United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Amends the copyright law to exempt the home recording of copyrighted works on home video recorders for private home, noncommercial use from copyright infringement.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Low-Income Energy Assistance Trust Fund Act of 1981 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to make unrefunded petroleum price control overcharges available for energy assistance. Establishes in the U.S. Treasury the Energy Assistance Trust Fund which shall be available for home energy assistance, residential energy efficiency programs, and other energy programs to assist low-income energy consumers. Appropriates funds which shall be transferred at least monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the Trust Fund. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to hold the Trust Fund and report to Congress annually, starting with fiscal year 1982, on the Trust Fund's financial condition and operations for the preceding fiscal year and for the next five fiscal years. Sets forth investment requirements pertaining to the Trust Fund. Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services the Office of Energy Special Council. Transfers the Office of Special Counsel of the Department of Energy to the Energy Special Council. Requires that the Energy Special Council transmit to the President and Congress a plan for the collection of petroleum price control overcharges made in violation of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973. Requires the Comptroller General to review periodically the Energy Special Council's activities and report quarterly to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Expands the membership of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to include three elected school board officials from different States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 1981
Title I: Federal Royalties Collection - Federal Royalties and Rents Collection Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: establish a comprehensive system for accounts applicable to: (1) all mineral interests under the Secretary's jurisdiction; and (2) all revenues collected in connection with the sale or lease of such mineral interests. Requires the Secretary, upon promulgation of such system, to submit to Congress: (1) a report concerning such system; and (2) a report concerning the outstanding accounts due the United States from the sale or lease of U.S. mineral interests. Provides for an annual independent audit of Department of Interior accounts relating to the sale or lease of minerals. Makes individuals handling money in connection with a mineral sale or lease liable for negligent losses and requires such individuals to be bonded. Title II: State Collection of Federal Royalties - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 to direct the Secretary to collect all money due in connection with public land sales, rentals, interest, and penalties unless there is a State management program for the management of Federal leases. Requires 50 percent of all money collected to be paid to the State within which the leased lands or deposits are or were located, except that the rate shall be 90 percent for Alaska. Requires the Secretary, upon a State's request, to relinquish the administration of all contracts and leases issued by the Secretary within that State to the State, subject to stated requirements. Title III: Miscellaneous Amendments to the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920 - Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations applicable to lessees of oil or gas leases requiring certain: (1) recordkeeping practices; (2) accountability to the Secretary; and (3) reports to the Secretary. Sets forth provisions relating to enforcement of this Act. Title IV: Indian Access to Certain Records - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: promulgate regulations to make certain records available for mining purposes to lessees of Indian lands.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1981
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Bryan Lewis Allen, the first aviator to cross the English Channel in a self-powered plane. Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the tax deferral of amounts received under variable annuity contracts. Permits the use of an independent investment manager of such annuities. Allows the like-kind exchange of one annuity contract for another. Provides that the tax treatment of any payment made by a contract holder on or before September 25, 1981, shall be determined without regard to Revenue Ruling 81-225 (disallowing tax deferral of amounts received under certain variable annuity contracts).
