United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21 if the beverage has traveled in interstate commerce or if the sale or offer of sale is made in an establishment which is in or affects interstate commerce. Subjects violators to a maximum civil penalty of $5,000. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to assess such penalty by an order made on the record after opportunity for a hearing in accordance with specified law. Prescribes due process procedures for assessing such penalties. Authorizes the Secretary to compromise or modify such penalties. Authorizes judicial review for persons aggrieved by civil penalty assessments. Restricts petitions for such judicial review to a specified time period. Directs the Attorney General to recover penalties in arrears in a civil action in Federal district court. Authorizes citizens' civil actions to enjoin alleged violators of the alcoholic beverage proscription under this statute. Prescribes procedure and appropriate venue for such civil actions. Confers jurisdiction upon Federal district courts over such suits, without regard to amount in controversy or citizenship of the parties. Authorizes the court to award the plaintiff attorney's fees, court costs, and expert witness fees.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to the family of the late Honorable Lawrence P. McDonald in recognition of his distinguished service as a Member of Congress and the facts surrounding his untimely death. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the striking of such gold medal and authorizes the Secretary to make duplicates in bronze of such medal available for public sale. Authorizes appropriations after October 1, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Designates the week beginning February 12, 1984, as a time to recognize the contributions of volunteers who become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to single parent youths.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Davis-Bacon Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Davis-Bacon Act to increase from $2,000 to $1,000,000 the threshold dollar amount subjecting certain contracts to such Act and requiring them to specify the minimum wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish as the prevailing wage for a class of laborers or mechanics the entire range of wages being paid to a corresponding class of such workers in the particular urban or rural subdivision of the State in which the work is to be performed. Excludes from the computation of wages the basic hourly rates of pay for workers on local Federal projects. Establishes a separate classification for helpers of laborers or mechanics. Amends the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act to require certain contractors or subcontractors to furnish compliance statements concerning weekly wages at the beginning and conclusion of the period covered by the contract, instead of every week as the wages are paid.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Wine Equity Act of 1983 - Requires the President to direct the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to negotiate the harmonization of tariff and nontariff barriers on wine with each designated major trading country. Requires negotiations with designated major trading countries which do not export wine to the United States in order to eliminate all tariff and nontariff trade barriers of such countries to the importation of U.S. wine. Requires the President to impose tariff and nontariff trade barriers equal or substantially equivalent to the barriers applied by a designated major trading country if such country does not provide harmonization to U.S. produced-wine with 180 days of the country's designation as a designated major trading country. Provides for removing such U.S. tariff and nontariff barriers. Requires the USTR to report to specified congressional committees at the beginning and end of each negotiation. Requires the USTR to consult with such committees to identify further tariff and nontariff barriers to and potential markets for U.S. wine. Provides for assistance for the USTR from other Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide a mandatory additional prison term of five years for any person who carries or uses, during a commission of a felony, armor-piercing bullets. Requires the court to not suspend any sentence, grant probation or parole, or impose concurrent sentences.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for expenses incurred in the care of elderly family members. Sets such credit at 30 percent of the expenses incurred for taxpayers with incomes of $25,000 or less. Reduces the rate of such credit, but not below 20 percent, by one percent for each $2,000 of taxpayer income in excess of $25,000. Limits such credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $75,000. Imposes a maximum $7,000 limit on the amount of elderly care expenses that can be taken into account. Defines "qualified family member" as any individual who: (1) is related to the taxpayer by blood or marriage; (2) is at least 70 years of age (or diagnosed with senile dementia); and (3) has a family income of $15,000 or less. Defines "qualified elderly care expenses" as payments for: (1) home health agency services; (2) homemaker services; (3) adult day care; (4) respite care; or (5) certain health care equipment and supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Interstate Compact - Grants congressional approval to the Southeast Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, which provides for cooperation among the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia in the management of low-level radioactive waste on a continuing basis.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1983
Federal Correctional Education Assistance Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide financial assistance to the States to carry out educational programs for criminal offenders in juvenile and adult correctional institutions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986 to enable the Secretary of Education to make grants to States under this Act. Allows such appropriations to remain available until expended. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State educational agencies and grants for programs of national significance. Sets forth formulas for the allocation of funds under this Act. Prohibits the use of funds for purposes inconsistent with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. Sets forth permissible uses of grants made to States under this Act, including: (1) academic programs for basic education, special education, bilingual or bicultural study, secondary school credit, postsecondary study, fine arts, recreation and health, and curriculum development; (2) vocational training; (3) library development and services; (4) teacher training; (5) educational release programs; (6) guidance; (7) supportive services; and (8) job training. Sets forth requirements for State applications for assistance under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make, from specified reserved funds, grants to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, State correctional agencies, and other public and nonprofit organizations and institutions to meet the costs of programs of national significance which the Secretary determines give promise of improving the education of criminal offenders. Sets forth provisions for payment and withholding of funds under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1983
