United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1984
Debarment and Suspension Reform Act of 1984 - Title I: Debarment and Suspension Procedures - Authorizes the Debarment and Suspension Board (established in title II of this Act) to: (1) debar or suspend a person from participating in executive agency contracts; and (2) provide relief to any person who is debarred or suspended by an agency in noncompliance with procedures prescribed by this Act. Prohibits any agency from debarring or suspending any person or, without the Board's authorization, from denying a contract to any person because of that person's affiliation with a person who has been suspended or debarred. Provides that a person may be debarred only when there is a substantial and continuing risk that the person will not substantially perform all of the material, legal, and contractual requirements applicable to the contract or the process of obtaining the contract. Prohibits the Board from debarring a person for a period longer than three years, including any suspension period. Permits the Board to suspend a person for up to 60 days, with a 60-day extension authorized, only after determining that: (1) there is a strong likelihood that the Board will debar such person; or (2) exceptional circumstances require suspension before the conclusion of the debarment proceeding. Authorizes the Board, upon application and a showing of sufficient evidence by an agency, to suspend or debar any person who controls, is controlled by, or shares control with any debarred or suspended person, when necessary to protect the Government's interests. Sets forth debarment procedures. Prohibits any person from being debarred unless: (1) the person has an opportunity for a hearing before the Board; and (2) clear and convincing evidence of grounds for debarment is presented to the Board. Requires the Board to decide any debarment case within 180 days after an agency's complaint is served, unless the Board determines that a longer period is required in the interest of justice. Requires the expedited consideration of any case in which a suspension order is in effect. Sets forth suspension procedures. Permits any agency filing a complaint for the debarment of any person to request the Board to suspend that person. Requires the Board to conduct a hearing before suspending any person, unless the Board: (1) determines that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the Government if the person is not suspended before a hearing can be held; and (2) schedules a hearing within 20 days after the date of any suspension order. Authorizes a person that has been suspended to request the Board to reconsider the suspension order. Permits the Board to set aside such order if the person introduces new evidence showing that the suspension is not appropriate. Authorizes the Board to determine whether any agency has taken any action that has the effect of debarring or suspending any person without complying with this Act. Permits any person to commence such a determination by filing with the Board a complaint specifying such action. Directs the Board to conduct a hearing on such complaint at the earliest practicable time. Requires the Board, upon determining that an agency action effectively debars or suspends any person, to: (1) enjoin the agency from such action; and (2) require the agency to reimburse any person who was not considered for a contract as a result of such action for the costs reasonably incurred in seeking such contract, together with any other appropriate relief, and the expenses incurred in obtaining relief, with specified exceptions. Provides that a person shall not be required to complete an action through the Board before commencing an action in any U.S. court for relief from such agency action. Allows an agency to initiate suspension or debarment proceedings with the Board on the same facts serving as the basis for its prohibited action. Directs the Board to grant an agency's petition to deny a specific contract to any person upon finding that such person has a business or financial affiliation with a debarred or suspended person, unless the Board determines that the debarred or suspended person will not materially participate in or benefit from the contract. Sets forth the adjudicatory powers and procedures applicable to debarment, suspension, and denial authorization proceedings of the Board. Authorizes any debarred or suspended person to petition the Board to vacate the debarment or suspension order at any time before the order is scheduled to terminate. Directs the Board to vacate such order if such person shows that the grounds for the order no longer exist. Allows the agency that obtained the order to argue on such petition. Authorizes the Board to prohibit a person from filing such a petition for one year after the later of: (1) the date the order is issued; or (2) the date the Board last denied such a petition. Entitles any party who is aggrieved by a final order of the Board to judicial review of such order by a U.S. court of appeals. Title II: Establishment of Debarment and Suspension Board - Establishes the Board as an independent establishment in the executive branch. Requires that the Board be composed of at least three members. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Director) to designate one member as the chief administrative judge and two members as deputy chief administrative judges. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Requires the Director to: (1) maintain and publish quarterly in the Federal Register a list of all persons debarred or suspended by the Board; (2) maintain a register of administrative judges qualified to service as members of the Board; and (3) prescribe the qualifications for such judges. Title IV: Effective Date - Declares that this Act shall be effective with respect to actions to debar or suspend any person commencing on or after October 1, 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1984
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Federal bank regulatory agencies should require their examiners to exercise caution and restraint in adversely classifying loans made to agricultural borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1984
