United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Rail Passenger Systems Act of 1981 - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to direct the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to acquire the rights-of-way necessary for the operation of high-speed rail passenger service in accordance with this Act. Directs Amtrak to establish high-speed rail passenger service on 20 specified rail corridors. Encourages the provision of such rail passenger service by Amtrak employees, with Amtrak facilities and equipment. Directs Amtrak to implement a grade-crossing separation program in cooperation with private rail carriers. Directs Amtrak to use centrally generated electrical power produced by local electric utilities whenever possible. Directs the President to appoint a Presidential Rail Corridor Development Expediter to assist Amtrak in providing rail service under this Act. Authorizes Amtrak to guarantee loans for the purposes of this Act. Deletes appropriations for payments of loan principal for fiscal year 1982. Increases the sum available for loan guarantees under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1981
Veterans' Compensation Amendments of 1981 - Title I: Veterans' Disability Compensation Benefits - Increases the rates of veterans' compensation for: (1) wartime disability compensation; (2) additional compensation for dependents; and (3) clothing allowances paid to certain disabled veterans. Title II: Survivors' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Benefits - Increases the rates of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation for: (1) a surviving spouse; (2) surviving children; and (3) supplemental children's benefits. Provides for the adjustment of such benefits when the entitlement of a child is established retroactively or a child reaches age 18. Title III: Life Insurance Program Amendments - Increases the maximum amount of insurance coverage under the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance Program. Permits a member of the Retired Reserve of a uniformed service to obtain increased coverage as specified. Increases the maximum amount of insurance coverage under the Veterans' Group Life Insurance Program. Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations for the administration of the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance Program by the Secretaries of the military departments. Permits the first beneficiary under a National Service Life Insurance policy to elect to receive payment in a lump sum. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to notify each individual insured under such policy or a United States Government Life Insurance policy of such changes and to provide forms for the election of a mode of payment. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - States that a funded personnel ceiling shall be provided to the Veterans' Administration. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify to the appropriate committees of Congress and to the Comptroller General that such ceiling has been provided. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the appropriate committees of Congress as to whether the Director has complied with such requirement. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, before reorganizing or redistributing the functions of the bureaus, agencies, offices, or activities within the Veterans' Administration, to submit to Congress for 60 days a plan describing proposed changes. Makes such plan effective if neither House of Congress adopts a resolution of disapproval. Requires a veteran to have completed at least 24 months of an obligated period of service before such veteran is eligible for benefits administered by the Veterans' Administration, including disability benefits, hospital and medical care, and burial benefits. Preserves the right of certain blind veterans being furnished hospital or nursing home care in a Veterans' Administration blind rehabilitation center or clinic to continue to receive full pensions.
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 · 15 June 1981
Amends title XVIII (Medicare ) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage of "personal emergency response services" provided by a "personal emergency monitoring agency." Defines "personal emergency response services" as the maintenance of digital electronic communication equipment in the home which signals a "personal emergency monitoring agency" for help.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Critical Industry Reindustrialization Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs income tax credit to the training of skilled labor in labor-shortage business or industry. Defines "labor-shortage business or industry" as any business or industry which either the Secretary of Defense or Labor has certified as having more available skilled jobs than available skilled workers and trainees. Provides for a credit of 50 percent of first year wages and 30 percent of second year wages paid to skilled labor workers. Makes inapplicable to skilled labor workers the restriction that only $6,000 of first and second year wages paid to new employees be taken into account for purposes of the targeted jobs credit. Makes permanent the jobs credit for skilled labor employees.
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 · 21 May 1981
Repeals title XV (National Health Planning and Development) and title XVI (Health Resources Development) of the Public Health Service Act. Stipulates that such repeals shall not affect outstanding loan obligations. Establishes Federal recovery rights on facilities receiving title XVI construction grants for 20 years.
