United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1983
Alternative Energy Tax Incentives Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the residential energy income tax credit for renewable energy sources for five years from 1985 to 1990. Reduces the qualifying percentage for energy source expenditures by specified increments between 1985 and 1990. Increases from 15 percent to 20 percent the investment tax credit for solar, wind, geothermal, and ocean thermal property. Extends such tax credit for five years from 1985 to 1990. Extends the investment tax credit for hydroelectric generating property and biomass property for five years from 1985 to 1990. Reestablishes the credit for cogeneration property until 1990. Qualifies until 1995 affirmative commitments for solar, wind, geothermal, ocean thermal, biomass, and cogeneration projects begun by December 31, 1990. Eliminates the 20 percent limitation for oil and natural gas used in cogeneration facilities. Qualifies as biomass property methane- containing gas produced by anaerobic digestion from nonfossil waste materials. Revises the definition of geothermal deposit to lower the required temperature to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (from 122 degrees Fahrenheit). Includes shale oil property and tar sands equipment as energy property for purposes of the investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1983
Wheat Improvement Act of 1983 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to reduce target prices: (1) for the 1984 wheat crop from $4.45 per bushel to $4.38 per bushel; and (2) for the 1985 wheat crop from $4.65 per bushel to $4.45 per bushel. Requires wheat farmers, in order to qualify for 1984 price support assistance, to reduce their planted acreage by 30 percent under a combined acreage reduction (20 percent) and diversion (ten percent) program. Requires diverted land to be used for conservation purposes. Sets the program signup date at not earlier than March 30, 1984. Provides, with regard to the 1984 diversion program, for payments of not less than $3.00 per bushel, except that the Secretary may reduce such payments by up to ten percent if appropriate to meet program objectives. Requires advance payments of at least 50 percent. Sets payment-in-kind rates at not less than 85 percent of the farm program yield. Provides for 1984 wheat crop advance deficiency payments.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1983
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit farmers and ranchers to qualify for production-loss disaster assistance whether or not their counties have been designated as disaster areas. States that during the period July 1, 1983, through September 30, 1984, findings of the Secretary of Agriculture under such Act that a natural disaster exists in an area shall be deemed as determinations that an emergency exists for purposes of: (1) reserve wheat and feed grain inventories under the Agricultural Act of 1970; and (2) the privately-purchased livestock and poultry emergency feed program under the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977. Directs the Secretary to make such disaster assistance available for the preservation of foundation herds of livestock and poultry until September 30, 1984, or earlier as the Secretary may determine. States that such assistance shall be at 75 percent of the county loan level.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1983
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that for purposes of printing in the Congressional Record, remarks of Members made on the floor or submitted for inclusion in the Record, including associated materials, shall be relevant to governmental matters. Exempts from such provision, remarks on the death of present or former Federal officials.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) urge the Council of European Community Ministers to reject their Commission's proposals that seek to shift to other countries the financial burden of disposing of their agricultural surpluses; and (2) continue to oppose proposed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) modifications that would adversely affect the access of U.S. agricultural exports to European Community markets. States, also, that if the European Community adopts such proposed CAP modifications, then it is the House's sense that measures should be implemented to protect U.S. trade interests.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1983
Department of Defense Procurement Procedures Act of 1983 - Sets forth a formula for determining the applicable percentage of Department of Defense procurement of property and services which must be made through formal advertising for fiscal years after FY 1983. Prohibits the Department of Defense from expending funds for negotiated contracts in any fiscal year following a fiscal year where the purchases and contracts made through formal advertising fall below the applicable percentage. Removes such prohibition if the Department meets or exceeds the applicable percentage during or after that fiscal year. Requires that specified information concerning a negotiated contract be part of the records of the contracting agency, including all cost and pricing data submitted by a contractor and the name of each Government official who participated in the negotiating or awarding of such contract. Requires that agency records on negotiated contracts containing classified information be maintained for at least ten years and be made available to Congress and the Comptroller General upon request. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish procedures which are similar to formal advertising procedures for the purchase of or contracting for personal or professional services. Sets forth investigatory procedures to determine the need for and price of services by a university or other educational institution.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1983
