The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Rep. Coughlin, Lawrence [R-PA-13]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000807_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
1,907 records where Rep. Coughlin, Lawrence [R-PA-13] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1984
Requests the President to designate the week of June 24 through June 30, 1984, as National Safety in the Workplace Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Designates the week beginning November 25, 1984, as National Home Care Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Urges the President to seek an agreement with the Soviet Union to: (1) declare a verifiable and limited moratorium on the testing in space of antisatellite weapons; and (2) resume negotiations on a verifiable ban on the testing, production, deployment, and use of any antisatellite weapon. Declares that such agreements should not restrict non-weapons operations in space, such as the U.S. space shuttle program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Urges the President to seek an agreement with the Soviet Union to: (1) declare a verifiable and limited moratorium on the testing in space of antisatellite weapons; (2) resume negotiations on a verifiable ban on the testing, production, deployment, and use of any antisatellite weapon; and (3) seek a verifiable treaty prohibiting any space-directed or space-based weapons system which is designed to cause damage on earth, in the atmosphere, or on objects placed in space. Declares that such agreements should not restrict non-weapons operations in space, such as the U.S. space shuttle program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the parties in the New Ireland Forum are to be commended for their efforts in the search for peace, justice, and reconciliation in Northern Ireland; and (2) all political parties in Northern Ireland and the British and Irish Governments should review the findings and recommendations of the Forum.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1984
National Training Incentives Act of 1984 - Title I: Withdrawals from Individual Retirement Accounts and Annuities for Job Training for Displaced Workers - Sets forth provisions for certification of an unemployed individual as a displaced worker by application of such individual to the Secretary of Labor, through the appropriate employment office. Defines "displaced worker" for purposes of this title as any individual who: (1) has, as of the date of application for certification, at least 20 quarters of coverage under title II of the Social Security Act; and (2) has, within the one-year period ending on such date, received counseling relating to seeking employment from any public employment office of any State or such other agency as the Secretary has approved under specified provisions of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA). Defines "displaced workers" also as individuals who: (1) on the date of application for certification, are receiving (or are eligible to receive) regular unemployment compensation in such State; (2) on or before such date, have exhausted all right to receive regular unemployment compensation in such State in the individual's most recent benefit year; (3) on or before such date, have become unemployed (or have received notice from their employer that their employment will be terminated within six months of such notice) as a result of the permanent closure of the plant or facility of such employer where such individuals are or were employed; or (4) as of such date, have been unemployed for six months or more and have limited opportunity for employment (for any reason, including age) within a reasonable commuting distance from their principal residence in the same or any similar trade or occupation. Permits any displaced worker to withdraw, in a specified manner, an amount not to exceed the qualified amount from any individual retirement account or any individual retirement annuity established for the benefit of such worker to pay any expenses for training in a new trade or occupation. Sets forth formulas for determination of a "qualified amount." Sets forth provisions relating to the manner of such withdrawal, including provisions for issuance of training vouchers. Prohibits depositary institutions from assessing penalties for early withdrawals for purposes of such training, but provides for adjusted rates of return on investments under certain conditions. Requires that such training in an eligible training program at a qualified institution be treated as training with the approval of the State agency for purposes of specified FUTA requirements relating to approval of State unemployment laws. Prohibits denial of any unemployment compensation payment under any Federal law solely because a displaced worker is in such training at an eligible training program at a qualified institution. Sets forth definitions of eligible training programs and training expenses. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe by regulation the application procedure and the criteria to be used in determining whether a training program is eligible; and (2) in making such determination, take into account determinations made by specified other officials and entities. Sets forth nondiscrimination provisions. Directs the Secretary to keep paperwork to the minimum necessary to administer this title and carry out the purposes of this Act. Title II: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Relating to Employee Training - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the additional tax on early withdrawals from individual retirement accounts shall not apply to specified withdrawals for training of dislocated workers. Sets forth special rules for early withdrawals from individual retirement accounts. Establishes an employee training tax credit for employers. Sets forth formulas and rules relating to such employee training credit. Title III: State Employment Service Responsibilities - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Labor for FY 1985 and succeeding fiscal years for reimbursement payments to States for certain administrative costs incurred pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate such funds among all States which meet specified criteria in order to assist each such State to administer public employment offices or such other agencies which the Secretary has approved under specified FUTA provisions. Makes any State eligible for such payments if its public employment offices (or other such agencies) provide: (1) certification for displaced workers; and (2) labor market and training information and job search services (including specified counseling) to assist displaced workers to enroll in an eligible training program and obtain employment as quickly as possible. Directs the Secretary, within one year after enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on: (1) the extent to which the nationwide computerized job bank and matching program authorized under specified provisions of the Job Training Partnership Act can be expected to increase employment opportunities in each State; (2) the estimated cost of making such nationwide computerized job bank and matching program fully operational in the manner intended under such provisions; (3) the extent to which the development of such nationwide computerized job bank and matching program will require changes in the existing employment service operations in each State; and (4) the feasibility of using nonprofit privately operated job-referral services, in areas where such services are available, for the referral of individuals to jobs in low-wage industries where little or no skill is a prerequisite for employment rather than using State employment service offices or such nationwide computerized job bank and matching program. