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United States · Official source
387 records where Rep. Atkinson, Eugene V. [D-PA-25] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the excise tax on certain chemicals any chromium or chromite used in the production of ferrochrome. Permits the credit or refund of amounts equal to the tax paid on such chromium or chromite.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Bankruptcy Improvements Act of 1981 - Amends title 11 of the United States Code (Bankruptcy) to establish an eligibility test for liquidation bankruptcy relief based on the individual petitioner's ability to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Permits the court to dismiss a bankruptcy case under chapter 7 (liquidation) upon the motion of any party in interest filed not later than 30 days after the meeting of creditors, and after notice and a hearing, if the debtor is ineligible for relief under such title. Requires the bankruptcy judge to preside at any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties any may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in such property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan affecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of income and expenses. Requires the debtor, if the debtor's schedule of assets and liabilities includes consumer debts which are secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Repeals the provisions concerning exempt property and makes the States responsible for establishing exemptions to bankruptcy proceedings. Makes any debt which was incurred on or within 90 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title nondischargeable. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been voided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later, by giving a written notice of rescission to the creditor. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge. Eliminates the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of filing petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified objects. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence at the time of the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of co-debtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where at least 70 percent of all allowed unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Establishes the Global Peace Award. Provides that the first Global Peace Award shall be awarded in memory of the late President Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat of Egypt.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which provide incentives for energy conservation and development of renewable energy sources should not be repealed or amended to reduce such incentives.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1981
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Fred Waring, Louis L'Amour, and the widow of Joe Louis. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of each medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State should discuss Soviet human rights issues, particularly immigration rights and religious freedom, with the Soviet Foreign Minister in upcoming meetings at the United Nations General Assembly.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning October 4, 1981, as "National Home Health Care Week."
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1981
Requests the President to designate October 7, 1981, as "National Guard Day."
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1981
Disapproves the final rule promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission dealing with the matter of the trade regulation rule relating to the sale of used motor vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1981
United States Olympic Development Fund Checkoff Act of 1981 - Permits taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns an election to contribute one dollar of their income tax refunds or one dollar forwarded with returns to support the fund established by this Act. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a United States Olympic Development Fund. Appropriates to the Fund an amount equivalent to the amount designated on tax returns to be available to the Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay amounts so transferred to the U.S. Olympic Committee for use in a program of expansion and improvement of amateur athletics. Sets forth reporting requirements with respect to the expenditure of such funds by the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1981
Social Security Alien and Foreign Resident Limitations Act of 1981 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit entitlement to title II benefits in the case of an individual who is not a U.S. citizen or national and whose entitlement is based upon the wages and self-employment income of a resident of a foreign country who is entitled to old-age or disability benefits if such individual does not bear a spousal, filial, parental, divorced, or surviving relationship to such resident as of the date such resident reaches age 57. Prohibits entitlement to title II benefits in the case of an individual who is not a U.S. citizen or national on the basis of such individual's own wages and self-employment income. Entitles a non-U.S. citizen or national to a single lump-sum benefit on the basis of such individual's wages and self-employment income if such individual is lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence or employment purposes or such individual's status is changed to permit such individual to work in the United States. Prohibits entitlement to title II benefits in the case of a non-U.S. citizen or national whose entitlement is based upon the wages and self-employment income of a non-U.S. citizen or national who is not a permanent resident of the United States or who has not been admitted to the United States for employment purposes. Prohibits entitlement to title II benefits in the case of a U.S. citizen or national whose entitlement is based upon the wages and self-employment income of a non-U.S. citizen or national.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of October 19 through October 25, 1981, as "National High School Activities Week."
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1981
Mobile Source Clean Air Act Amendments of 1981 - Title I: Amendments to Title II - Amends title II of the Clean Air Act (Emission Standards for Moving Sources, also known as the "National Emission Standards Act") to provide that where any national ambient air quality standard is established pursuant to such Act for any pollutant, the standard applicable to the emissions of such pollutant shall relate to the achievement of the national ambient air quality standard. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in prescribing any such standard, to consider specified factors, including compliance costs, potential inflationary or recessionary effects, and effects on small business competition, consumer costs, and energy use. Requires that more stringent standards shall not become effective for at least: (1) 48 months after final prescription, in the case of heavy-duty vehicles or engines; and (2) 36 months after final prescription, in the case of all other new motor vehicles or engines. Repeals requirements that standards reflecting the greatest degree of emission reduction achievable through application of available technology be contained in regulations applicable to: (1) emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides from heavy-duty vehicles or engines manufactured during model years 1979 through 1982; and (2) emissions of particulate matter from vehicles manufactured during and after model year 1981 (or during any earlier model year, if practicable). Repeals requirements that regulations applicable to vehicles or engines manufactured during and after model year: (1) 1983 require a reduction of at least 90 percent of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions; and (2) 1985 require reduction of at least 75 percent of nitrogen oxides emissions. Provides for notice and opportunity for comment before the Administrator determines that any emission control device, system, or element of design will cause or contribute to an unreasonable risk to public health, welfare, or safety (and therefore may not be used to comply with emission standards). Directs the Administrator to include