii. Sets forth authorized uses of such part A funds which are reserved under the new part C. Revises the redesignated part E (General Provisions) under title III. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register all policies and procedures required to exercise the authority to approve applications for title III assistance. Prohibits any other criteria, policies, or procedure from being applicable for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to: (1) use the most recent and relevant data concerning the number and percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of HEA in making eligibility determinations under part A of title III; and (2) advance the base-year forward following each annual grant cycle. Requires the Secretary to waive specified part A institutional eligibility requirements (involving an institution's having a relatively high percentage of students receiving need-based assistance under title IV of HEA) in the case of an institution which is: (1) extensively subsidized by the State in which it is located and charges low or no tuition; (2) serving a substantial number of low- and middle-income students as a percentage of its total student population; (3) contributing substantially to increasing higher education opportunities for black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, who are low-income individuals; or (4) substantially increasing higher educational opportunities for individuals in rural or other isolated areas unserved by postsecondary institutions. Includes Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Basin institutions which have been determined eligible under part D (although not satisfying a specified eligibility criterion involving an institution's having relatively low and general expenditures) among those institutions which must be included in an annual report of the Secretary to the Congress. Includes among those reasons for which the Secretary may grant a waiver of specified eligibility requirements (involving an institution's being accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency and its being authorized to offer bachelor's or junior or community college degrees) a determination that such waiver will substantially increase higher education opportunities appropriate to the needs of Hispanic Americans or Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians. Directs the Secretary to take care to assure that representatives of historically black colleges, Hispanic institutions, Native American institutions, and Native American Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, are included as readers on title III application review panels. Revises provisions for grants to encourage cooperative arrangements to include such arrangements between title III aid recipients and institutions not receiving such assistance. Includes benefit to the applicant institutions as a priority criterion in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the following title III programs: (1) part A, Strengthening Institutions; (2) part B, Strengthening Historically Black College and Universities (with a separate authorization for part B provisions for Professional and Graduate Institutions); and (3) part C, Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A or Part B. Directs the Secretary to make available part A funds for any fiscal year to eligible institutions as follows: (1) at least 30 percent to junior or community colleges; (2) at least 20 percent (or a specified minimum amount, if that is greater) for Hispanic institutions; (3) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount, if that is greater) for Native American, Alaskan, or Aleut institutions; (4) at least five percent (or a specified minimum amount if that is greater) for Pacific Basin institutions; and (5) the remainder to institutions that plan to award a bachelor's degree during that year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1985
Designates August 1985 as Polish American Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from the naturalization English language requirement any person who: (1) is at least 65 years old; (2) has lived in the United States for at least five years; and (3) has made diligent efforts to learn English.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Designates the month of November 1985 as National Diabetes Month.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1985
Extends the Congress' greetings and respect to Habib Bourguiba, the President of the Republic of Tunisia, on his visit to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Fair Insurance Coverage Act - Prohibits any insurer from discriminating in an insurance contract against any person because of blindness. Includes within the prohibition refusing to make or negotiate a contract for insurance or giving different treatment with respect to terms, conditions, rates, or benefits because of blindness. Establishes a preference for State actions prior to judicial enforcement under this Act. Authorizes any aggrieved person, in the absence of State actions or jurisdiction, to bring an action under this Act for individual relief. Authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to bring an action for injunctive relief whenever there is reasonable cause to believe a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination or when an individual is aggrieved and an issue of general public importance is raised. Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction of such actions regardless of the amount in controversy. Allows a court to order monetary, equitable, or other appropriate relief, including punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Computer Education Assistance Act of 1985 - Title I; Acquisition of Computer Resources - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to States to pay the Federal share of the costs of strengthening computer education in the elementary and secondary schools. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose for FY 1986 through 1990. Sets forth provisions for allotments to States and for allocation of allotments within States. Provides that two percent of the appropriations for this Act be reserved for specified territories and possessions of the United States. Provides for allotment to States on the basis of school-age population and on the basis of a formula for distribution of aid for disadvantaged school children under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Directs the State education agency (SEA) to allocate the State allotment to local educational agencies (LEAs) on the basis of similar factors. Prohibits making any grant under this title to a State unless the SEA and LEAs within the State carry out planning activities designed to facilitate the use of Federal financial assistance under this title for the expansion of computer resources in the elementary and secondary schools within the State. Requires such planning activities to include: (1) development of goals for computer education; (2) revising basic curricula; (3) placing the computers, and making them generally available, in the elementary and secondary schools; (4) developing hardware and software selection