United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1983
Small Business Motor Fuel Marketer Preservation Act - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans to small businesses acquiring gas stations from a refiner. Makes it unlawful for a refiner, other than an independent or small refiner, to operate a gas station in the United States. Requires a refiner, in disposing of any interest in a station, to offer a right of first refusal to the dealer. Sets forth requirements governing such an offer. Makes it unlawful for any person to interfere in any way with the purchasing, selling, or storing of motor fuel by a dealer. Permits contracts requiring a dealer to purchase motor fuel exclusively from a particular refiner or distributor if such contract assures the dealer the right to purchase fuel elsewhere if the refiner or distributor does not have such fuel readily available. Makes it unlawful for any dealer at a station displaying a trademark or identifying symbol of a particular refiner to sell motor fuel not refined by such refiner without providing notice to purchasers. Requires each refiner within 90 days of enactment and annually thereafter to provide to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) information regarding the number of barrels of crude oil produced and refined during the preceding year. Permits civil actions to be brought by the FTC or private parties against violators of this Act. Directs the FTC to prescribe regulations required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1983
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to authorize the Secretary of Labor to prohibit the awarding of Federal contracts to persons who have violated certain judicial orders or orders issued by the National Labor Relations Board. Limits the period of such ban to not more than three years after the Secretary has certified the identify of such person to the Comptroller General. Permits the awarding of Federal contracts to such person during the period of the ban if the Federal agency or department, after notice and opportunity for hearing to all interested parties, certifies to the Secretary that there is no other source for the material or services furnished by such person.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) consider appointing a high level official as the President's personal representative in seeking a solution to the Cyprus conflict and the differences between Greece and Turkey with regard to the control of the Aegean Sea; (2) call upon Turkey to withdraw its forces and colonists from Cyprus; and (3) pursue every appropriate avenue to seek a prompt resolution. States that international security assistance for Turkey shall be suspended unless a Presidential certification, containing specified requirements, is in effect and the Congress approves such certification.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the future of Taiwan should be settled in a manner acceptable to the people of Taiwan and consistent with the laws enacted by Congress and communiques entered into between the United States and the People's Republic of China.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983
Railroad Retirement Solvency Act of 1983 - Title I: Benefit Adjustments - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to make certain disabled railroad employees eligible for disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act. Sets forth formulas for determining annuities for certain individuals who retire before the age of 62. Sets forth the annuity formulas for spouses of such individuals and spouses of disabled employees. Makes such annuities comparable to benefits payable under the Social Security Act. Revises the computation of railroad annuities with respect to cost-of-living adjustments made under the Social Security Act. Changes annuity beginning dates to conform to such dates under such Act. Eliminates post-secondary school students from eligibility for survivors' annuities. Repeals certain provisions to preserve the financial solvency of the Railroad Retirement Act. Title II: Revenue Increases - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tier II tax on railroad employees, employers, and employee representatives and to extend such tax from July 1, 1984, until June 30, 1986. Provides for adjustments of such tax rates after July 1, 1986, depending upon the tier II benefit deficit and the average Railroad Retirement Account balance requirements imposed by this Act. (Defines "tier II benefit" as benefits paid from the Railroad Retirement Account other than social security equivalent benefits). Requires that social security equivalent benefits of railroad employees be taxed like social security benefits, and that tier II benefits be taxed as benefits received under employer plans. Provides for the transfer of revenue increases to the Railroad Retirement Account. Title III: Borrowing Authority Adjustments - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account from the general fund such amounts as are determined necessary by the Railroad Retirement Board after the end of each month beginning in October 1983. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to authorize advances to the railroad unemployment insurance account from the Federal unemployment account in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Requires an advance to the railroad unemployment insurance account in an amount sufficient to repay amounts due the Railroad Retirement Account. Title IV: Other Amendments - Changes the maximum percentage of amounts that may be transferred from the Railroad Retirement Account to the Dual Benefits Payments Account to such amount as determined necessary by the Board to pay dual benefits for a particular month. Provides for the transfer of amounts owed to the Railroad Retirement Account for unfunded dual benefits previously paid. Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1983
