United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Retirement Security Portability Non-Discrimination Act of 1981 - Title I: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Subtitle A: Vesting; Benefit Accrual; Reciprocal Agreements - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow a pension plan to meet minimum vesting standards if an employee who has completed at least five years of service has a nonforfeitable right to 100 percent of his accrued benefit derived from employer contributions. Eliminates the prohibition from participation in a plan by employees who begin employment five years or less before the normal retirement age. Prohibits suspension or reduction of an employee's benefit accrual, in the case of a defined benefit plan, or of employer contributions to the employee's account, in the case of a defined contribution plan, solely because of age. Permits contributions to a pension or welfare plan made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement to be transferred to another such plan under which the employee had previously participated. Subtitle B: Joint and Survivor Annuity Requirements - Requires pension plans which pay benefits in the form of an annuity to provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date. Permits lump-sum or installment distributions of annuities of not more than $1,750. Requires a plan under which the normal form of benefit is not an annuity to make lump-sum or installment distributions to a surviving spouse, not later than 60 days after the participant's last plan year, of a participant's nonforfeitable benefit. Requires any election to take the joint and survivor annuity to be signed by both the participant and the spouse and to be notarized. Eliminates the allowance of provisions in such plans which make ineffective an election, or a revocation of an election, if the participant dies within two years of such election or revocation. Limits increases in the costs of a plan to those attributable to the availability of survivors' benefits before the participant's attainment of normal retirement age. Subtitle C: Minimum-Benefit Pension Plan System - Requires any employer engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce to maintain a minimum-benefit pension plan. Defines "minimum-benefit pension plan" as a tax-deferred compensation plan or a tax-exempt trust: (1) in which all of an employers' employees may participate; (2) to which, in the case of an individual account plan, the employer contributes at least four percent of the lesser of the amount of the participant's compensation for the plan year or the maximum amount of earnings considered wages for purposes of title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act as of the beginning of the plan year; (3) under which, in the case of a defined benefit plan, each participant's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions equals at least the amount of the accrued benefit which would have been derived from employee contributions if the participant made mandatory contributions for each plan year equal to four percent of the lesser of the amount of the participant's compensation for the plan year or the maximum amount of earnings considered wages for OASDI purposes; and (4) a participant in which has a nonforfeitable right to 100 percent of his accrued benefit derived from employer contributions. Subtitle D: Special Master and Prototype Plans - Provides for the establishment of a new type of master or prototype employee pension benefit plan which has been approved by the Secretary of Labor and the assets of which are controlled by one or more master sponsors, who may be registered investment advisors, banks, insurance companies, or savings and loan associations. Relieves an employer who establishes such a plan of specified administrative requirements of ERISA. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Subtitle A: Vesting; Benefit Accrual; Reciprocal Agreements - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make conforming changes in accordance with the vesting, benefit accrual, and reciprocal agreement provisions of this Act. Subtitle B: Joint and Survivor Annuity Requirement - Makes conforming changes in accordance with the survivors' benefit provisions of this Act. Subtitle C: Amendment Relating to Minimum-Benefit Pension Plan System - Imposes upon any employer who fails to make required contributions to a minimum-benefit pension plan an excise tax equal to 110 percent of the difference between such required amount and the amount actually contributed. Subtitle D: Integration of Pension Benefits with Social Security Benefits - Qualifies as a tax-deferred compensation plan a plan under which contributions or benefits based on remuneration excluded from "wages" for purposes of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act differ from those based on included remuneration and which meet specified benefit requirements. Subtitle E: Income Tax Credit for Employer Contributions to Pension Plans - Allows a tax credit for employer contributions to a tax-deferred compensation plan equal to: (1) six percent of the amount of the deduction allowed for such contributions; or (2) 46 percent of the amount of the deduction allowed for such contributions or contributions to qualified foreign plans, if the employer elects not to deduct such amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Comprehensive Supplemental Security Income Amendments of 1981 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to provide that only those individuals below the poverty threshold (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services according to specified criteria) will be considered eligible for SSI. Provides that benefits shall be payable at a rate equal to the threshold. Provides that an individual's resources shall no longer be taken into account in determining benefit eligibility. Increases: (1) income exclusions for purposes of determining eligibility based on income; and (2) benefits for individuals in certain medical institutions. Makes cost-of-living adjustments applicable to income exclusions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Declares it to be the intent of Congress to ensure that small businesses receive at least 48 percent of any business tax reductions enacted during this session.