United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Restates the intent of Congress to assist local school systems with their obligation to educate alien children. Declares that the funds duly appropriated pursuant to specified Federal law for such purpose should be spent.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Indochina nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of captive Americans and the return of the remains of those American servicemen and civilians who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
National Drug Education Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to States to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) in establishing and improving drug, alcohol, and tobacco education programs for elementary and secondary school students. Directs the Secretary to make such grant payments to States in amounts based on relative numbers of children in average daily attendance in elementary and secondary schools. Authorizes States to reserve up to seven percent of such grant payment for State administration of drug, alcohol, and tobacco education programs. Sets forth requirements for State applications for such grants. Requires State educational agencies (SEAs) to assure that LEAs will retain autonomy and flexibility in planning such programs. Requires SEAs to contribute, in cash, 20 percent of the cost of each program approved by the State. Directs the SEA to allocate grant funds to LEAs on the basis of relative numbers of children in daily attendance in elementary and secondary schools. Directs the SEA, from the amount allocated to an LEA, to pay up to 75 percent of the cost of the approved program. Provides for reallocation of amounts not spent by LEAs within a specified time period. Sets forth requirements for LEA applications for such allocations. Requires an LEA to pay five percent of the total program cost, in cash or in services, equipment, or facilities. Requires LEA planning for cooperation and coordination with Federal, State, and local police departments and agencies. Requires assurances that the LEA program will meet any special needs of low income and minority students. Sets forth provisions for program participation of children from private schools. Sets forth administrative provisions for audits and withholding of program payments to States. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on activities assisted under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Education to carry out this Act for FY 1985 through 1987.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1984
Trade Remedies Reform Act of 1984 - Title I: Amendments to Countervailing Duty and Antidumping Duty Laws - Amends the Tariff act of 1930 (the Act) to state that: (1) the sale (or likelihood of sale) of certain imported merchandise is subject to the imposition of countervailing duties; and (2) specified references to the sale of foreign merchandise includes leasing arrangements of such merchandise. Reduces the time in which the administering authority may postpone making a preliminary determination with regard to whether a subsidy is being provided to imported merchandise. Changes notification requirements regarding postponements of such preliminary determinations (includes requiring the notification of Congress). Reduces the time in which the administering authority: (1) shall make a preliminary determination with regard to whether imported merchandise is being sold, or is likely to be sold, at less than fair value; and (2) may postpone making such a preliminary determination. Changes notification requirements regarding postponements of such preliminary determinations (includes requiring the notification of Congress). Provides that a countervailing or antidumping duty investigation may be terminated by the administering authority if such investigation was initiated by such administering authority. Prohibits the termination of such investigation by reason of any agreement to limit the volume of the import being investigated unless: (1) such agreement is offered by the country in which the subsidy practice is alleged to occur; and (2) the President determines that such agreement would not have a greater adverse effect on U.S. consumers than the imposition of countervailing or antidumping duties and accepts such agreement. Prohibits the termination of such investigation before a preliminary determination that the imported merchandise is being sold, or is likely to be sold, at less than fair market value. Eliminates as a basis for the suspension of a countervailing duty investigation by the administering authority, the offsetting of subsidies by exporters who import subsidized merchandise into the United States. Authorizes the administering authority to suspend a countervailing or antidumping duty investigation if the country in which the subsidy practice occurs agrees, or exporters of subsidized merchandise agree, to cease exports of such merchandise to the United States on the date on which the investigation is suspended. (Current law provides that exporters must agree to cease such exports of merchandise to the United States within six months after the date on which the investigation is suspended.) Provides that the administering authority may under extraordinary circumstances suspend a countervailing duty investigation upon the entering into force of a quantitative restriction agreement between the President and the country in which the subsidy practice is alleged to occur. Prohibits the administering authority with respect to the suspension of a countervailing duty investigation from accepting an agreement from a country or from exporters unless such agreement will eliminate the injurious effect of subsidized exports to the United States. Defines the term 'quantitative restriction agreement' to mean any agreement accepted by the President with the country in which the subsidy practice is alleged to occur that: (1) restricts the volume of subsidized imports into the United States; (2) will eliminate the injurious effect of such exports to the United States; and (3) would not have a greater adverse effect on U.S. consumers than the imposition of countervailing duties. Requires the President in determining whether there would be such an adverse effect to consult with consuming industries and producers of like merchandise. Prohibits the President from entering into a quantitative restriction agreement unless: (1) the President is satisfied that suspension of the countervailing duty investigation is in the public interest; and (2) effective monitoring of the agreement by the United States is practicable. Provides that if the administering authority determines that such an agreement accepted under the Act is being, or has been, violated, or no longer meets the requirements under the Act, then, on the date of publication of its determination, it shall, if it considers the violation to be intentional, notify the Commissioner of Customs. Includes in the definition of "subsidy" any export targeting subsidy, natural resource subsidy, and upstream subsidy as determined under the provisions of this Act. Defines the term "export targeting subsidy" and "natural resource subsidy". Sets forth the method of calculation for determining the level of an export targeting subsidy and a natural resource subsidy. Defines the term "fair market value" to mean the price that a willing buyer would pay a willing seller for a natural resource product in an arms-length transaction in the absence of government regulation. Requires the International Trade Commission (ITC), in making determinations under specified sections of the Act as to the volume and consequent impact of a possible material injury, to cumulatively assess the effect of imports from two or more countries of like products subject to investigation if: (1) the marketing of such imports in the United States is reasonably coincident; and (2) there is a reasonable indication that such imports will have a contributing effect in causing, or threatening to cause, material injury to the industry. Requires the ITC to consider specified factors with respect to its determination of whether there is a threat of material injury to U.S. markets by subsidized exports entering the United States. Requires the ITC, in determining whether there is a threat of material injury by reason of an export targeting subsidy, to consider: (1) the effect of the subsidy practices on the export competitiveness of the beneficiary of the subsidy; and (2) the extent to which such practices are likely to have a demonstrable adverse effect on the industry with regard to costs and availability of capital, outlays for research and development, and future investment. Includes in the term 'interested party' an association, a majority of whose members is composed of specified interested parties with respect to a like product. Defines an "upstream subsidy" as any action, as described in the Act, by a country that: (1) pays or bestows a subsidy upon merchandise under investigation that is manufactured in such country; (2) results in a price for such merchandise that is lower than its available price in such country; and (3) has a significant effect on the cost of manufacturing or producing such