United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located; and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1981
Consumer Product Safety Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to notify the Congressional commerce committees of any consumer product information or research grant in an amount greater than $50,000. Stipulates that the Commission shall assist public and private organizations in the development of safety standards and test methods "to the extent feasible." Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act to prohibit the Commission from making a public disclosure of information about a product of an identifiable manufacturer or private labeler unless: (1) the information is accurate and not confidential; and (2) its disclosure is fair in the circumstances and reasonably necessary to effectuate a specific function of the Commission. Deems as confidential, information which relates to a trade secret or is not in the public domain. Requires the Commission to: (1) notify a manufacturer or labeler of its intention to disclose information about a product not less than 30 days prior to such disclosure; (2) publish a retraction of inaccurate or misleading information; and (3) communicate promptly to each manufacturer or labeler on any information with respect to significant risk of injury associated with a product. Eliminates the Commission's authority to promulgate by rulemaking consumer product safety standards with respect to composition, contents, design, construction, finish, or packaging of a consumer product. Retains such authority with respect to product performance. Eliminates the current provision prohibiting the incorporation of any sampling plan in a safety standard, except with respect to flammability standards. Revises the rulemaking procedures for promulgation of consumer product safety standards to eliminate the Commission's authority to develop a standard without making an invitation to interested persons. Eliminates the provision which permits a person to offer to develop a proposed standard. Requires the Commission to prepare a regulatory impact analysis containing specified information, including cost-benefit analysis, before publishing or promulgating a consumer product safety rule. Requires that the opportunity for oral presentation with respect to consumer product safety rules include an opportunity for cross-examination when requested by interested persons for resolution of material issues of fact and when other procedures, including oral and written rebuttal, are determined by the Commission to be inadequate. Directs the Commission, before publishing a proposed consumer product safety rule, to solicit public comment on the hazard which may be presented by the product which would be subject to the proposed standard. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act to require the Commission to find that compliance with a voluntary standard is unlikely to result in elimination of risk or that substantial compliance with such a standard is unlikely, before promulgating a regulation with respect to which persons have adopted a voluntary standard. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to repeal the provision authorizing private actions to enforce product safety orders. Repeals the authority of the Commission to initiate with the concurrence of the Attorney General criminal actions to enforce laws subject to its jurisdiction. Requires that orders issued by the Commission to persons to submit reports and answers to Commission questions be designed to place the least burden on such persons as is practicable taking into account the order's purpose. Requires the Commission to obtain a search warrant before entering a facility or conveyance for inspection purposes. Directs the Commission to: (1) amend its consumer product safety standard for walk-behind lawn mowers to provide that manually started rotary mowers which have specified characteristics shall be considered in compliance; and (2) report on the effect of such amendment within 26 months after the standard becomes effective. Prohibits the Commission from amending the standard as changed before such date. Establishes a Chronic Hazard Scientific Review Panel to review the scientific data and other information respecting risk of injury from a consumer product which presents risk of injury from cancer, birth defects, gene mutations, or behavioral disorders. Prohibits the Commission from taking any action with respect to a consumer product unless the Panel determines that the product presents such risk. Eliminates the Product Safety Advisory Council, the National Advisory Committee for the Flammable Fabrics Act, and the technical advisory committee authorized under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970. Establishes a Congressional veto of consumer product safety rules or regulations promulgated under the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act. Provides that any regulation shall not take effect if: (1) both Houses of Congress adopt a concurrent resolution of disapproval within 90 days of its promulgation; or (2) one House adopts such a resolution within 60 days and the other House does not disapprove such resolution within 30 days. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the reduced amounts of $33,000,000 for fiscal year 1982 and $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1981
Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 (passive occupant restraint) so that such standard does not require any manufacturer to install an automatic occupant restraint system in any motor vehicle.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Directs the Secretary of Education to convey four specified parcels of land in the State of California to the D-Q University, a national learning and cultural center for Native Americans. Directs the Secretary to convey the first parcel and to transfer the exclusive use and control of all four parcels to the University within 30 days after the enactment of this Act. Sets certain conditions for the conveyance of the second, third, and last parcels, including deadlines by which the University must request such conveyances. Requires the Secretary to notify the University of any noncompliance with such conditions. Allows the University one year after such notice to achieve full compliance. Permits the Secretary to extend the conveyance deadlines for one year. Specifies circumstances under which: (1) the University's rights to the use and control of such parcels shall terminate; and (2) title to such lands shall revert to the United States. Requires the University to: (1) submit its Development Plan to Congress within 30 days after enactment of this Act; and (2) notify the Secretary of any change in the Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct that motor vehicle safety standards established by the Secretary of Transportation that require the installation of any automatic occupant restraint system in passenger cars: (1) shall not apply to cars manufactured before September 1, 1983; and (2) shall thereafter apply equally to passenger cars.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Commends the peaceful attempts to resolve differences between Poland's workers and government officials and expresses the hope that they will continue to resolve their differences through peaceful negotiations. Welcomes to the United States Poland's First Deputy Prime Minister. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States could not remain indifferent to external aggression or internal repression against Poland and that such developments would have serious consequences for East-West relations. Supports efforts to work with other nations to ease Poland's economic difficulties and the U.S. decision to sell surplus food to Poland at concessionary prices and in Polish currency provided neither external aggression nor internal repression occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Directs the President to award a special gold medal to Fred Waring. Stipulates that funds may not be appropriated under this Act for any period before October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1981
National Tourism Policy Act - Title I: National Tourism Policy - Directs the Federal Government to cooperate with State and local governments and other organizations to implement a national tourism policy designed to promote the economic, educational, and intercultural contributions of the U.S. tourism and recreation industries. Title II: Tourism Policy Council; Tourism Advisory Board - Establishes as an interagency coordinating council the Tourism Policy Council. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Tourism Advisory Board to represent the views and needs of the tourism industry in the implementation of the national tourism policy established by this Act. Title III: Amendments to the International Travel Act - Amends the International Travel Act to make the purpose of such Act the strengthening of U.S. domestic and foreign commerce through the implementation of the international aspects of the national tourism policy established under this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit annually to Congress a marketing plan to stimulate travel to the United States and to implement the international aspects of such national tourism policy. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 to carry out such Act. Eliminates the reduction of employees in the District of Columbia offices of the U.S. Travel Service. Title IV: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective on October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
State and Local Government Financing Reform Act of 1981 - Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in and underwrite investment securities, specified dealings in and underwriting of all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the provisions of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) express to the Soviet Union the United States' deep concern about the Soviet Union's depriving the Vashchenko and Chmykhalov families of religious freedom and refusing them permission to emigrate; (2) ensure that such families may reside in the U.S. embassy in Moscow until the Soviet Union authorizes their emigration; and (3) ensure provision of assistance for such families during their residence in the embassy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Designates the public recreation trail established by the Susanville-Westwood Rails to Trails project in Lassen County, California, as the Bizz Johnson Trail. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for the forfeiture of proceeds or profits derived from racketeering activity consisting of any offense involving dealing in narcotic or other dangerous drugs. Permits the use of property forfeited in such cases for Federal drug law enforcement or the improvement of State and local drug law enforcement. Creates a presumption that the assets or other property of a person convicted of such an offense are subject to forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to permit specified practitioners to register to dispense heroin for an inpatient who has been diagnosed as being terminally ill with cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the adoption of any Federal budget in which expenditures exceed receipts unless approved by a roll call vote of three-fifths of the Members of each House of Congress directed solely to that subject. Prohibits the Congress from passing and the President from signing any appropriation bill which would cause the total expenditures of the Federal Government to exceed its total receipts in any fiscal year. Permits the Congress to waive such provisions with respect to any single year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Prohibits any annual increase in the proportion of Federal receipts to the national income unless passed by a roll call vote, directed solely to such purpose, of each House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission or any administrative law judge from issuing antitrust decisions, findings, or cease-and-desist orders in concentrated market structure or shared monopoly proceedings until Congress establishes and defines the elements of such a violation. Declares that this Act shall apply to any proceeding pending on March 10, 1981. Vacates any decision or order issued in such proceeding before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to require that the amount of bail set for any person charged with a drug related offense involving possession or delivery of a controlled substance be not less than the street value of the drug seized. Permits a judicial officer to set another amount upon a determination that compelling circumstances so require.