United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit an individual to elect hospice care, in lieu of certain other benefits, during two periods of 180 days each during the individual's lifetime. Provides for full reimbursement of reasonable costs to a hospice program, subject to a ceiling. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the hospice reimbursement method. Defines hospice care as including items and services furnished to the terminally ill in their homes, on an outpatient basis, and on a short term inpatient basis.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Expands the membership of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to include three elected school board officials from different States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program under which States periodically furnish the Secretary with information on the death certificates officially filed with them so that necessary corrections may be made to the beneficiary records maintained under the social security program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1981
International Sales Corporation Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit U.S. corporations or citizens to establish an International Sales Corporation (ISC). Exempts an ISC from taxation as a foreign corporation as long as it continues to qualify as an ISC. Provides that, for qualification as an ISC, a corporation must: (1) be incorporated under the laws of a foreign nation; (2) be incorporated in a nation where its income is subject to taxation; (3) not have more than one class of stock and the par or stated value of such stock is at least $2,500; (4) have four or fewer shareholders each of which owns at least 25 percent of its stock and is either a U.S. citizen or a domestic corporation (other than a personal holding company); (5) have a taxable year the same as any of its shareholders; (6) have 95 percent or more of its gross receipts in "qualified export receipts"; (7) have 95 percent or more of its assets in "qualified export assets"; and (8) make an election to be an ISC during the 90-day period immediately preceding the beginning of the taxable year. Grants an exception for failure to meet the "qualified export assets" and "qualified export receipts" requirements for reasonable cause under specified circumstances. Defines "qualified export receipts" as : (1) receipts from the sale, exchange, lease, or rental of export property to an unrelated person for use, consumption, or disposition outside the United States; (2) receipts from commissions, fees, or compensation from the performance of commercial, technical, engineering, and similar services on export property; and (3) interest on obligations that are qualified export assets. Defines "qualified export assets" as: (1) export property; (2) working capital related to export gross receipts; (3) facilities outside the United States for the storage, handling, transportation, or packaging of export property; and (4) certain evidences of indebtedness. Defines "export property" as property: (1) manufactured, produced, or grown in the United States by a related person; (2) held primarily for sale, lease, or rental by the ISC for disposition outside the United States; and (3) not more than 50 percent of its value is attributable to imported articles. Sets forth inter-company pricing rules in the case of a sale of export property to an ISC by a person subject to allocation of income rules. Provides an income tax deduction for dividends received from an International Sales Corporation. Denies the foreign tax credit for any foreign tax: (1) which is paid or accrued by an ISC; or (2) which is paid or accrued with respect to any distribution from a corporation during periods in which such corporation is an ISC. Repeals those provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to Domestic International Sales Corporations (DISC). Allows preferential tax treatment of the transfer of assets from a DISC to an ISC.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1981
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to declare that the records of a business, engineering, or exploration operation conducted outside the United States are not subject to duty. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit a nominal consignee who is not licensed as a customhouse broker from transacting customs business for another person or from entering merchandise in his or her name.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the U.S. delegation to the February meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to tell the Commission that the Soviet Union should stop harassing Soviet Jews and should allow its citizens to practice their religion and to emigrate. Urges the Soviet Union to comply with its human rights obligations. Urges the President to: (1) express, to the Soviet Union, U.S. opposition to harassment of Soviet citizens and to restrictions on emigration; and (2) reiterate that the United States will consider the extent to which other nations honor their commitments under international law when evaluating its relations with such nations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1981
Amends the Hobbs Act to eliminate the current qualification that extortion is the obtaining of property by "wrongful" use of force. Makes it a defense to extortion that the conduct was in furtherance of a legitimate objective or activity, unless the conduct: (1) consists of acts or threats of physical force to person or property; and (2) is a criminal offense punishable by more than two years' imprisonment under State law.
