United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare, for distribution to taxpayers, brief but comprehensive statements which set forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of taxpayers during an audit; (2) the procedures which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may use in enforcing revenue laws; and (3) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file taxpayer complaints. Requires a copy of such statement to accompany any tax forms sent to taxpayers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by employees of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws which inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization which are not directly related to such tax laws; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action for any taxpayer aggrieved by a prohibited investigation or by the deprivation of any civil rights. Permits the award of a judgment of costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, to a prevailing taxpayer in any proceeding before the Tax Court. Requires the IRS, upon a taxpayer's request, to conduct any interview regarding a deficiency assessment in the taxpayer's residence or place of business, at a reasonable time convenient to the taxpayer. Requires the officer or employee conducting such interview to warn the taxpayer that: (1) he has a right to remain silent; (2) any statement he makes may be used against him; and (3) he has the right to the presence of an attorney. Exempts certain income producing property from levy for nonpayment of taxes. Makes binding on the Secretary: (1) a tax return prepared for the taxpayer by an officer or employee of the IRS acting in his official capacity to provide such assistance; and (2) information or advice given to the taxpayer by such an officer or employee acting in his official capacity. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to establish, and to report annually to Congress on, a program to provide for a continuing audit and investigation of the efficiency, uniformity, and equity of the administration of the internal revenue laws of the United States. Places the burden of proof, in administrative and judicial proceedings involving the IRS and a taxpayer, upon the IRS. Directs that all property of taxpayers, for purposes of the estate and gift tax, be valued at historical cost (original cost to the taxpayer or the basis of the property if it was not purchased). Prohibits the use in IRS personnel evaluations of amounts collected pursuant to audits or investigations. Requires the annual audit of the tax returns of IRS revenue agents and tax auditors. Requires a court order before property of a taxpayer may be levied upon for the collection of tax.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Taxpayer Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in the collection of taxes, to provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act regarding communication and harassment in connection with debt collection. Prohibits the publication of any tax deficiency which has not been adjudged to be payable by a competent court. Permits individual taxpayers to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court for damages resulting from collection practices prohibited by this Act. Requires a Federal court order before property of a taxpayer may be levied upon for the collection of tax. Specifies that a showing of fraud or malfeasance or a misrepresentation, for purposes of modifying or reconsidering a closing agreement between an individual taxpayer and the Secretary of the Treasury, shall be taken into account only if such a showing or misrepresentation is determined by a competent court. Prohibits the Secretary from consenting to extend for more than one year the period for assessment of the income tax liability of any individual taxpayer. Requires the Secretary to prepare, for distribution to taxpayers, brief but comprehensive statements which set forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of taxpayers during an audit; (2) the procedures which the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws; and (3) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file taxpayer complaints. Requires a copy of such statement to accompany any tax forms sent to taxpayers. Prescribes criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation by employees of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws which inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Creates a civil cause of action for any taxpayer aggrieved by a prohibited investigation or by the deprivation of any civil rights. Permits the award of a judgment of costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, to a prevailing taxpayer in any proceeding before the Tax Court. Makes binding on the Secretary : (1) a tax return prepared for the taxpayer by an officer or employee of the IRS acting in his official capacity to provide such assistance; and (2) written information or advice given to the taxpayer by such an officer or employee acting in his official capacity. Places the burden of proof, in administrative and judicial proceedings involving the IRS and a taxpayer, upon the IRS. Directs that all property of taxpayers, for purposes of the estate and gift tax, be valued at historical cost (original cost to the taxpayer or the basis of the property if it was not purchased). Prohibits the use in IRS personnel evaluations of amounts collected pursuant to audits or investigations. Precludes the Secretary from exercising any enforcement authority over churches or certain other organizations. Prohibits the audit of any group of taxpayers unless the Secretary has first met certain notice requirements or permitted members of the group to file an amended return. Sets forth conditions which must be met by the IRS before any action is taken to interfere with the property rights of a taxpayer. Requires the IRS, before securing the records of or personal data concerning any taxpayer, to: (1) notify the taxpayer in writing of the demand, the material sought, and the need for the material; (2) have commenced an action in a competent court against the taxpayer; and (3) have justified its need before the court consistent with the discovery rules of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. States that the IRS shall have no authority, in enforcing the tax obligations of any person, which conflicts with rights and privileges granted under the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1983
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1982
Establishes the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Requires the Commission to: (1) plan and develop appropriate activities to commemorate the bicentennial of the Constitution; (2) encourage private organizations, and State and local governments to organize and participate in bicentennial activities; (3) coordinate activities throughout all the States; and (4) serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of bicentennial information. Directs the Commission to seek assistance from private and governmental agencies and organizations. Requires the Commission to submit a report of its recommendations to the President, Congress and the Judicial Conference within two years of enactment of this Act and annually until its termination. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 1989. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 and such sums as necessary through FY 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1982