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare, for distribution to taxpayers, brief but comprehensive statements which set forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of taxpayers during an audit; (2) the procedures which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may use in enforcing revenue laws; and (3) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file taxpayer complaints. Requires a copy of such statement to accompany any tax forms sent to taxpayers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by employees of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws which inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization which are not directly related to such tax laws; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action for any taxpayer aggrieved by a prohibited investigation or by the deprivation of any civil rights. Permits the award of a judgment of costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, to a prevailing taxpayer in any proceeding before the Tax Court. Requires the IRS, upon a taxpayer's request, to conduct any interview regarding a deficiency assessment in the taxpayer's residence or place of business, at a reasonable time convenient to the taxpayer. Requires the officer or employee conducting such interview to warn the taxpayer that: (1) he has a right to remain silent; (2) any statement he makes may be used against him; and (3) he has the right to the presence of an attorney. Exempts certain income producing property from levy for nonpayment of taxes. Makes binding on the Secretary: (1) a tax return prepared for the taxpayer by an officer or employee of the IRS acting in his official capacity to provide such assistance; and (2) information or advice given to the taxpayer by such an officer or employee acting in his official capacity. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to establish, and to report annually to Congress on, a program to provide for a continuing audit and investigation of the efficiency, uniformity, and equity of the administration of the internal revenue laws of the United States. Places the burden of proof, in administrative and judicial proceedings involving the IRS and a taxpayer, upon the IRS. Directs that all property of taxpayers, for purposes of the estate and gift tax, be valued at historical cost (original cost to the taxpayer or the basis of the property if it was not purchased). Prohibits the use in IRS personnel evaluations of amounts collected pursuant to audits or investigations. Requires the annual audit of the tax returns of IRS revenue agents and tax auditors. Requires a court order before property of a taxpayer may be levied upon for the collection of tax.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1981
Federal Lending Oversight and Control Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide a statutory basis for controlling loans and loan guarantees under Federal credit programs through the congressional budget process. Title I: Reports Regarding Federal Credit Activity - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, not later than February 1 and August 1 of each year, in consultation with the Council of Economic Advisors, to transmit a report to both Houses of Congress regarding Federal credit activity during the previous six month period. Requires each such report to examine the relationship between Federal credit activity during the previous six-month period 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 Federal 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: Amendments to House Rules - 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 IV: Construction and Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates of the titles of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Directs the Comptroller General to audit, each fiscal year, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Advisory Council, the Federal Open Market Committee, and all Federal Reserve banks and their branches. Requires the Comptroller General, within six months after the end of each fiscal year, to make a report to the Congress on the results of such audit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Committee Improvement Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each standing committee, not later than 60 days after the Congress convenes, to submit an oversight agenda to the Committee on Government Operations. Directs such committee to hold hearings at which the chairman and ranking minority member of each standing committee shall testify on the oversight accomplishments of the preceding Congress and the proposed oversight agenda for the new Congress. Requires the Committee on Government Operations, not later than 90 days after the Congress convenes, to report to the House an oversight agenda resolution which incorporates such agendas of all standing committees, and additional recommendations of the committee. Directs the House to complete action on such resolution not later than 90 days after the Congress convenes, to report to the House an oversight agenda resolution which incorporates such agendas of all standing committees, and additional recommendations of the committee. Directs the House to complete action on such resolution not later than 180 days after the Congress convenes. Directs the Speaker of the House to initially refer each bill, resolution, or other matter to one committee of principal jurisdiction. Eliminates the authority of the Speaker to refer any such matter to two or more committees for concurrent consideration. Requires the membership of each committee, select committee, and conference committee (and each subcommittee, task force, or subunit thereof) to reflect the ratio of majority to minority Members. Provides that such ratio be reflected for standing committees at the beginning of each Congress, and for select and conference committees at the time of appointment. Prohibits any standing committee to establish more than six subcommittees, and any Member to serve at any one time on more than four subcommittees. Defines subcommittee as any subunit of a standing committee established for a period of more than six months. Prohibits the vote by any member of any committee or subcommittee to be cast by proxy. Provides that a majority of members of each committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. Prohibits the House to consider any primary expense resolution until the Committee on House Administration has reported and the House has adopted a resolution establishing committee staff personnel ceilings for that year. Requires such committee to specify in any primary or supplemental expense resolution the number of staff positions authorized therein. Authorizes the House to consider any supplemental expense resolution in excess of such ceiling by a vote of two-thirds of the Members present.