United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1981
Amends the Shipping Act, 1916, to redefine the term "ocean freight forwarder" to mean any person in the United States who for others: (1) dispatches shipments via ocean common carriers; and (2) processes the documentation or performs related activities incident to such shipments. Directs every common carrier by water to file with the Federal Maritime Commission copies of agreements that limit or regulate the membership of ocean carrier conferences. Denies Commission approval to conference agreements that fail to admit to membership at least one carrier operating United States-flag vessel willing to serve the particular trade or route involved. Sets time limits on proceedings to disapprove, cancel, or modify certain agreements. Places the burden of proof on the Commission or such other department or agency that opposes the agreement. Describes procedures for holding Commission hearings to resolve complaints by common carriers by water, shippers, ports, or others subject to this Act. Repeals civil penalty provisions concerning agreement violations. Allows shippers' councils, pursuant to an agreement approved by the Federal Trade Commission, to meet, confer, and: (1) consult and agree in regard to rate levels, practices, and terms and conditions of service; (2) exchange specified information with ocean common carriers or conferences; (3) analyze and distribute such information. Declares that the above shall not restrict the powers of an association organized under the Export Trade Act. Requires shippers' councils to file such agreements with the Federal Trade Commission. Exempts such agreements from the antitrust laws of the United States. Sets forth provisions to be included in such agreements before Commission approval. Repeals provisions concerning the sale of certain Panama Canal bonds. Changes certain criminal penalties for violations of the Shipping Act, 1916, to civil penalties. Revises procedures for assessing such civil penalties. Repeals license requirements for ocean freight forwarders. Requires that forwarders and non-vessel- operating common carriers shall furnish a bond approved by the Federal Maritime Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1981
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the appointment to the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund of one representative of employers, one representative of employees, one representative of beneficiaries, and one individual highly qualified in the management of investment funds. Requires the Board to make investments securing the maximum possible interest yield with the portion of the Trust Funds not required to meet current withdrawals. Fixes the interest rates for public-debt obligations issued for purchase by the Trust Funds at the average market yield on all marketable interest bearing U.S. obligations forming part of the public debt, all marketable interest bearing obligations which are not U.S. obligations but which are guaranteed by the United States, and all marketable federally sponsored agency interest bearing obligations which are lawful investments for fiduciary and trust funds under Federal control. Authorizes the Managing Trustee to use the equipment and experts necessary to assure the maximum possible interest yield on Trust Fund investments.
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
Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1981 - Title I: Improved Identification for Motor Vehicle Parts and Components - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a Federal motor vehicle security standard, applicable to parts used in the manufacture of motor vehicles other than motorcycles after the effective date of such standard or manufactured as new replacement parts after such date. Directs the Secretary to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before promulgating such standard, which includes the effect on domestic motor vehicle production and sales. Stipulates that the standard shall not: (1) impose additional costs upon manufacturers in excess of $10 per motor vehicle; and (2) require the identification of more than 14 parts for any motor vehicle, nine parts for any truck, and four parts for any trailer. Declares that a Federal motor vehicle standard supercedes any State or local standard. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies on the development of security devices and systems. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on such devices and systems within one year of enactment. Provides for repeal of this title on a specified date. Title II: Antifencing Measures - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for removing or altering any identification number of any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part required by regulation. Requires the forfeiture of any vehicle or part which has had such number removed, with specified exceptions. Applies to the seizure and forfeiture of motor vehicles and parts those provisions of law relating to the seizure and forfeiture of vessels and merchandise under the customs laws. Establishes penalties for anyone who buys, receives, possesses, or obtains control of, with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part knowing that such identification number has been removed or altered. Designates as nonmailable matter any manipulative type device which is designed or adapted to operate, circumvent, remove, or render inoperative the ignition switch or lock, or door or trunk lock of two or more motor vehicles, or any advertisement for the sale of such device. Title III: Importation and Exportation Measures - Establishes criminal and civil penalties for anyone who imports, exports, or attempts to import or export any self-propelled vehicle or vehicle part knowing that its identification number has been altered. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require persons who export or attempt to export a used self-propelled vehicle to present to the appropriate customs officers the vehicle and a document describing that vehicle. Title IV: Reporting Requirements - Directs the Attorney General to establish a task force to study problems relating to the theft of off-highway mobile equipment. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a task force to study problems relating to motor vehicle titling and controls over motor vehicle salvage which may affect the motor vehicle theft problem. Directs the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Transportation and the Postmaster General, to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Entitles to an annuity the surviving spouses of military retirees who died before September 21, 1972, but after thier discharge or release from active duty. Requires such annuity benefits to be equal to those of surviving spouses of former members of the armed forces who died before that date while still on active duty after becoming eligible to retire.