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Title I: Short Title, Findings, and Purposes - National Minerals Security Act of 1981 - Sets forth findings and purposes. Title II: Mineral and Material Planning and Availability - Establishes the Council on Materials and Minerals to develop and implement a national minerals and materials policy. Title III: Domestic Mineral Resource Potential - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) review land use plans developed under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976; (2) consider the suitability of such public lands for mineral location and leasing; and (3) revise such plans accordingly. Requires any land use plan prepared under such Act and any review and any review conducted under this Act to: (1) contain an estimate of potential mineral resources; and (2) consider the development and extraction of any significant mineral deposit as a dominant use. Directs the Secretary to determine the number of acres of Federal lands withdrawn, classified, restricted, or closed to mineral location or leasing and the number of acres of land made available for mineral location and leasing under this title and to report the results to Congress. Requires the Secretary to publish a notice in the Federal Register at least once every two years requesting the nomination of lands withdrawn, classified, restricted, or closed to be reviewed. Requires the Secretary to review lands nominated by any person to determine the suitability of such lands for mineral location or leasing. Extends the December 31, 1983, mining expiration date in the Wilderness Act to December 31, 1993. Title IV: Mineral and Material Data Acquisition and Analysis - Directs the Secretary to transfer the State Mining and Mineral Resources and Research Institutes to the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Mines. Makes the Bureau the principal Federal agency for mineral data collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination. Requires the Bureau and the U.S. Geological Survey to undertake stated activities directed towards ensuring an adequate supply of minerals and materials. Title V: Capital Formation and Taxation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) define air or water pollution control facilities for purposes of the exclusion of interest on industrial development bonds; and (2) permit a deduction for the amortization of the amortizable basis of a pollution control facility, based on any amortization period of from one to 60 months. Title VI: Regulatory Reform - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to require that notice of a proposed rule published in the Federal Register include: (1) a statement of the need for and objectives of the proposed rule; and (2) a description of all reasonable alternative public or private means for achieving the objectives of the proposed rule, together with an explanation of how the proposed rule achieves the objectives at lower cost or with fewer adverse effects than the alternatives. Requires an agency, after giving notice and giving interested persons the opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process, to conduct additional proceedings if the comments received from those interested reveal that there are disputed factual issues. Requires such proceedings to include informal public hearings, meetings or conferences, mediation, presentation of witnesses for direct and cross-examination, and additional opportunity for preparation of written rebuttals to any materials required in the notice of proposed rulemaking. Title VII: National Defense Stockpile - Amends the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act to require that all moneys received from the sale of materials in the National Defense Stockpile be transferred to the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund and be available only to acquire strategic and critical materials. Title VIII: Antitrust Restrictions - Directs the Attorney General to review antitrust laws, rules, and regulations to determine the extent to which they are consistent with the policy of this Act. Title IX: Foreign Policy - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) conduct an analysis of the foreign mineral and materials information requirements and resources of all executive branch departments and agencies; (2) direct the centralization of responsibility for the maintenance of a coordinated repository of foreign mineral, material, and related information in the Bureau of Mines; and (3) ensure that the Bureau maintains its foreign mineral, material, related information repository to be responsive to the information needs of all Federal agencies. Amends the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 to require the Secretary of State to report annually to the Secretary of the Interior concerning foreign policy as it relates to the availability of minerals for domestic use.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Noninstitutional Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and Disabled Act - Amends the Social Security Act by adding a new title, title XXI (Noninstitutional Acute and Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly and the Disabled), to provide a comprehensive system of noninstitutional health, developmental, and social services for individuals with chronic disabilities. Entitles an eligible individual to the following benefits: (1) home health services; (2) homemaker-home health aide services; (3) adult day services; (4) respite care services for up to 14 days, or 336 hours, in any year; (5) service coordination; (6) home help services; and (7) other services, provided on a demonstration basis, which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines may be of value. Sets forth definitions of such benefits. Provides benefits to every individual who: (1) has attained age 65; (2) is disabled and eligible for benefits under titles II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), XVI (Supplemental Security Income), XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid) of the Act; (3) was eligible for such benefits and ceased to be so eligible, but only if loss of benefits would seriously jeopardize such individual's ability to continue to live in a noninstitutional community residence and such individual's income is not