United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Elephant Protection Act of 1981 - Prohibits importing or exporting African elephants or elephant products. Prohibits the acquisition, transportation, or sale in interstate commerce of such products imported in violation of this Act. Permits individuals to: (1) import and export a total of 10,000 pounds of unworked ivory for six months after enactment of this Act; and (2) import worked ivory for 90 days after enactment if there is no intention to sell such ivory in the United States. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to grant permits for the importation or exportation of elephants and elephant products if the Secretary finds that: (1) such nation has developed and implemented an elephant conservation program according to specified criteria; (2) the products can be traced as coming from a particular nation; (3) the products are acquired and transported in compliance with laws of the originating nation; (4) the importation or exportation will not be detrimental to the survival of the species; and (5) the permit is applied for in good faith. Authorizes the Secretary to grant permits for the importation or exportation of elephants or elephant products to enhance propagation or survival of the species and is consistent with the policy of this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress concerning granting of such permits. Sets forth civil or criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides for the remittance or mitigation by the Secretary of any civil penalty assessed under this Act. Provides for the forfeiture of elephants, elephant products, or vehicles aiding in the importation, exportation, acquisition, or transportation of such products contrary to the provisions of this Act. Grants specified search and seizure powers for enforcement of this Act by authorized persons. Authorizes the payment of rewards to persons furnishing information concerning violations of this Act. Requires all imports and exports of elephant products to go through either the Port of New York or the Port of Seattle, Washington. Exempts from this Act: (1) elephants imported or exported for zoological, educational, scientific, or exhibitional purposes; (2) elephant products included in a keyboard for a musical instrument; (3) elephant products taken and imported or exported by a sports hunter; and (4) elephant products taken and transported in compliance with the laws of the originating nation. Supersedes the Endangered Species Act and State laws regarding elephants and elephant products. Directs the Secretary of State to establish a program to assist nations to: (1) protect elephant habitats; (2) conserve living elephants; and (3) develop and implement elephant conservation management programs. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretaries of the Interior and State for fiscal years 1983, 1984, and 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Commends the peaceful attempts to resolve differences between Poland's workers and government officials and expresses the hope that they will continue to resolve their differences through peaceful negotiations. Welcomes to the United States Poland's First Deputy Prime Minister. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States could not remain indifferent to external aggression or internal repression against Poland and that such developments would have serious consequences for East-West relations. Supports efforts to work with other nations to ease Poland's economic difficulties and the U.S. decision to sell surplus food to Poland at concessionary prices and in Polish currency provided neither external aggression nor internal repression occurs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1981
Directs the Clerk of the House to provide centrally located telecommunication equipment for the use of Members to communicate with deaf, hearing-impaired, and speech-impaired individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1981
National Tourism Policy Act - Title I: National Tourism Policy - Directs the Federal Government to cooperate with State and local governments and other organizations to implement a national tourism policy designed to promote the economic, educational, and intercultural contributions of the U.S. tourism and recreation industries. Title II: Tourism Policy Council; Tourism Advisory Board - Establishes as an interagency coordinating council the Tourism Policy Council. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Tourism Advisory Board to represent the views and needs of the tourism industry in the implementation of the national tourism policy established by this Act. Title III: Amendments to the International Travel Act - Amends the International Travel Act to make the purpose of such Act the strengthening of U.S. domestic and foreign commerce through the implementation of the international aspects of the national tourism policy established under this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit annually to Congress a marketing plan to stimulate travel to the United States and to implement the international aspects of such national tourism policy. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1981 and 1982 to carry out such Act. Eliminates the reduction of employees in the District of Columbia offices of the U.S. Travel Service. Title IV: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective on October 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Proclaims Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States. Requests the President to ascertain his whereabouts from the Soviet Union and to secure his freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1981
Establishes a Special Joint Committee on the Centennial of the Birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Directs that such committee shall be composed of sixteen Members of the Congress. Directs that such committee shall prepare an overall program for nationwide observances and make comprehensive plans for commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, including a joint session of Congress to be held on January 29, 1982. Provides that the expenses of such committee shall not exceed a specified amount to be paid from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives. Directs that upon termination of the committee one-half of its expenses shall be paid by transfer from the contingent fund of the Senate to the contingent fund of the House of Representatives. Provides that such committee shall terminate not later than April 30, 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1981