Natural Gas Marketing Improvements Act of 1982 - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to provide that any contract for the sale of natural gas to any pipeline shall be deemed to include a purchase requirement adjustment clause, unless otherwise expressly provided in the contract. Provides that under a purchase requirement adjustment clause a purchaser may refuse to accept any portion of the gas purchased if the purchaser determines there is not a market for the gas. Prohibits a purchaser from reducing the volume accepted below 50 percent of the amount the purchaser contracted to take. Requires a purchaser to reduce the volume of the highest price gas first. Voids any contract provision that requires payment for gas not accepted pursuant to this Act. Prohibits a purchaser who has not accepted the full amount of gas under a contract from accepting gas for an equal or higher price under a new contract. Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to consider a pipeline's use of a purchase requirement adjustment clause in any purchase gas adjustment or general rate proceeding involving that pipeline. Provides that any contract for the sale of natural gas to any pipeline shall be deemed to include a transportation obligation clause. Provides that under a transportation obligation clause any purchaser who has exercised the right to reduce the volume of gas for which the purchaser contracted must provide, on behalf of the seller, transportation of any such gas which: (1) is involved in the reduction; (2) is resold by the seller to another purchaser; and (3) the purchaser would be required to pay for in the absence of the exercise of such contract provision. Provides that the consideration for any such transportation shall be $.05 per million Btu's plus the cost of transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1982
Provides that, for any week beginning after enactment of this Act and before January 1, 1983, the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act shall be applied as if the State trigger were based solely on a State insured unemployment rate of five percent for that week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks (waiving the 120 percent factor). Waives the required 13-week period between extended benefit periods if the prior extended benefit period closed before the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1982
Missing Children Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to collect and exchange information which would assist in the identification of unidentified deceased individuals and the location of missing persons, including missing children.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that regulations recently proposed by the Secretary of Education under the Education of the Handicapped Act should not be permitted to take effect.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1982
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1982
Amends the bankruptcy law to include among priority claims allowed, unsecured claims of governmental units for an educational loan made, insured, or guaranteed by such unit. Excludes such loans from discharge after completion of the court confirmed plan. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an offset against overpayment of taxes for defaulted amounts on Federal student loans owed by an individual. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to notify the Secretary of Education monthly as to the amounts recovered and to transfer such amounts as necessary to the governmental unit or fund to be repaid.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1982
Prohibition of Mandatory Retirement and Employment Rights Act of 1982 - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to eliminate the upper age limitation of the class of persons to whom such Act applies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1982
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the inclusion of the disbursements from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and of the receipts from the old age, survivors and disability insurance taxes and the hospital insurance taxes on self-employment income, employees, and employers in the totals of the Federal budget. Exempts such disbursements and receipts from any general statutory limitation on Federal budget outlays.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1982
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that nothing in the Constitution shall be construed to prohibit prayer in public schools or institutions. States that no person shall be required by the United States or any State to participate in prayer.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1982
Amends the Bankruptcy Code to provide that educational loans which are not dischargeable in bankruptcy liquidation shall not be dischargeable in an adjustment of debts in a bankruptcy of an individual with regular income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1982
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the collection of defaulted Federal student loans by offset against income tax refunds of those individuals found to be in default on such loans. Defines "Federal student loan" for purposes of this Act. Sets forth special rules with respect to joint returns and fiscal year taxpayers. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) notify the Secretary of Education of the amounts collected with respect to any loan to any individual; and (2) transfer such amounts to the Secretary of Education as is necessary to reimburse the entity or fund to which such loan is repayable. Requires that such notification and transfer be made not less often than monthly.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1982
Declares that the President should invite the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to participate in the Cabinet Council on Economic Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should notify the Common Market's Council of Ministers that: (1) renegotiation of the Common Market's tariff on corn gluten feed is not in the best interests of the United States; and (2) the imposition of any trade restriction on corn gluten feed would seriously impede U.S. relations with the Common Market. Urges the President to take all other appropriate steps to protect U.S. exports of corn gluten feed.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1982
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Commerce should establish standards and procedures, including an opportunity for public comment, before any weather station or weather service office of the National Weather Service is closed or its personnel reduced.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should acclaim and support the demonstration of the people of El Salvador in favor of democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1982
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) graduate and professional students should remain eligible for guaranteed student loans under the Higher Education Act of 1965; (2) Congress should provide Pell grant assistance for academic year 1982 through 1983 that fully funds the need analysis criteria of January 6, 1982, in order to provide assistance to 2,600,000 needy students; and (3) Congress should not further reduce the amount of funds available for campus-based student assistance programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 below the levels established by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 25 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 · 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 · 15 March 1982
Declares that if Israel or any other democratic state is denied its rights and privileges in the United Nations General Assembly the United States will suspend its participation in the General Assembly and will withhold its contribution to the United Nations until the action is reversed.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hopkins, Larry J. [R-KY-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/18f7e3fefb41424aaf338c3023b86b07_200.jpg)