United States · United States Congress · 23 November 1981
Civil Aeronautics Board Sunset Act of 1981 - Title I: Termination and Transfer of Functions of the Civil Aeronautics Board - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to terminate certain functions of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) pursuant to a specified timetable. Transfers certain authority of the CAB to the United States Postal Service and the Secretary of Transportation. Title II: Amendments to Conform to Civil Aeronautics Board Sunset and Related Aviation Amendments - Part A: Provisions to Take Effect on Date of Enactment - Directs that any certificate for temporary air transportation shall be issued for an initial period of at least five years. Revises provisions concerning the establishment and division of joint fares. Describes procedures for the reduction of airmail transportation subsidies. Denies the CAB the authority to find proposed fares for foreign air transportation of persons to be unjust or unreasonable if such fares are below specified limits. Prohibits States and subdivisions thereof from placing an unreasonable burden on or discriminating against interstate commerce. Sets forth procedures for certification for limited designation international markets. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning air carrier agreements. Directs the Secretaries of State and Transportation and the CAB to eliminate discrimination and unfair competitive practices faced by U.S. air carriers in foreign air transportation. Provides protection for employees affected by consolidations, mergers, or the acquisition of control. Part B: Provisions to Coincide with Termination Generally of Functions of the Civil Aeronautics Board - Subpart I: Federal Aviation Act of 1958 - Makes certificates of public convenience and necessity necessary only for air carriers engaged in foreign air transportation. Authorizes the CAB to issue charter air transportation certificates to any qualified applicants. Revises procedures for acquiring such certificates. Repeals provisions concerning special operating authorizations and certificates for all-cargo air service. Prohibits air carrier operating certificates from being issued unless the applicant therefor complies with all insurance regulations issued by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Allows the CAB to intervene and appear in any suit, action, or proceeding under specified antitrust laws involving air carriers. Requires air carriers to give at least 90 days notice before terminating or suspending all air transportation to a particular point. Directs air carriers to file in advance with the CAB fare changes for interstate and overseas air transportation of persons. Repeals certain reporting requirements of the CAB. Makes air carrier tariffs applicable to foreign air transportation only. Repeals provisions concerning: (1) airport security in Alaska; and (2) aircraft loan guarantees. Revises requirements regarding the issuance of airport operating certificates. Subpart 2: Other Laws - Makes conforming amendments. Part C: Provisions to Coincide with Transfer of Functions and Sunset of the Civil Aeronautics Board - Subpart I: Federal Aviation Act of 1958 - Accelerates the termination of the CAB. Repeals provisions concerning airmail transportation. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to reduce reporting requirements under such Act. Transfers functions of the CAB relating to unfair and deceptive practices and unfair methods of competition to the Federal Trade Commission. Subpart 2: Other Laws - Makes conforming amendments. Part D: Provisions to Coincide with Later Terminations of Functions of the Civil Aeronautics Board - Revises provisions concerning air carrier agreements, joint fares, and through routes. Title III: Administrative and Personnel Provisions - Transfers to the appropriate agencies the personnel, assets, liabilities, and records connected with any function transferred by this Act. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the CAB and the appropriate agencies, to assist in such transfers. Declares that all orders, rules, and regulations issued or granted by the Board shall remain in effect according to their terms.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1981
Provides that a named individual shall be deemed to have been eligible for the special pension due those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor as of a specified date.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax treatment of church annuity plans. Extends to clergy and church employees the same election of alternative exclusion allowances for contributions to annuity contracts which is currently available to employees of tax-exempt health and education organizations. Treats all years of employment by clergy and church employees as employment for one employer for purposes of the employee exclusion allowance for contributions to a church annuity plan. Establishes a minimum level of compensation for clergy and church employees for purposes of computing the exclusion allowance for contributions to a church annuity plan. Specifies that such minimum level shall not be less than twice the nonfarm income poverty level of a family of four as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Defines "annuity contracts", for purposes of the employee exclusion, to include those provided by a church or church pension board. Prohibits the application of the constructive receipts doctrine to the computation of annuity amounts. Permits clergy or church employees to contribute up to $10,000 to a church annuity plan without exceeding statutory limitations on contributions to such plans. Provides for cost of living adjustments to such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1981
Requests the President to designate February 22, 1982, as a day of national celebration in honor of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of George Washington.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1981
Good Samaritan Act - Provides relief from State or Federal civil liability for any licensed medical personnel or air carrier employee who renders emergency medical aid on an airplane or who continues such aid until arrival at a medical facility. Extends such relief to an airplane's crew and owner or operator for providing on-board emergency medical supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the tax deferral of amounts received under variable annuity contracts. Permits the use of an independent investment manager of such annuities. Allows the like-kind exchange of one annuity contract for another. Provides that the tax treatment of any payment made by a contract holder on or before September 25, 1981, shall be determined without regard to Revenue Ruling 81-225 (disallowing tax deferral of amounts received under certain variable annuity contracts).