criteria; (5) providing security; and (6) developing evaluation standards. Allows grants under this Act to be used to pay the Federal share of: (1) acquisition of computers and other equipment for computer education; (2) teacher training programs; and (3) computer software acquisition. Sets forth requirements for State applications for grants under this Act. Sets forth requirements for local applications for payments under this Act. Makes specified provisions of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 relating to participation of children enrolled in private schools applicable to the financial assistance made available under this Act. Directs the Secretary to pay each State, from the amount allotted, the Federal share (75 percent) of the cost of the program assisted under this Act. Permits non-Federal contributions to be in cash or in kind, including plant, equipment, and services. Title II: Teacher Training Institutes - Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to make grants to and contracts with specified entities to develop and operate short-term or regular session study institutes to improve the qualifications of individuals engaged or preparing to engage in the teaching, or supervising or training of teachers, of the use of computers for computer education instruction and other education programs in elementary and secondary schools. Provides that special consideration be given to grant or contract applicants who will train teachers, or supervisors or trainers of teachers, serving or preparing to serve in elementary and secondary schools that enroll substantial numbers of disadvantaged youth or in programs for children of limited English language proficiency. Provides for weekly stipends for individuals who attend such institutes. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title for FY 1986 through 1989. Title III: Information Dissemination and Evaluation - Directs the Secretary, through the National Institute of Education (NIE) and the NSF, to provide advice and technical assistance to SEAs and LEAs on the expenditure of funds under title I of this Act and on the acquisition of computer software through an interagency agreement to: (1) evaluate available computer hardware and software, in terms of it usefulness in the classroom; (2) disseminate the results of such evaluation; and (3) develop model computer educational software, and make such model software (and its design premises) available to computer software producers and distributors, teachers, and school administrators. Authorizes the Secretary and the NSF to make grants and contracts to carry out such functions. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for FY 1986 through 1989. Directs the NSF, through grants to or contracts with specified entities, to conduct, assist, and foster research and experimentation on, and dissemination of, models of instruction in the operation and use of computers. Gives priority to proposals prepared with active and broad community involvement of such groups as parents, teachers, school boards and administrators, and local business. Permits funds available under such grants and contracts to be used for the acquisition of computer hardware and software. Requires the Director of the NSF to: (1) report annually to the Congress on the results of such research and experimentation; and (2) in conjunction with the NIE, disseminate information concerning such results to LEAs. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for FY 1986 through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1985
Entitles individuals who performed service as National Guard technicians before January 1, 1969, to credit for such service when determining length of service for purposes of civil service retirement, leave, employee death and disability compensation, group life and health insurance, severance pay, tenure, and status.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1985
Renewable Energy and Conservation Transition Act of 1985 - Title I: Extension of Business Energy Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the energy investment tax credit for solar energy property from 1985 to 1990. Sets the amount of such credit during such period at 15 percent for low temperature solar property and 25 percent for all other solar property. Extends the energy investment tax credit for wind property from 1985 to 1988. Sets the amount of such credit at: (1) ten percent during 1986 and 1987; and (2) five percent during 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for geothermal property and biomass property from 1985 to 1988. Extends the energy investment tax credit for ocean thermal property from 1985 to 1990. Revises the definition of "solar property" for purposes of such tax credit. Sets forth special rules for geothermal equipment to qualify for such credit. Title II: Affirmative Commitment Rule to Extend the Business Credit for Certain Long-Term Projects - Extends the time period during which an affirmative commitment must be made in order for long-term energy projects to be eligible for the energy investment tax credit. Allows such an extension: (1) from 1990 to 1993 for solar energy property; (2) from 1988 to 1990 for geothermal energy property; and (3) from 1985 to 1990 for hydroelectric generating property. Title III: Extension of Residential Energy Credits - Extends the residential energy income tax credit for solar renewable energy property from 1985 to 1990. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Provides that solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet certain additional standards in order to qualify for such credit. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for wind renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Extends the residential energy income tax credit for geothermal renewable energy property from 1985 to 1988. Phases out such credit over such period of time. Revises the definition of geothermal deposits for purposes of such credit. Revises the definition of energy conservation expenditures for purposes of the residential energy income tax credit to limit the amounts taken into account to $700. Limits the energy conservation income tax credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $30,000. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1985
Authorizes the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor the courageous slaves and free black persons of the American Revolution. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select the site, approve the design and plans, and provide for maintenance. Prohibits the use of any Federal funds for the memorial's construction. Terminates the Foundation's authority to establish such memorial five years from the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality - Establishes the National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality (Commission). States the duties of the Commission, which include: (1) identifying and examining Federal, State, local, and private resources which affect infant mortality; (2) identifying barriers to the health care needed to prevent high infant mortality; and (3) reviewing and carrying forward appropriate recommendations that promote the health status of childbearing women and their infants. Directs the Commission to: (1) recommend a national policy designed to improve the current approach to preventing infant mortality; (2) recommend specific changes needed in Federal laws and programs; and (3) present such recommendations to the President, the Speaker of the House, and the majority leader of the Senate within one year of enactment of this Act. Sets forth the powers of the Commission. States that the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the Commission. Provides for the termination of the Commission. 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
