United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should express U.S. opposition to the Soviet Union's policies of forced labor. Declares that the Soviet Union should cease such practices and honor their international commitments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Civil Service Spouse Retirement Equity Act - Entitles a former spouse of a Federal employee or Member of Congress to: (1) a portion of the retirement annuity of such employee or Member; and (2) a survivor annuity upon the death of the employee or Member. Requires that the former spouse must have been married to the Member or employee for at least ten years during periods of creditable service. Provides for the calculation of the amount of either such annuity of a former spouse on the basis of the portion of the employee's or Member's creditable service during which the former spouse was married to the employee or Member. Disqualifies any former spouse who remarries before becoming 60 years of age from eligibility for either such an annuity calculated as a regular retirement annuity based on the employee's or Member's creditable service. Authorizes an employee or Member providing a survivor annuity benefit for a former spouse to elect, or to be ordered by a court, to provide for an additional survivor annuity for any other former or current spouse if the employee or Member passes a physical examination prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Limits the maximum survivor annuity or combination of survivor annuities to 55 percent of the employee's or Member's annuity. Authorizes the employee or Member to provide for survivor annuities either by a reduction in his or her retirement annuity or pay, or by a lump sum payment, or by a combination of both. Provides for the recomputation of an employee's or Member's retirement annuity and the refund of certain amounts deposited in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund if a former spouse for which a survivor annuity benefit is provided dies or remarries before the age of 60. Declares that provisions regarding cost of living increases in civil service annuities shall not apply to such annuities for former spouses unless authorized by OPM. Entitles an eligible former spouse: (1) to an annuity under this Act only if such former spouse elects to receive it instead of any other annuity provided to a Federal employee's spouse; (2) to an annuity if the employee or Member died in service (in the same amount as if the employee or Member had died after becoming eligible for an annuity); and (3) to a portion of any lump sum credit payable to an employee or Member who transfers or is separated from service prior to the commencement of either such annuity. Authorizes a Member or employee, a spouse, or former spouse to jointly elect to waive or reduce a survivor annuity for that spouse. Eliminates the current authority of the employee or Member to elect not to provide for a survivor annuity without the spouse's agreement, except when the employee or Member satisfies OPM that the spouse cannot be located. Requires both the employee or Member and the spouse, rather than just the employee or Member, to elect not to increase a survivor annuity upon the employee's or Member's reemployment. Declares that, except when determined by OPM to be inconsistent with this Act, the right of a former spouse to an annuity, survivor annuity, or lump sum credit shall be determined in accordance with an applicable court order or spousal agreement covering such former spouse, with certain limitations. Sets forth provisions governing civil service survivor benefits in cases of divorces occurring prior to the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund to present proposals to the Fund's Executive Board to ensure that member countries eliminate import restrictions which restrict U.S. exports. Requires the U.S. Executive Director to vote against the use of Fund resources by a member country which fails to agree to such proposals. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Commerce to inform the U.S. Executive Director of all such import restrictions and export subsidies having a serious adverse impact on U.S. exports or employment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the family planning program under title X of the Public Health Service Act should be administered in the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from repealing, amending, or otherwise modifying specified rules regarding network television syndication, network television financial interests, and prime time access before July 1, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Dairy Production Act of 1983 - Title I: Dairy Compliance Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982, to eliminate the scheduled 50-cent milk assessments. Sets milk support levels at $13.10 per hundredweight for FY 1984 through FY 1985 for those farmers producing at or below their 1981-1982 marketing history levels. Sets forth provisions for farmers with less than full, or no 1981-1982 production levels. Establishes a reduced dairy compliance price (of up to $12.00, resulting in a blend price of not less than $12.10 per hundredweight) for overproduction as determined annually by the Secretary of Agriculture. Provides that the difference between the price support received and the reduced dairy compliance price shall be remitted to the Commodity Credit Corporation and credited to the Dairy Stabilization Settlement Fund to be used to: (1) reduce dairy program costs; and (2) make diversion payments ($10.00 per hundredweight) to farmers reducing production below their 1981-1982 marketing histories. Prohibits the transfer of marketing histories. Requires farmers to get marketing history certifications from their county committees. Provides civil penalties for program violations. Title II: Dairy Promotion Program - Provides for the creation of a National Dairy Promotion and Research Board made up of milk producers appointed by the Secretary from nominations provided by certified dairy organizations. Empowers such Board to budget, develop, and administer dairy promotion and nutrition programs. Funds such program through mandatory 15-cent per hundredweight producer assessments. Terminates such program after its initial September 30, 1985, period unless its continuation is approved by at least 50 percent of the voters in a producer referendum. Provides civil penalties for program violations. Authorizes appropriations. Stipulates that appropriated funds shall not be used to cover Board expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1983