Federal Agricultural Policy Review and Development Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) conduct an opinion survey of the agricultural community within six months as a first step in developing Federal agricultural policy for the remainder of the century; (2) investigate the feasibility of conducting scientific polling on such public policy questions; and (3) summarize and make available to the public the results of such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1983
Declares that the President shall convene a domestic economic summit conference to address the economic situation created by projected large deficits. Requires that such conference convene within 45 days to develop and report to Congress a comprehensive plan to reduce the projected deficits in the United States budget.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1983
National Task Force on Organ Procurement and Transplant Reimbursement Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish within 60 days a National Task Force on Organ Procurement and Transplant Reimbursement to develop a plan for a comprehensive organ donor network and organ procurement system. Sets forth membership and operating provisions. Authorizes the Task Force to submit interim reports to the President and each House of Congress, and a final report within six months after its establishment. Terminates such Task Force three months after submitting such final report.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1983
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit hospital of up to 125 beds (currently, 50 beds) in a rural area to use its inpatient hospital facilities to provide services which if provided by a skilled nursing facility would constitute extended care services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, except for national security reasons, the United States should not suspend or restrict agricultural commodity exports to any country unless such suspension or restriction is imposed in connection with a suspension or restriction of all U.S. exports to such country and there is adequate international support of such suspension or restriction.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to introduce a resolution that calls upon Iran to cease its persecution of the Iranian Baha'is and allow them to emigrate from Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Korean Airlines Victims' Claims Act - Amends the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 to provide for the determination of the validity and amounts of outstanding claims against the Soviet Union for the loss of life and property of the 61 U.S. citizens who were onboard the Korean Air Lines airplane that was shot down on September 1, 1983. Directs the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to receive and determine the validity and amounts of claims by survivors of the victims of the Korean Air Lines incident. Permits a claim to be considered only if the property right on which it is based was owned by U.S. nationals on the date of loss and only to the extent that the claim has been held by U.S. nationals continuously from the date that the loss occurred until the date of filing with the Commission. Directs the Commission to certify to each claimant the amount determined by the Commission to be the loss suffered by the claimant which is covered by this Act. Provides for consolidated awards if the claim, at the time of the award, is vested in persons other than the person by whom the original loss was sustained. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury the Claims Fund for the payment of unsatisfied claims of U.S. nationals against the Soviet Union. Directs the Commission to certify to the Secretary each award. Sets forth the manner of payment of the awards. Requires the Commission to complete its affairs in connection with settling claims within six months of the date for filing claims. Requires other departments to make available to the Commission certain records relating to the claims. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the percentage of an award that may be collected as a fee for services rendered on behalf of a claimant. Directs the Secretary of State to initiate negotiations to conclude an agreement with the Soviet Union which would provide for payment in full of all such awards.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to announce the 1984 feed grain program by September 30, 1983, the 1985 feed grain program by September 30, 1984, and the 1985 wheat program by July 1, 1984 (under present law announcement deadlines are November 15 for feed grains, and August 15 for wheat). Authorizes the Secretary to make adjustments in the program announcement within 30 days if a significant supply change occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1983
States that until Chile returns to democracy the United States should deny all military and economic assistance, including guarantees and loans from the Export-Import Bank and the Commodity Credit Corporation. Urges the United States to oppose all loans and grants to Chile by the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Development Association, unless such assistance is directed to programs which serve the basic human needs of the people.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1983
