United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1981
Postal Service Amendments of 1981 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue written demands requiring access to books, records, documents, or other objects believed to relate to any postal offense or civil matter under investigation by the Postal Service. Provides for the enforcement of such a demand by the appropriate district court. Authorizes the Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Declares that the resumption of such an activity through the use of any instrumentality of interstate commerce shall be considered to be a failure to comply with such order. Permits the Postal Service, in investigating whether a person is conducting such an activity, to tender the price of any article or service that such person has offered for sale. Declares that failure by such person to provide such article or service, or failure to comply with a written demand of the Postal Service for access to materials, shall constitute probable cause to believe such person is engaged in such activities, warranting the detention of such person's incoming mail. Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed by the Postal Service, after an opportunity for an agency hearing, against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing the postmaster to return mail addressed to such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist; or (3) assists another person in evading such an order.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Judicial Survivors' Annuities Reform Act of 1981 - Amends the Judicial Survivors' Annuities Reform Act to revise the annuity program for survivors of Federal Justices, judges, and judicial officers. Makes the benefits conferred by this Act immediately available to any eligible individual. Permits a judicial officer who has participated in such annuity program to withdraw, in writing, according to specified procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Family Enterprise Estate and Gift Tax Equity and Reduction Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the estate and gift tax rates. Increases the unified credit against the estate and gift taxes from $47,000 to $103,500 by specified annual increments through 1985. Increases from $175,000 to $600,000, by specified annual increments through 1985, the minimum gross estate requirement for filing of a return. Repeals the existing limitations on the marital deduction for gift and estate taxes. Permits an election by an executor to take into account a life estate which passes to a surviving spouse for purposes of determining the marital deduction. Includes amounts equal to the value of such interests in the estate of the surviving spouse for purposes of imposition of the estate tax. Increases from $3,000 to $10,000 the annual gift tax exclusion. Revises the definition of "qualified real property," for purposes of the special use valuation, to include: (1) real property which is put to a qualified use by a member of the decedent's family; (2) certain future interests; and (3) timber. Qualifies estates of decedents who were disabled or retired for the special use valuation if such decedents materially participated in the operation of the farm or business for five out of eight years preceding the year in which they became disabled or eligible for disability benefits, under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Permits the spouse of a decedent to use such valuation if the spouse has managed the farm or business for ten years preceding the decedent's death or takes over active management upon the decedent's death. Qualifies the owner of a woodland for the special use valuation if the owner or a member of the owner's family actively managed the property for ten years prior to the owner's death. Includes as property qualified for the valuation certain future and partial interests. Reduces from 15 to ten years the length of time a qualified property must be held and put to a qualified use following the decedent's death before it can be disposed of without incurring a recapture of estate tax benefits. Permits active management rather than material participation as a test for qualification of the estate for spouses, children under 21, students, and disabled individuals who receive property from a decedent who qualified for special use valuation. Modifies the formula for recapture upon partial disposition of qualified property to include in the calculation of the additional tax imposed the adjusted tax difference attributable to the property disposed of or ceased to be used for a qualified use. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the aggregate decrease in the value of property to which the special use valuation is applied. Allows the like kind exchange of property without loss of special use valuation eligibility. Permits, for purposes of calculating the five-year period required for qualification of real property, the aggregation of periods with respect to exchange property with those with respect to property included in the gross estate. Repeals the requirement that an heir elect special treatment for involuntary conversions of qualified real property, thus making such treatment automatic upon such conversion. Applies the special use valuation provisions to: (1) property which passes to a trust all of the beneficiaries of which are members of the decedent's family without regard to whether any beneficiary has a present interest in the trust; and (2) property held by a trust in which the decedent has an interest which is includible in the decedent's estate and which passes to a qualified heir as though the decedent had a direct interest in the property. Alters the method of valuing farms and woodlands and provides an alternate discount method of valuation. Expands the definition of "member of the family," for purposes of determining special use valuation eligibility, to include