National Commission on Neurofibromatosis Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish within 60 days a National Commission on Neurofibromatosis which shall formulate a plan to identify the research needed to develop an effective treatment and a cure for neurofibromatosis. Sets forth operating and related provisions. Authorizes the Commission to transmit interim reports. Requires the Commission to make a final report to the President and to each House of Congress within two years. Terminates the Commission three months after submission of the final report.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983
Increases from 26 to 30 the number of members of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, by adding: (1) one elected officer of a local government of an area with a population of less than 10,000 and one elected school board member, to be appointed by the President; and (2) one judge of a U.S. court of appeals or district court and one chief justice or judge of a State court of last resort, to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983
Armed Career Criminal Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish a mandatory sentence of 15 years to life for "armed career criminals." Applies such penalties to any person with two prior convictions who commits, conspires, or attempts to commit a robbery or burglary while in possession of a firearm or imitation firearm. Allows the Federal Government to bring prosecutions under this Act, if consented to or requested by the local prosecuting authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983
Renewable Energy Employment Act - Title I: Jobs Training in Renewable Energy - Requires the Secretary of Labor to review all Federal job training or placement programs and to implement policies, procedures and programs to develop a labor force skilled in energy conservation, weatherization of homes, and the use of renewable energy technologies. Title II: Housing and Community Development Programs - Amends the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 to require the Secretary of Energy to maintain information on: (1) the areas to be served under the weatherization assistance program; (2) methods for providing priority assistance to elderly and severely handicapped low-income persons; (3) outreach activities with respect to such program; (4) labor plans; (5) policies to ensure that owners and renters are treated equitably; and (6) plans to ensure participation by Native Americans under such program. Requires the Secretary and the Director of the Community Services Administration to include in the annual report to the President and Congress on the weatherization program an evaluation of the effect of such program on energy conservation and employment. Authorizes appropriations for the weatherization program for FY 1984 and succeeding fiscal years. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to include the potential for local energy development, including energy conservation and renewable energy use, among the factors which must be taken into account by the standards issued by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for determining the eligibility of cities and urban counties for urban development action grants. Includes among the activities of Community Development Programs which are eligible for assistance under such Act those amounts spent for energy needs. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans for energy conservation and renewable energy development or retrofit for housing in rural areas. Requires Federal agencies administering financial assistance programs for economic development or job creation to consider the development of energy conservation and renewable energy as significant criteria for the provision of such assistance. Title III: Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include as non-fossil energy system windmills, anaerobic digesters, alcohol distilleries, microhydroelectric generators, gasifiers, and solar heating systems. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in making loans to farmers and ranchers, to promote sustainable agriculture (a set of agricultural production practices which are designed to produce long term, sustainable yields of agricultural products, involve the use of renewable resources, and avoid the use of chemical products). Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to require that small farm extension programs assist small farm families in carrying out sustainable agriculture. Provides that sustainable agriculture extension programs shall consist of extension programs to provide farmers with assistance and current information with respect to sustainable agriculture. Permits all other persons in a State, in addition to universities and colleges in such State, to participate in agricultural research and extension programs. (Under current law, only universities and colleges in a State may participate in such programs.) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in carrying out the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, to ensure that adequate national support of extension, teaching, and agricultural research is provided to establish integrated multidisciplinary organic farming research projects. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually to Congress on sustainable agriculture in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1983