Urges the President to: (1) use every diplomatic and political tool to ensure that those responsible for the death of Benigno Aquino are brought to justice; (2) cancel his trip to the Philippines; and (3) propose the convening of an impartial international tribunal to investigate the Aquino assassination. States that the Congress expects: (1) democracy to be restored to the Philippines; and (2) free elections to be held there in May 1984 with a free press and the full participation of the opposition parties. States that if the Marcos government refuses such tribrunal and elections, the United States should reevaluate its relations with the Marcos government, including the status of military and economic aid. Expresses congressional condolences to the Aquino family and the Filipino people.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Designates the week beginning February 12, 1984, as a time to recognize the contributions of volunteers who become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to single parent youths.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
States that the United States: (1) condemns the Soviet destruction of Korean Air Lines flight 7; (2) calls for an explanation from the Soviets; (3) extends its sympathies to the families who lost loved ones and supports their rights to obtain reparations from the Soviets; (4) calls on the Soviets to assist in the recovery of the remains of the victims; (5) calls for an international investigation by the International Civil Aviation Organization; (6) declares its intention to demand that the Soviets modify their air defense procedures to assure the safety of commercial airliners; (7) finds that this incident will make it difficult for the U.S. and other nations to accept the Soviets as responsible members of the international community; and (8) urges our allies and other nations to cooperate with specified demands on the Soviets.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Provides that for purposes of determining the minimum allocation for any State for highway projects, the amount of taxes paid into the Highway Trust Fund with respect to gasohol and certain methanol and ethanol fuels shall be determined as if such fuels were taxed as gasoline.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Wine Equity Act of 1983 - Requires the President to direct the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to negotiate the harmonization of tariff and nontariff barriers on wine with each designated major trading country. Requires negotiations with designated major trading countries which do not export wine to the United States in order to eliminate all tariff and nontariff trade barriers of such countries to the importation of U.S. wine. Requires the President to impose tariff and nontariff trade barriers equal or substantially equivalent to the barriers applied by a designated major trading country if such country does not provide harmonization to U.S. produced-wine with 180 days of the country's designation as a designated major trading country. Provides for removing such U.S. tariff and nontariff barriers. Requires the USTR to report to specified congressional committees at the beginning and end of each negotiation. Requires the USTR to consult with such committees to identify further tariff and nontariff barriers to and potential markets for U.S. wine. Provides for assistance for the USTR from other Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Women's Business Ownership Act of 1983 - Establishes the National Commission on Women's Business Ownership to review: (1) the status of women business owners nationwide; (2) the role of the Federal Government in aid to and the promotion of women business owners; and (3) data collection procedures with regard to women-owned businesses and Federal initiative and procurement. Directs the Commission to recommend: (1) new private sector initiatives regarding management and technical assistance to women business owners; (2) ways to create greater access to credit for women in business; and (3) ways to enhance procurement opportunities for women business owners. Terminates the Commission on the date that it transmits its final report to the President and to each House of the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Prohibits the Government from observing more than nine legal public holidays, excluding Inauguration Day, during any calendar year. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to designate which nine holidays are to be observed in any year in which the total number of declared holidays exceeds nine. Prohibits any executive department from closing in observance of any holiday other than such a legal public holiday or Inauguration Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for expenses incurred in the care of elderly family members. Sets such credit at 30 percent of the expenses incurred for taxpayers with incomes of $25,000 or less. Reduces the rate of such credit, but not below 20 percent, by one percent for each $2,000 of taxpayer income in excess of $25,000. Limits such credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $75,000. Imposes a maximum $7,000 limit on the amount of elderly care expenses that can be taken into account. Defines "qualified family member" as any individual who: (1) is related to the taxpayer by blood or marriage; (2) is at least 70 years of age (or diagnosed with senile dementia); and (3) has a family income of $15,000 or less. Defines "qualified elderly care expenses" as payments for: (1) home health agency services; (2) homemaker services; (3) adult day care; (4) respite care; or (5) certain health care equipment and supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should not export nuclear reactor components for the nuclear power station at Tarapur, India, unless India provides stronger nuclear nonproliferation guarantees. Specifies what guarantees should be included.