United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat as long-term capital gain amounts actually paid to a taxpayer with respect to a small business participating debenture (SBPD) which constitute the distribution of a share of the earnings of the issuer. Defines "small business participating debenture" (SBPD) as a written debt instrument issued by a qualified small business which: (1) is a general obligation of such business; (2) bears interest at not less than specified by the Secretary of the Treasury; (3) has a fixed maturity; (4) grants no voting or conversion rights in the business to the purchaser; and (5) provides for the payment of a share of the issuer's total earnings. Defines "qualified small business" as one: (1) whose equity capital does not exceed $10,000,000; (2) the face value of all of whose outstanding SBPD's does not exceed $1,000,000; and (3) which has no outstanding securities subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Treats members of a controlled group of corporations as a single taxpayer. Denies capital gains treatment where the taxpayer is a "related party" to the SBPD issuer. Treats losses on small business participating debentures as ordinary losses. Allows an interest expense deduction for interest and share-of-earnings payments made on such debentures.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1981
Tobacco Deregulation Act of 1981 - Title I: Repeal of Programs Concerning Price Support For and the Marketing of Tobacco - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 and the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to repeal specified programs concerning tobacco, including: (1) price supports; (2) parity payments; (3) review and adjustment of quotas; and (4) marketing quotas. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to prohibit agricultural commodity assistance for tobacco. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing any orders that regulate the handling of tobacco. Makes such provisions applicable to the 1982 and subsequent crops of tobacco. Title II: Withdrawal of Consent Relating to Compacts Among States for Regulating Tobacco Production and Commerce - Repeals provisions relating to compacts among States providing for the control or production of, or commerce in, tobacco within such States. Withdraws congressional consent of such compacts. Title III: Tobacco Inspection and Related Services - Amends the Tobacco Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to collect fees from specified persons for the inspection, certification, and other services concerning tobacco at designated auction markets. Requires that such fees cover the cost of such services. Makes such provisions effective July 1, 1981. Title IV: Warehouse Examination, Inspection, and Licensing - Amends the United States Warehouse Act to direct the Secretary to collect a fee for examinations and inspections of agricultural product warehouses that covers the costs of providing such services. Authorizes appropriations. Makes the above provisions effective October 1, 1982. Title V: Increased Tax on Cigars and Cigarettes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on cigars and cigarettes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Canada and the United States should create the North American Air Quality Commission (NAAQC); (2) the NAAQC should be the primary means for coordinating U.S. and Canadian enforcement efforts to reduce acid precipitation pollution; (3) the NAAQC should recommend to Canada and the United States policies and legislation to reduce acid precipitation pollution; and (4) the NAAQC should report twice annually to the Canadian Parliament and the U. S. Congress on both countries' progress toward reduction of such pollution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that nuclear war represents a great hazard and should be prevented. Urges the President to propose: (1) that the United States and the Soviet Union begin negotiations to reduce substantially their nuclear arsenals; and (2) that conferences should be held among all nuclear nations to propose annual reductions and gradual elimination of all nuclear weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for home health care and nursing home expenses paid by families on behalf of their relatives.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Urban Jobs and Enterprise Zone Act of 1981 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones, for a period ending December 31, 2001, and subject to the approval of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, by local governments or by State governments on behalf of local governments for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by titles II and III of this Act. Specifies that the Secretary may approve the designation of such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the designating local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous and includes accessible vacant or underutilized properties; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area with a population of at least 50,000 or 2,500 otherwise or is an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Requires designating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's approval, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, or receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on December 31, 1996. Sets forth minimum and maximum numbers of such designations. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to set forth the duties of the Secretary under this Act. Requires any property tax reduction effected by a local government under an agreed to program to be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) local governments should attempt to facilitate to the greatest extent possible the employment of poor and unemployed residents of their enterprise zones and should consider the effects of a designation upon area employment practices and patterns; and (2) whenever possible, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones and that in the case of any application for designation of a foreign-trade zone within an enterprise zone: (A) the Foreign-Trade Zone Board should expedite the application process; (B) the Board, in evaluating such application, should consider future development to be expected as a result of the incentives provided by this Act; and (C) the Board should provide technical assistance to the applicants. Title II: Taxation - Subtitle A: Refundable Credits for Employers and Employees - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a refundable income tax credit for five percent of the wages paid to unemployed or economically disadvantaged individuals who are certified as eligible under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act and who perform at least 50 percent of their services within an enterprise zone. Disallows a