Establishes the Kamehameha National Monument in Hawaii. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide facilities to commemorate the historical significance of the monument. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1983
Child Protection Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code dealing with the sexual exploitation of children. Increases the penalties for the sexual exploitation of children from $10,000 to $100,000 and, on a subsequent conviction from $15,000 to $200,000. Prohibits the distribution involving the sexual exploitation of minors even if the material is not found to be "obscene." Eliminates the requirement that persons distributing such material in interstate commerce do so for purposes of sale. Raises the age of a minor to include any person under the age of eighteen. Redefines "sexually explicit conduct" to exclude simulated conduct when there is little or no possibility of harm to the minor and when there is redeeming social, literary, educational, scientific or artistic value. Permits authorization for the interception of wire or oral communications in the investigation of such offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1983
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Margaret Truman Daniel, daughter of Harry S. Truman, in recognition of the lifetime of outstanding public service he gave to the United States. Commemorates his one hundredth birthday which will be celebrated on May 8, 1984. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1983
Provides for the commemoration of the life of the late President Calvin Coolidge. Designates the week of August 1 through August 7, 1983, as the First Annual President Calvin Coolidge Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should continue to review the social security disability program in order to ensure that disability benefits are not arbitrarily terminated.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1983
Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to exempt States and political subdivisions of States from coverage under the Act. Replaces the requirement that the Secretary of Labor make inspections of surface mines at least twice a year with the requirement that the Secretary establish criteria to determine the minimum number of inspections to be made at each surface mine. Directs the Secretary to issue a notice of violation to a mine if the Secretary believes that there is a violation of any mandatory health or safety standard (currently, a citation is issued in such a situation). Directs the Secretary to issue a citation if the Secretary finds a violation that is a significant health and safety hazard (meaning, a situation reasonably likely to result in a reasonably serious injury or illness). Prohibits a penalty from being assessed if the operator has been issued a notice of violation and the operator has corrected the violation within the period permitted for its correction. Revises requirements for mandatory health and safety training. Eliminates the present requirements for refresher training and provides instead that such refresher training shall be at such intervals as the Secretary determines is necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to provide consultation and assistance to any mine operator in order to assist the operator in meeting the requirements of the Act and in improving the health and safety conditions and practices in the mine. Prohibits: (1) such consultation and assistance from being considered an inspection or investigation; and (2) the issuance of any notice of violation, citation, or order as the result of such consultation and assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1983
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that membership in a labor organization is not required as a condition of employment in Federal areas located within a State or territory (thus allowing the application of State right-to-work laws).
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1983
Government Printing Office Pay Reform Act of 1983 - Requires the pay of Government Printing Office employees to be administered under the prevailing rate system and the General Schedule. Provides that employees who, upon enactment of this Act, hold positions for which the pay rates are determined by conference with the Public Printer or by appeal to the Joint Committee on Printing, shall, with specified exceptions, continue to receive basic pay at a rate not below the rate in effect immediately before enactment of this Act, plus any increase payable under the prevailing rate system or the General Schedule. Repeals the limitation on the number of apprentices that the Public Printer may employ at one time.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an income tax deduction for charitable contributions of partial interests in property or property placed in trust where the governing instrument of the transfer is amended or conformed to meet certain requirements after the initial transfer. Allows the adjustment or exchange of an income interest or remainder interest transferred for charitable purposes where the donee receives an interest in property not less in value than that of the original transfer. Allows an estate or gift tax charitable deduction for a partial interest where the reformable interest in the charitable trust had not been corrected and there had been a termination of all intervening interests in the trust. Provides that interest on underpayment of tax will not be collected where the underpayment results from a disallowance of a charitable deduction involving a reformable partial interest. Extends until December 31, 1985, the period for filing a claim or credit for refund of overpayment of tax where the overpayment resulted from the allowance of a charitable deduction as a result of amending or conforming the transfer instrument.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1983
Credit Card Counterfeiting and Fraud Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it an offense to knowingly and unlawfully produce, buy, sell, or transfer a credit card or account which is counterfeit, forged, lost, or stolen. Makes it a federal offense to possess with the intent to defraud five or more credit cards or fraudulent payment devices. Makes it unlawful to produce, buy, sell, transfer, or possess equipment used in the production of such fraudulent payment devices. Includes within the prohibition of the Act any individual who attempts or conspires to commit any of these offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1983
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, as amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to subject imported tomatoes to the same packing restrictions that apply to domestic tomatoes.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1983