merchandise. Requires, in administering such definition, that the European Economic Community shall be treated as one country. Requires the administering authority to adjust the price of merchandise under investigation that is found to be upstream subsidized by the country that produced it. Requires the administering authority to include such upstream subsidy in any countervailing duty or antidumping duty that is imposed on such merchandise that has been found to have been bestowed a subsidy. Defines "downstream dumping" as occurring when a product that is used in the manufacture of merchandise under investigation is purchased at a price that is below its foreign market value. Requires the administering authority, when calculating the amount of a countervailing or antidumping duty due to downstream dumping, to include an amount equal to the difference between the foreign market value of the product and either: (1) the generally available price of the product in the country of manufacture; or (2) the price of the product if it had not been subsidized. Limits the scope of inquiry into upstream and downstream subsidies by the administering authority. Includes in the term "party-at- interest" an association composed of members of labor organizations and trade associations who produce a like product in the United States. Sets forth the method of calculating the foreign market value of merchandise produced by a country with a State-controlled economy. Requires the administering authority, in making such calculation, to determine the lowest free market price of like articles. Defines the term "lowest free-market price of like article" as the lowest average price of such merchandise, adjusted by certain factors. Requires the administering authority to verify information relied upon in making a revocation of a countervailing duty order or an antidumping duty order. Permits an officer or employee of the U.S. Customs Service who is involved in conducting an investigation regarding fraud under the Act to receive confidential information that has been submitted to the administering authority or the ITC with respect to such investigation. Requires the administering authority and the ITC with regard to information that has been requested to be kept confidential to provide that such confidential information be accompanied by specified summaries and statements. Allows the administering authority, for purposes of determining U.S. or foreign prices, to use averaging or recognized sampling techniques. Gives the administering authority the sole authority to select such techniques. Sets forth the procedure for judicial review of administering authority and ITC determinations. Adds to those determinations which are reviewable in the U.S. Court of International Trade the determination as to whether a particular type of imported merchandise is within the class of such merchandise described in a finding of dumping or in an antidumping or countervailing duty order. Sets forth the order of civil action cases before the U.S. Court of International Trade. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Establishes within the ITC a Trade Remedy Assistance Office which shall provide specified information to the public upon request. Requires agencies administering a trade law to provide technical assistance to small businesses with regard to the filing of trade relief petitions. Requires the ITC to establish and implement a program to monitor the industrial policies of foreign countries in order to discover whether targeting subsidies are being planned or have been implemented. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to study the practices that are applied in making adjustments to purchase prices, exporter's sales prices, foreign market value, and constructed value in determining antidumping duties. Sets forth what shall be included in such study. Sets forth the effective dates of the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1984
Housing Finance Opportunity Act of 1984 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend for five years, until December 31, 1988, the period during which mortgage revenue bonds may be issued as tax-exempt bonds (interest excluded from gross income).
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1984
Charitable Organization Pension Plan Amendment Act of 1984 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude employees of charitable organizations who earn less than $60,000 annually from treatment as key employees in determining whether a pension plan is top heavy.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1984
Prohibits the importation of any article grown or produced in Iran. Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the exportation to Iran of goods, technology, or other information subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Prohibits any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction from exporting to Iran goods, technology, or other information.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to provide for the suspension of duty, through December 31, 1986, on industrial diamonds of tool and drill blanks.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
High Technology Research and Scientific Education Act of 1983 - Title I - The Credit for Increasing Research Activities; ACRS for R&D Equipment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for research and development (R&D) expenditures. Modifies the definition of qualified research for purposes of the R&D credit to narrow the category of eligible activities for which the credit is allowable. Makes depreciation of research equipment eligible for the R&D credit. Eliminates the special three-year accelerated cost recovery system (ACRS) category for research equipment. Increases contract research expenses eligible for R&D credit purposes to 75 percent of the amount paid to others for research on the taxpayer's behalf. Provides that in-house and contract research expenses paid or incurred by a regular corporation will constitute qualified research expenses for R&D credit purposes. Provides that in the case of research being conducted in partnership form, the "in carrying on" test is applied at the partnership level, and the credit is apportioned among the partners in accordance with general partnership rules. Title II - Promotion of University Research and Scientific Education - Establishes a new income tax credit equal to 25 percent of payments to universities for basic research which exceed a fixed, maintenance-of-effort floor. Calculates the maintenance-of-effort floor as the greater of the annual average of university basic research payments over 1982-1983 or one percent of the average annual R&D budget over 1981-1983. Treats the portion of the university basic research payments which is not in excess of the maintenance-of-effort floor as contract research expenses eligible for purposes of computing the regular incremental R&D credit. Allows corporations an income tax deduction for contributions of scientific and technical property or services to an institution of higher education. Defines scientific property to mean computer software or other equipment used in a trade or business, which is donated for the direct education of students and faculty, for research and experimentation, or for research training in the United States in mathematics, the physical or biological sciences, engineering, or computer science. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of the allowable deduction for contributions of scientific property or services. Limits the amount of such deduction to ten percent of taxable income computed without regard to specified deductions. Provides for an income tax exclusion for the scholarships, fellowship grants, student loan forgiveness, or stipends of a graduate student in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences. Specifies that such tax exclusion is not forfeited merely because the student is required, as a condition of the scholarship or fellowship, to perform future service in teaching or research.
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
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
Small Business Long-Term Financing Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the rate of the corporate income tax. Permits a taxpayer to defer tax on gain from the sale or exchange of property which is reinvested in small business investment property within a one year rollover period. Specifies that such investment must be made in a business whose average annual gross receipts for the taxable year and the two preceding taxable years does not exceed $2,000,000. Provides for an extended statute of limitations for assessing any tax deficiency arising from a taxpayer's failure to reinvest within the one year rollover period. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to permit small businesses to make loans and leases from pension funds without incurring a tax penalty for prohibited transactions. Requires that such loans: (1) be made for a period of ten years or less; (2) bear interest at competitive rates; and (3) be adequately secured. Limits such loans and leases to not more than 50 percent of the total assets of the pension trust.