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey without consideration specified lands in Prince George's County, Maryland, to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for park and waterfront recreation purposes in accordance with a land use plan. Permits access to the owner of any proposed property development adjacent to such property, subject to specified conditions in the memorandum of understanding of May 7, 1985, if approved.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to reduce, within two years after enactment of this Act, the number of cases pending and awaiting review by: (1) administrative law judges to not more than 6,000; and (2) the Benefits Review Board to not more than 800. Allows such reduction to be accomplished by employing or obtaining the services of additional administrative judges and using other measures. Directs the Secretary to notify the Congress of the measures being taken to comply with this Act within 30 days after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the residential energy income tax credit for solar energy property for five years (from 1985 to 1990). Phases out the percentage of expenditures which may be taken into account for such credit between the years 1985 and 1990. Limits to $6,000 the maximum amount of expenditures for solar hot water systems which may be taken into account for purposes of such credit. Specifies additional standards which solar hot water systems and active space heating systems must meet in order to qualify for such credit. Increases and extends for five years (from 1985 to 1990) the energy investment tax credit for specified types of solar energy property.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Designates the week beginning May 18, 1986, as National Tourism Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Designates June 12, 1985, Anne Frank Day.
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
Declares that the week of June 2 through June 8, 1985, shall be proclaimed as National Theatre Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Home and Community Based Services for the Elderly Act of 1985 - Amends title XIX (Block Grants) of the Public Health Service Act to authorize a block grant program for home and community based services for the elderly. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Allots State funding based on a State's elderly population as compared with the elderly population of the United States. Makes Indian tribes and tribal organizations eligible grant recipients. States that grants may be used to: (1) identify elderly individuals who are eligible for services; (2) plan and manage services to be provided; (3) educate the public and medical and social professionals concerning the availability of services; (4) encourage the participation of families and voluntary organizations; (5) train personnel; and (6) coordinate long-term care services. Permits States to provide services for the elderly through grants to eligible organizations. Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) inpatient services; (2) cash payments to intended recipients; (3) land purchase or construction; (4) purchases of major medical equipment; or (5) satisfying any requirement for the expenditure of non-Federal funds. Set forth State application provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for anesthesia services and related care provided by a registered nurse anesthetist.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Designates the week of December 15 through December 21, 1985, as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week.
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 · 14 May 1985
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 regarding urban development action grant criteria to include the following: (1) the production of goods or services from the applicant's local economy; (2) job retention and retraining; and (3) project location. Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from awarding such a grant unless: (1) the project will have a substantial physical development and fiscal impact; (2) the project is likely to be accomplished in a timely fashion; and (3) the city or urban area has demonstrated performance in housing and community development programs. Provides for the use of repaid grant funds. Requires an applicant to provide the Secretary with an annual statement of the projected receipt and use of repaid grant funds and an audited report of any previous fund use. Requires a report to the Congress by March 15, 1986.
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
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Older Americans Act of 1965, and reaffirms congressional support for such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1985
Expresses, on the 40th anniversary of V-E Day, the Nation's deep gratitude and recognizes the enormous debt owed to the American servicemen who fought in World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985
Title I: Recognition of Injustice and an Apology on Behalf of the Nation - States that the Congress accepts the findings of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians and recognizes that a grave injustice was done to both citizens and resident aliens of Japanese ancestry by the evacuation, relocation, and internment of civilians during World War II. Title II: United States Citizens of Japanese Ancestry and Resident Japanese Aliens - Requests the President to offer pardons to those convicted of violating laws during the internment period whose conduct was based on a refusal to accept racially or ethnically discriminatory treatment. Provides that Federal departments and agencies that review applications for restitution of positions, status, or entitlement lost during the internment period shall review such applications giving full consideration to the findings of the Commission. Establishes within the Treasury a Civil Liberties Public Education Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. Requires the Attorney General to pay $20,000 from the Fund in compensation to each surviving internee. Establishes a Board of Directors which shall be responsible for making disbursements from the Fund. Provides that disbursements from the Fund shall be used to: (1) sponsor research and public educational activities dealing with the internment; (2) fund studies of similar civil liberties abuses; (3) prepare and distribute hearings and findings of the Commission; and (4) promote the general welfare of the ethnic Japanese community in the United States. Title III: Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution - Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Act - Establishes within the Treasury the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Fund. Directs the Administrator of the Fund (the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Association) to make restitution for certain Aleut losses sustained in World War II. Requires the Administrator to establish a trust of $5,000,000 and to distribute the interest of such trust for: (1) the benefit of the elderly, disabled, or seriously ill; (2) students in need of scholarship assistance; (3) preservation of Aleut cultural heritage and historical records (4) the improvement of community centers of affected Aleut villages; and (5) other purposes to improve Aleut life. Authorizes the Administrator to rebuild and restore churches and church property damaged or destroyed in Aleut villages during World War II. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments of $12,000 from the fund to eligible Aleuts for any uncompensated personal property losses. Provides that such payments shall not be considered income or receipts for purposes of Federal taxes or determining eligibility for Federal benefits or assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of the Army to implement a program for the removal and disposal of live ammunition, obsolete buildings, abandoned machinery, and other hazardous debris remaining in populated areas of the lower Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. States that the authority contained in this Act shall be supplemental to the authority of the Secretary of Defense in administering the Environmental Restoration Defense Account and shall be exercised only in the event that such account is inadequate to eliminate hazardous military debris from populated areas of the Lower Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. Authorizes appropriations. Provides that bidding rights for surplus Federal property might be exercised by the Aleut Corporation in lieu of conveyance of Attu Island to the Aleut people, such island having been designated as wilderness. States that the bidding rights shall be exercised by the Aleut Corporation without any preference over any other bidder. Provides that an amount equal to $500 for each acre traditionally occupied by the Aleut people on Attu Island shall be transferred to the Corporation account established by this Act and made available to the Corporation for such bidding.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Congress supports Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) ensure that U.S. officials carry out the pledge to resolve the issue of the Americans still missing and unaccounted for in Indochina; (2) work for the immediate release of any Americans still held captive and the return of the remains of those who died in Southeast Asia; and (3) make every effort to secure the further cooperation of Laos and Vietnam in resolving this issue.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1985
Commends the Rural Electrification Administration and dedicated individuals for their contributions to the progress made by the Nation during the past 50 years in achieving the electrification of rural America.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1985
Intergenerational Education Volunteer Network Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies (LEAs), or to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations applying jointly with one or more LEAs, to establish and operate intergenerational volunteer network programs, using senior citizen volunteers to help educationally disadvantaged children. Provides that such volunteers will tutor such children in their elementary and secondary schools and homes and will serve as liaisons between their schools and families. Provides that such funds may also be used to: (1) train volunteers, teachers, and other school personnel involved in such programs; (2) develop curricula materials; and (3) assist volunteers to pay for program-related expenses. Requires that each such grant shall be made to provide 90 percent of the cost of establishing and operating the program involved for a period of two to three years. Requires the remaining cost of such program to be provided from non-Federal sources. Provides that at least 90 percent of the amount appropriated to carry out this Act in any fiscal year may be used to make such grants. Limits to ten percent of such appropriations the amount which may be used by the Secretary for: (1) administrative costs; (2) the preparation of a biennial report to the Congress on such programs; (3) leadership training for project directors and other designated project personnel; and (4) ongoing technical assistance for such programs. Limits to ten percent that portion of such a grant which may be used by the grantee for administrative costs. Prohibits any part of such a grant from being used to: (1) pay the cost of any program established before the enactment of this Act; or (2) supplant any funds that would be available to the grantee in the absence of such grant. Requires that eligible applicants submit grant applications which describe the program and which provide assurances that: (1) local senior citizen groups and parent groups, and State agencies on education and on aging, are involved in program design; (2) local senior citizen groups and parent groups are involved in program operation; (3) good faith efforts will be made to locate for program participation senior citizen volunteers through programs under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973; and (4) only elementary and secondary schools and families eligible for assistance under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 may receive assistance under this Act. Directs the Secretary, before approving any such application, to transmit a copy of it to the Director of the Action Agency for review or recommendation. Prohibits the Secretary from approving such application until: (1) receipt of the Director's recommendation; or (2) 30 days after such application is so transmitted. Directs the Secretary, in approving such applications, to assure equitable distribution of such grants among the States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1985
Designates the first Sunday in August as National Day of Peace.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1985
Designates the week of June 23 through June 29, 1985, as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1985
Gives special recognition to the achievements of John James Audubon and the work he has inspired.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should pay honor to the memories of the innocent civilians and American and Allied soldiers who died at the hands of the Nazis; (2) it is fitting and appropriate for the President, in a gesture of reconciliation, to visit the Federal Republic of Germany; (3) the President should recognize the importance of the relationship between the two countries; and (4) the President should reassess his planned itinerary for his forthcoming trip to the Federal Republic of Germany.