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Limits the aggregate amount of all expense resolution authorization levels for the committees of the House of Representatives for the first session of the 97th Congress to no more than 90 percent of the aggregate expenditure levels of such committees for the second session of the 96th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal provisions for: (1) the adoption and enforcement of emission standards for new motor vehicles by States with approved plans for nonattainment areas; and (2) production warranties and parts certification for compliance with emissions standards by manufacturers of new cars. Revises provisions relating to: (1) performance warranties for vehicle and engine compliance with emissions standards, (2) manufacturer's instructions for the maintenance, replacement, and repair of emissions control devices and systems; and (3) prohibited acts involving such devices or systems.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal provisions for: (1) the adoption and enforcement of emission standards for new motor vehicles by States with approved plans for nonattainment areas; and (2) production warranties and parts certification for compliance with emissions standards by manufacturers of new cars. Revises provisions relating to: (1) performance warranties for vehicle and engine compliance with emissions standards; (2) manufacturer's instructions for the maintenance, replacement, and repair of emissions control devices and systems; and (2) prohibited acts involving such devices or systems.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $1,000 ($2,000 in the case of a joint return) the amount of interest and dividend income which may be excluded from gross income. Amends the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 to repeal the termination date for such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to permit the Federal Communications Commission to utilize the voluntary services of any individual licensed to operate: (1) an amateur radio station, to monitor violations relating to amateur station transmissions; (2) a citizens band radio service station, to monitor violations relating to citizen band radio service station transmissions; and (3) an amateur station whose license is not of the least privileged class, to administer any examination for the least privileged class of amateur station operator license.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend from April 1, 1981, to October 1, 1982, the period for payment of (refugee) child welfare services and cash and medical assistance for certain refugees.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify shale oil equipment, including hydrogenation or similar equipment but excluding refining equipment, for the investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Requires the Federal Government and persons conducting federally assisted programs, projects, and activities to pay interest to business concerns for overdue sales and lease agreement payments not made by the thirtieth day after the bill for such payment is received. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Stipulates that overdue payments for meat, groceries, and perishables shall be determined in accordance with terms commonly offered meat, grocery, and perishable industries. Entitles the Government and such persons to early payment discounts only if payments are made within the prescribed periods.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Natural Gas Decontrol Act of 1981 - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to repeal Federal price control and allocation authority over natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1981
Exempts nonprofit veterans' organizations and nonprofit fraternal organizations from the requirement that nondramatic literary or musical performance royalties be paid to copyright holders.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1981
Census Data Reform Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress at the end of each fiscal year on the census activities carried out by the Secretary during such year. Directs the Secretary, after each decennial census, to: (1) submit to Congress an evaluation of the accuracy of such census and a statistical analysis of the social and economic condition of the American people; (2) publish the geographic boundaries of the Congressional district established on the basis of such census; and (3) report to Congress on the progress in improving the accuracy of such census. Directs the Secretary to submit to the appropriate Congressional committees the criteria to determine the residency of persons for census purposes at least one year before the decennial census date. Directs the Secretary to use the same geographic boundaries to define any geographic unit established for one decennial census as were used for the preceding decennial census. Directs the Secretary to report the population of specified areas within 11 months of the census to the appropriate Congressional committees as well as to the Governor of the State involved and to persons responsible for districting such State. Directs the President to report to Congress within a specified time after completion of the census on the tabulations made in the decennial census with regard to the population in each State and the number of Representatives to which each State would be entitled according to the Hamilton-Vinton formula (rather than according to the method of equal proportions which is currently used).
