United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Anti-Apartheid Action Act of 1986 - Prohibits any U.S. person from making or holding any investment in South Africa. Prohibits importing any article which is grown, produced, or manufactured in South Africa, except for those strategic minerals which the President certifies to the Congress are not sufficiently available otherwise. Prohibits exporting to South Africa goods, technology, or other information subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Prohibits any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction from exporting any goods, technology, or other information to South Africa. Exempts from the export prohibitions certain medicine, medical supplies, and food exports. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit the takeoff and landing in the United States of aircraft owned by South Africa or South African nationals except in emergencies. Prohibits importing South African krugerrands or any other South African gold coins. Provides for enforcement of this Act and for penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Radon Mitigation Clarification Act of 1986 - Provides that, for purposes of the medical care expense tax deduction, amounts paid for necessary home improvements to mitigate measured harmful levels of radon gas exposure shall be treated as expenses paid for medical care and in the same manner as amounts paid for other home improvements which qualify as expenses paid for medical care.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1986
Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to establish a cost-sharing formula for certain Federal disaster assistance programs. Declares the Federal share of assistance to be 75 percent for the repair of damaged public facilities and debris removal on the condition that remaining costs are paid by a State or local government. Declares the Federal share of assistance to be 100 percent for: (1) unemployment assistance; (2) temporary housing assistance; and (3) crisis counseling assistance and training. Declares that no State shall be ruled ineligible for assistance under this Act by virtue of an arithmetic formula based on income or population if such State has qualified for Federal disaster assistance within the past 24 months.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it is against the national security interests of the United States to abandon existing strategic offensive arms agreements by exceeding the numerical sublimits of such agreements as long as the Soviet Union remains within such sublimits; (2) the Soviet Union should take steps to resolve U.S. concerns about Soviet violations of existing strategic arms agreements and to negotiate a new agreement; and (3) the Congress and the President should continue to review the policy of mutual adherence to the numerical sublimits on launchers of strategic nuclear delivery systems and the significance of both Soviet compliance and noncompliance with existing strategic offensive arms agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1986
Youth Suicide Prevention Act of 1986 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish a National Center on Youth Suicide under the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Justice, as a clearinghouse for information and coordination. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 and 1988 for the Center.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1986
Amends the Farmland Protection Policy Act to require (currently such Act "encourages") the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance to limit the conversion of productive farmland to nonagricultural uses. Directs the Secretary to make grants to assist States, units of local government, and nonprofit organizations to acquire development easements in farmland in order to prevent the conversion of such farmland to nonagricultural uses. Authorizes appropriations beginning with FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1986
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to include poultry and eggs within the purview of such Act. Gives poultry growers and cash sellers who have not received full payment from specified large poultry dealers or packers a beneficial interest in all poultry products and proceeds from their poultry until full payment has been made by such growers or sellers. States that payment shall not be considered to have been made if the seller or grower receives a payment instrument which is dishonored. Requires the seller or grower in such instance to preserve his interest as provided for by this Act. Requires full payment by the next business day in a cash sale and within seven days following the week of slaughter in a poultry growing arrangement. Permits the parties to modify such payment schedules. Makes a delay in fund collection in order to extend the payment period an unfair practice under such Act. Provides egg producers with similar protections.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1986
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the nonrecognition of gain from the sale of farmland development rights under a qualified State farmland preservation program if the taxpayer purchases qualified farming property within 18 months of such sale. Excludes from gross income up to $100,000 of gain from the sale of farmland development rights by an individual who is age 55 or older. Allows a charitable contribution deduction for gain from the sale of farmland development rights to a State to the extent that the fair market value of such rights exceeds the amount actually received by the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Federal Mass Transit Improvement Act of 1986 - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) to issue multi-year project obligations to States and public agencies for urban mass transportation projects. Requires the Secretary to notify certain congressional committees at least 30 days prior to issuing such advance obligations. Prohibits such multi-year obligations from exceeding any limitation specified in an appropriations Act. Prescribes guidelines for such obligations. Authorizes the Secretary to make specified grants out of a new balanced investment fund to States and local public bodies for FY 1987 through 1990 for buses and vans. Sets guidelines for the allocation of such funds for urban and rural areas of specified population size. Prohibits such funds from being made available for rail modernization or extension or construction of new rail systems. Prohibits grants or loans for any fixed guideway system construction or extension unless the Secretary has first ensured that the applicant has prepared an evaluation of the proposed project which includes certain information. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 for transportation projects substituted for withdrawn Interstate segments. Sets a ceiling upon FY 1987 through 1990 appropriations for grants made to States and local agencies for innovative methods in the management and operation of public transportation services. Makes grants for construction projects also available to finance cost-effective leasing projects. Expands the definition of "associated capital items," and reduces the measure of current fair market value of rolling stock from one percent to one-half of one percent. Allows a recipient to retain for specified projects: (1) the net income received from airspace or adjacent property acquired as a result of a federally funded project; or (2) the income derived from the disposal of fungible items which have been fully depreciated. Provides that no funds apportioned to urbanized areas with populations of less than 200,000 may be used to pay the expenses of any State's management or administration of grant programs for such areas, except in the case of a statewide or regional agency or instrumentality responsible for financing, construction, and operation of public transportation services. Allows a State Governor to make block grant funds transfers between projects in any urbanized area of the State regardless of size: (1) only after approval by local elected officials and publicly owned operators of mass transportation services in each area to which the funding was originally apportioned; or (2) if funding is within 90 days of lapsing and no approvable grant applications are pending. Requires block grants to be apportioned within ten days after appropriation. Requires the Secretary to publish such apportionments on the apportionment date. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees an annual rulemaking agenda. Requires opportunity to be given for public comment on proposed rules, except in the case of emergency rules or rules of routine nature or insignificant impact. Expands the definition of "construction" to include any bus remanufacturing project which extends the economic life of a bus eight years or more, and any project for the overhaul of rolling stock. Sets deadlines by which the Secretary must certify the sampling techniques: (1) used by persons seeking grants; and (2) of newly urbanized areas. States that the receipt of Federal transit aid under this Act does not authorize the Secretary to: (1) regulate or prescribe the mode of operation of any mass transportation system, the choice of mass transportation service provider, or the level of service; or (2) condition the approval of such aid upon either the means by which providers of mass transit services or functions are selected, or the extent of service or functions to be carried out by various private mass transportation service providers. Declares that this Act does not limit the ability of Federal transit aid recipients to determine the extent and amount of mass transit service or functions to be carried out by private enterprise. Authorizes the Secretary to use specified amounts to finance grants for the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative techniques for private sector involvement in all aspects of public mass transit operations. Requires the Secretary to report annually to certain congressional committees regarding the results of such projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990. Sets allocation guidelines for such funds, including allocations for university transportation centers. Requires as a condition of Federal financial assistance for a major capital project under this Act (or the National Capital Transportation Act of 1969) that the financial aid recipient prepare and implement a project management plan which meets specified criteria. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public mass transit systems for crime prevention and security. Directs the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to establish and operate one regional transportation center in each of the ten Federal regions which comprise the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Department of Transportation a national advisory council to: (1) coordinate the research and training to be carried out by grant recipients; (2) act as a clearinghouse between such centers and the transportation industry; and (3) review and evaluate programs carried out by such centers.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1986
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act - Requires States to provide by law for elections for Federal office: (1) absentee registration and absentee voting for uniformed services voters and overseas voters; and (2) the use of alternative write-in absentee ballots by overseas voters when State absentee ballots are not available. Directs the President to designate the head of an executive department to have primary responsibility for the administrative functions of this Act, including: (1) prescribing an official postcard form containing a voter registration and an absentee ballot application; (2) prescribing an alternative write-in ballot for overseas voters; (3) prescribing forms and designs for balloting materials; (4) distributing election materials; (5) reporting to the Congress in the year immediately following a presidential election year on its effectiveness; and (6) consulting State and local election officials in carrying out this Act. Provides for the distribution of official postcards. Sets forth recommendations to the States in carrying out provisions of this Act. Provides for Federal and State write-in absentee ballots for overseas voters. Declares balloting materials under this Act free of postage. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1986