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Mart Niklus; (2) urge the Soviet Union to permit Niklus to emigrate; and (3) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will consider the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law when evaluating U.S. relations with such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1981
Public Lands Conservation, Rehabilitation, and Improvement Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to establish and administer a public lands conservation, rehabilitation, and improvement program. Requires the Secretary to provide assistance to program agencies (any Federal or State agency responsible for the management of public lands) to establish and operate residential and nonresidential conservation centers to implement program projects. Describes the types of projects which will receive program preference. Limits program projects to those benefitting public lands or Indian lands, except where projects on nonpublic lands benefit associated public or Indian lands or provide significant public benefits. Sets forth requirements for establishing conservation centers and eligibility criteria for enrollees in the program. Makes persons eligible for enrollment and employment in the program if they are: (1) unemployed; (2) between the ages of 16 and 25 years; and (3) citizens, lawful permanent residents, or lawfully admitted alien parolees or refugees. Provides that in the selection of enrollees for the program, preference shall be given to economically, socially, physically, and educationally disadvantaged youth and youth residing in areas having substantial unemployment. Requires program agencies to provide services, facilities, supplies, and equipment for conservation centers as the Secretary deems necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to, or enter into agreements with, program agencies for the funding and operation of conservation centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 through 1989. Requires such appropriations to be credited from specified Treasury receipts. States that program enrollees shall not be deemed Federal employees, except as provided in specified provisions of law. Makes the Secretary responsible for the pay of enrollees and coordination of the program with related Federal, State, local, and private activities. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress, within one year of enactment of this Act, on the feasibility of allowing enrollees who have completed two years in the program an exemption from training and service under the Military Selective Service Act. Directs the Secretary to make arrangements with educational institutions for the award of academic credit to enrollees for competencies developed under this Act. Authorizes program agencies to make arrangements with such institutions for academic study by enrollees during nonworking hours. Requires program agencies to provide certification of skills acquired by program participants and to provide job guidance and placement information as may be necessary. Directs the Secretary to report to the President and Congress by March 1 of each year on the activities carried out under this Act.
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 · 26 October 1981
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a specially struck gold medal to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in recognition of the bicentennial anniversary of diplomatic and trade relations between the Netherlands and the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to coin and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Military Justice Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to state that a member of an armed force receiving a sentence from a court-martial which includes an unsuspended dismissal or bad-conduct discharge may be required to take leave pending completion of the action. Makes such leave chargeable against accrued or excess leave. Precludes the accrual or reception of pay or allowances during involuntary leave. Excludes such persons from the right to reemployment of inducted persons. Exempts such persons from the restriction on off-post civilian employment. Requires payment for leave charged as excess leave, minus earnings received during such leave, whenever such a sentence is set aside or disapproved by a Court of Military Review or the United States Court of Military Appeals. Prohibits punishment before trial without regard to the effective date of sentences. Permits the accused to be represented by more than one military counsel only as specified. Extends from 30 to 60 days the period during which an accused may petition the Court of Military Appeals for review of a decision of a Court of Military Review. Requires an application for modification or vacation of a sentence or findings in a court-martial case which has been finally reviewed, but not reviewed by a Court of Military Review, to be made within two years of sentencing.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Bankruptcy Improvements Act of 1981 - Amends title 11 of the United States Code (Bankruptcy) to establish an eligibility test for liquidation bankruptcy relief based on the individual petitioner's ability to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Permits the court to dismiss a bankruptcy case under chapter 7 (liquidation) upon the motion of any party in interest filed not later than 30 days after the meeting of creditors, and after notice and a hearing, if the debtor is ineligible for relief under such title. Requires the bankruptcy judge to preside at any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties any may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in such property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan affecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of income and expenses. Requires the debtor, if the debtor's schedule of assets and liabilities includes consumer debts which are secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Repeals the provisions concerning exempt property and makes the States responsible for establishing exemptions to bankruptcy proceedings. Makes any debt which was incurred on or within 90 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title nondischargeable. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been voided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later, by giving a written notice of rescission to the creditor. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge. Eliminates the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of filing petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified objects. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence at the time of the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of co-debtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where at least 70 percent of all allowed unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 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
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide that certain fiduciary duties under such Act shall be deemed satisfied by investments in residential housing mortgages that provide adequate security and a reasonable rate of interest. Exempts from specified prohibitions under such Act the placing, investing, or purchase of a mortgage secured by residential housing property if such investment or sale: (1) is adequately secured; (2) is made in accordance with specific provisions rearding such loans set forth in the employee benefit plan; and (3) bears a reasonable rate of interest.