Grants the United States an independent right to recover the costs of providing medical care and treatment to an individual from a third party who is subject to tort liability with respect to the individual's disease or injury or from the third party's insurer. Provides that in States that have abolished or limited tort liability as a cause of action and have established a system of compensating an individual for medical expenses through an insurance policy, contract, or medical services agreement, the United States shall be deemed to be a third-party beneficiary of such policy, contract, or agreement and shall be reimbursed for the expenses of the medical care provided as if such expenses were incurred by the individual. Declares that this Act shall apply to all cases in which the United States is authorized or required to furnish medical care and treatment, whether such treatment is furnished before or after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1984
Expresses the appreciation of Congress to the descendants of blacks who contributed to American Independence. Encourages State and local governments and private organizations to conduct activities during Black History Month 1985 in honor of black involvement in the American Revolution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1984
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate discussions with the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the Security Council to effectuate the replacement of the Multinational Force in Lebanon with a U.N. peacekeeping force.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Amends the Sherman Act to prohibit any rail carrier, with intent to monopolize, from denying a person the use, at reasonable terms, of a facility which is the sole facility for movement of such person's shipment of bulk ore, coal, or grain to the tracks of a competing carrier or to the destination of shipment. Declares that a carrier shall be conclusively presumed to have denied use of such facility with intent to monopolize if it denies use of such facility at reasonable terms to such a person and to other carriers for the transportation of such person's goods.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Alamo Commemoration Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue half dollar coins with a design emblematic of the 150th anniversary of the battle of the Alamo. Terminates such minting authority on December 31, 1986. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
National Observance Advisory Act - Establishes a commission known as the President's Advisory Commission on National Observances to establish criteria for recommending to the President that a proposed national observance be approved or disapproved.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Authorizes the President, notwithstanding any time limitations, to award a medal of honor to a named individual for acts of valor performed as a naval officer during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Declares that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) support the people of Afghanistan in their struggle to be free from foreign domination; (2) provide the Afghans, upon request, with material assistance; and (3) pursue a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan based on the total withdrawal of Soviet troops and the recognition of the right of the Afghans to choose their own destiny.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
Authorizes the equitable waiver of certain claims by the Government against employees in the judicial branch for the overpayment of pay or allowances, excluding travel and transportation allowances and relocation expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1983
Fair Trade in Steel Act of 1983 - Declares that it is the policy of Congress that access to the U.S. market for foreign-produced carbon, alloy, and specialty steel mill products should be on an equitable basis to safeguard national security, insure orderly trade in steel mill products, reduce unfair trade in steel mill products, and alleviate U.S. balance-of-payments problems. Limits annual imports of specified steel mill product categories to specified percentages of the apparent domestic supply which are based on adjusted average import penetration levels for each such product category for the years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Directs the Secretary to allocate global product limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries, or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocations. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to make an annual determination of the expected apparent domestic supply in each steel mill product category. Requires the Secretary to revise such determination periodically during the year. Directs the Secretary to monitor capital investments in steel operations made and announced by the steel industry. Authorizes the Secretary to consult with steel industry representatives with respect to such investments. Requires the Secretary to consult with such representatives and with steel industry employees if the Secretary believes that the capital investment made or announced is substantially less than the cash flow generated from steel operations. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress and authorizes the Secretary to modify or suspend import limits on steel mill products if the Secretary determines that commercial conditions or other relevant considerations do not justify such reduced level of capital investment in steel operations. Directs the Secretary to examine the supply and demand situation in the United States for a specified steel product category if reguested by affected steel consumers. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor imports of fabricated steel mill products. Sets forth the method of investigating whether imports of fabricated steel products are rendering ineffective or materially interfering with the objectives of this Act. Limits the quantity of iron ore that may be entered from any source other than Canada during any calendar year after 1983. Directs the Secretary to allocate global iron ore limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries or areas (excluding Canada from any such allocation). Sets forth guidelines for making such allocation. Provides for the enforcement and implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should return to Cuba those Cuban nationals from the 1980 Mariel boatlift who are excludable because of criminal activity.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1983