Prohibits the United States Postal Service from requiring the inclusion of a ZIP code in the address of any piece of mail, except as a condition for mailing at a reduced rate or rates for a subclass established to recognize the costs of handling mail bearing such a code.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that agricultural resources are of strategic importance to the United States' future. Calls for Federal cooperation with State and local governments and assistance to persons engaged in agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to require that the amount of bail set for any person charged with a drug related offense involving possession or delivery of a controlled substance be not less than the street value of the drug seized. Permits a judicial officer to set another amount upon a determination that compelling circumstances so require.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer to elect to compute the depreciation on certain eligible vessels and vessel construction facilities by using a useful life of five years.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1981
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare, for distribution to taxpayers, brief but comprehensive statements which set forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of taxpayers during an audit; (2) the procedures which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may use in enforcing revenue laws; and (3) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file taxpayer complaints. Requires a copy of such statement to accompany any tax forms sent to taxpayers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by employees of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws which inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization which are not directly related to such tax laws; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action for any taxpayer aggrieved by a prohibited investigation or by the deprivation of any civil rights. Permits the award of a judgment of costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, to a prevailing taxpayer in any proceeding before the Tax Court. Requires the IRS, upon a taxpayer's request, to conduct any interview regarding a deficiency assessment in the taxpayer's residence or place of business, at a reasonable time convenient to the taxpayer. Requires the officer or employee conducting such interview to warn the taxpayer that: (1) he has a right to remain silent; (2) any statement he makes may be used against him; and (3) he has the right to the presence of an attorney. Exempts certain income producing property from levy for nonpayment of taxes. Makes binding on the Secretary: (1) a tax return prepared for the taxpayer by an officer or employee of the IRS acting in his official capacity to provide such assistance; and (2) information or advice given to the taxpayer by such an officer or employee acting in his official capacity. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to establish, and to report annually to Congress on, a program to provide for a continuing audit and investigation of the efficiency, uniformity, and equity of the administration of the internal revenue laws of the United States. Places the burden of proof, in administrative and judicial proceedings involving the IRS and a taxpayer, upon the IRS. Directs that all property of taxpayers, for purposes of the estate and gift tax, be valued at historical cost (original cost to the taxpayer or the basis of the property if it was not purchased). Prohibits the use in IRS personnel evaluations of amounts collected pursuant to audits or investigations. Requires the annual audit of the tax returns of IRS revenue agents and tax auditors. Requires a court order before property of a taxpayer may be levied upon for the collection of tax.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1981
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to take full possession of all Czechoslovak gold located in the United States and to sell such gold in a manner which will create the largest amount of proceeds for investment. Authorizes the Secretary to offer Czechoslovakia the right to purchase such gold at the price at which it would otherwise be sold. Directs the Secretary to invest the proceeds of such sale in safe U.S. or foreign securities the income from which will be used to pay the claims against Czechoslovakia of U.S. nationals and of the U.S. Government. Directs the Secretary to put the income from such investments into the Czechoslovakian Claims Fund. Directs the Secretary to distribute the balance in the Fund at least once every six months. Sets forth the priority of the recipients as follows: (1) to U.S. nationals holding awards against Czechoslovakia certified under the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 or holding awards certified under this Act for property nationalized or taken between January 1, 1945, and February 26, 1948; (2) to U.S. nationals holding awards certified under this Act for property nationalized or taken after August 8, 1958; (3) to U.S. nationals for the unpaid balance on the defaulted bonds issued or guaranteed by Czechoslovakia; and (4) to the U.S. Treasury for the value of a specified debt and two U.S. bank accounts in Czechoslovakia. Requires the U.S. Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, upon application, to reopen and redetermine the validity and amount of specified claims against Czechoslovakia. Provides for the payment to Czechoslovakia of all the proceeds from such gold sale and any balance remaining in such Fund after all such awards have been paid and Treasury Department expenses are recovered. Denies jurisdiction to any court over any claim against the United States for actions taken under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Federal Reserve Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require not less than three members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to come from the agricultural sector, the industrial sector, the commercial sector, or financial institutions with assets of less than $150,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that taxpayers who incur expenses for the care of a dependent child who is mentally or physically handicapped shall be eligible for the child care credit whether or not the taxpayer incurred such expenses to enable him to seek gainful employment or such expenses were incurred outside his household. Increases the amount of expenses which may be considered in determining the amount of the credit. Provides that the earned income limitation shall not apply to taxpayers who provide care for handicapped children. Grants tax-exempt status to a trust established for the care of a physically or mentally handicapped child of the taxpayer. Allows an income tax deduction for contributions to a child care trust. Limits the amount of such deduction for contributions to a child care trust. Limits the amount of such deduction to the lesser of 15 percent of the taxpayer's compensation includable in gross income for the taxable year, or $1,500. Provides that distributions from such a trust shall not be taken into consideration in determining the eligibility of such child for Federal or State assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1981