sufficient to allow such individual to provide a reasonable equivalent of the services available under this Act; or (4) has been certified as eligible by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. States that no eligible individual shall be eligible to receive any benefits under title XXI or any long-term care benefits under titles XVIII, XIX, or XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Act unless such individual has a plan of care, as specified in this Act, and has been screened and assessed by a preadmission assessment and screening team (PAT) in order to determine the types and frequency of services required by such individual and in order to assure the maximum level of independence for such individual. Requires the Governor of each State to designate the State agency or agencies which shall administer or supervise the administration of the States' PAT program. Directs such agency or agencies to designate the PAT. Directs the Secretary to reimburse any PAT, and any State, for the reasonable costs incurred under this Act. Requires beneficiaries under title XXI to make copayments. Sets limits based on income for such copayments. Exempts those below the poverty line from copayments. Directs the Secretary to pay amounts for benefits incurred by an eligible individual in accordance with specified guidelines. Creates the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund into which specified funds will be deposited in order to make the payments required by this Act. Coordinates the provisions of this Act with titles XVIII, XIX, and XX of the Act by providing that no payment shall be made under such titles to or on behalf of an individual who is eligible under title XXI for services available under title XXI, unless the individual seeking coverage first undergoes a preadmission screening and assessment as provided in title XXI. States that this Act shall be effective between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 1987. Directs the Secretary to monitor the effects of this Act and report to Congress. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct an ongoing evaluation of the effects of this Act and to report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1981
Establishes a Prisoner of War Medal to be awarded by the President in the name of Congress to any person who while serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States was held by any force hostile to the United States as a prisoner, internee, or hostage.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1981
Malt Beverage Interbrand Competition Act - Declares that no antitrust law shall prohibit the importer, brewer, or trademark licensee of a trademarked malt beverage from entering into an agreement granting a wholesale distributor the exclusive right to sell such beverage within any defined geographic area within a State, or limiting such distributor to the sale of such beverage for ultimate resale to consumers in that area, when such beverage has substantial competition from other malt beverages in that area. Declares that this Act shall not affect any provision of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Expresses the disapproval of Congress of the proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of five airborne warning and control aircraft (AWACS) and conformal fuel tanks and air-to-air missiles for F-15 aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1981
Title I: Reconstruction Finance Corporation - Establishes the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to be administered by a board of directors appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the general powers of the Corporation in carrying out the provisions of this title. Provides that the Corporation shall have a capital stock of $5,000,000,000 to be appropriated from the Treasury of the United States. Grants the Corporation the power to issue obligations which shall be in such principal amounts as the Board shall determine to be necessary, within the authorized indebtedness as prescribed by this Act. Grants the Corporation the power to issue obligations to renew, refund, or pay other obligations whether or not the obligations to be renewed, refunded, or paid have matured. Prohibits the Corporation from permitting its obligations to be outstanding in an aggregate principal amount exceeding five times the paid-in capital of the Corporation at such time. Prohibits any Federal agency or department or federally owned entity from purchasing any of the loans made, guaranteed, or committed to be guaranteed under this title. Exempts obligations of the Corporation from all taxation (except estate, inheritance, and gift taxes) imposed by any State, local governmental unit, or other local taxing authority. Permits the Corporation to request the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee its obligations with the full faith and credit of the United States. Requires all moneys of the Corporation to be paid to the Corporation's chief financial officer and to be deposited in a bank or banks designated by the Corporation. Permits the Corporation, in connection with the issuance of its obligations, to enter into appropriate agreements. Exempts the Corporation, its franchise, capital, reserves, surplus, income, and tangible and intangible property from all taxation, with specified exceptions. Authorizes the Corporation to provide financial assistance to any business enterprise which satisfies the criteria for eligibility as set forth by this Act. Permits the Corporation to provide financial assistance to a business enterprise for : (1) general financial assistance in cases of financial distress; or (2) financial assistance for modernization or expansion that would have a significant beneficial impact on (a) employment opportunities and productivity, (b) domestic industries competing with foreign industries that are subsidized by foreign nations, or (c) domestic firms which have substantial and demonstrable problems meeting government imposed costs. Sets forth the standards and conditions for eligibility for financial assistance. Authorizes the Corporation to lend to and to guarantee the payment of principal and interest on loans from private lending sources by a business enterprise. Authorizes the Corporation to make commitments to make such loans and