United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Designates that section of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway within the State of Maryland as the Gladys Noon Spellman Parkway. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the State of Maryland, to erect an appropriate marker commemorating the contributions of Gladys Noon Spellman. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1981
Amends the patent law to set forth a Federal policy concerning non-Federal employee inventions. Renders unenforceable a preinvention assignment agreement to inventions other than an employment invention. Entitles an employer to a nontransferable nonexclusive license to practice any invention made with a substantial use of that employer's time or resources. Exempts inventions conceived after termination of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Prompt Payment Act of 1981 - Requires Federal agencies to pay interest on overdue payments to businesses for property or services. Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prescribe required payment dates. Specifies the procedures for computing such interest. Requires an agency to pay any interest charges out of funds made available for administration of its programs. Authorizes Federal grant recipients to provide for the payment of interest on overdue payments on their procurement contracts. Directs each agency to report to OMB annually on interest payments made during the fiscal year. Requires OMB to report to specified congressional committees on agency compliance with this Act. Requires the Director of OMB to delegate responsibility for OMB functions under this Act to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which provide incentives for energy conservation and development of renewable energy sources should not be repealed or amended to reduce such incentives.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1981
Extends to 60 days the period for which Government employees who were evacuated from Iran in fiscal year 1979 may be reimbursed for subsistence expenses incurred while occupying temporary quarters.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay specified sums to seven named individuals in full satisfaction of a claim against the United States for payment of the unpaid balance of the retired pay due their deceased father.
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 · 15 July 1981
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit certain credit transactions for the acquisition of securities of United States corporations by either United States or non-United States persons where such a transaction is financed by either United States or non-United States lenders if such a transaction is or could be prohibited if it has been made or has otherwise occurred in a lender's office or other place of business in a State. Permits the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to exempt any class of persons from the application of such regulation. Sets forth the private right of action for violations of such margin requirements. Applies the provisions of this Act to any purchase or carrying of securities on or after July 16, 1981, if the loan or extension of credit involved originated, or if the loan proceeds used to purchase or carry such securities were disbursed, on or after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1981
American Shrimp Industry Development Act - Title I: Shrimp Harvesters Cooperative Associations - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make loans to assist: (1) certain shrimp cooperatives in carrying out marketing activities and in constructing or acquiring physical facilities necessary for their operations; and (2) certain shrimp harvesters who are members of a shrimp cooperative in consolidating debts incurred by purchasing or refitting fishing vessels. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving fund to be available for making such loans. Directs the Secretary to deposit in the fund payments of interest and principal received from such loans. Authorizes appropriations to the fund for each fiscal year after fiscal year 1981. Makes the Act authorizing associations of producers of aquatic products applicable to shrimp cooperatives if shrimp harvesters control a specified percent of the business of the association. Title II: Tariff and Quota Provisions Affecting Shrimp - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to impose a tariff on imported shrimp. Imposes a quota on imported shrimp for calendar years 1982-1986. Sets forth a procedure by which the Secretary may increase the quota of imported shrimp during any such year. Title III: Establishment of Regional Boards for Research on, and Promotion of, the Shrimp Fisheries - Directs the Secretary to identify the resident shrimp harvesters of each shrimp producing region and to conduct a referendum among the harvesters regarding the establishment of a Regional Shrimp Board for their shrimp producing region. Provides for the establishment and consolidation of Regional Shrimp Boards. Sets forth the functions and powers of Regional Shrimp Boards including the duty to implement plans for the promotion, marketing and research of shrimp. Title IV: Reporting and Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to require shrimp harvesters, shrimp cooperatives, and other persons involved in the shrimp industry in the United States to report certain statistics. Provides for: (1) prescribing regulations necessary for collecting statistics; (2) maintaining the confidentiality of statistics submitted to the Secretary; and (3) imposing civil penalties for violation of statistics regulations. Directs the Secretary to establish a system for reporting shrimp import statistics. Directs the Secretary to award a fisheries research and development project grant for establishing and operating a project which utilizes an associated fishery or for carrying out a project to improve fuel efficiency in shrimp fishery harvesting if the application is made during fiscal year 1982, 1983, or 1984, and if the applicant and the proposed project meet certain requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out projects which do not meet such requirements through the national fisheries research and development program.
