United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1983
Retirement Equity Act of 1983 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to lower from age 25 to age 21 the age limitation for minimum participation and vesting standards for pension plans. Prohibits certain defined benefit plans from requiring, as a condition for plan participation, that employees complete period of service extending beyond the earlier of age 25 or the vesting expectation date. Lowers from age 22 to age 18 the age limitation for the computation of periods of service. States that years of service may be disregarded when computing periods of service for participation or vesting purposes if breaks in service during such a period amounted to five or more one-year breaks. Treats breaks in service due to pregnancy, birth, or adoption of a child as completed hours of service according to a specified formula. Accords such treatment only in the year of the pregnancy, birth or adoption, and only to participants who would incur a one-year break in service without such treatment. Requires pension plans which provide life annuity benefits to pay such benefits in the form of a qualified joint and survivor annuity. Requires that each pension plan participant have the option of electing, waiving, or revoking the joint and survivor annuity form of benefit. Conditions the efficacy of such election upon: (1) the written consent of a participant's spouse; (2) a written acknowledgement by a participant's spouse of the effect of such election; and (3) an official witnessing of such spousal consent by a plan representative or notary public. Limits such consent to the signatory spouse. Requires pension plans to furnish participants with written explanations of the terms and rights of election regarding joint and survivor annuities. Prohibits joint and survivor annuity payments from being less than the actuarial equivalent of payments made if the annuitant had lived to the earliest date of retirement or had separated from service on the date of death. Requires the surviving spouse's consent for any distribution of nonforfeitable benefits exceeding $3,500. Requires such benefits to be paid according to the surviving spouse's written requests. States that plans subject to funding requirements must provide benefits payable in the form of an annuity. Exempts qualified domestic relations orders from the Act's proscriptions against alienation and assignment of pension plan benefits. Sets procedural guidelines for the payment of such benefits to an alternate payee under such orders. Prohibits alternative payees from receiving any portion of any increase in a participant's accrued benefits if such increases occur after payments to such payees have begun. Declares that alternate payees under domestic relations orders are not considered to be, by virtue of such orders, participants or beneficiaries under the pension plan. Increases from $1,750 to $3,500 the allowable mandatory distribution from a retirement plan. Requires notification to participants that certain benefits may be forfeitable if the participant dies before a certain date. Sets December 31, 1984 as the effective date of this Act for existing plans. Provides transitional dates and certain effective dates for plans maintained under collective bargaining agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1983
Federal Employees Health Benefits Information Act of 1983 - Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish a Federal Employees Health Benefits Information Center which shall maintain a national information clearinghouse and disseminate information on the various health benefit plans available to Federal employees, assist employees and annuitants in understanding such information, and identify problems or deficiences in any of the health benefit plans available. Requires that carriers be allowed to make written comments on any information relating to their plans which is to be so disseminated and prohibits the dissemination of such information until OPM has reviewed such comments and made any necessary changes in the information. Requires OPM to make a continuing study of: (1) the operation and administration of the Federal employees health benefits program; and (2) the costs, benefits, and coverage under plans available to Federal employees and how they compare with the costs, benefits, and coverage under plans available to employees in private industry. Requires OPM to submit annually to specified congressional committees information relating to recent developments in the health care field and recommendations for legislative or administrative action which may be appropriate. Sets aside funding for the procurement of experts and consultants and for experiments and demonstration projects with respect to improving the quality or timeliness of the information to be provided by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Information Center. Provides that before the start of any contract term in which an adjustment is to be made in the rates or benefits under a health benefits plan or if a newly approved health benefits plan is offered or an existing plan is terminated, there shall be provided an open season of at least three weeks during which Federal employees or annuitants enrolled in health benefits plans may transfer to another plan or cancel their enrollment. Requires OPM to make available to employees and annuitants eligible to enroll in a health benefits plan a description of the types of information and services available from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Information Center and the procedures for obtaining such information and services. Requires that employees and annuitants enrolled in a health benefits plan be notified of any changes in rates charged or benefits provided under such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1983
Commission on Civil Rights Resolution - Establishes within the legislative branch an eight member Commission on Civil Rights (Commission). Provides rules of procedure for Commission hearings. Requires the Commission to: (1) investigate allegations of citizens' being denied their right to vote by reason of their color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin; (2) study and collect information concerning discrimination or a denial of equal protection; (3) appraise Federal laws and policy with respect to discrimination and the denial of equal protection; and (4) serve as a national clearinghouse for such information. Prohibits the Commission from investigating any membership practice or internal operation of any fraternal organization, college or university fraternity or sorority, private club or religious organization. Prohibits the Commission from collecting or studying information with respect to abortion. Directs the Commission to appraise the laws and policies of the Federal Government with respect to denials of equal protection involving Americans who are members of eastern - and southern - European ethic groups.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the: (1) United States should recognize the right of the Grenadian people to territorial integrity and calls upon the President to withdraw U.S. armed forces from Grenada; and (2) President should seek, through the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community, and the United Nations, ways to restore stability to Grenada and to allow the Grenadian people to determine their future government.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1983