deduction for the portion of the wages or salaries equal to the amount of such credit. Allows individuals who are employees of qualified businesses and at least 50 percent of whose services during the taxable year are performed in an enterprise zone a refundable tax credit for five percent of the earned income attributable to services performed in an enterprise zone during a 36-month period. Limits such credit to $1,500 for any taxable year. Defines "qualified business" as a person: (1) at least 50 percent of whose gross receipts are attributable to the active conduct of a trade or business within an enterprise zone; and (2) at least 40 percent of whose employees are individuals whose employment qualifies for the employers' credit allowed under this subtitle and who are hired after the later of the date on which the conduct of a business in an enterprise zone is begun or the area is designated as such a zone. Subtitle B: Reduction in Capital Gain Tax Rates - Reduces the alternative tax on capital gains and increases the capital gains deduction. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Removes as an item of tax preference accelerated depreciation on real property used in such a business. Subtitle C: Reduction in Gross Income of Trades or Businesses Operating in Zone - Excludes from taxable income a specified percentage of the sum of any amount received by a qualified business from the active conduct of a trade or business within an enterprise zone and any interest on financing provided by a taxpayer to a qualified business in connection with the conduct of such business. Subtitle D: Other Incentives - Permits any qualified business to elect to use the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting without regard to any inventory requirements if its gross receipts do not exceed $2,000,000 in any prior taxable year. Allows a 20-year carryover of net operating losses for qualified businesses. Qualifies for the investment tax credit low-income rental housing with respect to which the capital gains tax reduction is granted under subtitle B of this title. Subtitle E: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this title. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity," for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions, to include qualified businesses (as defined in title II of this Act), designating governments, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from investigating or taking any action concerning any State regulated profession until Congress enacts legislation which expressly provides that the Commission has authority over professions and that the Commission's authority preempts State authority. Vacates any such action taken during the period beginning on May 28, 1981, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $100,000 to $300,000 the allowable cost of used property eligible for the investment tax credit. Provides for a three-year carryback and a seven-year carryover of amounts which exceed such limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Great Lakes Protection Act of 1981 - Amends the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978 to redesignate specified provisions and to revise definitions under such Act. Establishes a Great Lakes Protection program under such Act. Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish within NOAA a Great Lakes Research Office, to be directed by an Executive Director appointed by the Administrator. Requires the Executive Director to compile, within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, an inventory of all major actions of the Federal, State, and local governments since 1977 which have significantly affected (or may so affect) the Great Lakes. Requires that such inventory be submitted to the Congress and the President and be updated at least once every three months. Requires the Executive Director, within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) current state of Federal efforts to improve the Great Lakes' environmental quality; and (2) the degree of coordination among the States to preserve and protect such quality. Sets forth other responsibilities of the Executive Director. Requires that all Federal agencies include Great Lakes environmental impact analyses in their recommendations or reports for major Federal actions significantly affecting the Great Lakes. Sets forth provisions relating to such analyses, including a requirement that copies be available to the President and to the public. Directs that, to the fullest extent practicable: (1) U.S. policies, regulations, and public laws be interpreted and administered in accordance with the policies of protection for the Great Lakes set forth in this Act; and (2) any major Federal action significantly affecting the Great Lakes be modified to accommodate such policies and include all possible planning to minimize harm to the Great Lakes. Revises provisions relating to interagency cooperation, dissemination of information, and effect on other laws. Extends through fiscal years 1984 the authorization of appropriations to carry out the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978. Reserves a specified amount of such appropriations to be obligated and expended on the Great Lakes Research Office in each fiscal year ending after September 30, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Requires a principal who enters into a contract with a sales representative for the solicitation of orders for merchandise of the principal to furnish specified information to the representative, including monthly commission statements. Enumerates items to be included in any written contract between a principal and sales representative in order to conform with this Act. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals who have entered into a written contract in conformity with title I from the indemnification requirements of this title. Requires any principal to indemnify a sales representative in accordance with this title if such principal: (1) without good cause terminates a representative's assignment or reduces the geographical territory assigned to a representative; (2) reduces the rate of commission paid to a representative; or (3) reduces the number of accounts assigned within a geographical territory. Sets forth a formula for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - Permits actions to be brought in Federal district court to enforce the rights or liabilities of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest earned on certificates of deposit issued by banks, certain savings institutions, or credit unions. Requires such certificates to be issued between June 30, 1981 and July 31, 1982, to have a one year maturity, and to bear interest at a rate not greater than 70 percent of the average yield of U.S. Treasury bills. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns).