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Urges the Secretary of Education to postpone further action on the reorganization of certain programs in the Department of Education until a study by the General Accounting Office determines that such reorganization would not reduce the ability of the Department to achieve the goals intended by Congress when it authorized the affected programs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Prohibits sending combat troops into Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua for training exercises or any other purposes unless: (1) Congress has authorized their presence in advance by a joint resolution signed by the President; or (2) the presence of such troops is necessary to provide for the immediate evacuation of U.S. citizens, or to respond to a clear and present danger of military attack on the United States. Declares that, in either case, the President should advise and consult, to the extent possible, in advance with the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Economic Conversion Act of 1983 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make weekly assistance payments to employees whose employment is terminated as a result of the cancellation or reduction in a defense contract. Limits assistance payments to a maximum period of two years. Sets a maximum amount for such payments. Reduces the weekly payments by amounts received as unemployment compensation payments, earned income, or public assistance. Requires the Secretary of Defense to maintain the level of health insurance coverage the employee had prior to termination of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1983
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee Act of 1983 - Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to require that the number of local agricultural stabilization and conservation (ASC) committees in a county shall not be less than existed as of December 31, 1980. Requires with regard to such committees that: (1) all members, as of January 1, 1984, be elected to three-year terms; and (2) they meet at least four times a year. Sets forth committee duties and makes them effective as of January 1, 1984. Expands the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to use local and county committees. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to require the Secretary to pay: (1) travel expenses for members of State, county, and local ASC cmmittees; and (2) hourly compensation for work actually performed to county members (at GS- 11 rate) and to local members (at GS-9 rate).
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1983
Provides that any legal public holiday declared by Federal statute or Executive order that would result in the number of such holidays in a calendar year exceeding ten shall be treated as a regular workday.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1983
Political Tax Credit Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the income tax credit for contributions made to candidates for President, candidates for State and local offices, political action committees, and newsletter funds. Allows an income tax credit for one-half of the amount contributed to a political party and the full amount contributed to a congressional candidate. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require any candidate or committee receiving contributions eligible for such tax credit to include in its required report the number and aggregate amount of all eligible contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that gratitude and commendation be extended to community arson prevention organizations and that the U.S. Fire Administration is to be encouraged to work to reduce the crime of arson and develop national fire prevention policy.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1983
Senior Citizens Independent Community Care Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize any State to establish a statewide prepaid capitation program for providing acute and long-term care services for individuals aged 65 or older who require long-term care because of impairments which restrict daily living activities. Limits to four the number of States which may establish such a program during the four years following enactment. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services in subsequent years to limit the number of additional States which may establish such a program in order to insure that additional programs will not require payments from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund in excess of the amounts available in the Trust Fund. Provides that each eligible individual shall be entitled to the following benefits: (1) all services to which such individual would be entitled under title XVIII; (2) homemaker-home health aide services; (3) adult day services; (4) respite care services for up to 14 days or 336 hours annually; (5) service coordination; (6) preadmission screening and assessment; (7) intermediate care facility services for up to 20 days annually; and (8) such other services as the Secretary may determine. States that services provided under the program shall be in lieu of any payments or services to which an individual would otherwise be entitled under title XVIII or under any other Federally funded program. Makes eligible any individual who: (1) is entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII and enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII; (2) has attained age 65; (3) resides in a State with a program; (4) agrees to participate in the program; (5) is not in an institution; (6) is certified by a preadmission assessment and screening team (PAT) to have an unmet need for certain services; and (7) has certain physical or mental impairments which interfere with the activities of daily living. Requires a PAT to evaluate each eligible individual's health status, functional capabilities, and home and environment in order to assess and develop a plan of care for the individual before the individual can receive any benefits under the program. Requires an individual's status to be assessed on an ongoing basis, and the plan of care to be appropriately updated. Directs the Governor of each State having a program to designate the State agency or agencies which shall administer the program. Directs such agency or agencies to coordinate the designation of entities