United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1983
Title I: Department of State - Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State for FY 1984 and 1985 for: (1) administration of foreign affairs, with a specified amount earmarked for protective services; (2) international organizations and conferences; (3) international commissions; (4) migration and refugee assistance, with a specified amount earmarked to fight piracy in the Gulf of Thailand; and (5) U.S. Bilateral Science and Technology Agreements. Requires that the U.S. share of expenses of the International Bureau for the Protection of Industrial Property for any year after 1981 shall be paid out of the State Department funds for international organizations and conferences. Requires that the U.S. expenses for the thirty-first annual meeting of the North Atlantic Assembly shall be paid with State Department funds for FY 1984 for international organizations and conferences. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the Secretary of State to allocate or transfer State Department funds to any U.S. agency for direct expenditure by such agency for the purposes for which the funds were appropriated in accordance with authority granted in such Act or under authority governing the activities of such agency. Limits the amount of any U.S. payment to the United Nations budget or to the budget of any specialized U.N. agency to an amount assessed as the U.S. contribution less 25 percent of the amount budgeted for projects whose primary purpose is to provide political benefits to the Palestine Liberation Organization. Directs the President to report annually to Congress on any such project. Provides that the Counselor of the Department of State shall be compensated at the rate of Level III rather than Level IV of the Executive Schedule. Deletes the provision limiting the amount that the National Commission on Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Cooperation may accept in gifts in a single year. Makes a specified amount of the funds authorized for the administration of foreign affairs for each of FY 1984 and 1985 available for the expenses of the National Commission on Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Cooperation. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize training and instruction at the Foreign Service Institute for a maximum of 60 citizens of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to require that the President, rather than the Secretary, appoint the Director of the Office of Foreign Missions. Grants the Director the rank of ambassador. Sets forth the qualifications of the Director. Prohibits specified types of reprograming of State Department funds unless the House Foreign Affairs and the Senate Foreign Relations Committees are notified 15 days before the proposed reprograming. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to provide for a benefit fund for foreign national employees of the State Department. Deletes the provision dealing with the payment of illness and burial expenses for Federal employees who are citizens of foreign countries. Sets forth the method of determining retirement benefits of certain foreign service officers. Directs the Secretary to assign responsibility for international communications and information policy matters within the Department to an appropriate Under Secretary of State. Lists the responsibilities for such matters. Directs the Secretary to establish within the State Department an Office of the Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy. Requires the Coordinator to be responsible to the Under Secretary. Sets forth the duties of the Coordinator. Declares that the presence of nonessential personnel or dependents shall not preclude payment of danger pay to Federal employees serving under dangerous conditions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should recommend that extended voluntary departure status be granted to El Salvadorans and that such status should be granted until the situation in El Salvador has changed sufficiently to permit their safely residing in that country. Title II: United States Information Agency - United States Information Agency Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 - Authorizes appropriations for the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) for FY 1984 and 1985. Earmarks specified amounts for FY 1984 and 1985 for: (1) acquisition and construction of radio facilities; and (2) a grant to the National Endowment for Democracy. Authorizes supplemental appropriations for the USIA for FY 1983. Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to prohibit specified types of reprograming of USIA funds unless the House Foreign Affairs and the Senate Foreign Relations Committees are notified 15 days before the proposed reprograming. Authorizes the USIA to award program grants for FY 1984 and 1985 only if those committees are notified 15 days in advance of the proposed grant. Authorizes disseminating USIA prepared information to foreign diplomats in the United States. Prohibits those diplomats from further disseminating such information within the United States except to other foreign diplomats. Directs the Administrator of General Services to provide for the distribution within the United States of the USIA film "Thanksgiving in Peshawar." Title III: Board for International Broadcasting - Board for International Broadcasting Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize supplemental appropriations for FY 1983 and to authorize appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985. Limits the salary of the President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Incorporated, to the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule. Title IV: Inter-American Foundation - Inter-American Foundation Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to authorize appropriations for the Inter-American Foundation for FY 1984 and 1985. Title V: The Asia Foundation - The Asia Foundation Act - Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of State to make grants to The Asia Foundation in each of FY 1983 through 1985. Title VI: National Endowment for Democracy - National Endowment for Democracy Act - Authorizes the establishment of a nonprofit corporation to be known as the National Endowment for Democracy. Sets forth the purposes of the Endowment. Authorizes the Endowment to provide funding only for programs of private sector groups which are consistent with the purposes of the Endowment. Provides for the incorporation of the Endowment. Requires the Endowment to report annually to the President on its activities. Authorizes the Director of the USIA to make grants to the Endowment. Allocates funds from the Endowment for each of FY 1984 and 1985 for: (1) the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs; (2) the National Republican Institute for International Affairs; (3) the Free Trade Union Institute; and (4) the private enterprise development programs of the National Chamber Foundation. Title