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Noninstitutional Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and Disabled Act - Amends the Social Security Act by adding a new title, title XXI (Noninstitutional Acute and Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and the Disabled), to provide a comprehensive system of noninstitutional health, developmental, and social services for individuals with chronic disabilities. Entitles an eligible individual to the following benefits: (1) home health services; (2) homemaker-home health aide services; (3) adult day services; (4) respite care services for up to 14 days, or 336 hours, in any year; (5) service coordination; (6) home help services; and (7) other services, provided on a demonstration basis, which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines may be of value. Sets forth definitions of such benefits. Provides benefits to every individual who: (1) has attained age 65; (2) is disabled and eligible for benefits under titles II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), XVI (Supplemental Security Income), XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid) of the Act; (3) was eligible for such benefits and ceased to be so eligible, but only if loss of benefits would seriously jeopardize such individual's ability to continue to live in a noninstitutional community residence and such individual's income is not sufficient to allow such individual to provide a reasonable equivalent of the services available under this Act; or (4) has been certified as eligible by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. States that no eligible individual shall be eligible to receive any benefits under title XXI or any long-term care benefits under titles XVIII, XIX, or XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Act unless such individual has a plan of care, as specified in this Act, and has been screened and assessed by a preadmission assessment and screening team (PAT) in order to determine the types and frequency of services required by such individual and in order to assure the maximum level of independence for such individual. Requires the Governor of each State to designate the State agency or agencies which shall administer or supervise the administration of the States' PAT program. Directs such agency or agencies to designate the PAT. Directs the Secretary to reimburse any PAT, and any State, for the reasonable costs incurred under this Act. Requires beneficiaries under title XXI to make copayments. Sets limits based on income for such copayments. Exempts those below the poverty line from copayments. Directs the Secretary to pay amounts for benefits incurred by an eligible individual in accordance with specified guidelines. Creates the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund into which specified funds will be deposited in order to make the payments required by this Act. Coordinates the provisions of this Act with titles XVIII, XIX, and XX of the Act by providing that no payment shall be made under such titles to or on behalf of an individual who is eligible under title XXI for services available under title XXI, unless the individual seeking coverage first undergoes a preadmission screening and assessment as provided in title XXI. States that this Act shall be effective between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 1987. Directs the Secretary to monitor the effects of this Act and report to Congress. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct an ongoing evaluation of the effects of this Act and to report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Expresses the disapproval of Congress of the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of five airborne warning and control aircraft (AWACS) and conformal fuel tanks and air-to-air missiles for F-15 aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1981
Mass Transportation Maintenance Assistance Act of 1981 - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to local public bodies for maintenance expenses of mass transportation systems. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for fiscal years 1983 through 1986. Allocates ten percent of such appropriation to States according to specified formula. Limits the expenditure of such funds to urbanized areas with populations of less than 200,000 which have maintenance programs approved under this Act. Apportions the remainder of such appropriations to urbanized areas with populations of over 200,000. Limits to 15 percent of operating costs the amount of such grants for maintenance expenses. Directs the Secretary to develop a system of measuring improved efficiency of mass transportation systems resulting from such maintenance programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the purchase of buses and related equipment and the construction of bus related facilities. Authorizes appropriations, to remain available until expended, for such grants for fiscal years 1983 through 1986. Sets forth an apportionment formula for such funds. Directs a Governor to: (1) take service based factors into account when distributing such funds; and (2) report annually to the Secretary concerning such allocations. Directs that sums apportioned under this Act shall be available for obligation by the Governor or designated recipient for three years following the close of the fiscal year for which they were apportioned. Limits the Federal share of any project for: (1) the payment of maintenance expenses to 75 percent; and (2) the purchase of buses and related equipment to 80 percent. Specifies criteria by which a grant applicant shall be found eligible for approval. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983 through 1986 for formula grants for areas other than urbanized areas. Limits the application of this Act to amounts apportioned for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Older Americans Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands under the definition of "State" for purposes of the Act. Includes among the functions of the Administration on Aging the coordination of Federal activities with respect to the collection, preparation, and dissemination of information relevant to older individuals. Eliminates the National Information and Resource Clearinghouse for the Aged. Sets March 31, 1982, as the deadline for a study by the Federal Council on Aging evaluating programs for older Americans. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Council through fiscal year 1983. Eliminates outdated provisions relating to a report on legal services programs. Repeals a provision that a Congressional declaration of policy respecting "Insular Areas" not apply to the administration of programs for older Americans. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for grants for State and community programs on aging (relating to social services and to congregate and home delivered nutrition services). Continues through fiscal year 1983 formulas for allotments to States and determination of the Federal share of costs of such programs. Changes (from a minimum of 50 percent) to "an adequate proportion" that portion of the amount of social service grant funds which area plans must assure will be expended for access to services, in-home services, and legal services. Requires that State plans provide that each nutrition service project will be available not only to individuals aged 60 or older and their spouses but also to handicapped or disabled individuals under 60 years of age residing in senior citizen centers where congregate nutrition services are provided. Requires that such plans give primary consideration to congregate nutrition services, but allows area agencies to award funds to organizations for home nutrition services without requiring that such organizations also provide congregate services. Permits charges for access to meals for the elderly where appropriate. Repeals a limitation on the use of nutrition services funds for supportive services. Extends through fiscal year 1983: (1) the 30 cents per meal minimum level of assistance under the program of donation of surplus agricultural commodities to nutrition services for the elderly grant or contract recipients; and (2) the requirement that the Secretary of Agriculture purchase high protein foods, meat, and meat alternates for such purpose. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to consult with minority aging organizations and include the status of meeting the manpower needs of the minority elderly in reports on existing and future personnel needs. Includes weatherization improvement and energy efficiency among the special housing needs of older individuals for which special consideration will be given in awarding project grants and contracts. Provides that a report on special projects in comprehensive long-term care be included in the annual report on programs for older Americans. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for training, research, and discretionary projects and programs in the field of aging. Includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in: (1) provisions for distribution of assistance under such Act; and (2) in the definition of "State" for purposes of the Older American Community Service Employment Programs. Includes weatherization activities among community services for purposes of such programs. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for such programs. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization of appropriations for grants for Indian tribes for elderly services, including multipurpose senior centers. Sets forth technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the: (1) U.S. representative to the World Health Assembly should vote for the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes; (2) American infant formula industry should abide by such code; (3) President should encourage other governments to call upon their infant formula industries to comply with this code; and (4) President should cooperate with governments of developing countries to develop health standards and programs to implement this code.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Small Business Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an election by small businesses which are at least 70 percent owned by active participants in the trade or business and which have average annual gross receipts of $500,000 or less for the three taxable years ending with the year of election to use the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting without regard to any inventory requirements. Allows a taxpayer who adopts the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting to spread increases in taxable income attributable to such change over a ten-year period. Increases the allowable cost of used property eligible for the investment tax credit. Permits the nonrecognition of gain from the sale of any property, except to the extent that the amount realized from the sale exceeds the cost of common or preferred stock of a qualified small business corporation purchased by the taxpayer within one year after the date of such sale. Defines "qualified small business corporation" as a small business corporation whose passive investment income, for the taxable year or for any of the three subsequent taxable years, does not exceed 15 percent of its gross receipts. Requires a reduction of the basis of such stock by the amount of gain not recognized. Prescribes a three-year statute of limitations for the assessment of any deficiency attributable to gain realized by the sale of such property. Reduces corporate income tax rates.
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 · 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 · 26 March 1981
Establishes a Special Joint Committee on the Centennial of the Birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Directs that such committee shall be composed of sixteen Members of the Congress. Directs that such committee shall prepare an overall program for nationwide observances and make comprehensive plans for commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, including a joint session of Congress to be held on January 29, 1982. Provides that the expenses of such committee shall not exceed a specified amount to be paid from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives. Directs that upon termination of the committee one-half of its expenses shall be paid by transfer from the contingent fund of the Senate to the contingent fund of the House of Representatives. Provides that such committee shall terminate not later than April 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President and the Secretary of Defense should make every effort to remove waste and inefficiency from Department of Defense programs and that the expenditure of appropriated funds for national defense purposes should be closely monitored.