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Defense to settle, adjust, and pay the backpay claim of a named employee of the Department of Defense Overseas Dependent Schools.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1986
Torture Victim Protection Act of 1986 - Imposes civil liability on anyone who, under actual or apparent authority of a foreign nation, subjects any person to torture or extrajudicial killing.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the 50-year-old tax exemption of the 84 nonprofit, community-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans be retained without modification.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 - Prohibits U.S. persons from: (1) making loans to South Africa or any organization owned or controlled by South Africa; (2) making any investment in South Africa; (3) contributing technology or technological services to the exploration for, or the research, development, or production of, energy sources in or for South Africa; or (4) making deposits in a foreign bank which is organized under South African law or owned or controlled by South Africans or a branch bank located in South Africa. Prohibits foreign banks organized under South African law or owned or controlled by South Africans from establishing or operating branches in the United States. Excludes from such prohibitions those loans, investments, and technology contracts entered into before May 21, 1986. Prohibits importing uranium ore, uranium oxide, coal, and steel from South Africa. Prohibits: (1) U.S. persons from making or holding any investment in South Africa in a business that sells computers, computer software, or computer services; and (2) exporting computers, computer software, or computer services to South Africa. Provides that such computer investment and export prohibitions shall not apply if, within 12 months of enactment of this Act: (1) the President certifies to the Congress that South Africa has freed Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners and has entered into good faith negotiations with truly representative leaders of the black majority for a new political system or has totally dismantled the apartheid system; and (2) a joint resolution is enacted approving such certification. Provides for expedited consideration of such resolution. Authorizes using additional funds for aid for South Africa under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962. Earmarks such funds for refugee assistance programs and community development projects. Requires the President to give quarterly reports to specified congressional committees on the assistance provided with such funds. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit the takeoff and landing in the United States of aircraft owned by South Africa or South African nationals except in emergencies. Provides for the enforcement of this Act and for penalties for violations of this Act. Requires the President to try, through negotiations, to persuade other countries to adopt restrictions on activities with respect to South Africa consistent with this Act. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the status of such negotiations. Sets forth information to be included in such reports. Requires the President, during June of 1988, to report to the Congress on whether South Africa has: (1) freed Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners and has entered into good faith negotiations with truly representative leaders of the black majority for a new political system; or (2) has totally dismantled the apartheid system. Requires the President, if such conditions have not been met, to include in such report recommendations on whether U.S. persons should be required to divest themselves of their South African investments. Terminates all the provisions of this Act upon enactment of a joint resolution approving a presidential determination that such conditions have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
Repeals provisions of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985 which: (1) provide a remedy against the United States for loss of property, personal injury, or death due to exposure to radiation based on acts or omissions by a contractor conducting atomic weapons tests under a contract with the United States; and (2) preclude any other civil action by individuals against a contractor for the purpose of determining civil liability from acts or omissions of such contractor. Makes the period during which such provision was in effect inapplicable for purposes of the tolling of any statute of limitations for claims.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
Commends Major General William C. Lee for his long, faithful, and outstanding military service to our Nation. Designates June 6, 1986, as William C. Lee Day.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Civil Rights Commission draft report on minority business set-aside programs be rejected and appropriate reforms be undertaken to strengthen the program and correct any abuses.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1986
Amends Federal law to establish an increased veterans' home loan guaranty limitation amount of $30,900,000,000 reduced by 4.3 percent for purposes of implementing any sequestration order issued by the President for FY 1986 calling for a reduction of such loan commitments.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Child Sexual Abuse and Pornography Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal criminal code with regard to the sexual exploitation of children. Makes it a Federal offense for any person to advertise: (1) any product depicting sexually explicit conduct with a minor; or (2) the opportunity to engage in such conduct with a minor. Amends the Mann Act to include the transportation of males within its coverage and makes other changes so that the offense is gender neutral.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1986