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 · 17 June 1981
Amends the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 to renew the authority of the Office of Management and Budget to exempt individual transactions and programs from the requirements of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that termination by a State of a social security coverage agreement for State and local employees with respect to any coverage group shall not apply to members of such group who want to continue such coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Legal Services Corporation Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to increase the State advisory councils from nine to ten members. Requires that each council include two eligible clients and two members of the general public from the State. Directs the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to notify the appropriate advisory council of the initiation of any project, including any grant or contract, at least 60 days prior to its approval. Directs the Board of Directors of the LSC to issue enforcement regulations which includes provisions for the immediate suspension of financial assistance. Stipulates that an entity shall receive, pending a refunding application, interim funding which is sufficient to allow continuation of existing representation (instead of funding which is necessary to maintain current levels of activities). Applies the current prohibition, with criminal penalties, against lobbying with appropriated funds to all LSC officers and employees. Includes additional restrictions against use of Corporation funds for lobbying purposes. Deletes the current exception permitting use of funds for such purposes when a government body is considering a measure directly affecting the activities of the Corporation or a recipient. Prohibits class action suits against the Federal, State, or local governments except in accordance with Board policies or regulations. Makes the Corporation liable for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs in any case in which the court finds that the action had no reasonable basis in law or fact. Requires legal services attorneys to attempt to negotiate a settlement before filing suit, except where the local program director determines that immediate action is required to protect the interests of a client. Directs the Corporation to make available substantial amounts of funds for provision of legal assistance by private attorneys. Requires the Corporation to insure that any recipient receiving an award of attorneys' fees transfers such fees to the Corporation. Revises an existing restriction on political activities to stipulate that no funding may be used to disseminate information about political activities, including labor activities, picketing, and demonstrations. Revises the current restriction on legal assistance with respect to abortion to prohibit any such assistance unless abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother (current law prohibits assistance for procuring a "nontherapeutic" abortion). Adds new prohibitions against the use of funds for: (1) legal assistance on behalf of any illegal alien; and (2) legal assistance for adjudicating the legalization of homosexuality. Requires each recipient to maintain documentation: (1) demonstrating the eligibility of each person to whom legal assistance is provided; and (2) of any activity involving an enumerated duty of the Corporation or funding restriction. Directs the Corporation to review such documentation to assure compliance. Authorizes appropriations for the Corporation in the reduced amounts of $260,000,000 for FY 1982 and $260,000,000 for FY 1983. Decreases from ten to seven percent of appropriated funds the ceiling on funding for research, technical assistance, and information services.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) temporarily suspend the airman certificate of anyone indicted for a violation of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act if operation of an aircraft is an element of the offense charged; and (2) revoke the airman certificate of anyone convicted of a violation of such Act if operation of an aircraft is an element of the offense for which the holder was convicted. Sets forth criminal penalties for the use or sale of fraudulent certificates with the intent or knowledge that such certificates will be used in connection with a violation of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. Provides criminal penalties for any person who: (1) while navigating an aircraft, knowingly and willfully violates such Act; and (2) is the owner of an aircraft and knowingly allows any person to use such aircraft in violation of such Act. Requires that such penalties shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other penalty imposed under such Act.