VII: South Africa - United States Policy Toward South Africa Act of 1983 - Subtitle I: Labor Standards - Requires any United States person who has or controls an enterprise in South Africa which employs more than 30 people to insure that in operating such enterprise the following employment principles are implemented: (1) desegregation in any employment facility; (2) equal employment for all employees; (3) equal pay for equal work; (4) establishment of a minimum wage and salary structure; (5) increase in the representation of nonwhites in managerial, supervisory, administrative, clerical, and technical jobs; (6) improvement of the quality of employees' lives outside the work environment; and (7) recognition of labor unions and fair labor practices. Declares that the Secretary may issue guidelines and give advisory opinions on compliance with such principles. Directs the Secretary of State to establish an Advisory Council in South Africa to advise the Secretary with respect to the implementation of such employment principles and to review the annual reports which each U.S. person covered by this Act must submit to the Secretary on the progress made in implementing such principles. Directs the Secretary to establish in the United States an American Advisory Council to make policy recommendations regarding labor practices of U.S. persons in South Africa and to review such persons' progress in implementing such employment practices. Directs the Secretary: (1) to take specified actions to insure compliance with the implementation of such employment principles; and (2) to review the compliance of such persons at least biennially. Sets forth penalties for noncompliance. Authorizes the President to waive compliance with the implementation of such principles if such compliance would harm U.S. national security. Subtitle II: Prohibition on Loans and Importation of Gold Coins - Prohibits any U.S. financial or lending institution from making any loan directly or through a foreign subsidiary to South Africa unless such loan is for educational, housing, or health facilities available to all persons on a nondiscriminatory basis. Prohibits the importation of any gold coin minted in South Africa or sold by South Africa. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to enforce the prohibitions on loans and the importation of gold coins. Sets forth penalties for violations of such prohibitions. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibitions for one year if South Africa meets specified conditions. Subtitle III: General Provisions - Directs Federal agencies to cooperate with the Secretary in carrying out provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1983
Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to authorize appropriations for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency for FY 1984 and 1985. Provides that the Director of the Agency shall be a permanent member of the National Security Council.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1983
Water Resources Research Act of 1983 - Authorizes the establishment, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, of one water resources research and technology institute in each State at certain colleges or universities. States that each such institute shall: (1) have responsibility for planning, conducting, and/or arranging for competent research in relation to water resources; and (2) cooperate with other colleges and universities in the State to develop a statewide program designed to resolve State and regional water and related land problems. Requires the Secretary to make grants to each institute to be matched at specified rates by non-Federal dollars. Requires each institute, prior to the receipt of funds each fiscal year, to submit to the Secretary a water research program. Requires the Secretary to establish procedures for a detailed evaluation of each institute to determine whether such institute warrants continued Federal support. Provides for such evaluations within two years of establishment and for reevaluations at intervals not to exceed four years. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to carry out this section for FY 1984 through 1988. Permits the Secretary to make additional grants (on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis) to other qualified institutions and agencies of local or State government for research concerning any aspect of a water-related problem which the Secretary may deem to be in the national interest. States the application requirements for such grants. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to carry out this section for FY 1984 through 1988. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to certain organizations for technology development concerning any aspect of water-related technology which the Secretary may deem to be of State, regional, or national importance. Authorizes the Secretary to establish any condition for the matching of funds for such grants in the best interest of the Nation considering the technology needs for water resources. States the requirements for applications for grants under this section. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for carrying out this section for FY 1984 through 1988. Repeals the Water Research and Development Act of 1978. Requires that rules and regulations established under such Act shall remain in effect until superseded by new rules and regulations promulgated under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1983
Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to cause two named vessels to be documented as vessels of the United States entitled to engage in the coastwise trade.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1983
National Ocean Policy Commission Act of 1983 - Establishes a 15-member National Ocean Policy Commission to make recommendations on a comprehensive national oceans policy. Specifies issues such recommendations must address. Sets forth factors the Commission must take into account in developing its recommendations. Directs the Commission to make a final report to the President and to each House of the Congress not later than two years after the Commission first meets. Terminates the Commission on the thirtieth day after the final report is submitted. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1983