which shall provide services under the program. Makes such entities responsible for establishing PATs and providing services under the program. Requires that each PAT consist of at least one physician and one social worker. Directs the Secretary to pay a fixed per capita fee to each designated entity for which payment may be made under the program. Prohibits such fee from exceeding an amount equal to 60 percent of the average monthly rate in such State for services provided in free-standing skilled nursing facilities. Requires an individual receiving services under the program which are otherwise covered services under parts A or B of title XVIII to pay the entity providing the services a copayment equal to the amount which such individual would be required to pay under parts A or B for the same services. Requires an individual receiving homemaker-home health aide services, adult day services, respite care services, or a preadmission screening and assessment to pay a copayment equal to 20 percent of the reasonable charge for such services. Prohibits an eligible individual from being required to make yearly copayments which exceed a specified percent of the individual's income for the preceding year. Provides an individual with the right to reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing with respect to determinations made by the Secretary under the program in the same manner as under part A of title XVIII. Sets forth the effective date. Directs the Secretary to monitor the effect of the program and submit reports to Congress. Requires the reports to include a recommended strategy for implementing the program on a national basis. Directs the Office of Management and Budget to prepare an analysis of the budgetary impact of the implementation of the program on a national basis and to report to Congress with respect to such report. Requires payments under this program to be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Requires payments related to services provided under this program which are not covered services under part A or B to be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the feasibility and desirability of establishing a program under which State Medicaid programs would provide prepaid capitation plans for providing Medicare and Medicaid (title XIX of the Act) services to those individuals eligible for both and to report the results of the study to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1983
Limits the total number of U.S. Government personnel in Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador to the number of such personnel in each such country on June 1, 1983. Prohibits U.S. military personnel from conducting or participating in any blockade or quarantine by air, land, or sea of Nicaragua or El Salvador. Authorizes amendment or repeal of such limitation and prohibition by a joint resolution of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1983
Urges the United States to support the Contadora initiative, calling for: (1) the cessation of arms shipments and the withdrawal of foreign military advisers from Central America; and (2) a guarantee that the territory of any Central American state will not be used as a base for aggression against any other such state. States that the United States should: (1) announce its willingness to pursue negotiations with Central American nations and to stop U.S. arms shipments; (2) offer technical assistance to the Contadora Group to verify any agreements; and (3) exert diplomatic efforts to persuade other involved governments to participate in the Contadora negotiations and to cease activities aimed at destablizing the existing Central American governments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it should not be U.S. foreign policy to overthrow governments with which the United States disagrees politically. Urges the President to indicate U.S. support for the Contadora Group initiative by endorsing specified proposals of the Group. States that the United States should: (1) announce its willingness to pursue negotiations with all Central American nations and to stop U.S. arms shipments; (2) offer technical assistance to the Group to assist in the verification of such a freeze on arms traffic in the region; (3) stop funding guerrilla forces seeking to overthrow Nicaragua; and (4) exert diplomatic efforts to persuade other involved governments to cease activities aimed at destabilizing the existing Central American governments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Federal Communications Commission's telecommunications access-charge plan scheduled to take effect January 1, 1984, should be delayed for one year; (2) the Commission should require interim agreements between local telephone companies and long-distance carriers until legislation is enacted which addresses the issues relating to such plan and the restructuring of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) and its affiliates; (3) such agreements should reflect the new service areas and the new relationship between AT&T and local telephone companies and should maintain the categorization and allocation of costs in effect on December 20, 1982; and (4) House and Senate committees should act expeditiously to bring comprehensive legislation addressing all major telecommunications issues before the House and Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1983
Establishes the Kamehameha National Monument in Hawaii. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide facilities to commemorate the historical significance of the monument. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1983
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982, to repeal the 50-cent milk producer assessment scheduled for April 1, 1983.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bedell, Berkley W. [D-IA-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000298_200.jpg)