Amends Federal law to establish an increased veterans' home loan guaranty limitation amount of $30,900,000,000 reduced by 4.3 percent for purposes of implementing any sequestration order issued by the President for FY 1986 calling for a reduction of such loan commitments.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Integrity in Post Employment Act of 1986 - Includes former Members of Congress and all former Federal employees in the prohibitions against attempting to influence the Government for one year, or representing or advising a foreign entity for two years, after the end of Government service. Increases the maximum civil penalty for such violations from $10,000 to $250,000. Prohibits certain high-level civilian officers and employees and high-ranking officers of the uniformed services from engaging in such activities at any time after termination of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicare Quality Protection Act of 1986 - Title I: Quality Assurance in Inpatient Hospital Settings - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and submit to the Congress a legislative proposal to improve the prospective payment system established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act so that it more accurately approximates the costs of inpatient hospital services and accounts for variations in case complexity. Amends the Medicare program to require a hospital to give Medicare beneficiaries, upon their admission to the hospital, a written statement explaining: (1) the individual's rights to benefits for inpatient hospital and post-hospital Medicare services; (2) the circumstances under which such individual will be liable for charges for a continued hospital stay; (3) the individual's right to appeal denials of continued hospital services; and (4) the individual's liability for payment for services if such a denial of benefits is upheld on appeal. Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require peer review organizations receiving a hospital inpatient's request for review of a hospital's decision that the patient no longer needs inpatient care to inform the patient of its decision within two days of receiving the request. Prohibits hospitals from charging patients for inpatient hospital services provided while patients wait for a peer review organization to respond to their timely review requests. Imposes a civil money penalty on hospitals which make payments to physicians and on physicians who knowingly receive payments which constitute an inducement to curtail the stay of, or services provided to, an identifiable patient. Directs the Secretary to study the adequacy of standards used for hospital compliance with Medicare participation conditions in assuring the quality of hospital services. Requires the Secretary to study the adequacy with which the prospective payment system compensates hospitals, and distributes such compensation among hospitals, for costs attributable to patients' extended hospital stays necessitated by delays in patient placement in skilled nursing facilities. Title II: Access to Appropriate Post-Hospital Care - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program to require hospitals to implement a discharge planning process which meets guidelines and standards, to be established by the Secretary, ensuring patients a timely and smooth transition to the most appropriate type of, and setting for, post-hospital or rehabilitative care. Extends the limitations on beneficiary liability for disallowed Medicare claims to cover home health services provided to certain unqualified individuals. Provides that skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies which keep their services for which Medicare coverage is denied below specified percentages and comply with certain administrative requirements shall not subsequently be denied payment for care provided. Sets forth reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to develop a uniform needs assessment instrument enabling health care providers and fiscal intermediaries to evaluate an individual's need and ability to pay for post-hospital extended care, home-health, and long-term care services. Requires the Secretary to develop procedures to expedite fiscal intermediaries' determinations as to whether provider claims for post-hospital extended care and home health services may be reimbursed under the Medicare program. Directs the Secretary to provide for prompt response (within 24 hours) to beneficiary requests as to whether the beneficiary's Medicare coverage for post-hospital extended care services has been exhausted. Authorizes providers to represent beneficiaries on appeals of benefit determinations. Permits beneficiary appeals of the Secretary's denials of claims for home health service benefits. Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1983 to extend, through 1989, the annual report on the impact of the prospective payment system and require the inclusion of information in such reports regarding the quality, and accessibility to Medicare beneficiaries, of post-hospital services. Title III: Improved Review of Quality by Peer Review Organizations - Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require hospitals to submit data to peer review organizations on a monthly basis. Requires peer review organizations to review selected cases where individuals are readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of their most recent hospital discharge to determine if the previous inpatient hospital services and post-hospital services met professionally recognized health care standards. Directs each peer review organization to commit a reasonable proportion of its activities to review of the quality of services provided in cases and settings where potential quality problems have been identified. Requires the Secretary to identify methods facilitating the discovery of such cases. Requires each peer review organization to have at least one consumer representative on its board of directors. Directs such organizations to investigate all written beneficiary complaints about the quality of Medicare services which are filed with the organization. Requires peer review organizations to share data with organizations responsible for accrediting providers or State officials responsible for assuring quality care if such data reflects a substantial failure by providers or practitioners to provide quality care. Title IV: Study to Develop a Strategy for Quality Review and Assurance - Directs the Secretary to arrange a study which will serve as the basis for establishing a strategy for reviewing and assuring the quality of care provided under the Medicare program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the study within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicaid Maternal and Infant Amendments of 1986 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of extending coverage to pregnant women and infants up to age one whose family income does not exceed the higher of the income eligibility threshold under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Act or the Federal poverty level. Prohibits States which provide coverage pursuant to this Act from establishing more stringent AFDC eligibility tests or reducing AFDC payment levels after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1986