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to require private industry councils to make available throughout the service delivery area (SDA) information concerning training programs in such SDA which have been recognized as eligible training programs under this Act. Makes special provision for dislocated workers with respect to Pell Grants. Provides that, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or any other provision of law, the determination of the amount of the expected family contribution to a student to determine the amount of a basic grant to any student who is a certified displaced worker shall be made without including in the effective family income the amount of: (1) any unemployment compensation received by the student; or (2) any distribution from an individual retirement account established to pay training expenses of such student.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1984
Military Chaplains Faith Balance Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to increase the representation of underrepresented religious faiths among armed forces chaplains.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1984
Prohibits the President from issuing a letter of offer to Jordan or Saudi Arabia for basic Stinger air defense guided missile systems. Prohibits the President, if such a sale has already been made, from making deliveries to the recipient country without specific authorization by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Fair Trade in Steel Act of 1984 - Declares that it is the policy of Congress that access to the U.S. market for foreign-produced carbon, alloy, and specialty steel mill products should be on an equitable basis to safeguard national security, insure orderly trade in steel mill products, reduce unfair trade in steel mill products, and alleviate U.S. balance-of-payments problems. Expresses the intent of Congress to: (1) expand the economic viability of the U.S. steel industry and the jobs of its workers; (2) prevent the further decline of the domestic steel industry; and (3) temper the economic hardships resulting from unemployment in steel industry communities by encouraging reinvestment in existing steelmaking facilities. Limits annual imports of specified steel mill product categories to specified percentages of the apparent domestic supply which are based on adjusted average import penetration levels for each such product category for the years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to allocate global product limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries, or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocations. Requires the Secretary to make an annual determination of the expected apparent domestic supply in each steel mill product category. Requires the Secretary to revise such determination periodically during the year. Directs the Secretary to determine, within 90 days after the effective date of this Act, whether the steel industry companies have plans to use substantially all of the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and the modernization of the steel sector. Prohibits the import restrictions from taking effect until the Secretary determines that the steel companies have such plans. Directs the Secretary to monitor steel sector investments made and announced by the steel industry and to consult with steel industry representatives and employees in the course of such monitoring. Directs the Secretary to determine annually whether steel companies are using substantially all the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Directs the Secretary to modify or suspend the relevant import restrictions if the Secretary determines that substantially less than all the cash flow from the steel sector is being used for such reinvestment and modernization and that the level of investment is not demonstrably justified by adverse financial conditions within the industry. Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) each annual determination and its rationale; and (2) the total amount of cash flow from the steel sector and the total amount used for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Requires the steel companies to provide the Secretary with the information necessary for making such determinations. Directs the Secretary to examine the supply and demand situation in the United States for a specified steel product category if requested by affected steel consumers. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor imports of fabricated steel mill products. Sets forth the method of investigating whether imports of fabricated steel products are rendering ineffective or materially interfering with the objectives of this Act. Limits the quantity of iron ore that may be entered from all sources during any calendar year after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate global iron ore limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocation. Directs the Secretary, in making such allocations, to attempt first to accommodate the requirements of individual steel mills which have been traditionally dependent on ocean sourced foreign iron ore and the requirements of contractual obligations incurred before January 1, 1984. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the import restrictions on iron ore if necessary to meet the needs of such individual steel mills. Provides for the enforcement and implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Pennsylvania Wilderness Act of 1984 - Designates certain lands in Pennsylvania as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, including Allegheny Islands Wilderness-Proposed and Hickory Creek Wilderness-Proposed. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to administer such lands in accordance with the Wilderness Act. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands or interests in lands within the Hickory Creek Wilderness, including oil, gas, mineral interests, and scenic easements. Requires the owner's consent for such acquisition. Limits the appropriation for such acquisitions to $2,000,000. Designates certain lands in the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania, as the Allegheny National Recreation Area. Identifies the lands composing such area as the Allegheny Front, Cornplanter, and Tracy Ridge, including the Allegheny Reservoir. Directs the Secretary to administer the national recreation area in accordance with the following objectives: (1) minimizing the environmental impacts of mineral exploration and development, including privately owned oil and gas; (2) maximizing recreational opportunities on the Allegheny Reservoir, including motorized and non-motorized boating; (3) protection of fish and wildlife habitat; and (4) protection of watershed and free flowing streams. Directs the Secretary to publish a management plan accompanied by an environmental impact statement for the national recreation area. Presents guidelines for the plan. Provides for public participation in preparing the comprehensive management plan. Permits hunting and fishing in accordance with Federal and State laws within the boundaries of the national recreation area. Requires the Secretary to consult with the appropriate State fish and game department before implementing any regulations. Withdraws the minerals in all Federally owned lands within the national recreation area from all forms of appropriation and disposition under either mining laws or mineral leasing laws. Requires special use permit applicants to submit a plan of operations consistent with the objectives of the national recreation area, including a reclamation plan. Directs the Secretary to file maps and legal descriptions of the wilderness and national recreation areas with specified congressional committees. States that the RARE II final environmental statement shall not be subject to judicial review concerning the national forest system lands in Pennsylvania. States that the wilderness designation under this Act is not a congressional intent to create buffer zones around such wilderness area.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Designates October 1984 as National Down's Syndrome Month.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1984
Defense Spare Parts Procurement Reform Act - Directs the head of a defense agency to establish procedures to recognize personnel efforts to increase competition and achieve cost savings in spare parts procurement. Requires each contractor supplying a military department to mark each item with: (1) the contractor's name and stock number for the item; and (2) the original manufacturer or producer if not the contractor. Requires all technical data relating to a part delivered under the contract to carry the name of the original manufacturer or producer and the stock number. Prohibits a contractor from entering into agreements with a subcontractor which restrict sales by the subcontractor directly to the United States. Limits such prohibition to contracts involving $25,000 or more. Requires that replacement parts be procured by competitive methods when possible. Directs a contracting officer to determine the availability of a part first through the supply system of the Defense Department and then under Federal supply contracts through the General Services Administration. Requires such officer to review the procurement history and description of a part. Directs the head of the contracting agency to require a bidder on a major system to specify: (1) whether the technical data provided would be with unlimited or limited rights and with a license; and (2) the cost of the United States of acquiring unlimited rights or a license. Requires that such bidders certify that items not available with unlimited rights will be developed at private expense and that the technical data is not in the public domain. Grants the United States unlimited rights in technical data delivered under contract if such data was developed wholly or in part at Government expense or is in the public domain. Establishes a second contractor review system and penalties for false statements concerning assertions that certain technical data is private. Directs a contractor to certify the completeness and accuracy of all statements concerning technical data to be or not to be provided, including opportunities and requirements for cure if such data should prove to be inaccurate or insufficient for subsequent reprocurement purposes. Directs the head of any agency to develop a plan for an accounting system to monitor access to and ownership of data which includes the possibility of a department-wide system for the retrieval of technical data. Requires the submission of such a plan to Congress. Directs the head of each such agency, within three years, to inventory the access to or the ownership of all technical data for each major system under the agency's jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary of Defense to coordinate such inventories to allow the exchange of information. Requires the head of each such agency to designate within the agency a competition advocate for the agency, and one for each procuring activity. Sets forth the functions of such advocates, including maximizing competitive opportunities during acquisition and challenging existing, inhibiting practices. Grants such advocates direct access to agency personnel. Requires each agency head to report to Congress by December 15 of each year on the management of the acquisition of replacement parts, including the activities of the competition advocates. Requires that such reports be submitted by the Secretary of Defense and break down information by the Department as a whole as well as for each of the military departments.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1984
Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to include educational institutions receiving Federal financial assistance within the prohibition against sex discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Indochina nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of captive Americans and the return of the remains of those American servicemen and civilians who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1984
Designates the week of October 21 through October 27, 1984, as Lupus Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1984
Requires that the U.S. Embassy in Israel and the residence of the American Ambassador to Israel shall be located in Jerusalem.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1984
Atlantic Striped Bass Restoration Act of 1984 - Imposes a three-year moratorium on fishing for Atlantic striped bass in order to allow restoration of such species. Authorizes the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to terminate or extend (for up to 24 months) the moratorium under specified circumstances. Sets forth procedures for consultation, public notice, and opportunity for public comment prior to final determinations of moratorium termination or extension. Exempts such determinations from judicial review. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for noncompliances with the provision under this Act. Declares that any vessel connected with a violation shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States. Grants jurisdiction to the United States district courts over civil forfeitures. Directs the Administrator to enforce this Act as well as monitor the Atlantic striped bass fisheries in certain waters. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1984