Voter Education and Participation Act of 1983 - Requires that each program assisted with funds made available under this Act: (1) develop curriculum materials for elementary, secondary, and higher education to instruct students, teachers, and community members in the importance of voting and to facilitate increased voter participation; (2) disseminate such projects and program materials; (3) train personnel to use such curriculum and program materials; and (4) cooperate with persons and organizations with a special or demonstrated interest in voter education and assist them in promoting, encouraging, developing, or producing programs, materials, public service announcements, and conferences which relate to voter education and participation. Permits curriculum development projects to include, but not be limited to, mock elections, model congresses, civics classes, local symposiums on election issues, and programs to assist students, teachers, and other members of the local educational community to register to vote. Requires any public, private, or nonprofit agency, institution, or organization desiring assistance under this Act to submit an application to the Secretary of Education within 60 days after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to ensure that specified criteria are met by programs approved for such assistance. Requires that such programs provide equal access for private, as well as public, schools. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1983
School Facilities Child Care Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations having the capacity to furnish school-age child care services in order to assist such agencies and organizations to establish and operate such services in public schools. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987. Sets forth information which must be included in applications by such agencies or organizations to the Secretary for such grants. Requires the Secretary, in approving the applications, to: (1) assure that there is an equitable distribution of approved applications; (2) give priority to applications from applicants in communities with the greatest need and a shortage of economic resources for such services; and (3) give consideration to applications from applicants who can illustrate an identifiable base of community support. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of collecting data from recipients of assistance under this Act designed to provide a national needs assessment for child care services of school-age children in the United States. Requires the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on activities under this Act together with a needs assessment of child care services for school-age children in each State. Requires the Secretary to operate a clearinghouse on school-age child care programs. Sets forth general administrative provisions with respect to carrying out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1983
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Lady Bird Johnson in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and contributions to the beautification of America. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the striking of such medal and bronze duplicates for sale to the public. Declares such medals to be national medals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1983
Declares it to be the policy of the United States to: (1) renounce the first use of all nuclear weapons; and (2) conclude treaties with all nations renouncing the first use of such weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1983
Amends Federal law regarding Presidential elections to set 11 p.m. (EST) as the closing time for polling places for the election of Presidential electors. Amends the Federal criminal code to impose a $1,000 fine and/or one-year imprisonment upon specified individuals with official Presidential election responsibilities who disclose Presidential election results before the legal closing time for polling places.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Civil Liberties Act of 1983 - Title I: Recognition of Injustice and an Apology on Behalf of the Nation - States that the Congress accepts the findings of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians and recognizes that a grave injustice was done to both citizens and resident aliens of Japanese ancestry by the evacuation, relocation, and internment of civilians during World War II. Title II: United States Citizens of Japanese Ancestry and Resident Japanese Aliens - Requests the President to offer pardons of those convicted of violating laws during the internment period whose violation was based on a refusal to accept racially discriminatory treatment. Provides that Federal departments and agencies that review applications for restitution of positions, status, or entitlement lost during the internment period shall review such applications giving full consideration to the findings of the Commission. Establishes within the Treasury a Civil Liberties Public Education Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. Requires the Attorney General to pay $20,000 each from the Fund in compensation to surviving internees. Establishes a Board of Directors which shall be responsible for making disbursement from the Fund. Provides that disbursement from the Fund shall be used to: (1) sponsor research and public educational activities dealing with the internment; (2) fund studies of similar civil liberties abuses; (3) prepare and distribute hearings and findings of the Commission; and (4) promote the general welfare of the ethnic Japanese community in the United States. Title III: The Aleuts - Requires the Attorney General to identify, locate, and pay a sum of $5,000 each to surviving internees of Alaskan Aleut ancestry. Establishes within the Treasury the Aleutian Islands Education and Restoration Fund. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. Provides for a Board of Directors to be responsible for making disbursements from the Fund. Authorizes disbursements for community and individual purposes that will be compensatory for the losses and injuries suffered as a result of the evacuation of the Aleuts. Directs the Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild and restore churches and buildings damaged or destroyed in the Aleutian Islands and clear away the military debris that remains there from the evacuation and relocation period. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey the island of Attu, Alaska, to the Aleut native corporation. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that all documents, personal testimony, and other material collected by the Commission shall be deposited in the National Archives of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983
