United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, at the request of the Governor of a State affected by the interstate management plan developed under the Chesapeake Bay program, to make a grant to implement management mechanisms in the plan if the State has, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, approved and committed to implement all or substantially all aspects of the plan. Limits such grants to 55 percent of the plan implementation costs in any year and requires State expenditure of non-Federal funds to cover at least 45 percent of such costs during such fiscal year. Directs the Administrator to continue the Chesapeake Bay program for: (1) assessing the relationship between point and nonpoint source pollution and the impact of such pollution on water quality; and (2) research on the impact of pollutant loadings, particularly nutrients, on bay fisheries resources (with special attention to be given to the striped bass). Directs the Administrator to immediately begin to: (1) assess the principal factors having an adverse effect on the environmental quality of Narragansett Bay, as perceived by both scientists and users; and (2) direct and coordinate, subsequent to a review of presently ongoing research, research and abatement programs that will most efficiently address those factors. Directs the Administrator to: (1) analyze all environmental sampling data presently being collected on Narragansett Bay and undertake methods of improving such data collection; (2) establish a continuing capacity for collecting, storing, analyzing, and disseminating such data; (3) institute a sampling program where present programs are deficient; and (4) determine what units of government have management responsibility for the environmental quality of the bay and how such responsibility can be structured to improve coordination among units of government, research and educational institutions, and concerned groups and individuals. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 through 1987 to carry out Chesapeake and Narragansett Bays programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Cooperative State Forestry Research and Extension Amendments of 1983 - States the purpose of this Act to be to increase forest productivity and enhance the forest environment through expanded research and technology conducted at forestry schools and State universities. Includes the following among the Secretary of Agriculture's duties: (1) coordination of Federal and State forestry research and extension activities; (2) establishment of review procedures to ensure such cooperation; and (3) an annual report to the President and to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the goals and programs set forth under this Act. Amends the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962 to authorize FY 1985 through 1989 appropriations for forestry research at State land-grant colleges and universities, other eligible forestry schools, and State agricultural experiment stations. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a National Cooperative Forestry Research Council. States that the chairman of the Council shall be the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Science and Education. Requires such council to include: 1) representation on a regional basis; and (2) members from forestry schools, industry, government, and public interest groups. Requires an annual report to the Secretary on the status of regional and national forest planning. Authorizes appropriations beginning with FY 1984 for doctorate forestry programs. Requires the Secretary to establish a peer review system to evaluate proposed grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make graduate forestry research grants to certain private universities and institutes. Authorizes appropriations beginning with FY 1984. Amends the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 to authorize FY 1985 through 1989 appropriations for the national renewable resources extension program. Requires certain privately-held forest lands to be considered in developing a State's renewable resources extension program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Milk Producers Equity Act of 1983 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982, to eliminate the 50-cent milk producer assessments. Sets milk support levels at $13.10 per hundredweight. Provides that if quarterly Government milk and milk product purchases fall below four percent of commercial marketings the level shall be based on a sliding scale of between 90 percent and 60 percent of parity. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish individual production levels based on previous production. Prohibits transfers of such levels except to family members. Terminates such levels for nonproduction in two consecutive years. Requires the Secretary to establish a production reduction factor equal to the percentage of Government purchases to total commercial marketing. Makes an individual's production goal equal to his production level minus the reduction factor. Provides bonus payments for voluntary underproduction, and assessments for overproduction.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Urges the United States and the Soviet Union to begin talks aimed at creating a jointly administered United States-Soviet student exchange program. Sets forth certain aspects of such exchange program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for mandatory coverage of ministers and members of religious orders under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program unless: (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that such service is not performed in the employ of another person and so certifies to the Secretary of the Treasury; (2) such a minister or member has elected to be subject to the old age, survivors and disability insurance tax and the hospital insurance tax on self-employment income; or (3) such a minister or member has filed an application for tax-exempt status with a statement that he or she is conscientiously or religiously opposed to the acceptance of any public insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1983