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 · 22 July 1981
Merchant Vessel Tax Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth special rules for depreciating vessels used in international commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to apply those provisions relating to the minimum primary insurance amount and the minimum survivor's benefit to individuals who have reached age 80 and to members of religious orders which require vows of poverty and for which an election of coverage under the Internal Revenue Code is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1981
Senior Citizens Olympic Athletic Programs Act - Authorizes the U.S. Olympic Committee to encourage and assist amateur athletic programs for senior citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress urges all negotiators involved in the baseball dispute to settle the strike promptly.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1981
Maritime Act of 1981 - Transfers all of the functions, powers, duties, assets, and liabilities of the Maritime Administration of the Department of Commerce to the Department of Transportation. Establishes the office of the Maritime Administrator to head the Maritime Administration. Transfers personnel employed in connection with the functions transferred by this Act. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to make such incidental dispositions of personnel, assets, liabilities, records, and appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Makes conforming amendments to specified Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to implement procedures for identifying social security benefit checks issued under title II which have not been negotiated within 36 months and to credit the appropriate social security trust fund on a monthly basis for the amount of all unnegotiated benefit checks drawn on such trust fund. Requires the Secretary to pay a benefit check presented for payment after it has been credited to one of the trust funds if it is otherwise proper. Authorizes appropriations to reimburse the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for the total amount of unnegotiated benefit checks.
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 · 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 · 4 June 1981
United States Flag Ship Fair Competition Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit accelerated depreciation for vessels documented under the laws of the United States. Provides a useful life of one or more years for vessels constructed in the United States and a useful life of five or more years for foreign-built vessels.
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 · 20 May 1981
Amends the Shipping Act, 1916, to redefine the term "common carrier by water in foreign commerce" to include persons engaged as common carriers in specified ocean transportation of property who: (1) advertise, solicit, or arrange, within the United States, for such transportation; or (2) issue or deliver ocean or through intermodal bills of lading or other contracts of affreightment for such transportation. Directs such common carriers by water to file with the Federal Maritime Commission within 90 days of enactment of this Act: (1) their tariffs; and (2) a designation of agent and principal place of business within the United States. Sets forth the effective dates of such tariffs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Declares it the sense of the Congress that no legislation that would change the operations of the Guaranteed Student Loan Program before October 1, 1981, should or will be enacted. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from promulgating any rule which changes the operations of the Guaranteed Student Loan Program before October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to prohibit assistance to any public agency unless there is in effect with respect to such agency a law enforcement officers' bill of rights which includes, at a minimum, the following: (1) allowing off-duty officers' to engage in political activities; (2) granting officers specified procedural rights in connection with investigations of their conduct on duty which may lead to a personnel action; (3) requiring officer representation on any policy complaint review board established in the jurisdiction; and (4) prohibiting mandatory disclosure of officers' finances.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Amends part C (Work Incentive Program) of title IV the Social Security Act to permit a State, as an alternative to the present WIN program, to operate a WIN demonstration program in order to demonstrate single agency administration of the work-related objectives of the Act. Requires a State desiring to participate in the demonstration program to submit an application, within 60 days of enactment, to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Sets forth application requirements. Directs the Secretary to evaluate a State's demonstration program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to permit the National Committee of American Airmen Rescued by General Mihailovich to construct and maintain a monument to General Draza Mihailovich in recognition of the role he played in saving the lives of approximately 500 United States airmen in Yugoslavia during World War II. Provides that such monument shall be located on Federal public land within the District of Columbia. Directs that private funds shall be the sole source for the construction and maintenance of such monument.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Comprehensive Social Security Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to finance the hospital insurance program partially through general revenues and provide a corresponding decrease in the hospital insurance tax rates on employees, employers, and self-employment income. Increases the old age, survivors and disability insurance tax rates on employees, employers, and self-employment income. Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to make loans to the other Funds, prior to fiscal year 1991, whenever one of the funds falls below 25 percent of the amount of its disbursements for the 12 months preceding the borrowing. Provides for the repayment of such loans. Amends title II to revise the time periods which constitute base quarters and cost-of-living computation quarters for purposes of cost-of-living adjustments in title II benefits. Increases the minimum primary insurance amount and the number of years of coverage which may be counted in computing the primary insurance amount of an individual. Permits an individual to include as years of coverage, for purposes of computing the primary insurance amount, any calendar years, not to exceed ten, during which such individual was living with and caring for a child under the age of seven and such individual's wages or self-employment income was insufficient for credit with a year of coverage. Increases from $255 to $600 the amount of the lump-sum death payment in cases of deaths occurring on and after the enactment of this Act. Provides for a graduated increase in old age insurance benefits for individuals who delay retirement until after they reach or exceed age 65. Increases the amount of outside income which an individual receiving title II benefits may earn without a deduction from such benefits. Revises the method for computing an individual's average indexed monthly earnings for purposes of determining the amount of benefits to which such individual's survivors are or may become entitled. Increases the maximum benefit amounts for beneficiaries entitled to old age and survivors or disability insurance benefits. Eliminates the payment of child's insurance benefits on the basis of student status. Directs the Secretary of Education to make interest-free educational loans to individuals who demonstrate entitlement to child's insurance benefits on the basis of student status but for this Act. Specifies the terms and conditions of such loans. Requires that loan repayments be transferred to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for deposit in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Education for such loans. Increases the reduction in old age and survivors benefits for individuals who are entitled to such benefits before they reach retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Savings and Value Equity Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a refundable income tax credit equal to 50 percent of their qualified contributions to individual retirement accounts and certain employee retirement plans for a taxable year. Limits the amount of such credit to the lesser of $2,500 or the compensation includible in the taxpayer's gross income for the taxable year. Specifies that no credit may be allowed for such contributions made to the account of any individual who has reached age 59 1/2. Permits certain limited amounts of employer contributions to a simplified employee pension plan to qualify for the credit. Limits the amount of such credit for an individual who has paid any designated voluntary employee contributions to the lesser of $2,500 or the compensation includible in the taxpayer's gross income for the taxable year reduced by the amount of such designated voluntary employee contributions. Provides for adjustment to the limitations on such credit to reflect inflation. Increases the amount of the income tax deduction for contributions to an individual retirement account to the lesser of $2,500 or the compensation which is includible in the taxpayer's gross income. Requires an individual to be between the ages of 59 1/2 and 70 1/2 in order for contributions made to such individual taxpayer's retirement account to qualify for the retirement savings tax deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Older Worker Employment Incentives Act of 1981 - Title I: Pension Accruals for Older Workers - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the prohibition against participation in a pension plan by employees who begin employment five years or less before the normal retirement age. Prohibits suspension or reduction, solely because of age, of an employee's benefit accrual, in the case of a defined benefit plan, or of employer contributions to the employee's account, in the case of a defined contribution plan. Provides that the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to plan years beginning after December 31, 1982. Title II: Amendments to the Social Security Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Disability and Survivors Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) a graduated increase in delayed retirement credit; and (2) a liberalization of the earnings test, for taxable years ending after the date of enactment of this Act. Title III: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the amount of credit for new employees to provide for an income tax credit for the employment of lower-income older workers. Makes such credit applicable to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 1980, in taxable years ending after such date. Title IV: Age Discrimination in Employment - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to eliminate provisions permitting age discrimination in employment where age is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the particular business. Removes the existing 70-year upper age limit to which the discrimination prohibitions apply, thus extending coverage to all individuals who are at least 40 years of age. Eliminates provisions permitting mandatory retirement at age 65 for bona fide executives or high policymakers entitled to specified benefits. Amends specified laws relating to Government organization