Designates the week of October 7 through October 13, 1984, as National Birds of Prey Conservation Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Authorizes the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Incorporated to erect a National Law Enforcement Heroes Memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia or its environs in honor and recognition of law enforcement officials in the United States who died in the line of duty. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Fund, to select with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, a suitable site on public grounds for such memorial. Subjects the design and any plans for the memorial to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Declares that no moneys belonging to the United States or the District of Columbia shall be expended for the erection of such memorial other than expenses incurred in the process of site selection and approval of design and plans.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1984
Trade Remedies Reform Act of 1984 - Title I: Amendments to Countervailing Duty and Antidumping Duty Laws - Amends the Tariff act of 1930 (the Act) to state that: (1) the sale (or likelihood of sale) of certain imported merchandise is subject to the imposition of countervailing duties; and (2) specified references to the sale of foreign merchandise includes leasing arrangements of such merchandise. Reduces the time in which the administering authority may postpone making a preliminary determination with regard to whether a subsidy is being provided to imported merchandise. Changes notification requirements regarding postponements of such preliminary determinations (includes requiring the notification of Congress). Reduces the time in which the administering authority: (1) shall make a preliminary determination with regard to whether imported merchandise is being sold, or is likely to be sold, at less than fair value; and (2) may postpone making such a preliminary determination. Changes notification requirements regarding postponements of such preliminary determinations (includes requiring the notification of Congress). Provides that a countervailing or antidumping duty investigation may be terminated by the administering authority if such investigation was initiated by such administering authority. Prohibits the termination of such investigation by reason of any agreement to limit the volume of the import being investigated unless: (1) such agreement is offered by the country in which the subsidy practice is alleged to occur; and (2) the President determines that such agreement would not have a greater adverse effect on U.S. consumers than the imposition of countervailing or antidumping duties and accepts such agreement. Prohibits the termination of such investigation before a preliminary determination that the imported merchandise is being sold, or is likely to be sold, at less than fair market value. Eliminates as a basis for the suspension of a countervailing duty investigation by the administering authority, the offsetting of subsidies by exporters who import subsidized merchandise into the United States. Authorizes the administering authority to suspend a countervailing or antidumping duty investigation if the country in which the subsidy practice occurs agrees, or exporters of subsidized merchandise agree, to cease exports of such merchandise to the United States on the date on which the investigation is suspended. (Current law provides that exporters must agree to cease such exports of merchandise to the United States within six months after the date on which the investigation is suspended.) Provides that the administering authority may under extraordinary circumstances suspend a countervailing duty investigation upon the entering into force of a quantitative restriction agreement between the President and the country in which the subsidy practice is alleged to occur. Prohibits the administering authority with respect to the suspension of a countervailing duty investigation from accepting an agreement from a country or from exporters unless such agreement will eliminate the injurious effect of subsidized exports to the United States. Defines the term 'quantitative restriction agreement' to mean any agreement accepted by the President with the country in which the subsidy practice is alleged to occur that: (1) restricts the volume of subsidized imports into the United States; (2) will eliminate the injurious effect of such exports to the United States; and (3) would not have a greater adverse effect on U.S. consumers than the imposition of countervailing duties. Requires the President in determining whether there would be such an adverse effect to consult with consuming industries and producers of like merchandise. Prohibits the President from entering into a quantitative restriction agreement unless: (1) the President is satisfied that suspension of the countervailing duty investigation is in the public interest; and (2) effective monitoring of the agreement by the United States is practicable. Provides that if the administering authority determines that such an agreement accepted under the Act is being, or has been, violated, or no longer meets the requirements under the Act, then, on the date of publication of its determination, it shall, if it considers the violation to be intentional, notify the Commissioner of Customs. Includes in the definition of "subsidy" any export targeting subsidy, natural resource subsidy, and upstream subsidy as determined under the provisions of this Act. Defines the term "export targeting subsidy" and "natural resource subsidy". Sets forth the method of calculation for determining the level of an export targeting subsidy and a natural resource subsidy. Defines the term "fair market value" to mean the price that a willing buyer would pay a willing seller for a natural resource product in an arms-length transaction in the absence of government regulation. Requires the International Trade Commission (ITC), in making determinations under specified sections of the Act as to the volume and consequent impact of a possible material injury, to cumulatively assess the effect of imports from two or more countries of like products subject to investigation if: (1) the marketing of such imports in the United States is reasonably coincident; and (2) there is a reasonable indication that such imports will have a contributing effect in causing, or threatening to cause, material injury to the industry. Requires the ITC to consider specified factors with respect to its determination of whether there is a threat of material injury to U.S. markets by subsidized exports entering the United States. Requires the ITC, in determining whether there is a threat of material injury by reason of an export targeting subsidy, to consider: (1) the effect of the subsidy practices on the export competitiveness of the beneficiary of the subsidy; and (2) the extent to which such practices are likely to have a demonstrable adverse effect on the industry with regard to costs and availability of capital, outlays for research and development, and future investment. Includes in the term 'interested party' an association, a majority of whose members is composed of specified interested parties with respect to a like product. Defines an "upstream subsidy" as any action, as described in the Act, by a country that: (1) pays or bestows