Synthetic Fuels Corporation Fiscal Accountability Act of 1983 - Amends the Energy Security Act to prohibit the U.S. Synthetic Fuels Corporation from making new awards of financial assistance after the date of the enactment of this Act and before the date on which the Corporation's comprehensive strategy for achieving the national synthetic fuel production goal is approved by Congress. Makes limitations on Corporation construction projects effective upon the enactment of this Act rather than upon approval of the comprehensive strategy as provided under current law.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should urge the Japanese to extend the current voluntary auto export limits beyond March 31, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1983
National Archives and Records Administration Act of 1983 - Title I: Establishment of An Independent National Archives and Records Administration - Establishes the National Archives and Records Administration as an independent establishment in the executive branch to be directed by the Archivist of the United States. Requires the Archivist to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Archivist to appoint a Deputy Archivist. Sets forth the administrative duties and authority of the Archivist. Requires the Archivist to submit to Congress an annual report concerning the administration of functions of the Archivist and the Administration. Transfers to the Administration and the Archivist the functions, duties, and authority of the General Services Administration (GSA) and its Administrator, respectively, concerning: (1) congressional printing and binding; (2) the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations; (3) the distribution and sale of public documents; (4) archival administration; (5) presidential records; (6) the National Archives Trust Fund Board; (7) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (8) records management; (9) the disposal of records; (10) official territorial papers; (11) Indian records placed with the Oklahoma Historical Society; (12) public laws, Constitutional amendments, and the United States Statutes at Large; and (13) electoral credentials and certificates. Transfers to the Administration the National Archives and Records Service. Title II: Administrative Provisions - Limits the fee that the Archivist may charge for making or authenticating copies of materials to the amount necessary to recover actual costs. (Currently such fee may exceed such costs by up to ten percent.) Requires such fees to be deposited to the credit of the appropriation against which they are charged. (Currently such fees are paid into the National Archives Trust Fund.) Requires the National Archives Trust Fund Board to use the services and personnel of the Administration to assist the Board in performing its functions. (Currently the Board may appoint necessary employees.) Directs the Board to submit to Congress an annual report on its operations and on the moneys, securities, and personal property received and held by it. Authorizes the Board to authorize the transfer of funds to the Administration to be expended on an archival or records activity approved by the Board or to accomplish the purpose of a gift or bequest. Prohibits expenditures for purposes for which appropriated funds could not be expended, unless required by the instrument of gift or bequest. Permits the Board to solicit gifts or bequests. Requires that moneys received for the Fund be deposited within five working days. Allows disbursements from the Fund only for activities approved by the Board, including the publication of special works and the release of historical photographs and recordings. Authorizes the Archivist to sell such publications and releases at a price which will cover their cost (currently, cost plus ten percent). Authorizes the Archivist to initiate action for the recovery of agency records unlawfully removed or for other legal redress against persons who remove or destroy agency records if the agency fails to take such action within a reasonable period of time after being informed of its necessity by the Archivist. Directs the Archivist to report any such agency failure to the appropriate committees of Congress. Directs the Archivist to establish detailed criteria for determining whether material should be classified as agency records. Grants the Archivist access to any material made or received by an agency to determine whether the agency is in compliance with regulations governing records disposal. Permits the Archivist to authorize an agency to dispose of records only after publishing notice of, and providing an opportunity for public comment on, such disposal.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1983
Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to: (1) double the maximum amount of the personal expense allowance provided for eligible individuals and eligible spouses who are in medical institutions; and (2) provide that subsequent annual increases in such amounts include cost of living adjustments.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1983