Renewable Energy Small Business Development Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the investment tax credit for specified energy property from 1985 to 1990. Increases such credit for solar, wind, and geothermal property. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to require that not less than 12 percent of the loan authority of the Export-Import Bank shall be made available only to businesses with $25,000,000 or less in previous-year sales. Requires that a portion of such loan authority be made available for transactions involving renewable energy. Amends the Public Utlilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to specify rules for the rates for purchase by electric utilities of electric energy from any qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility. Amends a specified reorganization plan to require the Department of Commerce to provide the same treatment and export assistance to businesses involved in renewable energy as it does to other U.S. industries. Amends the Small Business Innovation Act of 1982 to specify that renewable energy and energy conservation businesses shall receive a reasonable portion of the Department of Energy's small business research and development funds.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Soviet Union should comply with certain international agreements relating to human rights by pursuing a more humane emigration policy and by ceasing harassment of Jews and others seeking to emigrate; (2) Soviet compliance with internationally recognized emigration rights would significantly promote improved relations with the United States; (3) the President should convey these concerns of Congress to the Soviet Union at every appropriate opportunity; and (4) the President should also convey these concerns to U.S. allies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1983
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to require the Railroad Retirement Board to report monthly to Congress on the financial condition of the Railroad Retirement Account, the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Account, and the employment levels in the railroad industry. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the railroad retirement tax for employees, employee representatives, and employers.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1983
Modifies the navigational project for Anchorage Channel, New York Harbor, to require the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to dredge the branch channel to Port Jersey, Bayonne, New Jersey, to a depth of 45 feet at mean low water.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1983
Residential Mortgage Investment Act of 1983 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from specified prohibited transaction provisions: (1) any qualified mortgage transaction engaged in by an employee benefit plan provided only that such transaction received the prior approval of an independent fiduciary; and (2) purchase, retention, or sale by an employee benefit plan of interests in Federal or State government-guaranteed residential mortgage loans.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Anatoly Shcharansky should be released from prison and permitted to emigrate. Urges continued expression of U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
United States Academy of Peace and Conflict Resolution Act - Establishes the United States Academy of Peace and Conflict Resolutions as an independent nonprofit corporation. Permits the Academy to use "United States" or "U.S." or any other reference to the United States Government or Nation in its title, corporate seal, emblem, or other mark of recognition in any fiscal year only if there is an authorization of appropriations for the Academy for such fiscal year provided by law. Sets forth the powers and the duties of the Academy, including establishment of an Endowment of the United States Academy of Peace and Conflict Resolution. Authorizes the Academy to: (1) conduct research on the causes of war and the elements of peace; (2) provide peace education and research programs; (3) conduct training in conflict resolution; (4) disseminate information on peace learning; (5) establish a Center for International Peace; and (6) establish a United States Medal of Peace and other medals or honors. Authorizes the Academy to refuse research requests of Federal agencies for reason of cost or of inappropriateness to the Agency's purpose or independence. Prohibits the Academy from undertaking to influence the passage or defeat of any Federal, State, local, or United Nations legislation, but permits Academy personnel to testify or make other appropriate communication when formally requested to do so by a legislative body, committee, or member thereof. Provides for appointment of members of the Academy's Board of Directors. Sets forth grounds for removal of Board members. Permits Board meetings to be closed only in exceptional circumstances. Sets forth provisions for Academy officers, employees, procedures, and records. Provides that, with certain exceptions, the Academy shall not be considered a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government. Prohibits the use of any political test or political qualification with respect to personnel actions of the Academy or financial assistance by the Academy. Authorizes appropriations in a specified amount for an Academy principal office capitalization fund. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for FY 1984 and 1985 for Academy programs and administration. Requires that Academy expenses in connection with the United States Medal of Peace or the accompanying cash award be paid out of the private funds of the Endowment. Restricts contract-making authority under this Act to the extent and amounts provided in appropriation Acts. Directs the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Academy to report to the Congress and the President, beginning two years after the enactment of this Act and at two-year intervals thereafter. Directs the President to transmit to the Congress the recommendations of the appropriate Federal agencies with respect to such report and to any legislation concerning the Academy. Requires the appropriate congressional committees to hold hearings to review such report and recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Competitive Shipping and Shipbuilding Act of 1983 - Requires that, by 1984, five percent of all bulk cargoes imported into or exported from the United States by water be carried on U.S.-flag ships. Requires yearly one percent increases until the percentage of bulk cargoes carried on U.S.-flag ships reaches 20 percent. Provides for credit to importers and exporters for the use of U.S.-flag ships for the transportation of bulk cargoes between foreign ports. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide relief from the requirements of this Act upon a finding that U.S.-flag ships are not available within guideline rates. Sets forth factors which the Secretary shall consider in determining the extent of relief granted. Requires the Secretary to establish and publish guideline rates for the carriage of bulk cargoes subject to this Act. Requires the Secretary to assure that such rates take into account certain objectives. Requires the Secretary, in order to establish guideline rates, to estimate the current cost of operating U.S.-flag ships in the foreign bulk trades of the United States and of constructing such ships. Requires such cost estimates to be published within six months after enactment of this Act. Requires such estimates to be revised annually. Requires that such rates: (1) be reviewed and adjusted at least annually; (2) not reflect costs greater than the estimated current costs; and (3) be the maximum rates which may be charged for the charter of U.S.-flag ships for the transportation of bulk cargoes governed by this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish and publish interim guideline rates in the first calendar year following the enactment of this Act. Sets forth factors to be taken into account in determining such rates. Requires the Secretary to appoint and consult with an advisory committee to establish and review U.S.-flag ship operating costs, shipyard construction costs, guideline rates, and regulations. Requires anyone engaged in importing or exporting bulk commodities in U.S. foreign commerce whose business volume exceeds $1,000,000 annually to report to the Secretary on the percentages of such person's exports and imports carried on U.S. flag ships. Requires anyone who fails to transport the required percentage of U.S. bulk cargoes to use exclusively U.S. flag ships until the deficiency has been recouped, unless Secretarial relief has been granted. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth procedures for the investigation, prosecution, and judicial review of violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for taking or attempting to take property by force, violence, or intimidation from either a pharmacy or a person registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Increases the penalties if any person's life is endangered by use of a dangerous weapon or if any person is assaulted or killed during the commission of such offense. Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1983
Grants a Federal charter to the National Opportunity Camps. Declares that the purpose of such corporation shall be to assist in the prevention of delinquency of disadvantaged children.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1983
Housing Finance Opportunity Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to permit the continued issuance of tax-exempt (interest excluded from gross income) mortgage revenue bonds after December 31, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1983
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to exempt from the termination provisions of such Act provisions relating to the export of domestically produced crude oil.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a handicapped taxpayer or a taxpayer with a handicapped dependent to elect the one-time exclusion of gain from the sale or exchange of a principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1983
Federal Computer Systems Protection Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for using or attempting to use certain computers with intent to defraud, obtain property by false pretenses, embezzle, steal, or knowingly convert the property of another. Limits the kinds of computers covered by this Act to those operating in interstate commerce, or operating on behalf of the Federal Government or of a financial institution (where the prohibited conduct directly affects the computer operation). Specifies factors which Federal law enforcement officers must consider in determining whether to exercise jurisdiction over such offense, where concurrent jurisdiction exists with a State or local government. Directs the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the extent of the exercise of such Federal jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Record Rental Amendment of 1983 - Prohibits the owner of a particular phonorecord of a sound recording from renting, leasing, or lending such recording for commercial advantage unless authorized to do so by the copyright owner.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1983
Urges the United States Postal Service to issue a postage stamp commemorating members of the uniformed services who have been prisoners of war or missing in action especially those missing as a result of the conflict in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1983