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 · 17 November 1983
Commission on the Ukraine Famine Act - Establishes a Commission to be known as the Commission on the Ukraine Famine which shall study the 1932-1933 Ukraine famine in order to: (1) expand the world's knowledge of the famine; and (2) provide the American public with a better understanding of the Soviet system. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
Amends the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 to delay for one year the effective date of special rules concerning top-heavy employee benefit plans (plans which discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study of such special rules and report to specified committees of the Congress.
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 · 8 November 1983
Child Support Enforcement Amendments of 1983 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise the purposes of such part to provide that assistance in obtaining support will be available under part D to all children (whether or not eligible for aid under the Aid to Families With Dependent Children program) for whom such assistance is requested. Requires a State, under part D, to have enacted laws establishing, embodying, or requiring the use of the following procedures to increase the effectiveness of its part D program: (1) procedures for the withholding from income of support amounts; (2) procedures assuring the State will improve the enforcement of support obligations; (3) procedures to collect support from a State tax refund; (4) procedures under which liens are imposed against real and personal property for amounts of past-due support owed by an absent parent; (5) procedures for establishing a child's paternity; (6) procedures requiring an individual to give security or post a bond to secure payment of past-due support if the individual is an absent parent who has demonstrated a pattern of not making payments; (7) procedures by which information regarding the amount of past-due support owed by an absent parent residing in the State will be made available to any consumer credit bureau organization upon the request of such organization, subject to certain conditions; and (8) procedures under which support payments will be made under part D through the State agency administering the State's income withholding system at the request of either parent, even though no arrearages are involved. Sets forth the procedures (referred to in clause one above) for the withholding from income of support payments. Provides that under such procedures: (1) amounts withheld must comply with the support order; (2) withholding must be initiated without application in the case of a child who is already receiving services under part D, and will be initiated with an application in the case of any other child; (3) withholding must be carried out in full compliance with all procedural due process requirements and must begin as soon as feasible; (4) withholding must be administered by a public agency (or a publicly accountable agency) designated by the State, and amounts withheld must be expeditiously distributed; (5) the State must provide advance notice to each individual who will have payments withheld and information as to how to contest the withholding; (6) State law must give priority to support collection over any other legal process against the same wages; (7) there will be withholding from all forms of income; (8) provisions must be made for terminating withholding; and (9) arrangements will be made with other States providing for reciprocal withholding. Requires, in addition, under such procedures that: (1) an employer withhold ordered payments (which shall include a fee to be paid to the employer) when provided with written notice; (2) an employer be held liable to the State for failure to withhold; and (3) a fine be imposed on any employer who refuses to employ or takes disciplinary action against any individual subject to wage withholding because of the existence of the withholding and additional obligations imposed on the employer. Requires a State's laws to require withholding whenever arrearages occur, even if an application for services under part D is not filed. Provides exemptions from the requirements of this paragraph, subject to the Secretary of Health and Human Services' continuing review, for States demonstrating that the enactment of any of this paragraph's requirements will not improve the State's support enforcement program. Authorizes a State to use the funds available under part D for automated management systems to facilitate the development and improvement of income withholding procedures. Requires a State, whenever a family for whom support payments have been collected and distributed under part D ceases to receive assistance under part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) of title IV, to: (1) continue collecting support for up to three months; and (2) continue collection and payment to the family (without requiring reapplication) at the end of the three-month period on the same basis as in the case of individuals not receiving assistance under part A. Repeals the current 12 percent incentive payment which is based on collections made on behalf of AFDC families. Provides, under the new incentive payment provisions, that the basis incentive payment will be four percent of the State's AFDC collections plus four percent of the State's non-AFDC collections. Provides that to the extent that AFDC or non-AFDC collections exceed the State's combined AFDC and non-AFDC administrative costs, higher incentives will be paid on a graduated scale of up to ten percent of AFDC and ten percent of non-AFDC collections. Provides that the amount of incentive payments to be made to a State for any fiscal year shall be estimated by the Secretary before the beginning of such year and that the Secretary shall make such payments for such year on a quarterly basis, with the payments being reduced or increased to compensate for any prior overpayments or underpayments. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, in order to encourage and promote the development and use of more effective methods of enforcing support obligations under part D in cases where either the children on whose behalf the support is sought or their absent parents do not reside in the State where such cases are filed, to States proposing to undertake new or innovative methods of support collection in such cases. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Requires: (1) review of a State's part D program at least once every three years; and (2) the operation by a State of a child support program (under part A) which is substantial compliance with the State's part D plan. Replaces current penalty provisions under part A with graduated penalties of two, three, and five percent in cases where a State's part D program does not meet applicable requirements. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to require any demonstration project undertaken which assists in promoting the objectives of part D of title IV to: (1) be designed to improve the financial well-being of children, and prohibit modifications in the child support program which would have the effect of disadvantaging children in need of support; and (2) not result in increased costs to the Federal Government under part A of title IV. Provides, under part D, that amounts collected by a State as child support on behalf of a child for whom a public agency is making foster care maintenance payments under part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV: (1) shall be retained by the State to the extent necessary to reimburse it for foster care maintenance payments made; (2) shall be paid to the public agency responsible for supervising the placement of a child to the extent that amounts collected exceed foster care maintenance payments made with respect to the child but not amounts required by a court order to be paid on behalf of the child; and (3) shall be retained by the State if any portion of the amounts collected remains after making the payments required above, to the extent that such portion is necessary to reimburse the State for any foster care maintenance payments made for a child. Requires any balance to be paid to the State agency responsible for supervising child care placement. Requires a State, under part E, where appropriate, to take all steps to secure an assignment to the State of any rights to support on behalf of each child receiving foster care maintenance payments. Requires collection by a State of spousal support under part D. (Current law permits such collection.) Requires the Secretary's annual report under part D to include the payment status of all active child support cases in each State, with specific information concerning: (1) interstate cases; and (2) the number of cases in certain defined categories. Requires a State, under part D, to regularly publicize the availability of child support enforcement services, including a telephone number or address where further information can be obtained. Requires a State, as a condition of eligibility for Federal payments under part A or D of title IV, to establish a State Commission on Child Support to examine, investigate, and study the operation of the State's child support system so as to determine the extent to which the system has been successful in securing support and parental involvement for both AFDC and non-AFDC children. Requires a report from the Commission. Permits waivers of the requirement for a Commission in a State if the State already has its own commission, which is making satisfactory progress towards effective child support enforcement, or has in effect objective standards for child support obligations. Directs the Secretary to approve a request from the State of Wisconsin to waive any requirement of part A or D of title IV so as to permit modifications of such State's programs under parts A and D in order to enable such State to make an adequate test of its Child Support Initiative, provided certain conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals an income tax credit for 50 percent of the cost of preparing any individual income tax return. Limits the amount of such credit to $15.