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1970 to revise and increase the mandatory penalties for using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony. Extends the scope of such offense to include using or carrying any deadly or dangerous weapon (current law is limited to firearms). Redefines such offense as using such a weapon to commit a felony over which the district courts have exclusive jurisdiction or carrying a weapon during such a felony involving violence. Deletes the requirement that the firearm be carried "illegally". Revises the additional penalty imposed for such offense to one to five years' imprisonment for a first offense (currently, one to ten years), five to ten years for a second offense (currently, two to 25 years for a second or subsequent offense), and life imprisonment for a third offense. Extends to first offenders the requirement, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence, grant probation, or impose concurrent sentences. Prohibits the granting of parole to any offender. Expresses the sense of Congress that the executive prosecute vigorously such offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should reduce imports of apparel to no more than 25 percent of the American apparel market.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions which terminate the income tax exclusion for amounts received by an employee under an educational assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Mortgage Retirement Account Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers an election to treat home mortgage prepayments as a tax-deductible contribution to an individual retirement account. Allows amounts to be withdrawn from an individual retirement account for the purchase of a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to exempt segments of the Interstate Highway System from the requirement that commercial motor vehicle combinations consisting of a truck tractor and two trailing units (double bottom trucks) be allowed to operate on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and designated Federal- aid Primary System highways.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a taxpayer whose spouse earns less than $250 of compensation shall not be disqualified from having a spousal individual retirement account.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Requests the President to grant posthumous citizenship to William Penn, founder of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Hannah Callowhill Penn.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
National Public Works Corporation Act - Amends title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to name such title "Public Works Corporation". Establishes the National Public Works Corporation. Provides for the Board of Directors and the officers and employees of such Corporation. States the powers of such Corporation. Requires the principal office of the Corporation to be in the District of Columbia. Provides for the borrowing authority, capitalization and reserve fund of the Corporation. Authorizes appropriations for the capitalization of the Corporation for the fiscal years following September 30, 1983. Authorizes States electing to participate in the Corporation to make certain contributions to the Corporation. States the maximum amount of contributions any one State may make to the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to make loans to participating States and to units of local governments within participating States for projects for the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of public facilities in accordance with this Act. Prohibits such loan from being used for payment of the non-Federal share of the cost of Federal projects. States the maximum amount of outstanding loans authorized for such projects. Prohibits the Corporation from making a loan for a project for a public facility unless the Corporation determines that such facility, upon completion, will generate sufficient fees to repay the principal and interest on such loans and create a sufficient reserve for the operation and maintenance of the project, including replacement costs over the useful life of such project. Requires applicants for such loans to demonstrate to the Corporation that such applicant has legal authority to assess and collect such fees and that such fees will provide sufficient revenues to meet the conditions for making such loans. States additional conditions and requirements for such loans. Requires the Governor of a State to submit applications for public facility project loans for such State or State agency or instrumentaltiy. Requires the responsible official of a unit of local government to submit applications for public facility project loans for such unit or agencies thereof. Prohibits the Corporation from approving local government project loans unless the Governor of the appropriate State certifies approval of the application. Prohibits any Governor from submitting or approving loan applications for more than the maximum amount allowable to any one State. Requires such Governors to ensure a proper distribution of available loan funds in a State between urban and rural areas according to a certain allocation formula. Requires the Corporation to require all contracts made with such loan proceeds to be awarded on the basis of competitive bidding. Requires the Corporation to conduct necessary audits to enforce this Act. States procedures to be followed if the Corporation determines that insufficient fees are being collected. Authorizes appropriations to the Corporation for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1983, in order to reduce interest rates paid by borrowers under this Act. Declares that the Corporation, its assets, and certain property shall be exempt from State, local, or Federal taxes, except for certain real property and tangible personal property. States that any obligations issued by the Corporation shall be taxed as to principal and interest to the same extent as the obligations of private corporations. Requires the General Accounting Office to audit the financial transactions of the Corporation. Sets forth procedures to be followed in the event of a default on any loan made under this Act. Requires the Corporation to submit an annual report to Congress and the President after each fiscal year on the status of the Corporation and its reserve fund. Requires such report to include a description of the projects for which loans were made during the preceding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
