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
Formaldehyde Foam Removal Tax Act - Title I: Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a refundable income tax credit for 100 percent of expenditures incurred to remove formaldehyde foam insulation from the principal residence of the taxpayer. Limits such credit to $10,000 for any taxable year. Provides that previous expenditures for urea- formaldehyde foam insulation shall not be taken into account in computing the dollar limitation on the residential energy tax credit. Title II: Responsibilities of Federal Agencies - Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (in the case of a dwelling unit in which formaldehyde foam has been installed) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (in the case of a manufactured home) to provide, upon written request of any owner of a dwelling unit, a dosimeter or other device suitable for measuring the level of formaldehyde gas in such a dwelling unit. Requires followup tests by the designated agency if the results of the owner's test show a level of formaldehyde gas in excess of a specified level. Requires the designated agency to provide an owner with technical assistance to reduce the level of formaldehyde gas if such followup tests show the level of formaldehyde gas still in excess of the specified level. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to conduct a survey of all public schools in the United States to determine if any such schools have formaldehyde foam insulation. Requires the Commission to submit a report to the Congress on such survey.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1983
Permits the Administrator of General Services to make available for public use all records of the Select Committee on Assassinations of the 94th and 95th Congresses other than those voted to be kept secret or confidential. Requires the guidelines governing disclosure of such records to be those used by the General Services Administration for the records of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Synthetic Fuels Corporation Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Energy Security Act to authorize the U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation to make loans, loan and price guarantees, and purchase agreements and to enter into joint ventures for district heating or cooling projects. Authorizes the Corporation to make price support loans for municipal waste energy projects which produce and sell biomass energy. Requires the Corporation to solicit proposals and provide financial assistance for district heating or cooling projects and municipal waste energy projects. Requires that the synthetic fuel production strategy established by the Corporation address the types of district heating or cooling projects and municipal waste energy projects the Corporation intends to assist. Makes a minimum of 25 percent of the amount of financial assistance available for obligation during any fiscal year by the Corporation available for such projects. Requires the Corporation's Board of Directors to assure that the Corporation is organized to evaluate, process, and review proposed and funded district heating or cooling projects and municipal waste energy projects.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
National Defense Education Act of 1983 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to establish a program of assistance for science, mathematics, and foreign language education at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for programs to improve educational achievement standards. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure that LEAs achieve qualitative and quantitative educational improvements as a condition of obtaining assistance under such Act. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Sets forth authorized uses for such grants relating to mathematics, science, and foreign language education, including: (1) development of new curricula and requirements; (2) purchase of laboratory equipment and computers; (3) in-service training and summer institutes for teachers; (4) expansion of summer school programs; (5) purchase of new textbooks and related materials; (6) funding specialists in such fields for elementary education; (7) costs of more stringent standards for graduation, including remedial classes; (8) costs of certification of graduates of postsecondary institutions as teachers in such fields; and (9) demonstration projects for school-year extension. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of establishing and maintaining funds at institutions of higher education for making low-interest loans to students who: (1) pursue courses of study in mathematics, science, or a foreign language leading to a baccalaureate degree; and (2) intend to enter the profession of teaching such subjects in elementary or secondary schools. Directs the Secretary to make payments to each institution based on its estimated needs for making such loans. Sets forth requirements for applications and agreements relating to such funds. Sets forth limitations on the amount of such loans to an individual student. Sets forth conditions for student eligibility and agreements for such loans. Sets forth loan repayment conditions. Provides for cancellation of 25 percent of such loan for each complete academic year of service as a full-time science or mathematics teacher in an elementary or secondary school (as well as cancellation of all interest accruing on such loan during such year). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for programs of competency testing for students in mathematics, science, and foreign languages in order to determine appropriate undergraduate instruction programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for continuing education programs for secondary school teachers of science, mathematics, and foreign languages to improve skills and assist in qualification for certification. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to award fellowships for graduate study in mathematics, sciences, engineering, and foreign languages to students of superior ability who intend to teach such subjects at elementary, secondary, or postsecondary levels. Limits each fellowship award to a 60-month maximum period. Directs the Secretary to select a panel from the Department of Education to determine such fellowship awards and amounts. Requires nomination by an institution of higher education for such a fellowship. Permits use of such fellowship at any accredited institution of higher education. Conditions continued fellowship payments on maintenance of satisfactory proficiency and full-time study or research in the field for which the fellowship was awarded. Obligates fellowship recipients to teach one year for each year of the fellowship or to repay the total amount of the fellowship, plus interest, at a rate prescribed by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to award grants to colleges for programs of education in high-technology areas. Requires colleges to consult, and coordinate such programs, with other job-training efforts on the Federal, State, and local levels. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to colleges to assist them in long-range planning for engineering programs. Requires colleges to obtain matching funds from non-Federal sources to be eligible for such grants. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1983
Toxic Victim Compensation Act - Title I: Establishment of New Cause of Action for Victims of Hazardous Substances - Makes the following persons liable for damages for specified injuries, illnesses, deaths, or losses caused by a release of a hazardous substance: (1) the owner and operator of a vessel or facility from which a hazardous substance is released; (2) a person who owned or operated a facility at which a hazardous substance was disposed and from which a hazardous substance is released when such person no longer owns or operates such facility; (3) any person who arranges for disposal or treatment, or transportation for disposal or treatment, of any hazardous substance at a facility owned by another person from which such a release occurs; and (4) any person who accepts a hazardous substance for transport to a site, selected by such person, from which such a release occurs. Includes as compensable damages: (1) the loss of use of real or personal property or natural resources without regard to ownership; and (2) any direct or indirect loss of revenue by the Federal Government or any State or local government. Exempts a defendant from such liability if he or she can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the release of the hazardous substance was caused by an act of God, an act of War, or an act or omission of a third party who is not an agent, employee, or contractor of the defendant; (2) the defendant exercised due care with respect to the hazardous substance; or (3) the defendant took reasonable precautions against foreseeable acts of any third party and foreseeable consequences of such acts. Declares that no persons shall become exempt from liability by transferring such liability to any other person. Allows a trier of fact, in any action for damages under this Act, to find the defendant liable for punitive damages in addition to any compensatory damages, if such trier finds the conduct of the defendant demonstrated a gross and wanton disregard for public safety. Declares that this Act shall apply to any Federal agency to the same extent as it applies to any person. Provides that the plaintiff will have established a presumption that the defendant caused or significantly contributed to the injury, illness, or damage suffered by the plaintiff upon showing sufficient evidence that: (1) the plaintiff was exposed to a hazardous substance found in a discharge, release, or disposal caused or contributed to by the defendant; (2) the plaintiff's exposure to such substance would likely cause or significantly contribute to the injury, illness, or damage. Makes it the burden of the defendant to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that he or she did not cause or significantly contribute to the plaintiff's injury or illness. Sets forth the kinds of evidence which shall be considered relevant to the issue of causation of injury, illness, or damage. Designates as questions for the trier of fact the degree of culpability of, and the recovery amount due from, each defendant shown to be liable. Prohibits the commencement of any action for damages under this Act after the end of a three-year period beginning on the date the injury, illness, or damage was first known, or should reasonably have been known, to exist. Grants jurisdiction for such an action to any State court of competent jurisdiction or any Federal district court for the district in which either the plaintiff or the defendant resides, regardless of the amount in controversy. Requires an action brought against a Federal agency to be brought in a Federal district court. Prohibits any person from being denied benefits under a State's workers compensation plan for illness or injury due to a release of a hazardous substance because the person filed a claim in an untimely manner if the person filed within the period provided for filing an action for damages under this Act, regardless of whether the person's employer was responsible for such injury or illness. Declares that the presumption of cause, provided for actions for damages under this Act, shall constitute State law in any administrative or judicial proceeding under a State's workers compensation law. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, to: (1) establish procedures for physician reports of cases of injury, illness, and death suspected to have resulted from hazardous substances; (2) compile data on such cases; and (3) initiate or request from other agencies support and research concerning health problems related to hazardous substances. Directs the Secretary to study and investigate whether hazardous substances have been released in specified cases, whether such release has created potential for damage, and what will be the probable extent of such damage. Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish in the Federal Register any tentative finding that the release of a hazardous substance has created the potential for injury, illness, or property damage; (2) invite and evaluate public comments concerning such finding; and (3) conduct further studies or investigations; or (4) publish his or her final determination of the risk of injury, illness, or damage created by the release. Permits a person adversely affected by the Secretary's final determination, to file a petition for judicial review of such determination within 60 days after it its publication in the Federal Register. Provides that such a determination shall be conclusive in any legal or administrative proceeding if no petition is filed within such period. Title III: Toxic Victims Compensation Board - Establishes a Toxic Victims Compensation Board, as an independent office within the Department of Health and Human Services, which shall: (1) accept applications from persons claiming to be victims of illness, injury, or property damage caused by a release of a hazardous substance; (2) certify claimants as victims upon determining that such a release caused such injury, illness, or property damage; and (3) award specified benefits to such victims for their losses. Disqualifies from entitlement to such benefits any person who intentionally causes injury or illness to himself, herself, or another person. Specifies time limits for filing application with the Board. Sets forth the procedure for certification of a victim by the Board. Grants the Board subpoena powers. Requires any person filing for certification as a victim to also file a claim for benefits, simultaneously. Permits a victim to file a supplemental claim for benefits for losses suffered after the application date. Provides for the payment of a benefit award to a person other than the victim if necessary: (1) to secure payment for alimony, maintenance, or child support; or (2) to satisfy a claim for medical benefits or reasonable attorney's fees as verified by the Board. Subrogates the Board to the rights of any victim for the full amount of such benefit payments. Grants the Board a lien in such amount upon any amount recovered by such victim in a civil action for damages under title I of this Act. Allows the Board to exercise the right of such victim to commence such an action if such victim declines to do so. Provides for the judicial review of a determination by the Board. Requires the Board to submit to the President and Congress an annual report, analyzing: (1) the operation of its duties; (2) the regulations it issued; and (3) the victims certified and benefits awarded. Title IV: Fund for Compensation of Victims of Toxic Exposure - Establishes in the Treasury a trust fund to be known as the Toxic Victims Trust Fund (TVC Fund). Requires any amounts obtained by the Toxic Victims Compensation Board as a reimbursement for benefits paid to be deposited into such Fund. Requires the transfer of moneys from the Hazardous Response Trust Fund to cover any victim benefit payment for which there are insufficient moneys in the TCV Fund. Authorizes the appropriation to the Secretary of the Treasury of such amounts as may be necessary for loans to the TCV Fund to pay benefits exceeding amounts available in the TCV Fund and in the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund. Makes a conforming amendment to the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980.
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
Establishes the Medicare Financing and Benefit Review Commission to study and make recommendations concerning the financial problems and benefit structure of the programs established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Terminates the Commission on June 1, 1984. Authorizes appropriations.
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 · 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 · 7 April 1983
Sexual Exploitation of Children Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code dealing with the sexual exploitation of children. Increases the penalties for the sexual exploitation of children from $10,000 to $75,000 and, on a subsequent conviction, from $15,000 to $150,000. Establishes as an affirmative defense to prosecution that the medium (upon which such prosecution is based), when taken as a whole, possesses serious literary, artistic, scientific, social or educational value.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Title I: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise provisions relating to income disregards. Repeals the provision prohibiting AFDC eligibility if total family income, without disregards, exceeds 150 percent of a State's standard of need. Treats any income tax refund made because of the earned income credit and any advance payment of the earned income credit as earned income for purposes of AFDC eligibility. Sets forth effective data provisions for this title. Title II: Social Services Block Grant Program - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Act to increase the amounts available for allotments. Title III: Benefits for Individuals who Perform Substantial Gainful Activity Despite Severe Medical Impairment - Amends the Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980 to make permanent provisions of title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) concerning benefits for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite severe medical impairment. Title IV: Federal Payments for Dependent Children Voluntarily Placed in Foster Care - Amends the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare of 1980 to make permanent provisions of part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of the Act which provide Federal payments for dependent child voluntarily placed in foster care.
