United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1981
Requires any Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives who authorizes foreign travel by any other such person to submit an advance report and a postreturn report to the Clerk of the House. Directs that such reports be available for public inspection and published in the Congressional Record.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to provide and sell a postage stamp issue to commemorate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Provides that such postage stamp shall be of such denomination and design, and shall be sold for such period, as the United States Postal Service shall determine.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement of receipts and outlays for that year in which total outlays are no greater than total receipts. Permits Congress in such statement to provide for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a three-fifths vote directed solely to that subject. Prohibits total receipts for any fiscal year set forth in such statement from increasing by a rate greater than the rate of increase in national income in the last calendar year ending before such fiscal year, unless Congress passes a bill directed solely to approving specific additional receipts and such bill has become law. Permits Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Prohibits the Congress from requiring that the States engage in additional activities without compensation equal to the additional costs. Declares that total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States, except those derived from borrowing and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States except those for repayment of debt principal.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1981
Acid Rain Research Implementation Act of 1981 - Declares it to be the policy of the United States to strengthen specified research and development programs relating to acid precipitation pollution and to establish a process for cooperative decisionmaking on strategies to control such pollution. Directs the the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency ("the Administrator"), the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure that the comprehensive research plan prepared under the Acid Precipitation Act of 1980 satisfies such policy. Directs the Administrator of NOAA, as director of task force research under such Act, to provide the Administrator with a status report within 12 months of enactment of this Act and once every 24 months thereafter. Directs the Administrator, within specified periods, to: (1) determine whether new measures are necessary; (2) report, with recommendations to Congress; and (3) issue proposed rules requiring measures that may help prevent, limit, and remedy the harmful effects of acid precipitation. Directs the Administrator, in order to prepare such reports and proposed rules, to: (1) contract with the National Academy of Science for specified services; (2) work with the task force, State, local, and foreign governments, and private industrial, environmental, scientific, and international organizations in establishing and strengthening monitoring networks to determine the sources and effects of acid precipitation and other long-range pollutants; and (3) arrange, with such entities, for information exchange and cooperative data analysis to ensure that remedial measures may be planned and implemented cooperatively, with minimum social and economic dislocation and maximum environmental protection. Directs the Administrator, working within the plan and in cooperation with other programs, to: (1) ensure that adequate analysis and comparative consideration is given to institutional arrangements (including cost sharing and capital formation approaches that will minimize unforseen or inequitable economic impacts on particular regions or economic sectors) necessary to implement new measures specified in such reports; and (2) include in the task force's annual report a description of actions taken to ensure such analysis and consideration, as well as any recommendations for legislative or administrative action concerning such institutional arrangements. Directs the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of NOAA, to include in the annual task force report a statement concerning the adequacy of task force resources to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1981
Single Audit Act of 1981 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): (1) to establish standard procedures to be used by all Federal agencies in the administration, accounting, and auditing of Federal assistance to State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes; and (2) to prescribe regulations to carry out such procedures, coordinate Federal, State, and local audits of assistance programs, and designate one agency to oversee audits of assistance recipients. Requires each State and local government or nonprofit organization which receives Federal assistance to use independent auditors to conduct a single financial and compliance audit of such government or organization and any subgrantees every two years (every five years if the government or organization receives less than $100,000 in assistance per year). Requires the designated agency to utilize a quality review process, to be established by the Director, to assure the proper performance of such audits. Declares that the Federal Government is responsible for conducting any audits which are not financial and compliance audits, or which are more stringent than audits required by this Act. Requires the Director to prescribe appropriate means for reimbursing independent auditors.