members of a spouse's family. Permits a parent or fiduciary of a person under a legal disability to sign an agreement to the application of recapture provisions on behalf of such person. Specifies that the estate tax deduction for certain indebtedness of an estate shall not be reduced if the value of the property is determined by applying the special use valuation. States that gifts made within three years of a decedent's death shall be valued as of the time of transfer rather than as of the date of death. Allows an individual to elect to pay a gift tax rather than use the unified tax credit. Modifies the alternate extension of time for payment of the estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business to: (1) allow an installment payment election if the value of the interest in the closely held business is either 25 percent of the value of the gross estate or 35 percent of the taxable estate; (2) alter the definition of "interest in a closely held business"; (3) increase to 50 percent the value of an interest disposed of which will accelerate the payment of tax; and (4) permit payment, but with a penalty, of an installment within six months after the due date. Revises rules for determining whether property qualifies as an interest in a closely held business with respect to property included in the gross estate which is transferred prior to death and ownership of assets leased to or used by a family-owned business. Revises rules regarding the qualification of corporate distributions of property in redemption of stock which is included in a decedent's gross estate. Removes the limitation on substantially disproportionate redemptions of stock of a corporation which is a closely held business. Revises the formula for determining whether such redemptions are substantially disproportionate and the rule for determining whether a shareholder's interest in a corporation is terminated. Applies the four percent rate of interest on estate tax payments extended under the alternate extension of time provisions to the entire amount of the tax to be paid. Permits an election to value at 50 percent of its value an interest in a closely held business the net equity of which is less than $50,000,000. Imposes an additional estate tax if such interest is disposed of within ten years after the decedent's death. Allows a disclaimer of an interest in property for estate tax purposes in specified circumstances where such disclaimer does not result in the passing of the interest concerned under the applicable State law.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1981
Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to require a judicial officer, in setting conditions for pretrial release for any person charged with certain narcotics offenses, to consider which conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community, the personal safety of persons in the community, and the prevention of similar offenses by such person. Requires a judicial officer to deny release to any person charged with a narcotics offense who: (1) has previously been convicted of a felony narcotics offense under Federal, State, or foreign law; (2) is on parole, probation, or other conditional release for a felony offense under Federal or State law; (3) is an illegal alien; (4) was arrested in possession of a false passport; or (5) has been convicted of being a fugitive from justice. Requires the Government to provide clear and convincing evidence that the person charged falls within any such category and to establish that there is substantial probability that the person committed the offense . Permits the judicial officer to grant release to a person who has not been previously convicted of a felony narcotics offense upon a finding of special mitigating factors. Requires that the case of a person who is denied release be placed on an expedited calendar.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1981
Expanded Ownership Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for employer contributions to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) which are applied to the repayment of principal and interest on a loan incurred for the purpose of acquiring qualifying employer securities. Limits the deductible amount for principal contributions to 25 percent of the compensation otherwise paid or accrued to all employees under the plan for the taxable year. Exempts such an ESOP from the limitations otherwise imposed on annual additions to an employee stock ownership plan. Allows an income tax deduction for cash dividends paid with respect to employer stock which is held by a tax credit ESOP. Extends the partial exclusion for dividends received to such amounts. Provides for nonrecognition of any long-term capital gain from the sale of small business stock to an ESOP, a tax credit ESOP, or a specified type of consumer cooperative, except to the extent that the taxpayer's sale price exceeds the cost of small business stock or small business investment company stock purchased by the taxpayer within 18 months after the date of such sale. Reduces the basis of such stock by the amount not recognized as gain. Prescribes a three-year statute of limitations for the assessment of any deficiency attributable to gain realized by the sale of small business stock. Relieves an estate of liability for payment of the estate tax to the extent that amounts of the tax are attributable to employer securities transferred to an ESOP pursuant to a written agreement guaranteeing that the tax will be paid by the plan in an amount equal to the lesser of: (1) the amount of the tax imposed upon the acquired employer securities; or (2) the amount of the tax imposed on the gross estate reduced by the sum of allowable credits. Permits the payment of such tax in installments. Exempts such transfers from the tax on prohibited transactions. Deems contributions, bequests, or similar transfers of employer