Amends title VII (Unlawful Possession or Receipt of Firearms) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the firearms-related crimes for which persons with multiple convictions may receive increased penalties to include serious drug offenses and crimes of violence. (Previous law provided increased penalties for robbery and burglary only.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1986
Designates May 21, 1986, as Andrei Sakharov Honor and Freedom Day. Requests the President to mark such day with an appeal to the Soviet leader for Doctor Sakharov's release. Provides for the relocation of the "Andrei Sakharov Plaza" street sign to an area adjacent to the Soviet Embassy in the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1986
Authorizes and requests the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, gold medals to Anatoly and Avital Shcharansky in recognition of their supreme dedication and total commitment to human rights and freedoms. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to determine the design of the medals. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to sell bronze duplicates of the medals.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to require each State to submit to the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) an annual commodity distribution plan; (2) quarterly reports. Directs the Secretary to issue commodity warehousing and monitoring regulations. Reopens statutory authority for food bank special nutrition projects reports.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Makes individuals who are not U.S. citizens or nationals and specified foreign-controlled interests ineligible for agricultural price supports, loans, crop insurance, and disaster payments. Exempts a foreign interest operating a single small- or medium-sized family farm from such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Parental and Medical Leave Act of 1986 - Title I: General Requirements for Parental and Medical Leave - Entitles employees to parental leave for specified periods in cases involving the birth, adoption, or serious health condition of a child. Entitles employees to temporary medical leave for specified periods in cases involving inability to work because of a serious health condition. Sets forth conditions for certification for such types of leave. Provides that such leave may be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave to cover part of such leave period. Sets forth employment and benefits protections relating to such leave. Provides for administrative enforcement of this title by the Secretary of Labor, as well as enforcement by civil action. Sets forth provisions for injunctive relief, monetary relief, and attorneys' fees. Requires employers to post notice of the pertinent provisions of this title. Title II: Parental Leave and Temporary Medical Leave for Civil Service Employees - Amends specified Federal law to entitle civil service employees to parental leave and temporary medical leave for specified periods. Provides that such leave will be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave for part of such leave. Sets forth protection for job position and health insurance benefits of employees using such leave. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to prescribe regulations for administration of this title which are consistent with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under title I of this Act. Title III: Commission on Paid Parental and Medical Leave - Establishes the Commission on Paid Parental and Medical Leave. Requires the Commission to report on its study of paid parental and medical leave to the Congress within two years after the Commission first meets. Terminates the Commission within 30 days after its final report. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth the effect of this Act on existing laws and existing employment benefits. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations to carry out title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Prohibits the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to specified proposed sales of Sidewinder, Stinger, and Harpoon missiles and services to Saudi Arabia, as described in the April 8, 1986, certifications from the President to the Congress under the Arms Export Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1986
Recognizes the Ireland Fund for its laudable charitable achievements, and its founder, Dr. Anthony J.F. O'Reilly, for the humane work he has inspired on behalf of the people of Ireland.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1986
Amends the Federal law concerning military uniforms to authorize the wearing of an item of religious apparel as part of the military uniform if: (1) the item is part of the religious faith of the member; and (2) it is neat and unobtrusive. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to prohibit the wearing of an item of religious apparel if it is found to significantly interfere with the performance of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1986
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to exempt from any benefit reduction under such Act the dual benefits payments account in the Treasury (60-0111-0-1-601) pertaining to certain railroad retirement benefits. Applies such exemption to fiscal years beginning FY 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1986
Provides that certain settlements of claims for post-retirement medical insurance coverage subject to a specified law suit shall be excluded from gross income for income tax purposes.
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