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, dealer, or importer of firearms a person who manufactures or deals in 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. Requires such transfer to be face to face. Presumes a licensee to have actual knowledge of the published laws of the State. 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. Declares that a licensed dealer's personal collection of firearms shall not be subject to recordkeeping requirements, under specific circumstances. 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. Allows the government to voluntarily dismiss criminal charges prior to trial and still proceed with revocation. Imposes as a condition for the inspection or examination of records, documents, firearms, or ammunition that the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that evidence may be found on the premises. Requires a warrant to be issued for such search. 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 requirement, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence or grant probation. Prohibits the granting of parole to first and subsequent offenders. Declares that no person shall be subject to the additional, mandatory penalties if use of the firearm or destructive device was to protect persons or property. Amends the forfeiture provision to subject to seizure any firearm or ammunition "involved in or used" in any violation of the Gun Control 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. Imposes on the applicant the burden of proof. 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). 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. Declares 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 · 24 March 1983
National Park System Protection and Resources Management Act of 1983 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) collect, analyze, and document data on the factors which degrade or threaten to degrade the natural and cultural resources of the national park system; and (2) transmit to Congress a biennial State of the Parks report. Provides that such report shall include: (1) a description of the condition of each national park unit's natural and cultural resources, of the factors which damage or threaten such resources, and of the ongoing and planned mitigation actions and their results; (2) a description of the systemwide efforts to address the resource protection requirements listed above; (3) a discussion of systemwide resource protection and management policies for natural and cultural park resources; (4) a discussion of the adequacy of congressional appropriations in addressing protection and resource management programs; and (5) a discussion of funding needs to implement such policies and measures. Requires the National Park Service to solicit public involvement in the preparation of such report. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees an annual report on the 50 most critical natural and the 50 most critical cultural resource problems within the national park system. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for development of a plan for the National Park Service to conduct natural and cultural resources inventories and research on the problems and solutions with respect to national parks. Requires the plan to be submitted to the Secretary and the appropriate congressional committees. Requires that resource management plans for each national park unit be prepared and updated continually. Provides that general management plans for each park unit shall be based upon the park's resource management plan. Directs the Secretary to review and revise the current land classification system for the preservation and use of national park system lands. Requires the development of a new classification for maximum resource protection for sensitive ecosystems and cultural resources of special research value. Requires that those park units designated as biosphere reserves or world heritage sites receive priority consideration for monitoring and resource protection efforts. Expresses the sense of Congress that park and legislative officials establish ways to ensure the protection of international parks designated as biosphere reserves. Permits the Secretary to exercise the authority to issue leases within a national park unit, permit the use or development of such an area, or dispose of lands and waters within such an area only if the exercise of such authority will not have a significant adverse effect on the park unit. Restricts the Secretary's authority to act in areas adjacent to national park units in the same way, unless any significant adverse effects on the national parks are less important than the public interest value of a proposed action. Requires Federal agencies conducting activities within, or adjacent to, any national park unit to insure, to the extent practicable, that such activities will not significantly degrade the natural or cultural resources of the park unit. Provides for notification of the Secretary by a Federal agency if a proposed agency action may degrade or threaten the natural or cultural resources of a national park unit. Requires the Secretary to respond in writing on the foreseeable impact on park resources of a proposed agency action and to recommend any changes in such action needed to avoid adverse effects on park resources. Authorizes the Secretary to request information regarding a proposed agency action where the agency fails to notify the Secretary and the Secretary determines that such action may threaten park resources. Requires the Secretary to consider any adopted city, county, State, or Federal development plan during the deliberations on a proposed agency action. Requires the Secretary to hold a public hearing: (1) if requested by the affected government unit; and (2) if the Secretary's response to the proposed action is to be negative. Requires the proposing Federal agency to comply fully with the Secretary's recommendations in all cases where the proposed agency action would occur upon Federal lands or waters within the boundaries of a national park unit. Permits the proposing Federal agency to proceed with its action after consideration of the Secretary's recommendations in cases where the proposed action would occur on non-Federal lands within the boundaries of a national park unit, if the public interest in the proposed action is greater than the public interest in avoiding the adverse effects on the park resources involved. Provides that when the proposed agency action would involve areas adjacent to a national park boundary, the Federal agency must consider the Secretary's recommendations and must notify the Secretary of its decision to proceed. Sets forth notification requirements when proposed agency action differs from the Secretary's recommendation. Requires proposing agencies to notify specified congressional committees. Requires the Secretary to publish notices of proposed Federal actions and responses in the Federal Register. Exempts emergency, disaster, and national security actions from this Act. Requires actions under this Act to be brought in the U.S. district court in the district in which the national park unit involved is located. Provides for the Secretary to cooperate with, and provide technical assistance to, governmental and other entities to protect national park system resources. Requires the superintendent of each park unit to work with governmental and other entities which influence or control lands, resources, and activities within or adjacent to the park unit to develop a mutually compatible land use plan for the general area. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to local governments for park resource protection and for the development of such plan. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986 for such grant. Provides that such cooperative efforts shall be initiated in at least two park units for each administrative region, as well as in all biosphere reserves and world heritage sites, within one year after enactment of this Act. Requires that such efforts be initiated within two years after enactment of this Act in all national park units. Requires that each park unit or regional office have on its staff a person to coordinate the activities required by this Act. Directs the Secretary to initiate a training program for park personnel in the principles and techniques necessary to carry out the requirements of this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish a public information program to inform park visitors and the public of the need to protect park resources. Directs the Secretary to assure that the National Park Service includes adequate numbers and distribution of professional and scientific personnel to provide for park resource protection and management. Requires that general management plans for each national park unit be updated at least every ten years. Requires the Director of the National Park Service to assist potential donors of property located adjacent to or within national park units in satisfying the requirements under the Internal Revenue Code relating to charitable contributions. Provides that if provisions of this Act conflict with provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the provisions of such Act shall prevail. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Emergency Vietnam Veterans' Jobs Training Act of 1983 - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to establish an on-the-job training program for Vietnam-era and disabled veterans. Requires that such program be carried out through payments to employers who employ such veterans in jobs that involve significant training of employees. Requires an eligible veteran to have been unemployed for at least 15 of the last 20 weeks before applying for participation. Establishes maximum periods of assisted training: 12 months for a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or more, six months for any other veterans. Requires employers to provide approved training for at least six months. Permits an approved veteran to select an approved program of job training with any for-profit private employer which hires the veteran into the regular work force with the expectation of permanent employment after the training ends. Directs the Administrator to make payments to such employers, not exceeding 50 percent of the wages paid to the training veteran. Sets forth the requirements an employer's training program must fulfill, including a certification that the wages and benefits paid to a participating veteran are equivalent to those paid to other employees participating in a similar program of training, and that there is a reasonable certainty that a position of that type will be available to such veteran upon completion. Prohibits the Administrator from approving programs involving seasonal or temporary jobs or industries in which a substantial number of experienced workers are unemployed. Prohibits the Administrator from making payments when the conduct or progress of the veteran is unsatisfactory due to circumstances within the employer's control. Authorizes the Administrator to disapprove further participation by eligible veterans in any previously approved program failing to meet the requirements of this Act. Permits veterans otherwise eligible for this program to pursue, instead, a full-time vocational training program at an approved educational institution. Sets forth the conditions of such training. Directs the Administrator to provide an outreach and public information program to inform both eligible veterans and employers about this program. Directs the Administrator to establish procedures and obtain the assistance of disabled veterans outreach program specialists and personnel in regional offices of the Veterans Administration. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide for the participation of eligible veterans in training programs under this Act and under the Jobs Training Partnership Act. Requires the Secretary to make special efforts to inform eligible veterans of training opportunities. Requires both the Secretary and the Administrator to provide employment counseling services to any eligible veteran who requests them. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985. Terminates this program after 15 months for the initial application period and after 27 months for the payment of assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from restricting the hours of operation or reducing the operating power of any AM broadcast station if: (1) such restriction or reduction would prevent the station from operating at full daytime power from two hours before sunrise until two hours after sunset; and (2) operation during such period would not interfere with the protected signal of an existing station. Prohibits the Commission from denying an application for a license to operate a new AM station or an application to expand the hours of operation of an existing station solely on the grounds that: (1) the area has adequate broadcasting service; or (2) an FM channel is available for the area. Prohibits the Commission from placing an applicant for a station license or construction permit at a disadvantage because that applicant is licensed to operate a station with restricted hours in the area if such applicant certifies that it will relinquish the restricted license if its application is approved. Exempts any application to alter the hours of operation of a standard broadcast station from public notice and comment requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Broadcast Licensing, Renewal, and Deregulation Act of 1983 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish new procedures for reviewing petitions to deny broadcast license applications. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant a license renewal application by a radio or television broadcast station licensee unless the actions of the licensee evidences such serious disregard for the Communications Act and for the rules and policies of the FCC that denial of the application is justified. Prohibits the FCC from considering the applications of other persons for a broadcast station's facilities when the FCC is acting upon a license renewal application by a radio or television broadcast station. Permits persons holding construction permits or station licenses to transfer the permit or license without first obtaining an FCC finding that the transfer serves the public interest. Requires the FCC to be notified of such transfer. Provides for public notice of the transfer. Provides for disposition by the FCC of objections to such transfer. Prohibits the FCC from considering whether the public interest would be served by the transfer of the permit or license involved to a different person. Repeals certain provisions relating to the application of the antitrust laws. Prohibits the FCC from imposing requirements on radio or television licensees relating to: (1) programs; (2) programming formats; (3) ascertainment; (4) commercialization; and (5) maintenance of program logs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to increase the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for FY 1984. Decreases the maximum amount of grant money allotted for a fiscal year to States for low-income home energy assistance which a State may request to be held available for the next fiscal year. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect home energy and home energy assistance data on a State-by-State basis. Requires the Secretary to submit the annual report on such data required under such Act no later than September 30 of each calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the family planning program under title X of the Public Health Service Act should be administered in the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that certain museums and organizations which operate a library shall be treated as public charities for income tax purposes (taxpayers may deduct contributions to public charities up to 50 percent of their adjusted gross income).
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1983, to postpone from July 1, 1983, to February 1, 1984, the effective date for denial of Federal educational assistance to students who failed to comply with the registration requirements of the Military Selective Service Act. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct an ongoing study and report to Congress by March 1, 1985, on the effectiveness of enforcing the registration requirement through student assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Scientific Research Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit certain scientific and educational organizations to issue tax-exempt (interest excluded from gross income) bonds to finance scientific facilities and equipment for the benefit of an institution of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
States that the Government should restore balance to the Department of Energy's FY 1984 budget by maintaining funding for energy conservation, solar and renewable energy, and weatherization programs and by distributing information on conservation and renewable and solar energy.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Urges the President and the Secretary of Defense to act expeditiously to carry out the National Cemeteries Act of 1973 by arranging for the burial of the remains of an unknown soldier of the Vietnam era in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow married individuals to compute the amount of their income tax deduction for contributions to retirement savings accounts on the basis of the earned income of their spouses. Treats alimony payments as compensation for purposes of this deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1983
Private Pension Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of any such participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount that would have been provided 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. Requires a retirement plan to treat an individual who was the spouse of the participant on the annuity starting date and who survives the participant as if such individual were the spouse of the participant on the date of death of the participant whether or not divorced after the annuity starting date. 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.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that no changes will be enacted in the guaranteed student loan program which would be effective for the academic year 1983-1984.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that provisions of the Internal Revenue Code requiring cost-of-living adjustments for income tax rates should not be repealed and that the effective date of such provisions should not be postponed.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1983
Economic Equity Act of 1983 - 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. Treats alimony as compensation for purposes of determining an individual's income tax deduction for retirement savings. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that 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 that would have been provided 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. Requires a retirement plan to treat an individual who was the spouse of the participant on the annuity starting date and who survives the participant as if such individual were the spouse of the participant on the date of death of the participant whether or not divorced after the annuity starting date. 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. Entitles former spouses of civil service employees or Members of Congress, who were married to an employee or Member for at least ten years during creditable service, to an annuity based upon a portion of retired or retainer pay unless otherwise provided by a spousal agreement or a state court decree of divorce or annulment. Entitles former spouses to survivor's benefits under the civil service plan unless the former spouse remarries before becoming 60 years of age or the employee or Member and former spouse elect to waive such benefit. Requires that such waiver be jointly made in writing. Includes displaced homemakers as a targeted group for purposes of the targeted jobs tax credit. Defines "displaced homemaker" as a person who: (1) has not worked, except in the home, for a substantial number of years; (2) has been dependent on public assistance or on the income of a family member but is no longer supported by that income; and (3) is a member of an economically disadvantaged family and is experiencing difficulty obtaining or upgrading employment. Increases the zero bracket amount for heads of households from $2,300 to $3,400. Title II: Dependent Care Program - Increases the income tax credit for household and dependent care services from a maximum of 30 percent of amounts paid to a maximum of 50 percent of amounts paid. Reduces such percentage to a minimum of 20 percent based on the taxpayer's adjusted gross income. Makes such income tax credit refundable. Treats as tax-exempt organizations certain organizations which provide nonresidential dependent care to the general public. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the Commissioner of the Administration of Children, Youth, and Families) to establish a grant program to assist nonprofit organizations in the establishment or operation of community-based child care information. Title III: Nondiscrimination in Insurance - Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act of 1983 - 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: (1) has received notice of a complaint and fails to act within 60 days; or (2) has no 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 IV: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the head of each Federal agency to: (1) conduct an ongoing review of the rules, regulations, programs, and policies of the agency to identify any which result in different treatment based on sex; and (2) submit annually a report to the Congress on such review. Sets forth rules of statutory construction relating to gender. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Amends the Social Security Act to specify that the purpose of the child support enforcement program is to assure compliance with obligations to pay child support to each child in the United States living with one parent. Allows offsets of income tax refunds of an absent parent on behalf of children not receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Present law permits such offsets only in the case of children receiving AFDC payments.) Requires States to establish a child support clearinghouse through which child support payments can be paid, recorded, and forwarded. Revises State child support enforcement procedures. Allows allotments for child and spousal support to be taken from the pay of Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1983
Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 to provide that provisions of such Act shall not apply to: (1) any surface sand, gravel, stone, or clay mine; or (2) any surface structure or road, if constructed by employees not engaged in mining.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1983
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of Labor to certify certain groups of workers as eligible for trade adjustment assistance upon a determination that: (1) increased imports "contributed importantly to" (currently, substantially caused) worker separations and sales or production reductions; or (2) a significant number of workers of a firm have been or are in danger of total or partial separation due to the relocation of such firm to a foreign country or instrumentality. Makes changes in the qualifying requirement for adjustment assistance for workers. Directs the Secretary of Labor to approve job training assistance for workers adversely affected by imports. (Currently the Secretary is authorized to approve such training.) Directs the Secretary to pay a daily supplemental assistance benefit to any worker who begins approved job training after enactment of this Act and who is not eligible for trade adjustment allowances. Increases the maximum job search and relocation allowances to $800. Establishes an Adjustment Assistance Trust Fund in the Treasury. Authorizes appropriations to the Trust Fund, payable out of the general fund of the Treasury attributable to the collection of customs duties, to carry out provisions for adjustment assistance for workers. Extends adjustment assistance for workers and firms until September 30, 1985. Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to amend the definition of "suitable work" for a worker who would be eligible for a trade readjustment allowance if the worker were not eligible for extended compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1983
Federal Lending Oversight and Control Act - Title I: Reports Regarding Federal Credit Activity - Requires the Council of Economic Advisers, in its annual report to the Congress as required by the Employment Act of 1946, to examine the relationship between Federal credit activity during the previous year and: (1) the condition of the economy; (2) the availability and cost of credit in the private sector; and (3) the exercise of monetary and fiscal policy by the Government. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in their biannual reports to Congress concerning recent developments affecting economic trends in the Nation, to examine the effects of Federal credit activity on the availability and cost of credit in the private sector and on the exercise of monetary policy by the Board and the Federal Open Market Committee. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to require the President, in his annual budget statement to the Congress, to include all essential facts regarding direct lending by the Government and guarantees by the Government of the repayment of indebtedness incurred by another person or government. Title II: Changes in Congressional Budget Procedures - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the first concurrent resolution on the budget for each fiscal year to set forth the appropriate level of total gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans and the appropriate level of total commitments to guarantee loans and to allocate such totals among the major functional categories of the budget. Directs each standing committee of the House and Senate to submit its estimates of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments provided for in legislation under its jurisdiction by March 15 of each year for consideration of the Budget Committee in formulating the budget resolution. Directs the House and Senate Banking Committees to submit recommendations to the Budget Committees for the aggregate levels of direct loans and loan guarantees in each fiscal year. Requires the joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the concurrent resolution on the budget to include an estimate allocation of the total levels of direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments among the committees of the House and Senate. Directs the Committees on Appropriations to provide such an allocation among their subcommittees as soon as practicable after a budget resolution has been agreed to. Requires the House Committee on Appropriations, before reporting any regular appropriations bills, to submit a summary report to the House comparing the credit authority contained in such bills to the levels agreed to in the budget resolution. Requires any report accompanying legislation conferring new budget authority or increasing tax expenditures to include information on direct loan