Declares that the House of Representatives deplores the denial of the rights of Hungarians and people of other nationalities in Transylvania by the Romanian Government. Requests the President and the Secretary of State to discuss the human rights of the Hungarians in Transylvania with the Government of Romania.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1983
Amends the veterans' educational assistance program to extend the delimiting period for use of educational benefits by Vietnam veterans from ten to 20 years, through December 31, 1995, at the latest.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Challenge Grant Amendments of 1983 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program of making endowment grants to developing institutions which establish eligibility under the challenge grant program and which are current or past recipients of assistance under title III (Institutional Aid) of such Act. Sets forth requirements for endowment program agreements and the use of funds. Amends the Omnibus Education Reconciliation Act of 1981 to increase the total amount which may be appropriated for FY 1984 to carry out title III (Institutional Aid) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for outpatient occupational therapy services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
States that the Government should restore balance to the Department of Energy's FY 1984 budget by maintaining funding for energy conservation, solar and renewable energy, and weatherization programs and by distributing information on conservation and renewable and solar energy.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1983
Urges the President and the Secretary of Defense to act expeditiously to carry out the National Cemeteries Act of 1973 by arranging for the burial of the remains of an unknown soldier of the Vietnam era in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow married individuals to compute the amount of their income tax deduction for contributions to retirement savings accounts on the basis of the earned income of their spouses. Treats alimony payments as compensation for purposes of this deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1983
Private Pension Reform Act of 1983 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of any such participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount that would have been provided if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Requires a retirement plan to treat an individual who was the spouse of the participant on the annuity starting date and who survives the participant as if such individual were the spouse of the participant on the date of death of the participant whether or not divorced after the annuity starting date. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1983
Economic Equity Act of 1983 - Title I: Tax and Retirement Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the maximum deduction for contributions to an individual retirement plan: (1) shall be computed separately for each individual who is married; and (2) in the case of a married individual who has no compensation or less compensation than that of the spouse, shall be determined as if such compensation were the same as that of the individual's spouse. Treats alimony as compensation for purposes of determining an individual's income tax deduction for retirement savings. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require that a retirement plan that provides an annuity to a participant with at least ten years of creditable service shall provide a survivor's annuity for the spouse of a participant who dies before the annuity starting date in an amount not less than the amount that would have been provided if the participant had survived and retired on such annuity date. Provides that a participant's election not to take a joint and survivor's annuity shall not be effective unless the spouse of the participant consents in writing to such an election. Requires a retirement plan to treat an individual who was the spouse of the participant on the annuity starting date and who survives the participant as if such individual were the spouse of the participant on the date of death of the participant whether or not divorced after the annuity starting date. Allows the assignment of the benefits of a qualified retirement plan in the case of a judgment decree or order relating to child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights pursuant to a State domestic relations law. Amends ERISA to lower the age limitation for participation in a qualified retirement plan from age 25 to age 21. Amends ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accruals of creditable service to continue while an individual is on approved maternity or paternity leave at the rate of 20 hours service for each week of approved leave. Entitles former spouses of civil service employees or Members of Congress, who were married to an employee or Member for at least ten years during creditable service, to an annuity based upon a portion of retired or retainer pay unless otherwise provided by a spousal agreement or a state court decree of divorce or annulment. Entitles former spouses to survivor's benefits under the civil service plan unless the former spouse remarries before becoming 60 years of age or the employee or Member and former spouse elect to waive such benefit. Requires that such waiver be jointly made in writing. Includes displaced homemakers as a targeted group for purposes of the targeted