National Dividend Act of 1983 - Establishes a program for the distribution of corporate income tax, capital gains tax, and insurance company income tax revenues to the registered voters of each State in the form of dividend payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to the chief financial officer of each State an amount equal to the National Dividend Payment, as computed under this Act, multiplied by the number of registered voters in such State. Establishes the National Dividend Payment Trust Fund. Directs the payment of specified amounts to the Trust Fund between FY 1984 and 1987. Establishes a National Dividend Review Board to review the manner in which payments are made from the Trust Fund and to make investments of trust funds which are not required to meet current expenses. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income all dividend income, including dividends received under this Act, received by a taxpayer from a domestic corporation. Increases the income tax deduction to corporations for dividends received on the preferred stock of a public utility. Prohibits an increase of corporate income tax rates above 50 percent. Limits increases in Federal expenditures during the five year period beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act to an amount which is attributable to inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the proposed United States Steel-British Steel purchase agreement is adverse to the interests of the United States, the steel industry, and U.S. steel workers; and (2) the Secretary of Commerce take action under existing laws, including the United States-European Community Steel arrangement, to determine if there are any violations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1983
States that until Chile returns to democracy the United States should deny all military and economic assistance, including guarantees and loans from the Export-Import Bank and the Commodity Credit Corporation. Urges the United States to oppose all loans and grants to Chile by the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Development Association, unless such assistance is directed to programs which serve the basic human needs of the people.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1983
Federal Supplemental Compensation Extension Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal Supplemental Compensation Act of 1982 to extend the payment of benefits under the Federal supplemental unemployment compensation program for six months, through March 31, 1984. Increases the number of weeks for which such benefits are payable. Revises formulas and tables for determining the amounts in accounts established after March 31, 1983, and the amounts in accounts established before April 1, 1983. Sets forth a transitional rule for determining an individual's eligibility for additional weeks of compensation. Directs the Secretary of Labor to require modifications of agreements with States under such Act to conform with amendments made by this Act within a specified period.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1983
Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to include individuals filing claims for regular, extended, additional, or supplemental compensation in determining the insured unemployment rate (IUR) in a State for purposes of the Federal-State extended unemployment compensation program. Revises State trigger provisions for such program to set: (1) the State "on" indicator for such program for any week if the IUR under State law for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks equalled or exceeded four percent; and (2) the State "off" for any week if the IUR under State law for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks is less than four percent. Provides that, for State trigger purposes, the IUR for any 13-week period shall be determined by reference to the average monthly covered employment under State law for the first four of the most recent six calendar quarters ending before the close of such period. Reinstates the national trigger for such program. Bases national trigger determinations on whether the seasonally adjusted IUR for all States equals or exceeds four-and-one half percent (as determined for periods and in a manner similar to that under State trigger provisions). Makes technical amendments. Repeals the 20-week work requirement for purposes of program eligibility determinations. Prohibits the denial of extended compensation payments to any recipient (who submits documentation to the Secretary of Labor) for any week because such recipient is in training or attending an accredited educational institution on a substantially full-time basis, or because of the application of State law to any such recipient relating to availability for work, the active search for work, or the refusal to accept work on account of such training or attendance, unless the State agency determines that such training or attendance will not improve the opportunities for employment of the recipient. Increases the number of weeks for which extended unemployment compensation is payable. Directs the Secretary of Labor to study: (1) the feasibility of having extended unemployment compensation payable on the basis of area triggers instead of State triggers; and (2) the changes in State law which would be necessary or appropriate to implement area triggers. Directs the Secretary to report, with recommendations, on such study to the Congress within two years after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1983
Urges the President to: (1) use every diplomatic and political tool to ensure that those responsible for the death of Benigno Aquino are brought to justice; (2) cancel his trip to the Philippines; and (3) propose the convening of an impartial international tribunal to investigate the Aquino assassination. States that the Congress expects: (1) democracy to be restored to the Philippines; and (2) free elections to be held there in May 1984 with a free press and the full participation of the opposition parties. States that if the Marcos government refuses such tribrunal and elections, the United States should reevaluate its relations with the Marcos government, including the status of military and economic aid. Expresses congressional condolences to the Aquino family and the Filipino people.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Designates the week beginning February 12, 1984, as a time to recognize the contributions of volunteers who become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to single parent youths.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1983