obligations and loan guarantee commitments. Establishes a deadline for the completion of action on legislation providing credit authority. Requires the second concurrent resolution on the budget in any fiscal year and the reconciliation process to take into account Federal obligations and commitments on loans and loan guarantees. Declares out of order any measure brought up for consideration in either House which would increase the level of loan obligations and guarantee commitments agreed to in the budget process. Requires any authority to guarantee the payment of any indebtedness to be contingent on provisions in appropriation Acts. Title III: Budget Execution - Includes within the definition of appropriations all annual limitations on direct loans and loan guarantees. Title IV: Amendments to House Bills - Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each standing committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on the Budget) to review and make appropriate recommendations with respect to the consistency and uniformity of the different definitions, default provisions, policies, interest rates, and other terms and conditions relating to direct loan, loan insurance, and loan guarantee activities included in any laws of which the subject matter is within the jurisdiction of that committee. Title V: Construction and Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates of the titles of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should propose to the Soviet Union immediate adherence by both countries to a guaranteed strategic build-down of nuclear forces, subject to agreed upon procedures of verification and compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1983
Air Travelers Security Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to declare congressional policy with respect to the marketing and sale of passenger air transportation. Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to vacate Order 82-12-85, adopted on December 16, 1982, and to adopt as its final decision in docket numbered 36595 the recommended order of an administrative law judge dated June 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1983
United States Olympic Checkoff Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to designate on their income tax returns a contribution of one dollar of their income tax refunds or any cash amount voluntarily forwarded with their returns to support the U.S. Olympic Trust Fund. Establishes in the Treasury a U.S. Olympic Trust Fund (trust fund). Appropriates to such trust fund an amount equal to the amount designated on tax returns. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay amounts so transferred to the U.S. Olympic Committee. Allows specified administrative expenses to be paid from such trust fund.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1983
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to exempt entities which have received financial assistance under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 from paying annual fees for rights-of-way with respect to public lands.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1983
Establishes a Superfund Commission to examine the Superfund program under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Sets a deadline for the Commission's report to the Congress. Terminates the Commission upon submission of its report. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make available a specified amount from the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 to reimburse such Fund for amounts provided to the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1983
Domestic Commodity Distribution and Food Assistance Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to distribute surplus Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) stocks to eligible agencies (as defined in this Act). Requires the CCC to pay for commodity processing with funds or with in-kind payments to the processor. Requires the Secretary to publish an annual announcement of such anticipated surplus stocks. Provides that up to 500,000 metric tons of wheat available under the Food Security and Wheat Reserve Act of 1980 may be used for domestic purposes. Requires the CCC to use any additional reserves to replenish such stocks by September 30, 1985. Provides for State distribution of commodities under this Act. States that if a State agency cannot meet the requests for a given commodity such agency shall give special consideration to organizations that serve low-income and unemployed persons. Provides administrative money to the States to run such program. Prohibits States from charging recipient agencies for related program costs. Requires States to pay the distribution costs of organizations serving low-income and unemployed persons. Requires the Secretary and the States to work with private companies and recipient agencies to make it easier for recipients to process such commodities into end use products. Directs the Secretary to use moneys saved on storage and spoilage to process commodities into food products for agencies serving low-income and unemployed persons. Exempts such commodity distributions from specified food stamp prohibitions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the income tax credit for child care expenses from a maximum of 30 percent to a maximum of 50 percent of such expenses. Reduces such percentage by one percent for each full $1,000 by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000. Grants tax-exempt status to organizations which provide nonresidential dependent care services to the general public for purposes of enabling individuals to maintain employment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the national security policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength. Sets forth the principles and goals of such a policy.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983
Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Relief Act - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for veterans exposed to herbicides during service in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era who suffer from specified diseases which may be caused by exposure to such herbicides, developed to a ten percent degree of disability. Permits the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to determine what other diseases may be due to exposure to herbicides, chemicals, or environmental hazards. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations within one year of enactment incorporating such determinations and setting forth the standards used to reach them.
![Official portrait of Rep. Clinger, William F., Jr. [R-PA-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000523_200.jpg)