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 · 19 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. policy should promote the conservation and protection of the world's whales and that the United States should work for the adoption by the International Whaling Commission of an indefinite moratorium on commercial killing of whales. Recognizes proposals to: (1) strengthen the management procedures of the Commission to ensure that risks of extinction to individual stocks of whales are not seriously increased by exploitation; and (2) extend the commission's ban on the use of the cold (nonexplosive) harpoon and implement other measures to ensure the humane taking of all whales. Urges the Commission to continue to collect and study information relating to aboriginal/subsistence whaling. Reaffirms the U.S. position that the Commission possesses regulatory authority with respect to specified types of whales. Declares the United States should make use of all available means in promoting conservation and protection of whales.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Water Pricing Reform Act of 1981 - Directs that any water delivery contract entered into by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the Reclamation Act shall require the repayment of costs of such delivery by the contractor at a rate at least equal to the costs incurred by the government. Requires contracts involving a project authorized by the Congress after enactment of this Act, or any project for which no contract has yet been executed, to provide for the recovery of costs at a rate determined by the Secretary, including: (1) all construction costs allocable to irrigation; (2) all operation and maintenance costs; and (3) interest on such charges. Authorizes the Secretary to establish higher rates for the recovery of costs to encourage conservation of water resources. Requires the Secretary to recalculate such rates each year and to modify each contract to reflect the cost alterations. Prohibits the duration of any water service contract entered into after enactment of this Act to be greater than ten years. Amends the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to provide that repayment obligations of organizations contracting with the Secretary be fixed to achieve timely repayment of costs consistent with the annual payment capacity of such organization. Prohibits any such contract, subsequent to enactment of this Act, to be reduced on the basis of the contractor's ability to pay. Prohibits water sold under any contract with the Secretary to be resold without the written permission of the Secretary. Directs the Secretary in reviewing applications for such resales, to establish resale prices to prevent speculation by contractors. Authorizes the Secretary to require payment of a reasonable fee by the seller to cover administrative expenses, or such other purpose the Secretary may deem reasonable. Provides a procedure for public participation for any contract whose duration is longer than six months, prior to approval of the Secretary. Requires the submission to the Congress for approval of any contract involving the sale or delivery of more than 50,000 acre-feet.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1981 - Title I: Information Practices: Use of Consumer Reporting Agencies - Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to permit a Federal agency to disclose records pertaining to an individual to a consumer reporting agency. Authorizes a Federal agency attempting to collect a claim under the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 to notify a consumer reporting agency that a person is responsible for a claim if: (1) the agency has sent a written notice informing the person that a consumer reporting agency will be contacted, describing the information to be disclosed, and explaining the person's right to dispute the agency's claim; (2) the person has not agreed to repay the claim or filed for review of the claim; (3) the agency has reviewed the claim, if requested; and (4) the agency has obtained assurances that the consumer reporting agency complies with Federal laws governing the provision of consumer credit information. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish regulations requiring each agency with outstanding debts to submit annual reports on the amount and number of such debts, the interest charged on such debts, the cost to the agency of collecting debts, and other information on the agency's debt collection activities. Requires the Director to report annually to Congress on the management of agency debt collection activities. Title II: Collection Practices for Defaulted Student Loans - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1954 to require the Secretary of Education to analyze, quarterly, the collection status of defaulted Federal, federally-guaranteed, and federally-insured student loans. Directs the Secretary: (1) to notify the borrower of a defaulted loan of the consequences of not repaying the loan; (2) to attempt to enter into a repayment agreement with the borrower; and (3) if such attempt is not successful within 180 days of the loan becoming defaulted, to engage a nonprofit collection agency to service the loan. Directs the Secretary to refer any loan which is not under a repayment agreement within one year after being placed with a collection agency, to: (1) the Attorney General if the projected outstanding balance exceeds $600; or (2) the Secretary of the Treasury for collection. Requires the Attorney General to establish procedures for the efficient collection of such loans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to require any borrower of a defaulted loan referred to the Secretary of the Treasury to pay the amount owed: (1) with income tax imposed for the year of the referral; or (2) by other methods prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Grants the Secretary of the Treasury the same powers to assess and collect such defaulted loans as if such amounts were imposed income taxes, the collection of which would be jeopardized by delay. Exempts any such collection or assessment from review by a Federal court. Directs the Comptroller General to analyze the systems for collecting student loans established under this Act, and to submit to Congress recommendations for the application of these systems to the collection of other loans made, insured, or guaranteed by the Government. Title III: Collection of Child-Support Obligations - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify the amount of child support obligations assigned to a State for collection by the Secretary of the Treasury without regard to whether a State agrees to reimburse the United States for collection costs. Shortens the period that collection of such an obligation is stayed after service of the notice and demand for payment in the case of the first delinquency assessment against an individual. Title VI: Higher Interest Charges During Periods of Default for All Federal Loan Programs - Requires each agency which administers a program providing direct Federal loans to include in any such loan a provision stating that the interest rate on the loan for each month during which the loan is in default may be increased to a rate equal to the Federal borrowing cost. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations for the uniform implementation of this title. Title V: Other Provisions Relating to the Collection of Federal Claims - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, by January 15 of each year, to notify any person owing a debt (excluding student loans) to a Federal agency for the preceding year of the amount and method of payment of such debt. Requires such person to pay the debt with his or her income taxes or as prescribed by the Secretary. Grants the Secretary the same powers to assess and collect such debts as if such amounts were imposed income taxes, the collection of which would be jeopardized by delay. Permits the head of an agency to garnish an employee's wages to pay any debt owed to the United States because of an erroneous payment to the individual by another agency. Declares that the statute of limitations for actions brought by the United States for money damages shall not bar the Government from collecting money payable to an individual by administrative offset if the individual is provided with an opportunity for an administrative hearing subject to judicial review. Authorizes the Secretary to disclose a taxpayer's address to an agency or an agency contractor engaged in a proceeding to collect a Federal claim. Permits such agency or contractor to redisclose such information. Authorizes appropriations for the employment in the Internal Revenue Service of sufficient personnel to collect all Federal tax liabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Act - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for veterans exposed to herbicides during service who suffer from a disease which may be caused by exposure to such herbicides, developed to a ten percent degree of disability. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to determine what diseases and birth defects may be due to exposure to herbicides. Qualifies such birth defects disabling to a degree of ten percent as an aggravation of a preexisting injury suffered in the line of duty in the active military service during a period of war. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations within one year of enactment incorporating such determinations and setting forth the conditions of service during the Vietnam era required to establish exposure.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1981
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the export of goods the sales of which are prohibited or restricted in the United States by specified public health and safety laws, unless specified conditions are met. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to issue export licenses permitting the export of such goods if: (1) all statutory requirements are met; (2) the Secretary and the head of the agency regulating the sale of such goods in the United States concur that: (A) the country has requested such export and has been fully informed of any U.S. restrictions and possible hazards; and (B) the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards; and (3) the sale in the importing country would be subject to restrictions comparable to those imposed in the United States. Requires such exported goods to include all information required by U.S. law. Prohibits the export of such goods if such information is likely to be ineffective. Prohibits the export of any goods to be used in manufacturing prohibited goods.
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 · 3 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to reduce the rate of tax on the taxable income of a corporation below $500,000. Reduces the income tax rate and the alternative tax on mutual insurance companies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Repeals the requirement under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse or surviving spouse be reduced by the amount such spouse or surviving spouse receives monthly from a Federal or State pension fund.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to extend from five to ten years the period during which a spouse or mother becoming eligible for a Government pension may qualify for an exemption from title II provisions requiring a reduction in such spouse's or mother's OASDI benefits based on receipt of a Government pension.
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 · 23 February 1981
Requests the President to call on the pertinent members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and on Japan to meet or exceed their pledges for at least a three percent real increase in defense spending in 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide homebuilders with an income tax credit for the construction of residences which incorporate a passive solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, to prescribe regulations setting forth a solar construction credit table for purposes of determining the amount of the credit for which the incorporator of the solar energy system is eligible. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $2,000 for calendar years prior to 1987 and phases out the amount of the credit by $500 decrements until 1990 when such credit terminates. Defines a "passive solar energy system" as a system which contains a solar collection area, an absorber, a storage mass, a heat distribution method, and heat regulation devices. Requires such system to be installed in a new residence after September 30, 1981, and before January 1, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Patent Term Restoration Act of 1981 - Amends the patent law to extend the terms of patents which encompass specified products or a method for using a product any of which are subject to certain nonpatent regulatory review periods. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such extension, including a seven year limitation. Directs the Commissioner of Patents to issue to the owner of record of a patent a certificate of extension stating the fact and length of the extension and identifying the product and the use and the claim to which such extension is applicable. Makes such certificate a part of the original patent. Limits the application of such patent term extension to patents for products subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Act of March 4, 1913 (relating to virus, serum, toxin, and analogous products).