specified information obtained from manufacturers in making such determination. Excludes methane from any hydrocarbon standard for motor vehicle emissions under such Act. Directs the Administrator to establish an appropriate allowance applicable to the exhaust hydrocarbon standard for those vehicles and engines that emit low levels of evaporative hydrocarbon emissions, except that measurement of such emissions shall not be required in specified new vehicle or motor compliance tests. Revises provisions for regulations applicable to emissions from light-duty vehicles and engines. Eliminates the requirement that regulations applicable to such vehicles manufactured during or after model year 1981 require: (1) reduction of at least 90 percent of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons emissions from those allowable under standards applicable to 1970 models; and (2) limitation of nitrogen oxides emissions to one gram per vehicle mile. Provides also that regulations applicable to such vehicles manufactured during or after model year 1982 shall not contain standards more stringent than 0.39 grams per vehicle mile of non-methane exhaust hydrocarbons (exclusive of allowances for evaporative hydrocarbons), seven grams per vehicle mile of carbon monoxide, and two grams per vehicle mile of nitrogen oxides. Revises provisions relating to waivers of such standards. Replaces, as a precondition for such waivers, a determination of a potential for both long-term air quality benefit and meeting average fuel economy standards with a determination of a potential to conserve energy. Makes 500,000 units the maximum number of vehicles or engines of each model to which such waivers may apply (the current maximum is five percent of the manufacturer's production or 50,000 of such units, whichever is larger). Revises provisions relating to any future prescribed regulations affecting the manufacture, distribution, or sale of motor vehicles or engines for high altitude areas of the United States to require inclusion of exemptions prescribed for model year 1982 and to permit specified performance adjustments. Prohibits more stringent numerical standards in regulation of high altitude vehicles of any model year than those applicable to vehicles certified under non-high altitude conditions. Prohibits any regulation requiring the installation, on motor vehicles or engines intended for principal use in non- high altitude locations, of any emission controls needed to meet the applicable standards under high altitude conditions. Includes among prohibited acts the failure or refusal of any manufacturer to comply with requests by the Administrator for specified information on new light-duty motor vehicles and their use at high altitudes. Revises provisions for compliance testing and conformity certification to direct the Administrator to evaluate or to require evaluation of (but not necessarily to test or require testing of): (1) any new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine submitted by a manufacturer; and (2) any emission control system incorporated in a vehicle or engine submitted by any person. Prohibits the revision of any test applicable to 1981 model heavy-duty vehicles or engines until after the 1986 model year. Repeals a one-year maximum limit on the period which a certificate of conformity may cover. Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) methods and procedures for making tests for determining average emissions from vehicles; and (2) an acceptable quality level for all new motor vehicles equivalent to the level applicable to 1981 model year light-duty vehicles. Repeals a requirement that all light-duty vehicles manufactured during and after model year 1984 comply with specified emission standards regardless of the altitude at which they are sold. Revises provisions for compliance by vehicles and engines in actual use. Bases determinations of nonconformity with regulations by any class or category of vehicles and engines manufactured after a specified date upon the average performance in testing a statistically valid and representative sample. Permits manufacturers to elect to take other actions, in lieu of remedying such nonconformity, with respect to those or other vehicles or engines, consistent with the purposes of such title. Directs the Administrator to consider the effects on competition, in approving a manufacturer's plan to remedy or take other actions with respect to such nonconformity. Repeals a requirement that dealers furnish purchasers of new light-duty motor vehicles certificates of conformity with applicable emission standards, including notice of purchaser warranty rights. Repeals a requirement that the manufacturer remedy, at its own cost, any nonconformity, during a specified period, of a motor vehicle with emission standards. Revises provisions relating to: (1) State standards; and (2) high altitude performance adjustments. Provides that the foregoing amendments made by this title shall take effect with respect to vehicles and engines manufactured in model years beginning more than 60 days after the enactment of this Act. Requires that the economic impact assessment with respect to any motor vehicle emission or fuel standard or regulation under such title also contain an analysis of the noise, safety, and other factors deemed appropriate by the Administrator associated with application of any technology necessary to comply with the standard or regulation. Directs the Administrator to initiate a study and related proceedings, including appropriate informal public hearings, to: (1) develop alternative and practicable approaches to emission control of any air pollutant, subject to such regulation, from new motor vehicles or engines; and (2) evaluate the existing control program. Sets forth the factors to be considered by the Administrator concerning such new approach. Requires that a report of such study, including public comments, be submitted to the appropriate committees of the Congress within one year. Sets forth criteria for proposed regulations under any such new approach. Title II: Study and Conforming Provisions - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator, upon the request of any national association of motor vehicle dealers with a membership which includes a majority of U. S. retail franchisers selling imported and domestic new light-duty motor vehicles, to compile data relating to the availability and distribution to dealers located at high altitudes of all models of such vehicles manufactured by any specified manufacturer in a specified model year. Authorizes the Administrator to utilize specified information and to require manufacturers to submit relevant information (except information identifying shipments to individual dealers). Directs the Administrator, within six months after such a request is made, to submit to the Congress and publish in the Federal Register a report setting forth the data so compiled, including specified information.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1981
Small Business Innovation Research Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) maintain an information program to provide small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal small business innovation research (SBIR) programs; (2) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (3) report annually to the Congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to spend a specified percentage of its budget in connection with an SBIR program. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget in excess of $20,000,000 in fiscal year 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding agreements for research or research and development to small businesses with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency with a SBIR program to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 in amount made under the SBIR program and to concerns other than small business concerns. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA, to promulgate regulations for the conduct of the SBIR programs. States that this Act does not authorize the appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1981
Requests the President to designate the week of April 19 through April 25, 1982, as "National Nurse-Midwifery Week."
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1981
Requests the President to designate the month of October 1981 as "National PTA Membership Month."