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Nuclear Waste Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1981 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to bring the existing Department of Energy research, development, and demonstration program for high level radioactive waste disposal into compliance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to identify at least two geographically distributed demonstration facility sites, located in different geologic media, in the continental United States. Requires the Secretary to establish at each site a technology demonstration facility for research and development. Sets forth design requirements and construction dates for such facilities. Prohibits the conversion of such facilities into permanent disposal facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish waste solidification facilities designed to provide a waste form resistant to the release of radionuclides and to reduce the health hazard of such wastes. Requires that such wastes and facilities be ready for placement in completed demonstration facilities. Requires consultation and coordination with States in which demonstration facility sites are located on the Department's plans for such facilities. Directs the Secretary to transmit a comprehensive management plan to specified Congressional committees. Requires submission of a description of such plan as in effect each year to the Congress. Directs the Secretary to provide funds by contract to initiate and maintain the activities under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Education Reorganization Act of 1981 - Title I: Establishment of the Department - Establishes an Executive department to be known as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), to be administered by a Secretary, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth provisions for the principal officers of such Department. Title II: Transfer of Agencies and Functions - Transfers to the Secretary all functions of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Transfers to the Department all offices of the Department of Health and Human Services. Transfers to the Secretary and to the Department all functions and all offices of the Secretary of Education and of the Department of Education, except for specified functions and offices relating to the operation of overseas schools for military dependents, which are transferred to the Secretary of Defense and the Department of Defense. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) appoint offices and employees to carry out the functions of the Secretary and the Department; and (2) obtain, as provided in appropriation Acts, the services of experts and consultants. Directs the Secretary, by the end of the first fiscal year beginning after the enactment of this Act, to submit to the President and the Congress legislative recommendations for redesignating or replacing HEW programs so that such programs can be administered by fewer personnel. Requires that the sum of the number of full-time permanent positions that perform functions to be transferred to the Department by this Act, plus the full-time equivalent of the number of experts and consultants hired, be reduced by one thousand by the end of the second such fiscal year and not increased thereafter. Sets forth general administrative provisions for the Department, including those relating to general authority, delegation, reorganization, rules, contracts, regional and field offices, acquisitions and maintenance of authority, facilities at remote locations, use of facilities, copyrights and patents, gifts and bequests, technical advice, working capital fund, funds transfer, seal of department, and annual report. Authorizes appropriations for the Department for fiscal year 1982 and succeeding fiscal years. Title IV: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Sets forth provisions relating to the transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel, the effect on personnel, agency terminations, and incidental transfers. Sets forth: (1) savings provisions; (2) provisions for separability; (3) conforming references, amendments, and redesignations; and (4) transition provisions. Title V: Effective Date and Interim Appointments - Sets forth the effective date for the provisions of this Act. Provides for interim appointments under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) continue ozone protection studies and research while increasing actual measurements of stratospheric ozone and improving methods of monitoring potential trends in such measurements; and (2) contract with the National Academy of Sciences, in consultation with the Administrators of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to (a) continue review and research, (b) determine the extent, nature, and causes of changes in stratospheric ozone concentration (with particular attention to the effects of chlorofluorocarbons), (c) investigate unreasonable effects on health and the environment, and (d) report to the Administrator and the Congress. Directs the Administrator to report, with recommendations, to the Congress at the end of a 24-month period. Prohibits the commencement or continuation of rulemaking by the Administrator with respect to regulations for the control in the United States of any chlorofluorocarbon until: (1) the Administrator, the Academy, and the President have submitted specified reports to the Congress; or (2) the Administrator determines that stratospheric ozone depletion by chlorofluorocarbons at a rate eventually harmful to human health and the environment has actually been detected. Directs the Administrator to withdraw any such rulemaking commenced after January 1, 1981, and before the date of enactment of this Act, and declares that such rulemaking has no force or effect. Requires that such final regulations be submitted to the Congress and only take effect if both Houses of Congress do not adopt a concurrent resolution of disapproval within a specified period. Sets forth procedures relating to such resolutions. Requires that continuing research and monitoring programs be expanded to determine the extent, nature, causes, effects, and associated uncertainties of stratospheric ozone concentration changes. Directs the President, within two years from the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, to report to the Congress and the public on efforts to reach international agreements among the major free-world countries producing chlorofluorocarbons as to the nature, extent, and implications of any threat to the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere and the appropriate regulatory action to be taken. Prohibits States or local governments from adopting or attempting to enforce any regulations (except ones controlling halocarbon use as an aerosol propellant) respecting the control of chlorofluorocarbons to protect the stratosphere or stratospheric ozone until the Administrator has promulgated such regulations for such control in the United States. Provides that this Act shall not affect the validity of regulations concerning aerosol propellants containing chlorofluorocarbons promulgated by the Administrator before January 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from excepting Iranian pistache nuts from the requirement that the country of origin of imported articles be clearly marked on the articles.