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 · 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
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 · 7 May 1981
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Requires a principal who enters into a contract with a sales representative for the solicitation of orders for merchandise of the principal to furnish specified information to the representative, including monthly commission statements. Enumerates items to be included in any written contract between a principal and sales representative in order to conform with this Act. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals who have entered into a written contract in conformity with title I from the indemnification requirements of this title. Requires any principal to indemnify a sales representative in accordance with this title if such principal: (1) without good cause terminates a representative's assignment or reduces the geographical territory assigned to a representative; (2) reduces the rate of commission paid to a representative; or (3) reduces the number of accounts assigned within a geographical territory. Sets forth a formula for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - Permits actions to be brought in Federal district court to enforce the rights or liabilities of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Veterans' Administration and Department of Defense Medical Sharing Act - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to direct the Chief Medical Director of the Veterans' Administration and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to form an interagency committee to oversee opportunities for sharing the medical resources of the Veterans' Administration and the Department of Defense. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary to jointly establish guidelines for the sharing of medical resources by health care facilities of the Administration and the Department. Requires such guidelines to include provisions for cooperative sharing agreements with such health care facilities explicitly defining the care to be provided on a reimbursable basis. Directs the Administration and the Secretary to submit an annual joint report to Congress setting forth the guidelines prescribed, the opportunities for interagency sharing agreements, and the progress of interagency activities to share medical resources. Permits the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, upon authorization by the President, to give a higher priority to the furnishing of medical care and services to members of the armed forces on active duty during a period of war or national emergency than to all veterans but those with service-connected disabilities. Permits the Administrator to contract with private facilities for the provision of priority care. Requires the Department of Defense to reimburse the Veterans Administration for the provision of such care. Directs the Administrator, whenever priority care is authorized, to submit to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs a report of the plan for the allocation of facilities and personnel to provide such care. Directs the Administrator to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense to pursue planning activities and establish procedures and guidelines for the sharing of Veterans' Administration and armed forces facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Veterans' Health Care Act of 1981 - Extends from December 31, 1981, to September 30, 1982, the authority of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to contract for hospital care or medical services in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands without reference to patient loads or incidence of provision of medical services for veterans treated by the Veterans' Administration in the contiguous 48 states. Authorizes the Administrator to furnish hospital care or nursing home care to a veteran of the Vietnam-era determined to be in need of such care for the treatment of a condition that may be associated with exposure to Agent Orange. Extends through September 30, 1984 (three additional years) the period during which Vietnam-era veterans may initially request psychological readjustment counseling. Permits the Administrator to provide medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans in Veterans' Administration medical facilities not being utilized for the care of eligible veterans. Extends through September 30, 1986 the period during which, the President may authorize the Administrator to provide for payments for hospital care and medical services in the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center, Philippines for eligible U.S. veterans. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 to make grants to such Center for the replacement and upgrading of equipment and the rehabilitation of the facilities. Entitles the United States to recover the costs of certain medical care and services furnished to a veteran for a non-service connected disability when such disability is covered by another form of insurance or compensation. Sets forth the formula and procedure for the United States' recovery against the insurer or other entity. Subrogates the United States to the rights of such veteran. Reduces the minimum number of hospital and nursing home beds the Administrator must establish in medical facilities of the Veterans' Administration. Requires the Administrator to maintain a contingency capacity to assist the Department of Defense in time of war or national emergency. Requires the Chief Medical Director to analyze annually, rather than periodically, agencywide admissions policies and the records of eligible veterans who apply for care but are rejected or not given immediate attention. Requires the Director to review the adequacy and geographic distribution of operating beds and the demographic characteristics of the veteran population. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees. Amends the Veterans Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979 to permit the expansion of the scope of the epidemiological study of the health effects of agent orange to include an evaluation of the long term adverse health effects in humans serving in the armed forces of the United States in Vietnam during the Vietnamese conflict or other factors involved in such service, including exposure to other herbicides, chemicals, medications, or environmental hazards or conditions. Permits the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to expand the scope of the literature analysis and review to include an analysis and review of the literature covering other studies relating to the effects of such factors.
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 · 5 May 1981
Veterans' Training and Business Loan Act of 1981 - Title I: Vocational Training - Authorizes, without delimiting period, educational assistance for Vietnam-era veterans determined to be in need of vocational training. Title II: Small Business Loans - Veterans' Business Loan Act of 1981 - Permits the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to provide financial assistance to a small business concern which is at least 51 percent owned by veterans of the Vietnam era or disabled veterans. Authorizes such assistance, in the form of loan guaranties or direct loans, for financing plant construction or expansion, the acquisition of equipment or supplies, or supplying the concern with working capital. Sets forth restrictions and the liability of the Administrator in the provision of such assistance. Requires each individual with an ownership interest in such a veterans' small business concern to execute a document evidencing the loan and makes such individual jointly and severally liable to the Administrator for any amount paid by the Administrator on such loan. Requires the approval of the Administrator before the closing of the loan. Limits the terms of such loans to ten years, except for construction and certain other related loans. Grants special consideration to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Establishes in the Treasury the Veterans' Administration Business Loan Revolving Fund. Directs the Administrator to transfer any surplus funds into the general fund. Sets forth the powers of the Administrator for the administration of this program. Prohibits the commitment of assistance after September 30, 1991. Makes technical amendments. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to assist the Administrator in the establishment of the business loan program. Title III: Miscellaneous Amendments - Extends veterans' readjustment appointments in the civil service program through September 30, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Declares it to be the intent of Congress to ensure that small businesses receive at least 48 percent of any business tax reductions enacted during this session.