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
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
Provides that for weeks after March 31, 1983, the Federal Supplemental Compensation Act of 1982 shall apply as if the provisions of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 which extend the Federal supplemental compensation program to September 30, 1983, were enacted on the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Indian Arts and Crafts Board Amendments Act of 1983 - Amends the Act of August 7, 1935 to: (1) transfer within the Department of the Interior all administrative responsibility for the Institute of American Indian Arts (the Institute) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (the Board); and (2) confer additional powers upon the Board including authority to take action to obtain accreditation status comparable to other fine arts academic institutions. Allows the Board to promulgate up to 25 percent of its rules and regulations without first submitting them to the Secretary of the Interior for approval. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) effect such a transfer of functions; and (2) to determine a schedule by which to phase out occupation of the Institute's campus by any entity other than the Institute. Directs the Board to submit an annual report to the Secretary of the Interior and the Congress concerning the activities, accreditation status and enrollment of the Institute.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States which adopt and implement effective child passenger safety programs. Sets forth eligibility requirements for States to receive such grants and a limitation on apportionments. Requires the Secretary to establish, by regulation, standards for such programs. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1984 through 1986. Directs the Secretary to conduct an annual evaluation of each eligible State's child passenger safety program to measure its effectiveness on child safety seat usage.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Extends by three years, from FY 1984 to FY 1987, the period during which Vietnam-era veterans may request psychological readjustment counseling from the Veterans Administration. Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to conduct a comprehensive study of the readjustment of Vietnam-era veterans to civilian life. Requires that such study include a nationwide survey of the prevalence and incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder and related readjustment problems among such veterans and a survey of their health status in relation to that of the general population. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on such study by December 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Amends the Bankruptcy Act to provide that a debtor shall not be discharged from a judgment debt resulting from a liability based upon driving while legally intoxicated.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to increase the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for FY 1984. Decreases the maximum amount of grant money allotted for a fiscal year to States for low-income home energy assistance which a State may request to be held available for the next fiscal year. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect home energy and home energy assistance data on a State-by-State basis. Requires the Secretary to submit the annual report on such data required under such Act no later than September 30 of each calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in an area, from: (1) entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State; or (2) limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in such area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
National Art Bank Act of 1983 - Establishes within the National Endowment for the Arts an Art Bank headed by a Director chosen by the Chairman of the Endowment. Authorizes the Director to: (1) appoint ad hoc juries of artists and art experts to assist in the selection of visual works of art; (2) select works of art with such juries' assistance; (3) provide for their safety; (4) make them available for loan to Federal supervisory authorities and to museums; (5) require those who receive fellowships in the visual arts from the Endowment to donate one of their works to the Art Bank; and (6) sponsor exhibitions. Requires the Director, when selecting work for purchase, to consider the quality of the work and the need to encourage unknown and geographically disparate artists. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984-1986.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Transfers marihuana from schedule I (abuse potential, no accepted medical use) to schedule II (accepted medical use) under the Controlled Substances Act. Amends such Act to establish in the Department of Health and Human Services an Office for the Supply of Internationally Controlled Drugs, to be responsible for regulating the domestic production and distribution of marihuana. Establishes procedures for the production and use of medicinal marihuana. Permits the distribution of medicinal marihuana only to hospitals and pharmacies registered to dispense schedule II controlled substances for the purposes of treating glaucoma, cancer, or research approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Provides for a marihuana abuse prevention and information program through the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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
Child Care Information and Referral Services Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, to establish a grant program to assist public or private nonprofit organizations in the establishment or operation of community- based child care information and referral centers. Sets forth grant application requirements. Limits the duration and amount of grants to a center. Sets reporting requirements for centers receiving such grants. Directs the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on activities under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Amends the Flood Control Act of 1928 to authorize the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to construct specified navigation improvements at the Memphis, Tennessee, Harbor. Itemizes the minimum Federal share cost of such improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States which enact and enforce laws requiring the use of child safety seats and safety belts by children in highway motor vehicles. Sets forth an apportionment formula for such grants and eligibility requirements for States. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1984 through 1986. Excludes vehicles used to provide transportation for compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Amends the veterans' educational assistance program to extend the delimiting period for use of educational benefits by Vietnam veterans from ten to 20 years, through December 31, 1995, at the latest.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ford, Harold E. [D-TN-9]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000261_200.jpg)