Urges the United States and the Soviet Union to begin talks aimed at creating a jointly administered United States-Soviet student exchange program. Sets forth certain aspects of such exchange program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Makes FY 1983 supplemental appropriations to the Health Resources Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services for preventive health services for the unemployed.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the executive branch should begin to coordinate and improve its projections and analysis of world population, resources, and environmental trends as outlined in the Global 2000 study.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should reduce imports of apparel to no more than 25 percent of the American apparel market.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take steps to: (1) issue a proclamation commemorating the Ukrainian famine of 1933; (2) issue a warning that the continued enslavement of the Ukrainian nation is a threat to world peace; and (3) convey to the Soviet people U.S. sentiments for the recovery of Ukrainian freedom and independence.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Balanced Monetary Policy Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require the Board of Governors and the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve System to establish yearly targets for money and total credit aggregates and for real interest rates consistent with historic levels. Requires the Board and the Federal Open Market Committee to take necessary actions to assure that such targets are achieved, on average, on an annual basis. Requires a written report to specified Congressional committees if such targets cannot or should not be achieved because of unfavorable economic conditions. Requires the Board of Governors to transmit specified information to Congress biannually. Requires the Board to announce publicly changes in objectives and plans at the time those changes are determined. Requires the President to state for the System's record the administration's position on each vote on monetary policy taken by the Board and by the Federal Open Market Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Health Care for the Unemployed Act - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title, Title XXI - Health Care for the Unemployed: Part A - Grants to States - Authorizes appropriations for a sum sufficient to enable each State to furnish medical assistance to unemployed individuals and their immediate family. Requires a State, in order to receive funding, to have an approved State plan for medical assistance for the unemployed. Requires a State plan to: (1) meet specified administrative requirements of the State's Medicaid plan; (2) make medical assistance available to eligible individuals voluntarily enrolled during the individual's coverage period; (3) require the State unemployment compensation agency to inform unemployment compensation recipients of the plan and of group health plans, and to notify the State Medicaid agency of eligible unemployment compensation recipients; (4) provide the following services: (a) inpatient hospital services up to nine days annually; (b) outpatient hospital, emergency, rural health clinic, and physician services for up to ten visits annually; (c) laboratory and x-ray services, subject to such limits as the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish; and (d) family planning and nurse mid-wife services; (5) provide for the imposition of premiums, enrollment fees, and similar charges; (6) provide that the plan will be secondary in payment to any other insurance or benefit plan providing medical assistance; and (7) provide that a State make reasonable efforts to determine the Medicaid eligibility of individuals enrolled in the plan who are not receiving unemployment compensation. Requires the Secretary to approve any plan meeting the above requirements, but precludes approval of any plan: (1) which excludes any U.S. citizen or any individual residing in the State; (2) which, if approved, would result in a deduction of Medicaid services; or (3) which does not meet requirements relating to the continuation and coversion rights of employees who lose health benefits under group health plans due to unemployment. Provides that an individual is eligible for a week if the individual: (1) is receiving unemployment compensation and three weeks have elapsed since the first week the individual received unemployment compensation; or (2) is not receiving unemployment compensation for the week, was receiving unemployment compensation for a week during the 104 week period ending with the week before the first week in which the plan is in effect and has not received unemployment compensation for any week in which the plan is in effect, and certain requirements relating to work availability. Makes an individual's family eligible if the individual is eligible. Requires a State plan to establish standards concerning whether or not an individual is employed. Requires an individual to be considered employed for a week if the individual's earnings equal or exceed an amount equal to 30 times the minimum hourly wage. Makes an individual ineligible for a week if: (1) the individual is covered under a group health plan for which a contribution is being made by someone other than the individual; (2) the individual is covered under his or her spouse's group health plan; (3) the individual is eligible for Medicaid; (4) the individual is employed for four consecutive weeks; or (5) the individual was disqualified because of fraud for unemployment compensation or convicted of a Medicaid offense in the previous year. Authorizes a State to impose a premium of between two and five percent of an individual's unemployment compensation. Requires a State to provide for the same deduction, cost-sharing, and similar charges as imposed under Medicaid. Sets forth the methods for determining payments to States. Makes provisions of title XIX relating to the operation of State plans applicable to title XXI. Sets forth definitions used in this part. Directs the Secretary, provided certain conditions are met, to grant a waiver to a State plan with respect to some or all of the Medicaid administrative requirements in the case of a State plan which enters into an arrangement with one or more private health benefits plans under which health insurance or health benefits are made available to all eligible individuals which provide required benefits at a cost no greater than the premiums and other charges of the State plan. Makes specified provisions of title XIX and part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Act relating to rural health clinics, fraud and abuse, Indian health service facilities, cost sharing, judicial and administrative review, capital expenditures, and administration applicable to this title. Requires a State to provide an employee covered under an insured group health plan who would otherwise lose coverage because of an involuntary separation (other than for cause) from employment be provided with the option of coverage under a group health plan. Part B: Assistance to Hospitals Serving the Unemployed - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to hospitals to assist the hospitals in providing services to individuals unable to pay. Requires a hospital, in order to receive a grant, to: (1) be located in an area of high unemployment or serve primarily medically underserved populations; (2) serve a significantly disproportionate number of patients having low income; (3) provide services to individuals without regard to their inability to pay; and (4) offer assurances that it will use the grants in addition to, rather than in lieu of, existing Federal, State, and local funds. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress concerning the grants. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1984-1987. Establishes the effective date for part B of title XXI as the beginning of FY 1984. Amends provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to group health plans to require a group health plan to have an open enrollment period of at least 30 days for each eligible married employee whose spouse loses coverage under a group health plan due to involuntary termination (other than for cause) of the spouse's employment. Provides for the participation of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa in the program established this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that for each of FY 1984 and 1985 specified amounts of development assistance economic support funds should be made available for development assistance for Haiti. Declares that such assistance should be provided through private and voluntary organizations, to the maximum extent possible. Authorizes obligating FY 1984 and 1985 funds for development assistance, military assistance, economic support, or military education for Haiti or extending credit or guarantees under the Arms Control Act for Haiti only if the President determines that Haiti is: (1) continuing to cooperate with the United States in halting illegal emigration to the United States from Haiti; (2) cooperating in implementing U.S. assistance programs in Haiti; (3) continuing to comply with the fiscal performance targets set by the International Monetary Fund; and (4) making a concerted and significant effort to improve the human rights situation in Haiti. Requires the President to report to Congress every six months on the extent to which the actions of the Government of Haiti are consistent with each of those conditions. Authorizes using FY 1984 and 1985 foreign assistance funds to work with Haiti to halt significant illegal emigration from Haiti to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Clean Campaign Act of 1983 - Adds a new title to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971: "Title V: Financing of General Election Campaigns for the House of Representatives". Establishes eligibility criteria entitling candidates to receive campaign payments on a matching basis. Establishes formulae to determine such sums. Limits expenditure of personal funds to $20,000 per election. Waives spending limits for eligible candidates whose opponents have spent sums exceeding the limit imposed upon such candidates. Requires specified independent expenditures to be reported to the Commission and to each candidate within specified time-frames. Permits additional payments to certain candidates who have waived specified broadcasting rights. Requires the Federal Election Commission to certify the eligibility of candidates to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall disburse funds to such candidates. Directs the Secretary to establish a separate United States House of Representatives Election Campaign Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and to deposit certain sums in such account in accordance with specified guidelines. Directs the Commission to audit campaign accounts. Requires repayment of excess payments and unexpended payments. Penalizes the use of funds for other than campaign purposes. Authorizes the Commission to institute repayment actions in U.S. district courts. Delineates the administrative authority of the Commission in carrying out this Act. Requires the Commission to make certain reports to the House of Representatives. Authorizes appropriations. Limits to $90,000 in any calendar year the amount of contributions which congressional candidates or their authorized political committees may accept from non-party multicandidate political committees. Specifies exceptions for candidates in general and special elections. States that any extension of credit for advertising on broadcasting stations, in newspapers or magazines, or by direct mail, or for other types of public political advertising shall be considered a contribution, if such credit is: (1) in excess of $1,000; and (2) for a period exceeding 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a taxpayer whose spouse earns less than $250 of compensation shall not be disqualified from having a spousal individual retirement account.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should convey U.S. concern for the welfare of Ethiopian Jews and seek ways to assist Ethiopian Jews to emigrate freely.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1983
Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize the Board to provide for radio broadcasts to Cuba. Makes providing accurate information to Cuba a purpose of such Act. Authorizes using a specified radio station and frequency for radio broadcasting to Cuba. Authorizes any U.S. agency or instrumentality to sell, loan, lease, or grant property, and to provide administrative and technical support and services on a reimbursable basis at the request of the Board. Prohibits making any grant under this Act to any corporation established to provide radio broadcasting to Cuba, unless the board of directors of such corporation consists only of members of the Board for International Broadcasting and the board of such corporation makes all major policy determinations and appoints (and fixes the compensation of) certain managerial officers and employees.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Trademark Counterfeiting Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties of up to five years' imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine ($1,000,000 fine for a corporation) for trafficking or attempting to traffic in counterfeit marks in the foreign or domestic commerce of the United States. Permits any injured owner of a mark registered on the principal register of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to sue for either treble claimant's damages or treble defendant's profits, whichever is greater, in Federal district court.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1983
Prohibits the implementation of certain regulations proposed by the Office of Personnel Management (published in the Federal Register on March 30, 1983) that change the administration of the civil service system by establishing a performance management system and revising regulations concerning reductions-in-force, pay administration under the Fair Labor Standards Act, bargaining policy in labor-management relations, and the prevailing rate pay system. Voids any such regulations which became effective before enactment of this Act. Prohibits the implementation of any other regulations that would have the same effect.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