jobs tax credit. Defines "displaced homemaker" as a person who: (1) has not worked, except in the home, for a substantial number of years; (2) has been dependent on public assistance or on the income of a family member but is no longer supported by that income; and (3) is a member of an economically disadvantaged family and is experiencing difficulty obtaining or upgrading employment. Increases the zero bracket amount for heads of households from $2,300 to $3,400. Title II: Dependent Care Program - Increases the income tax credit for household and dependent care services from a maximum of 30 percent of amounts paid to a maximum of 50 percent of amounts paid. Reduces such percentage to a minimum of 20 percent based on the taxpayer's adjusted gross income. Makes such income tax credit refundable. Treats as tax-exempt organizations certain organizations which provide nonresidential dependent care to the general public. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the Commissioner of the Administration of Children, Youth, and Families) to establish a grant program to assist nonprofit organizations in the establishment or operation of community-based child care information. Title III: Nondiscrimination in Insurance - Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act of 1983 - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Grants to State or local governments having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer, if a State or local authority: (1) has received notice of a complaint and fails to act within 60 days; or (2) has no insurance discrimination laws. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Title IV: Regulatory Reform and Sex Neutrality - Requires the head of each Federal agency to: (1) conduct an ongoing review of the rules, regulations, programs, and policies of the agency to identify any which result in different treatment based on sex; and (2) submit annually a report to the Congress on such review. Sets forth rules of statutory construction relating to gender. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Amends the Social Security Act to specify that the purpose of the child support enforcement program is to assure compliance with obligations to pay child support to each child in the United States living with one parent. Allows offsets of income tax refunds of an absent parent on behalf of children not receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. (Present law permits such offsets only in the case of children receiving AFDC payments.) Requires States to establish a child support clearinghouse through which child support payments can be paid, recorded, and forwarded. Revises State child support enforcement procedures. Allows allotments for child and spousal support to be taken from the pay of Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1983
Air Travelers Security Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to declare congressional policy with respect to the marketing and sale of passenger air transportation. Directs the Civil Aeronautics Board to vacate Order 82-12-85, adopted on December 16, 1982, and to adopt as its final decision in docket numbered 36595 the recommended order of an administrative law judge dated June 1, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the national security policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength. Sets forth the principles and goals of such a policy.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983
Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Relief Act - Establishes a presumption of service-connected disability for veterans exposed to herbicides during service in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era who suffer from specified diseases which may be caused by exposure to such herbicides, developed to a ten percent degree of disability. Permits the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to determine what other diseases may be due to exposure to herbicides, chemicals, or environmental hazards. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations within one year of enactment incorporating such determinations and setting forth the standards used to reach them.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1983
Veterans Administration Adjudication Procedure and Judicial Review Act - Title I: Adjudication Procedures - Codifies, for Veterans Administration (VA) adjudication purposes, the burden of proof and reasonable doubt standards currently provided for by VA regulation. States that a claimant has the burden of submitting sufficient evidence to justify his or her claim, and that if an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence exists regarding the merits of a claim, the VA is to resolve such doubt in favor of the claimant. States that VA subpoenas may be served either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail. Increases the maximum size of the Board of Veterans' Appeals from 50 to 65 members. Requires the chairman of such Board to submit an annual report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the Board's current handling of cases and projections for the subsequent fiscal year. Requires the Board to: (1) provide notice to a claimant and an opportunity for a hearing before a decision may be based on "additional official information" received after a Board decision has previously been made; and (2) make its decision exclusively on evidence and material of record in the proceeding. Removes the requirement that new material sufficient to allow the Board to reopen a previously disallowed claim be in the form of official reports. Provides that the Board's discretionary authority to reopen a claim will not be diminished by a judicial decision following an appeal as provided for by this Act. Requires the Board to mail to the claimant notice of its decision and the reasons for such decision. Provides that, upon the request of a claimant, the Board shall provide an independent advisory medical opinion when there exists substantial medical disagreement with respect to a material issue in a veteran's appeal. Sets forth new procedural rules for adjudication hearings regarding: (1) oaths, affirmations, and witness examination; (2) admissibility of evidence; (3) procedural rights of claimants; (4) disqualification of a hearing officer; (5) the record of the proceedings and the claimant's right to examine and obtain a copy of such record; and (6) the exclusiveness of veterans' adjudication procedures and rights prescribed by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to provide at each stage of the appeal proceedings written notice to a claimant of the claimant's procedural rights. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of two alternative claims resolution methods: one a new intermediate-level adjudication process; the other an enhanced schedule of formal Appeals Board hearings. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on such studies. Title II: Veterans Administration Rule Making - Includes the VA's rulemaking procedures under the relevant provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Title III: Judicial Review - Provides for judicial review of VA decisions in the Federal court system. States with regard to jurisdiction: (1) the definition of final decision; (2) that judicial review of a final decision in a claim for benefits may be obtained in a civil action brought within 180 days of the Board's mailing of notice of its decision, and that such action shall be brought in Federal district court; (3) that the VA shall file the various materials constituting the record in a case together with its answer to the claimant's complaint; (4) that the court may render a decision on the pleadings; and (5) that the judicial review procedures established under this Act shall not apply to insurance and home loans. States, with regard to the reviewing court's scope of review, that such court: (1) shall decide questions of law and interpret constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions, but that questions of fact (unless unsupported by substantial evidence) will not be subject to a trial de novo; and (2) in reviewing a final decision of the VA which is adverse to a party solely because such party failed to comply with VA procedures, may only review questions concerning such procedures. Sets out provisions regarding remand, survival of actions, and appellate review. Title IV: Attorneys' Fees - Authorizes the Administrator to allow attorneys' fees above the present $10 maximum if the appealing party's claim is allowed by the VA after an initial denial. States that such fee shall be the lesser of: (1) the fee agreed upon by the party and attorney; (2) $500, unless the Administrator approves a greater amount; or (3) if the party and attorney have entered into a contingent-fee agreement, not more than 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such party's claim. Provides for the approval of attorneys' fees, in successful veterans' claims brought before a court, as provided for under this Act. States that such fees shall be determined by such court, and in contingent-fee agreements such fees shall not exceed 25 percent of the total of any past-due benefits awarded on the basis of such claim. Authorizes attorneys' fees of up to $750 in certain unsuccessful veterans' claims. Prohibits the VA from authorizing payment to a claimant's attorney based on past-due benefits unless such benefits are owed as of the date of the VA's or a court's award. States that such provisions regarding attorneys' fees shall only apply to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the VA and shall not apply in cases in which the VA is the plaintiff or in which other attorneys' fees statutes are otherwise controlling. Title V: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1983
Joint Research and Development Ventures Act of 1983 - Allows U.S. firms to conduct cooperative research and development programs by establishing qualified joint research and development ventures which shall be exempt from the antitrust laws. Includes as a U.S. firm any entity controlled by foreign firms or citizens if their nation provides U.S. firms and citizens equivalent access to research and development efforts in that nation. States the requirements for qualified ventures, including: (1) the use of identical terms for the same levels of participation by firms; (2) the identification of each research and development program to be conducted and the contributions required for a firm's participation in each program; (3) a finding by the Attorney General that the participation of any firm that accounts for a large specified percentage of worldwide industry sales of a product is critical to the program's success, is in the national interest, and will not directly affect future production of such product; and (4) the notification of the Attorney General of the formation of a venture, the parties to the venture, the programs to be conducted, the participants in the programs, and agreements under the venture. Limits a venture's activities to conducting one or more research and development programs (including programs in which universities participate) which are projected to be completed within ten years after their inception. Declares that a participant in a venture shall not be subject to restrictions on its own research and development activities or its exploitation of inventions resulting from the venture's findings. Vests authority for the management of a venture in a management board composed of one representative of each participant and at least three U.S. citizens representing nonparticipants. Directs each board to establish criteria for the selection of research and development programs, the admission or withdrawal of participants, and the licensing of venture technology. Specifies information to be considered by the board in establishing such criteria. Declares that the venture shall retain title to all inventions, patents, and know-how. Entitles any firm that is a participant in a program when an invention is discovered to irrevocable, nonexclusive, and equivalent licenses to all patents and know-how. Provides for rewarding participants according to the risks each assumed. Requires licenses to be made available to nonparticipant firms after the participants have held their licenses for three years. Directs the venture to collect any royalties on behalf of the participants. Permits the venture to retain part of the royalties as may be agreed to by the participants. Requires a venture to update its notice of formation annually if necessary. Grants qualified ventures, participants, and employees thereof immunity from Federal and State antitrust laws. Directs a court to award a defendant the costs of defending against a claim brought under the antitrust laws against a venture if the venture meets the requirements of this Act or the alleged conduct does not violate antitrust laws. Provides for the investigation of ventures by the Attorney General. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) notify a venture of the actions, if any, it must take to meet the requirements of this Act; and (2) commence a court action to dissolve a venture that fails to take such actions. Permits an aggrieved party to appeal an adverse court determination. Exempts from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act any information generated under such investigation or court action. Declares that a determination by the Attorney General, the district court, or the court of appeals shall not be admissible as evidence in an administrative or judicial proceeding in support of any claim under the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1983
Skilled Enlisted Reserve Training Act - Directs the Secretary of each military department to establish a skilled enlisted reserve training program to obtain adequate numbers of enlisted members with critical technical skills. Permits each Secretary to enter into agreements with a qualified person under which the Secretary agrees to provide educational assistance in a technical field in exchange for that person's agreement to perform either three or more years of active or six or more years of reserve service in the armed forces. Permits the Secretary to pay up to 100 percent of educational expenses and a monthly stipend. Sets forth eligibility requirements. Requires accepted members to complete basic training before beginning technical training. Sets forth the penalties for noncompletion of training, including possible reimbursement of educational assistance. Requires the Secretary concerned to approve the courses and educational institution before entering an agreement with a member. Permits the Secretary to provide assistance to educational institutions providing courses of training. Permits the Secretary to detail members for instructional and administrative duties at such institutions. Directs the President to make an annual report to Congress concerning such program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Vietnam Veterans National Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to coin and sell a medal in honor of the members and former members of the Armed Forces who served in Vietnam. Declares that the Secretary shall offer such medals for sale to the public at a price sufficient to cover the cost of minting and distributing of such medals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
World War I Veterans Service Pension Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay (in addition to any pension already paid) a monthly pension of $150 to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements and to certain surviving spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans to small businesses in areas of economic dislocation. Provides that economic dislocation includes: (1) extraordinary, severe, and temporary natural conditions; (2) foreign currency devaluations; and (3) other economic dislocations determined by the SBA. Requires that such economic dislocation be of such magnitude that without the benefit of the loans under this Act a significant number of otherwise financially sound small businesses in those areas would become insolvent or would be unable to return quickly to their former level of operation. Limits each loan to a maximum of $100,000. Prohibits loan proceeds from being used to reduce other loans. Permits the deferral of loan repayment for one year.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to reinstate certain export controls for one year. Authorizes the President to extend such controls. Prohibits recission of a determination that a country is supporting international terrorism, unless the President submits a report to Congress justifying such recission and certifying that such a country has not supported international terrorism for the preceding 12-month period.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide homebuilders with an income tax credit for the construction of residences which incorporate a passive solar energy system. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, to prescribe regulations setting forth a solar construction credit table for purposes of determining the amount of the credit for which the incorporator of the solar energy system is eligible. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $2,500. Phases out such credit in annual increments after 1988. Defines "passive solar energy system" as a system which contains a solar collection area, an absorber, a storage mass, a heat distribution method, and heat regulation devices. Requires such system to be installed in a new residence after September 30, 1983 and before January 1, 1992.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1983
Designates May 21, 1983, as National Sakharov Day. Authorizes and requests the President to: (1) call upon all nations to designate May 21, 1983, as National Sakharov Day; (2) urge the Soviet Union to permit the Sakharovs to freely choose their place of residence; and (3) direct the American delegation to the United Nations to introduce a resolution in the General Assembly calling upon that body to designate May 21, 1983, as International Sakharov Day.