a subsidy upon merchandise under investigation that is manufactured in such country; (2) results in a price for such merchandise that is lower than its available price in such country; and (3) has a significant effect on the cost of manufacturing or producing such merchandise. Requires, in administering such definition, that the European Economic Community shall be treated as one country. Requires the administering authority to adjust the price of merchandise under investigation that is found to be upstream subsidized by the country that produced it. Requires the administering authority to include such upstream subsidy in any countervailing duty or antidumping duty that is imposed on such merchandise that has been found to have been bestowed a subsidy. Defines "downstream dumping" as occurring when a product that is used in the manufacture of merchandise under investigation is purchased at a price that is below its foreign market value. Requires the administering authority, when calculating the amount of a countervailing or antidumping duty due to downstream dumping, to include an amount equal to the difference between the foreign market value of the product and either: (1) the generally available price of the product in the country of manufacture; or (2) the price of the product if it had not been subsidized. Limits the scope of inquiry into upstream and downstream subsidies by the administering authority. Includes in the term "party-at- interest" an association composed of members of labor organizations and trade associations who produce a like product in the United States. Sets forth the method of calculating the foreign market value of merchandise produced by a country with a State-controlled economy. Requires the administering authority, in making such calculation, to determine the lowest free market price of like articles. Defines the term "lowest free-market price of like article" as the lowest average price of such merchandise, adjusted by certain factors. Requires the administering authority to verify information relied upon in making a revocation of a countervailing duty order or an antidumping duty order. Permits an officer or employee of the U.S. Customs Service who is involved in conducting an investigation regarding fraud under the Act to receive confidential information that has been submitted to the administering authority or the ITC with respect to such investigation. Requires the administering authority and the ITC with regard to information that has been requested to be kept confidential to provide that such confidential information be accompanied by specified summaries and statements. Allows the administering authority, for purposes of determining U.S. or foreign prices, to use averaging or recognized sampling techniques. Gives the administering authority the sole authority to select such techniques. Sets forth the procedure for judicial review of administering authority and ITC determinations. Adds to those determinations which are reviewable in the U.S. Court of International Trade the determination as to whether a particular type of imported merchandise is within the class of such merchandise described in a finding of dumping or in an antidumping or countervailing duty order. Sets forth the order of civil action cases before the U.S. Court of International Trade. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Establishes within the ITC a Trade Remedy Assistance Office which shall provide specified information to the public upon request. Requires agencies administering a trade law to provide technical assistance to small businesses with regard to the filing of trade relief petitions. Requires the ITC to establish and implement a program to monitor the industrial policies of foreign countries in order to discover whether targeting subsidies are being planned or have been implemented. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to study the practices that are applied in making adjustments to purchase prices, exporter's sales prices, foreign market value, and constructed value in determining antidumping duties. Sets forth what shall be included in such study. Sets forth the effective dates of the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1984
Designates 1984 as the Year of the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to installment sales and the regulations relating to such sales should not be modified or amended in any way that will alter the manner in which mortgage-backed builder bond transactions are currently taxed.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1984
Designates the week beginning on May 6, 1984, as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1984
Designates the Week of November 12 through November 18, 1984, as National Reye's Syndrome Week.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1984
Designates April 27, 1984, as National Nursing Home Residents Day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1984
Designates the month of November 1984 as National Alzheimer's Disease Month.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1984
Designates the month of April 1984 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
High Technology Research and Scientific Education Act of 1983 - Title I - The Credit for Increasing Research Activities; ACRS for R&D Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for research and development (R&D) expenditures. Modifies the definition of qualified research for purposes of the R&D credit to narrow the category of eligible activities for which the credit is allowable. Makes depreciation of research equipment eligible for the R&D credit. Eliminates the special three-year accelerated cost recovery system (ACRS) category for research equipment. Increases contract research expenses eligible for R&D credit purposes to 75 percent of the amount paid to others for research on the taxpayer's behalf. Provides that in-house and contract research expenses paid or incurred by a regular corporation will constitute qualified research expenses for R&D credit purposes. Provides that in the case of research being conducted in partnership form, the "in carrying on" test is applied at the partnership level, and the credit is apportioned among the partners in accordance with general partnership rules. Title II - Promotion of University Research and Scientific Education - Establishes a new income tax credit equal to 25 percent of payments to universities for basic research which exceed a fixed, maintenance-of-effort floor. Calculates the maintenance-of-effort floor as the greater of the annual average of university basic research payments over 1982-1983 or one percent of the average annual R&D budget over 1981-1983. Treats the portion of the university basic research payments which is not in excess of the maintenance-of-effort floor as contract research expenses eligible for purposes of computing the regular incremental R&D credit. Allows corporations an income tax deduction for contributions of scientific and technical property or services to an institution of higher education. Defines scientific property to mean computer software or other equipment used in a trade or business, which is donated for the direct education of students and faculty, for research and experimentation, or for research training in the United States in mathematics, the physical or biological sciences, engineering, or computer science. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of the allowable deduction for contributions of scientific property or services. Limits the amount of such deduction to ten percent of taxable income computed without regard to specified deductions. Provides for an income tax exclusion for the scholarships, fellowship grants, student loan forgiveness, or stipends of a graduate student in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences. Specifies that such tax exclusion is not forfeited merely because the student is required, as a condition of the scholarship or fellowship, to perform future service in teaching or research.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Designates the second full week in March of each year as National Employ the Older Worker Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Declares that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) support the people of Afghanistan in their struggle to be free from foreign domination; (2) provide the Afghans, upon request, with material assistance; and (3) pursue a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan based on the total withdrawal of Soviet troops and the recognition of the right of the Afghans to choose their own destiny.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1983
Korean Air Lines Victims Claims Act - Directs the President to prohibit all transactions involving assets of the Soviet Union in the United States or any other transactions described in a specified section of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act pending voluntary settlement of the claims of the survivors of U.S. citizens on board the Korean Air Lines plane that was shot down by the Soviets. Directs the President to direct the Secretary of State to initiate negotiations as soon as practicable to conclude an agreement with the Soviet Union which would provide for the payment of awards certified by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to seize and liquidate Soviet assets in the United States and pay such funds into a claims fund if no agreement with the Soviet Union is reached by the time all the claims have been certified. Amends the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 to direct the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States to determine the validity and amounts of the claims of the survivors of the U.S. citizens on board the downed Korean Air Lines plane. Requires the claims to be submitted to the Commission within one year of the publication of notice of the right to file. Requires the Commission to certify the amount determined to be the loss suffered by each claimant. Provides for consolidated awards. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury a Claims Fund for payment of unsatisfied claims of U.S. citizens against the Soviet Union. Requires the Claims Fund to consist of: (1) sums paid to the United States pursuant to a claims settlement agreement between the Soviet Union and the United States; or (2) in the absence of such agreement, the sums acquired by the seizure and liquidation of Soviet assets in the United States. Sets forth the claim payment procedures. Requires the Commission to complete its affairs in connection with the settlement of claims within six months of the final date for the filing of such claims. Provides that necessary records and documents shall be made available to the Commission. Authorizes appropriations. Limits the fees that may be charged for services rendered on behalf of a claimant.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
Designates April 8 through 14, 1984, as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the United Nations to introduce before the U.N. General Assembly a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Syrian and Syrian-controlled forces from Lebanon in order to facilitate the return of peace to the country.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1983
Designates July 1 through July 8, 1984, as National Duck Stamp Week, and 1984 as the Golden Anniversary Year of the Duck Stamp.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1983
Olmsted Historic Landscapes Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to prepare a State-by-State inventory of Olmsted historic landscapes. Provides that all properties on the inventory shall be part of an Olmsted historic landscape system. Requires that property identified in the inventory as nationally significant by a State historic preservation officer or by a State outdoor recreation liaison officer be studied by the Secretary for possible designation as a national landmark and, if internationally significant, for the World Heritage List. Requires that property on the inventory which meets the appropriate criteria be nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Requires periodic updating of the inventory. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate general standards for preservation of historic landscapes; (2) provide technical assistance to Federal agencies, State and local governments, private organizations, and other interested individuals on the identification, commemoration, and preservation of Olmsted historic landscapes; (3) conduct and submit to Congress a thematic study of historic landscapes to identify those landscapes which would qualify as national historic landscapes; (4) establish a program for the use of the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site in Massachusetts as a center for research and establish an advisory committee for the site; and (5) develop appropriate international activities related to the Olmsted historic landscapes. Requires the Secretary to provide for the coordination of applications for grants for the preservation of Olmsted historic landscapes. Permits State and local governments to use Federal funds made available to them for the preservation of any inventoried Olmsted historic landscape. Requires the Secretary to assist and coordinate public and private cooperation in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct appropriate activities during the decade of 1985 to 1995 to commemorate the Olmsted achievements and influence on American life. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Olmsted Historic Landscapes, which shall assist the Advisory Council on Historic preservation in carrying out those of its duties under the National Historic Preservation Act that relate to Olmsted historic landscapes. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1983
