United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1982
Violent Crime and Drug Enforcement Improvements Act of 1982 - Title I: Bail Reform - Bail Reform Act of 1982 - Repeals the Bail Reform Act of 1966 and sets forth new bail procedures. Retains execution of a money bond as a condition for pretrial release. Authorizes a judicial officer to consider the safety of any person or the community when making a pretrial release determination. Establishes as a mandatory release condition that the person not commit a Federal, State, or local crime during release. Expands the discretionary release conditions to include that the defendant: (1) maintain employment or an educational program; (2) avoid contact with an alleged victim or potential witness; (3) report to a law enforcement or pretrial service agency; (4) comply with a curfew; (5) refrain from possessing a firearm or using alcohol or narcotic drugs; (6) undergo medical treatment; (7) agree to forfeit designated property, including money, upon failure to appear; and (8) return to custody at specified hours. Prohibits a judicial officer from imposing financial conditions that result in the pretrial detention of a person. Authorizes a judicial officer to order the detention for up to ten days of a person who is presently on pretrial release for a felony under Federal, State, or local law or on probation or parole or release pending sentencing or appeal for any offense, upon a determination that such person may flee or pose a danger to any person or the community. Requires that a detention hearing be held in any case involving: (1) a crime of violence; (2) any offense punishable by life imprisonment or death; (3) a narcotics offense punishable by at least ten years imprisonment; (4) a serious risk of flight or obstruction of justice; or (5) any felony committed after the person has been convicted of two or more offenses for which a hearing is mandated. Authorizes a judicial officer, after such a hearing, to order the pretrial detention of a person upon finding that no condition will reasonably assure such person's appearance and the safety of any other person and the community. Creates certain rebuttable presumptions with regard to absence of such conditions. Enumerates additional factors to be considered by the judicial officer in making a release determination, including the defendant's past conduct, history of drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and the nature and seriousness of the danger to the community or any person. Requires the detention of a person who has appealed his conviction unless the judicial officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) such person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to another person or property; and (2) the appeal raises a substantial question of law or fact. Requires the detention of a person awaiting sentencing unless the officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community. Authorizes a U.S. attorney to appeal a release order. Makes a person guilty of an offense for failing to appear after having been released. Provides increased penalties for persons charged with more serious offenses. Makes it an affirmative defense to such crime that uncontrollable circumstances prevented the person from appearing. Establishes mandatory additional penalties for commission of an offense while on pretrial release. Subjects a person who has been conditionally released and who violates a condition of release to revocation of release and prosecution for contempt of court. Authorizes a surety to arrest a person charged with an offense who is released upon execution of an appearance bond with such surety. Requires such person to be delivered promptly to a judicial officer for a revocation determination. Grants new authority to law enforcement officers to arrest a person who violates pretrial release conditions. Title II: Witness-Victim Protection - Witness-Victim Protection Act of 1982 - Amends rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require that presentence reports contain information assessing the impact upon and cost to any person who was the victim of the offense. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish as offenses "tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant" and "retaliating against a witness or an informant." Amends the Bail Reform Act of 1966 to require as a condition of pretrial release that the defendant not commit these offenses. Grants general authority to the Attorney General to relocate or protect Government witnesses. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate civil proceedings to restrain tampering with a witness or victim. Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal courts over civil claims against the United States for damages caused by dangerous offenders who are released or who escape from the lawful custody of a U.S. employee as a result of such employee's gross negligence. Directs the Attorney General to develop Federal guidelines for the fair treatment of crime victims to ensure that all victims of crime are justly compensated. Title III: Controlled Substances Penalties - Controlled Substances Penalties Amendments Act of 1982 - Increases the fine levels for drug trafficking. Increases the penalties for trafficking in large amounts of controlled substances. Title IV: Protection of Federal Officials - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal crime to kill, assault, or kidnap a cabinet officer, the second ranking official in each executive department, the Director or Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, a U.S. Supreme Court justice or nominee, or a senior presidential or vice presidential adviser. Includes as a Federal crime any attempt or conspiracy to commit such offenses. Title V: Sentencing Reform - Sentencing Reform Act of 1982 - Sets forth a new sentencing structure applicable to a defendant who is found guilty of an offense under any Federal statute. Permits an individual to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment or probation and a fine, and to receive additional sanctions, including: (1) forfeiture for certain racketeering crimes and drug-related offenses; (2) an order of notice to victims of crimes in cases involving fraud or deceptive practices; or (3) an order of restitution in cases involving bodily injury or property damage. Permits an organization to receive these penalties, with the exception of imprisonment. Creates the United States Sentencing Commission. Specifies factors to be considered by a sentencing court, including the guidelines and policy statements issued by the United States Sentencing Commission. Requires the court to impose a sentence within the range set forth by the Commission unless aggravating or mitigating circumstances exist that were not adequately considered by the Commission in formulating the guidelines. Requires the court to state in open court at the time of sentencing the reason for imposing a sentence at a point within the prescribed range, or the specific reason for imposing a sentence outside of such range. Authorizes the imposition of a term of probation, unless specifically prohibited, for all but the most serious class of felonies. Requires as a mandatory condition of probation that a defendant not commit another crime. Enumerates 20 discretionary conditions. Sets forth a fine schedule for the categories of offenses, generally at higher levels than current law. Includes higher maximums for organizational defendants. Directs the court to consider the defendant's financial status in determining the amount of a fine and the method of payment. Sets maximum terms of imprisonment for five classes of felonies (A to F), three classes of misdemeanors (A to C), and an infraction (five day maximum). Allows the court, in imposing a sentence of imprisonment for a felony or misdemeanor, to include a term of supervised release after imprisonment. Eliminates the special sentencing provisions under current law for dangerous special offenders, youth offenders, young adult offenders, and drug addicts, but provides for these categories of offenders under the proposed sentencing guidelines. Excludes capital punishment as an authorized penalty, but leaves unaffected the current death penalty and procedures for aircraft hijacking. Eliminates the parole system. Permits a defendant to petition for a sentence reduction upon a showing of extraordinary and compelling reasons. Limits this motion for defendants who are sentenced to six or more years of imprisonment. Allows the defendant or the government to file a notice of appeal in the district court for review of a final sentence. Title VI: Criminal Forfeiture - Comprehensive Criminal Forfeiture Act of 1982 - Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to specify that property subject to forfeiture for racketeering activity includes: (1) all proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from racketeering activity; (2) real and tangible and intangible personal property; and (3) positions, offices, appointments, and benefits obtained through illegal activity. Makes property forfeitable to the United States upon the commission of the act giving rise to forfeiture. Permits the forfeiture of property which has been transferred to a third party, but includes a provision protecting innocent bona fide purchasers. Authorizes a court to order the forfeiture of substitute assets of the defendant where the original property cannot be located or traced. Authorizes a court to take appropriate action preserving the availability of property during the pre-indictment period effective for up to 90 days. Specifies the circumstances under which a temporary restraining order may be issued without notice to the affected party. Authorizes the Attorney General to grant petitions for remission or mitigation of forfeiture. Directs the Attorney General to establish regulations governing the restitution and disposition of forfeited property. Amends the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 to establish general criminal forfeiture provisions for felony violations under titles II and III. Includes provisions similar to the RICO amendments of this Act, relating to property subject to forfeiture, third party transfers, asset substitution, pre-indictment orders, and remission. Authorizes a court to issue a warrant authorizing the seizure of property subject to forfeiture in the same manner provided for a search warrant, if other injunctive relief would not assure the availability of the property. Provides that a criminal forfeiture proceeding shall stay any civil forfeiture proceeding with respect to the same property. Authorizes the Drug Enforcement Administration to set aside 25 percent of the amounts realized from forfeitures under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 