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of individual taxpayers interest on reparation payments made to such taxpayers for persecution under the German National Socialist regime.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that during calendar years 1982 through 1984 a tax should be imposed on all imports at a rate of seven percent of the value of the imported item and the proceeds of such tax should be deposited in the Federal Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1981
Air Traffic Controller Act of 1981 - Redefines the terms "air traffic controller" and "controller," for purposes of civil service provisions, to mean air traffic control specialists of the GS-2152 series, excluding management officials. Establishes a workweek of four consecutive eight-hour days for controllers. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations providing that: (1) a controller shall be eligible for full retirement after 20 years of service as a controller actively engaged in the control of air traffic; (2) payment of the controller's retirement annuity shall commence within 30 days after the retirement date; and (3) the controller shall qualify for vested rights in the retirement program after five years of service. Declares that controllers shall accrue one day of sick leave for each biweekly pay period. Grants the controllers' exclusive representative the right to bargain collectively with their employer concerning wages, hours, and other conditions of employment. Establishes a salary classification system for controllers. Provides for differential payments for hours worked during a night shift, weekend, or an assignment as an on-the-job instructor. Exempts the salary of an air traffic controller from provisions limiting the pay of Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1981
Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1981 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) maintain an information program to provide small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal small business innovation research (SBIR) programs; (2) coordinate a schedule for release of SBIR solicitations and prepare a master release schedule; (3) monitor SBIR programs within Federal agencies; and (4) report annually to the congressional Small Business Committees on the SBIR programs. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget of at least $100,000,000 in FY 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to spend a specified percentage of its budget in connection with an SBIR program. Requires each Federal agency with a research and development budget of at least $20,000,000 in FY 1982 or any subsequent fiscal year to establish specific goals for funding research and development agreements with small businesses. Directs each Federal agency to report annually to the SBA the number of awards over $10,000 made under the SBIR program and to concerns other than small business concerns. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in conjunction with the SBA, to promulgate regulations for the conduct of the SBIR programs. States that this Act does not authorize the appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1981
Requests the President to designate December 7, 1981, as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) express to the Soviet Union the U.S. opposition to the Soviet's imprisonment of Benedict Scott (Vytautas Skuodis); and (2) take every appropriate action to secure his release from prison and the emigration of him and his family.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the House shall not consider any bill, resolution, or conference report thereon reducing social security benefits prior to the opening of the second session of the 97th Congress. Instructs the House conferees on H.R. 3982 to recede and concur in an amendment deleting from the conference report on H.R. 3982 the section which repeals minimum social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) prohibit U.S. participation in the Yamal natural gas pipeline project in the Soviet Union; (2) urge Western European nations and Japan not to participate in such project; (3) propose and enlist the cooperation of Western European nations and Japan in an alternative energy diversification project; and (4) promote this alternative energy diversification project.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Airline Deregulation Amendments Act of 1981 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to modify the definition of "ticket agent" as used in such Act. Directs air carriers to file with the Civil Aeronautics Board until December 31, 1982, individual and joint fares and charges, classifications, rules, and services for or in connection with interstate and overseas passenger air transportation. Requires that such filings shall be made with the Secretary of Transportation between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 1984. Prohibits air carriers and ticket agents from charging or collecting greater or less or different compensation than that specified in such filings. Transfers the authority of the Board relating to foreign air transportation to the Department of Transportation. Accelerates to January 1, 1983, the transfer of specified authority of the Board. Allows the Board to approve any contract or agreement that reduces or eliminates competition if it finds that the contract or agreement is necessary to secure important public benefits, including the marketing and sale of transportation through ticket agents. Sets forth the expiration dates for specified authority of the Secretary relating to contract approvals. Revises the expiration date and contents of the Secretary's (currently the Board's) report to Congress concerning the implementation of such Act. Prohibits the Board from issuing any final order or rule in regard to agreements among air carriers and agreements among foreign air carriers insofar as those agreements provide for the accreditation and supervision of travel agents. Directs the Board to forward the recommendations and analyses concerning such proceedings to the Secretary for final disposition. Prohibits the Board and the Department from attaching an expiration date on any certificate of public convenience and necessity. Deletes provisions concerning the issuance of such certificates for temporary authority to provide air transportation. Requires that each air carrier or foreign air carrier shall keep on file with the Board after January 1, 1983, the established divisions of all joint rates, fares, and charges for air transportation in which such carrier participates.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1981
Independent Local Newspaper Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the establishment of independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts to facilitate payment of the estate tax imposed upon the estate of a decedent who owned an interest in an independent local newspaper. Sets forth requirements for the establishment of such trusts, including requirements that such trusts: (1) be created pursuant to a plan adopted by the newspaper; (2) be governed by a written instrument which requires that contributions to and income of the trust be invested solely in obligations of the United States; (3) name as trustee a bank or another individual who is capable of administering such trust in compliance with the requirements of this Act; (4) maintain trust assets separately from other property; (5) accept contributions exclusively from independent local newspapers; (6) devote assets of the trust solely to the payment of the estate tax; and (7) distribute any excess funding of the trust to its beneficiaries or their estates. Limits an individual who owns interests in several independent local newspapers to participation in not more than one estate tax payment trust. Defines an "independent local newspaper" as a newspaper publication which is not a member of a chain and which maintains all its