Designates the week beginning April 8, 1984, as National Mental Health Counselors Week.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a criminal offense to willfully use a computer capable of being programed and reprogramed in a manner not authorized by the owner. Provides for a fine of not more than $100,000 or imprisonment for not more than ten years or both. States that the court shall not suspend any sentence or grant probation and that the additional sentence shall not run concurrently.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Interstate Compact - Grants the consent of Congress to the Interstate High Speed Intercity Rail Passenger Network Compact as participated in by Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Designates the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania, as the James E. Van Zandt Veterans Administration Medical Center. Designates the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia, as the Carl Vinson Veterans Administration Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1983
Designates December 7, 1984, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1983
Designates the week beginning November 6, 1983, as National Congregate and Meals on Wheels Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Cable Telecommunications Act of 1983 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize any governmental entity empowered to grant a cable television franchise to require: (1) that a reasonable amount of channel capacity be designated for public, educational, or government purposes; and (2) that rules be promulgated governing the use of such channel capacity, including rules for creating an agency or nonprofit organization to administer the use of such channel capacity. Allows the cable system operator to use such channel capacity for other purposes until there is a demand for use of such capacity for public, educational, or governmental purposes. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over any video programming for such purposes. Requires a cable operator to designate a specified percentage of its channel capacity not required for use under Federal law for commercial use by persons unaffiliated with the operator. Prohibits any Federal, State, or local authority from requiring the designation of a greater percentage of channel capacity for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Allows an operator to continue using such designated capacity until a written agreement with an unaffiliated person is obtained. Directs the operator to establish prices, terms, and conditions for such use that are sufficient to assure that the operation, financial condition, and market development of the cable system are not adversely affected. Prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over video programming for such use except to the extent necessary to assure that such cable system is not adversely affected. Prohibits the use of such channel capacity to provide a cable service being provided on the enactment date of this Act in order to avoid providing a diversity of information sources. Authorizes any person aggrieved by the failure of an operator to make channel capacity available for such commercial use to seek to compel that such capacity be made available by bringing an action in the appropriate Federal district court or by petitioning the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules necessary to assure that a cable operator or owner provides for a diversity of information sources over the cable system: (1) upon finding that prior adjudications constitute a pattern of such failure by such person; and (2) whenever cable systems with 36 or more activated channels are available to 70 percent of U.S. households and are subscribed to by 70 percent of the households to which such systems are available. Prohibits a person from owning or controlling a cable system if such person: (1) is the licensee of a television broadcast station the predicted grade B contour (field strength) of which covers any part of the community served by such cable system; (2) owns or controls a daily newspaper published in such community; or (3) is a common carrier providing telephone exchange service in any part of such community, excluding specified rural areas. Authorizes the FCC to prescribe rules concerning the common ownership or control of cable systems by persons who own or control other media of mass communications serving the community served by the cable system. Prohibits any State or local authority from regulating the diversity of ownership of mass media interests. Prohibits any State or local authority that has an interest in any cable system from directly or indirectly controlling the content of any programming on such system, except programming on educational, public, or government channels, unless such authority establishes an independent board or separate management company. Prohibits the owner of a multiple unit dwelling from interfering with the provision of cable service requested by a resident. Permits the owner to require that: (1) the costs of installation, construction, operation, or removal of the cable facilities be borne by the subscriber, the operator, or both; (2) the condition of the dwelling and the safety and convenience of other residents are not adversely affected by the installation or construction of such facilities; and (3) the owner be fully compensated by the cable operator for any damages caused by such facilities. Directs the FCC to establish the amount of just compensation to which the owner is entitled. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to award one or more cable franchises within its jurisdiction. Directs such authority to assure that the opportunity to purchase cable service is not denied to any class of potential subscribers because of income or economic status. Provides that a franchise shall be construed to authorize the construction of a cable system over public rights-of-way and through easements dedicated for compatible uses, provided the property owners are compensated for any resulting damages. Prohibits a cable system from providing cable service without a franchise. Permits a governmental or franchising authority to require the construction of cable system facilities or the provision of certain equipment as part of an initial franchise or a franchise renewal proceeding. Directs such authority to negotiate and, if necessary, enter binding arbitration with a cable operator over the termination, modification, or deferral of a requirement for facilities or equipment (excluding facilities or equipment for educational, public, or government use) that the operator shows to be impracticable as a result of a significant change in circumstances. Provides that the terms of any franchise agreement resulting from a request for proposals originally issued on or before September 30, 1982, shall remain in effect for the remaining term of the franchise. Declares that no cable system shall be subject to regulation as a common carrier or utility by reason of providing cable service. Authorizes a governmental or franchising authority to require a cable operator to pay a franchise fee not to exceed an annual aggregate of five percent of such operator's gross revenues. Permits a cable operator to pass the cost of any increase in the franchise fee through to subscribers. Prohibits a governmental or franchising authority from requiring the provisions of services, facilities, or other items not related to the provision of cable service under a franchise. Authorizes a franchising authority to regulate the rates for the provision of basic cable service and the installation or rental of