for payment for information or assistance leading to forfeiture. Terminates this program on September 30, 1984. Title VII: Offenders With Mental Disease or Defect - Authorizes a special verdict of "not guilty only by reason of insanity" for any criminal defendant who raises the issue of insanity by notice as currently provided. Establishes a new civil commitment procedure for persons found not guilty only by reason of insanity. Title VIII: Surplus Federal Property Amendments - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the Administrator of the General Services Administration to transfer to any State or local government surplus property determined by the Attorney General to be required for correctional facility use. Requires the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the acquisition cost of all donated personal property and real property disposed of during the preceding fiscal year. Title IX: - Miscellaneous Criminal Justice Improvements - Makes it a Federal offense to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. Increases penalties for violent crimes committed in aid of racketeering activities. Expands explosives offenses to cover arson. Permits administrative forfeiture procedures for property valued at less than $100,000. Extends kidnapping jurisdiction to protect certain Federal officials if the crime is committed while the victim is engaged in his or her official duties. Extends Federal jurisdiction over the robbery of a pharmacy. Increases the penalties for distributing controlled substances in, on, or within 1,000 feet of an elementary or secondary school. Revises the provisions relating to offenses against families of Federal officials, currency and foreign transactions, truck theft, felony-murder, the federal juvenile justice system, and emergency electronic surveillance. Urges the President to promote a declaration by the United Nations of an International Year Against Drug Abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1982
Professional Sports Stabilization Act of 1982 - Declares that it shall not be unlawful under any antitrust law for a professional sports league and its member clubs to enforce rules: (1) requiring approval by the league membership for the relocation of a member club; or (2) providing for the division of league or member club revenues that promote comparable economic opportunities for member clubs. Prohibits State and local governments from imposing limitations on the collective conduct of sports leagues or member teams authorized by this Act. Specifies the applicability of this Act to actions commenced under the antitrust laws before its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1982
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should direct the appropriate agencies to pursue vigorously and conclude promptly the countervailing duty and antidumping investigations being conducted under the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Trade Act of 1974 concerning foreign trade practices involving carbon steel mill products and specialty steel mill products; and (2) the Congress should consider legislation to strengthen U.S. trade laws if necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1982
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to provide that: (1) nurses employed at a Veterans Administration facility who work two regularly scheduled 12-hour tours of duty within a weekend shall be considered to have worked a full workweek and be paid as specified; or (2) such nurses who work on a tour of duty any part of which falls on a weekend may be paid additional pay (not to exceed 25 percent of the hourly rate). Extends from September 30, 1982, to September 30, 1983, the authority of the Administrator to contract for hospital care or medical services in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands without reference to patient loads or incidence of provision of medical services for veterans treated by the Veterans' Administration in the contiguous 48 States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1982
Requires that all activities carried out at a medical facility under the direct jurisdiction of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs be performed by Federal employees, except as specified.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1982
Farm Crisis Act of 1982 - Title I: Land Diversion Payments for 1982 Crops of Wheat, Feed Grains, Cotton, and Rice - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to set 1982 land diversion levels at: (1) $2.00 per bushel for wheat; (2) $1.25 per bushel for corn; (3) $.20 per pound for upland cotton; and (4) $2.20 per hundredweight for rice. Permits 1982 participants to divert an additional five percent of their acreage. Extends the application period through the end of the certification period. Title II: Acreage Limitation and Cropland Conservation Programs for 1983 through 1985 Crops - Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national cropland conservation program for 1983 through 1985 crop years. Provides that: (1) such program shall be approved or disapproved by a producer referendum; (2) participants will set aside 15 percent of their acreage for conservation purposes; (3) noncompliance shall result in a three-year denial of specified farm benefits; and (4) loan rates shall increase by ten percent when such program is in effect. Requires