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 · 5 October 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act to revise provisions for compliance with emissions standards by vehicles and engines in actual use. Repeals a requirement that manufacturers warrant that new motor vehicles or engines are: (1) designed, built, and equipped so as to conform with emissions standards at the time of sale; and (2) free from defects in materials and workmanship which cause failure to conform for its useful life. Requires, instead, a production warranty that the vehicle or engine is equipped with emission control components designed to enable such vehicle or engine to conform at the time of sale with emissions standards for the first 12 months or first 12,000 miles. Repeals provisions for motor vehicle or engine parts certifications by manufacturers or rebuilders for compliance with emissions standards. Limits a free replacement obligation of manufacturers to emissions control components installed for the sole (currently, sole or primary) purpose of reducing, vehicle emissions. Limits specified performance warranties to: (1) the first 12 months or 12,000 miles; and (2) certain components installed for the sole purpose of emissions control. Revises provisions for manufacturers' instructions for the maintenance, replacement, and repair of emission control parts or components to eliminate requirements that: (1) such instructions correspond to regulations promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and (2) replacement parts be certified. Eliminates provisions for waivers of a prohibition against such instructions, including conditions on the purchaser's using components or services unconnected with the manufacturer. Specifies that waivers of the prohibition against State or local standards for emissions control of new motor vehicles or engines subject to Federal standards will be given only: (1) insofar as numerical emission levels are concerned; and (2) if such standards and new motor vehicle certification and other tests are consistent with Federal standards. Specifies that tampering prohibitions refer to parts or components placed on or in motor vehicles or engines for the sole purpose of controlling emissions. Prohibits State new motor vehicle emission standards in nonattainment areas from including any provision similar to the production or performance warranty provisions under the Clean Air Act. Sets forth effective dates for specified amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1981
Congressional Pay Act of 1981 - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to make the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress the rate payable immediately before the date of enactment of this Act (presently such rate is determined by the Commission on Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries). Sets forth a formula for the reduction of annual rates in any pay period in which the Consumer Price Index reported a percentage increase during the preceding pay period. Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to repeal the authority of the Commission on Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries to review the rates of pay of Members of Congress.
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 · 4 August 1981
Farm Irrigation Property Tax Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an additional ten percent investment tax credit for equipment which is utilized in the extraction, storage, or use of farm irrigation water.
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 · 16 July 1981
Terminates the authorization for the Meramec Park Lake flood control project in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, Missouri. Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to manage and maintain the works, structures, and interests in lands related to such project and to assess alternatives for their future disposition. Requires that the Secretary hold at least two public hearings in the area of the project. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Governor of Missouri throughout the study. Requires that the Secretary report to Congress on such study. Declares that nothing in this Act shall terminate the authority or responsibility of the United States to satisfy all relocation assistance and other obligations arising out of the acquisition of any interest in real estate. Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1981
Mineral Lands Leasing Amendment of 1981 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to prohibit, for a specified period, any foreign person from acquiring more than five percent of the voting securities in a United States mineral resources corporation. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress concerning indirect foreign investment in mineral resources on U.S. lands.
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 · 26 June 1981
Interstate Compact - Grants the consent of the Congress to the agreement between the States of Kansas and Missouri which establishes their mutual boundary in the vicinity of the area known as the French Bottoms.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Amends the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 to require the bankruptcy court, in the case of a bankruptcy petition filed by a person engaged in the business of operating a farm produce storage facility, within specified time limits, to: (1) identify those farm producers who have produce in storage, and those parties which have secured interests in farm produce, within such facility; (2) audit the assets of the farm produce storage facility for the purpose of determining the extent of farm produce available for distribution to such producers and secured creditors; and (3) direct the abandonment of such farm produce according to procedures set forth by this Act. Declares that such procedures shall be applied by the court solely for the purpose of effectuating abandonment of farm produce which is not property of the estate, or is of inconsequential value to the estate, and shall not be construed to limit the right of any party to seek abandonment