offices in a single city, community or metropolitan area, or, on January 1, 1981, within one State. Defines "excess funding" as the excess of the face value of the assets of a qualified trust over: (1) 70 percent of the value of a decedent's interest in an independent local newspaper which is includable in his gross estate; or (2) a decedent's estate tax which is attributable to his interest in an independent local newspaper included in his gross estate. Exempts independent local newspaper advance estate tax trusts and the individuals for whom such trusts are established from income taxation with respect to income earned by such trust. Terminates such tax-exempt status if the taxpayer's interest in the newspaper is sold, the newspaper itself is sold or ceases to qualify as an independent newspaper, or there is an excess funding of the trust. Provides that the amount of any excess funding shall be distributed to the individual for whom the trust was created and included in his gross income or gross estate. Allows an income tax deduction to local independent newspapers for contributions made to estate tax payment trusts. Limits the amount of such deduction to 50 percent of the taxable income derived from such newspaper for the taxable year. Requires the redetermination of the estate tax of an individual for whom an independent local newspaper advance estate tax trust is established and the inclusion in the gross estate of such individual of an amount equal to the estate tax payment made by such trust which is attributable to the individual's interest in the newspaper, if the trust or any heir of the individual sells, within 15 years of the death of such individual, any part of the interest in the newspaper with respect to which the trust was created. Provides for the gradual phaseout of any additional estate tax which is imposed due to the premature sale of a newspaper, if the sale does not occur prior to the ten to 15 year period following the death of the individual for whom the estate tax trust is established. Permits the shareholders of an independent local newspaper who receive the stock of a corporation which the newspaper controls to exclude from their gross income any gain realized as a result of such distribution if: (1) the shareholders do not sell such stock within five years after the date of its distribution; (2) the shareholders retain control of the newspaper for five years after the date of the distribution; and (3) the newspaper and the controlled corporation each continue to be engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business through the five year period beginning on the date of the distribution. Excludes from the gross estate of a decedent the value of any interest in an independent local newspaper which he holds at the time of his death and any estate tax payment made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust. Permits the executor of an estate which includes an interest in an independent local newspaper to pay the estate tax in two or more (but not exceeding ten) equal installments. Limits the maximum amount of estate tax that may be paid in installments to the excess of the amount of estate tax over the tax that would have been imposed if the interest in the newspaper had not been included in the gross estate, reduced by all payments of the estate tax made by an independent local newspaper advance estate tax payment trust.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1981
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop standard accounting, auditing and financial management policies for the administration, accounting, and financial auditing of Federal assistance programs to State and local governments and nonprofit tax-exempt organizations. Directs that such standards shall include: (1) terms, definitions and conditions used in such grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements; (2) generally accepted accounting principles and standards; (3) uniform requirements for grant application forms; (4) uniform principles and standards for financial management; and (5) uniform payment policies for grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Requires a single independent financial and compliance audit every two years of: (1) State and local governments and subgrantees; and (2) nonprofit organizations and subgrantees which receive Federal assistance in excess of $100,000 per year. Requires such an audit once every five years in the case of recipients of less than $100,000 per year. Directs that such audits shall be audits of the recipient, rather than audits of individual grants and programs. Provides that State and local governments and nonprofit organizations shall have the responsibility for such financial and compliance audits. Requires that such audits be made by independent auditors. Requires the Director to prescribe appropriate means for the reimbursement of independent auditors. Requires the Director to establish a quality review process for such audits. Provides that the Federal government shall be responsible through such quality review process for determining that such audits meet generally accepted standards. States that nothing in this Act limits the authority of Federal agencies to make audits of Federal grants-in-aid, provided that, if such independent audits meet accepted standards, Federal agencies shall rely on these audits and any additional audit work shall build upon the work already done.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1981
Requests the President to designate February 11, 1982, as "National Inventors' Day."
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1981
Requests the President to designate the week beginning October 4, 1981, as "National Port Week."
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study to determine whether there is a relationship between the exposure of members of the U.S. armed forces to nuclear radiation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and any abnormal health symptoms currently exhibited by such individuals. Requires a report to Congress within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Entitles to hospital care and medical services any person who served during World War I or World War II as a member of any armed force of the Government of Yugoslavia in armed conflict with an enemy of the United States and who has been a citizen of the United States for at least ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Postal Service Amendments of 1981 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue written demands requiring access to books, records, documents, or other objects believed to relate to any postal offense or civil matter under investigation by the Postal Service. Provides for the enforcement of such a demand by the appropriate district court. Authorizes the Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Declares that the resumption of such an activity through the use of any instrumentality of interstate commerce shall be considered to be a failure to comply with such order. Permits the Postal Service, in investigating whether a person is conducting such an activity, to tender the price of any article or service that such person has offered for sale. Declares that failure by such person to provide such article or service, or failure to comply with a written demand of the Postal Service for access to materials, shall constitute probable cause to believe such person is engaged in such activities, warranting the detention of such person's incoming mail. Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed by the Postal Service, after an opportunity for an agency hearing, against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing the postmaster to return mail addressed to such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist; or (3) assists another person in evading such an order.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Requests the President to designate March 19, 1982, as "National Energy Education Day."