the Secretary to establish a voluntary set-aside program (based on specified carry-over levels) for 1983 through 1985 wheat, feed grain, and upland cotton crops if cropland conservation programs are disapproved. Makes conforming amendments. Title III: Farm Storage Facility Loan Program - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to direct the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to guarantee up to $250,000,000 annually (not more than 90 percent of any one loan to be guaranteed) for grower-harvested grain storage facility loans. Title IV: Barter of Agricultural Commodities for Strategic and Critical Materials and Petroleum Products - Authorizes the CCC to exchange agricultural products for oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress regarding CCC foreign products bartering. Title V: Emergency Agricultural Credit - Amends the Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act of 1978 to make the economic emergency loan program mandatory. Extends such program through FY 1983. Lowers the limit on individual loans: (1) under such Act; and (2) under such Act and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act combined. Title VI: Agricultural Exports - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) $1,000,000,000 should be made available to the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund; and (2) the Secretary should conclude a grain agreement with the Soviet Union. Title VII: White House Conference on Agriculture - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should convene a White House Conference on Agriculture within one year. Requires a Conference report to the President and Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) a continued Federal commitment to the railroad retirement system is essential to assure the integrity of railroad retirees' benefits; and (2) the preservation of the present structure of the railroad retirement system, including the Railroad Retirement Board, is necessary to fullfill the responsibility of the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1982
Title I: Public Works and Economic Development - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to revise eligibility requirements for direct and supplementary grants for public works and development facilities. Declares that the Federal share of the cost of any such project for which a direct grant is made shall be the percentage determined either: (1) from the unemployment rate for the political subdivision where the project is located; or (2) from the percentage by which the per capita income for such political subdivision is below the national average, whichever results in the higher Federal share. Sets forth a table by which the Federal share shall be determined. Eliminates the Secretary of Commerce's authority to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of a project in the case of a grant to an Indian tribe or a project in a redevelopment area. Permits supplementary grant funds to be used only for projects in political subdivisions that are eligible for assistance under such Act. Prohibits the total amount of direct and supplementary grants for any project from exceeding 100 percent of the costs of such project. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1985 to carry out such grants for public works and development facilities. Subjects public works and development facility loans to specified limitations on business loan assistance as set forth by this Act. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1985 to carry out business loans and loan guarantees under such Act. Limits the annual appropriations for the purpose of purchasing evidences of indebtedness and guaranteeing loans. Terminates business loans and loan guarantees to redevelopment areas and authorizes such assistance to political subdivisions eligible for assistance under such Act. Provides for interest free loans to political subdivisions (previously redevelopment areas) eligible for assistance under such Act if a plan for redevelopment of the political subdivision is approved. Requires any such interest free loan to be repaid to the United States by the political subdivision receiving such loan in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1985 to carry out the interest free loan program. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of a business loan under such Act. Prohibits any applicant from receiving a business loan unless such applicant first pays an amount equal to one percent of the amount of the loan. Declares that such limitations shall not apply to interest subsidy contracts or agreements entered into by the Secretary of Commerce before the effective date of this Act. Makes any funds appropriated for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1982, which are authorized by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, available to the Secretary of Commerce to make payments under interest subsidy contracts or agreements entered into by the Secretary under such Act before the effective date of this Act. Permits the Secretary to provide technical assistance which would be useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment to: (1) political subdivisions eligible for assistance under such Act; and (2) other political subdivisions which he finds have substantial need for such technical assistance. Excludes redevelopment areas from assistance for economic development planning. Directs such assistance to political subdivisions. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1985 for technical assistance and economic development planning. Redefines the eligibility of areas for assistance to make a political subdivision eligible for assistance in any period in which the Secretary of Labor finds that the current rate of unemployment for such political subdivision is five percent or more. Repeals the provisions of such Act which provided for an annual review of area eligibility and for Indian economic development. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator for Economic Development, to establish in the Economic Development Administration an Office of Program Evaluation to conduct assessments for each fiscal year of the effectiveness of the programs carried out under such Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out miscellaneous provisions of such Act through FY 1985. Repeals the provisions of such Act which provided for: (1) an extension of benefits made available under other Federal programs; (2) assistance to disaster areas; and (3) the job opportunities program. Authorization appropriations for special economic development and adjustment assistance through FY 1985. Title II : Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for the purposes of the Appalachian Regional Commission through FY 1985. Title III : Declares that the amendments and repeals made by this Act shall take effect on October 1, 1982. Declares that the authority to enter into contracts under the amendments made by this Act shall be effective for any fiscal year only to such extent or such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1982
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish a new offense of threatening to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon a former President, former President's family, major presidential or vice-presidential candidate or spouse of a candidate, or member of the immediate family of the President or Vice President.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1982
Relieves five named individuals of all liability for repayment of specified amounts to the United States. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to one of the individuals in full satisfaction of a claim against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Extends dependency and indemnity compensation to survivors of veterans who were entitled to but did not receive service-connected disability compensation and who should have been but were not rated totally disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to furnish a flag for burial (and subsequent retention by the next of kin) for persons designated by the Administrator as eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Eliminates the four year cut-off for payment of claims under the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance programs. Prohibits the escheat of payments to the State.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Permits the unrestricted assignment of a beneficiary's interest in the proceeds of a National Service Life Insurance policy in cases involving contested claims.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to make available only to members of the uniformed services on active duty optional insurance against death of up to $65,000 as part of Servicemen's Group Life Insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1982
Declares that the United States should propose to the Soviet Union: (1) a long-term, mutual, and verifiable nuclear forces freeze at equal and sharply reduced levels of forces; and (2) practical measures to reduce the danger of an accidental nuclear war and to prevent the use of nuclear weapons by third parties. States that the United States and the Soviet Union should channel their resources away from nuclear armaments and towards fighting poverty, hunger, and disease. Declares that the United States should continue to work for balanced arms reductions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should reject the preliminary recommendation of the Commission on Housing for a Federal preemption of State law permitting mortgage assumptions; and (2) neither the President nor Federal agency or department shall take any action to limit the rights of States or the courts to prohibit or impose limits on the use of due-on-sale clauses.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that changes to the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 proposed in the FY 1983 budget should not be implemented.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1982
Authorizes the President, on behalf of Congress, to present a gold medal to the family of Sam Rayburn in recognition of his accomplishments as a legislator and public official. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to coin duplicates of such medal in gold, silver, and bronze for public sale. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1982
Livestock Fraud Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a Federal offense to obtain or use unlawfully the property of another which has a value of at least $10,000 in connection with the marketing of livestock in interstate or foreign commerce. Redefines the current offenses prohibiting the transportation or sale of stolen cattle in commerce to substitute the word "livestock" for "cattle".