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 · 27 October 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to decrease the holding period for capital gains tax treatment from one year to six months. Reduces the amount of capital loss which an individual may offset against ordinary income to $1,000.
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 · 21 October 1983
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Lady Bird Johnson in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and contributions to the beautification of America. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the striking of such medal and bronze duplicates for sale to the public. Declares such medals to be national medals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual retirement accounts, qualified retirement trusts and certain educational organizations to invest in working interests in domestic oil and gas properties without incurring unrelated business taxable income.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1983
Vocational Technical Education Act of 1983 - Establishes vocational-technical education programs to replace those under the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Title I: Purpose; Authorization of Appropriations; and Allotments - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987 and for succeeding fiscal years for: (1) basic State grants and State administrative responsibilities; (2) consumer and homemaking education; (3) comprehensive career guidance and counseling programs; (4) industry-education partnership for training in high-technology occupations; (5) vocational education programs for youth with special needs; and (6) adult training, retraining, and employment development. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 and succeeding fiscal years for the President's Council on Vocational-Technical Education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and succeeding fiscal years for grants to State advisory councils on vocational-technical education. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and succeeding fiscal years for assistance to States: (1) in preparing plans, updates, and progress reports; and (2) in conducting program evaluations. Requires a State, in order to receive any allotment under this Act, to: (1) establish a State board and a State advisory council on vocational-technical education; (2) have an approved State plan and application; (3) comply with evaluation and review and other provisions of this Act. Sets forth provisions for allotment among the States of appropriations for title II of this Act (after deduction of amounts required to be reserved for specified purposes). Bases such allotment on formulas using State allotment ratios and relative State populations of certain age groups. Allots the following percentages of title II funds on the basis of population aged: (1) 15 through 19 - 50 percent; (2) 20 through 24 - 20 percent; and (3) 25 through 65 - 15 percent. Allots the remaining 15 percent on the basis of the relative sums of such age group allotments. Set forth a formula for determining State allotment ratios based on relative State per capita income. Sets maximum and minimum limits on such ratios and sets ratios for specified territories and possessions of the United States. Sets forth a minimum State allotment amount. Provides for reallotment among other States of any amount which the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) determines will not be required for carrying out the State's program for any fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to reserve five percent of the appropriations for State basic grants and State administrative responsibilities for any fiscal year in order to: (1) transfer an amount within specified limits in any fiscal year to the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; (2) use an additional minimum amount in any fiscal year for the National Center for Research in Vocational Education; (3) use a minimum amount in any fiscal year for the program of special institutes; and (4) use the remainder of the reserved amount for other programs authorized under title III (National Programs). Authorizes the Secretary to reserve, from the remainder of the appropriations for State basic grants and State administrative responsibilities for any fiscal year, funds for vocational educational programs to eligible Indians through Indian tribes and through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Limits such amount to not more than one percent of such remainder and approximately equivalent to an amount based on the ratio of eligible Indian population aged 15 through 24 to the total population aged 15 through 24 of all the States. Directs the Secretary, from the amount so reserved, to enter into contracts with the tribal organization of any eligible Indian tribe, upon such tribe's request, to plan, conduct, and administer programs, or portions of programs, which are authorized by and consistent with the purposes of this Act. Subjects such contracts to specified terms and conditions under the Indian Self-Determination Act and other specified Federal laws. Authorizes the Secretary, from any remaining funds so reserved, to enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of the BIA for the operation of vocational education programs authorized by this Act in institutions serving eligible Indians, and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to receive such funds for such purposes. Directs the BIA to expend a matching amount to pay a part of the costs of such programs. Requires the BIA to expend during each fiscal year no less than the amount expended during the prior fiscal year on vocational education programs, services, and activities. Directs the Secretary and the Commissioner to prepare a joint plan for the expenditure of funds and the evaluation of such programs. Directs the Secretary to assume responsibility for the administration of the program, with the assistance and consultation of the BIA. Requires that the sum of any State's allotments for title II programs under this Act shall not be less than the total amount of payments made to the State under allotments determined under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 for FY 1983. Provides for ratable reductions of other State allotments in order to comply with this minimum State allotment requirement. Title II: State Programs - Part A: Basic State Grants - Authorizes the Secretary, from the State allotments, to make grants to assist States in funding vocational education programs, services, and activities carried out by State boards and eligible recipients. Requires that basic State grants be used, in accordance with approved State plans, for: (1) vocational education responsive to labor market demands or designed to keep abreast of technological changes, including part D high-technology industry-education partnership programs; (2) vocational education for populations with special needs, including part E youth programs; (3) postsecondary and adult vocational education for out-of-school youth and adults, including part F adult training, retraining, and employment development programs; (4) strengthening the institutional base of vocational education by updating curricula, equipment, materials, planning, and staff skills; (5) design and implementation of planned sequential vocational programs between secondary and postsecondary education levels; (6) teaching mathematics and science through practical applications related to occupational goals; (7) assigning personnel to coordinate responsiveness to the labor market; (8) vocational student organizational activities; (9) prevocational programs; (10) information collection and dissemination; (11) special supportive services and activities, including career counseling and guidance (under part C), work-study, cooperative, on-site, and apprenticeship, technical education, research, curriculum development personnel training, overcoming sex bias and stereotyping, residential vocational-technical schools, and exemplary and innovative demonstration programs; (12) construction of area vocational-technical school; (13) support of full-time personnel for specified purposes; (14) needy student stipends; (15) placement services; (16) industrial arts; (17) day care services; (18) vocational education through arrangements with private vocational education institutions, employers, and community-based organizations (as defined under the Job Training Partnership Act); (19) administrative and supervisory costs; (20) planning, evaluation, and reporting costs; (21) entrepreneurship programs consistent with the purposes of this Act; and (22) consortia with other States. Prohibits the use of funds for needy student stipends or for day care services for students' children unless the State board makes a finding that such use of funds under this Act is necessary because of inadequate funding of other programs