Requires the President to submit a specified report to Congress, as required under the War Powers Resolution, dealing with the U.S. armed forces in Lebanon.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Wine Equity Act of 1983 - Requires the President to direct the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to negotiate the harmonization of tariff and nontariff barriers on wine with each designated major trading country. Requires negotiations with designated major trading countries which do not export wine to the United States in order to eliminate all tariff and nontariff trade barriers of such countries to the importation of U.S. wine. Requires the President to impose tariff and nontariff trade barriers equal or substantially equivalent to the barriers applied by a designated major trading country if such country does not provide harmonization to U.S. produced-wine with 180 days of the country's designation as a designated major trading country. Provides for removing such U.S. tariff and nontariff barriers. Requires the USTR to report to specified congressional committees at the beginning and end of each negotiation. Requires the USTR to consult with such committees to identify further tariff and nontariff barriers to and potential markets for U.S. wine. Provides for assistance for the USTR from other Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Women's Business Ownership Act of 1983 - Establishes the National Commission on Women's Business Ownership to review: (1) the status of women business owners nationwide; (2) the role of the Federal Government in aid to and the promotion of women business owners; and (3) data collection procedures with regard to women-owned businesses and Federal initiative and procurement. Directs the Commission to recommend: (1) new private sector initiatives regarding management and technical assistance to women business owners; (2) ways to create greater access to credit for women in business; and (3) ways to enhance procurement opportunities for women business owners. Terminates the Commission on the date that it transmits its final report to the President and to each House of the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
White House Conference on the Homeless and the Hungry Act - Directs the President to call a White House Conference on the Homeless and the Hungry to develop recommendations and stimulate a national assessment of the problem of hunger and homelessness in the United States. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to direct the planning and conduct of the Conference. Directs Conference participants to give special consideration to: (1) providing long-range planning to ensure appropriate shelter and nutrition for all needy families; (2) accelerating the availability of emergency community food and shelter facilities; (3) exploring ways of using Government surplus food for the hungry; (4) encouraging States to exchange information on available services and issues of mutual concern; (5) providing incentives for private developers and criteria to rehabilitate abandoned housing; and (6) improving data collection activities. Directs the Conference to submit its final report to the President within 120 days of its formation. Requires the report's findings and recommendations to be made available to the public. Requires the President to transmit recommendations for implementing the report's recommendations to Congress within 120 days after receiving such report.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1983
Prohibits sending combat troops into Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua for training exercises or any other purposes unless: (1) Congress has authorized their presence in advance by a joint resolution signed by the President; or (2) the presence of such troops is necessary to provide for the immediate evacuation of U.S. citizens, or to respond to a clear and present danger of military attack on the United States. Declares that, in either case, the President should advise and consult, to the extent possible, in advance with the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1983
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require: (1) the equitable distribution of lump-sum death benefits if there is no widow or widower who was living in the same household with an insured individual at the time of his or her death; or (2) the payment of such sum to the person assuming responsibility for the burial expenses of the deceased individual if there are no persons to whom such sum should be paid pursuant to title II requirements. Provides that the amount of the lump-sum death payment shall be equal to the amount of the average monthly old-age insurance benefit during the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which an insured individual dies. (Under current law, the lump-sum death payment is equal to the smaller of three times the insured individual's primary insurance amount or $255.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1983
Federal Correctional Education Assistance Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide financial assistance to the States to carry out educational programs for criminal offenders in juvenile and adult correctional institutions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986 to enable the Secretary of Education to make grants to States under this Act. Allows such appropriations to remain available until expended. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State educational agencies and grants for programs of national significance. Sets forth formulas for the allocation of funds under this Act. Prohibits the use of funds for purposes inconsistent with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. Sets forth permissible uses of grants made to States under this Act, including: (1) academic programs for basic education, special education, bilingual or bicultural study, secondary school credit, postsecondary study, fine arts, recreation and health, and curriculum development; (2) vocational training; (3) library development and services; (4) teacher training; (5) educational release programs; (6) guidance; (7) supportive services; and (8) job training. Sets forth requirements for State applications for assistance under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make, from specified reserved funds, grants to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, State correctional agencies, and other public and nonprofit organizations and institutions to meet the costs of programs of national significance which the Secretary determines give promise of improving the education of criminal offenders. Sets forth provisions for payment and withholding of funds under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1983