American Defense Education Act - Authorizes a national program to provide incentives to local educational agencies to improve: (1) instruction in mathematics, science, communication skills, foreign languages, and technology; and (2) guidance and counseling. Title I: Elementary and Secondary Education Programs - Requires local education agencies which desire to participate in such national program to develop and carry out a program of improvement of instruction and student achievement. Sets forth requirements for such programs. Entitles participating local educational agencies to receive basic payments for each fiscal year equal to two percent of an established payment rate multiplied by the average daily attendance. Entitles agencies which show substantial evidence of meeting program goals to an incentive payment equal to an additional two percent of the established payment rate multiplied by the average daily attendance. Sets forth a formula for establishing such payment rate. Sets forth requirements for applications for payments. Directs the Secretary of Education ("the Secretary") to approve applications which meet such requirements. Sets forth provisions for participation in such program by children enrolled in private schools. Title II: Teacher Training and Postsecondary Programs - Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program of grants to institutions of higher education for coordination between such institutions and local education agencies in improving science and mathematics education, through precollege teacher training, development, and recruitment programs. Sets forth requirements for grant proposals and priorities in grant selection. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987 for such grants. Title III: Research to Improve Instruction - Directs the Secretary to administer, through the National Institute of Education (NIE), in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, a program to support research and development into effective education in mathematics, the sciences, foreign languages, and technology. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Education to be made available to NIE to carry out such educational research program for FY 1985 through 1987. Title IV: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary to administer the program and to pay each local educational agency with an approved application the amount to which it is entitled for each fiscal year. Provides for a joint survey and report to Congress by the Secretaries of Defense and Education, for each year from 1983 through 1987, on the academic achievement levels of U.S. 18-year-olds and the personnel training and educational needs of the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1983
Temporary Natural Gas Market Correction Act of 1982 - Declares that any contract for the first sale of natural gas shall be deemed to include a volume adjustment option with respect to any natural gas the first sale delivery of which could occur pursuant to such contract at any time after the effective date of this Act and before November 1, 1983. Defines a volume adjustment option as a contract provision under which the purchaser may elect to refuse to take delivery under such contract of any volume of natural gas without incurring an obligation to pay any fee or charge with respect to the natural gas not delivered pursuant to such election. Provides, subject to certain exceptions, that the purchase by any natural gas pipeline company of any natural gas which is delivered on any day after the effective date of this Act and before November 1, 1983, at an excessive price shall be considered as fraud, abuse, or similar grounds for purposes of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reviewing cost passthroughs. Considers the price of natural gas delivered to any natural gas pipeline company on any day excessive if that price exceeds the price of any other natural gas not delivered to such pipeline company on that day but which could have been acquired by such pipeline company for delivery on that day under any contract to which the pipeline is a party. Requires every natural gas pipeline company to file monthly with FERC: (1) a statement concerning the volume adjustment clause, as well as steps it has taken to achieve the lowest possible weighted average acquisition cost of natural gas; and (2) a modification of the costs to be recovered by the pipeline under a purchased gas adjustment clause (as defined in the Natural Gas Act), if the weighted average acquisition cost of natural gas by the pipeline is lower because of the volume adjustment option or because of other steps taken by the pipeline.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1983
Authorizes the transfer of surplus Federal public lands to States and local governments. Requires that such a transfer take place: (1) without cost; or (2) at a cost which just covers the expenses of the transfer. Limits this Act to surplus lands suitable for conservation, recreation, or historic purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1983