or inadequates services in the area. Part B: Consumer and Homemaking Education - Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to assist State consumer and homemaking education programs, including: (1) instructional programs, services, and activities to prepare youth and adults for the homemaking occupation; and (2) instruction in the areas of food and nutrition, consumer education, family living and parenthood education, child development and guidance, housing, home and resource management, and clothing and textiles. Permits such grants to be used, in accordance with approved State plans, to: (1) conduct programs in economically depressed areas; (2) encourage participation of traditionally underserved populations; (3) encourage elimination of sex bias and sex stereotyping; (4) improve, expand, and update programs; and (5) address priorities and emerging concerns at the local, State, and national levels. Permits such grants to be used for specified program development and improvement and for specified support services and activities. Sets forth provisions for information dissemination and leadership. Directs the State board to ensure that experience and information gained through carrying out such programs is shared with administrators for the purpose of program planning. Requires that funds available under this part be used to assist in providing State leadership qualified by experience and preparation in home economics education. Part C: Comprehensive Career Guidance and Counseling Programs - Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to assist State career guidance and counseling programs. Requires that such grants be used, in accordance with approved State plans, for comprehensive programs to meet career development, vocational education, and employment needs of students and potential students, including assistance in: (1) self-assessment, career planning and decisionmaking, and employability skills; (2) transition and placement activities; (3) maintaining themselves in established occupations; (4) developing new skills in high-technology and skill-shortage areas; and (5) developing midcareer job seeking skills clarifying career goals. Requires that such programs: (1) encourage the elimination of sex, age, and race bias and stereotyping; (2) provide for community outreach; (3) seek collaboration of family, community, business, industry and labor; and (4) be accessible to all segments of the population, including women, minorities, handicapped, and economically disadvantaged. Requires that such programs consist of: (1) instructional activities and services to help students develop specified skills; (2) counselor education, support personnel training curriculum and instructional materials development, research, demonstration, and experimental projects, equipment acquisition, and State and local leadership and supervision; and (3) opportunities for counselors to obtain firsthand experience in business and industry and for students to become acquainted with business, industry, labor market, and training posibilities. Sets forth information dissemination and leadership provisions. Part D: Industry - Education Partnership for Training in High-Technology Occupations - Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to States for industry-education partnership training programs in high-technology occupations. Requires that such grants be used in accordance with approved State plans which contain specified assurances. Requires that at least 50 percent of the funds for such programs be from non-Federal sources, and that at least 50 percent of such non-Federal funds be provided by participating business and industrial firms in cash or in-kind contributions. Requires coordination of such programs with part A programs. Requires active participation of the State council in the development of such programs. Permits States to designate funds available under part A in lieu of a non-Federal portion for program costs under this part, if an eligible recipient demonstrates that it is incapable of providing all or part of such non-Federal portion. Permits such grants to be used for: (1) vocational educational programs designed to train skilled workers and technicians in high-technology occupations; (2) administrative costs; (3) training and retraining of instructional and guidance personnel; (3) curriculum, equipment, and materials development and acquisition; and (4) such other activities authorized by this title as may be essential to programs under this part, including ensuring program access for women, minorities, the handicapped, and the economically disadvantaged. Directs the State board, in approving such programs, to give special consideration to specified factors. Limits administrative cost expenditures to five percent of the State's allotment for this part. Prohibits funds made available under this part from being used to provide job placement or stipends. Part E: Vocational Education Programs for Youth with Special Needs - Defines "eligible youth" for purposes of this part as youth (up to and including age 21) who are: (1) educationally or disadvantaged individuals needing assistance to participate or succeed in regular vocational programs; (2) handicapped individuals needing special assistance, instruction, or programs to participate in or profit from vocational education; (3) individuals of limited English proficiency who require instruction in the English language, or bilingual instruction until they are proficient in English, in order to participate in or profit from vocational education; or (4) single parents and heads of households, or persons who wish to enter occupations that are not traditional for their sex, who need special assistance in preparing for employment. Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to States to carry out programs, services, and activities authorized by this part. Permits such grants to be used, in accordance with State plans, for programs for eligible youth, including: (1) vocational education programs, services, and activities authorized under provisions for basic State grants and designed to meet special needs; (2) outreach, diagnostic assessment, and career guidance; (3) youth leadership development and vocational student organization activities; (4) improving institutional capacity to provide instruction and supportive services; (5) supplementary and remedial instruction; (6) open-entry, open-exit programs for individual needs; (7) worksite learning; (8) training instructional and support personnel to serve eligible youth in regular or special programs (such as bilingual programs); (9) extension of the schoolday or school year; (10) transition and work adjustment followup services; and (11) other activities to enable eligible youth to take full-advantage of high-quality vocational education. Requires eligible recipients to provide for program participation by eligible youth enrolled in nonprofit private schools in the area to be served, without commingling with State or local funds the Federal funds made available under this part to accommodate such students. Requires that at least 90 percent of the grant to each State under this part be allocated among eligible recipients, with approved plans, upon the basis of numbers of eligible youth served in the previous year and proposed to be served in the year for which such allocation is made. Requires coordination of programs under this part with programs for youth funded under title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), including summer youth employment and training programs. Directs the State board to consult with the State job training coordinating council (established under the JTPA) in order that programs funded under this part may be taken into account in recommendations for the Governor's coordinating and special services plan required under JTPA. Part F: Adult Training, Retraining, and Employment Development - Authorizes the Secretary, from State allotments, to make grants to States for funding programs, services, and activities under this part. Permits such grants to be used, in accordance with approved State plans, for vocational education and employment development authorized under basic State grant provisions and designed to meet the needs of: (1) individuals who have graduated from or left high school and who need additional vocational education to enter the labor force; (2) unemployed individuals who need training to obtain employment or increase employability; (3) employed individuals who need retraining to retain their jobs or training to upgrade skills to qualify for higher-paid or more dependable jobs; (4) displaced homemakers and single heads of households entering or reentering the labor force; and (5) employers who need assistance in training individuals in new employment opportunities or retraining employees in new skills. Permits such grants also to be used for: (1) short-term retraining; (2) cooperative institutional and