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
Reorganization Act of 1981 - Extends the authority of the President to reorganize the Executive branch. Lengthens the period during which the President may amend or withdraw a reorganization plan submitted to Congress, and the period by which the Committee on Government Operations of the House or the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate must report a resolution approving the plan or be discharged from consideration thereof. Directs the President to include, with each reorganization plan transmitted to Congress, a draft of any Executive order, Presidential directive, or other administrative action required in such reorganization. States that a reorganization plan may not rename an existing Executive department or create an independent agency. Revises the procedure for the Congressional veto of a reorganization plan. Declares that such a plan shall be effective if: (1) each House of Congress adopts a resolution approving the plan within 90 days of continuous session of Congress after the plan is transmitted to Congress; or (2) upon the expiration of such period, unless either House has rejected such a resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Equity Act - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan which provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount which would have been made under the survivor's annuity if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment, decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the zero bracket amount; (2) lower the tax rate; (3) decrease withholding requirements; and (4) increase minimum filing requirements for heads of households. Entitles former spouses of members of the uniformed services, civil service employees and members of Congress who were married to such a member or employee for at least ten years during creditable service to an annuity based upon a portion of such member's or employee's retired or retainer pay period. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan of the uniformed services to make former spouses eligible for annuities under such plan. Provides for survivor's annuities for surviving former spouses of civil service spouses or members of Congress. Provides that the election of a member of the uniformed services, civil service employee or member of Congress not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse and any former spouse of such member or employee consents in writing to such an election. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to employers of displaced homemakers. Title II: Day Care Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment from 20 percent of the cost of such services to 50 percent of the cost reduced by one percent for each $1,000 amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000. Makes such credit refundable. Increases the dollar limit for such credit from $2,000 to $2,400 (from $4,000 to $4,800 for two or more dependents). Allows such credit for certain services performed outside the taxpayer's household. Establishes a minimum income for individuals engaged in business on a substantially full time basis to be used in the computation of the earned income limitation on the amount of such credit. Includes as a tax-exempt organization any organization which provides non-residential dependent care services to the general public for purposes of enabling individuals to be gainfully employed. Title III: Armed Forces - Revises the rules for the distribution of the property of deceased members of the Air Force and Army by removing any gender distinctions from such rules. Establishes a distribution formula based on six classes: (1) beneficiary named in a will; (2) surviving spouse; (3) children; (4) parents; (5) siblings; and (6) next of kin. Eliminates sexual distinctions with regard to promotion procedures and procedures to remove reserve officers from active duty status in the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve. Requires the Secretary of Defense to make an annual report to the Congress concerning the status of women in the armed forces. Title IV: Estate Tax on Agricultural Property and Farm Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified credit against the estate and gift tax from $47,000 to $192,800 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases the minimum gross estate requirement for filing a return from $175,000 to $600,000. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special valuation of certain farms based on use if they materially participated in the operation of such farm for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the reduction of the value of qualified real property permitted by the special use valuation. Provides that the interest rate on extended payments of estate taxes shall be the lower of 6 percent or 75 percent of the prime rate. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to remove the preference to married persons in receiving farm improvement loans. Title V: NonDiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority which has received notice of a complaint fails to act within 60 days or with respect to those authorities not having insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title VI: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the head of each executive agency to conduct a review of all rules, regulations and policies of the agency which result in different treatment based on gender. Directs each agency to report annually to the Congress on such review. Provides that such report shall include proposals to eliminate any resultant sex-based discrimination. Requires that all rules, regulations, documents and other writings of executive agencies shall use words that are neutral as to gender unless it is impracticable to do so or the subject matter specifically applies only to one sex. Title VII: Study of Enforcement of Alimony and Child Support Payments - Directs the Attorney General to undertake a study of the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the enforcement of delinquent payments of alimony, child support, and property settlement orders against an absent spouse or parent. Requires the Attorney General to submit to the President and the Congress not later than one year after enactment of this Act a report of such study together with recommendations for appropriate legislation. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 to the General Services Administration for: (1) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; and (2) providing funds to Federal, State, and local agencies and to nonprofit organizations for the collecting, preserving, and publishing of historically significant documents.