guarantees. Authorizes the Corporation to agree to any modification, amendment, or waiver of any term or condition of any loan or guarantee that it deems desirable to protect the interests or advance the purposes of the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to allow any business enterprise to use one or more of the following tax benefits to the extent the Corporation determines appropriate: (1) allowing the deduction for depreciation at rates or for periods which result in greater benefits to the taxpayer than the benefits otherwise provided; (2) allowing the investment tax credit; and (3) allowing an additional number of years to which a carryback or carryforward of the investment tax credit or the deduction for net operating loss may be carried. States that any such tax benefit shall apply in lieu of the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Authorizes the Board to inspect and copy all documents of the applicant relating to its financial affairs and to have access to all facilities and properties of the applicant. Terminates the Corporation 30 years after the effective date of this Act. Prohibits the Corporation from making any commitment to provide new or increased financial assistance to any applicant more than six years after the effective date of this Act unless such date is extended by Congress. Sets forth the procedure for the winding up of the Corporation's affairs. Sets forth provisions concerning conflicts of interest and financial disclosure of directors and officers of the Corporation and employees of the Corporation. Amends the Government Corporation Control Act to include the Reconstruction Finance Corporation within the definition of "wholly owned Government corporation". Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: Income Tax Credits with Respect to Social Security Taxes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide a refundable income tax credit for 20 percent of the taxpayer's employee social security taxes for calendar year 1981, and five percent of the taxpayer's employer social security taxes for calendar year 1981. Provides for an equal payment, in lieu of such credit, to non-taxable entities. Provides for an equivalent refundable credit for individuals who do not benefit from the tax credit for social security taxes paid.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Title I - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1992: (1) the time period during which jurisdictions covered by the triggering mechanism must not have used a test or device to deny the right to vote on account of race in order to be released from coverage; and (2) the time period during which changes in voting laws must be precleared with the Federal Government. Title II - Restates the prohibition against denying the right to vote based on race to prohibit any State from imposing voting practices "in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement" of the right to vote (thus permitting use of indirect proof in proving discrimination). Title III - Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Economic Opportunity Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands within the definition of 'State' for the purposes of such Act. Title I: Research and Demonstrations - Permits the Director of the Community Services Administration to provide financial assistance through grants or contracts for research, demonstration, or pilot projects for urban and rural community development. Requires the Director, as a part of the annual report to the Congress on the activities of such office, to submit a description for each fiscal year of the current plan of activities, together with a statement indicating the time and, to the extent feasible, the manner in which the benefits of such activities and findings are expected to be realized. Requires the Director to develop and carry out pilot projects which are designed to: (1) aid low-income elderly persons to achieve greater self-sufficiency; (2) focus upon the problems of rural poverty; (3) develop new techniques and community-based efforts to prevent narcotics addiction or to rehabilitate narcotics addicts; (4) encourage the participation of private organizations other than nonprofit organizations, in programs under such Act; or (5) strengthen and maintain the family unit. Requires the Director to conduct research and pilot projects designed to: (1) assure a more effective use of the human and natural resources of rural America and to slow the migration from rural areas due to lack of economic opportunity; and (2) suggest new programs and policies to achieve economic development of urban and rural low-income areas in such ways as to provide opportunities for employment, ownership, and a better quality of life for low-income community residents. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such programs through fiscal year 1984. Title II: Urban and Rural Community Action Programs - Makes the strengthening and support of the low-income family unit a purpose of such Act. Terminates the "Summer Youth Recreation" program under such Act. Establishes the "Youth and family development" program which shall be designed to strengthen and maintain low-income families and assist economically disadvantaged children and youth. Makes the Northern Mariana Islands eligible for assistance under such Act for the development and implementation of community action programs. Requires the Director to reserve not more than five percent of the sums which are appropriated or allocated for assistance under such Act for allotment in accordance with such criteria and procedures as the Director may prescribe. Directs the Director to utilize the criteria of poverty used by the Bureau of the Census in compiling the 1980 decennial census for the allotment of funds under such Act. Reserves a specified amount of appropriated funds to carry out the national youth sports program. Terminates research for the development of new approaches to the problems of rural poverty. Permits financial assistance under such Act to include funds to provide reimbursement of actual expenses for attendance at meetings of any community action governing board, neighborhood council, or committee meeting. Increases, to $22,275, the amount of financial assistance that an employee engaged in carrying out community action program activities under such Act may receive per year. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out rural community action programs. Title III: Special Programs to Combat Poverty in Rural Areas - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out special programs to combat poverty in rural areas. Title IV: Assistance for Migrant and Other Seasonally Employed Farmworkers and Their Families - Requires the Director of the Community Service Administration to coordinate programs with the Office of Economic Development to assist or serve migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to provide assistance for migrant and other seasonally employed farmworkers and their families. Title V: Head Start and Follow Through - Authorizes appropriations though fiscal year 1986 to carry out the Head Start and Follow Through programs. Extends such program through June 30, 1986. Title VI: Administration and Coordination - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 for the National Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity and for programs for the elderly poor. Eliminates the transfer of funds from one program or activity under such Act to any other program or activity. Prohibits the release of any funds to any agency receiving financial assistance for work training, programs to combat poverty in rural areas, employment and investment incentives, administration and coordination, or community economic development until it has submitted to the Director a statement certifying that the assisted agency and its delegate agencies have established an accounting system with internal controls. Requires the Director, within three months after the effective date of a grant to or contract of assistance with an organization, to provide for a preliminary audit survey to review and evaluate the adequacy of such accounting system and internal controls. Requires the Director, not less than every two years, to provide for an audit of each organization receiving grants or contracts of assistance under such Act. Title VII: Community Economic Development - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out community economic development programs. Terminates the requirement of a plan of action for the establishment of a Model Community Economic Development Finance Corporation. Terminates the research and demonstration projects designed to suggest new programs to achieve the purposes of such Act in such ways as to provide opportunities for employment, ownership, and a better quality of life for low-income residents. Title VIII: Native American Programs - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1984 to carry out Native American programs. Title IX: Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1983 for program and project evaluation. Title X: Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to make grants to local educational agencies to administer nutritional services demonstration projects for older persons. States that such projects shall: (1) provide for free lunch for older persons at schools providing such lunches to children under the National School Lunch Act; (2) encourage such persons to remain at the schools to provide counseling and supervisory assistance to the students; and (3) furnish to such persons sufficient food for an evening meal. Requires the Commissioner to submit a report to the Congress based on a study of such projects by September 30, 1983. Extends the authorization for appropriations under the Older Americans Act of 1965 to October 1, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1981
Military Spouse Retirement Equity Act - Entitles a former spouse of a member of the uniformed services who was married to such member for at least ten years to an annuity based upon a percentage of such member's retired or retainer pay. Allows annuities to be paid to former spouses covered by spousal agreements or court orders which are not inconsistent with provisions of this Act. Provides that the ten-year requirement for the marriage of a former spouse to a member of the uniformed services should not be construed to affect the rights of any such person under applicable State laws. Amends the Survivor Benefit Plan to make such former spouses eligible to receive annuities under such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the: (1) U.S. representative to the World Health Assembly should vote for the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes; (2) American infant formula industry should abide by such code; (3) President should encourage other governments to call upon their infant formula industries to comply with this code; and (4) President should cooperate with governments of developing countries to develop health standards and programs to implement this code.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Small Business Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an election by small businesses which are at least 70 percent owned by active participants in the trade or business and which have average annual gross receipts of $500,000 or less for the three taxable years ending with the year of election to use the cash receipts and disbursements method of accounting without regard to any inventory requirements. Allows a taxpayer who adopts the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting to spread increases in taxable income attributable to such change over a ten-year period. Increases the allowable cost of used property eligible for the investment tax credit. Permits the nonrecognition of gain from the sale of any property, except to the extent that the amount realized from the sale exceeds the cost of common or preferred stock of a qualified small business corporation purchased by the taxpayer within one year after the date of such sale. Defines "qualified small business corporation" as a small business corporation whose passive investment income, for the taxable year or for any of the three subsequent taxable years, does not exceed 15 percent of its gross receipts. Requires a reduction of the basis of such stock by the amount of gain not recognized. Prescribes a three-year statute of limitations for the assessment of any deficiency attributable to gain realized by the sale of such property. Reduces corporate income tax rates.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1981