Consumer Communications Act of 1983 - Requires that in administering access charges (in relation to telephone usage): (1) the End User Common Line charge assessed for each single line residential subscriber shall be equal to 33 percent of such charge assessed for each single-line business subscriber; (2) one-tenth of the Basic Factor Portion of the Carrier Common Revenue Requirement shall be recovered through End User Common Line charges each year, increasing by one-tenth per year for each of the ten years beginning on January 1, 1984; and (3) Carrier Common Line revenue recovered shall be used to fund the Lifeline Service Fund and the High Cost Service Fund. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to establish a system of charges comparable to the Carrier Common Line charges to be recovered from interexchange carriers or other persons who indirectly interconnect with the facilities of an exchange carrier. Requires amounts recovered to be allocated to the Lifeline Service Fund and the High Cost Service Fund. Amends the Communications Act to require each State commission to establish rules for the provision of lifeline telephone service by exchange carriers. Prohibits any lifeline telephone service from including any charges based on time of day of any call placed, or the duration of distance of the call. Defines "lifeline telephone service" as telephone service made available to low-income residential subscribers for a single discounted charge under which a subscriber can make a limited number of calls within the exchange area. Makes eligible for lifeline telephone service any individual who is obtaining benefits under part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act or title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of such Act, or the Food Stamp Act of 1977. Prohibits the lifeline telephone service rate from recovering less than 30 percent of an exchange carrier's average cost of providing telephone exchange service to residential subscribers. Revises the purposes of the Communications Act of 1934 to state that, in addition to the present purposes, the Commission is created for the purpose of regulating interexchange commerce. States that the Act shall not be construed to give the Commission jurisdiction with respect to charges, classifications, practices, services, facilities, or regulations for or in connection with exchange communication service by wire or radio of any carrier. Establishes the Lifeline Service Fund in order to assure the availability of affordable telephone service for all Americans, both rural and urban. Directs the Commission to provide for a fund, the High Cost Service Fund, in order to assure the continued availability of universal telephone service, including service in high cost areas. Requires the collection and distribution of funds for such Fund to be in accordance with the final order of the Commission in the Common Carrier Docket numbered 78-72 and the final recommended decision of April 15, 1983, of the Joint Board in the Common Carrier Docket numbered 80-286. Directs the Commission to: (1) initiate an inquiry for the investigation and evaluation of the impact of changes in the structure and regulation of the telecommunications industry or the continued universal availability of telephone service at reasonable charges; and (2) report its findings to Congress and the State commissions. Authorizes the Commission to provide financial assistance for the direct costs of participation by any person in any communications proceeding if: (1) the person applying for assistance represents an interest which would not otherwise be represented adequately in the proceeding and which needs to be represented for a fair disposition of the proceeding; and (2) the person applying for assistance does not have sufficient resources available to participate effectively in the absence of assistance. Authorizes a State commission to require any exchange common carrier to lease and maintain on request a single basic one-line telephone instrument to any subscriber within the State on the basis of a tariff that includes all costs of providing and maintaining the instrument. Prohibits a carrier or exchange carrier from using revenues from regulated communications services to defray any costs associated with its entry into or engaging in unregulated commercial activities. Prohibits the Commission or any State commission from considering the revenues or profits derived from the offering of any unregulated products or services by any carrier or exchange carrier in determining the revenue requirements of any common carrier service of such carrier.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1983
Establishes the Kamehameha National Monument in Hawaii. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide facilities to commemorate the historical significance of the monument. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) legislation is immediately required to protect Medicare and Medicaid (titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act); and (2) an urgency exists to assure affordable health care for older Americans. States that Congress should enact legislation to reduce and control the rising cost of health care.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1983
Child Protection Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code dealing with the sexual exploitation of children. Increases the penalties for the sexual exploitation of children from $10,000 to $100,000 and, on a subsequent conviction from $15,000 to $200,000. Prohibits the distribution involving the sexual exploitation of minors even if the material is not found to be "obscene." Eliminates the requirement that persons distributing such material in interstate commerce do so for purposes of sale. Raises the age of a minor to include any person under the age of eighteen. Redefines "sexually explicit conduct" to exclude simulated conduct when there is little or no possibility of harm to the minor and when there is redeeming social, literary, educational, scientific or artistic value. Permits authorization for the interception of wire or oral communications in the investigation of such offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1983
Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to allow appointees to the Civil Rights Commission to serve a term of six years. Provides that a Commission member may only be removed by the President for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1983
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Margaret Truman Daniel, daughter of Harry S. Truman, in recognition of the lifetime of outstanding public service he gave to the United States. Commemorates his one hundredth birthday which will be celebrated on May 8, 1984. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1983
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that nursing care and home health aid services may be provided on a daily basis as home health services for up to 90 days with monthly physician certification of the need for such services, and after the 90 day period, on a physician certification of exceptional circumstances. Limits to 20 the number of home health service visits covered under Medicare in the case of individuals who were furnished certain home health services but continue to need nursing care or the services of a home health aide.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gray, William H., III [D-PA-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000402_200.jpg)