Limits the aggregate amount of all expense resolution authorization levels for the committees of the House of Representatives for the first session of the 97th Congress to no more than 90 percent of the aggregate expenditure levels of such committees for the second session of the 96th Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax on large cigars for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 and eliminate the tax thereafter. Revises the formula for determination of the wholesale price on which the excise tax is based.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $1,000 ($2,000 in the case of a joint return) the amount of interest and dividend income which may be excluded from gross income. Amends the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 to repeal the termination date for such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Employee Retirement Savings Contribution Act of 1981 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employees who are participants in tax-qualified employer retirement plans an income tax deduction for contributions to such plans or to individual retirement accounts. Limits the amount of such deduction to the lesser of 15 percent of the employee's compensation for the taxable year or $1,500. Disallows such deduction for individuals otherwise claiming a deduction for contributions for retirement savings. Limits the deduction for government employees to the amount of plan contributions which exceeds the amount of employment tax which such employees would pay if they were subject to the employment tax.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1981
Urges the President to consider negotiations with Japan concerning: (1) a temporary restraint in automobile exports to the United States; (2) an equitable relationship between domestic and foreign sales prices; and (3) trade barriers affecting U.S. products
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Revises the procedures of the Veterans' Administration for the construction, alteration, and acquisition of land for cemeteries, and requires Congressional oversight of any such project involving a total expenditure of more than $500,000.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require Congress, within 45 days after the President notifies Congress of his intention to rescind appropriated budget authority, to pass a resolution disapproving such rescission in order to make such budget authority available for obligation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1981
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Army should construct and place in Arlington National Cemetery a plaque honoring members of the United States Armed Forces who died attempting to rescue the American hostages in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
National Driver Register Act of 1981 - Eliminates the register in the Department of Commerce that lists the names of persons who have had their motor vehicle operator's licenses revoked. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain a National Driver Register to assist chief driver licensing officials of participating States in exchanging information regarding the motor vehicle driving records of individuals. Prohibits the Secretary from maintaining information in such Register for more than a seven-year period from the date of its entry. Allows any State to participate in such Register system. Directs the chief driver licensing official of a participating State to transmit specified information on certain drivers to the Secretary. Allows access to such information to specified individuals, including the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. Limits the use of such information to official investigations and statistical research. Sets forth criminal penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of information from the National Driver Register. Establishes a National Driver Register Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the Register system. Directs the Committee to report at least annually to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, within nine years of the date of enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on the level of State participation in and the effectiveness of the Register system. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act for fiscal years 1981 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Steel Industry Compliance Extension Act of 1981 - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to extend the date for compliance with emission limitation requirements by owners or operators of a stationary source in an iron and steel producing operation if: (1) the compliance date extension is necessary to allow the applicant to make capital investments in its operations to improve efficiency and productivity; (2) the funds freed by such extension will be used within two years for additional capital investments in the applicant's operations; (3) the Administrator and the applicant agree to a phased compliance program for each of the applicant's stationary sources; (4) the applicant has sufficient funds to comply with such program; (5) the applicant is in compliance with any existing Federal decrees applicable to its operations; and (6) the compliance date extension will not result in the degradation of air quality during the extension term. Prohibits the imposition of a noncompliance penalty under the Clean Air Act upon an owner or operator with a compliance date extension provided their stationary source remains in compliance with all the requirements of such extension. Makes available to the public all information obtained by the Administrator under this Act, subject to a specified exception. States that revision of a State implementation plan is not required because a compliance date extension has been granted if such plan would have met Clean Air Act requirements prior to the granting of such extension.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for forcibly assaulting, striking, wounding, discharging a firearm or explosive at, or offering violence to, any fireman or law enforcement officer on account of such individual's performance of official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Requires the Federal Government and persons conducting federally assisted programs, projects, and activities to pay interest to business concerns for overdue sales and lease agreement payments not made by the thirtieth day after the bill for such payment is received. Specifies the procedure for computing such interest. Stipulates that overdue payments for meat, groceries, and perishables shall be determined in accordance with terms commonly offered meat, grocery, and perishable industries. Entitles the Government and such persons to early payment discounts only if payments are made within the prescribed periods.