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Expresses the concern of the House of Representatives over the hunger strike in Northern Ireland. Calls upon the British government to exercise greater urgency and flexibility in finding a resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1981
Directs each Federal agency to require any grant applicant proposing to use grant funds to construct a building to determine whether there are any vacant schools which can be used in lieu of such building.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Act of 1981 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones, for a period ending December 31, 2001, and subject to the approval of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, by local governments or by State governments on behalf of local governments for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by titles II and III of this Act. Specifies that the Secretary may approve the designation of such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the designating local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous and includes accessible vacant or underutilized properties; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area with a population of at least 50,000 or 2,500 otherwise or is an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires designating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's approval, 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, 1996. Sets forth minimum and maximum numbers of such designations. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to set forth the duties of the Secretary under this Act. Requires any property tax reduction effected by a local government under an agreed to program to be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) local governments should attempt to facilitate to the greatest extent possible the employment of poor and unemployed residents of their enterprise zones and should consider the effects of a designation upon area employment practices and patterns; and (2) whenever possible, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones and that in the case of any application for designation of a foreign-trade zone within an enterprise zone: (A) the Foreign-Trade Zone Board should expedite the application process; (B) the Board, in evaluating such application, should consider future development to be expected as a result of the incentives provided by this Act; and (C) the Board should provide technical assistance to the applicants. Title II: Taxation - Subtitle A: Refundable Credits for Employers and Employees - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a refundable income tax credit for five percent of the wages paid to unemployed or economically disadvantaged individuals who are certified as eligible under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act and who perform at least 50 percent of their services within an enterprise zone. Disallows a deduction for the portion of the wages or salaries equal to the amount of such credit. Allows individuals who are employees of qualified businesses and at least 50 percent of whose services during the taxable year are performed in an enterprise zone a refundable tax credit for five percent of the earned income attributable to services performed in an enterprise zone during a 36-month period. Limits such credit to $1,500 for any taxable year. Defines "qualified business" as a person: (1) at least 50 percent of whose gross receipts are attributable to the active conduct of a trade or business within an enterprise zone; and (2) at least 40 percent of whose employees are individuals whose employment qualifies for the employers' credit allowed under this subtitle and who are hired after the later of the date on which the conduct of a business in an enterprise zone is begun or the area is designated as such a zone. Subtitle B: Reduction in Capital Gain Tax Rates - Reduces the alternative tax on capital gains and increases the capital gains deduction. 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. Removes as an item of tax preference accelerated depreciation on real property used in such a business. Subtitle C: Reduction in Gross Income of Trades or Businesses Operating in Zone - Excludes from taxable income a specified percentage of the sum of any amount received by a qualified business from the active conduct of a trade or business within an enterprise zone and any interest on financing provided by a taxpayer to a qualified business in connection with the conduct of such business. Subtitle D: Other Incentives - Permits any qualified business to elect to use the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting without regard to any inventory requirements if its gross receipts do not exceed $2,000,000 in any prior taxable year. Allows a 20-year carryover of net operating losses for qualified businesses. Qualifies for the investment tax credit low-income rental housing with respect to which the capital gains tax reduction is granted under subtitle B of this title. 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 title. 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), designating governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the week commencing on June 7, 1981, should be designated as "National Italian-American Heritage Week."
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to set the contribution and benefit base at not less than $60,000 for years beginning with 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Requests the President to designate October 23, 1981, as "Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day."
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Monongahela and Upper Ohio River Waterways Improvement Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to replace specified locks and dams on the Monongahela River, Pennsylvania, to rehabilitate the Gallipolis Dam, Ohio and West Virginia, and to replace certain locks on the Ohio River. Directs the Chief of Engineers to mitigate fish and wildlife habitat losses resulting from such construction by purchasing, at Federal expense, specified land. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such land to the State of West Virginia for operation and maintenance. Requires the Chief of Engineers to submit a final environmental impact statement to Congress prior to initiating such construction. Provides for veto of such impact statement by concurrent resolution of Congress within 60 days. Exempts such impact statement and actions to carry out such project from judicial review except as specified. Sets forth procedures for such expedited judicial review. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Chief of Engineers, pending appropriation of such sums, to allot, from existing Army Department civil works appropriations, such sums as are necessary for immediate prosecution of the improvements ordered herein.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses, without regard to any community property laws.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) should cease efforts to regulate news content and to formulate rules and regulations for the operation of the world press. Expresses the opposition of the House to efforts by some countries to control access to and dissemination of news.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a postage stamp to honor the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Steel Industry Compliance Extension Act of 1981 - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to extend the date for compliance with emission limitation requirements by owners or operators of a stationary source in an iron- and steel-producing operation if: (1) the compliance date extension is necessary to allow the applicant to make capital investments in its operations to improve efficiency and productivity; (2) the funds freed by such extension will be used within two years for additional capital investments in the applicant's operations; (3) the Administrator and the applicant agree to a phased compliance program for each of the applicant's stationary sources; (4) the applicant has sufficient funds to comply with such program; (5) the applicant is in compliance with any existing Federal decrees applicable to its operations; and (6) the compliance date extension will not result in the degradation of air quality during the extension term. Prohibits the imposition of a noncompliance penalty under the Clean Air Act upon an owner or operator with a compliance date extension provided their stationary source remains in compliance with all the requirements of such extensions. Makes available to the public all information obtained by the Administrator under this Act, subject to a specified exception. Directs the Administrator to publish notice of receipt of an application for extension of time in the Federal Register and to notify the appropriate State and local officials. Directs the Administrator to publish in the Federal Register notice of any finding made or other action taken, or failure or refusal to take action, by the Administrator in connection with consent decrees. Provides that such findings, actions, refusals, or failures shall be reviewable only by a court in which a specified civil action under such Act is brought against the stationary source owner or operator. States that revision of a State implementation plan is not required because a compliance date extension has been granted if such plan would have met Clean Air Act requirements prior to the granting of such extension.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor Roberto Clemente. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination used for first-class mail up to one ounce in weight and shall be placed on sale during the month of August.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Requires a principal who enters into a contract with a sales representative for the solicitation of orders for merchandise of the principal to furnish specified information to the representative, including monthly commission statements. Enumerates items to be included in any written contract between a principal and sales representative in order to conform with this Act. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals who have entered into a written contract in conformity with title I from the indemnification requirements of this title. Requires any principal to indemnify a sales representative in accordance with this title if such principal: (1) without good cause terminates a representative's assignment or reduces the geographical territory assigned to a representative; (2) reduces the rate of commission paid to a representative; or (3) reduces the number of accounts assigned within a geographical territory. Sets forth a formula for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - Permits actions to be brought in Federal district court to enforce the rights or liabilities of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest earned on certificates of deposit issued by banks, certain savings institutions, or credit unions. Requires such certificates to be issued between June 30, 1981 and July 31, 1982, to have a one year maturity, and to bear interest at a rate not greater than 70 percent of the average yield of U.S. Treasury bills. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns).