Directs the President to award a special gold medal to Fred Waring. Stipulates that funds may not be appropriated under this Act for any period before October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
State and Local Government Financing Reform Act of 1981 - Excludes from the Federal law limiting and restricting the corporate powers of national banking associations to deal in and underwrite investment securities, specified dealings in and underwriting of all other nongeneral obligations issued or guaranteed by or on behalf of a State or any political subdivision thereof (except special assessment obligations and industrial revenue bonds) which are at the time eligible for purchase by a national bank for its own account, subject to specified limitations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit an annual report to the Congress showing the extent to which the business of underwriting and dealing in State and local obligations is being carried on by commercial banks as compared with other banking institutions with a view to determining the effect of the provisions of this Act on the institutional distribution of such business.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) express to the Soviet Union the United States' deep concern about the Soviet Union's depriving the Vashchenko and Chmykhalov families of religious freedom and refusing them permission to emigrate; (2) ensure that such families may reside in the U.S. embassy in Moscow until the Soviet Union authorizes their emigration; and (3) ensure provision of assistance for such families during their residence in the embassy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Declares that high level officials of South Africa should not be invited to visit the United States until South Africa abandons its policy of apartheid and commits itself to granting social justice and participation in the political process to all South Africans.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1981
Disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority (deferral no. D81-36A) for the programs authorized by the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, as transmitted by the President to the Congress on March 11, 1981, pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
First-Year Capital Cost Recovery Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a first-year income tax deduction for a specified percentage of the basis of property used in a trade or held for the production of income (recovery property). Excludes from the category of recovery property: (1) property placed in service before January 1, 1981; (2) residential rental property; and (3) property eligible for amortization. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe tables for the classification of types of recovery property into not more than 30 categories. Provides for an annual 20 percent phase-in of the full recovery property percentage beginning in 1981. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from investment tax credit treatment and from additional first-year depreciation. Requires the recapture as ordinary income, excess depreciation from recovery property which is subsequently sold or exchanged. Exempts accelerated depreciation on recovery property from classification as an item of tax preference for purposes of computing the minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the development of the multiple protective shelter (MPS) basing mode for the MX missile should be halted until there is a negotiated limit on the number of intercontinental ballistic missile launchers and multiple independently targeted warheads the Soviet Union may have deployed at any time.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Amends the highway safety programs uniform standards to include: (1) comprehensive alcohol-traffic safety programs; and (2) penalties to deter motorists from driving while under the influence of alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize appropriations for the activities of the Legal Services Corporation in the amount of $321,300,000 for fiscal year 1982 and necessary sums for fiscal years 1983 and 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Maternal and Infant Health Services Act of 1981 - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, State maternal and child health agencies for the establishment of statewide perinatal systems plans for the coordinated delivery of existing maternal and infant health services in the States. Requires an application for a grant or cooperative agreement to provide for the development of a statewide perinatal systems plan which, among other things: (1) is a part of the State plan under title V; (2) includes a statement of goals and objectives for coordinating title V and XIX (Medicaid) of the Act; (3) provides for the designation of a regional advisory board in each health service area incorporating a high infant mortality area; and (4) includes performance standards with respect to the improvement of the health of mothers and infants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, State maternal and child health agencies for projects to implement the statewide perinatal systems plan. Requires an application for such a grant or cooperative agreement, in order to be approved, to: (1) provide for the coordination of services under titles V and XIX; (2) provide for the designation of regional advisory boards; (3) provide for the development of a case management system; and (4) provide for the furnishing of perinatal services identified as needed through the case management system. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress. Requires a State Medicaid plan to make medical assistance available for care and services provided during pregnancy and 120 days following the termination of a pregnancy to a women (and any child born as a result of such pregnancy) if her income and resources meet certain standards.