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1981
Condemns the treatment of Yuli Kosharovsky and his family by the Soviet Union. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should express U.S. opposition to the refusal of the Soviet Union to permit Kosharovsky and his family to emigrate to Israel; (2) the Soviet Union should comply with international agreements and with its constitution by permitting the Kosharovsky's to emigrate; and (3) the Soviet Union should end its persecution of persons seeking to emigrate and its denial of basic religious, civil, and human rights to Jews.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that guidelines relating to title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (concerning sex discrimination in education) should not be repealed or altered.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) continue to express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Mart Niklus; (2) urge the Soviet Union to permit Niklus to emigrate; and (3) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will consider the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law when evaluating U.S. relations with such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that policies of Jewish emigration discrimination and anti-Semitism are morally reprehensible. Urges the President to tell the Soviet Union that the United States opposes these policies and wants emigration restrictions on Soviet Jews removed.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) express U.S. opposition to the imprisonment of Alexander Paritsky; (2) urge the Soviet Union to release him from prison, to stop harassing him and his family, and to permit him and his family to emigrate; and (3) inform the Soviet Union that the United States will consider the extent to which countries honor their commitments under international law when evaluating U.S. relations with such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the spread of international terrorism poses a danger for world peace and U.S. security and that the United States should ensure that no U.S. citizen is acting in the service of terrorism. Directs the President to report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on legislative and administrative remedies and alternatives and enforcement resources necessary to prevent the support of terrorism by U.S. citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Bureau of Labor Statistics is deserving of full support for its announced corrections in the housing component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI); (2) these corrections should be implemented expeditiously; and (3) the Bureau should determine a policy for frequent periodic updating of the market basket, as well as for measuring quality and tax changes in the CPI.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1981
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require Federal agencies to pay small businesses interest on contract payments not made within 45 days after the contract has been completed. Specifies the period and rate of interest. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make any contract payments not made by an agency within six months after the contract has been completed and to charge that agency's account of appropriations. Requires each agency to report to Congress annually concerning the small business contracts for which the agency had to make interest payments or the Secretary had to make payments.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1981
Directs the United States Postal Service to provide and sell a postage stamp issue to commemorate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Provides that such postage stamp shall be of such denomination and design, and shall be sold for such period, as the United States Postal Service shall determine.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1981
Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay from the military pension of a member or former member of a uniformed service to a spouse or former spouse the amount specified in a court's final decree of divorce, dissolution, annulment, or legal separation. Limits the total amount of pension subject to court order to 50 percent. States that court orders for payments to more than one spouse shall be satisfied on a first-come-first-served basis. Empowers the Secretary to determine which court order shall be honored in the event of conflicting orders regarding one spouse. Entitles specified former spouses to coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) for 90 days after the decree or longer if such spouse is being treated for a pre-existing medical condition. Entitles members or former members with a former spouse to participate in the Survivor Benefit Plan. Amends the Social Security Act to exclude payments from a military pension made to a former spouse from specified child support and alimony enforcement proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1981
International Joint Venture Act of 1981 - Declares that certain provisions of the Clayton Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act do not prohibit an individual or organization of the United States from participating in a joint venture which: (1) is composed of only such U.S. person and one or more foreign persons; (2) does not engage in any line of commerce in the United States in which such foreign person is already engaged; (3) is terminable by either party no later than ten years after it is formed; (4) provides for the exchange of technology; and (5) provides access to raw materials or to distribution, marketing, or manufacturing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1981