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1981 - Title I: Amendments to Title I of the Clean Air Act - Amends title I (Air Pollution Prevention and Control) of the Clean Air Act ("the Act"). Planning and Control Program Grant Regulations - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in making regulations for grants to State agency planning and control programs, to give due consideration to the extent to which an air pollution control agency has assumed responsibility for carrying out the provisions of such Act. Air Quality Criteria and Control Techniques - Eliminates the 12-month deadline within which the Administrator must issue air quality criteria for an air pollutant after its inclusion on a specified list. Permits proposed air quality criteria and associated documents to be published by the Administrator only after notice and 90 days opportunity for public comment. Prohibits issuance in final form of any such criteria without prior approval of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee. Sets forth required inclusions in any document containing air quality criteria for any pollutant. Directs the Administrator to carry out another critical clinical or toxicological study before taking any final action regulating any pollutant, if the Administrator or the Committee questions the validity of the original study. Requires the Administrator to issue specified information to the States and appropriate agencies only after (currently, simultaneously with) issuance of such criteria. Prohibits information on air pollution control techniques from being issued until a 90-day period for public comment has expired after the Administrator publishes a draft document setting forth the proposed information. Requires that each air pollution control technique guideline or information issued by the Administrator include a determination of the associated costs of the technique. Eliminates requirements that the Administrator publish specified planning guidelines and control techniques information. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) - Directs the Administrator, upon issuance or reissuance of air quality criteria dealing with an air pollutant, to publish: (1) a notice of intention to propose (a) a primary or secondary NAAQS (or both) or (b) regulations controlling such pollutant under specified provisions; or (2) a determination that regulation of such pollutant under the Act is necessary to protect public health and welfare. Requires a 90-day period after issuance of criteria before publication of proposed regulations prescribing NAAQS for pollutants. Requires a 90-day public comment period after the date of such publication before such regulations may be promulgated. Directs the Administrator to publish specified impact assessments at the time of any proposed or final regulation establishing such standards. Provides that primary NAAQS be requisite to protect the public health from "significant risk of" adverse health effects (currently, protect the public health, "with an adequate margin for safety"). Provides that secondary NAAQS be requisite to protect the public welfare from "significant risks of" any known or anticipated adverse effects (currently, simply "protect from" such effects). Requires reviews of air quality criteria three years after the enactment of this Act and at ten-year intervals thereafter (currently, five-year intervals). Raises the number of members of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee from seven to ten. Replaces the one required member from the National Academy of Sciences with a required member representing industries subject to the Act. Adds required memberships for appointees of the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the President of the National Academy of the Sciences, the Surgeon General, and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. Directs the Committee to approve or disapprove air quality criteria and to review any scientific evidence upon which the Administrator bases any proposed listing of a pollutant. Requires the Committee to review such criteria three years after enactment of this Act and at ten-year intervals thereafter (currently, five-year intervals). State Implementation Plans (SIPs) - Eliminates the nine-month deadline for States to adopt, and submit to the Administrator, SIPs after promulgation of NAAQS. Requires that the Administrator be notified of, and entitled to make comments and objections in, public hearings on SIPs or SIP revisions. Revises procedures for SIP approval. Revises required provisions of SIPs. Requires that primary NAAQS promulgated in final form before the enactment of this Act be attained no later than December 31, 1990. Specifies no maximum period for the attainment of later primary NAAQS (currently, within three years of SIP approval). Eliminates a requirement that SIPs specify a reasonable time at which secondary NAAQS will be attained. Retains the requirement that SIPs provide for the attainment of NAAQS as expeditiously as practicable. Eliminates requirements that SIPs: (1) include transportation controls; and (2) provide for periodic inspection and testing of motor vehicles. Revises SIP approval provisions for: (1) SIP revisions; and (2) stationary source construction or modification in nonattainment areas. Repeals a provision that such plans must require major stationary source owners or operators to pay fees to the permitting authority to cover specified costs. Revises procedures for approval of SIP revisions. Prohibits the Administrator from requiring the inclusion of any transportation control program or vehicle inspection and maintenance program as a condition for SIP approval. Allows States to include such programs in SIPs. Prohibits the Administrator, except under specified conditions, from including such programs in any SIP promulgated for an air quality control region. Extends to one year (currently, 60 days) the minimum period permitted to States for specified revisions of SIPs. Repeals provisions relating to: parking surcharge, management of parking supply, and preferential bus/carpool lane regulations; noncommercial retrofits, gas rationing, and reduction of on-street parking; and bridge tolls or charges. Repeals provisions relating to SIP deadline extension procedures. Permits a State environmental agency to issue a temporary emergency suspension of any part of an SIP, without action by the President, if such agency determines that: (1) the suspension may be necessary because of the severity of a national or regional energy emergency; (2) other measures for responding to the emergency may be inadequate; and (3) the suspension will not result in the violation of a primary NAAQS. Limits such suspensions to 14 days, except when the Governor petitions for a further suspension by the President, in which case the State may extend its suspension until a Presidential determination is reached. Permits only one suspension for any source on the basis of the same set of circumstances. Provides that the amendments made by this Act shall apply only with respect to SIPs (or SIP portions or revisions) submitted by a State, or promulgated by the Administrator, after the date of enactment of this Act. Provides that any SIP approved or promulgated before such enactment date shall remain in force and effect until such SIP is revised or a new SIP (or portion) takes effect. Requires upon application of the Governor of the State, immediate deletion of any transportation control program or vehicle inspection and maintenance program from SIPs approved or promulgated before such enactment date. Provides that such SIPs shall continue in force and effect notwithstanding such deletion. Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources (NSPS) - Repeals the NSPS requirement that fossil fuel fired stationary sources achieve a "percentage reduction" of emissions. Directs the Administrator to review and, if appropriate, revise NSPS at least every six years (currently, four years). Revises deadlines for the promulgation of regulations establishing NSPS. Specifies a substantial likelihood of "a greater degree of emission limitation," rather than "a greater continuous emission reduction," as one factor in determining waivers of NSPS to encourage innovative technology. Includes, among those conversions to coal which are not to be deemed "modifications" of a source, a conversion to coal by a facility originally constructed with the capability to use coal as a primary energy source and the conversion of which to coal is not required under any authority of law. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations providing an NSPS for each stationary source or category of stationary sources for which an NSPS was in effect before the enactment of this Act. Makes the amendments made by this Act applicable to stationary source construction or modification commencing after the effective date of the applicable regulations promulgated after the date of enactment of this Act. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) - Prohibits inclusion of any air pollutant on the published list of hazardous air pollutants (for which the Administrator intends to establish NESHAPs) prior to review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee of the pertinent scientific evidence upon which the proposed listing is based. Enforcement - Eliminates the provision that the Administrator must commence actions for injunctions or penalties against owners or operators of stationary sources under specified conditions (but retains the discretionary authority of the Administrator to commence such actions). Provides that State-ordered deadlines for final compliance by a stationary source with an SIP shall be no later than December 31, 1990, with specified exceptions. Makes these amendments (relating to enforcement) effective with respect to orders issued and actions commenced after the date of enactment of this Act. Noncompliance Penalties - Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, requiring noncompliance penalties against specified persons. Eliminates the requirement that the State or the Administrator assess and collect a noncompliance penalty against specified persons (but continues their authority to do so). Eliminates specified deadlines for notifying persons of noncompliance. Eliminates provisions requiring that noncompliance penalty regulations: (1) authorize the Administrator to review State decisions regarding petitions challenging noncompliance orders or alleging entitlement to exemptions; and (2) direct the Administrator to conduct such review upon certain showings by petitioners. Replaces opportunity for a hearing on the record with an opportunity for comment by an owner or operator concerning specified penalties and schedules. Revises provisions for determining the amount of a noncompliance penalty and the schedule of its payment. Eliminates specified deadlines for imposition of noncompliance penalties. Declares that these amendments (relating to noncompliance penalties) shall be effective with respect to any such penalty initially imposed after the effective date of regulations promulgated after the date of enactment of this Act. Stack Heights - Declares current stack height provisions inapplicable to stationary sources: (1) constructed or modified after the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) with specified emissions levels. Prohibits the construction of any stack or dispersion technique, from such sources, which does not comply with good engineering practice, as determined by specified regulations. Makes such compliance a requirement in SIP permit programs. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations to carry out these new provisions for stack heights, including variances in complex and high terrain areas. Ten-Year "Grandfather" - Exempts from later emission limitations or standards any stationary source that met or meets all applicable emission limitations and standards in effect under the SIP at the time construction or modification commenced or commences, for a ten-year period beginning on the date of submission of a completed application for a permit for such construction or modification. Makes such exemption inapplicable to emission limitations or standards imposed with respect to: (1) air pollution that presents a clear and imminent danger to public health; or (2) an air pollutant for which no NAAQS is in effect at the time the completed application is submitted. State Permit Programs - Allows State permit programs to consist of State regulations that meet specified requirements. Requires the approval of the Administrator in the case of permits for major stationary sources with specified emissions levels. Prevention of Significant Deterioration of Air Quality (PSD) - Replaces the stated PSD program purpose of insuring economic growth consistent with the preservation of "existing clean air resources," with the purpose of insuring such economic growth consistent with the preservation of "the use and enjoyment of clean air areas and the development of energy resources and facilities" (PSD areas are those with cleaner air than that required by NAAQS). PSD Increments and Ceiling - Eliminates "increment" requirements (maximum allowable increases over baseline concentrations of sulfur oxides and particulate matter) for class II and class III PSD areas. Eliminates "short-term" increment requirements (for 24-hour and three-hour periods) for class I PSD areas (international and national parks and wilderness areas of specified sizes, and other areas as designated by the States). Permits pollutants in excess of the required PSD ceilings maximum allowable concentrations in class II areas where: (1) the operation of a source in a manner which results in such exceedance provides other environmental or public health and welfare benefits; (2) the amount and frequency of the exceedance is not excessive; (3) the population at risk is small; (4) the effect is localized; and (5) the costs for additional controls necessary to avoid such exceedance are significant. Area Redesignation - Permits a State to redesignate PSD areas as class I or class II as it deems appropriate (with the exception of "Federal class I" areas established as class I by the Act and Indian reservation lands). Eliminates reference to class III areas and allows major emitting facilities to be constructed and operated in areas designated or redesignated as class II. Eliminates special protections for specified areas in excess of 10,000 acres in size which are national: (1) monuments; (2) primitive areas; (3) preserves; (4) recreation areas; (5) wild and scenic rivers; (6) lakeshores or seashores; or (7) parks or wilderness areas (if any of these are established after a specified date). Preconstruction Requirements - Eliminates certain prerequisites, including analysis of any air quality impacts projected for a PSD area as a result of growth associated with