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission or any administrative law judge from issuing antitrust decisions, findings, or cease-and-desist orders in concentrated market structure or shared monopoly proceedings until Congress establishes and defines the elements of such a violation. Declares that this Act shall apply to any proceeding pending on March 10, 1981. Vacates any decision or order issued in such proceeding before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act - Prohibits the sale of carbonated beverages in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of not less than five cents. Requires that retailers and distributors pay the amount of the affixed refund value of brands of beverages bought and sold by such retailers or distributors. Preempts State or local laws which the Administrator determines are inconsistent with this Act. Prohibits States from imposing any tax on the collection or return of refund values established by this Act. Prohibits distributors and retailers from selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings. Imposes penalties up to $1,000 for violation of the provisions of this Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor the rate of reuse and recycling of beverage containers. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress at specified intervals on the impact of this Act on: (1) conservation of energy and material resources; (2) resource recovery and the reduction of solid waste and litter; and (3) the economy. Directs the Administrator to consult with the Secretary of Labor on assisting individuals whose employment may be adversely affected by this Act. Sets forth effective dates for various provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1981
Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Act - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for veterans exposed to herbicides during service who suffer from a disease which may be caused by exposure to such herbicides, developed to a ten percent degree of disability. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to determine what diseases and birth defects may be due to exposure to herbicides. Qualifies such birth defects disabling to a degree of ten percent as an aggravation of a preexisting injury suffered in the line of duty in the active military service during a period of war. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations within one year of enactment incorporating such determinations and setting forth the conditions of service during the Vietnam era required to establish exposure.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability caused by exposure to a phenoxy herbicide (Agent Orange) for veterans who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. Waives the one-year limitation on claims for compensation for such disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Declares that the President's decision to commit U.S. military personnel to El Salvador requires the President to submit to Congress a specified report required by the War Powers Resolution in order to preserve the integrity of such Resolution and to ensure the full and cooperative judgment of both Congress and the President with respect to the introduction of U.S. military personnel into El Salvador.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Soil Conservation Act of 1981 - Title I: Special Areas Conservation Program - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance to farm and ranch owners or operators and public entities to identify and correct erosion or irrigation management problems in special areas (as designated under this Act). Prohibits assistance to: (1) public lands unless they are an integral part of a farm or ranch; and (2) nonfarm or nonranch land unless such land has a serious erosion problem which threatens farm or ranch land. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cost-sharing contracts with such persons for: (1) conservation measures as set forth under this Act; and (2) continuing established conservation measures. Requires a recipient to provide the Secretary with a plan that: (1) incorporates practices to prevent land erosion; (2) outlines a schedule for implementing cropping system changes or other conservation methods; (3) considers local, social, economic, and environmental conditions; (4) allows for varying levels of conservation application as appropriate; (5) allows for wildlife and recreation measures; and (6) identifies methods to improve vegetative conditions, reduce erosion, and conserve water on rangeland. Permits financial assistance to cover the loss of income resulting from cultivated crops to permanent vegetative cover adjustments. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prepare a report respecting the designation of an area as a special area; and (2) submit such report to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and to the House Committee on Agriculture. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into any contracts (involving such land) until the Committees approve such report. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to evaluate the impact of local and State tax structures on the acceptance and implementation of conservation measures. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress by January 1, 1986, and at five-year intervals thereafter. Title II: Matching Grants for Conservation Activities - Directs the Secretary to make annual matching grants to county conservation boards for: (1) soil erosion control; (2) cropland, forest, pasture, or rangeland improvements; (3) water conservation and quality improvement; (4) agricultural land preservation; and (5) demonstration projects. Permits such grants for: (1) fish and wildlife habitat improvement; (2) animal waste management; (3) watershed and flood protection; (4) sediment and stormwater control in urbanizing areas; and (5) natural resources aspects of rural planning. Prohibits a county conservation board from receiving a grant unless it: (1) has a current long-range program; (2) has a current annual work plan; and (3) has arranged for equal matching funds or in kind services. Provides that grants may be given for two years to develop such a program and plan. Requires not more than 25 percent of State or local funds for a component of the work plan determined by the Secretary to have a national objective. Sets forth the composition of such county conservation boards. Authorizes long-term agreements of up to ten years. Requires a recipient board to maintain records as the Secretary prescribes and to provide access to them for audits or examinations. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Prohibits appropriations after fiscal year 1992. Directs the Secretary to report to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and to the House Committee on Agriculture by January 1, 1986, and again by January 1, 1991. Title III: Conservation Loan Program - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to direct the Corporation, beginning October 1, 1981, to make loans (up to ten years) to agricultural producers for conservation measures recommended by the applicable county and State committees. Requires loans in excess of $10,000 to be secured. Limits: (1) loans to any one producer in a fiscal year to $25,000; and (2) the total amount of loans in a fiscal year to $200,000,000. Title IV: Volunteers for Conservation - Directs the Secretary to establish a volunteer program. States that such volunteers shall not be considered Federal employees except for provisions relating to compensation for injury and tort claims. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Title V: Reservoir Sedimentation Reduction Program - Authorizes the Secretary to develop a reservoir sediment reduction program to be implemented on no more than five public reservoirs with surrounding soil erosion problems. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prepare a plan with the assistance of interested State and local entities for each such reservoir; and (2) submit such plan to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and to the House Committee on Agriculture. Prohibits implementation of any such plan without the Committees' approval. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1983-1987. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress by January 1, 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Authorizes appropriations in the amount of $1,500,000 to the city of Atlanta, Georgia, for law enforcement expenses with respect to the recent murders of children.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Title I: Surplus School Conversion Grants - Surplus School Conversion Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to local educational agencies to provide up to 80 percent of the costs of renovating underutilized school buildings. Directs the Secretary to give priority to grant applications to renovate buildings for educational or social service purposes. Prohibits grants for renovation of buildings which will be used for storage purposes only. Permits the inclusion of planning costs among the expenses which such grants cover. Directs the Secretary to make available planning and technical assistance to agencies utilizing such funds. Sets forth grant application requirements. Directs the Secretary to consider certain factors in approving applications. Provides for the recapture of such payments by the United States. Sets forth reporting requirements. Title II: Amendment to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to include among guidelines which the Secretary of Energy must prescribe for State plans for the implementation of energy conservation projects in schools and hospitals a requirement that State energy agencies in making grants for such projects for school facilities give priority to facilities in local educational agency jurisdictions with a student enrollment during the school year in which the application is submitted is not more than 90 percent of the enrollment for the second preceding school year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Israel's security in the 1980's will reflect the military balance of power and continued U.S. assistance; (2) support of Israel will entail support of the United States; (3) the United States should build up its strength to contain Soviet influence in the Middle East; and (4) such actions will be viewed as reaffirming U.S. security agreements with Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
National Driver Register Act of 1981 - Eliminates the register in the Department of Commerce that lists the names of persons who have had their motor vehicle operator's licenses revoked. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain a National Driver Register to assist chief driver licensing officials of participating States in exchanging information regarding the motor vehicle driving records of individuals. Prohibits the Secretary from maintaining information in such Register for more than a seven-year period from the date of its entry. Allows any State to participate in such Register system. Directs the chief driver licensing official of a participating State to transmit specified information on certain drivers to the Secretary. Allows access to such information to specified individuals, including the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. Limits the use of such information to official investigations and statistical research. Sets forth criminal penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of information from the National Driver Register. Establishes a National Driver Register Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the Register system. Directs the Committee to report at least annually to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, within nine years of the date of enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on the level of State participation in and the effectiveness of the Register system. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act for fiscal years 1981 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Requires the Federal Government and persons conducting federally assisted programs, projects, and activities to pay interest to business concerns for overdue sales and lease agreement payments not made by the thirtieth day after the bill for such payment is received. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Stipulates that overdue payments for meat, groceries, and perishables shall be determined in accordance with terms commonly offered meat, grocery, and perishable industries. Entitles the Government and such persons to early payment discounts only if payments are made within the prescribed periods.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell commemorative medals honoring Maggie Lena Walker in recognition of her contributions to the banking industry of the United States.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ford, Harold E. [D-TN-9]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000261_200.jpg)