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 · 23 September 1981
Rural Enterprise Zone Development Act of 1981 - Title I: Declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide financial and technical assistance and tax incentives to help restore distressed rural areas. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1961 to define "rural enterprise zone" (zone) as an area under at least one local government's jurisdiction with a population density of less than 200 people per square mile and a total population of between 5,000 and 50,000 people. Requires a local entity to submit a zone plan to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval. Authorizes the Secretary to make: (1) development facility grants; (2) vocational education and agricultural extension service center loans; and (3) industrial and commercial activity loans and loan guarantees. Limits the number of annual zone designations. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983-1984. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make technical assistance grants and provide related aid to rural enterprise zones. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983-1984. Title II: Tax Incentives for Small Businesses Located in Rural Enterprise Zones - Small Rural Business Program Tax Act of 1981 - Subtitle A: Designation of Eligible Areas and Businesses - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add a new subchapter which sets forth criteria for the designation of rural enterprise zones and defines qualified small rural businesses for purposes of providing tax incentives for such businesses. Empowers the Secretary of Agriculture to approve the designation of an area as a rural enterprise zone if a local government submits to the Secretary a plan which meets specified requirements for the establishment of such zones. Limits the number of zones which the Secretary may designate in any calendar year. Sets forth criteria relating to population, poverty, unemployment, and per capital income growth which the Secretary must consider in approving the designation of a rural enterprise zone. Defines a "qualified small rural business" (small rural business) as an actively conducted trade or business which employs individuals who perform a specified number of hours of service for the business in a rural enterprise zone. Disqualifies any business which has had gross receipts in excess of $2,000,000 for any of the three preceding taxable years. Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Qualified Small Rural Businesses - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the capital gains tax rates of small rural businesses and investors in rural enterprise zones. Exempts the capital gains of small rural businesses from the minimum tax. Excludes from gross income 50 percent of the total of small rural business income for a taxable year and interest on loans made to such businesses to finance business activity in a rural enterprise zone. Allows small rural businesses a five percent tax credit for interest paid on loans used to finance business activity in a rural enterprise zone. Allows a targeted jobs income tax credit for the hiring of employees for a small rural business. Allows a small rural businesses and their employees a refundable income tax credit for training designed to improve the technical and managerial skills of such employees. Allows a small rural business to elect to use the cash method of accounting. Authorizes accelerated depreciation for small rural business property. Increases by ten percent the investment tax credit for the rehabilitation expenditures of a small rural business.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1981
United States Olympic Development Fund Checkoff Act of 1981 - Permits taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns an election to contribute one dollar of their income tax refunds or one dollar forwarded with returns to support the fund established by this Act. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a United States Olympic Development Fund. Appropriates to the Fund an amount equivalent to the amount designated on tax returns to be available to the Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay amounts so transferred to the U.S. Olympic Committee for use in a program of expansion and improvement of amateur athletics. Sets forth reporting requirements with respect to the expenditure of such funds by the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1981
Mineral Lands Leasing Amendment of 1981 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to prohibit, for a specified period, any foreign person from acquiring more than five percent of the voting securities in a United States mineral resources corporation. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress concerning indirect foreign investment in mineral resources on U.S. lands.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1981