Service Industries Commerce Development Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the Commerce Department a service industries development program. Sets forth the purposes of the program, including development of a data base on issues related to service industries and development of policies to strengthen the export competitiveness of U.S. service industries. Authorizes the Secretary to request persons to submit to the Secretary information which the Secretary deems necessary. Authorizes the Secretary to subpoena such information. Sets forth the procedure for issuing a subpoena and the penalties for failing to comply. Directs the Secretary to provide State and local governments, upon request, aid and information concerning U.S. policies on foreign commerce in services. Requires the Secretary to prepare a biennial report for Congress containing: (1) an analysis of the activities of foreign suppliers within the various service industries in the U.S. market; (2) an analysis of Federal, State, and local regulation of such foreign supplies and the potential effect of such regulation on trade relationships and negotiations; (3) an analysis of the activities of U.S. suppliers of services in foreign countries; and (4) a study and analysis of the impact during such year of any act, policy, or practice of each designated major trading country that limits the access of U.S. suppliers of services to markets in that country in a manner that is unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce. Authorizes the President to impose any limitations that the President deems appropriate upon the eligibility of foreign suppliers to engage in U.S. interstate commerce. Directs the President, within 120 days of the Secretary's report on service industries, to review the report and publish the President's determinations on whether to impose limitations on foreign suppliers. Prohibits the President from imposing any limitation on foreign suppliers until after the timely comments of interested persons have been considered.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1983
Prohibits the expenditure of funds for the production of lethal binary chemical munitions after the enactment of this Act. Defines lethal binary chemical munitions to mean: (1) toxic chemicals intended to injure or kill humans; and (2) devices intended to disseminate such chemicals. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should begin negotiations with the Soviet Union for a mutual, verifiable limitation on chemical weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1983
Authorizes the President to present on behalf of Congress a gold medal to Danny Thomas in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and outstanding work as an American. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by said Secretary. Provides, effective October 1, 1983, funds not to exceed $22,000 to carry out the purposes of the Act. Provides that the Secretary may cause bronze duplicates of the medal to be coined and sold under regulations prescribed by the Secretary at a price sufficient to cover the costs of producing the gold medal. Directs that the appropriation used to carry out the provisions of the Act shall be reimbursed out of the proceeds from such coin sales. Provides that the medals are to be national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to deductions for ordinary and necessary business expenses to provide a special rule for construction workers' travel and transportation expenses. Provides that a job at a site located more than 30 miles from a worker's residence: (1) shall be considered temporary for the first two years of employment at that site; and (2) shall be considered temporary or not temporary after the first two years based on an examination of all the facts and circumstances. Provides that no deduction shall be disallowed solely because a construction worker's employment at a job site is of indefinite duration. Prohibits the application of the "one-year" rule set forth in Revenue Ruling 59-371, which specifies the length of time which automatically or presumptively classifies the job as other than temporary. Defines "construction worker," for purposes of this Act, as any individual employed as a skilled, semiskilled, or unskilled laborer in the building or construction industry.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1983
Federal Employees Health Benefits Reform Act of 1983 - Increases the amount of the Government's contribution for an employee enrolled in an employee health benefits plan from 60 to 75 percent of the average subscription charge for such plan. Increases the maximum Government contribution for an enrollee from 75 to 100 percent of such subscription charge. Requires payment of a Government differential equal to five percent of the average subscription charge, in addition to the Government's contribution, for any enrollee who is over 65 years of age and not entitled to medicare benefits. Excludes such differential in determining the amount to be paid by the enrollee. Permits the following persons to elect to continue coverage under a Federal employees' health benefits plan for a specified period: (1) an employee who is involuntarily separated from the civil service due to a reduction in force; (2) the spouse of an enrollee whose marriage is dissolved by divorce or annulment, if the enrollee was enrolled for self and family; (3) an individual who elects to receive the lump-sum credit for civil service retirement benefits; and (4) an individual 22 years of age or older whose enrollment was based on such individual's being an unmarried child who was incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability which existed and did not terminate before the individual attained the age of 22. Requires such persons who elect to continue coverage to pay into the Employees Health Benefits Fund an amount equal to the sum of employee and agency contributions paid for the same level of benefits. Allows such a person to: (1) change to a lower level of benefits; (2) change coverage within 60 days after a change in family status; and (3) transfer enrollment to another plan under conditions prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Provides a temporary extension of coverage to allow persons who elected not to continue coverage or whose continued coverage is terminated