securities, under certain conditions, to an ESOP or to a tax credit ESOP as a deductible charitable contribution. Increases the permissible deduction for employer contributions made to both a stock bonus trust and a profit sharing trust if the additional amount deductible is attributable to a contribution of employer stock or amounts used for the acquisition of such stock. Excludes from the gross income of an ESOP or a tax credit ESOP participant any lump-sum distribution of employer securities (not to exceed $25,000) made from a qualified trust which is part of an ESOP or a tax credit ESOP. Permits a tax credit ESOP, where ownership of all outstanding employer securities is restricted to employees, to distribute benefits in cash although it does not permit a participant to exercise the right to demand that benefits be distributed in employer securities. Allows financial institutions whose securities are not readily tradable to reduce the period for exercise of a put option to a period of at least 60 days following the date of distribution of employer stock and an additional such period in the following plan year. Permits a trust which is part of an ESOP or a tax credit ESOP to be shareholder in a subchapter S corporation. Permits distributions from a tax credit ESOP of employer securities allocated to a participant's account in the case of a sale of the assets of a division or a sale of the stock of a subsidiary and the transfer of the participant to the employment of the acquiring entity.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Indian Tribal Governmental Tax Status Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat an Indian tribal government as a State for purposes of: (1) determining the deductibility of a charitable contribution made to such tribe; (2) certain excise taxes; (3) deductions for State and local taxes; (4) the unrelated business income tax applicable to colleges and universities; (5) the credits for public retirement system income and contributions to candidates for public office; (6) the exclusion from gross income of certain scholarships and fellowship grants and contributions of certain employers for employee annuities; (7) the tax on excess lobbying expenditures by public charities; and (8) the tax treatment of activities of private foundations. Excludes from gross income, under specified circumstances, interest on industrial development bonds issued by an Indian tribal government. Defines "Indian tribal government" for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make persons who fail to declare an article valued at less than $50 liable for a $50 fine and forfeiture of the article.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Interstate Compacts - Grants the consent and approval of Congress to amendments made by the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit regulation compact which delete the requirement that laborers and mechanics employed by the contractors and subcontractors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Expresses the support of the House of Representatives for diplomatic efforts to resolve the current crisis in Lebanon. Sets forth as principles to guide U.S. policy in Lebanon: (1) establishment of a ceasefire; (2) removal of all Syrian and Libyan missiles deployed in Lebanon; (3) preservation of free and secure Christian, Moslem, Druze, Armenian, and Jewish communities in Lebanon; (4) reaffirmation of the historic U.S.-Lebanon relationship and strengthening of the U.S. commitment to the integrity of Lebanon; (5) generous international support for assistance for Lebanon; and (6) restoration and respect for the authority of a Lebanese Government based on national elections.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the week commencing on June 7, 1981, should be designated as "National Italian-American Heritage Week."
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1981
Prohibits the Federal Trade Commission from investigating or taking any action concerning any State regulated profession until Congress enacts legislation which expressly provides that the Commission has authority over professions and that the Commission's authority preempts State authority. Vacates any such action taken during the period beginning on May 28, 1981, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1981
Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to exempt construction contracts and subcontracts financed by loans or grants made to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority under such Act from the prevailing wage provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $100,000 to $300,000 the allowable cost of used property eligible for the investment tax credit. Provides for a three-year carryback and a seven-year carryover of amounts which exceed such limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1981
Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963 to exempt from the definition of "farm labor contractor": (1) any agricultural employer who recruits and hires migrant workers for such person's own agricultural operation (currently the employer must personally engage in such hiring); (2) bona fide employees who perform such activity for their employer (currently full-time or regular employees who engage only incidentally in such activity); (3) any person who supplies students or other persons whose principal occupation is nonagricultural to perform certain seed industry work (currently only applies to corn and sorghum with a maximum four-week work period); and (4) nonprofit or cooperative associations of farmers, growers, or ranchers and their employees. Defines the terms "for such person's own operation" and "bona fide employee" for purposes of such Act. Redefines "migrant worker" to mean a seasonal or temporary agricultural worker who cannot normally return to his or her domicile after each working day (currently anyone employed in agriculture).