California Wilderness Act of 1981 - Designates as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System the following lands in the State of California: (1) the Boundary Peak Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest; (2) the Caliente Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (3) the Caples Creek Wilderness in the Eldorado National Forest; (4) the Caribou Wilderness Additions in the Lassen National Forest; (5) the Carson - Iceberg Wilderness in the Stanislaus and Toiyabe National Forests; (6) the Castle Crags Wilderness in the Shasta Trinity National Forest; (7) the Chancelulla Wilderness in the Shasta Trinity National Forest; (8) the Cinder Buttes Wilderness in the Lassen National Forest; (9) the Cucamonga Wilderness Additions in the Angeles National Forest; (10) the Deep Wells Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest; (11) the Dick Smith Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest; (12) the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in the Sierra National Forest; (13) the Domeland Wilderness Additions in the Sequoia National Forest; (14) the Emigrant Wilderness Additions in the Stanislaus National Forest; (15) the Excelsior Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest; (16) the Fish Canyon Wilderness in the Angeles National Forest; (17) the Granite Chief Wilderness in the Tahoe National Forest; (18) the Granite Peak Wilderness in the San Bernardino National Forest; (19) the Hauser Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (20) the Hoover Wilderness Additions in the Toiyabe National Forest; (21) the Ishi Wilderness in and adjacent to the Lassen National Forest; (22) the John Muir Wilderness Additions in the Inyo and Sierra National Forests; (23) the Lassen Volcanic Wilderness Additions in the Lassen National Forest; (24) the Marble Mountain Wilderness Additions in the Klamath National Forest; (25) the Minarets Wilderness Additions in the Sierra and Inyo National Forests; (26) the Mokelumne Wilderness Additions in the Eldorado, Stanislaus, and Toiyabe National Forests; (27) the Monarch Wilderness in the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests; (28) the Mt. Shasta Wilderness in the Shasta Trinity National Forest; (29) the North Fork Wilderness in the Six Rivers National Forest; (30) the Pattison Wilderness in the Shasta Trinity National Forest; (31) the Pine Creek Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (32) the Pyramid Peak Wilderness in the San Bernardino National Forest; (33) the Red Buttes Wilderness in the Klamath and Rogue River National Forests; (34) the Russian Peak Wilderness in the Klamath National Forest; (35) the San Gorgonio Wilderness Additions in the San Bernardino National Forest; (36) the San Jacinto Wilderness Additions in the San Bernardino National Forest; (37) the San Joaquin Wilderness in the Sierra and Inyo National Forests and the Devils Postpile National Monument; (38) the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (39) the San Rafael Wilderness Additions in the Los Padres National Forest; (40) the Santa Rosa Wilderness in the San Bernardino National Forest; (41) the Scodies Wilderness in and adjacent to the Sequoia National Forest; (42) the Sheep Mountain Wilderness in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests; (43) the Sill Hill Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (44) the Siskiyou Wilderness in the Six Rivers, Klamath, and Siskiyou National Forests; (45) the Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest; (46) the South Sierra Wilderness in the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests; (47) the South Warner Wilderness Additions in the Modoc National Forest; (48) the Thousand Lakes Wilderness Additions in the Lassen National Forest; (49) the Timbered Crater Wilderness in and adjacent to the Lassen National Forest; (50) the Trinity Alps Wilderness in and adjacent to the Klamath, Shasta Trinity, and Six Rivers National Forests; (51) the Ventana Wilderness Additions in the Los Padres National Forest; and (52) the Yolla - Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness Additions in and adjacent to the Six Rivers and Mendocino National Forests. Abolishes the previous classifications of the High Sierra Primitive Area, the Emigrant Basin Primitive Area, and the Salmon - Trinity Alps Primitive Area. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review and report to the President on the suitability for preservation as wilderness of the Monache Wilderness Study Area in the Sequoia National Forest and the North Mountain Planning Area in the Stanislaus National Forest. Requires the Secretary to maintain their presently existing wilderness character. Requires that timber volumes within the North Mountain Planning Area be included in the base used to determine potential yield for the Stanislaus National Forest. Directs the Secretary to acquire any privately owned lands within the Trinity Alps, Granite Chief, Castle Crags, and Mount Shasta Wilderness areas designated by this Act. Adds the following lands to the National Park System: (1) the North Mountain Addition in the Stanislaus National Forest (to be incorporated into Yosemite National Park); (2) the Mt. Raymond Addition in the Sierra National Forest (to be incorporated into Yosemite National Park); and (3) the Jennie Lakes Addition in the Sequoia National Forest (to be incorporated into Kings Canyon National Park). Requires the Secretary of the Interior to study, and make recommendations to the Congress on, the possible designation of such lands as national park wilderness. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior specified land in the Stanislaus National Forest for administration as part of Yosemite National Park. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture specified land in the Sierra National Forest. Designates the following lands as wilderness: (1) the Yosemite Wilderness in Yosemite National Park; and (2) the Sequoia - Kings Canyon Wilderness in the Sequoia - Kings Canyon National Park. Requires the lands which have been added to the National Park System by this Act and which represent potential wilderness additions to be designated wilderness upon notice that all uses thereon prohibited by the Wilderness Act have ceased. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review and report to the President on the suitability for preservation as wilderness of the Eightmile and Blue Creek Planning Areas in the Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests and the Orleans Mountain Planning Area in the Six Rivers National Forest. Requires the Secretary to conduct a special study on the suitability of the Ski Study Area in the Orleans Mountain Planning Area for an alpine ski facility. Directs the Secretary to maintain the presently existing wilderness character of such planning areas. Requires that timber volumes within such planning areas be included in the base used to determine potential yield for the national forests concerned. Subjects certain mining activities within the North Fork Smith roadless area only to Federal laws and regulations for national forest lands designated as nonwilderness. Requires that the Dillon Creek Further Planning Area in the Klamath National Forest be considered for all uses during the preparation of a forest plan for such forest. Prohibits activities which may reduce the wilderness potential of such land during such time. Requires the designation of such planning area for the use recommended to Congress unless Congress enacts legislation to the contrary within a specified time.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1981
Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to lease lands containing oil shale deposits. Permits such leases to exceed 5,120 acres of land if necessary to permit long-term commercial operations. Increases the number of leases which may be held to two in any State and four nationwide. Permits the acquisition of one additional lease in a State by a lessee who has achieved commercial production in both existing leases and is within ten years of exhausting the reserves on one of the leases. Authorizes the unlimited issuance of leases to avoid bypassing small acreages of oil shale resources which otherwise could not be mined economically. Authorizes the Secretary to lease additional lands required in support of operations necessary for the recovery of oil shale. Includes within such operations the disposal of oil shale waste and the building of facilities; but excludes the removal of any mineral deposits. Authorizes the Secretary to issue leases for additional lands after considering the need for such lands, the environmental impact, and determining that the public interest will be served. States that a lease shall include lands the Secretary determines are necessary to achieve the purposes for which the lease is issued and shall contain provisions needed to protect environmental and other resource values. Sets forth guidelines for other lease provisions, including rent and duration.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1981
California Wilderness Act of 1981 - Designates as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System the following lands in the State of California: (1) the Boundary Peak Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest; (2) the Caliente Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (3) the Caples Creek Wilderness in the Eldorado National Forest; (4) the Caribou Wilderness Additions in the Lassen National Forest; (5) the Carson - Iceberg Wilderness in the Stanislaus and Toiyabe National Forests; (6) the Castle Crags Wilderness in the Shasta Trinity National Forest; (7) the Chancelulla Wilderness in the Shasta Trinity National Forest; (8) the Cinder Buttes Wilderness in the Lassen National Forest; (9) the Cucamonga Wilderness Additions in the Angeles National Forest; (10) the Deep Wells Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest; (11) the Dick Smith Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest; (12) the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in the Sierra National Forest; (13) the Domeland Wilderness Additions in the Sequoia National Forest; (14) the Emigrant Wilderness Additions in the Stanislaus National Forest; (15) the Excelsior Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest; (16) the Fish Canyon Wilderness in the Angeles National Forest; (17) the Granite Chief Wilderness in the Tahoe National Forest; (18) the Granite Peak Wilderness in the San Bernardino National Forest; (19) the Hauser Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (20) the Hoover Wilderness Additions in the Toiyabe National Forest; (21) the Ishi Wilderness in and adjacent to the Lassen National Forest; (22) the John Muir Wilderness Additions in the Inyo and Sierra National Forests; (23) the Lassen Volcanic Wilderness Additions in the Lassen National Forest; (24) the Marble Mountain Wilderness Additions in the Klamath National Forest; (25) the Minarets Wilderness Additions in the Sierra and Inyo National Forests; (26) the Mokelumne Wilderness Additions in the Eldorado, Stanislaus, and Toiyabe National Forests; (27) the Monarch Wilderness in the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests; (28) the Mt. Shasta