equipment necessary for the receipt of such service for any cable system that is not located within the grade B contour of four or more full power television signals with at least one affiliate of each of the three power commercial television networks. Authorizes such an authority to regulate the rates of a franchise in effect on the enactment date of this Act for the greater of five years or one-half of the remaining term of the franchise. Authorizes annual rate increases not exceeding the regional consumer price index if subscribers are given 30 days notice. Provides that requests for rate increases shall be deemed to be granted if not acted upon within 90 days. Bars any other regulation of rates, with specified exceptions, by any Federal, State, local, or other franchising authority. Prohibits any such authority from regulating the provision or content of cable services, except that: (1) any applicable FCC regulation in effect on September 21, 1983, may remain in effect; (2) a franchising authority may enforce the terms of a franchise agreement under which the cable operator agrees to provide particular services; (3) a franchising authority and a cable operator may specify that certain services that are obscene or otherwise unprotected by the Constitution may not be provided; and (4) an operator may be required to offer basic cable services. Allows an operator to rearrange, replace, or remove a service specified in a franchise if there has been a significant change in circumstances. Requires a franchising authority to grant an application for the renewal or extension of an operator's franchise, unless: (1) the operator has not substantially complied with the franchise or applicable law or has committed a felony; (2) there has been a change in the operator's qualifications that impairs the provision of service; (3) the facilities to be provided by the operator are unreasonable in terms of cost and community need; (4) the signal of the operator's system has not met the FCC's technical standards; or (5) the proposals of the application are otherwise unreasonable. Sets forth time requirements and procedures governing the filing, consideration, and denial of applications and the judicial review of adverse decisions. Prohibits a franchising authority, upon the expiration of a franchise, from acquiring an ownership interest in a cable system, or requiring a sale of a system to another person, at less than the system's fair market value. Prohibits a franchising authority from acquiring an ownership interest in a system subject to a franchise termination resulting from a material breach by a cable operator, unless the operator was provided notice of, and a reasonable opportunity to remedy, the breach. Prohibits any cable operator or any other person who provides cable services from using the cable system to collect personally identifiable information on a cable subscriber without the written or electronic consent of the subscriber. Permits the collection of such information solely for billing purposes or for monitoring unauthorized receptions of cable telecommunications. Requires such information to be destroyed when it is no longer used for such purposes. Prohibits the disclosure of such information without the consent of the subscriber or a court order authorizing such disclosure. Requires cable operators to notify subscribers of their rights under the privacy provisions of this Act. Requires each subscriber to have access to all of their personally identifiable information collected and maintained by a cable operator or other person providing cable services. Authorizes civil damages for violations of these privacy provisions. States that cable operators have no liability for programs on public, educational, or governmental channels or for channels designated for commercial use by unaffiliated persons. Prohibits any person from intercepting or receiving cable services or assisting in intercepting or receiving cable services without specific authorization by a cable operator or by law. Sets forth provisions governing civil remedies, the determination of civil damages, and criminal penalities for violations of such prohibition. Provides that a State shall not be considered to regulate the rates, terms, and conditions for pole attachments unless: (1) the State has issued and made effective regulations implementing such regulatory authority; and (2) the State takes final action on a complaint about an individual matter within 60 days.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983
Synthetic Fuels Corporation Fiscal Accountability Act of 1983 - Amends the Energy Security Act to prohibit the U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation from making new awards of financial assistance after the date of the enactment of this Act and before the date on which the Corporation's comprehensive strategy for achieving the national synthetic fuel production goal is approved by Congress. Makes limitations on Corporation construction projects effective upon the enactment of this Act rather than upon approval of the comprehensive strategy as provided under current law.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1983
Repeals the provision which entitles Members of Congress to a bound copy of each public document to which such Members are entitled.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1983
Reduces the gratuitous distribution of the Congressional Record and eliminates such distribution to specified parties.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1983
Repeals provisions authorizing the printing and binding of congressional memorial addresses and illustrations accompanying such addresses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1983
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that for purposes of printing in the Congressional Record, remarks of Members made on the floor or submitted for inclusion in the Record, including associated materials, shall be relevant to governmental matters. Exempts from such provision, remarks on the death of present or former Federal officials.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Amends the Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act to revise the authority of the Office of Drug Abuse Policy within the Office of the President. Allows the President to appoint the Vice President to be the Director. Requires Deputy Directors for Drug Abuse Prevention and for Drug Enforcement. Requires the Director to establish, plan, and coordinate Federal drug abuse functions. Directs the Director to make recommendations to the President and consult and assist State and local governments in order to implement such policies. Directs the Attorney General to notify the Director that a certain drug has a potential for abuse or should be transferred or removed from a schedule under the Controlled Substances Act. Requires the Director to submit an annual report to Congress on the activities conducted under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Soviet Union should allow Vladimir Feltsman to travel with his family to perform in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1983
Designates March 6, 1984, as Frozen Food Day.