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for retirement savings on the basis of the earned income of their spouses, without regard to any community property laws.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) should cease efforts to regulate news content and to formulate rules and regulations for the operation of the world press. Expresses the opposition of the House to efforts by some countries to control access to and dissemination of news.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1981
LIFO Inventory Simplification Tax Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the qualification requirement for the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting that a taxpayer use no inventory method for financial reporting or credit purposes other than the LIFO method. Allows a taxpayer who adopts the LIFO method to spread increases in taxable income attributable to such change over a ten-year period. Allows an election by small businesses which use the dollar method of pricing inventories under the LIFO method and which have average annual receipts of $5,000,000 or less for the three taxable years ending with the year of election to use one inventory pool for any trade or business. Permits a wholesaler or retailer who uses such method to elect the use of inventory pools based on the applicable Government price index categories for all items of inventory. Allows the use of such index categories in the pricing of inventories under such dollar-value methods. Allows an election to use a link chain or index method to compute the LIFO value of dollar-value pool without regard to suitability or practicality of any other method. Repeals the requirement, with respect to liquidation plans adopted after December 31, 1981, that a corporation inventorying goods under the LIFO method treat the LIFO recapture amount with respect to distributed inventory assets as gain from the sale of such assets.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1981
Trade Adjustment Assistance Amendments Act of 1981 - Title I: Adjustment Assistance for Workers - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise eligibility requirements for adjustment assistance for workers. Requires that imports be a "substantial cause of" (presently "contributed importantly to") a decline at the firm at which a worker was employed. Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide full information to workers about the benefits available under the Act. Revises trade readjustment allowance qualifying requirements, weekly amounts, and limitations on allowances to provide, among other things: (1) that payment of an allowance shall be made to a worker who files an application for any week of unemployment beginning more than 60 days after a petition for certification (which resulted in certification) was filed, if the worker: (a) has a separation occurring within a specified time, (b) worked a specified length of time, for a specified minimum wage, within the 52 week period prior to separation, (c) has received waiting period credit under unemployment insurance law or has exhausted all rights and is not entitled to any unemployment insurance or waiting period credit; (2) that the allowance payable shall be equal to the most recent weekly unemployment insurance benefit reduced by, (a) any deductible training allowance, and (b) income that is deductible from unemployment insurance, and (3) that allowances may not exceed an amount determined by the application of a specified formula. Authorizes the Secretary, with certain limitations, to require adversely affected workers to accept job training or to actively search for work outside their former employment area if the Secretary determines that within their former employment area: (1) a high level of unemployment exists; (2) suitable employment opportunities are not available; and (3) there are facilities available to provide training in new or related job classifications. Requires the Secretary to develop in cooperation with an adversely affected worker covered by a certification who is unemployed or underemployed, and with others, an appropriate employability plan. Defines the terms "suitable employment" and "underemployment." Directs the Secretary to approve training for a worker if: (1) there is no suitable employment available; (2) the worker would benefit from appropriate training; (3) there is a reasonable expectation of employment following training; (4) training is available from either governmental or private sources; and (5) the worker is qualified to undertake and complete such training. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress, quarterly, regarding funds expended to provide training. Authorizes the Secretary, with certain restrictions, to defray reasonable transportation and subsistence expenses when training facilities are not within commuting distances. Increases individual job search allowances and relocation allowances from a maximum of $500 to $600. Waives the requirement that any overpayment must be repaid if: (1) the overpayment was made without fault on the part of an individual; and (2) requiring repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. Abolishes the Adjustment Assistance Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 and 1983. Sets forth provisions relating to definitions, conforming amendments, and effective dates and transitional provisions. Title II: Adjustment Assistance for Firms - Amends the eligibility requirements for adjustment assistance for firms to require that imports be a "substantial cause of" (presently "contributed importantly to") a firm's decline. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance (including grants) to firms. Prohibits a direct loan to a firm if the loan can be obtained from private sources at certain rates. Revises conditions for financial assistance to a firm. Prohibits the Secretary from guaranteeing any loan if: (1) the interest rate is excessive compared to other similar loans bearing Federal guarantees; and (2) the interest is exempt from Federal income tax. States that direct loans and commitments to guarantee loans may be made only to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Provides that direct loans made or guaranteed for the acquisition or development of real property or other capital assets shall ordinarily be secured by a first lien on the assets and shall be fully amortized. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance up to a specified sum per industry, for the establishment of industry programs for new development, or other uses consistent with the purposes of the Act. Title III: Repeal of Adjustment Assistance Program for Communities; Extension of Program for Workers and Firms to September 30, 1983 - Repeals the Adjustment Assistance Program for Communities. Extends the termination date of adjustment assistance programs for workers and firms from September 30, 1982 to September 30, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1981