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 · 26 March 1981
Establishes a Special Joint Committee on the Centennial of the Birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Directs that such committee shall be composed of sixteen Members of the Congress. Directs that such committee shall prepare an overall program for nationwide observances and make comprehensive plans for commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, including a joint session of Congress to be held on January 29, 1982. Provides that the expenses of such committee shall not exceed a specified amount to be paid from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives. Directs that upon termination of the committee one-half of its expenses shall be paid by transfer from the contingent fund of the Senate to the contingent fund of the House of Representatives. Provides that such committee shall terminate not later than April 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit any foreign government from suing for damages for an injury caused by a violation of United States antitrust laws unless: (1) similar conduct was a violation of the laws of the foreign government during the same period and such laws were enforced; and (2) the United States may recover damages for a similar injury to its business or property under the laws of the foreign government. Limits the amount that a foreign government may recover to actual damages and the cost of the suit.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Debt Collection Act of 1981 - Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to permit Federal agencies to disclose specified information concerning an individual to a consumer reporting agency. Authorizes a Federal agency attempting to collect an overdue claim of the United States to notify a consumer reporting agency that a person is responsible for such claim if: (1) the agency sends a written notice informing the person that a consumer reporting agency will be contacted within 60 days, describing the information to be disclosed, and explaining the person's rights of administrative appeal and right of a full explanation of the claim; (2) the person has not agreed to repay the claim or filed for review of the claim; (3) the agency has established procedures for updating and verifying information about the claim; and (4) the agency has reviewed the claim, if requested, and provided for the reconsideration of the decision upon review. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish regulations requiring each agency with outstanding debts to submit annual reports on the amount and number of such debts, the interest charged on such debts, the cost to the agency of collecting debts, and other information on the agency's debt collection activities. Requires the Director to report annually to Congress on the management of agency debt collection activities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit individual taxpayers who are participants in tax-qualified employer pension plans to make tax deductible contributions to individual retirement plans.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Amends the Economy Act of 1932 to authorize any executive or independent agency to order from another agency any service or material which such other agency can obtain by contract. (Currently, only five agencies have such authority.) Authorizes agencies to use any public contracting procedure when procuring material or service at a lower cost from a private agency. (Currently competitive bidding is required.)
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Authorizes the reprinting of the report entitled "International Information Flow: Forging a New Framework" for the use of the Committee on Government Operations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Inspector General Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to establish an Office of Inspector General in the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Treasury and in the Agency for International Development (AID). Transfers to such Offices the functions of specified existing audit and investigation offices of such Departments and Agency. Authorizes the Inspector General of the Department of Defense to use part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus to conduct an audit or investigation. Requires the Inspector General for AID, as requested by the Director of the United States International Development Cooperation Agency (IDCA), to direct all audit, investigative, and security activities of IDCA.
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 · 19 February 1981
International Communications Reorganization Act of 1981 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President for five years the Council on International Communications and Information (Council). Directs the Council to: (1) review any action or proposed action under specified Executive Orders; (2) coordinate the policies and activities of Federal agencies involving international communications and information; and (3) review all policy determinations and proposed policy statements by such agencies relating to international communications and information, except actions or determinations made pursuant to specified rulemaking or adjudicatory procedures. Sets forth the powers of the Council. Directs all Federal agencies to provide the Council with information it deems necessary to perform its functions. Prohibits any agency from acting with respect to international communications or information without prior review by the Council unless such action is made pursuant to specified rulemaking or adjudicatory procedures. Directs the Council to establish an Advisory Committee on International Communications (Committee). Establishes an interagency committee to advise the Council on problems encountered by Federal agencies in the performance of responsibilities related to international communications and information. Permits the disclosure of confidential information where the recipient has been sufficiently informed of the confidential nature of the information submitted to the Council, the Committee, or the interagency committee: (1) to designated U.S. officers and employees; (2) to an appropriate Congressional committee; (3) to the Committee; or (4) pursuant to court order. Directs the Council to report to specified Congressional committees with respect to: (1) the Council's plans for fulfilling its responsibilities under this Act; and (2) legislative or administrative recommendations to further the establishment of a comprehensive international communications and information policy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Patent Term Restoration Act of 1981 - Amends the patent law to extend the terms of patents which encompass specified products or a method for using a product any of which are subject to certain nonpatent regulatory review periods. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such extension, including a seven year limitation. Directs the Commissioner of Patents to issue to the owner of record of a patent a certificate of extension stating the fact and length of the extension and identifying the product and the use and the claim to which such extension is applicable. Makes such certificate a part of the original patent. Limits the application of such patent term extension to patents for products subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Act of March 4, 1913 (relating to virus, serum, toxin, and analogous products).