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress, prior to each fiscal year, to adopt a statement of receipts and outlays for that year in which total outlays are no greater than total receipts. Permits Congress in such statement to provide for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a three-fifths vote directed solely to that subject. Prohibits total receipts for any fiscal year set forth in such statement from increasing by a rate greater than the rate of increase in national income in the last calendar year ending before such fiscal year, unless Congress passes a bill directed solely to approving specific additional receipts and such bill has become law. Permits Congress to waive the provisions of this Act with respect to any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Prohibits the Congress from requiring that the States engage in additional activities without compensation equal to the additional costs. Declares that total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States, except those derived from borrowing and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States except those for repayment of debt principal.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1981
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make the provisions of such rule relating to committee expenses and committee staffs applicable to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on the Budget. Makes the provision of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 relating to the authority of congressional Appropriation Committees to appoint staff inapplicable to the House Committee on Appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Establishes an Anwar El Sadat Peace Medal. Provides that such medal may be awarded annually by the Congress, upon a majority vote of both Houses of Congress, to an individual or group nominated as having made the most significant contribution to world peace. Establishes the Sadat Peace Medal Board. Sets forth the membership requirements of such Board. Directs the Board to nominate to the Congress annually one individual or group to receive such medal. Provides that if Congress does not award a medal to a nominee the Board shall nominate another individual or group, and if Congress does not award a medal after three nominations, no medal shall be awarded for that year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the exclusion of interest on mortgage subsidy bonds. Includes as an element of a good faith effort to satisfy such requirements a showing that the issuer of bonds conducts periodic audits and prosecutes any cases of fraud. Provides that an issuer's diligent effort to correct a failure to meet a particular requirement will cure such a failure. Revises the arbitrage requirements to increase the amount by which interest rates on tax-exempt mortgage subsidy bonds may exceed the interest rates on mortgages financed with such bonds. Specifies that issuers are not required to dispose of any investment and realize a loss in order to satisfy arbitrage restrictions. Repeals the registration requirements for bond issues. Revises requirements for residential rental property bond issues relating to the median income level of occupants and the term of the lower income occupancy.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that all funds for committee staff expenses (except the Committees on Appropriations and the Budget) be provided in primary and additional expense resolutions. Authorizes the allocation of not less than one-third of committee funds for staff for the use of minority party staff members (except the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct). Makes technical amendments to the Rules to conform to the provisions of this resolution. Makes certain provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 which authorize congressional Committees on Appropriations to appoint staff, inapplicable to the House Committee on Appropriations until otherwise provided by law, or rule or resolution of the House of Representatives. Amends such Act to authorize congressional committees to provide financial assistance for specialized training to members of their nonclerical staff (currently only professional staff). Specifies certain resolutions which relate to the authority of committees to employ additional staff that, until otherwise provided by law, or rule or resolution of the House, shall not apply to sessions of Congress beginning with the second session of the 97th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Reduces, by one, the number of clerks to which a Member of the House is entitled under the clerk hire allowance for committee staff appointments and accordingly reduces such Member's clerk hire allowance. Exempts chairmen and ranking minority party members of committees from such reduction. Provides that chairmen and ranking minority party members of subcommittees shall make one such reduction. Makes this resolution effective after the first session of the Ninety-seventh Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1981
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to reduce the number of subcommittees of each standing committee from six to four for which certain staff positions are available.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1981
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a specially struck gold medal to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in recognition of the bicentennial anniversary of diplomatic and trade relations between the Netherlands and the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to coin and sell bronze duplicates of such medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1981
Repeals certain Federal provisions dealing with the compensation of U.S. Customs Service employees. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to set new compensation rates for Customs Service employees performing specified inspection services. Limits overtime pay for such work to one and one-half times the employee's hourly rate. Prohibits premium pay if payment would cause the employee's total annual pay to exceed a specified amount. Makes the new compensation rates the exclusive compensation provisions for such inspection services. Requires the master, owner, or agent of an aircraft, vessel, or vehicle who requests or requires overtime, Sunday, or holiday inspection services to reimburse the government for all compensation paid for such services. Requires reimbursement for any employee who reported for duty even if the actual inspection did not take place. Requires such master, owner, or agent to obtain a special license for unlading or lading during overtime, Sunday, or holiday hours. Requires such person to provide a deposit or bond covering employee compensation before such license will be granted. Exempts from the reimbursement and deposit provisions: (1) the owner, operator, or agent of a highway vehicle, tunnel, or ferry between the United States and Canada or between the United States and Mexico; and (2) the lading or unlading of merchandise, baggage, or persons arriving in or departing from the United States by highway, bridge, tunnel, or ferry.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1981