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast licensee to provide any person whose personal qualities are attacked during the presentation of views in a broadcast on a controversial issue of public importance with: (1) notification of the time, date, and identification of the broadcast; (2) a script or tape of the attack; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the licensee's facilities. Excludes from such requirement any attack: (1) on a foreign group or foreign public figure; (2) made by a legally qualified candidate for public office during the use of a broadcast station; (3) made by such a candidate on another such candidate; or (4) made on a bona fide news show. Requires any licensee which endorses or opposes any candidate in an editorial to transmit to the opposing candidates (in the case of an endorsing editorial) or to the candidate (in the case of an opposing editorial): (1) notification of the date and time of the editorial; (2) a script or tape of the editorial; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the licensee's facilities. Terminates the application of this Act on December 31, 1984. Suspends the personal attack rule and the political editorial rule of the Federal Communications Commission until after such date. Prohibits the Commission from repealing or modifying such rules after October 31, 1983, and before January 1, 1985. Voids any such action taken by the Commission after October 31, 1983, and before enactment of this Act. Allows the Commission to repeal or modify such rules beginning on January 1, 1985, provided that no repeal or modification shall become effective until 120 days of continuous session of Congress after it is published as final.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Designates the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania, as the James E. Van Zandt Veterans Administration Medical Center. Designates the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia, as the Carl Vinson Veterans Administration Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the unrelated business taxable income of private corporations established under Federal law does not include income from exchanging or renting names and addresses of donors or members.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1983
Designates November 12, 1983, as Anti-Defamation League Day in honor of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Anti-Defamation League of the B'nai B'rith.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1983
Constitutional Amendment - Allows the President an item veto of appropriations bills. Requires the President, in signing such a bill, to designate the provisions disapproved and return the bill to the House in which it originated. Subjects such bills to the same proceeding as other bills disapproved by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from Federal income taxes members of the armed forces of the United States who die as a result of hostile action outside the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1983
Amends the Multinational Force in Lebanon Resolution (Public Law 98-119) to require the President to order the withdrawal of all U.S. armed forces from Lebanon, except personnel assigned as guards at the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon.
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 · 19 October 1983
Criminal Fine Collection Act of 1983 - Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to the imposition, payment, and collection of fines. Lists factors that the court must consider in determining whether to impose a fine, including: (1) the ability of the defendant to pay; (2) the burden that payment will impose on the defendant; and (3) any restitution or reparation made by the defendant. States that payment of a fine is due immediately unless the court requires payment by installment or by any date certain. Permits a sentence to pay a fine to be stayed while an appeal is taken. Makes a fine delinquent if any portion of such fine is not paid within 30 days of when it is due. Provides that a fine is in default if it is more than 90 days delinquent. Allows for the modification or remission of a sentence to pay a fine. Requires the clerk to forward each fine payment to the U.S. Treasury and notify the Attorney General of its receipt. Requires the court to certify to the Attorney General when a fine exceeding $100 is imposed, modified, or remitted. Makes the Attorney General responsible for the collection of any unpaid fine for which certification has been issued. Allows the court to impose interest and monetary penalties for any willful nonpayment. Establishes civil remedies for the satisfication of an unpaid fine. Provides that a judgment imposing a fine may be enforced by execution against the property of the person fined as are judgments in civil cases. Allows the court to resentence a person upon willful failure to pay a fine to any sentence which might originally have been imposed. Provides for a statute of limitations on the liability to pay a fine of 20 years or upon death of the person fined. Provides penalties for criminal default of a fine. Makes payment of a fine a condition of probation or parole in certain circumstances. Requires the Attorney General to include in the annual crime report steps taken to implement this Act and any progress achieved in criminal fine collection.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1983
State Justice Institute Act of 1983 - Establishes the State Justice Institute as a tax-exempt private nonprofit corporation to further the development of improved judicial administration in State courts in the United States. Permits the Institute to be incorporated in any State or the District of Columbia. Directs the Institute to: (1) direct a national assistance program to assure persons ready access to a fair and effective system of justice; (2) foster coordination and cooperation with the Federal judiciary; (3) promote recognition of the importance of the separation of powers doctrine to an independent judiciary; and (4) encourage education for State court judges and support personnel. Authorizes the Institute to award grants and enter into cooperative agreements or contracts to: (1) conduct research, demonstrations, or special projects relating to the purposes of this Act; (2) serve as a clearinghouse of information regarding State judicial systems; (3) participate in joint projects with other agencies, including the Federal Judicial Center; (4) evaluate the impact of programs carried out under this Act upon the quality of criminal, civil, and juvenile justice; (5) encourage judicial education; (6) serve in a consulting capacity to State and local justice systems; and (7) be responsible for the certification of national programs to improve State judicial systems. Prescribes uses and limitations on uses of grant and contract funds. Specifies restrictions on activities of the Institute. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1983