of any other property. Prohibits distribution of farm produce ordered abandoned by the court from being delayed due to the pendency of any appeal from the orders of abandonment, except that a stay of orders may be entered under specified conditions. Makes any such stay of orders appealable as of right by any aggrieved party. Grants to any farmer who, having delivered agricultural products to a licensed warehouseman upon a contract for sale and who has not received the agreed upon payment, a lien against products of like products in the licensed facility in excess of that required to satisfy receipted or other storage obligations, title to which may be then vested in such warehouseman, to the extent of the payment agreed upon for the purchase of the product sold. Attaches such lien at the time of the formation of the contract for sale and continues it until the obligations of the warehouseman to the seller of the products are satisfied.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1981
Amends Federal law to permit bankruptcy courts to grant relief from stays of acts against agricultural products held as property of estates in bankruptcy.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program for Members of Congress and congressional employees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the limitation on outside income for beneficiaries age 65 and over.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from investigating or taking any action concerning any State regulated profession until Congress enacts legislation which expressly provides that the Commission has authority over professions and that the Commission's authority preempts State authority. Vacates any such action taken during the period beginning on May 28, 1981, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Elementary and Secondary Education Consolidation Act of 1981 - Title I: Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 to provide financial assistance to States and local educational agencies to improve educational achievement, especially in basic skills and career preparation, for educationally deprived children, handicapped children, children in schools undergoing desegregation, migratory children, children in institutions for neglected or delinquent children or in adult correctional institutions, and adults lacking basic skills. Sets forth new formulas, based on low-income and school age populations, by which the Secretary of Education shall allot sums appropriated under this title to: (1) specified territories and possessions of the U.S.; (2) the Secretary of the Interior for special educational needs of Indian children on reservations; and (3) States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, for grants to local educational agencies and for the needs of specified groups for which the State has responsibility. Sets forth transitional formulas for such assistance for fiscal years 1982 and 1983, based on previous assistance received under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Education of the Handicapped Act, the Emergency School Aid Act, and the Adult Education Act. Sets forth formulas for the allocation of sums received by States to: (1) local educational agencies; and (2) programs for handicapped children in specified schools, neglected or delinquent children or children in adult correctional institutions, migratory children, and adults lacking basic skills. Requires that local educational agencies use such funds only for programs to meet the special educational needs of: (1) educationally deprived children residing in public school attendance areas with high concentrations of such children; (2) handicapped children; and (3) children in schools undergoing desegregation. Allows the local agency to determine which needs to address with such funds and how to meet those needs. Title II: Financial Assistance for Improvement of School Resources and Performance - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 to provide financial assistance to States for the improvement of instructional and management practices, student achievement, special needs services, and State oversight and management functions. Sets forth formulas for allotments to States of such funds, based on school-age population (with specified amounts reserved for territorial and Indian education). Sets forth transitional formulas for fiscal years 1982 and 1983, based on previous assistance received under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Emergency School Aid Act, the Education of the Handicapped Act, the Career Education Incentive Act, the Economic Opportunity Act, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act, the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, the Higher Education Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sets forth the types of activities relating to preschool, elementary, secondary, and adult basic education for which funds allotted to States under this title may be used. Permits States to use such funds to directly supervise and control such activities or to make subgrants to and contracts with public or private agencies. Provides that subgrants may be made only to public or nonprofit organizations and clear consideration may be given to community-based self-help organizations of demonstrated effectiveness. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) State plans; (2) State activities reports; (3) audits; (4) local educational agency transition plans; (5) participation of children enrolled in private schools; (6) complaint resolutions; and (7) nondiscrimination. Authorizes the use of specified amounts received by States under this Act for administrative activities. Sets forth provisions relating to the availability of appropriations and insufficient appropriations. Specifies which provisions of the General Education Provisions Act are applicable, and which are inapplicable, to programs under this Act. Declares that the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 applies to such programs. Repeals: (1) titles I (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children), II (Basic Skills Improvement), III Parts B and C (Metric Education and Arts in Education), IV (Educational Improvement, Resources, and Support), V (State Leadership), VI (Emergency School Aid), VIII (Community Schools), and IX (Gifted and Talented Children, Educational Proficiency Standards, Women's Educational Equity, Special Grants for Safe Schools) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; (2) the Education of the Handicapped Act (except specified provisions for: definitions; centers and services for deaf-blind children; early education for handicapped children; research, innovation, training, and dissemination; regional educational programs; authorizations of appropriations; educational personnel recruiting and dissemination of information; reports; research; and instructional media); (3) the Teacher Corps and teacher centers programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965; (4) the Adult Education Act (except provisions for education of adult Indians); (5) the Career Education Incentive Act; (6) the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act; and (7) the Day Care Projects program under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
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
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the exclusion of interest on mortgage subsidy bonds. Repeals provisions which allow tax-exempt status for such bonds if 95 percent of the mortgages financed by such issues are in compliance with stated requirements. Provides that a showing that the issuing authority has tried in good faith to satisfy all requirements will cure a failure to meet any particular requirement if such failure is corrected within a reasonable time after its discovery. Allows bondholders to rely upon an issuer's good faith covenant as to a compliance. Revises the new homeowner requirements to allow eligibility for bond-financed mortgages for persons who are residing in substandard housing or who have lost their homes because of natural disasters or governmental action. Changes the method of determining the average area purchase price for purposes of the purchase price requirements for bond-financed mortgages. Specifies that the average area purchase price shall not include residences which are not typically financed through normal real estate mortgage loans and that such price may be determined separately for new and previously occupied homes. Revises the arbitrage requirements to increase the amount by which interest rates on tax-exempt mortgage subsidy bonds may exceed the interest rates on mortgages financed with such bonds. Changes the method of determining the yield on an issue. Specifies that issuers are not required to dispose of any investment and realize a loss in order to satisfy arbitrage restrictions. Allows two or more qualified mortgage bond issues of a single issuer to be combined for purposes of determining compliance with arbitrage requirements. Permits issuers to maintain a reasonable reserve against investment losses and to allocate credits or payments between eligible mortgagors. Exempts mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration from certain mortgage assumption requirements. Includes energy impacted areas within the definition of targeted areas for purposes of the special treatment of targeted area residences. Repeals the requirement that the designation of areas of chronic economic distress be approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Limits the designation of areas of chronic economic distress to 25 percent of the geographic area within a State. Redefines statistical areas to include two or more statistical areas combined. Repeals the registration requirements for bond issues.
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 · 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 · 4 May 1981
Federal Assistance Reform Act of 1981 - Title I: Consolidation of Federal Assistance Programs - Directs the President: (1) prior to each regular session of Congress, to examine the various Federal assistance programs to determine if consolidation of any such programs is necessary or desirable to promote the efficiency, administration, or coordination of such programs; and (2) upon making such a determination, to transmit to Congress a plan for consolidating functionally related programs. Requires that such a plan: (1) designate a single agency to administer the plan and the consolidated programs; (2) specify the terms and conditions under which such programs will be administered; (3) expire no later than ten years after enactment of this Act; and (4) include a message describing the difference between the terms and conditions of the programs to be consolidated before and after consolidation, and assessing the plan's effects on the costs of implementing the programs. Directs the President to transmit a report on the administration of this title to Congress within 60 days of each session of Congress. Prohibits a consolidation plan from: (1) consolidating programs which are not functionally related; (2) designating an administering agency that did not administer any program to be consolidated; (3) excluding any person or group who is eligible for assistance under one of the programs to be consolidate from eligibility for assistance under the consolidation plan; or (4) making eligible for assistance under the plan any person or group not eligible under one of such programs. Terminates the consolidation authority under this title ten years after it becomes effective. Declares that a consolidation plan shall become effective upon approval by the President of a Congressional resolution approving the plan. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for considering such a resolution. Authorizes the aggregation of appropriations for programs consolidated under such a plan. Title II: Financial Management and Audit of Federal Assistance Programs - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): (1) in consultation with the Comptroller General of the United States, to establish and maintain standard procedures to be utilized by all Federal agencies for the administration, accounting, and financial auditing of Federal assistance to State and local governments and nonprofit organizations; and (2) to prescribe directives to agencies for coordinating Federal, State, and local audits of grant programs. Requires a single, independent, biennial, compliance, and financial audit of State and local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and subgrantees which receive Federal assistance. Requires such an audit of an organization which receives less than $100,000 a year to be conducted quinquennially. Establishes the responsibility of State and local governments and nonprofit organizations to utilize independent auditors to conduct audits of Federal assistance recipients within their jurisdictions in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Makes the Federal Government responsible for: (1) utilizing the quality review process to be established by the Director of OMB and the Comptroller General to assure the proper performance of such audits; and (2) conducting audits which are not financial and compliance audits. Directs the OMB to establish methods of payment of independent auditors for the expense of performing all or any part of an audit on behalf of the Government. Title III: Integrated Grant Development - Integrated Grant Development Act of 1981 - Repeals the Joint Funding Simplification Act. Directs the President to issue guidelines necessary to assure that Federal agencies: (1) identify related Federal assistance programs that would be suitable for providing joint funding; (2) issue guidelines and develop materials to assist in the development of projects drawing support from different assistance programs; (3) review and modify administrative requirements which impede integrated grant development for projects; (4) establish common administrative rules with respect to related programs to assist in integrated grant development for specific projects; and (5) create joint or common procedures for processing applications, supervising projects, and evaluating performance (including procedures insuring that agencies participating in integrated grant programs contribute proportionately to the lead agency's costs of administering the program). Requires the heads of Federal agencies to cooperate with respect to Federal assistance programs which may be suitable for providing joint support of projects of State or local governments or nonprofit organizations. Declares that the Director of OMB shall have responsibility for carrying out the provisions of this title. Specifies guidelines to be followed by each Federal agency participating in an integrated grant program when processing applications for assistance from State or local governments or nonprofit organizations. Sets forth special authorities to be utilized by an agency providing support to a project assisted by more than one Federal program only when a problem cannot be solved through other actions by this title or other applicable law. Directs an agency to adopt uniform provisions governing the financial management of a project, the timing of Federal payments for such project, the form of assistance, and accountability procedures when such project otherwise would be subject to conflicting administrative rules. Permits the review of integrated grant project proposals by a single board or committee. Allows an agency to delegate its functions for the administration of a Federal assistance program to another agency with the approval of the President. Authorizes the establishment of a management fund with respect to a project receiving support from more than one program. Permits the transfer to such fund of the proportionate share of payments for the project from each affected appropriation. Directs the OMB to report to the Appropriations Committees of Congress on the savings effected by integrated grants. Requires the recipients of assistance under a program financed by a management fund to keep records necessary for an effective audit. Grants access to the papers and records of such a recipient to the Comptroller General and the head of the agency administering the management fund. Terminates the provisions of this title five years after they become effective. Directs the President, at least two years before the provisions expire, to transmit to Congress a report which evaluates and makes recommendations for the administration of this title. Title IV: Administration of Generally Applicable Federal Assistance Requirements - Defines the term "generally applicable requirement" as any requirement with which a recipient of Federal assistance has to comply in order to achieve national policy objectives, and which applies to programs administered by two or more agencies. Requires the President, within 120 days after enactment of this title, to designate Federal agencies to: (1) coordinate the preparation of national policy assistance standards for one or more generally applicable requirements in various subject areas; and (2) report on the implementation of such requirements. Directs the President to establish a date for the preparation of such standards which shall be not later than two years after enactment of this Act for existing requirements or two years after a requirement is established by statute or administrative rule. Directs each designated agency to organize and chair a task force to prepare such standards. Requires such a task force to consist of each assistance agency responsible for implementing the national policy objective. Requires that such standards eliminate any unnecessary compliance burdens for assistance recipients while ensuring the achievement of national policy assistance objectives. Directs each agency which administers a program to which such standards apply, to implement such standards within 120 days after they are published by a designated agency. Directs each designated agency to coordinate the implementation of such standards, and to insure that such standards are revised only on the first day of each fiscal year. Requires the head of each assistance agency to designate a senior official to: (1) coordinate such agency's actions to comply with such standards; and (2) ensure active agency participation in the development and implementation of such standards. Authorizes such agency head to certify that State and local governments are in compliance with State and local government requirements that contain the same requirements as national policy assistance standards. Directs a designated agency to report to the President concerning any impediments to the development of such standards. Permits the President to direct the agency to prepare a proposed bill for transmission to Congress, to remove such impediments. Allows the President to submit to Congress proposed legislation exempting certain programs from inappropriate generally applicable requirements. Authorizes the President to delegate responsibility for monitoring the overall implementation of this title to the Director of OMB or the head of any other Federal agency. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 to require any Federal agency which administers a program of Federal assistance to a State government or a political subdivision, upon request, to provide written information to a designated State agency on the amount and purpose of such assistance. Requires any Federal agency: (1) to provide notice to a State or local government before withdrawing or refusing to renew financial assistance; (2) upon request, to provide such government with an opportunity to demonstrate why such action should not be taken; and (3) upon request, to explain why such a government's application for assistance was rejected. Authorizes the head of a Federal agency to waive any changed requirements for the receipt of grants with respect to a State, local government, or nonprofit organization which has expended substantial effort to apply for such grant under the existing requirements. Directs the United States Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations: (1) to conduct a study of alternative methods of delivering public services supported by grants-in-aid in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of such services; and (2) to report its findings and recommendations to Congress and the President. Requires the Director of OMB to prepare a list of the 100 largest Federal assistance programs of each year. Directs the head of an agency administering any such program to prepare and transmit to the Director an analysis of the administrative costs of that program during the preceding year. Requires the Director of OMB to report to Congress concerning a pilot program to develop and implement methods to assess the administrative costs of Federal assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an election by small businesses which are at least half-owned by active participants in the trade or business and which have average annual gross receipts of $1,000,000 or less for the taxable year and for the three taxable years ending with the year of election to use the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting without regard to any inventory requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Title I: Amendments to Title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. 921-928) - Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to redefine: (1) "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in the "business of manufacturing" (instead of "manufacture" of) firearms or ammunition; and (2) "dealer" to exclude dealers in ammunition. Adds a new definition "engaged in the business" with respect to manufacturers, dealers, and importers. Defines as a manufacturer or dealer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit. Excludes as dealers persons making occasional sales or repairs of firearms. Eliminates certain activities involving ammunition from the coverage of the current prohibitions. Makes it unlawful for any person to transfer any firearm to a person who does not reside in the same State, if the transferor has reasonable cause to believe that acquisition of the firearm by such person would violate any State or local law or ordinance. Revises the current prohibition against certain classes of persons transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce to extend such prohibition to possession or receipt in commerce or affecting commerce of any firearm or ammunition. Includes as additional categories illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, and U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship. Excludes ammunition dealers from the current licensing requirements. Stipulates that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke a license only where the holder "willfully" violates a provision of the Act. Bars the Secretary from denying or revoking a license on the basis of violations which are alleged in criminal proceedings instituted against a licensee, where such individual is not convicted of such charges. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Restricts the firearms information obtained from licensees which the Secretary may make available to State or local governments. Establishes a limited recordkeeping requirement for firearms collectors. Establishes a "willful" scienter (knowledge) requirement with respect to general violations of the Act. Revises the current offense of using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony to: (1) include use of a destructive device; (2) delete the act of "carrying" a firearm to commit a felony; and (3) limit such offense to felonies over which the Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Retains the current penalty (one to ten years) for first offenses. Increases the penalty for second or subsequent offenses to five to 25 years' imprisonment (currently, two to 25 years). Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. Deletes the prohibition against concurrent sentences. Prohibits the granting of parole to first and subsequent offenders. Stipulates that no person shall be subject to the additional, mandatory penalties if use of the firearm or destructive device was to protect person or property. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Act (instead of "involved in or used or intended to be used"). Directs the court to award attorney fees to the prevailing party (other than the United States) in a proceeding for the return of seized firearms or ammunition. Requires the court to award such fees in any other action upon a finding that the action was without foundation or was initiated in bad faith. Limits seizure to firearms individually identified as involved in the violation. Revises the current procedure allowing persons who have been convicted of a crime to apply to the Secretary for relief from the firearms prohibitions to make the following changes. Permits any person prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition to apply for relief. Requires, instead of permits, the Secretary to grant release, unless the applicant will be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety. Permits any person who is denied relief to seek de novo judicial review in Federal court. Makes the authority of the Secretary to permit importation of certain types of firearms and ammunition nondiscretionary. Extends the types of sporting firearms which may be imported. Amends the rulemaking authority of the Secretary to provide that no regulation may require the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions. Requires a 90-day public comment period for proposed regulations (no period is currently specified). Establishes a Congressional veto procedure with respect to firearms regulations. Authorizes either House of Congress to adopt a resolution of disapproval within 90 days of the rule's promulgation. Prohibits the Secretary from prescribing regulations which require purchasers of black powder to complete affidavits or forms attesting to their exemption from certain provisions of the Federal criminal code. Makes any law or regulation promulgated by any State prohibiting the transfer of an unloaded and not readily accessible firearm or ammunition null and void. Title II: Amendments to title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Repeals title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (relating to the receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by felons, veterans dishonorably discharged, mental incompetents, illegal aliens, and persons renouncing their United States citizenship).
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage from entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State, or limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in that area, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in that area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1981
Amends the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 to require the bankruptcy court, in the case of a bankruptcy petition filed by a person engaged in the business of operating a farm produce storage facility, to: (1) identify those farm producers who have produce in storage, and those parties which have secured interests in farm produce, within such facility; (2) audit the assets of the farm produce storage facility for the purpose of determining the extent of farm produce available for distribution to such producers and secured creditors; and (3) direct the abandonment of such farm produce according to procedures set forth by this Act. Declares that such procedures shall be applied by the court solely for the purpose of effectuating abandonment of farm produce which is not property of the estate, or is of inconsequential value to the estate, and shall not be construed to limit the right of any party to seek abandonment of any other property. Prohibits distribution of farm produce ordered abandoned by the court from being delayed due to the pendency of any appeal from the orders of abandonment, except that a stay of orders may be entered under specified conditions. Makes any such stay of orders appealable as of right by any aggrieved party. Grants to any person who has delivered agricultural products to a licensed warehouseman upon a contract for sale and who has not received the agreed upon payment a lien against products of like quantity, quality, and type, title to which may be then vested in such warehouseman, to the extent of the payment agreed upon for the purchase of the product sold. Attaches such lien at the time of the formation of the oral or written contract for sale and continues it until the obligations of the warehouseman to the seller of the products are satisfied.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Mineral Lands Leasing Amendment of 1981 - Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act to prohibit, for a specified period, any foreign person from acquiring more than 25 percent of the voting securities in a United States mineral resource corporation. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress concerning indirect foreign investment in mineral resources on United States land.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
State and Local Government Financing Reform Act of 1981 - Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in and underwrite investment securities, specified dealings in and underwriting of all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the provisions of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Requires the determination of whether certain transactions involving automobiles or trucks are sales or leases, for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code, without regard to any rental adjustment clause in the transaction documents. Limits such rule to transactions entered into before January 1, 1981, and under which one person acquires from another person the right to use an automobile or truck for a specified period. Defines "rental adjustment clause" as a provision under which: (1) at or before the close of the specified period, the automobile or truck is to be sold by the lessor (with no option by the lessee to purchase such vehicle); and (2) the lessee is required to pay the lessor any excess of an agreed to "lease" amount over the proceeds from such sale (or, where such proceeds exceed such "lease" amount, the lessor is required to pay such excess to the lessee).
![Official portrait of Rep. Bailey, Wendell [R-MO-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000047_200.jpg)