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to provide that any adjustment in the rate of pay for Members of Congress proposed during any Congress shall not take effect earlier than the beginning of the next Congress. States that any such pay adjustment proposed in an even-numbered year of any Congress after the congressional elections and before the beginning of the following Congress shall be considered as occurring during the first session of the following Congress for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Bankruptcy Improvements Act of 1981 - Amends title 11 of the United States Code (Bankruptcy) to establish an eligibility test for liquidation bankruptcy relief based on the individual petitioner's ability to pay a reasonable portion of his debts out of future income. Permits the court to dismiss a bankruptcy case under chapter 7 (liquidation) upon the motion of any party in interest filed not later than 30 days after the meeting of creditors, and after notice and a hearing, if the debtor is ineligible for relief under such title. Requires the bankruptcy judge to preside at any meeting of creditors and to perform such additional judicial duties any may be required. Declares that the value of the creditor's interest in the estate's interest in such property shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan affecting such creditor's interest. Declares that the value of consumer goods which the debtor seeks to redeem in liquidation shall be presumed to be the established resale market price, if such market exists. Requires the debtor in bankruptcy cases to file a statement of income and expenses. Requires the debtor, if the debtor's schedule of assets and liabilities includes consumer debts which are secured by property of the estate, to file and serve upon each creditor holding such security and the trustee, a statement expressing the debtor's intention with respect to retention or surrender of the collateral. Requires the debtor, at or before the meeting of creditors provided for by such title, to perform his intention with regard to such secured creditors. Repeals the provisions concerning exempt property and makes the States responsible for establishing exemptions to bankruptcy proceedings. Makes any debt which was incurred on or within 90 days before the date of the filing of a petition under such title nondischargeable. Allows creditors to enforce liens which have not been voided in bankruptcy. Permits reaffirmation of consumer debts subject to the debtor's right to rescind any such agreement within 60 days or until a discharge is received, whichever occurs later, by giving a written notice of rescission to the creditor. Declares that at the meeting of creditors the court shall inform the debtor of the nature and effect of a discharge. Eliminates the trustee's power to avoid liens or recover payments made within 90 days of filing petition in bankruptcy (within one year in the case of an insider) unless the creditor had reasonable cause to believe the debtor was insolvent. Permits the court, upon notice and hearing, to require a creditor to accept payments in redemption of the value of a claim secured by a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in tangible personal property, over a reasonable period not to exceed five years, if such tangible personal property consists of specified objects. Allows a creditor, upon 10 days notice to the debtor and codebtor, to collect any portion of a debt from the codebtor which is not being paid by the debtor through the adjustment of debts of such debtor with a regular income. Requires payments under an adjustment of debts payment plan to commence at the time of the filing of the plan. Provides for the return of such funds after deducting the costs of administration if no plan is confirmed. Provides for the separate classification of co-debtor claims and non-dischargeable claims and authorizes payment of them under an adjustment of debts payment plan. Allows a debtor to choose such a repayment plan of up to five years. Bases such repayment upon the debtor's ability to repay out of future income after taking into account the basic living necessities for the debtor and dependents. Provides for an early discharge of debts where at least 70 percent of all allowed unsecured claims are paid. Permits a hardship discharge of otherwise non-dischargeable debts to the extent the debtor attempted to pay such debts under an adjustment of debts payment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) proclaim the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Ukrainian Public Group to Promote the Implementation of the Helsinki Accords as a day honoring that Group; and (2) ask the Soviet Union to release the jailed members of the Group and to cease persecuting and jailing Ukrainian citizens seeking their rights.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1981
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the inclusion of the receipts and disbursements of the social security trust funds (the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund) in the totals of the Federal budget and exempt them from any general statutory limitation on Federal budget outlays, beginning with fiscal year 1983.
![Official portrait of Rep. Frenzel, Bill [R-MN-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000380_200.jpg)