to convert to a nongroup contract providing health benefits. Allows annuitants whose annuity is less than the amount required to be withheld for enrollment in a health benefits plan to pay the amount of any deficiency required for enrollment. Requires contracts for employee organization plans to require carriers to: (1) reinsure with other participating companies; (2) enter into an agreement approved by OPM with an underwriting subcontractor licensed to issue group health insurance in all States and the District of Columbia; and (3) meet minimum financial standards prescribed by OPM. Requires the service benefit plan and the indemnity benefit plan to provide, in addition to all currently authorized benefits: (1) nervous and mental disorder benefits; (2) alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation benefits; and (3) comprehensive dental benefits. Prohibits the OPM from entering into a contract for any service benefit, indemnity benefit, or employee organization plan which does not provide for 50 outpatient visits and 60 inpatient days of nervous and mental disorder benefits and two 28-day alcoholism treatment and rehabilitation benefits. Requires any limits on nervous and mental disorder benefits to be exceeded on a case by case basis only to the extent that a peer review mechanism determines such treatment to be necessary. Requires 80 percent of such excessive benefit claims to be paid from the balance of one percent of all contributions to the Employees Health Benefits Fund remaining after the expenses of administering provisions governing Federal employees health benefit plans are paid. Prohibits the OPM from entering into a contract with a carrier for any health benefits plan which does not provide 95 percent of the benefits that such plan or the most similar plan provided during the preceding year, unless the carrier and the OPM mutually agree to waive such requirement. Directs the OPM to: (1) provide a three week period during which enrollees in health benefits plans may change or cancel their enrollments before any contract term in which the rates or benefits of a plan will change, a new plan will be offered, or an existing plan will be terminated; and (2) make available to such enrollees information on such plans at least four weeks before such open enrollment period. Prohibits the OPM from entering into a contract for a health benefits plan which excludes anyone because of nonactive employee status. Eliminates the requirement that the group of physicians under a group-practice prepayment plan include physicians representing at least three major medical specialties.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1983
Directs the Secretary of Labor to pay a benefit of $50,000 to the survivors of any Federal law enforcement officer or firefighter who has died as the direct result of an injury sustained in the line of duty. Sets forth the order of precedence as to the beneficiaries of such payment. Authorizes the Secretary to make an interim payment not to exceed $3,000 to a survivor who, in the Secretary's determination, probably will receive such a benefit. Declares that no such benefit shall be subject to execution or attachment. Prohibits payment of such benefit: (1) if death was caused by the intentional misconduct, suicide, or intoxication of the officer or firefighter; and (2) to any beneficiary whose actions contributed to the death of the officer or firefighter.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1983
Construction Work in Progress Policy Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve, upon application by a public utility, the inclusion of the costs of construction work in progress (defined as construction of a facility used to generate electric energy) in the rate base of such public utility with respect to: (1) any pollution control facility; and (2) the conversion of oil or natural gas-fired facilities to the use of other fuels. Requires the Commission to hold an evidentiary hearing upon application by a public utility for approval of such a rate increase. Sets forth the items required in any such application. Requires the Commission to approve the rate increase applied for or to order a lesser rate increase if, after the hearing, the Commission finds that: (1) the utility will be in severe financial difficulty unless construction work in progress costs are included in the rate base; (2) the facility being constructed is reasonably necessary to meet energy demands; (3) any mismanagement involved will not affect the utility's future financial situation; (4) the long-term benefits justify short-run rate increases in the case of customers purchasing electric energy for resale; (5) such wholesale customers have been offered an ownership interest in the facility under construction; (6) the rate increase will not unreasonably impair the ability of wholesale customers to sell electric energy to their retail customers at the least cost; and (7) the applicant utility will discontinue the capitalization of allowance for funds used during construction for those construction work in progress costs included in the rate base. Provides that no rate increase approved or ordered under this Act may: (1) be charged for electric energy sold before the date of such approval or order; (2) exceed the amount needed to alleviate the utility's financial difficulties; (3) have an anticompetitive effect; (4) be applied to any customer who holds an ownership interest in the facility being constructed (with limited exceptions); or (5) be unduly discriminatory or preferential or exceed a just and reasonable amount.
![Official portrait of Rep. Florio, James J. [D-NJ-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/dfda094a48c87dccd97fd47288d44ac3_200.jpg)