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Authorizes expenditures for investigations and studies to be conducted by the Committee on Government Operations, including: (1) employment of personnel; (2) procurement of consultant services; and (3) specialized training of its professional staff. Prohibits the committee from expending such funds in connection with any study or investigation being conducted by any other House committee.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Petroleum Displacement Act of 1981 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in electric powerplants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas or both: (1) as a primary energy source in electric powerplants where coal or alternate fuel capability exists; and (2) in excess of a minimal amount in an electric powerplant in which it is feasible to use a mixture of petroleum or natural gas or an alternate fuel as a primary energy source.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1981
Federal Managers' Accountability Act of 1981 - Amends the Accounting and Auditing Act of 1950 to require the head of each Executive agency to prepare and transmit to the President an annual report on the adequacy of their systems of internal accounting and administrative control. Requires the report to include detailed plans for correcting any inadequacy. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to establish guidelines for evaluating such systems. Requires the establishment of internal accounting and administrative controls to prevent waste or misuse of agency funds or property and to assure the accountability of assets. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to require the President to include in the information transmitted to Congress with the annual budget a statement on: (1) the original amount of appropriations requested by the Office of Inspector General of each agency; and (2) the changes made in such request prior to submission to the Director of OMB and Congress. Requires the head of each agency to certify that requests for appropriations are based on an accounting system that has been approved by the Comptroller General.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Reduces from 60 to 55 the age at which a member of the armed forces may retire from nonregular service. Requires the retirement pay of such member to be reduced by the Secretary of Defense.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase by $500 the amount per academic year of any basic educational grant to any individual who, on or after October 1, 1981, enlists in, reenlists in, extends an enlistment in, or is originally appointed to a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer a refundable income tax credit for payment of compensation to an employee for periods during which such employee participates in Armed Forces summer camp training. Limits the amount of such credit to the amount which such employee would normally be paid for employment during such period, reduced by the amount of military pay which the employee receives at summer camp. Denies any tax credit for amounts which an employer pays as vacation or holiday pay.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1981
Commends former President Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State Edmund Muskie, and former Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher for their success in securing the release of the American hostages held in Iran. Conveys appreciation to the Algerian negotiators for the role they played in resolving the hostage crises. Pays tribute to the eight servicemen killed in the April 1980 effort to rescue the American hostages. Commends President Reagan for designating former President Carter to officially greet the freed hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the phased reduction of the rate of the percentage depletion allowance for independent oil and gas producers and royalty owners (reduced to 15 percent by 1984) and to retain the 22 percent rate for taxable years ending after 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1981
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit certain credit transactions for the acquisition of securities of United States corporations by either United States or non-United States persons where such a transaction is financed by either United States or non-United States lenders if: (1) such a transaction is or would be prohibited if it had been made or had otherwise occurred in a lender's office or other place of business in the United States; and (2) a statement is required to be filed under such Act in connection with the acquisition or carrying of such securities. Applies the provisions of this Act to any purchase or carrying of securities on or after January 27, 1981, if the loan or extension of credit involved originated, or if the loan proceeds used to purchase or carry such securities were disbursed, on or after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1981
Amends the Clayton Act to permit any person liable for damages for price-fixing to seek contribution from co- conspirators for the share of such damages attributable to their sales or purchases of goods and services. Declares that a settlement with one conspirator shall not release any co-conspirator from liability unless its terms expressly so provide. Specifies the effect to be given such a release by the courts. States that such a settlement will relieve a person from liability for contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1981
Debt Collection Act of 1981 - Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to permit a Federal agency to disclose individual records to a consumer reporting agency. Authorizes a Federal agency attempting to collect a claim under the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 to notify a consumer reporting agency that a person is responsible for a claim if: (1) the agency has sent a written notice informing the person that a consumer reporting agency will be contacted, describing the information to be disclosed, and explaining the person's right to dispute the agency's claim; (2) the person has not agreed to repay the claim or filed for review of the claim; (3) the agency has reviewed the claim, if requested; and (4) the agency has obtained assurances that the consumer reporting agency complies with Federal laws governing the provision of consumer credit information. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish regulations requiring each agency with outstanding debts to submit annual reports on the amount and number of such debts, the interest charged on such debts, the cost to the agency of collecting debts, and other information on the agency's debt collection activities. Requires the Director to report annually to Congress on the management of agency debt collection activities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1981
Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Permits calculation of the investment tax credit for such property without regard to the useful life of the property. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year.