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
World War I Veterans Service Pension Act of 1981 - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay (in addition to any pension already paid) a monthly pension of $150: (1) to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements; (2) to the surviving spouse of each such veteran; or (3) when there is no surviving spouse, to the child or children of each such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Refundable Investment Tax Credit Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the refunding of investment tax credit amounts which exceed tax liability.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Pollution Control Facilities Tax Incentives Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer to elect a 12-month amortization period or an additional ten percent investment tax credit for pollution control facilities used in connection with a plant or other property in operation before January 1, 1971. Removes the requirement, for purposes of certification of pollution control facilities for the amortization deduction, that such facilities not increase output, extend the useful life, reduce total operating costs, or alter the production process of the plants in connection with which they are used.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1981
Expresses the concern of the Congress over the escalating violence in El Salvador. Affirms support for a negotiated settlement to the conflict, for democratic government, and for respect of human rights. Calls for the suspension of military aid to El Salvador pending a report on: (1) the extent to which further military aid will strengthen the moderate forces within that country; (2) the results of the investigation into the murder of six Americans; and (3) the implementation of a land reform program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make construction-differential subsidies available to United States built or documented vessels for replacement or upgrading of such vessels' existing propulsion machinery in order to improve energy efficiency. Establishes guidelines for the approval of such subsidies. Sets forth procedures for the negotiation, acceptance, and payment of such subsidies by the Secretary. Requires replacement propulsion equipment to be of United States origin except under specified circumstances. Classifies such upgraded vessel as "new" or "reconstructed" for specified purposes of such Act. Reduces the age of such vessel by ten years for purposes of the obligation to replace it under any operating- differential subsidy and capital construction fund contract or program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1981
Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require separate metering of the electricity or natural gas used in each new building unit constructed after enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to bring actions against electric and gas utilities to require compliance with such requirements. Sets forth penalties for violations of such requirements.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1981
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States and Indian tribes for projects designed to prevent domestic violence and provide immediate shelter and other assistance for victims of domestic violence and their dependents. Sets forth conditions for receiving such grants, including that the State: (1) distribute funds to local public agencies and private nonprofit organizations; (2) distribute at least 70 percent of such funds to private, nonprofit organizations and give special emphasis to community-based projects; (3) designate a State agency to administer the programs; (4) set forth procedures to assure active citizen participation within the State; (5) assure that any project funded will coordinate its activities with other State programs and be administered by trained personnel; (6) provide technical assistance; and (7) comply with reporting requirements. Limits the total amount of grants to any local program to $150,000 for not more than a three-year period. Limits the grant for any fiscal year to $50,000. Stipulates that funds may not be used for direct payment to victims or dependents and that no income eligibility standard may be imposed. Requires local public agencies and private organizations to provide the following shares of Federal funding: 25 percent in the first year, 33.33 percent the second year, and 50 percent the third year. Requires that at least 75 percent of grants be distributed to entities providing immediate shelter and related assistance to victims. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplemental grants to States for: (1) administrative costs; (2) developing and implementing programs; (3) assuring active citizen participation; and (4) developing a media campaign. Provides that each State will be allotted at least $45,000 in formula grants and $7,500 in supplemental grants. Requires each State receiving assistance to submit detailed annual reports to the Secretary on the implementation of programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate a director of programs carried out under this title; (2) establish a national information clearinghouse on domestic violence, in coordination with the child abuse clearinghouse; (3) make recommendations to Congress regarding domestic violence programs; and (4) obtain information on research relating to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to make annual reports to Congress and to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of the programs no later than two years after funds are obligated. Sets forth confidentiality requirements with respect to records of persons assisted under this title. Establishes the Federal Interagency Council on Domestic Violence to assist the Secretary in coordinating Federal programs. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1984 to carry out this title. Provides for repeal of this title at the end of either fiscal year 1985 or the third fiscal year after appropriations are first made. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the President and Congress within 18 months of enactment on the nature and incidence of abuse of elderly persons.
![Official portrait of Rep. Eckart, Dennis E. [D-OH-11]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e000031_200.jpg)