and employees to eliminate provisions which permitted maximum-age entrance requirements for Federal employees. Eliminates provisions relating to automatic separations or mandatory separations based on a prescribed retirement age for Federal employees or employees of the government of the District of Columbia. Sets forth conforming amendments to the District of Columbia Public Education Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate a mandatory retirement at age 70 requirement for tax court judges and to permit such judges who have attained age 70 to retire at any time after serving for ten years or more. Amends specified law relating to the Federal Judicial Center to eliminate a mandatory retirement at age 70 requirement for the Director of the Center and to permit retirement at age 70 upon the request of the Director. Amends a specified law relating to the appointment and tenure of U.S. magistrates to eliminate a mandatory retirement at age 70 requirement for such magistrates. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to repeal mandatory retirement provisions for participants in the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. Provides that specified annuities under such System commence at age 60, or at separation for participants who separate after reaching age 60. Amends a specified law relating to Lighthouse Service officers and employees to eliminate compulsory retirement at age 70 for such officers and employees. Amends the Coast and Geodetic Survey Commissioned Officers' Act of 1948 to eliminate provisions relating to: (1) transfer of officers to the retired list; (2) separation from service; (3) effective date of retirements and separations; (4) lump-sum payment upon separation from service; and (5) retirement of officers for age. Eliminates the duty of a personnel board to make selections and recommendations for retirement of officers. Amends the Public Health Service Act to eliminate mandatory retirement at age 64 for commissioned officers of the Service and to permit such officers to be retired at such age upon their own request. Removes the authority of the Secretary to retire such officers after completion of specified periods of active service (retains the officers' right to be retired after such periods upon their own application). Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to eliminate mandatory retirement at age 70 for the Comptroller General and the Deputy Comptroller General and to permit such officials to retire at such age upon their own request. Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to eliminate the requirement that the Chief Judge of the District Court of the Virgin Islands be under 70 years of age. Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act of 1964 for Certain Employees to repeal provisions for mandatory retirement of participants in the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. Declares that the provisions of, and amendments made by, this title shall apply only to individuals employed on the effective date of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Retirement Security Portability Non-Discrimination Act of 1981 - Title I: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Subtitle A: Vesting; Benefit Accrual; Reciprocal Agreements - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow a pension plan to meet minimum vesting standards if an employee who has completed at least five years of service has a nonforfeitable right to 100 percent of his accrued benefit derived from employer contributions. Eliminates the prohibition from participation in a plan by employees who begin employment five years or less before the normal retirement age. Prohibits suspension or reduction of an employee's benefit accrual, in the case of a defined benefit plan, or of employer contributions to the employee's account, in the case of a defined contribution plan, solely because of age. Permits contributions to a pension or welfare plan made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement to be transferred to another such plan under which the employee had previously participated. Subtitle B: Joint and Survivor Annuity Requirements - Requires pension plans which pay benefits in the form of an annuity to provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date. Permits lump-sum or installment distributions of annuities of not more than $1,750. Requires a plan under which the normal form of benefit is not an annuity to make lump-sum or installment distributions to a surviving spouse, not later than 60 days after the participant's last plan year, of a participant's nonforfeitable benefit. Requires any election to take the joint and survivor annuity to be signed by both the participant and the spouse and to be notarized. Eliminates the allowance of provisions in such plans which make ineffective an election, or a revocation of an election, if the participant dies within two years of such election or revocation. Limits increases in the costs of a plan to those attributable to the availability of survivors' benefits before the participant's attainment of normal retirement age. Subtitle C: Minimum-Benefit Pension Plan System - Requires any employer engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce to maintain a minimum-benefit pension plan. Defines "minimum-benefit pension plan" as a tax-deferred compensation plan or a tax-exempt trust: (1) in which all of an employers' employees may participate; (2) to which, in the case of an individual account plan, the employer contributes at least four percent of the lesser of the amount of the participant's compensation for the plan year or the maximum amount of earnings considered wages for purposes of title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act as of the beginning of the plan year; (3) under which, in the case of a defined benefit plan, each