worksite programs and quick-start customized training; (3) linkages between public and private sectors, eligible individuals, and training, employment, and economic development agencies; (4) cooperative education to improve management and increase productivity; (5) training for small business entrepreneurship; (6) recruitment, job search, counseling, remedial services, information and outreach to help individuals take advantage of vocational educational programs and services, with particular attention to reaching women, older workers, individuals with limited English proficiency, the handicapped, and the disadvantaged; and (7) curriculum development, equipment and material acquisition, personnel training, pilot projects, and related and additional services and activities. Requires specified State assurances with regard to programs under this part. Requires coordination of programs under this part with programs for dislocated workers under title III (Training and Assistance for Dislocated Workers) of JTPA. Directs the State board to consult with the State job training coordinating council in order that programs under this part may be taken into account in recommendations for the Governor's coordination and special services plan. Directs the State board to encourage program coordination between eligible recipients of funds under this part and the appropriate private industry council established under JTPA. Title III: National Programs - Directs the Secretary to maintain a national vocational education data system. Requires States receiving assistance under this Act to cooperate in supplying information for such system. Directs the Secretary, in maintaining and annually updating such system, to make such system compatible with: (1) the occupational information data system established under this Act; (2) other systems developed or assisted under labor market information provisions under JTPA; and (3) other occupational supply and demand information systems developed or maintained through Federal assistance (directs the Secretary to cooperate with the Secretary of Labor in this). Directs the Secretary to secure data about program enrollees and completers, placement and followup, staffing, and expenditures by major purposes of this Act. Establishes a National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee consisting of specified Federal officials. Directs the Committee, with funds available under title I, to: (1) annually provide funds for and assist State occupational coordinating committees; (2) improve coordination among administrators and planners of programs authorized by this Act and JTPA, employment security agency administrators, researchers, and Federal, State, and local employment and training agency personnel; (3) develop and implement an occupational information system to meet common needs of vocational education and employment and training programs; and (4) study the effects of technological change on new and existing occupational areas and the required changes in knowledge and job skills. Requires each State receiving assistance under this Act to establish a State occupational information coordinating committee composed of representatives of the State board, employment security agency, economic development agency, job training coordinating council, and agency for administering programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Directs the State committee, with funds from the national committee, to implement an occupational information system in the State designed to meet the needs of State board programs under this Act and administering agencies under JTPA. Establishes the President's Council on Vocational-Technical Education consisting of members appointed by the President, with a majority representing the private sector of the economy and the remainder with broad experience in education and economic and human resources development (at least one of whom is a member of the National Commission for Employment Policy established under JTPA). Directs the Council to: (1) assess national needs with respect to occupations requiring less than a baccalaureate degree; (2) identify ways to encourage cooperation between the private sector of the economy and vocational-technical education; (3) evaluate program needs for updated equipment, curricula, competent staff, and other necessary components for student preparation and worker training and retraining for the workplace; (4) make appropriate recommendations; and (5) advise the President, Congress, and Secretary on the implementation of this Act, JTPA, and adequate policies for vocational- technical education programs. Directs the Council to report its findings and recommendations to the President, Congress, and Secretary every third year. Provides that the National Center for Research in Vocational Education established under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 shall continue to be operated with funds made available under this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make an annual grant for the Center's operation; and (2) on the basis of solicited applications and the advice of non-Federal experts in vocational education administration and research, designate the entity to be the Center once every five years. Requires that the Center: (1) be a nonprofit entity associated with a public or private nonprofit university which has made, or is prepared to make, a substantial financial contribution towards its establishment; and (2) have a Director, appointed by such university and assisted by the advisory committee on research and program development. Sets forth provisions for program improvement activities. Authorizes the Secretary, after consultation with the advisory committee on research and program improvement, to use funds reserved under title I to establish not less than ten research institutes for vocational education at a minimum level of $300,000 each per year. Directs the Secretary to designate these institutes for a five-year period on the basis of competitive applications, the advice of non-Federal experts in vocational education and research, and specified criteria. Requires such institutes to: (1) conduct research and leadership development activities on nationwide programs in employment-related education; and (2) serve as independent entities for research and development focused on one or more specified areas. Authorizes the Secretary to also use such reserved funds for national program improvement activities through grants and contracts to private and public entities to assist vocational educational programs and supportive services of States and eligible recipients assisted under this Act. Includes graduate fellowship awards among such activities. Authorizes the Secretary to award solicited and unsolicited grants and contracts for program improvement activities. Requires that such awards include: (1) a program of small grants to entities such as individual researchers, community colleges, and State advisory councils; (2) requests for proposals consistent with the objectives of program improvement provisions; and (3) the funding of proposals initiated in the field. Directs the Secretary, in establishing such institutes and making such awards, grants, and contracts, to require recipients to contribute, in cash or in kind, at least ten percent of the costs of the institute or project. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that program improvement activities represent a coordinated effort; and (2) include a summary and appraisal of such activities in the report to Congress on vocational education. Authorizes the Secretary, from funds available to carry out this title, to develop and implement, through grants and contracts, cooperative employer-education demonstration programs. Requires that such programs: (1) be established and operated by employers or consortia of employers, or recognized labor organizations or building trades councils, in cooperation with State boards and eligible recipients in two or more States; (2) provide worksite job training for vocational education graduates or advanced students which is linked to classroom and laboratory instruction provided by an eligible recipient; (3) provide placement services; (4) demonstrate cooperative programs between vocational education and the private sector; and (5) where practical, involve projects (such as housing rehabilitation in inner cities or economically depressed rural areas) that will benefit the public or result in increased opportunities for the disadvantaged, the handicapped, or women. Permits funds for such cooperative demonstration programs to be used for institutional and on-the-job training, supportive services, and technical and other assistance. Permits such programs to operate on a school-year, year-long, or summer basis, and be of whatever duration the Secretary specifies as appropriate. Requires that at least 25 percent of the cost of such cooperative demonstration programs be provided in cash or in kind by the recipient of the grant or contract. Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee on research and program improvement to advise the Secretary: (1) on selection and management of programs funded under this title; (2) with respect to policy issues in the administration of the Center and in the selection and conduct of research and demonstration projects and activities by the center (also advising the Director of the Center on such issues, selection, and conduct); and (3) in the selection of research institutes. Sets forth provisions for advisory committee membership. Provides that members shall not be Federal employees. Requires the advisory committee to meet at least three times annually at the call of the Secretary, including at least one meeting at the Center. Title IV: General Provisions - Part A: State Administrative Responsibilities - Sets forth requirements relating to the functions of State boards of vocational education. Includes among State board responsibilities: (1) appointment of a State director of vocational education and other personnel to administer this Act; and (2) convening and meeting at least four times annually. Requires the State board to assign at least one full-time individual to assist it in specified ways. Directs each State to reserve a specified amount from its basic State grant for State board functions. Sets forth requirements relating to State advisory councils on vocational-technical education. Limits membership of each council to 15, a majority of whom must be represenatatives of private sector employment. Sets forth other membership representation requirements. Sets forth council functions and duties, including biennial evaluation of vocational education program delivery systems assisted under this Act and under JTPA, and of the adequacy and effectiveness of Federal, State, local, and private efforts to strengthen and improve vocational education in the State. Directs the Secretary, from sums appropriated for such State councils and allotted in a specified manner, to make grants to State councils to carry out their functions. Sets maximum and minimum limits on the amount of each such grant. Part B: Planning and Applications - Sets forth requirements for three-year State plans, to be submitted to the Secretary. Sets forth requirements for State applications for funds for each fiscal year under this Act. Sets forth requirements for three-year local plans by eligible recipients, to be formulated with the assistance of local advisory councils and to be submitted to the State board. Part C: Evaluation and Review - Sets forth requirements for program evaluation by State boards with the assistance of the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to report every two years to the Congress on the status of vocational education in the Nation, including a summary of State program evaluations, with conclusions and recommendations. Sets forth requirements for local progress reports and amendments to local plans. Part D: Federal Administrative Responsibilities - Sets forth provisions for payments to States for administrative costs. Sets forth maintenance of effort requirements. Sets forth provisions for withholding of funds from States by the Secretary, and for judicial review of such withholding. Part E: Transitional and Conforming Amendments - Sets forth provisions for the transition from requirements (including expenditure of funds) under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 to requirements under this Act. Transfers the personnel, property and records of: (1) the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education established under such Act to the President's Council on Vocational-Technical Education established under this Act and to the advisory council on research and program improvement established under this Act; and (2) the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee established under such Act to the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee established under this Act. Repeals the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Makes conforming amendments to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Adult Education Act, the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968. Part F: Definitions of Terms - Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1983
Telephone Equity Act of 1983 - Provides that a specified decision of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) relating to telephone access charges (C.C. docket numbered 78-72) shall cease to have effect. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the FCC to establish a system of charges to compensate exchange common carriers (local telephone companies) for exchange access and to change the system of settlements and jurisdictional separation of property and expenses in force on the date of enactment of this Act. Sets forth the purposes of the system of charges, including ensuring the continued universal availability of telephone service. Requires exchange common carriers to file with the FCC a tariff for exchange access for each of its exchange areas. Authorizes a carrier to file, or the FCC or State commission to require a carrier to file, a joint tariff for exchange access for all its exchange areas within a single State until a specified date. Requires carriers to submit a joint tariff for exchange access if more than one exchange common carrier serves an exchange area and to divide revenues in a manner approved by the FCC. Authorizes a State commission to authorize or require exchange common carriers within the State to divide revenues from exchange access charges. Sets forth the information that must be included in each tariff. Requires each tariff to consist of four charges to be recovered from interexchange (long distance) carriers. Requires an exchange common carrier to submit to the FCC a tariff for exchange access available from such carrier for interexchange carriers or others who indirectly interconnect with the exchange carriers. Sets forth the charges to be included in such tariff. Requires an exchange common carrier to submit to the FCC a tariff under which any interexchange carrier or other person who, without connection to such carrier and for commercial purposes, makes available facilities or services comparable to those available from an exchange carrier for exchange access shall pay a charge reflecting the availability of the exchange carrier's facilities for exchange access as an alternative for the facilities of such person. Requires that provision of and payment for exchange access shall be solely in accordance with the applicable tariffs. Requires that owners and operators of interexchange communication facilities which do not need direct interconnection notify the appropriate exchange carriers, the FCC, and the appropriate State commissions. Imposes a fine for failure to provide such notification. Requires the FCC to establish methods to ascertain and fully apportion the cost of services, facilities, and other factors used jointly or in common to provide exchange services and exchange access. Directs the FCC to establish the recordkeeping forms for carriers providing exchange access. Directs the FCC to delegate to each State commission its authority to divide revenues from exchange access charges. Sets the manner of reviewing charges that an interexchange carrier or customer violated a tariff. Requires the initial tariffs for exchange access to take effect July 1, 1985. Sets forth transitional provisions. Directs the FCC to establish the Universal Service Board in order to: (1) ensure equitable and efficient economic treatment of users of common carrier services and exchange services and carriers providing such services; (2) provide an orderly transition to the system of exchange access charges; and (3) achieve cooperation between the Federal Government and the States in carrying out specified purposes. Requires the Universal Service Board to: (1) establish and maintain formulas for determining the payments required by the Universal Service Fund and to oversee the distribution of funds from the Universal Service Fund by the exchange access board; (2) make such changes and modifications necessary for the orderly transition to the system of exchange access charges; and (3) determine at regular intervals the relative assignment by exchange common carriers of the production costs of providing exchange service and access. Sets forth factors to be considered in determining such production costs. Establishes the Universal Service Fund. Requires the Universal Service Board to determine annually the uniform surcharges on the amounts collected by exchange common carriers for exchange access so that the Fund has enough money to make its required payments. Entitles an exchange common carrier to receive payments from the Fund if the carrier certifies to the Board that the carrier's average costs for non- traffic-sensitive facilities