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1982
Increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from a service-connected or compensable disability by the amount such spouse would have received under the Social Security Act were she caring for a child under 16 (when such child is actually between 16 and 18 years of age). Directs the Administrator to make monthly payments equivalent to the child's insurance benefit under the Social Security Act before the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to children of such deceased veterans between the ages of 18 and 22 attending institutions of higher learning.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1982
Urges the President to ask the Soviet Union to pay, as soon as possible, the balance of the debt it owes the United States for World War II lend-lease materials.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1982
Legislative Residence Expenses Act of 1982 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the provision allowing an income tax deduction without substantiation for living expenses of Members of Congress. Qualifies the income tax deduction for living expenses of State and Federal legislators to require legal residence in a location other than the city in which the legislative capitol is situated and the occupation of a second residence in the vicinity of the capitol for more than 183 days of the taxable year. Limits the income tax deduction for living expenses to amounts paid for: (1) utilities; (2) repairs; (3) home maintenance; (4) rent; and (5) depreciation. Provides a method of computing the depreciation on the home and its furnishings.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1982
Declares that any action by the United Nations to prevent a democratic state from exercising its rights to participate in the United Nations will seriously and harmfully affect congressional support for the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1982
Rescinds the unlimited income tax deduction for the living expenses of Members of Congress enacted in 1981 and restores prior law as in effect on December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1982
Requires the Office of Personnel Management to provide a 30-day period each year during which Federal employees may transfer enrollments between health benefit plans.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1982
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish procedures for the imposition of the death penalty for Presidential assassination. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Provides that no presentence report shall be prepared in such cases. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the information and aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Conditions imposition of the death penalty on a unanimous finding by the jury (or finding by the court) that: (1) some aggravating factor exists; and (2) the aggravating factors sufficiently outweigh any mitigating factor found to exist. Directs the court to impose the death penalty upon a finding that such sentence is justified. Establishes procedures for appeal from the death sentence.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1982
Expresses the gratitude of the Congress to the Italian Government and the Italian police for the rescue of Brigadier General James L. Dozier. Commends General Dozier for his bravery and patriotism throughout the ordeal. Declares congressional support for the Italian Government's efforts to end terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1982
Expresses the opposition of Congress to the imposition of any withholding of tax requirements on interest-bearing bank accounts and on the receipts from dividends.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1982
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to extend by two months (until June 30, 1982) the period within which an individual must have become a full-time student at a postsecondary educational institution in order to continue to receive, after July 1982, child's insurance benefits on the basis of student status under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1981
Broadcast Licensing, Renewal, and Deregulation Act of 1981 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish new procedures for reviewing petitions to deny broadcast license applications. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant a license renewal application by a radio or television broadcast station licensee unless the actions of the licensee evidence such serious disregard for the Communications Act and for the rules and policies of the FCC that denial of the application is justified. Prohibits the FCC from considering the applications of other persons for a broadcast station's facilities when the FCC is acting upon a license renewal application by a radio or television broadcast station. Permits persons holding construction permits or station licenses to transfer the permit or license without first obtaining an FCC finding that the transfer serves the public interest. Requires the FCC to be notified of such transfer. Provides for public notice of the transfer. Provides for disposition by the FCC of objections to such transfer. Prohibits the FCC from considering whether the public interest would be served by the transfer of the permit or license involved to a different person. Repeals certain provisions relating to the application of the antitrust laws. Prohibits the FCC from imposing requirements on radio or television licensees relating to: (1) programs; (2) programming formats; (3) ascertainment; (4) commercialization; and (5) maintenance of program logs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1981
Fair Practices in Automotive Products Act - Title I: Domestic Content Requirements for Motor Vehicles - Sets forth for all motor vehicle manufacturers which produce over 100,000 motor vehicles for ultimate retail sale in the United States "minimum domestic content ratios" (the domestic value, including labor and parts, of the manufacturer's production costs of all automotive products sold in the United States). Requires all vehicle manufacturers producing more than 50,000 motor vehicles for sale in the United States to provide information to the Secretary of Transportation for the purpose of administering this requirement. Authorizes the imposition of import restrictions on manufacturers violating such standards. Title II: Unfair and Deceptive Practices by Vehicle Manufacturers - Defines as an unfair method of competition and deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act the refusal of any vehicle manufacturer to determine whether parts produced in the United States by a parts manufacturer satisfy reasonable replacement part standards established by the vehicle manufacturer. Grants the Federal Trade Commission rulemaking authority to administer this title.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1981
Amends the Hobbs Act to eliminate the current qualification that extortion is the obtaining of property by "wrongful" use of force. Makes it a defense to extortion that the conduct was in furtherance of a legitimate objective or activity, unless the conduct: (1) consists of acts or threats of physical force to person or property; and (2) is a criminal offense punishable by more than two years' imprisonment under State law.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hall, Sam B., Jr. [D-TX-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000070_200.jpg)