participant's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions equals at least the amount of the accrued benefit which would have been derived from employee contributions if the participant made mandatory contributions for each plan year equal to four percent of the lesser of the amount of the participant's compensation for the plan year or the maximum amount of earnings considered wages for OASDI purposes; and (4) a participant in which has a nonforfeitable right to 100 percent of his accrued benefit derived from employer contributions. Subtitle D: Special Master and Prototype Plans - Provides for the establishment of a new type of master or prototype employee pension benefit plan which has been approved by the Secretary of Labor and the assets of which are controlled by one or more master sponsors, who may be registered investment advisors, banks, insurance companies, or savings and loan associations. Relieves an employer who establishes such a plan of specified administrative requirements of ERISA. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Subtitle A: Vesting; Benefit Accrual; Reciprocal Agreements - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make conforming changes in accordance with the vesting, benefit accrual, and reciprocal agreement provisions of this Act. Subtitle B: Joint and Survivor Annuity Requirement - Makes conforming changes in accordance with the survivors' benefit provisions of this Act. Subtitle C: Amendment Relating to Minimum-Benefit Pension Plan System - Imposes upon any employer who fails to make required contributions to a minimum-benefit pension plan an excise tax equal to 110 percent of the difference between such required amount and the amount actually contributed. Subtitle D: Integration of Pension Benefits with Social Security Benefits - Qualifies as a tax-deferred compensation plan a plan under which contributions or benefits based on remuneration excluded from "wages" for purposes of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act differ from those based on included remuneration and which meet specified benefit requirements. Subtitle E: Income Tax Credit for Employer Contributions to Pension Plans - Allows a tax credit for employer contributions to a tax-deferred compensation plan equal to: (1) six percent of the amount of the deduction allowed for such contributions; or (2) 46 percent of the amount of the deduction allowed for such contributions or contributions to qualified foreign plans, if the employer elects not to deduct such amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Comprehensive Supplemental Security Income Amendments of 1981 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to provide that only those individuals below the poverty threshold (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services according to specified criteria) will be considered eligible for SSI. Provides that benefits shall be payable at a rate equal to the threshold. Provides that an individual's resources shall no longer be taken into account in determining benefit eligibility. Increases: (1) income exclusions for purposes of determining eligibility based on income; and (2) benefits for individuals in certain medical institutions. Makes cost-of-living adjustments applicable to income exclusions.
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 · 28 April 1981
Comprehensive Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to add to the declaration of objectives: (1) full supportive (as well as restorative) services, including assistance in avoiding institutionalization, with maximum independence for those who do require institutional care; (2) maximum opportunity to select full-time, part-time, flexible, or other appropriate employment; (3) specified education and training opportunities, including ones relating to legal, financial, and health needs; and (4) freedom from domestic violence and other violence and crime. Revises provisions relating to the Administration on Aging to specify that: (1) the Commissioner on Aging shall be directly responsible to the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and (2) certain functions of the Commissioner may not be delegated. Includes the Grants to States for Services programs (title XX) of the Social Security Act among those programs with an impact on older persons which the Commissioner must continually evaluate. Specifies that the other agencies with which the Commissioner coordinates a national plan for training personnel in the field of agencies must be Federal and State agencies. Requires consultation between the Commissioner and the head of the Federal agency administering: (1) continuing postsecondary education programs and planning under the Higher Education Act of 1965; (2) the Adult Education Act; and (3) the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Requires that dissemination of information by the National Information and Resource Clearing House for the Aging be carried out quickly. Requires that the Clearing House: (1) make available through a national toll-free telephone line information concerning federally administered programs, services, and benefits for which older persons may be eligible; and (2) cooperate with other Federal, State, and local information and referral services to ensure that information concerning non-federally administered public and private benefits is available. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Clearing House through fiscal year 1984. Requires that at least one member of the Federal Council on Aging be an official of a designated State agency and that at least one other member be an official of a designated area agency. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Council through fiscal year 1984. Specifies that sums authorized to be appropriated to carry out certain authorized activities of the Commissioner are to go directly to the Commissioner. Authorizes the Commissioner to request the technical assistance and cooperation of the Department of Education in carrying out the program of grants to State and community programs on aging. Defines "education and training services" for purposes of such program and includes such services among those for which current information and referrals are to be kept. Includes services designed to prevent domestic violence under the definition of legal services for purposes of such program. Extends through fiscal year 1984 the authorizations of appropriations for grants for State and community programs on aging (relating to social services and to congregate and home delivered nutrition services). Provides that formulas for allotments to States apply to any fiscal year in which specified sums are appropriated for such programs. Continues through fiscal year 1984 formulas to determine the Federal share of costs of such programs. Includes legal services among the social services for which area plans for older persons must provide. Eliminates the requirement that area plans provide that: (1) 50 percent of social service grant funds will be expended for access to services, in-home services, and legal services; and (2) area agencies on aging will develop and publish methods by which priority of such services is determined. Adds a requirement that area plans provide that such agencies, where possible, enter into arrangements with local legal service providers to use services mandated for older individuals under the Legal Services Corporation Act. Raises to $50,000 (from $20,000) the minimum amount which State agencies on aging must expend for long-term care ombudsman programs. Revises provisions for the availability of funds for social services and nutrition services. Eliminates the requirement that State transfers of funds between the congregate and home delivered nutrition services programs "meet the needs of the area served." Prohibits States from transferring more than 20 percent of appropriated funds for any fiscal year between social services and nutrition services programs. Requires that home delivered nutrition services projects give priority to the provision of meals during weekend periods. Adds to training programs for personnel in the field of aging programs to assist persons involved in the provision of home delivered nutrition services in also providing related social and human services, including regular individual needs assessments. Revises provisions for training, research, and discretionary projects and programs to provide for grants and contracts for special projects in mental health care. Revises provisions for special demonstration projects on legal services for older Americans to permit the Commissioner to make grants and contracts for such projects to and with the designated State agencies on aging (currently, to and with public and private nonprofit agencies or organizations). Requires that there be a reservation from appropriated funds of specified or necessary amounts for such projects in fiscal years 1982 through 1984. Authorizes appropriations in specified or necessary amounts for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out training, research, and discretionary projects and programs on aging. Authorizes appropriations in specified or necessary amounts for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out programs for multipurpose senior centers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located; and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Expresses the disapproval of Congress of the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of five airborne warning and control aircraft (AWACS) and conformal fuel tanks and air-to-air missiles for F-15 aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Title I - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1992: (1) the time period during which jurisdictions covered by the triggering mechanism must not have used a test or device to deny the right to vote on account of race in order to be released from coverage; and (2) the time period during which changes in voting laws must be precleared with the Federal Government. Title II - Restates the prohibition against denying the right to vote based on race to prohibit any State from imposing voting practices "in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement" of the right to vote (thus permitting use of indirect proof in proving discrimination). Title III - Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns) the amount of interest which may be excluded from gross income. Provides an unlimited exclusion of interest income for individuals over age 65. Amends the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 to repeal the termination date for the exclusion from gross income of interest and dividend income.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Opportunity Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands within the definition of 'State' for the purposes of such Act. Title I: Research and Demonstrations - Permits the Director of the Community Services Administration to provide financial assistance through grants or contracts for research, demonstration, or pilot projects for urban and rural community development. Requires the Director, as a part of the annual report to the Congress on the activities of such office, to submit a description for each fiscal year of the current plan of activities, together with a statement indicating the time and, to the extent feasible, the manner in which the benefits of such activities and findings are expected to be realized. Requires the Director to develop and carry out pilot projects which are designed to: (1) aid low-income elderly persons to achieve greater self-sufficiency; (2) focus upon the problems of rural poverty; (3) develop new techniques and community-based efforts to prevent narcotics addiction or to rehabilitate narcotics addicts; (4) encourage the participation of private organizations other than nonprofit organizations, in programs under such Act; or (5) strengthen and maintain the family unit. Requires the Director to conduct research and pilot projects designed to: (1) assure a more effective use of the human and natural resources of rural America and to slow the migration from rural areas due to lack of economic opportunity; and (2) suggest new programs and policies to achieve economic development of urban and rural low-income areas in such ways as to provide opportunities for employment, ownership, and a better quality of life for low-income community residents. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such programs through fiscal year 1984. Title II: Urban and Rural Community Action Programs - Makes the strengthening and support of the low-income family unit a purpose of such Act. Terminates the "Summer Youth Recreation" program under such Act. Establishes the "Youth and family development" program which shall be designed to strengthen and maintain low-income families and assist economically disadvantaged children and youth. Makes the Northern Mariana Islands eligible for assistance under such Act for the development and implementation of community action programs. Requires the Director to reserve not more than five percent of the sums which are appropriated or allocated for assistance under such Act for allotment in accordance with such criteria and procedures as the Director may prescribe. Directs the Director to utilize the criteria of poverty used by the Bureau of the Census in compiling the 1980 decennial census for the allotment of funds under such Act. Reserves a specified amount of appropriated funds to carry out the national youth sports program. Terminates research for the development of new approaches to the problems of rural poverty. Permits financial assistance under such Act to include funds to provide reimbursement of actual expenses for attendance at meetings of any community action governing board, neighborhood council, or committee meeting. Increases, to $22,275, the amount of financial assistance that an employee engaged in carrying out community action program activities under such Act may receive per year. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out rural community action programs. Title III: Special Programs to Combat Poverty in Rural Areas - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out special programs to combat poverty in rural areas. Title IV: Assistance for Migrant and Other Seasonally Employed Farmworkers and Their Families - Requires the Director of the Community Service Administration to coordinate programs with the Office of Economic Development to assist or serve migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to provide assistance for migrant and other seasonally employed farmworkers and their families. Title V: Head Start and Follow Through - Authorizes appropriations though fiscal year 1986 to carry out the Head Start and Follow Through programs. Extends such program through June 30, 1986. Title VI: Administration and Coordination - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for the National Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity and for programs for the elderly poor. Eliminates the transfer of funds from one program or activity under such Act to any other program or activity. Prohibits the release of any funds to any agency receiving financial assistance for work training, programs to combat poverty in rural areas, employment and investment incentives, administration and coordination, or community economic development until it has submitted to the Director a statement certifying that the assisted agency and its delegate agencies have established an accounting system with internal controls. Requires the Director, within three months after the effective date of a grant to or contract of assistance with an organization, to provide for a preliminary audit survey to review and evaluate the adequacy of such accounting system and internal controls. Requires the Director, not less than every two years, to provide for an audit of each organization receiving grants or contracts of assistance under such Act. Title VII: Community Economic Development - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out community economic development programs. Terminates the requirement of a plan of action for the establishment of a Model Community Economic Development Finance Corporation. Terminates the research and demonstration projects designed to suggest new programs to achieve the purposes of such Act in such ways as to provide opportunities for employment, ownership, and a better quality of life for low-income residents. Title VIII: Native American Programs - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out Native American programs. Title IX: Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1983 for program and project evaluation. Title X: Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to make grants to local educational agencies to administer nutritional services demonstration projects for older persons. States that such projects shall: (1) provide for free lunch for older persons at schools providing such lunches to children under the National School Lunch Act; (2) encourage such persons to remain at the schools to provide counseling and supervisory assistance to the students; and (3) furnish to such persons sufficient food for an evening meal. Requires the Commissioner to submit a report to the Congress based on a study of such projects by September 30, 1983. Extends the authorization for appropriations under the Older Americans Act of 1965 to October 1, 1983.
![Official portrait of Rep. Biaggi, Mario [D-NY-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000432_200.jpg)