per customer access line exceed 115 percent of the national average of such costs. Requires the Fund to include a transitional account for payments to exchange common carriers whose annual total revenues do not reach a specified level. Requires the Universal Service Board to establish and oversee an exchange access board to administer the accounts of the Universal Service Fund. Provides for audits and adjustments to payments from the Universal Service Fund. Requires the FCC to establish depreciation rules as soon as possible. Requires the tariff for interexchange service, if it was in effect on July 1, 1983, to be based on the national average of the cost of providing interexchange service. Authorizes a State commission to require exchange common carriers to lease and maintain on request a single basic one-line telephone instrument to any subscriber within the State on the basis of a tariff that includes all the costs of providing and maintaining the instrument. Requires each exchange carrier, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, to provide lifeline (discounted) telephone service for eligible individuals. Defines eligible individuals to be individuals receiving or eligible to receive aid to families with dependent children, supplemental security income benefits, or benefits under the Food Stamp Act of 1977. Prohibits a carrier or exchange carrier from subsidizing its unregulated commercial activities with revenues from its regulated communications services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1983
Alternative Energy Tax Incentives Act of 1983 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the residential energy income tax credit for renewable energy sources for five years from 1985 to 1990. Reduces the qualifying percentage for energy source expenditures by specified increments between 1985 and 1990. Increases from 15 percent to 20 percent the investment tax credit for solar, wind, geothermal, and ocean thermal property. Extends such tax credit for five years from 1985 to 1990. Extends the investment tax credit for hydroelectric generating property and biomass property for five years from 1985 to 1990. Reestablishes the credit for cogeneration property until 1990. Qualifies until 1995 affirmative commitments for solar, wind, geothermal, ocean thermal, biomass, and cogeneration projects begun by December 31, 1990. Eliminates the 20 percent limitation for oil and natural gas used in cogeneration facilities. Qualifies as biomass property methane- containing gas produced by anaerobic digestion from nonfossil waste materials. Revises the definition of geothermal deposit to lower the required temperature to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (from 122 degrees Fahrenheit). Includes shale oil property and tar sands equipment as energy property for purposes of the investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1983
Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to extend medical benefits to former military spouses who were married at least 20 years to a member with at least 20 years of service when a minimum of ten years of such marriage and service coincide. Grants medical benefits to a former spouse who has a disease or disability attributable to the nature or location of a member's or former member's military service. Limits the health care available to such former spouses to that necessary for the treatment of such a disease or disability. Entitles such former spouses to post exchange and commissary privileges as well. Applies this Act to all eligible former spouses, regardless of date of divorce.
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 · 22 September 1983
National Dividend Act of 1983 - Establishes a program for the distribution of corporate income tax, capital gains tax, and insurance company income tax revenues to the registered voters of each State in the form of dividend payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to the chief financial officer of each State an amount equal to the National Dividend Payment, as computed under this Act, multiplied by the number of registered voters in such State. Establishes the National Dividend Payment Trust Fund. Directs the payment of specified amounts to the Trust Fund between FY 1984 and 1987. Establishes a National Dividend Review Board to review the manner in which payments are made from the Trust Fund and to make investments of trust funds which are not required to meet current expenses. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income all dividend income, including dividends received under this Act, received by a taxpayer from a domestic corporation. Increases the income tax deduction to corporations for dividends received on the preferred stock of a public utility. Prohibits an increase of corporate income tax rates above 50 percent. Limits increases in Federal expenditures during the five year period beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act to an amount which is attributable to inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from issuing regulations requiring barter exchanges to submit information on an individual transaction basis.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1983
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make technical corrections with respect to the application after 1983 of the percentage depletion allowance to oil and natural gas resulting from secondary or tertiary processes.
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
Amends the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930, to impress a trust on behalf of an unpaid seller or supplier on the inventories, commodities, or proceeds from the sale of such commodities held by a commission merchant, dealer, or broker. States that payment shall not be considered to have been made if the supplier, seller, or agent receives a payment instrument which is dishonored. Exempts cooperative association-member transactions from such provisions. States that an unpaid seller or supplier shall lose such trust benefits unless he or she: (1) gives written notice of intent to preserve such benefits to the commission dealer or agent; and (2) files such notice with the Secretary of Agriculture within specified times. Vests U.S. district courts with jurisdiction over actions to preserve a trust or to enforce a trust beneficiary's payment. Makes a failure to properly maintain a seller trust or violation of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to the family of the late Honorable Lawrence P. McDonald in recognition of his distinguished service as a Member of Congress and the facts surrounding his untimely death. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the striking of such gold medal and authorizes the Secretary to make duplicates in bronze of such medal available for public sale. Authorizes appropriations after October 1, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1983
States that the United States: (1) condemns the Soviet destruction of Korean Air Lines flight 7; (2) calls for an explanation from the Soviets; (3) extends its sympathies to the families who lost loved ones and supports their rights to obtain reparations from the Soviets; (4) calls on the Soviets to assist in the recovery of the remains of the victims; (5) calls for an international investigation by the International Civil Aviation Organization; (6) declares its intention to demand that the Soviets modify their air defense procedures to assure the safety of commercial airliners; (7) finds that this incident will make it difficult for the U.S. and other nations to accept the Soviets as responsible members of the international community; and (8) urges our allies and other nations to cooperate with specified demands on the Soviets.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1983
Wine Equity Act of 1983 - Requires the President to direct the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to negotiate the harmonization of tariff and nontariff barriers on wine with each designated major trading country. Requires negotiations with designated major trading countries which do not export wine to the United States in order to eliminate all tariff and nontariff trade barriers of such countries to the importation of U.S. wine. Requires the President to impose tariff and nontariff trade barriers equal or substantially equivalent to the barriers applied by a designated major trading country if such country does not provide harmonization to U.S. produced-wine with 180 days of the country's designation as a designated major trading country. Provides for removing such U.S. tariff and nontariff barriers. Requires the USTR to report to specified congressional committees at the beginning and end of each negotiation. Requires the USTR to consult with such committees to identify further tariff and nontariff barriers to and potential markets for U.S. wine. Provides for assistance for the USTR from other Federal agencies.