National Park System Protection and Resources Management Act of 1983 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) collect, analyze, and document data on the factors which degrade or threaten to degrade the natural and cultural resources of the national park system; and (2) transmit to Congress a biennial State of the Parks report. Provides that such report shall include: (1) a description of the condition of each national park unit's natural and cultural resources, of the factors which damage or threaten such resources, and of the ongoing and planned mitigation actions and their results; (2) a description of the systemwide efforts to address the resource protection requirements listed above; (3) a discussion of systemwide resource protection and management policies for natural and cultural park resources; (4) a discussion of the adequacy of congressional appropriations in addressing protection and resource management programs; and (5) a discussion of funding needs to implement such policies and measures. Requires the National Park Service to solicit public involvement in the preparation of such report. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees an annual report on the 50 most critical natural and the 50 most critical cultural resource problems within the national park system. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for development of a plan for the National Park Service to conduct natural and cultural resources inventories and research on the problems and solutions with respect to national parks. Requires the plan to be submitted to the Secretary and the appropriate congressional committees. Requires that resource management plans for each national park unit be prepared and updated continually. Provides that general management plans for each park unit shall be based upon the park's resource management plan. Directs the Secretary to review and revise the current land classification system for the preservation and use of national park system lands. Requires the development of a new classification for maximum resource protection for sensitive ecosystems and cultural resources of special research value. Requires that those park units designated as biosphere reserves or world heritage sites receive priority consideration for monitoring and resource protection efforts. Expresses the sense of Congress that park and legislative officials establish ways to ensure the protection of international parks designated as biosphere reserves. Permits the Secretary to exercise the authority to issue leases within a national park unit, permit the use or development of such an area, or dispose of lands and waters within such an area only if the exercise of such authority will not have a significant adverse effect on the park unit. Restricts the Secretary's authority to act in areas adjacent to national park units in the same way, unless any significant adverse effects on the national parks are less important than the public interest value of a proposed action. Requires Federal agencies conducting activities within, or adjacent to, any national park unit to insure, to the extent practicable, that such activities will not significantly degrade the natural or cultural resources of the park unit. Provides for notification of the Secretary by a Federal agency if a proposed agency action may degrade or threaten the natural or cultural resources of a national park unit. Requires the Secretary to respond in writing on the foreseeable impact on park resources of a proposed agency action and to recommend any changes in such action needed to avoid adverse effects on park resources. Authorizes the Secretary to request information regarding a proposed agency action where the agency fails to notify the Secretary and the Secretary determines that such action may threaten park resources. Requires the Secretary to consider any adopted city, county, State, or Federal development plan during the deliberations on a proposed agency action. Requires the Secretary to hold a public hearing: (1) if requested by the affected government unit; and (2) if the Secretary's response to the proposed action is to be negative. Requires the proposing Federal agency to comply fully with the Secretary's recommendations in all cases where the proposed agency action would occur upon Federal lands or waters within the boundaries of a national park unit. Permits the proposing Federal agency to proceed with its action after consideration of the Secretary's recommendations in cases where the proposed action would occur on non-Federal lands within the boundaries of a national park unit, if the public interest in the proposed action is greater than the public interest in avoiding the adverse effects on the park resources involved. Provides that when the proposed agency action would involve areas adjacent to a national park boundary, the Federal agency must consider the Secretary's recommendations and must notify the Secretary of its decision to proceed. Sets forth notification requirements when proposed agency action differs from the Secretary's recommendation. Requires proposing agencies to notify specified congressional committees. Requires the Secretary to publish notices of proposed Federal actions and responses in the Federal Register. Exempts emergency, disaster, and national security actions from this Act. Requires actions under this Act to be brought in the U.S. district court in the district in which the national park unit involved is located. Provides for the Secretary to cooperate with, and provide technical assistance to, governmental and other entities to protect national park system resources. Requires the superintendent of each park unit to work with governmental and other entities which influence or control lands, resources, and activities within or adjacent to the park unit to develop a mutually compatible land use plan for the general area. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to local governments for park resource protection and for the development of such plan. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986 for such grant. Provides that such cooperative efforts shall be initiated in at least two park units for each administrative region, as well as in all biosphere reserves and world heritage sites, within one year after enactment of this Act. Requires that such efforts be initiated within two years after enactment of this Act in all national park units. Requires that each park unit or regional office have on its staff a person to coordinate the activities required by this Act. Directs the Secretary to initiate a training program for park personnel in the principles and techniques necessary to carry out the requirements of this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish a public information program to inform park visitors and the public of the need to protect park resources. Directs the Secretary to assure that the National Park Service includes adequate numbers and distribution of professional and scientific personnel to provide for park resource protection and management. Requires that general management plans for each national park unit be updated at least every ten years. Requires the Director of the National Park Service to assist potential donors of property located adjacent to or within national park units in satisfying the requirements under the Internal Revenue Code relating to charitable contributions. Provides that if provisions of this Act conflict with provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the provisions of such Act shall prevail. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct small shore and beach restoration projects which do not exceed $2,000,000 (currently, $1,000,000) without specific authorization by Congress. States that this increase shall apply only to such projects under contracts for construction after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Environmental Protection Act of 1983 - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares that the existing governmental entities charged with preventing air, water, and land pollution have not adequately protected the environment. States the purpose of this Act to be to protect Americans against adverse effects of environmental changes through the establishment of a multimember independent regulatory commission. Title II: Establishment of Commission - Establishes the Environmental Protection Commission as an independent regulatory commission to be composed of five members appointed by the President with the Senate's approval. Sets forth provisions governing the members, officers, powers, and functions of the Commission and the functions of the Chairman of the Commission. Directs the Science Advisory Board to provide such scientific advice as the Commission may request. Sets forth guidelines for the nomination, selection, and appointment by the Chairman of an individual to fill any vacancy on the Board. Requires the Chairman to issue regulations regarding conflicts of interest with respect to members of the Board. Title III: Transfer of Functions - Transfers to the Commission all functions, not otherwise transferred by this Act, of: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency; and (2) the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Part A: Personnel Provisions - Provides for the appointment and compensation of Commission officers and employees and the procurement and compensation of experts and consultants. Part B: General Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions governing the authority of the Commission to: (1) exercise transferred functions; (2) delegate functions to its officers and employees; (3) reallocate functions among its offices and reorganize its structure; (4) enter into and perform contracts; and (5) promulgate rules. Requires the Commission, for each proposed action to promulgate or revise a rule, to: (1) establish and make available to the public a rulemaking docket containing the comments and certain documentary information concerning each rule; (2) publish a notice of the proposed action which shall include a statement of the purpose and basis of the rule and the period available for public comment; (3) allow any person to present oral or written data on the rule during the comment period; and (4) keep the record of the rulemaking open for 30 days after completion of the proceeding to provide for submission of rebuttal or supplementary information. Requires the promulgated rule to be accompanied by: (1) a statement of its basis and purpose; (2) a justification of major changes to the rule as proposed; and (3) a response to significant data submitted during the comment period. Provides for the judicial review of such rules. Authorizes a six-month extension of a statutory deadline for the promulgation of such a rule if such extension is necessary to afford the public and the agency adequate opportunity to carry out rulemaking requirements. Authorizes the Commission to: (1) establish, alter, discontinue, or maintain regional and other field offices as necessary; (2) acquire and maintain schools, research and training facilities, and accommodation as may be necessary for employees; (3) establish eating facilities for employees at its installations; (4) provide certain facilities, services, and supplies for employees at remote locations; (5) use the resources of Federal, State, local, and foreign instrumentalities with their consent; (6) permit public and private organizations to use its facilities for Commission purposes; (7) acquire copyrights, patents, applications for patents, licenses under copyrights and patents, and releases for past patent or copyright infringement; (8) accept and use gifts, bequests, and devises of property; (9) provide advice and technical assistance related to its functions; (10) establish a working capital fund; and (11) transfer funds among Commission appropriations, with certain limitations. Directs the Commission to procure a seal of office. Requires the Commission to submit to the President and Congress at the beginning of each regular session of Congress a comprehensive report on the administration of its functions. Requires that such report include: (1) an appraisal of the incidence of health and other effects to the population resulting from environmental causes; (2) an evaluation of the degree of observance of environmental rules; (3) a summary of outstanding problems confronting the Commission; and (4) specified information on voluntary environmental standards developed with the Commission's assistance. Title V: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Sets forth provisions governing the transfer and allocation of personnel, appropriations, and other resources transferred to the Commission under this Act. Terminates the Environmental Protection Agency and positions in such Agency which were expressly authorized by law or compensated at an Executive Schedule pay rate. Declares that this Act shall have no effect on orders issued, determinations made, proceedings pending, or civil actions commenced before its enactment. Provides that statutory requirements for notice, hearings, and administrative or judicial review applicable to functions transferred by this Act shall continue to apply to such functions. Title VI: Effective Date and Interim Appointments - Sets forth the effective date of this Act. Provides that funds available to any agency the functions of which are transferred by this Act may, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, be used to pay the compensation of interim officers and other expenses of establishing the Commission or transfering functions until funds for such expenses are otherwise available. Authorizes the President to designate an officer on the executive branch to act as a Commission officer for 120 days or until such office is filled, whichever occurs first.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