United States Caribbean Possessions Act - Title I: Eastern Caribbean Regional Development Fund - Lists countries which the President shall consider in designating beneficiary countries for purposes of this title. Prohibits the President from designating a country a beneficiary country: (1) if such country is a communist country; (2) if the country has taken certain expropriating actions against property owned by U.S. citizens; (3) if the country fails to act in good faith with respect to arbitral awards involving U.S. citizens or companies; (4) if the country affords preferential treatment to a developed country other than the United States which adversely affects U.S. commerce unless the President receives certain assurances; (5) if a government-owned entity in such country engages in the broadcast of copyrighted material belonging to U.S. copyright owners without their express consent; and (6) unless such country is party to a treaty regarding the extradition of U.S. citizens. Lists factors the President shall take into account in determining whether to designate a country a beneficiary country. Prohibits the President from terminating the designation of a country as a beneficiary country unless, at least 60 days before the termination, the President has notified the Congress and the beneficiary country of such determination. Directs the President to withdraw or suspend the designation of a country as a beneficiary country if, because of changed circumstances, the country would be barred from designation as a beneficiary country. Establishes in the Treasury the Eastern Caribbean Regional Development Fund. Appropriates to the Fund the amount of money collected from: (1) the import duties on articles entered from beneficiary countries; and (2) the taxes on rum imported into the United States from beneficiary countries. Authorizes the Administrator of the Fund to allocate and distribute the moneys in the Fund to island beneficiary countries. Sets forth the method of allocation. Title II: Tax and Tariff Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require that if the amount of taxes collected on rum imported into the United States from beneficiary countries exceeds the amount needed in the Eastern Caribbean Regional Development Fund the excess shall be covered into the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Prohibits granting duty-free treatment to bulk rum manufactured outside the United States, its territories, or possessions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1983
Expresses the support of the House of Representatives for Lebanon's and Israel's agreement on arrangements for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. Calls upon other nations to work toward the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon. Emphasizes the need of all nations to recognize the sovereignty of Lebanon. Urges Syria and the Palestine Liberation Organization to agree to the arrangements for the withdrawal of their forces from Lebanon.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1983
Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund Self-Sufficiency Act of 1983 - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (REA) to eliminate the requirement for a State certificate of convenience and necessity before the Administrator may make loans to provide rural telephone service. Revises the liabilities and uses of the Rural Electrification and Telephone Revolving Fund established under the REA to provide that notes of the Administrator to the Secretary of the Treasury to obtain funds for loans shall be equity capital of the Fund. States that assets of the Fund shall be available only for: (1) payment of interest and principal on loans to the Administrator from the Secretary of the Treasury; and (2) for certificates of beneficial ownership issued to such Secretary or in the private market. Requires the Administrator to maintain two separate accounts within the fund: (1) the Electrification Account; and (2) the Telephone Account. Lists the items that shall be accounted for in each Account respectively, and restricts the purposes for which the assets of each Account shall be available. Authorizes the Administrator to repurchase specified certificates of beneficial ownership under certain conditions affecting their interest rates. Establishes guidelines for interest-bearing insured loans made by the Administrator to electric and telephone borrowers. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to request in each annual supplemental budget estimate the amount needed to replenish the Fund for anticipated and actual costs resulting from loans made at less than a specified rate during the preceding fiscal year. Directs the Administrator to guarantee loans to specified borrowers or to accommodate or subordinate liens or mortgages held in the Fund, according to prescribed rules and regulations. Directs the Administration to promulgate such rules and regulations within 90 days after the effective date of this Act. Prescribes guidelines under which certain lenders are authorized to adjust interest rates on loans guaranteed by the Administrator. Requires rural electrification borrowers to obtain concurrent supplemental financing according to prescribed guidelines in any fiscal year in which the minimum loan level for insured rural electrification loans is less than $1,000,000,000. Repeals the loan-making authority of the Governor of the Rural Telephone Bank which require approval by the Secretary of Agriculture of facilities or lines to be acquired with such loans. Eliminates loan restrictions placed upon potential borrowers whose net worth exceed their assets by twenty percent.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1983
Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require the verification and semiannual review of the income of each family in a public housing project. (Currently, the incomes of only a random sample of families are verified and only annual income reviews are required.)
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1983
Permits the Secretary of Defense to provide air transportation to annual national meetings within the continental United States sponsored by the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia to the next of kin of persons missing in action in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era, or reported dead without repatriation of the remains.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1983
Church Audit Procedures Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restrict the Secretary of the Treasury from investigating or auditing churches unless the Secretary possesses evidence causing him to believe that a church: (1) is carrying on an unrelated trade or business; or (2) should not be granted tax-exempt status. Restricts the Secretary from beginning any investigation unless he has first provided the church with written notice that an investigation is being commenced. Sets forth the requirements of such notice. Requires that the Secretary must first approve an application by the regional counsel of the internal revenue region for examination of church records and religious activities before beginning any such examination. Requires the Secretary, prior to the approval of any such application, to offer in writing an opportunity for a conference to discuss facts, evidence, and issues relevant to the investigation. Requires the Secretary to notify the church in writing of the approval of the application for examination at least 15 days prior to the commencement of such examination. Limits the examination of religious activities to that necessary to determine whether an organization is a church or convention or association of churches. Limits the examination of church records to that necessary to determine the amount of tax imposed. Allows an organization which claims that the Secretary has violated the provisions of this Act to bring a civil action for injunctive relief against the Secretary. Reduces the statute of limitations for collection after assessment of tax to three years in the case of any organization which is a church or convention or association of churches.