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 · 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 · 1 April 1981
Directs the President to award a special gold medal to Fred Waring. Stipulates that funds may not be appropriated under this Act for any period before October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, before reorganizing or redistributing the functions of the bureaus, agencies, offices, or activities within the Veterans' Administration, to submit to Congress for 60 days a plan describing proposed changes. Makes such plan effective if neither House of Congress adopts a resolution of disapproval.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
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 · 19 March 1981
Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to publish biennially the status of the existing national airport system plan to provide for the development of public-use airports in the United States. Directs that such plan shall include the type and estimated cost of eligible airport development considered by the Secretary to be necessary to provide a safe and efficient system of public use airports to anticipate and meet the needs of civil aeronautics, requirements in support of the national defense, and the needs of the Postal Service. Declares that such plan shall be known as the national plan of integrated airport systems. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to submit to the Congress, and revise and publish annually, a national airways system plan. Specifies that such plan shall set forth, for a ten-year period, the programs, facilities, and equipment considered by the Administrator to be necessary for a system of airways, air traffic services, and navigation aids which will meet the needs of: (1) civil aeronautics; (2) the national defense; and (3) air commerce safety. Sets forth additional information to be included in such plan. Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the operations of such national airways system. Directs the Department of Defense to make military airports and airport facilities available for civil use to the extent feasible. Directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress an evaluation of the military airport system and a plan to make military airports and airport facilities available for civil use to the maximum extent feasible. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for airport development and planning in the form of project grants. Sets forth the aggregate funding level for such grants for fiscal years 1981 through 1985. States that no obligation shall be incurred by the Secretary for airport development at a privately owned public-use airport unless the Secretary receives assurances that such airport will continue to function as a public-use airport during the economic life (no less than ten years) of any facility at such airport that was developed with Federal financial assistance under this Act. Authorizes appropriations out of the Trust Fund for fiscal years 1981 through 1985 for: (1) the establishment of air navigation facilities (of which not less than 20 percent of the total amount appropriated shall be for the installation of guidance and safety equipment at commercial service and reliever airports); (2) airport research, engineering, and development, and demonstration projects; (3) training of State and local government employees to carry out the purposes of this Act; (4) costs of services provided under international agreements relating to the joint financing of air navigation services; and (5) costs incurred in operating and maintaining air navigation facilities in a safe and efficient condition. Limits expenditures for such services and facilities. Prohibits appropriations from the Trust Fund to carry out programs or activities, except as specified, under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Directs that amounts authorized shall remain available in the Trust Fund until appropriated for the purposes described. States that amounts transferred to the Trust Fund by the Airport and Airway Revenue Act of 1970 may not be appropriated for administrative expenses of the Department of Transportation. Grants the Secretary the authority to obligate to an airport by grant agreement the unobligated balance of amounts that were apportioned in prior fiscal years and that remain available for approved airport development projects, in addition to amounts authorized for that fiscal year by this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit budget information or legislative recommendations to specified Congressional officials and committees whenever he submits these to the Executive Branch. Sets forth the method for apportioning the funds made available under this Act. Specifies conditions applicable to such apportionments for airports, including primary airports and primary hubs, airport system planning, and ground access projects. Directs that not less than $7,500,000 of such funds shall be distributed to reliever heliports during fiscal years 1981 through 1985, except that no heliport shall receive more than $1,000,000 of such funds during such period. Sets forth procedures for the submission of project grant airport development applications and requirements which must be satisfied for approval of such applications. Requires a sponsor of an airport project to hold public hearings where the project grant application involves the location of an airport, an airport runway, or a major runway extension. States that such a grant shall not be made unless the Governor of the State in which the project is to be located certifies in writing to the Secretary that there is a reasonable assurance that the project will be located, designed, constructed, and operated so as to comply with applicable air and water quality implementation plans. Prohibits a project for airport development involving a ground access system from being approved unless: (1) there are no unmet safety needs at the airport proposing the project; (2) such system will be used primarily by individuals traveling to or from the airport; and (3) the project will not extend more than five miles from the nearest border of airport property. Authorizes the Secretary to approve standards (other than standards for safety of approaches) established by a State for airport development at public- use airports which are not primary airports. Authorizes the Secretary, in connection with any project under this Act, to require the project sponsor to certify that all of the statutory and administrative requirements imposed by this Act will be observed. States that the