United States Immigration Court Act of 1983 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a United States Immigration Court, consisting of a 70-judge trial and a six-judge appellate division. Sets forth jurisdictional provisions and appellate review procedures. Grants jurisdiction to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to review immigration matters such as deportation, exclusion and asylum. Provides for exclusion without hearing under specified circumstances. Permits any alien physically present in the United States or at a land border or port of entry to apply for asylum unless exclusion or deportation proceedings have been instituted. Prescribes conditions under which asylum shall be considered even where exclusion or deportation proceedings have been instituted. Provides for a public asylum hearing and requires aliens to be advised of right of counsel. Sets forth effective dates and transition procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Declares that the House of Representatives disapproves the administration's recommendation that the States be required to assume full funding of all joint State and federally funded rail service operating under State supported services provisions of the Rail Passenger Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should express U.S. opposition to the Soviet Union's policies of forced labor. Declares that the Soviet Union should cease such practices and honor their international commitments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Civil Service Spouse Retirement Equity Act - Entitles a former spouse of a Federal employee or Member of Congress to: (1) a portion of the retirement annuity of such employee or Member; and (2) a survivor annuity upon the death of the employee or Member. Requires that the former spouse must have been married to the Member or employee for at least ten years during periods of creditable service. Provides for the calculation of the amount of either such annuity of a former spouse on the basis of the portion of the employee's or Member's creditable service during which the former spouse was married to the employee or Member. Disqualifies any former spouse who remarries before becoming 60 years of age from eligibility for either such an annuity calculated as a regular retirement annuity based on the employee's or Member's creditable service. Authorizes an employee or Member providing a survivor annuity benefit for a former spouse to elect, or to be ordered by a court, to provide for an additional survivor annuity for any other former or current spouse if the employee or Member passes a physical examination prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Limits the maximum survivor annuity or combination of survivor annuities to 55 percent of the employee's or Member's annuity. Authorizes the employee or Member to provide for survivor annuities either by a reduction in his or her retirement annuity or pay, or by a lump sum payment, or by a combination of both. Provides for the recomputation of an employee's or Member's retirement annuity and the refund of certain amounts deposited in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund if a former spouse for which a survivor annuity benefit is provided dies or remarries before the age of 60. Declares that provisions regarding cost of living increases in civil service annuities shall not apply to such annuities for former spouses unless authorized by OPM. Entitles an eligible former spouse: (1) to an annuity under this Act only if such former spouse elects to receive it instead of any other annuity provided to a Federal employee's spouse; (2) to an annuity if the employee or Member died in service (in the same amount as if the employee or Member had died after becoming eligible for an annuity); and (3) to a portion of any lump sum credit payable to an employee or Member who transfers or is separated from service prior to the commencement of either such annuity. Authorizes a Member or employee, a spouse, or former spouse to jointly elect to waive or reduce a survivor annuity for that spouse. Eliminates the current authority of the employee or Member to elect not to provide for a survivor annuity without the spouse's agreement, except when the employee or Member satisfies OPM that the spouse cannot be located. Requires both the employee or Member and the spouse, rather than just the employee or Member, to elect not to increase a survivor annuity upon the employee's or Member's reemployment. Declares that, except when determined by OPM to be inconsistent with this Act, the right of a former spouse to an annuity, survivor annuity, or lump sum credit shall be determined in accordance with an applicable court order or spousal agreement covering such former spouse, with certain limitations. Sets forth provisions governing civil service survivor benefits in cases of divorces occurring prior to the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act - Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to authorize the Board to provide for radio broadcasts to Cuba. Makes providing accurate information to Cuba a purpose of such Act. Authorizes using a specified radio station and frequency for radio broadcasting to Cuba. Authorizes any U.S. agency or instrumentality to sell, loan, lease, or grant property, and to provide administrative and technical support and services on a reimbursable basis at the request of the Board. Prohibits making any grant under this Act to any corporation established to provide radio broadcasting to Cuba, unless the board of directors of such corporation consists only of members of the Board for International Broadcasting and the board of such corporation makes all major policy determinations and appoints (and fixes the compensation of) certain managerial officers and employees.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of General Services to sell or lease to State and local governments surplus property that the Attorney General recommends to be suitable and necessary for correctional facility use.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the family planning program under title X of the Public Health Service Act should be administered in the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from repealing, amending, or otherwise modifying specified rules regarding network television syndication, network television financial interests, and prime time access before July 1, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Florida Frontier Rivers Conservation District Act of 1983 - Establishes the Florida Frontier Rivers Conservation District in Florida. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to request the Governor of Florida to establish a Florida Frontier Rivers Conservation District Management Steering Committee, which shall develop a comprehensive management plan for the District. Requires that such plan contain: (1) a resource assessment of the District; (2) a map delineating the boundaries of the District and the areas of natural, historical, recreational, aesthetic, scenic, cultural, agricultural, and ecological significance; (3) a land use capability map and a statement of land and water use policies for the District; (4) a program for coordinating Federal, State, and local policies and programs with respect to the District; (5) a public use program; (6) financial information; (7) a program for public and local government participation in the management of the District; (8) a program for State and local government implementation of the plan; and (9) a program to implement the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act with respect to the surface and ground waters of the District. Provides that Florida shall adopt and submit the plan to the Secretary for approval. Sets forth approval procedures. Requires the Secretary to submit the approved plan to Congress. Requires the Secretary to monitor the implementation of the plan. Requires the Secretary to provide technical and financial assistance to Florida for the purpose of developing and implementing the plan. Sets forth conditions for land acquisition by both the State and the Secretary. Requires Committee review of Federal assistance applications and proposals for direct Federal actions which involve housing, industrial park, highway, or sewage or waste treatment facility construction in the District and in Florida. Requires further review and approval or disapproval by the Secretary of such applications or proposals. Authorizes appropriations for assistance in development of the plan and for land acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1970 to revise and increase the mandatory penalties for using or carrying a firearm during commission of a Federal felony. Redefines such offense as using a firearm to commit a felony over which the district courts have exclusive jurisdiction or carrying a firearm during such a felony involving violence. Deletes the requirement that the firearm be carried "unlawfully". Increases the additional penalty imposed for such offense to not less than five years' imprisonment for a first offense (currently, one to ten years) and ten years for a second or subsequent offense (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 concurrent sentences. Makes a first offender ineligible for parole for five years and a second or subsequent offender ineligible for ten years. Expresses the sense of Congress that the executive prosecute vigorously such offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the highway use tax on heavy trucks. Increases the excise tax on diesel fuel from nine cents per gallon to 12 cents per gallon in 1983 and from 12 cents per gallon to 14 cents per gallon in 1984. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations exempting from such increases diesel fuel used in automobiles and light trucks.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
States that the Government should restore balance to the Department of Energy's FY 1984 budget by maintaining funding for energy conservation, solar and renewable energy, and weatherization programs and by distributing information on conservation and renewable and solar energy.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1983
Economic Equity Act of 1983 - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Treats alimony as compensation for purposes of determining an individual's income tax deduction for retirement savings. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount that would have been provided if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Requires a retirement plan to treat an individual who was the spouse of the participant on the annuity starting date and who survives the participant as if such individual were the spouse of the participant on the date of death of the participant whether or not divorced after the annuity starting date. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Entitles former spouses of civil service employees or Members of Congress, who were married to an employee or Member for at least ten years during creditable service, to an annuity based upon a portion of retired or retainer pay unless otherwise provided by a spousal agreement or a state court decree of divorce or annulment. Entitles former spouses to survivor's benefits under the civil service plan unless the former spouse remarries before becoming 60 years of age or the employee or Member and former spouse elect to waive such benefit. Requires that such waiver be jointly made in writing. Includes displaced homemakers as a targeted group for purposes of the targeted jobs tax credit. Defines "displaced homemaker" as a person who: (1) has not worked, except in the home, for a substantial number of years; (2) has been dependent on public assistance or on the income of a family member but is no longer supported by that income; and (3) is a member of an economically disadvantaged family and is experiencing difficulty obtaining or upgrading employment. Increases the zero bracket amount for heads of households from $2,300 to $3,400. Title II: Dependent Care Program - Increases the income tax credit for household and dependent care services from a maximum of 30 percent of amounts paid to a maximum of 50 percent of amounts paid. Reduces such percentage to a minimum of 20 percent based on the taxpayer's adjusted gross income. Makes such income tax credit refundable. Treats as tax-exempt organizations certain organizations which provide nonresidential dependent care to the general public. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the Commissioner of the Administration of Children, Youth, and Families) to establish a grant program to assist nonprofit organizations in the establishment or operation of community-based child care information. Title III: Nondiscrimination in Insurance - Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act of 1983 - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority: (1) has received notice of a complaint and fails to act within 60 days; or (2) has no insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title IV: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the head of each Federal agency to: (1) conduct an ongoing review of the rules, regulations, programs, and policies of the agency to identify any which result in different treatment based on sex; and (2) submit annually a report to the Congress on such review. Sets forth rules of statutory construction relating to gender. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Amends the Social Security Act to specify that the purpose of the child support enforcement program is to assure compliance with obligations to pay child support to each child in the United States living with one parent. Allows offsets of income tax refunds of an absent parent on behalf of children not receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Present law permits such offsets only in the case of children receiving AFDC payments.) Requires States to establish a child support clearinghouse through which child support payments can be paid, recorded, and forwarded. Revises State child support enforcement procedures. Allows allotments for child and spousal support to be taken from the pay of Federal employees.
![Official portrait of Rep. Fascell, Dante B. [D-FL-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000041_200.jpg)