a facility to be constructed. Authorizes the State (or the Administrator in specified cases) to determine on a case-by-case basis whether specified monitoring is necessary. Limits the PSD requirement that a proposed facility be subject to the "best available control technology (BACT) for each pollutant subject to an NAAQS BACT to those pollutants emitted or resulting from such facility in major amounts. Eliminates provisions for an exemption from a preconstruction demonstration requirement. Eliminates a prohibition against issuance of construction permits in cases where the Federal Land Manager demonstrates that facility emissions will have an adverse impact on air quality related values even though concentrations will not exceed increment limitations maximum allowable increases). Eliminates provisions relating to State authority to issue permits where the owner or operator demonstrates that facility emissions will have no adverse impact on such values even though concentrations will exceed incremental limitations (maximum allowable increases). Limits specified PSD required analyses of ambient air quality possibly affected by emissions from a proposed facility to those pollutants subject to NAAQS that are emitted in major amounts. Excludes from any air quality modelling specified for PSD preconstruction requirement purposes any modelling with respect to fugitive dust. Permits the major emitting facility construction to comply with PSD program requirements by means of enforceable emission offset credits or other enforceable alternative control measures. PSD Regulation of Other Pollutants - Eliminates a requirement that PSD program regulations for pollutants other than sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, provide specific measures at least as effective as the increments established for sulfur dioxide and particulate matter to fulfill the goals and purposes of the PSD program. Eliminates a provision authorizing the inclusion in such regulations of air quality increments, emission density requirements, or other measures. PSD Definitions - Restricts PSD program regulation to modifications that, together with other specified changes, increase net allowable emissions of sources or facilities by specified amounts. Revises the definition of "best available control technology" (BACT) for PSD program purposes. Equates the BACT with the NSPS (New Source Performance Standard) where an applicable NSPS exists. Visibility Protection for Federal Class I Areas - Directs the Administrator to: (1) conduct a study of the causes and extent of visibility impairment resulting from air pollution; and (2) report the results to the Congress. Prohibits any visibility protection regulations from taking effect, and suspends any such regulation which took effect before the date of enactment of this Act, until such report has been filed with the Congress. Provides that such amendments to the PSD provisions shall take effect in the same manner as provided for amendments to the SIP provisions. Nonattainment Areas - Revises provisions relating to SIP requirements for nonattainment areas to eliminate the definition of "lowest achievable emission rate" (LAER). Revises deadlines for the attainment of NAAQS in any nonattainment area. Requires that an inventory of actual emissions from all sources be contained in a public document, but not be included in the SIP (as is currently required). Eliminates requirements that specified SIPs provide for: (1) analyses of alternatives to proposed major emitting facilities prior to construction or modification permit issuance; and (2) specific schedules for implementation of a vehicle emission control inspection and maintenance program. Conforms SIP identification of other necessary compliance measures to the revised deadlines for attainment of NAAQS. Eliminates provisions requiring that SIP revisions contain enforceable measures to assure attainment of an applicable standard by a specified date. Sets forth provisions relating to the determination of "reasonable available control technology" (RACT). Revises provisions relating to permit requirements to eliminate a requirement that the proposed source comply with the lowest achievable emission rate" (LAER). Requires that stationary sources to which new source performance standards (NSPS) are not applicable, and which, without pollution control technology, will emit any air pollutant in excess of specified levels, comply with best available control technology (BACT) emissions limitations determined by the Administrator. Repeals specified limitations on certain Federal assistance (under the Act and under specified provisions for transportation projects and grant awards) in any air quality control region where any NAAQS has not been attained for which transportation control measures are necessary and certain SIP submissions are lacking. Replaces "lowest achievable emission rate" (LAER) information with information on "reasonably available control technology" (RACT) in guidance documents which the Administrator must issue to States. Eliminates deadlines for the publication of such documents. Provides that amendments to the provisions for SIP requirements for nonattainment areas shall take effect in the same manner as provided for amendments to other SIP provisions. Title II: Amendments to Title III - Adds a definition of "applicable implementation plan." Directs the Administrator to undertake a continuing program of research on environmental emergencies involving air pollution. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to carry out such purpose. Directs the Administrator to publish notice in the Federal Register of all citizen suits brought under the Act after the date of enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977. Repeals provisions relating to restrictions on grants to sewage treatment works based on air pollution considerations. Revises provisions for economic impact assessment (retitling such provisions "Regulatory Impact Assessment") to end the applicability of such provisions to promulgations or revisions of new source performance standards (NSPS). Adds to required elements of such assessments an analysis of the effects of a standard or regulation on available energy supply. Repeals provisions relating to how certain economic impact assessment provisions: (1) are to be construed; or (2) are to be treated for purposes of citizen suits or judicial review. Revises provisions for air quality monitoring to direct the Administrator to validate air quality models used for SIPs. Requires that the limitations of the modeling technique be taken into account in the regulatory program when models are not validated. Directs the Administrator to develop and implement performance evaluation procedures for air quality models and apply such procedures to all recommended models. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act for fiscal years 1982 through 1985. Title III: Amendment to Other Laws - Amends the Energy Security Act to change from ten years to five years the period covered by a comprehensive research plan setting forth a coordinated program to identify the causes and effects of acid precipitation and actions to limit or ameliorate its harmful effects.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1981
Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to provide free or reduced-rate transportation to specified employees while they are separated from their employment with a bankrupt rail carrier.