United States share of allowable project costs for a project approved under this Act shall be 90 percent of its cost. Establishes lower percentages for such projects under specified circumstances. Imposes upon the Secretary, as a condition precedent to approval of an airport development project contained in a project grant application submitted under this Act, the duty to receive written assurances that: (1) such airport will be available for public use on fair, reasonable, equitable, and nondiscriminatory terms; (2) generally, no person providing aeronautical services to the public will have an exclusive right to use such airport; (3) such airport and related facilities will be suitably operated and maintained, with due regard to climatic and flood conditions; (4) the aerial approaches to such airport will be adequately cleared, protected, and hazard-free; (5) land in the immediate vicinity of such airport will be used for purposes compatible with airport operations; (6) such airport's facilities will be available for use by United States Government aircraft; (7) the airport operator or owner will furnish certain land, water, or estate therein to the Federal Government for use in connection with air traffic control, navigation, weather reporting, or communications activities related to air traffic control; (8) all project records will be kept in accordance with a standard accounting system; (9) the airport operator or owner will maintain a fee and rental structure for the facilities and services being provided to airport users which will make the airport as self-sustaining as possible; (10) such operator or owner will submit reports as requested by the Secretary; (11) the airport and all airport records will be available for the Secretary's inspection; and (12) such operator or owner who receives a grant for the purchase of land for noise compatibility purposes which is conditioned on the disposal of the acquired land at the earliest practicable time will use its best efforts to so dispose of such land. Authorizes the Secretary to relieve a project sponsor from contractual obligations entered into under this Act, the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, or the Federal Airport Act to provide free space in airport buildings to the Federal Government. Directs the Secretary, upon approving a project grant application, to transmit an offer to the sponsors thereof to make a grant for the United States share of allowable project costs. Sets forth procedures for the execution of such agreements. Directs the Secretary first to determine that the cost of an airport development or planning project is allowable before the United States pays from amounts appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining whether such costs are allowable. Authorizes the Secretary to approve, as allowable costs of an airport development project, terminal development costs in nonrevenue producing public-use areas that are directly related to the movement of passengers and baggage. Limits, under specified conditions, amounts to be obligated for project costs. Directs that the United States' share of such costs shall not exceed 50 percent. Describes project costs not allowed under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to determine, within certain parameters, the times and amounts in which payments shall be made under such agreements. States that construction work on projects funded under this Act shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Secretary and shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. States that contracts in excess of $2,000 for such construction projects shall include provisions establishing minimum rates of wages to be predetermined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act. Requires that construction contracts for airport development projects grant employment preferences to Vietnam and disabled veterans. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in the event that a public airport project will require the use of Federal lands, to request the head of the Federal agency or department controlling such lands to transfer the necessary property interest to the public agency sponsoring the project or owning or controlling the airport involved. Requires the head of such an agency or department to notify the Secretary within four months of its decision with respect to such a request. Exempts from such request lands under the administration of the National Park Service, units of the National Wildlife Refuge System or similar areas under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or within any national forest or Indian reservation. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress describing operations under this Act during the preceding fiscal year. Sets forth criminal penalties for fraudulent acts committed with regard to projects under this Act. Sets forth recordkeeping and auditing requirements with regard to projects under this Act. Directs the Secretary to take affirmative action to assure that no person shall on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex be excluded from participating in any activity conducted with funds received from any grant made under this Act. Repeals the provisions of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970. Amends the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 to authorize the Secretary to incur obligations to make grants for airport noise compatibility planning. States that all of the provisions of this Act applicable to grants made herein shall be applicable to grants made under such Act. Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act Amendments of 1976 to authorize $19,750,000 to be appropriated out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund before the date which is 180 days after the date of enactment of the International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979. Directs the Secretary to determine the need for: (1) an airborne surveillance radar system for low level air traffic control at Tyrone, Pennsylvania; and (2) an air traffic control center in the region which includes central and western Pennsylvania and New York and northern Maryland. Directs the Secretary to report such findings to Congress within six months after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to appoint a task force to study the problems of allocating the use of airport facilities and airspace. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to study and report to Congress on: (1) the effectiveness of airport emergency plans; and (2) the utility of mobile medical emergency facilities as an element of such plans. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 1983, to provide for the part-time operation of not more than 60 existing flight service stations operated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Permits the Secretary to close not more than five such stations before October 1, 1983, and to close additional stations if the service provided after such closing (provided by mechanical device or by contract with another party) is as good as or better than the service provided when the station was open.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to permit specified practitioners to register to dispense heroin for an inpatient who has been diagnosed as being terminally ill with cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Fish Restoration Act of 1981 - Title I: Fish Restoration Program - Directs that Federal moneys apportioned to a coastal State for aid in fish restoration and management be equitably allocated by such a State between marine and fresh water fish projects. Amends the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act to: (1) define the term "coastal State" for the purposes of such Act; (2) authorize appropriations in the amount equal to the revenue accruing from taxes relating to sport fishing equipment and certain recreational boats and boating equipment during fiscal year 1980 and each fiscal year thereafter; (3) increase the percentage of the annual appropriation deducted for administrative expenses; (4) eliminate the notification by a State of intent to accept such apportionment funds requirements; (5) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to finance up to 75 percent of the costs of the acquisition of lands or interests therein and the construction of structures or facilities; and (6) permit each State to utilize up to ten percent of its apportionment for an aquatic resource education program. Title II: Tax on Sale of Sport Fishing Equipment and Certain Recreational Boats and Boating Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on the sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any article of sport fishing equipment, recreational boats, and boating equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Authorizes appropriations in the amount of $1,500,000 to the city of Atlanta, Georgia, for law enforcement expenses with respect to the recent murders of children.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Small Business Direct Expensing Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to elect to treat expenditures paid or incurred by him during the taxable year (not to exceed an aggregate of $10,000, or $5,000 in the case of a married person filing a separate return) for depreciable tangible property as expenses not chargeable to capital account (thus deductible as current business expenses). Limits such treatment to property purchased after December 31, 1980, for use in a trade or business. Disqualifies property acquired from a related person or another component member of the same controlled group of companies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Extends the period during which funds appropriated for grants by the Veterans' Administration for the establishment and support of new State medical schools may be expended.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Revises the procedures of the Veterans' Administration for the construction, alteration, and acquisition of land for cemeteries, and requires Congressional oversight of any such project involving a total expenditure of more than $500,000.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Amends the Veterans' Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979 to permit the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to include in an epidemiological study of the long-term adverse health effects in humans in service in Vietnam from exposure to agent orange an evaluation of the adverse effects of other factors involved in such service, including exposure to other herbicides, chemicals, medications, or environmental hazards or conditions. Permits the inclusion of a review and analysis of the literature concerning the effects of such factors in the Administrators' review and analysis of the Agent Orange literature.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Army should construct and place in Arlington National Cemetery a plaque honoring members of the United States Armed Forces who died attempting to rescue the American hostages in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 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 extension. Makes available to the public all information obtained by the Administrator under this Act, subject to a specified exception. 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 · 24 February 1981
Requires the Federal Government and persons conducting federally assisted programs, projects, and activities to pay interest to business concerns for overdue sales and lease agreement payments not made by the thirtieth day after the bill for such payment is received. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Stipulates that overdue payments for meat, groceries, and perishables shall be determined in accordance with terms commonly offered meat, grocery, and perishable industries. Entitles the Government and such persons to early payment discounts only if payments are made within the prescribed periods.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1981
Military Casualty Medical Treatment Planning Act of 1981 - Permits the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, upon authorization by the President, to give a higher priority to the furnishing of medical care and services to members of the armed forces on active duty during a period of war or national emergency than to all veterans but those with service-connected disabilities. Permits the Administrator to contract with private facilities for the provision of priority care. Requires the Department of Defense to reimburse the Veterans' Administration for the provision of such care. Directs the Administrator, whenever priority care is authorized, to submit to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs a report of the plan for the allocation of facilities and personnel to provide such care. Directs the Administrator to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense to pursue planning activities and establish procedures and guidelines for the sharing of Veterans' Administration and armed forces facilities.
![Official portrait of Rep. Boner, William H. [D-TN-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000615_200.jpg)