Great Lakes Protection Act of 1981 - Amends the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978 to redesignate specified provisions and to revise definitions under such Act. Establishes a Great Lakes Protection program under such Act. Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish within NOAA a Great Lakes Research Office, to be directed by an Executive Director appointed by the Administrator. Requires the Executive Director to compile, within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, an inventory of all major actions of the Federal, State, and local governments since 1977 which have significantly affected (or may so affect) the Great Lakes. Requires that such inventory be submitted to the Congress and the President and be updated at least once every three months. Requires the Executive Director, within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) current state of Federal efforts to improve the Great Lakes' environmental quality; and (2) the degree of coordination among the States to preserve and protect such quality. Sets forth other responsibilities of the Executive Director. Requires that all Federal agencies include Great Lakes environmental impact analyses in their recommendations or reports for major Federal actions significantly affecting the Great Lakes. Sets forth provisions relating to such analyses, including a requirement that copies be available to the President and to the public. Directs that, to the fullest extent practicable: (1) U.S. policies, regulations, and public laws be interpreted and administered in accordance with the policies of protection for the Great Lakes set forth in this Act; and (2) any major Federal action significantly affecting the Great Lakes be modified to accommodate such policies and include all possible planning to minimize harm to the Great Lakes. Revises provisions relating to interagency cooperation, dissemination of information, and effect on other laws. Extends through fiscal years 1984 the authorization of appropriations to carry out the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978. Reserves a specified amount of such appropriations to be obligated and expended on the Great Lakes Research Office in each fiscal year ending after September 30, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Amends the Shipping Act, 1916, to prohibit any person or organization from entering, or coercing another to enter, into an agreement that requires a common carrier by water or other person subject to such Act not to do business with persons who load, unload, or prepare containers for shipment at locations away from shipping piers or docks.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Syria should cease and desist off-limits placement of surface-to-air missiles and firing at Israeli patrol jets.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Piracy and Counterfeiting Amendments Act of 1982 - Increases the criminal penalties for the transportation, sale, or receipt of phonograph records bearing forged or counterfeit labels. Increases criminal penalties for the willful infringement of a copyright for commercial advantage or private financial gain involving a specified number of phonorecords, motion pictures or audiovisual works, or sound recordings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1981
Directs the Postmaster General to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor Roberto Clemente. Provides that such stamp shall be issued in the denomination used for first-class mail up to one ounce in weight and shall be placed on sale during the month of August.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Sales Representatives Protection Act - Title I: Contracts Between Sales Representatives and Principals - Requires a principal who enters into a contract with a sales representative for the solicitation of orders for merchandise of the principal to furnish specified information to the representative, including monthly commission statements. Enumerates items to be included in any written contract between a principal and sales representative in order to conform with this Act. Title II: Indemnification - Exempts principals who have entered into a written contract in conformity with title I from the indemnification requirements of this title. Requires any principal to indemnify a sales representative in accordance with this title if such principal: (1) without good cause terminates a representative's assignment or reduces the geographical territory assigned to a representative; (2) reduces the rate of commission paid to a representative; or (3) reduces the number of accounts assigned within a geographical territory. Sets forth a formula for the indemnification of such representatives. Title III: Miscellaneous - Permits actions to be brought in Federal district court to enforce the rights or liabilities of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) temporarily suspend the airman certificate of anyone indicted for a violation of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act if operation of an aircraft is an element of the offense charged; and (2) revoke the airman certificate of anyone convicted of a violation of such Act if operation of an aircraft is an element of the offense for which the holder was convicted. Sets forth criminal penalties for the use or sale of fraudulent certificates with the intent or knowledge that such certificates will be used in connection with a violation of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. Provides criminal penalties for any person who: (1) while navigating an aircraft, knowingly and willfully violates such Act; and (2) is the owner of an aircraft and knowingly allows any person to use such aircraft in violation of such Act. Requires that such penalties shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other penalty imposed under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of employer-paid group-term life insurance premiums excluded from the gross income of employees.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1981