Wilderness in the Shasta Trinity National Forest; (29) the North Fork Wilderness in the Six Rivers National Forest; (30) the Pattison Wilderness in the Shasta Trinity National Forest; (31) the Pine Creek Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (32) the Pyramid Peak Wilderness in the San Bernardino National Forest; (33) the Red Buttes Wilderness in the Klamath and Rogue River National Forests; (34) the Russian Peak Wilderness in the Klamath National Forest; (35) the San Gorgonio Wilderness Additions in the San Bernardino National Forest; (36) the San Jacinto Wilderness Additions in the San Bernardino National Forest; (37) the San Joaquin Wilderness in the Sierra and Inyo National Forests and the Devils Postpile National Monument; (38) the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (39) the San Rafael Wilderness Additions in the Los Padres National Forest; (40) the Santa Rosa Wilderness in the San Bernardino National Forest; (41) the Scodies Wilderness in and adjacent to the Sequoia National Forest; (42) the Sheep Mountain Wilderness in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests; (43) the Sill Hill Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest; (44) the Siskiyou Wilderness in the Six Rivers, Klamath, and Siskiyou National Forests; (45) the Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest; (46) the South Sierra Wilderness in the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests; (47) the South Warner Wilderness Additions in the Modoc National Forest; (48) the Thousand Lakes Wilderness Additions in the Lassen National Forest; (49) the Timbered Crater Wilderness in and adjacent to the Lassen National Forest; (50) the Trinity Alps Wilderness in and adjacent to the Klamath, Shasta Trinity, and Six Rivers National Forests; (51) the Ventana Wilderness Additions in the Los Padres National Forest; and (52) the Yolla - Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness Additions in and adjacent to the Six Rivers and Mendocino National Forests. Abolishes the previous classifications of the High Sierra Primitive Area, the Emigrant Basin Primitive Area, and the Salmon - Trinity Alps Primitive Area. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review and report to the President on the suitability for preservation as wilderness of the Monache Wilderness Study Area in the Sequoia National Forest and the North Mountain Planning Area in the Stanislaus National Forest. Requires the Secretary to maintain their presently existing wilderness character. Requires that timber volumes within the North Mountain Planning Area be included in the base used to determine potential yield for the Stanislaus National Forest. Directs the Secretary to acquire any privately owned lands within the Trinity Alps, Granite Chief, Castle Crags, and Mount Shasta Wilderness areas designated by this Act. Adds the following lands to the National Park System: (1) the North Mountain Addition in the Stanislaus National Forest (to be incorporated in Yosemite National Park); (2) the Mt. Raymond Addition in the Sierra National Forest (to be incorporated in Yosemite National Park); and (3) the Jennie Lakes Addition in the Sequoia National Forest (to be incorporated in Kings Canyon National Park). Requires the Secretary of the Interior to study, and make recommendations to the Congress on, the possible designation of such lands as national park wilderness. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior specified land in the Stanislaus National Forest for administration as part of Yosemite National Park. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture specified land in the Sierra National Forest. Designates the following lands as wilderness: (1) the Yosemite Wilderness in Yosemite National Park; and (2) the Sequoia - Kings Canyon Wilderness in the Sequoia - Kings Canyon National Park. Requires the lands which have been added to the National Park System by this Act and which represent potential wilderness additions to be designated wilderness upon notice that all uses thereon prohibited by the Wilderness Act have ceased. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review and report to the President on the suitability for preservation as wilderness of the Eightmile and Blue Creek Planning Areas in the Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests and the Orleans Mountain Planning Area in the Six Rivers National Forest. Requires the Secretary to conduct a special study on the suitability of the Ski Study Area in the Orleans Mountain Planning Area for an alpine ski facility. Directs the Secretary to maintain the presently existing wilderness character of such planning areas. Requires that timber volumes within such planning areas be included in the base used to determine potential yield for the national forests concerned. Subjects certain mining activities within the North Fork Smith roadless area only to Federal laws and regulations for national forest lands designated as nonwilderness. Exempts the second roadless area review and evaluation program (RARE II) final environmental statement from judicial review with respect to national forest system lands in California. Provides that, upon enactment of this Act, the injunction issued in State of California versus Bergland shall no longer be in force. States that the RARE II is, for purposes of the initial land management plans required by Federal law for national