Government Contractors' Product Liability Act of 1983 - Provides that a supplier of a product to the Government shall be indemnified by the United States for losses incurred by the supplier on account of the supplier's liability for damages for harm caused by: (1) a characteristic of such product which was specifically required in the product specifications imposed by the Government; or (2) the misuse or modification of such product by the Government. Prohibits such indemnification if: (1) the supplier's liability is due solely to the supplier's negligence; (2) the supplier knew or should have known the defect in the characteristic of the product which caused the supplier's liability; (3) the product was designed or manufactured according to commercial standards or is generally available to persons other than the Government; or (4) the supplier designed or helped design the product specifications involved. Sets forth requirements with respect to indemnification based upon the settlement of a claim or action against a supplier. Sets forth procedural requirements for actions by suppliers for indemnification. Provides that the Government's liability for indemnification of a supplier shall be based upon the Government's degree of responsibility for the design and manufacture of the product involved or for the misuse or modification of the product involved, whichever is appropriate. Prohibits indemnification under this Act with respect to claims arising outside the United States or under the admiralty or maritime jurisdiction of the United States. Requires that the indemnification of a supplier under this Act be reduced by the amount of any insurance paid to the supplier on account of the losses indemnified.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require income tax returns to include space designated for the taxpayer to specify the amount of cash contributions, if any, which the taxpayer wishes to make to the Federal Government to reduce the public debt. Requires the transfer of amounts designated for this purpose to a special account to be used to reduce the public debt.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Amends the Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act to revise the authority of the Office of Drug Abuse Policy within the Office of the President. Allows the President to appoint the Vice President to be the Director. Requires Deputy Directors for Drug Abuse Prevention and for Drug Enforcement. Requires the Director to establish, plan, and coordinate Federal drug abuse functions. Directs the Director to make recommendations to the President and consult and assist State and local governments in order to implement such policies. Directs the Attorney General to notify the Director that a certain drug has a potential for abuse or should be transferred or removed from a schedule under the Controlled Substances Act. Requires the Director to submit an annual report to Congress on the activities conducted under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of the taxpayer or taxpayer's dependent child at an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Limits the amount of such deduction to $2,000 (adjusted for inflation) for each account per calendar year. Provides that no account may have more than one beneficiary and that no individual may be a beneficiary of more than one account. Requires the trustee of an education savings account to transfer five percent of the amount of any contribution to the trust to a State educational fund which is established by State law, the assets of which are used to provide scholarship assistance to individuals attending educational institutions within the state. Permits the deferral of income tax on income accumulated in such education savings accounts as long as such amounts are used exclusively for educational expenses. Sets forth penalties for the use of account funds for other than educational purposes. Requires that the trustee of an education savings account file reports with the Secretary of the Treasury on the maintenance of the account. Imposes penalties for not filing required reports. Extends the deduction for contributions to an education savings account to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions. Includes in the gross income of account beneficiaries over a ten-year period beginning at age 25 an amount equal to ten percent of the amounts paid or used on their behalf for educational expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1983
Federal Agricultural Policy Review and Development Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) conduct an opinion survey of the agricultural community within six months as a first step in developing Federal agricultural policy for the remainder of the century; (2) investigate the feasibility of conducting scientific polling on such public policy questions; and (3) summarize and make available to the public the results of such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Relieves a named Federal employee of liability to the United States for a specified sum representing relocation expenses incurred by such individual in reliance on assurances by the General Services Administration that such expenses were authorized at Government expense. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to such individual for certain real estate expenses reasonably believed to be incurred at Government expense.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Postal Savings System Statute of Limitations Act - Requires all claims for any Postal Savings System deposit to be brought within one year after enactment of this Act. Directs the United States Postal Service to post notices of such time limitation in all post offices.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to a named Federal employee in full satisfaction of a claim against the United States for moving expenses reimbursement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Export-Import Bank should delay extending specified amounts in guarantees and insurance to Mexico and Brazil until the Congress has examined such proposed guarantees and insurance in light of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 and the budget and appropriations process for FY 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the transfer of ownership or management of any civil meteorological satellite system and associated ground system equipment to the private sector is not presently appropriate.
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 · 4 August 1983
Commemorates the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the State of Georgia. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and furnish national medals to the Semiquincentenary Commission of the State of Georgia.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hall, Sam B., Jr. [D-TX-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000070_200.jpg)