Estate and Gift Tax Reform Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide up to a $500,000 estate and gift tax exemption in lieu of the unified estate and gift tax credit. Allows an unlimited estate and gift tax marital deduction. Increases the annual gift tax exclusion from $3,000 to $6,000. Reduces from 65 to 33 1/3 percent the percentage of an adjusted gross estate which must consist of an interest in a closely held business in order to qualify for the extension of the time for payment of estate tax. Removes the limitation on the amount of extended payment estate tax which may qualify for the four percent interest rate.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt qualified cooperative elderly housing loans provided through the sale of tax-exempt bonds from the requirement that mortgage subsidy bonds be used only to provide financing to new homeowners.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions relating to payments to and contractual arrangements with health maintenance organizations (HMO) on behalf of individuals eligible for Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine annually a per capita rate of payment for each class of individuals: (1) enrolled with an HMO pursuant to this Act and who are entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII and enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII; and (2) enrolled with an HMO and enrolled under part B only. Provides a rate for each class equal to 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost for that class. Defines the term "adjusted average per capita cost" to mean the average per capita amount that the Secretary estimates would be payable for services furnished under the Medicare program, if the services were to be furnished by other than an HMO. Directs the Secretary in establishing classes of individuals to take in consideration such factors as age, sex, institutional status, disability status and place of residence. Redefines an HMO. Requires an HMO to meet certain requirements, including limits on premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Provides that individuals enrolled in the Medicare program shall be eligible under this Act with any HMO with which the Secretary has contracted. Prohibits premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments of an HMO for services in addition to those available to Medicare enrollees from exceeding, for such individuals, the adjusted community rate for such services. Defines the adjusted community rate. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse an HMO on the basis of reasonable cost if the Secretary is satisfied that the HMO is able to perform its contractual obligations effectively and efficiently and if: (1) the Secretary is not satisfied that an HMO has the capacity to bear the risk of potential losses under a risk-sharing contract under this Act; or (2) the HMO so elects. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to prohibit a capital expenditure made by or on behalf of a health care facility from being subject to review pursuant to the limitation on Federal participation for capital expenditures of part A if the obligation of the capital expenditure by the facility would not be reviewed under the Public Health Service Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to Congress concerning additional benefits selected by HMO's. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act to revise the definition of an HMO. Requires an HMO meet the requirements of an HMO as defined in title XVIII, and to meet certain additional requirements. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to Congress concerning the extent of, and reasons for, the termination by Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries of their membership in HMO's.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1981
Declares the sense of the Congress that the President shall take steps to: (1) call upon the Soviet Union to permit the resurrection of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic Churches; (2) contact the officials of the Soviet Union to secure freedom of worship in the Ukraine and (3) bring to the attention of national and international religious councils Soviet violations of basic human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to confer tax-exempt status upon agricultural and horticultural organizations operated as collective bargaining agents for the sale of members' unprocessed products.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1981
Title I: Amendments to the Federal-State Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to eliminate the "national trigger" under the extended benefits program. Provides for a State option as to criteria for State "on" and "off" indicators under such program. Requires 20 weeks of employment (or the wage equivalent) in order to qualify for benefits under such program. Changes the equation for the rate of insured unemployment, for extended compensation purposes, to only include individuals filing claims for regular compensation. Title II: Amendments Relating to State Loans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the credit against employment tax liability available to an employer shall not be reduced due to advances made to the unemployment account of a State under title XII (Advances to State Unemployment Funds) of the Social Security Act, if such State repays during the one-year period ending on November 9 of the taxable year the advances made to its unemployment account and such repayments are not less than the sum of the State's potential additional taxes for the taxable year, plus any advances made to such State during the one-year period. Empowers the Secretary of Labor to require a State to furnish any information necessary to determine if such State has made proper repayments. Permits States which borrow Federal funds for payment of unemployment benefits to qualify for a cap on any increase in employer tax liability due to the failure of such State to repay outstanding loans, if such State meets certain minimum solvency requirements with respect to its unemployment compensation system. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to disqualify a State for such cap if he determines that the State has not provided adequate information with respect to the solvency of its unemployment compensation system. Amends title XII (Advances to State Unemployment Funds) of the Social Security Act to set forth interest rates for State repayments of any advance made to a State during a taxable year in which such State is availing itself of the cap on credit reduction. Title III: Amendments to Trade Adjustment Assistance Program - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to limit certification of eligibility for adjustment assistance to employees at firms for which: (1) there is a substantial probability that a lower level of employment due to increased import competition will be permanent; and (2) increased imports are a substantial cause of (currently an important contribution to) such unemployment. Provides for payment of adjustment assistance to begin during any week of unemployment which begins more than 60 days after the petition for certification was filed. Requires such workers: (1) with respect to the weeks preceding such week of unemployment, to have received any applicable waiting period credit and to have exhausted all unemployment insurance benefit rights; and (2) with respect to such week of unemployment, not to be entitled to any State or Federal unemployment insurance or waiting period credit. Subjects such workers to specified provisions of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to require certain workers to search for work outside the worker's labor area or accept certain approved training in new or related job categories. Makes the weekly amount of the trade adjustment allowance equal to the worker's weekly unemployment insurance benefits. Limits the total amount of trade adjustment allowance payments and the length of time during which a worker is entitled to such payments. Authorizes payment of such allowance for an additional 26 weeks so that the worker can complete an approved training course if the worker applied for such training within a specified time. Increases the authorized maximum job search allowance to $600 (currently $500). Increases the relocation allowance for a worker to 90 percent (currently 80 percent) of the worker's reasonable and necessary transportation expenses and a lump sum payment of up to $600 (currently $500). Requires persons who receive adjustment assistance payments to which they are not entitled to repay such amounts. Directs the appropriate State agency or the Secretary to recover any overpayments by taking deductions from trade adjustment allowances or unemployment compensation benefits. Makes ineligible for further payments persons who receive payments because of false statements or representations or nondisclosure of material fact. Requires notice and opportunity for hearing before repayment is required. Repeals provisions for establishment of an adjustment assistance trust fund. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such Act.
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
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) should initiate implementing procedures to carry out the Helsinki Final Act of the CSCE by holding review meetings regularly on the implementation of such Act. States that the appropriate Congressional committees should: (1) hold hearings to assess the results of the Madrid review meetings of the CSCE; (2) based on such assessment, determine what additional measures the United States should undertake to assure Soviet compliance with the Final Act and whether it is in the U.S. interest for another review meeting to be held; and (3) report such assessment to Congress, the President, and the Secretary of State. Expresses the sense of the Congress that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other Western ally signatories to the Final Act should conduct similar reviews to assess the most effective procedures for assuring compliance with the Final Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that because of the importance to human rights objectives of implementation of the Final Act the Congress should consult with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe in monitoring such implementation. Recommends bipartisan Congressional support for assuring compliance with such Act to maximize pressure on the Soviet Union to comply with such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1981
Coastal Barrier Resources Act - Declares the findings and intentions of Congress in regard to the fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and gulf coasts of the United States. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System (System) which shall consist of specified undeveloped coastal barriers on the Atlantic and gulf coasts. Requires that certain coastal barrier maps shall be available for public inspection through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide copies of such maps to the chief executive officer of: (1) each State and political subdivision in which a System unit is located; and (2) each affected Federal agency. Directs the Secretary to make necessary modifications to such maps and to notify specified Congressional committees of same. Limits, to specified projects, Federal expenditures on or financial assistance for purposes within the System. Lists those projects eligible for financial assistance. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to certify annually to Congress that the Federal agencies concerned have complied with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the contents of reports to be filed by the Secretary with specified Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 for the purposes of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Frenzel, Bill [R-MN-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000380_200.jpg)