forest lands, an adequate consideration of the suitability of such lands for wilderness designation, and the wilderness option need not be reviewed prior to revision of the initial plans or to the completion date of the initial planning cycle. Provides that areas reviewed in the RARE II and not designated as wilderness by this Act or remaining in further planning need not be protected for wilderness designation pending such revision. Prohibits any further roadless area review and evaluation of national forest system lands in California without express Congressional authorization. Requires that the Dillon Creek Further Planning Area in the Klamath National Forest be considered for all uses during the preparation of a forest plan for such forest. Prohibits activities which may reduce the wilderness potential of such land during such time. Requires the designation of such planning area for the use recommended to Congress unless Congress enacts legislation to the contrary within a specified time.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Amends the Mineral Land Leasing Act of 1920 and the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to expand the application of such Acts to include gilsonite and all vein-type solid hydrocarbons. Provides that acreage in special tar sand areas shall not be chargeable against State acreage limitations applicable to oil and gas lease holders. Defines a special tar sand area as an area designated by the Secretary of the Interior as containing substantial deposits of tar sand. Provides that oil and gas lands within a special tar sand area shall be leased by competitive bidding in units of not more than 5,120 acres. Provides that competitive leases in special tar sand areas shall be for a primary term of ten years. Directs the Secretary to review, prior to the commencement of commercial operations, the royalty rates established in each combined hydrocarbon lease issued in special tar sand areas. Permits the owner of: (1) an oil and gas lease issued prior to the enactment of the Combined Hydrocarbon Leasing Act of 1981; or (2) a valid claim to any hydrocarbon resources leasable under the Act based on a mineral location made prior to January 21, 1926, and located within a special tar sand area to convert such lease or claim to a combined hydrocarbon lease for a primary term of ten years. Provides that nothing in this Act shall: (1) affect the existing tax status applicable to production from tar sand; or (2) apply to national parks, national monuments, or other lands where mineral leasing is prohibited. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to apply this Act to any unit of the national park system where mineral leasing is permitted, upon a finding that there will be no resulting significant adverse impacts on such unit or on other contiguous units.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1981
Amends the copyright law to eliminate the pre- July 1, 1982, restriction on the application of the manufacturing requirements to nondramatic literary material.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Deauthorizes the following navigation and/or flood control projects: (1) Illinois Waterway, Illinois and Indiana, navigation project; (2) Big Blue River, Wabash River Basin, Indiana, flood control project; (3) Norfolk Harbor and Thimble Shoal Channel, Virginia, (4) Cascadia Dam and Reservoir, Oregon; (5) South Plymouth and Genegantslet Reservoirs, New York, flood control projects; (6) West Oneonta Lake, Davenport Center Lake, and Copes Corner Lake, New York; (7) Chester River, Pennsylvania, improvements; (8) Connecticut River, Connecticut; (9) Sixes Bridge Dam and Lake, Maryland; (10) Salt Creek Lake, Ohio; (11) Lincoln Dam and Reservoir, Illinois; (12) Helm Lake, Illinois; (13) Coney Island Creek, New York; (14) Lafayette Lake Dam and Reservoir, Indiana; and (15) Elk Creek Lake, Oregon. Prohibits the authorization of Federal funds for planning or implementation of the Northfield Mountain or Miller's River Basin water supply projects, Massachusetts.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for amounts paid or incurred in maintaining a household for a dependent of the taxpayer who has attained the age of sixty-five. Limits the deduction to $1,500.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a $7,500 exclusion from gross income for any amount received as an annuity, pension, or other retirement benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from investigating or taking any action concerning any State regulated profession until Congress enacts legislation which expressly provides that the Commission has authority over professions and that the Commission's authority preempts State authority. Vacates any such action taken during the period beginning on May 28, 1981, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Amends the Shipping Act, 1916, to redefine the term "common carrier by water in foreign commerce" to include persons engaged as common carriers in specified ocean transportation of property who: (1) advertise, solicit, or arrange, within the United States, for such transportation; or (2) issue or deliver ocean or through intermodal bills of lading or other contracts of affreightment for such transportation. Directs such common carriers by water to file with the Federal Maritime Commission within 90 days of enactment of this Act: (1) their tariffs; and (2) a designation of agent and principal place of business within the United States. Sets forth the effective dates of such tariffs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to grant tax-exempt status to mutual deposit guaranty funds organized after September 1, 1957, and before January 1, 1963.