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Administrative Rulemaking Reform Act - Directs a Federal agency preparing to hold a rulemaking session to make a reasonable effort to inform those likely to be affected by the proposed rulemaking. Requires the notice of rulemaking to include: (1) the projected effective date of the rules; (2) the purpose of the rulemaking; (3) the text of the proposed rules; and (4) the studies on which the agency intends to rely in the rulemaking proceedings. Requires public notice and public opportunity for comment on all rulemaking proceedings unless the agency finds that proposed rules are emergency rules or are of routine or insignificant impact. Requires Federal agencies to give interested persons at least 45 days to participate in the rulemaking. Provides for agency hearings to receive oral comments, and procedures to resolve significant controversies over factual issues. Requires each agency to maintain a public file of all relevant material and required statements for each rulemaking. Prohibits adoption of a proposed rule that has been revised substantially unless interested persons are provided an opportunity to comment on such revisions. Sets forth an expedited rulemaking procedure for rules to replace emergency rules. Directs each agency to submit a copy of each promulgated rule to each House of Congress. Declares that no rule, excluding an emergency rule, shall become effective if: (1) both Houses of Congress adopt a concurrent resolution disapproving it within 90 days of continuous session of Congress; or (2) one House adopts such a resolution within 60 such days and the other House does not disapprove such resolution within 30 days thereafter. Authorizes either House to adopt a resolution directing an agency to reconsider and repromulgate a newly promulgated rule or an existing rule within a specified period. Provides that if such agency fails to act such rule shall lapse. Directs the Administrative Conference of the United States to study and report on the effects on rulemaking of the Congressional review provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for such study. Directs a court reviewing an agency rule to set aside any rule found to be unwarranted by material in the rulemaking file.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to furnish a memorial headstone or marker to commemorate any veteran whose remains are unavailable because of a donation to science, a burial at sea, or other causes. Directs the Administrator to set aside suitable areas in national cemeteries to honor such veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Food Stamp Act Reform Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide that an authorization card held by an eligible household show any amount to be paid by such household for an allotment of food stamp coupons. Excludes the use of food stamps by persons 60 years of age or older or those receiving supplemental security income benefits at private establishments that contract with State agencies to sell food at concessional prices. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make adjustments to uniform allotments for households with respect to the age and sex of its members. Includes energy assistance payments as household income for purposes of the food stamp program. Excludes households from food stamp assistance if any member who is physically and mentally fit refuses to accept employment under a State workfare program established by this Act. Exempts any household member responsible for the care of a dependent child under the age of six (currently the age of 12) from such workfare program requirement. Prohibits households eligible for food stamp benefits prior to a member going on strike from receiving increased benefits as a result of such strike. Prohibits any household from participating in the food stamp program for any month such household exceeds specified earned income and certain nonfarm income poverty guidelines prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget. Exempts households containing a member 60 years of age or over or a member who receives certain payments under the Social Security Act from such prohibition. Eliminates provisions which reduce the value of allotments to eligible households by a specified percentage of such household's income. Sets forth a formula for reducing the value of allotments to households containing members who participate in the national school lunch program under the National School Lunch Act. Provides that the value of an allotment in excess of the amount charged for such allotment shall not be considered income for purposes of Federal, State, or local laws. Sets forth standards and procedures for determining which households, and the amount such households, shall be charged for allotments. Requires that funds received by coupon issuers from such charges shall be deposited into the Treasury and that State agencies be notified of such deposits in a manner prescribed by regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture. Sets forth penalties for violations of such regulations. Revises requirements of the monthly operations report to be submitted by coupon issuers to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to require State agencies to provide periodic reports on the receipt of coupon issuer notifications of deposits. Directs the Secretary and the U.S. Postal Service to jointly arrange for the prompt deposit of such funds collected by the Service on behalf of a State. Prohibits State agencies from conducting food stamp outreach activities with funds provided by this Act. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations for State agencies to establish and operate workfare programs which make available public employment for certain food stamp recipients. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement evaluation measures to determine the effectiveness of workfare programs established by this Act. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Food Stamp Act of 1977 consistent with the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
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. Establishes a mandatory term of imprisonment of five years for a first offender (currently, one to ten years) and eight years for a second or subsequent offender (currently, two to 25 years). Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence, grant probation, or impose the additional sentence concurrently with the sentence imposed for the felony. Prohibits the granting of parole to an offender.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Petroleum Displacement Act of 1981 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to repeal certain prohibitions and limitations on the use of natural gas as a primary energy source in electric powerplants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the use of petroleum or natural gas or both: (1) as a primary energy source in electric powerplants where coal or alternate fuel capability exists; and (2) in excess of a minimal amount in an electric powerplant in which it is feasible to use a mixture of petroleum or natural gas or an alternate fuel as a primary energy source.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit married individuals filing separate income tax returns an election to be taxed at rates applicable to unmarried individuals.
![Official portrait of Rep. Dannemeyer, William E. [R-CA-39]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000044_200.jpg)