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Reye's Syndrome Act of 1981 - Amends title XI of the Public Health Service Act (Genetic Diseases, Hemophilia Programs, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, through the National-Institute of Neurological, Communicative Disorders, and Stroke, the Reye's Syndrome Coordinating Committee to make grants to and enter into contracts with public and nonprofit private entities for a three-year project to establish two comprehensive Reye's Syndrome diagnostic and treatment centers. Includes among the duties of such centers: (1) the conduct of basic and clinical research; (2) the development of new and improved treatments; (3) the provision of physician training programs; and (4) informational services, with respect to the detention, diagnosis, and treatment of Reye's Syndrome. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within six months of the project. Authorizes the Committee to provide financial assistance to public agencies, nonprofit private entities, and entities and individuals not associated with the centers to conduct research on Reye's Syndrome. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1984.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Individual Housing Account Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction from gross income for cash contributions to a tax-exempt savings account established for the benefit of the taxpayer (or the taxpayer and spouse if married) for the exclusive purpose of purchasing such taxpayer's first principal residence. Limits the maximum annual deduction to $2,500, with a maximum lifetime deduction of $10,000. Excludes distributions from such account from gross income as long as they are used exclusively for the purpose of purchasing the first principal residence of the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1981
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for taking or attempting to take by force and violence or intimidation a controlled substance from a pharmacy. Increases the penalties if any person's life is endangered by use of a dangerous weapon or if any person is assaulted or killed during commission of such offense. Directs the Federal Bureau of Investigation to include pharmacy robbery data in its annual Uniform Crime Reports. Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the enforcement of this Act within 120 days of enactment and biannually for the subsequent three-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1981
Authorizes the printing as a House document of the publication entitled "Programs and Papers Portraying the Personality, Character, and Achievements of George Washington." Requires additional printing of such document for the use of the House not to exceed a specified cost. Authorizes the Superintendent of Documents to make copies of the document available for sale to the general public.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1981
Expresses the sense of the Congress that legislation providing for withholding of Federal income tax from dividends and interest should not be enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
World War I Veterans Service Pension Act of 1981 - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay (in addition to any pension already paid) a monthly pension of $150: (1) to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements; (2) to the surviving spouse of each such veteran; or (3) when there is no surviving spouse, to the child or children of each such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Directs a motor carrier of passengers providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission to allow its bus operators to install and operate citizens band radios and related accessories in such vehicles for: (1) the safety and benefit of passengers; (2) assisting motor vehicle operators in trouble; and (3) aiding law enforcement officials.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1981
Education Reorganization Act of 1981 - Title I: Establishment of the Department - Establishes an Executive department to be known as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), to be administered by a Secretary, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth provisions for the principal officers of such Department. Title II: Transfer of Agencies and Functions - Transfers to the Secretary all functions of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Transfers to the Department all offices of the Department of Health and Human Services. Transfers to the Secretary and to the Department all functions and all offices of the Secretary of Education and of the Department of Education, except for specified functions and offices relating to the operation of overseas schools for military dependents, which are transferred to the Secretary of Defense and the Department of Defense. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) appoint offices and employees to carry out the functions of the Secretary and the Department; and (2) obtain, as provided in appropriation Acts, the services of experts and consultants. Directs the Secretary, by the end of the first fiscal year beginning after the enactment of this Act, to submit to the President and the Congress legislative recommendations for redesignating or replacing HEW programs so that such programs can be administered by fewer personnel. Requires that the sum of the number of full-time permanent positions that perform functions to be transferred to the Department by this Act, plus the full-time equivalent of the number of experts and consultants hired, be reduced by one thousand by the end of the second such fiscal year and not increased thereafter. Sets forth general administrative provisions for the Department, including those relating to general authority, delegation, reorganization, rules, contracts, regional and field offices, acquisitions and maintenance of authority, facilities at remote locations, use of facilities, copyrights and patents, gifts and bequests, technical advice, working capital fund, funds transfer, seal of department, and annual report. Authorizes appropriations for the Department for fiscal year 1982 and succeeding fiscal years. Title IV: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Sets forth provisions relating to the transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel, the effect on personnel, agency terminations, and incidental transfers. Sets forth: (1) savings provisions; (2) provisions for separability; (3) conforming references, amendments, and redesignations; and (4) transition provisions. Title V: Effective Date and Interim Appointments - Sets forth the effective date for the provisions of this Act. Provides for interim appointments under specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of interest and dividend income which may be excluded from gross income to $1,000 for individuals under age 62 and to $4,000 for individuals over age 62. Amends the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 to repeal the termination date for such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1981
Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from excepting Iranian pistache nuts from the requirement that the country of origin of imported articles be clearly marked on the articles.