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Recognizes the Pause for the Pledge as part of National Flag Day and encourages all Americans to participate in National Flag Day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on June 14, 1981. Directs Congress to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Star-Spangled Flag House in Baltimore, Maryland.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Armed Forces Pay Act of 1981 - Increases the pay of members of the uniformed services for fiscal year 1982 by 14.3 percent. Permits the President to allocate the percentage increase as specified. Permits an unserved period of an enlistment to be considered as part of an immediately subsequent term of reenlistment for bonus purposes. Increases the amount of bonus and eliminates the four year total service requirement for persons who possess a skill designated as critical enlisting or extending their service in an armed force. Permits the payment of special pay for the performance of unusually hazardous duty or duty performed under unusually severe working conditions. Permits the President to suspend such pay in time of war. Permits the payment of special pay to an officer of an armed force who has been certified by the Secretary concerned as having the technical qualifications for detail to engineering or scientific duty. Sets forth the terms and conditions for receiving such pay. Permits the reimbursement of subsistence expenses incurred by a member of a uniformed service and the member's dependents during a period of up to four days while occupying temporary quarters incident to a change of permanent station. Permits the advance payment of departure, dependent transportation, and dislocation allowances. Authorizes a member of a uniformed service who is denied leave between two tours of duty overseas because of military necessity to use travel and transportation allowances from his current duty station at the first time the member is granted leave. Permits the payment of allowances to a member of a uniformed service and authorized dependents serving at a specifically designated duty station abroad for transportation to another location abroad having different social, climatic, or environmental conditions than those at the duty station, or to the United States. Permits the payment of roundtrip transportation expenses for a member stationed overseas and authorized dependents incident to emergency leave granted for reasons of personal emergency. Permits the payment of travel and transportation allowances to a member of a uniformed service performing temporary duty away from his permanent duty station to return to such station or another location. Entitles members of the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program to an initial uniform allowance. Permits members of such program to be advanced up to one month's pay upon reporting for active duty.
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
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located; and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Expresses the disapproval of Congress of the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of five airborne warning and control aircraft (AWACS) and conformal fuel tanks and air-to-air missiles for F-15 aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Amends the Mineral Land Leasing Act of 1920 and the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to expand the application of such Acts to include gilsonite and all vein-type solid hydrocarbons. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a lower aggregate acreage limitation for oil and gas leases in designated tar sand areas. Increases the size of units which may be leased within producing oil or gas fields if such fields are in designated tar sand areas. Directs the Secretary, under specified conditions, to extend a lease for not less than five years beyond its primary term in designated tar sand areas. Directs the Secretary to review, prior to the commencement of commercial operations, the royalty rates in each combined hydrocarbon lease issued in designated tar sand areas. Entitles the owner of an oil and gas lease issued prior to the date of enactment of the Combined Hydrocarbon Leasing Act of 1980 to convert such lease to a combined hydrocarbon lease for a primary term of five years. Authorizes the Secretary to permit the horizontal segregation of a combined hydrocarbon lease.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to lease lands containing oil shale deposits. Permits such leases to exceed 5,120 acres of land if necessary to permit long-term commercial operations. Revises guidelines pertaining to the number of leases which may be issued to any one person, association, or corporation. Authorizes holders of oil shale leases to acquire additional leases for purposes, other than the removal of mineral deposits, connected with the development of an oil shale operation. Establishes guidelines for other lease provisions including environmental considerations, rent, and duration.
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.